HLnovel Chapter 345 Becoming a Monk
Chapter 345 Becoming a Monk
Chapter 345 Becoming a Monk
Zhu Youjian looked at the letter in his hand, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling, sometimes looking angry, and sometimes sighing to the sky.
The letter was written by Wang Ying. Wang Ying had her own reasons for writing to her old lover behind Wang Wenzhou's back. As the saying goes, "Even a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of kindness," Wang Ying neither wanted Wang Wenzhou to rebel nor wanted Emperor Chongzhen to kill him.
After much deliberation, Wang Ying wrote a letter to Zhu Youjian, explaining the advantages and disadvantages to him and advising him to win over Wang Wenzhou, and not to push Wang Wenzhou too hard or force him to rebel.
After reading the letter, Zhu Youjian was overwhelmed with emotions. The woman who had once deeply loved him had changed her mind. Not only did Zhu Youjian still harbor feelings for Wang Ying, but he also felt guilty towards her. However, now Wang Ying had changed her mind.
"Xiuying, you want to use someone else to do your dirty work and have me put Liu Rushi and her son under house arrest. It's not that I don't want to do it, but if I do, I will really force Wang Wenzhou to rebel!" Zhu Youjian muttered to himself.
Zhu Youjian's arrangements regarding Wang Wenzhou over the past month or so were also driven by his fear that Wang Wenzhou harbored rebellious intentions. Wang Wenzhou was without a ruler or father, and was certainly capable of rebellion. However, Zhu Youjian was reluctant to kill Wang Wenzhou, and dared not do so either, since Wang Wenzhou had not yet openly rebelled.
If Zhu Youjian were to kill Wang Wenzhou, the nobles who were allied with Wang Wenzhou would not agree.
Most importantly, Zhu Youjian had no choice but to rely heavily on Wang Wenzhou. The Tartar envoy had arrived in the capital, and the peace talks still needed to be presided over by Wang Wenzhou, as only he could extort the Tartars. Moreover, if Wang Wenzhou hadn't been causing trouble in Liaodong, how could the Tartars have so humbly requested peace talks?
……
Morning the next day.
Zhu Youjian began by saying, "I'm sure many of you have been wondering where Wang Wenzhou, the Vice Minister of Rites, has been these past few days?"
Many civil and military officials were unaware that Wang Wenzhou, that mad dog, had returned to the capital. To them, life was only normal without Wang Wenzhou in the court, and they wished he would never come to court again.
Zhu Youjian said with a smile, "Actually, Wang Wenzhou has been in Liaodong these days. Thanks to Wang Aiqing's efforts, the Tartars sent an envoy to kneel and beg for peace with the Ming Dynasty."
"Ah..." The officials were immediately shocked. How could this be? They hadn't heard any reports of a major victory at the front recently. Why would the Tartars beg for peace talks if they hadn't won a battle?
Zhu Youjian waved for everyone to be quiet and continued, "I cannot reveal the specifics of how Wang Wenzhou forced the Tartars to negotiate peace. Wang Wenzhou has rendered such a great service that I must reward him. Someone, read out the imperial edict."
Holding the imperial edict, Wang Chengen read aloud: "By the grace of Heaven and the decree of the Emperor, Wang Wenzhou, having penetrated deep behind enemy lines, risked his life and rendered great service, is hereby granted the title of Duke of Zhongyi, a hereditary title..."
"Ah!" The civil and military officials were stunned. Wang Wenzhou was the heir of the Earl of Xinjian. After his father's death, the title of Earl of Xinjian would pass to Wang Wenzhou. What had happened to the Emperor? What had Wang Wenzhou done? The Emperor had actually bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Zhongyi, and it was a hereditary title. This meant that in the future, one of Wang Wenzhou's two sons would inherit the title of Duke of Zhongyi, and the other would inherit the title of Earl of Xinjian.
"Hmm?" After reading the imperial edict, Wang Chengen noticed that Wang Wenzhou had not accepted it. He hurriedly urged, "Lord Zhongyi, Wang Wenzhou, come and accept the edict!"
Wang Wenzhou curled his lip. Zhu Youjian truly lived up to his reputation as emperor; he was adept at imperial tactics! He would slap me and then give me a sweet treat. He stole my silver and territory, but rewarded me with a noble title.
