Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

As the night deepened, a faint cloud blocked the bright full moon, casting a faint shadow over the entire world.

Zhu Youtang was a diligent emperor. When he saw that the time was almost up, he stretched his waist and stood up to rest.

Since it is already summer and the temperature in the capital is gradually rising, the bedrooms are now on the upper floor, choosing a room that is well ventilated and can be used to cool down the ice city.

Liu Jin was responsible for Zhu Youtang's daily life tonight. He had already taken care of everything and seemed to be guiding the way carefully.

When Zhu Youtang walked into the room, he clearly felt that the temperature here was obviously more comfortable than that of Dongnuan Pavilion. As usual, he stood in the room and opened his arms, and four beautiful palace maids gathered around to undress and undress him.

Although it was hard to deal with government affairs every day, with dozens of eunuchs and maids serving around him, the life was generally very pleasant.

Power and status, no matter what era it is in, are actually good things.

"Your Majesty, would you like some soothing incense tonight?" Liu Jin asked seriously as he was unsure of Zhu Youtang's wishes.

Zhu Youtang's sleep quality has been very good recently, so he gently waved his hand and directly signaled Liu Jin to retreat.

"Slave, please leave! Quick, get out!" Liu Jin hurriedly cleared away all the maids and eunuchs staying here, and then gently lowered the bead curtain.

Zhu Youtang noticed the pair of embroidered shoes in front of the bed and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly. Then he came directly to the bed and looked at the woman lying on the bed.

Qingyue was arranged to sleep with her tonight. She had just taken a bath and her body still exuded a light body fragrance. At this moment, he was lying on the bed, looking very anxiously at the man who had come to the bed.

Before Zhu Youtang could wait for Qingyue to respond, he opened the quilt and got into the quilt that was already full of feminine fragrance. But he was not in a hurry, but turned sideways and lifted up a stray hair of Qingyue, and looked at the woman quietly.

After taking a bath, the woman obviously became more charming, and this woman who exudes the spirit of a wealthy person is very rare, even in the later generations of beauties, it is very rare.

As the Emperor of Heaven, there is no shortage of women. He can take all the maids in the palace as long as he wants, but this woman in front of him seems so different.

The skin is breakable, the bridge of the nose is straight, the lips are sexy, and the chin is pointed, and the facial features seem to have been carefully crafted.

Qingyue originally thought that Zhu Youtang would pounce on her in a hurry, but she closed her eyes slightly nervously, but soon found that Zhu Youtang was just looking at her quietly.

In fact, she knew what would happen tonight, and it was impossible to say that she was not nervous at this time. It's just that there are some things that she has already understood clearly, and what happens next is what she has always expected to happen.

Qingyue looked at Zhu Youtang like this, especially Zhu Youtang's eyes were full of tenderness. She couldn't help but slowly calm down, and she boldly looked at the man who was sharing the same bed with her.

Although she knew that no one could tie up an emperor forever, but to be treated so tenderly tonight, she felt that her life was worth it.

"Are you nervous?" Zhu Youtang asked gently with a finger across Qingyue's cheek.

Qingyue shook her head gently, looked at Zhu Youtang seriously and said softly: "Slave, can I touch your Majesty's face?"

"Why are you touching my face?" Zhu Youtang was stunned for a moment, then asked curiously.

Qingyue looked at Zhu Youtang's face and said seriously, "I'm afraid I'm dreaming!"

Zhu Youtang leaned forward and looked seriously at the woman who was about to be his.

Qingyue stretched out a finger and imitated Zhu Youtang's gentle touch on Zhu Youtang's tender cheek. Just out of a woman's sensibility, tears welled up in her eyes.

"I will let you know tonight that it is not a dream!" Zhu Youtang immediately took the initiative, leaning forward and saying domineeringly.

There were many ways to check if it was a dream, and he chose the crudest way.

Qingyue bit her lower lip gently, feeling the pain as Zhu Youtang hit her like a heavy rainstorm, and finally realized that everything was not a dream.

But when she was in the clouds, she felt like a sweet dream.

The Qianqing Palace seemed restless tonight. A small tabby cat squatting on a stone pillar chased the mouse that had just appeared.

At five o'clock in the morning, Qingyue wanted to leave quietly.

Zhu Youtang, who was sleeping outside, suddenly opened her eyes, but he caught her and said considerately: "You bled last night, please rest a little longer!"

"Your Majesty, this slave is fine. Now I have to rush back to Renshou Palace!" Qingyue's face turned red and she shook her head hurriedly.

However, Zhu Youtang hugged her and refused to let her go. He looked very domineering and said: "You are my woman now. You are not allowed to go anywhere, and you don't need to go back to Renshou Palace?"

