Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

Prince Xing's Mansion, where the dignitaries of the capital gathered.

The Ming Dynasty has been established for more than a hundred years, and many powerful families have been through it for several generations. The classes in the capital have long been solidified.

Although Zhu Youtang promoted several new nobles, the old nobles belonged to the majority, especially because they had become an organic whole through marriage.

Wu Xun has been deeply rooted in the country since the founding of the country. As long as he does not have too many men like the Chengguo Palace, he can usually accumulate strong influence.

If it hadn't been for an unusual emperor like Zhu Youtang, the person with the highest prestige in the Ming Dynasty's army would still be a British military officer who was married to many nobles.

In addition to the Wuxun Group that relies on its ancestors, Qi Xun of the Ming Dynasty is also a very large group that can also operate a network of relationships in the capital for generations.

Compared with Wu Xun, Qi Xun is like mushrooms after a rain. As long as a queen or queen mother is born in one's family, one can usually become rich by virtue of her daughter, and can be exchanged for noble status such as earl and marquis.

As far as Yingzong is concerned, in addition to Empress Dowager Qian's relatives, there are also relatives of Empress Dowager Zhou. Empress Dowager Zhou's two younger brothers were canonized as Qingyun Marquis and Changning Bo respectively.

In addition to Wu Xun and Qi Xun, there are also an endless stream of princesses and consorts.

These princesses and consorts are members of the royal family. Although they have no real power, they are usually active in the top social circles in the capital.

King Xing is getting married today, and almost all the top dignitaries in the city are here.

Not to mention that everyone hopes to bet on Prince Xing, just for the wedding of Prince Xing as a prince, there is no reason why these nobles should not come.

But in the courtyard that was just enjoying itself, as a figure hurriedly ran towards Prince Xing above the main hall, everyone turned to look at the hall.

"What's going on?"

"I'm afraid something serious has happened!"

"Should we leave here first?"

…

When the eldest princess first came to ask for help, she only attracted some people's attention. But with the appearance of the guards welcoming the bride, and the reactions of those in the hall, they all had a premonition that something bad had happened.

"Jiang Bin participated in the assassination that year?"

The eyes of the important military officers such as the Marquis of Xiangcheng were widened and they looked extremely shocked.

If there were other charges, it would be fine. Whether it was Shangshu interceding on behalf of the Jiang family, or working together to put pressure on the emperor, it was always a method they could use.

It's just that this kind of crime of stabbing a driver cannot be exempted at all, let alone participate in it. If they jump out to intercede for the Jiang family now, and one of Jiang Bin's associates is charged on their head, then their whole family will suffer.

"Is Jiang Bin crazy?"

When the nobles in the courtyard heard the news, they also showed incredible expressions.

Although they all opposed the emperor in their hearts and did not like the emperor who violated their core interests, in fact, they were more afraid of death.

It would be okay if he was a puppet emperor, but now Hongzhi has already taken control of the military, and has a group of important ministers who are helping him greatly. Now it is simply a matter of whoever messes with him will die.

As a result, Jiang Bin dared to participate in the assassination that year. This time, Hongzhi would definitely kill the nine clans, causing hundreds of Jiang's clan members to become victims of the sword.

"What now?"

"I sent a gift to Jiang Bin yesterday, will I be implicated?"

"Pa... I'm confused. The day before yesterday, I proposed a marriage to the Jiang family!"

…

Just now he kept saying that "you need to calm down when encountering serious problems", but now the powerful people are extremely panicked, and they are all worried about whether the fire of the Jiang family will burn them.

The dignitaries in the capital are all smart people. Maybe they don't understand so many conspiracies, but as long as any family suddenly gets rich and powerful, they will marry their own daughter or marry the other party's daughter.

Like the Zhang family of the Crown Princess who suddenly became prosperous earlier, Zhang Luan's eldest son originally planned to marry the daughter of Princess Jiashan. This was a popular alliance method among the powerful in the capital.

Now that the Jiang family is about to become prosperous, Uncle Ningyuan's Mansion wants to marry the Jiang family to deepen the relationship between the two parties, so as to rely on the influence of the Jiang family in the future to bring the Ningyuan Bo's Mansion to a higher level.

But now that such a big thing has happened to the Jiang family, Uncle Ning Yuan can't sit still. He is very afraid that this verbal marriage will affect Uncle Ning Yuan's house.

Do you need to calm down when something big happens?

The eldest princess saw the reaction of this group of people in her eyes, but she showed a self-deprecating smile.

This group of people just tried their best to persuade themselves to calm down. They were just hanging on because the matter had nothing to do with them. But when the matter came to their attention, it was a completely different reaction.

At this moment, she also realized that relying on these people to save her eldest son was simply a dream. I was just being used by them, and there was no way I could help them.

As soon as she thought of this, her heart suddenly felt like a knife.

If he had not been deceived by them to help King Xing and angered the emperor, the emperor would not have settled old scores with him, and his eldest son would not have died.

In the final analysis, all this was caused by this group of people. It was this group of hypocrites who indirectly killed his eldest son.

