"Your Highness!"
"A large number of Jin Yiwei have left Beijing! According to the information provided by our internal informants, their destination is Qiongzhou!"
On this day, Huang Xigun hurriedly found Zhu Cican and explained the matter.
Zhu Cican, who was boxing, stopped boxing after hearing this. He hurriedly walked into the house and said uncontrollably: "Qiongzhou? Does this mean that my father believes that the fifth brother did this?"
"This is undoubtedly 100% certain. Shouldn't the censor who participated in the impeachment of the fifth prince be removed?"
Huang Xigun replied.
After hearing this, Zhu Cican said: "No rush! This matter still needs to be considered carefully!"
"My Highness! What are you waiting for? Strike while the iron is hot!"
Huang Xigun said with some excitement.
Zhu Cican said: "It's not me Yourou, it's the matter itself. One careless move and everything is lost!"
As Zhu Cican spoke, he sat on the chair and began to think deeply.
Huang Xigun suggested at this time: "It is better to let me encourage His Majesty the Seventh Prince. He is about to go to the capital. Let the general of Zhenguo go find him. His Majesty the Seventh Prince is definitely more willing to let the Fifth Prince be executed by His Majesty than you are!"
After hearing this, Zhu Cican glanced at him and said, "It's up to you. How could I be directly involved in these crimes that framed my brother? Wouldn't this be a loss of morality?"
Huang Xigun nodded: "What His Highness said is that I did not think carefully before."
In his heart, Zhu Cican hoped that after Zhu Ciqi framed Zhu Cizhuo, Zhu Ciqi's crimes would be discovered by the emperor.
…
Qiongzhou.
On this day, Zhu Cizhuo, who was blowing the sea breeze, was leisurely saying to his staff Zhang Dai: "Now that the world is about to be unified, it's time for me to disband and return to my country. You can write a memorial to the court on my behalf, mainly to ask the court to seal me to Eastern Europe." Go, I’ll drop by the Anxi Protector’s Mansion to see Wu Ya when the time comes.”
"Your Highness is a very affectionate person. Zhang will write it when he gets back."
Zhang Dai replied with a smile.
But at this time, Liu Zhaoji suddenly ran over and said: "Your Highness, the imperial guards are here! I want you to go back immediately to receive the order!"
"Get the order?"
Zhu Cizhuo was quite surprised after hearing this.
Zhang Dai felt vaguely uneasy.
Because there is no war to fight now, there is no need to issue any orders to the fifth prince who is leading the troops outside.
Unless it's a matter of tearing down a mill and killing a donkey, or crossing a river and burning a bridge.
"Your Highness! How about I go and ask first what the decree is?"
Zhang Dai replied.
"No need!"
Zhu Cizhuo waved his hand at this time and returned to his villa.
"...The fifth prince betrayed the Han family and failed the country, which made me shameless. Therefore, he was removed from all his positions and titles. The left governor Qiao Ke, who was wearing a royal guard, escorted him back to the capital to await trial!..."
After Zhu Cizhuo heard the decree, he was completely stunned.
He didn't expect that he would have so many crimes all at once, including those who secretly cultivated his own forces, colluded with the feudal army to massacre the imperial army, and colluded with the Baiyi bandit army to massacre the central government offices.
After Qiao Ke finished reciting the will, he did not dare to be too serious, but said to Zhu Cizhuo very gently: "Your Highness! Please take off the crown on your head and follow us."
"How dare you!"
Liu Zhaoji, who had always had a bad temper, shouted loudly, pulled out his gun and pointed it at the guards: "This is an unjust case! I don't believe you guards can't see it!"
Qiao Keke ignored Liu Zhaoji and was not angry. Instead, he only looked at Zhu Cizhuo and said, "Your Highness, please don't embarrass us."
"Your Highness!"
At this time, Liu Zhaoji also shouted to Zhu Cizhuo and said, "Say something! At the worst, I, Old Liu, will lose my life, so I can't let you suffer this injustice."
