Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 35 Where is my imperial seal?
Qianqing Palace.

Shi Biao, Xu Youzhen and Li Xian came to report the current situation of the granary case. Now it is certain that Chengguogong Zhu Yi is the big manager behind the rice shop.

Zhu Yi was the grandson of Zhu Neng, a famous general in the Jingnan Rebellion. His father Zhu Yong died in Tumu Fortress, so he inherited the title not long ago. The court praised and compensated their family, and posthumously conferred Zhu Yong the title of King of Pingyin, with the posthumous title of "Wu Min".

"Your Majesty, if you want to touch Zhu Yi, you must be extremely cautious, otherwise, the ministers will accuse Your Majesty of abandoning the dog after the rabbit has died." Xu Youzhen frowned and said.

"Is there any conclusive evidence?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"Not yet!" Shi Biao responded, "Duke Cheng has never appeared in person at the rice shop. Everything is handled by his butler. So, Your Majesty, should we arrest the butler first?"

Li Xian immediately stood up to object: "No, this will alert the enemy! Then Duke Chengguo may push all the crimes onto the housekeeper, and the case will be difficult to investigate further."

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly: "Li Xian's words make sense. You continue to investigate secretly. In order to paralyze Duke Cheng, I will issue an imperial decree to him and give him heavy rewards."

His goal was not just to find out about the Duke of Cheng. The bigger and wider the case involved, the better. A major case should be like the one that happened to Emperor Taizu Gao. If tens of thousands of people didn't die, how could it be called a major case?
A large number of ministers in the Fengtian Hall will lose their heads. As the imperial examination is approaching, new people can be appointed to replace them.

"Keep investigating!" Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, "Make sure to verify all the evidence."

"Yes, sir!" The three nodded in acceptance and then retreated.

Zhu Qizhen sat on the imperial chair and pondered for a moment, then shouted, "Someone come!"

……

The chief eunuch Jin Ying came up to the palace and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen held a memorial in his hand and sighed softly, "I just read the letter of thanks from Duke Cheng, Zhu Yi, and was quite moved. Prince Dongping, Zhu Neng, died on the southern expedition when he was less than 40 years old. Zhu Yong also died in the battle of Tumu Fortress. They can be said to be two generations of loyal heroes. I will issue an imperial decree to reward Duke Cheng again."

"Your Majesty, would you please wait a little longer?" Jin Ying bowed.

"You want me to wait?" Zhu Qizhen's cold eyes fell on Jin Ying.

He promoted Jin Ying to be the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department because he was not Wang Zhen's man and could be used by him. Now it seems that Jin Ying is more inclined to the Queen Mother.

Bang!

Jin Ying knelt down quickly and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I dare not. It's just that...it's just that the jade seal is missing, and the Queen Mother asked for a new golden seal, but it's not ready yet."

Zhu Qizhen was confused and asked anxiously: "Why did the jade seal disappear?"

Wouldn't it be a joke for an emperor to not have a jade seal? He immediately suspected that the empress dowager had done something wrong and deliberately hid the jade seal so that she could use it in the future.

"Your Majesty, when you led the expedition in person, you asked Wang Zhen to take the imperial seal with him." Jin Ying said helplessly, "When Wang Zhen died, the imperial seal disappeared with him."

Zhu Qizhen was numb.

Holy shit! I was the one who took the blame.

It sounds like Jin Ying is not lying. The imperial seal must have really disappeared. When Wang Zhen was on the expedition, it was normal for him to carry the imperial seal with him as the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department. After all, he had to issue orders along the way.

The disappearance of the imperial seal was a big deal for the emperor. If someone stood up to cause trouble, they would say that the emperor was not legitimate. Also, if the imperial seal was found and used by someone in the future, it could cause a big disaster.

Damn, it was lost in Tumubao and there’s no way to find it even if I want to.

"What does it mean when the Queen Mother ordered a golden seal to be made?" Zhu Qizhen asked coldly, "Why not make a jade seal instead?"

