If we look into the historical circumstances surrounding Emperor Tianqi's death, there are indeed doubts. Even the similar case of Emperor Zhengde drowning and death can be attributed to conspiracy theories.
Zhu Youxiao believed that, perhaps due to the limitations of medical technology at the time, lung infections after choking on water were not as easily treated as they are today. In ancient times, even a minor cold could be fatal, and it was not uncommon.
Moreover, the Imperial Medical Bureau was not very reliable, and would rather fail than take risks when treating the emperor. It was said that it could not cure serious illnesses, and could not cure minor illnesses.
Or perhaps it was a certain interest group, mainly a civil servant group, who was dissatisfied because they had been hit and took the opportunity to carry out the murder.
But after all, trying to murder an emperor is not as simple and easy as some people think.
If there is anything simple and easy, it is better to poison the food, the drink, or even the medicine soup that the emperor drinks when he has a headache or a cold.
However, the meals in the palace were managed by eunuchs, who depended on the emperor for their survival and could basically not be bribed or used by civil officials.
As for medicinal decoctions, that wasn't possible either. Imperial hospitals were mostly hereditary, and while they weren't particularly loyal, they at least had to protect their own lives. Furthermore, prescribing, dispensing, and decocting medicines were all strictly supervised and implemented, making it difficult to tamper with them.
As for assassins, they may only appear in novels and movies.
The emperor's security was similar to the level of security provided to heads of state in later generations. Unless one knew the emperor's exact whereabouts, there might be a chance of striking him down while he was showing off.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao believed that if the civil service group wanted to secretly carry out a murderous act, they could only take advantage of the opportunity, that is, find an opportunity.
What kind of opportunity? History has already explained.
The carpenter fell into the water and became ill, but his illness wasn't fatal, and he could at least survive for a while. At this moment, someone offered him a sweet and delicious drink, which finally allowed the carpenter to ascend to heaven.
Does it sound familiar? The carpenter's father was the one who took the magic medicine and kicked his legs, and he still didn't learn his lesson.
Who is Zhu Youxiao? He is knowledgeable, cultured, idealistic and moral. Can any elixir or magic pill fool him?
Despite this profound understanding, Zhu Youxiao did not take it lightly. He cleaned up the palace, strengthened security, enhanced the role of the factory guards, and reduced the number of incognito visits. He was as timid as a mouse and extremely afraid of death.
How can I say goodbye to death when my ambitions remain unfulfilled? I really, truly want to live another five hundred years.
It was precisely because Zhu Youxiao valued his life that he would not do anything foolish like "leading the army in person" and he did not need to flatter himself or leave a name in history. Therefore, he had to give more detailed and thorough instructions.
This not only includes Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong who will report to the capital after the autumn, but also includes these generals who are going to the expedition and the reserve officers who will replace them.
"Cao Qing is the bravest of the three armies, but as a senior general, you should know your responsibilities and never take risks lightly..."
Zhu Youxiao awarded a batch of the latest specially made telescopes to the generals one by one, and comforted and encouraged them with warm words. His deep expectations were moving.
Cao Wenzhao knelt on one knee, accepted the emperor's gift with both hands, and said with emotion: "Your Majesty's instructions, I will remember them in my heart, and I will definitely live up to your expectations."
The emperor nodded with a smile, reached out his hand to help Cao Wenzhao up, then called Zhou Yuji over and personally awarded him a reward, saying, "Mr. Zhou fought loyally and bravely, and I am very relieved."
Zhu Youxiao admired Zhou Yuji's loyalty and righteousness the most. History had changed, and he hoped that Zhou Yuji would achieve merit and be promoted. Also, as recorded in history books, Zhou Yuji's wife fought to the death and refused to surrender. The imperial edict awaited Zhou Yuji's return from the battle!
Although the words were short, they revealed the emperor's admiration. "Rest assured" was a high evaluation of Zhou Yuji.
Zhou Yuji also knelt down to thank the emperor for his kindness and accepted the reward, saying with great emotion: "I am so grateful to Your Majesty for your kindness. I will make great contributions in Liaodong and destroy the slaves, so that Your Majesty will no longer have to worry about war."
"Good, good." Zhu Youxiao helped Zhou Yuji to his feet, looked up at the generals, and said loudly: "Fulfill the emperor's affairs and win reputation in life and after death. I have such expectations for you, and I will not hesitate to promote you to a higher rank or title. You will surely live up to my expectations and return with great achievements."
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao made a promise, "When the troops march to Liaodong, for the sake of military secrecy, I will not go to see you off. On the day of your triumphant return, I will personally welcome you from the city and offer you a toast of celebratory wine."
"I thank Your Majesty for your great grace. I will live up to your expectations, pacify the Liao and destroy the slaves, and relieve your worries about border affairs." Cao Wenzhao knelt down first and made a loud promise.
All the generals, represented by their representatives, knelt one after another, and their rough and heroic voices echoed throughout the hall.
Feudal society emphasized individual service, and the emperor's grace was the greatest and most difficult to repay, with only death as the final word. This is what loyalty and righteousness are all about.
The goal of life is nothing more than getting promoted and getting rich, and this is the case for most people, except for those who are purely motivated by the desire to contribute to the well-being of all mankind.
The emperor is both a benefactor and a decisive figure in achieving his life's goals. Furthermore, he is not incompetent or unjust. So why would he worry about not having loyal subjects and civil and military officials willing to die for his country?
Moreover, in ancient times, the terms emperor, state, and altar were similar in meaning. Diing to repay the emperor, dying to repay the country, and dying to repay the altar all had similar meanings.
In this hall, all the people are loyal and brave generals carefully selected by Zhu Youxiao.
Even if there had not been this summons, no rewards personally bestowed, no earnest exhortations and expectations, the generals in the hall would not have let Zhu Youxiao down.
But wouldn't it be better to have it? Zhu Youxiao felt that the encouraging words coming from his own mouth would have a double and triple effect.
To be honest, Zhu Youxiao really wanted to end the Liaodong war next year.
The next year, the fifth and sixth years of the Tianqi reign, saw a major flood in the capital, drought and locust plagues in Jiangbei and Shandong. In the autumn, another major flood hit Jiangbei, and a locust plague struck Henan.
Disasters are occurring frequently and are showing clear signs of climbing to a peak.
If there is a year's buffer after the successful pacification of Liaodong, Zhu Youxiao will be able to make arrangements more calmly. If the war continues, the Liaodong war plus the disaster relief supplies will make the already improved finances fall into distress again.
The success of the pacification of Liao relied on Zhu Youxiao's investment regardless of cost, his foresight in planning, and more importantly, his loyal and brave generals and thousands of ordinary soldiers.
They shed blood and sacrificed their lives to defend their country, and more importantly, to keep Zhu Youxiao's throne. No matter how much you praise the soldiers, it is not excessive.
Moreover, raising the status of soldiers was not a temporary measure taken by Zhu Youxiao.
In the future, the Ming Dynasty will expand its territory, fight against the polar bears in the north, seize warm and prosperous lands in the south, and compete with Western countries at sea, all of which will depend on the heroic fighting of its soldiers.
Therefore, the generals all felt that the Liaodong War might be the most rare opportunity to be promoted to a noble title and to achieve great achievements, but few of them knew the emperor's ambition and did not know that they would have countless opportunities to show their talents in the future.
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