Ming Dynasty: A hundred-year-old immortal cultivator, Zhu Yuanzhang’s biological father

kindness?
Zhu Xiongying frowned, put the tea aside, and asked solemnly, "Has the news been blocked?"

The Liao brothers nodded: "Cao Tai said that the old man blocked all the news, and he took the risk to tell His Highness about this."

Zhu Xiongying was relieved and said to himself, "It's good that it's blocked. It means the old man doesn't want to make a big fuss. There's still room for this matter to turn around."

A few days ago, during the sacrifice at Zhongshan, the old man said that the King of Shu was plotting a rebellion, and said that he would find an opportunity to test Lan Yu.

But the question is, what did the two of them say in Jinshen Hall?
If not, why did the old man get so angry and put Lan Yu in prison?
After joining the Jinyiwei, how could Lan Yu end up well?
Zhu Xiongying stood up and said in a low voice: "I want to go to the imperial prison!"

The Liao brothers hurriedly stopped Zhu Xiongying: "Your Highness, the old man is still angry, and Cao Tai risked his life to inform you of this matter. If you show up in Jinyiwei rashly, it will implicate Cao Tai."

Zhu Xiongying shook his head: "I know my limits and will not implicate Cao Tai. Tell Cao Tai that I will remember his kindness."

A friend in need is a friend indeed. At this time, the palace commander Cao Tai risked his life to pass the message to Zhu Xiongying, which shows his loyalty.

The Liao brothers nodded: "Okay!"

Zhu Xiongying looked a little solemn and walked out holding an oil-paper umbrella.

He did not go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard first, but went to the Duke of Liang's Mansion first.

Inside the mansion,
As expected, they were surrounded by the Longxiong Guards, and even Zhu Xiongying couldn't get in.

Zhu Xiongying naturally didn't intend to go to the Lan Mansion. He was just looking for an excuse so that he could explain to the old man later.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Xiongying walked towards the Jinyiwei with an umbrella.

along the way.

Zhu Xiongying began to think as he walked.

First something happened in Yunnan, and now something happened in Sichuan in the southwest.

Both things are closely related to the Ministry of War, and the key point still lies in the Ministry of War.

Who is it and what is the purpose?
And blue jade,

What exactly is he plotting with the King of Shu?
Why did you offend the old man?
Everything.

They all seemed like a bunch of mysteries that trapped Zhu Xiongying, although these things seemed to have nothing to do with Zhu Xiongying on the surface.

But Zhu Xiongying always felt that even if he peeled off the tangled threads, he would still be essentially inseparable from them.

Just as he was thinking this, Zhu Xiongying had already arrived at the Jinyiwei Beizhenfusi Prison.

Zhu Xiongying held up an umbrella and said to the North Pacification Division flag: "I'm looking for Lan Yu."

Several flag officers of the Imperial Guard stopped Zhu Xiongying and said tremblingly, "Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for us."

Zhu Xiongying hummed and continued, "Tell Jiang Li that I want to see Lan Yu."

Several flag bearers hesitated for a moment, and one of them said, "Your Highness, please wait a moment."

Zhu Xiongying nodded.

Holding an umbrella, he stood quietly outside the gate of Beizhenfusi.

Not long after, He Guangyi came out, looked at Zhu Xiongying, bowed and asked, "Your Highness, why are you standing outside?"

As he said this, He Guangyi slapped the two flag bearers in front of the Northern Pacification Office to the ground!
He angrily said, "Your Highness is here, why don't you go in and have some hot tea? It's pitch black. You let Your Highness stand outside, do you want to die?"

Several small flag officers were trembling with fear.

He Guangyi then bowed his head and said to Zhu Xiongying, "Your Highness, please go to the main hall and have some tea first. I know why you are here. This matter is the personal responsibility of the commander-in-chief. I think we need to go to the palace to inform the emperor."

Zhu Xiongying nodded: "Okay."

The main hall of the Northern Pacification Office was a little dim, with a plaque hanging in the middle of the hall. It was given to the Embroidered Uniform Guard by Zhu Yuanzhang himself.

Inscribed on it were four large characters: "The Emperor's Personal Army".

Below the plaque is a majestic portrait of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Xiongying sat down respectfully and drank the tea slowly.

He Guangyi stood behind Zhu Xiongying and dared not say a word.

Not long after.

A dark figure hurriedly walked in from outside. After entering the central hall, the Jinyiwei commander Jiang Li, who was dressed in Feiyu uniform, clasped his fists and said, "Your Highness, I am honored to see you."

Zhu Xiongying hummed, "What did the Emperor say?"

Jiang Li extended his hand: "Your Highness, please. I will lead the way for you."

Zhu Xiongying didn't say much, and said calmly, "Okay!"

Compared with the Ministry of Justice, the Jinyiwei Prison is even more hideous and terrifying, and the air is filled with the smell of blood.

