Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1033 Changchun Palace

The strengthening of the imperial power also meant that the power of the civil service group was further weakened, which was unbearable for the civil service group. However, because Zhu Shenzhui did not rush for success when making these changes, and because he controlled the military power, he used flexible political means to win over one faction and fight against another, and the effect was very significant in practice.

But no matter what, it is a fact that the power of the civil service group has been weakened. In this case, the civil service group whose interests have been damaged will inevitably fight back. And through the Liaodong and Korean affairs this time, they have stirred up a storm by accusing Zhu Shenzhu of negotiating with the enemy and treason, and used this opportunity to attack some important officials in the court, especially the cabinet and the Ministry of War, who are in control of the government. If they can take this opportunity to bring these people down and force the emperor to make concessions, then they can make a comeback and use this opportunity to boost their momentum and seize the right to speak in the court.

This was the prince's initial view, but after careful consideration, he felt that this view had some problems. On the surface, it was correct, but in fact it was too superficial. If that was the case, there was no need to assassinate Gu Guoen, because although Gu Guoen's death could intensify the conflict and throw dirty water on the emperor and these important officials, it would actually be detrimental to the subsequent struggle in the court.

After all, politics is not that simple. More importantly, Zhu Shenzhui is not the Taiping Emperor. He is the emperor who immediately won the world through the Jingnan Campaign! He holds military power. If he is completely angered, Zhu Shenzhui will kill people. Are these civil servants not afraid that Zhu Shenzhui will be ruthless?
"You've said so much but you haven't gotten to the point. In your opinion, who are the people in this so-called new party? What is their real purpose?" Zhu Shenzhui asked indifferently.

The prince smiled bitterly and said, "I am ashamed. I can only judge this, but I can't guess who these people are. As for their purpose, I think in addition to fighting for power and weakening the imperial power, there may be other intentions, but what this intention is, I can't think of it for the time being."

"Oh, by the way, Dad, I think the person who tied the bell should be the one to untie it. Since this matter started with Gu Guoen, we have to start investigating from him. Gu Guoen was a top-ranked Jinshi and became a secretary. So who arranged for him to stay in Beijing and how did he become a secretary? These should not be difficult to investigate. As long as we spend some time, we can find solid evidence. Then we can interrogate him and follow the clues to find the real culprit..."

"Too long!" Before the prince could finish his words, Zhu Shenzhui shook his head and said, "It's not impossible to find out if we want to, but it won't be found in just one or two days. And since they did it this way, could it be that the person who came forward to do it is the real planner? Follow the clues to find the melon? By the time you find the melon, it will have been picked by someone else. What's the point?"

"This..." The prince was stunned, thought about it and nodded silently.

Zhu Shenzhui was right. Since the other party had such a deep plan, it would be difficult to find out even if you could find out in this way. Even if you could find out, it would not be possible to find out the truth in a short time. Now that the Gu Guoen incident had caused such a big stir, there was still a large group of people at the Meridian Gate, and there was no way they could wait that long.

Just as the prince was about to ask Zhu Shencui what other options he had if he didn't investigate in this way, hurried footsteps were heard outside.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has just delivered news!" Lu Jiude reported at the door.

"Bring it in!" Zhu Shenzhui ordered. Lu Jiude hurried in and handed over a letter. The letter paper was ordinary, but it was stamped with the seal of the Jinyiwei and wax.

Zhu Shenzhui took a look and opened the letter directly. After he saw clearly what was written inside, he couldn't help but sneer.

"Haha, you're really quick to act!"

"Dad, what's wrong?" the prince asked in confusion.

Zhu Shenzhui handed the note to the prince. After taking it and looking at it carefully, the prince saw only two short lines of words written on it. The meaning of the words was very simple, saying that the Jinyiwei and the police department had found the murderer of Gu Guoen, but the murderer was already dead and committed suicide.

In addition, the murderer left a last note before he committed suicide, saying that Gu Guoen, as a minister, deceived the world for fame, framed important officials in the court, and turned black into white. As a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, he could not tolerate the face of such a villain, and he did this out of indignation.

His behavior was just a personal one and had nothing to do with other people. He exchanged one life for another and died a worthy death!

"Asshole!" The prince was immediately furious, his face flushed as he cursed: "This is clearly intentional, his intentions are extremely sinister!"

"Haha, it's really one thing after another! What a good move!" Zhu Shenzhui sneered. If the prince could see it clearly, how could he not see it? This is what he meant by trying to cover up and revealing it. With such a reason in public, it is easier for people to think deeply about it. Although he didn't say that someone instructed him to do it, or even explain his origins, people couldn't help but associate these things with the impeached ministers, and even with the emperor, that is, Zhu Shenzhui.

"Does the Jinyiwei have anything else to say?" Zhu Shenzhui asked Lu Jiude.

Lu Jiude said, "Lord Zhou sent someone to tell you that he is still leading people to investigate. Don't worry, Your Majesty, he will definitely get to the bottom of it for Your Majesty." Zhu Shenzhu nodded slightly, and said nothing. He waved his hand and let Lu Jiude go. After Lu Jiude left, the prince couldn't help asking, "Dad, this is an act of trying to cover up and expose, with sinister intentions. As for my uncle, you..."

