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

"Hmm? His Majesty has already gone to sleep?" Xia Yuanji was taken aback when he heard Ma Sanbao's words. He smiled bitterly to himself, realizing that this was all too untimely.

However, upon closer reflection, it turns out he was a bit careless. Zhu Yunwen had rushed all the way from Beiyuan to Yingtianfu, and it's easy to imagine that he couldn't have rested properly on the way. Once he returned to Yingtianfu, he would definitely need to get some rest.

Of course, even if he knew, he might still choose to come to the palace. After all, the matter is too important to him. He might be able to sit on the coveted position of Grand Secretary because of this. In this case, everything else would naturally have to be put aside.

To put it bluntly, the gains are simply too great. In comparison, even if he stays outside the palace and waits, it's better than him quietly waiting for Zhu Yunwen's summons in his residence.

Moreover, this would make him seem more sincere!

Seeing Xia Yuanji looking lost in thought, Ma Sanbao was puzzled and called out to him.

He had already made up his mind. Since Xia Yuanji wasn't looking for Zhu Yunwen because of matters of national importance, he would absolutely not go to Zhu Yunwen under these circumstances.

Although the Annam issue is very important, as someone close to Zhu Yunwen, he knew very well that Zhu Yunwen's attitude on Annam was very firm. In other words, no matter what the current situation in Annam was, the Ming Dynasty would eventually intervene forcefully.

Although Xia Yuanji's trip might reveal significant changes in Annam, the ultimate impact would be very limited. Therefore, Ma Sanbao considered it highly unwise for Xia Yuanji to seek out Zhu Yunwen regarding Annam.

Xia Yuanji snapped out of his daze, took a deep breath, and said, "Eunuch Ma, I won't go back. Anyway, I don't have anything too important to do right now, so I'll just wait for His Majesty."

Ma Sanbao was taken aback upon hearing this. He looked up at Xia Yuanji with a puzzled expression, not leaving. He was very curious, wondering what had happened in Annan.

Of course, although he was very curious, he did not ask, because he knew that even if he asked, Xia Yuanji would most likely not tell him. After all, Xia Yuanji had gone so far as to wait quietly in the palace, so he could deduce that what Xia Yuanji wanted to say must be something important.

With a smile, Ma Sanbao said, "Alright, since Lord Xia isn't in a hurry, then let's wait."

He didn't say much. Although he was Zhu Yunwen's confidant, Xia Yuanji's status was also there. He had no conflict of interest with Xia Yuanji, so there was naturally no need to offend Xia Yuanji.

Xia Yuanji nodded and found a seat.

Annam!

After leaving the palace, Hu Yuancheng went straight back to his residence. Once inside his room, he could no longer hide the calm expression on his face.

"Damn it, damn it! We've already rebelled, why should we care about the attitudes of those court officials!"

"To actually pass the throne to that bastard, Father is truly blind! No, the throne is mine, and no one can take it away from me!"

"Damn it, I can't just sit here and wait to die, I have to do something."

"If they won't let me sit on the throne, humph, I will absolutely not agree to that."

"."

Hu Yuancheng's face was extremely gloomy, and his eyes were full of anger.

He joined Hu Quy Ly in usurping the throne and played a crucial role. In contrast, Hu Han Chang did nothing during the usurpation process. Now, Hu Quy Ly wants to pass the throne to Hu Han Chang. This is simply outrageous!

However, he was not blinded by anger. If he were to cause trouble now, there was a high probability that things would go wrong. He did not really believe Hu Quy Ly's guarantee. Of course, there was one thing he was very clear about: although Hu Han Cang was able to sit on the throne, Hu Quy Ly would definitely still firmly control the power in Annam. And this was his opportunity.

"The Ming Dynasty is attacking!" Hu Yuancheng's face showed a thoughtful expression. Chen Tianping's successful escape had changed the course of events.

Without Chen Tianping, the Ming Dynasty would never have noticed the situation in Annam, since the Ming Dynasty was too far away from Annam. However, Chen Tianping went directly to the Ming Dynasty to complain. Although it is unknown whether the Ming Dynasty will intervene in the end, he may be able to make a fuss about this.

