Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 344 The sun is high in the sky
The details of that one night of passion need not be elaborated (at least 20,000 words).

Inside Chengqian Palace, the last wisp of agarwood incense in the auspicious beast incense burner had burned out, turning into wisps of blue smoke that blended into the enchanting spring scenery of the room, appearing and disappearing almost imperceptibly.

The red candles had long since burned out and were shedding tears, leaving only a few candlesticks standing alone, like weary soldiers after last night's fierce battle.

The morning light was faint outside the window, and through the windowpanes covered with Korean paper, everything inside the hall was tinged with a hazy and soft color.

On the dragon bed, with brocade quilts piled high like clouds, Zhu Youjian was fast asleep.

The deep frown lines that usually furrowed his brows had relaxed, and his face was serene, with a touch of youthful innocence.

Perhaps it was the exhilarating experience of the previous night, or perhaps it was the temporary relief from an immense burden, but he slept more soundly and peacefully than he had since ascending the throne.

Zhou Jingshu, however, woke up early.

She quietly turned to her side, resting her cheek on her jade-like arm, her long black hair cascading down the pillow, gazing intently at the sleeping face of the man beside her.

This is her husband, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Before last night, he was a high and mighty emperor, and she was a trembling concubine. Despite their deep affection, they were separated by an insurmountable chasm.

But last night, he draped an imperial cloak over her shoulders, and led her by the hand back to her Chengqian Palace, not the Qianqing Palace where the emperor slept alone.

He said, "I will rest here tonight," as if it were the most ordinary couple in the world.

At that moment, all the grievances, unease, and fear in Zhou Jingshu's heart turned into scalding tears, which fell onto his firm chest.

A night of ecstasy and intoxication.

Looking at the emperor's peaceful sleeping face, Zhou Jingshu stretched out her slender fingers, wanting to smooth the furrows between his brows that occasionally appeared even in his sleep. Her fingertips were about to touch him, but she was afraid of disturbing his rare peaceful sleep, so she withdrew them.

She simply watched quietly, etching his image deeply into her mind.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Youjian let out a long sigh of relief, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Those eyes, usually as deep and cold as a still pool, now held a hint of drowsiness and confusion as they awoke, losing some of their majesty and gaining more tenderness.

"Awake?" The emperor's voice was a little hoarse, carrying the languor of the previous night.

“Hmm,” Zhou Jingshu’s cheeks flushed, her voice barely audible, “Your Majesty is sleeping so soundly, I can’t bear to disturb you.”

Zhu Youjian smiled, a smile that came from genuine relaxation.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, his chin gently stroking her smooth forehead, his nose filled with the sweet, delicate fragrance of her hair and body.

Zhu Youjian said nothing, but simply held her quietly, as if trying to embed this moment of tenderness into his very bones.

"Help His Majesty change his clothes," Zhou Jingshu nestled in his arms for a moment, then, remembering her place, said softly, "Although he doesn't attend the morning court session, the Grand Secretaries must still have many state affairs to report."

Zhu Youjian hummed in agreement, but did not let go; instead, he hugged her even tighter.

"Not urgent."

After another long and leisurely lingering, Zhu Youjian finally got up when the sun was high in the sky.

Zhou Jingshu hurriedly called Su Xin and others in to serve him. She personally fetched a brand-new undergarment for Zhu Youjian, then helped him put on the black casual clothes embroidered with a coiled dragon, straightened his clothes, smoothed out the wrinkles, and took the jade belt presented by the palace maid and carefully tied it for him.

This was originally the work of a eunuch, but she did it with utmost naturalness and focus, so Zhu Youjian accepted it without hesitation. He looked down at Zhou Jingshu's graceful figure as she busied herself for him, watching her soft hands move around his waist, and smelling the faint fragrance emanating from her body. He felt an unprecedented sense of peace and contentment in his heart.

This is indeed what is meant by "a gentle land is a hero's grave," but for him, it was not a grave, but the only warm nest he could find refuge in after his valiant battles across the world.

