Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 271: False Emperor: I feel that Zhu Qizhen has returned

Feiyan Tower, the number one brothel in the capital.

As night falls, lanterns are hung high outside the building, and the warm yellow light sways gently in the breeze. It is the gentlest call in the night, attracting pleasure-seekers to step into this den of decadence.

As soon as you step into Feiyan Tower, the first thing that catches your eye is the ingenious layout: the corridors are winding like dragons and snakes, and every step hides a surprise. The corridors are decorated with carved beams and painted buildings, and each painting tells a romantic story.

Inside the building, the light gauze dances and the fragrance is overwhelming, a unique scent that is a mixture of fine spices and female body fragrance. Under the flickering candlelight, various screens cleverly separate the space, maintaining privacy while maintaining elegance. Behind each screen, perhaps a fragrant story is being played out.

The girls are dressed in gorgeous clothes, some are as elegant as orchids, some are as enchanting as fire. They are either lying on exquisite tables, picking up pens to lightly draw their eyebrows, occasionally looking up, with eyes moving, as if they have thousands of words to say; or strolling in the corridor, with light steps, and laughter as crisp as silver bells. Every movement and every glance back are full of charm.

The air is filled with soft music, including the sounds of stringed instruments and the low singing of singing girls. It has the elegance of mountains and flowing water, as well as the worldly lingering sorrows. It makes people forget the troubles of the world and just want to indulge in this moment of tenderness.

Bang!

A young man kicked the door open and walked to a window seat, his face flashing a ferocious look. Just now, he had failed in the fight for the Oiran.

The other party was too powerful, and he really couldn't snatch her away, but he was thinking about the courtesan. He drank a few sips of wine and snorted in his heart: "Prince Ning, isn't he just a vassal king? Aren't you fawning on the false emperor like a dog? After you die, you won't even dare to see your ancestors."

Just as he was cursing in his heart, a young man came over and smiled warmly: "Master Cao, calm down. I was not here just now. After I came in, I heard the girls say that it was you, Master Cao, and His Royal Highness Prince Ning who were fighting for Miss Yueru."

"Marquis Huichang? I admit defeat, so stop ridiculing me." The young man snorted.

"Misunderstanding, right?" Marquis Huichang spread his hands. "I just told Prince Ning that you and Miss Yueru are in love with each other. After hearing that, Prince Ning took the initiative to give up Miss Yueru to help Lord Cao."

The young man was surprised: "Really?"

Huichang Marquis nodded affirmatively: "Of course, Lord Cao, your adoptive father is a favorite of His Majesty. Prince Ning said that your adoptive father helped him the last time he entered the palace. This favor must be repaid."

It turned out that this young man was Cao Qin, the godson of the eunuch chief Cao Jixiang. He was now the deputy governor of the Left Army Governor's Office and also a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

"This..." Cao Qin looked hesitant.

"Oh, Lord Cao, why are you still sitting here? Miss Yueru is waiting for you in her boudoir." Marquis Huichang said with a smile.

Cao Qin immediately stood up and clasped his fists towards him: "Thank His Royal Highness Prince Ning for me. I'll treat him to a drink tomorrow."

Marquis Huichang smiled and nodded: "Okay."

He watched Cao Qin hurried away, and then turned back to a private room. Prince Ning was drinking tea, and raised his eyes and asked, "Is it done?"

"You've taken the bait." Huichang Hou smiled.

"It would be great if we could get Cao Jixiang over here through Cao Qin," said King Ning.

Huichang Hou seemed to be thinking about something, and then shook his head: "Old Deer said that we should not contact Cao Jixiang, because he is the confidant of the false emperor. We cannot touch him unless we are 100% sure, otherwise, we will be exposed."

Prince Ning threw the wine glass in his hand, his face as cold as ice: "Cao Qin is lucky, Yueru is such a beautiful girl, I really can't bear to let her go."

"My Lord, will you be short of women?" Huichang Hou sighed softly, "Just bear with it. When the mission is accomplished, what will you lack?"

Prince Ning laughed loudly: "Come, let's continue drinking and dancing."

……

Sunchon University.

When Shang Lu came out of class, a young man followed him, as if asking him a question.

"If the people are well-off, who can be dissatisfied with the ruler? If the people are dissatisfied, who can be satisfied with the ruler? This sentence comes from the Analects of Confucius. Duke Ai asked Youruo about this, and the student couldn't figure out how to answer the question."

"Since the people are rich below, the ruler will naturally be rich above. The ruler's wealth is hidden in the people. Since the people are rich, how can the ruler be poor alone? It is better to tell Duke Ai that the ruler and the people are one."

"The teacher's words suddenly enlightened the students."

As they talked, they arrived at the courtyard where Shang Lu lived in the school building area. Li Ling was making tea in the courtyard and called to Shang Lu, "Master, the tea is ready."

After she greeted Shang Lu, she glanced at the young man: "Xu Shiliang, why are you here again?"

