Ming Dynasty: The Jingnan Rebellion has just been successful, and Zhu Yuanzhang has been resurrected

Chapter 171 Cabinet Selection, Arresting People

"What a Zhu Quan! He actually dared to chase after us. He's really not afraid of death. Since that's the case, we should of course grant his wish."

“That’s right. We’ve been fighting in Beiping for so long, and I’m really holding back my anger. Now’s the perfect time to vent it.”

"How arrogant! Since Beiping dares to send troops, we dare to wipe them out and let them know how powerful our Northern Yuan is."

"."

The crowd chimed in, shouting and yelling, each face etched with a cold smile.

Zhu Quan was very capable, and the troops in Beiping were also very strong.

However, they are not pushovers either.

Not to mention that there are hardly any cavalry in Beiping at the moment. Under these circumstances, to dare to take the initiative to chase after them is really asking for trouble.

"Everyone, calm down!" Arutai raised his hand.

He was not surprised at all by the reactions of the crowd.

The Ming Dynasty's border defenses are currently at their weakest, with all the elite troops transferred to Yingtian Prefecture. Under such circumstances, Zhu Quan's arrogance is understandable, and they will not be polite to him.

"Shhhhh!"

The crowd stopped shouting and turned their attention to Arutai.

Arutai smiled broadly and said, "If we do make a move, we'll just wipe out Zhu Quan and his 50,000 Beiping troops."

"That's for sure. If we take action, we must wipe out Zhu Quan and all his troops."

"Of course, this is the case. The opportunity is too rare to pass up. It would be a waste to just give Zhu Quan a simple lesson."

"Grand Tutor, tell us how we should fight. We'll follow your advice."

"."

Everyone said.

Arughtai said, "We need to set up an ambush and lure Zhu Quan in. I've thought about it. The reason Zhu Quan left Beiping and took the initiative to pursue us is probably because the Ming Emperor is almost here. But even if the Ming Emperor is fast, he still needs time. This time is our opportunity."

"The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is almost here!" Upon hearing Arughtai's words, everyone's expressions turned serious.

The emperor himself led the expedition, and he was a ruthless man who had defeated Zhu Di; they certainly couldn't win.

"Don't worry, if the Ming Emperor really arrives, we can just run away. Do you think the Ming Emperor would follow us to the grasslands?" Arutai saw the fear in everyone's hearts and waved his hand.

"Let's do it. We Northern Yuan have been suppressed and beaten by the Ming Dynasty for a long time. Now that we finally have a chance to take revenge, we should not give up."

"You're right. This is a rare opportunity. Although there will be some risks, I don't think it's a big problem. As long as we act quickly, we'll have plenty of time."

"Zhu Quan and his men are chasing after us. If we don't deal with them, we probably won't be able to plunder properly."

"."

People responded one after another, each with their own motives. Some wanted to take this opportunity to weaken the power of the Ming Dynasty, some wanted to better plunder Liaodong, and others were simply angry at Zhu Quan and wanted to vent their anger.

Regardless of their purpose, the Northern Yuan has now unified its goals and will eliminate Zhu Quan, who is catching up from behind.

Mahmud also agreed to the plan on behalf of the Oirat.

"Gentlemen, where do you think would be the best place to ambush Zhu Quan?" Arutai asked.

The target has been identified; the next step is to discuss where to take action.

Since there are fortified cities in Liaodong, any action against Zhu Quan must be taken in a wide-open area, so that Zhu Quan cannot rely on fortified cities.

"How's it going over the Xiling Plain?"

"I feel that Wangbeikou is better."

"What? The South Valley area is the best place."

"."

Everyone spoke up, suggesting the locations they thought were good.

Arutai listened quietly without offering any opinion.

Ying Tianfu!
Jiang Huan stood before Zhu Yuanzhang with a respectful expression.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained calm. Jiang Huan had just told him two pieces of news: first, Zhu Yunwen was hiding in Huangjue Temple; second, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were preparing to leave Yingtian Prefecture.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Jiang Huan waited quietly, not daring to urge Zhu Yuanzhang.

I don’t know how much time has passed.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and said, "Don't worry about Yunwen. Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai, go and talk to the cabinet and see what they plan to do. Remember, don't reveal any information about Yunwen."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Jiang Li bowed, turned around and walked away.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and said, "Yunwen, I hope you have truly come to your senses."

