Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

Zhu Qiyu originally intended to go to Changle Palace to see his mother.

After careful consideration, I gave up on the idea.

It is sufficient to send Xing'an to deliver the message. I believe Consort Wu will also restrain the palace servants. Everything will be decided after the coronation ceremony.

At this moment, any act of complacency could offend some people. Before fully gaining control of the court, it is always better to be cautious and keep a low profile.

Zhu Qiyu left the palace and summoned all the Embroidered Uniform Guards to the Prince of Cheng's residence, with Lu Zhong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, following closely behind.

After Zhu Qiyu returned to the Prince's Mansion, an uninvited guest arrived.

Wang Lingshu hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, saying, "My lord, my second uncle has returned, but he is unable to come due to mobility issues. I hope you will forgive him."

Wang Lingshu's second uncle, Wang Bo, practically clung to his horse as he returned. It was only when he arrived at the palace that palace servants had to untie him from the horse.

Zhu Qiyu was surprised to hear this. Such speed! It only took half a month at most.

"lead the way!"

In a side room, Wang Bo lay on the bed. After relaxing his overly tense mind, excruciating pain spread throughout his body, especially in his groin and between his thighs, which felt as if they no longer belonged to him.

Fortunately, medication has been applied, but it will probably take a month or two to fully recover.

The doorman suddenly opened the door, and when Wang Bo saw Zhu Qiyu coming, he struggled to get up, pulling at his wound and breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain, almost falling over.

When he was carried into the Prince's Palace, he already knew that Zhu Qiyu had become emperor, so he naturally dared not be negligent.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

"No need for such formalities!"

Zhu Qiyu rushed forward to help Wang Bo up. Seeing that Wang Bo's lower body was wrapped up like a dumpling, he gasped in shock. This man had risked his life riding back at breakneck speed. Such a selfless act deserved at least the rank of a commander.

Wang Lingshu seemed unwilling to see her second uncle's miserable state and quietly left the room.

"Has the Marquis of Ningyang sent any letters?"

Upon hearing Zhu Qiyu bring up serious matters, Wang Bo's expression turned serious as he said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Ningyang seems to have some reservations. He has not written a reply to Your Majesty, but has only sent me to deliver a message."

Zhu Qiyu nodded. He didn't say much about Chen Mao's caution, after all, Zhu Qizhen had really scared Chen Mao.

Just two weeks ago, Zhu Qiyu was still the Prince Regent, and Chen Mao didn't dare to gamble.

If an imperial edict were issued now, Chen Mao would likely be able to boldly submit a memorial in response.

Tell me!

"The Marquis of Ningyang said that the surrendered rebels are fickle and the situation in the southeast is still unstable. Now that His Majesty... the Emperor Emeritus has gone to the north, the news will soon reach the southeast, and the situation may collapse. He requests His Majesty to give him half a month to forcibly suppress the rebellion here before the news of the Emperor Emeritus's northward journey reaches the southeast, and then return to appease the people."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qiyu frowned. This was probably one of the reasons why the Ministry of War was not enthusiastic about recalling Chen Mao; the South also needed Chen Mao.

With the emperor gone in the north, how could these rebels possibly obey? Once the news reaches the southeast, the popular uprisings that were almost quelled will likely resurface.

If Chen Mao were to return to the capital, there would be no one to hold the southeast, and both the north and south would face major battles. In addition, with Wang Ji fighting in the southwest, the Ming Dynasty would be in complete chaos.

Chen Mao has been using appeasement tactics this year to ease tensions in the area, hoping to gradually resolve the situation. After all, a forceful suppression would only lead to repeated uprisings, and his promise to carry out such a forceful suppression proves that he intends to return to the capital.

This made Zhu Qiyu feel gratified.

"Is there any further explanation?"

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Ningyang said that Your Majesty should choose another capable person to lead the battle in the capital. Now that he is old, even if he travels day and night to return to the capital after handling the affairs in the southeast, he will probably not arrive until the end of September or the beginning of October. The Oirat army may march south at any time, and the person in charge of the war in the capital should not fall on his shoulders. He will return to the capital as soon as possible to advise Your Majesty. This is what the Marquis of Ningyang asked me to bring back."

