Chapter 14

The footage on the sky screen began to play.

【Yu Qian's life is a witness to the Ming Dynasty's transition from prosperity to decline, and also a tragic epitome of "death by remonstrance."】

In the footage, a young official appeared on the screen, with a thin face and a firm gaze.

【Yu Qian, born in 1398, courtesy name Tingyi, pseudonym Jie'an, was from Hangzhou, Zhejiang. He was intelligent from a young age, passed the imperial examination at 23, and entered officialdom from then on. During his tenure in local posts, he did not send gifts or curry favor, and was known for his honesty and integrity, being called "Yu the Blue Sky" by the people.】

The Qin Dynasty.

Li Si praised: "Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, remarkable."

Meng Yi nodded: "The key is 'not sending gifts or currying favor.' In this day and age, there are few who can do that while being an official."

Wang Jian sighed: "When I was young, I wouldn't send gifts either, but later I was demoted a few times and learned how."

Ying Zheng glanced at him and didn't speak.

The Han Dynasty.

Liu Che praised: "Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, not sending gifts or currying favor—I like this kind of person."

Wei Qing said softly: "Your Majesty, this kind of person is often prone to offending others."

Liu Che snorted: "So what if he offends others? As long as I am here, who dares to touch him?"

Huo Qubing scratched his head: "Your Majesty, that is later generations; you can't control it."

Liu Che glared at him: "I know! I'm just expressing my emotion!"

The Tang Dynasty.

Cheng Yaojin scratched his head: "Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, this person must be very good at reading."

Fang Xuanling smiled: "General Cheng, passing the imperial examination isn't just about being good at reading; you also need real ability."

Cheng Yaojin curled his lip: "Anyway, I, old Cheng, can't do it."

Li Shimin smiled: "Cheng Yaojin, you don't even know a few big characters, of course you can't."

Cheng Yaojin chuckled.

The Ming Dynasty, Hongwu plane.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the young Yu Qian on the sky screen, his eyes full of appreciation.

"Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, not sending gifts or currying favor, good! My Great Ming should have such officials!"

Zhu Biao said softly: "Father, this Yu Qian is indeed a good official."

Xu Da nodded: "Being called 'Yu the Blue Sky' in local posts shows that he really did practical things for the people."

Lan Yu rarely agreed: "I admire this kind of person."

The Ming Dynasty, Yongle plane.

Zhu Di looked at the sky screen and nodded slowly:

"Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, not sending gifts or currying favor, this person is interesting."

Zhu Gaoxu curled his lip: "Isn't it just not sending gifts? I don't send gifts either."

Zhu Di glared at him: "You are an imperial prince; who would dare to accept your gifts? He is an ordinary imperial scholar; being able to not send gifts is the real ability."

Zhu Gaoxu sheepishly shut his mouth.

Zhu Zhanji raised his small face and asked: "Grandfather Emperor, what happened to this Yu Qian later?"

Zhu Di shook his head: "We will know if we keep watching."

The Qing Dynasty, Qianlong plane.

Qianlong nodded: "Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, he is indeed capable."

Heshen hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is right. But compared to Your Majesty, he is still far behind."

Qianlong smiled with satisfaction, but his eyes remained fixed on the sky screen.

The Three Kingdoms plane.

Cao Cao looked at the person on the sky screen, feeling a bit of pity for his talent:

"Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, not sending gifts or currying favor; if this person were under my command, I would definitely use him heavily."

Cao Pi said softly: "Father, this kind of person is often arrogant and difficult to control."

Cao Cao looked at him: "So what if he is arrogant? As long as he has ability, what does it matter if he is a little arrogant?"

Liu Bei sighed: "Being able to not send gifts or curry favor at twenty-three is rare."

Zhuge Liang nodded: "My Lord, if this person were in troubled times, he would definitely be a capable minister."

Zhang Fei shouted: "What's the use of a capable minister? Can he fight in battles?"

Guan Yu glared at him: "Third Brother, not everyone is like you who only knows how to fight in battles."

