Chapter 53: The True Mandate of the Nation!

"Emperor Taizong did not kill!"

"Emperor Renzong did not kill!"

"During my reign, I was repeatedly contradicted by Yu Qian and never once killed him! After all that, you, foolish woman, are the one to end his life!?"

Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, was beside himself with rage. He had always known that Lady Sun was greedy for power, yet utterly ignorant of its workings, merely imitating others without understanding. Never had he imagined that a moment of softness, leaving her in the world of the living, would nearly bring upon Ming the disgrace suffered in the Jingkang Incident!

Had he not intervened today to stop Ma Shun from framing the loyal and good, allowing him to throw Yu Qian and others into the imperial prison, and then let this villain name a few disliked ministers to accuse as conspirators...

If Yu Qian’s head fell, the court and country would be plunged into chaos!

Ming would be doomed!

What defense of the capital? They’d simply relocate to Nanjing and set up a petty court!

Heaven’s wrath! The look in Great-Grandfather’s eyes just now—he nearly took me away!

Shaken and furious, Emperor Xuande’s hand holding the divine tablet trembled slightly.

“Your Majesty~”

Lady Sun instantly transformed into a meek, delicate woman, throwing herself forward, sobbing softly, pitifully: “Your Majesty, is it really you who has returned?”

“You…”

Emperor Xuande’s body stiffened, his anger mysteriously dissipating by half.

Fawning above, bullying below!

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di frowned, their expressions darkening in disapproval.

Hongxi, the plump elder, quickly slapped Emperor Xuande’s forehead, scolding, “Child, you really are starved for this! She’s nearly as bad as your second mother!”

“Great-Grandfather, Grandfather, I was wrong!” Emperor Xuande retreated in shame, shielding the two young Zhus of Yongle and Hongxi behind him.

He couldn’t withstand it, truly couldn’t! Even though Lady Sun was well past her prime, she still exuded a lingering charm; that seductive air was etched in her very bones.

“Ji, Ji…” Lady Sun, seeing three Zhu Zhanjis, was dumbfounded. How was she supposed to serve all of them?

“Silence!”

The young Zhus of Yongle and Hongxi frowned, immediately snapped, harshly, their affections reserved for the youthful, tender Sun Ruowei!

They had nothing to do with this Lady Sun, whose skin sagged and beauty faded!

Lady Sun cast a resentful glance their way, her eyes moist, as if suffering a great injustice.

Below the hall—

“Taizong, Renzong, Xuanzong Emperors!?”

The ministers, both civil and military, looked at each other in bewilderment. Especially upon seeing two Renzongs and three Xuanzongs, their minds filled with questions, unable to make sense of it.

Could it be that Xuanzong had split himself into three?

A few devout Daoist officials let their imaginations run wild.

Yu Qian acted decisively, sweeping his robe as he bowed: “I, Yu Qian, welcome the manifest spirits of Ming’s illustrious ancestors!”

Only then did the ministers snap back to their senses.

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The Minister of Personnel, Wang Zhi, Minister of Revenue, Chen Xun, and others all knelt, shouting, “We welcome the manifest spirits of Ming’s illustrious ancestors!”

Xu Cheng muttered under his breath, “One, two, three… seven, eight, nine, no, no, still missing one, still missing one…”

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, spotting a disheveled figure lying in the corner. He hurried over, probing, “Your Majesty?”

“Mm.” Zhu Qizhen groaned, weakly raising a hand, “Beloved Minister Xu, help me up.”

But Xu Cheng, once he confirmed it, ignored him completely, murmuring excitedly, “Matched them all, that’s right, my star chart was indeed accurate!”

“Hey!” Zhu Qizhen was stunned, his outstretched hand drooping helplessly.

Yongle’s Zhu Gaoxu hoisted him up with one hand. “Grand-nephew, come lie over here.”

“Useless!” Zhu Di snorted, deeply dissatisfied that Zhu Zhanji had such a son.

Zhu Youjian crouched, handed him a pill, and curiously asked, “What does the Emperor of the Zhengtong Era think of Ming’s burial customs?”

The Fortress Sovereign regained some strength, thought seriously, and replied feebly, “The Founder Emperor was wise—allowing me companions in the afterlife suits my tastes perfectly.”

His clear eyes betrayed a trace of foolishness.

So it was—Ming’s Emperor Xianzong, Zhu Jianshen, truly couldn’t bear to see his father’s face so gilded.

Zhu Youjian shook his head, retreated to Zhu Yuanzhang’s side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Soon after—

“I am Zhu Yuanzhang!”

Seated upon the imperial throne, Zhu Yuanzhang’s dignified gaze swept over the ministers, his powerful voice echoing through the hall.

