Chapter 198 Zhu Yuanzhang's temperament changed drastically, and Zhu Gang accidentally revealed the secret

After the court meeting, Zhu Gang found Wang Danian and asked him why he suddenly came to deliver the order.

Wang Danian told him that this was the emperor's order, probably to test the loyalty of the ministers.

Zhu Gang nodded thoughtfully, realizing that the emperor's control over the court was becoming increasingly strict.

He understood that as a vassal king, he had to remain vigilant at all times.

Obey the rules of the court, otherwise you will most likely be punished.

Zhu Gang decided to be more cautious in the future so as not to inadvertently anger the emperor.

"I've done so much, why is it still like this?"

Feeling somewhat exhausted both physically and mentally, Zhu Gang lay in a rocking chair and drank tea.

However, this rare tranquility did not last long, as Crown Prince Zhu Biao, with a worried look on his face, walked in breathlessly.

"Third brother, you still have the leisure to sit here and drink tea. Don't you understand what happened before the court session today?"

According to the relevant regulations of the Ming Dynasty, people were not allowed to stand outside the Meridian Gate when waiting for the "clock" to start court.

After all, standing outside dozing off and chatting in scattered groups really undermines the dignity of the court.

Therefore, at the suggestion of Empress Ma, in order to demonstrate the emperor's grace, a special court room was established.

Officials sat and stood there according to their ranks, waiting for the palace gates to open.

As a preferential treatment for close ministers, a special direct room was set up inside Duanmen.

To the south of the Right Gate is the Jinyiwei's direct residence, and the three rooms below are the Hanlin direct residence.

Half of the grand secretaries live in the north pillar, the other scholars live in the middle pillar, and the rest live in the south pillar.

There are five straight rooms on the left side of Duanmen, also known as "board houses".

It is the place where Zhanshi Mansion, Zuoyouchunfang, and officials of the Sijing Bureau met.

Officials staying in the court room can take a nap here if they feel a little sleepy.

Or they could tidy up their clothes, or even hang their official uniforms out to dry when it rains heavily.

However, before the morning court session today, Zhu Gang discovered that except for the direct rooms of the Jinyiwei, all other court rooms were sealed.

On the surface, this seemed like a trivial matter, but as Zhu Yuanzhang's sons, Zhu Gang and Zhu Biao both noticed that something was wrong.

Because it was Empress Ma who suggested setting up court rooms for all officials. As we all know, her status was very high during the Hongwu period.

She was the only queen in history who could mobilize the army without a military order, and she was also the biggest supporter of all civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty.

Even later historians often said, "Empress Ma could protect anyone Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to kill.

If Empress Ma wants to kill someone, even the king of heaven cannot save him."

Although many people think that Empress Ma is plain-looking, she does not have the political skills of Wu Zetian, nor the ruthlessness of Lu Zhi.

However, he was able to control the suspicious Zhu Yuanzhang and made him obedient, which made people all over the world admire him.

It can be said that Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise from a commoner to the throne of the Ming Emperor was inseparable from the help of his virtuous wife Ma Xiuying.

It was precisely because of such a satisfactory wife that the soldiers under Zhu Yuanzhang's command were loyal to him and allowed him to charge and kill the enemy without hesitation on the front line.

In 1368, after Zhu Yuanzhang wiped out his last opponent, Chen Youliang, he ascended the throne in Nanjing and proclaimed himself emperor, naming his country the Ming Dynasty.

The first thing he did after becoming emperor was to enthrone his wife Ma Xiuying as queen.

However, even though she became the most powerful woman in the world, Empress Ma remained true to her original aspirations.

Her life was still as frugal as usual. Not only did she cook for Zhu Yuanzhang herself, she also often advocated thriftiness. Under the initiative of Empress Ma, everyone in the harem ate, dressed and spent money in moderation.

As the mother of a country, Empress Ma always set an example and cared about the common people and ministers in the court.

Once, Song Lian, a famous scholar in the court, was implicated in the "Lan Yu Case" and was sentenced to death by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao immediately found Empress Ma. After learning the situation, Empress Ma went to Zhu Yuanzhang to plead for mercy, but Zhu Yuanzhang refused to change his mind.

In desperation, Empress Ma refused to eat for three consecutive days as a threat.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't bear to see her like this, and finally chose to give in and give Song Lian a lighter punishment.

This move also made some ministers realize that they had protection behind them, so they dared to speak directly to the court and Zhu Yuanzhang.

In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang was born in a humble family and was suspicious by nature. He was always worried that his subordinates would become too successful and threaten his position, so he always slaughtered meritorious veterans because of some unjust cases.

Therefore, many ministers who made mistakes were able to save their lives with the help of Queen Ma.

However, things don't always go as planned. In 1382, Empress Ma fell seriously ill and was dying.

In order to save Empress Ma, Zhu Yuanzhang spared no effort and found the best imperial physician in the world to treat her.

But Empress Ma knew that she was terminally ill and all diagnosis and treatment were of no use.

In order to avoid being blamed by others, she immediately asked the palace maid to take the imperial physician away from the palace.

On her deathbed, Empress Ma advised Zhu Yuanzhang to restrain his murderous intentions and humbly accept the advice of his ministers.

After Queen Ma died, everyone in the palace cried.

The ministers knelt outside her bedroom, unwilling to leave for a long time, and lamented why God let her leave so early.

Even when the news of Empress Ma's death reached the imperial prison, some ministers who still had illusions soon hanged themselves.

Because they knew in their hearts that without Queen Ma's plea, they would surely die.

Thinking of this, Zhu Gang suddenly realized something and stood up and said, "Brother, you said that the old man's temperament has changed drastically recently. Could it be because the queen mother is sick?"

Zhu Biao, who was considering national affairs such as the "Five-Year Plan of the Ming Dynasty", was startled when he saw Zhu Gang.

He frowned and asked, "Where did you hear this gossip? Did you arrange for Jinyiwei's spies in the palace?"

After hearing this, Zhu Gang hurriedly shook his head and explained, "Brother, please don't misunderstand me!

I don’t want to die, so why would I cause trouble for myself?”

I saw a trace of anxiety and nervousness on Zhu Gang's face.

Zhu Biao's face suddenly turned gloomy, and he shouted angrily: "Since you didn't do it, why are you talking nonsense?

If these words were heard by the emperor, he would punish you severely! "

Seeing that Zhu Biao's voice was full of anger and dissatisfaction, Zhu Gang realized that he had said the wrong thing.

He immediately lowered his head and said apologetically, "Brother, I'm sorry, I was too impulsive just now.

Please forgive me for saying something I shouldn't have said."

Zhu Biao's eyes revealed sincerity and regret.

Then his tone gradually softened, but he still said seriously: "Don't act so rashly in the future. Regarding the Queen Mother's condition, we should follow the official news.

The most important task now is to complete the Ming Five-Year Plan and ensure the prosperity and stability of the country."

Zhu Gang nodded repeatedly in agreement and promised to do his best to support the prince's work.

(End of this chapter)