Chapter 167: Undercurrents surge in the court, and Prince Wu Zhu Su enters the imperial study.

"You little brat, who told you to sit on the dragon chair?"

As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang stepped into the imperial study, he saw Zhu Gang sitting on the dragon throne and immediately frowned.

"how?"

“If I don’t sit here, how can I handle government affairs?”

Zhu Gang replied without even raising his head.

"Can't you just move a chair?"

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was still unhappily speaking.

"Why should I move a chair?"

"The boss asked me to handle government affairs, how can I let myself down?"

Zhu Gang still didn't turn his head.

"This is the emperor's seat. If others saw it, they would think you had other thoughts."

In response to this, a hint of helplessness flashed across Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

It’s not that I can’t bear to let my son sit there, but what if someone else sees us.

The impact that gets out is not good either.

After all, the prince was able to sit on the throne with the permission of Zhu Yuanzhang.

But if Zhu Gang sat on the throne, it would be against etiquette.

There are so many rules to break anyway, but even if you don't want to follow them, you have to.

As the royal family, they are the sky of the Ming Dynasty. If even the royal family does not abide by the rules, the common people will be even less likely to abide by the rules.

This is also to set an example for the whole world, but facing such a bold and arrogant son.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also helpless. He couldn't bear to punish him, but if he didn't punish him, this brat would easily get ahead of himself.

Sometimes it really gives me a headache.

"Don't worry, those who can stay in the Imperial Study are not gossipers."

"As for the foreign ministers who want to see the emperor, they have to report to the emperor anyway. What are you worried about? There is nothing to worry about."

Zhu Gang waved his hand gently, still not caring.

"It's up to you, just don't let anyone know."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded helplessly.

"Why are you here in the Imperial Study?"

Zhu Gang also smiled, and raised his head and said jokingly: "After all, you are a hands-off shopkeeper. Why don't you enjoy the good life in Kunning Palace? Why do you want to experience the hardship of handling government affairs?"

"You little brat, please don't mock me. I won't fall for it."

"We originally came here to look for the boss, but since he's not here, it's okay to talk to you."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat directly on the chair below, without letting Zhu Gang move, and then he pondered.

After all, all the people in the imperial study are the Zhu family's confidants, and they all know the Zhu family's rules of getting along. Besides, the father and son don't need to be overly formal in their writing.

Besides, it’s just a position, there’s no need to be too serious about it, so as long as it’s a verbal warning and a formality, it’ll be fine.

"What happened again?"

Zhu Gang closed the memorial in his hand and glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"It's about Liu Bowen."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke without even thinking.

"Ok?"

"Although there are speculations in the court regarding Liu Bowen's affairs, most people understand what Big Brother means."

"After all, there are many people involved in the case of Xiao Ming Wang, so it is better to have less trouble than more."

"That's why no court officials questioned it, and it can also be considered a favor to the Liu family."

"Depriving the Liu family of their title and allowing them to move to Lingnan can be considered as preserving the Liu family and doing justice to Liu Bowen."

Zhu Gang frowned slightly and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

Liu Bowen was the Chief Censor and the Earl of Sincerity of the imperial court.

Although he was the Earl of Chengyi and Chief Censor, he failed to fulfill his duties to the court and instead concealed something.

Handling the ending this way is already worthy of Liu Bowen's credit.

As for his eldest son Liu Lian, he was indeed talented, but also lacked moral integrity.

After all, knowing the inside story of the court and standing by and watching is already illegal and cannot be forgiven at all.

"We know you have done a good job. Let's put an end to Liu Bowen's matter here."

"Besides, we are not trying to plead for Liu Bowen. After all, merits are merits, and faults are faults."

"But the Liu family asked the entire clan to move to Lingnan, find them a job, and let them survive."

"Even if I can't live a life of wealth and luxury, at least I can have enough food and clothing, and I will be worthy of this relationship between the king and his subjects."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed softly, then looked at Zhu Gang and spoke.

"it is good."

Zhu Gang did not refute his grandfather's opinion, but nodded slightly.

Liu Bowen did have sins, but he also had merits.

As for the four words "honest and incorruptible", Liu Bowen deserves it.

Moreover, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has found out that from beginning to end, Liu Bowen only knew about it but did not participate.

From this perspective, Liu Bowen was just being unfaithful to the emperor and failed to fulfill the duties of a Chief Censor.

