Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 188 The Demon Queen Can't Help Herself, and the False Emperor Is Empty

Taizhou, prefectural government office.

A dozen riders stopped at the gate, all of them were soldiers in armor. They got off their horses, and the guards of the government office hurriedly came forward to greet them. They clasped their fists and bowed to the leading soldier, their eyes full of passion: "General Zhang, the master is waiting for you."

The guards were so excited because the man was Zhang Lun, a famous general in the southeast who fought against the Japanese pirates. After the last victory at Taishan, he won five battles in a row, and the Japanese pirates dared not to land again.

"Xiao He, I heard that you asked your master three times for permission to join my army?" Zhang Lun asked the guard with a smile.

"Yes, but our master won't allow it." The guard said cheerfully, "General, please talk to our master. I want to go with you to fight the Japanese pirates."

Zhang Lun waved his hand and said proudly, "Okay, I will help you this time."

The guard jumped up happily and took Zhang Lun into the government office and to the prefect's residence. Taizhou prefect Shen Manqing was reading official documents and saw Zhang Lun coming in. He immediately went to greet him and said, "Old Zhang! I was just about to send someone to escort the food and grass for you, and you came on your own."

"It's cold, I guess the pirates won't come anytime soon, so I came to see you." Zhang Lun looked you up and down, "Why are you still like us rough men, not tidying yourself up? His Majesty would not recognize you if he saw you like this."

Shen Manqing spread her hands: "You are no different? You are rougher than me due to the wind and sun."

Zhang Lun smiled indifferently and spread his hands: "Let's go and have a drink. I also have something to discuss. Let's talk while we drink. Let's discuss the plan to wipe out the Japanese invaders."

Shen Manqing waved her hand and said, "Let's be more elegant today. Let's go to the backyard of my prefectural government office and enjoy the view while drinking wine."

He immediately summoned the bailiff and gave him some instructions.

……

Soon, they sat down in the pavilion in the backyard of the prefectural government office. A variety of delicious dishes had been prepared on the stone table, steaming hot and fragrant.

Zhang Lun took a sip of hot tea and slowly scanned the courtyard wrapped in the winter atmosphere. He saw a green bamboo forest standing tall in the cold wind, and occasionally there was a slight rubbing sound between the bamboo leaves.

"The bamboo trees are silent or noisy, and the mist is scattered and condensed." Zhang Lun recited softly, with an admiring smile on his face, "Old Shen, the bamboo forest in your backyard is really unique. Look at the thin frost on the bamboo leaves and the faint green. Even in this cold winter, it is still full of vitality. It can be seen that you still maintain the elegance of a scholar in your heart."

Shen Manqing laughed loudly upon hearing this, with a smug look in her eyes: "No, no, I'm just pretending to be cultured. However, this bamboo forest is indeed my favorite. Whenever I feel upset, I come here for a walk and listen to the whispers of the bamboo leaves, which makes my heart more peaceful and resolute."

As they spoke, the two raised their glasses and began to drink. After three glasses of wine, they began to talk more. Zhang Lun talked about the current situation of the anti-Japanese war, his eyes full of confidence: "When the new warships arrive next year, it will be our turn to fight back against the Japanese pirates."

Shen Manqing shook his head and said, "It depends on your majesty. As long as the southeast is stable, it will be fine. We don't need to completely wipe out the Japanese pirates, because that would require a lot of manpower and financial resources. At present, the biggest danger to our Ming Dynasty is still Mobei."

"I know that His Majesty is gathering strength to destroy Yesen in one fell swoop." Zhang Lun spread his hands, "If I had known earlier, I should have chosen to go to Mobei."

Shen Manqing raised his glass and toasted, "We also killed enemies and made contributions in the southeast. Now the younger generation says that Yang in the north and Zhang in the south are the two pillars of the empire. They are talking about Yang Guifang and you, Zhang Lun."

"Then my Southern Zhang is still a little bit lacking." Zhang Lun laughed at himself, "Yang Guifang was in Mobei, fighting against Yesen, and even destroyed Yesen's Qiexue Army."

Shen Manqing shook her head repeatedly: "I think you are better off in the southeast. Here, you are the commander-in-chief. Yang Guifang is only the commander-in-chief of an army. The commander-in-chief of the northern border is Shi Heng. You are now at the same level as Shi Heng."

