Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 309 A Massive Petition

Xiangyang City.

As the ruling center of Sichuan and Huguang, this small city once again exudes brilliance.

Tourists traveling from south to north stop here, and a large number of officials and soldiers come here to report, especially the large amount of consumption brought by the army and their families, which makes the city have a strong market.

The brand-new yamen highlights the new dynasty and new atmosphere.

And in the west of the city, that is, near the highlands of Xiangyang City, even if the Han River breaks its embankment, it is difficult to flood here, so it is a matter of course that it is the location of the Guizhou District.

More than a dozen vassal kings, including King Rui, King Qin, King Xiang, and King Jing, all lived here. Although they lost their freedom, they gained a stable life.

On this day, Mr. Rui Wang went to Yu Wang's mansion out of breath, and was kindly received by the head Zhao Shu.

"Your Highness lives comfortably?"

Zhao Shu had a gentle attitude towards King Rui, and said with concern: "If there is someone who is not good-looking, you can tell me directly, and someone will naturally discipline you."

Rui Wang Zhu Changhao waved his hands with a smile: "It's okay, although it's not as comfortable as the palace, but you don't have to worry about it, and you can sleep peacefully."

"That's good!"

Zhao Shu smiled softly.

He raised his eyes and stared at the more than 50-year-old Rui Wang, with a wide face and big ears, with smiling eyebrows and eyes, as if he was a blessed old man enjoying the blessings, and he did not see the majesty of the prince at all.

Stay safe, this is the news given to him by the Public Security Bureau.

It's no wonder His Royal Highness Prince Yu made him the leader of other vassals. Apart from seniority, aging is also an important reason.

Like the young King Qin, he is easy to get angry.

After pondering for a while, Zhao Shu raised his eyebrows, restrained his expression a little, and said seriously, "Your Highness, I shouldn't have kept the news from you, but now that the matter has come to this point, I have to do it!"

"Ah?" Old King Rui was startled, his fat body trembled, could it be that King Yu was defeated?
"Did it really happen?"

"Have you heard of this news?" Zhao Shu was slightly surprised, and said regretfully, "I never expected this, but it has already happened. For the people of the world, it is really a tragedy."

tragedy?It seems that it is not only a defeat, but also a death...

"Yes!" Old Rui Wang's heart dropped even more.Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, his breath became short of breath: "So young, just..."

"Hic, hiccup, hiccup—"

Hiccupping continuously, like a rooster crowing, Old Rui Wang couldn't help crying, his round face wrinkled into a chrysanthemum, covered with a handkerchief, sobbing choked up.

If King Yu is gone, he really won't be able to come home...

"Your Highness, my condolences—"

Seeing this, Zhao Shu was afraid that he would lose his temper, so he patted his back and persuaded him, "Although it was unexpected, but the reality is like this, we have to face the future!"

"The future?" Old Rui Wang slowed down, raised his slightly cloudy old eyes: "What future is there?"

"Although His Majesty is missing, Daming cannot be without a king for a day. We should plan ahead for this matter!"

Zhao Shuyu said earnestly.

"Your Majesty?" King Rui's voice was full of doubts, confusion, and astonishment.

"The city of Nanjing was destroyed. Wang Duo, Qian Qianyi, Zhao Zhilong and other civil and military officials surrendered to the Manchu Qing. The chief assistant Ma Shiying, as well as the present majesty, are nowhere to be found!"

Zhao Shu said with regret.

Only then did Old Rui Wang heave a sigh of relief, his sinking heart lifted halfway, and he sighed and said: "Fufan is destined to be unlucky after all, the emperor's position is so easy to sit..."

It took him a while to realize what it means that a country cannot live without a king.

"You mean, say—"

King Rui stammered, and he pointed to the direction of the sky: "Yu, King Yu——"

"That's right!"

Zhao Shu responded immediately, not paying attention to his nervousness, but said indifferently: "King Yu has captured Xi'an City, and Li Zicheng's life or death is still uncertain, so it can be regarded as revenge for the late emperor."

"Now, His Majesty is also missing after the city is destroyed, and the throne is so disparate, how can it just be empty?"

"Taiping discusses the division of concubine and concubine, while Zhanluan discusses military exploits. Of all the kings in the world, who has military exploits comparable to King Yu? Who is more qualified to compete for the throne than him?"

It took a long time for King Rui to recover from the shock. Hearing these words, he had to nod his head and said: "Indeed, there is almost no one in the world who can compare with King Yu."

Seeing this, Zhao Shu smiled slightly and said, "So, Your Highness also agrees that King Yu is the emperor?"

"This..." King Rui spread out his hands and said, "This old man, although he is old and belongs to the close branch, he has no power and no soldiers after all. How can anyone listen to what he says?"

"You are an old seniority in the clan, who dares to refute easily?"

Zhao Shu didn't take it seriously, and said, "The King of Yu promised that in the future, he will expel Jiannu and rejuvenate the Ming Dynasty, and you will definitely be retained as the throne in the new dynasty."

"You know, Han Guangwu Zhongxing, the vassal kings of the previous dynasty are just princes."

King Rui's heart skipped a beat, and he was instantly tempted.

At his age, the throne is almost out of reach.

Therefore, the biggest wish at present is to live and preserve the wealth and honor of generations.

In any case, the throne of a new dynasty is full of gold.

"What do you want me to do?" Old Rui Wang made up his mind at once and asked.

"Convince the other vassals and let them write a letter, begging King Yu to supervise the country!"

"Jianguo?" Old King Rui took a breath, nodded and said, "It seems that King Yu's footsteps are more solid than expected."

Zhao Shu showed a sincere smile: "King Yu said, he will never forget your friendship for him."

Old Rui Wang was instantly delighted from ear to ear.

With a guarantee, he came to persuade other vassals.

Watching him leave, Zhao Shu shook his head: "It's what everyone expects, but it's just a pity, it's hard for me to go to Luoyang."

He stared north, with a faint smile on his lips.

At the same time, a large number of gentry, arrogance, or voluntary, forced, had to come to Luoyang City to participate in a massive petition.

After the two speeches in Xi'an City, Zhu Yixi left the third speech to Luoyang.

Hundreds of thousands of people gather here, and the crowds are densely packed, which is quite spectacular.

The former Prince Fu's Mansion was now seriously damaged, and King Yu lived there without hesitation. The simple living environment seemed to make him happy.

Public opinion is also more and more appreciative of him.

Whether it is military merit, morality, or loyalty to the court, especially re-entering Luoyang to avenge shame, it can be described as exciting.

Everyone selectively forgot the fact that King Yu had abandoned Luoyang, and scrambled to discuss His Royal Highness's shining points.

On this day, the sky was bright again, and the sun was warm in the sky. Thousands of people, including scholars and officials, headed towards Fu Wang's mansion in a mighty way.

Along the way, more and more people gathered, and people looked along the street, watching this novel scene.

I saw this group of scholars in robes and square scarves kneeling eagerly in front of Fu Wang's mansion.

The leader, with tears in his eyes, held a large roll of cloth above his head and shouted:
"I'm waiting for the people of Luoyang to gather [-] fingerprints to sign and implore His Highness to conform to the popular will and become emperor—"

(End of this chapter)