Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 301: Poisoning the Fake Emperor, Only She Can Do It

It was windy and snowy.

The entire capital city was shrouded in white, and there were finally no pedestrians on the streets. The patrolling city guards shuttled through the wind and snow, trying their best to keep the carriage roads open.

On both sides of the street, the originally bustling shops and buildings were all hidden in the vast snow and wind, leaving only vague outlines.

Occasionally, the sound of hurried horse hooves broke the silence, and carriages, wrapped in the wind and snow, hurriedly passed through this silver-white world. The driver wrapped his clothes tightly, his face solemn, and drove the horses forward quickly.

Fahai Temple was also covered by heavy snow. However, the sound of chanting could be heard from the temple, and the incense was burning vigorously. It turned out that the Queen Mother was performing a ritual today, still for the soldiers who died in the battle.

The old abbot passed away, and the new young abbot was even more respectful to the Queen Mother, and did not even dare to look up at her. The Queen Mother was well versed in Buddhism, and no one except the old abbot could discuss Buddhism with her, and no one could be confused by the Queen Mother's questions.

The Zen room in the backyard was where the Queen Mother would rest every time she came, but now no one dared to enter. A charcoal fire had already been burning in the room, making it very warm.

At this time, two people stood face to face in the room. One wore a mouse mask and a simple long dress, but could not hide his proud figure; the other wore a fox mask and a snow-white fox fur coat, like a fairy descending from the earth.

"King Run didn't have to die," Rat Mask said coldly.

The fox mask chuckled, "Prince Run likes to play with fire, so he probably burned himself to death. Isn't this a tradition of the Zhu family?"

Rat Mask snorted, "Don't pretend in front of me."

"Boss Rat, you are looking for me in such a cold day, aren't you just looking for this?" The fox mask smiled faintly.

Rat Mask took a few steps forward and approached the brazier. In the light of the fire, her neck was white and slender, and her hands were folded in front of her, dignified and elegant.

"I named our operation 'Seizing the Gate'." She lowered her voice and said, "The most crucial part may be you, so I need to talk to you."

The fox mask's beautiful eyes blinked slightly. "Will they poison you? That's not easy. Your Majesty's drinks and food are all checked in several steps. Even if Cao Jixiang poisons you, he has almost no chance."

"Oh?" Rat Mask raised his eyes.

"But Boss Rat, you can definitely do it." Fox Mask laughed lightly with a hint of amusement.

The eyes of the Rat Mask instantly turned cold, and he said, "If something happens to the fake emperor, it will either happen in the Qianqing Palace or outside the palace. If it happens in the Qianqing Palace, only you can do it."

The fox mask also took a few steps closer and smiled: "If it's outside the palace, it must be you?"

"So, we have to make these two plans well." Rat Mask said in a deep voice.

The fox mask asked with a smile in its eyes: "Can you...really do that?"

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen, who was reviewing memorials, sneezed and asked Cao Jixiang, "How many days will Xiyao be at school this time?"

"Four days." Cao Jixiang replied, "Miss Xiyao vowed when she left that she would learn superb piano skills and surpass those masters."

Zhu Qizhen laughed dumbly: "That girl will most likely come back depressed."

Cao Jixiang agreed with a smile and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother braved the snow and went to Fahai Temple early this morning. I am a little worried. Do you want to send a team of imperial guards to pick her up? The snow and wind are too strong."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

He knew that the Queen Mother was going to the Fahai Temple to perform a ritual, and she had mentioned it during dinner last night. But he had never thought that it would snow so heavily today, and given the Queen Mother's temper, she would definitely not change her mind about what she had said.

"Send a team over." He waved his hand.

"As you command." Cao Jixiang nodded and continued, "Your Majesty, Duke Xia requests an audience outside the palace."

Zhu Qizhen was stunned and glared: "Then hurry up and announce it. It's so cold, why did you leave Yu Qian outside?"

After a while, Yu Qian came into the hall with snow on his body. After he paid his respects, Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "Come here, bring a cup of hot milk tea to Lord Xia."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yu Qian bowed.

Soon, the hot milk tea came up. Yu Qian took a sip and said, "Your Majesty, the Shenjiying finally made a flintlock rifle. Please go and have a look some other day."

"Don't postpone it, go now." Zhu Qizhen stood up. "It's snowing today, so there are not many memorials to be sent. As soon as the snow stops, there will definitely be many memorials to be sent to the capital. How can I have the time?"

Yu Qian glanced outside the palace and said, "Your Majesty, it's snowing heavily outside."

Zhu Qizhen had already walked out of the palace and said, "We can ride horses and enjoy the snow."

