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

"I see you as having no father, no ruler, having abandoned your country and your family."

Upon hearing this, Cai Quan looked up at Zhu Houcong with tears in her eyes.

"Now that Your Majesty has come in person, why not show me your true face?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong paused slightly.

How do you know it's me?

"In the entire world, there is only one person who can command the utmost respect in the imperial prison, even the agents of the Eastern Depot."

Zhu Houcong then slowly removed his cloak, revealing his imposing and dignified face.

His gaze was piercing as he stared at Cai Quan, saying slowly and deliberately, "Do you know that I have read your memorial ten times?"

Upon hearing this, Cai Quan shuddered, and the shackles rattled.

But he quickly regained his composure and straightened his battered spine.

"Every word I have said comes from the bottom of my heart."

Zhu Houcong sneered and paced back and forth in the stone chamber with his hands behind his back.

"Every word came from the heart, but unfortunately, every word was completely wrong!"

He suddenly turned around and said:

“If I were truly such an emperor, Heaven would despise me; if I were such a ruler, the people would abandon me.”

Just as Cai Quan was about to speak, Zhu Houcong raised his hand to stop him.

"You keep saying that I am engaging in large-scale construction projects and exploiting the people, but have you ever personally been to Jiangzuo?"

"Have you thoroughly investigated the true situation of the fourteen prefectures south of the Yangtze River?"

Cai Quan was speechless for a moment, as he had indeed not conducted an on-site investigation.

"it is good!"

Then Zhu Houcong suddenly raised his voice.

"Since Heaven has entrusted the entire land to me, today I will hand over the fourteen prefectures of Jiangzuo to you!"

"I will depart tomorrow and immediately assume my post as Governor-General of Langrao."

"Go and see for yourself what this Jiangzuo you speak of is really like, and what kind of entity the Jiangzuo Alliance is."

The Governor-General of Langzhou and Raozhou oversaw all military and political affairs in Langzhou and Raozhou, which was the core hinterland of the Jiangzuo Alliance.

After hearing this, Cai Quan looked up abruptly, completely unable to believe her ears.

He was all too aware of the significance of this appointment.

"Since you say your memorial was for my benefit, then I will not blame you."

Zhu Houcong's tone suddenly softened, and he said with a hint of expectation, "Cai Quan, you are a valuable asset to the nation."

"Now that you're taking up your post in Jiangzuo, keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully, lest you disappoint my expectations."

"My lord, I obey the order."

By this time, Cai Quan's voice was already choked with sobs, and his hands, bound by shackles, trembled uncontrollably.

It dawned on him.

It turns out that the sovereign was never truly angry; all of this was a test for him.

Two streams of tears finally welled up and spilled out, leaving two clear streaks on her blood-stained face.

Cai Quan kowtowed heavily, his forehead pressed against the cold ground, and he remained there for a long time, unwilling to get up.

[Imitate Emperor Jiajing's words and actions +5, reward: Longevity Pill]

Just then, a sudden sound, like heavenly music, filled Zhu Houcong with joy.

Well done!

The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

Looking at Cai Quan, who was still kowtowing, he felt that the scolding he had endured was well worth it.

Not only did they discover an upright and capable minister.

More importantly, it will give me another ten years to live!

Chapter 127 The Empress Dowager Passes Away

After returning to the Wanshou Palace, Zhu Houcong lay alone on the couch and took out two golden pills.

One is the Great Heavenly General Pill, and the other is the Longevity Golden Pill.

The Longevity Elixir is no bigger than a thumb, yet it exudes a refreshing and pleasant fragrance.

Without hesitation, he swallowed it whole, and immediately felt a warm current flow through his limbs and bones.

As the effects of the Longevity Elixir fully took hold in his body, even the heaviness in his body vanished.

Those brown age spots that used to cover the back of my hands completely disappeared after taking the medicine twice.

Her skin was as smooth as a middle-aged person's.

Even more incredibly, his originally gray hair and beard have now turned completely black.

Even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes have faded considerably.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Houcong quickly brought a bronze mirror to examine the situation.

Unexpectedly, the man in the mirror looked to be only in his early forties, in the prime of his life.

His imposing expression, radiating authority, and the fierce glint in his eyes, were a far cry from the frail and aged Emperor Liang.

He's clearly a ruthless bandit named Bai Baoshan!

If you take another AK, it's exactly the same!

"After moving to the Longevity Palace, wearing grass rings, and even performing a congratulatory memorial, I only received one Great Heavenly General Pill."

"Today, I was only sniping Cai Quan in the middle gate, and I was rewarded with a longevity pill. Could it be that Cai Quan can increase his lifespan?"

