Zhu Qiyu held Zhu Zhanyi firmly: "Uncle, there is no need to be too polite. Today we only talk about uncles and nephews, not monarchs and ministers. Has uncle's injury gotten better?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm getting better soon. I'm getting better soon."
Although he said he was almost healed, Zhu Zhanzhen's heart was bleeding. After hiding in bed for so many days, Zhu Zhanzhen finally figured it out. Ever since he insisted on not recognizing Zhu Qiyu's throne, he had entered a dead end.
Why did everyone lose their minds a month ago and join forces to mutiny with Emperor Gongrang? That's because if you don't rebel, you will still be cut with blunt knives. Watching the Queen Mother, Emperor Gongrang, and the Crown Prince being killed one by one will be even more painful.
Take a gamble on mutiny, and you still have a chance to change your fate against the odds.
From a tactical perspective, Zhu Zhanzhen did not regret launching the mutiny.
But from a strategic perspective, it was better to stay down-to-earth and enjoy the happiness in Changsha.
From the perspective of hindsight, no matter what Emperor Gongrang and his group did, there was no way they could make a comeback. From the moment Xu Heng, the then Marquis of Xing'an, abandoned Emperor Gongrang and turned to Zhu Qiyu, the outcome was already doomed.
Veteran generals such as Shi Heng, Sun Boring, and Liu Yongcheng led fifteen thousand elite troops into the capital, but they were unable to influence the outcome of the mutiny.
It's all the fault of the 30,000 Shaanxi frontier troops composed of the Xiaoqi Battalion.
The most frightening thing was the demonstration effect brought by Xu Heng's loyalty to Zhu Qiyu. The four guards of Shenji Camp and Yumajian followed suit and turned to Zhu Qiyu, which made the situation completely out of control.
It wasn't until the past two days that Zhu Zhanchen figured out that Zhu Qiyu, a bastard, must have offered Xu Heng a bargaining chip that he couldn't refuse: Zhu Qiyu promised that Xu Heng's son Xu Xian would be the head of the country in the future, and that Xu Xian's daughter would be the queen in the future. Let Xu Xian's grandson be the emperor in the future. This is probably the truth of the matter.
Thinking of this, Zhu Zhanzhen glanced at Zhu Qiyu secretly. His nephew had obviously not received an orthodox imperial education. Why was he so smart? Among Wang Ji, Chen Mao, and Xu Heng, he decisively gave up on Wang Ji, who had greater fame and achievements. , Chen Mao, wholeheartedly went to Xu Heng.
Zhu Zhanzhen figured it out now, but it was obviously too late. Dongchang and Jinyiwei surrounded his residence. His every word and deed was under the surveillance of the factory guards. It was impossible to stand up. The only suspense is how Zhu Qiyu will deal with himself.
Seeing that his fifth uncle's face was gloomy and uncertain, Zhu Qiyu asked with concern: "Do the palace servants still serve the emperor's uncle attentively?
A few days ago, some slaves were neglectful of the Empress Dowager in terms of meals, and my nephew had severely punished them.
If the palace servants have any shortcomings, the emperor's uncle can tell his nephew that these gang of dog slaves who are neither loyal to the emperor nor reverent will not be tolerated. "
Zhu Zhanzhen's face turned red at these words. Although the word "dog slave" in Zhu Qiyu's mouth was not common, everyone could tell that it was a curse.
As for who was scolded? Who is the 'dog slave' who is neither loyal to the emperor nor reverent?
Then why bother asking? Isn’t this just pointing at the mulberry trees and scolding the pagoda trees, and pointing at the monks and scolding the bald donkeys?
Moreover, Zhu Qiyu also used the title "Empress Dowager" for Sun. Isn't this just forcing him to express his position?
Gritting his teeth hard, Zhu Zhanzhen finally replied: "Sun bewitched the late emperor, conspired to rob his son, and killed the Shangsheng Queen. His evil words and deeds were hated by everyone. The palace officials neglected Xuanmiao's violent concubine, which is also the reason. Out of righteous indignation, I thought I was blameless.
The Holy Lord is the legitimate son of the late emperor and the Holy Queen. He could have taken revenge on the Sun family, but now he repays evil with kindness. He supports the ruthless concubine of Xuan Temple with fine clothes and fine food. He is actually a holy master who is kind and friendly through the ages.
As for the palace servants around me, since they have been appointed by the Holy One to serve, how can they dare to disobey the Holy Order and show no reverence?
I should have been put to death if I was obsessed with ghosts and violated the laws of the country. It was the kindness of the Holy One to temporarily spare my life. If God's grace is like this, there is no reason to be dissatisfied. "
Zhu Qiyu turned his head and glanced at the ministers, and then smiled and said: "It's all over. After all, the emperor's uncle and Xuan Miao are the same brothers. How can a nephew not care about the close friendship?
