Chapter 23

Daily information bombardment.

"Ancestral Grandfather, your subject has already issued an edict summoning all imperial clansmen to the capital to offer congratulations."

"Ancestral Grandfather, your subject's troops have suffered another defeat."

"..."

Old Zhu, who appeared to be the Son of Heaven of a single dynasty.

Was now effectively handling state affairs for two dynasties every day.

These matters all seemed roughly the same on the surface.

But even if one argued until the sky cracked.

They were still affairs of two different spacetimes.

Some policies.

Could be implemented in the Hongwu reign because they were tailored to the actual conditions of that era.

But Old Zhu had absolutely no idea what the situation was like on Chongzhen's side!

How could he possibly offer advice!

The Hongwu Emperor:

"You brat, stop spouting so much nonsense to us."

"No matter what, we cannot keep governing the world for you forever!"

"There seems to be a voice call function on this chat group; tomorrow during court session, we will personally teach you how to control your ministers!"

"When you hold court tomorrow on your end, just mimic our actions and give those court officials a proper dressing-down!"

24, Old Zhu: You little rascal, did you hear that? Learn well!

Early the next morning.

Chongzhen was woken up early by Wang Wang Wang Chengen, immediately changed into his dragon robe patched with repairs, while Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang simultaneously initiated a video call with Chongzhen.

Instantly, both men clearly saw the view visible to the other.

Nearly identical dragon carriages.

Identical ceremonial guards, identical palace gates.

Even so, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang could still see the mottled vermillion lacquer on the palace halls on Chongzhen's side.

Quite a few weeds had even sprouted on the jade steps outside the hall.

Every one of these scenes spoke volumes about how the Great Ming Dynasty that Old Zhu had founded with his own hands had, in another spacetime, reached the end of its life.

All along the way to the court session, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang's expression fluctuated between gloom and anger.

Chongzhen did not dare to make a sound.

The same ceremony of officials offering congratulations.

But Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang clearly sensed the perfunctory attitude of the officials in Chongzhen's court.

They simply did not take Chongzhen seriously at all!

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang's expression gradually grew graver.

Meanwhile, in the Hongwu court, the civil and military officials exchanged bewildered glances.

No one knew who had offended Old Zhu this time, but whenever they saw Old Zhu wearing such an expression.

It meant someone was likely about to suffer misfortune...

"You brat, watch carefully and learn well!"

Having said this, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head, scanned the assembled ministers, and proclaimed loudly:

"Since the Hu case concluded last year, the court has been peaceful; what do you gentlemen consider the most pressing matter in our Great Ming realm today?"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen immediately detected an opportunity to flatter Old Zhu.

He immediately stepped forward, looked at Old Zhu, and smiled:

"Imperial Grandfather governs the world with great skill; within the four seas, none dare not submit. Our Great Ming has now achieved calm seas and clear rivers; Imperial Grandfather truly serves as a model for monarchs of future generations!"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yunwen's words set an example for the officials behind him.

In an instant, the officials clustered around Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang and began flattering him.

"Your Majesty's rule surpasses that of the Tang and Song; that our Great Ming enjoys today is entirely due to Your Majesty's brilliant talent!"

"The Hongwu Prosperous Age far exceeds the Han and Tang; within the four seas, ten thousand nations come to pay tribute; it can truly be called an era of peace and clarity!"

"..."

Watching the officials flatter him, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang's face immediately turned cold and stern.

"Kid, watch closely; this kind of nonsensical rubbish, you must..."

Before Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang could finish speaking to Chongzhen.

A burst of loud laughter suddenly erupted beneath the Fengtian Gate.

In an instant, the entire hall was shocked; everyone's face changed dramatically, and their gazes were forced to focus on the "source" of the laughter.

At that moment, Su Qiao was looking at the officials behind him with an expression of utter disdain.

"There were a total of six Dukes of Founding Merit; in the Hu Weiyong case, His Majesty was forced to execute two of them!"

"Of the Twenty-Four Generals of Huaixi, His Majesty was forced to execute seven!"

"Of the Six Ministry heads, His Majesty was forced to execute five!"

"Can this truly be called a prosperous age?!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang, who had already prepared to erupt in anger, was suddenly rendered speechless on the spot.

How is this kid stealing my lines?!

With that said, Su Qiao's gaze suddenly swept toward the crowd of officials before the Fengtian Gate.

"My lords, though you all look dignified and stand on dry land, are you truly so clean?!"

"Are there not those among you, my lords, who deserve execution even more than the Hu faction?!"

"Having grown up amidst chaotic armies, before Chen Chen Youliang was extinguished, I presumed Great Ming's greatest foe was that Chen Chen Youliang!"

"After Your Majesty eliminated Chen Chen Youliang, I then presumed Great Ming's greatest foe was Zhang Zhang Shicheng!"

"Later, when Great Ming crushed the various rebel armies and the Jiangnan region was reunited, the former Northern Northern Yuan regime to the north became Great Ming's pressing concern!"

"Grand General Xu Da launched the northern expedition to restore our rivers and mountains; the Northern Northern Yuan people withdrew from the Central Plains, and Great Ming's pressing concern became the grasslands north of the passes!"

"Since entering the court, this official has seen things with increasing clarity."

"Great Ming's pressing concern lies not outside, but within the court! Right here in this Fengtian Hall!"

"Among Your Majesty's in-laws, blood relatives, princes, and high ministers!"

"If one spot rots beneath this Fengtian Gate, the entire realm of Great Ming will rot!"

"If everything beneath this Fengtian Gate rots completely, the people of Great Ming will rise up in rebellion!"

Su Qiao's voice echoed across the empty square as Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang stared fixedly at the chat group before him.

He whispered excitedly:

"Did you hear what this Su Qiao said?"

"Later, you will recite this speech word for word to all the civil and military officials on your side!"

Then Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Yuanzhang, paying no further heed to Chongzhen, rose abruptly from the dragon throne and shouted loudly, "Well said!"

"This statement by Su Qiao strikes right to the heart of the matter!"

"If you rot even a little, the rivers and mountains of Great Ming will rot entirely!"

On the other end, Chongzhen was likewise stunned motionless by Su Qiao's words.

At this moment, only deep resentment remained in Su Qiao's eyes.

I just wanted to find a way to die.

You all stopped Old Zhu from killing me, didn't you?

Then let us all depart together!

Meanwhile, Ru Taisu and Zhan Hui, standing nearby, were already completely numb.

Thoroughly numb.

Having offended the Emperor.

Civil officials simply did not fear it.