"The jade seal was made by Emperor Taizu Gao himself. It symbolizes the Mandate of Heaven. Of course we have to get it back." Jin Ying said, "The Empress Dowager meant to temporarily replace the jade seal with the golden seal." A cold look flashed in Zhu Qizhen's eyes.

In other words, I am an emperor without a jade seal? It is not the destiny of heaven? She is thinking that her son will return with the jade seal, right?
……

After Jin Ying stepped down, Zhu Qizhen went to the Jinyiwei in person. Some things could not be discussed in the Qianqing Palace. The palace maids and eunuchs there were probably all the empress dowager's people.

He did not allow anyone to report, and went straight to the residence of Shi Biao, the commander of the Imperial Guard. Shi Biao was meeting someone, and was surprised to see the emperor coming in, and hurriedly knelt to greet him.

"Get up, I have something to say." Zhu Qizhen raised his hand to signal.

He glanced around and noticed a middle-aged man kneeling behind Shi Biao. The man exuded a murderous aura, his face was weathered, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle.

"Your Majesty, this is Ding Xiu, a secret guard of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He just came back from Mobei." Shi Biao hurriedly introduced.

"Your humble servant Ding Xiu pays homage to Your Majesty." Ding Xiu kowtowed.

"Come back from Mobei?" Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly.

Shi Biao nodded and continued, "Since the reign of Emperor Taizong, the Jinyiwei has been sending secret spies to Mobei. Ding Xiu was sent to Mobei during the reign of the previous emperor. He returned this time and brought important military intelligence."

Zhu Qizhen was secretly surprised. The layout of the Jinyiwei was so extensive and deep that it was really chilling. Fortunately, the Jinyiwei was still under his control, but of course not completely under his control.

"What military intelligence? Tell me in detail." Zhu Qizhen asked as he sat down.

"Your Majesty, I have been hiding beside Toghtobuha since I entered Mobei." Ding Xiu bowed, "Toghtobuha has recently secretly met with the Khans of other tribes except the Oirat. He is preparing to attack Yesen. Mobei will soon fall into chaos."

If fighting breaks out in Mobei, it will definitely be good news for the Ming Dynasty. The Battle of Tumubao had severely damaged the Ming Dynasty's vitality, and it needed time to recover.

"Ding Xiu, you brought back good news." Zhu Qizhen smiled slightly, "How about this, you don't have to go back to Mobei. The Jinyiwei is in need of people right now, so you can stay in the capital and serve as the Jinyiwei pacification envoy temporarily."

"I obey your order!" Ding Xiu was overjoyed.

……

After Ding Xiu left, only Zhu Qizhen and Shi Biao were left in the official residence.

Shi Biao stood aside respectfully and bowed: "Your Majesty, if you have something to say, you can just summon me. Why did you come to the Jinyiwei in person?"

"Some things are not convenient to talk about in the Qianqing Palace." Zhu Qizhen frowned and said in a deep voice, "My jade seal was lost in Tumu Fort. Do you think there is any way to find it back?"

Shi Biao's face changed drastically when he heard this, and he said in a lost voice: "Ah?"

Zhu Qizhen frowned and said in a serious tone: "This matter must be handled secretly by someone you can trust."

Shi Biao immediately nodded and agreed: "I understand. Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will definitely find the jade seal back."

He knew the seriousness of the loss of the imperial seal, and his face became extremely solemn. In contrast, Zhu Qizhen seemed a little more relaxed, and said with a self-deprecating smile: "There is no need to panic. Anyway, I hardly issue any decrees now, and it is the Empress Dowager who issues the imperial decrees."

"Your Majesty..." Shi Biao hesitated, as if he had something to say.

Zhu Qizhen didn't let him continue speaking. He patted him on the shoulder gently, and everything was said without words.

Please give me a ticket, there are no tickets!

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(End of this chapter)