As Zhu Xiongying walked away, he asked Jiang Li, "Did they torture him?"

Jiang Li quickly replied: "The emperor has not given any order. How dare I use private punishment without authorization?"

Zhu Xiongying nodded slightly. Xunyue looked to both sides and saw pots of charcoal fires burning everywhere. From time to time, there were crackling sounds and red-hot irons clamped on the edges of the pots.

Various torture instruments such as tongs and whips were hung on the walls around the cell.

There were terrifying torture instruments such as tiger benches and dog-head guillotines placed everywhere.

Not long after.

Zhu Xiongying walked to the end of the imperial prison and saw from afar Lan Yu sitting on the straw bed in the prison with his eyes closed and his back straight.

Zhu Xiongying looked back at Jiang Li and said, "Can I talk to Lan Yu alone?"

Jiang Li said in a terrified manner: "Your Highness is in a serious condition, so it's okay."

Done.

He then left on his own accord.

Zhu Xiongying walked to the cell, which was not locked, and the Jinyiwei people also gave Lan Yu enough face.

Hearing footsteps, Lan Yu suddenly opened his eyes and saw Zhu Xiongying. He was immediately delighted: "My great nephew! Why are you here?"

Zhu Xiongying frowned and said, "Duke Ying and his men have all been controlled, Ping An has also rushed from Shandong to the capital, and Li Jinglong's military power has been taken away."

"Uncle. What happened?"

"A few days ago, Grandfather Emperor said that you were conspiring with the King of Shu and that you were exchanging letters with him. Is that true?"

Lan Yu nodded: "Yes?"

Zhu Xiongying was horrified: "What on earth are you hiding from me? Also, what did the old man ask you in Jinshen Hall? Why did it become like this?"

Lan Yu said calmly: "The old man asked me what I had corresponded with the King of Shu about."

"You didn't say?"

Lan Yu shook his head: "I can't say."

Zhu Xiongying frowned.

"Can you tell me?"

Lan Yu thought for a while and said, "Okay."

Outside the cell.

The autumn is bleak with the trickling rain.

Being alone in the imperial prison made the atmosphere even more desolate.

Although Lan Yu was arrested by the Imperial Guards and thrown into prison, he still sat on the straw bed with his back straight like a man, without a trace of worry or fear.

He looked at Zhu Xiongying and said calmly, "I am conspiring with the King of Shu to mobilize troops, but I am not sending them to Yingtian." He paused.

Lan Yu took a deep look at Zhu Xiongying and said, "But we should direct our troops towards the northern border!"

Zhu Xiongying was stunned and looked at Lan Yu in confusion.

Lan Yu said: "Since you entered the Eastern Palace, I, your uncle, have started to send people to Peking."

"Five confidants went to Peking and lost contact. They have never appeared since then. Why?"

Zhu Xiongying's expression was gloomy and unclear.

Lan Yu said, "I think they are dead."

"Beiping's defense capabilities far exceeded my imagination. The old man is very old, and I'm not sure how many years he can live."

"Boy, you can't do anything about this matter. It will make the old man afraid of you, but your great uncle is different."

"I'm afraid that once the old man leaves one day, Northern Xinjiang will start to fall into chaos, so your great uncle must plan your future well."

"I've told you before that you should just stay as the crown prince and be the emperor in the future, and display your great talents and strategies."

"Your uncle will take care of everything outside. I'm 45 years old this year. I can still fight and take action, but I'm not sure how long I can live."

"Beiping has demonstrated strong defensive capabilities. There is no external force that can get in. In other words, Beiping has surpassed our understanding."

"Did the King of Yan recruit soldiers? How many soldiers did he recruit? Did he recruit people with lofty ideals to develop firearms? We could find clues before, but now we can't trace them at all."

"So your great uncle needs to deploy the troops in advance to deal with Zhu Di."

"Zhu Di is not a simple vassal king. Among all of the old man's sons, it is not an exaggeration to say that he is the best at leading troops and fighting."

"The soldiers in the northern border are often trained outside and have seen blood. The difference is that the soldiers in the south have been at peace for too long and have been replaced one after another. The old and elite soldiers at the end of the Yuan Dynasty have retired or died, and the new recruits have never seen blood. It is impossible to rely on the soldiers in the south and north of the Yangtze River."

"Sichuan is a troubled place, and the wolf soldiers in Shu are very fierce, so your uncle needs to set up the most advantageous defense formation in advance to deal with the turmoil that may occur at any time."

Lan Yu spoke very slowly, and after he finished speaking, he closed his eyes slightly.

"You can't tell the old man about these things!"

"He believes in his son, but your great uncle doesn't."

"We can't let you in through someone else. If we really involve you, it will implicate you."

Zhu Xiongying listened quietly.

After Lan Yu finished speaking, he asked calmly: "So you didn't say anything in Jinshen Hall? So you did all these things without authorization?"

