Volume 2: The Capital, I’m Back Chapter 69: Damn it!
Under the current conditions, there is nothing wrong with the drawings submitted by the Ministry of Industry.
The main structure is made mainly of bricks, stones and wood, and is comparable to the Taimiao in terms of specifications, grades and material quantity.
However, the Martyrs' Shrine in Zhu Qizhen's mind was not like this.
So, I revised the drawings in the Imperial Study in the morning, went to Dingxiang Tower to eat donkey meat at noon, and went to Tingyu Pavilion to listen to music in the afternoon.
This went on for three days.
Finally, on the third night, Yang Zhicong's secret report arrived.
After reading it, Zhu Qizhen's face became more solemn, and he immediately ordered: "Huai En, go to the Beibei Pacification Office, take this note to Yuan Bin, and tell him that he can take action!"
"yes!"
Huai'en did not dare to delay and hurried out of the palace. Zhu Qizhen's face was gloomy and his anger was still burning in his heart.
It was late at night and Queen Qian lay in bed waiting for a long time, but there was no movement.
She couldn't help but turn over, lying on the pillow and blowing gently in his ear: "Your Majesty, what happened today? What's bothering you?"
Zhu Qizhen sighed and said, "If a minister in the court talks about morality every day but secretly does something shameful, how should we deal with him?"
"I dare not discuss state affairs."
"It's okay, just treat it as a small talk."
"This... I think that the case should be handled according to the severity of the case ."
"What should we do if we have collusion with foreign enemies?"
Queen Qian was startled and dared not say anything more.
"Your Majesty, according to our dynasty's ancestral system, eunuchs are not allowed to interfere in government affairs. It is better to discuss this matter with the cabinet."
Zhu Qizhen said calmly: "There are no outsiders here. Just tell me what you think. I won't blame you."
Queen Qian had no choice but to pluck up her courage and say, "I believe that even important officials of the dynasty must abide by the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Collaborating with the enemy can be considered treason, which is unforgivable."
Zhu Qizhen was silent for a long time, and finally said: "Do you know what happened in the home of Lord Qingyun?"
"I heard from Concubine Zhou that her house was robbed, but I don't know if the murderer has been caught."
"The murderer has been identified, but what makes me angry is the secret behind it. The shop of Earl Qingyun's family actually had dealings with the Mongols!"
Queen Qian didn't dare to say anything. She didn't expect the matter to become so serious. She also blamed herself for not sleeping well and opening her mouth...
"I and my soldiers are fighting bravely on the front lines, but these people are helping the enemy in the rear. For the sake of money, they are willing to do anything!"
Zhu Qizhen became more and more angry as he spoke, and turned to Queen Qian and said, "I have to go out to do something tomorrow. Go and tell Zhou not to get involved in the case of Earl Qingyun anymore. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences yourself!"
"I obey your order!"
Queen Qian huddled in her bed, not daring to breathe.
"Okay, go to sleep!"
Zhu Qizhen made up his mind and fell asleep. Early the next morning, he took Fan Zhong out of the palace again and headed straight for Tingyu Pavilion.
The madam was shocked. Are young people so hot-tempered?
It's too early, the girls haven't woken up yet...
"Sir, please wait for a moment. I will go and call Miss Gu Xi..."
Zhu Qizhen didn't want to waste time talking to her and went upstairs directly.
The madam was about to step forward but was stopped by Fan Zhong, who glared at her fiercely and then turned and went upstairs.
When he reached the second floor, Zhu Qizhen didn't knock on the door, but pushed it open.
Song Guxi was combing her hair and was startled. She asked, "Sir, why are you here so early today?"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, signaling Fan Zhong to wait outside the door, then he closed the door, pulled a chair and sat down.
" What song would you like to listen to today, sir?"
Miss Gu Xi tidied up her hair and came forward to pour tea.
"Okay, stop pretending!"
Zhu Qizhen said with a sullen face: "You already knew my identity, didn't you?"
Miss Gu Xi sighed, bowed gracefully, and said softly: "I, Song Gu Xi, pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"
"Why don't you act anymore?"
"The Emperor has already pointed it out, how can I continue to act..."
"Humph!" Zhu Qizhen snorted coldly and said, "I never thought that the famous White Lotus Saint would hide right under my nose. I have to say, this courage is really admirable!"
