Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

For several days, the sky in the capital was gloomy.

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Green smoke rose from the four dragon-patterned copper stoves, filling the whole room with a faint scent of sandalwood.

The palace maids and eunuchs were coming in and out, and the imperial doctors and ministers were coming and going. The place seemed very lively, but everyone had a faint look of sadness on their faces.

As the sound of vomiting came out, the palace maid knelt down in front of the bed with a copper basin, and the eunuch Wei Xing patted the dragon's back. Then Liu Wentai, the judge of Hou Taiyuan Hospital, took the copper basin and studied the vomit again.

Zhu Jianshen, who was wearing yellow obscene clothes, vomited out all the soup and medicine he drank in his stomach, then lay weakly on the bed, but he knew that he might not have much time left.

Fortunately or unfortunately in his life, although he was established as the crown prince when he was only three years old, his father had already become a prisoner of Oara at that time and was deposed the next year.

In the days that followed, his father and uncle started a battle for the throne. He was in the center of the whirlpool and suffered a lot, and eventually developed a stutter.

After succeeding to the throne, the emperor's father left behind a devastated dynasty.

Due to constant natural disasters, civil strife such as the Datengxia Uprising of the Yao people in Guangdong and Guangxi, the Miao rebellion in Sichuan and Hunan, and the refugee uprising in Jingxiang area emerged one after another. As the Mongolian Tatars moved into the Hetao area and continued to invade Jiubian, even the weak Jianzhou Jurchens began to cause trouble. .

Facing the internal and external troubles of the Ming Dynasty, he also conscientiously followed the line of strengthening the army, pacified the four parties, and worked hard to create a peaceful and prosperous age for China.

It's just that the civil servant group is just like Mr. Ye, or what they really want is a prosperous age for scholar-bureaucrats, and they are always concerned with their own interests.

Although he set up the West Factory to effectively combat corruption among officials and appointed practical officials through ministerial officials, it also intensified the conflict between himself and the civil service group. Since then, he has been constrained by the civil service group everywhere, including the Datong coach they recommended. The military situation of underestimating the enemy's advance and defeat had deceived him for nearly a year.

I have worked hard for the prosperous Ming Dynasty, and I have also become decadent because I felt powerless against the civil servant group. Twenty-three years passed by before my eyes like a fleeting glimpse, everything was like a big dream.

Although it was a pity that he could not create a prosperous age for the Ming Dynasty, he stood up the backbone of China in resisting the Mongolian foreign enemies, and he was worthy of the people of the world when he almost annihilated the Jurchens in Jianzhou.

That’s it, that’s it!

Zhu Jianshen felt extremely uncomfortable in his body. After all, he was still a mortal body, and he had become a loner after losing the love of his life. Perhaps death could be considered a kind of relief.

If there is anything that still cannot be given up, it is probably that in the Zhu family, the prince is not actually the ideal heir in his mind.

"Your Majesty, if you really want to go like this, what should I do to my mother?" After hearing the news, Queen Mother Zhou came to the bed and cried sadly to Zhu Jianshen on the bed.

Empress Dowager Zhou was the imperial concubine of Zhu Qizhen, Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, and was from Changping Prefecture, Shuntian Prefecture, North Zhili. After Zhu Jianshen ascended the throne, her mother followed the original Empress Qian and respected the Empress Dowager based on her son's wealth.

Although she is now about to be honored as the Empress Dowager, she is only fifty-seven years old this year. Due to the good maintenance, the skin is still moisturized, and it looks like it is only fifty years old.

She has a northerner's physique, a broad forehead, long eyebrows, and fair skin. She has an aura of nobility and a bit of a strong woman.

Although Zhu Jianshen knew that the family affection in the royal family was weak, he couldn't bear to see his biological mother so sad, so he comforted him and said: "Mother, I have arranged everything in the palace. Even if I pass away, your life will be meaningless. Worry, there is no need to be so sad!"

"Your Majesty, how could you leave before your mother? If you really go and the prince is young, what will happen to the Ming Dynasty?" Two lines of hot tears hung on the cheeks of Empress Dowager Zhou, but they were tight. He grabbed Zhu Jianshen's hand and complained.

A trace of bitterness flashed across Zhu Jianshen's face. The heir he wanted in his heart was not the indecisive prince. However, the oldest Prince Xing was just over ten years old, so he was not as reliable as the prince Zhu Youtang, who was already eighteen years old.

As for what the mother said about "the prince is young", although Zhu Youtang does still look like a child now, there is no doubt that there is a different meaning in his words.

Zhu Jianshen knew that there were not many people he could trust nowadays. In order to make his mother feel more at ease, he made a decision: "Qian Yi, come in!"

"My slave is here!" Qian Yi came in from outside and knelt down respectfully.

Zhu Jianshen sighed softly and told Qian Yi: "If I go this time, you will obey the Queen Mother's orders from now on and respect her as much as you respect me!"

Liang Fang, the eunuch and eunuch of the Imperial Horse Guard who was standing by, knew that His Majesty was explaining the funeral affairs.

For any dynasty, the control of the Beijing Army is undoubtedly crucial. Controlling the Beijing Army can not only influence the situation of the court, but can even establish oneself as emperor.

The most important forces of the Ming Dynasty's Beijing Army are the Fifth Army Camp, the Shenji Camp and the Three Thousand Battalion, commonly known as the "Three Battalions". It is worth mentioning that although this dynasty still retains the establishment of the "three major battalions", the "three major battalions" have long existed in name only.

