The Holy Emperor of Ming

Chapter 155 Long Live His Majesty
"Including me."

The mighty voice, with its heroic and domineering spirit, echoed throughout the sky and earth within a radius of more than ten miles.

The sound could be heard clearly throughout the capital.

There were people from all walks of life busy making a living in the city, Emperor Wu's dragon riders still in training, soldiers maintaining order in the city, eunuchs, palace maids and servants in the palace, and so on.

At this moment, everyone cast their eyes towards Chengtian Gate.

The atmosphere at the scene was even more lively.

The crowd slowly stood up, and an inexplicable warmth rose in the hearts of almost everyone.

"Your Majesty is indeed a good emperor!" Hua Manlou, with dull eyes and a gentlemanly demeanor, said quietly with a smile on his face.

"Just based on this one sentence?" Lu Xiaofeng with four eyebrows also smiled and said jokingly.

"This sentence is enough." Hua Manlou knew that his friend had the same idea as him and asked this question just as a joke, but he still answered seriously.

"Yeah." Lu Xiaofeng stopped joking and nodded.

A hint of respect emerged in his eyes as he looked towards the god-like figure.

Yes, this sentence is enough.

"I tell you, you must remember it." Zhu Houzhao continued, solemnly and seriously: "I hope that all the people of the Ming Dynasty are upright men and women.

We would rather die standing than live on our knees.

No difficulties can defeat us.

Anyone who dares to oppress and harm you is nothing but a paper tiger and will never stand a single blow.

No matter what happens, don't be afraid, remember that I will always stand behind you."

The extremely firm and domineering voice was like a fire that instantly ignited a prairie fire.

It is more like the arrival of the sun, and the blazing yet warm light shines on everyone.

"Long live your Majesty!"

This hysterical voice came from nowhere and spread immediately.

"Long live your Majesty! Long live your Majesty!"

Tens of thousands of people raised their arms and shouted, the sound waves were overwhelming and shook the earth.

Not only tens of thousands of people, but also the Emperor Wu's Dragon Riders and millions of people in the capital city, shouted one after another.

The entire capital city seemed to be shaking, and the vast heaven and earth were no longer so high.

What shocked many people even more were those passionate, worshipful and reverent faces.

That indescribable emotion and atmosphere seemed to be able to eliminate all the evil spirits in the darkness.

Many people who had ulterior motives turned pale instantly.

For the first time, they and many others truly felt the power coming from the grassroots people.

Especially with the support of the emperor, this force seemed like the sun rising across the sky, unstoppable.

It makes people instinctively feel awe and fear.

Li Xunhuan, Zhang Fengfu, and many high-ranking civil and military officials were suddenly not so worried anymore.

With such a Majesty and such people, what is there to fear?

Liu Jian and the others were also feeling excited, and as they looked at the enthusiastic crowd, they suddenly felt a little dazed.

I don’t know when?

Your Majesty already has such prestige!

Is it to destroy the Jiannu and defeat the Mongols?

Young but extremely powerful?

Is it to clean up the Jin area, kill many corrupt officials and countless martial artists?
Is it to increase the salaries of officials and soldiers and severely punish corrupt officials?
Was it a ruthless purge of the Ming royal family kings?

Or is it the drastic changes that have taken place in the capital?

Or were they the words and orders that seemed outrageous and shocking?
But can the people really understand this?
Many people were uncertain, but suddenly realized that in just over a year, His Majesty had done so many great things!

He also realized that an irresistible trend had emerged.

A group of people who were more conspicuous in front of the Fengtian Gate, the former kings and now the royal family members, all had complicated expressions in their eyes.

The resentment, dissatisfaction and other emotions that I once had were greatly reduced at this moment.

Either fear or reverence.

The former are mostly middle-aged or elderly, while the latter are mostly young people.

"Even Emperor Taizong would never have such prestige among the people."

This thought suddenly popped up in their minds.

In the crowd.

Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou were also waving their arms and shouting, with rare excitement and uncalmness on their faces.

There are many martial arts masters similar to them.

There were also some people who felt fear in their hearts and involuntarily wanted to shrink back from the crowd.

High in the sky in front of the Fengtian city wall, Zhu Houzhao was a little confused, and then he laughed.

He felt the most simple, sincere joy, respect and gratitude from the people.

In an instant, he felt his whole body filled with strength and fighting spirit.

In his mind, the sun and the moon behind the martial arts spirit became clearer, and the martial arts spirit became more solid as well.

But he didn't care about all this at the moment. Looking at the cheering people, he felt more domineering and majestic than ever before, and also felt inexplicably moved.

He raised his hand and pressed, and the shouting of the crowd gradually stopped.

"I don't know if I can live longer than 10,000 years, but I am sure of one thing: the people will live longer than 10,000 years.

You all should remember this sentence. "Zhu Houzhao said this sentence with absolute certainty.

It makes countless people feel shocked and heated in their hearts.

When they wanted to shout again, Zhu Houzhao raised his hand to stop them. He did not forget the most important thing today.

