Ming Dynasty: The ghost betrays the Confucian sage, my son Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 228 The Emperor’s Edict: The Prime Minister should go back and take care of himself in old age
Qianqing Palace, dusk.

Zhu Yuanzhang came back after approving the papers. When he entered the door, he saw Fourth Master Zhu sitting on his throne, with his legs still on the royal table, shaking and shaking. He couldn't help but rolled his eyes and said in a joking tone: "Dad, what are you doing? Are you trying to seize your son's position?"

"Haha, the emperor is not a human being, and he doesn't want it for me." Fourth Master Zhu raised his eyes and asked, "Why is it so late?"

"There are too many things to do, I can't finish them all." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and replied helplessly.

Fourth Master Zhu glared at him, with a hint of reproach in his tone: "You can't do everything by yourself, you must learn to use people. An emperor must know how to control his ministers and let them share their worries for you."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted and said with some dissatisfaction: "After Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong were beaten up, they gave up their work. Now the affairs of the Sixth Department are complicated and numerous, and we are really too busy."

A cold light flashed in Mr. Zhu's eyes. Li Shan was pretending to be sick, right? Anyway, this guy is old and of no use, so why not just let him go home to recuperate.

"You've long wanted Li Shanchang to leave, right?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes! In the past few years, many of the civil and military officials in the dynasty were promoted by him, and he was the only one who followed Li Shanchang. Is that okay?" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled coldly, "But after all, he is the founding hero of the country and the leader of hundreds of officials."

"In this case, I, as the Supreme Emperor, will issue an edict to let him return to his hometown to recuperate." Fourth Master Zhu spread his hands and looked helpless, "Isn't he sick? Then I Just be considerate and considerate of him and let him go back to recover." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed and he nodded: "That's good! Father, please let him go back to his hometown and become a villain. Let's give him a big reward and let the world know about it. We support our heroes."

"Let's do this." Fourth Master Zhu waved his hand. He did not mention Hu Weiyong. He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to use Hu Weiyong to play a big game, so he would not interfere.

"Dad, is this why you came to us?" Zhu Yuanzhang sat down and asked.

"Prince Liang of Yunnan has sent a delegation here?" Mr. Zhu frowned, "There are also people from Miaojiang Twelve Cave in the delegation. You have to be careful, those people are playing tricks."

"Don't worry, Dad, we also have experts around us." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were cold, "The King of Liang sent people here to pretend to sue for peace. The court doesn't have the energy to fight him now, so just accept it."

"Just asking for peace? No other purpose?" Fourth Master Zhu asked.

"I don't know!" Zhu Yuanzhang spread his hands, "Anyway, let's leave them alone and not summon them."

Fourth Master Zhu nodded slowly, and he planned to explore it himself.

……

At night, we will stay together in the hotel.

The air is filled with the faint fragrance of flowers. The flowers stand in front of the window. They look up at the crescent moon in the starry sky and sigh: "The moonlight in the capital of the Ming Dynasty also has a different artistic conception."

As soon as he finished speaking, a light laughter sounded in the air: "Oh? Can the moonlight in this capital city compare to the scenery of the Miao border of the Saint?"

As the voice fell, a red figure appeared in front of Xianfang like a ghost. The person who came was none other than Wu Yu. She was wearing a light red dress. She was beautiful and enchanting. There was a charming smile hanging on the corner of her mouth, which was alluring.

"But Senior Witch Queen?" Xianfang asked with a smile.

"Exactly." Wu Yu slowly approached, his figure swaying, "Prince Liang sent you to help me?"

"Yes, please ask the Witch Queen for more advice in the future." Xianfang nodded slightly.

"I've heard about Miaojiang Gu worms for a long time." Wu Yu raised a smile at the corner of his mouth, "I wonder if the saint can let me see it?"

Xianfang smiled slightly and flicked her fingertips, drawing an invisible trajectory in the air. Immediately afterwards, the ground began to shake slightly, and along with a rustling sound, something was about to move underground.

Wu Yu raised his eyebrows slightly and stared at Xianfang's movements with interest, but he couldn't help but become more vigilant. She felt an inexplicable chill rising from the soles of her feet, as if something was quietly approaching.

Suddenly, a crack opened in the ground, and a burst of black air spewed out from the crack, instantly filling the entire room. This black gas has a strong fishy smell that is disgusting. Immediately afterwards, Gu worms of different shapes crawled out of the cracks. Some of them had ferocious teeth, some were covered with hard shells, and some emitted a faint light, which was strange and terrifying. .

These Gu insects were crawling on the ground, making rustling sounds, as if they were whispering. Their number grew and soon the whole room was filled.

Wu Yu, who had lived for more than a hundred years, also had numbness in his back.

"Aren't you alone equivalent to an army?" she asked with a smile.

"Gu also has weaknesses. For example, bugs can be burned by fire. Of course, different bugs have different weaknesses." Xianfang said.

"I'm starting to look forward to it." Wu Yu's eyes flashed coldly.

……

The next day, the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong were drinking tea in the backyard. Although they did not go to the court, they knew everything that happened in the court. Hearing that His Majesty the Emperor has been very busy these days, the two of them couldn't help but feel a hint of unspeakable secret joy.

"Prime Minister, in a few days, your Majesty will definitely send an imperial physician." Hu Weiyong smiled gloomily, "Then, he will urge you to return to Zhongshu Province as soon as possible. Isn't that what he urged Liu Bowen to do before?"

