King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

As he spoke, Zhu Youjian seemed a little frivolous, but not slick.

Queen Zhou stood up and welcomed Zhu Youjian in.

The furnishings in the room were very simple, with only a table and a chair, no complicated decorations, and only a few books.

The palace maids began to clean up the things on the table, while Empress Zhou and Zhu Youjian drank on the side.

"You've been watching very carefully during this period. It's not easy!"

Empress Zhou poured a bowl of tea for Zhu Youjian and said with a smile: "I will do whatever the emperor wants me to do!"

Just a few days ago, when they met for the last time, Zhu Youjian said to him: "If you have time, you can read more classics and political affairs. You can help me in the future and help me share the work at home."

How could Empress Zhou hold back any longer? She replied in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, how could I do this? Since ancient times, the harem has not been allowed to interfere in government affairs!"

"You can't interfere in the affairs of the court? Where does all that logic come from? Do you understand?"

Queen Zhou was stunned. She didn't expect Zhu Youjian to say such words! It seemed to come from another world.

He thought for a moment and said, "What about me, a powerless woman?"

"Why not?" Zhu Youjian was angry, "The ancients always said that women were inferior to men, and Wu Zetian started from that time!

Queen Zhou said nothing.

"Aren't you always helping me?"

"Your Majesty?" An Fei was stunned and then asked.

Zhu Youjian thought for a moment and said, "You are helping me! Besides, I trust you if you have the ability!"

After Zhu Youjian met Zhou,

Empress Zhou was the daughter of Zhou Kui, a wealthy businessman in the capital. She had no children, only a daughter. Empress Zhou was a tomboy since childhood and took Mulan as her role model.

Queen Zhou disguised herself as a man in order to take the imperial examination, but she was noticed by Zhu Youjian at that time.

Zhu Youjian saw it more clearly than anyone else.

If we want the Ming Dynasty to embark on a higher path, we must have a fair society, and this society must have a unified standard, starting with the queen.

Zhu Youjian just said it casually, but he didn't expect that Queen Zhou actually started to look through the classics. Zhu Youjian was both surprised and surprised.

The daughter of Emperor Zhou was as beautiful as a flower. She was good at playing the musical instrument, chess, calligraphy and painting. It was not difficult for her to read a few books and study them.

Queen Zhou is only eighteen years old this year, younger than Zhu Youjian. Although she looks very mature, she has a bit of girlishness in her bones.

Innocent and cute.

Coming back to his senses, Zhu Youjian took a sip of tea and chuckled:
"During the Three Kingdoms period, there was a grand banquet. Today, I want to drink a cup with you and talk about the world!"

Queen Zhou covered her mouth, picked up the teacup and took a sip: "Your Majesty is right!"

"That's right! Now, we can discuss how to save the Ming Dynasty from disaster. I want to ask, what do you think about the future of the Ming Dynasty?"

Queen Zhou lowered her eyes and asked, "What do you want to say?"

Zhu Youjian stood up from his seat, looked out the window and said, "Madam, have you ever heard of a scientifically powerful country?"

"For the nation's science?"

Zhu Youjian's gentle eyes became firm: "Science and technology are the foundation of national development. You know, if our Ming Dynasty had better weapons, foreign countries would not be eyeing the Ming Dynasty covetously. If the Ming Dynasty had advanced agricultural technology, people would not be starving and cold, and become emaciated. Our Ming Dynasty is in urgent need of a group of such talents."

"Scientist?" Queen Zhou was confused. This was a very strange term. Wang Chengen thought about it carefully, but still didn't understand what it meant.

“In short, we look down upon people with skills and people with craftsmanship.”

Empress Zhou heard the hidden meaning in Zhu Youjian's words and was even more puzzled: "What are you talking about, Your Majesty?"

"I mean, I want to abandon all the prejudices about craftsmen and tricks in this world. We must have this kind of talent!"

"To create this trend, it has to start with me!"

Before Empress Zhou could react, Zhu Youjian handed a yellow paper to Wang Chengen and said, "According to this map, find a few things and give them to me."

Wang Chengen picked up the paper. He had no idea what was drawn on it. Fortunately, there were detailed markings on the drawing.

"As ordered!"

After Wang Chengen left, Zhu Youjian asked Queen Zhou, "Do you understand?"

Queen Zhou was a smart person and immediately responded, "Understood!"

She didn't know why Zhu Youjian said such things to her. She shouldn't know about the country's affairs, and she shouldn't know.

