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

Chapter 919 Meeting
The imperial examinations in the Ming Dynasty were usually held in spring, but this year's examinations were different from previous years. They were not held in spring but in autumn.

There are two main reasons. One is that this imperial examination is an entitlement examination, which is usually an extra imperial examination added after the new emperor ascends the throne. It is not within the normal imperial examination time period, so the time is naturally slightly different from that of an ordinary imperial examination.

As for the second reason, it was because of the previous case of the Donglin Party in Jiangnan. This case involved a wide range of people, and it swept across almost one-third of the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, this case caused the powerful Donglin Party to collapse overnight. Although Zhu Shenzui finally preserved part of the Donglin Party and did not let the Donglin Party die out, the losses suffered by the Donglin Party were also extremely heavy.

Because of this reason, the imperial examination was postponed, and the examination was delayed until autumn.

It is just after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it is still a bit hot in the south, but the north has already felt the cool and crisp autumn weather. We took a horse-drawn carriage all the way north, and then took a boat along the canal. We arrived in Tongzhou in a few days.

After getting off the boat in Tongzhou and changing to a horse carriage to continue heading north, they arrived at the capital in a short while. At this time, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but stick his head out and look outside. Although he was once a prince of the Ming Dynasty, this was his first time in the capital. As for Zeng, it goes without saying that it was the same for her.

When the majestic capital finally appeared in front of them, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion in his heart. This is the capital of the Ming Dynasty! It is much more magnificent than his own Nanyang, and even the Zhongdu where he has been imprisoned cannot compare.

Moreover, the capital city is extremely bustling, with people rushing about on the official roads, and countless pedestrians and merchants coming and going. Although the Ming Dynasty suffered hardships and wars in previous years, it has obviously recovered from the current situation, and there is no trace of the war that once swept through this place.

Zhu Youjian's carriage looked ordinary, but the problem was that there were Jinyiwei escorting him. People who knew about it would naturally know that the person in the carriage was not an ordinary person.

The carriage continued forward and arrived at Chongwenmen in the afternoon, from which we entered the capital.

After entering the city gate, the Jinyiwei personnel who had been waiting came to pick them up. Soon, Zhu Youjian and his wife were picked up by the Jinyiwei Yamen in the capital, and then sent to a mansion in the capital. This mansion is not ordinary. It was the mansion when Emperor Chongzhen was the Prince of Xin. Later, after Chongzhen ascended the throne, this mansion became the property of the royal family outside the palace. After that, it was directly taken over by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It has been empty ever since, and only regular maintenance and cleaning are done on weekdays, but no one has lived there since then.

This time when Zhu Youjian came to the capital, he was specially arranged here. Although Zhu Youjian's title of King of Tang had been removed by Emperor Chongzhen, he was a top royal family member who had once been King of Tang. In addition, Zhu Shenzhu had a good impression of Zhu Youjian. This time he asked him to come to the capital not only to meet Zhu Youjian, but also to restore his title, so he specially arranged this mansion as Zhu Youjian's temporary residence in the capital.

After settling down, the leader of the Jinyiwei told Zhu Youjian that they had worked hard all the way, and that the two of them should take a rest and wait patiently in the palace for an audience. As for when the audience would be summoned, it would depend on the emperor's arrangement. Zhu Youjian said that he understood, thanked the other party, and moved in.

The mansion was fully equipped with facilities, including servants. There were also two eunuchs sent from the palace to serve. Such treatment was already very generous.

After washing off the dust along the way, Zhu Youjian and his wife sat in the house and talked. They were still a little uncomfortable with the sudden changes they had encountered. But no matter what, the expectations and happiness in their hearts were real. Moreover, now that they had arrived in the capital and lived in the former Prince Xin's Mansion, Zhu Youjian and his wife felt much more relieved.

Zhu Youjian and his wife also discussed privately what the emperor would talk about next. But they could not come to a conclusion after discussing it over and over again. Since it has come, they should just take it easy. There is no need to think too much. Anyway, they will know naturally when they meet the emperor in a few days.

Three days passed in a flash. On the afternoon of the third day, Zhu Youjian finally received news from the palace that the emperor wanted to see him the next day.

After seeing off the angel, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but take a deep breath. He was going to meet the emperor tomorrow, and he felt a little nervous but also a little excited.

The next day, Zhu Youjian got up early and made preparations. He dressed neatly and waited for the time to come. He followed the person who came to lead him into the palace out of the mansion and then went to the imperial palace.

After arriving at the palace, his identity was verified at the gate, and then Zhu Youjian was led into the palace by the palace guards and eunuchs.

Walking on the road inside the palace, Zhu Youjian's previously uneasy heart calmed down. He even had the interest to look at the scenery inside the palace. After walking for a while, he arrived at the Qianqing Palace. The eunuch Lu Jiude, the chief eunuch of the Qianqing Palace, was already waiting. When he saw Zhu Youjian coming, he stepped forward to state his identity and then asked Zhu Youjian to follow him.

"Thank you, Eunuch Lu..."

"Your Highness, you don't have to be polite. This is what we should do. When you see His Majesty later, remember to tell His Majesty what you have to say. His Majesty likes to hear the truth. Your Highness, remember this." Lu Jiude reminded him in a low voice. Zhu Youjian nodded repeatedly with gratitude and followed Lu Jiude in. When they arrived at the side hall, Lu Jiude asked Zhu Youjian to wait outside while he went in to report. After a while, a voice came from inside asking Zhu Youjian to come in.

