The Holy Emperor of Ming

Chapter 187: Establish a queen?

Gu Xichao also nodded.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. The Sui Dynasty is now at this stage.

All the major aristocratic families and those with evil intentions in the Sui Dynasty must have seen clearly that the Sui Dynasty was about to collapse.

At this time, they would not hesitate to dig up the roots of the Sui Dynasty and strengthen themselves.

Therefore, it will take some time for the Sui Dynasty to completely collapse.

It takes some time for a big tree to fall, let alone a big country like Sui that was at its peak a few years ago.

"I now hope that Yang Guang can hold on for a while longer, preferably until my Ming Dynasty is ready.

Do you think this rubbish can last until then?" Zhu Houzhao spoke, with some expectation but also great distrust of Yang Guang.

"It all depends on Yang Guang's next choice: will he quietly wait for death, struggle to hold on, or seek a gentler way to change?

Or should we fight desperately?" Gu Xichao said firmly.

"Minister Gu means that Yang Guang might lead the army for the third time?" Liu Jian asked in a serious tone.

When these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked.

Will Yang Guang lead the army for the third time?

"Given Yang Guang's temperament, it may not be impossible." Gu Xichao said.

When everyone thought of Yang Guang's crazy temper, they believed this statement.

It is indeed not impossible.

"And the Mongols." Gu Xichao's tone became more serious. "Although the Mongols did not destroy the Turks this time, their most fundamental goal was achieved. Yang Guang's second expedition failed, and the Sui Dynasty was on the verge of collapse.

However, they still had a few breaths left, and the Mongols had too many concerns. They did not dare to, and did not need to, fight to the death, so they retreated.

The next time the Mongols officially send troops, it will definitely not be so simple.

That will be the decisive battle.

If the Ming Dynasty does not want the Mongols to conquer the Sui Dynasty, we must prepare for this war in advance."

Before he finished speaking, the expressions of the ministers present became solemn.

The Sui Dynasty, which was now half-destroyed, could not resist the Mongols, and the same was true for the Turks.

Then who can stop it?
It seems that there is only the Ming Dynasty.

No matter what, the Ming Dynasty would never allow the Mongols to conquer the Sui Dynasty.

"Hahaha, don't worry, in a few years, I will be invincible, and the Ming Dynasty is almost ready for a war.

When the time comes, I will let Temujin know how powerful I am." Only Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up and he laughed loudly.

It is also filled with an impatient excitement.

The ministers looked at each other and were used to it.

But I do feel more confident and emboldened.

Sending troops outside the Ming Dynasty to fight against the Mongols was indeed a terrible thing.

But what will Your Majesty and the Ming Dynasty be like in a few years?

They are still very confident.

"Your Majesty, I think that at this time, our Ming Dynasty should help the Sui Kingdom a little to prevent it from falling too quickly." Gu Xichao said seriously.

Zhu Houzhao knew this truth, but he felt uncomfortable because he just wanted him to help Yang Guang, the damn guy.

After thinking for a while, he waved his hand and said, "Forget it, Lao Gu, you can discuss this matter with the Jinyiwei. I don't care."

"Yes." Gu Xichao responded.

“By the way, the Imperial Guards said that Yang Xuangan had made preparations before his death.

As soon as he died, someone told the Jinyiwei and Yang Gong's treasure house. You can also take a look, what's the use?" Zhu Houzhao said again, not caring about Yang Gong's treasure house.

Because he was not short of money, and Yang Gong's treasury was too far away.

"I understand." Gu Xichao said with a flash of thought.

'What do you understand?'

Zhu Houzhao was a little confused, but didn't ask.

Putting aside the affairs of the Sui Dynasty, they began to discuss some important matters of the Ming Dynasty.

at the same time.

Not only the Ming Dynasty, but also other countries and many forces were adjusting their attitudes and actions towards the Sui Dynasty.

There are inexplicable undercurrents happening.

It seemed that everyone was looking forward to the moment when the huge Sui Dynasty would finally fall.

Northern Sui Dynasty.

Kublai Khan, who was on the way to withdraw his troops, looked deeply in the direction of the Sui Dynasty.

'The next time this Khan comes, it will be the time when we march into Chang'an.'

He looked at the tall and strange figure beside him and said domineeringly: "Magic Master, it won't take a few years. The Sui Kingdom will eventually belong to me, the Mongols."

"Well, these few years will be the time for me, the Mongols, to prepare, and it will also be my time." Pang Dian nodded and said in a very firm tone.

Kublai Khan's heart moved, and he trusted without hesitation and said: "The magician will surely succeed."

····
The capital of the Sui Dynasty was Daxing City, also known as Chang'an City.

In the deserted palace, Yang Guang sat alone, the aura from his body was terrifyingly violent.

It's like a volcano that may erupt at any time.

At this moment, his eyes were red, like a beast about to devour people.

"There is still a chance, there is still a chance. My Great Sui still has a chance. I will not fail. I will never fail..."

"As long as I lead the army in person and win a great victory, we can still recover. We will definitely be able to recover.

Yes, it means to lead the army in person.

Within three years, I must lead the expedition again in person."

"I will definitely be able to turn defeat into victory, I will definitely be able to do it."

·····
The war was over, and a vortex that was about to sweep the world was calmed down.

