Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 7 Differentiation
In the front hall of the Prince of Gui's mansion, Zhu Lang walked into the hall and saw three ministers wearing red official uniforms and Liang crowns sitting on chairs on the right side of the hall.
Lu Daqi is the highest seated on the upper right, followed by Ding Kuichu, and finally Qu Shisi.

Zhu Lang took a quick step forward and bowed to the three of them.

"Little King Zhu Youlang greets the three elders."

"dare not"

When the three saw Zhu Youlang's great respect, they quickly stood up and left.
Originally Zhu Youlang bowed his hands, and did not even salute, so the three could not say anything.

Although the three of them were important officials in the court, in terms of status, Zhu Lang was the prince of the country, ranked as a super-class, and was of royal blood. Instead, they should pay their respects to Zhu Youlang.

But at this moment, Zhu Lang suddenly performed such a solemn ceremony that the three of them could not accept it lightly and had to leave the table.

After all, this was the future emperor they had chosen. How could a minister accept such a great gift from the emperor?

"Why not? The world is in turmoil right now. The Ming Dynasty relies on the hard work of the three adults. We are able to bear any great gift."

After the greetings, Zhu Lang did not take the first seat, but sat on the left side of the hall, facing the three ministers.

Only then did Lu Daqi have time to look at the King of Gui, whom he had always heard of but never met. Just by looking at him, Lu Daqi couldn't help but secretly praise him for his good looks.
The young man in front of him was tall, wearing an ochre-yellow python robe, a jade belt around his waist, sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes. He could really be described as a dashing and suave man.
The descendants of the Zhu family have been rich for generations, and their genes have been improved from generation to generation, so their appearance is basically not bad.

According to the unofficial history of the past, when Zhu Youlang was detained in Anlong, Sun Kewang wanted to establish himself as emperor, so he sent Liu Wenxiu to Anlong to escort Emperor Yongli to Yunnan. As soon as Liu Wenxiu saw Yongli, he felt that Zhu Youlang had a dragon-like face and a sun-like appearance, and was truly a true dragon emperor.
Liu Wenxiu was convinced by Emperor Yongli and dared not follow Sun Kewang in rebellion. Later, he resolutely rebelled and attacked Sun Kewang from both inside and outside the country with Li Ding, defeated Sun Kewang and re-established the Ming Dynasty.
This is of course just a fantasy of unofficial history. If he was really handsome, everyone would rush to push Zhu Youlang to be the emperor, and he wouldn't have to spend all his time thinking about how to make money and seize power.

But on the other hand, it is enough to show that Zhu Youlang's appearance is really not bad, and he is worthy of the phrase "dignified appearance".

"You all have come to my house today, which really makes my humble abode glorious. I wonder what important matters you all have to discuss?" Zhu Youlang pretended not to know and asked.

"This old minister received a memorial today, which mentioned the affairs of Guangxi Province. I wonder if it was sent by the royal palace," Lu Daqi asked after clearing his throat.

"It was sent by my prince. Yesterday, the ministers of the previous dynasty submitted a petition, ordering my prince to take the throne as regent. My heart is terrified. I am a prince from a distant vassal state, with little virtue and talent. How can I be supported by all the lords and succeed to the throne?"

"Last night, I tossed and turned, fearing that I would fail my ancestors, so I went to find someone overnight to learn about the situation in Guangdong and Guangxi, and then hurriedly wrote a memorial. I am not well-informed, but is there anything wrong with this memorial?" Zhu Lang's face was sincere.
Lu Daqi and the others looked at each other, and then Lu Daqi continued to speak

"That's right, this memorial was indeed written by the prince."

"It was indeed written by Xiao Wang, and then he asked someone to copy it and send it to the three adults," Zhu Lang said softly.

Seeing that Zhu Lang admitted that the memorial was indeed written by him, Lu Daqi kept silent.
He had already done what he needed to do, and the rest depended on the two of them fighting. He would definitely not be the first one to charge into battle.
"What's wrong with my memorial? If so, please give me some advice."

Zhu Lang looked at the ministers opposite him with clear eyes.

Ding Kuichu said nothing, picked up the teacup and took a sip, but his eyes were looking at Qu Shisi who was standing beside him.

Qu Shixi was silent for a moment, and finally spoke softly.

"Your Highness Prince Gui is talented, wise, and far-sighted. He will surely be the wise ruler of the Ming Dynasty. He should be the Han Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty. You must never underestimate yourself."

"Your Highness has a keen insight into the affairs of Guangdong and Guangxi, and a deep understanding of the relationship between the two regions. This is indeed a difficult statement. However, Your Highness's wish to build a new imperial army seems unnecessary. Guangdong Province now has tens of thousands of elite soldiers, all of whom are brave and good at fighting. They are loyal to the court and are enough to protect the imperial court. There is no need to build a new army." After Qu Shisi finished speaking, the three people in the hall looked at Zhu Lang opposite them, wanting to see how the young prince would react after his proposal was rejected.
He was furious and walked away, or he admitted his fault and took back his order.
Zhu Lang's response at this time will also determine how the three people get along with Zhu Lang in the future.

The young prince was neither angry nor disappointed that his suggestion was rejected. He was stunned at first, and then remained silent.
The young prince took a sip of the teacup, and then his eyes swept over Lü Daqi, Ding Kuichu, and Qu Shisi in turn.