"You can't compare it that way." Zhang Lun chuckled.

The two drank a few more cups, and Shen Manqing took out a letter and handed it to Zhang Lun, saying, "This is a secret letter from His Majesty. Take a look."

"Since it's a secret letter, how can I read it?" Zhang Lun shook his head.

"It's for you too." Shen Manqing said unhappily.

Zhang Lun took it and glanced at it quickly, frowning: "Your Majesty, are you going to support Ning Rongrong? Use this Ning family to infiltrate Japan and contain Japan?"

Shen Manqing's eyes were full of admiration: "Your Majesty is ruthless enough. He used Ning Rongrong to infiltrate Japan. With us, the Japanese pirates will not be a problem. Maybe one day, we can even make it to Japan."

"I'm looking forward to it." Zhang Lun's eyes gleamed, "Your Majesty wants us to support Ning Rongrong."

"Yes, your majesty will open the sea next year, and your navy will be needed to escort the caravan." Shen Manqing said, "Let's discuss this today."

They both knew very well that His Majesty had given them direct orders without going through the governor and the provincial governor in order to train them and let them take charge of the southeast in the future.

……

Beijing.

The cold wind was like a sharp knife, piercing the bone marrow. On both sides of the street, the bare trees stretched out their dead branches, like the fingers of an old man, vigorous but weak.

There were few pedestrians on the street, and they were all walking in a hurry, with their heads lowered and their hands tucked into their heavy robes, revealing only their noses and chins reddened by the cold. Occasionally, there were a few low conversations, but they were quickly swept away by the cold wind and dissipated in the empty streets. Most of the vendors' shops were closed, with only a faint light coming through the cracks of the doors, perhaps there was a fire burning inside, boiling hot tea.

The palaces and city walls in the distance also seemed to tremble in the cold wind. Zhu Qizhen summoned Wang Lai, the governor of the river, who came to Beijing to meet the emperor, in the warm room of the Qianqing Palace.

There were hot dishes on the table, and warm wine on the side. Wang Lai stood there, looking very reserved: "Your Majesty, I..."

"Why are you standing there? Sit down and eat. Let's talk while we eat. It's nice to have hotpot and drink some wine in winter." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand. "Don't stand there. Are you going to disobey my order?"

Wang Lai sat down quickly and straightened himself. Zhu Qizhen rolled his eyes speechlessly: "Relax, it's just a meal, tell me about the situation of the river."

"Your Majesty, the first two phases of the project have been completed, and the third phase will begin next year." Wang Lai began to report, "Building a water reduction dam..."

Zhu Qizhen ate while listening attentively, asking questions from time to time. Wang Lai was too reserved to eat at first, but after drinking two glasses of wine he gradually relaxed.

"Old Wang, just tell me directly, how much money do you want next year?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

Wang Lai blushed and stammered, "There are wars going on in the south and the north. I shouldn't trouble Your Majesty at this time, but the project can't wait..."

Zhu Qizhen put down his chopsticks and said, "Hey, Old Wang, are you still shy? Just speak frankly."

"Three million taels." Wang Lai said.

Zhu Qizhen blinked awkwardly, drank a glass of wine awkwardly, and asked: "Can't there be less?"

"This is already the limit." Wang Lai said, "I have carefully calculated it in the river."

"Okay, I'll find a way." Zhu Qizhen said after taking a sip of wine, "River management is as important as fighting a war. We can't lose here."

Wang Lai lowered his head. He knew that many court officials had complaints about the river in recent years because a lot of money had been thrown into the river, but the effect was unknown. There had been no major floods in the past two years, God had given him face.

The pressure from the court officials on the river was all blocked by His Majesty the Emperor. This allowed him, the governor of the river, to focus on river management.

"Old Prince, don't feel pressured." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "I and most of the court officials know the importance of river management. It is truly a major event that will benefit future generations."

Wang Lai knelt down and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I will do my best!"

Zhu Qizhen smiled and raised his hand: "Why are you kneeling again? Get up quickly and continue to tell me about the river. I know you have worked hard these years. But I am poor and cannot reward you."

……

Kunning Palace.

The cold wind whispered as it passed between the palace walls, bringing with it a sense of desolation and loneliness, making this royal palace even more empty and deserted.

