Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 101: Crazy Ambition, Schemes Seen Through
Inside Renshou Palace.

Zhu Wusi and Cao Zhengchun were arguing with each other and refused to give in.

Finally, the Queen Mother slammed the table and said, "Alright, I know that Eunuch Cao is also worried about the safety of the Emperor, but since the Divine Marquis has issued a military order, I trust him."

"Empress Dowager." Cao Zhengchun looked at the Empress Dowager in disbelief. Handing the Ministry of War over to Zhu Wusi was tantamount to handing over the Ming Dynasty to her. How could the Empress Dowager make such an unwise decision?
However, the Queen Mother did not look at Cao Zhengchun again, but looked at Zhu Wusi: "Godly Marquis, in three days, I hope you will not disappoint me."

"Your humble servant will do his best and will never let the Queen Mother down." Zhu Wusi was overjoyed and quickly bowed to accept the order.

At this time, no matter how stupid Cao Zhengchun was, he guessed that there must be some kind of trick between the Queen Mother and Zhu Wusi.

However, things have come to this point, and even if he is in charge of the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he is powerless to save the situation.

Yang Yanhe and Li Dongyang looked at each other and saw deep worry in each other's eyes.

……

In front of Renshou Palace.

Zhu Wusi looked at the setting sun in the distance, a smile from the heart appearing on his face.

"The Emperor is in Prince Su's hands, and the Ministry of War is within our grasp. With the Empress Dowager's approval, the position of Minister of War is vacant. The Vice Minister of War is in cahoots with Jiao Fang, and the Five Military Commandery is also in cahoots."

"This world will eventually fall into my hands!"

There was a mad look in Zhu Wusi's eyes. The actions of the civil service group could not be hidden from the eyes and ears of the Huolong Villa, but this time they provided Zhu Wusi with a very good idea.

Since the civil service group can usurp the imperial power, forge tokens, collude with the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commandery to mobilize troops, why can't he, Zhu Wusi?
It can even be easier!
For example, a major reshuffle was carried out in the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commandery, with all personnel replaced by his own people.

With the emperor not returning and the throne vacant, Zhu Wusi didn't even need to collect any evidence or scandals on the commanders of the major command offices in the nine important border towns, and he could directly dispatch troops.

"Holding military power, forcing the emperor to abdicate."

At this moment, these eight words sprouted wildly in Zhu Wusi's heart like a demon.

Zhu Wusi was almost blinded by the throne at this time. If he was not deep-minded and good at forbearance, he would have been unable to restrain himself.

"Even if the time is not right, you can still use military power to overthrow the emperor."

"If the emperor can come back alive, as long as I get rid of Cao Zhengchun and control the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I can force him to abdicate to me at any time. If the emperor can't come back..."

A vicious thought could no longer be shaken off Zhu Wusi's mind.

"Adoptive father?"

Duan Tianya saw Tiedan Shenhou standing at the door in a daze after leaving Renshou Palace, so he couldn't help but step forward and greet him.

"Oh, I'm fine."

Zhu Wusi came to his senses and strode out of the palace.

But the moment he left the Forbidden City, he looked up at the completely dark sky, and then glanced back at the majestic and magnificent Forbidden City behind him, as if he vaguely saw the day when he would take over the city.

"It won't be long before I come back here with a brand new identity."

"At that time, this king, no, I, will rule the world."

Zhu Wusi's ambition was growing wildly, but he concealed it very well. Even Duan Tianya next to him did not notice anything unusual and just thought that Zhu Wusi was worried about the emperor's safety.

……

On the other side, Yang Yanhe and Li Dongyang left Renshou Palace.

They met at Li Dongyang's residence.

The two sat opposite each other drinking tea, but remained silent for a long time.

Those who are able to climb from the bottom to a position second only to the top are all extremely smart, knowledgeable and wise.

They also saw clearly Zhu Wushi's plan.

Li Dongyang sat in deep thought, his brow furrowed as he held his tea. "I'm not surprised by what happened with Jiao Fang, but there's one thing I'm baffled by." Yang Yanhe also frowned, full of confusion. "What he did today seemed reasonable, but in reality, it was strange."

