Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 263: False Emperor: The orthodox Jianwen, self-immolated?

Zhu Qizhen raised a cold smile and stared at the Demon Queen with a cold tone: "You really protect your family. I have been with you for six years, but we don't have this kind of feelings, right?"

The Demon Queen raised her slender neck and bit her lips lightly: "You...I...she is just a weak woman."

Zhu Qizhen snorted coldly and waved his hand fiercely: "Someone come here!"

Several eunuchs and palace maids came in and stood behind him. Zhu Qizhen pointed at the sleeping child on the couch and said, "Take the child away and raise him in the palace."

As soon as he finished speaking, two eunuchs went up to pick up the child. Bulma saw that her child was about to be taken away, and she immediately jumped up and rushed forward to snatch it, but was held back by the other two eunuchs.

"My child, don't take my child away." She screamed at the top of her lungs.

She turned to look at the Demon Queen, full of requests. The Demon Queen walked a few steps to Zhu Qizhen and said, "Leave the child here. It's just a child."

"No!" Zhu Qizhen's eyes were like knives. "Don't worry, I won't kill a child, but I want to use this child."

The Queen realized that the child would become a hostage. She was so angry that her body was shaking: "You... despicable!"

Zhu Qizhen chuckled, pushed her away, and looked at Bulma, saying, "The child will be raised in the palace. He will live well. You just stay here obediently."

After saying that, he waved his hand, and the eunuch left with the child in his arms. Zhu Qizhen glanced at Bulma and the Demon Queen, and snorted, "It seems that we don't need the maids and eunuchs to serve here, so follow me."

He strode out, followed by the palace maids and eunuchs, and left the palace.

Bulma squatted there crying, repeating: "Child, my child."

The Demon Queen slowly walked up to her, patted her shoulder gently, and said, "You have to cheer up. We women all have a hard life."

……

Western Regions, Kharaju City, and the palace in the city.

Yang Guifang was meeting a guest from the Ottoman Empire. The Ming Dynasty sent envoys to Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and reached an alliance. The Ottoman Empire then sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty.

The Ottoman Empire's envoys passed by here, so Yang Guifang naturally wanted to meet them. Before the meeting, he had already roughly understood the current situation of the Ottoman Empire.

The current emperor of the Ottoman Empire is only in his twenties, but he is wise and brave. He has a title called "Fatih", which means conqueror. He led the Ottoman Empire to rise rapidly. The Battle of Constantinople two years ago, also known as the Fall of Constantinople, was a key battle between the Ottoman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, which led to the demise of the Byzantine Empire.

In order to capture Constantinople, Fatih made long-term military preparations. He personally led a large army, including 8 main troops and 2 auxiliary troops, as well as 320 warships, to surround Constantinople from both land and sea.

As Constantinople was well-defended, Fatih had to find new ways to attack the city. He eventually bribed Genoese merchants, passed through the Galata region controlled by the Genoese, and sneaked into the Golden Horn Bay in order to attack from both land and sea.

The Ottoman army launched a strong attack on Constantinople from the west, but was met with stubborn resistance from the Byzantine army and civilians. Fatih then changed his offensive strategy and used the Golden Horn to launch a land and sea attack.

The two sides fought for 59 days.

Fatih mobilized 5 troops, laid a 1.5-kilometer-long log runway between the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, and towed 80 light sailing ships into the Golden Horn. This move greatly shocked the Byzantine defenders, forcing them to disperse their forces to strengthen the defense of the Golden Horn line.

Finally, the Ottoman army launched a general attack on Constantinople from both land and sea. After fierce fighting, the Ottoman army finally captured Constantinople. Constantine XI, the last Byzantine emperor, died in the street fighting.

The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the end of the Medieval era in Europe.

After this battle, the Ottoman Empire moved its capital to Constantinople, renamed it Istanbul, and became the new generation of overlord.

"Reis, will you send troops to attack Timur?" Yang Guifang asked.

The Ottoman envoy, Reis, nodded affirmatively: "However, we are only cooperating with the Ming Dynasty and will not really launch a large-scale attack. Our current target is still the west, where we are fighting against Greece."

Yang Guifang laughed loudly: "We will help you contain the great enemy Timurid Empire in the east. I am looking forward to the alliance between the Ottoman Empire and the Ming Dynasty."

He chatted with Leis for a while, and then sent him out enthusiastically, because Leis had to go to the capital of Daming. After Leis left, Wang Yue came up with a letter from the capital.

"General Yang, His Majesty has agreed that we can continue westward." Wang Yue said excitedly.

