Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 170 The real and fake emperor stabbed each other, and the fake emperor bloodbathed the court

The summer is hot and the sunshine is shining brightly, making the ancient land of Dunhuang golden and hot.

It was the busiest season on the Silk Road, with caravans from various countries gathering in Dunhuang, loaded with colorful silk, crystal clear glass, fragrant spices, and all kinds of rare treasures.

They were dressed in different clothes, spoke mixed languages, and had come here after many hardships. Although the Western Regions are not peaceful now and the Silk Road is no longer as prosperous as before, there are still caravans.

In Dunhuang, the market is bustling with the sounds of hawkers, camel bells, and horse hooves. Teahouses, inns, and handicraft workshops line the streets, providing a resting place for travelers from afar.

Accompanied by Yuan Bin, the Zhengtong Emperor strolled along the street. While looking around, the Zhengtong Emperor sighed: "The Han and Tang dynasties both set up protectorates in the Western Regions. The Silk Road was so prosperous at that time, and all the countries in the Western Regions bowed down to him. But the Ming Dynasty never had the energy to manage the Western Regions."

Yuan Bin also nodded in agreement and sighed, "Your Majesty, there is nothing we can do about it. Although the Mongols have retreated to the northern desert, they are still powerful. The countries in the Western Regions today are still related to the Mongols. They are the khanates left behind when the Mongols marched west, such as Chagatai, Timur, and the Golden Horde in the north."

The Zhengtong Emperor nodded slowly. He had been studying hard recently and had read a lot of historical materials. He knew a lot about the history of the Western Regions. He looked up at the sky in the south and said, "Mr. Yuan, I have thought about it. Whether it is the Queen Mother or the Junshan Society, they are just external forces. Maybe they can't be relied on in the end. We have to rely on ourselves."

"Rely on yourself?" Yuan Bin was shocked.

In his opinion, apart from the useful identity of Emperor of the Ming Dynasty and the covenant left by Emperor Xuanzong, they had nothing. It could be said that they were living under someone else's roof. How could they rely on themselves?
"Human greed can be infinitely magnified, and that becomes ambition. All the heroes, including those in Guanxi, who doesn't have ambition?" A sneer appeared on the corner of the Zhengtong Emperor's mouth. "Since Kublai Khan entered the Central Plains, which of these heroes outside the pass doesn't have this ambition in their hearts? We can take advantage of it. Humph, I will give them a chance to command the princes in the summer."

He knew very well that the biggest bargaining chip in his hand was himself.

Yuan Bin was very worried: "Your Majesty, if there is a backlash, it will be the end. After all, we are people of the Ming Dynasty, and we don't want foreign races to really rule the Central Plains again."

The Zhengtong Emperor spread his hands and smiled: "Of course, it depends on how we do it."

There was a gleam in his eyes, and he seemed extremely confident.

……

The two were standing at an intersection when a caravan passed by. Suddenly, a dozen people from the caravan jumped up, grabbed the knives hidden in the packages on the camels' backs, and rushed towards the two.

"Your Majesty, be careful!" Yuan Bin was shocked and drew his sword to block the Zhengtong Emperor.

The two sides fought fiercely. Yuan Bin, who was skilled in martial arts, protected the Zhengtong Emperor. The Zhengtong Emperor picked up a knife that fell on the ground and said calmly, "Mr. Yuan, let go of your hands and feet. Don't worry about me. I have learned everything you have taught me over the years."

After saying that, he stepped forward with one foot and slashed down with his sword, forcing one assassin to retreat. The leading assassin was obviously anxious and shouted, "Kill them quickly. The patrol guards come over here, or we can't get out."

scold!
Yuan Bin knocked down one of them, and he was stabbed in the arm, blood gushing out. The Zhengtong Emperor held the knife against his back and asked anxiously: "Mr. Yuan, are you okay?"

"Murder, murder!" Yuan Bin suddenly shouted.

At this time, there were many pedestrians on the street, and they were quickly attracted. The dozen assassins attacked fiercely, and Yuan Bin was stabbed again, but he gritted his teeth and protected the orthodox emperor behind him, leaning against the corner of the wall.

At this time, the sound of hurried horse hooves came, it was the patrolling city guards. The dozen assassins decisively gave up, leaving behind a corpse, and hurriedly ran towards the city gate.

"Mr. Yuan!" Emperor Zhengtong looked at the wound on Yuan Bin's arm and shouted anxiously.

Soon, the patrol arrived. The general in charge naturally recognized them and hurriedly sent them back to the palace. Before leaving, Yuan Bin ordered: "Take the body back."

He wanted to find out where these assassins came from. After so long, Dunhuang City was still not safe. This taught him a lesson, so he should not go out too much in the future.

……

Beijing.

Zhu Qizhen had just come out of Ning Rongrong's guild hall, and he asked Ning Rongrong to find some books through the Western merchant caravan, saying that he could buy them at a high price. Of course, they were Greek books on various subjects, which he would bring back as teaching materials.

