Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 253: I have become a fake emperor? The world is conquering me?
Alena's eyes flashed with sharpness for a moment, she reached out to touch her face, and knelt down hurriedly: "I spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hand and pinched her delicate chin, exerting so much force that the tip of her chin became deformed. Alena felt so much pain that tears fell from her eyes, but she did not scream out. She looked at the emperor with tearful eyes.

"You can't interfere with the Queen Mother." Zhu Qizhen's voice was as cold as a knife. "If there is a next time, I will break your neck."

He smiled coldly, loosened his hand, and gently stroked Alena's fair and delicate neck. Alena felt a chill on her back and lowered her head and said, "I understand."

"That's right, be good." Zhu Qizhen held her charming and beautiful face and bit her red lips.

He kissed until he was suffocated, then let go.

Zhu Qizhen got off the couch, and Alena took the initiative to help him dress, and asked softly: "It's getting late, Your Majesty, would you like to have dinner?"

"No, I'll go to the virtuous concubine." Zhu Qizhen said lightly.

After getting dressed, he strode away without looking back. Alena looked at his receding figure, standing there in a daze, with a complicated expression. Qiqige walked in and said, "The emperor just treats us as playthings. In his heart, we can't compare to the queen mother at all."

"Compared with the Queen Mother? You are too confident." Alena came back to her senses and said, "I know the Queen Mother is very important to him. I deliberately tested her today, but I didn't expect him to hit me to warn me. It seems that there is still true love between him and the Queen Mother? This is interesting."

Qi Qi Ge was slightly stunned: "Do you think they are using each other and pretending to be nice to each other?"

Alena sneered and spread her hands: "What do you think? As an emperor, how can he be sincere? Moreover, he is a fake emperor. He is emotional and doesn't want to live anymore? But... his reaction also surprised me."

"What should we do?" asked Qi Qi Ge.

"Go on, you have to win his favor and get pregnant with a dragon." Alena touched her belly and sighed, "It's impossible for me. I can't have a child in this life."

Qi Qi Ge's eyes flashed with surprise: "Why?"

Alena smiled sadly: "When I first learned the shamanic secrets, I knew this would be the result."

……

The next day, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen summoned Liu Dingzhi, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, alone, because Liu Dingzhi was about to return to Shaanxi and Gansu. This year's Shaanxi and Gansu were particularly important, as the war in the northwest would be supplied with food and grass by Shaanxi and Gansu.

"Old Liu, you have worked hard these years." Zhu Qizhen laughed loudly, "I use you as a brick. I will move you wherever I am needed. First, I will implement the new policy in Henan, and then I will go to Shaanxi and Gansu to take over the mess."

He first gave Liu Dingzhi a summary to show his importance. Liu Dingzhi felt warm in his heart after hearing this. It turned out that the emperor remembered everything. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is what I should do. Back then, without your help, I would have been just a juren. How could I be where I am today?"

"Alas, it has been several years." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "At that time, you led the people to the capital to file a complaint, and you were still an indignant scholar. I always remember what you said, that I should splatter my blood higher so that more people can see it."

Liu Dingzhi smiled and nodded, then sighed, "Your Majesty, I am now old and aging."

Zhu Qizhen patted his shoulder and said, "You are about the same age as me. The wrinkles on your face are all because I sent you to Shaanxi and Gansu. Well, wait a few more years, and I will transfer you back to the capital, at least to a minister."

"Your Majesty~" Liu Dingzhi knelt down hurriedly, "I am doing well in my hometown, and I am not here to complain. With my temper, it is easy for me to offend people in the capital. Your Majesty will have to clean up the mess for me later. Thank you for your help."

Zhu Qizhen laughed loudly, raised his hand to let him stand up, and said: "This matter is not urgent. I'd better tell you about Shaanxi and Gansu. This time the court is sending troops to the northwest. In my opinion, it is more important than conquering Mobei. I am in a state of anxiety."

"Your Majesty, General Yang will surely win the battle with his troops," said Liu Dingzhi.

"Of course, I believe in Yang Guifang." Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly, "But, he is the son of Yang Rong, and I am worried that he will be used by someone with ulterior motives."

Liu Dingzhi was shocked. Could it be that His Majesty didn't even trust a confidant like Yang Guifang?
"As the commander of an army, there are many people who influence him." Zhu Qizhen said, "However, I naturally trust Yang Guifang. It's just that if he is deceived by others, you will have to contain him at that time."

Liu Dingzhi understood.

Shaanxi and Gansu were supplying food and grass to the army. If Yang Guifang had a rebellious heart or was out of control, then he would be cut off from food. The northwest was a desert, without food and grass, hundreds of thousands of troops would be useless.

"I understand." Liu Dingzhi bowed respectfully.

Zhu Qizhen sighed with regret and laughed at himself: "Old Liu, don't blame me. I have been walking on thin ice until today. I want to create an unprecedented prosperous Ming Dynasty, but many people hope that I will die."

Liu Dingzhi shook his head repeatedly and knelt down again: "I dare not, I understand everything. I believe that even if General Yang knows it in the future, he will understand it. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, so you naturally have to think more. Otherwise, how can you hold on to the throne and benefit the people? In the final analysis, Your Majesty is not doing this for yourself, but for the Ming Dynasty."

"Now that you say that, I feel much better." Zhu Qizhen raised his hand and smiled.

