Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

"All officials, civil and military, enter—enter!"

In the unique voice of the eunuch standing on the noon tower, it was announced that today's morning dynasty had officially begun.

Led by Liu Ji, the chief minister of the cabinet, and Zhang Mao, the British duke, the civil and military officials walked into the Yemen of the Meridian Gate one by one, and then disappeared into the deep city cave.

Their footsteps echoed in the empty city cave, intertwined with the faint sound of bells and drums from above, creating a solemn and tense atmosphere.

When Liu Ji walked into the dark city gate, the corners of his mouth raised slightly, and a sinister look flashed in his eyes.

In this relatively secretive environment, he, the biggest villain hidden in the capital, unknowingly revealed his true face.

Although the cabinet he formed with Wan An in his early years was an out-and-out imperialist party and was indeed loyal to the emperor for a long time, some things will not remain unchanged.

In these years, Zhu Youtang has already become the person he hates the most.

As early as when Wan'an was blamed by the White Lotus Sect, the Qing faction headed by Xu Pu was trying to overthrow Wan'an. At that time, he was so close to the throne of the chief minister of the cabinet, and it was even within easy reach.

Unfortunately, Zhu Youtang didn't take Wan An's various stains to heart at all. Not only did he not punish Wan An, but he reused that old man Wan An.

If Wan An hadn't died out of anger, I'm afraid the current chief assistant would still be the same old man.

In order to prevent the lower class people from being enslaved for generations due to debt, Zhu Youtang also cracked down on usury and began to rectify the financial industry of the Ming Dynasty.

Little did he know that he was the financial giant behind the scenes, and the Xinyi Money Store he controlled was the largest bank in the capital, silently serving the officials in the capital.

Although Xinyi Money Store has no loan sharking business, it is the largest money laundering platform in Beijing and a place where all corrupt officials hide their money. The losses caused by the financial rectification are immeasurable.

If the above were all due to power and money, then the death of his first love and the rape of his illegitimate son Wang Zeng were the pain in his heart that could not be healed.

As God wished, Zhu Youtang even risked his life to tour the south this year to promote the ban on silver. This not only gave the Jiangnan officials and gentry who hated him an opportunity, but also gave him a golden opportunity.

Aju!

Xu Qiong, who was following behind, was feeling unwell this year. She felt that Liu Ji in front was like a piece of ice, and immediately sneezed heavily and loudly.

Passing through the city gate, your eyes suddenly open up.

The civil and military officials came to the palace again after a few months. Now they saw that most of the area in front of them was covered with snow, and they couldn't help but feel a bit desolate about the difference between things and people.

Last morning it was warm as spring, but now there was thick snow in the corner.

Although they didn't want to believe that the emperor really encountered something unexpected, they were afraid of the worst, and now they had to make new plans for their future.

According to the usual etiquette, they put on their makeup in front of Jinshui Bridge, and then entered Fengtianmen Square through Jinshui Bridge.

The officials' breath turned into wisps of white smoke in the cold air, and their brows showed a bit of solemnity, vaguely aware that something big was going to happen in today's morning meeting.

The throat of Liu Xuan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was hoarse. Thinking of Li Yu, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Liu Xuan, the Minister of the Ministry of War, asking for leave due to sudden illness, he felt a stronger uneasiness in his heart.

"The Queen is here!"

As the music got closer, a eunuch's voice suddenly sounded.

Chang Yourong was sitting on the phoenix chariot, her face lightly covered by a layer of gauze, and only her deep and majestic eyes could be vaguely seen, with a hint of the majesty of the denominator in the world.

The queen's costumes are complicated and gorgeous, with gold and silver threads intertwined into exquisite patterns, flowing with the brilliance of life with every tiny movement she makes.

As the phoenix chariot walked slowly behind Fengtian Gate, the music suddenly stopped, and the air seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of the bead curtain hanging on the phoenix chariot swaying slightly.

"I respectfully await the queen. The queen is a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old!"

More than a thousand officials waiting here knelt down to greet the phoenix chariot that appeared at the other end of Fengtian Gate and Queen Chang Yourong on the phoenix chariot.

The Fengtian Gate has been rearranged. The dragon chair is still in its original central position, but there is an additional seat belonging to the queen next to it, and a bead curtain is hung in front of the seat.

Wow wow wow...

Chang Yourong carried Princess Dahaixiao, who was six months old, to the dragon chair and sat down gracefully. Then she glanced at the civil and military officials in Fengtianmen Square.

Guo Yong noticed Chang Yourong's eyes falling on him, so he nodded understandingly, then flicked the fly whisk away, and immediately announced that today's morning session would begin.

A set of fixed rituals, the same incense burner, but the dragon chair was empty.

Chang Yourong knew that she needed to preside over it now, so she took the initiative to speak: "Today, I am convening a morning court meeting, just to tell you that your majesty is safe and sound in Jiangnan. You are not allowed to discuss the matter of your majesty falling into the water anymore, and the capital is also prohibited. Spread rumors again. All ministers and ministers are performing their duties in their respective yamen, and prepare to celebrate the Spring Festival. The holidays will be as usual!"