Zhu Cizhuo was silent for a long time, and finally said to Liu Zhaoji: "This matter has nothing to do with you, don't be like this!"
With that said, Zhu Cizhuo took off the crown on his head, then walked up to Qiao Ke, stretched out his hands and said, "Get on the shackles!"
Qiao Ke waved his hand.
As a result, Zhu Cizhuo was put on the heavy yoke used by serious criminals.
But at this time, many soldiers of the imperial army who had experienced life and death with Zhu Cizhuo gathered around him, and they all blocked the front with grief, anger and murderous intent on their faces.
Seeing this, Zhu Cizhuo shouted loudly: "Everyone disperse! You are the emperor's soldiers and the court's soldiers. If you want me to live, don't do this!"
After hearing what Zhu Cizhuo said, these people gradually dispersed.
…
"My son, I accept the decree!"
Zhu Cikai also received Zhu Youxiao's order asking him to go to Beijing to report on his work and be conferred. Therefore, he could not hide his joy. After sending the person who announced the order to rest elsewhere, he said to Zhu Youyi who came to see him: "What the emperor uncle said is real?"
"How could I lie to you!"
"The fifth prince has indeed been stripped of his rank and will be arrested and brought to the capital to be severely punished. With His Majesty's current attitude, even if he is not killed, he will be sentenced to death! By then, in terms of prestige in the military, no one will be able to compete with Your Highness. You competed.”
Zhu Youyi replied.
After Zhu Cikai heard this, he was naturally very satisfied and said: "King Gaotang and Fan Guangwen, they really did not disappoint His Highness! However, these people who support me now actually only care about my second brother's face."
Zhu Youyi understood what Zhu Cikai meant and comforted him: "Your Highness, don't worry. As long as the fifth prince is gone in the future, who will get that position will not depend on who has a strong fist. Apart from a reputation for benevolence, what else does the Second Highness have?"
"It's hard to say. Not everyone in the army obeys me."
Zhu Cikai replied.
"That's why we need to get rid of the fifth prince first!"
Zhu Youyi replied, and then said: "Although it is inevitable that some military veterans will intercede for the fifth prince, and something unexpected happens, we can take advantage of it by striking first! It will be a capital crime for the fifth prince to be completely punished!"
"What can you do? Tell me carefully!"
Zhu Cikai said curiously.
Zhu Youyi then chimed in and said: "In the past, King Ningwu (Zhou Yuji) arbitrarily gathered various guards to be commanded by one person, and launched brazen attacks on surrounding countries. Many ministers in the court did not like it, saying that he threatened the court. I'm afraid that His Majesty also has this thought in his heart, and thinks that King Ningwu's military appeal is too strong, so he has a grudge! King Ningwu and the fifth prince have always been close, and King Ningwu is the most supportive of the fifth prince, so , it would be better to let our secret censor say that King Ningwu did what he did on that day at the instigation of the fifth prince, in order to force the court to launch a war to unify America in advance, so that he could regain his military exploits and prepare for seizing the throne in the future. So , Your Majesty will definitely not tolerate the fifth prince even more, and may even get rid of King Ningwu as well."
Zhu Cikai didn't think much after hearing this. He had always been someone who was not afraid of getting into trouble, so he just said: "This is a very clever plan. The troubled emperor will take action on this matter immediately."
Zhu Youyi nodded and replied: "I'll make arrangements after I return to Beijing!"
…
Shortly after Zhu Cizhuo and Zhu Cikai returned to Beijing, Zhu Youxiao received a censor's impeachment report. It was Zhu Cizhuo's instigation that Zhou Yuji brazenly launched a war against Korea, which caused the imperial court to unify America ahead of schedule. A memorial to the plan.
Do the whole show.
Zhu Youxiao was furious because of this, and ordered Zhou Yujisuo to be taken to the capital.
Zhou Yuji was shocked when he learned about it, but he soon figured it out and accepted the arrangement of being escorted back to the capital by the Jinyi Guards without any resistance.
