The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 205 Hongmen Banquet

Seeing that Huang Jin didn't dare to say anything more, the emperor took over the conversation on his own.

"Yes, the one Taizu appointed was not the lineage of Chengzu, but Emperor Jianwen."

"And the Xiaoling Guards are indeed not loyal to me. It's just that they are only responsible for guarding the imperial mausoleum and never interfere in government affairs. Moreover, when Emperor Chengzu invaded the capital, they did not cause any trouble, so our ancestors did not touch them and just left them alone."

The emperor pondered for a moment and said.

"So, what you mean is that the Xiaoling guards stole the property and colluded with the Mingjiao villains to deliberately release Emperor Jianwen."

"And their intention is to 'set things right' and 'clear up the world'?"

The emperor could say this jokingly, but Huang Jin didn't dare to really answer according to the emperor's words, so he spoke in a roundabout way.

"Your Majesty, in this matter, the only two options are Jinyiwei and Xiaolingwei."

"And the Jinyiwei..."

The emperor snorted coldly.

"That old man Zhu Zai has indeed had his own thoughts in recent years. He has been interacting with court officials all day long and has been quite critical of me. I was originally thinking of setting up a government office to replace the Jinyiwei."

"But he really can't do it."

"He is not from a high family, so it is impossible for him to know what is happening inside the imperial mausoleum. His martial arts skills are only so-so, so he cannot train a man who can fight against Emperor Jianwen."

"If it weren't for the tributes provided by the imperial court, his Jinyiwei would not have had the capital to fight against the Ming Cult. He led the team to kill Ji Tianrui, and it is indeed hard to imagine that the Ming Cult colluded with him."

"So, it can only be the Xiaoling Guards."

"Zhu, Shou, Jing."

The emperor pronounced the name word by word.

Huang Jin also added.

"Your Majesty, I asked a few Xiaoling guards to come here for questioning last night. Zhu Shoujing was indeed very suspicious last night."

"When the Xiaoling Guards arrived that day, Zhu Shoujing stared at Emperor Jianwen for a moment, and then he attacked his celestial being directly, crippling one of his men on the spot."

"Then, he lost his true energy and became possessed. Emperor Jianwen took advantage of the time when the Xiaoling Guards were checking on his injuries to escape. The Ming Cult thieves also escaped during this time."

"With all the connections, I'm afraid Zhu Shoujing would find it hard to refute it."

Huang Jin hesitated for a moment and continued.

"It's just that there is one thing I haven't thought clearly about."

"If this person was from the Xiaoling Guard, why did he first help the Ming Cult release Emperor Jianwen, and then fight a life-and-death battle with them?"

“Inconsistent.”

"It is also because I could not figure this out that I did not attack the Xiaoling Guards, but rushed back to report to Your Majesty for the decision."

"Ah."

The emperor chuckled.

"Emperor Jianwen."

"After Emperor Chengzu ascended the throne, many scholars and writers wrote stories about him, portraying him as a modest, tolerant and wise ruler."

"When Chengzu compiled the history books, he deleted all the stories about Emperor Jianwen. Most of the news about Emperor Jianwen circulating outside the palace are made-up stories."

"I guess Zhu Shoujing also believed this, so he assisted the Ming Cult in releasing Emperor Jianwen."

The emperor said with a sneer.

"But they don't think about it. If Emperor Jianwen was really so wise, how could Emperor Chengzu invade the capital? The wealth left by Emperor Taizu was more than even ten Emperor Chengzus could match."

"If he was really so generous, why would the royal family respond in droves, welcome the royal teacher with food and drink, and send Chengzu to the Hall of Supreme Harmony?"

"Do you think Chengzu is willing to rebel?"

"There is nothing I can do but try to earn a life for myself."

The emperor asked.

"Did anyone see Emperor Jianwen's appearance last night?"

"Have."

Huang Jin replied.

"Apart from the Ming Cult and that person, many people in the Xiaoling Guard also saw it and said it was like a demon."

"The bodies of Lord Yin and Lord Wang are also extremely miserable."

The emperor nodded and said.

"That's it."

"Emperor Jianwen is not as good as Zhu Shoujing thinks. He will 'eat people' when he gets out of the tomb."

"I think that person must have helped the Ming Cult to release Emperor Jianwen, but then discovered that he was not the wise and benevolent ruler they had imagined, but a man-eating monster. That's why he tried to make up for his loss and push him back into the tomb."

"That's why he made such an inconsistent move." "It's also ridiculous."

Huang Jin nodded in agreement.

"In that case, Your Majesty, would you like me to lead the troops to capture Zhu Shoujing?"

The emperor waved his hand.

"No need."

"The imperial mausoleum is already under guard, and the day after tomorrow is the day for ancestor worship. If we withdraw the Xiaoling guards now, I'm afraid there will be chaos."

"First, transfer the garrison back to the imperial mausoleum. You take ten priests to watch over Zhu Shoujing. Before offering sacrifices to the ancestors, take down the thousand households and hundred households together. The remaining soldiers will not cause any trouble."

"Yes."

Huang Jin responded.

"And one more thing."

The emperor said slowly.

"Tonight, arrange a family dinner."

"All the royal family members in Shuntian Prefecture, please come."

Huang Jin was surprised.

"Your Majesty, according to the rules, the family dinner is tomorrow evening..."

The emperor waved his hand.

"You don't know the details of Emperor Jianwen."

"He looks like he's hungry."

"For him, there is no more nutritious 'food' than the Zhu family."

The emperor said lazily.

"It's a good opportunity to lead you into a trap."

--------

Zhu Mansion, study.

Zhu Zai frowned, staring at the paper in front of him that was full of names, his hand unconsciously stroking the pen.

After talking with Li Miao, it was already noon. Li Miao felt so sleepy that he went to find a side room to sleep.

Zhu Zai no longer had the intention of working for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so he went straight back to his study, where he has stayed until this moment.

Li Miao said it lightly.

Who to kill, how to kill, and when to kill.

Yes, by now, Zhu Zai already had a clear understanding of Li Miao's martial arts ability, and he had no doubt that if he said a few names, Li Miao would really rush over overnight and pull off all those heads.

But, Zhu Zai was a member of the royal family after all.

He may not be loyal to the emperor, but he is truly loyal to the Zhu family and to Dashuo.

Li Miao handed such a big thing to Zhu Zai in a nonchalant manner. He really didn't know what to do, nor did he know whether he could take on this matter.

After all, he was not as heartless as Li Miao, so he could still sleep at this time.

After a while, Zhu Zai sighed, crumpled up the paper on the table and threw it at his feet.

The ground was already full of these paper balls.

Zhu Zai pinched his brows, looking worried.

Suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door.

The servant walked quickly into the study and spoke softly.

"Master, Eunuch Huang is here."

Zhu Zai looked up suddenly.

"Huang Jin?"

"Yes."

"What's the matter?"

"His Majesty has ordered that you come to the palace for a banquet, a family banquet."