Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 609 Liu Zhenbang's Confession! Another mastermind behind it all!
Seeing that Liu Zhenbang had been intimidated by her few words, Xu Miaojin felt much more at ease.

What Liu Zhenbang said was almost exactly the same as her speculation.

If Wang Shoulian were to directly tell these military officers that he wanted to rebel, these people, unless they were completely out of their minds, would rather die than listen to him.

After all, even a fool knows that the world is at peace now, and the Ming Dynasty is as stable as Mount Tai. There is absolutely no chance of them succeeding in their rebellion; they will only send their entire clan to the executioner's block.

Faced with the choice between dying alone and having one's entire family wiped out, a normal person would definitely choose to die alone and would not be coerced by Wang Shoulian.

Only by using the pretext of "military remonstrance," reasoning with them, appealing to their emotions, and guaranteeing that there would be no major consequences, could these military generals be persuaded to agree to the action.

"Good! Since you have come to your senses now, there is still hope." Xu Miaojin said, "Now you must immediately explain how Wang Shoulian threatened you, what he instructed you to do, and who else was involved. Explain it clearly as soon as possible."

Liu Zhenbang stopped crying and said, "If I confess everything, will Your Highness forgive my crime and not pursue my past embezzlement and bribery?"

Xu Miaojin's expression suddenly changed, and she shouted sharply, "You, Liu Zhenbang, at this critical moment, instead of thinking about how to make amends and serve the court and His Majesty, you're trying to bargain with me?"

Liu Zhenbang, who was kneeling on the ground, was so frightened that he touched his head to the ground and prostrated himself, repeatedly saying, "This humble general dares not, this humble general dares not!"

Xu Miaojin's tone was icy cold: "You must immediately explain clearly how you colluded with Wang Shoulian to plot against His Majesty, and I will reward you accordingly."

"If you hesitate even for a moment longer, and His Majesty suffers an unforeseen calamity, not only will you yourself be torn to pieces and skinned alive, but your entire family will also be doomed."

Liu Zhenbang trembled and hurriedly said, "This humble general will explain immediately."

Although Xu Miaojin did not explicitly state what merit or reward he would receive, Liu Zhenbang knew that at this point, he could no longer bargain.

What if Wang Shoulian's claim of military remonstrance was just a pretext, and he really intended to rebel?
If anything were to happen to His Majesty the Emperor…

Liu Zhenbang had considered this before, but he subconsciously avoided it.

In Liu Zhenbang's view, Wang Shoulian's theory of "military remonstrance" is still reasonable.

Although he was not a scholar, he knew how important the debate over Confucian orthodoxy was in the eyes of scholars.

Those scholars who claimed to "die for their principles" were actually capable of "dying for their principles" and "military remonstrance" in order to fight for the orthodoxy of Confucianism.

That's why he believed Wang Shoulian's words.

But seeing the Imperial Concubine's furious expression, Liu Zhenbang was genuinely worried that Wang Shoulian or one of his men had gone mad.

Without further hesitation, he recounted in detail how Wang Shoulian had intimidated him and coerced him into participating in the operation.

After listening to his story, Xu Miaojin asked, "Do you know which other officials and military officers were involved in Wang Shoulian's operation this time, besides you?"

Liu Zhenbang said, "This humble general truly does not know; Wang Shoulian did not disclose this."

"However, I suspect that quite a few officials and generals were involved."

"Not only people from the Ming Dynasty, but also people from the Western Regions have gotten involved?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Miaojin's expression changed drastically, and Gulizaba and Dinaruoya beside her were even more shocked.

Gulizaba blurted out, "Don't talk nonsense! The Western Regions delegation has already left Shandong, so how could they be involved in this matter?"

If the Western Regions delegation was indeed involved in this matter, then the two sisters would undoubtedly be implicated.

Xu Miaojin glanced at the two sisters beside her, her expression becoming even more serious, and said, "What exactly happened? Tell me properly."

Liu Zhenbang replied, "Your Highness, the one who coerced me this time was indeed Wang Shoulian."

"But the person who instructed me to immediately lead troops to surround the telegraph room and take over the place was not Wang Shoulian, but the divine physician Cao Zhu who came with the Western Regions delegation."

"Just think, how could such a confidential matter be entrusted to outsiders so easily?"

“If Cao Zhu hadn’t been involved, Wang Shoulian would certainly not have sent him to deliver the order to this humble general.”

"Cao Zhu?" Xu Miaojin murmured softly, then looked at the two sisters beside her again and said, "I remember you two had a good relationship with him?"

Gulizaba and Dinaruya immediately knelt down.

