Emperor Zhengde of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 111
Zhu Houzhao hurried out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only to see Cao Zhengchun standing by the bluestone jade steps square with his hands behind his back.

"Let him come here! See if he has anything to report to me?"

The eunuch in attendance hurried over and informed Cao Zhengchun to meet him at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Cao Zhengchun walked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, bowed and stood aside after bowing to Zhu Houzhao.

"Tell me, is there anything important to report to me?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the No. [-] village in the world has been razed to the ground by the minister. Most of the people in the village resisted, but they were all beheaded by the minister."

After hearing this, Zhu Houzhao frowned slightly and asked, "Are you sure no one was left alive?"

Cao Zhengchun cupped his hands and said, "I'm sure none of them were left behind, but it's just a pity for Shen Wanqian." As he spoke, Cao Zhengchun smacked his mouth a few times.

"What's a pity? That's what I meant."

"Your Majesty, I know what you mean, but Shen Wanqian is a very good business talent. If he can be used by His Majesty, he will definitely make more money for His Majesty."

"It's a joke, it's a big joke, this world belongs to me, and I still lack that money?"

When Cao Zhengchun heard this, his expression was a little gloomy, it was just his own thoughts.

"I'll tell you the truth, Shangguan Haitang and Shen Wanqian are not dead, they are still alive and well, and they have taught me a lesson!"

"What? Not dead? Your Majesty, is this impossible?"

"I saw my subordinates pull their bodies out of the cave with my own eyes, and Shen Wanqian was killed by poison. This is absolutely true, I can."

Zhu Houzhao raised his hand and said, "I won't fight with you, but are you willing to make a bet with me?"

"What are you betting on?" Cao Zhengchun's eyes lit up.

"Just bet on whether Shen Wanqian is dead or not?"

"If he dies, I will lose. Whatever you want in this palace, I can completely satisfy you."

Cao Zhengchun grinned after listening.

This is what he wants to hear, at least he wants a chance to spare his life, and Zhu Houzhao will have to take care of his face in the future.

"But if you lose, you have to hand over the rights to Dongchang, are you willing?"

Cao Zhengchun lowered his head and thought for a long time. He knew that His Majesty was testing him. He saw Shen Wanqian's body being dragged out with his own eyes. There would be no change, and even if there was, it would be impossible for the dead to come alive.

At least he believed what his eyes saw.

Cao Zhengchun smiled flatteringly at Zhu Houzhao: "Your Majesty, I am willing to make this bet."

"Okay, it's a deal!"

Zhu Houzhao was very excited. When he was the prince, he was stubborn by nature, and he liked weird games the most. He has been busy with government affairs for more than half a year since he ascended the throne, and he has almost no time for fun.

After finishing the matter in Liaodong, we can have fun for a while.

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask, have you met Shen Wanqian?"

"Never seen."

In this regard, Cao Zhengchun was even more confident in his own judgment.

Soon, he changed the subject. He felt that Zhu Houzhao must have lost this time, because Shen Wanqian's body is now placed outside the No. [-] Villa in the World. Although it has been listed as a forbidden area, he brought it with him People can still go in.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing. I heard that His Majesty plans to use troops against Liaodong? Is this possible?"

Zhu Houzhao nodded, muttering to himself, this person is very well informed.

"In this case, I am willing to lead an army to Liaodong to conquer the Jurchens in Jianzhou and restore dignity to Your Majesty."

"You really know how to flatter horses!"

"I dare not!"

Zhu Hou took care of Cao Zhengchun and nodded in satisfaction. If he had sent this person to Liaodong this time, perhaps this incident would not have happened.

"Hey! If the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty can be as sincere as Qing and share my worries, then I can sit back and relax."

Cao Zhengchun is a very smart person. As soon as he heard what Zhu Houzhao said, he knew that he had recently encountered a big trouble that could not be solved.

"Your Majesty, I'm just trying my best to be loyal to Your Majesty. If Your Majesty has encountered any troubles, please tell me. Maybe I can give His Majesty a note."

"Well, you know that Liu Jian, the chief minister of the cabinet, does not support my sending troops to Liaodong. Perhaps he is the only one who can guess what I mean."

Cao Zhengchun is a smart man, and as soon as Zhu Houzhao said this, he immediately understood the general idea.

He wanted to continue to let the cabinet bear the name of the murderer, and if he supported the cabinet behind him, he could get rid of the name of the tyrant, which is really a good way to kill two birds with one stone.

"However, between him and Li Dongyang, I have to choose someone to continue to be my chief assistant. Who do you think is suitable for the two of them?"

Cao Zhengchun touched his beardless chin, thought carefully, and replied: "Your Majesty, I feel that the chief minister of the cabinet must be Liu Jian. This man is upright and upright. We need such a minister in the court." Only such a person can lead the ministers, although such a person sometimes makes His Majesty angry, but I feel that only such a person can maintain the Ming Dynasty Hall better."

Zhu Houzhao listened to Cao Zhengchun's words, smiled slightly and said: "Unexpectedly, you can see clearly than the ministers in the court. How could they know that I was just testing them, but I didn't expect that only Liu Jian knew what I was thinking. "

"Among the entire imperial court, Liu Jian is the only one who is not afraid of imperial power!"

"Actually, I also know that the reason why Liu Jian wants to admonish me is to ask me to reduce killings. How can I not know it? It's just that some people really need to be killed!"

"Your Majesty is right!"

Zhu Hou took care of Cao Zhengchun, and a sense of fear arose in his heart. He had never experienced this kind of fear before. This Dongchang eunuch was cruel and ruthless, and the killing intent displayed in his heart was terrifying.

Although he is the son of heaven, he holds the power of life and death, and accepts the worship of all officials, but sometimes, he has to be wary of the villains under him.

After all, I am also a body of flesh and blood. If one is not careful and is assassinated by a villain, it is also possible
"Go down and examine Shen Wanqian's body carefully. I can tell you responsibly. You will know after you go to Hulong Villa."

"The minister obeys the order! The minister resigns!"

"Go down!" Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, feeling relaxed and helpless.

The ambush in Yuhuatian, Liaodong was a good thing for him, because he found another sufficient reason to use troops against Liaodong, although he had longed to gallop on the battlefield and achieve great feats like his ancestors throughout his life.

However, it is not possible now. He is the king of a country, and he bears the hope of the whole country on his shoulders. It is impossible for him to conquer himself. For an emperor, this is also impossible.

The only thing that can be done is to continue to provoke wars to the surrounding countries. Only in this way can the pleasure in the heart be obtained.

Cao Zhengchun left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and Zhu Houzhao stood alone in the hall, thinking.

Harem Baixue is pregnant with a dragon seed, which is great news.

The commercial tax reform implemented by the cabinet has achieved remarkable results, and now the national treasury is gradually turning into a surplus, which is also a great joy for me.

When Liaodong used troops, Cao Zhengchun took the lead bravely. He dared to lead the Ming Dynasty's elite troops to regain their face, which is also a great joy.

It's just that the cabinet, that stubborn old man, knows what I want, and I can't wait to replace him right away.

Yes, I will find a reason to replace him next morning.

Thinking of this, Zhu Houzhao suddenly smiled.
(End of this chapter)