Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 56 Entering the DPRK!

Zhu Yunwen quickly took the newspaper, and Huang Zicheng also came over to take a look.

As they watched, the expressions of both of them changed drastically.

Then Huang Zicheng asked the servant who delivered the newspaper: "Do you know how many copies of this newspaper have been printed?"

The man replied, "I have specifically asked about this. Today is the first time that the Ming Daily is published. Ten thousand copies have been printed."

"So many?"

Huang Zicheng took a breath of cold air.

In this era, printing 10,000 copies is definitely a terrifying number.

"The first edition of this newspaper tells about your majesty's early years, the second edition is a print of the Great Ming Code, but the third edition..."

Huang Zicheng pondered and said, "This is about the story of the late crown prince."

"Since the death of the late crown prince, Your Majesty has been too distressed and has not allowed anyone to mention it."

"But now, King Wu insists on mentioning it."

"That's fine, but what is he writing about?"

"It actually wrote that Your Majesty and the former Crown Prince were at odds, that Your Majesty beat and scolded the former Crown Prince, and that the former Crown Prince taught him a lesson. How could these palace secrets be made public so casually?"

"Even if he wanted to write, couldn't he just write about the good things between Your Majesty and the late Crown Prince, the loving father and filial son?"

"Even ordinary people know the principle of 'don't air your dirty laundry in public'."

"He is the King of Wu, doesn't he even understand this?"

Fang Xiaoru sneered, "He is asking for his own destruction by bringing up irrelevant issues."

"There are also problems with the first edition. The things he wrote about your majesty's past are all shameful."

"Your Majesty is a mighty man with many great achievements, but he never mentioned a word about them. Instead, he wrote that Your Majesty had to beg for a living in the past!"

"It's just the right time to add to his charges."

Zhu Yunwen said: "This newspaper may have to be presented to Grandpa Emperor."

Huang Zicheng stroked his beard and said, "This is a very good idea. Let's take it to the palace."

"It's getting late, we should go to court!"

The three of them quickly left Prince Xian's Mansion and headed straight for the imperial palace.

Along the way, civil servants came over from time to time to greet and ask questions.

Naturally, they all came to ask for information regarding Lan Yu's arrest yesterday.

Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru responded one by one.

When they arrived at the palace gate, it was not yet time to open it.

However, today all the civil and military officials arrived early as if they had made an appointment.

When they saw Zhu Yunwen's car approaching, the civil servants all rushed over.

Upon seeing this, Huang Zicheng quickly pulled them apart and spoke in private.

Although arrangements need to be made, they should not be too ostentatious as this may easily lead to criticism.

The most important thing for an official in the court is to be cautious.

Huang Zicheng is very clear about this.

"I heard that His Majesty issued an edict last night, granting His Royal Highness the King of Wu a precious sword, and also granting him the power to command all officials, dispatch troops, and act at his discretion. What's going on?"

"The King of Wu arrested the Duke of Liang without authorization. Why didn't His Majesty issue an order to severely punish him?"

"The three judicial officials went to the Prince of Wu's mansion last night to demand the criminal, but returned empty-handed. What does your majesty mean by this?"

"How should we proceed when we go to court today?"

……

A group of officials surrounded Huang Zicheng and started to speak out.

Although Huang Zicheng had secretly contacted many officials a long time ago, they were mainly trusted confidants.

But not everyone will confess.

And those who are in secret contact will naturally not reveal the news to the outside world.

That is why so many officials came to question.

Of course, these people are all civil servants.

The military generals and nobles were standing on the other side, watching coldly.

"Everyone, everyone, stop arguing, speak one by one!" Huang Zicheng deliberately did not answer, but asked: "My lords, what do you think?" "To arrest the Duke of Liang without an imperial decree is too arrogant. I am going to report him today." An official said angrily.

"Since His Majesty has not issued an edict to reprimand us, it means that we have tacitly approved it. How can we still report it?" an official retorted.

"That's not necessarily true." An official said, "Your Majesty didn't say he was right. I think Your Majesty intends to discuss this matter publicly in the court today."

"That makes sense." The official's words were immediately agreed by many people.

Naturally, all those who can serve as officials in the court are smart people.

There are many things that ordinary people may not be able to figure out for a long time, but they can understand them at a glance.

"However, he is not the crown prince, but he is given a precious sword and such great power. When I go to court today, I will ask Your Majesty to revoke the order no matter what." An official said.

"Everyone, I think the most important thing right now is to prove that Duke of Liang Lan Yu is guilty." An official lowered his voice, fearing that the generals and nobles on the other side would hear it.

"Well said. Although I also think that the King of Wu acted recklessly, Lan Yu is arrogant and domineering, and he should have been punished long ago." Many people agreed.

"Now is a good opportunity." Someone said: "King Wu has captured him, so we can use his strength to defeat him. Let's all join Lan Yu together and take him down in one fell swoop."

Not long after the Ming Dynasty was founded, military generals and nobles had great power in the court and never took the civil officials seriously.

Therefore, as long as there is an opportunity to recruit capable military generals and nobles, the civil officials will never let it go.

What's more, Lan Yu has always acted very arrogantly.

There were countless officials in the court who disliked him.

In the past, he was afraid of the power and status of the Duke of Liang and did not dare to show any behavior.

Now they are busy adding insult to injury.

Huang Zicheng just listened to them without saying a word.

At this time, someone else said, "You have all read today's Da Ming Daily, right?"

"I've read it. The writing is so vulgar!"

Someone said: "How can you write an article entirely in plain language and have the nerve to print it? It's a disgrace to society!"

"Hahaha!" An official joked, "The King of Chu has such a thin waist, so many people in the palace must be starving to death!"

"I heard that the Ming Daily was founded by His Royal Highness Prince Wu."

"He may have seen that His Majesty also used plain language when issuing imperial edicts, so he did this on purpose to please His Majesty."

"Little did you know that His Majesty would only use plain language when issuing imperial decrees to his family members or close ministers."

"If a decree is truly issued to the whole nation, it will never be like this."

"He's doing this, writing in plain language and printing 10,000 copies. Isn't this a big joke?"

All the officials burst into laughter.

When everyone's laughter stopped, Huang Zicheng finally spoke: "My Lords, today's morning court is of great importance."

"It concerns the future of our Ming Dynasty."

"I hope that all the lords in the court can work together."

"Don't be timid anymore, otherwise, it will be too late to regret!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the originally happy atmosphere seemed to disappear in an instant.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

The officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

An official could not help asking, "What do you mean, Mr. Huang? Why don't you just speak frankly?"

All the officials looked over here.

Huang Zicheng smiled faintly and said, "Such a big thing happened yesterday. Why did everyone come so early this morning? Do you want me to tell you the reason?"

“Why did the Ming Daily publish today, instead of earlier or later?”

"You all are wise men, so why do you have to pretend to be ignorant?"

"There are many things that Huang is not comfortable saying."

"But I believe that everyone's minds are as clear as a mirror."

"At this time, don't think about just sitting there and watching the show, or trying to protect yourself."

"Otherwise, no one will be happy."

"I believe everyone can still distinguish right from wrong."

"Okay, that's all I have to say. I'll take my leave now."

(End of this chapter)