Chapter 50: Even More Poisonous
Zhu Yuhuan stared at Hu Yi for a long time, chuckled, and said, "Your Majesty, can you be the Emperor?"
Everyone heard a subtle tough attitude in Zhu Yuhuan's voice. In addition, considering their own status as subjects, and the fact that the summoned Duke of Ying and others and the cabinet had no objection, they found it even more difficult to say anything.
Hu Yi was Emperor Taizong's confidant and one of the five ministers appointed by the previous emperor to take care of the young emperor's son. His status was second only to Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu. The princess summoned other people but did not discuss it with Hu Yi. It was reasonable for him to raise questions at this moment.
Only a few imperial censors agreed with Hu Yi's proposal. The real leader of the country was the emperor. Once Zhu Qizhen became the emperor, the Oirat Mongols would not be able to issue orders in the name of the emperor, and naturally they would have no way to demand money or trick people into opening the switches.
No matter how tough the princess was, it was not easy for her to confront Hu Yi, the old minister. After all, the princess was praised for her filial piety to Emperor Taizong, and such reckless behavior would inevitably cause people to talk about her.
They did not take this opportunity to report the eldest princess because she was the only member of the Zhu family in the capital who could turn the tide.
When Hu Yi learned that he had not been summoned by the princess to discuss countermeasures, he already knew that Zhu Yuhuan might have other plans. However, under such circumstances, he could not really remain silent like Zhang Fu...
"Your Majesty is the ruler of a country and cannot remain in Wala for long. If you honor Your Majesty as the Emperor Emeritus, it will not only resolve the current crisis, but also allow Your Highness and Prince Qing to assist in government affairs. When the Emperor Emeritus is welcomed back in the future, this may not be a foolproof plan. After all, Your Majesty is a descendant of the Zhu family and Taizong..."
Although Zhu Qiyu had known that he would be mentioned in today's events, when he heard his name being mentioned by Hu Yi, Zhu Qiyu, who was standing next to Zhu Yuhuan, still shuddered in his heart.
Zhu Qiyu immediately spoke up, "Assisting the government is a matter of vital importance to the nation and the people. I am not talented or knowledgeable enough to shoulder this heavy responsibility. I ask all the senior officials to recommend talented individuals to shoulder this important responsibility and protect the ancestral temple. Only in this way can we live up to the blessings bestowed upon us, the descendants of the Zhu family, by the spirits of our ancestors in heaven."
Once these words were spoken, how could everyone not understand what King Qing meant?
Concubine Wu is still in the palace, relying on the care of Empress Dowager Cihui. How dare Prince Qing compete with the eldest princess?
Empress Dowager Sun felt even more disgusted with Zhu Qiyu in her heart.
He doesn't even dare to take the power that's delivered to his door. He's truly incompetent...
Zhu Yuhuan simply sneered and said, "I've summoned you to court today not only to discuss matters concerning His Majesty, but also to inform you of something else." She unfolded the military report and said coldly, "The areas around Changping and Jinshan have been completely wiped out by Yesen and his men."
After hearing Zhu Yuhuan's words, everyone looked at each other, and they already had a vague idea of what Zhu Yuhuan was going to say next.
As expected, Zhu Yuhuan continued, "The Changling Guard was among those invaded by the Oirat. Many of the officers there were killed or wounded. My great-grandfather's mausoleum was also disturbed by the Oirat. His spirit in heaven watched as the people and officers of the Ming Dynasty were killed and abducted by the Oirat." She presented the report to Hu Yi and asked, "Minister Hu, you are my great-grandfather's trusted minister. How could you tolerate the Oirat? I'm dressed like this today because I feel humiliated. This magnificent royal mausoleum has been trampled upon by the very enemies I once drove out. Hundreds of thousands of Ming soldiers have been buried at the hands of our enemies... How would our ancestors of the Zhu family feel if they knew? How would the people of the world react if they knew!"
Her eyes were red, but her tone was very firm. It was obvious that there was some kind of anger hidden under her seemingly calm appearance.
"My great-grandfather has been caring for me since I was young. He even commissioned former Jinyiwei Commander Saihazhi and eunuch Liu Yongcheng to teach me the art of archery and horseback riding. As a descendant of the Zhu family, I have always kept his teachings in mind. Every one of our Zhu family's children is a man of integrity. No one would have the audacity to lead the enemy troops to attack the border after being captured. You want to enshrine such a noble ruler, the ruler of the world, as the Supreme Emperor? I would like to ask everyone present, how many future generations of the Zhu family will it take to wash away the humiliation brought about by such an act? Or are you bringing shame to our ancestors just to maintain your reputation as loyal subjects?"
These words seemed to be just the eldest princess's emotional outburst, but most people could hear the hidden meaning in them.
The eldest princess was using filial piety and righteousness to condemn the emperor who was now captured by the Oirat Mongols.
Zhu Di fought on the battlefield all his life and eventually died on the way to victory. However, after his death, he was bullied by the Oirat Mongols.
Although the emperors since Zhu Gaochi were at fault for this situation, the direct cause was indeed Zhu Qizhen. As the only person in the Zhu family of this generation who had a close relationship with Zhu Di, it was understandable that the eldest princess was angry about this.
Zhu Qizhen, who was not present, could not make any defense. The only person who could speak for him was Empress Dowager Sun behind the pearl curtain.
But even Queen Mother Sun could not argue for her son in this situation.
Empress Dowager Sun's body couldn't help but tremble slightly, and she subconsciously wanted to stand up, but she saw the female official who was standing beside her took two steps forward, obviously trying to stop her.
Empress Dowager Sun immediately realized something and looked at Hu Shanxiang in shock.
Could it be that these mother and daughter are planning a coup?
Hu Shanxiang noticed her gaze and said softly, "You should listen carefully too."
The emperor has always attached great importance to filial piety when governing the country. Although Zhu Qizhen himself did not disrespect his ancestors, he caused the imperial tombs to be invaded by foreign tribes and even bullied Zhu Di, the emperor who had defeated the Northern Yuan Dynasty many times. If Zhu Qizhen, who was the holder of the highest power at the time, did not take responsibility, then who should be held responsible?
It can't be the eldest princess who has never truly ruled this country.
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at the silent ministers, took a few steps forward, and said, "As the regent, and the great-grandson of Emperor Taizong, even if everyone in the world insults me, Zhu Yuhuan, for being tyrannical and domineering, I will never allow you to lightly brush this matter aside and erase the humiliation suffered by my great-grandfather. If you insist on the regent position, you can seek out someone else, whether it's Prince Xiang or Prince Qing, or you loyal ministers of the Ming Dynasty."
There was silence in the Fengtian Hall.
Things have come to this point, it would be better for the emperor to be "dead".
Wang Hong suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, you may not know this. Before Your Majesty set out on the expedition, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory observed Mars entering the Southern Dipper, a sign of disaster for the emperor. In ancient times, Emperor Wu of Liang once fled barefoot from the palace to ward off this event, but Your Majesty remained indifferent. Today's disaster is the result of Your Majesty listening to slander, failing to follow Heaven's will, and abandoning your border patrols."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the censor who had just participated in killing the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and still had scars on his face, and most of them had the same thought in their eyes.
Why is it you again?
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