Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 80: The Red Book of the Emperor? I'll Kill You Anyway

In the court, some ministers had a "spectator mentality" because Your Majesty was pushing for the "land occupation" case, and they were involved to varying degrees.

The evil of land annexation had already shown its signs since the reign of Emperor Renzong. It was only slightly curbed during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, but by the Zhengtong period, the trend of annexation had become prevalent. It was even worse during the reign of Wang Zhen. Who among the princes, ministers, and local gentry did not get involved in the land? There were very few who truly abided by the law.

Therefore, most ministers do not want Your Majesty to investigate this case, fearing that it will affect themselves. Now that Duke Wei is holding a red-lettered iron certificate to resist, they naturally agree with him secretly, hoping that Your Majesty will make mistakes, or hope that Your Majesty will severely punish the meritorious officials to provoke a greater backlash from the court and the public.

This matter is indeed a tricky one.

Xu Chengzong is a descendant of meritorious service, and his family land was given by Taizu. If you handle it improperly, Your Majesty may be accused of disrespecting Taizu.

However, Zhu Qizhen had already made arrangements.

When Xu Chengzong left Yingtian City, Jinyiwei discovered it, so Zhu Qizhen also knew it a long time ago. The government wanted to take back some of the land of Duke Wei's mansion, which was arranged by Zhu Qizhen.

Nowadays, there are a lot of dukes and marquises in the Ming Dynasty. They enjoy the court's salary every year and have large tracts of land. It is a heavy burden for the court. Of course, they are all descendants of meritorious service. Their ancestors have made contributions to the Ming Dynasty, so they cannot be treated unfairly.

However, we cannot allow them to continue to be arrogant and extravagant.

"Don't dare?" Zhu Qizhen's cold eyes fell on Xu Chengzong, "You came to see me with a red book and iron certificate. Humph, do you know the meaning of a red book and iron certificate?"

Xu Chengzong was enveloped by the imperial power, and his hands were shaking. He thought, "The red book and iron certificate can only save one's life, so what's the point?" He hesitated and didn't dare to say anything.

……

The queen mother's cold voice came from behind the curtain: "Your Majesty, the Xu family has a strict family tradition. Duke Wei did nothing wrong. You should stop being aggressive. After making great contributions, the court should treat you well."

Zhu Qizhen curled his lips into a sneer.

The Queen Mother is really a good person when she speaks now. Those old ministers must be grateful in their hearts, right? They will all say that the Queen Mother knows the big picture, right?
"Mother, how did I act so aggressively?" Zhu Qizhen said in a stern voice, "Duke Wei, please read the contents of the red book aloud!"

Xu Chengzong picked up the book and began to read:

"Duke of Wei Xu Da had outstanding achievements and was feared by all. He pacified Jiangnan, attacked Chen Youliang in the west, and conquered Zhang Shicheng in the east, laying the foundation for the Ming Dynasty. He was both wise and brave, and had outstanding military exploits. In the Battle of Poyang Lake, he defeated the enemy's vanguard and helped his master win. He led the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains, conquered the Yuan capital, destroyed the Yuan Dynasty, rebuilt China, and unified the world. He consolidated the border defense, stabilized the border, went on an expedition to the north of the desert, guarded the territory, repaired Shanhaiguan, and feared foreign enemies. He was truly a meritorious official in the founding of the Ming Dynasty and a role model for future generations."

After reading, he looked up at the emperor. Zhu Qizhen stood on the Danbi, looked at the ministers, and said in a deep voice:
"Starting a business is difficult and requires many battles! Every time I think about it, I feel quite emotional! But do you, Xu Chengzong, know the contents of this book? Do you still remember how your ancestors survived many dangers and followed Taizu to establish the Ming Dynasty?"

"Humph, you don't even remember! Yingtian City has tall buildings and spacious houses, where dozens of dukes and marquises live. They keep concubines and prostitutes, and live a luxurious life."

