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

Chapter 451 Placement
Zhu Shenzui told Xu Jingqiu about the civil uprising that broke out in Shaanxi, in which the rioters rose up and occupied Fugu, and gathered tens of thousands of people to cross the Yellow River to attack Hequ.

As Zhu Shencui spoke, Xu Jingqiu's eyes widened in shock. She covered her mouth and nose with one hand and held Zhu Shencui's left hand tightly with the other.

"Hequ was not taken down by the rioters, right?"

"No, the county magistrate led the soldiers and civilians in the city to defend the bend of the river. Hundreds of the rioters were killed or injured. Seeing that they could not take the county town, they retreated back to the west bank of the Yellow River and headed towards the Shaanxi border."

"Thank God, ancestors bless me. I'm fine..." Xu Jingqiu breathed a sigh of relief, and the panic on his face faded a lot.

"Although we have defended Hequ this time, we have not been able to pacify the rioters. According to the news we just received, the rioters have gone to the direction of Shenmu, and the number of people has more than doubled from the initial tens of thousands. I am afraid that there will be a big riot in Shaanxi next. Shaanxi is not far from our Shanxi. Maybe one day these rioters will fight their way to Shanxi. Once the rioters enter Shanxi, Pingyang Prefecture is located in the southern part of Shanxi, and I am afraid that it will bear the brunt of the situation."

"I just asked you if you would like to stay in Pingshun for a while, mainly because of this. Compared with Pingyang Prefecture, Pingshun is closer to Northern Zhili, and Pingshun is close to Luzhou Guard. Uncle is the commander of Luzhou Guard. If you and the children go there, uncle will take care of you and your safety will be guaranteed. Even if the rioters enter Shanxi and spread all over the country, there won't be too many problems with uncle's protection."

"If you continue to stay in Pingyang, it won't be a big problem if I'm here. But you also know that there are still things to deal with in the north. I will continue to go north in the spring of next year. I can't be sure when I will return from the grassland this time. What if the news is not smooth and something unexpected happens? It is too dangerous for you to stay in Pingyang. How can I feel at ease?"

"Are we really leaving? Will the imperial court not put down the rebellion? There were local rebellions a few years ago, but they were put down quickly, weren't they? And according to what my husband said, since the rioters have retreated to Shaanxi, they will not invade Shanxi again for the time being. I think Pingyang should be safe, right?" Xu Jingqiu thought for a moment and asked.

Zhu Shenzhui shook his head slightly and said to her, "This civil uprising is different from the past. In addition, there have been severe disasters in various places in recent years. It is not only in Shaanxi, but also in Henan and other Central Plains areas. We in Shanxi have also suffered frequent natural disasters in the past two years. The weather this year is so cold, but the snow is not as heavy as in previous years. I am afraid it will be another drought year when spring comes."

"To put it bluntly, the reason why the rioters are rioting is that they can't survive. What do you want them to do without food? If they can't even save their lives, shouldn't they fight back? In addition, you have also heard that the court is going to levy Liao tribute, right? This Liao tribute may force many people into desperation. In my opinion, not only will the court be unable to quell the rioters, but there will even be more and more rioters in various places."

Xu Jingqiu was not an ordinary woman. She was well-educated. When she heard Zhu Shenzhui say this, she was stunned. A trace of fear and terror appeared in her eyes. Her body trembled slightly. She asked with great concern: "Husband, when you say this... are you... are you trying to say that troubled times are coming?"

With a long sigh, Zhu Shenzhui nodded silently. He said, "Although I don't want to admit it, this is the fact. You have also read history, and you should know what it will look like when a great chaos is about to break out. Now my Great Ming is facing internal and external troubles, and the court is united against dissidents. Our Emperor Chongzhen is praised as a wise ruler, but in my opinion, he is not a wise ruler at all. If he had been a carefree emperor and entrusted the government to the cabinet, I am afraid that the Great Ming would have been better. But this is a person who has ideas but no ability and responsibility. It is not a blessing for the country to have such a king in the court!"

Zhu Shenzhui's evaluation of Emperor Chongzhen surprised Xu Jingqiu. After all, soon after he ascended the throne, Emperor Chongzhen dealt with Wei Zhongxian and the eunuch party in a straightforward manner. Moreover, unlike the previous Emperor Tianqi, he read memorials until late at night every day, was very diligent and frugal, and was extremely strict with himself, with the demeanor of a ruler who would restore the country. Why did Zhu Shenzhui have such a low opinion of Emperor Chongzhen and even said that he was not a wise ruler at all?

Seeing Xu Jingqiu was puzzled, Zhu Shenzhui immediately told her some things. Although they were husband and wife, to be honest, he and Xu Jingqiu had never discussed these things before. After all, it was no small matter for a minister to speak ill of the emperor, especially since the Zhu family was a royal family. Once it got out, it would be a big trouble.

But things are different now. With the civil unrest in Shaanxi, the Ming Dynasty is in chaos. No matter what Zhu Shenzhui has to do, he must first ensure the safety of his family.

As for Xu Jingqiu, it was time for her to know some things. As Zhu Shenzhu ascended the throne from Emperor Tianqi, he told Xu Jingqiu all the causes and consequences of why he reused Wei Zhongxian, why Wei Zhongxian organized the eunuch party to fight against the Donglin party, and why he directly suppressed the gentry and civil service groups in Jiangnan.

These included the Donglin Party's control over the government, the factional fighting and struggles in the court, the national tax structure and various problems with actual tax collection, the needs of the war in Liaodong, and the struggle for power between the imperial power and the civil service group.

