The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 417: Add some color to the New Year
As Hu Mei and Zhao Fu's property was raided, the officials were confused.

At first, when Zhou Dexing, Wang Cheng and others had their homes searched, everyone thought it was a retaliation for "forcing the emperor to abdicate."

But Hu Mei was not involved in that incident, so why was he arrested as well?

Moreover, they directly confiscated the property without leaving any room for maneuver.

The key point is that he is the biological father of Concubine Hu Shun and the maternal grandfather of Prince Xiang Zhu Bo, which has a very different meaning.

Those who were quick to react immediately guessed that it must be that Zhou Dexing and Wang Cheng could not hold on in the imperial prison and confessed something.

And some of these things involved Hu Mei.

But another question arises: what did they do to make the emperor not consider the feelings of Concubine Hu Shun and Zhu Bo at all?
And now there are only ten days left until the Chinese New Year.

As the saying goes, this New Year's Day...

Why can't we wait until after the New Year to discuss anything? Do we have to raid the house at this critical moment?

Are you dissatisfied that the New Year isn’t festive enough and want to add some red?
But it is precisely because of this that they can feel the seriousness of the matter more.

Regardless of the truth, everyone felt that a storm was about to come.

Regardless of why Zhou Dexing and Wang Cheng were arrested in the first place, the nature of the matter had changed since Hu Mei's house was searched.

What exactly happened, how many people will be involved next, and whether they will be implicated have become issues that everyone is worried about.

Those who had previous connections with Zhou Dexing, Wang Cheng, and Hu Mei began to panic and asked their connections for information.

The entrance to Chen Jingke's house was particularly lively, but he simply chose to close the door and refuse visitors.

Out of sight out of mind.

A few days later, news finally came out about what happened in the palace.

Concubine Hu Shun was deposed.

This is even more serious.

Even the most obtuse person would know that something big had happened.

Deposing the imperial concubine was a signal, meaning that Hu Mei was doomed to die.

The crime of causing the death of a marquis and the dethronement of the imperial concubine is not a small one.

And this kind of serious crime will inevitably implicate many people.

Now both the government and the public were in a panic, especially those who had joined in the "forced abdication" and they were the most regretful and regretted it to death.

While greeting Zhou Dexing and Wang Cheng's eighteen generations of ancestors in his heart, he asked someone to take care of it.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year was completely replaced by panic.

What, you're talking about the great division?

Who has the time to care about this at this time? Let’s save our lives first.

Just at this time, King Xiang Zhu Bo returned to Beijing.

He did not rush back because he received the news that his mother had an accident, but rather returned to Beijing to celebrate the New Year and report on his work.

It was not until I got near Luoyang that I heard about this incident.

You can imagine how anxious he was. He immediately left the main force behind and returned to Beijing first.

As soon as he reached the gate of the capital, he was stopped by people sent by Chen Jingke.

Even though he was very anxious, he still chose to go to Chen's house to ask what had happened.

After meeting Chen Jingke, he didn't exchange too many pleasantries and started asking about the reason for the incident.

Chen Jingke explained the whole story.

When he learned that Zhou Dexing and others were forcing him to abdicate, he was very angry.

When he learned that Zhou Ji and Wang Yong had defiled the harem, he became even more furious, but at the same time he also realized that something was not right.

As expected...Hu Mei and Zhao Fu also got involved, and they were the instigators.

Concubine Hu Shun was implicated because she helped them clean up their mess.

"Thanks to the Majesty's strong protection, Concubine Shun was spared punishment, but her honorific title was abolished."

Zhu Bo was completely dumbfounded. He couldn't accept this result.

My grandfather, that kind and upright old man, actually did such a dirty thing.

My own mother also helped to cover it up.

How will you deal with this kind of thing when it happens?

"I...he...why would my mother help...why would she be so confused."

Chen Jingke sighed inwardly. When something like this happened, Zhu Bai, who was caught in the middle, had the hardest job.

Patting his shoulder, he said sternly, "It is understandable for Concubine Shun to do this."

"Think about yourself now, and you will understand her helplessness at that time."

Zhu Bai nodded subconsciously. Her father had committed a capital crime, and she must have been even more frightened and helpless than she was now.

In that situation, it's understandable that she would make any choice.

Thinking of this, he felt much better.

Chen Jingke went on to say: "Her behavior is reasonable and not allowed by the law."

"Therefore, your majesty has revoked all her titles."

"But she is your biological mother after all. His Majesty still took your feelings into consideration when dealing with her."

"When you are granted a fiefdom in the future, you can take her with you and let her spend her old age in peace."

