Chapter 2: The Intent of Li Dongyang

Even if we take a step back, he dared to send Xie Qian, the previous Prime Minister Li Dongyang's cabinet member, to Liaodong to farm; what else would he not dare to do? They are merely a group of civil officials, and they cannot turn the tide.

Your Majesty, Minister Li Dongyang of the Cabinet requests an audience.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty

Yongle Emperor, Jianwen Emperor, I shall take my leave first

After he ascended to power, he vigorously promoted capable young individuals such as Wang Yangming. The military forces along the nine borders were also firmly under his control. The Eastern Depot, Western Depot, Internal Affairs Depot, and the Jinyiwei closely monitored the entire nation. His power and influence surpassed even that of Zhu Yuanzhang by a significant margin. Anyone who opposed him would find themselves sent to Liaodong to cultivate the land and reclaim it.

Does Zhu Houzhao care? He does not care. Since he ascended to power, how many civil officials and scholars have been exiled by him to Liaodong to farm until death? One more Jiao Fang makes no difference, and one less Jiao Fang makes no difference. He is not afraid of anyone causing trouble; whoever causes trouble will be sent to Liaodong to farm and reclaim land.

Zhu Yuanzhang thoughtfully gave the two uncles and nephews a slap, greatly angered: "How could I, Zhu Yuanzhang, have descendants like you? Uncles and nephews tearing at each other, do you not feel ashamed?"

The remaining Zhu Di and Zhu Yunwen, the two uncles and nephews, also regard each other with disdain, each letting out a cold snort, turning back to their respective worlds, preparing to give each other a little "surprise"

He had just unified the realm not long ago, and Zhu Biao was in the prime of his youth. How could he possibly die? He was still waiting for Zhu Biao to take his place and ascend to the throne!

Zhu Yuanzhang, however, was not swayed by his tactics: "Kid, you should also be quiet. Don't think that we cannot see through your intentions."

What are you saying? Our child is doing just fine. Are you cursing him to die?

In summary, he does not take the blame for Zhu Di's rebellion; if he did, it would only confirm the charges of his persecution against the royal family.

Bestow the seat

You are talking nonsense

Of course, the most important thing is that Zhu Houzhao is a descendant of Zhu Di, which makes him even more displeased. No matter how incompetent Zhu Yunwen may be, he is still the son of Zhu Biao and was personally designated as the successor of the Ming Dynasty's second generation. What about Zhu Di and Zhu Houzhao

Zhu Di was also extremely furious; it was utterly absurd and profoundly rebellious for his descendants to wish to see their father being beaten by him

Soon, under the leadership of Liu Jin, Li Dongyang strode into the leopard room, dressed in a crimson and purple official robe, his expression serious and earnest, exuding a sense of grandeur and majesty in every gesture and movement

He subtly informed Zhu Houzhao that the matter concerning Jiao Fang involves the civil official group, and one must not act impulsively or recklessly.

He also found this emperor of the Ming Dynasty, several generations later, quite displeasing; just look at that frivolous demeanor, it is certainly not of good quality

"Your Excellency Yongle, how did this come about?"

To speak frankly, Zhu Houzhao felt that he had already been sufficiently lenient towards Jiao Fang. If it had been the kind of emperor like Zhu Yuanzhang, who could not tolerate even a grain of sand, Jiao Fang would have lost his head long ago. How could he then have the face to ask Li Dongyang for help in mediating

Liu Jin hurriedly brought over a chair, and Li Dongyang, not being polite, sat down directly

Zhu Houzhao greeted Zhu Di and Zhu Yunwen, and with a thought, left the mysterious space

A rebel who revolted under the banner of the Jingnan of Fengtian, and a descendant of that rebel; it would be quite enough not to have slapped them both across the face!

You should also be my descendants, how can you be so rebellious

Liu Jin hurriedly replied

Bring him in

is

Although the powers of the deputy ministers in Li Dongyang's cabinet are nearly being undermined, it is still necessary to maintain a facade. The unity between the ruler and his ministers, with mutual understanding, will also create a beautiful story when shared outwardly

misunderstanding, misunderstanding

Li Dongyang noticed that Zhu Houzhao appeared hesitant, and he understood that Zhu Houzhao did not intend to release Jiao Fang. Immediately, he adopted a teacher's demeanor and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Jiao Fang is well-respected in the scholarly community. If he remains in Liaodong, it may cause discontent among scholars across the realm"

Zhu Yunwen was almost infuriated; not only was there a rebellion against him, but he was also being unjustly blamed. How had he not realized before how shameless his uncle Zhu Di was!

