Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 100 Bird's-eye View

"what?!"

Yan Maoqing was so shocked he almost fell off the carriage; he could hardly believe his ears.

Only three days!
Including the unexpected morning court session that caught all the civil and military officials off guard, Zhu Houcong had only been in power for less than three days before he was assassinated in such a short time.

What kind of organizational efficiency is this, that it can be so fast?
Could it be that the palace has long been infiltrated, so that anyone behind the scenes could assassinate the emperor at any time?
So it goes without saying that he didn't have time to warn Zhu Houcong.

Even if a warning were immediately issued through someone else after the morning court session, the other party might hesitate due to a lack of evidence, and by the time they submit a memorial or apply to enter the palace for an audience with the emperor, it would still be too late.

They might even be branded as accomplices of the assassin because they can't explain why they issued the warning, which could end up harming themselves and others!
The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty is too murky; I want to go back to the countryside immediately!

"Shangguan, is His Majesty alright?"

After finally calming down, Yan Maoqing couldn't help but ask again.

“Commander Lu has already entered the palace overnight. No one knows what the situation is like inside the palace. It’s best if Yan Jishi doesn’t ask any more questions. At this juncture, the more you say, the more mistakes you make; the less you say, the less mistakes you make.”

The Jinyiwei official gave a wry smile, dutifully lifted the curtain of Yan Maoqing's carriage to take a look, and only after confirming that he was the only one in the carriage did he wave his hand to order his men to let him pass.

Even if the emperor is assassinated, Mao (a male figure in Chinese folklore) should still be more normal.

Especially at times like these, it is crucial to ensure the normal operation of all departments and offices of the imperial court; otherwise, widespread panic could lead to even greater chaos.

Of course, there's no need to attend the morning court session.

Because the palace would not easily let anyone in, nor would it easily let anyone out.

Officials from various departments could only go directly to their respective departments located in the Thousand Steps Corridor to report for duty, and then wait in place for orders.

"..."

Yan Maoqing lowered the curtain and sat back in the carriage, his heart filled with even more worry.

Many people will be implicated in this matter, and among Yan Maoqing's acquaintances, Xu Shen, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, will naturally be the first to be affected.

If Zhu Houcong were to fall into a coma due to an assassination attempt, as in history, then Xu Shen, who now has the reputation of being a "miracle doctor," would meet the condition of "with great power comes great responsibility." Even if no one in the Imperial Hospital recommended him, he would have to bite the bullet and take action himself.

In that case, it's uncertain whether Xu Shen will be scared to death as he was in history.

However, due to the different timing, this assassination attempt may not necessarily be the "Renyin Palace Coup" that he knew about.

The most important thing right now is to find out as much information as possible.

Perhaps news has already reached Qianbu Corridor, and he will be able to learn more details when he arrives at the Hanlin Academy.

……

Yude Palace.

"Humph--"

Zhu Houcong, covered in blood, sat upright on a chaise longue. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, were trembling uncontrollably, yet he still managed to maintain a facade of dignity.

Not far away was a yellow flower bed frame with a doorway stained with blood. The bodies of two palace maids lay beside the bed, with several gruesome wounds on their bodies.

It's truly impossible to guard against!
Actually, Yan Maoqing didn't need to remind him at all.

A few days ago, when he ordered Huang Jin to take out his leather cap and robes to attend the morning court, he had already made up his mind to take a gamble and made the corresponding mental preparations.

Therefore, in the past few days, he has secretly ordered Lu Bing to increase the intensity of patrols by the Imperial Guards in the palace, and vowed never to go near water for the rest of his life in order to prevent any accidents from happening.

How could the Ming emperors not know that it was "easily soluble in water"?

It was precisely because he had never been involved in anything related to water that "fire" was always by his side.

However, what he never expected was.

This time, it wasn't "fire" that killed him, but a completely different, unprecedented method: a dozen palace maids were orchestrated to assassinate him!