“Your Majesty! This old monk cannot accept the decree!” Wang Wenzhou knelt on the ground and said.
"Huh?" The civil and military officials were immediately dumbfounded. What was Wang Wenzhou, this mad dog, doing now? This is the imperial court, not a temple! I have never seen anyone refuse to be granted a title! This is a duke, the highest title in the Ming Dynasty.
"Wang Wenzhou, stop this nonsense!" Zhu Youjian had already learned from Wang Ying's letter that Wang Wenzhou wanted to resign from his official post and become a monk, but he could only pretend not to know.
“Alas…” Wang Wenzhou sighed, kowtowed, and said, “Your Majesty, it is not that I want to become a monk, but that I am forced by my child. If I do not become a monk, she will commit suicide with my son. Your Majesty, for the sake of my family harmony, I humbly request Your Majesty to allow me to resign from my official post and become a monk.”
Zhang Fengyi stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, since Lord Wang has seen through the vanities of the world, you cannot force him to stay any longer. You should grant Lord Wang's wish and dismiss him from his post!"
"We second that proposal!" A large group of ministers immediately stood up.
Wang Wenzhou curled his lip. Damn it, is my character really that bad? When he resigned, not only did none of his colleagues try to stop him, they all wished he would just get lost!
"Wang Wenzhou, do you know your crime?" Kong Zhen pointed at Wang Wenzhou with a huff and asked coldly.
"Damn it!" Wang Wenzhou cursed inwardly. "You old bastard, haven't you had enough of me? I'm already planning to resign and become a monk, and you're still clinging to me?"
Seeing that Wang Wenzhou ignored him, Kong Zhenyun bowed to Zhu Youjian and earnestly said, "Lord Wang is exceptionally talented, and our Great Ming cannot do without him. I implore Your Majesty to immediately issue an edict ordering Lord Wang to retract his decision. Lord Wang, the court is not a place for child's play. I know you have suffered injustice these past few days! There are some people in the court who are too self-serving; even though everyone is working for the public good, they still seek revenge!"
What?! Wang Wenzhou was completely dumbfounded. What was wrong with Old Kong? He was actually speaking up for him!
Qian Qianyi rolled his eyes at Kong Zhenyun. "Lord Kong! You've really forgotten the pain once the wound has healed. Have you forgotten how that mad dog Wang Wenzhou tormented you back then? Making you ride like a horse for the little princess, who was pulling you along as you crawled?"
Wang Wenzhou cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Kong! I have seen through the vanity of the world. Fame, fortune, and beautiful women are all fleeting clouds in my eyes. I have no desire to live and only wish to chant scriptures and worship Buddha to spend the rest of my life in peace."
Wen Tiren glanced at Zhu Youjian, then at Wang Wenzhou, suspecting that the emperor and his minister were putting on an act again. He felt that Chongzhen's bestowal of the title of Duke of Zhongyi upon Wang Wenzhou would inevitably attract opposition, so the two were colluding to stage this charade as a feint.
Kong Zhenyun bowed deeply to Wang Wenzhou and said with deep emotion, "Lord Wang, I apologize to you! I used to call you a traitor, but now I am very ashamed! A few days ago, I went to Liaodong as a secret envoy and only then did I realize that you, Lord Wang, are truly a loyal and righteous man who is willing to risk your life for the country. Lord Wang, the Ming Dynasty cannot do without you!"
These were Kong Zhenyun's heartfelt words. His mission to Liaodong was truly astonishing. Wang Wenzhou had initially boasted that he could make the Tartars kneel and beg for peace, and everyone thought he was just bragging. But Wang Wenzhou actually did it! Kong Zhenyun was deeply impressed, which is why he earnestly advised Wang Wenzhou to prioritize national affairs.
Qian Qianyi shook his head with a wry smile. He felt that Wang Wenzhou and Zhu Youjian must have had ulterior motives for today's events. But when did that old codger Kong Zhenyun start to be on the same page as Wang Wenzhou? Their cooperation was so seamless!
Zhu Youjian shook his head with a wry smile. Xiuying was right. Wang Wenzhou had no father or ruler, yet he only listened to his wife and concubine, Liu Rushi. Liu Rushi suggested he become a monk to appease the emperor, and he complied without hesitation.
"Court adjourned!" Zhu Youjian stood up and said, "Wang Wenzhou, come with me to the Imperial Study!"