Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 141: A man has tears, Old Zhu cries loudly! Confess!
Tianjie Temple.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the cold stone walls, and the air was filled with a sense of oppression and uneasiness.

Under the torture, Nie Huan'er was in excruciating pain, and his screams were incessant, echoing in the deep hall.

However, no matter how he was tortured or how many times he was questioned, Nie Huan'er still insisted that he was ordered by the King of Wu.

"When I first entered the palace, I was alone and helpless, like a floating duckweed."

"Then one day, the King of Wu entered the palace, and I deliberately said a few nice words to him."

"The King of Wu was very happy and rewarded me with ten taels of silver."

"From now on, whenever the King of Wu comes to the palace, I will serve him."

"After a few interactions, I gradually became very familiar with the King of Wu."

"Many people in the palace know about these things. If Your Majesty doesn't believe it, just call the palace servants and ask them."

As Zhu Yunxun listened to him, his heart sank a little.

Could it be that the previous incarnation really had a special relationship with Nie Huaner?

Is this the big pit that the predecessor dug for himself?

"Later, I will tell King Wu some news from the palace."

"The King of Wu has asked me to deliberately make friends with the King of Xian."

"The purpose is to grasp the movements of King Xian."

"At that time, although the King of Wu was still very young, he was extremely thoughtful and had talents far beyond those of other people."

"It's just that the King of Wu is good at hiding his shortcomings, so outsiders don't know about it."

"Since then, I have been in contact with King Xian."

Nie Huan'er was tortured to the point of being barely able to breathe, and his voice was so weak when he spoke.

But the content of what was said remained the same as before, without any change.

However, Zhu Yunhuan heard something wrong from his words.

After all, he knew the situation of his predecessor very well.

He was originally a child with low IQ.

But Nie Huan'er said that his previous incarnation was meticulous when he was young.

That's obvious nonsense.

This actually made Zhu Yunhuan feel a little relieved.

As long as it wasn’t a hole dug by my predecessor, it would be fine.

With the intelligence of his previous incarnation, he might have known how to win over and please a eunuch in the palace.

But he will never be allowed to be a spy again.

What's more, his previous incarnation had been deceived by Zhu Yunwen's false benevolence and righteousness, and had never doubted Zhu Yunwen, let alone thought of doing anything unfavorable to him.

It is naturally impossible to arrange eunuchs to do such a thing.

No matter who is behind Nie Huan'er's frame-up, the truth will eventually be revealed.

"That night, His Majesty asked me to pass on his orders."

"In fact, when I appeared to intercept the three judges, it was not arranged by King Xian, but by His Royal Highness King Wu."

"In this way, your Majesty will mistakenly believe that I am His Royal Highness Xian Wang's person."

"But His Royal Highness Prince Xian is indeed very close to me, and he has personally asked me about the affairs in the palace, so I can't make any excuses."

Nie Huan'er spoke slowly. Although his breath was weak, his speech was clear and logical, and every word and sentence was distinct.

"Before this, His Royal Highness King Wu had already ordered me to secretly contact the remnants of the Park family."

"His Royal Highness Prince Wu said that he would let the remnants of the Park family assassinate him."

"I was very confused at the time, but since His Royal Highness the King of Wu was determined, I had no choice but to do as he said."

"The remnants of the Park family do not know the truth."

"They thought they had found an opportunity to avenge their family and kill His Royal Highness the King of Wu."

“So I agreed without hesitation.”

"This is exactly the brilliance of His Majesty the King of Wu."

"Even if I let an assassin assassinate me, it would be a real assassination, not just a simple act."

"It's impossible for outsiders to see any flaws."

"Your Highness the King of Wu is amazing!"

Nie Huan'er sighed.

The anger on Lao Zhu's face seemed to be growing, but he suppressed it.

At this moment, he is like a volcano that is about to erupt at any time.

It seemed as if it would burst out at the next moment.

Zhu Yunhuan's expression remained calm.

Old Zhu suddenly said, "Then tell me, why did the King of Wu send someone to assassinate him?"

"The assassins are not yet one of our own, but real assassins."

"Isn't the King of Wu afraid of any accidents?"

Nie Huaner laughed.

He also suffered torture on his face.

When he smiled at this moment, his face was distorted and miserable, like a ghost or a demon.

"Since it is a self-torture tactic, the King of Wu must suffer himself."

"Moreover, His Royal Highness Prince Wu had already anticipated that he would be heavily protected by guards, and the assassination attempt by the remnants of the Park family would undoubtedly fail."

"So, he is totally fearless."

"I can even tell Your Majesty that the impact on the back of the head of the Prince of Wu was also caused by him on purpose."

