Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 248 Demon Queen: Just stay in this position, be obedient
Yesen narrowed his eyes and looked at the emperor sitting on the dragon throne. His first feeling was that this didn't look like him.

Of course, he had seen the orthodox emperor. He had held the orthodox emperor captive for several years and was very familiar with him. In his opinion, this fake emperor was somewhat similar to the orthodox emperor, but his temperament was completely different.

It can be said that they are two different people!

Can't the officials of the Ming Dynasty even tell the difference between the real and the fake? This emperor is obviously a fake emperor.

In fact, he had a misunderstanding.

At the beginning, the fake emperor and the legitimate emperor were extremely similar, not to mention the ministers, even the empress dowager couldn't tell them apart. But after five years, the fake emperor had become the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and he no longer imitated the legitimate emperor.

So, he is himself.

However, the ministers had been influenced by him for so many years and had gotten used to it, because people change with age. Besides, they hadn't seen a real emperor for a long time.

There is one person in this world who knows that the fake emperor is nothing like the legitimate emperor, and that is the empress dowager.

"I don't recognize him." Yesen said after a long silence.

He did not jump up and shout, "You are a fake emperor. The real emperor was captured by me."

Because he knew that his daughter and concubine were in the Ming harem, in the hands of this emperor. He himself was already a captive, but he still wanted to save the people he loved.

"Kneel down!" Yang Guifang shouted.

Yesen gritted his teeth, veins popping out on his forehead, but he still knelt down slowly. Zhu Qizhen stood up from the dragon throne, his eyes fell on Yesen, raised his head and said: "You and your grandfather are both heroes of the grassland, and the Oirat is also a powerful tribe. Without you, there would be no Ming Dynasty today, and you made me successful."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind." Yesen said in a low voice.

Zhu Qizhen raised his head again and raised his hand: "The Great Khan should act like a Great Khan. Come, take him to Huitong Hall to live, and do not neglect his daily life and food."

The Jinyiwei came up and took Yesen away.

……

After Yesen left, Zhu Qizhen looked around at the ministers and asked in a deep voice: "Yesen is now our prisoner. My dear ministers, tell me what we should do with him?"

Wu'an Marquis Zheng Hong was the first to stand up and said, "Your Majesty, Yesen led his troops south many times, plundering the people of the Ming Dynasty and killing our soldiers and civilians. If we don't kill him, how can we explain to the soldiers who died fighting for the Ming Dynasty?"

His words were agreed by most people, especially the generals in the hall. They had led their troops to fight Yesen for so many years, and how many of their comrades had died?
Now that Yesen has been captured, how can we not take revenge?

"Yesen must be killed!" Duke Chen Mao of Jing stood up. "I followed Emperor Taizong in five expeditions to Mobei. Many Ming men died in Mobei and could never return to their hometown. If Yesen is not killed, will the soldiers on the border agree?"

Shi Heng was about to speak, and he also advocated killing Yesen, but when he saw Yu Qian didn't say a word, he stopped. At this time, the cabinet chief Xu Youzhen stood up and reported: "Your Majesty, Yesen can't be killed! Yesen's life and death is a matter of great importance. If it is not handled properly, it will cause unrest in the grassland."

Zhu Qizhen glanced at the ministers, knowing that Xu Youzhen had deliberately come out to cooperate with him. He looked coldly: "Why can't Yesen be killed? Five years ago, I dared to kill him in the midst of thousands of troops. Now that I have pacified the grassland, I dare not kill him?"

"Your Majesty, hundreds of thousands of Yesen's cavalry were destroyed, but there are still millions of people on the grassland. In our eyes, Yesen is an enemy chieftain. But in the hearts of the grassland people, Yesen is their hero." Xu Youzhen said loudly, "Killing him at this time will make us happy, but it will hurt millions of people on the grassland and plant the seeds of hatred in their hearts, making them think that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty will not regard them as his subjects at all."

Wu'an Hou chuckled and said, "Lord Xu, you are exaggerating. No matter how many Hu people there are, they are still common people. With the Ming sword in hand, what is there to fear?"