"The future of the Ming Dynasty now rests in the hands of the emperor alone. I believe that it is imperative to allow the emperor to take power as soon as possible."

Looking into Zhu Youjian's eyes, she paused for a moment before continuing, "I also understand why His Majesty gave power to Wei Zhongxian. However, if you want to catch him, I'm afraid it will take a long time! I'm afraid that Wei Zhongxian's foundation is too deep, and it will be difficult to eradicate him in the future!"

"The Queen is right! I think so too!"

Zhu Youjian changed his mind and decided that it would be better to get rid of Wei Zhongxian's eunuch cronies as soon as possible.

But the problem is that there is a master behind Wei Zhongxian, and it is difficult to deal with him with his current strength.

Moreover, although the four of them could fight against them, their chances of winning were slim.

Now is not the time.

At this moment, an idea suddenly came to Zhu Youjian's mind.

It now seems that it is somewhat difficult to eradicate Wei Zhongxian. However, from another perspective, it is not necessarily necessary to eradicate him so hastily.

What he had to do was to drive Wei Zhongxian out of power and take it back.

As soon as Zhu Youjian thought of this, an idea suddenly came to his mind and a complete plan was put into practice.

Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, "If we want to deal with Wei Zhongxian, we have to do it slowly. I don't want anything else now, I just want to take back what was originally mine!"

Queen Zhou was slightly surprised and asked, "Does Your Majesty have a plan in mind?"

I have my own way to deal with Wei Zhongxian's matter, don't worry, I will handle it well."

Zhu Youjian had a complete plan in his mind. He felt that the time was ripe and it was time to take back the throne.

He also had a certain understanding of the system of the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, Wei Zhongxian's greatest power came from the imperial court and merchants, and his enemies were the civil officials of the Qing Dynasty - the Donglin Faction.

"I have two things I want to ask you for help with!"

Queen Zhou paused and said, "I hope the emperor will make it clear!"

Zhu Youjian thought for a moment, then took out a note from his pocket and said, "Madam, can you give this letter to my father-in-law Zhou Kui?"

……

The cock crowed three times, and the morning court session began in the Fengtian Hall.

The dragon throne in the hall was empty. Wei Zhongxian stood beside the throne, holding a whisk, and several eunuchs fanned him and massaged his back.

The ministers stood in awe, not daring to speak. Wei Zhongxian waved his whisk and said in a hoarse voice, with a murderous intent: "Ministers, I will not attend court today. If you have any questions, you can discuss them among yourselves and report to me. I will deal with them myself!"

As he spoke, Wei Zhongxian closed his eyes and rested leisurely, as if nothing had happened.

The ministers in the hall gathered in groups of three or five, whispering to each other.

At this time, Zhou Yanru, the cabinet minister, was burning with anger.

Because the emperor gave all power to Wei Zhongxian, the Donglin faction was suppressed everywhere.

Such a situation was extremely unfavorable to the Donglin Party.

"This emperor is really enjoying his cultivation, but now the entire Ming Dynasty is in chaos!"

Zhou Yanru complained in his heart.

But he didn't say it.

After a while, time passed by minute by minute.

"Have you discussed it? Take out the letter!"

Although he was also an important official in the court, Wen Tiren was somewhat displeased and said angrily, "Eunuch Wei, there is no need to discuss this matter, right?"

Wei Zhongxian looked at him dazedly and grinned: "Once you have discussed this matter and written the memorial, I will naturally do it. There is no need to discuss it with you. It will be a waste of time to discuss it further!"

So brave.

Wen Tiren wanted to curse and kick him, but Zhou Yanru held him back!
Wei Zhongxian held the memorials written by the ministers. The ministers wanted to discuss it with Wei Zhongxian, but Wei Zhongxian said nothing and was carried away.

"How courageous! In the past, he would at least have a good talk with us, but now he wants to solve it himself?" Wen Tihen said angrily when he saw Wei Zhongxian leaving.

"Well! Even the one who discussed and made the final decision had to be Wei Zhongxian! What's the point?"

Zhou Yanru said somewhat unwillingly: "This is all the emperor's fault. His Majesty wants to hand over the power to him!"

……

Chapter 19

After get off work, the dissatisfied Zhou Yanru invited the ministers to his home for a drink and chat.

Under the stimulation of alcohol, these people gradually became irritable from being gentle and polite at the beginning, and their words became unscrupulous.

Wen Tiren said, "I originally thought that after the new emperor ascended the throne, I could restore order in the court, but who knew that he was becoming more and more stupid. I think this old man is really disappointing! So let me take over!"