"Don't worry, the gun has just been fired, and the bullet will still fly for a while. Your uncle is with the Jinyiwei, and he knows what to do. Just wait."

Listening to Zhu Shenzhu's words, the prince was confused but calmed down a lot. He continued to wait with Zhu Shenzhu in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Half a day later, news came that the situation at the Meridian Gate had not calmed down, but had intensified. Zhang Ruitu and others could not persuade the excited officials and students. Moreover, as the news of the assassin's death came out, various "evidence" had vaguely pointed to the important officials who were impeached by Gu Guoen today. Some people even believed that the real attacker was either someone else or the Jinyiwei, and the assassin's death was arranged by the Jinyiwei to deceive the world. There was only one truth: Gu Guoen died at the hands of the emperor and the court officials, and it was the Jinyiwei who did it.

When the news spread, the whole capital was full of rumors, saying all kinds of things, and the officials and students at the Meridian Gate were even more excited, and some even began to commit suicide in public. Zhang Ruitu and others hurriedly tried to stop them, but for some reason, the scene suddenly became chaotic, and some people began to shout that since the emperor was avoiding them, they should force their way into the palace to see them, and no one could stop them.

At one point, some people were excited and wanted to rush to the Meridian Gate, intending to enter the palace. Fortunately, the palace had been prepared, and the fully armed palace guards closed the palace gates and blocked their way in. Seeing this, some people became even more angry, saying that there had never been such a thing in the Ming Dynasty. If it continued like this, the court would be controlled by treacherous officials and villains. The emperor's failure to come out to meet them showed that he was guilty. They shouted that the country had nurtured scholars for 250 years, and now was the time to die for justice!
As the crowd became indignant, the people in the Meridian Gate instantly split into two parts. One part continued to stay in the Meridian Gate to "knock on the door and see the emperor", while the other part left the Meridian Gate in a mighty manner and went to the residences of the Chief Minister Wen Tihen, the Second Chief Minister Zhang Zhifa and even those important officials who were impeached today, to "ask" for an explanation.

Seeing that something was not right, Zhang Ruitu and his men were at a loss as to what to do. They quickly sent people into the palace to report to the emperor, and also brought people to stop it.

Soon, Zhu Shenzhui got the news in the palace. After hearing the result, two sharp rays of light flashed in Zhu Shenzhui's eyes. He stood up calmly, waved his sleeves, and smiled at the extremely anxious prince: "Let's go out for a walk with Dad."

"Yes!" the prince responded quickly and followed Zhu Shenzhu out of the Qianqing Palace.

At first, the prince thought Zhu Shencui was going to the Meridian Gate, but he didn't expect that after Zhu Shencui left the Qianqing Palace, he didn't go to the Meridian Gate, but went around to the back. At first, the prince thought Zhu Shencui was going to leave the palace from another gate and then go to the Meridian Gate, but after walking for a while, he found something wrong, because Zhu Shencui didn't go to the palace gate, but to the harem, which puzzled the prince.

A moment later, when Zhu Shenzhui came to a place in the harem and saw Xu Xiancheng who was coming, the prince couldn't help but ask why he was here?
Zhu Shenzui did not speak either, but looked at Xu Xiancheng. Xu Xiancheng first saluted the emperor and then gave him a firm look.

"Your Majesty, let me accompany you in." Seeing Zhu Shenzhu was about to move forward, Xu Xiancheng spoke.

"No, you just wait outside. The prince and I are here."

"But Your Majesty..."

"He is an extraordinary person after all, so we should give him some respect. What? Do you think I am afraid of him?"

"Yes!"

Xu Xiancheng retreated and continued to guard the periphery with his men, watching Zhu Shencui and the prince enter Changchun Palace.

That's right, this is the Changchun Palace, which is one of the six western palaces and is located to the west of the harem. It was originally the residence of concubines and had previously been the residence of the dowager concubine. But since Zhu Shenzhu ascended the throne, Changchun Palace has had another function, and that is to imprison the nominal emperor, the former Chongzhen Emperor Zhu Youjian.

Changchun Palace covers a large area, with complete facilities and a small garden. After Emperor Chongzhen "abdicated", he lived in this palace with his family for several years.

Currently, the Changchun Palace is home to the Chongzhen Emperor's family, as well as several eunuchs and palace maids. Even the former chief eunuch Wang Chengen is accompanying the deposed emperor in the Changchun Palace.

After being the Prince of Xin first and then suddenly ascending the throne to become the emperor due to the death of Emperor Tianqi, and then being the emperor for more than ten years, he brought chaos to the country and almost destroyed the Ming Dynasty. Because Zhu Shenzhui led an army to suppress the rebellion and entered the capital, he took control of the government. Eventually, power fell into the hands of others and he lost the throne. He moved from the Qianqing Palace to the Changchun Palace and abdicated. The life opportunities of this former emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen, are probably incomparable to anyone else.

(End of this chapter)