After he gave some instructions, Liu Dingzhi left the palace. Liu Dingzhi walked on the imperial road, and when the breeze blew, he felt a chill on his back, which turned out to be sweat. When he arrived at the gate of the palace, he looked back.

Your Majesty, as the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, you will eventually be alone. In exchange for a strong Ming Dynasty, I understand and I will always support Your Majesty.

……

Taibai Restaurant.

Liu Dingzhi came to a window seat on the second floor, and the river governor Wang Lai was already there. Both of them were leaving Beijing today, so they drank a farewell drink. Wang Lai poured the wine and said, "After today's farewell, I don't know when we will meet again. Old Liu, you must take care of yourself."

"Old Wang, take care of yourself too." Liu Dingzhi looked at his scarred hands and said, "You don't have to get involved in training young people. You are old, what's the point of showing off. By the way, hasn't your son Wang Hao grown up? His Majesty has promoted him year after year."

Wang Lai smiled bitterly and said, "My son is unreliable. Your Majesty promoted him to the position of Minister of Works this year. He will be a Beijing official in the future."

If it were in the past, Liu Dingzhi would have definitely thought this was a good thing. But after experiencing the emperor's summons today and suggesting that he should restrain Yang Guifang, he couldn't help but think more.

The emperor kept Wang Hao in the capital, probably to contain Wang Lai, the governor of the river. If there was any problem with the river in the future, his son would be the first to be punished.

"Your Majesty is wise. Wang Hao is a man of great talent. His future achievements will be no less than yours." Liu Dingzhi smiled.

"That guy wants to take over the highway construction." Wang Lai said helplessly, "He said it would be a great event that would last for generations, so he has to take part."

Liu Dingzhi took a sip of wine and praised: "Your Majesty has done far better than all the wise emperors in history. We, as ministers, should work hard and build a prosperous Ming Dynasty together."

The two drank another glass together.

It was very lively around, with everyone talking about recent events.

"It's great that Yang Guifang is in charge of the army and is leading the army to the northwest. I really admire this young commander. To be honest, he made the greatest contribution in the Battle of Mobei, more than Yu Qian."

"It seems that Your Majesty wants to make use of young people. It is also true that a new emperor appoints new ministers. There are many rising stars in our Ming Dynasty, such as Yang Guifang, Zhang Lun, Wang Yue, Zhu Yong, Bai Gui..."

"The imperial court has already pacified Mobei, and Yesen has become a prisoner. Then sweeping across Guanxi should be a piece of cake. The fake emperor of Dunhuang will definitely not be able to withstand it."

"How can you be sure that he is the fake emperor?"

"Of course I'm sure. Haven't you heard that the fake emperor in Dunhuang was found by Yesen back then to knock on the door? After Yesen was captured, he admitted it himself."

"I heard that the fake emperor was of no use later, so he ran into the leaders of Guanxi in Mobei and took the opportunity to escape to Guanxi. Those leaders in Guanxi wanted to use the fake emperor."

"Yes, the six kings are all fake. I heard that the last time the King of Qing made a mistake, he was forced to go to the fiefdom, and he has not left the fiefdom since then. The Jinyiwei is watching him. And the King of Su is already old and has been ill for several months. The rumors are outrageous. Could it be that a sick old man was carried to the northwest?"

Liu Dingzhi and Wang Lai listened, looked at each other, and smiled meaningfully. Liu Dingzhi lowered his voice and said, "I worked with Ding Xiu in Shaanxi and Gansu, and found that there was a... 'water army' under the Jinyiwei. All kinds of uncles and aunts were recruited, and they were good at spreading all kinds of stories."

"Your Majesty's move is better than that of Emperor Taizong back then." Wang Lai smiled, "It reminds me of the saying 'Don't chase the swallows, chase the swallows and they will fly high, soaring high to the imperial court'. It's obvious that Your Majesty is more clever."

……

Northwest, Dunhuang City.

With the gentle caress of the spring breeze, caravans from various countries came and went, some riding camels loaded with exotic treasures and spices, some driving carriages piled with exquisite silk and porcelain. The caravans' flags fluttered in the wind, colorful and adding a touch of exoticism to Dunhuang.

In the city, the number of patrolling guards increased significantly. They were dressed in armor, holding weapons, and moving briskly among the bustling crowd.

After Xu Bin walked around, he returned to the palace in the city. In the main hall, the Zhengtong Emperor and the six princes were chatting about something, and the military advisor Wu Xingdao was drinking tea.

"What's the matter?" Emperor Zhengtong asked Xu Bin who came in.

Xu Bin looked grim, and after thinking for a while, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, judging from the feedback from the caravans in various places, the people seem to... believe in the fake emperor in the capital. They... they say that the one in Dunhuang is the fake emperor, and the so-called six vassal kings are all fake. The imperial army will surely destroy the fake emperor when it marches westward."

The Zhengtong Emperor was so angry that he suddenly stood up and said, "Have I become a fake emperor? You all want to attack me?"

The faces of the six princes also changed slightly. They didn't expect that they all supported the fake emperor. Wu Xingdao was very calm and said with a smile: "This is not unexpected. The fake emperor has been popular among the people in recent years. However, it is not a monolithic situation. Didn't Yu Qian go south? This shows that there may be chaos in the southwest."

"Military Advisor, Yang Guifang is about to come, how should we respond?" Emperor Zhengtong said anxiously.

(End of this chapter)