Zhu Youjian straightened his robe, adjusted his crown, and strode into the side hall.

After entering the side hall and walking forward, he turned a corner and saw a man in casual clothes sitting on a chair. A little below him sat a young man. The clothes on the young man were similar to those of a prince, but slightly different. When Zhu Youjian saw this, his heart was moved. He stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty, I, the commoner Zhu Youjian, pay my respects to your majesty and the crown prince. Long live your majesty and the crown prince..."

"Please stand up." Zhu Shenzhui raised his hand and said, at the same time, he ordered Lu Jiude beside him to "Please take a seat."

Lu Jiude brought an embroidered stool and placed it below the emperor and the prince. Then he served tea and waited for Zhu Youjian to stand up before walking out of the side hall.

Zhu Youjian finished his ceremony and sat down, once again bowing to thank the emperor for the seat. Zhu Shenzhui waved his hand and smiled and said it was okay, we are all family, there is no need to be so polite, since you are here, don't be restrained, this is not the court, it is the inner court, just relax.

Zhu Youjian repeatedly said he dared not, saying that he was just a criminal and a commoner, and that the emperor's release of him was a great favor. He was extremely grateful in his heart, but as a criminal he was extremely fearful and did not dare to ask for too much.

"You are not a sinner. If you were a sinner, wouldn't I be a sinner too?" Zhu Shenzui couldn't help but joked when he saw him like this. Zhu Youjian was stunned when he heard it, but didn't know how to answer.

Zhu Shenzhui was right. Zhu Youjian was convicted because he intended to lead his troops north to defend the emperor during the Ji Yi Rebellion. Where was Zhu Shenzhui at that time? You should know that Zhu Shenzhui was in the capital at that time, personally leading his troops to fight against the Jian Nu.

At that time, Zhu Shenzhui led a part of the new army to participate in the battle to defend the capital in the name of Hei Yunlong's subordinates. He personally went to dangerous places to fight with the Jiannu, and even almost got himself trapped. After Man Gui's death, if Zhu Shenzhui had not turned the tide at the city gate, fought desperately to repel the attack of Manggurtai's Eight Banners elite troops, stabilized the situation and rescued Hei Yunlong and other generals from the brink of life and death, perhaps the Xuanda elite troops would have been wiped out in this battle, and the capital would have been in danger and could have been captured by Huang Taiji.

Except for a few people who knew about this matter, most people were not aware of this past event, even the current cabinet chief Wen Tiren did not know about it. As for outsiders, let alone, when Zhu Shenzhu said this, Zhu Youjian was confused.

Seeing his confusion, Zhu Shenzhui smiled and told him what happened. After listening to Zhu Shenzhui's story, Zhu Youjian was immediately full of admiration for Zhu Shenzhui. He could never have imagined that the emperor would actually do such a thing. Thinking about his own actions at that time, he felt even more ashamed.

"Your Majesty's actions are beyond my reach. I just wanted to serve the king and save the country from danger, but who would have thought that not only did I fail to make the trip, but I only fought a few battles with bandits along the way. Soon after returning to Nanyang, I heard that the Jiannu in the capital had retreated. After that, I was convicted and imprisoned..."

Zhu Youjian shook his head and sighed, feeling even more ashamed. You have to know that he was the dignified Tang King, the vassal king of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Shenzhui was just an ordinary member of the royal family, and their identities and status were completely different. But the problem was that Zhu Shenzhui did much better than himself. Not only did he personally go to the front line, but he also fought against the Eight Banners. How could he compare to him?

Therefore, the other party was able to suddenly launch an attack at the most appropriate time, raising the banner of clearing the emperor's side and calming the national crisis, and taking the capital in one fell swoop, becoming the regent of the Ming Dynasty, the prince regent, and even the current emperor. This was by no means a fluke. Although Zhu Youjian was conceited, he did not dare to compare himself with Zhu Shenzhui. Apart from other things, he was far behind in this alone.

"You don't have to do this. There are very few people like you in the Ming royal family. You are better than many people for doing it even though you know it is impossible. Moreover, when you were the King of Tang, you did this in public, even at the cost of your position, and you gave advice in this way. This alone is enough to make people admire you."

"I dare not. My recklessness that day was only due to my passion. How could Your Majesty praise me so much?" Zhu Youjian stood up and saluted, replying ashamedly.

Zhu Shenzhui smiled and asked back: "Then I ask you, if you go back to those days, will you continue to do such things?"

"Of course!" Zhu Youjian blurted out without thinking: "As a descendant of Taizu and a prince of the Ming royal family, I should shoulder the heavy responsibility for the safety of the Ming Dynasty. If the descendants of the Zhu family only care about themselves and ignore the world, how can the Ming Dynasty be saved? Didn't Your Majesty take the risk resolutely back then? I will naturally do the same without hesitation! However, if I were to do it, I would probably not be so reckless. At least I would plan more thoroughly and bring more people to the north to defend the king. At least I would personally chop off the head of the Jiannu, instead of just fighting the bandits and returning empty-handed like later..."

"Haha! Hahaha!" Zhu Shenzui could not help but burst out laughing. He raised his finger to point at Zhu Youjian and shook his head while laughing. Zhu Youjian was a little embarrassed at first, but soon he also grinned. The emperor and his minister laughed louder and louder, even the crown prince Zhu Minlan, who had been silent on the side, laughed along with them.

(End of this chapter)