Because decades of getting along with the emperor and his ministers, he knew that His Majesty the Emperor would never wrong anyone. Even if he really didn't understand it, he had to understand that the Emperor had his own ideas.
As a minister of the king, there is only absolute obedience.
There is no way, Zhu Youxiao's prestige is indeed so great now. The more powerful a person is, the more obedient and without self-awareness he is in front of him.
After all, powerful people can see that there was nothing wrong with Zhu Youxiao's decades in power, and they were all great achievements that benefited the country and the people.
Therefore, people like Zhou Yuji really dare not have the slightest doubt or dissatisfaction with Zhu Youxiao's will. If Zhu Youxiao says that he is guilty, he will have to ask in his heart whether he is really guilty, even if he is actually guilty. I feel like I haven’t committed any serious crime.
Zhu Cizhuo actually had some such thoughts.
As soon as Zhu Cizhuo was escorted to the capital, Zhu Youxiao immediately met him in a secret room of Daming Garden.
"Father!"
Zhu Cizhuo still saluted Zhu Youxiao.
Looking at the unshaven Zhu Cizhuo, Zhu Youxiao felt a little distressed, but on the surface, he still asked seriously: "I know that the matters concerning the imperial edict have nothing to do with you."
After hearing this, Zhu Cizhuo suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhu Youxiao.
He wanted to ask: Since you know, why do you blame me so much? Do you really think your son and I can endure such great grievances? !
"But I have a question to ask you, and you must answer it truthfully! Otherwise, even if this matter has nothing to do with you or not, you will never have any personal freedom in the future!"
Zhu Youxiao said.
After hearing this, Zhu Cizhuo understood what Zhu Youxiao meant and said: "Father, there is no need to ask. I said before that I was not interested in that position, and I am not interested now either. It is all because of you that I have reached this point." Caused by this! If you want to kill, kill! In your eyes, even us sons are your pawns, and we are forced to be useful pawns!"
"There is nothing you can do about it. Who made you the emperor's heir? If you want to live a leisurely life, you will have to live in peace unless there is no more imperial power in the world."
Zhu Youxiao replied.
"You really don't want that position?"
Zhu Youxiao asked.
Zhu Cizhuo turned away, unwilling to look at Zhu Youxiao: "Seriously!"
"Then just stay in this yard! Never think about going out!"
Zhu Youxiao left here without saying a word.
Zhu Cizhuo glanced at Zhu Youxiao's back.
After Zhu Youxiao returned to the front hall, he immediately ordered his ministers: "Draw up the decree and ask all the emperor's heirs to return to the capital. In addition, King Xin Zhu Youjian, King Fu Zhu Yousong, King Tang Zhu Yujian, King Gui Zhu Youlang, Zhu Yihai, King of Lu, is the permanent director of the clan's government and will come to Beijing immediately to see me. Since the crime of the emperor's heir is involved, it will naturally be a joint trial between me and the clan's government!"
"According to the order!"
…
"The fifth prince has been detained. Your Majesty wants to interrogate him personally. He has also specially summoned the most meritorious vassal princes to come to the capital for interrogation. It seems that he is serious about it!"
Shortly after Zhu You secretly met with Zhu Cizhuo, Zhu Youdi told Zhu Cikai that Zhu Cizhuo had been detained.
After hearing this, Zhu Cikai couldn't help but frown and said: "Why is it so troublesome! We have to summon the emperor's heirs and vassal princes to the capital. Wouldn't it be over if they die with a glass of poisonous wine!"
At this time, Zhu Cikai was really regarded by Zhu Cizhuo as the biggest obstacle on his way forward, and he only wanted Zhu Cizhuo to die.
Zhu Youyi advised from the side: "Perhaps it is to let the royal family see it with their own eyes and serve as a warning to others!"
Zhu Cikai snorted and said, "I know, that old guy always likes to do this."
Next, Zhu Cikai could only wait.
Zhu Youxiao is also waiting for the emperor's heirs and vassal kings to come to Beijing.
