My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 16: Duke of England, are you fucking crazy?

After finishing these things, the sky outside was beginning to brighten.

I estimated that it was around six in the morning.

The cleansing of the palace was also completed. Hundreds of corpses were secretly transported out of the city and then burned in a deserted place.

Half of these palace maids and eunuchs died because they rebelled, and half because they were spies planted in the palace by nobles and civil officials.

Zhu Cilang couldn't possibly keep them, so he simply dealt with them all together.

Although it is a bit cruel, there is no other way for your own safety.

"Everyone, go get some food and rest, then get ready for court!"

Zhu Cilang looked at Zhang Zhiji and the others and said.

"I thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

After expressing their thanks respectfully, the few of them walked out tremblingly.

Zhu Cilang looked at the sky in the distance which was gradually turning red, and a hint of expectation flashed in his eyes.

Finally, the Ming Dynasty will soon be his!
In the side hall, the young eunuchs brought out various refreshments and placed them in front of Zhang Zhiji and others.

But at this moment, they had no appetite.

Li Guozhen seemed to want to say something, but was stopped by the British Duke Zhang Zhiji with a look.

Because the door not far away was still guarded by Zhu Cilang's personal soldiers.

Although I have already expressed my loyalty, it is better not to say anything at this time.

In this way, several people sat there looking at each other in silence, waiting for the upcoming morning court session.

If nothing unexpected happens, after this morning court session, they will become enemies of all the nobles.
Time passed quickly and in the blink of an eye it was daybreak.

As the bell rang, officials began to enter the palace.

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the ministers entered the hall one by one as usual, and then stood on both sides, waiting for the emperor to come to court.

This kind of thing happened almost every day, so no one cared that the atmosphere in the palace seemed a little different.

But soon, they were shocked.

Because the next person who appeared before them was not the emperor, but the prince!

Just like that, under the gaze of all the civil and military officials, Zhu Cilang sat down on the seat beside the dragon throne.

This scene left all the ministers stunned.

But before I could understand what they were saying, Zhu Cilang spoke first.

"My lords, last night my father suddenly fell seriously ill and was no longer able to handle state affairs, so I, the Crown Prince, was appointed Regent."

"Wang Chengen, announce the decree!"

Wang Chengen, who was standing aside, immediately opened an imperial edict and read it out:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have suddenly become unwell and am temporarily unable to handle state affairs. From now on, all state affairs will be handed over to the Crown Prince. I decree this!"

As soon as the imperial edict was read out, the entire court was in an uproar.

The Cabinet's Chief Minister Zhou Yanru was the first to ask:

"Your Highness, when did this happen? Wasn't the Emperor fine yesterday? How did he become seriously ill overnight?"

As soon as he opened his mouth, other ministers began to ask questions.

"Yes! Your Majesty was fine yesterday, why is he so ill today?"

"Your Highness, please allow me to see His Majesty!"

At this moment, although the ministers were confused, none of them suspected Zhu Cilang.

After all, in their view, Zhu Cilang was just a thirteen-year-old boy, and he was the crown prince, so he had no right to be implicated in a rebellion.

Zhu Cilang ignored everyone and winked at the Duke of Yingguo and others.

The Duke of England understood and quickly stepped out, shouting:
"This is my fault!"

At the same time, Li Guozhen, the Earl of Xiangcheng, and Zhang Xiantong, the Earl of Xinjian, also knelt down.

"I am guilty"

"My lord is guilty!"

This scene instantly brought the entire court to complete silence, and everyone looked at the three nobles in disbelief. What the hell?

What does the emperor’s serious illness have to do with you three?
Before they could ask, Zhang Zhiji spoke first:

"Your Highness, I have accidentally discovered that corruption is rampant within the Five Military Commandery and the Beijing Garrison. Most of the distinguished officers are suspected of embezzling military pay."

"Some even reached into the Imperial Guards to covet the imperial power!"

"I am deeply disturbed. For this reason, I went to the palace last night with the Earl of Xiangcheng and the Earl of Xinjian to inform Your Majesty of this matter."

"His Majesty was so angry after hearing the news that he fainted."

"This is my fault. Please punish me, Your Highness."

After saying these words, Zhang Zhiji kowtowed again.

The same is true for Li Guozhen and Wang Xiantong!
In an instant, the entire court became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop!

Zhang Zhiji's words were like a depth bomb, shocking everyone.

The civil servants are fine, after all, things like drawing salaries without working will never happen to them.

But the nobles present were almost scared to death at this moment.

Duke of England, are you fucking crazy?
The Five Military Commandery, the Beijing Camp, the Imperial Guards—which one of these didn't you participate in? And you took the lion's share!
How dare you tell the emperor about this?
So, does this mean you don’t want to live anymore?
It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to live, but why do you want to drag us to die with you?

In the excitement, several nobles could not help but rush over and wanted to attack Zhang Zhiji and others, but they were stopped by the guards at the door.

"You bastard! Are you going to kill us?"

"If you want to die and we don't stop you, why are you dragging us to die with you?"

"Damn you traitor!"

With more and more insults, the entire court was instantly in chaos.

Zhu Cilang was too lazy to bother with this group of nobles. He casually asked the imperial guards to take them under control. Then he looked at Wang Chengen and said,

"Continue to announce the decree!"

Wang Chengen then took out another imperial edict and read it out:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
"Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen, who embezzled military funds and coveted the imperial power, is confined to his palace from today onwards and is not allowed to leave without imperial decree!"

"The family property will be confiscated, and the Dukedom will be inherited by his eldest son!"

"Duke Chengguo Zhu Chunchen, who embezzled military funds and coveted imperial power, is hereby sentenced to death!"

"All property will be confiscated, the Duke will be demoted to a Marquis, and the title of Marquis will be inherited by his eldest son!"

"Marquis of Dingxi, Jiang Bingzhong, embezzled military funds and coveted imperial power. He is sentenced to death! His property will be confiscated, and his title will be demoted to earldom. His eldest son will inherit the throne!"

"Marquis of Funing, Zhu Guobi, embezzled military funds and his property was confiscated. His title of marquis was demoted to earl, and his eldest son will inherit the throne!"

"Li Hongji, Marquis of Linhuai, embezzled military funds and coveted imperial power. He is sentenced to death! His property will be confiscated and his title will be stripped!

A series of voices rang out, plunging the entire court into silence.

Everyone was stunned by this imperial edict.

Followed by.

Plop, plop, plop, there were several sounds of falling to the ground, which were the sounds of the nobles who were named fainting.

Of course, there were still many nobles who were named but did not faint.

They knelt on the ground, crying with snot streaming down their faces, and shouted:
"Your Majesty, I am wronged!"

"Your Majesty! I know I was wrong! Please forgive me!"

"Your Majesty! Give me a chance! I am willing to offer you my entire fortune!"

Facing the nobles' cries, Zhu Cilang pretended to be heartbroken and said:

"This matter was reported to Father by Duke Ying, the Earl of Xiangcheng, and the Earl of Xinjian. Furthermore, the Imperial Guards verified it last night and it is completely true."

"Everyone, the emperors of the Ming Dynasty have always treated you well, and so has your father. Why are you acting like this?"

"It has come to this, I can't help you!"

As soon as Zhu Cilang finished speaking, a team of guards walked in from the palace gate and pulled out all the nobles whose names were called.

(End of this chapter)