Chapter 461 Grand Court Meeting

brunei, royal palace

At this time, the Royal Palace of Brunei was not yet the famous Nuoiman Palace, but it was still much more luxurious than the thatched huts and wooden shacks inhabited by the surrounding civilians. On the ground paved with fine marble are Arab-style buildings, and those huge onions are particularly conspicuous.

Zhu Qiongying was sitting on the golden chair, looking at the results of the battle. Under the imperial desk were two long legs overlapped.

In fact, there were not many serious scholars in the entire Southern Ming Dynasty. Most people's understanding of the emperor was still at the level of working with a golden hoe, with a fried dough stick shop on the left and a sesame cake shop on the right. These people have neither seen the dragon robe nor the dragon chair.

Zhu Qiongying's dragon robe was actually modified from the costumes of the vaudeville troupe. As for the so-called dragon chair, it was a chair painted with gold paint, but officials in Nanming preferred to call it the "golden chair."

Zhu Qiongying felt that the costume was too hot, so she thinned it and cut it short, so that the civil and military ministers standing in the audience could vaguely see the scenery under the skirt.

But the daggers and pistols on the leggings hardly make people feel sexy, especially the queen's reputation for being murderous, which makes people dare not to be malicious in the slightest.

These officials in Nanming are either gang members, pirates or bandits, or they are "piglets" rescued by Her Majesty the Queen, as well as some homeless people who can't live anymore and depressed Jianghu people. In short, their knees are touching the ground. It's like there is a magnet between them, and kneeling has almost become the instinct of these people.

Zhu Qiongying didn't like others to kneel to her, so she issued an edict that no matter whether they were civil or military officials, kneeling was exempted. He also gave everyone a futon, hoping that these ministers could sit and discuss matters.

However, at the court meeting the next day, Nanming officials still knelt on the ground. Later, Liu Dadao and other brave generals joined. These warriors looked down upon the so-called "literati".

"You just have weak knees. I kneel to heaven, kneel to the ground, and kneel to my parents at home. I won't even kneel when others ask me to, let alone not being allowed to kneel. Don't compare me to you weaklings!"

Even so, a civil servant handed over a futon.

"General Liu, your Majesty rewards you."

Liu Dadao threw the futon out and then made bold words.

"I'm going to give you a warning today. Even if the King of Heaven comes, I won't kneel down!"

A group of warriors around were cheering and applauding. These people were already used to being unrestrained, so now someone was taking the lead and they were naturally willing to join in the chorus.

Suddenly the entire hall was in chaos, while the civil servants group did not blink an eyelid and just knelt down quietly on their futons.

At this time a high-pitched voice sounded.

"Your Majesty is here!"

Upon hearing this voice, Liu Dadao immediately jumped into the air, bent his knees and dived towards his futon.

That’s right! This is the legendary sliding kneeling!

The group of generals who were noisy just now were stunned for a moment, and then shouted "Long live my emperor!"

Everyone suddenly realized this and started frantically looking for their own futons, kneeling down and agreeing in unison. However, they did not have Liu Dadao's skills, and the scene seemed very chaotic and embarrassing for a time.

The civil servants on the side laughed disdainfully. As the prime minister, Master Zhiyun couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that there will be a long way to rebuild the prosperous Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Qiongying then entered the main hall, along with three guillotines, respectively carved with dragon heads, tiger heads, and dog heads.

This made the atmosphere in the hall instantly become cold. Both civil and military officials felt that their throats were tight and wanted to loosen their collars, but they did not have the courage.

These normally arrogant civil servants and military officers were like a group of frightened ostriches, wanting to bury their heads in the futons.

"My dear friends, please come to peace." Zhu Qiongying's tone was indifferent and cold, and it was obvious that she was not happy.

The civil and military officials of Nanming raised their heads one after another. When they saw the queen's unkind expression, they knew that this time the great court meeting would probably involve another round of killings.

While these adults were praying in their hearts not to call themselves out, they were also cursing in their hearts which bastard chose to hold the court meeting on the third day of every lunar month. Every time the Queen would be in a very bad mood on that day.

In fact, Nanming's Great Meeting is held once a month, mainly because transportation is inconvenient and there is no need.

When Zhu Qiongying saw everyone looking at each other, she spoke first.

"My lords, do you have anything to report?"

The civil and military officials of Nanming continued to stare, because although they had won a big victory at Mara Port a few days ago, Her Majesty the Queen herself seemed not very happy, so no one wanted to touch this bad luck.

When she saw the silent minister in the audience, an unknown fire arose in her heart.

"Okay, you don't talk, I'll tell you. Wen Lichang!"

"I'm here."