"The broadsword cannot subdue hatred. Hatred is the sharpest weapon in the world." Xu Youzhen said loudly, "The hatred of hundreds of people will be the next disaster. The seeds of hatred of millions will be endless wars. Your Majesty, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, countless soldiers have died on the grasslands. If we do not win over the hearts of the various ethnic groups on the grasslands, countless more soldiers will die in the future. Your Majesty, please do not let the blood flow between the various ethnic groups in China anymore."

His words woke up many ministers in the hall.

Yang Guifang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I escorted Yesen back from Mobei. Every day along the way, I met people from the grasslands who wanted to see him off. They regarded Yesen as a hero of the grasslands. Of course, many people on the grasslands were afraid of Yesen and wished he would die, but they all respected him in their hearts. Your Majesty, saving Yesen's life is more useful than killing him."

Zhu Qizhen pondered for a while, waved his hand and said: "Okay, I will spare Yesen's death!"

"Your Majesty is wise." The ministers bowed.

……

After court, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen summoned Xu Youzhen, Yang Guifang, Li Xian, and Li Bing to hold a small court meeting. First of all, he must have praised Yang Guifang greatly. In this battle of Mobei, he performed better than Yu Qian.

"Shall I confer the title of marquis upon you?" Zhu Qizhen said with a smile.

"No, no, no need." Yang Guifang said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I still want to lead the army to the west next year, and I want to make greater contributions. If you make me a marquis now, then I will have nothing to be given to me by then, and I will be close to death."

Zhu Qizhen was speechless: "Hey, you don't believe me so much?"

Xu Youzhen on the side said with a smile: "It's not that I don't believe Your Majesty. Yang Guifang's concerns are also reasonable. Your Majesty, if you want to create an unprecedented Ming Empire, then Yang Guifang will definitely continue to make contributions. By then, his achievements will be even greater. You can't make him a king, right?"

Having a king with a different surname is not a good thing for a dynasty.

Zhu Qizhen smiled slightly, patted Yang Guifang on the shoulder and said, "Okay, as you said, I will appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the Central Army and the minister of war."

Now that Yu Qian and Shi Heng are both dukes, without real power, Yang Guifang is actually the number one person in the army. Zhu Qizhen was happy and chatted with these trusted ministers for a while.

Cao Jixiang came in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites Yang wants to see you."

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, and the ministers withdrew. After a while, Yang Shan, the Minister of Rites, came in and reported after paying respects: "Your Majesty, the eight Dharma Kings of U-Tsang have also entered the capital today."

"They are finally here. The eminent monks from the Western Regions have been living in Fahai Temple for several months now." Zhu Qizhen said.

Previously, Ding Xiu planned for the Western Regions monks in Dunhuang to travel east to the capital of the Ming Dynasty. The capital was preparing to hold the "Great Fast for the Universal Salvation of the Saints and Ordinary People in the Dharma Realm", but the eight great Dharma kings of U-Tsang who agreed to travel east were late, so the time was delayed. Now, they finally came. I guess they saw that Yesen was defeated.

"The monks from the Western Regions are not in a hurry. They have food and drink. They seem to like the capital." Yang Shan smiled, "They are translating Buddhist scriptures in Fahai Temple."

Zhu Qizhen nodded with a smile: "Then pick a day and start the Dharma Assembly. When the time comes, I will be there in person to discuss Zen with the monks."

"As you wish." Yang Shan nodded.

Zhu Qizhen glared at him and said, "Old Yang, please stop urging me to appoint a crown prince, okay? The children are still young, and it will be fine in a few years."

"Your Majesty, you were made the crown prince when you were two years old," said Yang Shan.

"But my grandfather was almost thirty before he appointed a crown prince." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands.

Yang Shan hesitated to speak. He wanted to say that Emperor Renzong was also the crown prince of the Prince of Yan. At that time, Emperor Taizong was still only the Prince of Yan, so how could he appoint a crown prince? Emperor Taizong appointed Emperor Renzong as the crown prince in the second year of Yongle.

……

Five days later, Fahai Temple.

The grand assembly of the universal salvation of saints and ordinary people in the Dharma Realm by land and water is held here. Eminent monks from the Western Regions and the Dharma King of U-Tsang gather here, and it is said that the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will be present in person.