In Kunning Palace, candles were lit, and the faint light swayed under the exquisite palace lanterns, but it was difficult to dispel the chill that radiated from the inside out. The Queen Mother, dressed in a luxurious fur robe, stood quietly in front of the window. Her figure was elongated in the dim light and shadow, and she looked particularly lonely. Her dark eyes stared at the gray sky outside the window, as if she was looking for something.

The maids worked quietly, but dared not make any noise, for fear of disturbing the queen mother's meditation. After a while, the queen mother asked, "Your Majesty didn't come today?"

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Cao has said that today, His Majesty summoned the Governor of the River, Wang Lai, and gave him a banquet," Shuangxi said.

The Queen Mother's cold eyes slightly wrinkled: "You must have drunk too much again, Shuangxi, make some hangover soup and follow me to the Qianqing Palace later."

"Yes." Shuangxi went to prepare.

Soon, the Queen Mother brought Shuangxi to the warm room of the Qianqing Palace. Zhu Qizhen was sitting on a chair, rubbing his eyebrows. He looked up and saw the Queen Mother, and spread his hands: "I drank a little too much today, so I didn't go to your place."

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "No need to explain to me. As an emperor, you drank with ministers, and you got yourself drunk?"

She walked to Zhu Qizhen and sat down, and told Shuangxi to bring the hangover soup. Zhu Qizhen took the hangover soup from Shuangxi, drank it all, and said, "Ministers like Wang Lai need to be treated with sincerity."

"Haha, are you serious?" The Queen Mother chuckled.

Zhu Qizhen didn't want to argue with her at this time, and changed the subject: "It's the end of the year again. Every year we celebrate the New Year in the palace. Do you want to do something different this year?"

"Where are you going?" The Queen Mother's eyes were full of anticipation.

Then, she lowered her eyes and sighed softly: "You can't do this blindly. You are the emperor and I am the queen mother. Of course I have to stay in the palace. The subjects are watching. The royal family must be harmonious. When the time comes, you will have to give food to the meritorious officials' families."

"It's the same process every year." Zhu Qizhen had a helpless expression.

The Queen Mother suddenly came closer and lowered her voice and said, "How about we go to Chao Xiaotian's yard after the New Year? Just us, and spend a few days in peace."

At this time, she had some of the innocence of a girl, the appearance and temperament of a mature woman, but in her heart she was not lacking in the arrogance that a woman should have.

"Okay." Zhu Qizhen nodded.

……

As the year draws to a close, all court departments must make summaries and plans for the coming year, which will be reviewed and approved by the cabinet, and of course ultimately it depends on whether the emperor agrees.

Zhu Qizhen arrived at the Wenhua Hall and saw that the cabinet ministers were busy. He waved his hand and said, "Be busy with your own things. No need to salute."

He called the Prime Minister Shang Lu and the Second Prime Minister Xu Youzhen. The three of them, wrapped in cotton clothes, walked in the corridor. Facing the cold wind, he smiled and said, "Good, this cold wind makes us all sober. Tell me, is there enough money?"

Shang Lu smiled bitterly and said, "The Ministry of War has to fight a war, and the Ministry of Rites has to hold an imperial examination next year. They can't save their money. But if we satisfy them, other ministries will have to cut back." "Don't forget, there are also rivers. Their money can't be saved either." Zhu Qizhen said.

Xu Youzhen said directly: "That's difficult! The figures reported by the three departments are over 10 million taels."

Zhu Qizhen frowned tightly.

Although a series of new policies have been implemented, the current annual fiscal revenue of the court is only more than 20 million taels. Wouldn't half of it have to be spent?
"I'm sorry to trouble you." He smiled, "Please think about it and submit a memorial to me."

He thought that he still had to find a way to make money.

Whose houses were raided? How many houses would be enough?

……

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve. There was no change in the palace's New Year's Eve, and the process was still the same. However, Zhu Qizhen was still very happy.

Now that he has firmly established himself on the throne, although there are not three thousand beauties in his harem, there are many beauties, of all types: mature queens, cool fairies, bright young girls and so on.

As a man, he has reached the pinnacle.

When drunk, lie on the lap of a beauty; when sober, hold the power of the world!
Next, it is necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of a generation of emperors, expand territory, and build the Great Empire on which the Sun Never Sets.

The party ended late at night.