Her voice is gentle, but after all, she has been a queen for many years, and it also conveys a kind of majesty that belongs to an emperor and empress. Although she only wants to be a good wife to Zhu Youtang, she will boldly stand up and take charge of the overall situation when the Zhu family is in need.

She has never been proud that she is a descendant of Chang Yuchun, the first hero of the founding of the country, but she has always been proud in her heart that she is the empress of the wisest emperor of the Ming Dynasty, so she will not allow herself to have stage fright and embarrass the emperor.

"Empress, I'm afraid this matter is groundless. I dare you to ask if you have any solid evidence!" Lan Qi from the Ministry of War seemed to have been prepared for the incident and immediately stood up to express his position.

Wow……

The infant Princess Haixiao seemed to feel frightened when she heard the loud sound, and started to cry.

The queen immediately comforted Princess Haixiao, but she frowned and followed the plan she had already thought of: "Yesterday, the General Affairs Department has forwarded the news that His Majesty has arrived safely in Yangzhou. Don't bother with this matter any longer!"

"The Queen's words are inappropriate! The duty of science is to report the matter after hearing the news, and it is the duty of the subordinates to get to the bottom of it!" The Ministry of War said with a slightly raised corner of Lan Qi's mouth, looking righteous and awe-inspiring.

Liu Xuan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, shook his head secretly. If His Majesty were sitting on it, Lan Qi would not dare to speak like this even if he had a hundred courages.

"Empress, what you said is a fallacy. The General Affairs Department has not received this news!" Liu Ji raised the corners of his mouth slightly, but he stood up and expressed his position.

Chang Yourong had just comforted Princess Haixiao, and now her almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise: "You..."

This time, the capital and the emperor suddenly lost contact, which caused all kinds of rumors to fly in the capital. In order to prevent the situation from getting worse, she also followed the advice of her chief minister Liu Ji and held this morning court to calm the turmoil.

But at this moment, she realized that it was a conspiracy.

This was not just a formal explanation meeting. They had clearly come prepared, and they had secretly dug a hole for themselves to jump into.

Chang Yourong is a smart person, but he remembers that Liu Ji was promoted by Liu Ji after His Majesty left the capital, and he couldn't help but look angrily at Liu Ji on the left.

Liu Ji was already sixty-six and had few black hairs on his head. At this moment, he was looking at his nose and heart, but he was already laughing crazily in his heart.

Although the tyrant was indeed terrifying. He ascended the throne at the age of only seventeen, but was able to gain military power in a very short period of time and control the entire court, but he could never come back.

Nowadays, this Forbidden City is run by a stupid woman, and she only made some small plans. When this stupid woman actually held a morning court, she fell into her own trap.

But this is just an appetizer, the real trick is yet to come!

"Fake?"

"Why did the Queen lie?"

"No...it can't be true. Your majesty has his own destiny!"

…

After the matter was personally vetoed by General Secretary Liu Ji, everyone's minds instantly became active, and some officials who originally did not believe the rumor began to consider the worst outcome.

Originally, they didn't want to believe such rumors, and were more willing to believe that the ice and snow weather had blocked road communications.

It's just that the queen deliberately concealed and fabricated lies, then things might not be that simple, and the emperor's southern tour really encountered an unexpected accident, especially when the Eastern gods had already predicted that the emperor's southern tour would be bloody.

Chang Yourong turned to look at Liu Ji and mocked coldly: "Mr. Liu Ge, you are really good at it!"

"Empress, I don't know what you mean by this! It's just that there has been no news from Your Majesty so far. I think that the imperial court should focus on the overall situation and put stability first!" Liu Ji pretended to be confused and said calmly. .

Wow wow wow...

No matter how pampered she is as a queen, she is usually taken care of by wet nurses and other palace maids. But now in such a strange and crowded place, the princess is more or less not suitable.

It's just that the Queen's behavior of bringing Princess Haixiao to attend the morning court, now in the eyes of interested people, is a sign of Chang Yourong's cowardice.

It is true that Princess Haixiao was born to Emperor Hongzhi, and the world was congratulated for her birth, and even took her to show off to the civil and military officials at the full moon banquet.

But this move has no weight at all. At most, it only adds a little bit of leverage to have such a princess. In essence, it is still a stupid move that does not help.

Chang Yourong coaxed Princess Haixiao seriously, and said as if she knew everything: "Mr. Liu Ge, you have done so many little tricks, please tell me everything!"

"I beg the Queen to summon His Highness Prince Xing!" Liu Ji raised his eyes and said firmly.

Xingwang?

When Xu Qiong and other officials heard that it was King Xing, they immediately realized that their guess had come true. Something terrible was about to happen in today's morning court.

Chang Feng had already come over at this time and whispered to Chang Yourong.

Chang Yourong took a deep look at Liu Ji and said very magnanimously: "Since King Xing has already arrived outside the palace gate, if I avoid announcing it and think I am afraid of trouble, then let him come in." !”

"Queen, Holy Ming!" Liu Ji didn't expect Chang Yourong to be so happy, and said with great joy.

The officials present looked at each other, and their minds couldn't help but become active.

