But for Zhu Ci, the land issue was a red line that could not be touched. He insisted on re-clarifying land ownership and insisted on establishing new rules, the most important of which was that gentry must pay taxes like everyone else. How much more money would that force them to pay?
The most important thing was the redistribution of land, since they wouldn't be able to take advantage of this redistribution, they naturally went to support Emperor Longwu.
Zhu Ci did not care; he had considered all possibilities when he decided to ignore any resistance and forcibly push this policy forward.
If the struggle against the Qing Army is won, it will be a national policy that benefits the country and the people; if it is lost, it will leave a legacy of infamy for ten thousand years.
Fu looked up at Zhu Ci and asked, "Has Your Majesty truly made up his mind? This plan will surely cause even more scholars to throw their support behind the Prince of Tang."
Zhu Ci stared fixedly at him. "My heart is as unyielding as stone; it shall not change."
Fu rose and said, "I understand."
Zhu Ci said calmly, "Respond however you wish, my dear subject."
To be reasonable, about one-sixth of this manifesto was directed at him, while the rest was all aimed at Fu; in the other's mouth, Fu was nothing short of irredeemable.
Fu seemed even more indifferent: "The enthronement ceremony is imminent; I cannot spare my mind to worry about such things."
Then let it be.
After all, he was about to ascend the throne. Indeed, the day before his ascension, he received news that Prince of Lu Zhu Yihai had been installed as the Regent in Wenzhou Prefecture under the support of Zhang Guowei and Zhang Huangyan.
Thus, Zhu Yujian's manifestos increased by one more, cursing both Zhu Yihai and Zhu Ci. Not willing to be outdone, Zhu Yihai also began issuing manifestos cursing Zhu Yujian and wrote a letter to Zhu Ci: "Grandson, do you want to come and seek refuge with your grandfather?"
Hmm, when it came to calling him "grandson," Zhu Yihai really wasn't taking advantage of him; according to their generation names, Zhu Yihai was two generations above him and was of the same generation as his grandfather, Zhu Changxun.
Zhu Ci let out a cold laugh and crumpled the letter before burning it.
Amidst such a chaotic mess, Zhu Ci arrived.
Zhu Ci had originally thought he wouldn't come; the notice had been sent, but for Zhu Ci, it was indeed a bit awkward.
Even though he, the legitimate Crown Prince of Great Ming, was still alive, the imperial position had nonetheless shifted elsewhere. The officials of Great Ming would rather support the Crown Prince of the Prince of Tang, the Prince of Lu, or even the Prince of Fu, rather than support him.
For Zhu Ci, this reality was truly a bit too cruel.
Therefore, Zhu Ci did not ask him to come, but simply gave him a notice.
However, Zhu Ci still came along with the people from the Weng Family and the Xi Family.
When he saw Zhu Ci, the first thing he noticed were the wounds on the other man's face and neck.
Many days had passed since Zhu Ci was injured. The small wounds on his face had healed quite well, but although the wound on his neck had scabbed over, it still looked rather gruesome.
Zhu Ci looked at him with a worried expression and asked, "How are your injuries? Why aren't you resting?"
Zhu Ci sighed and said, "Rest? There are matters everywhere; I can't just leave everything to Fu Huaizhang."
Zhu Ci felt a slight sense of confusion upon hearing the name Fu Huaizhang: "This Fu Huaizhang.. what exactly does he mean by this?"
He paused and said, "I do not oppose your succession, but he.."
Zhu Ci said, "He has a grudge against the.. against my Imperial Father."
Zhu Ci was even more bewildered after hearing this. Having a grudge against your father, then supporting you to become the Emperor—isn't that logic a bit flawed?
Seeing his confusion, Zhu Ci said casually, "Fu Huaizhang is actually quite magnanimous; one shouldn't let grievances affect one's children."
No matter how good Zhu Ci's temperament was, he couldn't help but cast a sideways glance at Zhu Yousong; was he taking him for a fool?
If Fu truly did not affect his children, how could it end with only Zhu Ci left of Zhu Yousong's family? All of Zhu Yousong's other children were gone, every single one of them.
Wait.. all the other children are gone, but Zhu Ci is still alive. Could it be.. Zhu Ci isn't Zhu Yousong's biological son? Then whose child is he? Does he even have the surname Zhu?
Zhu Ci thought about how not only was Zhu Yousong extremely dissatisfied with this Crown Prince, but he also threatened to kill him at every opportunity; he felt as if he had discovered something.
Thinking of this, he looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Zhu Ci saw his strange expression and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Zhu Ci gave a light cough and said, "It's nothing."
He paused and then said, "No matter who you are, as long as you can reclaim lost lands and still recognize Great Ming as your ancestral home, then you are a descendant of Great Ming."
After speaking, he also felt conflicted. After telling Zhu Ci to get some good rest, he left.
Regarding the matter of Zhu Ci's ascension to the throne, he had already come to terms with it.
He couldn't recover the lost lands on his own, so he would let those with the ability come.
At least from Yangzhou to Huaian, Zhu Ci saw hope; since the Tartars entered the passes, even if this wasn't the only victorious campaign, it was certainly of extraordinary significance.
Zhu Ci looked at Zhu Ci's back with a sense of confusion, truly unable to understand what that extremely complex look in the other's eyes had meant at the end.
The people around him certainly didn't understand either, so Zhu Ci couldn't help but blurt out a comment while trying on the dragon robe.
Fu thought about it for a long while before saying, "Perhaps.. he suspects that His Majesty is not the biological son of Zhu Yousong."
Hmm?
Zhu Ci's expression froze for a moment, then he clicked his tongue. "This guess of his.. his imagination is quite wild."
Not to mention, it was actually somewhat accurate; he indeed was not the son of a tyrant.