Zhu Qizhen hugged Concubine Xian and came to Changchun Palace first. It was New Year's Day and people were setting off firecrackers outside. Of course, he had to set off firecrackers as well, and he had to set off a few more to start the new year.

"Your Majesty~" Concubine Xian stretched out her arms, hugged his neck affectionately, leaned forward, and lay in his arms.

Zhu Qizhen picked her up and carried her horizontally, walking towards the couch.

Half an hour later, two figures snuggled together.

The virtuous concubine's long, dark and smooth hair fell gently on his chest, like a docile and lazy kitten, curled up in his arms. Her eyes blinked gently, clear as water, revealing infinite tenderness and love, extremely charming. With her thin lips slightly opened, she asked softly: "Your Majesty, why are you in such a hurry today? Are you leaving again?"

After saying this, she widened her beautiful eyes slightly, slowly stood up, and looked down at him from a condescending attitude, exuding the aura of a queen that should not be underestimated.

Zhu Qizhen chuckled, and involuntarily reached out and patted her hips, teasing: "Today is the New Year, of course I have to treat everyone equally."

"Aren't you afraid of tiring yourself out?" The virtuous concubine's eyes flickered as she lightly twisted a strand of hair with her fingers and gently scratched his cheek.

Zhu Qizhen straightened his back and pretended to be helpless: "There is nothing I can do about it. Who made me love you so deeply?"

Hearing this, Concubine Xian chuckled and snuggled into his arms again, enjoying the tenderness of the moment.

After coaxing Concubine Xian to sleep, it was already late at night, and Zhu Qizhen came to Yonghe Palace.

At this moment, he was hugging the extremely soft Concubine De, breathing in her scent which was completely different from that of Concubine Xian.

A man~
If you don't run wild when you are young, will you just sit and wait when you are old?
De Fei gently stroked his cheek, stretched out her hand to press his slightly furrowed brows, and looked at him gently: "Are you tired? Why don't you take a rest?"

"Not tired!" Zhu Qizhen stretched out his arms and hugged her slender waist. Even with the cover of the tulle skirt, it was still perfect.

Although tiring, it is very fulfilling.

Later, he would go to the Queen's place. Since the Xianfei and Defei entered the palace, he had visited the Queen less and less. Today was New Year's Day, and he couldn't neglect the Queen.

Time flies and the emperor is very busy that night.

At dawn, Zhu Qizhen was lying on the queen's bed when he heard the sound of cannons outside the palace. It was New Year's Day, and cannons were being set off all over the city in the early morning, one after another.

He also growled and fell on the queen. The queen hugged him gently and said softly: "Your Majesty, please pay attention to the dragon's body."

Empty, completely empty.

He muttered to himself and took a short nap. It was already dawn, so he got up, put on his clothes, and prepared to go to Kunning Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, and then go back to Qianqing Palace to fall asleep.

……

"I don't know what this custom is, but we greet our elders early in the morning on the first day of the new year."

The fake emperor came to Kunning Palace while muttering. Shuangxi was already waiting at the door. He took out a red envelope and threw it gently. The red envelope landed steadily in Shuangxi's hand. Then he reached out and pinched Shuangxi's cheek gently, jokingly saying: "Shuangxi, time is unforgiving. You are another year older and you will become an old maid soon."

Shuangxi's face suddenly fell, and she grumbled aggrievedly: "Your Majesty, this is the first day of the new year, why do you say this to me?"

The fake emperor was teasing her on purpose, laughing as he stepped into Kunning Palace. The unique fragrance filled his nose, and he could not help but feel a sense of peace in his heart. No wonder, whenever he fell asleep with the Queen Demon as his pillow, he could always enjoy a deep sleep.

"You came?"

Before he finished speaking, a fragrant breeze blew over, and the Demon Queen flew into his arms as lightly as a swallow. Her white jade-like wrist hooked around his neck, and she raised her mature and charming face and said softly: "I'm ready, let's go to your apprentice's home today."

"So hurried?" The false emperor blinked, slightly surprised.

The Queen stood on tiptoe, her red lips gently pressed against his, and she hugged him tightly with her arms. The Pseudo-Emperor was also intoxicated by this deep affection, hugging her slender waist and responding passionately.

Perhaps because it was the early morning of the first day of the new year, the Demon Queen seemed particularly uncontrollable. Her enthusiasm even surpassed that of the Pseudo-Emperor, almost suffocating him, but she did not care and just enjoyed this intimacy and sweetness to the fullest.