"Today, I asked you to come here to publicly deal with that damned Kong Hongxu."

Zhu Houzhao pointed at Kong Hongxu who was being held by the Embroidered Uniform Guard without mercy.

Hundreds of thousands of eyes turned their attention to it.

The common people were fine, but many officials and scholars frowned deeply and were confused. That was the Duke of Yansheng!
Descendants of saints!

Kong Hongxu and his son were completely terrified.

The emperor is determined to deal with them!
How can it be?

How can it be?

Is the emperor crazy?
They are the descendants of saints, the Kong family!
How dare the emperor kill them?
Without waiting for them to speak, or for some officials and scholars to speak, Zhu Houzhao continued.

"Kong Hongxu is the so-called Duke Yansheng.

He started killing innocent people indiscriminately when he was young. Hundreds of Ming Dynasty citizens died at his hands, and no one knows how many more died later.

My grandfather and the officials at that time chose to ignore it, just because he was that damn Yansheng Duke.

My father ignored it and restored his title to him.”

"My grandfather and my father both made such a big mistake, I want to apologize to the people who were harmed on their behalf.

I must correct their mistake.

First skin the beast Kong Hongxu to pieces, then abolish the title of Duke Yansheng and investigate the entire Kong family.

Anyone who dares to harm the people of the Ming Dynasty must die."

The murderous words made almost all the civil and military officials and scholars of the Ming Dynasty feel dizzy.

Cut the Shenggong of Yan!

Abolish the title of Duke Yansheng!

Investigate the entire Kong family!

Is Your Majesty crazy?
Even Liu Jian and others who had expected this held their breath.

Your Majesty, why are you so stubborn and want to uproot the Kong family?
Even Li Xunhuan, Zhang Fengfu and many other martial artists could not help but frown and feel shocked.

That's the Kong family!

There was dead silence among the officials, scholars, and people who understood the situation.

Only the people care more about Your Majesty's apology and the mistakes made by the previous emperor.

Everyone was talking in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, I, I am innocent!" Kong Hongxu's face was full of fear. He knelt down with a plop, breaking the silence of the officials and scholars.

Some officials and thousands of scholars also immediately knelt down and spoke loudly.

"Your Majesty, how could the Duke of Yansheng kill innocent people? Moreover, the Kong family is the bloodline of the saint, how can it be abolished?"

"Your Majesty, absolutely not. The Kong family is the descendant of a saint, and their title must not be abolished."

"Your Majesty, Duke Yansheng and the Kong family must have been wrongly accused. Please understand clearly."

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Yansheng was conferred by Taizu himself, and it must not be abolished."

"Your Majesty, do not offend the saint!"

"Your Majesty, how can you be so disrespectful to the saint? How can you treat the descendants of the saint so cruelly?"

·····
The shouts rose and fell, and following their lead, more officials and scholars knelt down.

Some old men wept like cuckoos, as if something outrageous had happened.

A hint of hostility burst out from Zhu Houzhao's eyes.

"I have already said that the people of the Ming Dynasty must not kneel down again, didn't you hear me?

Are you guys so shameless that you have to kneel down?"

"Okay, anyone who kneels down because of the Kong family will have all their official positions and honors revoked, and will not be allowed to take any imperial examinations for three generations.

He is no longer a citizen of the Ming Dynasty. If he wants to kneel, get out of the Ming Dynasty and kneel down to your heart's content."

The cold and stern voice stunned everyone at once.

The officials and scholars who were about to kneel down were startled and straightened their legs.

Those who were already kneeling looked at each other and then stood up.

Only three old officials and six old scholars were still kneeling there, kowtow- ing.

He kept saying that the saint must not be offended and the title of Duke Yansheng must not be abolished.

"I will grant you your wish. I will take them away and first investigate whether they have any meritorious service. Have they committed corruption or abused their power?"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes were cold and he did not hesitate.

“If these three old officials have made meritorious contributions and have not abused their power, I will let them go this time.

If one fails to do so, his property will be confiscated, his official status and honors will be revoked, and he will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations for three generations.

I will throw them out of the Ming Dynasty and make them kneel down for a long time.

These six will be dealt with directly."

"Yes."

The Jinyiwei responded immediately, pounced forward like wolves and tigers, and took the six people away roughly.

The square was even quieter.

Even the voices of ordinary people stopped.

He looked at the godlike figure with even more awe.

Although no one was killed on the spot, everyone felt a deeper sense of awe.

Especially officials and scholars.

Official positions and honors will be abolished, and the person will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations within three generations, and he will also be expelled from the Ming Dynasty.

This is more painful than killing them.

Many officials immediately backed out, because just as they had expected, His Majesty was determined.

It’s fine to let them cheer for the Kong family, but forget about risking their lives and family’s future.

Many scholars also retreated.

But the Ming Dynasty never lacked fearless defenders of morality and passionate young people.

Although they have just stood up, it does not mean that they agree that the emperor wants to treat the Kong family and the descendants of the saints in this way.

(Chapter 1.)
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(End of this chapter)