But no one is perfect, so we can't keep harping on this one point, right?

Then just consider it as giving face to Zhu Yuanzhang and sparing the Liu family, and also consider it as fulfilling the relationship between the monarch and his subject.

As for the death of Liu Lian, a minor official of the seventh rank, even though he was the son of Liu Bowen, the history books only briefly mentioned it.

But this crime can be replaced by another name and no one will investigate it further.

After all, history is only the speculation of later generations and endless inferences, and does not contain the truth.

The truth that the victors are kings and the losers are bandits has been obvious since ancient times, and history books are written by the victors.

No matter whether it is dirty or glorious, it is nothing but a piece of history, a waste of time and empty sigh.

The ambitions of kings and princes cannot be fully described.

Therefore, when the Liu family moved to Lingnan, they had to do enough work on Liu Lian. If this was handed over to the Censorate, there would definitely not be any mistakes.

This is also the dark cloud under politics, and all the reasons are just to cover up the shame.

After all, think about it, Liu Bowen, a great scholar and a peerless strategist, would actually be confused about such a thing.

If this were to get out, not only would Liu Bowen's reputation be ruined, but the reputation of the imperial court would also be affected.

Is Zhu Yuanzhang so unloved?
Which minister wants to deceive Zhu Yuanzhang?

This is destabilizing for the country.

"Also, your uncle Xu's daughter doesn't like anyone else but you."

"So we decided to grant you a marriage with Xu Miaoyun, but we have to wait until you and Yu'er are married."

"Let Xu Da cherish his daughter for a few more months."

Seeing that Zhu Gang agreed, a look of satisfaction suddenly flashed across Zhu Yuanzhang's face. He patted his head lightly and spoke again.

"With your personality, how could you possibly discuss this with me?"

"So what promise did you make in order for Xu Miaoyun to marry me?"

Zhu Gang was no longer surprised and simply waved his hand.

Zhu Yuanzhang was responsible for almost all decisions, especially those concerning his sons' marriages, and would never allow his sons to refuse.

Zhu Gang was very curious. Was it Xu Da's concession or Zhu Yuanzhang's promise that the eldest daughter of the Duke of Wei married him as a concubine?
"The Queen."

Zhu Yuanzhang uttered two words softly.

"This is impossible."

"Yuer and I have been childhood sweethearts."

"She's been waiting for me for three years, so there's no way I'm going to let her down."

Zhu Gang shook his head decisively.

"Listen to what I have to say. We are both the principal wives." "As for etiquette and law, you don't have to worry about it, you little monkey."

"We naturally have our own ideas."

Seeing Zhu Gang's refusal, Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Gang and began to explain.

"You are the emperor, the ruler of the Ming Dynasty."

"So whatever you say is what it is, and naturally no one dares to disobey."

Zhu Gang immediately showed a look of understanding and nodded.

No matter what ancestral rituals and rites, as long as Zhu Yuanzhang insisted that they were unreasonable, even the rituals and rites that had been passed down for thousands of years could be torn down and rebuilt.

After all, etiquette and laws are meant to restrain the people of the world.

But this thing could not restrain the emperor, so Zhu Yuanzhang could make the decision as long as he ignored the majority opinion and picked out a few troublemakers.

Besides, how could those poor and corrupt scholars dare to refute the imperial court now?

"You don't want to ask anything else?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Gang with some dissatisfaction.

Zhu Yuanzhang was of course dissatisfied when Zhu Gang suddenly stopped asking questions after the emotions had been brewing for so long.

"As for the title, the old man doesn't need to care."

"My son will be granted a kingdom overseas in the future, and of course these sons of mine will also have their own titles."

Of course Zhu Gang knew what Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to say, so he smiled and waved his hand.

"That's a matter for the future. As for today, as long as you are still standing in Ming, you are the prince of Ming."

“So our grace is still grace.”

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Gang unhappily.

"Then go ahead and tell me, son, I'm listening."

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang having a bit of a childish temper, Zhu Gang smiled again.

"You and Yu'er's eldest son will inherit your title and remain the King of Jin."

"As for your and Miaoyun's legitimate son, he will be renamed Prince of Huai, but he will still be the Prince of Ming Dynasty."

"This is a unique honor. In the entire Ming Dynasty, only a brat like you can have it."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang grinned with satisfaction.

As if very proud.