Zhu Qizhen came for two purposes. The first was to make the influence of the Dharma Assembly surpass that of Dunhuang and shock the various tribes of U-Tsang. Such a grand Dharma Assembly could also demonstrate the power of the Ming Dynasty. The second was to pay tribute to the soldiers who died for the Ming Dynasty. The original purpose of the Water and Land Dharma Assembly was to liberate the souls of the three realms of water, land and air and to help all living beings, which was very consistent.

The entire ceremony lasted for as long as forty-nine days, during which several steps were included, such as purifying the boundary, sending messengers to distribute talismans, inviting people to the hall, offering sacrifices to the hall, inviting people to leave the hall, offering sacrifices to the hall, bathing, giving food, bestowing precepts, and sending off the saints.

This water and land ceremony was the largest in scale, with the largest number of participating dharmas and the largest number of sutras recited. Offerings were made to all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and saints, and to all sentient beings in the Dharma Realm, bringing great merit.

Inside the temple, incense smoke lingers and bell sounds echo in every corner, as if they can wash away all the dust in the world. In front of the main hall, colorful banners flutter in the wind. Monks, dressed in robes and holding instruments, shuttle between halls, making final preparations for the upcoming ceremony.

As the sun rose, the eminent monks from the Western Regions and the Dharma King of U-Tsang arrived one after another, followed by many disciples, all of whom were in high spirits. The eminent monks held scriptures in their hands, and the Dharma King wore various magic weapons. Their arrival made the entire Fahai Zen Temple more brilliant. Believers from all over the world flocked to the temple, some on foot and some on horseback, traveling thousands of miles just to be bathed in the Buddha's grace on this auspicious day.

The Dharma Assembly officially began with the sound of drums and music, the sound of Sanskrit shaking the sky, and the monks chanting sutras in unison. The sound rose and fell like the tide, echoing in the sky above the capital, causing heaven and earth to resonate.

"Your Majesty is here!"

"Long live my emperor."

Zhu Qizhen, dressed in a dragon robe, was majestic and domineering. He read the sacrificial text himself. After that, he summoned the eight Dharma Kings of U-Tsang in the backyard of the temple.

"I will lead my army to the northwest next year." Zhu Qizhen said directly, "You tribes of U-Tsang should behave yourself."

Prince Chanhua's eyes turned cold and he asked, "Does Your Majesty also want to use military force against U-Tsang?"

Zhu Qizhen answered more directly, "That depends on you. I will not only station troops in U-Tsang, but also set up a provincial government. If you all behave yourself, you will all still be the Dharma Kings."

“Your Majesty, aren’t you afraid of causing chaos in U-Tsang?” Prince Chanhua snorted.

"Then I will lead my army to quell the rebellion." Zhu Qizhen stood up with a sneer, "That's all I have to say. After the ceremony, you should go back early and think it through."

Having said that, he strode away.

The eight great Dharma Kings of U-Tsang looked gloomy and frightened. They did not expect the Ming Emperor to be so tough. But what could they do now? Fight against the Ming? Yesen was imprisoned in the Ming.

……

In the west of the city, there is a house.

The man wearing a wolf mask stood at the door and snorted, "What a good day to pick. I guess all the Jinyiwei are at Fahai Temple today."

He muttered something and, under the guidance of the guard, entered a secret room. The deer mask, the ox mask, the tiger mask, and the rabbit mask were already there.

"Boss Rat hasn't come yet?" Wolf Mask asked. "It's inconvenient for her to show up again." Deer Mask glanced over and said, "Everyone is here. Let's get started. Today we will mainly discuss how to take His Majesty into the capital."

Wolf Mask raised his eyes: "Didn't His Majesty agree?"

Deer Mask shook his head and sighed: "A message came from Dunhuang that the imperial army will march westward next year. If he is forced to do so, he will choose to sneak into the capital. So, we should start preparing here."

"Who will be the commander-in-chief of the imperial army's western expedition next year?" asked Rabbit Mianzi.

"No." said Tiger Mask.

Rabbit Mask spread his hands: "Then what are we discussing? We don't know who the commander is. If he is the one who wants to kill... Your Majesty, do we have a chance?"

"This is not your concern." Deer Mask said coldly.

Rabbit Mask shrugged and said nothing more. Deer Mask glanced over and said, "Junshan Society will not survive for much longer. Everyone, just treat this as your last effort."