"Great! I just received news that although Yuan Bin has taken Alimali, he suffered heavy losses." Yang Guifang clapped her hands. "We should not give them a chance to catch their breath. We should march into Alimali immediately."

Wang Yue nodded: "Yes!"

……

Beijing, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen discussed matters with the cabinet, and the chief minister Xu Youzhen reported: "Your Majesty, we need to add a few more Maritime Customs Offices. The taxes collected by the Maritime Customs Offices are now an important source of income for the national treasury."

"There are more and more foreign merchants, it's time to open up a few more." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "You guys think about it and submit a memorial to me."

Li Bing then said, "Your Majesty, when I was the governor of Fujian, I stayed in the Quanzhou Maritime Customs for several months and observed the situation. I have some suggestions on taxation that can increase the revenue of the court."

As he spoke, he handed over a letter.

The eunuch chief Cao Jixiang took it and handed it to Zhu Qizhen. After opening it and reading it, Zhu Qizhen nodded with satisfaction: "It's just right. There are few memorials today. Let's discuss it together. Our Ming Dynasty will become the center of the world in the future. The trade policy and system do need to be improved."

The discussion lasted until noon, and the ministers finally dispersed.

After having lunch, Zhu Qizhen strolled to the harem to see Qiqige.

There were also palace maids and eunuchs in the other courtyard. When they saw the emperor coming, they all knelt to greet him. Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "Go and do what you need to do."

He came to the palace and saw Alena mixing her spices, while Qiqige lazily leaned on the cushions. Alena stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Qiqige frowned and tried to stand up, but Zhu Qizhen stopped him and said, "If you are unwilling, don't do the ceremony. How are you doing recently?"

"Everything is fine," Alena answered helpfully. "The doctor came yesterday and said everything is normal."

Qiqige just nodded slightly, she put her hands on her belly, her sharp eyes became much gentler. Zhu Qizhen sat down beside her, patted her belly gently, and said: "Poor child, your mother seems unhappy, she was unhappy when she was pregnant with you, and she definitely doesn't want you after giving birth to you, you should just follow me."

"You..." Qi Qige kicked his foot angrily.

Zhu Qizhen teased her for a while, then stood up and left. Qi Qige looked at his back and snorted, "He wants to take care of the child in this state?"

Alena came over and sighed: "You'd better be nice to him. It's his decision whether you can return to the grassland in the future."

……

The palace on the mountain. It is already midsummer, but it is still cool here.

The demon went to the next yard to see Bulma. Although Bulma didn't make a big noise, she hardly spoke all day. Fortunately, she still knew how to eat.

In fact, the Queen knew that if Bulma hadn't had the child in her heart, she might not be alive today. The Queen could only persuade her, and fortunately Bulma settled down.

Coming out of the courtyard, the Demon Queen looked up at the blue sky, was silent for a while and asked, "Shuangxi, has His Majesty not been here for a while?"

Shuangxi, who was following behind him, nodded: "Yes, more than half a month."

The Demon Queen snorted, "Small-minded, is he sad to see me protecting Bulma?"

Shuangxi pursed her lips, not knowing how to answer.

The Demon Queen sighed softly and continued to ask, "Is there any new news down the mountain recently?"

"It is said that the imperial army continues to advance westward." Shuangxi said, "The Junshan Society sent a letter to... His Majesty in the Western Regions, explaining their arrangements."

"This is my last chance." The Demon Queen chuckled. "Whether I fail or not, nothing good will happen to me. Shuangxi, if he doesn't want to come, then don't come. I will just live a quiet life for a while."

Shuangxi stepped forward and said, "This servant will accompany the queen."

The Demon Queen held Shuangxi's hand and said, "Yes, I still have you."

……

Alimali city.

Below the city, yellow dust was flying, war drums were thundering, and a murderous atmosphere filled the air. Hundreds of thousands of Ming troops surged like an iron tide, the flash of armor reflecting cold light in the sunlight, their morale was high, shaking the heaven and earth.

Yang Guifang sat high on the horse's back, raised his hand and gave an order, and dozens of Hongwu cannons were dragged to the front of the battle by strong horses. These behemoths stood tall on the battlefield, with their black muzzles pointing directly at the city walls of Alimali City, like the eyes of a giant beast, revealing a chilling coldness.

"put!"

Yang Guifang held the flag high and gave an order, breaking through the noise of the battlefield. In an instant, flames shot up into the sky, accompanied by a deafening roar, and the Hongwu cannons roared one after another, spewing out angry flames and the breath of death. Iron bullets poured out like raindrops, cutting through the air, and with unstoppable force, they hit the city wall fiercely.