"Your Majesty, this is against the rules! This slave is from Renshou Palace after all. You have to tell the Queen Mother so that I can follow you!" Qingyue suddenly became even more anxious and reminded her seriously.

Zhu Youtang knew that Qingyue's concerns were very reasonable, but he still held her in his arms and said, "Then you can sleep with me for a while longer. It's still early anyway!"

Qingyue was like a well-behaved kitten, clinging to Zhu Youtang's arms, enjoying this short-term happiness.

Time finally passed, as if it was morning in the blink of an eye.

Imperial study room, attic.

Zhu Youtang was standing in front of the bookshelf, flipping through a book about agriculture in his hand.

In addition to handling government affairs during the day, he would occasionally come here to read some books, but the collection of books here was no longer limited to military books.

"He Cong, the left minister of the Ministry of War, respectfully greets you!" He Cong, the left minister of the Ministry of War, followed the small yellow gate and came in from the gate below, appearing to greet him respectfully.

Liu Jin usually stayed on top and sent a secret report to He Cong according to Zhu Youtang's instructions: "Master He, please take a look!"

He Cong first glanced at Zhu Youtang in the attic in surprise, and then opened the secret report. When he saw the content, he couldn't help but be shocked.

This was a joint effort between Wu Yu, a foreign minister from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Liu Zhengyu, a foreign minister from the Ministry of Industry, but it exposed the fact that Yanzhou Prefecture in Shandong Province had lied about drought and defrauded the imperial court of tax exemptions.

But after reading this secret report, he suddenly felt puzzled, but he didn't understand why His Majesty wanted to let him see this secret report.

Could it be that I have to go and verify it myself? But this seems to be a matter under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhu Youtang knew that some things had to be stated directly, so he said calmly: "According to reports from Dongchang, Kong Hongxu, the 60th generation of the Holy Duke Kong Hongxu, who was deposed as a commoner, still did not repent in Qufu, Shandong. However, there are people in the court. He changed his career to a better life, and asked me to be reinstated. What do you think?"

"Kong Hongxu raped more than 40 Dong women and strangled four innocent people. How can he be treated leniently?" He Cong, the left minister of the Ministry of War, had a very upright view and expressed his views righteously and sternly.

Kong Xixue, the Shenggong of the Yuan Dynasty, immediately led his entire tribe to kneel down after the Ming army captured Shandong. Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang, the great ancestor, continued to canonize the Shenggong.

It's just that Jiangmen Huzi's lineage theory has long been destined to be a fallacy. By the 60th generation of the Holy Duke Kong Hongxu, although he paid homage to his ancestor Confucius every day, he was actually a complete villain.

Originally, the court conducted an investigation because the Confucian government exceeded the regulations, but after further investigation, it was discovered that Duke Sheng had committed many crimes, and he was handed over to the three divisions for trial and was sentenced to "beheading" according to the law.

Emperor Chenghua deeply hated the holy Duke Kong Hongxu who committed adultery and wasted no time on human life. However, under the pressure of civil officials, he finally rebelled and cut off Kong Hongxu's title and dismissed him as a civilian.

He Cong knew that the Holy Duke Kong Hongxu was the belief of many literati, but he never thought that the Kong family and the saints could be confused, and he always felt contempt for Kong Hongxu.

Whether in compliance with His Majesty's Sacred Heart or out of his own principles, he would not agree to restore Kong Hongxu, who had committed many crimes, to his crown.

Zhu Youtang came to the guardrail, looked down at He Cong and said: "Just now there was news in Dongchang, Kong Hongxu said to others in private: There are only three families in the world, my family is just the same as Jiangxi Zhang and Fengyang Zhu. Jiangxi Zhang, Dao Morale. Fengyang Zhu, who is angry with others, has a small family spirit! Zhang Qing, what do you think of this?"

"Your Majesty, these rebellious and unethical remarks must be punished!" He Cong did not expect that Kong Hongxu would dare to be so arrogant, and he said in a rage.

At this moment, he also realized why Zhu Youtang summoned him alone. Just because Kong Hongxu said such treacherous and unethical words, the former Shenggong should be crushed to ashes.

Zhu Youtang knew that He Cong was a loyal minister, so he immediately made a decision and said: "I originally preferred you as the Minister of War, but your resume is still not enough to convince the public, and you do lack some political achievements, so I plan to let you go to the local government." Practice again!”

Affected by the Jiangxi officialdom scandal, Zhang Ying, the Minister of War, has been dismissed from his post, and now the Minister of War is vacant again.

"I... everything is at your Majesty's discretion!" He Cong's heart suddenly tightened, but he still expressed his stance respectfully.

