Since the title is not legitimate, forcibly introducing any prince would likely be questioned by the people and ultimately lead to a united attack.

The Marquis of Wuding's family was not a nouveau riche family with no real background.

Rather, they were a family that was considered to be related to the emperor during the reign of Emperor Taizu.

For over a hundred years, after brutal internal struggles for titles and court battles to seize them, his father's generation finally restored his title, and he had no desire to risk any grand ambitions.

Moreover, this so-called merit of helping the young emperor rise to power is probably a trap in the end.

Guo Xun first went to his uncle, Grand Secretary Jiao, to reason with him and appeal to his emotions.

Then he submitted a secret memorial to Lu Xingjian, expressing his loyalty.

As for Jiao Qi, the Earl of Dongning, his ancestors were Mongolians. He was ennobled for his military achievements during the reign of Emperor Yingzong. He was completely different from Jiao Ge Lao, who came from the imperial examination system.

Of course, his appointment as a general in the Beijing garrison was also due to his relationship with Grand Secretary Jiao.

However, being talked about for his ambition made him lack confidence, so he hurriedly sought out Elder Jiao to discuss countermeasures.

Grand Secretary Jiao's face was quite grim.

Liu Jin is unreliable. The promised young prince has been killed in Anhua Prince's rebellion and disappeared without a trace.

Zhang Yong and Yang Yiqing have both gone to Ningxia.

They were all Empress Su's people, so naturally they wouldn't allow Ma Ji and her child to return to the capital alive.

As for the news of Sister Feng's pregnancy and childbirth, Grand Secretary Jiao's expression became even more unpleasant.

That emperor is a heartless scoundrel who cheats people without batting an eye.

They set up a smokescreen, making Qian Ning eagerly try to curry favor with Liu Jin.

It wasn't until recently that people were told that Sister Feng was actually a seven or eight-year-old girl.

What kind of princes can he give birth to?

His own nephew, Guo Xun, was determined to persuade him to give up his antics and enjoy his retirement.

Jiao Fang is already seventy-five years old.

He reached the pinnacle of his career; his life was worthwhile.

Many of those who previously relied on him have recently switched allegiance to Zhang Cai.

Whether he is a prince or not doesn't matter.

If one can retire peacefully, that would be a wonderful thing.

Soon, news of various strange phenomena spread to the capital.

The Heavenly Drum of Guangning, Liaodong, sounded again the following day.

The earthquake in Ningxia was deafening.

Grand Secretary Li Dongqian was the first to submit his resignation.

He claimed that this spring was plagued by smog, floods, droughts, and rampant banditry, and intended to take responsibility. However, the Ningxia upheaval occurred, causing distress to the ruler and disgrace to his subjects. He felt no remorse and was willing to die for his country. He begged for permission to retire so that he could live out his remaining years.

Lu Xingjian presented a memorial praising your merits, saying that you are in a position to assist the emperor and should not seek leisure. He added that the recent suppression of the Ningxia rebellion was entirely due to your efforts, and that you should take good care of yourself while you are ill, focusing on your duties and not failing the late emperor's dying wish. His refusal was not permitted.

Yang Ting and Li Dongqian stood together through thick and thin, and on the same day, they both submitted their resignations.

Lu Xingjian said, "You are a former official of the Imperial Palace, with mature learning and conduct, and have provided invaluable guidance. The recent pacification of the Ningxia rebellion was also due to your efforts. You should continue to serve in your current position to fulfill my wishes. I will not allow you to resign."

The two Grand Secretaries set a very good example.

The emperor's and his ministers' intentions were revealed in this back-and-forth.

The next day, Grand Secretary Jiao also submitted a memorial requesting to retire.

Lu Xingjian readily agreed and issued an imperial edict ordering the local officials to provide five shi of rice per month and eight laborers.

Jiao Fang was the highest-ranking figurehead of Liu Jin's faction among civil officials.

The moment the news of Jiao Fang's retirement spread, everyone's sensitive nerves tightened.

Everyone slowly savored the flavor.

The landscape of Beijing is truly about to change.

Because the Ministry of War lacks a Minister of War, nowadays all memorials from the Ministry of War are submitted directly to the Emperor for his personal review.

Lu Xingjian did not rush to make a move.

