Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 203 Yu Qian: Your Majesty, the situation is set, and the Queen Mother is doomed to fail
Boom! Boom! Boom!

The thunder roared like the roar of gods, echoing in the sky. The rainstorm shot towards the world like arrows, hitting the Yellow River fiercely, splashing layers of water.

The river governor Wang Lai stood on the embankment. His clothes had long been soaked by the rain and stuck to his skin. He looked up at the sky that seemed to be torn apart. The rain poured down like a waterfall, as if the river in the sky had really burst its banks and was about to flood the mortal world.

The river water rose rapidly under the heavy rain, the river surface became more turbulent and the waves were surging, and the levee was shaking under the impact of the flood.

Wang Lai's heartbeat accelerated with the pace of the flood. He knew that if the levee broke, the consequences would be disastrous. Not only would the villages, farmland, and even lives in the seven counties downstream be destroyed in this catastrophe, but his four years of river management achievements would also be destroyed.

He clenched his hands tightly, digging his nails deep into his palms, trying to use the pain to remind himself to stay awake, but the fear in his heart surged like a tide and was difficult to suppress.

"Dad, it's too dangerous here, you should go down." His son Wang Hao came behind him and said.

Wang Lai did not move, staring at the turbulent river. After a while, he said, "Once the dam breaks, officials from all walks of life will impeach us. Over the years, your majesty has thrown a lot of silver into the river, and other departments have long been resentful. If their resentment is spread, all our efforts over the years will be in vain!"

Wang Hao wiped the rain off his face, his eyes clear: "Dad, all these years of hard work will definitely pay off. This dam will not collapse."

Wang Lai smiled bitterly and spread his hands: "You should have measured it, right? The accumulated rainfall in one day exceeded nine inches. This is even heavier than the rainstorm four years ago. It is the heaviest rainstorm since the founding of the Ming Dynasty."

"Yeah, it comes at the wrong time!" Wang Hao sighed.

Boom!

After a loud thunder, Wang Lai asked, "Have all the people evacuated?"

Wang Hao nodded: "Everyone has evacuated!"

At this time, the sound of footsteps was heard. Wang Lai looked up and saw the officials of the Jizhou River Office, along with a large number of river workers and many civilians, carrying various embankment protection materials.

Wang Lai was shocked and walked forward hurriedly.

"Why did you bring the people to the levee? Let them leave quickly."

"Sir, these people are here voluntarily to protect the riverbank with us."

"Yes, sir, we won't leave! In the past, at times like this, those officials would run faster than anyone else, and would never care about us. Lord Wang, we all know that you are dedicated to managing the river! Therefore, we must protect the river with you!"

Wang Lai, who has always been resolute, now has tears in his eyes.

Of course he wanted to protect the river. In fact, he was not worried about himself, but more about the emperor. If the river was destroyed, then His Majesty's support for the river over the years would be a big mistake. What would the officials think? What would the people think?
……

Beijing.

It was a dark night, with lightning and thunder in the sky and heavy rain pouring down.

Zhu Qizhen stood in front of the Qianqing Palace, looking at the heavy rain outside with a solemn expression.

"Hasn't the latest rain report come yet?" he asked in a deep voice.

The chief eunuch Cao Jixiang, who was standing behind him, reported: "Your Majesty, not yet. I have sent someone to the Silijian to keep an eye on him. If he comes up, send him over immediately."

In fact, the emperor had asked this question three times, and Cao Jixiang knew that the emperor was worried. Today, His Majesty summoned the Imperial Observatory to ask, "This year's heavy rain will exceed the one four years ago, and it will be the heaviest since the Yuan Dynasty."

Zhu Qizhen was very worried.

It took four years to manage the river and cost tens of millions of taels of silver. If we fail this time and the river bursts its banks and causes a major disaster, we will be in big trouble.

Since he assumed the throne, he first rectified land annexation and returned the land to the people, then vigorously fought corruption, and then implemented new policies and so on.

In recent years, we have finally won the hearts of the people.

But if this heavy rain caused a major disaster, the people's hearts would be quickly lost. Then there would be no need to talk about the expedition to the north of the desert, the expedition to the west, and the expedition to the south. No one would sincerely follow the emperor to fight.

"Your Majesty, Lord Shang and others are here." Cao Jixiang reported.

Zhu Qizhen turned around and saw that the Chief Minister Shang Lu and the other ministers had arrived, and everyone was soaked by the rain.

"Your Majesty, we are here to pay our respects." Everyone bowed together.

"Everyone, get up." Zhu Qizhen raised his hand, "Cao Jixiang, prepare a cup of hot milk tea for everyone."

Xu Youzhen stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, don't worry too much. It's God's will that it rains. There's no point in worrying."

"Haha, destiny?" Zhu Qizhen suddenly got angry. "I have worked so hard these years, and I am willing to bear the blame, and this is the destiny God gave me? I don't believe in destiny!"

