Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 113 The Emperor knows about the Maritime Trade Office too?! Wu Zhen panicked.

"Master Hou, this..."

Upon hearing Wu Zhen's astonishing words, his trusted confidants were stunned.

How come things changed so suddenly?
Although the news from the Marquis was indeed astonishing, the Emperor's summons of the Marquis to the capital was not solely due to the invasion of Japanese pirates in Laizhou.

There was another deeper reason: the emperor had discovered the theft and sale of large ships.

But... things aren't actually that serious.

Given the merits and status of the two marquises, they certainly did not deserve to die.

At most, they would just give him a scolding, and as the Marquis said, they would deal with Liu Dabao and the others involved in the theft and sale of the ships as punishment.

There shouldn't be any major problems.

There's no need to make the young master ignore everything and immediately lead his men to the sea.
Isn't this tantamount to a direct rebellion?
Did they turn a small problem into a big one?
If this is really done, there will be no room for reconciliation.

Lord Marquis has always been very clever, so why can't he see things clearly now?

"Do as I say right now! Things are much more complicated than you think!"

Wu Zhen turned his head, looked at the man, and spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.

His eyes turned slightly red in an instant.

Upon seeing Wu Zhen's condition, those trusted men who had accompanied him to the capital were all taken aback.

They were taken aback by their lord's reaction at that moment.

"Do you think the emperor did what he did by dispatching the Chaohu naval forces before this?"

Wu Zhen's voice trembled slightly when he asked the question.

"Aren't we supposed to have them transport supplies by sea to the north, and also get involved in the trade with the steppe people?"

Li Zhu, a trusted confidant, asked the question with some surprise.

After asking this question, Li Zhu paused for a moment, as if he had realized something.

But I wasn't sure for the moment, so I didn't dare to think about it.

"This is just an excuse! An excuse to let us all lower our guard!"

Their real intention was to block our Japanese naval forces at sea.

We must trap the Japanese naval forces in the river, preventing their escape, and then capture them in one fell swoop!

Wu Zhen couldn't help but shiver.

Too bad!
The emperor was truly ruthless!
He thought the emperor was so angry because of the Japanese pirates' invasion of Laizhou, but he never expected that the emperor would discover the theft and sale of ships!
He thought that the emperor ordered the Chaohu Navy to transport supplies to the north in order to prevent the Chaohu Navy from completely declining, so that it could remain and continue to check and balance his brothers.

It's only now that it's been discovered; it turns out this was just a smokescreen!
The emperor's true purpose was to wipe out the Japanese naval forces in one fell swoop and carry out a great purge!

It's to sever one's own foundation!

Everything is geared towards this goal!

How insidious! How vicious! How scheming!
He was now certain that the emperor had discovered the theft of the ships long ago.

Otherwise, the emperor would never have been able to devise such a meticulous plan.

It's obvious that they started planning this a long time ago!
The emperor was truly ruthless!

They appear calm and collected on the surface, but when it comes to stabbing you in the back, they show no mercy whatsoever!

Fortunately, his older brother received the news and relayed it in time.

Otherwise, this time they would have fallen headlong into the emperor's inescapable trap.

They didn't even know how they died!

Upon hearing Wu Liang's words, the expressions of the people following him all changed drastically.

They are incredibly audacious, capable of doing bad things in secret; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them recklessly bold.

However, when they learned that the emperor had discovered their misdeeds and was secretly taking action against them, they panicked instantly.

Who doesn't know that His Majesty is ruthless and merciless?
Those who were dealt with in Zhongdu City, and those officials who were beheaded in the Empty Seal Case, serve as cautionary tales and cannot help but be fearful.

"My lord, perhaps... you should return to take charge and lead the brothers out to sea?"
With you here, the backbone is there, the brothers will not be in disarray, and they will all willingly follow you to the sea.

If you don't personally lead such an important matter, people won't be united.

There will definitely be a lot of people who are thinking wildly.

Luo Dapao, Feng San, and their ilk are probably not very honest.

"Our navy, which is at full strength against the Japanese, will lose nearly 60% of its fighting power in this attack alone."

Li Zhu spoke earnestly, and the others all looked at Wu Zhen with pleading and anxious expressions.

Clearly, Li Zhu's words expressed their true feelings.

Wu Zhen took a deep breath and said, "What you said makes sense. If Zhong'er really does it this way, things will most likely turn out the way they do."

"Then, my lord...shall we go back now?"

Someone looked at Wu Zhen with an anxious expression and asked him.

“Don’t go back. Do as I said. Zhong’er will handle this.”