Wen Lichang was the prefect of Zaiyan Prefecture. At this time, there were only twenty-eight prefectures in Nanming, including the newly acquired Brunei. Therefore, this lord can be regarded as a high-ranking official, but at this time, his back was shaking uncontrollably.

"You have started to build a garden for your family since you took office in May last year. Your eldest son Wen Liang even bullies men and women and does all kinds of evil. Just to celebrate your birthday, he married a 12-room concubine. Do you know that this dynasty's wife is only three years old? , the iron rule that concubines are no more than four?"

Zhu Qiongying asked.

"I know"

"Okay, let me ask you again. Where did you get the money to build your garden?"

"A gift from a merchant."

"Okay, then why do they give you money to build a garden?"

"I don't know"

"Well, let me tell you that they have a monopoly on the salt industry in Zaiyan Mansion. Their salt is 50% higher than official salt, but ordinary people can only buy their salt. The reason why this situation occurs is You, the magistrate Zaiyan, are guilty of harboring and conniving."

Zhu Qiongying threw a blood-soaked petition in front of Wen Lichang.

"Look clearly, this is the pleading that the people under your rule will send even if they are rolling on the nail board."

Wen Lichang was one of the first batch of "piglets" rescued by Zhu Qiongying. He had made many achievements in the wars for so long. Later, he broke a leg during the siege and had half of his hand cut off. Zaiyan magistrate.

He was also the person she questioned the most, and he would have been chopped off by anyone else. ,

So Wen Lichang decided to grit his teeth and refuse to admit it. Admitting it would mean death anyway.

"I was wronged! The unruly people violated our Nanming laws and were punished by me, so they harbored a grudge. I have been fighting for this Nanming all these years, and my hands and feet are all proof of this! I feel sorry for Emperor Guan Sheng and the Mazu swears, if there are any lies, my whole family will die badly!"

In fact, many people in the hall were familiar with Wen Lichang, and even had close friendships, and they were more willing to believe that this hero, who was once fearless of life and death, had been deceived.

Zhu Qiongying let out a long sigh, and then looked coldly at Wen Lichang, who was kneeling under the stage.

"Where are the fifty households that you moved away?!"

Wen Lichang's eyes widened immediately, because the "feng shui treasure land" he was interested in was actually the place where the villagers' ancestral halls were located, and the latter naturally did not want to give it away.

So Wen Lichang led his troops to destroy the village. However, fate was not as good as fate, and a family of fishermen who happened to be out fishing escaped.

And the person who rolled the nail board to deliver the paper was the lucky one that day.

"I"

Wen Lichang was interrupted by Zhu Qiongying before he finished speaking.

"I didn't believe it at first, so I sent people to find out clearly. Today I planned to give you a chance to kill only your father and son, but since you swore in front of Mr. Guan and Mazu, I can't keep you. Wen Lichang killed the three tribes!"

As soon as Zhu Qiongying finished speaking, a swordsman came forward and lifted Wen Lichang up. The latter immediately cursed.

"Bitch, you're just an actor."

But before he could finish his words, a bamboo fan was slapped on his face. This kind of wooden plank cut from moso bamboo is so hard that it can even be used as the beams of houses.

A strong man with big arms and a round waist slapped this thing on the face with all his strength. The effect can be imagined. Wen Lichang's mouth was immediately covered with blood, and several teeth were broken.

But before he could take a breath, the bamboo board came towards his face like a storm.

These specialized executioners will naturally not let the prisoners talk nonsense. In addition, this can be regarded as the preferential treatment given by Her Majesty the Queen to ministers with meritorious service.

After all, Wen Lichang's crime was a heinous punishment. In fact, in the eyes of the executioners, just deceiving His Majesty was enough.

However, in accordance with the laws of the Nanming Dynasty, they would drag it to the tiger head guillotine, cut off its limbs first, then cut its torso into three sections, and finally separate the body, which is called cutting into eight pieces.

After the execution, the executioners began to collect the corpses, and the smell of blood spread throughout the hall.

"Bring Hu Yong, Gongsun Lu, and Mr. Lu!" Zhu Qiongying shouted, and everyone knew that today's affairs were not over yet.

Those who were dragged up were two men and one woman. One of the men was dying, apparently from a gunshot wound and a mouthful of opium.

The other man was shirtless and his upper body was covered with dry mud. The woman had a charming face and looked about twenty years old.

"As my fellow citizens of Nanming, why did you send a message to the British in Mara Port?"

The two men were silent, and then the pretty woman spoke.

"Didn't you also rely on foreigners to get into this position? This world does not belong to you. It will be dead tomorrow! If you can do it, why can't we do it! Sir James Brooke has already said who can be killed She, who is King Nanming! Haha”

The executioner was stopped by Zhu Qiongying as soon as he raised the board.

