Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 287 The True Emperor's Defense is Broken: I am Far inferior to the False Emperor

Zhu Qizhen worked overtime for three days and finally finished processing the urgent documents. He complained about Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang in his heart.

Old Zhu, Old Zhu, why did you abolish the prime minister? Hu Weiyong is so capable, how much trouble can he save you? You should be a model worker yourself, don't harm future generations.

"Your Majesty, Lord Shi from the Embroidered Uniform Guard requests to see you." Cao Jixiang came over to report.

Zhu Qizhen rubbed his eyebrows, collected his thoughts, reached out to take the tea handed over by Xiyao, drank a cup, and sobered up a lot. After Shi Biao came in to pay his respects, he reported: "Your Majesty, I have sent people to check the several houses mentioned by Huichang Hou, and they do have secret rooms. Junshan Society is really good at finding places, and they are all hidden courtyards."

"You didn't find anything, right?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"Yes, I am incompetent." Shi Biao lowered his head and said, "Those courtyards were rented out by the original owners, and the people who rented the courtyards all used fake names. I am still investigating. Junshanhui only used each place once, which is really cautious."

Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and said, "You should focus on the interrogation. Leave the investigation outside to Ding Xiu. Interrogate Qi Feng, Sun Lian and Mu Bin carefully. I'm sure you will find out something."

Shi Biao nodded heavily: "If we find the old deer from the Junshan Society, we can know... whether the false emperor is really dead."

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly.

He was almost certain that Zhu Qizhen was not dead, and this time, he must be hiding deeper. If he wanted to find him, it would be best to find the Junshan Society first.

Deer, cow, tiger, wolf.

These are the four people from the Junshan Society confessed by Marquis Huichang. Who could they be?
"The Junshan Society is probably a senior official in the imperial court." Zhu Qizhen said coldly, "You Jinyiwei should start from this aspect."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Shi Biao seemed very confident. "Now that we have more clues, I don't believe that we can't find them."

After Zhu Qizhen gave a few instructions, Shi Biao retreated.

He continued to read the memorials, all of which were the latest urgent matters. The one he was reading was a memorial from Yang Guifang of Chagatai, which summarized the current situation in the Western Regions.

Now Yang Guifang led a 100,000-strong Ming army in Alimali, the former capital of Chagatai. Zhu Yong led a 100,000-strong army out of Dunhuang and was now in Khara City.

Zhu Qiyu and Boyan, who escaped from Alimali, still had 50,000 troops in Asu City below Alimali. In Yang Guifang's view, Zhu Qiyu was not a concern, as he was held back by Zhu Yong's 100,000 troops, so Zhu Qiyu dared not move.

Yang Guifang's plan was to continue westward, and he was ready to attack Samarkand. Samarkand was the capital of Chagatai during his heyday. Similarly, Samarkand was once the capital of the Timurid Empire.

Now, this majestic city is still in the hands of the Timurid Empire. Yang Gui wants to take Samarkand and go to war with the Timurid Empire. If he occupies Samarkand, he will not have to worry about supplies and food.

Zhu Qizhen read the memorial and pondered for a long time before he began to approve it. Of course, he agreed with Yang Guifang's plan, but now that it was so long, he needed to pay more attention to some points.

He wanted to send Liu Dingzhi, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, to Chagatai, where a large area had now surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. He decided to set up a Chagatai province there, assign officials, and fully control Chagatai.

"Your Majesty, the cabinet ministers request to see you." Cao Jixiang came to report.

Zhu Qizhen put down his pen and summoned them to the court to discuss the matter of going to the Western Regions. Xu Youzhen and his companions came in, and after paying their respects, Zhu Qizhen showed them Yang Guifang's memorial.

"Yesterday, I was at the Hongwu Military Academy discussing with Duke Xia and Duke Zhong, and we guessed that Yang Guifang would attack Samarkand, and we actually guessed it right." Zhang Lun said with a smile.

Zhu Qizhen smiled slightly and said, "Write a letter to Yang Guifang with your deductions."

"I have already written it down." Zhang Lun said, "Timur has fought against the Black Sheep Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire. Some of their tactics are different from our Central Plains Dynasty. We must be careful."

Xu Youzhen frowned: "With such a long battle line, the supply of military equipment and food is a big problem."

"Of course we can't send all of them up from within the Ming Dynasty. We have to solve it locally." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, "I have decided to set up the Chagatai Province. From now on, the Ming Dynasty will have one more province. Your cabinet will select a group of officials to go there. I have already selected the governor, Liu Dingzhi."

Xu Youzhen, Li Xian, Li Bing, Zhang Lun and others looked at each other with excitement in their eyes.

