Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 199: False Emperor: Order the Duke of England to be executed!

It was summer, and the sun lazily fell on the quaint window lattices of the guild hall, adding a touch of warmth to the quiet space. Roujia stood alone in the private room, wearing a purple dress, gorgeous and enchanting, but it could not hide the subtle loneliness between her brows.

Her eyes fell quietly on the slowly flowing Gaoliang River outside the window. The river water sparkled silvery under the sunlight, and on the river, several exquisite pleasure boats were moored leisurely, with carved beams and painted buildings, which looked particularly eye-catching.

In the painted boat, perhaps, there were some dukes and ladies, dressed in gorgeous clothes, holding fans, enjoying the leisure time in the summer. Their laughter was crisp and pleasant, but it also inadvertently aroused the indescribable loneliness in Roujia's heart. Those laughter and joy, like the occasional fish jumping on the river, were fleeting, leaving only a deeper silence and emptiness.

"Miss, the guests have arrived." came the maid's voice.

Roujia turned around and saw a man wearing a dog mask standing at the door. Without waiting for her to greet him, the man walked in directly, sat down on the chair, and said coldly: "Miss Roujia, right? I have talked to Mr. Ning before."

"I know." Roujia said in a cold voice, "Mr. Ning said that he will not interfere in your affairs anymore."

The dog-masked man chuckled: "I'm afraid this is not up to her, right?"

Roujia walked over slowly, her eyes becoming even colder: "I know you are not a simple person, but we are not afraid. If the Junshan Society's affairs are revealed, you should be the ones to be afraid, right?"

The man in the dog mask was obviously startled. He held the teacup in his hand and was silent for a while before saying, "So... I understand."

Roujia smiled faintly: "Don't force us, and we will be at peace."

"Are you sure you won't attack the northwest?" asked the man with the dog mask.

"Yes!" Roujia answered very straightforwardly, with a half-smile, "You should know, right? Why? You came here on your own, right? Does the person behind you know?"

The man with the dog mask was surprised again. He slowly put down the teacup in his hand, stood up and left.

He came out of the back door of the guild hall, where a carriage was waiting. After he got on the carriage, it slowly drove out, and a little beggar squatting under a tree on the street followed the carriage from a distance.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen summoned the Portuguese merchant Francisco again to talk to him about the current situation in Europe. Because the rise of the Ottoman Empire blocked the Silk Road, it was difficult for Ming silk, porcelain and other oriental specialties to reach the West in large quantities. Therefore, Portugal and Spain began to look for new trade routes, thus starting the Great Voyage.

Another reason for this is that the Ming Dynasty banned the export of silk and porcelain, which prevented them from exporting. As a result, European countries wanted to obtain these products from other places.

However, the current great voyages of discovery are still in their early stages and no major discoveries have been made.

Zhu Qizhen recalled the world history in his mind. Columbus discovered the American continent in 1492, so there was still about years. These years were also the golden age of European voyages.

Royal families and nobles in various European countries funded maritime expeditions to gain new trade routes and resource sources. This kind of national support greatly promoted the development of the Age of Exploration.

Subsequently, they established extensive colonies in America, Africa, Oceania and other places, and plundered a large amount of wealth and resources.

"The Ming Dynasty cannot fall behind." Zhu Qizhen muttered in his heart, "Zheng He has been sailing for decades. Our sailing technology is better than theirs!"

He was a time traveler who knew where the New World was. He secretly decided to stop the great voyages again and discover the New World before those Europeans.

"Francisco, I need a lot of your navigation equipment." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "such as telescopes, compasses, star-seeking instruments, nautical charts and drawing instruments, timekeeping equipment, and meteorological observation equipment."

Francisco nodded: "As you wish, Your Majesty."

……

After Francisco left, Zhu Qizhen summoned the cabinet ministers, as well as the Minister of Revenue Chen Xun and the Minister of Works Gao Gu.

"I've called you here to discuss something, which is to reorganize the fleet to go out to sea." Zhu Qizhen said in a deep voice, "However, our fleet's voyage this time is different from Zheng He's voyage. The purpose of this voyage is to discover the New World."

Then, he analyzed the current situation in the West in detail with the ministers, and talked about the new world order that the great voyages would bring. He originally thought that it would be difficult to explain, but the ministers all agreed after listening.

He then realized that he himself had changed over the years, and the ministers' thinking had also changed. Especially after he talked to the ministers about the world map last time, it broadened their horizons.

"Your Majesty, going to sea is very expensive." Minister of Finance Chen Xun frowned, "We need to rebuild the big ship, right? The main thing is that we are short of money."

Zhu Qizhen pondered for a moment and said, "There is no need for us to go to sea on the scale of Zheng He this time. That would be a waste."

