The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the Somersault Cloud, Old Zhu was so envious he cried!

Empress Ma pondered for a moment, picked up the shaved ice on the table, took another slurp, and then slowly spoke:

"What I mean is, you'll go to the banquet tonight as usual, but not to kill anyone; you'll go to test them."

Zhu Ming looked up, his eyes revealing a naive innocence: "Ah, what am I supposed to test them for?"

Seeing this, Empress Ma sighed, then put down her cup and started explaining things to the little one, one by one, counting on her fingers.

"During the banquet, carefully observe the words and expressions of the four families, discern who can be won over and who is stubborn and unteachable, and remember everyone's true nature and attitude."

"Remember not to be impatient and condemn everyone at once."

This whole roundabout scheming,

Zhu Ming was completely bewildered, his eyes darting around in circles. He felt that this whole process was far too complicated and exhausting, and that it would be much more straightforward to just cut things off completely.

After Empress Ma finished speaking,

Zhu Ming frowned and said impatiently, "Mother, why make things so complicated?"

"I might as well just go to their door. Those who are willing to submit and obey will be spared, but anyone who dares to disobey will be..."

Zhu Ming stretched out his hand and gestured horizontally across his neck.

He had a knowing look on his face.

The next second,

"Thump!"

A solid tap on the head landed heavily on Zhu Ming's head.

Empress Ma was both amused and annoyed. She frowned and reprimanded him sternly, "You are a prince of the Ming Dynasty, not some bandit or brigand who rules the mountains!"

"Without a single piece of solid evidence, you are recklessly attacking powerful families. Once this news gets out, who among the gentry and officials of the land will still trust the Ming imperial family?"

Zhu Ming rubbed his forehead, shrank his neck, and muttered softly, "But...it's really troublesome..."

Empress Ma sighed as she looked at Zhu Ming's appearance.

She had originally intended to take this opportunity to give the child some proper training.

But now it seems... let's just forget about it!

What if we anger this little guy again?

He transformed into an 80-meter-tall giant, and with one stomp, the entire county was wiped out.

That will be no laughing matter.

Left with no other choice.

Empress Ma could only wave her hand and say, "Never mind, Miaoyun and I will accompany you to this banquet."

"I'll subtly remind you what you say and do when the time comes."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ming's eyes lit up instantly.

That's great!

With his mother around, he only needed to eat and drink.

Without a word, the little one threw himself into Empress Ma's arms, rubbed against her waist, and said sweetly:

"Thank you, Mother! You're the best!"

Empress Ma affectionately pinched Zhu Ming's cheek and then his little nose, shaking her head with a smile, "I just can't do anything with you!"

......

Night falls.

Magistrate Wang's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

Red lanterns hung from the main entrance all the way to the main hall, and a scarlet carpet was laid on the ground, which felt soft and fluffy underfoot.

Neatly dressed servants stood on both sides, each with their hands at their sides, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Inside the main hall.

Eight Immortals Tables were arranged in a row.

Delicacies from land and sea, fine wines and delicacies, were laid out to the brim.

Although Magistrate Wang didn't have much money, it was, after all, an organization set up by the Sixth Prince, so all the necessary formalities had to be observed.

Zhu Ming sat in the main seat.

On the left is Empress Ma, and on the right is Xu Miaoyun.

The little guy had his legs crossed, a chicken leg in his hand, and was gnawing on it with his mouth full of oil.

Empress Ma stood quietly to the side, her hands folded in front of her, her face calm and expressionless.

Not long after.

An announcement came from outside the door.

"Old Master Li from the east of the city has arrived!"

Grandpa Li, leaning on his cane, strode in.

His face was ashen, his eyes were incredibly gloomy, and he was followed by two burly guards.

As soon as he entered the room, his gaze swept directly at Zhu Ming, who was sitting in the main seat, with a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Followed by.

"The Zhao family head from the west of the city has arrived!"

The head of the Zhao family was dressed in a brocade robe and had a smile on his face.

But that smile

But it looked somewhat forced.

As soon as he entered, he looked around warily.

He feared that three hundred axemen were lying in ambush inside.

What if, during the conversation, the Sixth Prince suddenly smashes his cup as a signal, and a group of people rush out and hack him to death?

The more the Zhao family head thought about it, the more panicked he became.

Everyone looked like a hidden ambush.

A servant serving tea.

A servant sweeping the floor.

Even the dog dozing at the door looked like a killer ready to pounce at any moment.

then.

"The Huang family patriarch from the south of the city has arrived!"

The head of the Huang family turned pale, and his legs trembled slightly.

I almost tripped over the threshold when I came in.

He glanced at Zhu Ming in the main seat, then quickly lowered his head, his whole body trembling.

At last.

"The head of the Hu family in the north of the city has arrived—!"

The head of the Hu family strode in.

He stood ramrod straight, a hint of disdain on his face, followed by four black-clad guards, each with broad shoulders and muscular builds.

He glanced around the room, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Once everyone has arrived,

Zhu Ming held his wine glass, took a sip of the juice, then slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the four of them with disdain.

Mimicking Xiang Yu's tone, he slowly said, "Oh—the King of Guanzhong has arrived."

The voice just fell.

Then there was a "thump!" sound.

The head of the Huang family in the south of the city collapsed to his knees.

He was so frightened that he was trembling all over and didn't dare to lift his head.

The other three: "..."

Old Master Li, the head of the Zhao family, and the head of the Hu family all turned their heads to look at the head of the Huang family kneeling on the ground.

The group looked completely bewildered.

What's going on?

He's already kneeling?

We haven't said anything yet!

The head of the Huang family knelt on the ground, his heart filled with unbearable sorrow.

He also wanted to be more assertive.

But who told him to know the identity of the Sixth Prince?

Not only did he enjoy the favor of the current emperor and empress, but he also became a disciple of the Taoist patriarch and received a destiny of immortality.

This kind of person.

Forget calling him the King of Guanzhong, even if you just call him a dog, he'd have to kneel down and respond!

Old Master Li frowned and said in a low voice, "Huang Zi'an, what are you doing? Get up right now!"

The head of the Huang family knelt on the ground, shaking his head frantically.

No.

I'd rather die than get up.

If he gets up, he'll die.

Seeing the Huang family head's spineless state, Old Master Li was so angry that his nose almost crooked.

Before Zhu Ming arrived.

The four parties have already agreed that no matter what happens in the future, they should all stand together against a common enemy.

Now look what's happened.

Upon meeting, one of them immediately knelt down.

What is this if not betrayal?

Old Master Li, leaning on his cane, slammed his foot down and muttered under his breath, "Spineless wretch!"

Even the head of the Hu family didn't look too good.

He frowned as he looked at the Huang family head, who was kneeling on the ground, trembling.

He then glanced at Zhu Ming, who was in the main seat.

His eyes immediately darkened.

However, he comforted himself inwardly.

What are you afraid of?

I have powerful backers.

Hu Weiyong, the prime minister, was a distant relative of his.

With this relationship in place, what can a sixth prince do to him?

The more the head of the Hu family thought about it, the more at ease he felt, and he even straightened his back involuntarily.

Afterwards, the group bowed and paid their respects to Zhu Ming.

"This humble subject pays respects to Your Highness!"

Then explain it to the Sixth Prince.

I am just an ordinary citizen, not some King of Guanzhong. I hope Your Highness will not make fun of these old fellows.

Zhu Ming didn't make things difficult for them, but instead asked them to take their seats.

Meanwhile, as soon as Old Master Li's buttocks touched the chair, he couldn't help but be the first to complain.