Zhu Di: My fourth son is a great emperor of all time?

Chapter 83 Imitating Zhu Yuanzhang and Unleashing a Bloodbath

"Your Majesty, you mustn't! This is all our troops!"

Amid the murmurs, an old minister blurted out in fright, his voice hoarse. The ministers fell silent again, and the hall fell into silence.

They initially thought Hu Guang wouldn't dare reveal military secrets, since it was a serious crime punishable by death if spoken out in the imperial court.

However, Hu Guang was already a criminal, and Zhu Di would eventually kill him no matter what.

On the other hand, this was also Zhu Di's own request. Hu Guang had already refused once before, which could be considered as having passed the test. If he refused a second time, he would be courting death.

Dying today is different from dying tomorrow. If there is a chance to survive, no one will let it go, and Hu Guang is no exception.

Zhu Di stared coldly at Hu Guang kneeling on the ground, and looked at the people kneeling behind him. Which one of them hadn't been recommended by Yang Shiqi or Hu Guang and risen rapidly through the ranks?
But while they were amassing wealth, did they ever consider that this was an act of draining the very marrow of the Ming Dynasty?

"Hu Guang, I can let you die now, or I can let you live a few more years. The choice is entirely up to you!"

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!" Hu Guang pressed his forehead tightly to the ground, not daring to move an inch. The emperor had given him a chance to live, and if he didn't seize it, there would be no other way.

Even if they were being used as pawns, especially by the emperor, the outcome—that the Ming Dynasty could be preserved and they and their families could survive—was something they never imagined at the beginning.

"Do as I say. Notify those who took over from you to find a new transaction location. Take action tonight!"

Zhu Di gave the order.

"Yes!" Hu Guang said in a trembling voice.

"All soldiers and officers of the General Headquarters, assemble your weapons immediately! Deliver them to the designated location tonight, without fail!" Zhu Di said expressionlessly.

Everyone thought he was just trying to intimidate and test Hu Guang and those traitors, but no one expected that Zhu Di would actually order the weapons to be gathered, loaded onto carts and transported.
Isn't this digging our own grave? Are we really going to surrender? That would be a dead end!

Everyone was filled with worry, but dared not ask any questions. Only Zhu Gaochi and his two brothers exchanged glances. Zhu Gaochi took the initiative and said, "Father, I am willing to lead the troops there!"

"Your subject is willing too!"

The remaining two brothers also spoke in unison, implying that they were willing to capture and hold captive the people who came to collect weapons, and devise a way to break the deadlock.

"You don't need to say anything! I have my own plan."

Once Zhu Di made up his mind, he wouldn't change it; otherwise, he wouldn't have said it aloud. There were many talented and extraordinary people in the main hall, but no one knew what Zhu Di was really planning. Even Yang Shiqi couldn't fathom his thoughts.

"Now, no one is allowed to leave the main hall. Yang Shiqi, Hu Guang, and others have come with me. The guards must keep a close watch on them!"

After saying this, Zhu Di got up and left. The guards behind him helped Yang Shiqi and escorted him to the back hall. The people on the ground got up and followed him.

When the ministers saw the emperor and Yang Shiqi and others leave, while they themselves stood in the main hall, unable to do anything and guarded by the guards, they all had mixed feelings.

Is this Zhu Di being wary of everyone?
However, no one dared to speak out. If even a trusted minister like Yang Shiqi could betray the country and collude with the enemy, it was understandable that Zhu Di would no longer trust them.

Among them are many honest officials who are loyal to the country, but nowadays, they cannot rush to defend themselves and can only wait quietly.

In the apse.

Zhu Di sat down, looked at Yang Shiqi, whom he had once trusted, closed his eyes, and didn't want to look at him at all. He wouldn't kill Yang Shiqi now because the man was still useful. The three brothers, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaosui, also came in at this moment. Li Qinghe, the chief of the imperial guards, was fully armed and had a serious expression. He walked in and stood guard beside Zhu Di.

"Hu Guang, you heard what was said in the main hall just now. List out everyone who has had dealings with them! There are twenty-one places on this list, and eight of their contacts. Who did you all contact? Step forward!"

"Yes!"

Hu Guang was unaware of Zhu Di's intentions and could only comply with the request to list those people. He had only been in contact with five people in total, and Hu Guang was responsible for most of the transactions among them.

To ensure everything went smoothly, Hu Guang personally went there many times.

After these five people stepped forward, Zhu Di gave Li Qinghe a look, and Li Qinghe understood Zhu Di's meaning and said to the others, "Follow me!"

These people dared not disobey and could only follow Li Qinghe away. They were all officials who had entered the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers through Yang Shiqi or Hu Guang, so they naturally knew about the treasonous act of colluding with the enemy.

However, from beginning to end, no one reported it.

Zhu Di hated them to the core.

Just as everyone was wondering what was going on, screams came from behind the main hall. Li Qinghe and the guards killed them all in an instant.

Hu Guang and the others in the back hall were pale-faced, wondering if it would be their turn next. Their bodies trembled as they knelt on the ground.

"Father, what are your plans? Your son is willing to go!"

"Your subject is willing too!"

The three brothers said indignantly that this was their last gamble. If they did well, the Ming Dynasty might still have a glimmer of hope, although they did not know what Zhu Di's plan was.

Zhu Di did not answer them, but looked at Hu Guang and said, "After you release the news, arrange a pickup location with them! Report the truth to me!"

"You five are responsible for packing the weapons, muskets, and bows and arrows into boxes, loading them onto the carriages, and driving to the destination without fail! You must not send additional men along the way, and you must not leak any secrets! Otherwise, my guards can shoot you dead from a hundred meters away!"

“You are guilty people. If you can handle this matter well, your families can be spared from being implicated, and I may also spare your lives.”

A ruler's word is law. Upon hearing this, Hu Guang and the others could not believe their ears and knelt on the ground, moved to tears of gratitude.

"We, your humble servants, are willing to serve you like dogs and horses!"

Zhu Di remained expressionless and said to Li Qinghe beside him, "Guard Li, imprison these six men. Prepare carrier pigeons, paper, ink, and brushes, and have Hu Guang send the message out. If necessary, you can have him make contact with the other party."

Li Qinghe nodded.

"As ordered!"

Zhu Di waved his hand and said to Hu Guang and the other six, "Alright, let's go."

Their knees were bruised and swollen from kneeling on the ground, but no one dared to say a word. They could only leave with Li Qinghe's men.

In the rear hall, only Yang Shiqi, Zhu Gaochi, and their two brothers remained, along with the head guard, Li Qinghe.

(End of this chapter)