Chapter 007: Facts Speak Louder Than Words

If there is no rectification, even he may not be safe, which is something he cannot accept under any circumstances. Moreover, someone outside the palace has plotted against his son, likely those nobles, which leaves him with no hesitation to take action against the nobles!

When Emperor Chongzhen expressed this sentiment, Zhang Mingwei smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is quite difficult for others. However, Your Majesty should not forget that I come from the future, where things are settled in the end. I can discern who is loyal to Your Majesty and who is solely concerned with personal gain. In this way, the matter becomes much simpler."

Upon hearing these words, Wang Cheng'en's heart was filled with joy, and he could hardly contain his desire to rush over and embrace Zhang Mingwei, wanting to give him a good kiss.

Zhang Mingwei reached in calmly, casually stirred a few times, and also washed his hands before retracting his hand and extending it towards Prince Zhu Cilang, saying: "Your Highness, take a look?"

In a short while, the liquid in the pot began to boil

Zhang Mingwei listened and nodded in approval, saying: "Indeed, Your Majesty is wise. The key to the little trick with the oil pot lies in this vinegar"

Beside her, Zhu Meisheng heard the noise, opened her eyes, and her eyelashes fluttered with curiosity. She also wanted to reach out and touch it to take a look. However, as soon as she extended her hand, she immediately recalled the boundaries between men and women, and quickly retracted it. Yet, the expression of surprise on her face was unmistakable.

At this point, he paused and added: "This is a branch of scientific and technological knowledge, specifically the fundamentals of physics. It also includes phenomena where blank paper suddenly reveals writing, ghostly faces, bloodstains, and the like, all of which are based on similar principles and have nothing to do with the supernatural."

Emperor Chongzhen and Zhu Cilang, however, stared wide-eyed, not blinking as they gazed.

After feeling it for a moment, he reached his hand into the oil pot again. This time, he did not withdraw it immediately, but kept it submerged, exclaiming to Emperor Chongzhen in a tone of surprise: "Your Majesty, it really isn't hot!"

In fact, at this moment, even Emperor Chongzhen himself was very curious. Although he had not seen it with his own eyes, he could not imagine how what Zhu Cilang described could be merely a small trick. Therefore, he was also very much looking forward to it. Without further ado, he immediately instructed Wang Cheng'en to carry it out.

Emperor Chongzhen's expression was very serious, and he nodded slightly as he said, "What you have said is indeed correct, the reorganization of the palace is imperative"

Previous documentaries were not very detailed, therefore, these matters must be decided by Zhang Mingwei

Just as he was saying this, he suddenly heard Wang Cheng'en exclaim, "Your Highness, do not!"

Emperor Chongzhen had not yet responded, and beside him, Wang Cheng'en swiftly reached his hand into the oil pot for a moment, then retracted it with lightning speed.

Not long after, everything was ready. However, they still found it a bit strange why preparing vinegar was necessary for "putting it in the oil pan"; what does this mean

Although he spoke casually, for Zhu Cilang and others, it felt as if his knowledge was profound, and their admiration for him deepened immediately.

Upon hearing the question, Zhang Mingwei turned to look at him and explained with a smile: "This is because the boiling point of vinegar is low; even a slight increase in temperature will cause the vinegar to boil. What you see as the oil pot boiling is actually not the oil boiling, but rather the vinegar boiling."

Everyone looked on with curiosity, occasionally glancing at Zhang Mingwei and then at the pot.

Others looked at the two of them with curiosity, wondering how this matter would develop

The status of the Crown Prince is undeniable; even if Zhang Mingwei is unbothered, it still intimidates Wang Cheng'en

He cautiously looked up at Zhang Mingwei, then reached out to gently touch Zhang Mingwei's hand. Finally, he turned his head in surprise and said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Father, the gentleman's hand is truly fine!"

After such an incident, Zhang Mingwei turned to the stern-faced Emperor Chongzhen and suggested, "Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent step at present is to reorganize the inner palace to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, among others. Only then should we target those corrupt officials and unscrupulous nobles, as this will allow us to obtain resources as quickly as possible. This is a short-term measure"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang was even more tempted and thought about reaching out to the oil pot to give it a try. It seemed as if it were something very entertaining, irresistibly alluring to him. However, with Emperor Chongzhen present, he ultimately looked towards his father, his eyes signaling that he clearly sought permission.

"I already know this, is there anything else?" Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Wang Cheng'en and then immediately pressed for more information

After a moment of silence, Emperor Chongzhen inquired again: "What you mentioned earlier, that the money and grain obtained from confiscating families is only a short-term emergency measure, what should be done for the long term? Furthermore, how should we best resolve the current predicament? In the outer court, whom should I employ? I feel that there are indeed too many questions, and I ask you to clarify each one for me!"

