Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

Xiyuan, Tingchao Pavilion.

Zhu Youtang gently waved the fishing rod, and as the bait hanging on the fish sank into the lake, the buoy floated on the lake.

Due to the recent government affairs and the changeable weather, there has been no fishing for two days.

Although he wanted to live a life of fishing every day, since he was already sitting on this dragon throne, he had to assume corresponding responsibilities, and the emperor was destined to be busy.

Every day, we have to face endless government affairs in the two capitals and thirteen provinces, and we also have to deal with diplomatic issues such as Mongolia, Jianzhou, North Korea, Annan, and Turpan. At the same time, we have to face various emergencies.

In addition to state affairs, he is now also facing marriage issues.

After more than half a year of talent selection activities in various places, the selection of three hundred show girls has now been completed, and all of them have arrived in the capital.

The palace pays great attention to etiquette, and the concubines and queens need to be screened at all levels, so it will take about three months to get the final result.

It's just that it's still early for the queen's affairs, but a marriage is about to be put on the agenda.

Since the Ming Dynasty and Mongolia have already negotiated peace, Manduhai will send a Mongolian mission to accept the tribute and will also bring Iksi's dowry.

After all, Yixi is the daughter of Manduhai. After accepting the tribute from the Ming court, she will be a legitimate princess, so she needs to have high standards in etiquette.

In fact, from the perspective of the country's interests, this marriage is more important than the emperor's wedding. After all, this is a key step for the Ming Dynasty to peacefully solve the Mongolian issue.

Zhu Youtang did not resist the inclusion of Manduhai's daughter Yixi into the harem. After all, in the adult world, interests are more important to consider, and this time he was a concubine for the country.

Of course, governing the country step by step is not Zhu Youtang's pursuit. Although he has never mentioned any rhetoric such as reform, he has been working hard to push the empire forward.

Clearing the land is currently the most effective way to improve the financial situation of the Ming Dynasty.

After uncovering the Sun family who were hiding behind the scenes to prevent the imperial court from clearing the abbot, the work of clearing the abbot of Anlu, Huguang is in full swing. Especially after Liu Zhong adopted Wang Zhi's suggestion of reward for exposing the situation, the hidden land of the squires in Anlu Prefecture has been exhausted. Escape.

According to the current speed, plus Liu Zhong has handed over the power of clearing the father-in-law of ordinary people to the state government officials, Anlu Prefecture will be able to clear the father-in-law in less than half a month.

Judging from Wang Zhi's constant feedback, the hidden fields in Anlu Prefecture will bring a "big shock" to the entire Ming Dynasty official and gentry class.

Zhu Youtang held the fishing rod in his hand and stared at the buoy floating on the lake.

In fact, what he is most concerned about is the first mutual trade that will be launched on Shenzhi Island. The first batch of cotton cloth has been shipped to Daming City on Shenzhi Island by sea, and will soon take the first step of Daming cotton cloth going abroad.

Although he is currently involved in many government affairs, he will not be an irresponsible emperor or a workaholic, but insists on balancing work and life.

Zhu Youtang had just finished handling the government affairs of the two capitals and thirteen provinces, and came here to go fishing. At this moment, he was bathing in the cool breeze blowing in his face and enjoying this kind of entertainment out of hobbies.

A water dragonfly flew across the lake, just touching the water and then flew into the distance.

After a while, the buoy started to move.

When Zhu Youtang saw the fish mark sinking rapidly, he quickly lifted the rod with quick eyes and hands. His eyes suddenly burst into light, he felt the weight of the fishing rod in his hand, and at the same time saw the red color jumping out of the water along the fishing line.

He saw the struggling fish coming towards him, and a smile broke out on his face.

Zhu Youtang likes the process of catching fish very much. His kidney function suddenly soars, and a joy permeates every cell in his body.

For fishermen, it's probably like me, who fishes 700 acres of water alone and returns with a full paycheck almost every time.

"Your Majesty, this red carp is really beautiful!" Liu Jin stepped forward and grabbed the lively red carp, looking very surprised.

Zhu Youtang also felt that the red carp he caught this time was particularly beautiful, so he said lightly: "The Queen Mother said earlier that she wanted to drink red carp soup. You can send the fish to Renshou Palace immediately!"

"Yes!" Liu Jin put the red carp into a wooden basin filled with water and said happily.

Zhu Youtang turned to look at Wang Xiang, who had been waiting for a long time, reached out to pick up the sour plum soup next to him and said calmly: "No need to be polite, are Sun Jiao's two sons still missing?"

After learning about the accomplices or masterminds of the Sun family's murder of Liu Zhong and Wang Zhi, he immediately ordered his house to be ransacked.