With each bombardment, it was as if the earth was shaking and the city walls were wailing. The solid stone walls began to crack under the continuous bombardment, with broken stones flying everywhere and dust covering the sky. The defenders on the tower were terrified, and many of them were so frightened by the earth-shaking momentum that their legs and feet became weak, and some even abandoned their weapons and fled. The defense of Alimali City seemed so fragile in the face of this overwhelming offensive.

In less than an hour, the army entered the city.

This time, Yang Guifang made full preparations and surrounded the city, determined not to let the fake emperor go. After entering the city, Yang Guifang led the personal guard army to the palace in the city.

When he arrived in front of the palace, he saw that it was already on fire.

"General." A personal guard escorted a man forward, "He said he is Zhu Zihou, the Prince of Zhou."

When Yang Guifang saw the man, he was secretly surprised because it was really King Zhou. However, he remained calm and asked coldly, "Where is the fake emperor?"

King Zhou pointed to the fire with a numb expression and said, "Dead, all dead. Your Majesty lit the fire himself. They all burned to death."

"What?" Yang Guifang was shocked.

He looked up at the flames rising into the sky, knowing that it could not be saved. He frowned, pondered for a while, and sneered: "You lied to me! The fake emperor can't burn himself, and those fake princes are all afraid of death."

King Zhou looked sad. "That's right. Your Majesty, Xu Bin, and the military advisor are all dead. King Qin, King Su, King Min, King Jin, and King Qin all ran away. I didn't have time to run away. That's all. I didn't want to flee in such a hurry."

"I still don't believe it." Yang Guifang waved her hand and ordered, "Search the whole city!"

……

Night falls.

The fire had been put out, and the burned bones were indeed found, but they were unrecognizable. Yang Guifang called a meeting of the generals, deployed defenses in Alimali City, and sent a victory report to the capital.

After doing all this, he met King Zhou alone.

Of course he knew that this King Zhou was real. In Kaifeng, he and the emperor had lived in the King Zhou's mansion for a period of time. The embarrassed King Zhou saw him and smiled bitterly: "How does General Yang plan to deal with me?"

"You said you were in Kaifeng, being your own free and easy prince, why did you wade into this muddy water?" Yang Guifang had a speechless expression, "Don't you think about your descendants?"

King Zhou smiled faintly: "I know that the false emperor will not harm my child for the sake of his own reputation. And me? I just did what the descendants of the Zhu family should do. I don't want to be ashamed to meet my ancestors in the underworld."

Yang Guifang poured him a glass of wine and asked, "Is the Zhengtong Emperor really dead?"

"You finally admitted that the dead one is the legitimate emperor." King Zhou raised his eyes, "Yes, he is indeed dead. He is also tired. He was captured in Mobei and lived like a dog. He finally escaped to Dunhuang, but was attacked by you. He fled to Khalakzhou and was attacked by you again. He lost his wife and children. He fled here and was chased by you. He is tired and does not want to live anymore."

Yang Guifang snorted indifferently: "It's quite pitiful."

King Zhou drank a glass of wine and spread his hands: "Tell me, how do you deal with me?"

"I can't deal with you, and I don't know how to deal with you." Yang Guifang said, "I will wait for the order of His Majesty. Before the order of His Majesty comes, you can live well."

King Zhou smiled and raised his eyebrows: "Do you have good wine and good meat? We have known each other for a while, so you will satisfy this need, right? Maybe I won't live long."

"All the wine and meat are available!" Yang Guifang stood up and smiled coldly, "But I don't believe that the emperor really burned himself to death. I will continue to look for him and I will definitely find him."

King Zhou spread his hands indifferently.

……

Beijing.

After receiving Yang Guifang's secret report, Zhu Qizhen was stunned for a long time, still unable to believe it: "This guy imitated Emperor Jianwen and burned himself to death? Impossible, is he using the fire to annihilate his identity? Is he hiding?"

His eyes suddenly became sharp, he clenched his fists, and snorted, "Is he heading for the capital? Is he going to make a last stand?"

Thinking of this, he immediately wrote a letter to Yang Guifang, as well as to Liu Dingzhi, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, and Ding Xiu, the pacification envoy. The Zhengtong emperor was going to come to the capital and would definitely pass through these places, so he must be captured.

……

Ps: There is only one chapter today, and tomorrow there will be two chapters of 10,000 words. We will get into the key content right away. The dispute between the real and fake emperor will be settled, and the dispute with the empress dowager will also be settled.

(End of this chapter)