Ming Dynasty: I, Zhu Yunwen, started by resurrecting my grandmother.

Chang Yuchun also said: "Yes, the Zhou king occupied the Central Plains, and the geographical location was very important."

The sudden reduction of the Prince of Zhou's fiefdom was a major blow to Beiping. How could Zhu Gaochi possibly help the court fight the pirates?

At this moment, a carrier pigeon flew in from outside the tent and gently landed on Zhu Yunwen's shoulder.

Zhu Yunwen took a letter from the carrier pigeon's leg. It turned out the letter was from Tie Xian, and it essentially said that something had happened in Beiping, Zhu Di wasn't insane, and Zhang Xin had already surrendered to him.

They have detained Xie Gui, and the provincial governor Zhang Bing has also been placed under house arrest.

Zhu Yunwen had everyone read the letter.

Everyone was taken aback.

Zhao Ning'er sneered and said, "I was right, wasn't I? Zhu Yunwen is probably still in the dark."

If Zhu Gaochi and his men are doing this, what are they trying to do if not rebel?

No wonder everyone says Zhang Xin is unreliable; it's true!

Zhang Xin seized Xie Gui's military power, and Zhu Gaochi placed Zhang Bing under house arrest. If they dared to do such things, what wouldn't they dare to do?

Everyone sensed that the situation was quite serious.

Zhu Yunwen pondered for a moment: "Time is of the essence, I must return to the capital."

Zhu Gaosui's army has already reached the Yanjin ferry crossing on the Yellow River; tell them not to come any closer.

Zhao Ning'er stood up: "Then I'll go back with you."

"No need. There are many wounded soldiers in the army who need medical treatment. You should stay here and take care of them. I will be back soon."

So Zhu Yunwen rode the angel back to the capital.

night.

The capital city.

In Ma Enhui's palace.

Ma Enhui was Zhu Yunwen's most beloved woman.

Three years ago, she was already named the Crown Prince's Consort and gave birth to Zhu Yunwen's eldest son, Zhu Wenkui.

Ma Enhui was very virtuous, completely different from Lu Shi.

She was well-versed in classics and history, and knew about those historical events.

She was a very quiet and cautious person who never concerned herself with national affairs.

At this moment, she was teaching Zhu Wenku to write.

Zhu Yunwen walked in from outside. Seeing that Zhu Yunwen looked quite well, she stood up to greet him and asked, "What happy thing happened to Your Majesty today?"

Zhu Wenkui, who was standing nearby, also noticed: "Whether Father Emperor is happy or angry is written all over his face."

Zhu Yunwen walked up to Zhu Wenkui, picked him up, and asked, "Were you a good boy today? Did you study?"

"I'm a good girl, my mother has always taught me that."

Zhu Yunwen looked down at the books placed on the desk.

"If you grow up, would you like to be an emperor?"

"I don't want to be an emperor! I just want to be a dutiful son and serve my father!"

After hearing this, Zhu Yunwen laughed heartily: "It seems you are a very sensible child!"

Go to sleep now!

Zhu Yunwen gently placed Zhu Wenkui on the ground, and a palace maid took him away.

Now only the two of them were left in the room.

Ma Enhui couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what exactly happened that made you so happy?"

Zhu Yunwen then recounted how Zhu Gaochi wanted to send troops to reinforce Zhu Yunwen.

To everyone's surprise, Ma Enhui frowned deeply upon hearing this, her brows furrowing tightly: "Your Majesty, I have a different opinion on this matter."

"Oh, tell me about it."

"I do not think that Zhu Gaochi sending troops to reinforce Zhu Yunwen and his men is a good thing. On the contrary, I think it is a disaster for the capital."

Upon hearing her words, Zhu Yunwen's expression changed, and he asked, "What makes you say that?"

"Your Majesty, please consider this: the biggest thing you have done since you ascended the throne is to reduce the power of the vassal states."

Everyone inside and outside the court knows this, and now you have already stripped the vassal states of the King of Wu and the King of Zhou.

What was the relationship between the King of Zhou and the King of Yan?

By reducing his fiefdom, wouldn't that be the same as cutting off Zhu Di's left and right arms?

After Zhu Gaochi learned of this, he must have deeply resented the court. How could he possibly send troops to support Zhu Yunwen and his men in fighting the pirates?

Isn't this utter nonsense?

"I am also very careful about this matter. We have already discussed it thoroughly in the court."

I merely agreed that Zhu Gaochi's army would enter the Central Plains in batches.

For example, when he first conscripted 10,000 soldiers, I ordered him to cross the Yellow River in five separate trips, with 2,000 men each time. What's wrong with that?

