Ming Dynasty: A mere unruly commoner is rebelling against the heaven?

Chapter 258 If I don’t avenge this, I will be ashamed to be the emperor!

The rescue came late, and Liu Jin was terrified and filled with regret.

Originally, he was thinking about whether he could go one step further and become the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

But after this incident, Liu Jin knew that there was little hope for this matter.

Now that things have come to this, there is no point in regretting. I can only find a way to remedy my position in Zhu Youtang's heart.

"Quick, everyone, get moving and put out the fire with all your strength!"

"Yes, Mr. Factory Supervisor!"

After Zhu Youtang left, Liu Jin brought the men from the East Factory and directed the eunuchs in the palace to actively put out the fire.

Finally, the fire in Xianfu Palace was put out before dawn.

Xianfu Palace had been reduced to ruins, but fortunately the fire did not spread to the nearby Changchun Palace and Chuxiu Palace.

Gu, who lived in Changchun Palace, was worried all night and finally fell asleep in the early morning.

The subsequent cleanup and reconstruction work is the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry.

On the other side, after leaving Xianfu Palace, Zhu Youtang returned to the Yangxin Palace.

On the way, Zhu Youtang asked Xiao Jing about the details of the arson case in the harem.

Xiao Jing recalled it carefully before speaking cautiously: "Your Majesty, the fire in Xianfu Palace is indeed very strange."

"I was on duty at the West Six Palaces today, and suddenly I heard someone shouting that the fire was escaping, so I immediately went to find the sound."

"When I arrived at Xianfu Palace, the fire was not big, but it burned very quickly."

"In just a few breaths, the fire expanded three or four times, setting the entire Xianfu Palace on fire. This must be because of the combustion aids placed in advance."

"What's even more bizarre is that the sea outside the Xianfu Palace is completely empty, without any water at all."

"Under no other circumstances, I had to ask you to go to the other palaces to fetch water from the sea."

Zhu Youtang listened to Xiao Jing's narration expressionlessly, his face becoming increasingly gloomy.

When he first learned about the fire, Zhu Youtang was angry and anxious. Now that Concubine Shu was rescued safely, he was no longer anxious, but the anger that was pent up in his heart grew stronger and stronger.

"I understand. You did a good job in this matter. You contained the fire in time and prevented it from spreading to other palaces. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous."

Xiao Jing bowed slightly and said modestly: "This is just my duty."

Zhu Youtang was quite satisfied with Xiao Jing's ability and attitude to do things, so he developed a desire to recruit such a talented person.

"Xiao Jing, you are very smart. I just happen to be in need of an experienced old man. You can come to the Imperial Household Department and be a clerk first."

Xiao Jing was not unfamiliar with the position of Assistant Secretary of the Imperial Household Department, as he had worked under the previous emperor during the Chenghua period.

But he was not familiar with the new emperor Zhu Youtang.

When Zhu Youtang was in the Eastern Palace, he was sent by Emperor Chenghua to Wugang to investigate the vassal case.

After Zhu Youtang ascended the throne, he went to Yuling to burn incense.

It can be said that he and Zhu Youtang were not familiar with each other.

Xiao Jingdu thought that from now on he would leave the power center of the Ming Dynasty and retire in an idle position in the palace.

But Zhu Youtang's order brought him back to the center of power in the Ming Dynasty.

The eunuchs who were transferred to the Imperial Household Department by Zhu Youtang's personal order had unlimited prospects.

Moreover, the position of the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department is still vacant, which makes it hard for Xiao Jing not to think too much.

Xiao Jing was filled with gratitude and felt flattered to be valued by three emperors in a row: Emperor Yingzong, Emperor Xianzong and the current emperor.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will do my best to help you!"

Zhu Youtang nodded and said no more.

Soon, Zhu Youtang's team returned to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.

In the west side hall of the Palace of Mental Cultivation, the unconscious Zhang Wan'er had been helped by the palace maids to change into clean and refreshing clothes.

Doctor Tian, ​​who often takes Zhang Wan'er's pulse, and his female official Fuling are taking Zhang Wan'er's pulse and examining her.

Among the palace maids serving on both sides, Chen Yuanyuan was also in the west side hall, anxiously waiting for the results of Doctor Tian's diagnosis.

At this moment, Zhu Youtang walked into the Yangxin Palace, which immediately startled everyone and they all bowed to him.

"I am your humble servant, and I greet your majesty."

Zhu Youtang walked straight to the bedside and looked at Zhang Wan'er who was still unconscious with a worried look on his face.

Zhu Youtang looked at Doctor Tian who was kneeling on the ground: "How is Concubine Shu doing? How is the child?"

Doctor Tian quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Concubine Shu is fine. She fell into a coma because she inhaled smoke, but fortunately the amount of smoke she inhaled was not much."

"Rest for a while, or take some medicated food, and you'll be fine."

"The fetus's pulse is also very stable, but Madam Shufei has been in great shock this time. It is best for her to take some medicine to calm her nerves and protect the fetus to prevent any accidents."

Zhu Youtang finally felt relieved: "Then go and make the medicine. Doctor Tian doesn't have to leave the palace during this period. Just stay in the palace and listen to his orders at any time."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Doctor Tian nodded, and quietly left the Yangxin Palace with Fuling and others.

Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Wan'er's pale face and bulging belly on the bed and silently clenched his fists.

If I don’t avenge this, I will be ashamed to be the emperor!

Chen Yuanyuan wanted to comfort Zhu Youtang: "Your Majesty, it is really heartbreaking for Concubine Shu to have encountered this, but Your Majesty..."

