Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 617
Nangong, Qinghe Pavilion.

"The ministers pay homage to the Supreme Emperor, long live long live long live long live."

When all the ministers went to the side hall of Chonghua Hall to have a banquet, in the Qinghe Pavilion, Zhu Qizhen sat on top, and below were several ministers who sneaked out.

These people are basically military officials, headed by Hou Renli of Ningyuan, together with Ningyang Bo Chen Mao, Zhang Yu from the British government, Jiao Jing, Xue Huan, and Zhu Yi from the Duke of Cheng, they are basically the Supreme Emperor. The backbone of the party today.

The only exception was Xu Youzhen, who had just been promoted to Youchunfang University Bachelor. Originally, based on his status, he was not qualified to enter.

However, his situation is rather special.

Most of the people on the Supreme Emperor's side are now honorable relatives, and there are very few civil servants. After Li Xian left Beijing, Zhu Jian was silent.

Xu Youzhen was introduced to Zhu Jian by Li Xian. In the letter, Li Xian commented on him as "resourceful, knowledgeable, righteous, and worthy of a heavy responsibility."

So, after careful investigation of his details, he learned that he was hated by the emperor because of his southward migration, and there was no way to appeal.

After discussing with Jiao Jing and others, they finally accepted him as a wing.

This palace banquet should originally be Zhu Jian. Although he is down and out now, he is still a cabinet minister after all.

Unlike the rambunctious noble relatives, there are only a few people in the cabinet, if one is missing for no reason, it will definitely arouse suspicion, so he stayed in the side hall and did not come.

However, this meeting with the Supreme Emperor was an opportunity that was hard to find, and it would be inappropriate if there were no civil servants.

Therefore, at that time, Grandpa Zhu suggested that Xu Youzhen should be with him.

At that time, someone raised doubts, and felt that it was inappropriate for Xu Youzhen to go to Nangong so soon.

However, the little grandfather only said one sentence, and he convinced everyone.

"...There is nothing to be afraid of. Even if the matter of the audience is discovered, the person surnamed Xu should be afraid. He is not afraid. Do we still want to keep people out?"

Everyone thought about it for a while, and felt that it was the same reason, so they didn't continue to stop.

To put it bluntly, this palace banquet seemed to be a whim of the Supreme Emperor, but in fact, it was naturally planned long ago.

It has been several months since the Supreme Emperor returned to the capital. Although Nangong did not forbid entry and exit, but, as the saying goes, as early as when he returned to the court, the Supreme Emperor had already issued a decree, promising not to interfere in government affairs.

In this way, if the foreign relatives related to the royal family are okay, it can be said that the relatives walk with each other, but foreign ministers like Ren Li, Zhang Yu, and Chen Mao, who rush into the Nangong court for no reason, will definitely meet. It aroused discussions between the ruling and opposition parties.

Therefore, there needs to be an opportunity to enter the Nangong Palace in a legitimate way. Undoubtedly, the most unobtrusive time to have an audience with the Supreme Emperor is when he is congratulating with the officials.

However, what they want is to meet alone. This kind of ceremonial meeting has no real meaning.

Therefore, after deliberating for a long time, especially when he learned that the emperor would not be in Nangong on Zhengdan, the Supreme Emperor thought of a way to give a banquet.

Although it is said that it is no longer within the ritual schedule of the Ministry of Etiquette, such a thing as giving a banquet is a gift from heaven. To put it bluntly, it depends on the mood of the superior, so it is not too abrupt.

Of course, the price is that you may meet someone like Wang Wen who doesn't understand you, and walk away on the spot, so that the Supreme Emperor can't come down.

This is also the reason why the Supreme Emperor has been nesting in the Nangong, even when the crown prince left the pavilion, he has not made any action for a long time.

In today's imperial court, how many people will take his edict seriously, no one can say for sure.

Therefore, it is better not to post it at all. If it is like today, if you give a verbal order but get pushed back directly, it will be light to lose face.