The three of them could clearly feel that the young prince was examining them, or to be more precise, Zhu Lang deliberately made them feel that he was examining them.
As Zhu Lang looked at them, the friendly atmosphere between the two sides disappeared, and the two sides quickly became cold and solemn, and they were in a subtle confrontation.
But the three people in the field are either provincial governors or cabinet ministers, all of whom have struggled and fought in the officialdom.

These people have seen all kinds of big scenes, so even if they felt Zhu Lang's dissatisfaction, their faces were calm, as if a breeze was blowing on their faces, and they were not affected at all.

The teacup hit the base, making a dinging sound, breaking the silence.

"What the three gentlemen mean is that the army of Guangdong Province is enough for the Ming Dynasty, and the court does not need any other personal troops, right?"

Zhu Lang spoke calmly, with a strange look on his face, and kept looking at the three people.
When the three heard Zhu Lang's words, their eyelids suddenly jumped. They thought Zhu Lang would throw a tantrum and leave in anger, but they didn't expect Zhu Lang to ask such a question.
How should they answer this? If anyone dares to agree, he will become Cao Cao of the Ming Dynasty in the eyes of the world the next day, and Wang Mang the day after tomorrow. Even if he commits suicide to prove his innocence, others will think he is committing suicide out of fear of punishment.
"I dare not"

The three of them looked at each other, and quickly stood up and bowed to apologize.
The young prince on the opposite side seemed relieved when he saw the three people standing up to apologize. He stood up and avoided the three people's greetings, and spoke softly

"I am a young prince of the royal family. How can I accept the courtesy of three adults? I just spoke without thinking. If there is anything wrong, please forgive me."

The young prince's voice was still respectful, but his tone was a little colder.
The three ministers stood up and the two sides sat down again, but this time the cordial atmosphere between the two sides was gone.
"Your Highness, the world is in turmoil, the sacred artifacts have been lost, and Your Highness is the direct descendant of the royal family. In this critical moment of life and death, only Your Highness can rally the people of the country and lead the ministers. We have no intention of manipulating power and controlling the court."

"We only wish to devote ourselves to your service and follow your Highness's lead to restore our ancestors' legacy. Only in this way, a hundred years later, will we have the face to meet our ancestors of the Ming Dynasty."

Qu Shisi said in a low voice
"All the ministers are loyal to the country. The country is in turmoil. Only when everyone is united can we protect the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. I was rude just now. Please forgive me."

The young prince seemed to be touched by Qu Shisi's words. He stood up and bowed deeply to the three ministers.

The three of them stood up and followed suit. The scene was like a reunion between the ruler and his subjects.

Ding Kuichu glanced at Qu Shisi, who was beside him with a moved expression, but a gloomy flashed in his eyes. What about loyalty to the country? After all, isn't it still necessary to build a royal army and transfer Jiao Lian to Guangdong?

Although the scene before him seemed extremely natural, he suspected that all of this was arranged by Qu Shisi long ago.

This old thief must have figured out that he would definitely let him come forward first, and then he would ask questions and the King of Gui would answer, which would force them into a corner, and thus Jiao Lian's transfer of troops to Guangdong would be decided.
This old thief Qu is really very scheming!
But he still had some doubts in his heart. He was very confident in his judgment and believed that all this must be Qu Shisi's plan.
But even if all this was arranged by Qu Shisi, could Prince Gui really cooperate so well?
It was not that he had not seen the Prince of Gui before, and that the Prince of Gui's family had fled to Zhaoqing, or that he had secretly received the order of Emperor Longwu and was secretly monitoring the Prince of Gui's family.

Emperor Longwu was not a direct descendant, and was afraid that another Prince Jingjiang would appear in the Prince Gui's Palace.
But in his memory, the young Gui Wang was a typical dandy, who loved delicious food, fine wine, antiques, and everything in between.
But today, the King of Gui behaved too naturally. He was startled at first, and then he put pressure on the three of them by scrutinizing them. Although his skills were a little immature, he was completely different from the King of Gui in his memory.
Looking at the young prince in front of him, Ding Kuichu couldn't help but think of Emperor Chongzhen in his mind. They were both young, both princes who succeeded to the throne, and both skilled in political tactics. Ignoring their appearance, the two were exactly alike.

If Zhu Lang really heard Ding Kuichu's thoughts, he would probably break down and yell at Ding Kuichu, "You are the one who looks like Chongzhen, and your whole family looks like Chongzhen."
Ding Kuichu collected his thoughts. Now was not the time to think about these things. No matter if this was a trap designed by Qu Shisi or it was really the King of Gui acting on his own initiative, he would never let Jiao Lian lead his troops into Guangdong.
Guangdong Province is Ding's territory, and he does not allow anyone to interfere, not even the regent or the emperor.
He supported the King of Gui because he had pure blood and appeal, and because Guangdong Province was his territory.
With the imperial court center established in Guangdong Province, he could control the King of Gui, and then, in the name of the King of Gui, remotely control the southwestern provinces, becoming the de facto first prime minister of the Ming Dynasty.
Jiao Lian's march into Beijing with his troops is likely to break his absolute control over the court. This must be stopped.
Fortunately, he made some preparations before coming, otherwise he would be caught off guard by this old man Qu Shisi.

Ding Kuichu stood up and sat back in his seat, looking up at Lu Daqi who had been calm and composed. Lu Daqi nodded slightly.

Ding Kuichu retracted his gaze and glanced at Qu Shisi beside him. A trace of indifference flashed in his eyes. It was too early to say who would win or lose.
Thanks to Lengfengliangyue, Mr. Schrodinger, and Fengliu Knight for their recommendations. Thank you everyone

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(End of this chapter)