Originally, he should have been quite resentful of Chen Tianping, but now, thanks to Chen Tianping's meddling, his situation seems to have become more maneuverable.

Of course, deep down he was still quite angry with Chen Tianping, since without Chen Tianping, the situation he was facing might not have happened at all.

"Knock, knock, knock!" Just then, a knock came from outside the door, followed by a servant's voice: "Your Highness, Lord Gao has arrived!"

Gao Qing, Hu Jili's subordinate and also a supporter of Hu Yuancheng, had long ago placed his bets on Hu Yuancheng, and the two had formed a strong bond of interests. It was precisely because of this that Hu Yuancheng dared to call him over to discuss things.

There are no permanent friends, but there are permanent interests. This saying is now put into practice. It is no exaggeration to say that the only person in all of Annam who can support Hu Yuancheng without reservation is Gao Qing. Even Hu Jili would never support Hu Yuancheng without reservation.

Hu Yuancheng and Gao Qing were not only closely bound by their interests, but also because if Hu Yuancheng ascended the throne, Gao Qing would receive an extremely terrifying reward, and might even become the prime minister of Annam.

Hu Yuancheng took a deep breath, steadied himself, and said, "Come in!"

"Creak!" The door was opened from the outside, and Gao Qing stepped in, looking puzzled: "Your Highness, what do you want with me?"

Even if he were stupid, he would know something was wrong if Hu Yuancheng summoned him in the middle of the night.

Hu Yuancheng waved his hand and said, "Sit down first!"

Gao Qing nodded, filled with deep confusion, and found a seat. He was very curious and wanted to know what had happened.

After Gao Qing sat down, Hu Yuancheng spoke. Given their relationship, he didn't hide anything and told the story: "Not long ago, my father summoned me and said that the situation in our Annam had become somewhat complicated."

Gao Qing nodded upon hearing this and said, "Yes, the situation in the court is very delicate right now. Many people are very resistant to the King and want the Chen family to take back power."

Hearing this, Hu Yuancheng felt slightly better. Gao Qing's words confirmed that Hu Jili had not lied to him. However, he was still filled with anger. Under Gao Qing's gaze, he continued, "In order to ease the situation in the court and to be well-prepared to resist the Ming Dynasty, Father plans to pass the throne to that bastard Hu Hancang!" "What!"

Gao Qing was stunned when he heard Hu Yuancheng's words.

Hu Yuancheng revealed far too much information. Apart from easing the situation in the court, which he could understand, he didn't quite understand the rest. Resisting the Ming Dynasty? Passing the throne to Hu Hancang?
What is this?

Putting aside the issue of resisting the Ming Dynasty, passing the throne to Hu Hancang? No, why should he?!

Hu Han Cang has the blood of the Chen family flowing through his veins. Isn't he afraid of what might happen? Besides, Hu Ji Li is currently sitting on the throne. Why should he pass it on?
Even if the throne is to be passed down, it should be to Hu Yuancheng, the eldest son. Who is Hu Hancang?

Gao Qing was completely bewildered, her mind filled with countless questions.

Looking at Gao Qing's appearance, Hu Yuancheng waved his hand and said, "I know you have many questions in your heart. Let's talk about them one by one. One of the Chen family members escaped to the Ming Dynasty and asked for help from the Ming Dynasty. Since the emperor was not in the capital, the Ming Dynasty did not give a reply, but it protected Chen Tianping. This matter makes my father very worried, fearing that the Ming Dynasty will send troops to interfere in our Annam affairs."

“As you know, the Annam court is very dissatisfied with Father. If we add the matter of Da Ming and Chen Tianping, the situation will definitely be even worse. Therefore, for the sake of safety, Father has decided to pass the throne to that bastard Hu Han Cang. After all, that guy has half Chen blood in his body. Letting him sit on the throne might be able to stabilize the court.”

“Only after the court is stable will Annam have enough strength to meet the threat of the Ming Dynasty. This is also the biggest reason why my father chose to pass the throne to Hu Quy Ly.”

After listening to the whole story, Gao Qing frowned immediately. If Hu Yuancheng couldn't ascend the throne, wouldn't all his efforts over the years have been in vain? He clearly couldn't accept this outcome.