"Given Jiao Fang's character, it's perfectly acceptable to say he was corrupt, abused his power, annexed land, amassed wealth, and engaged in fraud to support his fellow countrymen. However, I don't believe he colluded with foreign enemies, collaborated with the Mongols, or sold out his country for personal gain."

"Even if he wasn't completely impervious, he wouldn't be foolish enough to use his own seal and tokens to write to the Mongols, let alone let the matter leak to the point where even his children would know."

"unless……"

Yang Yanhe and Li Dongyang were suddenly shocked, their faces horrified, and they said in unison, "There's something wrong with the evidence from Hulong Villa."

"No, that's not right."

After Li Dongyang finished speaking, he immediately denied it. "Jiao Fang's behavior this time is strange, and coupled with what he said in front of the palace, he is colluding with foreign enemies and intending to deal with Prince Su. This is very likely true. Don't forget, although he is from Nanyang Prefecture, his son Jiao Huangzhong was dismissed from office during the Liu Jin incident. After being reinstated, he was sent to Pingliang Prefecture as a third-rank right councilor."

"Pingliang Prefecture, you mean..."

Yang Yanhe's body shook, and all the confusion he had was suddenly clear.

Li Dongyang took a sip of tea and nodded, saying, "Prince Su reorganized the entire Shaanxi region, killing people so much that blood flowed like a river, and the whole area was burnt yellow..."

From the day when the Prince Su's Mansion rose to power, the imperial court lost control of the entire Shaanxi Province. The provincial governor, the provincial judge, the provincial governor, and local officials were all massacred and replaced by the Prince Su's Mansion in large numbers.

Naturally, his colleagues knew who Jiao Huangzhong was.

The result is self-evident.

Yang Yanhe hesitated and said, "It's just a little burnt, isn't it enough?"

"Everything is nothing more than profit."

"Jiao Fang dared to commit such a treasonous act. Besides avenging his son, he must have some other benefit he couldn't refuse. As to what it is, we don't know yet. One thing is certain: the evidence from Hulong Villa may not be entirely false."

If it was completely false, even if Zhu Wusi could deceive the Empress Dowager, he could not deceive Cao Zhengchun and the cabinet members.

“Just because it’s not all fake doesn’t mean there’s something fake in it.”

"Jiao Fang lost his composure in front of the palace. Although he cried out for justice, his resistance was not particularly fierce."

"Is it possible..."

Yang Yanhe's face showed a solemn expression as he thought of a very scary possibility.

"Zhu Wusi had already caught him with evidence and used it as leverage to force him to serve him. As expected, everything that happened in Renshou Palace today was a pre-planned scene."

"Jiao Fang is just a chess piece. He used to be a chess piece of a certain faction, but now he's become Zhu Wusi's chess piece, or... a discarded piece."

Almost the moment Li Dongyang finished speaking, Yang Yanhe exclaimed, "For military power?"

Li Dongyang said calmly, "When Zhu Wusi was in Renshou Palace, his true colors were revealed. He seemed loyal and courageous, and devoted to his country. But looking back, wasn't all he wanted military power?"

There is no need to say more about the rest.

There is only one possible reason for seeking military power.

That is the throne!
Yang Yanhe frowned deeply. "The Queen Mother's cooperation is also very strange. She should have seen through Zhu Wusi's intentions, but she still stopped Cao Zhengchun's opposition and insisted on having her own way. Could it be..."

"Uncle."

Li Dongyang said it all in one sentence.

"No wonder."

Yang Yanhe suddenly realized that if the two uncles-in-law were exposed for their rampant violence, bullying of the people, and corruption, even if the empress dowager wanted to protect them, it would be impossible to do so.

In addition, there seemed to be a rift between Zhu Houzhao and the empress dowager, and the empress dowager cared very much about her two brothers.

If Zhu Wusi used this as a threat in exchange for the Queen Mother's favor, he could indeed do it.

(End of this chapter)