Chapter Thirteen: The Dissenter

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  Brothers, there will be updates at 12 o'clock tonight. I don't dare to say that the ranking is too high, but I still want to get on the list. Those who haven't slept, please come and support me with a few votes, thank you.

  Additionally, to Thin Bird brothers, Da Dao Zhou Cheng, Xia Fei, and readers who left comments in the book review section, thank you all here as well.

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  "You're all here too."

  Zhu Ciyan's emotions seemed to still be immersed in the situation he had just been in. After finishing his speech, the crowd of military officers swarmed up, all pledging their allegiance... how delightful, how exhilarating.

  What more can be said after he shouted "Who dares" and achieved such an effect?

  Among the Beijing officials, there were still a few hot-blooded and bold men who did not sit idly by, harming the people and being useless in times of crisis.

  Because he was so happy, he didn't notice the expressions on the two officials' faces... These scholars usually looked like this anyway, and it was hard to tell anything from their appearance.

  "I have seen His Highness the Crown Prince."

  Two civil officials bowed deeply, the lecturer did not need to be as courteous as a foreign minister, on the contrary, the crown prince should give due respect... The private school teachers of large families were also like this.

  "Whenever the master rises, he invites everyone to have tea."

  "Your Highness, there's no need for tea." Wu Weiyue was straightforward by nature. Recently, the Crown Prince had been very serious about his lectures and classes, which was a far cry from his previous behavior. Therefore, the lecturers were even more diligent, and their words naturally became less reserved and polite. For now, he only said: "Your Highness has assembled the capital's military officers to teach internal martial arts, which is not unusual in itself. However, Your Highness needs to be careful with your words, lest you give others a handle to grasp."

  Wang Zuo also said: "Nowadays, there are many petty people. As soon as Your Highness's words come out in the morning, rumors and discussions arise. According to what I know, several speaking officials want to speak... If someone really wants to stir up trouble, I am worried... It may be difficult for Your Highness to explain clearly to the Emperor."

  Zhu Ciyan also considered the reaction of the civil officials before reviewing the internal affairs. The most worrying thing was that the crown prince had a disloyal heart, or using the two sayings "prevent microcosm" to attack him.

  Chongzhen's imperial mind still had some, Li Banghua asked the crown prince to go on a southern tour was rejected, it was because Chongzhen worried that the crown prince would, after arriving in Nanjing, imitate the story of Tang Suzong ascending to the throne in Lingwu, and leave him in Beijing as a Taishang Huang. For an emperor, even if it's his own son coming to seize his power, it's absolutely not allowed.

  "The gentlemen are saying that I understand all of this." Although the two officials were not very polite and their attitude was somewhat stiff, the concern in their words was still easily perceivable. "However..." Zhu Ciyan's tone suddenly changed, his voice also becoming heavier: "At this meeting, if we are too cautious, hesitant and fearful, nothing will be accomplished. If someone really wants to stir up trouble and Father Emperor wants to punish me, just punish me, even if it means being beaten with a large stick, I will take the blame alone and accept it."

  "The prince doesn't have to be like this... In the future, be more careful and don't say too much." Wang Duo actually did have the intention of conveying a message for someone else. If the crown prince made too big of a scene, the person who entrusted him with the message would not be able to suppress it.

  The current situation between China and North Korea is strange, to be honest, the Emperor will also gradually lose control of the scene, the country is powerless, even the death penalty can't intimidate people, this scene will come soon.

  The person who conveyed the message was also kind-hearted, and with a few words of respect for the old ministers, he suppressed several younger generations who were eager to move, but it's not possible to do so again. If the prince makes another overstepping move, others might not be able to speak up either.

  Wu Weiye said: "There is still room for maneuver in national affairs... I think Your Highness is worrying too much."

  Wu Weiye's words, Wang Zuo did not agree at first. However, since both of them came to persuade the Crown Prince to follow the rules, they couldn't openly disagree with each other. After hearing his words, Wang Zuo only frowned and continued to advise Zhu Ciyan.

  "Is there anything else that can be done?" Zhu Ciyan was taken aback and lost his smile, thought for a moment, then smiled and said: "You two follow me."

  Wu Weiye frowned and asked: "Where are you going?"

  "Still Mount Wansui."

  The two officials looked at each other in dismay, and Zhu Ciying smiled: "Don't worry... there's no reason to get you two mixed up in the internal affairs... I'm taking you to see something."

  "Yes, then, I obey the crown prince's decree."

  One ruler, two ministers, with differing thoughts, the Crown Prince rode a horse, with two civil officials and eunuchs from the Eastern Palace following behind, a group of dozens, majestically heading in the direction of Wansui Mountain.

  Li Jiye blended into the crowd and also moved forward in a hurry, no matter what Xiao Ye did, this eunuch who was in charge had to follow him honestly.

  The changes in the current crown prince, along with Li Jiye who has been by his side for over a decade, are all within his sight and etched in his mind. Whether this change is good or bad, he can't quite tell yet, but what he does know is that both eunuchs of the Eastern Palace, Rong and Ku, have been following this young master for over ten years, ever since he resided in the Zhongxiu Palace... Now thinking of changing allegiance would be too late.

  The only plan for now is to follow step by step, work hard and strive for a glorious future. As for what the young master did or said at Wansui Mountain and Shouhuang Hall, he can't be bothered with that many things now.

  "Mr. Li, may I have a word with you?"

  "What?"

  As they approached the Gate of Supreme Harmony, a small eunuch ran over and whispered to Li Jiye: "Master Qiu invites Master Li to go to the Gate of Heavenly Purity to discuss matters."

  "Alright, I'll go now."