The Marquis of Xiangcheng, Li Jin, had no time to pay attention to the eldest princess at this moment. All his thoughts were on this bombshell matter: "Will Princess Xing also be implicated?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was silent.

Since Jiang Wei is Jiang Bin's biological niece, she cannot be spared. What's more, Jiang Wei is not Princess Xing. She and Prince Xing have not yet gone to court to get married, so it is an ordinary daughter of the Jiang family who is implicated.

As for her so-called reincarnation status of the golden phoenix, a phoenix that fell into the water is not as good as a chicken, not to mention a golden phoenix that has not been certified by the Eastern Tao, and a dead golden phoenix is ​​worthless.

"This marriage can't happen!"

"More than just the knot, there is no more Jiang family in the capital!"

"If I had known that I was going to be defeated, I shouldn't have given you such a generous gift the day before yesterday!"

…

The dignitaries in the courtyard did not sympathize with the Jiang family's plight. They were more distressed because of the fall of the Jiang family. Their earlier investment could be said to have been lost this time.

This news was like a huge shock wave, and even the red candles in the hall suddenly went out.

"No, not really!"

Zhu Youyi was wearing a very festive groom's suit today, but after all, he was still a young man of only fifteen years old, he said loudly in disbelief.

Ever since he saw the person in the painting, he couldn't help but fall in love with the beauty in the painting.

These days, he has been looking forward to it day and night, hoping to get married to the fairy in the painting as soon as possible. For this engagement, he did not hesitate to offend the emperor, but he did not expect that his happiness would be in vain.

Marquis of Jingcheng Li Jin and others could not help but silently exchange glances when they saw Zhu Youqian's fierce reaction.

Although the Xing Wang Zhu Youqi, who was not experienced in the world, was very easy to control, it was difficult for this Xing Wang to face the emperor who was as wise as the sea alone. He was not even an opponent of the same level at all.

At this time, Zhang Jingming, an official from Prince Xing's Mansion, had heard the news and came over to comfort him softly: "Your Highness, Prince Xing, please calm down first!"

"My marriage has been ruined, how can I still calm down now? This... this must be the emperor's revenge on the Jiang family!" Zhu Youtang's eyes were already red, but he pointed the finger at Zhu Youtang.

Fortunately, there weren't many people around, and the sound wasn't too loud.

Zhang Jingming looked around nervously and saw that there were no outsiders, and then warned him seriously: "Your Highness, Prince Xing, please be careful in your words and deeds!"

"Master Zhang, how can there be such a coincidence in this world? The emperor must have framed the Jiang family to stop the Jiang family!" Zhu Youqian also realized that this was inappropriate, but still questioned firmly.

Jingcheng Hou Li Jin and others shook their heads gently, but they knew that King Xing in front of them still underestimated the tyrant. The reason why the tyrant was able to win the support of a group of important ministers and people was precisely because he adopted the method of "keeping integrity and surprising others" to govern the country. strategy.

You can say Hongzhi is cruel, but you cannot accuse him of being stupid.

What's more, this case was jointly investigated by the Ministry of Punishment, the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Shuntian Government Office. Rather than saying that the emperor framed the Chiang family, it was better to say that Prince Xing was still too young.

Zhang Jingming knew that now was not the time to dwell on this point, so he suggested very seriously: "Prince Xing, now is not the time to discuss whether Jiang Bin participated in the assassination. The top priority is to send someone to terminate the engagement with the Jiang family as soon as possible!"

"You want me to break off my engagement with the Jiang family?" Zhu Youqi couldn't believe his ears and asked in disbelief, pointing to his nose.

Huh?

When Jingcheng Hou Li Jin heard this, he also looked at Zhang Jingming in confusion.

Although they could not save the Jiang family and could only watch the wedding being destroyed, they could not understand Zhang Jingming's proposal to terminate the engagement with the Jiang family.

In this era, a marriage contract can be said to be a gentleman's alliance between both parties.

Even if he is as noble as Prince Xing, if Prince Xing's palace unilaterally terminates the engagement with the Jiang family, even if the Jiang family is about to be executed, it will be despised by the world.

Seeing Prince Xing's resistance, Zhang Jingming had no choice but to lean into Prince Xing Zhu Youqi's ear and say, "Your Highness, Prince Xing, this is the arrangement of that person. Please wait and see the deeper meaning of it!"

Although he knew that Prince Xing Zhu Youqi was born in love and had always wanted to marry the golden phoenix Jiang Kui, the current situation did require immediate action.

The crimes committed by the Chiang family were not the occupation of people's fields and the killing of innocent people, but the treasonous assassination of the emperor.

Although King Xing was still in the palace at that time, if Jiang Bin had successfully assassinated the emperor, the throne would have fallen to King Xing Zhu Youqi, so King Xing had certain suspicions in this matter.

Unexpectedly, the woman that King Xing married now turned out to be a daughter of the Jiang family, so the two things were not unrelated. It could even be suspected that King Xing ordered Jiang Bin to assassinate the emperor and seize the throne.

