Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 42 The Crown Prince is even less than pig's head meat! [Seeking monthly votes]

The morning dew still retains the chill of the night.

But the moment the palace gates opened, the officials and guards of the Prince of Yan's residence, as well as Zhu Di, all left Yingtian Prefecture without stopping.

This attracted many officers and soldiers who knew him, and they sighed with emotion.

However, this is still an unknown for Zhang Biao.

Because he was currently giving a "send-off" speech to the group of low-ranking Beijing officials who had been training all night but were still full of energy.

"Fellow colleagues!"

"Three thousand years of history, nothing but fame and fortune. Nine thousand miles of enlightenment, and in the end, one returns to poetry, wine, and pastoral life!"

At this point, Zhang Biao raised his wine bowl.

Shen Lang and other low-ranking officials in the capital also raised their wine bowls. They were all greasy and shiny, their faces full of excitement, as if they were listening to an imperial edict.

But then Zhang Biao said in a resounding voice:
"Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river, all with the ambition to sail east to the sea."

Throughout history, countless heroes and great figures have passed like shooting stars, vanishing into nothingness in the long river of time!

"Though we are mere fish eyes, even if we cannot leap over the dragon gate, we will still ride the wind and waves and go against the current!"

Boom!

Upon hearing these words, the lower-ranking officials in the capital were instantly energized, their faces flushed with excitement.

"Good! Zhang Qingtian is right!"

"Imperial Censor Zhang is awesome!!"

"That's right! We're going to defy the heavens!!"

However, Zhang Biao had not finished speaking.

His piercing gaze swept over each low-ranking official in the capital, and he said in a deep voice:
"Today, you are all heroes attending court. I, Zhang Biao, may not be able to accompany you, but my heart is always with you."

"Come! Drink this bowl of wine, and go to the Fengtian Hall to reclaim everything that belongs to you!"

"Dry--!"

The lower-ranking officials in the capital raised their bowls and drank together, their spirits soaring.

"Brother Shen!"

Zhang Biao put down his bowl and turned to look at Shen Lang.

Shen Lang immediately raised his head and puffed out his chest: "Brother Biao, please speak!"

"Remember, you're not here to prove how great you are, but to tell the Emperor that unpaid wages must be paid!"

"If you don't pay, even if the sky falls, it's none of your business, understand?"

"understand!"

Zhang Biao slammed the bowl down: "When you heroes return from demanding your unpaid wages, tonight it's my treat! We'll eat five pig heads!!"

"Ow—!"

The lower-ranking officials in the capital were extremely excited and imitated Zhang Biao's actions, smashing their wine bowls and heading straight for Chengtian Gate.

Fengtian Hall, a familiar scene. Old Zhu sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression unreadable.

The oppressive atmosphere that had followed Zhu Biao's death was almost gone from the entire Fengtian Hall; instead, it was filled with unparalleled solemnity.

If Zhang Biao were here, he would definitely see that today is unusual.

But after Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at the assembled civil and military officials below the steps, he saw the eunuch in charge of ceremonies step forward at the opportune moment: "If you have something to say, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn—"

"Your subject has something to report!"

Just as Old Zhu had hoped, Liu Sanwu was the first to step forward, holding his scepter, and said:
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince was benevolent and wise, but his untimely death is a great loss to the nation. However, a country cannot be without a crown prince for even a day. A vacant position of crown prince will cause unrest among the people and is not a blessing for the country."

Your Majesty, I, Liu Sanwu, a Hanlin Academician, humbly and tearfully beseech Your Majesty, for the sake of the nation and its people, to establish a new imperial heir and ensure the peace and stability of the realm!

Boom!

These words struck the entire hall as if by lightning.

Almost everyone's eyes were focused on Old Zhu's dragon throne.

Keep in mind that Zhu Yuanzhang had just dealt with Lü Ping and Qi Tai for their reckless criticism of the crown prince. Has this Liu Sanwu gone mad? How dare he stand up and propose establishing an heir? He must have a death wish!
Just as the ministers held their breath, waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's thunderous rage, Zhu Yuanzhang's face on the dragon throne gradually darkened, like the calm before a storm, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing Liu Sanwu.

An invisible imperial pressure suddenly descended upon the general.

"Liu Sanwu!"

Old Zhu's voice wasn't loud, but it resonated in everyone's hearts like muffled thunder, carrying a chilling coldness:

"How many times have we said this? The Crown Prince's body is barely cold, and this matter should be discussed later. Why are you bringing this up again today? What are you up to?!"

He paused, then glanced at the assembled officials, and said coldly, "Do you think our court isn't chaotic enough already? Or do you think we're getting senile?!"

"We deserve to die ten thousand times!" The ministers immediately knelt down and echoed, as if it were a polite performance.

However, Liu Sanwu, seemingly oblivious to his impending doom, touched his forehead to the ground again and said:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Your Majesty, I am utterly sincere and have no other intentions! I am only worried that the country and its people are in dire straits!"