Zhu Youtang saw He Cong's reaction in his eyes and said with satisfaction: "I don't believe in the governor of Shandong. Now after thinking about it, He Qing is the most worthy of my trust! As the governor of Shandong, you went to Shandong this time to understand the public sentiment. , rectify the officialdom, investigate the case of Yanzhou Prefecture's false report of drought, and also give me a good investigation of the Kong family, is it possible that you are qualified for this job?"

"I am willing to devote myself to Your Majesty until my death!" He Cong realized that this was not a relegation, so he immediately stated his stance.

Zhu Youtang actually valued He Cong very much, so he explained seriously: "Although you are going to serve as governor of Shandong, I will give you the title of Minister of the Ministry of War! He Qing, you work well in Shandong, as long as you make If you achieve great results, I will recall you to the capital to serve as Minister of War, and together you and I will create a prosperous Ming Dynasty!"

If Wang Hua's appointment is just a small test for him, then the left minister of the Ministry of War in front of him can be regarded as his big test, and will create a new promotion path from local governor to six ministers.

Of course, the most important thing is that he wants to take action on the Kong family in Shandong, remove all factors that are not conducive to China's development, and lead China on the road to true rejuvenation.

"I will live up to your Majesty's expectations, but I have an unkind request!" He Cong seemed to see the position of Minister of the Ministry of War waving to him, with a fierce look in his eyes.

Zhu Youtang was stunned for a moment, then said calmly: "Say!"

"Your Majesty, since I am going to the local area to secretly investigate the case, it is not appropriate to be too public! I beg your Majesty to maintain the position of left minister of the Ministry of War first, and serve until the matter is settled, and then your Majesty will reward you! In addition, local officials must not cause stumbling blocks. I would also like to ask your majesty to allow me to remove local officials!" He Cong quickly assumed the role of governor of Shandong and made the request in a genuine manner.

He has been in the local area, but he knows that if he wants those smooth local officials to be obedient, no power or status will be of any use. Only by controlling their future can he call them father and mother.

Zhu Youtang knew that no one should be doubted and no one should be doubted, so he made a decision and said: "Officials below the fourth rank in Shandong can be dismissed on the spot. Officials above the fourth rank will petition you and you will be given a royal flag! If you go to Shandong It’s difficult to control the situation, please ask me to give you the Shangfang Sword!”

"I would like to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your kindness. I will definitely live up to His Majesty's expectations!" He Cong did not expect that Zhu Youtang would give him such great support, so he expressed his stance seriously.

If we were worried about the power of the Shandong Kong family just now, but with the emperor's strong support, the Shandong Kong family is just a small family, so we can just bite the bullet and kill it.

Zhu Youtang gave He Cong some more advice and encouragement, and then sent He Cong away.

In the afternoon of that day, the imperial edict came directly to the Yamen of the Ministry of War.

"Haha... I was holding on to it just now, but now I have been demoted!"

"I thought he was a pheasant that turned into a phoenix, but I didn't expect him to go to Pingyang!"

"I've told you before, he's from Zhejiang, and he doesn't have the rank of Minister of the Ministry of War!"

…

Some officials of the Ministry of War originally thought that He Cong was going to be promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War, but when they learned that He Cong, the left minister of the Ministry of War, was actually transferred to Shandong as the governor of Shandong, their attitude suddenly changed one hundred and eighty degrees.

According to the consistent appointment tradition of the Ming Dynasty, He Cong was definitely demoted.

Historically, it was regarded as a promotion for a local governor to return to the capital as a minister of the Six Ministries, but now He Cong did the opposite. What is it but a relegation?

From the minister of the Ministry of War who aspired to be the Minister of the Ministry of War to the governor of Shandong, it can be said that the power from heaven to earth is incomparable.

The Ming Dynasty court has always been a very snobbish place. When they saw He Cong losing power, the officials who had just been fawning over him immediately started to rejoice in his misfortune.

"What a snobbery!"

Although He Cong has never met an official who ridiculed him face to face, he has long ears after all. Not only can he clearly feel the change in the official's attitude, but he can also hear those disrespectful remarks.

It's just that he knows that if he wants to get real wealth and slap in the face these officials who look down on him, he must perform well this time in Shandong.

Ordinarily, he was targeting the Kong family in Qufu, which was a very taboo thing.

After all, there is no scholar in the world who does not respect and love Confucius. Even if Confucius and Confucius are only related by blood, they are the descendants of Confucius after all and have a strong influence.

But now there is no turning back, either the Kong family will perish or he will die.

Not to mention the four innocent lives and the more than forty ruined women who need to be accounted for, but now the Kong family in Qufu actually wants to avoid taxes by falsely reporting drought, so naturally they must be punished.

But some things are always unexpected. Liu Zhong, the governor of Huguang, was attacked on the way to Anlu. Li Hu, a member of the Jinyi Hundreds, died on the spot.