"Ah~"

The false emperor cried out in pain. It turned out that the demon queen had bitten his lip and was sucking blood wantonly like a vampire. The false emperor did not push her away, thinking to himself, why did this woman become so sickly?
He didn't know that the fake emperor had been having fun with Concubine Zhong last night. Although the evil queen seemed to be indifferent, she became completely insomniac after returning to the palace and couldn't fall asleep at all.

After a long time, the Demon Queen slowly opened her mouth, with a streak of blood hanging from the corner of her mouth. She smiled charmingly and wiped the corner of her mouth with her slender fingers. Her expression became more obsessed and distorted: "Does it hurt?"

The fake emperor shook his head and said casually: "It doesn't hurt!"

The demon queen's cheeks were as red as if she had applied rouge, and her phoenix eyes were blurred: "This palace is really more and more greedy for the time to be with you."

The fake emperor thought to himself that if he just went with the flow now, the Demon Queen probably wouldn't resist.

But, I have nothing at all.

hate it!

Last night was so crazy, I didn't expect there would be such a moment so early in the morning.

"Let's sneak out of the palace before daybreak." The Demon Queen pulled him out.

"It's a bit exciting." The fake emperor became excited.

……

Sorghum River.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the sound of firecrackers was everywhere, but the air along the Gaoliang River was still slightly chilly and quiet.

There is a small courtyard by the river, with its outer wall made of mottled blue bricks, and the years have left traces of varying depths on it. Two red lanterns are hung on the gate, swaying gently in the wind.

Chao Xiaotian pushed open the slightly old wooden door, and a scent of cooking smoke and the aroma of home-cooked meals wafted out of the yard. He looked back into the yard, and the figures of the master and his wife were looming in the busyness, and the steam rising from the kitchen blurred his vision.

"Master and Madam, I won't be back these few days." There was some reluctance in Chao Xiaotian's voice.

After shouting this, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously. Then, he tightened his collar, walked away in the still biting cold wind. He deliberately left space for his master and his wife. Looking back, the courtyard gradually faded away, and the rising fireworks, like the Sorghum River, flowed in his heart, warm and reassuring.

Inside the courtyard, the Demon Queen walked to the door, looked at Chao Xiaotian walking away, and sighed softly: "This child is really sensible."

She was wearing a simple long dress, with long black hair falling down to her waist, and only a thin hairpin gently tied up. Even though her dress was simple, it was still difficult to conceal her elegant and noble temperament. Her facial features were delicate, and her manners revealed endless elegance and grace.

"Breakfast is ready." The pseudo-emperor came out of the room carrying the food, his voice gentle.

"Husband~" The Demon Queen walked over lightly and snuggled in his arms, like a docile kitten.

So clingy! Did the witch queen change her style again? Ever since leaving the palace, she has been clinging to the fake emperor, and she seems unwilling to be separated for a moment.

"Let's eat first, and then we'll go to the temple fair together." The pseudo-emperor reached out and gently touched her forehead, his eyes full of doting.

The demon queen stood on tiptoe and kissed the fake emperor on the face several times in succession, saying happily: "Today we will go to the temple fair, tomorrow we will go to watch the opera, and the day after tomorrow we will go to burn incense and pray for blessings..."

The fake emperor held his forehead helplessly and said with a smile: "Well, you have made clear arrangements."

The Queen smiled brightly, snuggled up to him, and said coquettishly, "I want to lie in your arms and eat."

The false emperor's expression changed slightly, and he asked vigilantly: "Is there something wrong? Why do I have a bad feeling that you are so clingy all of a sudden?"

The demon queen's beautiful eyes moved as she hugged him tenderly, lowering her eyes and whispering, "Husband, didn't you say that the most important thing in life is to be happy? Don't let your imagination run wild."

Oh, so clingy.

"Let's try being an ordinary couple first." The Queen blinked her beautiful eyes, with a bit of the quiet and elegant charm that only a young wife could have.

The fake emperor finished his porridge and lay down: "Then you wash the dishes."

The Demon Queen stood up obediently, her elegant long skirt slowly falling down, her tall and beautiful figure exuding infinite beauty, she pursed her red lips and said, "My husband, you should take a rest. After washing the dishes, we will go to the temple fair."

(End of this chapter)