Chapter 334: The False Emperor Finally Establishes the Crown Prince, and the Demon Queen Is Caught Stealing Vegetables

In the early morning, the sun shines on the city gate.

The guards on the city wall were changing shifts, their armor reflecting the sunlight.

As the morning light gradually spread, the city gate slowly opened, welcoming a new day. People were constantly entering and leaving the city, some carrying things on their shoulders or in their hands, or walking in a hurry. Now, thanks to the court’s lenient policies, people no longer need to undergo cumbersome inspections, and travel has become smoother than ever before.

It was early summer, the breeze was not dry, the sun was shining, and the number of caravans from faraway foreign lands increased significantly. They traveled through mountains and rivers, and through many storms. Although their clothes were covered with dust from the journey, and their faces were also etched with fatigue from the long journey, their eyes were full of yearning, and they finally arrived in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, the capital of the world.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves could be heard on the official roads to the west and south. Soon, two Ming armies were seen riding towards them, with an imposing manner as majestic as a mountain.

They reached the city gate almost at the same time and pulled the reins at the same time. For a moment, dust flew up and the people passing by stopped and looked at the two Ming armies curiously.

The general leading the western group said, “Oh, what a coincidence? Are you also ordered to return to the capital?”

The general leading the southern group was also obviously surprised: “Could it be that you are also surprised? Why did they suddenly call both of us back to the capital?”

At this time, someone among the onlookers recognized them.

“Oh my god, isn’t that General Yang Guifang?”

“That’s Zhang Lun.”

“I actually saw the two walls of the empire so early in the morning.”

The two people on horseback were Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun. They hadn’t seen each other for a long time. They were both ordered to return to Beijing, but they didn’t expect to meet at the city gate.

“It’s been so many years since we last met.” Yang Guifang laughed, “Let’s go have a drink!”

“Yes, it’s been many years.” Zhang Lun waved his hand, “First, go to the palace to see His Majesty, and then we’ll find a place and not leave until we’re drunk.”

The two men entered the city hand in hand, and the people automatically made way for them.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen watched Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun come in and stood up to greet them. The two walked up to him, knelt down, and bowed together: “Your Majesty.”

“Stand up.” Zhu Qizhen waved his hand. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for you today. Let’s go and have a drink.”

Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun were stunned. They didn’t expect that the emperor would drink as soon as they met. The eunuch Cao Jixiang said, “Generals, the emperor is looking forward to seeing you. He asked the imperial kitchen to prepare it early in the morning.”

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and led them to the garden of the Qianqing Palace. There was a pavilion in the middle, and the stone tables and stone benches were already filled with delicacies.

“Come, sit down.” Zhu Qizhen sat down first.

Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun sat down on his left and right. Zhu Qizhen raised his glass and said, “Come, I will toast to you first, the two pillars of the Ming Empire.”

The two men raised their glasses and drank together. After a few glasses of wine, they began to report the situation ahead to the emperor. The main force of Yang Guifang’s Western Regions army was in Samarkand.

At present, they are naturally resting and preparing to face the Ottoman Empire next. Yang Guifang built an arsenal in the local area and used local resources to produce Hongwu muskets and Hongwu cannons.

Samarkand already had some of the world’s best skilled craftsmen. With their participation, the Hongwu musket and Hongwu cannon were further improved and their power was greatly increased.

“Your Majesty, the Chagatai Province and Timur Province are sufficient to support the upcoming Western Expedition.” Yang Guifang said, “The court does not need to worry about food and military pay.”

Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly: “Are these two provinces still stable?”

“It’s definitely unstable, with rebellions from time to time.” Yang Guifang smiled, “However, the Chagatai Governor Liu Dingzhi has figured out a way to control the barbarians with the barbarians, and it’s working pretty well. Give him some more time, and the Western Regions will gradually stabilize.”

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly, raised his glass and said, “The soldiers at the front have worked hard. If I have the chance, I will go to the front to cheer them up.”

“Your Majesty is wise.” The two raised their glasses again.

After Yang Guifang finished his report, it was Zhang Lun’s turn.

At present, the Ming Navy has a powerful warship fleet with the Yongle ship as the main component. The 200,000 well-equipped navy is enough to cover several important shipping routes in the world.

“Defeat Japan first.” Zhang Lun’s eyes gleamed, “Then, we will start the expedition and let the dragon flag of the empire rise everywhere.”

Yang Guifang patted his shoulder and said enviously, “How about we switch?”

“You wish!” Zhang Lun was annoyed. “To dominate in the future, we must rely on an extremely powerful navy. Your three battalions are too slow and can only reach limited places.”

Yang Guifang sighed: “I now understand what your majesty said: the world is infinitely vast, and men should not be complacent.”

Zhu Qizhen looked at his left and right arms, and a burning passion rose in his heart. With the two pillars of the empire, one from land and one from the sea, where could the Ming Dynasty not reach?

“Wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever the rivers flow, all belong to the Ming Dynasty.” Zhu Qizhen laughed, “I have been looking forward to this day. Come, have a drink.”

……

At dusk, the setting sun hangs in the sky, and the afterglow shines through the staggered eaves and corners, and shines on the bluestone road.

The city patrol guards were changing shifts. As one group slowly left, another took over. The sound of footsteps and the jingle of armor echoed on the empty city walls.

In the market, the daytime noise has gradually faded. The vendors have begun to pack up their stalls, covering them with cloth curtains or putting away their dazzling array of goods. The sounds of children playing, vendors shouting, and the occasional storytelling in the teahouse have gradually become sparse.

In the alley, smoke from cooking fires rose up, and occasionally one or two dogs barked. It was at this time that Zhu Qizhen returned to the courtyard by the Gaoliang River. He felt as if he had gone to work early and returned late in his previous life.

“Mrs. Zhu, it was you who dug up the potatoes from my garden and picked our vegetables.” Aunt Li stood at the gate of the yard, her hands on her hips, looking furious.

Shuangxi stood in front of her, looking embarrassed: “Aunt Li, my wife made a mistake and thought it was my family’s land.”

“What? You can even make a mistake here?” Aunt Li sneered, “You have a distinctive appearance. If you were the wife of a wealthy family, wouldn’t you live here?”

The queen in the yard was so angry that her beautiful face turned red. She knew she was in the wrong, but she didn’t lose her temper. She crossed her arms and said coldly, “It’s just a few potatoes and vegetables. I’ll buy them.”

“Who wants your money? Just replant the crops for me.” Aunt Li was unyielding.

The demon queen’s pretty face was puffed up: “Don’t go too far!”

Zhu Qizhen admired it for a while and couldn’t help laughing. After the evil queen lost her memory, she became a troublemaker and had conflicts with her neighbors from time to time, which made Shuangxi worried to death.

“Aunt Li.” He stepped forward and called out.

“Mr. Zhu, you’re back.” Aunt Li immediately smiled when she saw her.

Zhu Qizhen stepped forward and spread his hands: “My wife is ignorant, Aunt Li, you are generous, take these copper coins.”

Aunt Li felt embarrassed and shook her head: “No, no, just a few potatoes and vegetables.”

“Here.” Zhu Qizhen stuffed a string of copper coins into her hand. “We are neighbors. I will have to trouble you in the future.”

“Ah, scholars are different. Sir, wait a moment.” Aunt Li ran back to her yard, took out a piece of bacon, handed it to Zhu Qizhen, and said, “Take it and eat it. It’s smoked at home.”

Zhu Qizhen took it and said with a smile, “Thank you, Aunt Li.” The two of them talked back and forth. The Demon Queen watched, clenched her fists, and gritted her teeth.

Zhu Qizhen watched Aunt Li go back before he entered the courtyard. The demon queen supported her waist with one hand, her eyes full of coldness, revealing a mature and cold charm that only a queen can have. She glanced at her with her beautiful eyes: “Haha, Aunt Li, Aunt Li, you call me so affectionately.”

“Are you jealous of this too?” Zhu Qizhen spread his hands helplessly.

“Why should I compensate her so much money?” The Demon Queen glared.

Zhu Qizhen smiled and walked forward, stretched out his hands and held her in his arms, saying: “Didn’t you dig up other people’s vegetables?”

“I…” The demon queen blushed.

“Well, my wife is a daughter of gold, I can’t bear to work without you, how can Aunt Li, a peasant woman, know?” Zhu Qizhen held her face and said, “Madam, don’t bother with her.”

“Heh~” The Demon Queen snorted in a high tone and leaned into his arms, “I won’t argue with them. Huh, can’t I deal with them?”

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand.

You are good at being a queen mother, but you may not be able to deal with them.

……

Taibai Building.

The lights were bright in the night, and the hall was full of guests. In the hall, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the faces of people who were either excited or intoxicated. The guests were sitting or standing, their clothes fluttering, chatting and laughing.

Outside the building, the night market in Beijing is even more lively, with lights as bright as day, and all kinds of vendors set up along the street, selling a wide variety of goods, from exquisite handicrafts to tempting street snacks, all of which are dazzling.

Yang Guifang stood by the window of a private room on the second floor of Taibai Building, looking at the night market outside the window, and sighed: “It is worthy of being the capital of the world, even more prosperous than Samarkand.”

“I came back that year and was as surprised as you.” Zhang Lun said with a smile.

There was another person sitting in the private room, Yu Qian, who had not been seen for a long time. If Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun had not come to invite him, Yu Qian would not have gone out.

“Sir, we have to have a good drink today.” Yang Guifang came back and sat down. “I’ve been thinking about you for several years since I went to the Western Regions.”

Yu Qian looked at him, spread his hands and smiled: “You have all made progress, I am very pleased. The four young masters of the Yu family back then are now all pillars of society.”

