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

Chapter 45 The Emperor's Killing Intention

Zhu Houzhao looked at the bright moon and sighed deeply, "The thing I least wanted to see has finally happened. Prince Su has begun to doubt me and the court."

"No wonder!"

"If I were in his shoes and heard such a ridiculous rumor, I would probably wonder if the emperor was just being suspicious and wanted to put the bow away after the bird was killed."

Zhu Houzhao gritted his teeth as he spoke, and it was obvious that he hated the person who spread the rumor and framed and slandered Prince Su.

In recent years, he has been working tirelessly to consolidate some of his military power, but the constraints imposed by the cabinet and the civil service have become increasingly severe, to the point where even he, the emperor, can only use the guise of the Leopard Room to train new generals to consolidate his military power.

The appearance of Zhu Jinzhen gave Zhu Houzhao new hope.

Especially when Zhu Jinzhen later carried out drastic cleanup of Shaanxi, Zhu Houzhao was so excited that he wanted to write an imperial edict every day to praise Zhu Jinzhen.

As a result, in just a few years, Zhu Jinzhen transformed himself into the most powerful King of the Frontier in the Ming Dynasty, with millions of soldiers under his command. He went from being Zhu Houzhao's favorite to a serious threat.

He originally wanted to take it step by step, but rumors started spreading in the capital.

Zhu Houzhao was forced to respond immediately.

The East and West Factories, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Six Gates, the Hulong Villa and many other special agencies were simultaneously accused by Prince Su of plotting treason and colluding with foreigners to sell out the country, which made Zhu Houzhao really panic for a while.

Fortunately, after investigation, Zhu Houzhao calmed down and realized that this was a malicious slander without any basis.

This led to Lu Xiaofeng's trip to Shaanxi.

But Zhu Houzhao still didn't expect that those people were so cruel and didn't give him any time to deal with it. Before Lu Xiaofeng left Beijing, the news had probably spread out.

Regardless of whether Lu Xiaofeng would go to Jiayuguan or not, the news would definitely reach Prince Su's ears.

This style is just like four years ago!
Four years ago, the Mongols and the Liao Dynasty jointly attacked the border. The cabinet and the six ministries suppressed fourteen petitions for help in an attempt to force Zhu Houzhao to make concessions and stop investigating the army and the salt and tax silver in the treasury books.

That was the first time Zhu Houzhao was forced into a desperate situation since he ascended the throne.

If he takes a further step, the country will be shattered, the family will be ruined, and if he takes a step back, all his efforts since he ascended the throne will be in vain.

If Zhu Jinzhen had not turned the tide, Zhu Houzhao would have had no choice but to bow his head.

And now, those people seem to want to repeat the same trick again.

The only difference is that back then, the border towns colluded with the barbarians to launch a mutiny, but now they have to rely on alienating Prince Su, the Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Houzhao, forcing the emperor to bow his head and make concessions!
Thinking of this, Zhu Houzhao was irritated and murderous. "You are a bunch of pests. You have angered me. I will directly issue an abdication edict to Prince Su and let him kill you all like he did with Shaanxi."

When he checked the granaries in Shaanxi, a total of 38 people including the commander of Ningxia Guard were implicated. He killed a group of scapegoats and carried out a major rectification, but it was still difficult to change the corruption in Shaanxi.

As a result, Prince Su inherited the throne, defeated the Mongol-Liao coalition forces, and started a massacre.

Instead, it has eliminated the unhealthy trends and corruption in Shaanxi.

Zhu Houzhao wanted to follow suit, but unfortunately he couldn't.

Although he controlled the East and West Factories and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the number of people he could really use was still a drop in the bucket in the entire Ming Dynasty. In particular, the betrayal of the Minister of War Yang Yuxuan made Zhu Houzhao realize that human nature could not stand the test.

"It's a pity that Prince Su is not from our lineage, otherwise..." Zhu Houzhao felt secretly sorry in his heart. If Prince Su Zhu Jinzhen was not from the lineage of Prince Yan, the blood relationship would have been alienated after several generations. Otherwise, he could have been his cousin or something like that.

Zhu Houzhao actually considered passing on the throne and joining forces with Zhu Jinzhen. He suppressed his anger and murderous intent and looked at Lu Xiaofeng in front of him.

"Although Prince Su knew about this matter and guessed that some people were maliciously slandering and framing him, I think that even if there is some distance in Prince Su's heart, it is not yet to the point of being irreparable."

When it comes to life and property, no one can turn a blind eye.

It is normal to have estrangement and suspicion.

Zhu Houzhao remained silent and said calmly, "Lu Xiaofeng, do you think it would be helpful to ease the situation if I arranged for my younger sister Yunluo to marry Prince Su?"

Lu Xiaofeng exclaimed, "Princess Yunluo?"

"Ok!"

Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "My sister is of marriageable age. She is about the same age as Prince Su. If we can have a happy marriage, I believe it will be a match made in heaven."

Lu Xiaofeng pulled the corner of his mouth and smiled bitterly: "Your Majesty, you are putting me in a difficult position. I am just an ordinary citizen. How dare I discuss the marriage of the royal family? Your Majesty should make the final decision on this matter."

Lu Xiaofeng had never dealt with Princess Yunluo, so he didn't dare to make any comments about her.

But from the Zhu Jinzhen he had met, he didn't think that a spoiled princess could catch the eye of His Royal Highness Prince Su. After all, in addition to his status and identity, the latter was also the youngest sword immortal on land!
However, when the emperor mentioned the marriage, Lu Xiaofeng did remind him, "Your Majesty, I think you should pay more attention to whether the Mongol Emperor Temur's intention to send an envoy to the Ming Dynasty for a marriage alliance is due to some hidden conspiracy."

"hehe!"

Zhu Houzhao shook his head and chuckled. "Although I'm not particularly familiar with Prince Su, I know he would never agree to a marriage alliance with the Mongols. As you just said, he ventures alone into the grasslands every year to preemptively eliminate threats like Phagpa. He also knows full well that he's a thorn in the side of the Mongols."

"Prince Su doesn't seem like someone who would flatter others."

"Therefore, the idea of ​​a marriage alliance must be just Temur's wishful thinking."

Since inheriting the throne, Zhu Jinzhen has acted in a domineering and powerful manner, and has been intolerant of any wrongdoing. He has a compassionate heart but also an iron-blooded hand. It is impossible for him to bow to the Mongols for the sake of mere beauty or temptation.

Zhu Houzhao still had this confidence.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaofeng shrugged his shoulders. He was just fulfilling his duty to remind him. As for how to make the decision, it was up to the emperor himself.

"Prince Su already knows my purpose. Your Majesty, do you want me to continue investigating?"

"Investigate!" Zhu Houzhao was very decisive, his face showing no sign of hiding the murderous intent. "This matter concerns the country and the people of the Ming Dynasty. If we can't find the mastermind behind this, such baseless and malicious slander will alienate me and other members of the royal family."

"If this continues, I'm afraid I'll repeat the mistakes of Emperor Jianwen and be opposed by all the royal family members."

It is even possible that there will be another Jingnan Rebellion!
Zhu Houzhao didn't say the last sentence.

"Then, I will continue to investigate." Lu Xiaofeng hesitated for a moment, but still nodded. He was a dissolute person by nature, loved freedom, and was greedy for women, but he was not a bad person. Naturally, he could not bear to see the scene of war everywhere in the Ming Dynasty and the people being scattered.

He has the emperor's support and the golden order of secret guard given by Zhu Jinzhen.

Lu Xiaofeng was not afraid of the threats posed by some rats hiding in the dark.

(End of this chapter)