Zhu Qiyu sighed helplessly. Chen Mao was also in his seventies, and Wang Bo, who was so strong, was unable to move at the moment. If Chen Mao led his troops to reinforce the capital, even if he returned to the capital himself, he could not appear in front of him immediately. If he pushed Chen Mao too far, he might die on the way, which would be a sin.

Moreover, Chen Mao's words were true. They couldn't wait until Chen Mao returned to the capital to deploy battle plans and conduct tactical drills. What if the Oirat Mongols were already at the city gates before Chen Mao's return? Would they still fight then?

Zhu Qiyu breathed a sigh of relief; he had no choice but to adopt another approach.

He patted Wang Bo on the shoulder and said, "Take good care of yourself. Only when you are well can you be diligent in your duties to the king!"

Overjoyed, Wang Bo nodded frantically, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

Zhu Qiyu stepped out of the room, his brows furrowed.

Seeing her husband in such a state, Wang Lingshu couldn't help but feel sorry for him and asked, "My lord, is it because Second Uncle failed in his duties?"

"No, Chen Mao can't return to the capital for the time being. I need to choose someone else to lead the battle in the capital."

Wang Lingshu was not well-versed in military affairs and asked with doubt, "Wasn't Minister Yu acting as the commander of the Beijing garrison?"

Zhu Qiyu could only patiently explain a few things.

"Minister Yu oversees the overall situation. The battlefield needs a commander-in-chief to oversee it. As the commander of the battle, Minister Yu can always lead the troops into battle."

Where there are people making decisions, there must also be people carrying them out.

Zhu Qiyu himself wanted to take full responsibility and not delegate tasks to others, but unfortunately, he wasn't cut out for it. If he were to take command himself, and Esen were to capture him and send him to join Zhu Qizhen, it would be a replica of the Song Dynasty's "miracle," forever branding him with shame.

Wang Lingshu suddenly realized, "Even those nobles in the capital won't do?"

"He is fit to be a general, but not a commander!" Zhu Qiyu shook his head.

The capital city is full of people who just walk around with their birds; there are hardly any who can lead troops.

"What should we do?"

Seeing Wang Lingshu's worried expression, and noticing that no one was around, Zhu Qiyu took her hand, patted it gently twice, and said softly, "Prepare for your entry into the palace. The enthronement ceremony will be held on September 6th, and you will be made empress on September 9th. Managing the harem is your top priority right now; leave everything else to me."

"My lord!"

Wang Lingshu rushed into Zhu Qiyu's arms and hugged him tightly.

Zhu Qiyu's thoughts raced. It seemed he didn't need to make any more trouble. Chen Mao wouldn't be back anytime soon, so he should give Shi Heng a more important position.

Historically, he and Yu Qian won this battle together, so using this person was never a bad idea. As for his character, that's a matter for later.

After a brief moment of tenderness, Zhu Qiyu finally spoke, "Ling Shu, I have something to attend to. I'll talk to you later!"

Wang Lingshu blushed and nodded repeatedly.

Zhu Qiyu left the inner palace and summoned Lu Zhong.

"Is Shi Heng stationed at the Northern Garrison?"

Lu Zhong replied, "Your Majesty, yes, the Marquis of Zhenyuan is here too!"

Fearing that someone might sabotage them, Zhu Qiyu simply moved the three who had escaped back to the Northern Garrison Command. Besides Gu Xingzu and Shi Heng, there was also a civil official who had escaped back, named Li Xian, who shared the same name as Marquis Li Xian of Fengcheng.

Zhu Qiyu asked, "Has Shi Heng behaved anything unusual in prison?"

Lu Zhong naturally put a lot of thought into the people that Zhu Qiyu was interested in.

"He was drawing on the ground and often muttering to himself. He didn't seem like someone who was in prison; he didn't seem worried about his situation."

Zhu Qiyu nodded; it was time to go and meet this oddball of the Ming Dynasty.

"Heading to the Northern Garrison Command!"

"Here you go!"