Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 605 The Mastermind? A Tremendous Storm! The Rules of a Thousand-Year-Old Family!
Li Chongwen would never have imagined that a military officer under the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's Office would have the audacity to mobilize his troops to cooperate with Ding Shoulian in staging a military remonstrance.

Aren't these people afraid of having their entire families executed?

Do they really think that they can "hold the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords"?
Wang Shoulian, that stubborn old man, is clearly risking his life. He's going to great lengths for his reputation, but what are they after?

Do you think you have a long life?
Li Chongwen really couldn't figure it out.

Even if the emperor, under pressure from the military remonstrance, temporarily agreed to Wang Shoulian's request to abolish the new schools and re-establish Confucianism after such an incident, the emperor would still be forced to comply.

The imperial court will inevitably hold those responsible for today's military remonstrance accountable afterward.

Whether they succeed or not, they cannot escape being held accountable.

Why would they do this?
Li Chongwen couldn't figure it out.

It was precisely because he could not imagine that the military commanders of the Shandong Provincial Surveillance Commission could stage a military coup that he agreed without hesitation when Wang Shoulian requested the deployment of troops.

What is happening now is truly unbelievable to Li Chongwen.

"boom!"

Just as Li Chongwen, Fang Xiaoru, and a group of officials, scholars, and soldiers were facing off, a gunshot suddenly rang out.

Before anyone knew it, Zhu Su had already obtained a gun.

Gun control in the Ming Dynasty was extremely strict.

Every gun produced in the military factory has a corresponding serial number, and once it is distributed, there must be absolutely no mistakes.

Losing a gun is a serious crime.

But even the strictest management still requires people to implement it.

Corruption and bribery are serious crimes, yet they still cannot stop officials from following one after another down this path.

The same applies to the issue of guns.

For ordinary constables, yamen runners, and soldiers, it was naturally something they would never dare to lose, let alone lend to anyone.

But what is a mere spear compared to the general who governs a province under the command of Wu Ding?

With so many guns in the warehouse, getting one or two out would be a piece of cake for him.

Zhu Su got in touch with Wang Shoulian, who then used his power to coerce Wu Ding's generals into launching a military coup. To accomplish such a major event, providing Zhu Su with a gun was naturally a trivial matter.

However, in Wang Shoulian's view, this was completely unnecessary.

After all, they were civil servants.

"Dr. Cao" was also a scholar.

The matter of military remonstrance was to be carried out by Wu Ding.

What's the use of carrying a gun yourself?

Can you really control the situation with just a gun?
Officials like Wang Shoulian did not do this, but Zhu Su secretly did it.

Amidst the shocked gazes of the crowd, this "Prince of the Ming Dynasty," still bearing the title of "Divine Physician Cao" from the Western Regions, shouted: "Now that we have carried out a military remonstrance, how can we treat it lightly?"

"Quickly seize Fang Xiaoru and the others. Anyone who resists should be shot on sight."

All the civil officials kneeling on the ground, including Wang Shoulian, stared at him in utter astonishment.

Unexpectedly, this "Divine Physician Cao" from the Western Regions possessed such courage.

Upon hearing the gunshot and being reprimanded, the soldiers seemed to be spurred into action, and without further hesitation, they quickly subdued Fang Xiaoru and the others.

Although Li Chongwen rebuked them, he did not rush over with Fang Xiaoru and the others. The soldiers seemed to still have some reservations about him, the governor of Shandong, and did not go to arrest him.

Witnessing Fang Xiaoru and others being captured, Wang Shoulian kowtowed again and said, "I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict to abolish the new learning and restore the way of the sages."

The others who were also kowtowing joined in the shouting.

Above, Zhu Yunwen ignored him and focused his gaze on Zhu Su, who had just fired the shot.

He felt that the man was somewhat familiar.

Moreover, although this person had just knelt down to remonstrate with Wang Shoulian and others, he later got up, fired a gun to intimidate Fang Xiaoru and other civil officials, and then ordered the soldiers to obey, but he did not kneel down to remonstrate again.

Zhu Yunwen saw something different in his eyes than in others.

Wang Shoulian and other civil officials probably only wanted to "force remonstrance" and never thought of rebelling.

They simply believed that forcing the emperor to establish the true path of sagehood was their duty as ministers, and that they were doing the right thing, so they went forward without hesitation, even unto death.

As for the "military generals" who commanded the soldiers, their expressions were very complicated, showing tension, unease, fear, and hesitation, as if they were being coerced.

But this person is different.

Zhu Yunwen sensed hatred in his eyes.

He wasn't afraid at all; on the contrary, he was very excited.

This is completely different from everyone else.

It seems that he was more like the mastermind and beneficiary behind this mutiny.

But who exactly is this person?
Zhu Yunwen felt the name was familiar, but couldn't quite place it for a moment.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind!
"It's him? King Zhu Su of Zhou?"

Despite wearing makeup, Zhu Su's appearance was completely different from before.

But when this thought came to Zhu Yunwen's mind, he instinctively became absolutely certain that the person in front of him was Zhu Su.