Due to the distance, the first one to be raided by the imperial court was the Sun Mansion in the capital. Although Sun Jiao had only been an official for a few years, he had been studying in the Imperial College, so he had completely settled in the capital, and his four children all lived in the capital.

It's just that the news of the imperial court's search of the Sun family was leaked in advance. Although Sun Jiao's two daughters were still in Sun's house, Sun Jiao's two sons had absconded.

In fact, it is not uncommon for people to abscond when their homes are raided, but they are usually caught quickly, and no one dares to take in a prisoner of the imperial court.

What's more, if there is no road guide, you can't go anywhere.

It's just that things are so weird. Sun Jiao's two sons were still in class in the academy the day before. As a result, after the two brothers escaped from Sun's mansion, they seemed to suddenly disappear from the world.

It has been several days since the incident happened, but Sun Jiao's two sons still cannot be found.

Zhu Youtang not only sent Jin Yiwei to arrest and search the whole city, but also used the manpower of Dongchang and Shuntianfu Yamen, but so far he has not been able to find the whereabouts of Na Sun Jiao's two sons.

Just like this, in the face of such a weird situation, some people already suspected that Sun Jiao's two sons had an accident, but they didn't know where they died.

"We are guilty. We haven't been able to find out the whereabouts of Sun Jiao's two sons so far. Please punish me!" Wang Xiang did not expect to encounter such a strange thing, so he immediately admitted his mistake.

Zhu Youtang sensed something unusual from the strange disappearance of Sun Jiao's two sons. He took a sip of sour plum soup and asked calmly: "What did Sun Jiao say? Is he still unwilling to speak?"

I thought that if Sun Jiao was discovered this time, I would not be too far away from the truth.

It's just that the toughness of Sun Jiao's mouth was beyond his expectation. Even though Mou Bin used various methods, Sun Jiao still didn't reveal the mastermind behind the scenes.

Judging from the expression of the Prime Minister, I am afraid that there is still no breakthrough today, and the real mastermind behind the scenes is still hiding in the fog.

"No! It's just that he relaxed today and made a condition to Your Majesty!" Wang Xiang swallowed and appeared to be cautious in reporting the report.

Zhu Youtang gently put down the bowl of sour plum soup and said calmly: "What conditions did he put forward?"

As the sun sets, the surface of Taiye Lake is dyed with a bright golden light.

With an easy and freehand swing of the pole, the fishhook with the bait sank back into the lake, and the buoy re-floated on the lake surface.

"Sun Jiao said that if His Majesty can agree to pardon his family, he will reveal the mastermind behind the scenes!" When Wang Xiang saw Zhu Youtang who had started fishing again, he lowered his voice slightly and reported.

Zhu Youtang's eyes fell on the buoy, but he said in a dumbfounded voice: "He has a wonderful idea!"

"Your Majesty, please be careful! The person behind this can enter and exit Fusi Prison in Beizhen, and his power is really formidable! If we take a step back and wait until Sun Jiao confesses this person, we can get rid of this great harm!" Wang Xiang He hesitated for a moment, but still expressed his attitude bravely.

In his opinion, a small person like Sun Jiao is simply not worth mentioning. The real big fish is the mastermind behind Sun Jiao.

Zhu Youtang looked at the gently shaking buoy, but warned unmoved: "It is impossible for me to make any deal with such a heinous person! You should never mention this kind of thing again in the future, and you can't do this again." The idea of ​​compromise, otherwise... the Queen Mother will not be able to protect you!"

"I am guilty!" Wang Xiang felt the emperor's anger and immediately knelt down in horror and admitted his mistake.

For a moment, the atmosphere here suddenly became tense, and a cold sweat broke out on Prime Minister Wang's back.

After several trials, the buoy suddenly sank.

Zhu Youtang lifted the fishing rod with quick eyesight and quick hands, and a beautiful crucian carp was caught.

Han Niu hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed the lively crucian carp. He took off the beautiful crucian carp with deft movements and put it into a wooden basin filled with clean water.

When Zhu Youtang saw Feng Ma hanging the bait, he put down his fishing rod and said calmly: "Mr. Wang, if Sun Jiao really refuses to fight to the death, you will tell him! If he doesn't reveal the person behind the scenes, he will be the mastermind of this incident. , not only will he himself suffer the punishment of Lingchi, but all the men in his Sun family will be beheaded!"

Feng Ma, who was hanging the bait, couldn't help but panic, but accidentally pricked his finger.

The Sun family has settled in Anlu since the time of Taizu. The three brothers are all senior generals in the army. Now they have been living in various places for six generations. There are not only a thousand but also hundreds of Sun family members.

