Sky Curtain: The opening scene explains the four major cases of the Ming Dynasty plus the early Ming

"Wait a minute!"

Just as Zhang Ni accepted the order and was about to turn and leave, Zhu Qizhen's urgent voice rang out.

He rushed to Zhu Dijun, his face full of anxiety and confusion, and even a hint of suppressed hatred.

"Brother, Shi Heng cannot be trusted!"

Zhu Qizhen's voice trembled as the nightmare that had been buried under the sands of the northern desert surged into his mind once again.

"He was one of the participants in the Tumu Crisis! Although not the mastermind, he was still involved! How can such a despicable and fickle person be entrusted with important responsibilities?!"

He hates!

He hated all the planners and participants of the Tumu Crisis!

It wasn't just because that crushing defeat turned him from an emperor into a prisoner, and he almost became the second Yuan Emperor Yingzong to be captured and die at Tumu Fortress.

It was also because of the four years of house arrest, humiliation, and cold treatment he suffered after returning to the capital!

If he could, he wouldn't want to let any of them go!

Zhang Ni stopped moving. He knelt on the ground, not getting up, but listening quietly, waiting for the new emperor's decision.

The air in the quiet room seemed to become heavy because of Zhu Qizhen's questioning.

Zhu Dijun raised his eyelids and calmly looked at his emotionally agitated older brother.

His eyes held no reassurance, no explanation, only an unfathomable calm.

"There's nothing I can do, Your Majesty."

He spoke slowly, his voice so calm it was as if he were talking about something trivial.

"We must win him over now."

"Because Yu Qian didn't trust him and suppressed him. And he, holding the power of the Beijing Garrison, was ambitious but had no way to serve his country. He is the only sharpest knife we ​​can use now."

Zhu Dijun's gaze swept over Zhu Qizhen's face, which was still filled with resentment, and a cold smile escaped from the corner of his mouth.

"Furthermore, do you think I would believe him so easily, Your Majesty?"

"He also needs to give us a pledge of allegiance."

"What kind of pledge of allegiance?"

Zhu Qizhen subconsciously pressed for an answer.

Zhu Dijun's gaze slowly shifted from Zhu Qizhen's face to Zhang Ni, who was kneeling on the ground.

He spoke clearly, word by word:

"Kill Sun Tang, the commander of the Divine Machine Battalion."

"And also, our good Empress Dowager, Sun Ruowei's good younger brother, Earl of Huichang Sun Jizong, as well as Sun Xianzong, Sun Shaozong, and that 'hero' of the Battle of Beiping, Earl of Huaining Sun Tang."

"I want Shi Heng to personally sever all the Sun family's henchmen in the capital!"

boom!

These few words, though seemingly light and airy, are more powerful and impactful than a thunderbolt!

Zhu Qizhen's pupils dilated to their maximum size in an instant!

He staggered back a step, looking at his younger brother in disbelief.

crazy!

He must be insane!

Who was Sun Tang? He was the supreme commander of the Shenji Battalion, and the most trusted person in the military by Yu Qian and other civil officials, as well as Empress Dowager Sun!

Sun Jizong, Sun Xianzong, and Sun Shaozong were representatives of the Sun family in the capital's army and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and were relatives of Empress Dowager Sun!

Send Shi Heng to kill them?

This is no longer a pledge of allegiance!

This is forcing Shi Heng to use the blood of the entire Sun family to stain his official hat!

This is forcing him to forge an irreconcilable blood feud with Empress Dowager Sun and the entire civil service group behind Yu Qian!

From then on, Shi Heng had no way out and could only be bound tightly to the two brothers' chariot!

"Brother...you..."

Zhu Qizhen's lips trembled. He wanted to say something, but found that his throat was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, and he could not make a sound.

He looked at Judy Jun's young yet cold face, and a chill ran down his spine.

He finally understood that last night's "putting oneself in a desperate situation to survive" was not just about being ruthless towards the enemy.

They're especially ruthless towards their own people!

He's ruthless to everyone who wants to stand by his side!

Zhang Ni, who was kneeling on the ground, also suddenly shuddered!

But instead of fear, his eyes blazed with intense light!

He got it!

He understood completely!

This new emperor's methods are even more sophisticated and ruthless than he imagined!

This is the true art of rulership!

This is the real way to break the deadlock!

Use the enemy's knife to kill your own enemy! And incidentally, keep that knife in your own hand forever!

"I... obey your order!"

Zhang Ni's voice was more powerful and resonant than ever before!

He kowtowed heavily, and when he raised his head again, his eyes were filled with only a resolute fighting spirit!

"Your subject, Zhang Yi, will certainly not fail in his mission!"

Having said that, he didn't hesitate for a moment, stood up abruptly, and strode out.

The heavy clanging of the armor plates echoed endlessly in the silent room.

Zhu Dijun looked at his brother, who was still in a state of great shock, slowly picked up his teacup, and blew on the floating tea leaves.

"Brother Emperor."

He said softly.

"In this world, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests."

"If you want someone to work for you, you must first cut off all their escape routes."

"This is also my first pledge of allegiance to you."

"I will use their blood to pave the way for you to regain the throne."