Most countries breathed a sigh of relief.

Only within the borders of the Sui Dynasty, more uprisings began and the situation became more chaotic. Countless eyes could see clearly that this behemoth was becoming weaker and weaker.

Overtly or covertly, countless people were opening their mouths wide to get a bite of meat.

The Ming Dynasty was one of them.

The activities of the Jinyiwei in the Sui Dynasty became more frequent and active.

However, Zhu Houzhao did not pay much attention to these things and left them to the Jinyiwei and Gu Xichao to deal with.

His attention now is on Southern Zhili.

On November 15, Wang Zhi finally returned to the capital with a large number of troops and convoys.

After more than half a year, the investigation of the officialdom in Southern Zhili has finally come to an end.

Zhu Houzhao listened to Wang Zhi's detailed report in the Qianqing Palace.

"Your Majesty, this action has resulted in the arrest of five second-rank officials and eight second-rank officials.

There were as many as 467 officials of the third rank and below.

There are 2,899 officials. "

"A total of 4.38 million mu of farmland and about 12.49 million taels of gold and silver were acquired.

The property value is about 11.75 million taels, and the commercial value is about 48.97 million taels."

Wang Zhi reported them respectfully one by one.

"Haha, Jiangnan is rich. It means that officials are richer than those in other places." Zhu Houzhao sneered.

Wang Zhi couldn't say much and could only remain silent.

"Mr. Wang, how is the martial arts power in Jiangnan?" Zhu Houzhao asked seriously.

“Your Majesty, let’s not talk about other places in Jiangnan for now. The most powerful martial arts forces in Nanzhili are still the various martial arts families.

They were so intertwined that officials, businessmen, landlords, wealthy families, gentry, and literati were all entangled with them.

If you want to take action against the martial arts forces in Nanzhili, you must not act too hastily and must be properly prepared.

It is best to use absolute force to intimidate, to cut flesh with a blunt knife, and to slowly weaken them. "Wang Zhi said sincerely.

"I know, I won't be careless." Zhu Houzhao said seriously.

Afterwards, Wang Zhi told everyone about the situation in all aspects of Nanzhili.

Including the situation of Xu Ruowu, the new army formed by Xu Bikui.

These are two good news, they both did a good job.

"Mr. Zheng, what do you think about my abolishment of Nanjing's status as Nanzhili?" Zhu Houzhao asked again.

Wang Zhi was startled, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Your Majesty, Nanjing was established by Taizu, and many things are in Nanjing, so it is not easy to abandon it.

Moreover, if we want to suppress Jiangnan and curb the development of Jiangnan martial arts forces, Nanjing still needs to exist."

"Well, I'll think about it again." Zhu Houzhao nodded but did not make a clear statement. He was indeed still considering the matter and had asked many people for their opinions.

Almost everyone’s opinion is that it should not be abandoned lightly.

The existence of Nanzhili is still of great use.

He represents the Ming Dynasty's rule over the south and can make all forces in the south more respectful of the imperial power.

As a result, Zhu Houzhao became more cautious and is still considering it.

However, he was not planning to appoint any more ministers to the six southern ministries and other departments, as it would be a sheer waste of the Ming Dynasty's salaries.

It's not bad to have Xu Ruowu manage it like this for now. He is a great master with sufficient status and strength to suppress the development of various classes in the Jiangnan martial arts world. The effect is much better than the previous one.

With the help of the increasingly powerful Jinyiwei, there is no need to change in the short term.

Wang Zhi's return brought back a large amount of income to the court, and the various departments became even busier.

Time flies and it’s December.

Everything was going well in the Ming Dynasty and everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

The year is coming to an end, and various departments of the court are beginning to compile a summary of the year.

An even busier scene unfolds.

Just at this time, something happened to Zhu Houzhao.

The ministers united once again, and did it openly and aboveboard.

"Establish the Queen~!" Zhu Houzhao was slightly stunned and looked at Liu Jian, Xie Qian and others in front of him.

Liu Jian and others were a little nervous.

Because his majesty had no interest in women in the past, many beautiful palace maids were sent out of the palace or married to military officers.

They also adopted the method of recruiting middle-aged women to enter the palace to help.

This is not the attitude of a normal man at all.

He looked completely uninterested in women.

So they were worried that His Majesty was not yet ready to appoint a queen or take a concubine.

Everyone has already prepared a variety of excuses in their hearts.

'The foundation of the country is the most important.'

"The Ming Dynasty is the most important."

"Your Majesty, only if you have an heir can you reassure the people of the world."

Wait, wait, wait, just waiting for His Majesty to refuse, then he spoke.

They cannot back down on this matter.

At the very least, he should take in a few concubines.

"Okay, let's make her the queen." Zhu Houzhao said without thinking too much.

Liu Jian and others were stunned. Did you agree to this?
I felt a little depressed that I couldn't say the words I had prepared, but I was mostly happy.

Your Majesty knows what is important.

"Then we are going to start selecting concubines next year?" Liu Jian asked.

"Select concubines?" Zhu Houzhao frowned and said unhappily, "I have already said that I will not select concubines anymore.

And you guys are just choosing a queen for me like this?"

Liu Jian and the others were a little confused. If not this way of choosing, then how should they choose?
(Chapter two.)
······
(End of this chapter)