Chapter 3: The Matters Undertaken by Zhu Houzhao

As a young emperor who rose to power, the greatest affront he could not tolerate was anyone challenging his authority. The matter of Jiao Fang had long been settled, yet now there were those who intended to intervene on his behalf, which was nothing short of a blatant slap in his face

Zhu Houzhao furrowed his brow slightly; his relationship with the Empress Dowager was not particularly good. What could she suddenly want from him?

Subsequently, Zhu Houzhao continued to excel, expelling Liu Jian and Xie Qian, boldly appointing Wang Shouren, vigorously implementing reforms, controlling the military forces in the Nine Borders, developing the vast lands of Liaodong, suppressing the gentry in Jiangnan, quelling the coastal pirate threat, capturing the country of Fusang, decisively defeating the Mongolian prince, and bringing an end to nearly two hundred years of conflict between the Ming Dynasty and the steppe.

I am aware of this matter. Allow me to contemplate it further, and we shall discuss it again in tomorrow's morning court.

Liu Jin sent Li Dongyang away, and before long returned to the Leopard Room, where Zhu Houzhao also held a Longwen Xiuchun knife in his hand. The blade was sharp, glinting coldly, and it was a rare and precious sword.

Let the Eastern Depot investigate; I am curious to see what tricks they can come up with this time

Liu Jin, deliver my regards to the Grand Minister on my behalf

With a cold smile, utterly disdainful, the tricks of the Southern gentry group might have caused him some trouble and annoyance when he first ascended to power. However, now, with a mere gesture, he could send all the gentry of Jiangnan to Liaodong to farm.

Most of the matters concerning Jiao Fang are unlikely to come to fruition, but he does not wish to say much more; it suffices to allude to them. He is already half a foot in the grave and sees no need to create further conflict with Zhu Houzhao

"Elder, please."

Reducing royal stipends, arbitrarily depriving feudal lords of their lands, and sending the esteemed gentry and nobles to cultivate land in Liaodong—has there ever been an emperor in history who has done such things?

Zhu Houzhao ascended to the throne at a young age, and his foundation in governance was quite shallow. Internally, the Empress Dowager controlled the harem, while externally, the three powerful ministers Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang held sway over state affairs. Very few people took Zhu Houzhao seriously.

The old minister takes his leave

Zhu Houzhao casually remarked, seemingly disregarding the gentry of Jiangnan. His current ambition extends beyond merely unifying the world within his lifetime; he aims to reach beyond the world itself

Zhu Houzhao swung his knife twice, and his cynical expression suddenly turned somber: "Liu Jin, tell me, do you think they are bringing Jiao Fang back out of genuine appreciation for his talent, or do they have ulterior motives?"

The emergence of the mysterious space gave him hope, longevity, and a realm where time and latitude were no longer the critical factors that bound him. Thus, he no longer needed to continue playing games with the noble clans that obstructed him. Unifying this world sooner would allow him to embark on a new grand journey.

Liu Jin also scoffed disdainfully. As Zhu Houzhao's top sycophant, he had assisted Zhu Houzhao in numerous significant matters. He understood Zhu Houzhao's methods better than anyone else. The gentry group in Jiangnan would not even be able to outsmart Zhu Houzhao, even if they had hundreds of brains.

Liu Jin responded with an acknowledgment, and then seemed to contemplate something before reporting: "Your Majesty, yesterday the Empress Dowager sent someone to convey a message, stating that there is an important matter to discuss with Your Majesty"

The achievements of Zhu Houzhao are evident to all, and he has never executed a single meritorious minister, whether they be high-ranking officials or gentry nobles. Those who committed offenses were merely exiled to Liaodong to farm, and Zhu Houzhao has never killed anyone

Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly and instructed Liu Jin

Li Dongyang could not fully fathom Zhu Houzhao's thoughts, but he could anticipate about seventy to eighty percent of them. This was an emperor who would never accept any compromise; what he did not offer, others could not take the initiative to demand.

And the * picture * book is.