  As Li Jiye, he didn't need to report back, and quietly told a few other eunuchs, then brought several small servant officials, and quietly headed in the direction of Qianqing Gate.

  They were standing far away, but it was clear that Qiu Zhizhong and several eunuchs in red robes were standing together, all with unpleasant expressions, apparently having just had a dispute.

  "What's wrong?" Li Jiye asked: "Why are you all so solemn, is there something that can't be said properly?"

  Qiu Zhi Zhong's face turned pale with anger, and he swept his sleeve, saying: "You ask Mr. Fang and the others, and you will know the truth."

  Fang Zhenghua's face turned upwards, with a difficult expression.

  He was a eunuch who served as the chief of the imperial guards, and was one of the best in the palace. He was skilled in both archery and martial arts, and Chongzhen kept him by his side for his loyalty and military prowess, spoiling him terribly. As a result, this person was extremely arrogant in the imperial court, looking down on everyone else.

  This person can ignore him, but Fang Zheng has transformed Zhang Yi Xuan into a proud and poisonous person with a narrow mind, who is notorious in the Ministry of Rites for being difficult to get along with. There is only one exception: this person is Wang De Hua's confidant, and only Wang De Hua can control him and make him move.

  These two men were formal imperial eunuchs who held the pen from the Neishu Hall, and then to the Imperial Censorate, all the way to the position of eunuch. This path is not easier than that of scholars who spend ten years studying, pass the imperial examination, become a Hanlin scholar, serve in various positions, and finally become one of the nine ministers, before being promoted to the Grand Council.

  All are on the same path as Mount Hua, and those who can climb to the top are not benevolent.

  In terms of status, Li and Qiu are far superior to the two in front of them, but it's only a matter of time before the eunuchs of the Eastern Palace rise to power. Ordinary people don't want to offend them easily, so today's scene of fighting cocks is rarely seen.

  Fang didn't respond, but Zhang Yi Xuan smiled and said to Li Ji Ye: "Old Qiu is a bit too anxious... We're not refusing, what else can be said about the young master's things? In the future, the emperor's throne will all belong to him, how dare we slaves refuse? It's just that right now, there really isn't any money, no equipment, and even less armor. For over a decade, various places have been constantly asking for troops, requesting equipment and armor, and the imperial guards' gear has been stripped several times! Look at what they're wearing now! If we had it, why would the young master need to ask again? Originally, the imperial guard's equipment was supposed to be the best in the world.

  Although this person is sinister and petty, what he said now is also a fact. After Chongzhen took the throne, the war did not stop, and the Beijing camp soldiers were dispatched many times, but the military achievements were poor, and they became more and more useless, so now no one asked the Beijing camp soldiers to go to battle again. However, although the camp soldiers did not move, the supplies of food, equipment, and armor continued to be provided to the front line, and by today, the Beijing camp had indeed become a burden on the inside.

  It's just Zhang Yi Xuan's words, of course, is an excuse. The rotten boat still has three catties of nails, and the armor and equipment for hundreds of people can't be gathered together. It can only be said that on the side of the ceremonial official, there must be another intention, it's not that there is no reserved support.

  "Are the two of you still unaware?" Seeing Li Jiye nod slightly, Fang Zhenghua stepped forward again, his anger rising: "The front is asking for supplies, and the cabinet is requesting the release of internal funds. However, there isn't even 10 million taels of silver in the internal treasury now. We must reserve a few million to prepare for emergencies. The country is currently so destitute... His Majesty shed a few tears in his sedan chair on his way back from court today... Standing by and watching, what kind of feeling does one have? Alas, national affairs are in such a state now. Even the grain transport may not be preserved. Fires are breaking out everywhere, and rumors are spreading far and wide. His Majesty is truly worried. I'll speak frankly to you two: if we have something, we won't hesitate to give it; if we don't have it, then we can only do without it. The master of the clan would also say the same thing."

  He finished speaking and clapped his hands, the meaning was very simple, it was absolutely not to be discussed again. Although this person is rough, he is also straightforward, and some of what he says is true.

  Li Jiye let out a small sigh and turned to Qiu Zhizhong: "In that case, we'll go back and ask Young Master Ming what he has to say about it."

  "Well, it can't be helped."

  Qiu Zhizhong was ordered to come, Zhu Ciyan had already selected people from the inner camp, and then they needed military uniforms, armor, weapons, bows and arrows, and related materials. Of course, they also wanted to get them as soon as possible. In addition, they had to set a salary, and there were many horses, because Zhu Ciyan was determined to train a strong cavalry team, so they needed horses, high-quality warhorses, spare horses, saddles, and horsemen's rations... These added up, and although there were only 400 people on the list, the required expenses and materials were staggering.

  Originally, I didn't want to get everything, even half would be enough to go back and settle the account. However, when I arrived at the place of the official in charge of ceremonies, Wang Dehua made excuses not to see me, and instead had Fang Zhenghua, this big cannon-like man, come out, along with Zhang Yi'an, this sly and cunning little person. The two of them, one tough and one soft, didn't say a word about wanting money or armor, but rather asked for military uniforms, cloth, rawhide, cowhide, and the like, saying they could have as much as they wanted.

  Qiu Zhi Zhong also knew that this was a gain without expense. These things were previously submitted by the guards of various places every year, for more than 200 years, and the ten large warehouses were filled to the point where people could not enter, and there was no room to insert a foot. The eunuchs in charge of ceremonies also did not mind at all.

  Thinking of this, Qiu Zhizhong could only sigh with Li Jiye. As for the young master's side, he was afraid that he hadn't thought it through, doing some things to help, but having few helpers and many obstacles. Not only would outsiders point fingers, even the servants in his own household might not be of one mind with him.