Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 43 A ruler who is obsessed with beauty, neglects state affairs, and shuts out dissent—what a foolish ruler!
"My dear Wang, I appoint you as the assistant commander of the capital's military administration. Didn't you say you wanted 200,000 troops? Go and train them. We'll talk about recovering Liaodong when they're fully trained," Zhu Youjian said with a smile.

"Your Majesty!" Wang Zaijin cried out anxiously.

"I am tired. Let's end the court session here. Court adjourned!" After saying this, Zhu Youjian did not wait for the court officials to react before getting up and leaving, leaving the officials looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Prime Minister, what is the reason for this?" Wang Zaijin's face was pale, and he looked dazed. His sparse white beard trembled slightly as he spoke.

"Lord Mingchu, don't worry, His Majesty doesn't dislike you, it's just... alas." Huang Liji sighed softly. In terms of seniority, Wang Zaijin was older than him. He paused, then leaned closer and whispered, "It's just that our Emperor seems to lack ambition. When the court was first recommended, you weren't chosen; it was His Majesty who rejected you. It was only in the second recommendation that you were selected. His Majesty chose you because he valued your composure. Your words today have astonished His Majesty. How could His Majesty possibly employ you?!"

Wang Zaijin suddenly realized, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. Huang Liji grasped his somewhat cold hand and patted the back of it.

"Does His Majesty intend to abandon Liaodong?!" A minor official in blue robes, who was whispering with his friend, suddenly exclaimed. Although he kept his voice down, he still attracted the attention of a group of high-ranking officials in red robes. However, the bigwigs only glanced at him and did not deign to speak with him.

Surrounded by a group of powerful figures, the young scholar in blue robes broke out in a sweat. Once everyone's attention was diverted, he quickly grabbed his friend and slipped away into the nobles' group.

The nobles didn't care who was in charge of Liaodong anyway; it wasn't their turn as military officers, it was all the civil officials who were fighting over it. So, as soon as the emperor left court, they all made their escape. Shouldn't a mascot have some sense of propriety? Wouldn't it be better to leave court early and go to a brothel to listen to music?
"Does His Majesty truly intend to abandon Liaodong?!" someone couldn't help but ask.

"In the past, Emperor Gaozu wielded his sword to pacify the Central Plains, and Emperor Chengzu launched five expeditions to the northern deserts. When did they ever consider retreat? Liaodong is the throat of the capital! The Jurchens have occupied Liaoyang and slaughtered Guangning. If we allow them to grow stronger, one day their iron cavalry will knock on the pass. Can Juyong Pass stop the Jurchen's powerful cavalry?" another person said with a frown.

"Absolutely! Ningyuan and Jinzhou are like sharp blades drawn from their sheaths, piercing the Jurchens' ribs. Their country is now suffering from a great famine, and both the Mongols and Korea harbor disloyal intentions. This is the time for Heaven to destroy the Later Jin! If we retreat now, our morale will collapse, and there will be no chance of recovery!" an official from the Ministry of War echoed. He felt that Minister Wang's strategy for pacifying Liaodong was excellent; even if it consumed a great deal of money and resources, it could be delayed. The five-year pacification of Liaodong could be changed to a ten-year plan.

"If Liaodong is abandoned, the people and officials of Liaodong will be disheartened!" the Liaodong Circuit Inspector cried out in anguish. He was the most heartbroken of them all, for his hometown was in Liaodong, yet he could not return home. Hearing the ministers' arguments and their speculations about the Emperor's intentions, his heart was breaking.

"We were ready to fight to the death, but why has Your Majesty surrendered first?!"

"The late Emperor devoted himself to the recapture of Liaodong, yet the current Emperor has abandoned it. How can we face the spirit of the late Emperor in heaven? As his subjects, we cannot stand by and watch His Majesty bear the infamy of abandoning this territory. We should speak frankly and remonstrate with him to try and change His Majesty's mind. I am determined to petition the Emperor. Are you all willing to come with me?"

"How magnificent! It should be so! I am willing to go!"