Zhu Youtang turned to look at Chen Yuanyuan with an extremely cold expression. Chen Yuanyuan was startled and only finished her words.

But after just a moment, Zhu Youtang's expression softened, but his words lacked the previous warmth.

"Ningpin has worked hard this evening, you should go back to the palace and rest first."

Chen Yuanyuan was a native of Suzhou Prefecture and was the adopted daughter of Zhang Wenshao, the governor of Yingtian.

Zhu Youtang had just arrested the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture and dealt with a group of civil servants in Jiangnan when a fire broke out in the harem for no apparent reason.

The palace that was burned was that of Concubine Zhang Wan'er. Zhang Wan'er was not only Zhu Youtang's highest-ranking concubine, but she was also pregnant with Zhu Youtang's unborn heir.

Combined with the experiences of Emperor Yingzong and Emperor Xianzong, and Zhou's previous warning to him not to go to the West.

Adding all these events together, Zhu Youtang absolutely did not believe that this was just a coincidence.

This is more like a warning, a revenge, a retaliation by the Jiangnan smuggling groups against Zhu Youtang for interfering in the voyage to the West!
If the emperor of the Ming Dynasty at that time was Zhu Qiyu, then Zhu Qiyu would definitely surrender to the civil servants in Jiangnan.

Not only would he immediately cancel the voyage to the West, he would also use gold and silver to bribe the civil servants in the south of the Yangtze River, begging the smuggling groups in the south of the Yangtze River to show mercy and spare his life.

Being an emperor as bad as Zhu Qiyu is, he is a real coward who has brought shame to Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong!

But the person in power at this time was Zhu Youtang, who, like Emperor Yingzong, was stubborn, tough and would never compromise!

The Jiangnan smuggling gangs dared to set fire to Zhu Youtang's palace and wanted to kill Zhu Youtang's wife and children.

Zhu Youtang is going to wipe out the entire Jiangnan smuggling group, confiscate their property and exterminate their clan!
It is foreseeable that because of this arson case, the peaceful days in the capital and two provinces in the south of the Yangtze River will not last long.

Because of this incident, Zhu Youtang became suspicious of all the people from Jiangnan around him.

Even Chen Yuanyuan, who had just slept with him, was within his suspicion.

That's why Zhu Youtang ruthlessly issued the order to expel Chen Yuanyuan, forcing her to leave the Yangxin Palace immediately and return to her Jingren Palace.

Chen Yuanyuan naturally heard the alienation in Zhu Youtang's words. She looked sad, lowered her eyes, and tried her best to hold back the tears in her eyes.

Although Chen Yuanyuan didn't know about the confrontation between Zhu Youtang and the civil servants from Jiangnan in the court.

But judging by the change in Zhu Youtang's attitude towards her before he left and after he came back, as well as Zhang Wan'er's current unconscious situation.

It is not difficult to guess that Zhu Youtang might have doubts about himself in his heart.

Chen Yuanyuan had no way to defend herself and could only swallow her grievances.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."

After kneeling down to pay her respects, Chen Yuanyuan slowly left the west side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Chen Yuanyuan walked out of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity in a daze. She could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes and they fell in two lines.

"Empress, what's wrong with you?"

Luo Xiang, who had been guarding outside the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, saw Chen Yuanyuan leaving the Palace alone and hurried over to pay her respects.

But when he got closer, he found that Chen Yuanyuan was actually crying, which scared him even more.

Could it be that Concubine Ning is having a conflict with His Majesty?
Could it be that Concubine Ning is jealous of Concubine Shu?
Isn't it? !
"what?!"

When Chen Yuanyuan saw someone coming, she was startled and quickly turned around and wiped away her tears.

When she turned around again, she looked back to normal.

"Nothing, please, Eunuch Luo, send me back to Jingren Palace."

Luo Xiang widened his eyes in surprise. Zhu Youtang had never had the experience of sending a concubine back in the middle of the night.

What on earth happened that His Majesty would let Concubine Ning return to the palace alone in the middle of the night?

But he wisely suppressed his doubts and did not ask the reason. He just turned slightly and said, "Your Highness, please get into the sedan chair."

Chen Yuanyuan nodded and slowly got into the sedan chair. The young eunuchs carried the sedan chair and walked slowly towards Jingren Palace.

Chen Yuanyuan sat in the sedan chair, crying silently.

This time, Chen Yuanyuan felt helpless and confused about her future for the first time.

There are undercurrents in the Forbidden City.

Outside the Forbidden City, there is a panic!
After Mou Bin came out of the palace, he went straight to the Northern Pacification Office.

After entering the Northern Pacification Office, Mou Bin urgently summoned all the Jinyiwei who were still in the capital.

The three Jinyiwei commanders Qinglong, Baihu and Xuanwu have all prepared their troops and are ready to go.

"Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise!"

"My subordinate is here!"

Mou Bin gave a stern order: "Each of you will lead 500 Jinyiwei and immediately arrest all officials from Jiangnan in the capital!"

"No one will be allowed to escape!"

Arrest all officials from Jiangnan?

Qinglong, Baihu and Xuanwu opened their eyes wide and broke out in cold sweats on their backs.

This time, Your Majesty's impact is so wide?

If all the officials in Jiangnan were arrested at once, would the Ming Dynasty court still be able to function normally?
But the three of them did not dare to question it and immediately bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, Commander!"

"set off!"

At Mou Bin's command, he led the troops to attack after gathering all the men!

(End of this chapter)