The Holy Emperor of Ming

Chapter 343: Kind and Upright People (4400 words)
He once thought that this was Sima family's only chance.

It means assisting a wise ruler, fighting for the throne, and building a great empire.

Only in this way can it be possible to restore the Sima family's surname.

But looking around the world, there is no soil to build another great empire.

Originally, the Sui Dynasty and the Song Dynasty after Yang Guang's bankruptcy were possible.

However, with powerful foreign tribes in the north eyeing them covetously, and the Ming Dynasty, the most powerful empire at its peak, also watching them, it was completely impossible to assist a new monarch.

Coming to Ming Dynasty is the best choice, but also a gamble that cannot be avoided.

And he won the most important step.

At this moment, he finally saw a chance for hope.

Although this hope exists, I still don’t know where the end is?

Not sure what is good enough?
But there is hope and opportunity after all.

How could he not be excited and ecstatic?
As for reopening the family tree, cutting ties with ancestors, and re-establishing a Sima family.

In other words, they do not worship their ancestors, indicating that they have no relationship with them anymore.

Although this is somewhat outrageous.

But for the Sima family, he was willing to do it.

I believe that our ancestors would also be willing after knowing this.

Everything is for the continuation of the Sima family.

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and lifted Ji Dongming up, and said in a gentler tone: "There is no kneeling ceremony in the Ming Dynasty, just do your job well.

By the way, Lao Gu, how about you try out his military strategy?"

"Yes." Gu Xichao responded.

Ji Dongming bowed solemnly, then calmed his mind and emotions, facing this test with the calmest attitude.

"I'll start." Gu Xichao looked at Ji Dongming calmly.

"Thank you, Minister Gu." Ji Dongming said with a bow.

Gu Xichao nodded in response and began to test the opponent's military strategy.

Instead of starting from the shallow level, he directly started asking questions from the medium level.

After all, a great master who considers himself good at military strategy in front of Your Majesty cannot be still at a shallow level.

To do otherwise would be foolish.

One of them asks and the other answers.

Gu Xichao kept asking various questions, and Ji Dongming answered them calmly one by one.

Gradually, Gu Xichao's expression became more serious, and the questions began to deepen.

Zhu Houzhao, who was listening patiently at the side, had his eyes brightened and his anticipation deepened. He felt that Ji Dongming's military strategy was good.

After a while, Guo Bujing and Cao Zhengchun came.

Gu Xichao and the other person did not stop and continued.

Zhu Houzhao was delighted to hear this and asked Wei Jinzhong to tell Guo and Cao about the news about the Eight Diagrams Formation.

After Wei Jinzhong told the two of them the situation, about half an hour passed before Gu Xichao stopped.

There was a bit more recognition and respect in the look he gave Ji Dongming.

A person's sufficient ability is always his best bargaining chip.

Ji Dongming was born in the Sima family, which made Gu Xichao instinctively dislike and be on guard against him.

But he admired Ji Dongming's abilities.

"Your Majesty, I have finished my questioning. Mr. Ji's military strategy is extremely profound and rare in the Ming Dynasty." Gu Xichao said impartially.

The Ming Dynasty really needs talents like Ji Dongming.

Especially now, there are too few truly talented people in the military cabinet.

Wang Shouren and Zheng Gong were all leading troops outside, as were Li Jing and others.

It can be said that almost all of the military cabinet's military tactics, strategies, plans, and other intelligence-related matters fell on his shoulders.

As the Minister of Military Law, he did almost all the work of the Grand Commander.

This is also one of the reasons why Gu Xichao holds such a high position and power.

Most of the dukes, marquises, etc. are in the logistics and equipment departments.

Now that the Ming army is becoming more and more powerful, the military cabinet must also be more powerful, and it needs more truly talented people.

"Minister Gu, thank you for the compliment." Ji Dongming felt relieved and said gratefully.

It is good enough to know his identity and be able to make a fair evaluation of him.

"Okay, I heard it all. Ji Dongming, you will first join the Ministry of Military Affairs and become a third-rank minister, so that you can get to know the army of our Ming Dynasty well." Zhu Houzhao said with satisfaction.

"I thank Your Majesty for your great grace." Ji Dongming saluted with surprise, joy and great satisfaction.

“But before that, let’s first resolve the matter of the Eight Diagrams.

First, you cooperate with the factory guards to find the current heir of the Zhuge family.

"Old Guo, you will talk to him first, whether he is willing or not? Whether he has any conditions? Bring him to the palace, and I will meet him in person." Zhu Houzhao ordered.

"Yes." Guo Bujing, Cao Zhengchun and Ji Dongming responded in unison.

The three of them and Gu Xichao all withdrew and went about their business.

Zhu Houzhao was of course very happy to hear that he had gained a great talent and obtained a rare treasure, and he waited patiently.

With the powerful intelligence capabilities of the Jinyiwei, and the fact that it was located within the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

In just three days, they found Xun Rizhao, who was not trying to hide.

Since the matter involved the rare treasure, the Eight Diagrams Formation, Guo Bujing and Cao Zhengchun personally took action, and of course Ji Dongming followed suit.