If Emperor Hongzhi cannot come back, then the throne will fall on King Xing. No one expected that after so many twists and turns, the low-key Prince Xing would have the last laugh.

Not long after, Prince Xing Zhu Youqi, wearing a prince's uniform, followed the little eunuch and walked from the Jinshui Bridge.

Zhu Youqian saw the empty dragon chair from a distance, the corners of his mouth raised slightly, and a trace of hatred flashed through his eyes.

Since he was the heir second only to Zhu Youtang, if he said that he had never thought about the throne, even he would not believe it. It's just that he now hates this royal brother deeply.

Although he didn't have much contact with Jiang Wei, Jiang Wei's portrait had already left his heart. Not only did he have feelings for her, but he also believed that his wife was her.

Who would have thought that Zhu Youtang would do such a crazy thing after failing to snatch it away.

Although Zhu Youtang had a reason for massacring the Jiang family, he always understood that the annihilation of the Jiang family was all caused by him. The emperor clearly wanted to prevent him from marrying Jiang Wei before he did such an act.

If it weren't for his desire to marry Jiang Wei, the Jiang family would not be implicated in the nine clans, and Jiang Wei would not die, so he hated Zhu Youtang.

Because of this, although he had long been aware of Zhu Youtang's talent and strategy, he never gave up the idea of ​​revenge, and even made great sacrifices to stay in Beijing.

"Prince Xing is really here!"

"What does Yuan Fu mean by calling King Xing here?"

"Let's wait and see what happens, I'm afraid things won't be simple!"

…

Facing the Xingwang Zhu Youqi who appeared here at the pace of a dragon and a tiger, all the civil and military officials present also expressed emotion, and the wise officials were already ready to watch the show.

It's just that many people didn't expect that Liu Ji, the chief assistant who had always been considered one of the most loyal to the imperial party, now actually belonged to Xing Wang Zhu Youqi.

"Queen, your majesty's life and death are uncertain now, and the country has not yet been established. I believe that stability should be the most important thing. In addition to your majesty, the late emperor has always looked after King Xing. Now please let King Xing supervise the country!" Liu Ji coughed lightly. The soldier's servant, Zuo Shilang, Wang Ji, came out.

Wang Ji was a Jinshi in the second year of Chenghua. He was first appointed as the censor of Yunnan Province, and later supervised the Lianghuai Salt Law. Five years later, he was appointed as the inspector of Shanxi. It can be said that his official career was prosperous.

When Hongzhi ascended the throne, he was already a powerful governor of Fujian.

However, the Hongzhi Dynasty valued the abilities of officials. Although Wang Ji was already very senior, he was transferred to Nanjing as the right minister of the Ministry of War and was basically left idle by the imperial court.

Liu Ji took advantage of Hongzhi's southern tour, and after proposing to increase the number of ministers in the Ministry of War, he naturally recalled this retired official in Nanjing to the capital to serve as the left minister of the Ministry of War.

Just like this, the former right minister of the Nanjing Ministry of War was actually Liu Ji's man, and now he was the first to stand on the side of King Xing.

this……

The officials present couldn't help but look at each other in shock when they heard this request.

Liu Zhongzheng, the Minister of Justice, wanted to stand up, but Jia Jun, the Minister of Industry, shook his head gently and signaled him to stay calm.

Seeing that the other party was finally going to play their cards, Chang Yourong looked extremely angry and said with a smile: "Supervise the country? What if I don't agree?"

"Queen, please put the overall situation first! The world is in turmoil today, and the country cannot live without a king for a day. Now King Xing will supervise the country. If Your Majesty is fine, King Xing will retire with success. If Your Majesty... really something unexpected happens, it will Let Ming survive this calamity safely!" Liu Ji chose to stand up and kneeled down and said righteously.

this……

When Jia Jun, the Minister of Industry and Industry, saw Liu Ji really stand up, he sighed, finally confirming his suspicion that Liu Ji had really "rebelled".

Chang Yourong turned to look at Liu Ji with disdain, but said sarcastically: "Your Majesty trusts you so much, but he didn't expect that you would turn out to be someone harboring evil intentions!"

When I came to the last two words, I bite them very hard.

"Since I am the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, I should think about the country of the Ming Dynasty!" Liu Ji's face was naturally invulnerable, and he straightened his back as if he was righteous.

"Wow wow wow..."

Perhaps because he spoke too loudly, or perhaps because he was too disgusting, Princess Yunxiao, who had been hugged by the queen, suddenly burst into tears again.

After all, Chang Yourong is not the kind of mother who does everything herself, so she helplessly called Niu Mengmeng next to her: "Mengmeng, what's going on?"

"Mom, come here quickly, it's time to pee!" Niu Mengmeng hurriedly took the baby, and then walked to the side anxiously, but a stream of urine flew towards Liu Ji on the left.

Liu Ji was kneeling on the steps next to him. He just looked up and saw warm liquid falling all over his face.

ah?

When the civil and military officials present saw this scene, they thought it was quite interesting at first, but in the next second they all stared straight in their eyes. Suddenly, a pin drop could be heard in the huge square, and only a stream of urine continued to fall on Liu Ji's face, which was full of astonishment. superior. (End of chapter)