Zhu Qizhen's body trembled violently.

He looked at Zhu Dijun, at those calm and unwavering eyes, and for the first time, he truly understood their meaning.

That's not madness.

Absolutely, completely in control, with absolute confidence!

Night still enveloped the capital.

The Marquis of Wuqing's Residence.

Shi Heng paced back and forth in his study, feeling restless.

As the commander-in-chief of the Beijing garrison, he held considerable military power and should have been a pivotal figure in the imperial court.

However, since the Battle of Beijing, Yu Qian's prestige has soared, and he has wielded absolute power.

As a military general, he was constantly hampered and suppressed by the "head of the civil officials," and despite his great ambitions, he had nowhere to put them to use.

"Young Master Yu... Young Master Yu!"

Shi Heng squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with resentment and bitterness.

He was originally a criminal, but Yu Qian overruled objections and appointed him as a general, which led to his current position.

But what he wanted was not this kind of condescending trust!

What he wanted was to be ennobled and appointed as prime minister, to have his name recorded in history!

Yu Qian, however, treated him like a watchdog, discarding him like a worn-out shoe after using him.

Just then, a very faint knock came from the side door of the study.

"Who?" Shi Heng shouted alertly.

"My lord, an old friend has come to visit." A deliberately lowered voice came from outside the door.

Shi Heng frowned. That voice... belonged to someone from the Duke of Ying's mansion!

A thought struck him, and he quickly stepped forward and opened the door himself.

Outside the door, Zhang Yi was dressed in black, with a hood covering most of his face.

"Young Master Zhang?" Shi Heng was somewhat surprised.

The British Duke's mansion is barely able to protect itself, so why would it visit in the middle of the night?

"My lord, may I speak with you in private?" Zhang Yi didn't waste any words and slipped into the study.

Shi Heng closed the door, his gaze sharp as he stared at him: "Young Master Zhang, what brings you here so late at night?"

Zhang Yi took off his hood, revealing an equally solemn face.

He didn't answer, but instead asked, "My lord, do you know what happened at the Southern Palace tonight?"

Shi Heng's heart skipped a beat.

"I've heard a little about it," he replied calmly. "It's said that the fire broke out, and His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus... are probably in grave danger."

"More bad than good?"

Zhang Yi sneered.

He stepped forward, leaned close to Shi Heng's ear, and spoke slowly in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"My lord, what if... His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus were still alive?"

Shi Heng's pupils suddenly contracted!

A surge of electricity coursed through his body from his scalp!

"What...what did you say?!"

"His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus are currently at my Duke of Ying's residence!"

Zhang Yi's voice was like the devil's whisper, full of deadly allure.

"Yu Qian, Chen Xun, and Wang Wen, their attempts to assassinate the emperor failed, and His Majesty instead escaped unscathed! Now, they are traitors to the country, unable to defend themselves!"

"His Majesty has decreed!"

Zhang Yi's voice suddenly became solemn and chilling!

"I hereby order you, Marquis of Wuqing, Shi Heng, to restore order, purge the court of corrupt officials, and execute the traitors!"

"Once this is accomplished, you will be the wise and decisive leader who will restore the nation!"

"The title of Duke will be bestowed upon three generations, a hereditary title that will never be revoked!"

Unbelievable wealth!

This is an immense fortune!

Shi Heng's breathing instantly became extremely heavy!

His eyes turned bloodshot with extreme greed and ambition!

He knew this was the biggest gamble of his life!

If he wins the bet, he will surpass all his predecessors and become the most outstanding nobleman in the Ming Dynasty!

If you lose the bet, your entire family will be executed, and you will never be able to escape!

"Your Majesty...why do you trust me?" Shi Heng asked in a hoarse voice.

He forced himself to calm down.

There is no free lunch.

Such great wealth must come at a great price!

A cruel smile appeared on Zhang Yi's face.

He slowly pulled a list from his pocket.

"Your Majesty, we need your pledge of allegiance."

"Sun Tang, Commander-in-Chief of the Divine Machine Battalion."

"Earl of Huichang, Sun Jizong."

"Earl of Huaining, Sun Tang."

"His Majesty must see their heads before dawn."

Shi Heng looked at the list and gasped!

So cruel!

Great!

This emperor, who had "come back from the dead," was determined to sever all of Empress Dowager Sun's foundations!

At the same time, it also cuts off all of Shi Heng's escape routes!

By killing these three people, he was essentially breaking with Empress Dowager Sun and the entire old power represented by Yu Qian!

From then on, they had no choice but to follow this new emperor down this dark path!

A deathly silence fell over the study.

Only Shi Heng's heavy breathing echoed endlessly in the empty room.

a long time.

The last trace of hesitation on Shi Heng's face vanished completely.

Instead, there was a crazy, gambler-like determination!

He snatched the list, lit it in the candlelight, and watched it turn to ashes.

Then, he suddenly turned around, knelt down on one knee in front of Zhang Yi!

"Your subject, Shi Heng!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Your Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus, please await good news!"

"Before dawn, the Sun family will be gone from the capital!"

His voice was resolute and filled with the stench of blood.

This night is destined to be a baptism in blood!