Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 13 You bastard, are you sweating all over?

Hu Weiyong's mind went blank for a moment, and he was stunned by Zhu Yuanzhang's reaction.

When he was most proud and thought he had won the battle, he suddenly heard such news. Even if he thought he was scheming and had amazing strategies, he still couldn't resist it.

Zhu Yuanzhang's reaction was completely beyond his expectations.

In order to get rid of Liu Bowen, he had already started to take advantage of the opportunity to flatter Zhu Yuanzhang without leaving any trace.

The first time he told Zhu Yuanzhang that Liao Yongzhong was engaged in large-scale illegal salt trafficking and undermining the Sino-Japanese War.

This hinted to Zhu Yuanzhang that Liao Yongzhong was indeed responsible for the death of the Little Ming King because he listened to Yang Xian's advice.

But Yang Xian was just a superficial person. The person who really came up with this idea was Yang Xian's teacher Liu Bowen.

The reason why Liu Bowen came up with this idea was to prevent the emperor from inheriting the legal system of the Song Dynasty and force him to accept the legal system of the Yuan Dynasty.

The reason was also hinted at. Recognizing the orthodox legal system of the Song Dynasty, a Han dynasty, had no impact on the emperor or those who followed the emperor to conquer the world.

However, for many people who had served as officials in the Yuan Dynasty, represented by Liu Bowen, the impact was enormous.

As the inheritor of the Song Dynasty's legal system, the Yuan Dynasty was bound to be labeled a pseudo-dynasty.

Liu Bowen and many other people who passed the imperial examinations and served as officials in the Yuan Dynasty all had stains on them that could not be washed away.

On the contrary, if one inherits the legal system of the Yuan Dynasty and recognizes its legitimacy, these past experiences will still be glorious.

Although he had not said these things too directly, he believed that with the emperor's intelligence, he would definitely be able to figure it out.

Hu Weiyong also knew that the incident of the young Ming King sinking the boat at Guabu was a source of worry for Zhu Yuanzhang.

Yang Xian's secret speculation of the emperor's intentions and Liao Yongzhong's reckless behavior not only cut off Zhu Yuanzhang's plan to let the young Ming King abdicate and inherit the legal system of the Song Dynasty in a decent manner.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also charged with the crime of killing the young Ming King.

It's like yellow mud falling into your crotch. It's shit if it's not, and it can't be washed clean.

Even though the emperor later executed Yang Xian and announced Yang Xian's crime, he clearly stated that Liao Yongzhong colluded with Confucian scholars, presumptuously guessed the emperor's intentions, and killed the young Ming King.

But this thorn must still be deeply embedded in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also a very suspicious and vindictive person.

And his attitude towards Liu Bowen has always been awkward.

He wanted to reuse him, but he was always worried that Liu Bowen and he were not on the same page.

He used the death of the young Ming King to flatter Zhu Yuanzhang. I'm afraid Zhu Yuanzhang must have hated Liu Bowen to death in his heart.

This time, three partially burned letters were found in Liao Yongzhong's residence.

Liu Bowen must die!
Moreover, at the New Year's Eve banquet last night, the superiors also clearly stated that they would send an imperial physician to treat Liu Bowen.

This is equivalent to announcing Liu Bowen's death sentence.

According to his understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang, after this series of events, he would definitely kill Liu Bowen.

There is no need to worry at all. Liu Bowen will be summoned and questioned about these three letters.

He had already completed the final kill of Liu Bowen.

But who could have thought that at the last moment, Zhu Yuanzhang would actually do such a thing!
How could Hu Weiyong not be confused by this?!

"Sir, Lord Chengyi has been ill for many years. Since the beginning of winter this year, his lung disease has become more serious.

I heard that he hasn't gone out for more than a month.

It's freezing cold now, and I'm afraid it would be hard to endure this journey, right?"

Hu Weiyong tried hard to suppress the turmoil in his heart.

He wanted Liu Bowen dead, but for the first time in his life he began to care about Liu Bowen's health.

The emperor really didn't dare to summon Liu Bowen for questioning!

Zhu Yuanzhang took in Hu Weiyong's reaction and couldn't help but smile to himself.

You bastard, are you sweating all over?

"It's okay. Liu Bowen has a headache or an itchy bottom all day long. He says he's sick every year and often takes sick leave, but he always gets through it.

Who knows if he is really sick or just faking it?"

From Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Hu Weiyong heard that the emperor distrusted and had opinions about Liu Bowen.

In the past, he would have been very happy.

But now, he really couldn't be happy at all.

"Please understand."

Apart from saying this, Hu Weiyong didn't know what else to say.

It is definitely impossible to persuade the emperor not to let Liu Bowen come.

Doing so would only make things worse and make the emperor suspicious of him.

This is even more counterproductive.

Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his head and continued to read the letter. In his mind, many pieces of information about Hu Weiyong kept emerging.

If he had not lived his life over again, he really would not have imagined that this seemingly capable and loyal person would actually be so bold as to rebel against him in the future!
As a result, he let Hu Weiyong be bitten to death by a mosquito and abolished the prime minister system and the Secretariat.