After his consolation and analysis, Zhu Bo finally regained his composure, stood up and saluted towards the direction of the palace:
"Thank you, madam. Thank you, father."

Then he turned around and saluted Chen Jingke again: "Thank you for your concern, Jingke."

Chen Jingke shook his head and said, "I really didn't help much in this matter. Just imagine how angry the emperor was at that time."

"I don't have the guts to offend him. Thanks to the Queen and the Crown Prince for pleading for me. You should thank them if you want to."

Zhu Bo acted like he knew everything and said, "I understand. I will personally thank the Queen and the Prince."

Chen Jingke was quite speechless. It seemed that his image as a good guy had been deeply rooted in people's minds.

But he really didn't help in this matter.

Old Zhu looked like he was ready to eat someone, so who would dare to plead for him?

It was all thanks to Empress Ma and Zhu Xiongying that it was saved.

However, he did not force an explanation. What he had said was enough. If he said more, it would seem deliberate.

The two sat down again, and Zhu Bo asked, "People in Luoyang should be in a state of panic right now, right?"

Chen Jingke nodded and said, "Yes, everyone can sense that a storm is coming."

Zhu Bo couldn't help but feel a little nervous, and said, "My father is planning to open a major case during the Chinese New Year?"

Chen Jingke replied: "The great division is imminent. If we don't do some things now, we will never have the chance to do them in the future."

He only figured this out recently.

Blindly seeking stability will only lead to chaos. Sometimes you have to be tough when necessary.

The nobles are of varying quality, and rash enfeoffment will only bring disaster to the country and the people.

Once the feudal state catches fire, the Ming Dynasty will have to pay a thousand times the price if it sends troops to put out the fire.

It might even bring down the Ming Dynasty.

To be selfish, how could the Ming Dynasty just ignore it?

But he would never allow China's expansion plans to be obstructed.

Therefore, this great purge must be carried out.

Moreover, taking action on the eve of the Great Enfeoffment would be a better way to intimidate the noble group.

In this way, even if they were divided into fiefdoms, they would not dare to act recklessly.

Zhu Bo's expression became even more serious. Even Chen Jingke said so. There would be a lot of deaths this time, and it might even exceed the number in the Hu Weiyong case.

Then he thought to himself: "What should I do?"

Chen Jingke said: "Don't do anything. Leave my house and go straight to the palace. After meeting the emperor, ask to visit Concubine Shun."

"After watching Concubine Shun, she pretended to reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors and refused to see anyone."

"I will instruct Du Tongli to send the Royal Guards to guard your front door, so that no one dares to come to your house."

With the Imperial Guards guarding the gate, anyone would think that he was under house arrest by the Emperor. In this case, naturally no one dared to look for him.

"From now on, you will stay at home until there is an imperial edict."

"Wait until Hu Mei is executed, then you can write a petition to collect the bodies of his family."

"By that time, things will be pretty much settled, and you won't have to hide anymore."

Zhu Bo could only smile bitterly.

He really couldn't get involved in this matter. If Hu Mei had committed some other crime, even treason, he could stand up and plead for mercy.

Zhu Yuanzhang would not do anything to him. At most he would scold him a few words and then praise him for his filial piety in private.

When people all over the world mention this matter, they will give a thumbs up and praise the filial piety.

The only thing he is not allowed to do is to defile the harem. Whatever he says about this matter is wrong.

Begging for mercy? You will become a laughing stock.

Don't ask for mercy? You will also be laughed at.

Pretending to be grounded is the best way to deal with it.

No one could blame him for anything.

"Okay, I'll go to the palace in a moment, please send the Royal Guards over as soon as possible."

Having said this, he hesitated for a moment before asking:

"Do you think I will be included in this division?"

Chen Jingke decisively rejected it: "If you divide the fiefdom now, you will not be able to display your talents."

After all, being enfeoffed in Southeast Asia limited one's future.

"Secondly, it will completely eliminate the possibility of reconciliation between the emperor and Hu Shunfei. I believe Hu Shunfei does not want to leave with regrets."

Zhu Bo said in disbelief: "Is there any possibility for my father and mother to reconcile?"

Chen Jingke said: "After all, you have been married for decades, and you are my son. There is no deadly feud that cannot be resolved."

"When His Majesty's anger subsides, everyone can help mediate and the relationship will be eased."

"It's unlikely that her title will be restored, but if she is released from the cold palace, it should be no problem to bury her in the imperial mausoleum in the future."

"If you can achieve some results in Jiaozhi, the process will be smoother."

In the first thirty years, the son's status depends on the mother, and in the last thirty years, the mother's status depends on the son.

The greater his contributions, the greater the probability that Zhu Yuanzhang would forgive Concubine Hu Shun.

