At that time, he truly felt that Galdan was a formidable opponent. Although Dorgon had been equally formidable back then, the entire court had been united in a single determination to defeat Dorgon and drive the Manchurians away.
When facing Galdan, even the General Staff could not reach a consensus at first.
This major threat has finally been eliminated.
Fu said with a smile, "Prince Qi is going to be busy again."
Zhu Ci said helplessly, "Not just the Prince of Qi, but the ancestors will also be busy."
Sacrificing to the Imperial Ancestral Temple after a victory is somewhat different from other rituals. In the past, worshiping the ancestors simply meant sending them clothes, food, money, much like sending a parcel in later generations; the recipients could receive it whenever they liked.
But after winning a victory, one had to call upon all the ancestors to witness just how remarkable their descendants had become.
The ancestors of the Zhu family have not had it easy either; in just a few short years, they experienced a crisis that nearly ended their lineage, then they are frequently disturbed just to witness the great achievements of their descendants.
While mocking him in his heart, Zhu Ci summoned Zhu Ci.
Zhu Ci happened to bring news as well: "Your Majesty, both Russia and Japan intend to send envoys to visit."
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: He really knows how to find trouble for me. Am I not tired from performing rites at the Imperial Ancestral Temple? A kitten licking its belly while wearing formal robes. jpg
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 296
Hmm?
Russia and Japan?
Zhu Ci was somewhat surprised: "What are they sending envoys for?"
Zhu Ci said, "The Russian envoys might be here for the Dzungar Mongols, Japan.. perhaps they are here to test our strength. Besides them, there are also countries like Korea."
After listening, Zhu Ci pondered for a long while before saying, "Send someone to make contact with the Russian envoys and ask what their intentions are. As for Japan and Korea.. let them come."
It would be fine if the neighboring countries sent envoys; otherwise, he would still be wondering how to intimidate these nations.
However, Japan surprised him.
Because Japan had actually just experienced a great war at this time; the Edo Shogunate had only just stabilized and had begun implementing an isolationist policy.
Yes, when faced with the invasion of foreigners, both Japan, whose political situation was not yet completely stable, the Qing government chose isolationism.
Japan's isolationism was even more thorough, directly excluding foreigners and forbidding the construction of large ships as well as maritime trade.
In this situation, it would truly be a rare occurrence for Japan to send envoys for a visit.
However, Zhu Ci felt it wasn't necessarily a bad thing; it was better to have exchanges. Exchanges would lead to disputes, when that time came, he would have an excuse to deal with Japan.
Otherwise, if Japan remained closed off and refused to communicate with any country, he couldn't simply claim he wanted to fight them just because he couldn't stand their isolationism, could he?
Never mind the court officials, Fu would not agree to such an excuse.
However, Zhu Ci did not truly understand the current situation in Japan.
Fu silently handed him a stack of documents and said, "The rule of the Edo Shogunate is actually not very stable right now."
It has been over a decade since the Shimabara Rebellion ended. Nowadays, Japan rejects foreigners and maintains very strict control over armed uprisings; they have even begun to strictly prohibit maritime shipping.
Not only is ocean-going shipping prohibited, but even coastal shipping is banned. Therefore, during this recent period, there has been almost no trade between Japan and the Great Ming; even if there is, it consists only of ships smuggled by Japanese feudal lords and daimyo.
Zhu Ci took the thick stack of documents, glanced at them a few times, then looked up at Fu and asked, "How long have you been collecting this information?
Fu shook his head: "Not long, just the last two years."
Zhu Ci was somewhat curious: "Why did you suddenly think of collecting intelligence on Japan?"
Nowadays, Japan is truly unrelated to Great Ming; there used to be trade relations, but now, under Japan's isolationist state, even trade relations have ceased.
Fu paused and said, "Your Majesty once spoke of a dark 'history,' and I suspect Your Majesty may not wish to repeat the same mistakes."
Zhu Ci does not even want to let Galdan off the hook, let alone Japan.
Fu was as meticulous as dust, knowing that His Majesty was not saying it was impossible, but rather that the time had not yet come.
Zhu Ci suddenly remembered that he had indeed said that back then, but it was only once. He shook his head and laughed softly, "The Grand Secretary is truly as meticulous as dust."
Fu Qingsheng said, "Actually, there is another reason. Guajia Aobai is currently in Japan and has already become a Hatamoto."
Hatamoto?" Zhu Ci was somewhat bewildered. "What is that?
Fu had clearly looked into it and explained, "A Hatamoto is a high-ranking warrior directly under the Shogun. Many important high-ranking officials in Japan are selected from the Hatamoto; once they reach this level, they can meet the Shogun directly."
Zhu Ci clicked his tongue. "He certainly knows how to make a fuss."
Setting aside everything else, with this kind of ability, he could certainly become the male protagonist of a book.
In Japan, the Generalissimo of the Expeditionary Force is the absolute ruler; although his position is granted by the Emperor, the Emperor's actual power is far inferior to that of Tibet □□.
The position that allows one to meet the General directly is absolutely high-ranking. In just a few years, Guajia Aobai has managed to climb to this position, not to mention that his face is disfigured and his health is not sufficient.
Even Zhu Ci could not guarantee that he possessed such ability.
However, now that Zhu Ci mentioned Guajia Aobai again, he no longer possessed that same level of caution as before; he remained wary, but he would no longer let it cause him to feel unsettled by every gain or loss.
"He probably doesn't know yet that the Qing Court has already vanished, does he?" Zhu Ci suddenly felt a strong desire to see Guajia Aobai's expression when he learned this news.
Fu said, "Whether he knows or not is not important now. He will be coming with the mission this time. It is said that Japan's decision to break with tradition and send a mission to Great Ming is partly due to his contribution."
