Prince Chongzhen

Chapter 14 Acting
Wang Duo has always been good at guessing people's minds. When verifying Zhu Cilang's identity, he used this trick to prove that he was an imposter. Now he can see through everyone's thoughts even more clearly.

In his opinion, Qian Qianyi was blinded by fame and fortune, and was played around by a martial artist like a monkey.

However, Qian Qianyi hated him because he joined the cabinet, so he was happy to see him suffer a loss. But the appearance of Zhu Cilang forced him to speak up, which objectively achieved the effect of rescuing him.

"There are still many doubts about whether it is true or false. How can I make a conclusion based on your words?"

"This is the final decision of the court. How can a mere fourth-rank official like you question it?"

"I got my fourth rank through real talent and knowledge, not by slandering the descendants of the previous lord like you did!"

To be fair, Wang Duo entered the cabinet first and Zhu Cilang appeared later. These two things should have nothing to do with each other. But now it has transitioned from the theoretical stage to the personal attack stage. How could Xu Yu forgive him?

The two men exchanged sharp words and dug up each other's old grudges. Fortunately, several young nobles intervened, otherwise a fight would have broken out.

The cursing was intense here, but Zhao Zhilong was already shaking with anger.

How could any fish take the bait in such a situation?

"Snapped!"

Zhao Zhilong smashed the tea bowl to the ground, and the room suddenly became quiet.

"You all call yourselves learned men, but you act like street shrews in my house."

Hearing this scolding, Xu Yu still stiffened his neck, but Wang Duo just stood there shaking with anger.

Then, Zhao Zhilong ignored whether Wang Duo was shaking because of Xu Yu or because of his scolding, glanced at everyone and asked directly:

"Who's in favor of the fight?"

"Xu Yu advocates fighting!"

"Who is the Lord?"

I don't know if it was because I felt guilty or because I was hesitant, but after I asked this question, the room was silent and no one responded.

"You all don't want to bear the blame? Well, I will go back to the camp tonight to reorganize the troops and prepare for war!" After saying that, Zhao Zhilong sat back in the chair.

"No!"

"I am willing to surrender."

"Uncle, you can't win."

Seeing everyone speaking, Zhao Zhilong sneered and shouted, "Someone! Lock Xu Yu up."

Zhao Zhilong's performance made Xu Yu a little confused. Why did he hesitate before, but now he wanted to arrest him, the only one who advocated war?
Is it true, as Your Highness said, that Zhao Zhilong had always intended to surrender?
"Father!"

Before the Zhao family's servants came in, they heard someone howling at the top of his lungs.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and heard the fake prince continue to howl: "You should have taken me and my brothers and sisters away!"

"Why should I be left alone to watch them hand over the Ming Dynasty to others~~~~!"

"Shut up! Someone! Drag this lunatic out!"

"Father! Even the Earl of Xincheng, whom you trust the most, wants to send his son to the Tartars~~~~!"

"Someone! Come quickly!"

Zhao Zhilong called out several times but no one came. He cursed inwardly and planned to open the door to see if the old man was asleep.

But who would have thought that after only a few steps, the study door was broken down from the outside, and then a group of strong men with weapons rushed in.

Seeing this situation, Zhao Zhilong knew that these people were going to harm him.

He pulled a man over and pushed him towards the burly man, then used the force to leap to Zhu Cilang's side, and then reached out to strangle him by the neck.

He didn't know how these people sneaked into the mansion quietly, nor did he know their background.

But if the nobles wanted to harm him, then the people who came should be dressed as soldiers, so these people must be related to the fake prince.

As for the civil servants, do they have the courage to do so?
Zhao Zhilong's reaction was very fast. In the blink of an eye, he not only guessed about 70% of the situation, but also made the most correct choice. However, he was at a disadvantage from the beginning because of his unintentional calculations.

Zhu Cilang had thought it through before coming. It would take at least five or six minutes from the time he sent out the signal until Chen Si and others arrived.

You can't just keep throwing tantrums and rolling around to delay these five or six minutes; there will inevitably be some chasing during this time.

So when Zhao Zhilong caught him, he was already prepared to fight back.

"Well!"

Zhao Zhilong groaned as Zhu Cilang stood up from the ground and bumped into his stomach.

Then Zhao Zhilong fell backwards. He heard a voice behind him saying "Protect His Highness" and then he felt a dull pain on his head and lost consciousness.

"You guys. How dare you harm an official appointed by the imperial court?" Wang Duo, who was already shaking with anger, couldn't even speak clearly at this moment.

"You are all going to surrender to the Tartars, why are you still talking about the imperial court?"

Zhu Guobi threw the broken chair in his hand to the ground and rudely retorted to old Wang Duo.

Then he saw Zhu Cilang still bent over and gasping for breath, so he asked with concern: "Your Highness, are you hurt?"

Zhu Cilang waved his hand to indicate that he was fine. Then he looked around and saw that Chen Si and others had completely controlled the situation.

It's ridiculous to say that there were only four or five civil servants present, and the rest were from noble families. In theory, these people should be role models for Ming Dynasty generals, but when they saw the strong man attacking, no one dared to resist. Instead, the civil servants had some trouble.

"Your Highness, what should we do with these people?" Xu Yinjue's reaction was a little slower than Zhu Guobi's, but he still had the most basic eyesight.

"Today we are here to discuss matters, and we must not be convicted for our words," Zhu Cilang said, looking at Zhao Zhilong who was lying on the ground with his face up, "But Zhao Zhilong is so cruel that he actually wants to take the heads of the righteous people in the city and you guys to seek credit from the Tartars!"

"hiss."

Before he finished speaking, the smart guy had already gasped.

They are all nobles, and their starting point for considering whether to fight or surrender is the same. Now with Zhu Cilang's reminder, how can they not guess Zhao Zhilong's vicious intentions?
As for how Zhu Cilang knew all this.

Anyway, the person is already unconscious, so just throw the dirty water on him.

"Zhao Zhilong is so vicious. I still call him uncle."

"Why didn't you see that he was a beast in disguise?"

"Your Highness, please kill this beast!"

"Your Highness, please kill this beast!"

The people in the room were very excited, but Zhu Cilang said, "I have no official position, I will hand it over to the officials tomorrow to judge. As for you all."

Although His Highness said that one should not be punished for words, everyone was still nervous as it concerned their own lives.

"Please bear it here for one night."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Cilang ignored everyone's reaction, walked down from the main seat, and came to Chen Si and asked, "Fourth brother, how did you deal with the servants outside?"

"They are all tied up in the side room."

"Please bring someone older here."

Chen Si took the order and left, but Zhu Guobi came over again: "Your Highness, the matter here is over, let's go first."

"Where are you going?" Zhu Cilang looked confused.

"Of course, we're going to the camp in the north of the city."

Zhu Guobi was a little surprised. Did this silly boy think that arresting Zhao Zhilong would mean he would have control of the military power?
Zhao Zhilong has been in charge of the army for many years, and many of the senior generals are his confidants. How can he seize military power if he does not deal with these people?
not to mention..

"Don't worry, I have other plans."

(End of this chapter)