Although they got along extremely well with Xu Miaojin and had become good friends.

But no matter how good their relationship was, it couldn't compare to the emperor's safety.

If they really did something that threatened Zhu Yunwen's personal safety, Xu Miaojin would probably turn on them immediately.

Gulizaba said, "Cao Zhu is a doctor who went from the Central Plains to the Western Regions."

“He had no prior connection with our palace, nor was he a member of the palace.”

"He practiced medicine in Beshbaliq and became famous for his excellent medical skills."

"My brother and I came to the Ming Dynasty this time, and he was worried that we might not be able to adapt to the climate and water on the way, so he specially asked him to accompany us."

"Firstly, his medical skills are superb and widely recognized."

"Secondly, he is originally from the Central Plains, so he is more familiar with the local customs and practices, and he is also more familiar with many common diseases in the Central Plains."

"Throughout the journey, he truly did his best to treat my sister and me."

“My sister and I were both sick before, and it was thanks to his medicine that we were cured.”

"But apart from that, we have no dealings with him, and we would never instruct him to plot against His Majesty."

Dina Ruoya cried and said, "Yes, Sister Xu, we are already His Majesty's people, what reason do we have to plot against His Majesty?"

"If anything were to happen to His Majesty, we wouldn't be able to survive either!"

"Sister Xu, you must believe us."

Seeing their panic, Xu Miaojin comforted them, "I'm not blaming you, so don't panic."

This whole thing seems strange no matter how you look at it.

Even if Wang Shoulian wanted to send someone to deliver a message to Liu Zhenbang, he should have sent his own trusted confidant. How could he possibly send Cao Zhu, a doctor from the Western Regions, to deliver the message?

It would be incorrect to say that Liu Zhenbang was lying.

At this point, Liu Zhenbang had no reason to continue lying and deceiving.

If not, then it must be that Wang Shoulian had long ago colluded with people inside and outside Reshibali.

But that doesn't make sense either.

Wang Shoulian was, after all, a high-ranking Shandong provincial inspector. He had never been to the Western Regions before, so how could he possibly be colluding with the people of Reshibali?

Even if he wanted to rebel, Reshibali was thousands of miles away and couldn't help him at all!
Given the strength of the Ming Dynasty, it would be a huge joke to suggest that the forces of Beshbaliq would be needed to attack the Ming.

Xu Miaojin frowned, pondered for a moment, and asked, "When Cao Zhu came to deliver the order to you, did he say anything else to you?"

Liu Zhenbang paused for a moment, then said, "He did chat with me for a bit, saying that His Majesty has enfeoffed all the members of the Ming imperial family overseas, and since he himself has no heirs, if anything unforeseen happens, the Ming Dynasty will be in a predicament of having no crown prince to inherit the throne."

"He specifically instructed me to be careful and not to harm His Majesty."

"Later it was said that if anything were to happen to His Majesty, the only option would be to find someone from the imperial clan to inherit the throne of the Ming Dynasty."

"This humble general will say that the Supreme Emperor is still alive, and he will make his own decision."

Cao Zhu smiled at the time, but didn't say anything.

"We talked a lot about the imperial family later, but I don't remember the specific details very well."

"At the time, I was quite puzzled as to why he was so interested in the Ming imperial family." "He even seemed to be subtly probing, asking me which imperial prince I had the best impression of."

"If there is chaos in the imperial court, whom would you support?"

"I found this question utterly absurd. How could a lowly official like myself have the right to speak on a matter of power? So I just gave a few perfunctory answers."

Cao Zhu didn't say anything more, and left after asking the question.

Are you asking about the Ming Dynasty's imperial family?

Xu Miaojin's mind went blank for a moment.

Why would a doctor from the Western Regions be so interested in the affairs of the Ming Dynasty's imperial family?
unless……

She immediately asked the two sisters beside her, "You just said that this Cao Zhu went to the Western Regions from the Central Plains. How long has he been in Beshbaliq?"

“He hasn’t been in Beshbali for very long,” Gulizaba said. “He’s only been in Beshbali for the last few years.”

"My brother found it very strange at the time."

"Although there were quite a few people who went to Beshbali from the Central Plains, most of them fled during the wars at the end of the Yuan Dynasty."

“After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, very few people went to the Western Regions.”

"Besides, with such excellent medical skills, he could easily open a clinic in the Ming Dynasty and make a living there, so why would he need to go all the way to Beshbali?"

"However, my brother did not investigate this matter in depth. There are many people who go to Beshbali from the Central Plains, and everyone has their own reasons."

Dina Ruya added, "This person is indeed very strange."