"Your Majesty, I am so honored. I am terrified."
"You are still afraid?" Zhu Qizhen sneered, "You were responsible for the Yunlai Cloth Shop and Fanji Warehouse cases, right?"
"Since the emperor already knows, I will not hide it. Yes, these treacherous merchants are collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country. They deserve to be put to death!"
"You still have a point?"
Zhu Qizhen laughed in anger and said, "You are committing crimes right under my nose. Do you want to rebel?"
“I dare not!” Miss Gu Xi knelt on the ground, but she was neither humble nor arrogant. She said, “If I had any ill intentions, I would have had many opportunities to do so during the few days I was alone with the emperor…”
Having said this, he didn’t say anything else.
You can't say I can kill you in a minute...
Zhu Qizhen paused, then asked, "When did you recognize my identity?"
"The emperor has returned from the Northern Expedition, looking majestic and impressive. I am lucky enough to have a glimpse of his true appearance from the window."
"That is to say, you knew it the first time I came here?"
Song Guxi nodded and said , "The emperor is interviewing incognito. I dare not point it out, so I have to accompany the emperor in this drama."
Zhu Qizhen thought for a moment and asked, "Stand up and answer. I order you to tell me the whole story in detail. If you tell even a single lie, I will send troops to destroy Bai Lian immediately!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Song Guxi stood up slowly and said, "In fact, the White Lotus Sect is not as bad as the emperor imagines. The purpose of our sect is to promote good and eliminate evil, and to enlighten the world. The emperor led the soldiers to fight bloody battles on the front line, but some profiteers did not hesitate to have secret dealings with outsiders for the sake of silver. May I ask the emperor, should these people be put to death?"
"Of course you deserve to die!" Zhu Qizhen said bitterly, "Even if you deserve to die, with the court and me here, it's not your turn to do it!"
"Your Majesty, do you know how long these people have been collaborating with the enemy?"
Zhu Qizhen was stunned and asked, "What do you mean?"
Song Guxi sighed and said, "Your Majesty, you have been deceived. Let's not talk about the distant past. Just take the time when Wala Yesen led more than 100,000 troops southward. How many of the supplies were provided by these profiteers?"
Zhu Qizhen's expression became increasingly grim, and he asked again, "What else do you know?"
"I also know that about a month ago, the Wala army ran out of food and grass, and they contacted them privately, but the situation was serious at the time, and the food and grass they raised could not be transported out, so they gave up!"
boom!
Zhu Qizhen slapped the table angrily, and immediately the tea bowls flew up and the tea splashed everywhere.
"Fuck his ancestors!"
It's hard to imagine that while people were risking their lives to cut off Wala's food supply, there were still people trying to find ways to deliver food to Wala. Is this something a human being would do?
If the Oirat people were really allowed to obtain food and fodder and break through Badaling and Juyongguan, wouldn't the Ming Dynasty's century-old foundation be destroyed in an instant?
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I am a woman and cannot fight in battle. I can only use this method to convert people. The stolen property will also be distributed to the people. If Your Majesty does not believe me, I can take you to visit and see what the people say."
“These are two different things!”
Zhu Qizhen suppressed his anger and said, "I will confiscate the property of these traitors and their clans, and their property will be confiscated. Even if I need to help the people, it should be me who helps them. You are now using my money to buy people's hearts. You must know that this world belongs to me, not to you, the White Lotus Sect!"
Song Guxi bowed down hastily: "I know I was wrong . I will hand over all the property and books I have obtained. The emperor will send someone to the Xiangyun Freight Station in the outer city. The things are all there."
Zhu Qizhen's expression eased a little, and he asked again: "Why were you not panicked at all when I came to find you?"
Song Guxi smiled softly and said, "How could I not panic? I was so panicked that I didn't know what to do. But then I thought, since the emperor has already found out about this, he must have set up a trap. If I reveal my true colors now, wouldn't I be asking for trouble? It's better to pretend and continue the show."
Zhu Qizhen asked again: "Is this Tingyu Pavilion your base?"
Song Guxi shook her head and said, "Tingyu Pavilion is just an ordinary brothel. The purpose of performing here is to make it easier for us to gather intelligence. After all, we come into contact with all kinds of people every day, and we can learn a lot from them."
Zhu Qizhen thought for a moment and said, "If you continue to stay here, I will come to find you again!"