In the first year of Jingtai, Yu Qian, Minister of the Ministry of War, reformed the establishment of the Beijing camp, selected 100,000 elites from the "three major battalions", and established ten regiments and battalions, each with a general officer.

Since then, the "three major battalions" that have been drained of all their youth have become empty shells, which is now the "home" in the mouth of the Beijing army.

Soon after Zhu Jianshen ascended the throne, he first abolished the "Ten Regiment Camp" and then established the "Twelve Regiment Camp". Due to the gradual deterioration of the relationship with the civil servant group, he no longer handed over the twelve regiments and battalions to the Minister of War or the Zuodu Yushi of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but instead handed them over to the eunuchs of the inner palace.

The first admiral eunuch of the 12th Regiment Battalion was Wang Zhi. After Wang Zhi was attacked by the civil service group and demoted to Nanjing, he was replaced by Qian Yi, the eunuch Bingbi, the eunuch of the ceremonial department.

Zhu Jianshen now asks Qian Yi to follow the instructions of the Queen Mother Zhou in the future, which is actually equivalent to transferring the military power of the Beijing camp to the Queen Mother Zhou, who will ensure the smooth handover of the new and old dynasties.

Queen Mother Zhou couldn't help but feel secretly happy. Although this was the result she wanted this time, she still kept a very sad expression on her face.

"Yes!" Qian Yi raised his head and glanced at Queen Mother Zhou, and immediately expressed his stance.

He originally thought that His Majesty would ask him to obey the orders of the Crown Prince, and he did not want to ask him to obey the orders of the Queen Mother Zhou who brought up the Crown Prince. But these should not be things he considers. His mission is to be loyal to Emperor Chenghua from beginning to end.

In the evening, a sedan returned from the direction of the Forbidden City. After passing through the long West Chang'an Street, it came to Huaishu Hutong after twists and turns.

Liu Ji, who was wearing a first-grade official uniform, was sitting in the sedan with his eyes closed and concentrating. Although he was over sixty years old, his skin was well maintained and he had a beautiful long beard. He looked energetic.

Since Liu Jue was squeezed out by him and Wan An in the 18th year of Chenghua, he and Wan An were the only two people left in the cabinet, and he resolutely became the superior minister of the cabinet.

Unlike many young and frustrated officials, he was awarded the second-class Jinshi in high school at the age of only 21. He first entered the Hanlin Academy as a shujishi, then served as an imperial editor, and in the fourth year of Tianshun, he entered the Prince's Mansion as a Japanese lecturer. .

It was precisely because of this teacher-student relationship that he felt like a fish in water under Emperor Chenghua. In the 14th year of Chenghua, he was promoted to Prince Shaobao and Bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion.

In nine years, he went from being an ignorant prime minister when he first entered the cabinet to becoming the best politician in the entire Ming Dynasty.

It's just that the imperial doctor has just revealed that His Majesty will not survive for three days. This is both an opportunity and a challenge. This court, which is like a pool of stagnant water, will usher in a violent storm.

"Congratulations to welcome the master back home!"

The sedan gently landed in the front yard. When the housekeeper opened the curtain of the sedan, the sound of the whole family's welcome came from outside.

Liu Ji was not a womanizer, and now he only had one wife and two concubines, giving birth to four sons and five daughters. He nodded lightly to his wife and children who would greet him back here every day.

The main wife, Ji, came forward and reported in a respectful manner: "Master, a distinguished guest has just arrived at home, and I have been arranged to wait for you in the backyard!"

"Okay!" Liu Ji was secretly happy and immediately walked towards the backyard.

Since it was already evening, the lotus pond in the backyard was shrouded in a faint twilight, but the blooming lotus seemed even more holy.

In that exquisite lake pavilion, a tall man in his late fifties was sipping tea at the stone table, and next to him was Liu Ji's son Liu Wei.

When Liu Ji saw the tall man from a distance, he immediately said like spring breeze: "Commander Zhu's visit to this humble abode is so radiant!"

"I have met Mr. Liu Ge in my humble position!" Zhu Ji saw Liu Ji coming over, and he stood up and bowed his hands respectfully.

Zhu Ji is the commander of the Jinyiwei, and his father is an ordinary Jinyiwei Qianhu. Fortunately, Wu Ning, the former head of the Ministry of War, conspired to marry the daughter of Yu Qian, the former Minister of the Ministry of War.

Although he was punished and demoted because of the murder of his father-in-law Yu Qian, Emperor Chenghua was pardoned and reinstated when he came to the throne, and then gradually climbed to the position of commander of the Jinyi Guards.

Liu Ji gave his son Liu Wei a look, and Liu Wei understood and headed towards his treasure house.

The butler brought the cup of tea. Liu Ji raised his hand to Liu Ji who was standing and said, "Commander Zhu, you and I are from the same hometown. There is no need to be so reserved. Please sit down!"

"Mr. Liu Ge, please take a seat first!" Zhu Ji did not sit down, but raised his hand to sort out the priorities.

Liu Ji was very satisfied with Zhu Ji's gesture. He sat down and said straight to the point: "Commander Zhu, to be honest, I invited you to Humble House today because I want you to investigate a person for me!"

"Who?" Zhu Ji didn't expect the other party to be so straightforward, but still asked seriously.

Liu Ji dipped his finger into some tea and wrote a name on the table.

With Zhu Jianshen critically ill, and the current crown prince Zhu Youtang being a very easy-to-control person, a big storm is brewing in the court.