Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

Outside Texas.

The morning sun of a hot summer day poured down on the official road, and a gentle breeze swept by, slightly dispelling some of the heat.

At the city gate, several officials stood solemnly with their hands at their sides.

Censor Lu Shique, dressed in a blue official robe and with a jade belt around his waist, stood at the front of the crowd, his gaze fixed on the distance.

Standing to the side was Zhao Jiding, his blue robe slightly wrinkled, with beads of sweat on his forehead, glancing at Zhu Shuaiqin beside him from time to time.

"Prince Ji" - Zhu Shuaiqin.

He stood solemnly among the crowd, wearing a black gauze hat with folded corners and holding a jade tablet.

Smoke and dust rose in the distance, and the dragon flag fluttered faintly.

As he watched the approaching banners, Zhu Shuaiqin's Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly.

With a thunderous hoofbeat, Zhu Cilang spurred his horse and galloped towards them.

Lu Shijue and Zhao Jiding led their men forward hastily and knelt down in obeisance.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants Lu Shique and Zhao Jiding, respectfully welcome Your Majesty's triumphant return!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound was like thunder, echoing outside the city gate.

"All of you, rise!"

Zhu Cilang gently pulled on the reins to rein in his warhorse:

"The elders of Dezhou shed their blood on the battlefield, and you gentlemen defended our land with all your might; you are truly the backbone of the Ming Dynasty."

He specifically looked at Lu Shijue.

"Before the vanquished army, your unwavering loyalty shines like the sun. The great cause of national revival depends precisely on pillars like you!"

Lu Shique's shoulder suddenly trembled:

"Your Majesty's divine might is as mighty as a torch; we, your subjects, can only fulfill our duties as subjects!"

"The great victory at Dezhou was entirely due to Your Majesty's personal bravery in the face of arrows and stones, and your brilliant command of the army, which terrified the barbarians and restored glory to our land."

"We, your humble servants, have merely relied on Your Majesty's divine might to diligently defend our territory. As for our achievements, they are as insignificant as fireflies reflecting the sun. How dare we presume to accept Your Majesty's praise?"

"I would gladly give my life to repay Your Majesty's kindness in restoring the nation!"

Zhu Cilang's gaze shifted slightly, sweeping over Lu Shique's deeply bowed head, while the "Prince Ji" beside him seemed even paler.

The group dismounted and entered the city, heading straight into the Dezhou government office.

Zhu Cilang's hem swept across the remaining lacquer on the threshold, and the dust it stirred up floated like gold dust in the slanting beam of light.

The main hall of the government office was built with three rooms and five bays. Although the paint on the beams and pillars is mottled, there are still fragments of the dragon-shaped ornaments made during the Hongwu period.

Hanging in the main hall is a slightly worn plaque inscribed with the four characters "忧国如家" (worrying about the country as if it were one's own home), written in a vigorous and powerful style.

Two rows of wooden chairs were neatly arranged, covered in scratches, clearly indicating that they had not been repaired for many years.

As soon as Zhu Cilang sat down, "Prince Ji" Zhu Shuaiqin rushed forward, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed heavily:

"Zhu Shuaiqin, a sixth-generation descendant of the wicked Zong Qingfan and a lieutenant of the Fengguo Army, kowtows to Your Majesty with ten thousand deaths, wishing to die a thousand deaths!"

His voice trembled and became off-key.

"I am guilty...I am guilty of violating ancestral precepts as a member of the imperial family. I humbly beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Zhu Cilang lowered his gaze slightly, landing on Zhu Shuaiqin's hunched back:

"Zongqing, what crime have you committed?"

Zhu Shuaiqin's body trembled slightly:

"Please punish the sinners for their transgression!"

"The title 'Prince Ji' was not actually conferred by the imperial court; it was merely a jest by ignorant commoners..."

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"However, rumors spread like wildfire, and the guilty party failed to clarify the matter in time, thus committing a grave offense of disrespect, and is willing to be executed by axe!"

This member of the royal family, who was respectfully called "Prince Ji" by the people, was actually the Fengguo Lieutenant of the Qingfan lineage.

The title "King Ji" was not conferred by the imperial court, but rather was elected by local gentry as a nominal leader to incite an uprising and overthrow the Da Shun regime.

At this moment, however, he voluntarily confessed his crimes and begged for execution.

Zhu Cilang remained silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke:

"Prince Ji?"

The last note rose sharply, startling the birds in the treetops outside the hall, causing them to scatter in a flurry of flight.

"The ancestral precepts of the founding emperor are ironclad and resounding. The sons of the princes were granted the title of General Who Guards the State, the grandsons were granted the title of Assistant General, the great-grandsons were granted the title of Grand General, the fourth generation was granted the title of Lieutenant General Who Guards the State, the fifth generation was granted the title of Lieutenant General Who Assists the State..."