They left immediately. Soon, they rode out of the capital and rushed to the Shenji Camp outside the city in the heavy snow. The sound of horse hooves broke the silence of the snow, with boldness and unruliness. Yu Qian followed closely behind, his eyes passing through the flying snow and falling on Zhu Qizhen riding his horse. He was stunned for a moment, and he remembered a poem:

Kill one person in ten steps and leave no trace in a thousand miles. Hello.

……

Shenji camp.

The camp was covered with heavy snow, but the whole camp was steaming hot. It turned out that there was a blazing fire in the camp, and the soldiers were sitting around the fire, warming themselves and chatting.

Yu Qian led Zhu Qizhen into a barracks, which was warm with a charcoal fire. A familiar figure came forward to pay his respects: "Your Majesty, I, Bai Gui, pay my respects to you."

"Hey, Bai Gui? Aren't you in Xuanfu?" Zhu Qizhen asked with a smile.

Yu Qian on the side replied: "I ordered him to return to Beijing some time ago. He is also in charge of the Shenji Camp in the northern border. Now that the flintlock rifle has been released, he must use it first."

Zhu Qizhen asked them to sit down and said, "Since Bai Gui has returned to Beijing, he should not go to the Northern Frontier. Guo Deng, Liu Dachui, and Yang Hong are enough for the Northern Frontier. Bai Gui, do you want to go to the Western Regions? Go with Yang Guifang, Wang Yue, and Zhu Yong."

"Yes," Bai Gui blurted out, "I miss you too much."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and patted his shoulder and said, "Very good. After that year, you will lead the brand new Shenji Battalion to the Western Regions."

"As you wish." Bai Gui bowed excitedly, and quickly raised the gun in his hand and handed it to Zhu Qizhen, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the latest flintlock rifle. It is easier and faster to shoot, and the accuracy is also more accurate."

Zhu Qizhen took it, looked at it carefully, and nodded repeatedly: "This is it! This thing will take decades to be available in Europe."

"Thanks to your Majesty for providing the drawings," said Yu Qian.

Zhu Qizhen tried it and said, "I have a suggestion. The Shenji Camp should also form cavalry. The guns used by the cavalry should be lighter, shorter, and smaller in caliber than this one."

"Your Majesty, you and Duke Xia have the same idea." Bai Gui bowed, "Duke Xia is currently training the cavalry of the Shenji Battalion."

Yu Qian nodded with a smile: "Your Majesty, the lancers combined with spears or broadswords will definitely be of great use against the assault infantry phalanx." Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly.

Lancers were certainly useful in this era, as firearms were not as advanced, and as the range and accuracy of infantry rifles improved, Lancers gradually lost their dominant position on the battlefield.

"Huh, are you roasting sweet potatoes?" He sniffed.

Yu Qian used the tongs to dig out the fire in the pot and took out a few sweet potatoes. Zhu Qizhen smacked his lips and stretched out his hand: "Give me one. Ah, it reminds me of my childhood. I liked this."

In his previous life, he was born in the countryside. When he was young, his grandfather would roast sweet potatoes in a brazier like this. They were so fragrant. Bai Gui was confused when he heard His Majesty say this, thinking, Your Majesty, you ate sweet potatoes when you were a child? Yu Qian was not surprised at all, and handed a sweet potato wrapped in cloth to Zhu Qizhen.

The three of them ate and talked, and Yu Qian looked at Zhu Qizhen from time to time. Zhu Qizhen noticed it and spread his hands in annoyance: "Old Yu, do you have something to say? I feel creepy when you peek at me like this."

Yu Qian shook his head awkwardly: "No...it's okay!"

Zhu Qizhen's eating manners were even more rude than the other two. He finished his meal quickly, smacked his lips, patted Yu Qian's shoulder, wiped his hands, and said, "Old Yu, next year, I plan to let you go abroad for inspection. You will use the identity of the Xia Duke of the Ming Dynasty, and go to Southeast Asia first, and then to the West."

"Inspection?" Yu Qian was surprised and delighted.

Zhu Qizhen nodded affirmatively: "Although the Ming Dynasty is currently more developed than foreign countries, there are still many things in foreign countries that are worth learning. Therefore, I need someone to go and investigate and learn from their advanced experience."

Yu Qian certainly understood the emperor's intention and was very eager to hear it. He said, "I obey your order."

"The world is vast and boundless, and men should never rest on their laurels." Zhu Qizhen said loudly, "The Ming Dynasty is a little richer, but it is still far from enough. To become the empire on which the sun never sets, I alone cannot do it."

Bai Gui could not hide his excitement: "Your Majesty, I will definitely follow you."

Yu Qian followed suit and bowed: "I am willing to serve the Ming Dynasty as a dog or a horse."

Zhu Qizhen raised his hand to let the two stand up, holding the flintlock rifle, and said: "This gun, let's call it the Hongwu gun. Now we have the Hongwu cannon and the Hongwu rifle. I hope we will have the Hongwu warship next."