He was naturally suspicious, so Zhu Yunwen's series of actions did not completely reassure him. Of course, although he did not trust him, he would not do anything to Zhu Yunwen based on the choices he had made so far.

Zhu Yunwen was Zhu Biao's son and had spent some years with him. As long as Zhu Yunwen's actions weren't particularly outrageous, Zhu Biao wouldn't touch him.

He shook his head and looked towards Beiping.

It had been some time since Zhu Yunwen left Yingtian Prefecture, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards kept him informed about the situation in Beiping and Zhu Yunwen's progress.

Judging by the time, Zhu Yunwen will arrive in Beiping in the next two days, at which time the Northern Yuan will be severely impacted.

"Conquer the grasslands," Zhu Yuanzhang murmured softly, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Although the idea is incredibly absurd, what if Zhu Yunwen actually managed to do it?
Zhu Yunwen possessed the means to conquer the grasslands: the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

"Even if we can't conquer them, we can still bring down the Northern Yuan, right?" Zhu Yuanzhang thought to himself.

The vast grassland is a paradise for cavalry.

The Great Snow Dragon Riders and the Tiger and Leopard Riders performed exceptionally well, even terrifyingly, in the Central Plains. But once they reached the grasslands, he truly didn't know what kind of army could stop them.

He thought about it and realized that for the Northern Yuan at this moment, it seemed that the only way to survive was to escape as soon as possible. Otherwise, if Zhu Yunwen found them, it would be like the sky falling down.

Xia Mansion!

Xie Jin, Hu Ying, Yang Shiqi, Fang Xiaoru, and Yao Guangxiao arrived at Xia Yuanji's residence; they had all been summoned by Xia Yuanji.

In the study, five people looked at Xia Yuanji with puzzled expressions.

"Lord Xia, what is the matter that you summoned us here for?" Xie Jin asked.

Xia Yuanji waved his hand and said, "Everyone, please sit down first!"

Jiang Huan just found him and told him that Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were planning to run away.

At this point, a choice arose: whether or not to arrest Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai.

If they don't arrest them, they can play the long game and catch bigger fish, but it might also allow Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai to escape. The Jinyiwei's strongest control is in Yingtian Prefecture; outside of Yingtian Prefecture, their control is not as strong.

As for arrests, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai haven't brought much information so far, and even if they are arrested, they probably won't confess anything.

Two choices will lead to two different outcomes.

"Shhhhh!"

With their doubts in mind, Xie Jin, Hu Ying, Yang Shiqi, Fang Xiaoru, and Yao Guangxiao each found a seat and sat down.

After the five people sat down, Xia Yuanji took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I have received news that Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai are preparing to leave Yingtian Prefecture!"

"Are Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai preparing to leave?"

"What's going on? There was no trace of them before, why are they suddenly leaving? Could it be that they actually found the whereabouts of Prince Yunwen?"

"."

Xie Jin, Hu Ying, and the others were all startled when they heard Xia Yuanji's words.

Xia Yuanji said, "Now, we are faced with the choice of whether to arrest the person now or continue to cast the line and wait to catch a bigger fish."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jin, Hu Ying, and the others all showed thoughtful expressions.

They understood the meaning behind Xia Yuanji's words.

"Lord Xia, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were staying in Yingtian Prefecture perfectly well, why are they suddenly leaving? Could it be that they've really found out something?" Yao Guangxiao asked hesitantly.

Xia Yuanji shook his head and said, "I don't know about that. The Embroidered Uniform Guard hasn't found out."

"I think we should arrest them!" Yang Shiqi suddenly said.

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Yang Shiqi, their eyes filled with confusion.

“Here’s what I’m thinking: perhaps Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai found out something, or perhaps they didn’t. But since they left in such a hurry, they must have sensed something. I think arresting them now is the safest course of action,” Yang Shiqi explained his reasoning.

“I agree with Lord Yang’s opinion. Let’s arrest them. This way we can control the situation and prevent Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai from having any more opportunities to manipulate things,” Yao Guangxiao was the first to respond.

"I also agree to arrest him," Xie Jin stated.

Xia Yuanji looked at Hu Ying and Fang Xiaoru and said, "Lord Hu, Lord Fang, what do you think?"