As for me, I continued on my way to the capital to see the emperor.

When Wu Zhen said this, everyone was shocked, completely unaware of what their lord meant.

The emperor discovered the theft and sale of the ships and ordered the marquis to come to the capital to meet him.

This is clearly a prelude to killing the Marquis.

The Marquis himself understood all of this.

Why are they now choosing to head down a dead end?

“Feng San and his men are starting to get restless. Once they come to sea, even I might not be able to keep them in check.”

Of the remaining naval forces, not all of them are loyal to me and willing to follow me to sea.

He usually listens to me, not because of me, but because I am the Admiral of the Japanese Navy appointed by His Majesty.

The situation is certainly better than Zhong'er taking people out to sea, but not by much.

I am a Marquis of the Ming Dynasty, a title bestowed upon me by the Emperor himself, who has always placed great trust in me.

If I were to go back and lead people to the sea, given the emperor's temperament, he would absolutely hate me to the core.

In contrast, they will exhaust all their strength and spare no expense to hunt us down and annihilate us.

The emperor is absolutely capable of doing this.

It would be different if my son were to do this.

The emperor was furious, but he would never truly disregard the cost and kill his brothers who had fled to the sea.

This theft and sale of ships is not a small matter, but it's not that big.

I won't die, and the emperor wouldn't dare kill me.

He'll just be a leisurely marquis, nothing more.

"As long as Zhong'er takes people out, my place will be even safer..."

Wu Zhen then shared his plan with everyone.

Ultimately, the reason was that Zhu Yuanzhang's power and influence were too deeply entrenched.

Even under these circumstances, a figure like Wu Zhen would not dare to gamble everything and fight Zhu Yuanzhang to the death.

After hearing Wu Zhen's words, no one said anything more.

Clearly, most people had been convinced by Wu Zhen's words.

Two people turned around on the spot and hurriedly headed back the way they came.

Wu Zhen then led his men to continue their journey toward the capital.

He had a somber expression the whole way, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

After traveling about forty miles, they ran into the second group of messengers sent by Wu Liang to deliver the message.

From him, we learned that the Embroidered Uniform Guard followed closely behind and took control of the Longjiang Shipyard, and that the fire at the shipyard had not yet started.

Wu Zhen's face grew even more somber, and his mood became even heavier.

The emperor had indeed been planning this for a long time!
If they don't make a move, fine; but when they do, it's flawless, leaving no room for others to maneuver!

Therefore, I am even more grateful that when I came here, my son reminded me to make the worst-case scenario plan and corresponding arrangements.

In this matter, the one who took power was certainly clever.

But it's not like I'm completely unprepared!

With that in mind, Wu Zhen rested briefly before leading his men on their way to the capital...

After traveling fifty miles, as darkness was about to fall, another group of messengers sent by Wu Liang arrived.

He secretly informed Wu Zhen that Chang Jinshu had committed suicide by poisoning himself. Wu Liang went to the palace to see the emperor, was reprimanded by the emperor, and then came out safely.

Upon learning this news, Wu Zhen was stunned for a long time.

"Hurry! Hurry back, catch up with Liu Da and the others even if it kills you!"

Tell them things have changed and that Zhong'er doesn't need to do that anymore!

Even if we don't catch up with them, we must get the message out before Zhong'er makes a move, so they don't act rashly.

He was also told that Liu Dabao was secretly colluding with Chang Jinshu to steal and sell ships, a heinous crime, and that such scoundrels must be killed and the ships kept!
We cannot allow our ships to fall into the hands of pirates again!

After a moment of silence, Wu Zhen hurriedly issued the following order.

Watching the messenger gallop through the night, Wu Zhen felt a surge of anxiety.

I somewhat regret my previous actions; they were too hasty.

The emperor, after all, still cherished old friendships and dared not do anything to the two brothers.

This incident will definitely cause my brothers to lose a lot, but it won't be a complete financial blow.

The cost would certainly be less than if his own son took people out to sea.

If they weren't forced into a corner, who would be willing and have the courage to take a desperate gamble and fight the emperor to the death?
He now only hopes to get the message out before his son starts his rebellion, so that his son won't do it.

I was also thrown into a state of confusion and disarray by a series of events.

While the theft of ships was a serious matter, how could the emperor possibly bring himself to kill his two brothers?

The two of us are the emperor's confidants!

Wu Zhen was so remorseful he wanted to slap himself...

He originally wanted to rest a little longer and set off again at dawn.

But after this incident, he lost interest in it.

After only a short rest, they led their men on a journey that lasted most of the night.

They stopped to rest only when they reached a place twenty miles from the capital.

