jdhmnovel Chapter 740 Lu Xiang-sheng Dies in Battle
Chapter 740 Lu Xiang-sheng Dies in Battle
Chapter 740 Lu Xiang-sheng Dies in Battle
Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "Since all my ministers agree, I will issue an edict of self-reproach to announce it to the world."
"Wait a minute!" Wang Wenzhou curled his lip and said sarcastically, "How can the Emperor just issue an edict of self-reproach and that's it? Does that mean a murderer can get away with it as long as he admits his mistake? That's too easy!"
"Huh?" Zheng Sanjun and the others were completely baffled. What exactly were Wang Wenzhou and Zhu Youjian up to?
"Hmm..." Zhu Youjian's acting skills were quite good, and he immediately pretended to be very embarrassed.
Kong Zhenyun, always loyal to the emperor and patriotic, quickly came to Zhu Youjian's rescue, saying, "Lord Wang, please stop this nonsense! His Majesty has already issued an edict of self-reproach, admitting his mistakes to the people! His Majesty is of inestimable worth, how can he be treated like an ordinary person?"
"How dare you!" Wang Wenzhou pointed at Kong Zhenyun and shouted angrily, "You surnamed Kong, don't think that just because you've become the Grand Secretary you can act with impunity! How dare you insult the Emperor in the imperial court!"
"Pfft..." Kong Zhenyun was completely dumbfounded. It seemed that Wang Wenzhou, this mad dog, was angry with the emperor. How could he bite people indiscriminately?
Zheng Sanjun and the others smiled without saying a word. They also felt that Wang Wenzhou was unwilling to cause trouble because Zhu Youjian had asked him to do so, which is why he sought out Zhu Youjian.
"How could I have ever insulted His Majesty?" Kong Zhenyun was both amused and exasperated.
"Old man, you still dare to argue? You say the Emperor isn't human!" Wang Wenyi rolled up his sleeves and was about to step forward to attack.
Zhu Youjian frowned and said coldly, "Wang Wenzhou, you are an important minister of the court. How can you be so violent towards the Grand Secretary? Why don't you stop him right now!"
Da Yu'er and Gao Guiying quickly stepped forward to stop Wang Wenzhou.
Wang Wenzhou, holding his two babies, grumbled, "Kong Zhenyun, you said the Emperor isn't a normal person? You're just saying the Emperor isn't human? How is the Emperor not human? Doesn't the Emperor poop? Or doesn't he eat?"
"Pfft..." Everyone was completely dumbfounded. Wang Wenzhou, this mad dog, is capable of anything when he goes crazy. This is not cursing Kong Zhenyun, but clearly cursing the emperor!
Kong Zhenyun said sternly, "Wang Wenzhou, shut up! Don't take things out of context! Even if the Emperor is wrong, we, as his subjects, should be punished on his behalf!"
Zheng Sanjun glared at Kong Zhenyun, cursing inwardly, "I never expected you to be this kind of person! I always thought you were a nice guy, but it turns out you're such a good flatterer!"
Zheng Sanjun quickly cupped his hands and solemnly said, "Lord Kong is right! When the ruler is in distress, the ministers are disgraced; when the ruler is disgraced, the ministers die. His Majesty's edict of self-reproach is to atone for the sins of us ministers. The Ming Dynasty is currently beset by internal and external troubles. It is not His Majesty's fault, but our fault for failing to assist His Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to have my salary reduced for a year, so that Your Majesty will not suffer the consequences for us!" Yang Changsi hurriedly knelt down and said.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to have my salary reduced by one year!" All the civil and military officials present were shrewd and immediately knelt down.
Wang Wenzhou's lips twitched slightly, and he almost burst out laughing. "You bunch of idiots, just wait and see!" Wang Wenzhou looked at Zhu Youjian, "Brother Zhu, it's your turn next!"
Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said with a smile, "I am very pleased that my beloved ministers are willing to take the blame for me. There is no need to punish them with salary deductions. My beloved ministers, please rise at once!"
All the civil and military officials stood up, but they were just putting on an act.
Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment and then said, “Minister Wang’s words make some sense. I also feel that simply issuing an edict of self-reproach is not quite appropriate. How about this, since it is already spring and the time for sowing, all of you ministers will come with me to the imperial estates in the suburbs to farm together for a few days. During the rest period, you can also take the opportunity to discuss how to revitalize the Ming Dynasty.”