If his first wave of troops wasn't sent to fight pirates,

"Then I will block the Yellow River crossing, and then gather his two thousand men and annihilate them."

Ma Enhui poured him a cup of green tea: "As the saying goes, once you invite someone in, you can't push them away with two hands."

If you disagree with this, fine, but now that you've agreed and they're here, how could they possibly leave so easily?

Having finally seized this opportunity, they will surely try every means to enter the Central Plains.

For example, you agreed to allow their first batch of troops to enter the Central Plains.

How would you know if they were underreporting the number of troops?

He clearly brought ten thousand troops, but he said it was only two thousand.

Or he might have his soldiers disguise themselves as merchants, refugees, or ordinary citizens—how would you be able to tell the difference?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's eyes widened: "Things are probably not as bad as you think, are they?"

Why do you always think the worst of good things?

"I hope I'm overthinking it."

Zhu Yunwen looked at Ma Enhui in front of him. She was slender, with a curvaceous figure and fair skin. She was incredibly beautiful. What was most remarkable was that Ma Enhui was well-versed in the classics and history and had beautiful handwriting.

Zhu Yunwen reached out and pulled Ma Enhui into his arms, making her sit on his lap.

Ma Enhui blushed deeply and lowered her head, asking, "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

Zhu Yunwen held her tightly: "I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Ma Enhui asked softly.

"I intend to make you Empress and Zhu Wenkui Crown Prince. Are you willing?"

Zhu Yunwen thought Ma Enhui would be overjoyed when he said this, but to his surprise, Ma Enhui's face changed immediately: "Your Majesty, please retract your decree! I do not wish to be an empress, nor do I wish for Wen Kui to be the crown prince."

Zhu Yunwen was completely taken aback when Ma Enhui suddenly said such a thing.

"What woman in the world wouldn't want to be an empress, ruling the world with grace and dignity? Why do you refuse?"

"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favor, but I really cannot agree to become Empress."

"Why is that?"

It turns out that Ma Enhui knows a lot about history.

Back then, Empress Lü and Liu Bang were a couple who had gone through thick and thin together, and Liu Bang was much older than Empress Lü.

However, Lü Gong took a liking to Liu Bang and arranged for Lü Zhi to marry him.

At that time, Liu Bang was just a village head in Sishui. The reason why Liu Bang was able to become Emperor Gaozu of Han was inseparable from Lü Zhi.

Liu Bang went off to conquer the world, leaving Lü Zhi with a huge mess at home.

Empress Lü was dutiful to her parents-in-law and raised her children, making invaluable contributions. Moreover, she provided Liu Bang with much assistance during his conquest of the empire.

Lü Zhi's two brothers, Lü Ze and Lü Shizhi, also contributed greatly.

But what was the final result?

After Liu Bang's death, Empress Lü seized power and promoted members of the Lü clan, appointing Lü Lu and Lü Chan as kings, in charge of the Southern and Northern armies respectively.

However, in the end, Zhou Bo, Chen Ping, and other civil and military officials joined forces to exterminate the entire Lü family.

During the reign of Emperor Jing of Han, the eldest son, Liu Rong, was made crown prince.

Liu Rong's mother, Consort Li, was not skilled in political maneuvering.

She unwittingly offended Princess Guantao.

Princess Guantao then betrothed her daughter, Chen Ajiao, to Liu Che.

She and Lady Wang joined forces to deal with Consort Li.

Ultimately, the eldest prince, Liu Rong, was forced to commit suicide, and Consort Li also died of depression as a result.

During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the eldest son Liu Ju was made crown prince, and Wei Zifu was made empress.

Logically speaking, Wei Zifu completed the transformation from Cinderella to princess, from a singer to an empress revered by all.

However, in the later years of Emperor Wu of Han,

Emperor Wu of Han also favored other women, such as Lady Wang, Lady Li, and Lady Gouyi.

So Wei Zifu was left out in the cold.

Due to the persecution of witchcraft, a war broke out between Liu Ju and Emperor Wu of Han.

Ultimately, Liu Ju was defeated and forced to commit suicide, and Empress Wei Zifu also hanged herself.

During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Empress Zhangsun was renowned for her virtue and is very famous in history.

The eldest son of the emperor, Li Chengqian, was made crown prince.

Ultimately, Li Chengqian was exiled to Qianzhou on charges of treason. Prior to this, Empress Zhangsun had already died of depression.

There are countless examples like this.

Ma Enhui knew very well that being an empress or a crown prince was not an easy job; it could easily lead to death.