Just like this, in order to prevent the emperor from taking the opportunity to attack King Xing, King Xing must now take the initiative to cut ties with the Jiang family, so as to clear himself of the suspicion of Jiang Bin's assassination case.

"No, I will never do this! The Jiang family has suffered such a disaster, and I want to break the engagement. How do people in the world view me?" Zhu Youqian cherished his reputation extremely, but said loudly and with great resistance.

this……

Zhang Jingming shook his head helplessly when he saw Zhu Youqi was so pedantic.

"Prepare the sedan chair, I...I am about to enter..." Zhu Youqian's mind flashed to the fairy in the painting, and a rush of blood suddenly surged into his heart.

The eyes of the guests present lit up, and they immediately cheered up, and it seemed that Prince Xing was doing something manly.

Unexpectedly, after Zhu Youqi hesitated in the hall for a long time, he ended up like a deflated rubber ball, finally swallowing what he wanted to say.

Why……

Marquis of Xiangcheng Li Jin and others vaguely guessed that Zhu Yougao wanted to enter the palace to confront Hongzhi, but judging from Zhu Yougao's demeanor, it was clear that he was a coward.

In fact, even if King Xing dared to go to the palace to argue, he would probably be humiliating himself.

After all, Zhu Youtang is the superior emperor, and although Zhu Youtang is the prince closest to the throne, he is not an emperor after all, and has no qualifications to talk to Hongzhi at all.

"How did you find out that Jiang Bin participated in the assassination?"

"Both Song Cheng and Wang Yue should not be underestimated. It is said that Liu Zhong, the Minister of Punishment, is also good at peeling off cocoons!"

"It's okay if you don't have any evidence, but if you have any evidence, you'll probably be investigated, so don't do anything outrageous!"

…

The topic of the guests in the courtyard returned to the affairs of the Jiang family, but they thought that there were many capable people around the royal family, and some cautious people warned everyone seriously.

He does not mean that.

After hearing this warning, many nobles took two steps back.

Who doesn't have one or two secrets in their heart? Once these secrets are found out by the emperor, even if the nine implicated clans are not involved, the whole family will probably be destroyed.

At this moment, they realized the terrible consequences of going against the emperor, and they would probably follow in the footsteps of the Jiang family, and they couldn't help but think of retreating.

Although it hurts to sacrifice financial interests one after another now, if the whole family is wiped out because of challenging the emperor, it is actually a loss-making business.

In fact, as long as they live peacefully and peacefully, relying on the grace of their ancestors, although they cannot be as rich as before, they can eat and clothe themselves without having to worry about it.

Xingji Bo Yang Wei and Prince Consort You Tai looked at each other, stood up and left Prince Xing's Mansion silently, and probably would never come here again.

The two took the lead, and most of the people in Prince Xing's Mansion, which was crowded just now, left in the blink of an eye.

The news that the Jiang family was implicated in the nine clans spread throughout the capital and caused a great sensation.

"I didn't expect that Jiang Bin would dare to do such a treasonous thing!"

"I don't think things will be that simple. Have you ever thought about why Jiang Bin wanted to participate in the assassination?"

"What you mean is that Jiang Bin was also instigated by others, but Jiang Bin was actually helping... helping!"

…

The people in the capital were still condemning Jiang Bin's evil deeds, but some people quickly connected the assassination with the Jiang family's married daughter, and suddenly they had a terrible idea.

As more and more people think of conspiracy theories, they begin to seriously consider the possibility, and have a different perception of Xingwang Zhu Youqiu.

"King Xian? I wonder where Xian is?"

"Nowadays, many scholars say bad things about His Majesty, but His Majesty keeps us full!"

"Not only is it just to have a full stomach, many families in the suburbs have put on new cotton-padded clothes and built new houses!"

…

The people in the capital have begun to worry about the current emperor, and they are pointing their fingers at Zhu Youtang, who has the reputation of being a good king, and they clearly know that Zhu Youtang has given them a lot.

But life has to go on, especially now that rice prices are soaring.

The last grain of rice in the Royal Rice Store has been exhausted, and a sign was erected early this morning: The Royal Rice Store will be closed for three days. We ask for your understanding.

"What's happening here?"

"What else could it be? There must be no rice!"

"Right now, rice from Cao can't go north, and rice from North Korea can't come east. It's rare for the Royal Rice Company to have rice!"

…

Facing this suddenly displayed signboard, it was more like raising a white flag to unscrupulous profiteers. In addition, there were people nearby who fanned the flames, causing the people to feel despair.

"Three hundred coins, don't pull it down!"

When the Royal Rice Store put up a war-free sign, the rice stores in the capital seemed to have sounded the rallying cry, but together they raised the price of rice to an incredible level.

However, some ordinary people in Duanzao, facing these unscrupulous merchants who monopolize rice, can only silently take out the last copper plate in their pockets, no matter how high the price is.

Well, the people are suffering!

Death, people suffer!

Originally, this group of powerful people in the capital did not intend to use such a crude method to plunder their compatriots. However, they have been squeezed too hard by Hongzhi recently, and now they are in urgent need of squeezing money from the people. (End of chapter)