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

Chapter 348 Ascending to the Heavens in One Step, But Do You Want to Live?
"Oh, good!"

"If you are determined, after I ascend the throne, I will have someone deliver the appointment of Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot to you."

"Take care of your personal matters during this time."

Zhu Jinzhen nodded slightly, giving Yue Buqun a promise and reassurance.

The decision to appoint Yue Buqun as the head of the Eastern Depot was not a spur-of-the-moment decision by Zhu Jinzhen, but rather a plan he had long ago.

In Zhu Jinzhen's previous life, when chat groups and multiverse-style novels were all the rage, Yue Buqun was considered terrifying. He was jokingly called the Great Luo Immortal who could reflect the heavens. Yue Buqun was a frequent visitor to all kinds of multiverse-style novels, chat groups, and quiz shows.

Zhu Jinzhen felt more secure having someone with such unlimited potential by his side.

As for whether Yue Buqun is grateful, and whether he will develop other ambitions in the future?
Zhu Jinzhen didn't care.

All he needed to know was that Yue Buqun wouldn't suddenly jump from a martial arts master to a fantasy martial arts master, or even head straight for mythology, while he was still completely unaware.

"Yes, this servant thanks Heaven for its grace." Yue Buqun excitedly prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed.

Although both the head and deputy head of the Eastern Depot were not suitable for official ranks in the inner court.

However, during this period, while overseeing and controlling the Embroidered Uniform Guard as a secret guard, Yue Buqun also made a great deal of studying the internal affairs of the imperial court and gained a general understanding of the Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot.

Take Qinglong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as an example. He is a third-rank military officer.

The head of the Eastern Depot was, in some ways, superior to others.

In fact, due to the emperor's preferences and favors, it was not uncommon in the Ming Dynasty for the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to be as obedient as a dog to the supervisor of the Eastern Depot.

Yue Buqun estimated that even the worst position of Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot should still be at least a rank of the third grade or a junior third grade.

"There are millions of scholars in the world, and they compete fiercely like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge. Even to achieve the highest rank in the imperial examinations, it takes more than ten years, or even several decades. One also needs the support of family influence or a benefactor to have a chance of being promoted to a third-rank civil official position."

"How can you compare to my meteoric rise to power?"

"In the martial world, those at the Vajra Realm can be called experts, those at the Finger Profound Realm can be called grandmasters, and those at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm can be called great grandmasters. So what if one has the ability to drink all the pleasures of life?"

Yue Buqun's face, flushed with excessive excitement, was covered as he prostrated himself on the ground.

In the martial arts world, there has always been a saying that people look down on the imperial court's lackeys and disdain serving the court.

But Yue Buqun understood it even better.

If the imperial court were to extend an olive branch, it wouldn't require much temptation to make countless martial arts forces rush to compete for it. Not to mention ordinary forces, even renowned martial arts masters like the Finger Profound Master and the Celestial Phenomenon Grand Master, how many would dare not give face to the imperial court?

It's nothing more than sour grapes.

And he, Yue Buqun, is about to take up the position of Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot.

To fulfill the lifelong, unattainable dream of countless martial arts practitioners.

Zhu Jinzhen gave Yue Buqun a deep look, a smile in his eyes, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, you may leave. My coronation ceremony will be no later than half a month, and I will only give you ten days' leave. After ten days, settle all your personal matters and come back to report."

"otherwise……"

Without Zhu Jinzhen needing to say any warning, Yue Buqun very tactfully took over the conversation: "If this servant cannot return in time, she may bring her head to me."

"Ok!"

Zhu Jinzhen nodded indifferently.

"This servant takes her leave." Yue Buqun imitated Cao Zhengchun's bowing posture, bowed, and then kept bowing until he left Qianqing Palace before turning around and striding away.

Zhu Jinzhen's eyes flickered for a moment, then he slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at Cao Zhengchun in front of him.

“Cao Zhengchun, based on my understanding of Zhu Wushi, he would never let you live.”

Even if... your martial arts are completely destroyed.

"He's already a useless person."

