King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

The next day.

Great court meeting.

Civil and military officials had already arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony early in the morning, waiting and preparing to attend court.

Everyone today is extremely energetic, and they greet the people around them with a smile from time to time.

This matter concerns their own interests, so they have no choice but to pay attention to it.

After all, everyone knew what Prince Zhao Zhu Gaosui led the Ming navy to do yesterday.

In the past.

Everyone more or less did not have much hope for the expedition to Japan, believing that the Ming navy could 100% defeat the Japanese pirates and win without subsequent supplies or support from the court.

To know.
Throughout the dynasties, many dynasties have sent people on expeditions, but the results were not necessarily ideal, and there is almost no successful case to be seen.

So, at the beginning, when they knew that there were huge silver mines in Japan, these people were extremely excited and wanted to take it for themselves and incorporate it into the Ming Dynasty's treasury. They could also get a share of the pie.

Each of them in the court was shouting louder than anyone else.

But after calming down, especially the civil officials who were familiar with the course of history, they couldn't help but back down in their hearts and slowly lost hope. They didn't think they had much chance of winning, or they didn't think that the Ming Dynasty could completely conquer Japan and take over the huge silver mines.

Since so many dynasties had failed, why could the Ming Dynasty succeed?
This is exactly the case. This is exactly the reason why their attitudes suddenly changed when the three brothers Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui instigated the plan and action of an expedition to the Japanese mainland some time ago.

I feel the chances of success are slim and I don’t think I can win.

So I don’t want to waste it, and I don’t want to do something that is time-consuming, labor-intensive, thankless and has no benefits.

For this, the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi's face was rejected.

But times have changed. The current situation is so, so different from the past.

Because yesterday, the huge warship that covered the sky, coupled with the cannons standing at both ends of the warship that exuded a cold and eerie aura, and the spirited Ming soldiers, were the elite of the elite that they had never seen before.

It can be said that it completely subverted their imagination.

Let them see a glimmer of possibility and a glimmer of hope for success in yesterday's scene.

As a result, their minds, which had originally calmed down, gradually became active, and at the same time, different ideas came into their minds.

What if it succeeds?

Don’t be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of what happens!
After all, there are huge amounts of silver mines in Japan. If the Japanese mainland is really occupied, the Ming navy will have created an unprecedented feat.

That's a huge amount of silver mine! !

Even if only a fingernail-sized amount of oil leaked out, it would be enough for all of them to have a mouthful of oil and be full to the point of not wanting more.

As the saying goes: Money moves people's hearts, people die for money, and birds die for food.

Faced with such a great temptation and such a huge amount of silver mines, they were naturally tempted and wanted to get a piece of the pie, to have a bite!

to this end.

At today's court meeting, everyone had almost the same purpose.

Regardless of whether the Japanese mainland can be conquered later, and whether the huge amount of silver mines can all fall into the hands of the Ming court, it is best to divide these things in advance and distribute the benefits clearly.

If it works, everyone will have meat to eat. If it doesn't, there will be no loss for them anyway.

It is always better to plan ahead than to cram at the last minute.

then
It appeared that today in the court, all the civil and military officials were calculating and thinking about their own things.

Da da da.
Just at this moment, the Minister of Works Song Li walked in from outside with a worried look on his face. He ignored the ministers who came to greet him and walked to his seat with an indifferent expression.

Along the way.

Although he did not answer, he took in the appearance of each of his colleagues. With his sharp mind, he could probably guess what these people were planning and thinking by behaving this way.

It is undeniable.

As for the thoughts of these people in front of him, after seeing the appearance of the Ming Dynasty navy and warships yesterday, he had more or less had such thoughts in his mind.

But afterwards, after being summoned by the King of Han and the Crown Prince, the thought that had arisen in his mind suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Song Li still remembered everything that happened in the Prince of Han's mansion yesterday, as well as the words the Prince of Han said. The memories were circling in his mind, and at the same time, he couldn't help but mourn for his colleagues in front of him.