"I... came to ask you a question, sir." The young man's face turned slightly red, and he seemed a little nervous.

His name is Xu Shiliang, the son of Xu Youzhen, the chief minister of the cabinet, and he is obsessed with Confucianism. Shang Lu sat down, drank a cup of hot tea, looked at Xu Shiliang and said, "Nowadays, many young people have turned to art. It's rare that you still stick to the Confucian Four Books and Five Classics, and even indulge in them."

"The learning of sages is the great way." Xu Shiliang said in a sonorous voice.

Li Ling, who was brewing tea nearby, chuckled: "The books of saints are for reading, but they are useless for doing things."

"You... blaspheme the saint." Xu Shiliang glared.

"I'm still cursing the saint, what do you want?" Li Ling glared at Xu Shiliang, and he immediately became timid.

Shang Lu looked at the two of them, smiling: "What Ling girl just said was quite insightful."

Xu Shiliang's helpless expression: "Sir, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Shang Lu smiled slightly and said to Li Ling: "You should go to class, right? Mr. Yang, the math teacher, doesn't like people to be late."

Li Ling seemed to have just remembered, turned around and ran into the house, holding a pile of books and hurried away. Xu Shiliang looked at her back as she walked away, a little dazed.

"Shiliang." Shang Lu said in a deep voice, "Li Ling is the eldest princess of Goryeo. She has no choice. You should stop... thinking about her."

Xu Shiliang slowly lowered his head and said "oh".

A gentle breeze blew by, Shang Lu drank his tea and sighed softly: "Shiliang, you adhere to the Confucian ideals in doing things and being a person, but what about your father? What do you think of your father?"

Xu Shiliang's face changed drastically.

His father, Xu Youzhen, was the prime minister of the dynasty, but he knew that many people in the university looked down on his father. Because his father was the first person to propose moving south after the Battle of Tumu, and after the Battle of Tumu, he was the first person to support the false emperor. His father was guilty of all the Confucianism-speaking disloyalty, unfilial piety, unkindness, and unrighteousness.

"Shiliang, if you are given a chance to correct your father's mistakes, will you do it?" Shang Lu asked.

"Sir...what are you talking about?" Xu Shiliang stood up in horror.

……

In the capital city after autumn, the sky is clear, high and vast.

The air was a bit chilly in the early autumn, but it did not reduce the bustling atmosphere. Shops lined the streets, with signs of all colors swaying in the wind and hawking sounds coming one after another, making the streets very lively.

However, the leaves of the rows of trees on the street began to turn yellow, and occasionally a few leaves fell with the wind, paving golden paths; pedestrians' clothes became thicker, and their steps seemed to be more hurried. Ding Xiu, the Jinyiwei pacification envoy, was dressed in plain clothes and mixed in the bustling crowd, looking particularly inconspicuous. He chose a small noodle shop on the corner. Although this noodle shop is inconspicuous, the noodles are chewy and the soup is delicious. It is a place he must visit before every case. Ding Xiu sat on a simple wooden bench, surrounded by several Jinyiwei who were also dressed in plain clothes. They either lowered their heads and tasted silently, or talked in a low voice.

Ding Xiu slurped the steaming noodles, his eyes revealing a sense of satisfaction and indifference. For him, this is not just a bowl of noodles, but also a habit, a way to find a moment of peace in the turbulent world. After several years of experience in Shaanxi and Gansu, he likes noodles more, but the noodles in Beijing lack the flavor of the northwest.

"Boss, there's something going on with the Qi family." The subordinate reported while eating, "Their fleet that went to the West once brought back strangers..."

Ding Xiu was shocked: "What? Why didn't you find out before?"

The subordinate wiped the oil off his mouth and said, "Boss, I haven't finished yet. Some brothers have investigated before, and the Qi family has also reported it. What they brought back are the descendants of the Central Plains people who went to the West in the pre-Yuan Dynasty. Some of them can't even speak the Central Plains dialect, but they are good at arts, so they brought them back and handed them over to Shuntian University."

Ding Xiu frowned and said, "Your Majesty once issued an order for the caravan to bring back more talents from the West. This is the first time someone has brought back a descendant of the Central Plains. Whether it is a coincidence or not, we have to investigate."

"They're all watching." The subordinate nodded.

Ding Xiu put down his chopsticks and sighed, "I always feel uneasy. Would Junshan hide so deeply? You guys continue to keep an eye on the Qi family. I'm going to meet the Duke of Ying."

"Where is the Duke of England?" asked the subordinate.

"After all, Zhang Fu fought for the Ming Dynasty and made great achievements." Ding Xiu smiled, "As a junior, I have to respect him."

……

Hongwu Military Academy.

Ding Xiu stood in front of a courtyard, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open to walk in. In the courtyard, Zhang Fu, with white hair and beard, was practicing boxing, looking very powerful.

"Old Duke, you are still as majestic as ever." Ding Xiu stepped forward and bowed, "Junior Ding Xiu, I pay my respects to the Duke of England."

