Because of the incident of Japanese pirates along the southeast coast, Zhu Houzhao temporarily summoned important civil and military officials in the Korean Republic to discuss, but the result was heavy thunder and rain. In the end, he just drew troops from the Beijing camp to the Central Plains to speed up the process of suppressing the rebellion, and then arranged the coastal guards' army to wipe out the Japanese pirates on their own.

These measures did not provide any substantial help to the court, so Xie Qian was still sulking after returning.

"If Zhihou could be allowed to suppress the rebellion, maybe there wouldn't be so many things."

In addition to Yang Yiqing, the Minister of Revenue, who returned to his Chang'an Street courtyard with Xie Qian, also had a supporter Liang Chu.

Xie Qian's words did not get the recognition of Yang Yiqing and Liang Chu, but they would not openly sing a counter-tune with Xie Qian.

Yang Yiqing said in a tone of asking for instructions: "How can we calm the Japanese pirates for now?"

Xie Qian shook his head and sighed: "The Japanese pirates along the coast were very rampant when they were the emperor. They also relied on a good trip to the south to completely eliminate the bandits in Fujian, Guangdong and other places. There was a period of peace... But I never thought that a few years have passed, and not only will the resurgence, but it will become more and more serious."

Liang Chu said in a puzzled tone: "Why is it not the local government report this time, but the Emperor Majesty personally sent someone to investigate? Is it involved the collusion between officials and bandits?"

Because the situation was obtained from the investigation by Qian Ning, the commander of the Jinyiwei, and it was not reported from the local government. Liang Chu was a little puzzled. Why did the strange scene appear in front of him?

Xie Qian shook his head: "Realistically speaking, the local government should report this matter first, and then the imperial center will react... But strangely, there are not many reports of bandits in the coastal areas in the past two years, and now the rampage of Japanese pirates has occurred in the coastal areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. This is what I find incredible."

Xie Qian is from Yuyao, and the incident of Japanese pirates attacking the local area in Jiangsu and Zhejiang made him feel that the government did not do its duty. Even because he was the chief minister in the court, some people deliberately concealed it and did not report it, for fear that he would hold it accountable.

Yang Yiqing thought something: "In fact... letting Zhihou lead his troops to the Jiangnan region to quell the Japanese pirates is indeed the best choice at present, but now he has many chores. The Ministry of Personnel has not been on the right track due to his rest. The Ministry of War has also become vacant because of the right assistant Wang Chang's left-handed move to the Ministry of Personnel..."

Xie Qian said: "It's his own business that he wants to rest. I can't interfere. But today I'm not seriously ill when he sees his body is not seriously injured, which is a bit too much!"

Liang Chu and Yang Yiqing looked at each other and could feel the helpless look in each other's eyes.

Xie Qian was too stubborn. At this time, he was still thinking about how to drive Shen Xi out of the capital instead of helping Shen Xi get support from the court.

They will naturally have associations. It seems that Xie Qian supports them now, but if they rise one day and reach the Shenxi area, they may be suppressed by Xie Qian.

Liang Chu changed the topic and said, "As far as I know below, this matter seems to have something to do with Shouning Hou and Jianchang Hou."

Xie Qian looked at Liang Chu in surprise and immediately looked straight: "Don't talk nonsense about the reasons. The Zhang family is a royal relative. Defamating them is an jeopardy of the stability of the court... If there is no real evidence for the relatives involved, it is best not to say these things that are stolen, so as not to be used by some sluts."

"yes."

Liang Chu nodded, but the worry on his face became even more serious.

...

...

Leopard room.

After Zhu Houzhao met the ministers, he got up and went to the inner courtyard to enjoy himself.

It seems that he never needs to do things seriously, and the most important thing every day is to eat, drink and have fun.

However, Qian Ning and Zhang Yuan followed behind and reported some things.

"...Your Majesty, according to the investigation by my humble ministers, there are thousands of islands along the coast. There are many unruly people in the area colluding with them and rampant the countryside. There are also many people who are raped by them to the sea, farming and storming irons, and serving as servants. Now the islands are like separatist countries." Qian Ning said.