Zhu Youjian, who had just returned to the palace, was still in a bad mood. He had asked the eunuch to make him some tea, but before he could even drink two cups, he heard the news that his ministers were causing trouble at the Qianqing Gate, which made him even more upset.

"Wei Zhongxian?!"

"Chen is here!"

"Take a detachment of elite troops to reinforce the White-Hand Guards. Do not harm anyone! You keep knocking on the palace gates every day, it's endless and it's driving me crazy," Zhu Youjian said with a gloomy face.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take care of it immediately," Wei Zhongxian said, his back hunched. He paused for a moment, then asked again, "Has His Majesty given any imperial edict?"

"Hmm, have them register at your place and see who isn't planning to leave at noon, so that the Court of Imperial Sacrifices can prepare meals for them," Zhu Youjian said calmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wei Zhongxian's eyes narrowed with a smile; the emperor was known for his ability to ridicule people.

Outside the Qianqing Gate, a squad of white-pole guards stood at attention, their long spears laid flat. A gleaming spear tip was pressed against the nose of the Grand Secretary; one inch further and blood would have been drawn.

"You scoundrel, how dare you be disrespectful to the Grand Secretary?!" someone shouted angrily. However, Xiang Galu just rolled his eyes, thinking, "Who the hell do you think you are? What is the Grand Secretary? I haven't eaten your rice, why should I listen to you?! We White-Clad Guards only obey the Emperor's orders!"

Hearing the man still babbling on, Xiang Galu raised the tip of his spear three inches higher, aiming it directly at Huang Liji's eyes. Huang Liji felt a surge of fear and involuntarily took two steps back. He was filled with resentment. Before, when they wanted to see the emperor, no one dared to stop them. Now, these barbarian soldiers had changed sides, showing no respect for etiquette whatsoever. They were truly hateful.

Soon after, Wei Zhongxian arrived and conveyed the emperor's edict in a sarcastic tone.

Hearing that the Emperor was going to invite them to dinner again, and damn it, it was a meal from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, many people turned pale. The more astute ones discreetly retreated behind the crowd, preparing to slip away at any moment. It seemed the Emperor was determined not to see them today.

"Outrageous! You tyrant! You are such a tyrant!"

"A ruler who is greedy for beauty, neglects state affairs, and shuts out dissent is destined to bring about the downfall of his country!"

"When the late Emperor was critically ill, he said, 'My brother should be like Yao and Shun.' How can Your Majesty's actions now live up to the late Emperor's expectations?"

"Shut up! How dare you slander the emperor and father! What is your punishment?!" Wei Zhongxian shouted angrily.

"Wei the eunuch, it was you who bewitched the emperor, I'll beat you to death!"

"Traitors and villains bring disaster to the country and its people. Everyone has the right to kill them. Don't stop me, I'm going to purge the court of these treacherous officials today!"

With a whoosh, Wei Zhongxian drew his sword and said to the White-Pole Guard, "Let him come over!"

"And who are you?" The white-armed guard glanced at Wei Zhongxian, pursed his lips, and remained unmoved.

Wei Zhongxian was caught off guard. He calmly sheathed his sword, but he had achieved his goal. Those men who had just been clamoring to kill him were now pale-faced and dared not utter a sound.

"Come on, sign and put your fingerprints on this!" Wei Zhongxian led his eunuchs to collect signatures from one person after another, claiming it was to tally lunches, but who dared to sign?! ​​Signing this thing would probably lead to retribution later, and the ruin of their families, right?! The officials avoided it like the plague, scattering like birds and beasts.

Watching the group leave, Wei Zhongxian sneered. How dare these scoundrels bare their teeth at him?! Wei Zhongxian was already plotting how to frame them.

"They're gone?!" Zhu Youjian asked, reclining on his chair.

"Your Majesty, they have all left, but in my opinion, this matter is probably not over yet. Just now, I heard them complaining about Your Majesty!" Wei Zhongxian said angrily.

Zhu Youjian raised his eyelids and glanced at Wei Zhongxian, then said indifferently, "Let them be. It won't hurt them to be scolded."

"Your Majesty is very magnanimous!" Wei Zhongxian praised, but a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.

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(End of this chapter)