Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 19 Cleaning up the portal
The Imperial Guard Commandery was established in the second year of the Hongwu reign by replacing the original Guard Office.

It was originally under the jurisdiction of the Grand Marshal's Office, but was later separated by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Responsible for the imperial palace guards and the emperor's travel ceremonials.

It consists of five armies: front, rear, left, right, and center, plus the Yiluansi.

The people here are not only tall and strong, skilled in archery and horse riding, but also need to be absolutely loyal to the emperor!

This is also understandable.

He was assigned to guard the imperial city and was in charge of ceremonials. How could he succeed without being tall and strong, and skilled in archery and horse riding?

As for loyalty to the emperor, that goes without saying.

But now, the loyalty that Zhu Yuanzhang cared about most had problems.

Moreover, the person in question was Cao Xiu, the right commander of the Royal Guard Commandery and the second-in-command with real power!
Someone he particularly trusted.

How could Zhu Yuanzhang not feel complicated and uncomfortable?
The personnel in the Royal Guard Commandant's Office can be roughly divided into two categories.

One category is the sons and nephews of noble ministers and senior generals.

The tradition of people of this status serving as guards has been around for a long time and has been proven to have many benefits.

These included, but were not limited to, relatively high loyalty, good physical fitness, and being by the emperor's side, which could foster a relationship between them and the emperor, providing them with a good family background. Furthermore, if their fathers turned traitor, they could also be taken hostage.

Another category is the sons left behind by soldiers who died during Zhu Yuanzhang's conquest of the world and were raised by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Then he was taken into the residence of the commander of the imperial guards.

There is no need to worry about the loyalty of these people.

After Zhu Yuanzhang gave the order, he ordered people to bring incense, candles, paper money, fire basins, offerings and other items.

Right here in the Wuying Hall, he personally built a simple mourning hall.

He lit the incense and candles, placed the offerings, and bowed earnestly to the tablet of Godmother Wang that he had written with his own hands.

Then he squatted in front of the brazier and burned paper money.

The figure of Ganniang Wang appeared in his mind, as well as the scene of Ganniang Wang taking out food to help him go to Huangjue Temple.

Although it wasn't long before Huangjue Temple closed due to famine, he didn't even have a few meals there before he was forced to wander again and became a beggar.

But after all, I have received favors.

"Godmother, I will always remember your kindness and will always repay it.

It has been almost twenty years since I gained some skills.

If you are still alive, you will know how we treated him over the years.

I want to continue to repay this kindness so that it can benefit your descendants.

But, godmother, your son has forgotten his roots!
He doesn't want this grace anymore.

A little bit of kindness, a big bit of hatred..."

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse...

……

Led by Eunuch Wang, Cao Xiu came to Wuying Palace.

He was in a relatively relaxed mood.

Although His Majesty suddenly ordered all the personnel of the Imperial Guards' Office to gather, and specifically selected me to come to Wuying Palace to see him.

Although he turned a blind eye and did not perform his duties conscientiously when Liao Yongzhong's house was raided last night.

But he still didn't have too many worries in his heart.

He didn't do anything wrong, he just let it cool a little bit, and he did it very secretly.

Your Majesty certainly doesn't know.

Even if he really knew, Your Majesty would not punish himself.

My mother has done a great favor to Zhu Yuanzhang!
Zhu Yuanzhang must not repay kindness with enmity!

Nor dare to repay kindness with enmity!
This is where his greatest confidence comes from!
As soon as Cao Xiu arrived at the Wuying Palace, he saw the smoke coming out and smelled the familiar smell of burning paper money. He was a little surprised and didn't know what the emperor was doing.

When Eunuch Wang went in to report, Zhu Yuanzhang let him in. When he saw the layout of the Wuying Hall, Cao Xiu became even more confused.

Isn’t this where the emperor handles important military and political affairs?

Why are you setting up a mourning hall here for no reason?
However, after seeing what was written on the makeshift tablet, his doubts disappeared.

The only remaining worry in my heart also completely dissipated.

Who is qualified to have the emperor personally set up a mourning hall in the Wuying Palace to hold a memorial service?
Only my own mother!
Liu Ying's father Liu Dadu is not as good as him!