"But outside Yingtian City, the people were displaced and watched the common people starve to death without blinking an eye! Xu Chengzong, your great-grandfather would cry in the underground when he saw you, who are indifferent, lazy and greedy!"

"The Emperor Taizu gave you the Red Book of Iron, not for you to use as a golden ticket to avoid death. The Red Book records the great achievements of your great-grandfather, so that you will remember the difficulties of starting a business. The Red Book contains the Emperor Taizu's grace, so that you will remember the grace of the court."

"How dare you hold up the red seal and iron certificate to threaten me? Do you think I dare not kill you? Drag me away and I will whip you thirty times first!"

Two Jinyiwei came up and dragged Xu Chengzong out. Xu Chengzong was so scared that his face turned pale and he shouted, "Empress Dowager... Help me... Empress Dowager."

However, no sound came from behind the curtain.

Zhu Qizhen's words of reprimanding Xu Chengzong were watertight, and it was unreasonable for the Queen Mother to stand up now. Because Your Majesty did not want to kill Xu Chengzong, but to let them remember the difficulties of their ancestors in starting a business.

Behind the curtain, the queen mother's cold eyes flashed with worry. Because the fake emperor was becoming more and more emperor-like.

……

After court, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen sat on the throne with a gloomy face and shouted coldly: "Are all the ministers waiting to see me make a fool of myself?"

Xu Youzhen, Yang Guifang, Li Xian and Shi Biao stood respectfully in front of him. Xu Youzhen bowed and said, "Your Majesty, most of the people involved in the land occupation, they naturally hope that this matter will not be promoted."

"Your Majesty, you must be more resolute!" Yang Guifang said, "While the Queen Mother also wants to deal with the land annexation issue, Your Majesty, you must be bolder."

Li Xian, who was standing by, was stunned and glared: "What nonsense are you saying? Your Majesty has called several 'three tribes of barbarians' recently, which has made people panic."

Yang Guifang immediately retorted: "We must continue to kill! If we don't kill some people and shed some blood, will those people hand over their land?"

Li Xian was anxious: "Do you want Your Majesty to start a massacre and make rivers of blood flow?"

"Why not?" Yang Guifang said, "When Taizu was in power, there were four major cases in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed. This is just the beginning. If we want to solve the stubborn problems, we should use the same cruel and thunderous methods as Taizu did."

Zhu Qizhen agreed with Yang Guifang in his heart. He waved his hand and said, "I will not kill hundreds of thousands of people, but I cannot just kill the wealthy and powerful families. We should investigate the case more thoroughly. Some dukes and marquises in the court have been at large for too long. Shi Biao, start closing in from the local areas to the court."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Shi Biao nodded.

Li Xian wanted to make another remonstrance, but was stopped by Xu Youzhen's eyes. Zhu Qizhen gave them some instructions, and they left.

As soon as the four of them left, Prince Zhu Qiyu of Qin came up to the palace and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

"Second brother, stand up and talk." Zhu Qizhen raised his hand.

"Your Majesty, this is the list of new officials selected by me. Please take a look." Zhu Qiyu handed over the memorial in his hand.

Zhu Qizhen took the memorial, glanced at it, and said, "I approve it all! My brother, I trust you."

Zhu Qiyu's eyes flashed with excitement, and he bowed: "Brother, I have selected people who are trustworthy. There are no people from the Queen Mother's side. After a few years, when they grow up, you will not be constrained like you are now."

"I'm afraid the Queen Mother will not agree with this list?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"They are all minor officials, so they don't need to go through the Empress Dowager." Zhu Qiyu smiled bitterly, "Only if they are third rank or above will the Empress Dowager ask about it."

Zhu Qizhen spread his hands and said, "We are brothers, we are really in the same boat. Come on, go drink with me!"

He put his arm around Zhu Qiyu's shoulder and walked towards a side hall where a table of wine and food had already been prepared.

……

Ps: I made a mistake yesterday. This book will be available at 5 noon on the 12th. The young author is saving manuscripts like crazy.

(End of this chapter)