"The Ming Dynasty has one more province. Your Majesty's simple words make my blood boil." Li Xian said, "Your Majesty, we will select capable officials after we return."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and nodded: "We will use Chagatai as a pilot to learn how to control new provinces. In the future, we will continue to add provinces. We need a complete set of mature processes, not only the imperial edict system, but also financial education, etc."

"I will go down and discuss a proposal." Xu Youzhen felt very motivated.

After some discussion, Zhu Qizhen kept Zhang Lun.

……

"Come on, have dinner with me." Zhu Qizhen stood up.

Zhang Lun was stunned. He thought the emperor was going to tell him something important, but it turned out to be just about eating. He hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, I won't eat anymore. There are still many things to do."

"You must eat." Zhu Qizhen said unhappily, "Go to Changchun Palace and eat with your sister. We are going to discuss your marriage."

"Can I not go?" Zhang Lun had a helpless expression.

Zhu Qizhen answered simply: "No! If you don't go, your sister will blame me."

Zhang Lun's face instantly showed a gossipy expression: "Your Majesty, are you still henpecked? This shouldn't be the case, you are a great ruler."

"Get lost!" Zhu Qizhen glared at him.

He led Zhang Lun to Changchun Palace. Concubine Xian knew they were coming, as she had discussed this with the emperor. She had prepared a table of sumptuous delicacies early on.

"Don't be so reserved, today is a family dinner." Zhu Qizhen sat down and called Zhang Lun, "Sister and brother-in-law, I want to talk to you about marriage, come and sit down."

Zhang Lun then sat down properly, maintaining etiquette. Zhu Qizhen was annoyed and turned to Concubine Xian and said, "He was not like this a few years ago."

"Your Majesty, he was not like this when he was a child." Concubine Xian smiled, "But he is a general in the army now, so he must not act arrogantly."

Zhang Lun relaxed a little and said, "Sister and brother-in-law, please stop talking about me. I have no objection to the marriage. Just tell me in advance when you need me to do something."

"You don't care about anything, so I'll give you a notice." Zhu Qizhen held his forehead. Zhang Lun didn't know what a notice was, but he knew what it meant. He really didn't want to care about anything, because everything was arranged, and he had never even seen a woman.

"The daughter of the Guo family is virtuous and dignified." Concubine Xian said, "I have seen her the day before yesterday. She is more than suitable for you. Don't look so reluctant. I tell you, this is a happy occasion, don't give me a face."

"I dare not." Zhang Lun smiled, "I am cheerful, isn't that okay? When it comes to fitting clothes and when the wedding is held, I will follow your orders."

Zhu Qizhen complained in his heart that the ancient wedding process was indeed a bit complicated, but he said to Concubine Xian: "As a sister, you should worry more. This is the imperial tiger of our Ming Dynasty. The wedding must be grand. Don't save money for the court."

"The money came from the inner treasury?" Concubine Xian glared.

Zhu Qizhen said firmly: "That won't work!"

The money in the inner treasury is my money! Besides, there is an empress dowager in Kunning Palace. If I use her money, she will bite me.

……

It is already late autumn.

The cold wind whistled past, rolling up waves of yellow leaves, which swirled and danced in the air, and finally landed lightly on the bluestone slabs, paving a golden path. Despite the bleak autumn wind, the streets on both sides still maintained a rare cleanliness. Whenever leaves fell, cleaning staff in uniform would quickly and silently collect them, not letting a trace of disorder destroy the solemnity and order of this capital city.

At the first light of morning, the figures of the patrolling city guards were particularly eye-catching at the busy intersection. They were dressed in iron armor, holding spears, standing straight, with sharp eyes. As the sun rose and the moon set, these loyal guardians began their busy day, directing the pedestrians and vehicles coming and going, ensuring that the blood vessels of this huge city were unobstructed.

Today, the capital of the Ming Dynasty has long surpassed its past limitations. It is not only the center of the empire, but also a world capital that integrates the styles and cultures of all parts of the world. Within the towering city walls, there are not only ancient palaces and temples, but also novel and unique Western-style buildings and shops; on the streets, in addition to traditional Central Plains robes, you can also see clothing and styles from foreign countries. In the market, there are a wide variety of goods, including rare treasures from across the ocean, attracting merchants and tourists from all directions.

Zhu Qizhen came to the Chamber of Commerce while eating a sesame cake. The moment Roujia saw him, tears came to her eyes and she rushed over and said, "Sir, I heard that you were injured some time ago."

She knew Zhu Qizhen's identity, but neither of them pointed it out. Zhu Qizhen saw that Roujia had lost a lot of weight and looked less charming and more gentle.

"It's okay." Zhu Qizhen walked straight in, "Bring all the letters from Mr. Ning."

