Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 239 The true and false emperor will face off. Who will win?
On this day, the sky was clear and the air was clear.

However, there was a bustle at Deshengmen in the capital city. Emperor Zhu Qizhen led the civil and military officials waiting there because Yu Qian was leading his troops back to the capital today.

Zhu Qizhen sat in the dragon chariot, closing his eyes to rest. His brain was working rapidly. After conquering Mobei, he would definitely reward people for their merits. Yu Qian and Shi Heng should be made Dukes of the State, and their military power should be removed and they can stay in the capital. The actual military power would be given to young people such as Yang Guifang, Wang Yue, and Zhu Yong.

It was early autumn, but the morning breeze was still cool. The ministers stood in several rows, with the first one being the cabinet chief Xu Youzhen and the Duke of Jing Chen Mao.

"Duke, are you jealous?" Xu Youzhen asked with a smile.

"Hahaha, of course I'm envious." Chen Mao sighed, "It reminds me of the years when I followed Emperor Taizong on the expedition to Mobei. However, I'm happy, really happy. The Ming Dynasty has finally pacified Mobei, and there is no need to worry about the northern border anymore."

Xu Youzhen was excited and spread his hands: "As a minister, I am so lucky to meet the holy master!"

Chen Mao looked proud, pointed at himself and said, "Speaking of which, you should envy me. I have served four dynasties, all of which were holy monarchs. Throughout history, is there anyone more fortunate than me?"

"Hey, it's true. From Taizong, Renzong, Xuanzong to the current emperor, you are the luckiest." Xu Youzhen laughed loudly, and his voice suddenly became lower. "Your Majesty after the Battle of Tumu Fortress, that's what 'a scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of absence'. Five years have passed, and Your Majesty is still very young. There is a promising future ahead of you."

Chen Mao smiled slightly: "Yes, I am looking forward to it too."

The two of them knew very well why His Majesty was specifically mentioned after the Battle of Tumu.

……

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves was heard.

Everyone looked up and saw a huge army surging towards them in the distance, like a huge tide.

"Here it comes!" someone shouted.

Zhu Qizhen walked out of the dragon chariot, stood on it, and looked at the gradually approaching army. His heart was filled with burning passion. He was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, with millions of strong troops under his command, and was invincible.

Yu Qian, who was at the front of the army, saw the emperor's dragon chariot among the welcoming team. He immediately rode his horse and quickly came to the front of the dragon chariot. He bowed to the emperor standing on it and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, your majesty."

"Get up, get up." Zhu Qizhen raised his hand, "Come, get in my carriage."

Yu Qian was shocked and shook his head: "Your Majesty, no, I cannot overstep my authority."

Zhu Qizhen glared at him and said, "Stop talking nonsense. I still need to drive the car for you."

"You must not do that, Your Majesty." Yu Qian gritted his teeth and got on the dragon chariot and said, "I will come up. Your Majesty, please stop whipping and driving for me. How can I live like a human being in the future?"

Zhu Qizhen knew that he did this on purpose to highlight Yu Qian's achievements and to see if Yu Qian would become arrogant. He held Yu Qian's hand, glanced at the officials and said, "Yu Shaobao conquered Mobei and is the first hero of the Ming Dynasty."

The ministers below echoed Yu Qian, who felt uncomfortable standing next to the emperor. It was unclear what the emperor meant by praising him so highly.

"Return to Wuying Palace." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, "I have prepared a banquet there, and I want to drink with all the officers and soldiers."

The team set out, passing through the streets of the capital, and the people lined the streets to welcome them. Yu Qian, sitting in the dragon chariot, bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I am really unworthy of your personal reception. In this battle in Mobei, the first credit should go to Yang Guifang, and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives, but most importantly, it was your Majesty who made the plan."