The ministers knelt down immediately and said in unison: "Your Majesty, calm down!"

Zhu Qizhen sighed and raised his hand: "Everyone, get up. I'm not angry with you. It's just that this heavy rain comes at the wrong time. Over the years, we have been united as one, and we have finally accumulated some people's support. If this rain causes a disaster, everything will be gone."

"Your Majesty, the river has been under control for four years, so it shouldn't cause a major disaster," said Shang Lu.

Zhu Qizhen could understand what he meant. The money spent on the river in recent years was almost catching up with the Ministry of War. He pondered for a while and said coldly: "Send an order to Wang Lai and the river offices in various places. Those who fail to do their job well must come to see me with their heads. Tell Wang Lai to guard the river. As long as the people are there, the dike will be there. If the dike is destroyed, the people will die. Also send an order to the governors and provincial governors of the provinces where the Yellow River passes, and ask them to send soldiers and civilians to do everything possible to guard the river. Those who fail will be treated as if they lost the city!"

Everyone felt a chill down their spine.

……

Wow!
Heavy rain fell in Kunning Palace. The Queen Mother stood in front of the window, looking at the heavy rain in the night. She was wearing a plain long dress, with a quiet and elegant temperament, and her hair fluttering in the wind.

"My queen, the wind is too strong, don't get wet." Shuangxi reminded.

The Queen Mother frowned and asked, "Your Majesty is still discussing matters with the cabinet ministers in the Palace of Heavenly Purity?"

"Yes, I'm waiting for the rain." Shuangxi sighed, "Your Majesty hasn't even had dinner yet."

The Queen Mother lowered her eyes and sighed, "He is worried about the river. The rain is really too heavy. If the Yellow River bursts its banks, everything that happens will be difficult to handle."

Her white dress moved with the wind, and you could vaguely see her fair calves. She hugged herself with her arms, which highlighted her proud curves. She pondered for a while and said, "Shuangxi, ask the kitchen to cook a pot of chicken soup and send it to the Qianqing Palace later."

"Yes!" Shuangxi nodded and took the order.

An hour later, the sky was completely dark. But the rain was getting heavier, and lightning flashed, accompanied by bursts of roars. The Queen Mother put on a robe and led a group of palace maids to the Qianqing Palace.

Heavy rain accompanied by wind blew through the corridor, soaking everyone's clothes. The palace maids stood around the empress dowager and tried their best to shield her from the rain. Soon, they arrived at the Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, the Qianqing Palace was brightly lit. When Cao Jixiang saw the queen mother coming, he hurried forward and said, "Greetings to the queen mother."

"Your Majesty and the ministers are still discussing matters?" the Queen Mother asked. "Yes, they are also waiting for the rain." Cao Jixiang said, "Your Majesty has not had dinner yet. I brought it to you, but your Majesty is not in the mood to eat."

The Queen Mother strode forward: "I have made chicken soup for your Majesty and the ministers."

Cao Jixiang was overjoyed and said in a loud voice: "The Queen Mother has arrived~"

Zhu Qizhen, who was looking at the Yellow River map, was stunned and led his ministers to greet the empress dowager. The empress dowager came in and waved at them: "No need to salute, I brought you chicken soup, drink a bowl to warm your body."

"Thank you, Queen Mother." The ministers bowed.

The maid cut off the soup for them, and the empress dowager personally brought a bowl to Zhu Qizhen. She glared at him and said in a low voice, "You promised me, and you forgot again? You are so busy, how could you not even have time to eat?"

Zhu Qizhen took the soup and smiled: "It's mainly because I have no appetite."

The Queen Mother glared and was about to hit him, but she remembered that the ministers were all in the palace, so she quickly stopped. Her eyes were tender and her voice was gentle: "You don't have to wait here in person. When the rain signal comes, they will call you."

"The main thing is to worry about a major disaster, so we have to make arrangements immediately." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "You go back and rest. I'm young and can stay up all night. You're old now, you should get some beauty sleep."

The Queen Mother was so angry that her teeth were bared, but she did not dare to take any action for fear that the ministers would find out.

……

"Rain sign! Rain sign is coming!" A eunuch came in hurriedly holding a box.

Zhu Qizhen stood up suddenly, walked straight to the eunuch, opened the box, picked up the memorial inside and opened it, quickly glanced at it, and laughed: "Good, very good! The river reported that the dikes in various places have not burst. Wang Lai endured two nights on the most dangerous Jeju dike and finally defended the dike. Hahaha, this summer flood has finally survived."

The ministers were delighted. Xu Youzhen said, "Your Majesty, this shows that Wang Lai and his men have been effective in managing the river according to your method. This year, the river bank did not break during the once-in-a-century heavy rain. If this happened in the previous dynasty, wouldn't it be a vast ocean?"

Zhu Qizhen smiled and waved his hand.