After meeting, Guo Bujing understood what was going on when he saw Xun Rizhao looking at Ji Dongming with vigilance and hostility.

By showing a gentle attitude, it was easy to gain Xun Rizhao's initial trust.

Of course, this was mainly due to what he saw and heard in the Ming Dynasty.

When Guo Bujing frankly stated his purpose, Xun Rizhao was not surprised. He was not stupid. He knew the purpose of the factory guards as soon as he saw Ji Dongming.

He looked at Guo Bujing very seriously and said, "Master Guo, if the Ming Dynasty gets the Eight Diagrams, should we use them to quell the war and prevent it from happening again?"

"The war will definitely be quelled." Guo Bujing answered without hesitation, then he pondered for a moment and said seriously, "Master Xun, I don't want to lie to you, so may I ask, what does it mean to stop the war?
Or, Master Xun, how do you think we can prevent wars from happening again?"

Xun Rizhao paused, but he felt more trusting in his heart.

The other party did not agree immediately, but asked him this question, which was obviously sincere.

He thought about it, shook his head, and said honestly: "I don't know either. How can we prevent war from happening again?"

The experiences of these days have made him understand a lot and no longer so naive.

They thought that if they drove the Mongols back, there would be no war.

"The Ming Dynasty is doing things to prevent wars from happening again." Guo Bujing smiled and said confidently, "Master Xun, as long as the Ming Dynasty unifies the world, there will be no wars.

You said, really? "

"But in the process of unifying the world, wouldn't it involve even greater wars and killings?" Xun Rizhao frowned.

"Mr. Xun is right." Guo Bujing nodded first, then said solemnly: "If the strength of the Ming Dynasty is not strong enough, it will rashly launch a war to unify the world.

Then a long period of killing will begin.

But if the Ming Dynasty is strong enough, it can easily destroy other countries in the world.

Then, the Ming Dynasty should have destroyed all the countries in the world in one fell swoop, and completely put an end to the war in the shortest time, at the lowest cost, and without causing much killing.

Master Xun, are you right?"

Xun Rizhao was stunned and thought seriously.

Although he felt something was wrong, he couldn't refute what was said.

If the Ming Dynasty was really strong enough, strong enough to unify the world without causing much killing and completely put an end to the war, that would naturally be a good thing.

But is the Ming Dynasty that powerful?
He suddenly realized the problem.

"So, the reason why we in the Ming Dynasty want the Eight Diagrams is because we want to make the Ming Dynasty stronger, to that extent." Guo Bujing seemed to see through Xun Rizhao's thoughts and continued.

"With the Eight Diagrams, can the Ming Dynasty become that powerful?" Xun Rizhao asked with a frown.

“I don’t know.” Guo Bujing shook his head and said sincerely: “Until it is verified, no one can be sure of how powerful the Eight Diagrams are.

However, the power of the Ming Dynasty never relied on a single treasure.

Regardless of whether the Eight Trigrams Formation is as powerful as the rumors say, our Ming Dynasty will continue to grow stronger step by step until we can easily unify the world."

Although they had just met, Guo Bujing believed that he would not have made a mistake in choosing the right person.

This young man is a very kind person.

For such people, sincerity is a very good method.

Xun Rizhao pondered for a moment, raised his head and looked at Guo Bujing, and said sincerely: "Master Guo, I am willing to help Daming retrieve the Eight Diagrams.

But I hope that Lord Guo can promise me that if the Ming Dynasty's strength has not reached that level, don't start a meaningless war."

"Mr. Xun, I cannot agree to this condition, but there is someone who can answer you." Guo Bujing said with a smile.

"Who is it?" Xun Rizhao asked.

"His Majesty is waiting for Master Xun in the capital and wants to meet you." Guo Bujing said with a smile.

Xun Rizhao's eyes suddenly widened, and he said excitedly: "His Majesty the Emperor Shengwu wants to see me?"

Over the years, he grew up listening to the legend of Emperor Shengwu.

Especially during the few days he spent in Daming, he felt the beauty of this world.

I have a deep respect for Emperor Shengwu.

In his heart, His Majesty the Emperor Shengwu is already an extremely great being.

That's why he agreed so easily to get the Eight Diagrams Formation for the Ming Dynasty.

"Yeah." Guo Bujing nodded, smiling a little more.

Two days later.

In the Daming Imperial Palace and the Qianqing Palace.

Facing Xun Rizhao's conditions, Zhu Houzhao laughed loudly and arrogantly, looking at Xun Rizhao in a friendly manner and said, "What kind of conditions are these?
If we were not strong enough, the Ming Dynasty would certainly not launch a war to unify the world, so as to avoid causing too many casualties.

I am very happy that you are willing to retrieve the Eight Diagrams for the Ming Dynasty.

I'll give you another condition, just tell me."

When Xun Rizhao heard this, he felt relieved and laughed happily.

Emperor Shengwu thought the same as he did. He would not ignore the casualties of the people and forcibly unify the world.

That's enough.

He shook his head and said honestly: "Your Majesty, I have no other conditions."

"Really?" Zhu Houzhao said with a smile.

"No." Xun Rizhao shook his head.