Zhu Qizhen glared at him and smiled unhappily: "When did you, Yu Qian, speak so officially? You are the commander-in-chief, so of course you are the first to be blamed. Just like when we lose the battle, you are the first one I will hold accountable. Yang Guifang is still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities for him to make meritorious deeds in the future. You have to suppress him, as young people tend to be complacent."

"I understand." Yu Qian nodded.

Zhu Qizhen sighed, "It's been five years. I still remember how difficult it was for me to return to the capital after the Battle of Tumu. It was also you who stepped forward to defend the capital. Alas, the person I am most grateful to is you, Yu Shaobao."

"Your Majesty, that is my duty as a minister," said Yu Qian.

"Old Yu, you are almost sixty, right?" Zhu Qizhen looked at him, "Your hair is all gray."

Yu Qian smiled and nodded: "I am old too. Time is unforgiving."

Zhu Qizhen patted his shoulder in a friendly manner and said sincerely: "I don't plan to let you go to war again this time. Stay by my side and assist me."

"I obey your order." Yu Qian nodded.

He could probably guess what the emperor meant, which was that he would no longer have to lead the troops himself, so he had to hand over his military power.

……

Wuying Hall, celebration banquet.

Zhu Qizhen drank with his generals and ministers. The atmosphere was very warm and everyone was in a good mood. The generals were definitely looking forward to the next reward.

Everyone raised their glasses, and the brave ones even dared to toast the emperor. Zhu Qizhen raised his glass, looked around the hall, and said loudly:
"I am very pleased with your bravery. When the drums of war were thundering, you were not afraid of the strong enemy, and you put on your armor and took up your weapons, galloping on the battlefield, finally making the Hu dust settle far away and the border peaceful. This is all due to the dedication of the generals and the hard work of the soldiers.

I will reward people according to their merits. I will remember your merits and reward you generously with titles and salaries to show your loyalty and bravery. I hope that all the officers and soldiers will continue to work hard to protect our country and enhance our prestige, so that everyone in the world will know the greatness of the Ming Dynasty and the bravery of the officers and soldiers.

Tonight, let us have fun together and drink till dawn to celebrate this great victory. Tomorrow, I will present awards and honors to you in the court, so that your glory will be known to the world."

The generals were overjoyed and drank the wine in one gulp.

The banquet continued. Shi Heng came to the emperor with a wine glass and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I, Shi Heng, offer a glass to you. I congratulate the Ming Dynasty and congratulate your Majesty." Zhu Qizhen smiled and picked up the wine glass and said, "Shi Heng, when did you become so literary?"

"I learned this from Yu Shaobao." Shi Heng said with a smile, "When we were in Mobei, Yu Shaobao also spoke in a very elegant way to the barbarians from the grasslands. Tsk tsk, the barbarians from the grasslands actually admired him."

"They have little education, but they admire scholars in their hearts." Zhu Qizhen said angrily, "It doesn't mean you are a scholar just because you speak in a flowery way. You should read more books in the future and assist me well."

"I obey your order." Shi Heng bowed.

After he finished toasting, he was pulled aside by Wu'an Hou Zheng Hong. Speaking of which, Shi Heng was Zheng Hong's brother-in-law and they had a good relationship. After taking a sip of wine, Zheng Hong whispered, "It is said that His Majesty may confer the title of Duke of the State on Yu Qian this time."

"With Shao Bao's contributions, he should have been made a Duke long ago." Shi Heng said.

"Don't you want to think about yourself?" Zheng Hong said, "Speaking of which, you were once the head coach of Northern Frontier. I feel sorry for you."

Shi Heng drank a mouthful of wine with a heroic spirit, and said: "My achievements are naturally not as great as Yu Qian's. Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I have heard that His Majesty may send troops to the northwest. When the time comes, won't I have to fight for the position of commander-in-chief?"

Zheng Hong's expression changed slightly.

……

The next day, morning.

First, there were two imperial edicts, which shocked the court and the public.

