Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 78: The Emperor's power is terrifying! The wind rises from the end of the duckweed!
On the treetops, the fallen leaves fall quietly.

It floated gently in the air without any wind and slowly fell to the ground.

Experts are lonely!

Emperors are inherently lonely.

Once you have a position of power, you will no longer have the simple and carefree happiness.

All people in the world are extremely stupid, and only a few can keep their true feelings under the majesty of the emperor.

There is no need for him to use his special moves.

It's just a bit boring if everyone is like this.

At this moment, Old Zhu suddenly became excited.

Yang Shiqi's face was calm and composed, without any abnormality. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

"Your Majesty, what you said is very true."

"I also think that the emperor commands the four seas and has supreme authority. If he becomes suspicious, the people below will be panic-stricken and terrified."

"The government is in turmoil, and the country is unstable."

"The emperor must be aware of the drawbacks here!"

His tone was steady and orderly: "Just now, I advised Your Majesty not to investigate the case of the assassination of His Royal Highness the King of Wu yesterday. This was also my intention."

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the country. You should not lightly raise doubts, and you should not search the whole world just because of doubts in your heart!"

"As for the threat from His Royal Highness Prince Wu?"

Yang Shiqi paused and said in a serious tone: "After this incident, I will strengthen the protection around His Royal Highness the King of Wu and never let anyone take advantage of you again."

"Plus, with His Majesty protecting you, Your Highness the King of Wu will no longer be a threat."

Old Zhu kept looking at Yang Shiqi's face and eyes.

After Yang Shiqi finished speaking, he continued to watch quietly.

Those dragon eyes seemed to be able to see through the person in front of them completely.

After a few more breaths, Old Zhu praised loudly: "Well said! The talent of the prime minister is indeed extraordinary."

"We just gave you the title of editor in the Imperial Academy, which is too low and a waste of your talent!"

"How about this? I will give you two more ranks and make you a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. What do you think?"

The Hanlin Academy Lecturer is second only to the Hanlin Bachelor in the Hanlin Academy and is extremely noble.

Moreover, the imperial lecturer often accompanied the emperor and stood on both sides of the crown prince. He was favored by the emperor and his status was naturally extraordinary.

Yang Shiqi was flattered and said hurriedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"Hu'er thinks highly of you, and I also have high hopes for you."

Lao Zhu stood up and took his hand.

Looking at his expression, he has the same kindness as an old father looking at his beloved children.

Old Zhu earnestly advised: "You must work hard in the future, and don't let down Hu'er's trust and our expectations."

Yang Shiqi was filled with gratitude and said, "Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the King of Wu have shown me kindness, which is as great as the sea and mountains. I will never forget it. I will do my best to serve you until my death!"

Lao Zhu patted him on the shoulder and said, "Okay!"

"We feel relieved that Hu'er has someone like you to assist him."

"I'm tired. I haven't been feeling well these days, so I've been eating light meals. I won't let you stay in the palace for dinner today."

Yang Shiqi knelt down and bowed, saying, "I'm leaving now!"

Then, he stood up respectfully, bowed, bent over, took a few steps back, and then turned and left.

It was not until he walked out of the yard that he realized that he was already soaked with sweat.

Fortunately, it is late autumn now and he has a lot of clothes to wear.

Even if it's soaked inside, it won't be visible from the outside.

There was only the fine layer of sweat on my forehead and cheeks, with nowhere to hide.

He let out a long sigh, and his heartbeat slowly slowed down.

In the past, I heard that a classmate who had taken the imperial examination, passed the exam and had the honor of visiting the palace to pay homage said that the emperor has the majesty of a dragon, and ordinary people would be terrified and unable to control themselves in front of him.

Yang Shiqi always denounced it as false and exaggerated words.

Today, when I met him in person, I realized how terrifying it was for a person who, as a commoner, could lead a group of people to seize a divine weapon.

The emperor's heart is as deep as the ocean, and his power is terrifying and unpredictable.

However, this is also because he was summoned by His Majesty in private and had a one-on-one interview.

He also had to help the King of Wu make plans and achieve his goals, so the difficulty naturally increased sharply.

If I had only been in the main hall, worshipping with everyone else, it would never have come to this.

Yang Shiqi reached out and wiped the sweat from his forehead, saying to himself, "What a luck."

He couldn't help but think of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu, who was able to be so relaxed and at ease in front of His Majesty, and was able to advance and retreat with discretion, and gain His Majesty's trust and recognition in the blink of an eye.

Yang Shiqi didn't think it was surprising at first, but now he realized how difficult it was.

My admiration for His Royal Highness the King of Wu increased even more.

You must know that I am twelve years older than His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu, but I am so unbearable.

The King of Wu was very young, but facing the vast power of heaven and the unfathomable Emperor, he was completely unaware of it, and his words and actions were free and easy.

This ability to make light of heavy tasks is truly amazing.

However, although this time was dangerous, it was not without gain.

Yang Shiqi thought carefully about what had just happened when he met the emperor, and he understood everything.

Receiving rewards is secondary.

It is common to be given an official position when working beside His Royal Highness the King of Wu.

The only thing he had planned before... Yang Shiqi took a deep breath, and thinking back, there should be no problem, so he felt relieved.

I walked a few steps along the same path I came from before and heard a voice.

"Congratulations to Minister Yang, congratulations to Minister Yang."

This voice is very different from that of an ordinary man, and it sounds a bit weird.