After washing up, Zhu Youjian felt comfortable and energetic, with every pore of his body feeling refreshed and relaxed. The tension he had been feeling for the past few days had been greatly relieved.

He sat opposite Zhou Jingshu and ate some light porridge and side dishes. Although they didn't talk much, a glance or a small gesture between them was full of intimacy and tacit understanding that others could not comprehend.

After breakfast, Zhu Youjian pinched Zhou Jingshu's cheek and said with a smile, "I'm going to the front. You've been tired these past few days, so take a good rest. You don't need to go and pay your respects to your sister-in-law anymore."

"Your Majesty, I obey." Zhou Jingshu curtsied, her eyes filled with tenderness and joy.

……

Zhu Youjian walked briskly through the Imperial Garden and returned to the Wenhua Hall, where he usually handled state affairs.

The white marble steps outside the hall were dazzlingly white in the sunlight, and two rows of guards stood solemnly like pine trees, their helmets and armor gleaming.

Wang Chengen followed closely behind, and he could clearly feel that His Majesty's majestic stride today exuded an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

As soon as I arrived at the palace gate, I saw a tall and imposing figure already standing under the corridor, waiting.

The man was dressed in the robes of a first-rank military officer, with a unicorn-patterned robe. His posture was as upright as a spear. Although he was over fifty years old, the heroic spirit between his brows was not diminished in the slightest.

"Your subject, Zhang Weixian, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!" Upon seeing the Emperor's arrival, Zhang Weixian immediately stepped forward, lifted his robe, knelt down, and performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

"The British are fair." Zhu Youjian nodded with a smile and stepped into the hall first.

The emperor and his minister sat down in the hall as host and guest, respectively, and palace servants served them fragrant tea.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, and Wang Chengen immediately understood. He led all the palace servants away quietly, while he stood guard outside the hall like a gatekeeper, not allowing anyone to approach.

Inside the palace, only the emperor and his minister remained.

Zhu Youjian picked up his teacup, gently blew on the hot tea, but didn't drink it. Instead, he got straight to the point and said to Zhang Weixian with a smile, "Duke of Yingguo, I have summoned you here today because I have a task for you."

Zhang Weixian's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and said, "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty. I will do anything, even die for you."

"The position of Minister of War has been vacant since Wang Qia. Among the six ministries, the Ministry of War is the backbone of the country and cannot remain vacant for long." Zhu Youjian put down his teacup and looked at him intently. "After much thought, I intend to appoint you as the temporary Minister of War to oversee all military affairs in the country."

Zhang Weixian was completely stunned, standing there dumbfounded, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Minister of War?

Let him, a military meritorious official and a duke, become the Minister of War, who is in charge of military affairs throughout the country.
This is something that has never happened since the founding of the Ming Dynasty!
Since the Tumu Crisis, the military elite group has declined, while the power of civil officials has greatly increased. The position of Minister of War has always been the exclusive domain of civil officials.

It was a grave taboo for the imperial court to allow a military officer to take charge of the Ministry of War!
What is Your Majesty trying to do?
"Your Majesty! Absolutely not!" Zhang Weixian snapped out of his daze, terrified out of his wits. He fell to his knees again with a thud, his forehead touching the ground, and said in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty is wise! This action... this action is against the ancestral rules! I am but a military man who only knows how to fight on the battlefield. I am completely ignorant of the affairs of the Ministry of War, the allocation of funds and provisions, and the correspondence between documents. How can I be worthy of such a great responsibility?"

"As a Duke, I am already deeply honored. If I were to also lead the Ministry of War, it would surely draw criticism from the court and the public, and tarnish Your Majesty's reputation! I humbly request Your Majesty to rescind your decree and select another capable minister!"

This wasn't a refusal; it stemmed from deep-seated fear.

The position of Minister of War is too hot to handle!
For a military officer, this is not an honor at all, but a death warrant placed on a fire!
(End of this chapter)