In the two Hu Weiyong cases, so many people were dealt with.

Although there are no modern records of the second Hu Weiyong case, it is not as exaggerated as the killing of tens of thousands of people.

But many people were executed for this, especially high-ranking officials...

Hu Weiyong obviously didn't know what Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking. At this time, he was still thinking about what method to use to make things perfect.

While not allowing Liu Bowen to live, he could also ensure that the higher-ups would continue to favor and trust him...

……

"Father, what...what does His Majesty mean? Why is he suddenly summoning father to the palace at this time?"

At the residence of Marquis Chengyi, Liu Lian, the eldest son of Liu Bowen, asked with some uneasiness.

The thin Liu Bowen was coughing while getting dressed with the help of Liu Lian.

"Either it's because I didn't attend the New Year's Eve dinner last night, or it's related to Liao Yongzhong causing a disturbance in the Golden Palace, leading to his house being confiscated and his execution..."

"Or... none of my guesses are right... cough cough cough..."

After Liu Bowen finished speaking, he couldn't help coughing.

Just getting up and putting on clothes made him a little breathless.

Liu Bowen, a very smart man, was originally quite confident in his words, but when he thought of the emperor's inhumane behavior over the years, he became unconfident again.

Over the years, Liu Bowen has suffered psychological trauma from Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Father, your body..."

Liu Bowen shook his head: "Now is not the time to worry about your health. The more you worry about your health, the faster you will die."

After that, he comforted Liu Lian: "Don't worry, your father will be fine for the time being.

Ahem… It’s better for Your Majesty to summon me at this time than not to summon me…”

A moment later, Liu Bowen got on the donkey cart, and Liu Lian drove the car himself, following the people from the palace all the way to the imperial city.

Sitting in the car, Liu Bowen coughed from time to time, feeling uneasy and sad.

I have become so ill that I have no interest in officialdom, let alone fighting.

I just want to go back to my hometown in Qingtian to retire, but why do troubles still find me?
This time, I'm afraid it's more dangerous than good...

……

"Your Majesty, I, Liu Bowen, pay my respects to you. I wish you all the best, ahem…"

In the Wuying Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang subconsciously wanted to stay away from Liu Bowen, who looked much thinner and coughed from time to time.

And get a mask and put it on Liu Bowen.

"No need to be polite, just sit down."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and someone immediately brought a brocade cushion.

Liu Bowen thanked him and then carefully placed half of his buttocks on the brocade cushion.

"Uncle Chengyi, you are seriously ill. I just don't know...how true is this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang habitually frightened the old man.

As soon as these words were spoken, Liu Bowen, whose butt had just touched the stool, felt as if his butt was burned by an iron, and he quickly knelt on the ground to explain:

"My lung disease is an old one that I have had for a long time. It often relapses, especially in winter.

I am seriously ill and would never dare to deceive Your Majesty!
Cough cough cough…”

Liu Bowen began to regret again.

If I had known this would happen, I would have forced myself to attend the New Year's Eve dinner yesterday.

But after this idea came to his mind, he quickly rejected it.

If I were to attend, it would only confirm His Majesty's suspicion that I was faking illness.

When Liu Bowen met Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, he felt extremely tired.

It seems like no matter what I do, it's wrong...

Looking at Liu Bowen kneeling on the ground, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment and sniffed secretly.

This habit of many years is really hard to change.

I had secretly made up my mind not to scare him, but now, as soon as we met, I couldn't help but scare him...

"Get up, we called Mr. Liu here this time not to study whether he is really sick or not, but to show him something."

Liu Bowen, whose heart was beating fast, was stunned for a moment.

It’s not because of Zhu Yuanzhang that he doesn’t care whether he is really sick or not.

It was because he actually heard the title "Mr. Liu" from the emperor's mouth again.

This name is quite old!
Your Majesty has not called yourself this for several years.

"Prime Minister Hu, give the things to Lord Chengyi and let him take a good look at them."

Hu Weiyong took the order and handed the three burned letters to Liu Bowen.

Hu Weiyong had already thought of a countermeasure, although Zhu Yuanzhang's move of calling Liu Bowen was really unexpected to him.

But it is not so easy for Liu Bowen to escape from danger in this way!
Liao Yongzhong has passed away and the letter was burned like this.

Even Liu Bowen had no way to prove that this letter was not a thank-you letter he wrote after receiving a huge sum of money from Liao Yongzhong!

This way, there is a lot to talk about.

Liu Bowen took the letter and read it, and the confusion on his face was quickly replaced by joy.

"Your Majesty, this is the letter I wrote as a routine reply after Liao Yongzhong sent me a gift and I declined it..."

Upon hearing this, Hu Weiyong smiled to himself. It was exactly as he had expected.

He immediately prepared to accuse Liu Bowen.

But Liu Bowen's voice continued: "All these letters have been kept in copies and are stored in my home.

I have asked my son to bring it to you. If you compare it with these three letters, Your Majesty will naturally understand that every word I have said is true."

Hu Weiyong: ???!!!
(End of this chapter)