Qian Qianyi waved his hand to stop Wen Tiren from continuing: "Old man, don't talk nonsense, otherwise, your entire clan will be killed!"

Zhou Yanru was calm and unafraid: "Don't worry, there are only three of us here, no one knows who is right! The emperor won't hear it."

"In my opinion, what our Ming Dynasty lacks the most is capable people. We just lack an emperor. The emperors of the Ming Dynasty were either obsessed with spiritual practice or carpentry, or they knew nothing. He has been the military god of the Ming Dynasty for his entire life, but no one has ever become the emperor. If I were a general, I would have worn the dragon robe long ago."

Qian Qianyi was stunned by Wen Tiren's words. He didn't know how to answer this question, so he moved his desk away a little.

Wen Tiren was obviously drunk, his mouth was full of alcohol and he was foaming at the mouth: "Die! Even if you wipe out our ten families, so what?"

Qian Qianyi: “…”

"I said there is no such thing as an impenetrable wall. If the Emperor finds out, all of us will be implicated!"

Zhou Yanru laughed: "There is no such thing as a window that is impenetrable. This is the Zhou residence, I am afraid someone will eavesdrop! Is it possible that the damned emperor Zhu Youjian has no future?"

Zhou Yanru stroked his beard and poured wine for Qian Qianyi, saying, "Don't worry! Don't be afraid! How could there be other people?"

"Cough cough!" A violent cough sounded from outside the door.

A group of men were immersed in their sweet dreams, and were suddenly awakened by a violent cough. Just like a little girl.

"Who is it?" Gu Ning asked puzzledly.

Zhou Kui opened the door and walked in: "I heard everything just now"

"Father-in-law?" Yun Moxiao's voice trembled a little.

Qian Qianyi couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, what are you doing here?"

"I invited him."

Zhou Yanru covered his face. Zhou Yanru and Zhou Kui were actually blood relatives. Not long ago, he invited Zhou Kui to his home to play in order to get close to the emperor.

"Don't tell the emperor, we are drunk and talking nonsense, we can't be trusted."

Wen Tiren was startled by this sudden change, and when he came to his senses, he fell to his knees with a plop, kowtowed, and slapped his face: "Don't let the emperor find out, or he will kill all of my clans, and I can't bear it."

"Don't panic!" At this moment, a voice rang out. Zhou Kui calmly pulled over a chair, sat on it, and said in a deep voice: "His Majesty asked me to come here today. Please take a look at this letter."

When the information on the paper reached Zhou Yanru, his brows first raised, then relaxed, and then he was ecstatic.

He was lying on the ground just now, but now he was lying on the ground, slapping himself non-stop. Wen Tiren and Qian Qianyi also came over. They also wanted to take a look, and then sighed at the same time:

"It is my humble servant who is despicable. Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is truly a man of insight!"

"What your Majesty said is absolutely true!"

……

In a dusty room in the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youjian was facing a pile of firewood. These things were all Zhu Youxiao's relics.

Zhu Youxiao was a famous carpenter emperor in the Ming Dynasty, and he was also very famous during the Ming Dynasty.

As far as Zhu Youjian knew, his elder brother Zhu Youxiao loved playing with wood since he was very young, and he was a very enthusiastic person.

He once told him that Lu Ban, the god of carpentry, once refined a strange wooden bird that could stay in the sky for a long time and looked exactly like a real bird.

Zhu Youxiao had an ideal since he was a child, which was to become a craftsman like himself and become the Lu Ban of the Ming Dynasty.

Unfortunately, as he grew older, his ideals were shattered.

In the end, he became an emperor, but instead of creating an immortal bird, he died at a very young age.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian sighed, perhaps everyone has the same experience.

This room was specially prepared for him by Zhu Youxiao, which is also known as a scientist's laboratory. Zhu Youjian needed a lot of tools, such as saws, rulers, ropes, paints, and everything else.

Just as Zhu Youjian was sitting on the ground, holding his chin in deep thought, he heard Wang Chengen panting behind him.

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, a voice sounded.

"that's it?"

Wang Chengen then put the wooden box down, and Zhu Youjian opened it, revealing several copper wires and a naturally magnetic ore. Now, these were the most basic equipment Zhu Youjian used when making the engine.

He picked it up and looked at it, and a rough plan already came into his mind.

"I finally found you!"

Wei Zhongxian opened the door and lay on the ground, breathing heavily: "Your Majesty, something is wrong. The court officials are planning a rebellion."

"Has the rebellion reached such a point?" (End of this chapter)