An imperial edict was given to Yu Qian:
I have heard that the way to govern the country is to strictly reward and punish, so as to commend the achievements of meritorious officials and inspire the morale of generals and soldiers.

Since Yu Qian took command of the army, he has made strategic plans, won victories thousands of miles away, led the troops by example, and was brave and fearless. In the battle of Mobei, he defeated thousands of enemies, captured countless prisoners, frightened the barbarians, and brought peace to the border. His achievements are unparalleled, and I am very pleased.

In recognition of Yu Qian's outstanding military exploits and his loyalty and bravery, I have conferred upon him the title of Duke of Xia, bestowed upon him a golden seal and purple ribbon, and made him hereditary. I hope that Duke Yu Qian will continue to assist me, guard the frontiers, protect our rivers and mountains, and enhance our national prestige.

Admire this!

There was another imperial edict, addressed to Shi Heng:
According to heaven’s destiny, the emperor issued an edict:
I have looked at the vastness of the universe and the breadth of the four seas, and I know that the emergence of heroes is a blessing to the country.

Shi Heng led the charge, was invincible, and frightened the enemy. His bravery was like a tiger descending from the mountain or a dragon emerging from the sea. In the battle of Mobei, Shi Heng made outstanding contributions, and I am very pleased with him.

In recognition of Shi Heng's heroic military exploits and his loyalty, I have conferred upon him the title of Duke of Zhongguo, bestowed upon him a golden seal and purple ribbon, and made him hereditary. I hope that Duke of Zhongguo Shi Heng will continue to serve me, guard the frontiers, defend the country, and ensure that the Ming dynasty will remain strong and the country will be peaceful.

Admire this!

The ministers were secretly shocked that His Majesty had conferred titles on two dukes at once. Yu Qian was within his expectations, but Shi Heng was a little surprised.

The emperor also issued an edict, requiring other officers and soldiers to be rewarded according to their merits, and asked Yu Qian to prepare a memorial and submit it to the emperor.

Finally, the emperor also announced that he would send troops to the northwest next year and asked the soldiers to prepare well.

After the court session, all the officials went to congratulate Yu Qian and Shi Heng. The two of them dealt with each other for a long time before everyone left. Shi Biao, the commander of the Imperial Guard, took his uncle Shi Heng and walked on the imperial road.

"Uncle, do you know why His Majesty conferred the title of Duke on you?" Shi Biao asked.

"I don't know." Shi Heng spread his hands, "Did His Majesty tell you?"

Shi Biao immediately shook his head: "How could His Majesty tell me such a thing? I am just guessing that His Majesty may need someone to restrain Yu Qian."

Shi Heng pondered for a while, somewhat puzzled. Shi Biao leaned closer and said in a low voice: "We, the Jinyiwei, have received intelligence that when Yu Qian was on the Northern Expedition, the man in Dunhuang wrote him a letter."

"Ah?" Shi Heng was shocked.

"Of course, Your Majesty still believes in Yu Qian now." Shi Biao frowned, "But next year we will send troops to the northwest. By then, will Your Majesty still dare to believe in him?"

Shi Heng pondered for a while and nodded: "I understand."

The long-rumored matter of the real and fake emperor has come to an end. Your Majesty will only use trustworthy people to handle it.

……

Kunning Palace.

The empress dowager stood in front of the hall, looking in the direction of the Fengtian Hall. She was wearing a palace skirt that reached the ground, dignified and elegant. A plain satin ribbon was tied around her waist, which was slender enough to be held in one hand, highlighting her graceful figure.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has conferred the title of Duke on Yu Qian and Shi Biao." Shuangxi came forward to report, "He also announced that he would use military force against... the northwest next year."

The Queen Mother was not surprised. She raised her beautiful eyes and looked towards the northwest, sighing softly, "This day has finally come!"

"Empress, what should we do?" Shuangxi asked.

"Haha." The Queen Mother laughed bitterly, "Like the Emperor always says, cold dish!"

(End of this chapter)