While waiting for the emperor's heirs and vassal kings to march, Zhu Youxiao first received the news that Li Dingguo had completely unified Africa.
"In this way, the world will be completely unified!"
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said to the assistant ministers of Zhengshitang.
"I congratulate Your Majesty and congratulate the Ming Dynasty!"
Zhang Tongchang replied.
Du Yinxi and others also immediately said: "I congratulate Your Majesty and congratulate the Ming Dynasty!"
Zhu Youxiao became even more happy because of this: "Next, we have to step up the work of enfeoffment."
"yes!"
The unification of Africa indeed means that the Ming Dynasty has completely achieved global unification.
From then on, the earth really only belonged to the Han family.
The next step is nothing more than the improvement of the governance system.
During this period, Zhu Youxiao also made Wu Ya a general of the imperial guard battalion, responsible for the palace guards.
This surprised many people, and it was news that many people had to pay attention to.
However, no one except Zhou Yuji, Zhu Youxiao and Wu Ya herself knew that Wu Ya was Zhou Yuji's adopted daughter.
"General Wu Ya! What a coincidence, you also come to this royal school to practice shooting?"
Zhu Cikai has been deliberately getting close to Wu Ya these days, needless to say his motive.
Of course, he had to admit that Wu Ya, who had never been married, was no longer young, but her charm was still there, and she was still the most beautiful woman in the world, which made him covet not only her current rights but also her body.
Zhu Cikai found out that Wuya was practicing spear practice here, so he hurried over to chat with her.
"Back to His Majesty Seventh Prince, yes."
Wu Ya replied.
Zhu Cikai first took out his gun and fired a few shots at the target in front of him. The targets were all above the ninth ring for a while, so he asked: "General Wu Ya, what do you think of my shooting skills?"
Wu Ya replied: "Your Highness's marksmanship is naturally excellent."
Zhu Cikai said and held Wu Ya's hand: "How about I teach you how to practice shooting?"
Wu Ya hurriedly pulled her hand back, with a sullen look in her eyes, and immediately turned around and left.
Zhu Cikai hurriedly stopped her, leaned over and bowed: "Forgive me, General Wu Ya! I was so rash just now because I couldn't help myself. I'm really sorry!"
Wuya didn't speak, she just wanted to escape from here.
Zhu Cikai continued: "Actually, I just want to exchange marksmanship with you. In terms of shooting skills, I am only worse than Lao Wu."
"Worse than Lao Wu?"
When Wu Ya heard this, she couldn't help but ask: "Is His Majesty the Fifth Highness good at shooting?"
Zhu Cikai laughed awkwardly: "He is very good at this."
Wu Ya suddenly remembered the scene in the past when Zhu Cizhuo deliberately showed off his poor marksmanship in front of her to gain face for herself, and her eyes couldn't help but heat up because of this.
Seeing that Wu Ya didn't speak any more, Zhu Cikai continued to look for topics.
"Your Highness! It's getting dark, and I have to go to inspect the palace. Farewell!"
After Wu Ya finished speaking, she left the school grounds.
"General Wuya! How about we come here to practice shooting together another day?"
Zhu Cikai shouted hurriedly and couldn't help but look down.
Wu Ya would basically take advantage of the opportunity to inspect the palace every day to come to the place where Zhu Cizhuo was imprisoned and stand by the door, waiting for Zhu Cizhuo to come to the door.
But Zhu Cizhuo basically drinks indoors.
But on this day, Zhu Cizhuo came outside and started playing with a wooden stick as a sword.
Wu Ya therefore had the opportunity to ask through the door: "Your Highness, are you okay now?"
Zhu Cizhuo suddenly felt that he heard a familiar voice, and immediately stopped, covered in hot sweat and breathing rapidly, he walked to the door and opened the crack of the door: "Is it Wuya?"
"is it you?"
Zhu Cizhuo asked with a smile that could not be concealed.
"Um."
There was a soft voice outside the door.
After hearing this, Zhu Cizhuo felt as if he was listening to Sanskrit music, and suddenly felt satisfied and said: "Why are you here? How did you come in? This is the Daming Garden!"