It seems he has some requests." Zhu Ci looked thoughtful, he suddenly looked at Fu and asked, "You aren't planning to move against him, are you?
Fu said calmly, "This person is truly a major threat to Your Majesty; it would be best to get rid of him as soon as possible."
Zhu Ci looked out the window and said, "Actually, I no longer care whether he lives or dies. Try not to take action this time, otherwise, you will be in a lot of trouble."
Once an action is taken, it leaves traces. The Japanese envoys arrived here safely; if they had died halfway, it would have been one thing, but if they died within the borders of Great Ming and an investigation were launched, once it traced back to Fu, Zhu Ci could already imagine how many people in the imperial court would be excited.
There was no helping it; Fu's current status was truly enough to make people envious, he was far too young. Many of those veteran officials eyeing the position of Grand Secretary were old enough to be his father, yet they could not outlast him, so naturally, they thought of ways to bring him down so they could rise themselves.
The main reason the imperial court remains quiet for now is the small number of people in the Grand Secretariat; there are only two Vice Grand Secretaries, most people cannot enter the Grand Secretariat, as the Emperor is extremely strict regarding candidates for its positions.
But did He Tengjiao and Huang Daozhou not desire to advance even further? Even if the two of them did not, did their disciples and followers not?
As the saying goes, when one person attains the Way, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven; sometimes, people are simply pushed forward by circumstances.
In fact, Fu was impeached many times. He often acted quite aggressively, whenever he was impeached, he mostly relied on Zhu Ci's favoritism to protect him.
Therefore, many people have realized they cannot strike him directly, so they seek ways to diminish Fu's favor with Zhu Ci.
For example, since Zhu Ci detests corruption, some people attempt to impeach the Grand Secretary for taking bribes.
There were certainly no shortage of people sending gifts to Fu during festivals and holidays, but because of Fu's own status and his wealth, the gifts sent were certainly not of poor quality; otherwise, they might as well not have been sent at all.
Therefore, Fu was impeached almost every time he received a gift.
Besides this, there were all sorts of other impeachments, such as allegations that the Grand Secretary lived a luxurious lifestyle.
Fu was being impeached from almost every angle. Zhu Ci could even imagine how many memorials would be submitted to impeach him if Guajia Aobai died in Japan and it was discovered that he had connections to Fu.
Fu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Has this official caused Your Majesty any trouble?"
Zhu Ci shook his head. "Not exactly. I just feel that he is not yet worthy of dragging you down with him."
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Fine, I admit he has the strength of a protagonist, but unfortunately, he doesn't have an atomic bomb on hand; otherwise, he would have blown up the island along with the people. Cat lighting a fire. jpg
Next update tomorrow morning at six o'clock
Chapter 297
Seeing the unfriendly expression on His Majesty's face, Fu knew that someone was bound to suffer, so he simply didn't ask.
In any case, he had already made all the necessary arrangements; even if His Majesty changed his mind, it wouldn't matter—he could be killed at any time.
Zhu Ci set aside the matters regarding Japan and Guajia Aobai, in the same motion, picked up a memorial, which happened to be the impeachment of Fu.
This time was different from before; this memorial impeached Fu for his lifestyle, claiming the Grand Secretary was dissolute and had engaged in illicit trysts with a woman in a carriage in broad daylight.
After reading it, Zhu Ci raised an eyebrow, placed the memorial in front of Fu, leaned in, said with a hint of a smile, "The Grand Secretary is actually keeping a beauty in his golden house; it seems the Grand Secretary's needs are quite high, I simply cannot satisfy them."
Fu was still frowning when he saw the memorial, wanting to know who was spreading such rumors, but he felt a sense of relief once he read further.
However, when he heard His Majesty's words, which were essentially turning the tables, he found himself caught between laughter and tears. Was that not you?
Seeing that he remained silent, Zhu Ci pressed him relentlessly, "Speak up! Just which girl has stolen your soul? To think that someone actually saw you with her."
Well, he's putting on a performance now.
Fu felt somewhat helpless. He glanced outside and found that the sky had already darkened, as the eunuchs silently lit the candles in the study.
Grand Secretary Fu took a bold risk and reached up to remove the golden crown from the Emperor's head. Watching the black hair cascade down like a waterfall, he pulled the man into his arms and said, "Does Your Majesty still not know who has captured my soul?"
On that day in the carriage, Zhu Ci's hair was also loose, since Fu had hung many gemstone necklaces on him at the time, perhaps that was why he was mistaken for a woman.
Zhu Ci's eyes flashed. Huh? Does the Grand Secretary actually want to do it right here in the Imperial Study?
To be fair, many places in the palace had already been unlocked, even the Imperial Garden had been visited, but only in the Imperial Study did Fu Qingsheng automatically turn into a gentleman the moment he stepped inside; no matter how much Zhu Ci teased him, it was no use.
Has he had a change of heart today?
You should have said you liked playing roleplay earlier.
Zhu Ci was just about to press his luck when he was suddenly picked up by Fu and carried all the way back to the Qianqing Palace.
Anyway, the palace gates were already closed at this time, only a few personal eunuchs remained in the inner palace.
Those eunuchs knew their relationship very well, so there was no need to make any special effort to hide anything.
Zhu Ci hugged his neck with a hint of regret; it seemed the Grand Secretary's lowest standards could not drop any further.
He swung his legs while relentlessly questioning, "What do you mean by that? Are you feeling guilty? Why aren't you saying anything?"
Fu said calmly, "I wish to take Your Majesty to see who it truly was that day."
Zhu Ci himself did not even know where those chains that had been placed upon him that day had been put; he had not expected Fu to have placed them in his sleeping quarters, nor had he expected that the other had actually found them.
The gold chains inlaid with various gemstones made his skin appear even fairer.