I'm afraid that it will be regarded as a common practice. If there is such a thing in the future, the courtiers will not even hesitate and entangle, and just deal with it as usual. That is a troublesome matter.

"Everyone, let's live in peace!"

Sitting on the high throne, looking at the few ministers standing respectfully below, Zhu Qizhen seemed to have returned to the scene when he summoned the ministers before his own conquest.

So, he couldn't help feeling a little bit happier, and waved his hand to signal the people below to stand up, but he didn't give him a seat, but suppressed his smile and said.

"I summoned you all here today. Actually, there is nothing else to do. Since I was taken captive to the north last year, there are many loyal and upright officials in the court who are running around to welcome me back to Beijing."

"When I arrived in Beijing, the Holy Mother had told me about the situation, but now I am living in Nangong, and I have never had the opportunity to thank you in person, so I summoned you here today."

While speaking, Zhu Qizhen got up and walked down the imperial steps, step by step forward.

Finally, standing in front of Zhang Min, said.

"The British government is a loyal family. In the early years of the British Duke, he put on armor and went to battle with me. He fought with civil engineering and sacrificed his life for the country. The death of Zhang Gong is really a great regret for the country, and it is also a matter of heartbreak."

Looking at the Supreme Emperor with a sad face in front of him, Zhang Min's eyes suddenly became moist, and he couldn't help kneeling on the ground, saying.

"Brother on behalf of the minister, thank you for the praise of the emperor. My brother has been loyal to the court all his life. It is an honor to be able to die on the battlefield. I only hate that although my brother died, he failed to ensure that His Majesty retreated safely and made His Majesty be taken captive to the north. This is really all the ministers accompanying the army. It's a fault."

Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hand to help Zhang Min up, shook his head, and said.

"The battle of civil engineering is really because the right time and place are not on my side. It has nothing to do with Zhang Gong. The British government is a family and has always been loyal. I really know this."

"I am hunting in the north, thousands of miles away from the capital, and it is difficult to sing alone. My younger brother Zhang Fu, who inherited the behest of the British Duke, ran around for me, gathered courtiers, held court meetings, established missions, and sent them to the north. To welcome me back to Beijing, Do your best."

"If my younger brother didn't sacrifice his life to design and kill Xining, I'm afraid I would still hear the slander and refuse to let me return to the south. If I can return to Beijing, my younger brother has really made a great contribution, but it's a pity..."

As he spoke, a trace of sadness flashed across Zhu Qizhen's eyes, and said.

"If I were in Beijing at that time, I wouldn't have caused the British government to wither to this point!"

These words were sincere, and immediately made Zhang Xiang burst into tears.

He choked with sobs and bowed his hands solemnly.

"Don't dare to lie to Your Majesty. Before the execution, I went to visit my younger brother in prison. At that time, my younger brother once said that I have no regrets in death. It is a pity that I cannot see His Majesty return to Beijing with my own eyes."

"Now that His Majesty has returned safely, my brother's spirit in heaven can also rest in peace."

Hearing this, Zhu Qizhen's eyes were slightly moist.

He let out a breath, thought for a while, took off a jade pendant from his body, and handed it to the servant next to him.

Afterwards, the servant immediately understood and presented the jade pendant in front of Zhang Min.

"The British government is a loyal family. I am grateful in my heart. Now that I am in Nangong, it is difficult to give anything. This is what I carry with me. I give it to the British government to express my heart."

Zhang Min raised his hands high, took the jade pendant, fell to his knees again with a plop, and said.

"I thank the Supreme Emperor for your kindness. The entire British government will do their best to die for His Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen nodded, and his mood gradually calmed down.

He waved his hand and motioned for the servant at the side to help Zhang Min up, then returned to the throne and sat down again, exhaling lightly, his eyes fell on Zhu Yi.

"If I remember correctly, you are the son of Duke Xiancheng, named Zhu Yi?"

(End of this chapter)