Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 322 Temporary Appointment, Unable to Defend Him

Yan Song, Minister of Rites.

In other words, taking advantage of Zhu Houzhao's absence, they forged an imperial edict and somehow obtained the military tally from the Ministry of War, ordering troops from the four important border towns of Shanxi, Xuanfu, Datong, and Yansui to set out and converge in Yinchuan.

They planned to coordinate an attack from within and without, splitting their forces from Yinchuan to directly seize Jiayuguan and Lanzhou, and then quickly sweep across the entire Shaanxi province, catching Zhu Jinzhen, one of the masterminds, completely off guard.

Previously, Zhu Houzhao returned in a fit of rage.

They immediately ransacked the entire Yan residence, and Yan Song was imprisoned by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot. He was then handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review for joint trial, with the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard assisting.

However, no one expected Zhu Wushi to suddenly launch an attack.

Moreover, in collusion with the cabinet, they directly accused Zhu Houzhao of being a false emperor and demanded the deposition and installation of a new emperor to seize power.

Zhu Jinzhen discovered their plot, thwarted it, and quickly took control of the entire capital.

Then, Zhu Jinzhen, acting on imperial orders, led the Cangyun Army and the Tiance Mansion all the way to the capital.

Things developed too quickly; Yan Song was still in the Imperial Guard's prison.

Many officials from the Ministry of Rites were also dismissed or implicated in this case.

Although the Ministry of Rites is not an empty shell, the position of Minister of Rites, the position of Vice Minister, and many other positions are vacant. It is indeed more difficult than it is to help Zhu Jinzhen quickly handle the many ceremonies for the emperor's enthronement.

"Xu Yu!"

"Wei Chen is here."

Below the golden steps, Xu Yu stepped forward from the crowd, suppressing his excitement as he bowed deeply.

"The position of Minister of Rites is vacant. You will temporarily fill the vacancy. Are you capable of handling it?" Zhu Jinzhen has more than enough experts and combat power to sweep across the entire world, but as for scholars with civil administration skills, there are not many available. He needs someone who can immediately take on the position of Minister of the Six Ministries.

After much deliberation, he concluded that the most suitable candidate was Xu Yu, who was already the Provincial Governor of Shaanxi.

"can!"

Xu Yu replied resolutely, "Your Highness, I will certainly not fail your expectations."

"it is good!"

Zhu Jinzhen nodded and said, "In that case, Xu Yu will temporarily assume the positions of Minister of Rites and Minister of War..."

"Xue Zhi".

"The end will be here."

Xue Zhi, clad in silver armor, stepped forward.

"You will temporarily assume the position of Minister of War."

"This subordinate obeys the order." Xue Zhi bowed and accepted the order.

The appointment of the two ministers did not cause any stir among the civil and military officials.

Especially the position of Minister of War.

Indeed, it was just as the ministers had thought.

Although Zhu Jinzhen was not afraid of threats, he would never allow anyone to touch military power. The first choice for Minister of War should have been either Changsun Wangqing or Li Chengen, the Grand Commander of the Tiance Mansion.

However, one of them was fighting in the Tibet Military Command and was not in the capital.

Changsun Wangqing is, after all, a woman, and she had just clearly told Zhu Jinzhen via telepathy that after the Jingnan Rebellion ends and she has wiped out all the disloyal subjects of the Ming Dynasty for Zhu Jinzhen, she will remove her armor and enter the palace.

Even if there is war in the future and she needs to put on her armor and go into battle.

She would only ever be the commander of Cangyun, Changsun Wangqing, and thus declined the position of Minister of War.

Apart from Changsun Wangqing, Xue Zhi, as the deputy commander of Cangyun, is the best choice in terms of trustworthiness, military knowledge, and other considerations.

As for Yang Ning?

A thought flashed through Zhu Jinzhen's mind for a moment.

Ultimately, however, he chose Xue Zhi, believing that Yang Ning was more suitable for a position such as the commander of the Imperial Guards or leading troops in battle, and was not suitable for the position of Minister of War.

