Chongzhen: Why is the emperor's head square?

Chapter 8: Did the Emperor Die of Anger? Factional Strife Re-emerges

The next day.

It was still dark.

Outside Liangxiang city, refugees continued to gather.

Zhou Liang loudly instructed the refugees not to cause trouble.

Line up in an orderly fashion.

Zhou Wei was the founder of the Zhou family's porridge shop.

Zhou Liang was the executor.

Therefore, most people obeyed Zhou Liang's orders.

Zhou Liang's presence also put the people at ease.

After all, the eldest son of the clan patriarch was accompanying them, so they naturally had nothing to worry about.

Zhu Youjian rode in a carriage, slowly heading out of the city.

At this moment, Wang Zhong, who was driving the carriage, spoke up: "Your Majesty, Eunuch Wang has sent word that Your Majesty's departure from the capital can no longer be kept secret."

"We hope His Majesty can return to the capital soon and take charge of the overall situation."

It hasn't even been half a month, and it's already going to be impossible to hide anymore.

For someone like Jiajing, who doesn't show his face for a month or two, nobody cares. Alchemy is good, alchemy is wonderful.

Should I try making pills for fun myself?

"I understand."

Soon, Zhu Youjian arrived at an open area outside the city.

Looking at the huge crowd, everyone was dressed in rags and looked emaciated.

Among them were also some onlookers.

At this moment, Zhou Liang also saw Zhu Youjian's carriage.

He quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, almost everyone has arrived."

Not everyone on the roster was present, which didn't surprise Zhu Youjian.

A few fewer people won't cause any major problems.

Zhu Youjian slowly walked towards the platform that Zhou Wei had specially set up.

He glanced around the room.

Perhaps due to hunger, the hundreds of people, without any organization, were all very quiet and made no noise.

"If nothing unexpected happens, you will all be working for me from now on."

"Therefore, I would like to give you a proper introduction."

"My name is Zhu Youjian."

The people were bewildered.

You look at me, I look at you.

Who is Zhu Youjian? I don't know him.

They couldn't even get enough to eat, so they had no time to care who Zhu Youjian was.

Zhu Youjian continued, "With some titles added, you should all know who I am: the Chongzhen Emperor."

An uproar ensued.

"That's right, I am the emperor of the Chongzhen reign."

"I bear an inescapable responsibility for the fact that you will all become refugees, as the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty."

"I have failed to provide a good life for my people."

"However, today I am here to atone for my mistakes!"

"I swear to Heaven! From this day forward! If any of you still suffer from hunger and cold, may I be struck by lightning! My death will be no pity!"

After Zhu Youjian's words.

The public had formed an initial impression of Zhu Youjian.

However, compared to speaking.

They were more concerned about how Zhu Youjian would fulfill his promise and what they would have to give in return.

"Your Majesty, we are merely lowly poor people. What do you need us to do?"

Zhu Youjian shouted, "I only need you to do one thing! Farm! Farm! And farm some more!"

As he spoke, Zhu Youjian directly started the MC driver.

A portal of light, several meters long and two meters wide, appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Now, I have opened the door to wealth and glory for you all. Whether you go or not is the choice."

"However, I must solemnly declare once again that there is a large amount of land available for cultivation in the place you are going to."

"But there are also many hidden dangers, and you could die if you are not careful."

"It's not too late to regret it now."

Seeing the light screen that suddenly appeared in front of them, the crowd did not move and all watched.

They didn't know what it was.

Fear of the unknown suppressed their curiosity about it.

Just then, Zhou Liang spoke up, "Your Majesty, let me lead the charge!"

Zhu Youjian then handed a handwritten note to Zhou Liang.

"These are the notes I copied down."

"If there's anything you don't understand, take a look at what's on this. I hope you won't disappoint me."

Zhou Liang accepted the document, saying, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not disappoint you."

Immediately afterwards, under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhou Liang stepped into the light curtain and then disappeared from everyone's sight.

They saw Zhou Liang walk in without any hesitation.

Soon, refugees followed closely behind.

Once there's a first, there's a second.

The refugees began to walk through the gate of light.

Due to the large number of people, it took about half an hour for all eight hundred people to enter.

There were still a few people left on the scene.

Clearly, they ultimately chose to give up.

Zhu Youjian didn't say anything more, and directly shut down the MC driver, causing the light screen to disappear.

After doing all this, Zhu Youjian immediately mounted his horse and said, "Wang Zhong, return to the capital."

……

Beijing.

It has been nearly seven days since the emperor fell ill, and he has not appeared in their sight.

They wanted to visit, but Wang Chengen stopped them outside the palace.

Wen Tiren immediately asked, "Is there any news from Consort Tian?"

Minister of Personnel Xie Sheng shook his head.

"It is said that Empress Zhou also went to visit His Majesty, but was stopped outside by Wang Chengen."

"Your Excellency, do you think the Emperor might really be so angry that he dies?"

Wen Tiren pondered.

It's not impossible that the imperial physicians in the palace were all trained through hereditary succession, but it was precisely because of this that the position was passed down from generation to generation.

The medical skills of the imperial physicians also declined with each generation.

Nowadays, being able to read a pulse is considered quite good.

Even a minor illness could be fatal to the emperor, as the imperial physicians were incapable of treating such ailments.

At most, I'll prescribe some tonics.

Grand Secretary Zhang Zhifa immediately spoke up: "Grand Secretary, if His Majesty were to suffer any mishap, we should make preparations as soon as possible."

"I have heard that the Donglin Party has already begun to take action. If anything happens to the emperor, they will enthrone the crown prince."

"If they gain the upper hand, how will we survive?"

In the current imperial court, members of the Donglin Party are being suppressed by the Wen Party, led by Wen Tiren.

If the Donglin Party were to make a comeback, they would surely be purged.

Left Censor-in-Chief Tang Shiji suggested, "Perhaps we can try to win over Zhou Kui, the Earl of Jiading."

"Although Zhou Kui was once very close to the Donglin Party members, he was extremely greedy and did not belong to any particular party."

"If we lure them with huge profits, we might be able to get in touch with the Empress."

As long as we can get in touch with the Empress, we can wait for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne.

At that time, the crown prince will be young, and the government will fall entirely into their hands.

At that time, all the civil and military officials in the court will be their people; they will be the next Zhang Juzheng.

After pondering for a moment, Wen Tiren nodded and said, "Then let's do as Tang Shiji says."

"Now that we have reached a critical moment, I hope you will not be stingy with your efforts."

To entice Zhou Kui, a large sum of money would be needed.

This is not difficult for them.

If everyone contributes a little, enough to raise several hundred thousand taels of silver, I don't believe Zhou Kui won't take the bait.

……

at the same time.

Led by Hou Xun, Minister of Revenue, and Qian Qianyi, the Donglin Party members also set their sights on Zhou Kui.

"Now, it all comes down to who can gain His Highness the Crown Prince's trust first."

Crown Prince Zhu Cilang was still young, so to gain his trust, one needed to scheme against his family.

As long as we can gain Zhou Kui's trust and get him to say a few good words for us in front of Empress Zhou.

Then Empress Zhou would speak well of him to Zhu Cilang.

Zhu Cilang listened to them so often that he naturally began to trust them.

Power then returned to their hands.