"Didn't he run away? How come he's here?"

"He actually participated in this mutiny?"

In an instant, a storm raged in Zhu Yunwen's heart.

……

Confucius Mansion.

This mansion, inhabited by the descendants of Confucius for generations, is separated from the Confucius Temple, which enshrines the sage, by only one wall.

Strictly speaking, the Confucius Temple was built purely for sacrificial purposes. Although it is magnificent and solemn inside, there are no actual halls or rooms for resting.

Zhu Yunwen took a short rest in the temple, which was just a temporary, simple place set up so that he could rest briefly after the sacrificial ceremony and reduce physical exertion.

Xu Miaojin, however, did not accompany the group into the Confucius Temple, but was instead placed in the Confucius Mansion.

Although she was a noble consort, she was not allowed to personally attend the sacrificial ceremony according to custom.

She had no complaints about this; on the contrary, she was secretly relieved.

The elaborate and lengthy sacrificial rites not only constrained people's minds but also tormented their physical and mental strength.

She has always disliked such occasions and would be more than happy to avoid them.

The Confucius Mansion has strict rules, with the front and back courtyards clearly separated.

According to the ancestral teachings of the Kong family, female relatives of the Kong family who marry into the Kong family are not allowed to step out of the backyard for their entire lives.

Only on their own wedding day could a daughter leave the inner courtyard.

To this end, the mansion even carved stone troughs into the high walls to channel water drawn from the front yard into the back yard for the daily use of the women, while also preventing them from having direct contact with the servants who delivered water from outside.

There is also a shocking story circulating among the people.

A fire once broke out in the backyard of the Confucius Mansion. The women in the courtyard cried out for help, their voices heart-wrenching. However, due to the "rules," the male servants in the outer courtyard were not allowed to enter to fight the fire, nor were they allowed to open the gate to let people in.

In the end, the flames engulfed the entire inner courtyard, and the women perished in the fire one by one, while all the treasures in the courtyard were reduced to ashes.

The Confucius Mansion adhered to its ancestral precepts, even watching dozens of lives perish in the fire and countless valuables turn to ashes, without opening its doors to extinguish the flames or rescue people. This demonstrates the strictness of its rules.

However, Xu Miaojin was, after all, a noble consort of the Ming Dynasty, and the outdated rules of the Kong family naturally had no effect on her. She stayed at the Kong residence and went straight to the front courtyard.

After all, compared to the dark, cramped, damp, and stuffy backyard, the front yard is spacious, bright, and well-ventilated, making for a much better living environment.

Even so, Xu Miaojin still felt uncomfortable.

Although the Confucius Mansion is known as the "Number One Residence in Shandong", its scale and grandeur are naturally unparalleled in the region.

However, this is an old house that has been passed down for thousands of years. It is magnificent, but it is far inferior to the new palace designed by Zhu Yunwen in terms of humanization and comfort.

Those palaces and mansions, which incorporate modern design details, have long included amenities such as sewers, running water, and toilets in their layout, making them extremely comfortable to live in.

In contrast, the Confucius Mansion ultimately failed to break free from the constraints of ancient systems, making it inconvenient to live there.

The courtyard houses that people lived in later generations all underwent a certain degree of modernization.

During his northern tour, Zhu Yunwen stayed overnight at post stations in most of the places he visited.

This was also because he personally designed all these post stations, and then his subordinates built them according to the blueprints.

The design was meticulous from the outset, ensuring maximum convenience for all aspects of life, from sleeping quarters to food and daily necessities.

In contrast, although the old house looks grand, the actual living experience is far inferior.

However, there was no more suitable place to stay near the Confucius Temple.

Weighing the pros and cons, they had no choice but to temporarily stay at the Confucius Mansion.

Fortunately, this house is the legacy of a thousand-year-old wealthy family, the most prominent family in Shandong. Despite its many inconveniences, it is still quite impressive and we can manage to stay here for a while.

However, with nothing important to do at home, Xu Miaojin simply pulled Gulizaba and Dinaruoya aside to chat and pass the time.

She was very fond of the two beauties presented to her from the Western Regions.

The young girl was open-minded and never craved the so-called "exclusive favor of the emperor".

In her eyes, serving the emperor was no different from being a daughter in her own family.

Her father had many children, yet he still loved her dearly; the emperor had three thousand concubines, and she was just one of them, so why should she harbor resentment out of jealousy?
When the new concubine entered the palace, Xu Miaojin never regarded her as an enemy, but treated her as a sister.

In her view, the competition for favor was meaningless.

If you win the Emperor's favor today, a new favorite may come along tomorrow. Why bother with all this trouble?

Why don't we all be friendly and get along well, be friends and sisters, and support each other? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Moreover, Gulizaba and Dinaruya are both naturally beautiful, with exquisite features, and are rare beauties.

Although Xu Miaojin was a woman, she had always enjoyed appreciating beautiful women.

She didn't have any ulterior motives; she simply liked beautiful things, even if they were by another woman.