In fact, starting with Emperor Wen of Han, the emperor would take his ministers to the fields every year as a formality. The civil and military officials didn't really take it seriously; it was just a formality, a few extra days' visit. Although some of them came from poor families, none of them had actually done farm work since becoming officials.
"I will obey your orders!"
……
The Imperial Palace of Shengjing.
The fake Huang Taiji lay weakly on the sickbed, with the fake Dayuer attending to him.
Dorgon, Hauge, and other important Manchu officials displayed various expressions.
A few days ago, Dorgon and Hauge led a large army to surround Lu Xiang-sheng's Tianxiong Army. Although Zhu Youjian ordered troops from all over the country to come to the rescue, the Ming army's fighting strength was too weak, and the Manchus ultimately annihilated the Tianxiong Army, with Lu Xiang-sheng killed in battle.
Although Wang Wenzhou's attack on Beijing was no longer going to succeed, the Manchus should have pressed their advantage. However, news suddenly came from Shengjing that Huang Taiji was seriously ill.
Upon hearing the news, Dorgon and Hauge, uncle and nephew, did not hesitate and each led their troops back at full speed.
The uncle and nephew are in such a hurry, of course they're coming back to seize the throne.
"Hmm..." Huang Taiji was about to speak when he suddenly coughed violently.
Upon seeing this, Liu Rushi immediately took a handkerchief and helped Huang Taiji wipe his mouth with concern.
"Cough cough cough..." Huang Taiji coughed violently. Liu Rushi took the handkerchief away, and everyone could clearly see the blood on the handkerchief.
Dorgon was overjoyed. "Huang Taiji, you bastard, so what if you seized the throne? Now you're barely alive. The throne of the Qing Dynasty will be mine sooner or later!"
"Father!" Hauge was very sad.
Originally, Huang Taiji's other sons were still young, and only he was an adult. If Huang Taiji died, the throne would certainly be his. In the imperial family, there are no fathers and sons; at such a time, most sons would hope their fathers died sooner! But at this moment, Hauge genuinely did not want Huang Taiji to die. Because he could not yet control the situation in the Qing Dynasty, Dorgon and his two brothers held the two White Banners. Knowing Dorgon as he did, Hauge knew that if Huang Taiji died, Dorgon would definitely try to seize the throne from him.
"Ah...ah..." Huang Taiji tried his best to speak, but could only utter indistinct sounds. It must be said that the actor who played Huang Taiji was truly superb in his acting.
The imposter, Liu Rushi, nodded solemnly and addressed the crowd, saying, "His Majesty says he is unwell and unable to handle state affairs for the time being. During his convalescence, the affairs of state will be managed by you all!"
"Your Majesty, raising troops is the most important thing. Don't worry about anything else!" Although Dorgon tried his best to put on a sad look, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
Daishan cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Your Majesty, our Great Qing has won a great victory this time, and we should press our advantage and pursue the enemy!"
"Cough cough cough..." Huang Taiji was about to speak when he started coughing again.
"Sigh..." Liu Rushi sighed helplessly and said to everyone, "Gentlemen, the Emperor is so ill, so I'm entrusting the affairs of state to you. Let the Emperor rest and recover!"
Dorgon nodded and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is right! Hauge, the casualties of the two Yellow Banners in this battle were very small. This time, I will not compete with you for the attack on the Ming Dynasty. I wish you a swift success! When you return to the capital, I will definitely go out of the city to welcome you ten miles away!"
Hauge pursed his lips and quickly said, "Uncle, you're too kind. This time, you should be the commander in this attack on the Ming Dynasty!"
Neither of the two uncles and nephews wanted to leave at this moment. They felt that if Huang Taiji suddenly died, and neither of them was in Shengjing, the throne would probably be out of reach.
"Alas..." Daishan sighed. Heaven is not on our side, Great Qing! Such a good opportunity, yet Great Qing cannot send troops! Although Daishan could lead the troops to attack, he dared not leave. He feared that if he left, and Huang Taiji were to die, the two would immediately start fighting. If he were there, he could persuade the two not to fight to the death for the sake of Great Qing.
Liu Ru was very helpless. She hadn't intended to kill Huang Taiji so soon, but Huang Taiji was too shameless and actually wanted to sleep with her! If Huang Taiji hadn't died, the Qing army would likely have already entered Beijing by now, and she could have avenged Liu Xiaohua!