At this time, it was necessary for the ministers to come out and flatter the emperor, and Xu Youzhen flattered just right. Other ministers also echoed, and Zhu Qizhen shook his head and said: "This is mainly due to the merits of the river. Pass the order and let them continue to hold on. After the flood season is over, I will reward them handsomely."

"Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers bowed.

The Queen Mother watched this scene silently with extremely complicated emotions.

She could see that the court was truly united now. All the ministers supported this fake emperor, and even Shang Lu, an old minister who had followed the previous emperor, was convinced by the fake emperor. After the flood season was over and the river was safe, the people would support the fake emperor even more.

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!
Even if someone came out to oppose the fake emperor, no one in the court or the country would follow him. This is why the Queen Mother opposed the Dunhuang uprising.

Who in the world cares whether you are real or fake?

……

After the beginning of autumn, the heat in the capital quietly faded away, and a hint of coolness began to permeate the air. The sky was high and the clouds were light. Under the azure sky, a few wisps of gauze-like white clouds floated leisurely.

The patrol guards of the Wucheng Bingmasi were dressed in neat uniforms and shuttled through the streets. The streets of Beijing today are clean and tidy. The boundary between the sidewalk and the carriageway is clear, pedestrians are neither hurried nor slow, and vehicles come and go in an orderly manner. On the street corners, you can occasionally see a few old people who get up early, holding fans, chatting leisurely under the shade of trees, or children accompanied by their parents, chasing and playing with laughter.

A group of people came in from the city gate, led by river officials, followed by many common people, all of whom were older. The people on both sides of the street were very curious, what were they doing?

It turned out that these were elderly people from the villages in the Yellow River floodplain. The last once-in-a-century heavy rain did not cause a major disaster, so these elderly people wanted to come to Beijing to thank Your Majesty for his grace.

Because Your Majesty has made every effort to control the river in recent years, the Yellow River has finally begun to calm down. They live on both sides of the Yellow River and have suffered greatly from floods. Now there has been a huge improvement, so of course they are happy.

Therefore, Wang Lai, the governor of the river, approved the people's gratitude and organized the village elders to go to Beijing. Since the Hongwu period, the dynasty has respected the village elders, and they even have the right to go to Beijing to file a complaint.

"This is the capital."

"Look, that fairy-like thing in front of us, is that the imperial palace?"

Wang Hao, the son of Wang Lai, the governor of the river, smiled slightly when he heard these simple words.

……

Qianqing Palace.

The Prince's Guardian Yu Qian came to pay a visit to the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother did not summon him to the palace, but walked with him in the corridor in front of the palace, with the maid Shuangxi following from a distance. The Queen Mother asked some questions about the expedition to Mobei.

"No matter what, His Majesty cannot lead the army in person," said the Queen Mother. "He needs to stay in the capital. Besides, there is no need for him to lead the army in person right now. You ministers should give us your advice."

Yu Qian nodded and said, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. We will certainly advise Your Majesty not to lead the army in person. Your Majesty will be relieved that Shi Heng and I will lead the army."

The Queen Mother slowly breathed a sigh of relief: "Very good, I am relieved now."

She stood on the steps, looking in the direction of Fengtian Hall, frowning slightly: "Hey, why is Fengtian Hall so lively today? Which country's delegation did His Majesty summon?"

"No!" Yu Qian reported, "It was the officials of the river government and the elderly people in the flooded areas of the Yellow River. The dike did not break during this once-in-a-century heavy rain, and the people completely recognized the new river management method. The local people want to thank God for his grace, and finally the river government organized the elderly people to come to Beijing, and they want to thank Your Majesty."

The Queen Mother was slightly stunned and sighed softly: "Your Majesty's prestige has surpassed that of the late emperor, and you are very popular among the people."

Yu Qian, who was standing behind her, pondered for a moment and lowered his voice and said, "Yes, Queen Mother, Your Majesty is good at winning before the battle. In the words of Your Majesty, in the face of absolute strength, everything is nothing."

The Queen Mother was startled!
She paused for a moment before turning to look at Yu Qian and asked, "Yu Qian, is this what you want to tell me? Don't forget what you promised me."

"I will never forget!" Yu Qian bowed, "Please also remember, Your Majesty, that since the time of Emperor Taizong, I have always put the Ming Dynasty first, and Your Majesty second."

The Queen Mother smiled coldly: "Yu Qian, Taizong is right. If you hold power, you will end up with a miserable death!"

"I understand!" Yu Qian bowed again, "I also remember the kindness of the late emperor."

The Queen Mother waved her hand: "Just remember it, you can leave now."

Yu Qian nodded and stepped back.

He walked on the imperial road, looking in the direction of the Qianqing Palace, and sighed in his heart: Your Majesty, the situation is already determined, and you, the Queen Mother, are doomed to fail.

……

Double the monthly tickets! I’m shamelessly asking for a few monthly tickets.

(End of this chapter)