He was becoming more and more curious about Ning Rongrong. How could a girl control the overseas smuggling routes? Zhu Qizhen would never believe that she had this ability alone.

However, he did not get more information, and he did not even see Xiao Cai this time. Ning Rongrong was very shrewd, and Zhu Qizhen did not want to show it too obviously and make her suspicious.

Zhu Qizhen walked leisurely on the street. At this time, the sun was shining brightly and the street was very busy.

All kinds of vendors have set up their stalls and are competing to shout. I saw a vendor wearing coarse cloth and a bamboo hat on his head. He was holding a bamboo fan and gently waving it, singing loudly:
"Hey, gentlemen and ladies, listen to me! The freshly baked cakes are soft, sweet, warm and heart-warming. One bite will fill your cheeks with sweetness. I guarantee you will want to have them again after eating them! And the freshly picked peaches are pink and juicy, sweet and sour, quenching your thirst and satisfying your cravings. Come and try them! Don't miss the opportunity!"

Next to him, another vendor was pushing a wooden cart filled with all kinds of porcelain. He was beating a small copper gong as he walked. The sound was clear and pleasant, accompanying his loud voice:

"Take a look, take a look at the exquisitely crafted porcelain from Jiangnan, blue and white porcelain and white porcelain bowls, each one is exquisite, suitable for home use or entertaining guests, good quality and low price. If you miss it today, you will have to wait another year! Don't miss it if you pass by!"

Not far away, a woman selling cloth spread out colorful silk in her hands and greeted customers in a soft but powerful voice:

"Ladies, look at these Shu brocade and Su embroidery. The patterns are intricate and the touch is delicate. When you wear them, they are like feathered clothes made of clouds, light and elegant."

Zhu Qizhen happened to pass by the woman and turned to take a look. The woman smiled at him, and suddenly stretched out her hand from behind her back, and a flying knife flew towards him.

"Fuck!"

Zhu Qizhen was stunned and dodged, but the cake vendor on the other side chopped him with a knife.

"Holy shit, shit!"

He could only roll on the ground and bump into the porcelain vendor who was chopping at him with a knife.

"Holy shit, shit, shit!"

He picked up a stone from the ground and threw it, hitting the vendor's long knife with incredible accuracy. The long knife fell to the ground with a clang. He picked it up and slashed it horizontally.

scold!
The head of the porcelain vendor flew out of his body and rolled to the ground, causing panic among the people around him. Zhu Qizhen held a long knife in his hand, looked at the woman and the candy vendor, and raised his eyebrows: "Do you know who I am? How dare you kill me?"

"Kill the false emperor!" the woman rushed over.

Zhu Qizhen stood there without moving. Seeing the woman approaching, he flashed by like a ghost, punched the woman in the abdomen, knocked her away, and then chopped her down with a knife.

scold!
Cut in half, a bloody rain fell, Zhu Qizhen was covered in blood, looked at the last vendor, his eyes were cold: "Death or surrender? Talk?"

The vendor shouted loudly: "The false emperor usurped the country, the evil queen ruined the country, kill the false emperor, kill the evil queen, and restore our Ming Dynasty!"

After saying that, he slashed his neck with the sword without hesitation.

Zhu Qizhen frowned and felt a chill running down his spine. He was not afraid of assassination, but the assassin was so fearless and brave that he was frightened.

Who was behind this? How could they find such a killer who would not be killed? ...

The sound of hurried horse hooves was heard, and the Jinyiwei commander Shi Biao and his Jinyiwei came running. He jumped off his horse and ran to Zhu Qizhen, looking him up and down: "Your Majesty, are you not injured?"

"Who can hurt me?" Zhu Qizhen threw away the knife in his hand and clapped his hands, "Shi Biao, my whereabouts have been leaked again, what's going on?"

Shi Biao muttered, "It's because your Majesty likes to wander around."

"What are you talking about? I see that you are getting bolder and bolder." Zhu Qizhen looked coldly, "I was ambushed even when I was traveling incognito. What does that mean?"

Shi Biao stepped forward and said hurriedly, "There are at least two possibilities. One is that there is a traitor around your majesty, and this traitor leaked the places your majesty likes to go when he goes out of the palace to the assassin, and the assassin ambushed here. The other is that your majesty often comes to this guild hall, and the assassin happened to run into you and assassinated you. Your majesty, I told you that this place is not safe, why did you still come? Just for that bitch Ning Rongrong? Your majesty, there are many beautiful girls in the Ming Dynasty..."

"Shut up!" Zhu Qizhen got up and got on the carriage.

Shi Biao rode a horse and followed the carriage. He continued, "Your Majesty, even if you want to punish me, I will still speak. Don't try to go incognito. There are undercurrents in the capital recently. There are many people who want to kill you, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

That’s right. I’m a fake emperor. There must be a lot of people who want to kill me, and they may be from multiple forces.

"Can't you share my worries?" he asked with a glare.