Zhu Houzhao frowned as soon as he heard this: "It seems that the problem is very serious. Relying on local officials and generals alone is not enough to solve this problem."

Zhang Yuan said: "Your Majesty, why don't you try to send Lord Shen to quell the rebellion? With his ability, it should be easy to quell the Japanese pirate rebellion..."

Zhu Houzhao looked at Zhang Yuan and asked, "Why would you agree with Mr. Chen going to the south? You didn't discuss it with anyone, right?"

Zhang Yuan quickly explained: "Your Majesty, I am just analyzing the ways to solve the problem. I want to discuss with you how to achieve the best results... Isn't this what the old slave said in front of those adults?"

"Um."

Zhu Houzhao thought about it and nodded slightly.

Thinking back to the meeting just now, Zhang Yuan did not support Chen Xi to go to war with the crowd, so Zhu Houzhao felt relieved. However, he didn't know that Zhang Yuan dared not mention it in front of Shen Xi, and it was not certain that behind his back. He now needs Chen Xi's support, and some lip service can only be carried out secretly.

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand: "If everything needs to be done by Mr. Chen, what should I do to raise so many civil and military ministers? Are local officials and generals just a waste of time?"

Qian Ning suddenly interrupted: "Your Majesty, I found out that this matter seems to be related to the two uncles."

"What?"

This is the first time Zhu Houzhao has heard that the Zhang brothers were involved in Japanese pirates.

The Zhang brothers obviously did not expect that Qian Ning was afraid of causing a rebound from his relatives, so he had never mentioned it to Zhu Houzhao before.

After Qian Ning returned to the Leopard Room, he only suggested to the emperor that Japanese pirates in Jiangnan were rampant, which seriously affected the tax revenue of the court and the lives of the people. Zhu Houzhao saw the prosperity of Jiangnan and thought about traveling in the future. When he heard this, he became nervous and immediately summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures.

After Zhu Houzhao summoned the minister, Qian Ning felt that the time was almost right, so he told the story of the foreign relatives having an affair with the Japanese pirates.

Zhang Yuan also said: "Your Majesty, the assassin case I investigated before..."

"What's the result?"

Zhu Houzhao's expression became serious and looked at Zhang Yuan who was willing to speak but stopped.

Zhu Houzhao sent Qian Ning to investigate the Japanese pirates along the coast before, but it was not because the local authorities reported anything. The reason why Qian Ning dared to meet the emperor with weapons was entirely because he caught a group of "assassins" while patrolling. These uninvited guests took firearms and tried to approach the leopard room. After further investigation, Qian Ning found that these suspicious people did not come from the Ming Dynasty, but seemed to be Japanese.

Qian Ning was on the pretext that he was afraid that the Japanese would be unfavorable to the emperor and broke into the palace to face the saint. He raised this matter in front of Zhu Houzhao and was ordered to investigate. This was also the beginning of the case of rebellion.

Zhang Yuan said cautiously: "I have investigated it. The matter has to do with the two uncles, especially... Marquis of Jianchang."

Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath, looked surprised and asked, "You mean, my two uncles have a good life, but they are involved with some Japanese pirates and even want to murder me? What are the benefits of doing this? Can they become emperors if I die?"

Zhang Yuan and Qian Ning looked at each other, and it was obvious that the two had discussed beforehand.

Zhang Yuan seemed very embarrassed and hesitated: "Your Majesty, there is a saying that should be said or not..."

"Say!" Zhu Houzhao said.

Zhang Yuan said tentatively: "Your Majesty has no descendants yet..."

Zhu Houzhao took a breath again, as if she understood something, frowned and said, "I mean what you mean. If something happens to me, they can cultivate a crown prince, because I don't have a son or even a brother. Then who will be the emperor is completely up to them..."

"That's true, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has this power, and the relatives of the outside can influence the Empress Dowager!" Zhang Yuan reminded.

“Bold.”

Zhu Houzhao shouted loudly, "Zhang Yuan, you are so brave, you dare to criticize the Queen Mother at will?"