He knew that America was still in a relatively backward stage. According to historical records, the huge Inca Empire in South America was later destroyed by more than 100 Spanish people.

"Your Majesty, let's go down and discuss it in detail, and then submit a memorial." The cabinet chief Shang Lu's eyes sparkled, "Since that place is full of gold and silver, we must occupy those places before the Westerners."

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "It's more than just gold and silver. There are foodstuffs over there that we don't have, such as corn and potatoes. Bringing these to the Ming Dynasty will increase the grain production of the people and keep them from going hungry."

Yang Guifang was eager to try, and said: "What are we waiting for? Speed ​​up the preparations. I think this is as important as the Northern Expedition to Mobei."

Seeing that everyone agreed, Zhu Qizhen nodded with satisfaction and asked them to make various preparations.

……

Changchun Palace, the night scene is intoxicating.

Zhu Qizhen's body trembled and he hugged the virtuous concubine in his arms.

The virtuous concubine panted for a long time, lazy and charming, leaning in his arms, and said in a soft voice: "Your Majesty, the queen was ill yesterday, do you want to go and see her?"

Zhu Qizhen was slightly surprised and asked, "Have you called the imperial physician?"

Xian Fei nodded, leaned on his shoulder, and blushed: "The imperial physician has checked it, it's nothing serious, just take care of it for a while."

Zhu Qizhen gently stroked the silky jade back and said, "I'll go and see it tomorrow."

There were too many concubines in the harem, and he certainly couldn't take care of them all. But she was the queen, so he had to at least do his job on the surface, and the queen had helped him before.

"How is the Duke of England in good health recently?" Zhu Qizhen changed the subject.

"I don't know either." Concubine Xian said faintly, "How can he be better when he's old? Last time I visited my parents, I told him not to worry about so many things and to enjoy his old age."

Zhu Qizhen gently embraced her with one hand and rested his head on the other.

Will the British guild enjoy his old age? He won't. The older he gets, the more uneasy he becomes, because he is afraid that he will die and have no face to see Emperor Taizong. I just hope this old man won't cause trouble again.

"I also hope that he can enjoy his old age." He looked down at the virtuous concubine in his arms and said.

The virtuous concubine raised her beautiful face, which was covered with blush, and said with seductive eyes: "Thank you, Your Majesty. What I want most is to give birth to a dragon son for Your Majesty."

As she spoke, she took the initiative to move closer.

……

The next day.

After dealing with the memorials, it was still early, so Zhu Qizhen left the palace in plain clothes.

He originally wanted to go to Taibai Tower, have a drink alone and think about recent events, but then he changed his mind and decided it would be better to go to the guild hall, where it would be quieter and there would be beautiful women to cool him down.

So he came to the guild hall, and Roujia was obviously surprised to see him. She walked forward quickly, bowed gently, dropped the fruit, and said in a soft and charming voice: "I greet Mr. Zhu."

"Prepare some wine and food, I want to drink." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand. It was still the same private room. After Zhu Qizhen sat down, Roujia soon served a table of delicacies. She knelt beside Zhu Qizhen, her almond-shaped eyes were naturally charming, and she was reserved and respectful: "I will serve you, sir."

She stretched out her delicate hands to pour wine and pick up food for Zhu Qizhen. Zhu Qizhen enjoyed himself and asked while eating: "Did Mr. Ning have any letter?"

"Yes, it just arrived yesterday." Roujia said.

"Hey, she never writes to me." Zhu Qizhen snorted.

Roujia took out a letter from her sleeve, handed it to Zhu Qizhen and said, "Sir, please take a look. This is the letter from Mr. Ning."

Zhu Qizhen took it and glanced over it.

In the letter, Ning Rongrong briefly described the current situation in Japan. She has completely established a foothold in Japan, and several big names in Japan are placing orders with her.

"I want to know the specific situation in Japan now. Let her write to me." Zhu Qizhen said coldly.

"Ms. Ning should still be collecting information and will write to you soon," said Roujia.

Zhu Qizhen nodded and waved: "You go out, keep this letter, I will stay alone for a while."

Roujia bowed and walked out.

……

Half an hour later.

Zhu Qizhen came out of the guild hall and before he took a step forward, he saw Chao Xiaotian standing under a big tree on the street, rolling his eyes at him.

"Master, I can't find you, but I know that if I come to this club, I will catch you sooner or later." He spread his hands towards Xiaotian.

Zhu Qizhen snorted: "Do you know what a teacher does?"

Chao Xiaotian sighed speechlessly: "Master, you never revealed it. Even when I asked, you didn't tell me."

"My teacher is the commander of the imperial guards and I'm usually in the palace. I'm telling you, you won't be able to find me." Zhu Qizhen said arrogantly.