Zhang Fu stopped, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and glanced at him: "I know you, the fourth young master of the Yu family. You came to see me? Are the Jinyiwei going to detain me again?"

"No, no, no." Ding Xiu waved his hands repeatedly, "I just came to see you."

Zhang Fu glanced at him again: "You come empty-handed?"

Ding Xiu: "!!!"

As the Jinyiwei pacification envoy, he usually went to arrest people and never had the habit of bringing gifts to people. Now he could only spread his hands awkwardly: "Uh, junior...poor!"

Zhang Fu was amused by this and waved his hand: "Sit down, and speak directly if you have anything to say. I have to go to class later."

Ding Xiu actually likes dealing with such people, who are straightforward and efficient, unlike those civil servants who can talk to you for a long time in a confusing manner but actually say nothing.

"I'll just say it directly." Ding Xiu said, "I want to know the situation of Junshan Society."

Zhang Fu's face instantly turned cold: "I have already told you Jinyiwei everything I know, just go ask Shi Biao directly."

Ding Xiu stared at him coldly and said in a deep voice: "Old Duke, to tell you the truth, the emperor of Dunhuang is not dead at all. He may have hidden in the capital. Humph, if he is allowed to ascend the throne again, there will be rivers of blood in the court and the country, and everything in the Ming Dynasty today will be destroyed."

Zhang Fu was stunned at first, then laughed sarcastically: "You are telling this to me? Did you find the wrong person? Do you know how I lost my position as Duke? I am the one who is most opposed to the fake... Majesty."

"Things are different now, old Duke..." Ding Xiu was anxious.

"Stop talking." Zhang Fu stood up and left. "I'm going to class now, so don't come looking for me."

Ding Xiu shouted at his back: "Old Duke, please think twice, for the sake of protecting the Ming Dynasty from suffering and for the sake of your entire Zhang family."

Zhang Fu paused slightly, then strode away.

……

royal palace.

Zhu Qizhen's neck was sore from reviewing memorials. He walked out of the Qianqing Palace and strolled along the corridors of the palace. Before he knew it, he arrived at the Fengtian Gate Tower. He stood on it and looked into the distance.

"Your Majesty, I am Zheng Ying's subordinate." Zheng Ying, a captain of the imperial guards, came over and bowed.

"You are on duty today." Zhu Qizhen said with a smile, "Is your father doing well recently? I heard that he injured his foot?"

Zheng Ying said respectfully, "It's just a sprained ankle. Just take care of it. My father refused to admit that he was old. When he was training the imperial guards, he was too competitive and tried to compete with the younger generation. That's why he sprained his ankle."

Zhu Qizhen laughed out loud after hearing this: "It's good not to admit old age, so that you can maintain your fighting spirit."

Zheng Ying looked aggrieved and said, "Your Majesty, you don't know that he is now at home and cannot move. His temper is getting worse and worse, and he beats people at any time."

"As a son, you have thick skin and strong flesh. What's wrong with being beaten by your father a few times?" Zhu Qizhen said.

"It's okay for me." Zheng Ying smiled bitterly, "The maids and servants in the house don't dare to get close to him."

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead and said, "You have such a bad temper? I gave him a verbal order to take good care of yourself and not to beat the servants at will."

Zheng Ying was overjoyed: "As you wish!"

Zhu Qizhen was chatting with him when Shi Biao, the commander of the Imperial Guard, came over. He bowed and then said to Zheng Ying, "Cousin, you are on an inspection tour, why are you chatting with His Majesty?"

"Yes, you are still relatives." Zhu Qizhen reacted.

"Not very close." Shi Biao said, "He is closer to my uncle."

That is, my nephew.

Zhu Qizhen glanced at the two of them and said, "Okay, my safety is in the hands of your family."

"Your Majesty, I'm going to inspect." Zheng Ying bowed and left.

Shi Biao came to Zhu Qizhen and reported the latest news from all sides. After listening, Zhu Qizhen waved him down and stood on the tower alone, facing the wind.

Fengtian Gate!
He suddenly remembered that the "History of Ming Dynasty" recorded that in the eighth year of Jingtai, Shi Heng, Xu Youzhen and others led troops to sneak into the palace, broke open the gate of Nangong, and welcomed Zhu Qizhen out. Afterwards, they entered Fengtian Gate without bloodshed and announced Zhu Qizhen's restoration.

This is the change of the gate.

Zhu Qizhen successfully restored the throne and changed the reign title to Tianshun. He rewarded Shi Heng, Xu Youzhen, Cao Jixiang and other heroes of the coup, and liquidated the Daizong and his supporters.

After the restoration, Zhu Qizhen executed Yu Qian, the Minister of War, Wang Wen, the Minister of Personnel, and others for treason, even though they had made great contributions in stabilizing the government and resisting foreign enemies after the Tumu Incident.

"Why do I feel like Zhu Qizhen is back?" Zhu Qizhen looked into the distance and sneered in his heart, "Is he going to seize the palace?"

(End of this chapter)