What? Old Zhu is about to die this time, and I only saved him. Why does the entire court want to hack me to death?
In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, after the Hu Weiyong case, Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the office of chancellor and took sole control of the government. Exhausted by years of overwork, he fell gravely ill and was confined to his bed.
When the news got out, the officials put on mournful faces, but secretly rejoiced. The old emperor was finally about to die, and the benevolent Crown Prince Zhu Biao would soon take the throne. Their good days were coming!
Before the palace hall, Xu Da clasped Li Shanchang’s hand, already dreaming of the future. “My dear old brother, the Crown Prince is kindhearted. He’ll surely be a great ruler!”
Li Shanchang wept openly. “Your Majesty, go in peace. We ministers will give our all to support the Crown Prince!”
Just as the court was preparing to “welcome the new and send off the old,” a figure stepped forward to claim the imperial proclamation and was rushed into the palace.
Yu Yi, a modern man who had transmigrated to the Ming dynasty, pulled out a fast-acting heart-saving pill without hesitation to unlock the System.
Old Zhu lived.
At that moment, the air in the entire hall froze.
The civil and military officials glared at Yu Yi as if they could kill him with their eyes. Where did this brat come from? Who told him to save the emperor? What about our Crown Prince?!
Old Zhu was overjoyed and showered Yu Yi with rewards, even offering to let him choose any post in one of the Six Ministries.
The ministers in charge of the Six Ministries were so terrified that they held an emergency meeting that night. The next day, they all gave the same answer:
“Young Master Yu is a man of great talent. Please don’t waste your years in our ministry!”
All six ministries turned him down, leaving Yu Yi at a loss for words. Having offended the entire court, he asked to be “sent down” to serve as a lowly county magistrate in Shanghai County, hoping to save his own skin.
Old Zhu agreed.
Half a year later, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly arrived in Shanghai County.
And then his jaw dropped.
Was this really the same Shanghai County he knew?