Roujia took him into the private room and handed the prepared letter to Zhu Qizhen. She knelt beside him and served him as before.

Zhu Qizhen drank a cup of tea and began to read the letter attentively. Ning Dajia naturally had a letter for him, but he still wanted to verify it with both parties.

Judging from the content of the letter, Ning Rongrong is still in control of the Jiuzhou region. She has implemented various systems and a series of measures in Jiuzhou in order to educate her people.

"This woman has some tricks." Zhu Qizhen thought secretly as he looked at the content, "Some of the things can be used as a reference for Liu Dingzhi who is about to go to Chagatai."

She had a very good position in Kyushu, because it was far away from the capital of Japan and away from disputes. In the letter, she said that the shogunate was fighting over the next generation of shogun, and the two forces were fighting openly.

The current Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa was no longer able to control the government. His younger brother Ashikaga Yoshitsugu was interested in the position of Shogun, which was natural because Ashikaga Yoshimasa had no children. However, his wife Hino Tomiko gave birth to a son, Ashikaga Yoshinaga.

The two major forces within the shogunate were already in opposition. Hosokawa Katsumoto supported Ashikaga Yoshitari, while Yamana Munezen supported Ashikaga Yoshinai. The Eastern Army, led by Hosokawa Katsumoto, included daimyo such as the Hatakeyama clan and the Sasaki clan; the Western Army, led by Yamana Munezen, included forces such as the Ouchi clan and Hatakeyama Yoshimasa.

"The Onin War is expected to start earlier." Zhu Qizhen said secretly, "The Japanese Warring States Period has begun, and Ning Rongrong's chance has come."

After he finished reading all the letters, he picked up his pen and began to write a reply. After writing a long reply, he ordered Roujia to send it to Japan with their own caravan.

"How is your caravan doing lately?" he asked, taking a sip of tea.

"Very good, it has expanded again." Roujia said, "We have cooperated with the Ming Trading Company in several kingdoms in Southeast Asia and opened textile and manor houses, etc."

Zhu Qizhen listened to her report and made some comments from time to time. In his opinion, the Ming Trade Company alone could not control Nanyang, and it had to work with other Ming caravans to monopolize the trade.

……

Sunchon University.

In the cave under the ancient well, the Zhengtong Emperor, Xu Bin and Wu Xingdao were having dinner. Xu Bin went out for a while and said while eating: "The court has established the Chagatai Province in the Western Regions, and has appointed Liu Dingzhi as the governor of Chagatai, and has also formed a team. The Ming Dynasty has one more province."

"I've read the History of the Western Regions, and it says that the Han Dynasty conquered Luntai." The Zhengtong Emperor sighed, "The False Emperor is trying to surpass Emperor Wu of Han."

Xu Bin smiled: "Then he is stronger than Emperor Wu of Han. He conquered the northern desert and now has established the Chagatai Province in the Western Regions. I believe that the Western Regions will be incorporated into the territory of the Ming Dynasty soon."

"His performance has surpassed that of Emperor Taizong." The Zhengtong Emperor sighed. "Will his achievements be compared with those of Emperor Taizu in the history books in the future?"

Wu Xingdao's eyes gleamed: "Your Majesty, as long as you replace him, all of this will be yours."

"I am always looking forward to that moment." The Zhengtong Emperor gritted his teeth and said, "Is there any news from the Junshan Society recently?"

Xu Bin put down his chopsticks and said, "Lao Lu said that they are planning it. The Queen Mother wants to meet with your Majesty."

"I need to meet him." The Zhengtong Emperor sighed, "For so many years, I, as a son, have been useless."

Wu Xingdao whispered to comfort him: "Your Majesty, don't worry. Although the outside world now thinks we are dead, we still have to be careful. You can't go out. The fake emperor often holds activities, and many people in the capital recognize him."

"In fact, I am not like him." The orthodox emperor snorted coldly, "Are all the ministers in the court and the country blind?"

Xu Bin shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, you two don't look alike now, but at the beginning, you looked very similar. After so many years, you are naturally different. The court officials don't know what you look like now, so they definitely don't know."

"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore." The Legitimacy Emperor raised his eyes and asked again, "Is there any news about... Bulma and my child?"

Xu Bin pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, "The queen is in the harem, and the prince is also here. They are being taken care of by the palace maids and eunuchs, and they are all fine."

"Is it too peaceful? Have they forgotten me?" The orthodox emperor's tone suddenly turned cold. "I took risks for them, but what about them?"

Wu Xingdao immediately corrected him, his voice serious: "Your Majesty, you returned to take risks for the sake of Ming Dynasty. Remember, only in this way can you gain more support."

(End of this chapter)