Lan Yu shook his head: "There are also Fu Youde and the others. Let's discuss this together."

Zhu Xiongying was somewhat moved, but he never showed it.

He stood there with his hands behind his back, silent for a long time.

"Uncle, there is another key question. Did the King of Shu build a shrine in Mount Emei?"

Lan Yu opened his eyes, looked at Zhu Xiongying, and nodded, "Yes!"

"But it was not built by the King of Shu. A few years ago, we led troops to quell the rebellion in the two Sichuan provinces. Afterwards, the King of Shu greatly reduced taxes, established markets in Shu, and regulated the governance of Shu. The Qingyin Pavilion on Mount Emei was built by the local people for the King of Shu."

Zhu Xiongying nodded, feeling a little relieved.

"Why did the Military Affairs Department impeach you and the King of Shu?"

Lan Yu shook his head, indicating that he didn't know.

However, Zhu Xiongying didn't seem to be asking a rhetorical question, but rather a question of suspicion.

He continued: "The tax silver from Jiaozhi was lost, and only a few people in the Ministry of War knew the route. Why?"

Lan Yu slowly opened her eyes and looked at Zhu Xiongying in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Zhu Xiongying was silent for a moment, then said, "There is something wrong with the Ministry of War! They are the ones behind Sichuan and Southern Xinjiang's actions. Why? Who ordered them to do this?"

After hearing this, Lan Yu's expression suddenly became serious. A hint of anger appeared on his brows, and he shouted in a stern voice: "Are you implying that we have been tricked by someone?"

Zhu Xiongying nodded: "Probably not."

Hearing this, Lan Yu slowly relaxed his body and leaned against the wall behind him. After a while, he suddenly looked up at Zhu Xiongying and said, "It was your idea that Xie Jin and Tie Xuan transferred Zhang Yu's son Zhang Fu to the Five Military Commandery."

Zhu Xiongying shook his head, "No, it was their own idea."

Lan Yu said again, "But in the eyes of King Yan, it's what you meant."

"You can remove the wings of King Yan, so why can't he? If these two things were ordered by King Yan?"

Zhu Xiongying was stunned for a moment, his heart trembled suddenly, he stared at Lan Yu with wide eyes, and then fell into deep thought.

"Let's not talk about this for now. I need to think about how to save you from danger."

Lan Yu looked at Zhu Xiongying and said, "Boy, you can't tell the old man what I said to you. Remember, you are a family. No matter what the King of Yan thinks, he is still your fourth uncle. He is the old man's biological son."

"If you show any killing intent towards your fourth uncle now, the old man might reconsider the appointment of the crown prince."

Zhu Xiongying said indifferently: "At worst, we will die together! I can give up this crown prince, but I can't let anything happen to you! You are more important than the crown prince!"

After hearing this, Lan Yu was not moved, but cursed, "Stupid!"

"You little bastard! You think you're smart in everything, but you're getting confused about this. We can die, we can all die, but the next emperor of the Ming Dynasty must be yours! We do this for you, if you dare to mess around, your great uncle will die in the imperial prison now, and it will be over once and for all!"

Zhu Xiongying was stunned for a moment, glanced at Lan Yu, and walked out of the imperial prison with his hands behind his back without saying a word.

"You little devil, come back! You haven't promised us yet! What the hell are you going to do?"

Zhu Xiongying said calmly: "I won't let anything happen to you. Live well. If you die, I will have no one to use."

Gradually.

Zhu Xiongying's back had disappeared in the dim lights.

After Zhu Xiongying left, Lan Yu's expression changed. The strength she had just shown gradually faded away, and her eyes became red. "You little idiot! You little idiot!"

"You're an adult now, but you're still as emotional as before!"

"You are a man who can do great things. Didn't the old man teach you that? Does being an emperor require a ruthless heart? Who am I? Asshole! Little asshole, don't do anything stupid!"

Lan Yu murmured softly, and without knowing when, those tiger eyes were already filled with tears.

The rain outside was getting heavier. He Guangyi held an umbrella and followed Zhu Xiongying out of the Beizhenfusi.

Zhu Xiongying glanced at He Guangyi and said, "Go back first and don't be too intimate with me for the time being."

He Guangyi said anxiously: "Your Highness..."

Zhu Xiongying raised his head and glanced at He Guangyi calmly, and said indifferently, "Go back."

He Guangyi didn't dare to say much and could only walk towards the Northern Pacification Office.

Zhu Xiongying walked in the dark rainy night, holding an umbrella in one hand.

Zhu Xiongying understood He Guangyi's loyalty and kept it in mind, but there were some things Zhu Xiongying could not promise He Guangyi.

As a superior, you should not show any kindness to them.

anyway,

The next commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Xiongying, has been confirmed.

Walking in the rainy night, Zhu Xiongying gradually fell into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)