I plan to go to the capital early tomorrow morning to request an audience with the emperor.

Someone suggested that Wu Zhen go and meet with the Marquis Wu Liang first.

Since we're already here, it will only take another half an hour to see the Marquis.

Now that such a major matter has arisen, it would be prudent to first discuss it thoroughly with the Marquis, who is well-informed and waiting in the capital, before taking any further action.

Wu Zhen refused.

He felt that, at this moment, what was most needed when facing the emperor was sincerity.

Before meeting the emperor, he first went to see his elder brother, who was also involved in the case; this inevitably raised suspicions of collusion.

This incident has given him a full understanding of how terrifying the Embroidered Uniform Guard is.

Now that we are approaching the capital, if we do this, the emperor will definitely find out.

I already know the situation here, and it's unlikely that there will be any major changes in the short term.

Since that's the case, there's no need for me to go through all that trouble.

This aroused the emperor's annoyance and suspicion.

Wu Zhen had calculated this very clearly...

……

In Kunning Palace, it was still early before dawn, but Zhu Yuanzhang had already tiptoed out of bed.

Carefully stepping over Empress Ma, who was sleeping on the outside, Zhu Yuanzhang put on his shoes and went to the side to get dressed.

At that time, it was customary for couples to sleep in the same bed, with the man sleeping on the inside and the woman on the outside.

The reason for this is that if the man sleeps outside, and the woman gets up at night, she has to step over the man, which is considered inauspicious and unlucky.

Zhu Yuanzhang, nowadays, naturally no longer believed such nonsense, but he still slept on the inside of the bed.

He didn't care, but the girl did.

It is also said that even without this custom, Zhu Yuanzhang should still sleep in bed.

She already had little time to sleep throughout the day, and if she slept outside, she might wake Zhu Yuanzhang if she got up at night.

For this reason alone, Zhu Yuanzhang should have slept in his bed.

Even his own sister said this, what could Zhu Yuanzhang do?
Of course, he'd give in to his sister!
"Chongba, why are you up so early?"

Empress Ma's voice rang out.

"Hey girl, don't get up, I can do it myself."

Zhu Yuanzhang paused slightly as he dressed, and spoke these words without even turning his head.

But it was too late. Empress Ma had already sat up and casually pulled out a tinderbox to light the candle.

The room, which was originally dimly lit by the lanterns outside, suddenly became bright.

"When you get up, light the lamp. You won't be afraid of making a mistake when you get dressed in the dark."

"If someone goes out wearing my clothes, people will laugh their heads off."

As she spoke, Empress Ma rose, put on her robe, and came closer to help Zhu Yuanzhang put on his clothes.

"Hehe, let them laugh all they want. We're wearing our sister's clothes, not some other woman's." "Chongba, you're getting more and more shameless. Don't you know anything about shame?"

"Haha, girl, you think we just took all those meals for nothing?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought to himself, "This is nothing."
In modern times, what kind of monsters and demons haven't we seen on the internet?

"You, you're shameless, and you've become proud of it."

Empress Ma smiled and poked Zhu Yuanzhang's waist with her fingertips.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt itchy and twisted his body.

"Light the lamp when you get up, don't worry about waking me up."

I'm different from you. I don't have that many things to do. I have plenty of time to catch up on sleep every day, so a little bit won't make a difference.

Also, didn't you say you were going to get up 25 minutes later in the morning?
"It's still about fifteen minutes before you get up?"

Empress Ma carefully examined Zhu Yuanzhang, reached out and pulled his left shoulder. Seeing that his clothes were neat, she nodded in satisfaction.

"Girl, don't even mention it. If I go to bed half an hour earlier at night and get up half an hour later in the morning, I really can't fall asleep."

Lying there, I felt terrible.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's uncomfortable expression, Empress Ma couldn't help but laugh and say, "It's because you've been sleeping like this for a while. You'll get used to it if you sleep like this more often."

You're just too tense all the time.

With such a large country and so many things weighing on your shoulders, even if you keep yourself busy like a spinning top, you still won't be able to finish.

Take a break when it's time to rest.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "My sister is right. Let's both take good care of ourselves from now on and live to be seventy or eighty, or even a hundred years old."

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's serious expression, Empress Ma couldn't help but smile: "If he really lived that long, those corrupt officials would be worried to death."

"Hahaha, putting everything else aside, just the fact that these people feel bad every day we live means we have to take good care of ourselves and live to a ripe old age."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily.

He then helped Empress Ma to the bedside, lifted the quilt, and tucked her into the bed.