"Liu Bowen knows His Majesty's character better than I do." Li Shanchang snorted, "What a pity, he is not from Huaixi and cannot be trusted by Your Majesty."

"Someone once said that he would take over as prime minister. Haha, what a fool!" Hu Weiyong disdainfully said. While the two were chatting, a voice came: "The Emperor's decree has arrived!"

Then, a group of people walked in from outside, headed by the eunuch chief Wang Jinghong. They were startled and quickly stood up to receive the order, even though it was the emperor's order.

"The Emperor's decree! Li Shanchang accepts the decree!" Wang Jinghong came in front of them.

"I accept the order." Li Shanchang knelt down, and Hu Weiyong knelt beside him.

Wang Jinghong glanced at them, then opened the imperial edict and began to pronounce it.

In accordance with the destiny of Heaven, the Supreme Emperor issued an edict:

Prime Minister Li Shanchang, who assists His Majesty Bi, is diligent in state affairs, diligent in planning, and has great merit and virtue. For the foundation of Ming Dynasty, we have worked conscientiously and have gone through ups and downs without wavering. I highly commend it.

However, I am very worried when I hear that you are seriously ill. Si Qing is already old, so she should take care of herself to ensure her health. Today I specifically request you to retire and return to your hometown, take care of your old age, concentrate on recuperating from illness, and no longer have to worry about the heavy affairs of the country.

This is it.

"Prime Minister, please accept the order." Wang Jinghong shouted.

Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong were stunned, what? Resigning from old age and returning home to recuperate from illness?

"Father...is this...a mistake?" Li Shanchang panicked.

He pretended to be ill and stayed away from court for a few days to let the emperor know that he, Li Shanchang, was indispensable in the court. He did not wait for the emperor's condolences, but instead waited for the emperor's decree asking him to retire and return to his hometown.

"That's right." Wang Jinghong smiled slightly, "How could this be wrong with the Supreme Emperor's edict? Falsely passing on the edict will lead to loss of head."

"This...but...what does your Majesty mean?" Li Shanchang asked anxiously.

"Your Majesty must agree." Wang Jinghong sighed enviously, "Your Majesty asked me to tell you that you will be rewarded with a certain area of ​​fertile land in Fengyang, 150 gravekeepers, 1,500 tenants, and 2 honor guards. Ten families. He also said that you are the number one hero of the Ming Dynasty."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Li Shanchang looked pale.

"Prime Minister, the Sa family has gone back to resume their duties." Wang Jinghong smiled and led everyone away.

……

After they left, Li Shanchang instantly collapsed to the ground as if his muscles and bones had been ripped away. His hands were shaking, his lips were trembling slightly, and he opened his mouth slightly, but finally chose to remain silent.

When Hu Weiyong saw this, he said angrily: "Prime Minister, your Majesty is really unfair to you!"

Li Shanchang was silent for a moment, with many complicated emotions flashing in his eyes. He sat on the ground and spoke slowly after a while: "Wei Yong, help me get up."

Hu Weiyong immediately stepped forward to help Li Shanchang and lifted him up steadily. Li Shanchang stood up and sighed: "It seems that His Majesty also intends to let me leave. That's all, I'll leave while I still have some favors left!"

"Prime Minister, if you leave, what will happen to the brothers in Huaixi?" Hu Weiyong asked anxiously.

A sharp light flashed in Li Shanchang's eyes. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Tomorrow, I will go to express my gratitude and say goodbye to His Majesty. Your Majesty will definitely ask who will take over the post of Prime Minister Zuo of Zhongshu Province."

Hu Weiyong was startled and quickly asked: "How are you going to answer, Prime Minister?"

Li Shanchang showed a meaningful sneer: "Of course I can't recommend you. Instead, I will recommend Liu Bowen and Wang Guangyang. However, your majesty will definitely not accept the candidates I recommend. When the time comes, your majesty will definitely ask you about it, and I will explain it in my words." I praise you openly and secretly. I guess His Majesty may use Wang Guangyang for a year or two as a transition, but he will eventually use you."

"Is this true?" Hu Weiyong asked in disbelief. Although he longed to become prime minister, he knew he had no chance in terms of qualifications and merit. What's more, he currently only holds the post of political counselor of Zhongshu Province, which is far from the position of prime minister.

He bowed deeply to Li Shanchang: "If it is true as you said, my subordinates will definitely remember my benefactor's great kindness and virtue."

"Wei Yong, I will give you a helping hand in the end." Li Shanchang sighed softly, his tone revealing deep helplessness and expectation.

"Thank you so much!" Hu Weiyong burst into tears of gratitude and immediately knelt on the ground.

"Wei Yong, accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. You have the talent to be the prime minister." Li Shanchang frowned slightly, "However, I still have to tell you a few words. Don't be clever in front of His Majesty."

"Please keep this in mind, isn't this how Yang Xian died?" Hu Weiyong nodded.

"Very good. After I leave, Brother Huaixi will have to rely on you to help." Li Shanchang looked serious, "Remember, you will both prosper and suffer."

Hu Weiyong nodded heavily, his heart burning with ambition to become the one that will last forever.

Li Shanchang seemed to be relieved and said with a smile: "I'm going to write a note about my return home."

(End of this chapter)