After all, it not only saved the face of his old brother, but also gave a huge favor to his most beloved son.

How can I not be proud of this?

"Thank you dad."

Zhu Gang also stood up, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and bowed.

"I just don't like your confident expression."

Seeing that there was no change in Zhu Gang's expression, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again with some dissatisfaction.

"That only shows that we are harmonious as father and son, and that my son is even more of a worm in your stomach."

Zhu Gang still smiled.

One could guess what Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking the moment he opened his mouth.

So Zhu Gang was not surprised. After all, Zhu Yuanzhang had always done a lot of cool things.

Moreover, it is just a title of prince. When a country is established overseas in the future, Zhu Gang’s son will also be a prince. There is no difference. Just regard it as an advance.

"Okay, stop sucking up to your father and continue handling government affairs. Let's go back and have dinner with your mother."

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Gang again, then stood up and prepared to leave the imperial study.

"Wait, Dad, since you are here, I still need you to take a look at this memorial."

"After all, apart from you, let alone me, even if the boss comes, he will be in a dilemma."

Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang who stood up, Zhu Gang decisively picked up the memorial beside him and spoke.

"What memorial?"

A hint of curiosity flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, and he walked forward and took the memorial.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression darkened instantly when he saw this. He looked at Zhu Gang and asked in a deep voice, "When did this come out?"

"It has been several days, and not just in Yingtian Prefecture, but also in Jinyiwei in various places in Jiangnan, they have submitted a memorial one after another. The Jinyiwei in Fengyang has also submitted a memorial."

As he spoke, Zhu Gang picked up a few memorials from the table and handed them to Zhu Yuanzhang.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Has the source been found?"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and said.

This also shows that Zhu Yuanzhang already had the urge to kill people, especially these memorials, which were completely shaking the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.

"As soon as the Jinyiwei got the news, they immediately submitted a memorial, and then conducted a covert investigation and secret visits. However, the source of this news seemed to have grown wings and could not be traced at all."

Zhu Gang shook his head slightly.

"What a bunch of good-for-nothings! With all the commotion, they still haven't found any trace of them."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face suddenly turned cold.

"This can't be entirely blamed on the Royal Guards. After all, it was first told by the children, so how could they remember their appearance?"

Zhu Gang still shook his head.

If the rumor came from the mouths of ordinary people, there would naturally be traces to be found, but children are ignorant of worldly affairs, so those who spread rumors would choose to start with children.

Because only in this way, even if the children cannot spread the rumor, they can plant spikes in it, pretend to be ordinary people, and spread the rumor.

Therefore, it was normal that the Jinyiwei had no idea about his sinister intentions and meticulous thoughts for a while.

However, this rumor must be stopped as soon as possible, otherwise it will cause a big mess.

But what exactly is the rumor?

It made Zhu Yuanzhang's face as gloomy as water, and even the two brothers Zhu Gang and Zhu Biao couldn't make up their minds.

"How dare they use our son to make a fuss? I want to see if these bastards can withstand our sword."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes shone with murderous intent, and he said coldly, "Wang Jinghong."

"His Majesty."

When the cold voice came out, Wang Jinghong, who was standing at the door, shuddered and hurried in, bowing.

"Since the Jinyiwei can't find out, we will distribute all the flower drums and let them investigate."

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly turned around and looked at Wang Jinghong, and said softly: "We only want the result, not the person. Do you understand?"

"According to the order."

Wang Jinghong bowed again and left the imperial study directly.

"Flower drum?"

Zhu Gang frowned again.

"Jinyiwei is Jinyiwei, Huagu is Huagu, do you understand?"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around again and looked at Zhu Gang.

"One is in the light, the other in the dark."

"Yin Yang Eyes."

Of course it is impossible for Zhu Gang not to understand, this is the Tao.

"The Imperial Guards are the Yang eyes, and the Flower Drums are the Yin eyes."

“They are all our eyes.”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with profound eyes.

As an emperor, and an emperor who has done great things, it is naturally impossible for him to have only a pair of eyes that are visible, so this is the flower drum!
Zhu Yuanzhang’s second pair of eyes, the flower drums that are more terrifying than the Jinyiwei!

"We have to investigate, but if the problem is not solved, the investigation will be useless."

Zhu Gang said again.

"Li Heng, go and invite King Wu to the imperial study."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, looked at Li Heng who was standing with his head bowed, and spoke.

(End of this chapter)