"Then what are you good at? Are you willing to join the Ming Dynasty and do something for the people of the world?" Zhu Houzhao asked with a turn of his eyes and a little more fondness.

"Your Majesty, I don't seem to be good at anything, and I don't want to be an official." Xun Rizhao shook his head again.

"No, you are good at something." Zhu Houzhao praised, and then asked: "Why don't you want to be an official?"

"I'm not smart, nor am I suitable to be an official." Xun Rizhao said honestly.

“Who says that officials have to be smart?

For some officials, intelligence is not needed, but character is needed.

And what you are good at is your character." Zhu Houzhao said with a smile.

"Character?" Xun Rizhao was a little surprised and puzzled.

"Yes, you are kind and honest.

Now and in the future, the Ming Dynasty needs kind and upright people like you to supervise more officials to do good things and protect more people.

Are you willing?" Zhu Houzhao said with a smile.

Xun Rizhao only felt a sense of mission and responsibility, and without hesitation, he nodded heavily: "I do."

"Okay." Zhu Houzhao nodded and said happily: "After you take out the Eight Diagrams and move your family to Daming, I will officially confer you an official position.

Then, you will be able to supervise those officials and protect the people from being oppressed."

"Yes." Xun Rizhao was also quite happy.

Two days later, Xun Rizhao returned to Sui State to retrieve the Eight Diagrams Formation.

With him is Bai Yujing, who specifically assists him.

This candidate was carefully selected by Zhu Houzhao and was suitable in all aspects.

Zhu Houzhao handed the matter over to the two of them with confidence and continued to focus on those major events.

Time passed quickly and it was July. Good news came from Japan.

In less than two months, the entire Japan was completely occupied by the Ming army.

The specific details of the battle were sorted out and sent to Zhu Houzhao.

After reading it, Zhu Houzhao was somewhat surprised and asked, "What's going on with this Juexin?"

"Your Majesty, according to Yue Fei's report, this Japanese man named Juexin is a spy from the Eastern Depot.

On the four major islands of Japan, there were a total of 26 calls for the Japanese to become enemies of the Ming Dynasty.

There is no doubt that they were all wiped out by the army.

After this desperate call, those who dared to stand up against the Ming Dynasty in the four major islands of Japan have basically been wiped out.

The only ones left are those who resist secretly.

Now, this Juexin has also turned to the dark side, secretly contacting those Japanese who still have resistance in their hearts.

When the time comes, we can catch all these people in one fell swoop." Gu Xichao said objectively and impartially.

"Isn't this a Japanese traitor?" Zhu Houzhao frowned, and immediately felt disgusted with Juexin: "This method is too despicable."

After a pause, he continued, “But this is very good for our Ming Dynasty.

It will be faster to purge those Japanese who are resisting."

"Your Majesty is right. According to the plan presented to Yue Fei by the East Factory.

Juexin is now the most famous and influential figure in Japan. He goes undercover and waits to find out the identities of those who secretly resist and catch them all in one fell swoop.

He chose to surrender to the Ming Dynasty in a fair and open manner.

By then, the entire Japan will be humiliated and no one will dare to resist anymore.

It is estimated that it will be completed before August." Gu Xichao replied.

He only spoke about the battle situation and did not express any opinion on Juexin.

He doesn't take Juexin seriously at all.

Just a small Japanese spy.

"Yeah." Zhu Houzhao nodded, although he still didn't like this method and felt it was not heroic enough.

But when he thought about it, he decided to stop objecting because it was good for the Ming Dynasty.

"By the way, why is it the Eastern Depot's spy and plan?" Zhu Houzhao realized this.

The Eastern Depot only had the power to supervise the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

When the Jinyiwei is taking action and lacks strength, the Dongchang also has the responsibility to assist.

Spies are still okay, but why did this plan fall to the East Factory?
"Your Majesty, Yue Fei's report is that Juexin escaped and contacted the East Factory on his own initiative.

From now on, the one who contacted Juexin would always be Dongchang." Gu Xichao only said what he could be sure of.

Those things that cannot be confirmed and are only speculations are the business of the Censorate and have nothing to do with the military cabinet or the military.

If Your Majesty does not ask him what he thinks, there is no need for him to say more and influence Your Majesty's judgment.

"How could this Juexin escape from my uncle and the factory guards?" Zhu Houzhao raised his eyebrows and asked subconsciously, "Old Gu, what do you think is going on?"

"Your Majesty, instead of letting me guess, why not call all the guards here and ask them, then everything will be clear, won't it?" Gu Xichao said.

"That's true." Zhu Houzhao nodded, and two messages flew to the headquarters of the factory guards.

Soon, Guo Bujing and Cao Zhengchun arrived.

"What's going on with the Juexin incident?" Zhu Houzhao asked directly.

"Your Majesty, I will explain it to you in detail." Cao Zhengchun said immediately.

Juexin offered this method himself, which the East Depot thought was a good one, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not happy about.

Then Dongchang wanted to give it a try. They controlled Juexin with poison and then let him go to see what Juexin could do. The detailed process was told once.

(4400 words, thank you for your support. If the monthly votes exceed last month, there will be an extra update tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.)
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(End of this chapter)