Chao Xiaotian was shocked and couldn't believe it: "Really?"

Zhu Qizhen spread his hands and said, "Of course, if the master stamps his feet, the whole capital will tremble three times."

Chao Xiaotian's speechless expression: "That's the emperor!"

Zhu Qizhen walked to the street, bought two sesame cakes, handed one to Chao Xiaotian, and asked, "Why are you blocking the door? What do you want from me?"

Chao Xiaotian took the pancake and started to eat it, saying as he chewed, "Oh, I found someone from the Junshan Society."

puff~
Zhu Qizhen spat out the pancake in his mouth and asked anxiously, "What did you say? We found the people from Junshan Society. Where are they?"

Chao Xiaotian's unhurried attitude made Zhu Qizhen so angry that he slapped him on the back of the head. Chao Xiaotian almost choked to death and rolled his eyes and said, "Master, didn't you say that? Even if Mount Tai collapses in front of you, you won't change your expression."

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll beat you to death." Zhu Qizhen said angrily.

"A man wearing a dog mask entered the Duke of England's mansion." Chao Xiaotian spread his hands.

Zhu Qizhen: “!!!”

He was shocked. Could it be the British Duke?

Thinking about it, everything is logical. It is the Duke of England. He has such great power and can summon those big men. No wonder the Jinyiwei couldn't find any clues before. With the Duke of England's ability, there are many places in the capital where he can hide.

"You continue to investigate the Junshan Society." Zhu Qizhen instructed, "By the way, if you encounter an emergency, you can go to Jinyiwei Commander Shi Biao, he is one of us. The master has already said hello to him."

"Ah?" Chao Xiaotian was shocked.

Zhu Qizhen patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "What? Without your master notifying you in advance, do you think you can get the job from the Ministry of Revenue? Will the Imperial Guards look for you? Work hard, your master has high hopes for you. With one of us in the court and one in the opposition, we will dominate the capital."

Chao Xiaotian seemed to suddenly realize something.

Zhu Qizhen hurriedly gave a few instructions and returned to the palace.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen immediately summoned Shi Biao, the commander of the Imperial Guard, and ordered: "Capture the Duke of Ying immediately!"

Shi Biao was shocked: "Your Majesty, what crime? The prestige of the Duke of Ying is very high. He has served four dynasties. He is not comparable to ordinary dukes. If you want to arrest him, you must have solid evidence and a crime."

Zhu Qizhen's eyes flashed with murderous intent: "He is a member of the Junshan Society!"

"Ah?" Shi Biao was surprised, "It turned out to be him!"

Zhu Qizhen calmed down and said, "However, you are right. He is the most prestigious duke and has made great military achievements. I cannot just take him."

Shi Biao nodded in agreement and said, "Your Majesty, we have no evidence at the moment, so why not pretend that we know nothing? I will send the Jinyiwei secret guards to keep an eye on them, and use the Duke of Ying to catch the Junshan Society in one fell swoop."

Zhu Qizhen frowned in thought.

If the Duke of England is to be convicted, he must be sentenced to death. Otherwise, he will fight back and expose the fake emperor. Wouldn't that be troublesome? The Duke of England must be convicted of high treason and sentenced to death.

"I was impulsive just now." Zhu Qizhen said in a deep voice, "You Jinyiwei keep an eye on the Duke of Ying. At the same time, find a way to charge him with a serious crime, preferably treason. I can sentence him to death directly."

Shi Biao clasped his fists and bowed: "I understand. I will obey your order."

Zhu Qizhen gave some further instructions, and Shi Biao then retreated.

The cool summer breeze blew in, and Zhu Qizhen stood by the window, his brain working rapidly.

He originally wanted to spare the Duke of England's life, as long as he didn't cause any trouble, and give him a good old age. But now it seems that he was too naive.

"Your Majesty, the virtuous concubine is here." Cao Jixiang came over to report.

Zhu Qizhen took a deep breath and walked back to the imperial chair to sit down. After a while, Concubine Xian came in, folded her hands on her belly, walked lightly with lotus steps, graceful and noble, and bowed: "Your Majesty, I have stewed the soup."

"Thank you for your hard work, my dear." He smiled slightly.

At this moment, he remembered Wang Zhiyi's compromise: Relying on personal favoritism will inevitably lead to disaster; Your Majesty's greatest fault is nostalgia and inability to punish ministers.

Should I trust the virtuous concubine?

He muttered in his heart: "Lord Wang, have you seen through everything? I killed even my uncle, so why can't I bear to execute the ministers? You are referring to something, right? If I sentence the Duke of Ying to death, what will happen to Concubine Xian?"

(End of this chapter)