Zhu Bo said excitedly: "Okay, I understand. I don't need this fiefdom."

"I will manage Jiaozhi well for the court and try to reconcile my father and mother as soon as possible."

Chen Jingke smiled and said, "It's great that you think so."

"Besides, the prince certainly doesn't want you to be granted a fiefdom so soon. He still wants you to stay and help him conquer the world."

There is no doubt about Zhu Bo's ability, and he has done an excellent job in Jiaozhi over the years.

At the beginning, Zhu Gang took Jiaozhi in a sweeping manner and garrisoned it for nearly a year, establishing a preliminary rule there.

However, the environment in Jiaozhi was harsh and there were many branches of the Chinese nation.

These branches have completely forgotten their identity as descendants of the Chinese and are dissatisfied with the Ming Dynasty.

After Zhu Gang left, the mountain people often came out to rob and cause chaos.

If this continues, Jiaozhi is likely to be lost again.

The most worrying thing is that this place will become a wound for the Ming Dynasty and will continue to bleed.

Then Zhu Biao sent Zhu Bo to guard the place.

After he arrived, he reorganized the military, maintained security and protected the people, and personally led troops to wipe out the tribes that were hostile to the Ming Dynasty.

There are no large-scale anti-Ming tribes in Jiaozhi now.

Not only is the military convenient, the civil affairs aspect is also done very well.

They settled refugees, encouraged farming, and actively recruited mountain people...

There are still occasional rebellions in Jiaozhi, but the overall environment has improved a lot.

However, this situation is not stable and may collapse at any time.

A reliable and capable person is needed to continue to guard the place.

Zhu Bo is undoubtedly the most suitable one.

Whether out of personal feelings or practical needs, Chen Jingke did not want Zhu Bai to leave.

Zhu Xiongying had the same idea.

Moreover, they had higher expectations for Zhu Bo, which was to help the court pacify the entire Indochina Peninsula.

This is the granary planned by Chen Jingke, and it is the key to helping the Ming Dynasty survive the Little Ice Age.

For Zhu Bo personally, his achievement in pacifying the Indochina Peninsula is enough to earn him a separate page in history books.

In comparison, enfeoffment became less important.

Anyway, as a prince, it is inevitable to have a fiefdom.

It's just a matter of time, there's no need to rush.

In fact, he himself didn't want to leave. The reason he asked about the enfeoffment was that he wanted to take Concubine Hu Shun away as soon as possible. After all, life in the cold palace was not easy.

Now that he had Chen Jingke's plan, he immediately gave up the idea.

Work hard in Jiaozhi, help your parents reconcile, and at the same time fulfill your personal pursuit of career.

why not.

Because there was something going on in the palace, it was not convenient for Zhu Bai to stay here for long. After the two chatted for a few more words, he got up and left.

Afterwards, as Chen Jingke had planned, he first went to pay a visit to Zhu Biao, and then to meet Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma.

At first he proposed to go see his mother, but was rejected by Lao Zhu.

Then he knelt on the ground and cried bitterly.

Old Zhu couldn't stand the crying anymore, so he agreed to his request like shooing away a fly.

After he left, Old Zhu immediately looked very pleased. Old Twelve was a filial child.

However, after Zhu Bo visited Concubine Hu Shun, Zhu suddenly changed his attitude, reprimanded him, and ordered him to be confined to the house.

You are not allowed to go out without permission and are not allowed to have any contact with outsiders.

If Zhu Bai had not met Chen Jingke, he would have thought that his father was angry with him.

But now he understood that it was Lao Zhu who was protecting him and keeping him out of trouble.

I was so touched.

As for the ministers, they had been watching Zhu Bo's return to the capital, waiting to see his reaction.

Many people were even ready to drag him down if the situation went wrong.

However, the turn of events was beyond their expectations.

As soon as the Prince of Xiang entered the palace, he was placed under house arrest, and there was a full team of Jinyiwei guarding outside the gate.

This disappointed them greatly.

However, they did not know that Lao Zhu was protecting his son.

I just thought that Zhu Bo said something that made Zhu Yuanzhang unhappy.

This incident once again made them realize the seriousness of the matter.

But then, something happened that kept everyone awake at night.

Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict, ordering Xu Da, Tang He, Feng Sheng and others to take over the imperial guards.

At the same time, he ordered Prince of Jin Zhu Gang and Prince of Yan Zhu Di to temporarily suspend the border offensive and withdraw the main force back to the interior.

What this means is obvious.

The last time there was such a big fuss was the Hu Weiyong case.

In other words, the emperor was ready to kill people.

(End of this chapter)