The person who spoke was none other than the eunuch who had brought him into the palace before.

"Your Majesty has highly regarded Yang Shijiang, who has been promoted from a commoner to a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy."

"This is extremely rare in our dynasty. Minister Yang has ascended to heaven in one step!"

“I wonder how many students will be envious of this.”

"Lecturer Yang is highly favored by the Emperor. This is cause for celebration." The eunuch's face was full of flattery, which was very different from his attitude when he led him into the palace just now.

"You are overpraising me, sir."

Yang Shiqi bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for leading the way and teaching me. Your Majesty has appreciated my talent. I will always remember your kindness."

"Servant Yang, please don't do this, please don't do this!" The eunuch waved his hands and said, "It is our duty to lead you."

"As for giving instructions, that is absolutely not allowed."

"Mister Yang is a man of great learning and a wealth of knowledge. How can a eunuch like me guide him?"

"Minister Yang, please stop talking like that! If someone hears us, they will laugh at us to death!"

Although he spoke modestly, his face was full of smiles, as if he was filled with joy and couldn't hide it.

He stretched out his hand and pinched his orchid fingers, casually placing them beside his face, and said with some pride, "Let me ask Yang Shijiang to lead the way and take you out of the palace."

"Thank you, sir!" Yang Shiqi bowed slightly.

Then, he followed the eunuch, step by step.

Just like when he entered the palace, he behaved strictly, did not look around, and was well-behaved.

When they reached the square outside, the eunuch looked at them and said with a smile, "This is not the emperor's palace. Yang Shijiang does not need to be so reserved."

"Minister Yang has received an award from His Majesty today, so he should be very happy."

"Although I haven't read much, I still remember a line in a poem."

He thought about it for a while before remembering, "Oh, yes, it's 'The spring breeze is blowing and the horses are galloping, and I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day'."

"Although Yang Shijiang did not pass the imperial examination today, the reward he received has already exceeded that of the top scorer."

"You should be proud of yourself!"

Yang Shiqi bowed slightly towards the eunuch to show his respect.

There was still a faint smile on his face, and he was calm and behaved politely. He was not moved by the eunuch's flattery.

"Good! Good! Good!" The smile on the eunuch's face became even more intense, and his eyes were full of admiration.

"After all, he is someone that both His Majesty and His Royal Highness the King of Wu value very much. He is simply extraordinary."

"But he is more calm than many high-ranking officials in the court."

"Not bad! Not bad! Really good!"

The eunuch praised him again, put his mouth close to Yang Shiqi's ear, and whispered: "My name is Ji Yuan, and it was given by His Majesty himself."

"I work for His Majesty, so I have some respect in the palace."

"Minister Yang, if you need our help in the future, just let me know."

"We will do our best to help Minister Yang get things done."

Yang Shiqi's face suddenly changed, and he said sternly: "The court has regulations. Yang is an outsider and cannot have private contact with the eunuchs in the palace."

"Father-in-law, Yang doesn't dare to respond to what you said."

"I hope you will be careful with your words and actions and don't let down the emperor's grace."

Yoshigaki's expression suddenly became very ugly.

He looked at Yang Shiqi deeply, said no more, turned around with a stern face, and sent him out of the palace.

……

The backyard of the palace.

After Yang Shiqi left, Old Zhu was still sitting in the pavilion.

He has indeed been a bit dazed lately.

For example, right now.

A person sits quietly, not moving at all.

I don’t know what I’m thinking.

The eunuch Ji Yuan, who had just gone to see Yang Shiqi off, walked in with very small steps and light hands, bent down and called softly, "Your Majesty!"

Old Zhu's expression remained unchanged, his body still as still as a mountain, and he asked calmly, "How is it?"

"I have tried it, but Yang Shiqi is unmoved."

He recounted all his previous conversations with Yang Shiqi, including what he said when he sent Yang Shiqi into the palace, from beginning to end, in detail.

It also talks about Yang Shiqi's behavior, his reaction after the conversation, etc.

After listening to him, Old Zhu nodded and suddenly asked softly, "You said, was Biao'er's death really just due to a cold?"

A bolt from the blue!

A sudden thunderclap out of nowhere!
Yoshigaki's face was filled with horror, his body was shaking, how could he dare to answer?

Fortunately, Lao Zhu did not force him to answer, as if he was just talking to himself.

After saying this, he fell into deep thought again.

A full incense stick of time passed.

Old Zhu suddenly said, "Go check it out."

"Check all the medicines and meals Biaoer has taken since he fell ill, as well as their sources and the people who handled them."

"And Ying'er, our good grandson, the horse he rode... and the people who came into contact with him, and the people who came into contact with the horse."

"By the way, let's investigate the death of Concubine Chang to see if there is any other hidden story behind it."

"Remember, this must be done in secret, and no one should be alerted."

"Understand?"

When Lao Zhu said these words, his tone was very light, just like the casual autumn breeze.

As if nothing happened.

Yoshigaki's face had already turned extremely pale, and the fear in his heart was beyond words, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions.

"Yes, I understand!"

After he finished speaking, he was about to turn around and leave when Lao Zhu spoke again.

"Also, check what Wen'er's mother, Concubine Lu, did and said on a daily basis."

"Also, arrange for someone to keep an eye on her."

"From today on, we must know every word she says, every word she writes, and every thing she does."

……

(End of this chapter)