Hundreds and thousands of people have been beheaded, and today's emperor is becoming more and more like the lord of China.

"I obey!" Wang Xiang felt the powerful murderous aura emanating from Zhu Youtang and immediately gave up the idea of ​​compromising with Sun Jiao.

Zhu Youtang squinted his eyes and looked at the setting sun. Although he really wanted to find out the person behind the scenes, it was impossible to make such a deal.

It's not that he doesn't know the importance of uncovering the person behind the scenes, but after all, he is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the lord of thousands of people in China, and the emperor of this land.

If their people knew that their emperor compromised with evil forces so easily, especially if he was an insignificant person, how would they view themselves?

Even if the investigation ends here, if he chooses to designate Sun Jiao as the leader and execute Lingchi, and kill all the men of the Sun family, that would be better than making a deal with such a treacherous and evil person.

When Zhu Youtang saw that the bait had been hung, he lowered his pole again and said, "Sun Jiao's two escaped sons should have fallen into the hands of the people behind the scenes. Now, the harder you Jinyiwei can't find them, the harder you must work." Go look for it, maybe now this is the only clue we have to find out the mastermind behind the scenes!"

Now that things have happened, he can't expect too much to pry Sun Jiao's mouth off, but he is preparing for the worst. But one thing is very certain, no matter how much effort and time it takes, the mastermind behind the scenes must be dug out.

"I will obey the imperial edict and must find Sun Jiao's two sons as soon as possible!" Wang Xiang immediately cheered up and solemnly stated his position.

When Zhu Youtang saw that the matter had been explained and he was ready to devote himself to fishing here, he waved his hand gently.

Han Niu found that the head of the royal guard Qianshi was too low and did not see His Majesty's gesture, so he coughed lightly and signaled the other party to leave.

The king was suddenly startled and respectfully left.

As he dug deeper and deeper into the matter, he discovered that Ming Dynasty's officialdom was truly unfathomable, and the man behind the scenes was even more unpredictable.

When the Prime Minister left Tingchao Pavilion, he suddenly found that his back was wet, and he realized that his emperor was actually an unfathomable person.

"Lord Qianshi, what's wrong?" Mou Bin saw Wang Xiang coming out of Xiyuan Gate and immediately stepped forward to greet him and asked.

"You are right. His Majesty does not agree with Sun Jiao's conditions. I was almost punished just now!" Wang Xiang was lucky to have a good aunt, and he seemed to be frightened.

"What do you mean by your majesty now? Do you want to judge Sun Tong to death for your humble duty?" Mou Bin was not surprised by the answer and asked seriously.

Prime Minister Wang told everything about what had just happened, and finally expressed his position seriously: "Judging from the current situation, Sun Jiao is indeed likely to be threatened. I'm afraid Sun Jiao is really desperate for the sake of the incense of their Sun family." If you really try him to death, if you really try people to death, it will be hard for us to explain! We still have to continue to interrogate Sun Jiao, but we must also do our best to trace the whereabouts of his two sons!"

Mou Bin suddenly froze on the spot as if something suddenly occurred to him.

When Wang Xiang saw his subordinate's reaction, he couldn't help but said in confusion: "Mou Qianhu, what's wrong with you?"

"Bizhi initially pretended to be interrogated to death. Sun Jiao was about to speak at that time. He only had time to go to the latrine to urinate. In the end, no matter what torture tools he used, Sun Jiao didn't speak!" Mou Bin raised his eyes and looked at Wang seriously! The appearance makes it appear that there is something authentic in the words.

Wang Xiang looked confused at first, but he quickly came to his senses and said, "If that's the case, as long as we find out who has been in contact with Sun Jiao during this period, who may be the person who delivered the message for the mastermind behind the scenes!"

"No...wrong?" Mou Bin was about to agree, but was suddenly stunned again.

Wang Xiang was just happy when he suddenly noticed a shadow next to him, and he couldn't help but turned his head and looked over in shock.

cough!

Just when the two men were talking deeply, Zhu Ji, the commander of Jinyiwei, had already appeared here and coughed lightly at the two subordinates who were talking deeply.

"I have met the Governor in my humble position!" Wang Xiang and Mou Bin exchanged glances, pretending to be bowing their hands in greeting.

Zhu Ji saw the reaction of the two people in his eyes, and said with surprising authenticity: "Mo Bin, when you went to the latrine, I visited Sun Jiao, you don't doubt me, do you?"

ah?

Wang Xiang and Mou Bin couldn't help but open their mouths in surprise, but they never thought that the person who delivered the news was probably Zhu Ji. Mou Bin pretended to be calm and said: "I don't dare to do this for a humble job!"