Zhang Lun raised his glass: “Here, toast to you, sir.”

The three of them drank a glass of wine, and the atmosphere became less tense. Yu Qian became more talkative, asking about the current situation in the Western Regions. Yang Guifang told him in detail about the situation in the Western Regions.

“Next, we must be cautious in our fight with the Ottoman Empire.” Yu Qian frowned, “It took a lot of effort for the empire to reach its current status.”

Yang Guifang nodded: “Don’t worry, sir. I won’t underestimate the enemy. With Timur and Chagatai as our two strongholds, we can afford the cost. Given your majesty’s temperament, he must have made arrangements in the rear of the Ottomans.”

“I know that your majesty has sent two delegations to Europe this year.” Yu Qian smiled, “The Roman Empire is no longer viable, but it can still contain the Ottoman Empire.”

Zhang Lun drank a glass of wine and said, “Your Majesty is quite sinister. I heard that there are two European princesses in the Ming Dynasty?”

“Yes, the Queen invited them a few days ago.” Yu Qian said, “They must be plotting something.”

Yang Guifang’s eyes were filled with curiosity: “Sir, you live in seclusion, but you know so much about the court affairs?”

“I asked around.” Yu Qian shrugged. “I often go to the Hongwu Military Academy and Shuntian University. Young people there keep up with current events. I learned about it from them.”

Zhang Lun hesitated and said, “Sir, how about I ask His Majesty to let you be a teacher at the Hongwu Military Academy or Shuntian University?”

“No hurry!” Yu Qian waved his hand. “I will submit my report myself when the time comes. If we get too close, His Majesty will be worried.”

Yang Guifang shook her head: “Your Majesty is not that kind of person.”

Yu Qian sighed and smiled bitterly: “Your Majesty is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. This forces him to think more, and he will gradually become a lonely man.”

Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun looked at each other and remembered a saying: His Majesty can treat you as a brother, but you must never treat His Majesty as a brother.

……

This day, early morning court.

After the court session, the chief minister of the cabinet, Xu Youzhen, made a report requesting the establishment of a crown prince.

“Your Majesty, the Queen’s legitimate son, the fifth prince Zhu Jianyang, is gifted, intelligent, and kind-hearted, and is the most popular choice. We humbly ask Your Majesty to follow the will of heaven and appoint Zhu Jianyang as the crown prince to consolidate the foundation of the country and reassure the people. I hope Your Majesty will make a wise decision.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers were secretly shocked. After all, a crown prince would be appointed. Now that Zhu Jianyang was appointed as the crown prince, it was in line with all the rules and regulations, and no ministers objected.

Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied and made his own son the crown prince.

He was also thinking about banishing all the people from the Zhu family overseas when the time comes.

“Call the prince into the palace.” Cao Jixiang’s voice fell.

Zhu Jianyang walked slowly into the hall. Zhu Qizhen stood up and waved at him. Zhu Jianyang came to his side and stood still.

In this situation, all the civil and military officials in the hall, whether they were white-haired old ministers or heroic young talents, all knelt down, folded their hands and touched their foreheads to the ground, performing the most solemn ceremony of paying homage.

“Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, long live the Crown Prince!”

Zhu Qizhen issued a series of decrees, among which the chief minister of the cabinet Xu Youzhen was appointed as the Prince’s Junior Tutor, the Minister of Rites Li Xian was appointed as the Prince’s Junior Tutor, the Minister of Rites Li Bing was appointed as the Prince’s Junior Protector, Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun were appointed as the Co-Directors of the Chancellery, etc.

He formed a luxurious East Palace team for the prince and provided him with guidance.

Now that the position of crown prince has been decided, the empire will be temporarily stable and the ministers will not have any other ideas.

……

A small courtyard by the Gaoliang River.

A carriage slowly stopped, and Shuangxi came out with the Demon Queen. They had just gone to the market. Across the courtyard, several women were basking in the sun. When they saw the Demon Queen coming back, they began to discuss in a low voice.

“Mrs. Zhu is pretty, but she can’t do anything and doesn’t have a child. What a pity for Mr. Zhu, he is a handsome man and is said to be a big businessman.”

“Yes, yes. If the wife of the Zhu family has no children, Mr. Zhu should take a concubine, right?”

The demon queen was so angry that she gnashed her teeth. She walked over with a fruit basket in her hand. Shuangxi followed closely, fearing that she was going to fight, which they would surely lose.

“Ladies, this is for you.” The Queen smiled and handed over the fruit.

The women were stunned. They didn’t expect the Zhu family’s wife to be so polite. The witch queen exchanged pleasantries with them for a while, then turned back to the courtyard, thinking, let me see how I divide you.

I?

She stopped abruptly. Why did such a strange word suddenly pop up in her mind?
“Ah~” She felt a sharp pain in her brain and several images flashed through her mind.

(End of this chapter)