"Yes!" Shi Biao's eyes flashed with excitement. "Old Xu came to me and said that he would start with the unlucky Duke Cheng, and turn up a big case to kill him so that a river of blood would flow. Although he is no longer a duke, he is still very influential in the government and the country."

Zhu Qizhen was stunned for a moment and asked, "Duke Chengguo is related to the assassination?"

"No!" Shi Biao said, "Your Majesty, didn't you ask Yu Shiyue to interrogate those corrupt officials? They are all Duke Cheng's men. Yu Shiyue is quite capable and found a lot of evidence against Duke Cheng. If I can do something, I can charge him with conspiracy to rebel. If this case is exposed, many people who have had dealings with Duke Cheng will be implicated. It will definitely be a big case."

Zhu Qizhen was upset, and felt sorry for Duke Cheng for a second, and said, "Then you can't wrongly accuse people."

Shi Biao shook his head, "Unjust? How can Duke Chengguo be a good person? From the King of Qing to the local gentry, who is related to him? Old Xu said that after this case is opened, Your Majesty can arrest anyone you want. If anyone refuses to obey, I will hand over evidence to prove that he is a member of Duke Chengguo's party and is plotting rebellion, and he will be beheaded directly."

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand.

Why, I feel like I'm going to be a tyrant and a tyrant? What kind of people do I employ?

……

The next day, morning.

Yu Shiyue, the head of the Ministry of Justice, impeached the former Duke Chengguo for ten major crimes. The evidence was solid for each and every one of them. Yet, Duke Chengguo actually dared to collude with foreigners to commit treason.

The emperor was furious and ordered the arrest of Duke Cheng's family on the spot, handing them over to the Imperial Guards for a thorough investigation to see if he had any accomplices. The incident happened suddenly and all the officials were stunned.

However, some ministers saw that His Majesty's decision to use Yu Shiyue to try Duke Cheng was clearly an indication that he did not want to let Duke Cheng off. He must have other intentions in bringing up a major case at this time.

Down towards the back.

The chief minister of the cabinet, Shang Lu, stopped the crown prince's assistant Yu Qian, and the two walked side by side on the imperial road. Shang Lu's face was full of worry: "Your Majesty, what are you going to do? It's not appropriate to open a big case at this time. There is a war going on in the front, and the government and the people need to be united."

Yu Qian frowned and lowered his voice, "Lord, His Majesty was assassinated again yesterday."

"What?" Shang Lu was shocked.

"Your Majesty has been assassinated repeatedly. I think he is really going to go on a killing spree this time." Yu Qian was also worried. "I am worried too. I am afraid that there will be a big chaos. Originally, we could maintain the surface calm. But with this big case, the undercurrent underneath will become a torrent."

Shang Lu stamped his feet anxiously and said, "Let's go and persuade His Majesty."

Yu Qian smiled bitterly and shook his head: "My Lord, don't you understand this? Ultimately, it's all for the sake of keeping the chair secure. Throughout history, which emperor would listen to advice?"

Shang Lu became even more anxious: "Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

Yu Qian snorted coldly: "Some people deserve to die! I don't care how they fight for that chair. Whoever wants to disrupt my Central Plains, I will be my enemy!"

……

evening.

Zhu Qizhen came to Kunning Palace.

The Queen Mother has indeed been going for a dignified look recently, and she is dressed neatly even in the middle of summer. However, because she is tall, she still has a graceful figure, and her black hair makes her skin look even whiter than jade.

"You arrested Duke Cheng?" the Queen Mother asked coldly.

"He is plotting treason, shouldn't he be arrested?" Zhu Qizhen spread his hands.

"Haha, he is greedy, but he doesn't have the guts to rebel." The Queen Mother said coldly, "You are just looking for this excuse to arrest him. He has already been stripped of his title, but you still won't let him go. What on earth do you want to do?"

Zhu Qizhen walked closer, sat down opposite her, and raised his eyebrows: "The harem cannot interfere in politics."

"Okay, very good. I can't even ask any more questions?"

The queen mother's cold and beautiful face was a little stiff, and a beautiful sneer was on the corner of her mouth, "Shuangxi, kick him out, he comes here every day to eat for free."

"Shuangxi, how dare you?" Zhu Qizhen glared at Shuangxi, "I will drive you out of the palace and send you to be a slave to the armored men."

The Queen Mother snorted coldly: "Shuangxi, you don't even listen to me?"

Shuangxi blinked, then suddenly covered her stomach and screamed, "Oh, my stomach hurts, Queen Mother, Your Majesty, I will leave first."

She hurried away, not wanting to be implicated. Zhu Qizhen and the Queen Mother said in unison: "Hey, servants are getting bolder and bolder nowadays."

After that, the two looked at each other. Zhu Qizhen's voice became serious: "I encountered an assassin again yesterday and almost didn't make it back."

The Queen Mother was horrified: "How could this be... why is there another assassin?"

(End of this chapter)