...Just then, a young eunuch hurriedly entered the Fengtian Hall to report:

"Your Highness, His Majesty's remains have been delivered."

"Oh? Bring it in directly."

Zhu Jinzhen glanced outside, his expression utterly calm.

Even before he set foot in the capital, Yang Ning had already sent his secret guards to report on Zhu Houzhao's situation. Zhu Jinzhen was momentarily surprised and impressed by Zhu Houzhao's willingness to die.

In fact, if it weren't for the unexpected twist of the heavenly gates opening wide and immortals descending to earth, it would have been a different story.

Zhu Jinzhen was already prepared to act out the pre-arranged script, so that Emperor Zhengde, Zhu Houzhao, would disappear from history completely by dying suddenly.

He was left with only the identity of Zhu Shou.

But man proposes, God disposes. The gates of heaven opened wide, and immortals descended to the mortal realm. In addition, Zhu Jinzhen learned many secrets about the upper realm from Du Zi, which caused a dramatic change in his mentality.

He had already discarded the original script.

This is why he had the eunuchs bring Zhu Houzhao's body directly to the Fengtian Hall.

He, Zhu Jinzhen, flipped the table and said he was quitting the performance.

Unable to comprehend Zhu Jinzhen's changing state of mind and his thoughts, the officials below exchanged frantic glances and even whispered amongst themselves, speculating about Zhu Jinzhen's intentions.

After all, this is in accordance with the conventional handling method.

After the emperor's death, his body must be laid in state before he is buried.

But there has never been a precedent for sending it to the Fengtian Hall. We can't very well prepare to open the coffin and examine the body in front of all the officials, can we?

"Your Highness, the guilty subjects Zhu Wushi, Yang Yanhe, and others are already outside the Fengtian Hall."

"Bring it in with you."

"Yes."

Soon, escorted by several eunuchs and Tian Ce soldiers, the deathly pale corpse of Zhu Houzhao, along with Zhu Wushi and others, was taken into Fengtian Hall.

This scene caused the officials present to frown frequently.

They were even more confused about what Zhu Jinzhen was preparing.

But even with countless doubts in their hearts, not one dared to step forward and ask.

Zhu Jinzhen was too forceful. One moment he could be smiling and talking to them about things that had nothing to do with the court today, and the next moment he could be smiling and preparing to have ten generations of a family executed, and to have all those who had just opposed him killed as a warning to others.

Before they could figure out Zhu Jinzhen's temperament, all they could think about was being cautious.

Looking at the people below the golden steps, Zhu Jinzhen smiled and calmly asked, "Zhu Wushi, Eunuch Sun accused you and the cabinet of knowing that their conspiracy had been exposed, and in desperation, you even plotted to kill the emperor. Is this true?"

Upon hearing this, apart from Zhu Wushi, Yang Yanhe and Li Dongyang from the cabinet widened their eyes instantly, wanting to open their mouths to refute, but found that they could not make a sound at all.

For a moment, I felt utterly hopeless.

Yang Yanhe glared angrily at Zhu Jinzhen, who was sitting on the throne, as if silently accusing him: "Prince Su, you are so ruthless. You know that the emperor's death has nothing to do with us and was planned by you and Zhu Houzhao, but you didn't even give us a chance to speak up!"

The acupoints were sealed, and he couldn't utter a single word in that instant.

Yang Yanhe and the others surely understood.

Zhu Jinzhen wanted to leave them speechless and pin the charges of plotting to seize power and murder the emperor on them.

"minister……"

Zhu Wushi spoke with a trembling voice. Although it was just one word, it was like a thunderclap, making Yang Yanhe and Li Dongyang, who were speechless, overjoyed. They kept giving him meaningful glances, urging him not to admit it.

Although the ending may not change much.

Their fate was sealed the moment they plotted to seize power, like Zhao Gao pointing at a deer and calling Zhu Houzhao a false emperor, and prepared to support the heir of the Southern Prince's Mansion to ascend the throne.

(End of this chapter)