I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

Prince Yu kowtowed deeply, his forehead pressed against the cold gold bricks.

"I hope you will take this as a warning and get out!"

"My son, please retire."

When Prince Yu stood up, he gave Qi Min a deep look. The resentment in his eyes made the Vice Minister of Justice feel like he had a thorn in his back.

After Prince Yu left, Zhu Houcong continued, "My dear ministers, He Jingzhong, as the Minister of Personnel, has broken the law and is no longer fit to be the head of the Six Ministries."

"The reason I have summoned you all here today is to discuss the selection of the Minister of Personnel."

"You are all my trusted advisors, so please feel free to speak your mind."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

They all understood that the Emperor wasn't really asking for their opinions, but rather trying to align his views with their level of detail.

Fortunately, we can all work together at tomorrow's morning court session to push the person chosen by the emperor to the top.

Chapter 117 Prepare early

During the morning court session, undercurrents were stirring within the Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Houcong watched as various factions fought openly and covertly for the position of Minister.

However, he had already decided on the candidates for Minister of Personnel and Minister of Justice yesterday.

Therefore, today Zhao Mengjing, like a non-stick pan, suddenly exerted his strength, and together with Lou Zhijing, refuted the people recommended by the Crown Prince and Prince Jing one by one.

Such is the way of the court; only when the officials are at odds does the emperor's absolute authority and dictatorship become particularly important.

If all the officials are united, what use is there in having an emperor?

Just as tensions were about to rise, Zhu Houcong spoke directly, overruling all objections, and made an announcement on the spot.

Qi Min, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was promoted to Minister of Personnel, and Zhao Mengjing, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was promoted to Minister of Justice.

Finally, this court intrigue meticulously planned by Mei Changsu ended with Prince Yu being demoted to a county prince and He Jingzhong being imprisoned.

As the court discussion continued, Princess Nihuang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

"allow."

Princess Nihuang looked solemn and presented the memorial with both hands.

"Your Majesty, a messenger from Yunnan has arrived by express courier. General Gu Siling of Southern Chu has arrived in Yuezhou, but his intentions are still unclear."

"Your Majesty, please grant me permission to return to Yunnan immediately to oversee the situation and prevent any unforeseen events."

These words immediately sparked a great deal of discussion in the imperial court.

Upon hearing this, a dark and ambiguous look flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes.

He certainly knew why Gu Siling had suddenly returned to Yuezhou.

That was an unspoken deal between Emperor Yuwen Jian of Southern Chu and this famous general of Southern Chu.

He left the court in exchange for being crowned the crown prince.

In order to weaken the Crown Prince's influence in the court, Yuwen Jian readily agreed to Gu Siling's request.

The border between Daliang and Nanchu has been free of war for a long time.

Now that Yuwen Jian is willing to send Yuwen Nian to marry into the Liang state in order to stabilize the country, how could he allow Gu Siling to cause trouble at the border again?

Therefore, it's not a big deal if Yunnan doesn't have Princess Nihuang in charge.

However, it's time to take action.

This is a good opportunity to weaken the influence of the Mu family.

Moreover, it is necessary to prepare the army for war and strengthen military discipline.

Once chaos erupts in the Southern Chu court, a fighting force can be quickly assembled and marched south.

Zhu Houcong then nodded slightly in agreement.

“Nihuang is right. Gu Siling has been fighting against our Great Liang for many years and is a brilliant strategist. We cannot afford to be complacent.”

"but…"

The biggest fear in everything is the word "but".

After hearing the first half of the story, Princess Nihuang thought the emperor was willing to let her return to Yunnan, but she didn't expect him to have more to say.

"You are engaged to Prince Jing, and your status is different now. It would be improper for you to show your face in public any longer."

Zhu Houcong said calmly, "Leave Yunnan's defenses to Mu Qing."

"His Majesty!"

Princess Nihuang urgently offered her advice.

"Mu is young and inexperienced; I'm afraid he's ill-equipped to shoulder this heavy responsibility."

"People always have to grow up. In the future, the responsibilities of the Mu Prince's Mansion will eventually be handed over to Mu Qing. It's time to let him gain some experience."

Zhu Houcong raised his hand to interrupt, then changed the subject, turning his gaze to the assembled officials.

"Minister Hu, how is the Imperial Guard's training going?"

Hu Ruzhen stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards are capable of fighting."

"Very well, in order to prevent any unrest in Yunnan, I have decided to make another arrangement."

"Minister Hu, I hereby appoint you as the Grand General of Yunnan, concurrently holding the title of Minister of War, and giving you overall command over the military and political affairs of the three southern prefectures."

At this point, Zhu Houcong smiled and said, "Ruzhen, do you still remember the policy essay you gave in the Hall of Mental Cultivation?"

Hu Ruzhen's pupils widened suddenly, and she instantly understood.