"Wait a minute! It's very beautiful. It would be a pity if it gets broken. Let's just execute it like this."

The executioner immediately grabbed Lu's hair and threw it in front of the guillotine. Lu roared angrily.

"Bitch! You have to die! Ah!!!!"

Then the woman's shrill howl echoed in the hall. After the execution, the expression on the head was distorted.

After that, several more people died tragically under the guillotine. Most of these people were corrupt officials. Some of them were responsible for killing innocent people indiscriminately and avenging private revenge. Finally, there were two generals who escaped from the battle.

At this time, blood had covered the entire hall. The futons on which the civil and military ministers were kneeling were like isolated islands. Looking at the futons stained red with blood under their knees, everyone had different thoughts. Most of them chose to remain silent. Of course, there were also some who cheered.

A civil servant who looked like an old scholar praised, "Since the Song Dynasty, the only people who can be called Qingtian are Bao Zheng, Hai Rui, and my emperor!"

However, most civil and military officials still feel in their hearts that the old Zhu family is too murderous.

After settling domestic matters, he turned his attention to the Sultan of Brunei, who was already shitting and pissing.

"Why can't I see the bravery of your ancestor Huang Pingsen in you?"

Zhu Qiongying finally spoke.

Huang Senping was actually Zhu Yuanzhang's special envoy to Borneo. His original purpose was to find gold. However, this man did not find gold. Instead, he organized overseas Chinese to form a team and even served as the regent of Brunei. My sister also became a queen of a country.

Before his death, Huang Senping rushed back to the Ming Dynasty and made three requests to Zhu Di, the Emperor of Ming.

The first was that "all the territory belongs to the official", and the land of Brunei and the Broken Hand River Basin should be included in the territory of China.

The second was "to be granted the title of the descendant of the country as a town", and to grant the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu, as the town of Brunei, and to give it a good name, and to forever guard the land of Nanyang.

The third was to "entrust his body to China", and allow himself to be buried in China.

At this time, the Sultan of Brunei should actually be regarded as a descendant of the Huang family, but when he heard that the Southern Ming Dynasty had restored its country in West Borneo, he not only did not send people to congratulate, but also colluded with other local states to jointly eliminate this emerging force.

Of course, the result was a complete defeat. The expansion speed of the Southern Ming Dynasty far exceeded the imagination of this local state. Muda Hashim, the agent who relied on the British to overthrow his nephew, naturally became a prisoner.

In fact, the British were familiar with the routine of controlling other countries by supporting agents. Muda Hashim's claim was weak, and he had to rely on Britain to continue his rule.

The British liked this kind of easy-to-control guy the most, and at this time, Brunei Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II also made a mistake, that is, he invited the wolf into the house. He appointed the British James Brooke as a minister.

This behavior directly led to Omar Ali Saifuddin II being sidelined, and Muda Hashim became the de facto Sultan.

As the world's number one troublemaker at this time, the British naturally would not let go of every inch of land it had been to, and Brunei was no exception.

The British frantically interfered in Brunei's internal affairs, and secretly funded other local states to encircle and suppress the newly born Southern Ming, and also wanted to use the power of the natives to weaken the Dutch.

The result was of course that it aroused the wrath of heaven and people. An anti-British group was formed in Brunei. Their leader Usap asked for help from the Southern Ming, hoping that Zhu Qiongying could drive the British away.

She naturally couldn't do this directly, but she could take advantage of the border friction with Brunei to directly destroy Brunei.

Muda Hashim's claim as a sultan was not strong to begin with, and with the secret cooperation of Usap and others, it was naturally effortless to attack and destroy Brunei.

It was just that Usap and Omar Ali Saifuddin II died unexpectedly in the previous battle, resulting in the vacancy of the throne of Brunei.

Zhu Qiongying knew that the natives of Brunei were difficult to assimilate (religious beliefs), and the Southern Ming at this time had no energy to deal with such things.

So Zhu Qiongying planned to make Muda Hashim the Marquis of Brunei and take charge of Brunei for the Southern Ming.

The latter thought he was dead, but he didn't expect that the former not only did not intend to kill him, but also helped him to take the throne.

Muda Hashim, who was overjoyed, was a little at a loss, and kowtowed repeatedly and spoke in extremely poor Chinese.

"Long live the Ming Dynasty."

In fact, all this was calculated by Zhu Qiongying's prime minister, Master Zhiyun. Due to the previous battle, they found that the British greatly underestimated the Southern Ming Dynasty, and the Southern Ming Dynasty also greatly underestimated the strength of the British.

Brunei is close to the coast and has no strategic location to defend. In addition, the local people do not cooperate, so the Southern Ming Dynasty will definitely not be able to defend it, so it is better to learn from the British and support its own agent.