“Your Highness, although there are reasons for this, I don’t think we can just accept it like this. We still need to fight for the throne,” Gao Qing said in a deep voice.

Although Hu Hancang had very good reasons for inheriting the throne, he was very unwilling to just give up. He wanted to struggle no matter what, and even if he had no choice in the end, he would have no regrets.

"Of course we have to fight. If we didn't, I wouldn't have called you here." Hu Yuancheng made his attitude clear first, and only after he showed his determination would Gao Qing follow suit. Otherwise, if he backed down, where would Gao Qing's motivation to fight come from? He might even cut his losses and betray him, joining Hu Hancang's ranks.

"Phew!" Gao Qing breathed a long sigh of relief after hearing Hu Yuancheng's words. As long as Hu Yuancheng didn't back down, there was still room for things to turn around. If Hu Yuancheng had backed down, then he really would have to consider whether or not to run away.

"Your Highness, tell me, what should we do next?"

Hu Yuancheng remained calm and said, "Although I am very angry right now, we must not act impulsively. If I am not mistaken, my father will likely send someone to monitor me for a period of time. Although I have expressed my strong support for Hu Hancang's succession to the throne, he will not take the risk."

Gao Qing nodded upon hearing this, then his expression changed, and he said uneasily, "Your Highness, isn't my situation extremely precarious now that I've come to see you?"

He panicked a little. If he was sentenced to death by Hu Jili just because he came to see Hu Yuancheng, then he would really be wronged.

Hu Yuancheng waved his hand and said, "You don't need to panic. Even if my father knows that I am dissatisfied, he will never do anything to me. You are my person, and my father will not touch you."

Gao Qing's unease did not dissipate, and she looked at Hu Yuancheng with a puzzled expression.

Hu Yuancheng explained, "Think about it, although Father is now going to pass the throne to Hu Hancang, will he really relinquish the power he holds?"

"Hmm?" Gao Qing was taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly realized what he meant and said, "His Majesty will use His Highness to balance Hu Hancang."

"That's right!" Hu Yuancheng nodded and said, "Otherwise, why would I have called you over? Wouldn't that have harmed you?"

Gao Qing looked embarrassed and said, "I was overthinking it."

Hu Yuancheng said, "I might be a little inconvenient next, so please make some preparations for me. I will absolutely not give up the throne."

Gao Qing's face turned serious as he cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Hu Yuancheng will not give up, and neither will he. Of course, if things really become impossible, then he will have no choice but to cut his losses and survive. But in the current situation, he still has to struggle.

"Go ahead!" Hu Yuancheng waved his hand.

He's done everything he was supposed to do; now it's just a matter of seeing how the situation changes.

Gao Qing nodded, turned and walked away. Meeting Hu Yuancheng today was a huge surprise for him. He had thought things would go smoothly, but unexpectedly, a huge turbulence suddenly appeared. After returning home, he needed to think carefully about how to proceed.

The Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Palace!
When Zhu Yunwen woke up, it was already getting dark. Although he had just fought a great battle, fighting three opponents at once, he felt no fatigue whatsoever, and his energy was even better than expected.

"Your Majesty, Lord Xia requests an audience and has been waiting in the palace all afternoon." Ma Sanbao walked up to Zhu Yunwen and reported the news of Xia Yuanji's request for an audience.

"Hmm?" Zhu Yunwen paused, then asked, "Do you know what it is?"

The matter that would make Xia Yuanji wait in the palace for an entire afternoon must first be something significant, but it also couldn't be anything major, otherwise he would have been woken up long ago.

“It’s said to be related to Annam!” Ma Sanbao said.

Zhu Yunwen nodded and waved his hand, saying, "Go, let Xia Yuanji come over!"

Although Xia Yuanji never became the Grand Secretary in history, he has seen Xia Yuanji's recent performance and it is indeed very good. Putting aside everything else, he is more than qualified to be the Grand Secretary.

However, the position of Grand Secretary cannot be easily granted; one must have made significant contributions or rendered substantial service to the country and its people. The first Grand Secretary is crucial and must set a good example for future Grand Secretaries. (End of Chapter)