readytorunbook Chapter 767 Rewarding the Officials
Chapter 767 Rewarding the Officials
Chapter 767 Rewarding the Officials
Seeing Wang Wenzhou in a daze, Wang Chengen quickly said, "Lord Wang, oh! No! Your Highness, please accept the imperial decree!"
"Your humble servant accepts the decree and expresses his gratitude! Long live the Emperor!" Wang Wenzhou was truly dumbfounded. He felt like he was dreaming. If he wasn't dreaming, then Zhu Youjian had truly gone mad! Zhu Youjian had actually appointed him as the King of Pig Slaughter! Who would want to be killed?
Wang Chengen stepped forward, handed the imperial edict to Wang Wenzhou, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Your Highness!"
"Thank you!" Wang Wenzhou accepted the imperial edict, glanced at it, and saw that it was for the Tu Zhu Wang (a title for a prince). Although two characters had been changed, this was still too unusual! What exactly was Zhu Youjian up to?
Zhu Youjian began, "The fact that this plague was successfully contained and prevented widespread death is largely thanks to the efforts of all my ministers. Wang Chengen, please proclaim the imperial decree!"
Wang Chengen picked up the imperial edict and said, "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Grand Secretary Kong Zhenyun..."
The civil and military officials listened intently as Wang Chengen read the imperial edict, afraid of missing a single word, and were all stunned. The Donglin Party members, in particular, couldn't understand what was wrong with Zhu Youjian. This time, Zhu Youjian was truly rewarding his officials; everyone, without exception, received a reward.
"I accept your command and thank you. Long live the emperor!"
After Wang Chengen finished announcing the imperial decree, all the civil and military officials hurriedly accepted it and expressed their gratitude.
Zheng Sanjun was completely bewildered. He had thought that even if he managed to save his life, his official career was over. However, Zhu Youjian did not produce any evidence against him; instead, he rewarded him with one hundred taels of silver. Although the amount of silver was small, its meaning was profound.
"Rise, my beloved ministers! This morning court session is adjourned. You have not been working these past few days, and there must be a lot of work piling up in your offices. I hope that you will take care of yourselves while you are working! Court adjourned!" Zhu Youjian said, then stood up and left.
As soon as Zhu Youjian left, the scene became noisy. The ministers gathered in twos and threes, none of them understanding what Zhu Youjian had done. Was it a slap followed by a sweet treat? This old man is not a three-year-old child, how could he be so grateful?
Zheng Sanjun and other Donglin Party leaders surrounded Wang Wenzhou.
Zheng Sanjun complained, "Boxin, what exactly are you and the Emperor planning to do?"
Zheng Sanjun now genuinely suspected that Wang Wenzhou and Zhu Youjian were up to so much because Zhu Youjian wanted to bestow the title of king upon Wang Wenzhou, but feared that the officials would not agree. That's why he imprisoned them in the stables and found out their crimes, so that no one would dare to oppose the matter.
Wang Wenzhou shook his head with a wry smile and said helplessly, "Old Zheng! Are you stupid? Tu Zhu Wang! Do you know what three characters are on the plaque above the gate of my mansion in Hanshan?"
Zheng Sanjun was aware of this matter, of course. He frowned and asked in confusion, "Boxin, based on your understanding of the Emperor, why is he doing this?"
Wang Wenzhou thought for a moment and then said, "To be honest, I really don't understand Zhu Youjian's intentions this time. But I have to remind you not to let your guard down. He has evidence against you that he can kill you whenever he wants!"
"Your Highness!" At this moment, Wang Chengen walked over and said, "The Emperor summons you to an audience!"
Wang Wenzhou nodded, cupped his hands in greeting to Zheng Sanjun and the others, and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, let's talk again another day!"
Holding the baby close, Wang Wenzhou followed Wang Chengen to the Imperial Study, his mind heavy with worry.
"Boxin, you've arrived?" Zhu Youjian looked up at Wang Wenzhou and said, "Alright, you may all leave!"
Wang Chengen waved to the guards and eunuchs, who immediately withdrew.
Wang Chengen looked at Dayuer and Gao Guiying and said, "Ladies, please come with me."
Wang Wenzhou immediately objected. He glared at Wang Chengen and said irritably, "Brother Zhu, what do you mean? You want to mess with my sister-in-law? I finally understand, you're too shameless. No wonder you made me a king, you've got your eye on my baby!"
"Haha!" Zhu Youjian laughed loudly, tears welling in his eyes.
Zhu Youjian laughed for a while, calmed himself down, and said with deep emotion, "Boxin, I just wanted to talk to my good brother alone. Since you are unwilling, I will not force you. I once told you, 'If the ruler does not betray me, I will not betray the ruler!'"
"Pah!" Wang Wenzhou cursed, "Zhu Youjian, you shameless bastard!"
Wang Chengen was so angry that he clenched his fists. If he didn't know what Zhu Youjian was thinking, he would have stepped forward and given Wang Wenzhou a good beating long ago.
"Boxin, you are right to scold me! I have wronged you! I deserve to be scolded!" Zhu Youjian looked guilty.
Wang Wenzhou entered the room cursing and swearing, trying to provoke Zhu Youjian. People are most likely to reveal their true thoughts when they are angry. Wang Wenzhou really couldn't understand what Zhu Youjian was up to.
"Alright! Brother Zhu, I'm too lazy to talk to you anymore! I have to go to Kunning Palace to sleep with my sister-in-law! We'll talk another day!" After saying that, Wang Wenzhou hugged the baby and was about to leave!
Zhu Youjian, his face contorted with rage, pointed at Wang Wenzhou's retreating figure and roared, "Boxin! You stop right there!"
"Heh!" Wang Wenzhou sneered, turned to look at Zhu Youjian, and said coldly, "Zhu Youjian, if you have the guts, kill me!"
"Hoo..." Zhu Youjian took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and said, "Boxin, today, will you put aside the grudges between us brothers and have a few drinks with me?"
"Zhu Youjian, you killed my whole family! And now you've had a change of heart and are making me a king as compensation? Do you fucking think that just because you made me a king, I should be grateful and thank you for your imperial grace?" Wang Wenzhou asked angrily.
"Wang Chengen, have someone prepare wine and food!" Zhu Youjian ordered.
"This old servant obeys the decree!" Wang Chengen hurriedly withdrew.
In no time, the food and drinks were ready.
Zhu Youjian pointed to the chair in front of him and said, "Boxin, please sit down!"
Wang Wenzhou sat down with his arm around the baby.
Zhu Youjian picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and said, "I went to Hanshan, and what I saw and heard there deeply moved me. This Ming Dynasty belongs to my Zhu family, but the world belongs to the people! I have failed the people of the Ming Dynasty!"
Is it true or not? Wang Wenzhou looked at Zhu Youjian with amusement. Could it be that this pig really knows he's wrong?
Zhu Youjian looked at Dayuer and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, don't just stand there, quickly serve Boxin some wine."
Da Yu'er smiled shyly, quickly took a sip of wine, and fed it to Wang Wenzhou.
Zhu Youjian looked at Wang Wenzhou and said solemnly, "Boxin, I admire you! I ask myself, if I were you, I would absolutely not have the ability to govern Hanshan into what it is today. I have also thought that if you were me, the Ming Dynasty would not be in such a miserable state today. If I were a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, and I had to choose, I would choose you as the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, not myself."
"Pfft..." Wang Wenzhou spat out a mouthful of wine. Zhu Youjian, stop messing around. You don't mean to abdicate your throne to me, do you?