"Chongba, try not to get angry when you see Wu Zhen, lest you ruin your health."

Since things have already come to this, we should just do what needs to be done.

They don't take you, the emperor, seriously, and you don't need to take them too seriously either.

Fight them if they need to be fought, kill them if they need to be killed; there's no need to get too worked up with them.

It's not worth ruining your health by getting angry.

Empress Ma, tucked in by Zhu Yuanzhang and wrapped up like a silkworm with only her head showing, looked at him and gave him instructions, her concern evident in her words.

"Don't worry, sister, my temper has improved a lot now, and I don't get angry easily anymore."

Now that we've met Wu Zhen, let's do as you say, sister.

"Don't get angry, just handle things impartially."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement with a serious expression, truly a man who readily accepted good advice.

"Zhongba, if possible... let them live."

Empress Ma hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke.

"Does the girl think they shouldn't have been killed?"

"Of course he should be killed!"

Empress Ma's voice was resolute.

"But... in the past year, Chongba, you've been taking action too frequently and killing too many people."

He kept slashing at his subordinates, each of them having their own way of dying, and their deaths were not a pity.

But... they are still the people who followed you to conquer the world.

We can't do without them for now.

Such frequent and deadly actions may make some people uneasy.

You still have many important things to do in the future, Chongba.

The nobles can rely on this most.

If I push them too hard, I'm afraid... things will become more difficult in the future.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Sister, don't worry, we won't do anything reckless here."

They'll find a balance, preventing things from spiraling out of control.

Seeing this, Empress Ma said no more and nodded vigorously: "Yes, Chongba, as long as you know what you're doing."

After exchanging a few more words with Empress Ma, Zhu Yuanzhang left Kunning Palace.

After Zhu Yuanzhang left, Empress Ma lay there quietly, her eyes and face filled with worry.

After a while, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh, blew out the light, and went to sleep.

Whether she can fall asleep or not is another matter...

……

"Let Wu Liang come and see us too."

"Brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to war side by side; since both of them are involved, then they should both come."

After the morning court session ended, Zhu Yuanzhang did not immediately summon Wu Zhen, who had requested an audience. Instead, he said the following words.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wang immediately went out to make arrangements...

……

"Brother."

Nearly an hour later, Wu Zhen, who had been waiting anxiously, saw Wu Liang walk in and quickly stood up, feeling an extraordinary sense of warmth and familiarity.

"Let's go see the higher-ups."

Wu Liang gave Wu Zhen a reassuring look and said.

Wu Zhen then shut his mouth and went with Eunuch Wang to see Zhu Yuanzhang.

Wu Liang was no longer uneasy, after all, he had already met the emperor once yesterday and passed the test smoothly.

Today I'm just accompanying my younger brother to see the emperor; the one who will be scolded is my younger brother, not me.

Seeing that his elder brother was in such good spirits, Wu Zhen's worries disappeared.

Meeting the emperor today should be relatively easy.

His only worry now is that his son has taken people out to sea ahead of schedule.

If that's the case, things will actually be worse...

……

"I pay my respects to the superior and pay my respects to the Holy One."

"Meet His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the King of Qin."

Inside the Wuying Hall, the brothers Wu Liang and Wu Zhen knelt down to greet Zhu Yuanzhang and pay their respects to Zhu Biao and Zhu Shuang.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head, his gaze passing over Wu Liang and landing on Wu Zhen, who looked much stronger than his elder brother.

"Wu Zhen, tell me, what happened with the Japanese pirates invading Laizhou, burning, killing, and looting?"

Zhu Yuanzhang completely ignored Wu Zhen and Wu Liang's greetings and directly questioned them.

One can imagine the extent to which the anger in her heart had accumulated.

"The Japanese pirates are cunning and ruthless. Our Great Ming Dynasty has a very long coastline from north to south."

Moreover, the Japanese pirates had previously raided the Jiangnan region, but who would have thought that this time they would actually come to Laizhou.

The guilty official did not say this to shirk responsibility.

While this is indeed a factor, the main reason is that our efforts to combat the Japanese pirates were ineffective and our defenses were not strong enough.

Even though the higher-ups had given advance warnings to strengthen coastal defenses and prevent Japanese pirates from raiding the area.

But Chen still couldn't prevent such things from happening.

This is my fault.

Your Majesty, I humbly request that you grant me a chance to atone for my crimes and perform meritorious service.

"I will certainly avenge this humiliation and avenge the innocent people of my Great Ming who perished so tragically!"

What to say and what attitude to adopt when meeting the emperor.

Wu Liang had been pondering these things on his way here.