Facts speak louder than words; any claims of divine intervention are false

Zhu Cilang, who was beside him, could no longer contain himself. At this moment, without waiting for his father's decree, he directly reached in, felt around a bit, and then began to stir things up, engaging in play.

There is also one called Fang Zhenghua, who died in battle for the Ming Dynasty, and he should also be loyal to Your Majesty. Zhang Mingwei answered without hesitation, Furthermore, the historical records clearly state that Du Xun, Wang Zhixin, and Wang Dehua welcomed the rebels and even encouraged Li Zicheng to ascend the throne as emperor! The others are not very well-known, at least they are not recorded in the historical texts I have consulted.

Zhang Mingwei took the initiative to ask them: "In such a short period of time, the oil pot has already boiled. Don't you find it surprising?"

Emperor Chongzhen was already in his thirties, unlike his children who displayed such impropriety. After a moment of contemplation, he immediately confirmed, "Sir, is the secret due to that vinegar?"

Zhang Mingwei did not explain, but simply instructed Wang Cheng'en to first pour vinegar into the pot, then add oil, and naturally, it was still Wang Cheng'en who tended the fire

Zhang Mingwei replied to Emperor Chongzhen: "According to historical records, the one in the palace who is most loyal to Your Majesty, unwavering and steadfast, is this Wang Cheng'en."

While speaking, he had already approached the oil pot, and then casually reached his hand into the boiling, bubbling oil pot

Upon witnessing this scene, Princess Kunxing was so frightened that she immediately closed her eyes, feeling somewhat reluctant to look.

At this point, he suddenly came to his senses. This means that the death of his fifth son back then was likely not due to the divine intervention of Empress Dowager Xiaoding, but rather a conspiracy between the palace insiders and outsiders that led to his son's demise

The greatest difficulty faced by Emperor Chongzhen was not knowing whom to trust and whom not to trust. Now that there is a clear conclusion, the remaining matters naturally do not require Zhang Mingwei to elaborate.

After speaking, he looked at Emperor Chongzhen and said, "Your Majesty, could you have someone prepare the materials? I will address the Crown Prince's doubts"

Zhu Cilang was truly dumbfounded, unable to believe it. He rubbed his eyes, then opened them wide again, leaning in so close that he was almost touching Zhang Mingwei's hand, yet he really did not notice any issues with Li Mingwei's hand

Especially Wang Cheng'en, who was even more on edge. He knew that the words of the person before him could determine the life and death of those in the palace and alter the dynamics within the court

At this moment, seeing the unusually serious face of the Crown Prince, and then turning to look at Emperor Chongzhen and the others, who also appeared very attentive, Zhang Mingwei smiled slightly and said: "I can perform such small tricks as well; I can demonstrate it for you, but I am not a deity"

In response, Zhang Mingwei merely smiled slightly and said, "It should be a little warmer than it was just now, but it's nothing, just a bit warmer that's all"

Zhang Mingwei heard this, turned his head, and saw that Zhu Cilang's hand had already reached over the oil pot, clearly intending to try it himself

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen immediately turned to Wang Cheng'en, then bowed respectfully to Zhang Mingwei and sincerely said: "I kindly ask for your guidance, sir"

At this moment, Zhu Cilang seemed to have had enough fun; he withdrew his hand but curiously asked Zhang Mingwei: "Why is it that after adding vinegar first, the oil in the pot boils yet is not hot at all?"

I once witnessed someone possessed by a deity, who then reached their hand into a pot of boiling oil, yet suffered no harm at all. Zhu Cilang emphasized this point with a very serious expression, stating, "Indeed, not even a bit of skin was burned. If it were not for the possession by a deity, how could this be explained?"

At this moment, the people nearby all realized the seriousness of the situation, returning from the illusion of the "oil pot" trick to reality, all listening with serious expressions.

Among those present, even Wang Cheng'en has never set foot in the kitchen. Therefore, no one noticed anything amiss

Emperor Chongzhen, upon seeing this, could not help but be greatly impressed. He spoke to Zhang Mingwei in a respectful tone, saying: "Your knowledge, sir, is truly profound, as you have immediately exposed such deceptive tricks of mysticism!"

Upon thinking of this, Emperor Chongzhen could not help but feel an extraordinary anger, as this was undoubtedly a violation of his forbidden line.

However, every emperor hopes that there is no collusion between the palace and the outside, yet in the end, most of them are indeed colluding. The so-called rectification of the palace sounds simple, but in reality, it is quite difficult to accomplish

Upon hearing his words, Zhang Mingwei, who had initially been somewhat worried, couldn't help but let out a deep sigh of relief. This kind of "going into the oil pot" trick is something that many people in later generations are well aware of. Especially those who enjoy reading online literature, as they have been enlightened by countless time-travel novels. As a time-travel author, he is certainly more aware of this than anyone else