In order to establish his authority, he initially exiled his two uncles to Liaodong to farm, which led to a strained relationship with his mother and son, and they had not seen each other for a long time. Now, suddenly sending someone to say that there is a matter to discuss has left him feeling somewhat at a loss.

In those years, I was able to suppress their corrupt practices; now, what capital do they have to contend with me

However, after witnessing Zhu Houzhao's methods, he abandoned all his thoughts and honestly served Zhu Houzhao, acting as Zhu Houzhao's loyal subordinate, not daring to entertain even the slightest ill intention.

As the residence of the Empress Dowager of the Ming Dynasty, Kun Ning Palace is undoubtedly magnificently decorated and imposing in its grandeur. However, Zhu Houzhao had little interest in appreciating it; after spending so many years in the Forbidden City, even the most beautiful scenery had become tiresome. He headed straight to the main hall of Kun Ning Palace with Liu Jin.

Zhu Houzhao thought for a moment and decided to meet Empress Dowager Zhang, after all, she was the only wife of his father, Emperor Hongzhi, and his mother

Regardless of the circumstances, Liu Jin's fear of Zhu Houzhao was exceedingly intense. At the beginning of Zhu Houzhao's ascension, he even contemplated becoming the second Wang Zhen, to experience what it was like to be the Nine Thousand Years and to savor the taste of power.

However, even in such difficult circumstances, Zhu Houzhao rapidly rose to prominence at an astonishing speed, seizing several key powers from the hands of the Ming Emperor. He actively appointed the Jinyiwei and the Eastern and Western Censors, reclaiming his rightful authority from the Empress Dowager and the three giants of the cabinet.

Your Majesty, Jiao Fang is merely a dog with a broken spine; how can one speak of great talent? From my perspective, it is very likely that those individuals intend to use the matter of Jiao Fang to challenge Your Majesty.

Even the cunning and shrewd Liu Jin is like this; how much more so for that group of Jiangnan gentry who appear cultured but are, in fact, each more foolish than the last. To think they can contend with Zhu Houzhao is merely to seek their own demise

At that time, Zhu Houzhao could be described as a mascot of the Ming Dynasty, sitting in the Feng Tian Hall, symbolizing the dynasty, yet possessing neither power nor any substantial attributes

Forget it, let's go meet them

Empress Dowager

Liu Jin pointed to the south, the meaning was self-evident. Zhu Houzhao had not caused any trouble for a long time, and the southern gentry group felt capable again, wanting to challenge Zhu Houzhao.

Throughout the journey, Zhu Houzhao's hand never left the hilt of his sword. Over the years, he had become accustomed to this action after experiencing numerous assassination attempts. Whenever he encountered an assassin, he was always ready to draw his sword in response

Under the embellishment of the gentry at www.hetushu.com, Zhu Houzhao's reputation has never been particularly good. Accusations such as favoritism towards eunuchs, tyranny and lawlessness, meager benevolence, and even the absurd label of enjoying male beauty have all been placed upon him.

Zhu Houzhao said in a very perfunctory manner that it was impossible to release Jiao Fang; he wanted that old fellow to farm in Liaodong until death.

From the perspective of the emperor, Zhu Houzhao is indeed a capable and accomplished ruler. However, from the standpoint of the clan, nobility, and gentry, Zhu Houzhao is nothing short of a tyrant

Jiao Fang, it is merely an excuse

His martial arts are also exceptional. In the battle to pacify the Northern Yuan, he personally beheaded the fierce and valiant young prince of the Northern Yuan. Given his actions, the fact that he has survived to this day is largely attributable to his remarkable skills in martial arts.

A group of maggots dares to oppose the Emperor, simply unaware of the consequences of their actions

It was under the instigation of the gentry of Jiangnan that Prince Ning, Zhu Chanhao, rebelled, yet Zhu Houzhao did not execute him. He is still in Liaodong, diligently farming, enjoying ample food and drink every day.

He inserted the Longwen embroidered spring knife into its sheath and hung it at his waist. Zhu Houzhao immediately took Liu Jin to the Kun Ning Palace. Zhu Houzhao did not establish an empress, so the Kun Ning Palace had always been occupied by Empress Dowager Zhang.