He first saluted Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, pointed at the remaining paper money, and signaled Cao Xiu to burn some as well.

Cao Xiu knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times in front of the tablet.

Pick up the paper money and put it into the brazier.

"Mom, you died too early!
I couldn't enjoy a peaceful life.

If you live a few more years, you will see how successful the superiors are and how well they treat our family..."

He spoke as he burned paper. His voice was soft at first, but grew louder and more emotional as he spoke.

After a while, her eyes were red and tears were falling.

Zhu Yuanzhang was watching coldly. How could he not know that Cao Xiu was taking the opportunity to act, and was speaking so emotionally just to repay his kindness?
Everything was fine in the past, but now, after committing crimes repeatedly, he still resorts to this trick. He is fooling himself like a fool!
Do you really think you can't be cruel?

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was a little overwhelmed by my emotions for a moment."

Cao Xiuhao spoke tearfully, feeling that she had said everything she needed to say, and her emotions were all on point, and only then did she stop crying.

He stood up with tears in his eyes and apologized to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"It's okay. Mother and child are connected by heart. It's human nature. You are expressing your true feelings."

Zhu Yuanzhang's affirmation made Cao Xiu feel even more pleased.

I feel that what I did just now was right.

"From today on, you no longer need to serve as the Right Commandant of the Imperial Guards."

Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of talking to him any further and went straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Cao Xiu was shocked at first, and then overjoyed.

The emperor finally came to his senses and wanted to promote himself and get promoted!
I just don't know whether to let me be the left commander and become the top leader, or be promoted to another position.

Thanks to his mother's great kindness to Zhu Yuanzhang, he felt that any promotion Zhu Yuanzhang gave him would not be excessive.

When he was conferring the title, he felt that he would definitely not be able to get the title of Duke, but being a Marquis was still enough.

But the result was that the emperor didn't even give him the title of earl!

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang finally found his conscience and prepared to promote himself!
Thinking of this, my heart was already filled with joy.

The upturned corners of his mouth couldn't be suppressed no matter how hard he tried.

That fool Liu Ying is no match for me after all!

"All your official positions will be stripped away, and you will become a commoner.

Your talents and your character are not suitable for being an official.

If your virtue is unworthy of your position, it will only bring you death."

Zhu Yuanzhang's calm voice sounded.

With a loud bang, it was like a thunder suddenly exploding in my mind.

Cao Xiu's body shook, and the smile that was trying hard to suppress froze in an instant.

He subconsciously looked up at the emperor, his face full of disbelief.

What did the dog emperor say?

By not letting me take up the position of Right Commandant of the Imperial Guards, wasn't it to give me a promotion, but to make me a commoner?!
Why? !

How dare he! !

"Your Majesty, I...I am loyal to Your Majesty, work diligently, and have never made a mistake.

This this……"

Although I was angry, I didn't dare to show it. All I could express was fear, astonishment, and confusion...

"Loyal? Never made a mistake?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered and stared at Cao Xiu, saying, "In front of your godmother's tablet, do you dare to say it again?"

Cao Xiu hesitated for a moment, then knelt down in front of Wang Ganniang's tablet with a thud.

"Mother, when you were alive, you loved me the most and knew my character well.

The kid isn't the type to lie.

Your Majesty has been very kind to our family. I am where I am today thanks to your support.

How could I be ungrateful and let Your Majesty down?

This child is truly loyal to His Majesty!"

As he spoke, tears began to flow again and he kowtowed repeatedly.

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw this, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

This was his last chance to suppress his anger and give Cao Xiu, but Cao Xiu remained like this.

Then there is nothing he can do.

"Godmother, you saw it all..."

Zhu Yuanzhang said something in a low voice, walked forward, picked up the tablet of Ganniang Wang with both hands, gently put it down, and covered it with a white cloth.

It was held respectfully and taken out.

After doing this, he turned around and walked to the side of Cao Xiu who was kneeling on the ground.

No more hesitation.

He suddenly drew out the sword and thrust it into his neck from the back, with the tip of the sword protruding more than three inches from his throat!
Cao Xiu's body trembled suddenly, his eyes suddenly widened, and his face was filled with extreme disbelief!

(End of this chapter)