It's no wonder he was caught off guard... Throughout history, although the ways in which emperors died varied, it was unprecedented for one to be assassinated by a palace maid!

If he were to die at the hands of these palace maids today, he would surely be remembered in history.

After all, as the only emperor in history to die at the hands of palace maids, even ten thousand years from now, he will surely still be a topic of conversation for people to enjoy.

His death will also completely shake the imperial authority and dignity of future dynasties.

The impact of this event will be far more profound and severe than the murder of Emperor Cao Mao of Wei by Sima Zhao in the street!

The biggest difference is...

Cao Mao died, but at least he left behind a reputation for integrity, saying, "I would rather die as the Duke of Gaogui than live as Emperor Xian of Han."

If he were to die like this, he would be the emperor who died the most humiliating, pathetic, and lowly death in history...

"call--!"

Zhu Houcong let out a long breath and felt that he had recovered a little. The pain from being strangled seemed to have subsided, and his breathing was easier.

Now that I've recovered, my whole body aches again, and a feeling of exhaustion washes over me...

Fortunately, this time he was prepared and had taken precautions beforehand.

After that morning court session, he carried a short sword with him at all times. No matter which concubine's palace he slept in, he would always hide it under the edge of the bed to avoid being seen or heard.

Even Huang Jin was completely unaware of this matter.

Since he was moved by Yan Maoqing and decided to do something that was almost life-threatening, how could he not be prepared to risk his life at any time?
It was precisely because of this little-known short sword that he was able to cut the rope in a moment of crisis and launch a counterattack from a desperate situation...

happy!

It turns out that this kind of scathing counterattack is so refreshing, far more satisfying than the previous cautious and prudent power-balancing tactics!

Kill me?
To harm me?

In ancient times, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty used Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to drive out the Xiongnu, and finally achieved the feat of sealing the wolf's lair!
Now, I have employed Yan Maoqing's ingenious plan to subdue the Tatars without firing a single shot. In no time, the Tatars will dig up the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain themselves and deliver it to me. What do you think?

Tooth for tooth, eye for eye!
I am right here. This is my empire. Use all your schemes and tricks!
"..."

Standing to the side, Huang Jin looked at Zhu Houcong, who was covered in blood but had a calm expression, and felt a sense of unfamiliarity, as if he were in another world.

The emperor secretly possessed a weapon and, without waiting for the guards to come to his rescue, single-handedly killed two assassins, scaring the remaining assassins into scattering and fleeing.
He had been by Zhu Houcong's side since childhood, so when had he ever seen such a fierce Zhu Houcong?
The Emperor seems to have changed, undergoing a complete transformation!
The catalyst for this transformation... Huang Jin immediately thought of someone.
—Yan Maoqing!

It seems that the transformation began quietly from the moment he appeared before the emperor!

Huang Jin suddenly thought of someone else.
—Guo Xun, Duke of Yi!

Not only did the emperor undergo a transformation, but Guo Xun also underwent a strange transformation!

His initiative to volunteer at the morning court a few days ago is the best evidence of this, something that even the emperor holding a knife to his throat could not have happened before!

It's as if Yan Maoqing possesses an invisible magic that influences everyone who comes into contact with him, causing unimaginable transformations—even the Emperor is no exception…

Just as I was thinking this.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, and Lu Bing quickly entered:
"Your Majesty, I have been torturing the assassins for a long time, and three of them have already died. I have not yet been able to find out who the mastermind is."

"Please grant me more time, Your Majesty. I will bring the assassins back to the Northern Garrison and torture them thoroughly with instruments of torture. I am confident that we will be able to pry their mouths open!"

"You're not allowed to go anywhere; you must ask within the palace!"

Zhu Houcong shouted loudly, then waved his hand at Huang Jin.

"Huang Ban, go and fetch Yan Maoqing. He has the most ingenious ideas and might be able to find out the mastermind quickly, lest the traitor take the opportunity to escape."

(End of this chapter)