Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 4 Destiny

After Xu Yingyuan left, Zhu Youjian recalled what this person had just said and was still deeply wary of Wei Zhongxian's power in the court——

Wei Zhongxian discussed the regency with the ministers, but only Shi Fenglai clearly opposed it.

Others did not say they supported Wei Zhongxian's regency, at least they were not determined to oppose it.

Wei Zhongxian's power in the court was truly formidable.

"If I want to take power, I must defeat Wei Zhongxian!" 』

Clearly aware of this, Zhu Youjian not only regarded Wei Zhongxian as a current obstacle to his succession, but also as a future political enemy. As long as he wants to take power after he ascends to the throne, the first person he has to defeat is Wei Zhongxian, the core of the eunuch party.

Only by defeating Wei Zhongxian can some of the eunuchs' talents be used by him.

Otherwise, these people will still form a political group with Wei Zhongxian as the core.

Today's battle for the throne can be seen as a battle between him and Wei Zhongxian. Wei Zhongxian was on the offensive, constantly making probing moves.

But he doesn't need to worry about this. The first thing Wei Zhongxian has to face is the ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty.

Analyzing the current situation, Zhu Youjian didn't say he was indifferent to Wei Zhongxian's temptation, but he didn't think it was a big problem. The Ming Dynasty has been inherited for 260 years, various systems are extremely complete, and people's hearts are still there. Zhu Youjian was confident in fighting Wei Zhongxian within this institutional framework.

If Wei Zhongxian is unwilling to do so and wants to kill everyone, he will just flip the table. Tu Wenfu's Royal Horse Supervisor and the Beijing camp controlled by nobles such as Zhang Weixian will all let Wei Zhongxian know what armed struggle is.

The two armed forces, Jingying and Yumajian, were ostensibly controlled by Wei Zhongxian, but those who actually made the decision tended to Zhu Youjian. All Wei Zhongxian can count on is foreign troops.

But as long as the capital does not fight against itself like Luoyang did at the end of the Han Dynasty, foreign troops like Dong Zhuo have no chance of entering the capital.

No matter how miserable the Beijing camp is, at least it will be okay to defend the city. Historically, the changes in Jisi two years later did not allow Hou Jin to invade.

Therefore, the most likely method Wei Zhongxian would use is palace struggle.

"I want to stay in Prince Xin's palace as much as possible and not go to dangerous places." In particular, the imperial palace is Wei Zhongxian's home court, so he should go there as little as possible before he ascends to the throne. 』

"After ascending to the throne, you will be safe. No matter how courageous Wei Zhongxian is, he will not dare to murder an emperor who has just ascended the throne in the palace." Otherwise, the noble ministers in the DPRK and Nanjing will quickly proclaim a new emperor and cut him into pieces. 』

Thinking of Nanjing's distinguished ministers, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but secretly praise the mystery of the Ming Dynasty's two-capital system. The Nanjing imperial court usually looks inconspicuous, but in matters related to the throne, its role is extremely huge——

No matter whether powerful ministers or eunuchs want to usurp the throne and become emperor, or completely oust the Ming Emperor, they must be careful that the Nanjing court appoints a new emperor and another "Fengtian Jingnan" occurs.

Recalling that Emperor Tianqi asked King Rui, King Hui and King Gui to become vassal at the beginning of the year, it seems to be a clever move now.

If these people are in Beijing like Zhu Youjian, Wei Zhongxian only needs to control King Fu and King Lu, and the Nanjing court will be unable to choose the emperor for a while——

After all, going back further, we all reach the vassal kings of the Xianzong family. The relationship is too far, and other feudal lords may become interested.

However, now King Fu, King Rui, King Hui, King Gui, and King Lu are all local vassal kings, and they are eligible to succeed Zhu Youjian according to the "Huang Ming Ancestor's Instructions" after his death. Wei Zhongxian's control over the local area was far from enough to control them all at the same time.

This determined that Wei Zhongxian did not dare to murder Zhu Youjian easily, lest these vassal kings be supported by the Nanjing court and put into trouble.