His voice turned cold.

"I wonder when a dignified Lieutenant of Fengguo will be allowed to establish his own government and declare himself king?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

The dust particles that were just floating in the waterfall of light were also suspended in mid-air.

Zhu Shuaiqin's spine suddenly curled up, his forehead pressed against the bricks:

"I am filled with trepidation. The elders of Dezhou have entrusted me with a mere nominal title, but how could I possibly forget the weight of the ancestral temple?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Shique bowed sharply and stepped forward:

"Your Majesty!"

His voice was strong and clear, each word distinct.

"The fact that the Lieutenant of Fengguo was given this honorary title is because the people are grateful for the Emperor's grace and want to use the name of the imperial family to unite their hearts. It is by no means an act of usurpation."

At this point, he suddenly lifted his robe and knelt down, an act tantamount to binding himself to the Sinful Sect. He felt several gazes piercing from behind, seemingly the astonishment of his colleagues, but his voice only grew more resolute:

"However, in the Battle of Dezhou, the lieutenant donned armor and spears, the entire army gave their lives, and the people provided food and drink; this was truly a meritorious deed for the nation!"

"If we were to execute Dongliang because of the loss of his title, the soldiers on the frontier would be heartbroken, and the people of Shandong would be disheartened."

He touched his forehead to the ground and loudly pleaded:

"I risk my life to offer this advice: if we strip him of his usurped title and punish him by reducing his salary to reflect on his actions, we will not only uphold the laws of our ancestors but also demonstrate the benevolence of our Holy Emperor. All loyal and virtuous people in the land will be moved to tears!"

Lu Shique remained in the position of touching the ground with his forehead, and two circles of dampness gradually spread on the blue bricks.

Among the officials below, some nodded slightly, while others frowned and subconsciously took a half step back, as if to draw a clear line between themselves and the officials.

Zhu Shuaiqin's rapid breathing suddenly intensified, and a drop of cold sweat silently slid down his pale face, hitting the brick surface with a "thud".

On the throne, Zhu Cilang stood as still as a deep abyss.

Fingers hovering half an inch above the rosewood table—

On the left is the ironclad law of Emperor Taizu, and on the right is the chorus of the people chanting "King Ji".

Lu Shijue's admonition, "To execute the pillars of the state will chill the hearts of the soldiers," stood as a chasm in the balance of imperial power.

Silence fell for a moment.

Zhu Cilang slowly raised his eyes, his voice booming:

"Zhu Shuaiqin, a member of the imperial clan, has presumptuously declared himself king despite holding the rank of Lieutenant of the State. This is a heinous crime of treason!"

"According to the law, this crime deserves execution!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room froze.

Zhu Shuaiqin's face instantly drained of color, and beads of sweat rolled down his temples. Lu Shique closed his eyes tightly, awaiting the final thunderbolt.

"However..."

The voice rose again, and Zhu Cilang changed the subject, his gaze becoming profound, as if piercing through time and space:

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

"The ancestral precepts of Emperor Taizu clearly state, 'In times of national crisis, members of the imperial clan and meritorious officials shall temporarily assume the titles of princes to serve as a protective shield for the imperial family!'"

"Emperor Chengzu, in his campaign to quell the rebellion, also exceptionally bestowed upon Qiu Fu the title of Duke of Qi!"

He abruptly stood up and loudly proclaimed the imperial edict:

"Today, I follow the example of my predecessors, clearly distinguishing between merit and demerit in reward and punishment!"

"Lieutenant Fengguo, entrusted with a critical mission, recovered lost territory, and rendered meritorious service to the nation. He is truly a man of both talent and virtue."

"How can I punish those who have rendered meritorious service for empty fame, thus chilling the hearts of loyal and virtuous people throughout the land!"

The imperial edict, as resounding as a bell, echoed throughout the hall.

"Extraordinary achievements deserve extraordinary recognition!"

"By special decree of the Emperor, you are hereby promoted to the title of 'Prince of Ji,' granted a stipend of one thousand bushels of grain, and temporarily appointed to oversee the defense of Dezhou!"

As the words fell, Zhu Shuaiqin's taut back snapped like a broken string, and he collapsed to the ground, a sob escaping his throat uncontrollably:

"I, the guilty...I, the guilty Zong Shuaiqin, kowtow and thank Your Majesty for your divine grace!"

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to serve the court and live up to your high expectations!"

The tense atmosphere in the room suddenly dissipated, turning into a relaxed sigh.

Immediately, dozens of figures in official robes bowed in unison, their shouts deafening:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Shuaiqin was finally officially enfeoffed as the Prince of Ji.

However, the imperial edict was missing one phrase: "hereditary succession without alteration".

This seemingly insignificant absence is actually quite meaningful.