Empress Zhou stared wide-eyed, not understanding what Zhu Youjian was saying.
She was even a little worried that Zhu Youjian's condition might have worsened and that he might be talking nonsense.
Gao Qingyun smiled slightly.
"Little Zhu, it seems that your illness has not been without its benefits."
"They've all started to be quick to learn."
"Okay, since you want to hear it, I'll tell you."
"Historically, Wang Chengen was not a military eunuch like Zheng He and did not fight on the battlefield, but he was still loyal."
"When Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself, he stayed by his side and died for his country with him."
"As for Luo Yangxing, he has no integrity. He first joined the peasant army and then joined the Jurchens."
Zhu Youjian was somewhat surprised after hearing this.
"I never expected Wang Chengen to do something like this. I... cough cough."
He deliberately changed the subject to avoid the main point.
Then he frowned and said, "So, Luo Yangxing is a treacherous minister?"
But Gao Qingyun shook his head again.
"After all, he only surrendered at the last minute, which is much better than those who betrayed us from the start."
"If Emperor Chongzhen had truly been a wise and capable ruler who could have turned the tide, he probably wouldn't have done those things."
Zhu Youjian seemed to be deep in thought.
"So that's what Master Gao meant. I understand, Xiao Zhu."
"Alright, I won't bother Master Gao any longer. Please continue."
After they left, Empress Zhou could no longer contain herself.
"Your Majesty, what exactly were you and Master Gao talking about just now?"
"Even if Master Gao has done you a great favor, you cannot curse him or our Ming Dynasty!"
Zhu Youjian laughed heartily.
"Your Majesty, this is something you are unaware of..."
He gave a brief explanation of Gao Qingyun's background.
Empress Zhou initially didn't believe it, but then she thought that the emperor had no reason to lie to her.
Moreover, the pills that Master Gao took out were indeed extraordinary.
"So, Master Gao really is from a later era? That's truly..."
Empress Zhou was momentarily confused and didn't know what to say.
Zhu Youjian said no more, and simply asked Empress Zhou to take him back to his palace.
Upon returning, the first thing he did was summon Wang Chengen.
"Cheng'en, you did well after I fell into the water. I will remember that."
Wang Chengen kowtowed in delight: "Your Majesty, please don't say that. This is what this servant should do."
Zhu Youjian shook his head, thinking to himself:
"Even disregarding your seeking medicine from Master Gao, just considering your historical role in dying alongside me for my country, I should still reward you."
"In any case, in this life, my Great Ming Dynasty will definitely not perish at my hands."
After pondering for a moment, he said to Wang Chengen, "I remember you still have some relatives in your hometown?"
"I will make the decision for you, and let you choose a cousin to be adopted by you."
Why do all eunuchs like to recognize others as their godson and have them call them godfather?
It's because he doesn't have children himself.
Zhu Youjian personally ordered that Wang Chengen be allowed to be adopted, which was an immense favor.
Wang Chengen was initially incredulous, then he kowtowed violently, breaking his head in the process.
"Your Majesty's kindness is beyond my ability to repay."
"This servant will serve you to the death from now on."
Zhu Youjian shook his head and said, "I don't care about these things. Fine, you can go out now, and then have Luo Yangxing get in here!"
When Luo Yangxing came in, he was trembling all over.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
He knelt where Wang Chengen had just knelt and kowtowed violently.
It looks like there's blood in it too.
However, Zhu Youjian saw clearly that Luo Yangxing was simply trying to curry favor.
He was essentially using his own forehead to smear Wang Chengen's blood.
"This guy is definitely no good."
His first instinct was to order Luo Yangxing to be dragged out.
However, at this moment, he suddenly remembered what Gao Qingyun had said earlier, so he put his mind to it again.
"Luo Yangxing, it's good that you admit your guilt!"
"But do you know that your sins are not so simple?"
Zhu Youjian said coldly.
Luo Yangxing was completely stunned.
"I...Is there anything else I have done wrong?"
Zhu Youjian sneered.
"Do you know that I just asked Master Gao, and according to him, in history you first joined the peasant army and then joined the Jurchens."
"I don't blame you for joining the peasant army, after all, Emperor Taizu started his career in the same way."
"But how can I tolerate your allegiance to the Jurchens?"
At this point, Zhu Youjian's tone suddenly turned cold.
"You traitor who has served three masters, what else do you have to say?"
Luo Yangxing was speechless. He wanted to argue, but after moving his mouth a few times, he didn't know what to say.
Even in the past, the emperor might not have completely trusted Gao Qingyun.
However, after the incident of donating medicine, Zhu Youjian believed whatever Gao Qingyun said.
Then what's the point of Luo Yangxing arguing?
Luo Yangxing's face darkened, and he said with a bitter smile, "I have nothing to say. I leave it to Your Majesty to decide."
Zhu Youjian then nodded.
"Logically speaking, I should confiscate your property and exterminate your entire clan."
Luo Yangxing's heart skipped a beat.
"But Master Gao advised me, saying that I was forced into this situation and that I am not beyond redemption."
"Therefore, I will allow you to atone for your crimes by performing meritorious service."
Luo Yangxing felt as if he had been on a roller coaster; after the initial shock, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He trembled and collapsed to the ground, hurriedly saying:
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life. I will do my utmost to serve the king."
Zhu Youjian nodded slightly.
He knew that after this day, Wang Chengen would definitely not betray him.
Luo Yangxing would never dare to harbor any further disloyal thoughts.
With these two henchmen, his safety level will be greatly improved.
It will also be very convenient to do other things.
"Besides, Master Gao is here too."
A slight smile appeared at the corner of Zhu Youjian's eye.
After this period of time, his body has almost fully recovered.
Zhu Youjian got up on his own and went to find Empress Zhou.
As a result, they saw that Empress Zhou was actually selecting palace maids.
Zhu Youjian asked curiously, "Empress, what are you doing?"
Empress Zhou turned around and saw that Zhu Youjian could walk on his own, and she was overjoyed.
She ran over with a smile and said to Zhu Youjian:
"Your Majesty, I'm selecting people."
“We just went to see Master Gao. I noticed that his eyesight is poor and he has difficulty living.”
"So I want to select some clever maids and send them to him so that they can take care of his daily life."
Zhu Youjian glanced back and his lips twitched a few times.
"Your Majesty, Master Gao is blind, so you didn't need to choose such a beautiful palace maid."
Empress Zhou laughed a few times.
"What, Your Majesty, are you reluctant to part with it?"
Zhu Youjian would never admit that, waving his hand and saying, "Master Gao is my savior, what is there for me to be reluctant to part with?"
"I am just worried that these palace maids are unreliable and that the news might leak out, letting outsiders know the exact location of Master Gao."
"Master Gao's identity is special after all. If it attracts the attention of someone with ulterior motives, it could be detrimental to him!"
Upon hearing this, Empress Zhou's expression changed.
“That’s true! They even dared to tamper with His Majesty, so they’ll be even more unscrupulous when it comes to Master Gao.”
"Your Majesty, I was mistaken."
Seeing this, Zhu Youjian smiled and said, "Empress, don't overthink it. Not long ago, that old dog Wei Zhongxian sent me a few pretty young girls."
"I immediately sent it to Master Gao."
"So don't worry about Master Gao not having anyone to serve him."
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