pappabearbooks Chapter 85 His Majesty has decreed that Qi Jingtong be summoned to the capital!
Chapter 85 His Majesty has decreed that Qi Jingtong be summoned to the capital!
Dengzhou Guard.
An imperial edict was delivered to Dengzhou, and the eunuch who delivered the edict entered the Dengzhou garrison, holding up the bright yellow imperial edict.
"Imperial edict has arrived!"
Upon hearing the imperial edict, the officers and soldiers of the garrison all composed themselves and bowed respectfully.
"Long live the Emperor!"
Zhao Chengzhi, the commander of Dengzhou Guard, stepped forward to receive the imperial decree.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree glanced around and asked, "Commander Qi Jingtong, is Lord Qi here?"
Zhao Chengzhi's expression hardened, and he suddenly turned serious, looking at a resolute-looking young man in the crowd.
Qi Jingtong was suddenly called by name, paused slightly, and then stepped out of the line without changing his expression.
"Your humble servant is here!"
Qi Jingtong knelt down and bowed his head, awaiting the imperial decree.
The eunuch delivering the decree nodded slightly, then unfolded the imperial edict and loudly proclaimed its contents.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
"It is hereby ordered that Qi Jingtong, the Vice Commander of Dengzhou Garrison, be sent to the capital immediately for an interview."
"So be it!"
Qi Jingtong lowered his head and raised his hands above his head: "Your subject Qi Jingtong receives the imperial decree!"
The eunuch handed the imperial edict to Qi Jingtong, bowed slightly, and gave him a fawning smile: "Congratulations, Lord Qi, on being summoned by His Majesty. You are sure to rise to great heights in the future."
Qi Jingtong nodded, his expression unchanged: "Thank you for conveying the decree, Your Excellency."
However, Qi Jingtong stuffed all the silver he was carrying into the hands of the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree.
Not much, only a dozen or so taels, and all of it was loose silver.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree briefly weighed the silver in his hand. Based on his years of experience as a messenger, he had already determined the amount of silver.
He calmly returned the silver in his hand to Qi Jingtong and smiled, "Lord Qi, there's no need for such formality. You are someone His Majesty values. When you rise to prominence in the future, just remember to speak well of me to His Majesty, and I will be content."
Qi Jingtong hesitated for a moment, but still took the silver back.
This money was still very important to him.
"Thank you, sir."
Qi Jingtong thanked him again and accepted the money.
Standing to the side, Zhao Chengzhi, the commander of Dengzhou Guard, walked up to Qi Jingtong with an unpleasant expression and said sarcastically, "Qi, it seems that news of your fight against the Japanese pirates has reached His Majesty's ears."
"Congratulations, Vice Commissioner Qi! When you become a general, don't forget your brothers."
Qi Jingtong gave Zhao Chengzhi a cold look, but his words were utterly merciless.
"Zhao Chengzhi, I will definitely investigate this matter to the end. The Ming Dynasty will never tolerate traitors, much less a traitor as a commander!"
Zhao Chengzhi's face immediately turned ashen, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.
Japanese pirates had been terrorizing Dengzhou for a long time. Every time Qi Jingtong organized troops to fight against the pirates, the results were minimal because the news of their actions was leaked.
However, Zhao Chengzhi, the commander of Dengzhou Guard, was always half-hearted in his duties and dragged his feet on the matter of fighting the Japanese pirates.
Qi Jingtong always suspected that Zhao Chengzhi was secretly smuggling arms and goods to the Japanese pirates, but he could never find any evidence.
During the raids on the coastal people of Dengzhou by Japanese pirates, Qi Jingtong found some clues, but they were completely destroyed in a fire.
Therefore, he bypassed Zhao Chengzhi and, with a try-it-out mentality, submitted a memorial to Zhu Houzhao.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Houzhao saw his memorial and even wanted to summon him personally.
This made Qi Jingtong feel flattered and deeply excited.
If he could truly gain Zhu Houzhao's favor, Qi Jingtong vowed that he would completely eliminate the Japanese pirates along the coast and give the Ming Dynasty a peaceful coastline.
Qi Jingtong's words deeply angered Zhao Chengzhi, who was shocked, anxious, and furious: "You..."
Before Zhao Chengzhi could speak, the imperial eunuch who was delivering the decree, seeing that the atmosphere was already tense, promptly interrupted him.
"I have delivered the imperial edict. Lord Qi, please come with me back to the capital to meet the Emperor."
"Yes."
Qi Jingtong turned around, preparing to pack his things and set off for the capital immediately.
Zhao Chengzhi watched Qi Jingtong's retreating figure, his face grim.
……
Forbidden City.
Fengtianmen Square.
After three sharp cracks of the whip, civil and military officials proceeded to court in turn.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"My beloved subjects, rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
All the civil and military officials rose and looked at Zhu Houzhao on the dragon throne. They all held their breath and felt a deep fear of Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao had been on the throne for less than a year, yet he had already used swift and decisive measures to plant the seeds of fear in the hearts of these officials.
The deaths of Liu Jian, Xie Qian, Ma Wensheng, Liu Daxia... these high-ranking officials deeply affected them, making them unable to help but feel fear towards Zhu Houzhao.
"If you have something to report, do so now; if not, the court may adjourn!"
Liu Jin's voice broke the frozen atmosphere in Fengtianmen Square, and everyone immediately adjusted their mindset and prepared to begin their performance.
Zhang Jun, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, stepped forward first: "Your Majesty, the Korean princess presented by the King of Korea arrived in the capital yesterday and is currently resting at the Court of State Ceremonies."
"The Korean envoy, Yoo San, submitted a letter requesting an audience with His Majesty."
During the Lunar New Year this year, the Korean envoy requested Zhu Houzhao to restore the custom of intermarriage with the Korean Kingdom.
Since the Xuande era, after the Ming Dynasty voluntarily reduced its military control, the King of Joseon stopped the custom of presenting princesses to the Ming Emperor for marriage alliances.
Now that the Ming Dynasty's national strength has begun to recover, especially after winning a great battle in Liaodong, the King of Joseon has once again taken the initiative to send a princess to marry him.
Zhu Houzhao knew about this matter and at the time he agreed to the request of the Korean envoy, but he forgot about it in the blink of an eye.
Unexpectedly, it was already summer before the Korean princess was finally sent to the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Houzhao nodded expressionlessly: "Summon."
"Yes." Zhang Jun cupped his hands in greeting, then shouted towards the back of the square, "Summon the Korean envoy to an audience!"
At Zhu Houzhao's decree, the Korean envoy Liu Shan, accompanied by the Korean princess and more than a dozen attendants, arrived before Zhu Houzhao.
Liu Shan led the group, bowing respectfully before Zhu Houzhao: "The Korean envoy pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming!"
Get up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Liu Shan and the others stood up, Zhu Houzhao's eyes fell on a woman in palace attire behind Liu Shan.
Her attire was gorgeous and elegant, clearly different from the maids behind her.
"Are you the princess of Korea?"
The woman bowed slightly and spoke fluent Chinese.
"Princess Shin of Joseon, Yi Soo-euk, greets His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly: "Raise your head and let me see you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Li Shouyi raised his head, allowing Zhu Houzhao's gaze, which was used to appraise a toy, to fall upon him.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, they were arbitrarily chosen by Zhu Houzhao.
As a princess of Joseon, she had never been treated like this before, and her heart was filled with humiliation.
But remembering her father's words to her before she left, she took a deep breath and suppressed the grievances in her heart.
But a tear welled up in the corner of her eye.