Do you really think the King of Han and the Crown Prince are so easy to talk to?

Is money really that easy to get?

In the past, when we asked for support, they kept silent or found all kinds of reasons to refute it. Now that they see hope and opportunity, they want to come out and reap the benefits and try to make profits from it.

There is no such thing as such a good thing.

If in the past, the Crown Prince and the King of Han had not put aside their past grudges and joined forces, there would have been a chance that their conflict would have been divided and intensified, but now... the Crown Prince and the King of Han have joined forces.

If he still thinks in the same way as before, he might die without knowing how he died. Thinking of this, Song Li couldn't help but reveal a trace of pity in his eyes.

Just then.

Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Finance standing beside him, frowned when he saw Song Li's changing expression. A hint of curiosity flashed across his face, and he asked in a low voice with a smile:

"Master Song."

"We heard that you were summoned by the King of Han and the Crown Prince yesterday to discuss matters. We saw you in this state again today. Did you gain anything or have any inside information?"

"If so, we have been colleagues and old friends for many years, so you must tell us about it so that we can be mentally prepared and not offend others later."

As he spoke, Xia Yuanji looked over with curiosity, as if he was humbly asking for advice.

Song Li: “!!!!!!!!!”

Insider information, what’s the catch?
When asked this question, Song Li almost couldn't help but swear.

It is undeniable that there was insider information and gains, but for him, none of them were good news or good gains. After all, he almost lost his life because of it. How could it be a good thing?

With such news and gains, as far as Song Li's real thoughts were concerned, he would rather not have it and feel more comfortable.

It is definitely a death warrant, something that will take someone's life.

It was obvious that he didn't want it and didn't want it, but he didn't have any right to refuse.

There is no other reason.

If I refuse, it would be like telling others that I don’t want to live anymore.

But does he really not want to live?

how could it be possible?
Who wants to die for no reason? Thinking of this, Song Li's face became extremely gloomy, and his expression unconsciously became solemn. He frowned and said:
"Master Xia..."

"I advise you to put away your little thoughts."

"Both Prince Han and the Crown Prince are not easy to deal with."

"Now that His Majesty is not in Kyoto, the two of them are in power in the court."

"It is recommended that you should not have any thoughts that you should not have, otherwise you might end up getting yourself into trouble and it would not be worth it."

"What is yours is yours naturally. If it is not yours, there is no point in forcing it."

"No one is stupid. We are not stupid, and the Crown Prince and the King of Han are even less so."

"That's all we can say. For everything else, you'd better take care of yourself."

"Just wait and see what happens today, and you will know."

Say it.

Song Li said no more. He half-closed his eyes like an old monk in meditation and stood obediently in his own position.

After hearing this.

The expressions on the faces of several important officials of the court who were standing next to him changed involuntarily.

Even if it's just a few words.

But what was revealed in the middle has already been told.

This court meeting was not as simple as they thought.

no doubt.

There will definitely be something unexpected happening.

quickly
Da da da.
At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded. The civil and military officials who noticed the unusual movement fell silent instantly and dared not say another word. They lined up in neat rows and took the initiative to make way for the two sides in the middle.

Then, the two brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi walked slowly from the left and right towards the position that symbolized supreme power.

Seeing this scene, many ministers felt secretly nervous.

After Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi took their seats, Zhu Gaoxu sat at the top, half-closed his eyes and looked around at the people in the audience, and said in a deep voice:
"Everyone is here!"

"Very good, then let's not talk about other nonsense and red tape, and get started directly."

"Let's talk about the first thing to do at today's court meeting. Let's announce a personnel appointment!"

Personnel appointment?

No way! You're going to play so hard right from the start, using such a strong dose of medicine?
What is this intended to do?
Hearing this, all the ministers subconsciously looked at Jian Yi, the Minister of Personnel of the Ming Dynasty, who was standing not far away.