???

In the minds of the ministers, what emerged was not belief or skepticism, but a uniform glance toward both Zhu Dis.

Silently, they felt a pang of worry for Emperor Taizong, marveling at his composure standing by the Founder’s side, and deeply admiring him.

“We pay homage to the sacred spirit of the Founder Emperor!”

“Rise.”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then solemnly declared:

“The descendant Zhu Qizhen has been foolish and tyrannical, favoring treacherous eunuchs, plunging the court into chaos, obstinately causing the loss and death of Ming’s two hundred thousand elite, leaving the empire precarious!”

“His actions have enraged heaven and earth, gods and men alike. Effective immediately, he is stripped of his throne, confined to the Southern Palace, never to step foot outside!”

Suddenly—

“I, Yu Qian, humble Deputy Minister of War, dare to ask the Founder Emperor: After deposing the emperor, whom shall we set on the throne?”

Yu Qian straightened his back, speaking bluntly.

“So this is Yu Qian?”

Zhu Yuanzhang subtly sized him up—the minister who valued state over ruler was to his liking.

At that moment, Zhu Youjian whispered again at the Founder’s side, knowing full well that the Fortress Sovereign was his ancestor by eight generations, and certain words could not be spoken by him.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered a moment, then spoke: “Appoint Prince Cheng, Zhu Qiyu, as emperor. The legitimate son, Zhu Jianshen, shall be adopted under the new ruler’s knee, remaining as Ming’s heir!”

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t!”

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Sun Ruowei cried out to Emperor Xuande, “Qizhen is your favorite child, he—”

Emperor Xuande panicked, inwardly pleading her to stay away, afraid she’d drag him into trouble.

“Nearly forgot about you,” Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at her, waved his hand: “Depose Lady Sun from the position of Empress Dowager, confine her to the Cold Palace, never to leave.”

“We follow the Founder’s command!”

Wang Zhi, Chen Xun, Yu Qian, and the ministers immediately bowed to accept the decree. Though a collateral heir ascends, violating ancestral tradition, the Ming ancestors were present—who dared object?

“Brother Ji… I don’t want to go to the Cold Palace!”

“Take her away!”

Emperor Xuande, bracing himself, quietly gave the order.

Lady Sun, sobbing, was dragged away by maids, looking utterly wretched, full of regret for her loose tongue.

In the corner, the Fortress Sovereign lay stricken with grief and anger. He’d been emperor since age nine; he knew full well the nature of the throne!

Out of nowhere, he’d been beaten, then deposed—what had he done wrong?

He hadn’t even faced Esen in battle, yet was declared unfit. Zhu Qizhen’s eyes brimmed with humiliation.

“Qiyu, come here!”

Zhu Yuanzhang beckoned.

At this moment, Zhu Qiyu, struck by fortune’s great gift, was dazed. At the call, he snapped to attention, stepping to the Founder’s side, respectfully: “Founder Grandfather.”

“Good. Do you know the first thing to do upon ascending the throne?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile.

Zhu Qiyu’s expression changed; gone was his former indecision. He declared firmly: “Root out Wang Zhen’s faction, clear the names of many loyal ministers falsely accused, restore the court’s integrity! Then deploy the reserve troops to guard the weakened passes, rebuild the frontier, and resist the Oirat invasion.”

With Zhu Yuanzhang’s signal, Emperor Xuande nodded respectfully, then turned and said calmly:

“Qiyu, do not worry. Esen of the Oirat is dead, tens of thousands of cavalry defeated, Arat Zhi Yuan fled at the news, the capital’s crisis temporarily resolved. However, the three main garrisons suffered heavy losses, over one hundred thousand Ming soldiers wounded or scattered—fresh troops are urgently needed.”

“The Oirat are defeated?”

Zhu Qiyu was stunned. He’d expected to inherit a mess, yet with a glance, saw the losses were within bearable limits.

Excited, he bowed: “Forgive me for overstepping.”

“Do as you see fit.” Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, standing to stretch his limbs.

Zhu Qiyu asked: “Is the Minister of Justice present?”

“I, Yu Shile, humbly serve as Minister of Justice!” Yu Shile stepped forward.

“I hereby decree—investigate Wang Zhen’s faction! Drag Ma Shun out for execution by beheading, display his head to the public!” Zhu Qiyu commanded without hesitation.

“Your servant obeys!”

Root out Wang Zhen’s faction!?

At the words, Ma Shun collapsed, soul crushed.

[Zhengtong’s national fortune rises, special reward ‘001 Automated Banknote Printing and Minting Facility’ granted]

…