"Sincerity? Worry?"

Old Zhu sneered, a laugh that sent chills down one's spine: "So you're burning with worry, huh? We'll burn you to ashes today."

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

At this critical moment.

"emperor--!"

A shrill, resolute roar interrupted Old Zhu.

Suddenly, the Imperial Son-in-Law, Mei Yin, raised his head, his expression one of desperate indignation:

"What Scholar Liu said was heartfelt and deeply felt. This is not just the plea of ​​one person, but the voice of the entire court of loyal officials and the people of the land! The vacancy of the crown prince position is the source of chaos. Today, I will risk my life to remonstrate with Your Majesty and earnestly request that you establish a crown prince as soon as possible!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

"you!"

Old Zhu suddenly stood up, pointed at Mei Yin, trembling with anger, his face turning pale, his rage almost bursting forth.

The hall was deathly silent; the air seemed to have frozen into ice.

No one dared to breathe.

They all seemed to be stunned by the charade performed by Lao Zhu, Liu Sanwu, and Mei Yin.

Just when the atmosphere was extremely tense, Old Zhu's murderous intent was about to erupt, and everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Old Zhu's anger receded like the tide, replaced by deep helplessness, weariness, and a hint of 'compromise.' He waved his hand in a hoarse voice and said, "That's enough, that's enough."

Mei Yin and Liu Sanwu said they wanted us to establish a crown prince.

Old Zhu paused, then, with an air of being moved by loyalty yet forced to listen, uttered his carefully crafted line: "Gentlemen, who do you think should be appointed as our successor?"

I'm coming!

It's now!

Liu Sanwu was overjoyed.

Mei Yin's tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

Among the civil and military officials, several trusted senior ministers exchanged glances, preparing to immediately echo his sentiments.

Just as this 'double act' was about to come to a perfect end, and Zhu Yunwen's name was about to be revealed.

A loud, full-bodied, almost explosive voice, carrying the lingering aroma of lard and strong liquor, suddenly resounded like a thunderclap in the Jiangxi Circuit of the Censorate:
"Your Majesty! Your subject has something to report!"

Boom!

This voice instantly shattered the carefully crafted 'double act' atmosphere.

Shen Lang stepped forward, his face flushed and his eyes burning. He held aloft a copy of "A Blood and Tears Record of Demanding Unpaid Wages," stained with oil and with its edges curled like rotten vegetable leaves. He declared with overwhelming momentum:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I, Shen Lang, the Censor of the Jiangxi Circuit, tearfully accuse you of a serious breach of trust regarding the Ministry of Revenue's grain treasury's failure to pay the salaries of officials in the capital! This has angered both Heaven and the people!"

Wow!
Everyone in the hall, including Liu Sanwu, Mei Yin, and Old Zhu, had their minds completely blank!
Shen Lang's mouth, however, fired off like a machine gun, giving them no time to react: "Your Majesty! You ask us who we should appoint as emperor?!"

His voice suddenly rose, filled with the grief and indignation of a low-ranking official who had seen through the truth, and he pointed his finger at the "Tears and Blood Record of Demanding Unpaid Wages":
"Your Majesty, we are all starving! How would we know such things? All we know is that if our salaries aren't paid soon, we won't even be able to afford pork head! And the price of pork head has gone up recently, Your Majesty!!"

"Your subject seconds this! Your subject is Zhao Fengman, Imperial Censor of Henan Circuit!"

Another thunderclap suddenly sounded.

Zhao Fengman stepped forward, his face flushed, and held up the greasy account book: "The Ministry of Revenue has been in arrears with my salary for eight months and twenty-three days! I fainted from hunger outside the gates of this corrupt official's mansion and was ridiculed by his servants. This is a disgrace to the court and a disgrace to the Emperor!!"

"I second that! Wu Naida of the Ministry of Personnel is seven months and ten days behind on his salary, and his concubine has run off with a pancake seller!!"

"I second that! Sun Gui of the Ministry of War is nine months and three days behind on his salary. His armor is rusty, and he doesn't even have money to buy oil to polish it. When the Northern Yuan comes, he can only wear rusty armor to taunt them!"

"I second that! Hanlin scholar Li Mo's salary is eight months and fifteen days overdue. His ink stick is almost worn down, and he's only surviving on Brother Biao's pig's head soup!!"

"Your Majesty! We second that proposal—!!"

Shen Lang's advice quickly triggered a chain reaction, instantly igniting the entire scene.

Zhu Yunwen, Liu Sanwu, Mei Yin, and their trusted old ministers who were prepared to support Zhu Yunwen as the crown prince were all dumbfounded.

Why are they so skilled?
Wasn't it said that he was the one everyone wanted?!
How could they possibly appoint a crown prince? In their eyes, he's not even worth as much as a pig's head!

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(End of this chapter)