Outside, Liu Jin, the number one sycophant of Zhu Houzhao, was sweating profusely with anxiety. Today, the Emperor seemed unusually deep in sleep, unresponsive to any calls. Meanwhile, outside, the Chief Minister Li Dongyang was waiting for an audience.

It is precisely because the Jianwen Emperor was incompetent that one cannot blame the Yongle Emperor for eagerly competing for the throne

Zhu Houzhao did not wish to engage in a protracted argument with the pedantic old fellow Li Dongyang, so he directly got to the point and asked.

Zhu Houzhao tentatively asked a question, wanting to know which time period Zhu Yuanzhang was currently in.

Bang

Zhu Houzhao became aware and opened his eyes, looking at Liu Jin with considerable displeasure

Jiao Fang

Zhu Houzhao tidied up his appearance and softly instructed that Li Dongyang, his teacher and also the Vice Minister of the Cabinet, should be met regardless of the purpose of his visit

The civil officials of the Ming Dynasty were exceedingly arrogant, confronting heaven, earth, and even the air itself. They dared to challenge the emperor with unrestrained audacity, to the extent that regicide was not beyond the realm of possibility. However, in the face of absolute military power, they were incredibly vulnerable. The agents of the Eastern and Western Depot, as well as the secret spies of the Jinyiwei, could easily make their lives a living hell.

What happened

Compared to a legendary figure like Zhu Yuanzhang, who rose from a pile of corpses, stained with countless blood, and ascended to the throne over a mound of bones, it still falls a little short

Zhu Houzhao followed the fan to create a shadowy wind and ignite ghostly flames, fearing that the world would not be in chaos

Li Dongyang performed a grand salute to Zhu Houzhao; he was not bowing to his own student Zhu Houzhao, but to the Emperor Zhengde of the Ming Dynasty

Thank you, Your Majesty

Having battled with those cunning ministers for so many years, his acting skills have long reached a state of perfection, and he can feign innocence without any sense of incongruity

However, Zhu Houzhao's words served as a reminder to him once again that Zhu Biao might indeed pass away at a young age. After returning, he must find the imperial physician to carefully examine Zhu Biao, for his most favored son cannot leave this world before him, causing him to experience the sorrow of sending a black-haired person to the grave.

Long live our Emperor, long live, long live for eternity

Your Majesty, it has been two years since Lord Jiao Fangjiao went to Liaodong. Is it not time to summon him back?

Zhu Houzhao furrowed his brow slightly. The Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Jiao Fang, still left an impression on him regarding the *Tu* books. This individual had repeatedly opposed him, and his son, Jiao Huangzhong, was involved in examination fraud, which led to his demotion to Liaodong two years ago to farm and cultivate the land.

When faced with an emperor who is reasonable and adheres to rules, the civil officials can still maneuver somewhat. However, when confronted with Zhu Houzhao, who appears to be frivolous on the surface but is actually as ruthless as Zhu Yuanzhang, they are nothing more than meat on a chopping board, subject to whatever fate he chooses for them

Zhu Yuanzhang glared fiercely at Zhu Houzhao, Zhu Di, and Zhu Yunwen, before vanishing from the spot

We still need to go back and check our mark, for now, we will let you go

"Has His Majesty, the Taizu, not yet passed away, Prince Yiwen?"

Zhu Houzhao had an innocent look on his face; he would absolutely not admit to it

Zhu Houzhao personally stepped forward to help Li Dongyang up. Although he had differing political views from Li Dongyang, he still held great respect for this old minister who had strongly supported him at the beginning of his rise to power

Zhu Houzhao was startled by Zhu Yuanzhang's bloodthirsty gaze. Over the years, he had caused the deaths of many, and he considered himself to be a ruthless person as well

Teacher, please rise

Li Dongyang also knew that Zhu Houzhao did not like to beat around the bush, so he spoke directly about his intentions

What brings you here to see me, Teacher?

Zhu Yuanzhang was enraged, as if he were a divine dragon whose reverse scale had been touched, his eyes filled with brutality and a thirst for blood