The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Houzhao led his troops north, but was quickly stopped by Wang Zhuo, the governor of Shuntian, who had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.

The Jizhou Garrison of the Ming Dynasty did not have a governor. Even the "Jiliao Governor-General" that was later formed only had the governors of Shuntian, Baoding and Liaodong under its jurisdiction. The Malan Valley that Zhu Houzhao was going to was a branch of the Jizhou Military Circuit under the Shuntian Governor.

The Jizhou military command consisted of four routes: Xifengkou, Malangu, Songpenggu, and Taipingzhai.

"Minister Wang, what are you doing?"

When Zhu Houzhao dismounted, he saw Wang Zhuo at the front of the procession, arms outstretched as if catching a chick, and frowned as he asked.

I was very unhappy inside, but my tone was still relatively kind.

Upon seeing Zhu Houzhao, Wang Zhuo hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects and said, "Your Majesty's departure from the capital is indeed a perilous undertaking. I humbly request Your Majesty to return to the capital."

Zhu Houzhao frowned and said, "I thought you came to help me fight the war, but it turns out you're here to persuade me to go back? Minister Wang, let me put it this way: I know that the leader of the Duoyan Guard will be leading his son and grandson to attack Malan Valley, so I came here specifically to intercept them. I have already prepared the Shenji Battalion's troops, just waiting to ambush them and catch the Di barbarians off guard!"

Wang Zhuo felt a headache coming on as soon as he heard it.

What does this have to do with anything?

The Ming Dynasty's borders were perfectly fine, yet someone actually reported false military intelligence?

"I will send people to investigate what Your Majesty has said. Even if it is true, Your Majesty should not have taken the risk yourself. I beg Your Majesty to move the palace, even at the cost of my life."

Wang Zhuo felt like he had two heads to crack.

I had heard before that this emperor was a good-for-nothing, the kind of spoiled brat in the capital who dared to think and do anything, and who would rather live in the Leopard House than the palace.

Now that he's on his own turf, he's prepared to fight to the death. He'll do whatever it takes to drag the emperor back, so as not to betray his reputation as a loyal minister.

Zhu Houzhao said, "Look at you, you're so old, and you still dare to offer your remonstrance? Guards, please invite this Minister Wang to accompany me to Malan Valley."

"His Majesty!"

Wang Zhuo was shocked.

I couldn't dissuade the emperor, but now he actually wants me to accompany him?

Zhu Houzhao turned and walked towards his imperial horse, casually saying, "You've come at just the right time. I was just wondering what excuse to use to talk to those old fogies in the court. Now that you're here, I'll tell you that you heard that the Duoyanwei Di Yi are going to attack Malan Valley, and that I've sent elite troops with you to quell the incident in my anxiety! Hmm, that's very good."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhuo thought to himself, "Have I walked right into a trap?"

Why doesn't this emperor act according to common sense?

"Your Majesty," said Lian Zhou, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, stepping forward, "we have just received news that Commander Qian and his men have set off from Yongping Prefecture northward. They are expected to catch up within three days and are heading towards Zunhua."

"very good!"

Zhu Houzhao, with a smug look on his face, said, "Everything is ready except for the east wind, no, we're just waiting for the Tartars to attack! This is my first battle!"

……

……

Zhu Houzhao's whereabouts were ultimately not hidden from the people in the court.

Before attempting to stop the emperor's journey, Wang Zhuo also submitted a memorial to the court, trying to persuade the emperor to return through normal means.

This is essentially a way of informing cabinet ministers.

When Jin Gui received Wang Zhuo's memorial from the Office of Transmission and, through further investigation, confirmed that the emperor's destination was not Yongping Prefecture but Jizhou, he hurriedly returned to the Cabinet Office to discuss the matter with Liang Chu.

On his way back, he happened to run into Liang Chu discussing matters concerning the Northwest military with the newly appointed cabinet minister Yang Yiqing.

When Jin Gui practically threw Wang Zhuo's memorial in front of Yang Yiqing, Yang Yiqing could sense that Jin Gui was taking out his anger on him.

Liang Chu asked, "What happened?"

Jin Gui said, "His Majesty went east, bypassing Yongping Prefecture, and headed north to Jizhou. Clearly, he intends to defend the border and govern the army."

"Is that so?" Yang Yiqing, with an attitude of indifference, picked up the memorial in front of him and looked at it. He said calmly, "This is just Wang Zhuo's one-sided statement. Even if His Majesty really wants to visit Jizhou, it may be to make up for the regret of not being able to go to the Northwest. It does not mean that he will use troops."

Jin Gui frowned and said, "Minister Yang, knowing that His Majesty is in danger, aren't you worried at all? The Ming Dynasty doesn't even have a crown prince; the entire burden of the nation rests on His Majesty's shoulders..."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yiqing not only didn't panic, but even smiled.

The meaning is quite obvious.

You're telling me the emperor shoulders the heavy responsibility of the Ming Dynasty?

Stop joking!

We should be thankful that the emperor hasn't caused trouble for the country and its people. Aren't we the ones holding up the entire Ming Dynasty right now?

Liang Chu took the memorial and looked at it, then asked in confusion, "Why did Your Majesty suddenly go to Jizhou?"

Jin Gui said, "According to Wang Zhuo's memorial, it seems that Tang Yin, who had previously spread rumors and misled the public, also appeared around Yongping Prefecture. It seems that he has secret dealings with treacherous officials such as Qian Ning. Perhaps it was because of his instigation that His Majesty went to Jizhou in person."

Liang Chu sighed, "That's very strange. If Tang Yin really had a military or political prophecy, why didn't he report it to the court, but instead kept it secret..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Yiqing reached out and interrupted him.

Yang Yiqing stood up and said, "Chongdao, then according to your suggestion, what should we do now? Should we form a team of ministers from the court to go to Jizhou and persuade His Majesty to return to the capital?"

Jin Gui was stunned for a moment.

After a long pause, he countered, "Shouldn't Minister Yang be held responsible for this?"

Yang Yiqing retorted sarcastically, "Is His Majesty's departure from the capital solely my responsibility? Or is it that all the subjects of the realm bear the responsibility? Now that His Majesty has gone to Jizhou without giving a reason, shouldn't we discuss the matter together if something goes wrong? Or must one or two people come up with a solution?"

Jin Gui was completely speechless.

In his view, it was because of Yang Yiqing and others' indulgence that the emperor became increasingly lawless.

But upon closer reflection, the court officials all bear responsibility for failing to effectively advise the emperor when he became so willful and reckless, and it cannot be said that this was solely the fault of any one person.

Liang Chu said, "Quickly send a letter to Wang Zhuo, and tell him to stop the Emperor's entourage at all costs."

Jin Gui sighed, "Wang Zhuo will try to stop him, but we both know that with His Majesty's temperament, how could he willingly allow himself to be obstructed by Wang Zhuo? If His Majesty acts willfully and insists on leaving the pass at Jizhou..."

No, it won't.

This time, Yang Yiqing spoke with absolute certainty, "His Majesty will at most go to the border for a visit; he's unlikely to leave the border! Who would choose to have a good time and deliberately cause trouble?"

These words, seemingly criticizing the emperor, actually express a stance that one does not support such actions by the emperor.

Jin Gui gritted his teeth and said, "We can't put all our hopes on Wang Zhuo! The court officials should work together..."

Yang Yiqing said, "Then Chongdao, you should hurry and find Lu Quanqing to see if he has any countermeasures."

"You..." Jin Gui glared at Yang Yiqing.

Yang Yiqing immediately said, "I must go to the palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. At this time, perhaps only the Empress Dowager can persuade His Majesty!"