At the beginning of the founding of the country, Taizu spent a huge amount of manpower and material resources to build Fengyang Zhongdu. His nephew thought that there was no reason to let Zhongdu be abandoned like this. Wouldn't it be a waste of people's power.
The King of Qin and other relatives have been entrusted by his nephew to supervise the renovation project of Zhongdu. My nephew wants his uncle to go to supervise the construction of Zhongdu after he recovers from his injury. I wonder what his uncle wants? "
Zhu Zhanzhen quickly replied: "Holy God, I dare not obey your orders. As soon as my injury improves, I will leave for Fengyang immediately."
Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Then it's your turn to help the Emperor. Uncle, please take a good rest. If you need anything, just tell your servants."
After comforting his direct uncle, Zhu Qiyu led the ministers out of the Chongzhi Hall and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Taiye Pond. After walking for half an hour, they arrived at the warehouse area in the northwest corner of Xiyuan.
The ministers had different thoughts along the way. Wang Wen, He Yi and other emperor's confidants were naturally calm, but Xue Xuan, Xiao Weizhen, Wang Yining and others were a little worried.
The emperor's purpose was not to ridicule the original King Xiang, nor to force King Xiang to be optimistic about his success. Instead, the purpose was to show his authority to the ministers: Look, even King Xiang, who originally looked down upon me the most, is old. You have bowed your head honestly and become his successful county king, so why do you continue to argue.
The ruthless concubine of Xuanmiao conspired to steal her son, and even the most stubborn Zhu Zhanyang admitted it; the current emperor was the legitimate son of Xuanmiao, and Zhu Zhanyang also admitted it himself.
At this point, the clan members closest to the royal family and the most stubborn have completely surrendered. I am afraid that no one will publicly defend Emperor Gong Rang's orthodox status in the future.
In this way, even if some of the important officials in the court still wanted to defer to the emperor, they should restrain their inappropriate thoughts, at least not to publicly bring trouble to the emperor on the issue of legitimate concubines.
Otherwise, it is easy to become the "dog slave" that the emperor calls a "dog slave" who is neither loyal to the emperor nor reverent.
The close relatives of the royal family are neither loyal to the emperor nor reverent, so they can bow their heads and apologize, and then go to Fengyang Zhongdu to live a comfortable life.
But if the ministers were like this, the emperor would not be so good-looking.
Zhu Qiyu did not continue to struggle with this issue, but entered the shipping warehouse laughing and joking with Wang Wen, He Yi and others.
As for Zhu Zhanzhen, he was seriously injured in the mutiny and his roots were seriously injured. He had to rest in Fengyang for three to five years at most, and it was almost time to file a complaint with the late emperor. By that time, the late emperor's rebellious son should have brought back Annan, Jiugang, Luchuan, Jianzhou, and Nuergan.
Thinking of this, Zhu Qiyu shook his head helplessly. It was really treasonous for him to go against the late emperor's wish to abandon the land and seek peace.
While thinking about how to burn incense and repent in order to obtain forgiveness from the Xuan Temple, Zhu Qiyu walked into the transport warehouse and was startled when he suddenly heard the ministers around him exclaiming in unison.
Zhu Qiyu pulled Wang Wen and asked curiously: "Okay, what are your names?"
Wang Wen replied with excitement on his face: "Your Majesty, look at it, the whole warehouse is full of gold and silver."
Hearing this, Zhu Qiyu looked around, "Hey guys, the shipping warehouse was originally used to store yellow and white raw silk, but now it is occupied by the Ministry of Household Affairs and is filled with gold and silver."
Before the gold and silver could be wrapped up, there were gold ingots, silver ingots, scattered silver coins, and all kinds of gold and silverware, all piled up on the rows of shelves.
Zhu Qiyu had no choice but to turn around and find Shen Yi, the Minister of Household Affairs.
Chen Yi hurriedly stepped forward and replied: "Your Majesty, there were too many nobles, military generals and civil servants who participated in the mutiny before. Their homes were confiscated until the household treasury could not hold them, so the ministers piled them into the inner treasury first.
Some of them were gold and silver plundered from Wala that year, and I stored them all in the transportation warehouse.
Please ask the Holy Spirit for instructions on how to deal with this gold and silver. "
Zhu Qiyu replied: "Give it to the Ministry of Industry to melt the coins, part of which will be used to meet next year's tax exemptions and reductions, and part of which will be used for military expenses.
After Annan is captured, tax exemptions must be given to Annan, and Annan must be vigorously constructed to win over the people. This is also a lot of money.
Our two capitals and thirteen provinces are hit by disasters everywhere, either floods or civil commotions. We can only exempt those that should be exempted from tax and reduce those that should be taxed.
It won't work without tax exemption, and it won't work without tax reduction. Otherwise, if one province produces a million refugees, history will be as ironic as iron, and our monarchs and ministers will all be tied to the pillar of shame. "
(End of chapter)