"I am now one of the guards generals here, responsible for the palace guards. After all, I am a female general."
Wu Ya replied.
"It's rare! What on earth is my father thinking about asking you to be a palace guard? It's rare that my father doesn't know your true situation. It's not like that. He is such a powerful person."
Zhu Cizhuo said.
"I can't stay long. I'll see you next time."
Wu Ya replied.
Then, Zhu Cizhuo stopped hearing any movement outside.
But then, Wu Ya would indeed come here from time to time to say a word or two to him.
Zhu Cizhuo no longer stayed indoors, but kept waiting outside the door, even if it rained or snowed.
As the twelfth lunar month of the seventy-fifth year of the Apocalypse is approaching, all the emperors and vassal kings from all over the country have come to Beijing.
Zhu Ciwei also learned about Zhu Cizhuo's imprisonment and discussed the matter with Zhang Dai.
"It is not appropriate for His Highness to plead for mercy on this matter. After all, if His Majesty pleads for mercy, it will reveal that he and His Majesty the Fifth Prince are already on the same side."
Zhang Dai advised from the side.
Zhu Ciwei waved his hand and said: "This is not a reason! I'm afraid my father has already guessed our relationship."
Zhang Dai said: "That's not possible! How can the king's law be interfered with by personal affairs? You will still be despised by His Majesty. With His Majesty's wisdom, it is impossible not to know the injustice of His Majesty the Fifth!"
After hearing this, Zhu Ciwei glanced at Zhang Dai and said after a long time: "That's fine, I'll listen to you."
Since the emperor's heirs and vassal princes all came to Beijing, Zhu Youxiao also ordered a joint trial of Zhu Cizhuo, and except Zhu Cican, all the emperor's heirs and vassal princes had to participate.
Zhu Cikai was particularly excited about this and was the first to arrive at the trial hall on the day of the trial.
Zhu Ciwei was the last one to come besides the emperor himself. He was very unwilling to face this situation. After all, he knew that once Zhu Cizhuo was executed, for him, it would be more than just losing a good brother.
After Zhu Youxiao came here and announced that he would be exempted from the ceremony, he began to announce the order to bring all the prisoners up.
Zhu Cikai was feeling proud, but soon, to his surprise, Emperor Zhu Youxiao directly asked Xu Zhijue: "Xu Zhijue, tell me, in the past, the people who colluded with the Baiyi bandits to massacre the central government offices, and the people who colluded with the vassal government Who was behind the massacre of the imperial army and the assassination of the imperial generals?"
"Your Majesty, it's His Highness the Seventh Prince!"
Xu Zhijue replied.
When everyone heard this, they all opened their mouths in surprise.
Zhu Cikai was stunned for a moment and looked at Xu Zhijue.
Zhu Youxiao did not give Zhu Cikai a chance to question why Xu Zhijue retracted his confession, and continued to ask: "Do you have any evidence?"
Xu Zhijue said: "Yes! I am lurking in the Gaotang Kingdom. Although I am just an ordinary academic and political official, I am actually the social affairs director and the head of the organization office of the Free Society founded by His Highness the Seventh Prince, Fan Guangwen and others. I have a personal letter written by the Seventh Prince here." The application form for joining the society, as well as the signature and seal! It is also evidenced by all the society guidelines of the Free Society and all the letters privately sent to me by the seventh prince. I pretended to say that it had been destroyed at the time, but in fact it was not destroyed, but was secretly stored in Dufu. There, sir!"
Du Yinxi immediately stood up and handed out a stack of materials: "Your Majesty, I did just receive the materials from Xu Zhijue and was about to submit them."
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao did not ask Zhu Cikai. Instead, he looked at Fang Zhengyue, Fan Guangwen and Zhu Youji and said, "Where are you?"
"how so?!"
"how come?!"
Zhu Cikai was murmuring at this time and looked at Xu Zhijue: "Mr. Xu! It turns out you have betrayed me a long time ago!"