"He could have been free of any injuries."

"The purpose of King Wu doing this is to frame King Xian."

"Because the King of Wu wants to seize the position of crown prince from the King of Xian."

"Your Majesty once thought of making Prince Xian the crown prince. Although this was not stated explicitly, the ministers in the court actually knew it very well."

"In the eyes of King Wu, the existence of King Xian has always been a serious threat to him."

"Only when King Xian is completely overthrown can he rest assured."

"So, the King of Wu came up with this self-torture trick."

"Planning to assassinate myself!"

"Take advantage of your majesty's deep love for his child and pin the crime of sending someone to assassinate Prince Xian."

"If this happens, your majesty will be furious, and King Xian will be held accountable by your majesty, and he will never be able to get out of this situation again."

He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness the King of Wu is gifted and intelligent, and has brilliant strategies. He is unparalleled in the world."

"His layout is flawless."

The calm voice echoed in the hall.

But it was like a devil's sound, and every word was like a knife that wanted to kill people.

Old Zhu sneered.

"Go on, why do you want to accuse the King of Wu again? Is it because you can't stand the punishment?"

"No!" Nie Huan'er shook his head and looked at Zhu Yunhuan with eyes full of resentment and determination.

"I know very well that your majesty has great trust in the King of Wu."

"Accusing the King of Wu will only lead to your Majesty issuing an order to use even more horrific punishment on this slave."

"The reason why I accused the King of Wu is because I was unwilling to give in."

His breath was getting weaker and weaker, and he was losing his energy, as if he was about to die from the torture.

But he still tried hard to hold on for a breath.

"I have been in the palace for some years and I know your Majesty well."

"The crime that this slave has committed is too great."

"Given your Majesty's temper, no matter what I say or do, you will kill me."

"Not only that, my whole family will not escape death."

"But, I am unwilling to give in!"

He stared at Zhu Yunhuan with eyes as fierce as a poisonous snake.

"I did that for His Majesty the King of Wu."

"But in order to keep the secret, the King of Wu wants to kill me."

"He wants me to identify King Xian, but I can't do what he wants."

When Nie Huan'er said this, she suddenly burst into laughter: "Even if I die, I will still bite a piece of King Wu's flesh!" The shrill laughter, like a wolf's howl or a ghost's cry, echoed in the hall.

His face was hideous and his body was covered in blood.

The Buddhist temple became increasingly eerie and terrifying.

Old Zhu slowly closed his eyes and tears fell like rain.

"Why does the heaven treat us like this?"

"What sin have we committed?"

This emperor, who had been a powerful figure throughout his life and looked down upon the world, now cried desperately like a poor child without a father or a mother.

He fought in many battles, smiling proudly at the sky and never shedding a tear.

He faced many life-and-death crises but remained calm and composed.

Faced with desperate situations many times, he never gave up and kept moving forward.

……

But now, because of Nie Huan'er's words, he ignored his status as an emperor and cried uncontrollably.

What is he crying for?

A man doesn't shed tears lightly, just because he hasn't reached the sad point yet!
Why did this emperor, who had looked down upon the world and never feared anything in his life, become so sad?

Zhu Yunhuan whispered beside him, "Grandpa Emperor! Grandpa Emperor! Stop crying!"

Old Zhu gradually stopped crying, looked up at him and asked, "Do you have anything to say about Nie Huan'er's accusation?"

The hall suddenly became quiet.

Even Nie Huan'er, who had been breathing heavily, seemed to hold his breath at this moment.

The tall Buddha statue casts a look of compassion and sympathy.

The Arhats on both sides bared their teeth and glared, holding various Buddhist weapons, as if they were about to slay demons and monsters.

Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but touch his chest calmly with his hand.

Hidden inside were the letters that Yao Guangxiao had stuffed into his pocket before he left.

Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, and then he shook his head firmly.

If Yao Guangxiao’s people could find these letters, why couldn’t the Jinyiwei spies find them?

Isn't this underestimating the Jinyiwei spies too much?

But why did the Jinyiwei spies take these letters away?
Can Old Zhu really not tell the truth from falsehood in Nie Huaner's accusation?
Or is there another intention?
"Grandpa Emperor has a keen eye and can distinguish right from wrong and truth from falsehood. Your grandson has nothing to say." He bowed.

"Confused!"

Old Zhu scolded, but there was no anger in his dragon eyes. The original anger and sadness disappeared and turned into pity.

"You think of him as your second uncle, but he doesn't think of you as his nephew."

"At this point, can't you see his sinister intentions?"