……

Feiyan Tower.

Despite the heavy snow, Huichang Hou still came here to have fun. Here, he had a private room reserved for him by the madam, and he could come anytime.

In the side room, the candlelight flickered, the warmth was like spring, and it was isolated from the cold outside into two different worlds. Huichang Hou sat on a soft couch, with a beautiful lady on each side, either smiling sweetly or being gentle and charming. One of them gently opened her red lips and handed over a jade cup filled with fine wine with her jade hands; the other gently twisted her slender fingers and presented a plate of crystal clear seasonal fruits. The air was filled with the aroma of wine and fruit, which was intoxicating.

In front of me, four dancers in light gauze dresses danced slowly to the melodious music. Their graceful postures, light dance steps, flowing long hair and flying skirts were so beautiful that they moved people's hearts and minds.

Marquis Huichang's eyes wandered between the wine, the beauty, and the dancing. The fatigue in his heart caused by the troubles of the world seemed to be released most thoroughly at this moment.

At this time, the madam suddenly came in and said with a smile: "Girls, please go out. I have something to discuss with the Marquis."

All the girls in the room left one after another. Marquis Huichang lazily lay down and asked, "What's the matter? You are disturbing my pleasure."

"My lord, there is a guest who wants to see you." The madam smiled.

She actually retreated and closed the door. At this moment, the door of a side room in the house opened, and a man wearing a bull mask walked out.

When Huichang Hou saw him, he didn't seem surprised at all, and said calmly: "Old Niu, I didn't expect you to come to see me. It seems that you are dispensable in Junshan Club. It is very dangerous to come to see me."

"I'm useless!" Bull Mask approached, "The reason Rat Boss came to me is simply because he saw that I have some friendship with... His Majesty Zhengtong."

Huichang Hou became interested: "Oh? You are still friends with that incompetent person? Come on, tell me."

"You want to trick me?" Bull Mask sat down opposite him. "Although I'm not afraid of death, I'm not stupid enough to tell you that."

Huichang Hou curled his lips and said, "Tell me, what do you want from me? You don't want me to join Junshan Society again, do you? If I dare to join, do you dare to accept me?"

The Bull Mask just looked at him and sighed softly: "Boss Rat said that he would spare your life as long as you tell me what you said to the Jinyiwei in the Imperial Prison."

"Is it that simple?" Marquis Huichang was a little surprised.

Bull Mask nodded affirmatively: "It's that simple!"

Marquis Huichang laughed loudly: "Okay, I will tell you everything I heard in the Imperial Prison. Hahahaha, I can also give you a few secrets that I saw in the Imperial Prison."

"Forget it, I won't believe it." The Bull Mask waved his hand.

Marquis Huichang smiled and said, "I saw my uncle in the imperial prison."

The eyes of the bull mask were clearly shocked: "Are you talking about Sun Jizhong?"

……

An hour later, Marquis Huichang returned to his mansion.

When he entered the study, he saw Jinyiwei Zhenfu Envoy Ding Xiu sitting there. Ding Xiu looked very relaxed and was still making tea. Huichang Hou smiled and said, "Master Ding, just treat this place as your own home. Just tell me what you want to drink or eat."

"Do you think I want to come?" Ding Xiu looked coldly, "Every time I come, I don't get any news. I know that the people from Junshan Society dare not come to find you."

Huichang Hou looked excited and approached, "They came to find me today, in Feiyan Tower. They must have been observing me for a long time and were ready there. I was in high spirits drinking, and the madam took everyone away. Then, a man walked out of the side room. He was wearing a cow mask."

Snapped!
Ding Xiu slammed the table and shouted angrily: "Why don't you call someone? Catch him."

"How dare I?" Huichang Hou smiled bitterly. "If he dares to come, he must have made all the preparations. If I shout, I will be killed before I even make a sound. Do you believe it?"

Ding Xiu frowned.

Of course he knew that there was probably more than just Ox Mask involved in the secret recipe. If Marquis Huichang made any move, arrows or needles might fly out.

"What did he say?" Ding Xiu asked.

Marquis Huichang recounted what happened, looking puzzled: "That's it. They didn't arrest me or force me. I thought they were going to tie me up."

"It seems that this Feiyan Tower needs to be investigated." A sharp look flashed in Ding Xiu's eyes.

Huichang Hou said with some concern: "Sir, please don't destroy Feiyan Tower all at once. It is a good place to exchange information."

"I know my limits." Ding Xiu stood up. "Keep doing it. I'll come back in a few days."

He strode out of the mansion, and when he reached a corner, the Jinyiwei came up.

"Keep staring at Marquis Huichang, but don't get too close." Ding Xiu sneered, "He really can hold back. He has been out for so long, but he hasn't even looked for his wife and children."

(End of this chapter)