Furthermore, the two women came from the Western Regions, and their every move exuded exotic charm, quite different from women from the Central Plains, giving them a unique allure.

Although they had some knowledge of the customs and etiquette of the Central Plains, they were still somewhat awkward and clumsy.

Ironically, this half-understanding look only added to Xu Miaojin's amusement.

She saw them as two exquisitely carved little dolls, delicate and full of spirit, who could also act coquettishly and laugh, naturally making her feel extremely fond of them.

For Gulizaba and Dinaruoya, having traveled a long way from their homeland to the Ming Dynasty, and now being by the side of the Ming emperor, they still felt apprehensive and uneasy.

The two women were naturally very grateful for the Imperial Concubine's kindness towards them.

The three were of similar age and in the prime of their youth. Before long, they became close friends, like bosom buddies.

"Brother Tong really adores you two sisters," Xu Miaojin teased with a smile from inside the room.

Upon hearing this, the two women blushed and lowered their heads.

Recalling the scene of serving the emperor at night, a blush rose to her cheeks, turning them as red as fire.

Gulizaba couldn't help but reach out and gently tug at Xu Miaojin's sleeve, as if begging her not to say anything more.

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore." Xu Miaojin chuckled, stopping her teasing, but her eyes still held a hint of slyness.

He then smiled and said, "Right now we are accompanying the emperor on his northern tour, so it is inconvenient to bestow the title of concubine upon you. But once we return to the capital, I will certainly seek a substantial reward for you and bestow upon each of you the title of Imperial Concubine."

Dina Ruoya quickly shook her head, a charming smile on her face, and said, "Sister Xu is just joking."

"The position of Imperial Concubine is the highest honor. We sisters have only just entered the palace; how dare we even dream of it?"

"Besides, what merit or ability do we two have to stand shoulder to shoulder with my sister?"

"We don't have the same background as my sister."

Xu Miaojin smiled and said softly, "The social hierarchy in the eyes of the world is nothing but empty fame."

"His Majesty doesn't value these things either."

"Isn't the current Empress just an ordinary person from the common people? Yet she sits comfortably on the throne."

"What's wrong with you becoming imperial concubines?"

"In my opinion, even if you don't make her a Noble Consort this year, it's only a matter of time."

Upon hearing the Empress's name, Gulizaba immediately perked up and hurriedly asked, "Sister Xu, what is the Empress's temperament like? Is she easy to get along with?"

Dina Ruoya also looked at Xu Miaojin with eager eyes.

After all, although the Consort was close to them, the one who truly controlled the six palaces was still the Empress.

If the empress is difficult to get close to, then their lives in the palace will be extremely difficult.

"Don't worry, Her Majesty the Empress has a very good temperament." Xu Miaojin said with a smile, "She is kind and gentle to people, and has always been well-regarded in the palace."

"Whether they were eunuchs or palace maids, most of them were afraid of me, but they truly respected and loved the Empress. It wasn't that they were afraid of her, but that they respected her from the bottom of their hearts."

She paused, then added, "That's why everyone says the Empress is the most benevolent mistress in the palace."

These words are absolutely true.

When Xu Miaojin was in charge of the affairs of the inner palace, she always governed the palace with "military law", with clear rewards and punishments and strict management. The palace staff naturally respected and feared her.

Gu Panjun was completely different. She treated her servants with kindness and rarely punished them harshly, even if the palace maids and eunuchs made mistakes.

How could one not feel grateful to such a master?
"Really?" Gulizaba's eyes widened slightly, clearly still somewhat incredulous.

Dina Ruoya covered her mouth and laughed, "I think Sister Xu is the best person in the world."

"Even if Her Majesty the Empress is virtuous, she is not much different from you, Sister Xu. Why are you being so modest?"

Xu Miaojin shook her head and chuckled, a hint of tenderness in her eyes: "You haven't met Her Majesty the Empress yet, so naturally you wouldn't know."

"Once you enter the palace and see her with your own eyes, you will understand that I am not exaggerating."

Suddenly remembering something, Dina Ruoya lowered her voice and asked, "But I heard... that Her Majesty the Empress is currently being punished by His Majesty, is that true?"

Gu Panjun was, after all, the Empress, so it was inevitable that news of her punishment would spread.

Before the two were presented to Zhu Yunwen, the Western Regions delegation had inquired about the relevant information.

Xu Miaojin smiled slightly, her smile carrying a hint of certainty: "That's just for show, a mere formality. His Majesty dotes on her greatly, how could he bear to truly punish her?"

"What appears to be punishment to outsiders is actually just a formality."

As she spoke, her expression was calm, yet tinged with a slight sigh: "You need not ask too much about the intricacies of this matter. Once I return to the palace with the Emperor, I will hand over the affairs of the six palaces back to Her Majesty the Empress."

"In short, from now on, she will be the rightful mistress of the palace."

Just as the three were having a lively conversation, a young eunuch rushed in, immediately prostrated himself upon entering the room, and reported: "Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that you immediately dispatch troops to replace the guards in the Confucian Temple."

……

(End of this chapter)