Chapter 655
: Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Jinyiwei pacification envoy Mao Xiang to set up a defense against
Inside the Fengtian Hall, the atmosphere was as heavy as if a leaden cloud was pressing down on the head, and it was as solemn as the eve of a storm.
There was a suffocating atmosphere of tension among the carved beams and painted buildings.
The eunuch chief, Wu Cheng, was dressed in a black dragon robe, with his usual respectful expression, but he could not hide the hidden pride in his eyes.
He cleared his throat, and his voice was sharp and clear, echoing in the huge Fengtian Hall.
"Zhou Huaijin is going to Datong Prefecture to take up his post!"
In an instant, all the ministers in the hall were struck by lightning. The expressions on their faces, who had originally had their own ulterior motives and were carefully guessing the emperor's intentions, froze in an instant.
Some ministers opened their mouths slightly, and their jaws almost dropped to the ground.
There was disbelief written all over his face, as if he had heard some fairy tale.
Some officials opened their eyes so wide that their eyeballs almost popped out.
His eyes were full of astonishment and confusion, as if he was doubting his own ears.
Others subconsciously raised their heads and looked straight toward the top of the temple.
It seemed as if he wanted to find a hint of answer from the exquisite caisson to confirm that he had not heard wrongly.
This sudden decree was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, instantly shattering everyone's speculation about the direction of the situation and causing a huge uproar.
There was a dead silence in the hall at first, followed by a slight commotion.
The rustling of clothes and the suppressed whispers were intertwined, as if a group of frightened birds were chirping softly.
Countless questions arose in everyone's mind. Why was Zhou Huaijin sent to Datong Prefecture?
What kind of deep meaning is hidden behind this?
In this subtle atmosphere, everyone pondered over and over in their hearts, trying to comprehend the divine will.
But the holy will is like the misty clouds, elusive.
Zhou Huaijin's face was as pale as paper at this moment. He stood there in a daze as if his bones and muscles had been pulled out, his mind in a state of confusion.
I saw his hands trembling slightly and his eyes were full of confusion and shock.
Zhou Fuchu, who held an important position in the Ministry of Revenue at the time, could not help but lean over to the ear of the person next to him and whispered, "This Zhou Huaijin has a close relationship with the Lin family. The Lin family has deep roots in the court.
Now he is sent to Datong. The situation in Datong Prefecture is complicated now, so this case will be very difficult to handle.
Who knows, what shocking secrets might be uncovered."
Li Zhengqing, a civil servant from a scholarly family in Hangzhou, shook his head and sighed, "The emperor's will is hard to predict! Since the abolition of the prime minister, the current emperor has been making decisions on his own and has no other choice but to do what he says.
Once the decree was issued, it was a done deal.
Even though Zhou Huaijin was unwilling, he had no choice but to obey the order.
But who can tell the twists and turns behind this?”
Now the relationship between Zhou Huaijin and the Lin family has become an open fact in the court.
Under such circumstances, Zhu Yuanzhang still appointed him as the prefect of Datong.
Once the Lin family was involved in the "Shanxi Military Horse Case", whether Zhou Huaijin could handle it impartially was largely an unknown.
But since Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the position of prime minister, he has always been the one who makes the final decision.
Besides, now that the imperial edict has been issued, it is even more impossible to change it overnight.
Although Zhou Huaijin had a complicated expression and was filled with reluctance and helplessness, he could only hold on.
He was seen lifting up his robe and kneeling slowly, accepting the order and thanking the emperor, then he slowly retreated with unsteady steps.
Wu Cheng's hawk-like eyes stared at Zhou Huaijin's figure until he disappeared behind the palace gate.
Then he turned around without leaving a trace and landed on Mao Xiang, the pacification envoy of the Jinyiwei.
Wu Cheng's mouth corners slightly raised, and a meaningful smile quietly appeared on his face.
That smile was like the ripples on a lake in spring, seemingly gentle but concealing a mystery.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and an elusive light flashed in them.
It seems that behind that smile, there are countless unknown thoughts.
Mao Xiang felt Wu Cheng's gaze and his heart shuddered.
He subconsciously straightened his body, looked up, and met Wu Cheng's meaningful smile.
Mao Xiang felt uncomfortable as if an invisible hand gently grabbed his heart. Mao Xiang secretly wondered what Wu Cheng's smile meant.
Is it gloating, or is there some other implication?
After all, in the vortex of court intrigue, every look and every smile may contain hidden meanings, making people dare not slack off in the slightest.
"Master Mao, it's your turn now!"
It was almost noon, and the Fengtian Hall was bathed in warm sunlight.
The golden brick floor reflected a soft glow, but it was unable to dispel the tense atmosphere that permeated the hall.
Wu Cheng looked at Mao Xiang with a smile on his face, and that smile contained an indescribable weirdness in the interweaving of light and shadow.
Mao Xiang's heart skipped a beat and he instantly had a bad feeling.
The deep meaning in Wu Cheng's eyes was like an undercurrent hidden behind the clouds, which made Mao Xiang feel uneasy.
At this moment, the whispers of the court officials in the hall stopped for a moment, and all their eyes were focused on Mao Xiang.
Mao Xiang was under the watchful eyes of the public, and even though he was filled with doubts, he had to suppress them.
He slowly bent his knees and knelt down. Although his posture was straight, his slightly trembling shoulders revealed his inner anxiety.
The hall was so quiet that the only sounds one could hear were people's gentle breathing and the occasional chirping of birds outside.
The sun gradually became hotter, making the atmosphere in the hall even more depressing.
Mao Xiang lowered his head and stared at the ground, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Wu Cheng slowly unfolding the imperial edict.
The silk texture of the imperial edict sparkled luxuriously in the sunlight.
Mao Xiang took a deep breath and waited quietly for the voice of Wu Cheng reading the imperial edict to break the silence in this depressing silence.
"It is God's destiny, the emperor decreed:
We rule the world and bring peace to the four seas.
How can we allow the Japanese pirates to wantonly disturb our sea borders and bring disaster to the people?
Today, the Japanese pirates are wreaking havoc in the Goto Islands area. Their evil deeds are notorious and I am deeply worried about it.
Mao Xiang, the pacification envoy of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was specially ordered to immediately form a guard to prepare for the Japanese invasion.
You should select the best troops and prepare armaments.
We must rush to the Goto Islands with lightning speed.
When fighting against the Japanese pirates, we should fight bravely and kill the enemies.
Enhance our national prestige, ensure the safety of our people and the security of our maritime borders.
If you can achieve this special feat, we will surely reward you handsomely.
If there is any slackness or mistakes, the national law will not tolerate it.
You should try your best, I order you to do this!"
Wu Cheng's sharp but clear voice rang out, and as soon as the words came out of his mouth, it was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake.
This immediately caused a huge uproar and the whole hall was in uproar.
The court officials were either sitting upright or talking quietly to each other.
Hearing what Wu Cheng said, everyone's face changed color instantly.
Some officials opened their eyes wide, their faces full of disbelief.
As if he had heard some Arabian Nights fairy tale, he murmured to himself, "How can this be possible?
The Goto Islands are a very dangerous place, how can you just go there?"
Some people couldn't help but gasp, their faces suddenly turning pale.
Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he said in a trembling voice: "This is really strange. Why would His Majesty suddenly issue such an order?"
Some even lost their composure and exclaimed: "Isn't this pushing Mr. Mao into the fire pit?"
The discussions of the crowd suddenly surged up like a tide, buzzing and interweaving into a noisy cacophony.
(End of this chapter)