Chapter 67: If He Keeps Stirring Up Resentment Like This, the Immortal Emperor Jiajing Really Will Ascend to Heaven!
[Page 1/3]
[The Fate of the State under the Jianwen Reign rises, Second Stage Reward: ‘Complete Solution to Steel Smelting Technology’]
Second stage?
Zhu Youjian, who was in the Yongle era gathering the army, paused for a moment. This reward did not especially catch his attention; instead, it was the phrase “second stage” that drew his gaze.
“It seems the Fate of the State under the Chongzhen reign did not have any stages,” Zhu Youjian pondered silently. Even if other dynasties, at the twentieth stage or upon reaching their peak, no longer receive rewards for the rise of the Fate of the State, the Chongzhen reign had no stage limitations. Could it be that after the sixteen Ming dynasties, new dynasties could still be established?
“Grandson, your father has been waiting for quite some time. When do you think we should depart?” Old Zhu Di asked impatiently.
He was clad in armor, holding a long spear, a treasured sword hanging at his waist, his spirited manner clearly indicating he was ready to join the fray himself.
“Let’s go now,” Zhu Youjian replied, regaining his composure and nodding.
...
Ningyuan City.
Inside a mansion.
Dorgon, the Great General of Manchukuo, spoke irritably, “What’s going on with that Ming cavalry outside? Why haven’t they been eliminated after all this time?”
“I feared it might be a trick and have sent two companies to investigate. I ask that the General wait a moment longer,” Hong Chengchou replied, bowing.
Lately, in order to indulge his desire for other men’s wives, Dorgon had slept with several wives and concubines of Han officials, even including a favored concubine recently acquired by Hong Chengchou himself, who had been defiled by this beast.
Naturally, all of them were deeply dissatisfied with Dorgon but did not dare to voice their anger.
Suddenly, Hong Chengchou understood why Dorgon had not allowed his trusted aide Fan Wencheng to assist him, but instead used Hong; years ago, Fan Wencheng’s wife had also been taken by Dorgon. If Fan Wencheng brought his family to Ningyuan City, would they not be at the mercy of this wild boar?
Hong Chengchou sighed. Clearly, he needed to show some real ability and earn Dorgon’s respect, or else his position would remain awkward and unbearable.
“Find out quickly! You can’t even handle such a trivial matter—useless!” Dorgon left these words, then, ignoring the sour faces of the Han officials, strode into the backyard, where their wives and concubines were.
...
Clang!
A mighty steed charged forward, unstoppable. Old Zhu Di’s face was stern and imposing, his ambitious eyes glinting with bloodlust.
He wielded a long spear, and with powerful swings, a Manchu company commander met his death!
[Page 2/3]
Horse hooves thundered, blood splattered!
The mighty ruler turned sharply, the foreign enemies were terrified beyond measure!
Old Zhu Four rode forth, raising his blade. Where the edge swept, the last two Qing soldiers, frightened out of their wits, were beheaded on the spot!
“Excellent, they’re truly of our blood!” Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
Shi Kefa and others were dumbfounded: two companies, twelve men, were dispatched by two pairs of identical fathers and sons as if they were slicing melons!
Only now did they realize: why were there so many people in imperial robes beside the Emperor?
Shi Kefa stammered, “Your—Your Majesty, who are these men?”
Before Zhu Youjian could answer, four venerable ministers from the Yongle era stepped forward to bow, “Your servants greet the Emperor, may Your Majesty be well!”
“Hail the Grand Founder, hail the Emperors!”
Grand Founder!?
The founding ancestor himself had arrived!?
The ministers of the Chongzhen reign were thrown into chaos, straightening their posture in an instant, afraid that any misstep might cost them their heads.
Emperor?
That martial figure on horseback was also the Emperor?
These four were the Three Yangs of the Yongle cabinet and the Minister of Revenue Xia Yuanji—so…
Shi Kefa and the ministers of the Chongzhen reign exchanged glances and promptly bowed, “We salute the Grand Founder, and the Emperor Chengzu...”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s smiling face stiffened, his tone indifferent, “No need for formalities. There are only Emperors here. If you bow, I won’t bother to respond.”
“Yes! We obey the Founder’s command!”
The ministers of the Chongzhen reign replied, then began whispering among themselves: Emperor Chengzu is truly formidable...
“Quiet now! Beware the future, when the Emperor Shizong settles accounts with you!” Zhu Youjian scolded. These useless fellows, if they kept chattering, would send the Immortal Emperor Jiajing straight to the heavens!
Emperor Chengzu!?
Old Zhu Di’s face instantly darkened.
Old Zhu Four’s vision went black, nearly falling off his horse. For the first time, he asked Old Zhu Di directly, stammering, “Th—This Emperor Chengzu, it’s not referring to the two of us, is it?”
[Page 3/3]
“It actually is,” Old Zhu Di replied through gritted teeth, his expression grim.
“Who decided that!” Old Zhu Four’s head buzzed, incredulous, “Which idiot came up with this temple name, was it the eldest or the second?”
The two stunned Zhu Da Fatty glanced at each other, finally looking toward the eldest son of the Xuande era, their eyes seeking answers.
The Xuande Emperor quickly shook his head, whispering, “Grandfather’s temple name in our era was Taizong. When we went to the Zhengtong era, the ministers also addressed him as Emperor Taizong. It must have been the work of later descendants!”
“That’s good, that’s good,” the two Da Fattys, who had been terrified, breathed a sigh of relief and finally settled their hearts.
Zhu Youjian hurriedly took out a pill, first lowering Old Zhu Four’s skyrocketing blood pressure, then said helplessly,
“Ancestor, calm your anger. This was done by our Ming dynasty’s eleventh emperor, Emperor Shizong Jiajing. At the time, the ancestral temple was full, and he did not dare to remove you, so he gave you this grand ceremony, changing your temple name to Chengzu.”
Shi Kefa and the ministers blushed: Your Majesty, you didn’t let Emperor Shizong off either.
“That scoundrel! I’ll cut him down!” Old Zhu Four clutched his chest, his beard bristling with rage, his fingers white around the hilt.
Old Zhu Di, equally upset, grabbed Zhu Youjian’s hand and muttered, “Grandson, whenever you go to the Jiajing era, you must take the Ancestor with you. No, every time, or else the Ancestor will feel uncomfortable…”
“Father, calm down, this is not worth such anger. We’ll have him change it back when the time comes…”
“Wait, something’s not right.”
The two Da Fattys, who had been comforting Old Zhu Four, suddenly realized something, staring at each other in alarm, “Youjian, after he raised the Taizong Emperor’s rank, whom did he remove?”
Zhu Youjian turned back, looking darkly at Hongxi Da Fatty. Both fell silent.
No one spoke.
“That scoundrel!” Hongxi Da Fatty was both angry and aggrieved. He might be a bit fat, but his tablet was so small—how could it affect anything!
...