Jian Yi was an important official in the early Ming Dynasty. He served in the Hongwu, Jianwen, Yongle, Hongxi and Xuande dynasties and was promoted to the Minister of Personnel. He set a record of "the longest-serving Minister of Personnel" in the Ming Dynasty. He served for 27 consecutive years and was posthumously named "Zhongding".

Jian Yi: “???????”

What the hell?
What are you all looking at me for?
I don’t know anything, really I don’t know anything, okay?

These are officials appointed by the King of Han and the Crown Prince. What does it have to do with my Ministry of Personnel? They didn't inform me in advance, so God knows what they are up to.

Do you people really believe that the King of Han is the regent and has the approval and cooperation of the Crown Prince, and that the decisions made by these two gentlemen and the appointment of officials will really follow the procedures of my Ministry of Personnel and must be approved by my Ministry of Personnel?

Come on, is it possible?

Besides, isn’t everyone aware of Prince Han’s character?

He is so strong-willed when it comes to doing things. Once he makes a decision, no one can change it. What's the point even if I know the answer? Can I change his mind?

"Where is Liu Hui, the Minister of Works?"

As soon as the words fell, all the officials couldn't help but look over.

At the same time, Liu Hui, whose name was called, was shocked and shook his body. He quickly walked out of the queue, bowed and saluted, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Majesty the Prince of Han."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at him coldly and waved his hand:

"Okay, no need to salute."

"You will no longer be the Minister of Works."

Zhu Gaoxu did not want to get involved any more, so he shouted to the Jinyiwei who had been waiting outside the palace: "Come here, arrest this man for me."

This statement came out.

This frightened everyone present, especially the Minister of Works Liu Hui, who was standing out from the crowd. He was so frightened that he shivered and almost collapsed to the ground. He said in a trembling voice:
"King of Han, what is the meaning of this action, what crime have I committed?"

"I beg Your Majesty to give me an understanding. Even if you want my life, please let me be a clear-headed ghost!"

"Otherwise, how can we convince the public?"

Zhu Gaoxu raised his eyebrows, glanced at him coldly, sneered, and said in a deep voice: "What crime have you committed? What did you do? What shameful things did you do? Don't tell us that you have no memory of it, or that you have forgotten everything. Or do you think that you are so skilled that you did everything without anyone noticing, without leaving any trace, and we can't find any evidence of your crime?"

"Master Song, Your Highness the Crown Prince, you all know me."

"I am truly wronged!"

"King of Han. King of Han, this is a naked frame-up, a naked frame-up. This move is to eliminate dissidents."

After hearing this, Song Li's facial expression changed, but he did not step out to speak for him, as if he had not heard anything.

On the other hand, Zhu Gaochi, who was standing on the stage, had a look that darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye, and suddenly turned ashen.

If he had not seen the evidence of Zhu Gaoxu's crimes in front of him yesterday, to be honest, he might have really believed this person's words today and thought that Zhu Gaoxu was eliminating dissidents. After all, everyone knew the situation in the Ministry of Works.

But after reading yesterday's investigation materials, and listening to Liu Hui kneeling on the ground today, crying out for injustice for himself, and trying to sow discord between the brothers in an attempt to exonerate himself, he refused to admit his guilt.

It's simply shameless.

At the same time, it also made him understand more about human nature and the shamelessness of human heart.

Seeing that the prince's face turned livid, Liu Hui mistakenly thought that his plan had worked and that the prince would stand up and say a word or two for him. He was about to add fuel to the fire and say something.

But before he could finish his words, Zhu Gaochi, with a gloomy face, stood up from his chair and cursed angrily:
"You bastard, you are shameless, the worst kind of shamelessness."

"Does that mean you think I'm easy to fool, and you're trying to trick me like I'm a fool?"

"At this time, you are still trying to quibble, you still can't recognize your own mistakes, and you are still trying to sow discord. It is really shameless."

"Liu Hui, do you want to die?" (End of this chapter)