Zhang Fei was unconvinced: "I, old Zhang, also know how to drink!"

Everyone was speechless.

Sun Quan praised: "Passing the imperial examination at twenty-three, not sending gifts or currying favor; my Eastern Wu also lacks this kind of person."

Zhou Yu nodded: "My Lord, if we could recruit this person..."

Lu Su shook his head: "Gongjin, that is a person of later generations; we cannot recruit him."

Zhou Yu smiled bitterly: "That's true."

The footage on the sky screen continued to play.

【Yu Qian's turning point: The Tumu Crisis and the Beijing Defense War】

【In 1449, under the instigation of the eunuch Wang Zhen, Emperor Yingzong of Ming, Zhu Qizhen, led an imperial expedition against the Oirat. As a result, at Tumu Fortress, the 500,000-strong army was completely wiped out, and the Emperor was captured; this is known in history as the "Tumu Crisis." When the news reached Beijing, the court and the public were shocked, and people were in a panic; some officials even advocated moving the capital south to avoid disaster.】

The Ming Dynasty, Hongwu plane.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up abruptly: "What? A 500,000-strong army completely wiped out? The Emperor was captured?"

His face turned livid instantly, and his eyes were wide.

Empress Ma hurriedly pulled him: "Your Majesty, calm down, calm down..."

Zhu Biao was also shocked: "Father, this... this is just too..."

Xu Da said in a deep voice: "A 500,000-strong army completely wiped out; what kind of tragic defeat is this?"

Lan Yu blurted out: "Who was in command? That eunuch Wang Zhen?"

Li Wenzhong's face was ugly,

"Having a eunuch supervise the army is already a major taboo. To actually let a eunuch instigate the Emperor to lead an expedition personally..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was trembling with anger:

"A eunuch? A eunuch dared to instigate the Emperor to lead an expedition personally? And also sacrificed a 500,000-strong army? And the Emperor was captured?"

He turned around abruptly and looked at his civil and military officials:

"My Great Ming's Emperor actually has such trash?"

No one dared to speak.

Zhu Yuanzhang was panting, his eyes red.

【Yu Qian overcame all opposition and firmly advocated for war. He enthroned Zhu Qiyu (Emperor Jingtai) to stabilize the court. Facing the Oirat army at the city gates, Yu Qian personally donned armor and went to the front lines, commanding the Beijing Defense War. He led by example, inspired the soldiers, and finally repelled the Oirat, preserving the Great Ming's empire. This was the most glorious moment of Yu Qian's life, and he became the "Prime Minister who saved the times" for the Great Ming.】

Zhu Yuanzhang's breathing calmed down a little.

"Yu Qian... Yu Qian..."

He muttered this name, "He preserved the Great Ming?"

Zhu Biao said softly: "Father, it was him. When the Emperor was captured and the court and public were shocked, it was he who stood up, enthroned a new monarch, commanded the defense of the city, and preserved the empire."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes turned red:

"Good! Good! This is the loyal official of my Great Ming! This is the backbone of my Great Ming!"

He cupped his hands and bowed toward the sky screen.

The civil and military officials followed him and bowed together.

The Ming Dynasty, Yongle plane.

Zhu Di's face also changed.

"A 500,000-strong army completely wiped out... the Emperor was captured..."

Zhu Gaoxu blurted out: "This is too damn embarrassing, isn't it?"

Zhu Gaosui also followed: "Exactly, a dignified Emperor, captured?"

Zhu Gaochi said slowly: "Father, the key is that eunuch Wang Zhen..."

Zhu Di's face was dark, and he didn't speak.

When he saw Yu Qian overcoming all opposition and commanding the Beijing Defense War, Zhu Di's face looked a little better.

"Yu Qian... it was he who stood up at this time..."

Zhu Zhanji whispered: "Grandfather Emperor, this Yu Qian is amazing."

Zhu Di nodded: "He is amazing. Those who can stand up at such a time are true heroes."