Hu Ying and Fang Xiaoru exchanged a glance and said, "Arrest them!"

Arresting people isn't the best option, but since everyone else is doing it, if the two of them disagree with arresting them, they'll have to bear the consequences of letting Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai go.

This outcome is certainly unacceptable to both of them.

The biggest problem people face is not scarcity but inequality.

Why should everyone benefit while the two of them bear the consequences?

“Alright, since everyone thinks Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai should be arrested, let’s arrest them then.” Xia Yuanji nodded.

Personally, he preferred to arrest the person, as that would be the safest course of action and would also bring him considerable merit.

"Shhhhh!"

After making the decision, all six of them stood up.

In the courtyard, Jiang Huan stood quietly, waiting for the cabinet's decision.

"Commander Jiang, thank you for your trouble. Please take control of the people." Xia Yuanji and his six men entered the courtyard and bowed to Jiang Huan.

“Okay, I’ll go now!” Jiang Huan nodded, turned around and walked away.

Looking at Jiang Huan's retreating figure, Yao Guangxiao said, "I have a feeling that there must be some reason why Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai left so suddenly that we don't know about it."

Although Jiang Huan was very cooperative with their cabinet, he always felt that there was another face beneath Jiang Huan's facade.

Perhaps the Embroidered Uniform Guard uncovered some other information, but simply didn't inform the cabinet.

Yang Shiqi turned to Yao Guangxiao and said, "Since Lord Yao has such suspicions, why not wait until we capture Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai and then interrogate them carefully?"

He shared the same feelings as Yao Guangxiao.

However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not to be trifled with. Although he was a cabinet minister, he was unwilling to offend the Embroidered Uniform Guard unless absolutely necessary.

Of course, when Zhu Yunwen returns, he will truthfully report his suspicions to him.

"Hehe!" Yao Guangxiao chuckled softly, without responding to Yang Shiqi's words.

He understands the principle that "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down."

Even if there is something, we should wait until Zhu Yunwen returns to Yingtian Prefecture before discussing it.

on the street!
Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai both looked solemn.

Not long ago, when they wanted to leave Yingtian Prefecture, the entire prefecture was suddenly placed under martial law, allowing entry but not exit.

Although the official reason given was that Northern Yuan Tartars had infiltrated the city, both of them secretly felt that the sudden martial law in Yingtian Prefecture was because of them.

"His Majesty is indeed being monitored!" Huang Zicheng frowned deeply.

They had just met Zhu Yunwen, and the next second Yingtian Prefecture was placed under martial law. Who would believe there was no connection between the two?
"Things are getting complicated." Qi Tai's heart sank.

Although both he and Huang Zicheng had disguised themselves, if the entire curfew was indeed a search for them, they would eventually be caught, and it was only a matter of time before they were found.

Huang Zicheng lowered his head and remained silent, his mind racing as he pondered a way to break the deadlock.

"Thump thump thump!" Suddenly, a group of Imperial Guards ran towards the two of them.

"Oh no!" Huang Zicheng's expression changed drastically upon seeing this.

"We were discovered so quickly?" Qi Tai was taken aback, a bitter feeling rising in his heart.

They thought it would take time to be exposed, but the scene before them told them that they might have been targeted long ago.

Huang Zicheng's face was gloomy. He turned to look at Qi Tai beside him and said, "Lord Qi, it seems we're doomed this time."

Qi Tai lowered his head and remained silent, not saying a word.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!" In the blink of an eye, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were surrounded by the Imperial Guards.

Jiang Huan strode over, his expression calm: "Lord Huang, Lord Qi, it's been a long time!"

"Jiang Huan!" Huang Zicheng gritted his teeth and said angrily, "His Majesty treated you well before, didn't he? I never expected you to betray us. His Majesty was blind to have valued such a villain as you."

Jiang Huan remained completely unmoved, as if he hadn't heard Huang Zicheng's insults, and said, "My lords, please!"

The victor is king, the loser is villain. He admitted that Huang Zicheng was right, and that he had indeed betrayed Zhu Yunwen.

However, everyone has their own interests at heart.

Moreover, when the tide turns, what will Jiang Huan be worth?
Furthermore, judging from the current outcome, he does not feel that he made a mistake in siding with Zhu Yunwen.

(End of this chapter)