Volume 2: Soaring! The Overlord of the Region Chapter 199 More Than One Funeral
According to Wei Zhongxian, Zhu Changluo died on a woman's belly on September 24. Of course, this kind of thing cannot be said publicly. So the court now publicly announced that the cause of death was severe diarrhea.
But, no matter whether he died in the woman's stomach or from severe diarrhea, Zhu Youdong's heart was filled with deep doubts.
"Mr. Yuan , I'm going to ask you one last question! Does my father's matter have anything to do with you?"
"Your Highness, I will answer you one last time! We want to do what you said, but we haven't had the chance to do it yet!"
“You~~!”
Looking at Yuan Keli, who was looking at him fearlessly with his neck stiff, Zhu Youdong finally waved his hand weakly and asked Yuan Keli to leave.
Alas, perhaps it is because I am a time traveler and I unconsciously always make judgments based on the trajectory of history.
Yes, in the original historical plane, Zhu Changluo died in 1620, but in this plane, it happened eight years earlier. However, in this plane, my appearance helped him stabilize his position as the crown prince in advance, and his tense mentality relaxed all of a sudden. His personal lifestyle became more indulgent, causing his health to deteriorate rapidly. And then, because of my performance, he was always depressed. In addition, at the beginning of this year, Wang An was killed because of me, and Guo Zhengyu was forced to commit suicide, which frightened the crown prince again...Okay, I convinced myself.
In short, after receiving the news of Zhu Changluo's death, as the eldest son, Zhu Youdong had to set off for Beijing immediately.
"Hey, I was planning to complete the population census of Nanzhili this year. Now it seems... Mr. Yuan, you will not go to Beijing this time. Please stay in Nanjing. The population census must continue to be vigorously promoted. This is related to the foundation of the country. Compared with him, my position as the crown prince is nothing."
"Your Highness, please don't think like that. If your position as heir is unstable, the country will have no future. What is the point of having a foundation? But don't worry, Your Highness. I will continue to promote this matter in Nanjing."
"Okay, I'm going to be in Beijing for a long time this time. So, Li Shizhong, Zhang Shize, Li Chunzhong, and Wang Chengen, the four of you will follow me back to Beijing. Everyone else, stay in your positions."
"Your Highness!"
"What do you want to say, Mr. Yuan?"
"In addition to Shizhong's personal guards, please also bring an army of Henghai Guards. The size of the army must be at least a thousand households."
"Hey, Mr. Yuan, at such a sensitive moment, how can I bring an army of thousands of people back to Beijing? How about this, I will transfer a centurion and let the sniper king, Wang Shunwen, accompany me back to Beijing. In addition, how about Master Cheng also come with me?"
"This arrangement is appropriate."
"Well... Mr. Yuan, I'm confused right now and I haven't thought through many things. Please help me find out what I missed."
"Yes, Your Highness, please rest assured."
After making all these arrangements, Zhu Youdong went to pack his luggage, while Yuan Keli immediately went to work.
"Pass the word on. The next census will be held in the nearby Zhenjiang Prefecture. The personnel of the work team can be replaced, but the size will remain the same. Instruct the team leaders to pay more attention to the methods. At this time, stability is the priority."
"yes!"
"Captain Tian, send out a capable person... No, you go to Luoyang in person! Keep a close eye on Prince Fu!
"Okay, Mr. Yuan, don't worry. I will go to Luoyang as soon as the Crown Prince gets on board."
"Is Yan Siqi still in Osaka?"
"Yes, I heard that the situation in Japan is getting more and more serious, and General Yan cannot come back for the time being."
"Then send a message to Li Guozhu, asking him to dispatch a squadron to escort His Highness north. Send another squadron with more soldiers on board to follow His Highness's fleet on the road. After His Highness enters the capital, find a place to land nearby so that there will be someone to pick him up when necessary."
"yes!"
"Everyone, the dragon soars into the sky and begins to move today. We follow His Highness because we firmly believe that His Highness is the wise ruler who can lead our Ming Dynasty to prosperity. So at this moment, everyone is required to perform their duties conscientiously and make dedicated contributions!"
"Please rest assured, Mr. Yuan, we will follow His Highness till the end of time!"
…
On October 7, 1612, Zhu Youdong and his entourage hurried back to Beijing. For the first time, he did not go to the Qianqing Palace first, but went directly to the Ciqing Palace.
Although the owner of this place had passed away half a month ago, the Ciqing Palace, wrapped in a white curtain, was still gloomy. From Crown Princess Guo onwards, more than 30 concubines, and 13 children, everyone looked terrified. Although they had cried for so many days and had shed enough tears, they still couldn't help sobbing when they thought of the uncertain future and the possible tragic end.
When Zhu Youdong, dressed in mourning clothes, appeared in the palace's mourning hall, Guo took the lead and everyone in Ciqing Palace surrounded him and burst into tears again .
They had no choice but to be afraid. The stories of the Jianwen and Yongle dynasties of our dynasty were well known to everyone. After all, Emperor Jianwen was 15 years old when , and he was 21 years old when he ascended the throne. But the oldest man in our family is only 12 years old!
But what can we do? What would it be like if our branch lost to Prince Fu's branch in the battle for the throne? Look at Emperor Jianwen. It is unclear whether he is alive or dead, but his brothers and sons all died suddenly soon after Emperor Chengzu ascended the throne!
Therefore, Zhu Youdong is the key to everyone's survival in the future!
"Alright, alright, stop crying. Don't be afraid, I'm here." Zhu Youdong hugged each of his brothers and sisters gently, and said softly, "Youxiao, besides me, you are the oldest man here, and you have to take on your responsibilities. So, take your brothers and sisters and aunts out to rest first, and then come back to talk to me later."
After everyone slowly left, Zhu Youdong was finally able to kneel down and pay respect to Zhu Changluo's coffin. After completing the basic procedures of lighting candles, burning incense, and crying, Zhu Youdong paid respect to Guo who was standing next to him: "Mother, you have worked hard."
"Ah, it's not hard for me. But you, after fighting in Liaodong, went to Nanjing not long ago and hurried back."
"Mom, father, this, wasn't he framed by someone?"
"Probably not. Your father was in Liu's slave's room that day... when he suddenly died, Liu came out and called for help. The imperial physician arrived soon, but your father was already dead by then... After that, the Imperial Hospital, Jinyiwei, Dongchang, the Internal Affairs Bureau, the Ministry of Ceremonies, and the Grand Secretary all sent people to come, and they all said that your father died of excessive loss of energy."
"Ah...has anything happened in Ciqing Palace recently?"
"There were quite a few things, in addition to your father's funeral. Many people came to inquire about the news, and it was normal for the eunuchs and maids in the palace to have other thoughts. But fortunately, although Wang An, the evil slave, is gone, Wei Chao is still capable of doing things. In addition, after your father passed away, although Wei Zhongxian personally rushed to Nanjing to announce the death to you, he also sent people from Xinghua Palace to help, so there was no big trouble."
"Uh... Mother, I mean Concubine Zheng?"
"Oh! Yes, Concubine Zheng came once on the seventh day after your father's death, and has not come since then. And I heard from Wei Chao that Concubine Zheng has been staying in her palace these days, and has not gone anywhere, nor has she come to see the emperor."
"Hmm..." After a moment of silence, Zhu Youdong was about to say something when he saw Wei Chao rushing in: "Grand Concubine, young master, it's bad, Concubine Wang (Zhu Changluo's biological mother) fell into a well and died."
