Chapter Twenty-Five: Ink and Powder Take the Stage

  Upon witnessing this scene, the Crown Prince stepped forward from the crowd, his right hand tightly grasping the hilt of his sword. He addressed the eunuch leading the opposing group: "I never thought that the Great Ming would have a slave like you. Even Liu Jin didn't have your audacity, daring to block my path. Li Jinzhong, you've been by my side since childhood; I cherish old friendships. If you turn back now, I can let bygones be bygones."

  Looking at the crown prince walking out, Li Jinzhong's face looked very unsightly, his expression constantly changing. He used to be a street rascal and knew the consequences of switching sides. But at this moment, he couldn't help but think for himself.

  After a moment of contemplation, Li Jinzhong suddenly understood why he should oppose the Crown Prince. As long as the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, he would become the Emperor, and since he had been by the Crown Prince's side since childhood, he would naturally rise through the ranks. Even if he offended the Crown Prince, he was just a dog, and the Crown Prince wouldn't do anything to him.

  Having made up his mind, Li Jinzhong took a step back and slowly knelt down, saying loudly: "I am the slave of the palace, I will not do those rebellious things, I was deceived by others. I hope Your Majesty will spare my life for all these years of loyal service!"

  All the ministers were stunned, this prince is truly extraordinary, not only did he not underestimate him in his heart, but instead secretly admired him. Being able to defeat an enemy without fighting is a quality that only a superior person possesses, it seems that the Great Ming has hope now.

  The crown prince slowly walked to Li Jinzhong's side, kicked his shoulder hard and said loudly: "You dog slave, you've long been without a whole body, still pretending to be whole, don't pretend to be dead here, follow me to the Wenhua Hall."

  Upon hearing the words of Emperor Tianqi, Li Jinzhong suddenly felt a sense of relief. It seemed that not only would the Crown Prince not pursue his mistakes, but he would also reuse him. He secretly rejoiced in his heart, wiped away the sweat on his forehead, and followed slowly behind the Crown Prince.

  This scene made the officials behind him exchange a smile, calm, decisive, not dragging mud and water, speaking with faith, and having a big belly to contain. These are new understandings of this prince, which is a quality that only a wise emperor can possess, they did not expect that this emperor who originally liked to do carpentry would also have such a side.

  Looking back at the excited minister, it seemed that he should add fuel to the fire. The crown prince slowed down his pace and said loudly: "All of you, wait a minute, I have something to say." Seeing everyone's eyes focused on himself, he continued: "I am about to ascend to the throne, from then on, I will be the emperor, and all of you will be my ministers. Before that, there are some things I want to say."

  "Our great Ming dynasty was not easily established, and at this time it can be said that the world is in turmoil and not peaceful. I want to establish a prosperous and strong Ming dynasty, but I still need the assistance of all of you. Moreover, I would like to thank all of you, my loyal ministers, for if it were not for your upright support, the river of the Ming dynasty might have been lost, and the ancestral temple of the Ming dynasty might have disappeared." As he spoke, the Crown Prince bowed sincerely to the ministers present.

  All the ministers did not expect Tianqi Emperor to say this, and they all knelt down in a hurry, saying loudly: "Your minister is terrified."

  "Chu Zhuang Wang once had a saying, 'If it doesn't sing, then forget it, but if it does sing, it will shock the world.' I too can soar to great heights with the help of all you noble ministers. The merits you have achieved today, I will not forget. All you nobles, come with me to the Wenhua Hall." With that, he waved his hand again and the Crown Prince led the way forward.

  As he walked to the Wenhua Hall, the prince's mind was thinking about what would happen next. According to historical records, these ministers would let him ascend to the throne on September 6th, six days later. This was a huge mistake made by Yang Lian. After Tianqi Emperor returned to the Qianqing Palace, he was once again confined, and many things happened during those six days, Tianqi Emperor almost didn't make it.

  But it can't be said that the coronation ceremony will be held today, which would make people all over the world laugh at themselves for being eager to ascend to the throne, and would also make these ministers have a grudge. This kind of thing is absolutely not allowed to happen, but I don't want to wait until six days later either, because there are too many variables in between.

  He slowed down his pace, previously the crown prince was prepared to come out in opposition, but now it seemed extremely inappropriate. Many of these ministers were old conservatives who couldn't be given any excuse. Suddenly, a figure flashed through the crown prince's mind, a historical celebrity, a famous member of the Donglin Party.

  The main gate of the Imperial City, Chong Tian Men, is located on the west side of the Thousand-Step Corridor, adjacent to the Five Armies Command Center, and faces the Six Ministries across the street. This yamen once made countless people feel fearful, even as if they were facing a tiger or leopard.

  The name of this government office is called Jin Yi Wei Du Zhi Hui Shi Si, also known as Jin Yi Wei. It was a special government office in the Ming Dynasty. At this time, the Jin Yi Wei government office should be very lively, but it looks extremely shabby and deserted. Except for the two guards standing at the gate, there are few people coming and going. Ordinary civilians who see this government office will take a detour around several streets, which can be seen from the terrible reputation of this place among the people, enough to make children stop crying.

  In the midst of desolation, a humble sedan chair arrived at the entrance of the Brocade Guard's yamen. However, no one emerged from the sedan chair; instead, a token was handed out from within. The sedan bearer then approached the captain, handing him the token and whispering, "The sedan chair is here to enter directly; please have your commander come forth."

  The lieutenant saw the token and did not change his slow pace. One of them led the way, leading Jiaozi in, while the other rushed in to report the news.

  At this time, the commander of the Brocade Guard was Luo Si-gong. Since the previous commander Liu Shou-you stepped down, Commander Luo had been sitting in this position. However, he didn't do a good job and wasn't as popular as Lu Bing.

  This commander-in-chief is in the government office, saying that he is working but actually just idly staying there. Since Wanli, the Imperial Guards have not been trusted and their status has become lower and lower. The originally large team of Imperial Guards has become worse year by year, and their days are also getting harder and harder to pass. On the contrary, it is the Eastern Depot that has always been deeply trusted by the emperor and has always been by his side.

  Just as Lu Siguang was thinking, a voice came from outside the door: "Subordinate Zhang Cheng, the gatekeeper, has an important matter to report to your lordship."

  She slightly furrowed her brow, Luo Si Gong hadn't expected that the gatekeeper would be a school lieutenant. Did she have to take care of the doorhouse matters herself? Didn't the Brocade Guard have anything else to do? At this time, Luo Si Gong still didn't know what had happened in the palace. Although the Brocade Guard's eyes and ears were all over the world, with their declining status and decreasing expenses over the years, there were very few people left. Moreover, the palace was under the control of the Eastern Depot, and the news of the emperor's death was sealed off by Wang An. Except for those loyal ministers, not a single message had been leaked out.

  "Come in." Although he was unwilling to socialize, Ruo Si thought for a moment and still called the person outside in.

  Looking for recommendations on where to collect some points!

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