Cao Zhengchun's survival amidst Zhu Wushi and the cabinet's conspiracy was unexpected by everyone, including Zhu Jinzhen. Zhu Jinzhen was well aware of the terrifying power of the Absorption Technique and Zhu Wushi's character.

Given such a potential threat and a past adversary, Zhu Wushi would never allow Cao Zhengchun any chance to turn the tables.

But the reality is...

Cao Zhengchun, however, survived. "Your Majesty, Zhu Wushi certainly cannot tolerate this old servant living."

"Cough cough!" Cao Zhengchun coughed as he got excited, his body hunched over even more. After a few heavy breaths, he replied, "I was able to save my life entirely thanks to my master's great kindness and virtue."

"Mentor?"

"The one who was able to save people from Zhu Wushi was Zheng He?" Zhu Jinzhen instantly guessed the reason why Cao Zhengchun was able to survive. If it were simply the number one in the world, Cao Zhengchun would have died without a doubt. But in the world of martial arts, various backgrounds and relationships are complicated.

Deep within this palace, there was also the old eunuch Zheng He, who had served several dynasties, overseeing the affairs of the palace.

According to Cao Zhengchun, Zheng He was even Cao Zhengchun's 'mentor'.

"Yes, when I was young, I was fortunate enough to receive some guidance from my master when I entered the Imperial Library to select a cultivation method."

"Although he doesn't acknowledge this worthless disciple of his."

"Yet he rescued the old servant from danger."

Cao Zhengchun did not hide anything. Since the palace had changed hands, he knew that any concealment would only lead to more terrible consequences. Only by speaking the truth could he protect himself.

Zhu Jinzhen's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this.

In the past, he also needed to be wary of Zheng He, a figure with the profound influence of the Ming Dynasty's imperial family.

Now?
After what happened last time, the old eunuch retreated into the Imperial Library, not daring to even extend his divine sense in the slightest, just like an ordinary old eunuch guarding the library.

In addition, there were terrestrial deities among the secret guards watching over them.

Zhu Jinzhen simply ignored it.

Upon hearing Cao Zhengchun's report, Zhu Jinzhen once again formally acknowledged this eunuch who had served several dynasties.

"Although in terms of strength, Zheng He's mere peak level of land immortal is nothing special."

"But we cannot allow him to remain hidden and dormant in the palace."

"And... some things, some mysteries, perhaps..."

"Only he can help me untie it."

Thinking of this, Zhu Jinzhen looked at Cao Zhengchun in front of him.

"Cao Zhengchun, do you want to live?"

Although Cao Zhengchun did not actually die at Zhu Wushi's hands, Cao Zhengchun, whose martial arts skills were completely destroyed, was only able to survive by relying on the last bit of true energy that Zheng He had protected his heart meridian.

Once that true energy dissipates, Cao Zhengchun will be completely beyond saving.

"thump!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengchun immediately knelt heavily on both knees and prostrated himself before Zhu Jinzhen: "Your Majesty, this old servant... wishes!"

The family knows their own affairs.

Cao Zhengchun was fully aware of his own situation. His fifty years of Heavenly Gang Child Skill had been completely drained by Zhu Wushi, and there was no possibility of recovery.

If it weren't for Zheng He's inner energy protecting his heart meridian so that his last breath hadn't dissipated, he wouldn't have had the chance to stand alive in front of Zhu Jinzhen.

If anyone else were to offer to save him, Cao Zhengchun would undoubtedly scoff at it.

Even Zheng He, the eunuch who protected the Ming Dynasty for over a hundred years, was helpless. What could others do?

However, if the person who spoke was Zhu Jinzhen.

Cao Zhengchun would believe it without hesitation.

It wasn't because Zhu Jinzhen had successfully quelled the rebellion, but because he had countless experts under his command, and even the celestial beings had been slaughtered by his powerful subordinates. Furthermore, Cao Zhengchun also knew that Zhu Jinzhen possessed the ability to bring the dead back to life.

His injuries were indeed so severe that they were almost incurable.

But even the most severe injuries can't compare to being brought back to life, can they?

So Cao Zhengchun promptly knelt down.

(End of this chapter)