The current situation is very unstable, with the Northern Yuan on the outside, bandits on the inside, and those vassal kings making trouble.

Even how long this dynasty will last is hard to say.

Therefore, Ma Enhui firmly declined, unwilling to become empress, nor did she wish to make Zhu Wenkui the crown prince.

This infuriated Zhu Yunwen, but he couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't punish Ma Enhui just because she refused to become empress.

Originally, Zhu Yunwen planned to stay overnight in Ma Enhui's palace tonight.

At that moment, I lost all interest.

The air became very stuffy. Zhu Yunwen left Ma Enhui's palace and returned to his study.

He walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.

He originally thought it was a good thing that Zhu Gaochi was coming to support the court in attacking the pirates, but after Ma Enhui said that, he felt that what Ma Enhui said was not without reason.

Just as Zhu Yunwen was feeling down, a guard came in and reported to him, "Zhu Yunwen requests an audience."

"What? Who said they want to see me?" Zhu Yunwen was surprised.

"That's your brother, the deposed King of Wu."

"Didn't he go fight pirates? When did he come back?"

"I am unaware."

"Let him in."

"Yes, sir!" the guard replied, turning and leaving.

Shortly after, Zhu Yongtong entered from outside, knelt on the ground, and greeted, "Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yunwen is most skilled at acting.

He quickly came over and helped him up with both hands: "Yun Tong, no need for such formalities!"

There are no outsiders here!

When did you get back?

"You didn't even give me advance notice so I could have come to greet you."

"Your Majesty, you are facing imminent disaster."

Upon hearing Zhu Yunwen's words, Zhu Yunwen felt a chill run down his spine, and his face turned pale: "Yunwen, what did you just say?"

"Is Your Majesty aware that Zhang Xin has already betrayed you?"

"What?"

Zhu Yunwen was truly shocked. Huang Zicheng had once pointed out to him three mistakes, one of which was that Zhang Xin was unusable and should not have been sent to Beiping.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xin betrayed the imperial court.

Is your information reliable?

"It's absolutely true!"

"He has now imprisoned Xie Gui and seized his military power; the Provincial Governor Zhang Bing has also been placed under house arrest," Zhu Yunwen replied truthfully.

"Oh, how could this be?"

"Your Majesty, that letter is from Zhu Di's former subordinate, who has deep feelings for Zhu Di."

Moreover, Zhang Xin is greedy and lustful; tempted by money and beautiful women, he's capable of anything.

Enraged, Zhu Yunwen punched the table. He shouted towards the door, "Someone come here!"

The same guard just came in from outside and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please give your orders. Quickly go and summon Ji Gang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to me."

"promise!"

After receiving Zhu Yunwen's imperial edict, the guard immediately went to find Ji Gang.

Before long, Ji Gang arrived, kneeling on the ground: "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"

"It's so late, I called you here because I have something for you to do immediately!"

"What is it?" Ji Gang looked up and was quite surprised to see Zhu Yunwen there as well.

"This humble general pays his respects to the King of Wu!"

Zhu Yunwen nodded at him: "You've gained weight again!"

Ji Gang blushed.

He hasn't had much to do lately, spending his days wandering along the Qinhuai River.

Because he also likes that kind of food.

Zhu Yunwen said to Ji Gang, "You immediately take the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest all of Zhang Xin's family members and imprison them in jail."

"Yes, sir!" Ji Gang replied, turned around, and strode away.

About half an hour later, he returned and reported to Zhu Yunwen, "Zhang Xin's family has already moved away."

Zhu Yunwen was even angrier and slammed his hand on the table: "That Zhang Xin, he's trying to rebel!"

It turned out that he had planned this in advance, and immediately issued an edict ordering Zhu Gaochi's vanguard, led by Zhu Gaosui, to wait at the Yanjin ferry crossing on the Yellow River, and not to allow them to cross the river.

As he spoke, Zhu Yunwen handed a completed imperial edict to Ji Gang.

"promise!"

Ji Gang agreed, "I will immediately send someone to convey the Emperor's decree."

Zhu Yunwen couldn't understand. He stared at Zhu Yunwen and asked, "Wasn't it said that Zhu Di had gone mad?"

"Zhu Di is probably not crazy, but what is certain is that Zhu Gaochi's claim of sending troops to support our fight against the pirates is mostly a pretext," Zhu Yunwen said.

"Then tell me, what is his real intention?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yongtong thought to himself, "You know perfectly well what's going on, so why bother asking me?"

Thinking of this, Zhu Yunwen bowed and said, "Your Majesty must have a clearer understanding of the current situation."