However, at this moment, he was surrounded by several handmaidens, so he couldn't speak too clearly. He shifted the subject directly: "When did you start preparing?"
The exquisite craftsmanship of this ceremonial robe did not look like something rushed; in particular, the entire set fit him perfectly from the inside out, as if it had been custom-made just for him.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Let the Prince of Tang satisfy his craving for a moment; once I have my hands free, I'll deal with him. If it can be settled with force, there's no need for shouting. An evil kitty peeks out from under the dragon robe. jpg
Next update at noon~
Chapter 100
Fu was rarely seen without his veiled hat in the room, the maidservants surrounding Zhu Ci to help him tend to his clothes couldn't help but steal a glance at Fu.
Fu seemed somewhat uncomfortable with being seen in his true form, so he kept his eyes fixed on Zhu Ci to divert his attention.
He did not answer Zhu Ci's question, only saying, "As long as it is suitable. Ascending the throne in such haste is, after all, somewhat of an injustice to Your Majesty; it is a pity Your Majesty refuses to return to Nanjing."
Zhu Ci shook his head and said, "As long as I am here, the Tartars might still have reservations and not dare to come. If I leave, I fear Huaian will fall into contention once again."
Lately, the Qing Army has been unnervingly quiet; it's hard to tell if they are busy manufacturing Red-coated Cannons or if they are truly terrified of him.
The latter possibility is lower, but it is not impossible; after all, he appeared so suddenly that the opposition likely cannot even figure out his methods.
Fu said, "Regarding Your Majesty's succession, I have already proclaimed it to the world. After today, the Tartars might still come to invade."
“Then let them come,” Zhu Ci said with a cold sneer. “It's just the right excuse to see some blood and bring some celebration!”
Fu rose and put on a veiled bamboo hat, saying, "I will go see how the arrangements outside are progressing."
Zhu Ci immediately said, "Wait, don't leave just yet."
Fu turned to look at Zhu Ci with some confusion. Zhu Ci glanced at Jiang Xueyan, Jiang Xueyan immediately brought up a small rectangular wooden box.
Zhu Ci said casually, "It's prepared for you, so no one can say you lack manners later."
Because Fu frequently went about wearing a veiled bamboo hat, some people had already begun to voice their complaints; of course, this might just be a prelude to their attacks on him.
After all, in the eyes of many, why should Fu, a mere merchant and a rebel, hold such a high position, while talented men like them are not given significant roles?
Zhu Ci did not care about these things, but hearing these indirect accusations was always quite annoying.
Fu raised an eyebrow, upon opening it, found a pair of gray eyeglasses lying inside.
The design of these eyeglasses was completely different from what was in fashion nowadays. It was very strange; they seemed to have no frame and no common thin cords, but instead, there was a metal connection in the middle of the lenses, two gold-colored thin rods on each side that could be folded. A gold chain inlaid with gemstones hung from the rod on the right.
Fu picked it up and observed it closely, momentarily unsure of how to even begin.
Most of them were currently fixed to the back of the head with thin cords, these two golden rods didn't look like they could be tied to the back of the head either.
Seeing his confusion, Zhu Ci waved his hand, signaling the maid who was holding the twelve-tasseled crown and attempting to place it on him to withdraw.
He walked over, picked up the eyeglasses, said, "This can protect your eyes. Besides, you won't be outdoors for long today; when the time comes, I'll have someone hold an umbrella for you, so you won't need to cover up so strictly."
As he spoke, he looked up and raised his hand, Fu cooperated by lowering his head slightly.
After putting on the eyeglasses, Zhu Ci took two steps back and nodded with satisfaction.
The lenses of these eyeglasses were polished from gray crystal. When choosing the color, he had already felt that this color was very suitable for Fu Huaizhang; paired with his fair skin and exquisite features, the effect was excellent.
The chains inlaid with red crystals on the sides of the eyeglasses' temples were especially the finishing touch.
Zhu Ci was extremely satisfied, while Fu Cai was quite unaccustomed to it.
He had known about this thing for a long time, the reason he hadn't used it was because he wanted to conceal his appearance.
After all, even if he covered his eyes, his appearance was somewhat different from that of ordinary people.
He touched his eyeglasses and asked, "Does Your Majesty mean.."
Zhu Ci looked at him seriously and said, "You've only become like this because you are ill; there is no difference between you and a normal person. Don't overthink it; if you don't mind it, others won't use it to attack you either."
Those who criticize Fu's appearance only do so because they know he cares about it, that's why they do it intentionally time and time again.
Fu Huaizhang lowered his eyes and looked at Zhu Ci, remaining silent for a moment.
Zhu Ci thought he wasn't used to it yet, so he patted his shoulder and said, "If anyone uses your appearance against you in the future, just come and tell me. I'll deal with them."
Fu felt a complex mix of emotions and gave a light laugh. "Your Majesty is occupied with the affairs of the state; how could you let such trivial matters trouble you?"
Zhu Ci said with utmost sincerity, "You are my right-hand man. If this were to affect you, it would be no small matter."
Fu paused, then took two steps back and cupped his hands, saying, "Your servant takes his leave."
Eh?
Why did he run off like that?
He was just about to ask Fu Huaizhang to look in a mirror; although the mirror he was using now was just an ordinary bronze mirror, it was still very clear.
But if he's gone, he's gone; it doesn't matter.
Zhu Ci returned to the mirror and had the twelve-tasselled crown placed upon him.
This set of ceremonial robes was very heavy; once he put them on, his excessively youthful face seemed to gain a few degrees of maturity.
Once he was fully dressed, the auspicious hour had arrived.
Zhu Ci had a dazed recollection that when he first transmigrated, it seemed he had also arrived just in time for the ceremony to invest the Crown Prince.