Old Zhu pointed at Nie Huan'er, his fingers trembling, and said, "What time is it now?"

"He arranged for such assassins to frame you, are you still going to protect him?"

"He wants you and Yun Wen to both lose, and then he will reap the benefits."

"His heart is to be killed!"

"His heart is to be killed!"

Nie Huan'er's face suddenly changed and he looked at the Emperor in disbelief, as if he was doubting his own ears.

Zhu Yunhuan lowered his head and whispered like a child who had done something wrong: "But no matter what, he is my second uncle after all."

He knew in his heart that he had made the right bet again.

Although Lao Zhu was scolding him, he actually approved of his behavior in his heart.

After all, no matter how many faults the King of Qin has, he is still Zhu's son.

He is the son of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma.

Old Zhu might have the heart to kill his other sons.

But he absolutely could not bear to kill the son born to Empress Ma.

Therefore, no matter how many mistakes the King of Qin made, he would only be reprimanded, punished, or beaten with a stick, but would never be executed.

This is a huge difference between Zhu Yuanzhang and other emperors.

Similarly, Zhu Yuanzhang did not want to see the future emperor raising the butcher knife against his own son.

Since ancient times, there have been countless cases of royal brothers killing each other.

After what happened with Lu and Zhu Yunwen, this has become a thorn in Zhu's side.

They are all my own blood, and the palms and backs of my hands are all flesh.

If the descendants of the Zhu family killed each other after his death, he would die with regrets.

But what the bastard son did was too much.

This is going to kill his own nephew!
Old Zhu felt so angry when he thought about it.

How could a good family become like this?
First there was that vicious woman, Mrs. Lu, and now there is this disappointing son.

If Zhu Yunhuan really wanted to take revenge, it seems that we can't blame him.

If someone wants to kill him, can he not fight back?
But Lao Zhu still didn't want to see this happen.

"If you want to rule the world and govern the Ming Dynasty, you cannot be too soft-hearted," Old Zhu scolded.

He said this, but he actually had other thoughts in his mind.

This emperor, a great man who had always acted decisively throughout his life, never hesitated, and always looked ahead and behind, now felt unprecedentedly conflicted.

"Yes!" Zhu Yunhuan responded honestly.

Old Zhu then took out a stack of letters from under the futon, looked at Nie Huan'er and said, "These are the letters I found under the floor of the room you live in."

"They are all letters to and from the King of Qin."

"You are the King of Qin's man."

"It was he who arranged for you to make friends with King Wu and King Xian at the same time."

"To sow discord among them!"

"If the assassination attempt had succeeded that day, you would have accused King Xian of ordering it."

"Now that King Xian is behind bars, you can accuse King Wu of using a torture trick to murder you in order to frame King Xian."

"You have planned this long ago. No matter who wins the crown prince contest between King Wu and King Xian, you will overthrow him."

"Let the King of Wu and the King of Xian both suffer losses, and the King of Qin can reap the benefits."

"That's a good idea!"

Old Zhu's angry rebuke sounded like thunder.

Zhu Yunhuan’s eyes suddenly widened.

It turned out that the letters that the King of Qin sent to Nie Huan'er were not just the ones in his arms.

The Jinyiwei spies took away most of it, but deliberately left some, which was then found by the people sent by Yao Guangxiao.

The remaining part was Lao Zhu's intentional attempt to test him.

Let's see whether he will use it to testify against the "King of Qin" and prove his innocence.

See how kind-hearted he is!

How will he deal with the unkindness of his uncles?
Zhu Yunhuan chose to endure, which was undoubtedly what Zhu Yunhuan was most happy to see.

When it is time to kill, be ruthless.

When facing the Zhu family and his uncle, he tolerated them again and again.

From Zhu's perspective, this is the future emperor he most hopes to choose!

You can teach your untalented sons a lesson and punish them severely, but you should not raise the butcher knife and you should not cause infighting among your clan members.

Although he knew that this would leave many hidden dangers, Lao Zhu stubbornly believed so.

They are all his descendants, and the family cannot kill each other!

Why was Lao Zhu crying just now?

It was because he thought his own son was going to kill his eldest brother's son!

Their own sons, brothers, actually killed each other.

When he thought of this, Lao Zhu felt more sad than being pierced by thousands of arrows.

His dragon eyes stared coldly at Nie Huan'er: "The evidence is all there, do you still want to quibble and slander the King of Wu?"

Nie Huan'er stared blankly at the stack of letters and collapsed to the ground powerlessly.

"Your Majesty knows everything. What else can I say?"

"Yes, I am indeed the King of Qin's servant!"

……

(End of this chapter)