……

Zhu Qizhen came back from Fahai Temple and went straight to the harem. After listening to Buddhist teachings for a whole day, he needed to hear the seductive moans of that slutty woman Alena to cleanse the kindness in his heart.

Arriving at the palace, Alena was not there. Qiqige was lying on a soft mat alone, drinking from a pot of wine. She was wearing a prairie dress today, with a slender figure. She leaned forward slightly, her curves were charming, and a touch of snow was inadvertently revealed.

"Drinking alone?" Zhu Qizhen walked over and sat down next to her.

"Your Majesty, Alena is not here today, shall I accompany you?" She slowly stood up, sat her sweet buttocks on his legs, and leaned directly into his arms with her soft and boneless body, tilting her charming and delicate face, her red lips slightly pursed.

Zhu Qizhen seemed to be smiling.

It was obvious that Qi Qi Ge was seducing. Although she was still young and immature, she had already become charming and enchanting, especially her heterochromatic eyes, which were very attractive.

Zhu Qizhen hugged the woman's slender waist, and pinched her chin with one hand, exerting a little force: "Do you know that your father Khan has come to Beijing? I have arranged for him to stay in Huitong Hall and entertain him with good food and drink."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Can I meet my father, the Khan?" Qi Qige raised her chin slightly and gently exhaled fragrance. Her eyes were full of charm and her delicate body showed a charming S-shaped curve, especially her full breasts, which added to her endless temptation as she twisted gently.

"It's not the right time yet." Zhu Qizhen smiled playfully, gently stroked her smooth skin with his palm, and suddenly pinched it hard.

Qi Qi Ge's eyes were slightly frowned, and she bit her lips lightly, looking a little shy, as if blaming him for being so rough and forceful. She said in a charming voice, "Your Majesty, would you like me to have a drink with you?"

"Okay, but I want to change the way I drink it." Zhu Qizhen said with a smile.

Qi Qige was somewhat reluctant to accept the invitation. She looked at him seductively, and her voice was soft and seductive: "Everything is up to your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen curled the corner of his mouth, then picked up the wine jug beside him and held it high. The clear and crisp wine poured down like a stream, quietly sliding down her neck, stirring up tiny bits of crystal wine foam, sparkling with an alluring luster.

The cold touch made Deqiqige tense up all over.

Zhu Qizhen leaned over her collarbone and tasted it, thinking that a beautiful woman should be used as a cup for the best liquor.

Qi Qige felt a tingling sensation on her back and tilted her neck slightly. The moisture from the wine made her look even more attractive, but her heterochromatic eyes also became blurred.

……

The New Year is here in a blink of an eye.

Coincidentally, it snowed heavily in the capital, and the capital was covered in silver, with a good weather that indicated a good harvest. In the streets and alleys, red lanterns swayed gently in the heavy snow. Finally, they didn't have to go to court, and the busy court officials were able to take a break for half a day. They changed into light cotton robes, stepped on the snow, making a "squeaking" sound, and visited relatives and friends.

In front of every house, children were laughing as they made snowmen and had snowball fights, while adults were sitting in the warm house, drinking tea, chatting, or appreciating the snow scenery, enjoying this rare quiet and reunion time.

An elegantly decorated courtyard on the banks of Gaoliang River.

"Hahaha, how about we make a snowman too?" The Queen of Demons ran happily in the yard.

She was wearing a white long dress, with a beautiful figure that was curvy and charming, like a fairy from the Moon Palace. Her long, soft black hair fell casually, but it could not hide her stunning beauty.

Against the backdrop of heavy snow, she looks like a romantic girl today, as beautiful as an elf.

The young lady is youthful, lively, charming and enchanting. Time has been too kind to her.

"Come on."

She jumped in front of Zhu Qizhen, tilted her head slightly, her dark eyes were clear and lively, and her exquisite and beautiful face made people unable to look away. Zhu Qizhen put his arm around her waist and said, "It's a little late today, can we do it tomorrow? It's dark now, and we have important things to do. We finally got out of the palace."

The Queen's eyes were glaring, and a seductive aura naturally emanated from her. Her fair arms slowly raised up, gently hugged his neck, and she whispered in a soft voice, "So this is all you think about."

"You are so beautiful, who can you blame? What man is not confused?" Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows, "I can't live without you."