Although Zhu Houzhao got angry, the scolding was more like a routine. Even Zhang Yuan could hear that Zhu Houzhao was not very angry. He quickly knelt down and explained: "Your Majesty, what I said is just to remind Your Majesty... If there is this possibility, it is not intended to accuse the Empress Dowager and Zhang's relatives' family."

Zhu Houzhao stood there and didn't say anything for a long time.

At this time, Xiao Tiaozi quickly came from the opposite side, as if he had something to report, but was stopped by the guards.

After someone tried to break into the Leopard Room to seek rebellion, Zhu Houzhao immediately ordered the security measures to be strengthened, and there were many light and dark whistles in the Leopard Room.

Zhu Houzhao did not let Xiao Tiaozi come over. He seemed to be dissatisfied with what Zhang Yuan said before. After thinking for a long time, he said: "Continue to investigate. Don't talk nonsense in front of me without real evidence. I don't want the court to be in a panic!"

"Yes, your Majesty."

Zhang Yuan kowtowed and received the order.

Qian Ning stood there, as if he felt that he was redundant. Unexpectedly, Zhu Houzhao turned around and looked at him immediately, "Qian Ning, you must also be responsible for what you say... Like Zhang Yuan, you will continue to investigate and cannot give up halfway. Send more Jinyiwei and call Zhang Yong again. The East Factory also needs to send spies..."

Qian Ning hesitated a little: "Your Majesty, if this matter is known to outsiders, will the news be leaked?"

Zhu Houzhao frowned: "What do you mean?"

Qian Ning glanced at Zhang Yuan and said, "After Eunuch Liu Jin and Eunuch Liu passed away, Your Majesty issued an order to cut off the Western Factory and the Insider Factory. Now the situation is urgent. Can it be properly restored? Eunuch Zhang Yuan and Eunuch Zhang also lead the two factories to investigate the case?"

“Bold!”

Zhu Houzhao shouted loudly, "Okay, Qian Ning, when will you be qualified to give me some advice? Is this something you can manage?"

Qian Ning also quickly knelt down and kowtowed to admit his mistake.

Zhu Houzhao thought for a while, then said, "I think it is not the primary task at present. If the two factories are not opened, you will not be careful when doing things? However, you can continue to handle the case without disturbing the East Factory. As for who will preside over the...it is mainly to dispatch personnel from the Jinyiwei, and I have the full authority to entrust you and the two of you to be responsible for this matter."

"Yes, your Majesty."

Both Zhang Yuan and Qian Ning kowtowed and received the order.

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand: "Go to do business quickly and investigate the situation clearly. I don't want anyone to make trouble by lying on the couch. I will find out the mastermind behind it, and I will be rewarded!"

...

...

Xiao Twist kept watching from a distance.

Seeing Zhang Yuan and Qian Ning kneeling there and kowtowed, it was strange, but because he couldn't hear the emperor talking to the two, he could only guess roughly.

"What's going on? Could it be that these two guys did something wrong? But before, His Majesty seemed to trust them very much. Qian Ning found out about the rise of Japanese pirates. How could His Majesty suddenly become furious?" Xiao Zhuozi was very puzzled.

Just at this moment, Zhu Houzhao walked over, while Zhang Yuan and Qian Ning had already turned back.

"See Your Majesty."

Xiao Tiaozi quickly saluted Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Is there anything wrong?"

Xiao Tiaozi said, "Mr. Shen has left a letter to me before. I dare not open it and see it. I am afraid that it will be an important matter, so I can only submit it to Your Majesty for the imperial examination after you leave."

Zhu Houzhao nodded, looked at the letter on Xiao Tiaozi's hand, and waved his hand: "Then open it and read it to me."

Xiao Tiaozi followed the order and quickly read out the contents of the letter.

Chen Xi expressed in the letter that someone in the court colluded with Japanese pirates, did things that were unfavorable to the court, and even tried to kill the monarch.

These news basically matched what Zhu Houzhao learned before.
To be continued...