When the emperor asked about it, his answer was truly watertight.

It stated the facts that the coastline was too long, the Japanese pirates were cunning, and it was difficult to defend against them.

He then proactively admitted his guilt and appropriately demonstrated his determination to redeem himself.

His expression and tone were all handled very well.

"Is it really because the coastline is too long? Or is it really because the Japanese pirates are too cunning?"

Did you really put your heart into defending against and fighting the Japanese pirates?
Look at you, you've put all your damn effort into how to steal and sell ships and how to collude with pirates!
"I'm afraid even the money those Japanese pirates stole will have to be split 70/30 between you and them!"

Unfortunately, Wu Zhen's seemingly perfect answer was not only unappealing to Zhu Yuanzhang, but it also fueled Zhu Yuanzhang's anger.

Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's threatening words, Wu Zhen hurriedly pressed his head to the ground.

"If you were to ascend the throne, I would absolutely not dare to do such a thing."

I am the Admiral personally appointed by the Emperor to defend against Japanese pirates. My duty is to strike at the sea pirates and pacify the seas.

I am irreconcilably opposed to the pirates!
I only just learned of the theft and sale of the ships.

This humble servant never imagined that there would be such audacious and reckless people among us, so utterly depraved!

They actually dared to steal and sell such a powerful vessel as a two-thousand-ton ship!
This wicked minister was foolish and stupid. He thought he had a good grasp of the naval forces used to defend against Japanese pirates, but he was actually fooled by others!
The disgraced official has brought shame upon his superior.

I, your humble servant, will now risk my life to find and kill the person who dared to do this!

"Catch up with the big ship and bring it back!"

He was full of emotion, as if he had truly been deceived.

Both were naval commanders, but Liao Yongzhong of the Chaohu Navy was far inferior to the Wu brothers, Wu Zhen and Wu Liang, in terms of personality and acting skills.

No wonder that in their past lives, while Liao Yongzhong was executed, the two of them remained unscathed.

"You really don't know?"

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned forward slightly and stared at Wu Zhen as he asked.

"Your Majesty, I truly do not know."

I am utterly loyal to my superior, and I owe my current position entirely to your promotion.

I cannot be without a conscience.

I truly knew nothing about these things.

If I had known, I would have already killed whoever dared to do such a thing!

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Wu Zhen silently without saying a word, and the Wuying Hall fell into a deep silence.

Wu Zhen knelt on the ground, his heart pounding like a drum.

He knew that the moment to decide his fate had arrived.

"Fine, let's just believe you for now and assume you're a complete idiot who knows nothing about this."

Before long, Zhu Yuanzhang's voice rang out.

The words he spoke sounded like heavenly music to the ears of Wu Liang and Wu Zhen!
The heart that had leaped into my throat instantly returned to its normal state.

I felt as if joy had fallen from the sky.

He knew the emperor wouldn't really do anything to his brother, but would just give him a stern warning, punish him with three cups of wine, and tell him not to do it again.

How could the status and position of the two brothers be compared to that of a fool like Liao Yongzhong?
While Wu Liang was overjoyed, he also felt somewhat resentful.

I feel that my younger brother passed the test too easily.

He himself was only able to pass the test after the emperor threw an inkstone at him and gave him a severe scolding.

Why is it that when it comes to her own brother, the superior only gives him a slight reprimand and lets him off the hook?

"It is a blessing for my brother and me to have met someone who has risen to power."

My brother and I would never dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts, and we will repay our superiors even at the cost of our lives..."

As Wu Zhen spoke, he raised his head, his eyes already filled with tears.

It was clear that she had gotten emotional.

Such a performance would earn praise from anyone who witnessed it; he truly is a pillar of the nation!
He truly deserves to be the emperor's confidant and the founding marquis of the Ming Dynasty.

Wu Liang quickly spoke up to express his loyalty.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood beside Zhu Yuanzhang, quietly watching the actions of the brothers Wu Zhen and Wu Liang, his heart already filled with unease.

These are the loyal and devoted nobles of the Ming Dynasty!
Such a face is truly disgusting!
However, those two scoundrels are overthinking things and celebrating too soon!

Do they really think Father doesn't know what they've done?
Do you really think Father Emperor would let them off so easily?

Next, they can expect a surprise from their father!

"Let's put this matter aside for now. You two, tell us about the Maritime Trade Office and the maritime ban!"

The joy in the hearts of the Wu brothers, Wu Liang and Wu Zhen, vanished instantly.

It felt as if my very soul had been violently struck.

No... why would the emperor ask this if he had nothing better to do?!

(End of this chapter)