The Demon Queen looked at him, listened to the love words, and seemed a little absent-minded, appearing a little adorable and cute.

"Hmph!" She snorted softly through her delicate nose, her beautiful eyes glaring, "Men are all like this. They like beauties, but when they get them, they don't cherish them anymore and start liking other beauties."

Zhu Qizhen smiled, hugged her tighter, and said confidently, "I haven't gotten it yet, and you've already made your judgment? How wronged am I? Besides, do you think I'm ruthless to those women in the harem?"

"We have already been married, don't you still want to choose a concubine again?"

The Queen glared at him, her gentle gesture gone, she stretched out her hand to hook him, exerted a little force, and stood on tiptoes, her face very close to him, staring at him fiercely with her beautiful eyes.

"Because I am the emperor." Zhu Qizhen looked helpless.

Looking at the perfect cheek so close to him, he leaned over and kissed it to seal it.

The demon queen's pretty face turned cold, as if she wanted to refute but was speechless.

Zhu Qizhen patted her back gently, looked into those fierce eyes, and said, "My lady, it's time to go to bed. Look, the lights in Shuangxi's room are off. They are all asleep."

"Damn man!" The Queen's beautiful eyes were slightly annoyed, her rosy lips moved slightly, and with a delicate snort, she turned and went into the room.

Zhu Qizhen followed her into the room, which was warm with a charcoal fire. He opened the window a little and asked, "It's so cold, so you won't take a bath, right?"

"Yes." The Demon Queen nodded.

She gently pulled the belt with two fingers, and the tight white dress slowly slid down. Her skin was as white and tender as jade, and it glowed with an intoxicating luster under the swaying candlelight.

Two white and tender feet pulled out from the long skirt that reached the ground, stepping lightly on the furry carpet, her figure was charming and graceful. She only had one piece of underwear left, and she skillfully rolled her hair up on her head, lightly tied it with a jade hairpin, and a few strands of hair fell beside her red lips, with a breathtaking beauty.

The graceful figure is charming and attractive.

Zhu Qizhen's eyes widened, he leaned against the wall, and admired quietly.

The Demon Queen walked towards him, pursing her red lips, with a thousand tender feelings lingering between her eyebrows. She glared at him in annoyance and shame: "Don't look at me, I'll help you...release it first. You have to be honest when you sleep at night, okay?"

Shy women are always more charming and more attractive.

"Ah?" Zhu Qizhen was disappointed, admiring the flawless queen in front of him, "That's not what you said before."

The Demon Queen hooked her arms around him and said, "No? Then go out and find Shuangxi."

There was also an intoxicating blush on her delicate and cold face, and her voice was cold and clear: "If you go out, don't even think about sleeping in my bed for the next few days."

She looks like a complete queen.

Zhu Qizhen smiled and nodded, stretching out his hands to embrace the slender waist. The demon queen's eyes were charming and blurred. She felt his hands playing tricks, but she didn't stop him. She snorted with a slight nasal tone and said, "Does it have to be here?"

"Well, don't dirty the quilt." Zhu Qizhen pressed her shoulders.

She squatted down, tilted her head slightly, and glanced at the bad guy in a charming way.

……

Half an hour later.

Zhu Qizhen gently embraced the Queen, and they lay on the couch face to face. He held her face and kissed her. The Queen's fair arms were around his neck, her eyes blurred and slowly closed, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

After a long while, the Demon Queen said softly, "That's it. Don't push your luck. Be obedient."

Zhu Qizhen held her tenderly in his arms and said softly, "Okay, I'm tired too. You're getting stronger and stronger."

The demon queen blushed and punched him twice: "Are you satisfied?"

"Of course I'm not satisfied. I will be satisfied only when I get you one day." Zhu Qizhen said directly.

"Go to sleep." The Demon Queen leaned against him and said, "We still have to go to the temple fair tomorrow. Shuangxi said we should make dumplings together."

Zhu Qizhen kissed her fair forehead and said, "Shuangxi is really brave. Making dumplings together? Isn't she afraid of being poisoned? Your hands are not meant for cooking."

The Demon Queen raised her head, pulled him into her arms, and said, "Don't move. This way, you will fall asleep faster."

(End of this chapter)