"I heard that when he was in Beshbali, he lived a very secluded life and rarely interacted with people."

"We originally thought he must be an eccentric person who was obsessed with studying medicine."

"My brother's judgment at the time was also the same."

"However, since he came to the Ming Dynasty with us, he has been completely different."

"He often sat down with Ming Dynasty officials to discuss philosophy and talk about things in a lively and humorous manner."

"I heard from others that he was well-versed in Confucian classics and could quote various poems and allusions with ease."

"Along the way, the officials of the Ming Dynasty all praised him highly."

Xu Miaojin's expression changed repeatedly.

In recent years, the Ming Dynasty has been enjoying a period of peace and prosperity, and under the rule of Zhu Yunwen, it has been thriving and the country is at peace.

Apart from a few people who want to venture overseas, do business, and make a fortune, who would actually go to a foreign land?

But this Cao Zhu is a doctor, not a businessman.

His going to the Western Regions is somewhat illogical.

Considering his interest in the Ming imperial family and his expertise in medicine, a certain figure came to mind for Xu Miaojin.

King Zhu Su of Zhou!

Among the Ming imperial family, he was the only one who was proficient in medicine.

Furthermore, Zhu Su's rebellion failed several years ago, and he has been missing ever since. If it is said that he fled to the Western Regions, then everything can be explained.

As the most wanted criminal in the Ming Dynasty, even if Zhu Su escaped to the Western Regions, he would certainly not dare to show his face in public. He could only keep a low profile to avoid being discovered.

As a member of the Ming imperial family and the son of Zhu Yuanzhang, his education endowed him with a wealth of knowledge and exceptional interpersonal skills.

Yes.

If it really is him, then everything makes sense.

He was skilled in medicine, erudite, adept at social maneuvering, and inexplicably participated in the "military remonstrance" initiated by Wang Shoulian. He also had a particular interest in the affairs of the Ming Dynasty's imperial family...

But if it really is him...

not good!

A sudden alarm bell rang in Xu Miaojin's mind.

She believed that Wang Shoulian had no intention of rebelling.

He was simply trying to protect what he considered "Confucian orthodoxy."

But Zhu Su was different.

He was right about one thing: the Ming Dynasty's imperial family members had all been sent overseas by Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen currently has no children.

If anything were to happen to him, the Ming Dynasty would immediately be in danger of falling into chaos!

For the sake of stability in the country, the ministers must elect a new ruler as quickly as possible.

And he, Zhu Su, was Old Zhu's biological son...

Yes, he was a wanted criminal by the imperial court, but so what?
Once Zhu Yunwen is dead, none of that matters anymore!
What's most important is the Zhu family bloodline in him!
If no other royal relatives can be found, the ministers might actually support him.

Upon thinking of this, Xu Miaojin's mind was instantly thrown into turmoil.

It's highly likely that Wang Shoulian wouldn't dare to kill Zhu Yunwen, nor would he.

But Zhu Su was different.

Zhu Su really will kill Zhu Yunwen.

I'm afraid Wang Shoulian is still completely unaware of this.

Unbeknownst to them, their actions had also fallen into someone else's trap.

Although he was the Shandong Provincial Inspector, he had never met Prince Zhu Su of Zhou before.

Besides, it's obvious without even thinking that Prince Zhu Su of Zhou must be in disguise and wouldn't easily show his true face.

Xu Miaojin had met "him" once before, but had no recollection of him at all.

However, this was also because Xu Miaojin at the time would not have paid attention to a doctor who came with the Western Regions delegation.

Xu Miaojin then remembered something else.

Just a few days ago, I received a telegram from tens of thousands of miles away, saying that the Supreme Emperor had left his original army camp and gone to the more distant west after hearing news of Prince Yan, Zhu Di.

In other words, although the Ming Dynasty has now laid out cables for telegraph communication everywhere, it is currently unable to contact the Supreme Emperor by telegraph!
How could it be such a coincidence?
Just when Wang Shoulian staged a military coup and the emperor was in imminent danger, the supreme emperor also became unreachable... Could it be that someone was secretly pulling the strings and manipulating all of this behind the scenes?

Even Zhu Yuanzhang's departure from the Western Expeditionary Army camp and his westward journey was part of his plan.
And who is this person?
Although Zhu Su was the Prince of Zhou, he was already a fugitive wanted by the Ming Dynasty.

He had already reached his limit in using Wang Shoulian to carry out a rebellion; he could never make any further grand plans, let alone devise a scheme to remove the supreme emperor of the Ming Dynasty from the military camp.

……

(End of this chapter)