Zhu Houcong found it unbelievable.

Five Great Heavenly General Pills have already appeared, and there are countless other pills. Only the Longevity Golden Pill has been obtained so far, with only two remaining, demonstrating its extreme difficulty.

He now suspects that Cai Quan can actually extend his lifespan.

After all, he was practically identical to Hai Rui, who was a ruthless man who could make the Emperor of Longevity bleed from his nose.

Cai Quan might actually have that ability.

"It seems I'll have to get Cai Quan to scold me more often from now on."

Zhu Houcong stroked his chin, a sly glint in his eyes.

Then he started bragging again.

"With my magnanimity, I might as well emulate the story of Li Er and Wei Zheng, the strongest carbon-based life forms of the seventh century."

"However, we can't go too far. If we really anger me to death, then it would be a loss."

Just as Zhu Houcong was feeling smug, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the palace.

"Master, Master!"

Yan Song stumbled into the hall, disregarding all proper etiquette, and knelt down with a thud.

"The...Empress Dowager...has passed away!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong froze, then stood up abruptly, only to stagger and grab the dragon table for support.

Although he was Zhu Houcong, not Emperor Xiao Xuan of Liang, he had, after all, absorbed all of Emperor Liang's memories.

Emperor Liang was very filial to the Empress Dowager.

This also led to this part of his memory influencing Zhu Houcong.

When did this happen?

"Just a quarter of an hour ago, the Imperial Medical Academy announced that the Empress Dowager had passed away peacefully in her sleep."

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly, then slowly closed his eyes.

After calming her turbulent thoughts, she opened her eyes.

"By imperial decree, court shall be suspended for seven days, the entire nation shall observe mourning, and a general amnesty shall be granted."

"I hereby order the Ministry of Rites to prepare the funeral according to the highest standards, and all members of the imperial family, from myself down, shall personally keep vigil for the Empress Dowager."

Just as Yan Song was about to accept the order and leave, Zhu Houcong called him back.

"Go and summon Nihuang. The Empress Dowager loved these children most when she was alive, and now it's time for her to come and bid farewell to the Empress Dowager."

After Yan Song left, Zhu Houcong hurriedly went to the Empress Dowager's palace.

The joy brought by the longevity elixir has long since dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of melancholy.

The cycle of birth and death is a natural part of human life.

Only by becoming an immortal can one break the boundary between life and death and live a carefree life.

To achieve this goal, we need to be even more ruthless in our actions from now on.

A fierce glint flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes as he thought of this.

It's time to make a move on the Southern Chu side.

He then summoned the last of the four mythical beasts-named puppets, the "White Tiger".

He was ordered to take a "tangle of love" to Southern Chu.

This time, we must force Prince Yuwen Quan of Southern Chu to rebel.

Meanwhile, inside the Su residence.

Mei Changsu was sitting opposite Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan.

"Your Highness must have already received the news, right?"

Mei Changsu poured tea from the teapot, a slight smile playing on his lips as he said through the rising steam, "Lord Cai is safe and sound."

Prince Jing nodded, and only then did the worry between his brows ease slightly.

This is why he visited the Su residence.

"Sir, your information network is indeed excellent; I myself only just learned of this matter."

He paused, then asked疑惑地问道, "But how did you anticipate that, sir?"

"hehe."

Mei Changsu took a sip of tea and said calmly, "His Majesty has ordered a joint trial by the three judicial departments and specifically instructed that no severe torture should be used. This clearly shows that he has no intention of killing."

"Moreover, although His Majesty is advanced in years, he is by no means a senile person."

"Such an upright and outspoken minister cannot be forcibly persecuted if the mastermind behind him cannot be found, and the Censorate will not allow His Majesty to do so."

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing suddenly realized what was going on.

"I see. No wonder you stopped me at the street corner that day and tried to persuade me not to go to the palace to plead for mercy."

"Exactly."

Mei Changsu nodded slightly and poured Prince Jing another cup of hot tea.

"If Your Highness goes rashly, not only will you fail to save Lord Cai, but His Majesty will also suspect that you are in cahoots."

He looked up and stared directly at Prince Jing, saying heavily, "At that time, not only will we not be able to save Cai Quan, but Your Highness will also be implicated."

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Prince Jing's eyes.

He was not a dull person, and naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Mei Changsu's words.

That day, his impulsive decision to enter the palace to plead for mercy was indeed a moment of panic and a loss of composure.

At this moment, he picked up the celadon teacup, gently stroking the rim with his fingertips, and suddenly looked up to stare directly at Mei Changsu.