Chapter 006: Mad Dog
There is no other way; I can only adapt to the situation. I still have a way to deceive the Emperor, but I do not know if I can get away with it this time
Admiral of the Eastern Depot
Completed
He pondered for a moment before cautiously replying: "Whatever Your Majesty commands, I shall do."
The question is, where can he run to
Because he is about to conduct a ruthless purge of the harem and even the entire court, at that time, he will undoubtedly kill many people. Power struggles have always been indifferent to right and wrong, and even to good and evil. This means that many good people who have never committed any wrongdoing may also find themselves among those targeted in the purge
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian quickly bent forward and carefully leaned his ear close to Taichang.
This is easy to say, Luo Sigong pointed without hesitation at the youngest Qianhu in the main hall and said: "When it comes to cleverness, this child is unmatched. His name is Wu Mengming, and he is the grandson of Wu Dui, the Right Deputy Censor of the original Censorate and the Minister of War."
Tai Chang stared at him for a long time before casually asking, "You were originally called Wei Wanwu, right?"
What should I do
Tai Chang asked in a low voice: "Will you assist in tyranny?"
The Zhu family is indeed quite crazy, but they are not mere brutes. Figures like Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang and Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di both undertook frenzied purges of nobles and military officials. However, neither of them has been labeled as a tyrant or a foolish ruler. On the contrary, they are both classified among the ranks of wise rulers.
Who should be chosen, Xi Li or the Emperor
At this moment, Cui Wensheng is still performing with the fountain, while the four imperial guards remain expressionless, treating this fellow as if he were not human. No matter how he pleads for mercy, they continue to pour water on him relentlessly, to the point where his eyes begin to water, though it is unclear whether it is well water or tears.
Wu Dui was a renowned minister during the reigns of Jiajing, Longqing, and Wanli, who spent many years stationed at the border. He dedicated himself tirelessly to the consolidation of the Ming Dynasty's frontier defenses. It can be said that the descendants of such a person should have no issues with loyalty; however, it remains to be seen whether Wu Mengming possesses sufficient cleverness.
It seems that he has placed his bets incorrectly; once Cui Wensheng succumbs to the torture and confesses, they will all be finished
Indeed, this young man is quite clever
He furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment, then asked: "Luo Ai-qing, who among the thousand households of the Jinyiwei is the most loyal?"
He was pacing in the room like an ant on a hot pan when a small eunuch, sent to deliver a message, suddenly hurried to the door and said expressionlessly: "Master Li, the Emperor has issued a decree, commanding you to proceed to the main hall for an audience immediately"
At this hour, it is likely that the Emperor is furious, and the selection of the consorts may be a matter of self-preservation for them
What does this mean
Taichang also did not wish to bear the infamous reputation of a tyrant or a despotic ruler, so he decided to let Wei Zhongxian take on the role of the villain and bear the blame. Once Wei Zhongxian had completed all the misdeeds, he would then eliminate the harm for the people
Wei Zhongxian was taken aback upon hearing this
Tai Chang slightly nodded and then asked, "Among these, who is the most clever?"
Tai Chang gently instructed: "You are doing it this way... how is it? Is there any problem?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Mengming was momentarily taken aback
Li Jinchong hurriedly put on a fawning expression and shamelessly said: "Of course, this servant is loyal to the Emperor. I was blind before and did not realize that Xi Li had a heart as venomous as a snake's. Now I understand everything, and I have decided to change my name to Wei Zhongxian from now on, solely to serve the Emperor with loyalty"
He hurriedly knelt down and respectfully bowed his head, saying: "This servant pays homage to Your Majesty."
In a state of helplessness, he could only follow the young eunuch with a face full of fluctuating emotions, walking towards the main hall
In this way, he will not only avoid being criticized as a foolish or even tyrannical ruler, but will also be praised as a wise and enlightened sovereign of a prosperous era
Ah
Li Jinzong was somewhat taken aback, and for the moment, he did not know how to respond
Tai Chang slightly raised his hand and kindly said, "Wu Aiqing, come here and listen closely."
Li Jinzong, upon witnessing this situation, could not help but feel a surge of fear in his heart
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian could not help but look at Taichang with a face full of shock
Here, even the dog leash is prepared, yet Wei Zhongxian or Li Jinzong remains in a state of confusion and ignorance
However, considering what the Emperor had said earlier, he quickly realized that the Emperor was testing him
Li Jinzong was taken aback for a moment, then repeatedly nodded and said: "Your Majesty, yes, before I entered the palace, I was called Wei Wanwu."
Old grievances and new hatreds surged in his heart, and Tai Chang was already unable to contain his anger. At this moment, the mad genes of the old Zhu family within him had been completely activated, and he was ready to unleash a massacre
Upon hearing this, Wu Mengming could not help but show a face full of shock. However, he still slowly nodded and, with a serious expression, said: "This humble minister understands"
The Emperor is actually alive, and he has even captured Cui Wensheng, subjecting him to severe interrogation. Moreover, even the selection of the consort to rescue him was met with harsh criticism!
At this moment, he just wanted to apply oil to the soles of his feet and make a quick escape
Tai Chang nodded slightly and then whispered, "You are doing this..."
Taichang, however, continued calmly: "I will not waste words. You should be well aware of what the Zheng family and the Western Li have done. I will ask you directly: are you prepared to be loyal to the Western Li or to me?"
Hehe, this guy truly is a mad dog, having quickly sold out his original master.
At present, he would certainly choose the Emperor, as Xi Li is still merely a candidate for the position of consort, while the original "deposed crown prince" has successfully ascended the throne and become the Emperor
However, he is not prepared to take action himself
Under heaven, there is no land that is not the king's; he has no place to hide at all
Upon hearing this, Li Jinzong's heart involuntarily skipped a beat
Certainly, in order to prevent this mad dog from biting him back, it is necessary to secure the entire dog with a leash.
He has no idea that the Emperor is preparing to unleash him, this mad dog, to bite people; at this moment, he is feeling quite anxious.
Tai Chang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very well, I shall give you an opportunity, come closer."
Upon hearing this, Wu Mengming hurriedly bowed and approached the dragon throne, carefully placing his ear against it
However, this matter was not too much of a problem for him; he merely paused for a moment before nodding vigorously and saying, "No problem, this servant will certainly do my utmost to handle this matter well for Your Majesty."
Ah
If an emperor personally engages in such "heaven-defying and inhumane" acts, he will be branded as a tyrant or even a despotic ruler
At this point, Li Jinzong finally understood that the Emperor was asking him to be an insider
If it were before the emperor ascended the throne, then naturally the choice would be Xi Li, because at that time the emperor was like a useless crown prince, not favored by the late emperor at all, struggling to ensure his own safety, while Xi Li was quite favored by the late emperor and Consort Zheng.
It is evident that the Emperor must have sensed something amiss
Could it be that Cui Wensheng brought him out?
Tai Chang gazed deeply at him for a moment before turning to Wang Andao and saying: "Draft an edict to appoint Wei Zhongxian as the Chief of the Palace Memorial Office, overseeing the Eastern Inspection Agency."
Tai Chang then coldly snorted: "Not bad, in order to please Xi Li, you even changed your surname. You changed your name to Li Jinzong, are you preparing to be loyal to Xi Li?"
What does this mean
What does this mean again
This question truly stumped Luo Sigong. After careful consideration, he cautiously replied: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am unable to provide a definitive answer. If we are to discuss loyalty, those present are all quite similar; they are all wholeheartedly loyal to Your Majesty."
Is it possible that the Emperor is truly enraged to the point of madness