novelSusiti Chapter 56: Fire Breaks Out in the Imperial Palace, Emperor Assassinated!
Chapter 56: Fire Breaks Out in the Imperial Palace, Emperor Assassinated!
Immediately, a chorus of wails erupted from the envoys of these vassal states within the Fengtian Hall.
"Your Majesty! My vassal state is truly destitute; I beg Your Majesty's mercy!"
"Your Majesty, I was unaware of such a rule. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness this time. Next year, when we pay tribute, my vassal state will certainly provide the full annual tribute!"
"Your Majesty, please have mercy! Your Majesty! I was truly unprepared this time. Tibet is far from Daming, so please do not let me return empty-handed!"
"..."
The envoys from the vassal states wept bitterly, their humble pleas touching the hearts of even the officials of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites, sighed deeply. Looking at the humble appearance of the envoys from the vassal states constantly kowtowing, he felt a pang of sadness.
He wanted to plead for these envoys from vassal states, but upon seeing Zhu Houzhao's tense face, he immediately abandoned the idea.
Zhang Sheng was able to rise to the position of Minister of Rites by neither causing trouble nor being afraid of trouble.
He now feels that being an official is becoming increasingly difficult, and he is already considering writing to Zhu Houzhao to request to retire.
He didn't want any further complications during this period.
Other officials also felt that Zhu Houzhao's actions were unbecoming of the Ming Dynasty, a superior nation.
However, they all dared not speak out because they were afraid of Zhu Houzhao's tyrannical power.
Moreover, since the Ministers and Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Rites are not saying anything, why are they going to join in the fun?
Zhu Houzhao looked at these envoys from vassal states who were pleading for his favor with nothing but contempt.
These small countries fear power but not virtue. They fawn over whoever is strong and strike hard at whoever is weak.
As for humble and polite great powers, they not only do not feel grateful, but instead take advantage of them, feeling that the great powers owe them something.
The Ming Dynasty had been too lenient with these vassal states in the past, which emboldened them to become increasingly arrogant.
They can even afford to give out annual silver of 50,000 or 100,000; that's incredibly audacious!
Do they still respect the Ming Dynasty as their suzerain state?
Or perhaps they simply don't understand what a suzerain state is?
If they don't understand, Zhu Houzhao doesn't mind making them understand!
"Drag them all out!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Imperial Guards obeyed orders and dragged the envoys from vassal states who had only paid tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver out of the Forbidden City, and ordered them to leave the Ming Dynasty within a specified period!
The envoys from the three tributary states of Korea, Siam, and Ryukyu, who were permitted to conduct tributary trade, were both relieved and apprehensive before returning home laden with Ming Dynasty goods after completing their tributary trade.
Zhu Houzhao wanted to use this tribute mission to let those vassal states know that the Ming Dynasty during the Zhengde era was no longer the Ming Dynasty during the Hongzhi era!
If these vassal states continue to treat the Ming Dynasty perfunctorily as before, Zhu Houzhao will show them what it means to be a celestial empire and a suzerain state!
……
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival.
There's an old saying that goes, "The New Year is celebrated up to the fifteenth of the lunar month."
Therefore, the capital city was particularly lively on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, after all, it was the last day of the New Year celebrations.
Colorful lanterns were lit up in the streets and alleys, and people flocked to the streets to admire the lanterns, solve riddles, and set off fireworks.
In such a crowded time, Zhu Houzhao would naturally not make a grand tour to celebrate with the people.
However, Zhu Houzhao also ordered some arrangements to be made in the palace and invited officials of the sixth rank and above to come into the palace to enjoy the lanterns with him.
This was a rare lively moment in the palace, with smiles on the faces of everyone, from eunuchs and palace maids to the emperor and his ministers.
Zhu Houzhao changed into a red robe with the auspicious insignia of the emperor and stood outside the Qianqing Palace with Li Dongyang, Jiao Fang, Wang Shouren and others to admire the lanterns in the palace.
These lanterns, in various shapes and colors, hanging in the palace, brought life to the otherwise desolate palace walls.
The inner palace was also filled with lanterns, and the concubines enjoyed them there, keeping to themselves and the court at peace.
At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), under Zhu Houzhao's instruction, some eunuchs set off fireworks in the square in front of Qianqing Gate.
Fireworks soared into the sky, bursting into dazzling sparks that mesmerized onlookers.
The court officials clapped and laughed, filling the palace with a joyful atmosphere.
Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out, completely out of place.
"Fire! Fire!"
"Quickly, put out the fire!"
Zhu Houzhao and the others looked up and suddenly realized that a raging fire had suddenly broken out on the roof of the Qianqing Palace where Zhu Houzhao lived!
The fire was extremely fierce and quickly engulfed the Qianqing Palace, and then rapidly spread to the Kunning Palace behind it.
Fortunately, there were no trees in the front part of the Forbidden City, so the fire could not spread to other places for the time being.
In an instant, the ministers and eunuchs in the palace screamed, fled, and tried to put out the fire, creating complete chaos.
"Your Majesty, please be careful! Please move to a safe place immediately!"
Three figures appeared beside Zhu Houzhao immediately.
Cao Zhengchun, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot; Yu Huatian, the supervisor of the Western Depot; and Shen Lian, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Zhu Houzhao frowned deeply as he looked at the burning Qianqing Palace behind him, breaking out in a cold sweat.
The Qianqing Palace is on fire!
"What happened? How did the Qianqing Palace get on fire?!"
Zhu Houzhao questioned the person next to him in a low voice.
Liu Jin lowered his head, sweating profusely with anxiety: "I don't know, Your Majesty. Perhaps the lanterns or fireworks were accidentally lit?"
"Your Majesty, this is no place to live! Please move to the inner palace immediately to avoid the fire!"
Zhu Houzhao knew that Liu Jin's words made sense, so he ordered, "Shen Lian, escort the ministers out of the palace."
"Yu Huatian, you organize the Western Depot and the Tengxiang Four Guards to put out the fire."
"Cao Zhengchun, come with me to the inner palace!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After a brief assignment of tasks, Zhu Houzhao, escorted by Cao Zhengchun, proceeded to the inner palace through the Zuoye Gate.
On the way, four figures suddenly appeared like ghosts and attacked Zhu Houzhao from the four directions of east, west, south and north!
"Get out of here!"
Cao Zhengchun was startled by the sudden turn of events, then flew into a rage, and used his fifty years of Heavenly Gang Child Skill to block the four men's attack first.
Cao Zhengchun withstood the attacks of the two men, and at the same time used the "Ten Thousand Rivers Return to the Sea" technique to strike the other two men.
Strangely, the two men who had been struck by Cao Zhengchun in anger vanished as quickly as they touched, only to reappear behind Cao Zhengchun at the same time in the blink of an eye.
Four assassins attacked Cao Zhengchun simultaneously. Cao Zhengchun pushed the "All Rivers Return to the Sea" technique to its limit and unleashed his full power against the four.
The four men attacked simultaneously, their eight palms clashing, causing Cao Zhengchun to stagger back several steps until he stood in front of Zhu Houzhao.
Cao Zhengchun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at the four of them with a serious expression: "My internal energy has no effect on you?"
"Who are you?!"
The four remained silent, but launched another attack on Zhu Houzhao!
Their sole purpose in coming here is to take Zhu Houzhao's life!