SWDnovel Chapter 61: Zhu Yuanzhang Wants to Depose the Empress?
Chapter 61: Zhu Yuanzhang Wants to Depose the Empress?
"Are you trying to use His Majesty to pressure me?"
Ma Xiuying's eyes turned cold. "Bring Mao Xiang here. Today, I want to see if the people of your Imperial Guard Commandery are planning a rebellion."
"What? You only obey His Majesty's orders, but not mine? Are my words worthless here in the Imperial Guard Commandery?"
After Ma Xiuying's questioning, the group of inspectors in front of her broke out in a cold sweat and dared not answer a single word.
One wrong move and their entire family could be wiped out.
So everyone quickly exchanged glances, and soon an inspector ran off to find his commander, Mao Xiang.
"Lord Mao, you have quite the airs of an official."
Ma Xiuying looked at Mao Xiang, who had rushed over, and her phoenix eyebrows shot up. "Now even when I go to Kunning Palace, I have to ask your permission first? Since when did you, Lord Mao, become more important than the heavens in terms of palace rules?"
"I am truly eager to hear your opinion."
At this moment, Mao Xiang felt as if he had thorns in his back.
His father was a close comrade-in-arms of Zhu Yuanzhang in his early years, but unfortunately died on the battlefield. Therefore, he spent some time with Empress Ma when he was young and naturally had great respect for her.
But what happened at Kunning Palace a few days ago was something he found hard to believe.
But as a subject, he must obey the orders of His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince.
"Your Majesty... Your humble servant... Your humble servant..."
Mao Xiang opened his mouth, unable to utter another word for a long time.
"That's enough."
Mao Xiang composed himself. "Your Majesty, this humble subject will go and invite His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince immediately. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. Please forgive me."
This is the only thing he can do at this moment.
"So I'm going to have to wait for you?"
Ma Xiuying persisted.
"Your humble servant dares not."
Mao Xiang responded, then sternly ordered the group of inspectors around him, "Who dares to stop Her Majesty? You ignorant dogs! Her Majesty can go wherever she wishes."
"Everyone is to protect Her Majesty closely, and must not obstruct her in the slightest. Understand?"
"Your subordinate obeys."
The inspectors immediately bowed and replied.
In this way, they finally got through this hurdle.
"Your Majesty, I wonder if you are satisfied with my approach?"
When Mao Xiang looked at Ma Xiuying again, he lowered his head and was extremely respectful.
Ma Xiuying snorted coldly: "Now you must be going to see His Majesty too? Come, let's go together. Let's see what His Majesty is up to today. Is he going to depose me?"
"If that's truly the case, then trouble him to deliver the imperial decree. Today, I won't need your Imperial Guard Commandery to lift a finger; just hang yourself here in Kunning Palace with a white silk ribbon."
"I have been waiting for this day for a long time."
After Ma Xiuying's harsh words, Mao Xiang lowered his head even further.
Is it possible for him to understand these words?
My heart was pounding so hard I felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.
"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."
……
At this moment, the court session had just ended in the Wuying Hall.
After the investiture ceremony, almost all the civil and military officials, including the Duke of Wei, Xu Da, the Marquis of Zhongshan, Tang He, the Duke of Han, Li Shanchang, the Earl of Chengyi, Liu Bowen, and Hu Weiyong, gathered together to discuss the important matter of the Northern Expedition.
Everyone expressed their opinions, pooling their wisdom and strategies. From troop deployment and overall planning to the selection of the right time and the fate of the nation and the people, almost every aspect was considered very thoroughly.
Only after such preparations could the Northern Expedition be launched.
The Ming Dynasty of today is no longer what it was during the Red Turban Rebellion.
Now that we must both conquer and govern the country, and having established a nation, we must give much consideration to the well-being of the people and the nation.
Gradually, the civil and military officials worked out a general set of rules.
Just as everyone was smiling and laughing, an unprecedented shout suddenly rang out from outside the Wuying Hall, startling all the powerful figures in the Ming Dynasty.
"Is Your Majesty intending to depose the Empress?"
"Your Majesty did not need to issue a decree to Kunning Palace today; I came ahead of time. I am at your service at all times."
Empress Ma Xiuying arrived before she did; her voice, unique to founding empresses, already reached the Wuying Hall.
In a short time, he became a key minister in the imperial court.
Duke Xu Da of Wei, Marquis Tang He of Zhongshan, Duke Li Shanchang of Han, and Zhu Biao, among others, all changed their expressions drastically. The same thought simultaneously and in perfect unison arose in their minds: His Majesty wants to depose the Empress? How can this be allowed?
"Your Majesty, are you...are you going to depose my sister-in-law?"
Tang He's thick eyebrows shot up, his eyes almost popped out, and as he swallowed, he continued, "How can this be?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this...this is absolutely unacceptable."
"Your Majesty, she has been with you since Haozhou, sharing your hardships and joys. Your Majesty, by doing this, aren't you breaking the hearts of your old comrades?"
"Soup and soup."
Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at Tang He, preparing to offer a proper explanation, but the next moment, Duke Xu Da of Wei also stepped forward, his gaze solemn and his expression meticulous as he looked at the current emperor before him, saying, "What exactly does Your Majesty mean? Judging from the Empress's words, does Your Majesty have already sent troops to surround Kunning Palace? Which troops did you send? Are they the palace guards, or Mao Xiang's personal guard?"
"Does Your Majesty truly intend to..."
As he finished speaking, Xu Da spoke slowly and deliberately, his expression filled with disbelief.
If even those two had such an attitude, one can imagine how Liu Bowen, Li Shanchang, and Hu Weiyong were beside them.
At this time, Hu Weiyong had not yet ascended to a high position, so he dared not have any thoughts of rebellion, and he was still doing his best for the Ming Dynasty.
Even so, as a newly promoted official in the court.
He also knew what this Empress, who was in charge of the palace, truly represented for the entire Ming Dynasty.
If Zhu Yuanzhang was the political core of the Ming Dynasty, then this founding empress was also undoubtedly a political pillar.
Now that even this pillar is shaking, the Ming Dynasty is about to fall into chaos. Could it be that the Ming Dynasty is about to repeat the Xuanwu Gate Incident of the Tang Dynasty?
At this moment, Hu Weiyong was in a state of utter confusion and couldn't help but look at His Highness the Crown Prince Zhu Biao beside him.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable."
Li Shanchang immediately stepped forward. As the head of all officials, he naturally had to do his part.
Moreover, if the Empress were to be deposed, even his wife, Empress Ma, who had shared his hardships and joys, would end up in such a state.
What good can come of these old brothers who started their careers from scratch?
Even for my own safety, this matter must not be accomplished today.
"Biao'er, why don't you say a few words?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was so anxious that he stammered and couldn't even speak properly. He could only keep giving Zhu Biao meaningful glances.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Biao stepped back and joined forces with the group of uncles and elders in front of him, saying in a deep voice, "Father, this is absolutely unacceptable. The Empress must not be deposed."