Instead, they gradually began to adjust the generals of the Beijing army.

The generals of the Fenwu Battalion and the Three Thousand Battalion were replaced one after another.

To appease Liu Jin, Liu Jin's brother Liu Jingxiang was granted the official title of Vice Commander-in-Chief, and his wife and her family were granted imperial titles for three generations.

He was showered with favors and honors.

Liu Jin was terrified.

His brother Liu Jingxiang was already seriously ill and didn't have much time left. If the emperor were to show him more favor at this time, wouldn't that be pushing him to his death?

Liu Jin gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind: rather than being slowly cut with a dull knife, he might as well make it quick and rebel!

He discussed the mutiny with his confidants, including Zhang Cai.

However, two days later, his older brother Liu Jingxiang died.

The emperor decreed that, in recognition of Liu Jin's merits, he would be granted a special honor of a higher level of funeral and sacrifice, and that officials of all ranks should go to pay their respects. He also sent people to set up an altar, and the fifteenth day of the eighth month was the day the entire court would attend the funeral.

The government and the public were immediately in an uproar.

What a disgrace it is to make civil and military officials attend the funeral of a eunuch's brother!

If Liu Jin dares to attend his brother's funeral, the civil and military officials will devour him alive!

The government and the public were filled with indignation.

Various memorials impeaching Liu Jin's associates flew to the cabinet like snowflakes.

Duke Xu Chengbi of Wei was at home chasing and beating Xu Pengju with a wooden stick.

"You unfilial son! You insisted on siding with the eunuch faction, and instead of getting an official position, you've gotten yourself into trouble and are now being cursed behind your back!"

Xu Pengju was now scared and clung to his father's leg, crying and begging:

"It's no use you killing me now. The most important thing is to quickly submit a memorial to the emperor to apologize and show your loyalty and surrender!"

"You are a first-class duke, and you can play a leading role among the nobles. If you don't submit your petition now, you'll really be too late!"

Xu Chengbi was stunned for a moment, and forgot about hitting Xu Pengju. He quickly summoned his advisors to discuss how to write a memorial.

Lu Xingjian was very satisfied with Xu Chengbi's obedience.

It's good that you're sensible.

He bestowed upon Xu Chengbi the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and ordered him to take charge of the Nanjing Left Army Commandery.

Nowadays, the Five Military Commands are just for show and have no real power.

How could Xu Chengbi dare to presume to take office?

He quickly resigned due to old age.

Lu Xingjian did not insist that he go to the Five Military Commands, but instead issued an imperial edict ordering him to assist in the defense of Nanjing.

The Nanjing garrison commander was only a fifth-rank official, and the assistant garrison commander had even less power and a lower rank.

Xu Chengbi wiped away his cold sweat, took his family to receive the imperial decree, and left the capital overnight, heading south to Nanjing.

All these years of planning in Beijing felt like a dream, a beautiful dream that ultimately turned into a nightmare.

Fortunately, when I woke up, I was able to escape unscathed.

Han Xiufen and Zhou Wanxiu boarded a ship at Tongzhou Wharf and headed south along the Grand Canal.

The two stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the bustling scene at the dock, feeling a mix of emotions.

Zhou Wanxiu never imagined that she would walk the same path that Su Wanwan had walked when she was heavily pregnant.

Han Xiufen stood there, stunned.

Would things have been much better if we hadn't pressured Su Wanwan back then?

But now, there's no going back.

...

With the Duke of Wei taking the lead, the military officers and nobles who had previously been won over by Liu Jin also began to submit memorials to impeach themselves and plead guilty, and even submitted various pieces of evidence against Liu Jin for his illegal activities.

Lu Xingjian reassured them and did not remove them from their official positions, but simply told them to focus on their work and be loyal to the country.

These people hadn't been under Liu Jin's wing for long, mostly only a year or two, and the bad things they could do were very limited.

The more difficult ones to deal with were the eunuchs who were highly trusted and relied upon.

Zhang Yong and Yang Yiqing shared the same goal, adding Ma Yongcheng's nephew and Gu Dayong's younger brother to the list of those reporting merits.

With Zhang Yong mediating and winning them over, these eunuchs were all reassured and pledged their allegiance to him.