The Kingdom of Three Kings is indeed a wonderful move!
With thoughts turning in his mind, Zhu Youjian thought again:
"If it weren't for the fact that the three kings were in the land of March and the emperor's brother fell ill in May, I would have thought that the emperor's brother was arranging the funeral arrangements and specially guarding against Wei Zhongxian. 』

"There are also rumors that Wei Zhongxian is promoting the Kingdom of Three Kings, and he is harboring evil intentions. The next step is for me, King Xin, to leave the capital and become a vassal." 』

"It's just that no one expected that the Kingdom of the Three Kings would provide me with security when the Imperial Brotherhood began to be in poor health in May. 』

Sighing at the wonderful changes in the current situation, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but think of a word in his mind - destiny!
This gave him more confidence to fight Wei Zhongxian and seize the power of the Ming Dynasty.

In the blink of an eye, two days later, Xu Yingyuan received news that the Minister of Rites had come to pay tribute to Zongdao, and asked Wei Zhongxian's nephew Wei Liangqing to visit the emperor's suburbs and enjoy the Ancestral Temple. Zhu Youjian was unmoved at all and just continued to wait.

In the palace, Wei Zhongxian was also working hard to maintain his power.

According to the advice of the eunuchs, Wei Zhongxian first sent someone to inform the queen. After the queen clearly refused, he told the emperor that a maid in the palace was pregnant and could give birth to a posthumous son and become the emperor.

Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youxiao was on his deathbed. Hearing this, he summoned the queen and said:

"Wei Zhongxian told me: If two people in the harem are pregnant, they will definitely give birth to a boy one day, who can be your son and become the emperor."

Queen Zhang was slandered by Wei Zhongxian, and even her son was murdered without any explanation. She didn't want Wei Zhongxian to succeed, so she immediately said no.

After all, Emperor Tianqi was not completely confused. He knew that there could not be any pregnant maid suddenly appearing in the harem, and there were two of them at once. His original intention was to let Wei Zhongxian and the Queen rely on this posthumous son. When the Queen refused, he immediately gave up his mind and ordered someone to secretly summon King Xin.

In Prince Xin's Mansion, Zhu Youjian was summoned and knew that the final result was about to come out. Entering the palace with anxiety.

Emperor Tianqi cherished his younger brother Zhu Youjian very much. When he saw Zhu Youjian's arrival, he immediately passed down his will:
"My brother shall be the king of Yao and Shun!"

Zhu Youjian didn't dare to answer, and then heard Emperor Tianqi say:
"A few days ago, I issued an edict to the ministers: Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian are loyal and can plan important events."

"We must appoint loyal and virtuous people."

Zhu Youjian cursed in his heart: Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian may be loyal to you, but not to me. At nine thousand years old, he already wants to be the regent.

However, it was impossible for Zhu Youjian to argue with Emperor Tianqi at this time. Just as he was about to agree, he suddenly saw Queen Zhang walking out from behind the screen and said:

"Uncle Huang has a duty, and the matter is urgent. I'm afraid something will happen."

Zhu Youjian then bowed down and accepted it.

Emperor Tianqi pointed to the queen again and said:

"The palace has been with me for seven years. I always give correct advice and I have benefited a lot."

"I will be young and widowed from now on. I have mercy on you. I hope my brother will treat you kindly."

The queen shed tears when she heard the words. When Zhu Youjian saw this scene, his eyes also became hot, and he wept and agreed.

After Emperor Tianqi said these words, he was already a little tired. Zhu Youjian thanked him and left. Before leaving, he heard Queen Zhang whispering:

"Don't eat palace food!"

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, looked at his dying brother again, and walked out slowly.

He knew that this was the last time the two brothers would see each other.

When he enters the palace again, he should call the other party Emperor Daxing.

　"Chronicles of the Siling Ceremony": During the reign of Emperor Xizong, Wei rebelled and tried to welcome King Fu. Queen Yi'an summoned King Xin to succeed him and warned him not to eat food in the palace. King Xin made wheat cakes from Qi Wan of Zhou Dynasty and ate them with his sleeves.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)