Immediately, an overwhelming sense of excitement welled up within me.

He keenly realized that His Majesty's appointment of him as governor-general of Yunnan's military and political affairs was no ordinary dispatch.

This was to prepare for the future conquest of Southern Chu.

Several months ago, he proposed the strategy of "occupying Dayu in the north and swallowing Nanchu in the south" in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and it is finally about to be implemented.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in your grace!"

Hu Ruzhen kowtowed heavily, her forehead touching the ground, her voice strong and clear.

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly in satisfaction, then turned to Princess Nihuang and said, "Nihuang, Minister Hu is a descendant of military strategists and is well-versed in tactics. With him stationed in Yunnan this time, the southern border can be kept safe."

"After Mu Qing returns to Yunnan, he should often consult Ru Zhen. I have high expectations for Mu Qing's growth, so he should not let my good intentions go to waste."

Nihuang remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she was furious.

This Hu Ruzhen was appointed as the Grand General of Yunnan and also held the title of Minister of War in name only. It was clear that the court had sent him to divide her military power.

But Yunnan was ultimately the territory of the Great Liang. Although the Mu family had always guarded this place, they could not utter a single word of "no".

Now I can only suffer in silence, unable to express my bitterness.

Princess Nihuang suppressed the anger surging in her chest and replied, "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of Mu Qing."

"Well, it's settled then." Zhu Houcong smiled with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, inside the Grand Secretariat of Southern Chu, Yan Donglou revealed his entire plan to Qinglong.

He planned to target an old official who had been serving Lu Shiyu.

The old clerk who guarded the exam paper safe had followed Lu Shiyu for many years and was deeply trusted by him.

However, his sons and nephews will also participate in this year's imperial examination.

If one were to lure his sons and nephews with benefits, and persuade the old official to steal the original examination questions, then this matter would be very promising.

On the day of the scientific expedition, once the leak of the exam questions is exposed...

Enraged, Yuwen Jian will surely conduct a thorough investigation.

Once the old official is investigated, the first person to be punished will naturally be Lu Shiyu.

After Yan Donglou finished speaking, the cold light in his eyes intensified.

"At that time, I will only need to give it a push, and Lu Shiyu will either lose his official position or be exiled. The Crown Prince's power will suffer a huge blow."

Zhu Houcong controlled the Azure Dragon, listening to every word Yan Donglou said clearly.

He suddenly spoke up and asked, "Lord Yan, there is something I don't understand."

Yan Donglou was in the middle of a lively conversation when he heard this and was taken aback.

"Please speak, sir!"

Zhu Houcong deliberately slowed his speech, confirming several times, "You mean, sir, that old clerk guarding the storeroom has the key to the safe containing the original exam questions?"

"That's exactly right."

Yan Donglou nodded dismissively.

"This has always been the case, is there anything wrong with it?"

Zhu Houcong, somewhat unwilling to give up, pressed again, "Are you sure that was just an ordinary old official?"

"This... he really is just an old man who looks after the storeroom!"

After hearing Yan Donglou's explanation, Zhu Houcong felt that his worldview had been completely shattered.

What is this ghost?

This is absolutely ridiculous!

The imperial examinations, a crucial event concerning the future of scholars across the land, were entrusted to a lowly old official who held the key to the safe.

Aren't they afraid that the old official might lose the key or be bribed in a moment of confusion?

Oh yes.

Perhaps in the story, this old official was originally a tool to be bribed.

It's in the river, in the Taihe River!

Zhu Houcong was speechless and didn't know what to say for a moment.

At this moment, Yan Donglou asked impatiently, "What do you think of my plan, sir?"

Chapter 118 Yuwen Quan Falls into the Trap, Lu Shiyu Resigns (Part 1)

Zhu Houcong looked at Yan Donglou's smug expression through the perspective of the Azure Dragon, and his heart skipped a beat.

broken!

The troublemaker stirred up real shit!

He originally intended to come to Southern Chu as a behind-the-scenes manipulator, stirring up trouble.

Little did they know that Yan Donglou was a complete waste of space.

He has absolutely nothing to do with the cunning and scheming Grand Secretary in that TV series.

He didn't hold back against Yan Donglou and directly controlled the Azure Dragon to mock him, saying, "Lord Yan, this plan is brilliant! After hearing what you said, I suddenly feel enlightened!"

“Oh, sir, it’s like a sudden enlightenment.”

"Someone said that hearing it made them want to poop."

"How can you be so rude, sir?" Yan Donglou frowned and said unhappily.

Qinglong sneered and said without any politeness, "How could a scheme be as crude as yours?"

He crossed his arms, completely ignoring Yan Donglou's ashen face.

You fucking let me stir up real shit, and I'm not going to be polite to you?

The Grand Secretary is nothing.

Can you withstand the power of a Grandmaster's punch, which represents twenty years of accumulated skill?