These were things Xu Jingqiu had never thought about, let alone known. As Zhu Shenzhuo spoke, Xu Jingqiu's eyes gradually became brighter and brighter. She had never thought that her husband would see things so clearly, nor had she expected that the situation in the court and the capital would be so complicated. She could not imagine that Wei Zhongxian, who was scolded as a eunuch party these days, was not actually that bad, and that the former Emperor Tianqi, who was discredited by literati, was not just a foolish emperor who was keen on carpentry work.

If all these are true, then Emperor Tianqi can really be called an excellent ruler. Xu Jingqiu couldn't help but compare the changes in the past few years with those in the past two years. It doesn't matter if you compare them. Only after comparing them can you realize that during the reign of Emperor Tianqi and Wei Zhongxian, the lives of ordinary people in various places were much better than they are now. Although there were small rebellions in some places, they were not a big deal.

And now, in just over a year, chaos has arisen in various places and the living pressure of ordinary people is increasing. Aren’t these exactly what Zhu Shenzhui said?
"If that's the case, then why do so many people call the current emperor a wise ruler?" "Haha, a so-called wise ruler is not one who is praised by a few people. Xunzi said: Water can overturn a boat, but it can also carry it. Emperor Taizong of Tang also said: A man can use copper as a mirror to adjust his clothes and hat; use history as a mirror to understand the rise and fall; use people as a mirror to understand gains and losses. If the people of the world live well, then the king is a wise ruler. If the people of the world cannot survive, then the so-called wise ruler is just a joke."

"Don't you see who is in the court right now? Who was it that the late emperor teamed up with Wei Zhongxian to suppress? With a simple phrase like 'wise ruler' and some flattering words, you can make the emperor work for you. Who would miss such a good opportunity?"

"The current emperor is young and does not know how to be a good emperor. He lacks political power and tactics. He is also stubborn and indecisive. It would be better to have no emperor than to have one. As the saying goes, if you do nothing, you will do no wrong. If you do more, you will make more mistakes. Just wait and see. In a few years, the world will be in chaos!"

"What should we do?" Xu Jingqiu asked nervously.

Patting her hand gently, Zhu Shenzhui comforted her, "It's okay. Even if the world is in chaos, I, your husband, am capable of protecting myself. At worst, I can take you north to the grasslands. Once you get there, no matter how chaotic the Central Plains is, it won't be as chaotic as the grasslands."

As soon as these words came out, Xu Jingqiu felt relieved instantly. She suddenly realized that it was indeed the case. She knew about what Zhu Shenzhui had done on the grassland, but she just didn't think of this step in her panic.

With a little peace of mind, Xu Jingqiu's mind became much clearer. Although the grassland was a way out, Xu Jingqiu thought it was better not to go there. After all, the grassland was Tana's territory, and there were two sons born to Tana and Zhu Shenzhu there.

Now the eldest son Tenger has become the leader of the Tumed and the Jurghan of the north. Moreover, some time ago, Mongolia sent people to the capital to ask for a title. The court has agreed that Tenger will succeed Bu Shitu as the King of Shunyi, thus further enhancing his influence and status.

Although she and Tana were both Zhu Shenzhui's wives and they had never met, Xu Jingqiu had always been secretly competing with Tana in her heart. She really didn't want to live under someone else's roof unless it was absolutely necessary. She was obviously the legal wife, so why did she take her family and children to the grassland? She couldn't get over this hurdle in her heart.

"What if... we don't go to the grassland?" Xu Jingqiu couldn't help but ask.

After looking at her, Zhu Shenzhui seemed to see something in Xu Jingqiu's eyes and smiled immediately.

"If you don't want to go, then don't go. I can protect you even in the Ming Dynasty. What's more, the Ming Dynasty belongs to my Zhu family. Zhu Youjian, this young boy, doesn't know how to be a king, let alone how to employ people."

"If he had been smarter, he should not have attacked Wei Zhongxian in the first place. Wouldn't it be disadvantageous to keep Wei Zhongxian as a weapon? Why should he abandon his martial arts? Even if he had taken down Wei Zhongxian, he could have replaced him with someone else. But he believed the words of those boastful scholars, cut off his own arm, and entrusted the affairs of state to these villains. What he is doing now is pushing the Ming Dynasty into the abyss."

"Thinking back to the time when Taizu expelled the Tartars, restored China, and founded the Ming Dynasty, it was so difficult. It has been nearly 250 years since the Ming Dynasty was established. The founding of the country was unprecedentedly difficult. How could Zhu Youjian destroy the foundation of our ancestors in the Ming Dynasty?"

"Husband...you...you...?" Zhu Shenzhui had never said these words in front of Xu Jingqiu before, but today she suddenly said them out loud. Moreover, her words showed her unusual dissatisfaction with Emperor Chongzhen, and she even had an attitude of intending to replace him. This greatly surprised Xu Jingqiu, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Don't worry, you've heard this before. I'm not someone who doesn't understand the importance of things. I understand the dangers involved. I won't act rashly unless it's absolutely necessary. You're my legal wife, and we're one. I don't want to hide it from you. If that day really comes, are you willing to take a gamble with me? Not only for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the foundation of my Zhu family, but also for the people of the world!"

Xu Jingqiu stared at her husband blankly, as if she had just met Zhu Shenzhui for the first time. She saw unprecedented boldness and courage, as well as great determination in Zhu Shenzhui's expression. Gradually, the fear in her heart slowly faded away, replaced by great trust and pride. She said nothing, but just held her husband's hand tightly and nodded heavily.

(End of this chapter)