Chapter 113: Good News Arrives in Beijing
The capital city in early autumn is more cozy, just like a mature woman, showing her charm.
There were strings of peppers hanging under the eaves of Jiang Qingzhi's bedroom. Fucheng dried them himself and warned everyone that anyone who dared to touch those "flowers" would be severely punished.
When Duoduo has nothing to do, he squats under the string of peppers, lazily waiting for his owner in the autumn sun.
The years in the Changwei Earl's mansion were peaceful.
However, there were some undercurrents in the court.
After Jiang Qingzhi left, Emperor Jiajing continued to practice in the Western Garden and handle state affairs.
Not long after, a memorial arrived at the palace.
"As soon as Changwei arrived in Datong, he shot and killed the entourage of Altan Khan's envoy and humiliated the envoy." Yan Song held the memorial and said to Emperor Jiajing: "Your Majesty, Changwei ordered the Datong soldiers to be ready for battle at any time. He is going to... take a risk!"
Emperor Jiajing said calmly: "It's just a minor incident."
The court had a clear understanding of the current situation and knew that the Nine Frontiers were no match for Altan Khan's tribe, so they never allowed the frontier troops to march out of the border in large numbers.
"Long Wilbur said that we must fight a decisive battle with the enemy."
Cui Yuan said: "This is what he said to the generals of Datong. Your Majesty, it is natural to avenge the soldiers and civilians of Sanbao, but you can fight a decisive battle... I think it is inappropriate."
It's enough for you to fight lightly and kill dozens of enemies, but you want a decisive battle? Are you crazy?
At a time when killing dozens of enemies is considered a great victory, anyone who dares to propose a decisive battle is a lunatic.
The last madman Zeng Xian's body has long been cold. If it weren't for Jiang Qingzhi, the grass on the grave of his supporter Xia Yan would have been three feet high.
Lu Bing's mind moved, "Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei reported that more than 10,000 enemy cavalry are patrolling around Datong, and I'm afraid they are looking for an opportunity to fight."
Your Majesty, the enemy is eagerly waiting for the Datong defenders to come out of the city for a decisive battle.
Jiang Qingzhi is a guy who is willing to surrender to the enemy!
Emperor Jiajing was somewhat upset.
On the one hand, he admired his cousin's enterprising spirit, but on the other hand, he was worried about the fighting effectiveness of the Ming army.
"The last time Zhang Da went into battle, he was easily defeated by the enemy. Chang Wei Bo seems to be full of confidence!" Cui Yuan said with a worried look.
Bah!
Emperor Jiajing threw the whisk on the table and said, "Let's wait for the next news."
Several ministers took their leave.
After leaving the hall, Cui Yuan said dissatisfiedly: "Old Lu, why didn't you inform us of the news earlier?"
Lu Bing said: "This is the news I just received."
"Then, do you think Jiang Qingzhi dares to fight?" Yan Song asked.
Lu Bing shook his head. "He has never experienced fighting. He seems to be brave and invincible on paper, but what will he do when he sees the enemy?"
Cui Yuan was stunned, "Find some warriors."
When several military generals heard that Prime Minister Yan wanted to consult them about something, they came hurriedly.
"What will happen when you go into battle for the first time?" Cui Yuan asked.
One general said, "I can't even hold the knife steady."
"What if there is someone with talent in military operations?" Yan Song asked.
The general smiled apologetically, "I have seen many so-called talented people like them. They speak boldly and confidently before they even see the enemy. But when they see the enemy, they tremble all over and can't even speak clearly."
He found that after Yan Song and others exchanged glances, they all started laughing.
The atmosphere is very pleasant.
In another place, Emperor Jiajing sat in meditation with his eyes closed. According to custom, a meditation session would last at least half an hour.
Huang Jin was waiting on the side. This was a rare moment of leisure for him in the day.
He closed his eyes, feeling the silence around him, and suddenly felt lonely.
He thought of his hometown Luoyang and that small village.
His family was poor. One day, his father looked at him and his younger brother Huang Xiu and said, "Our family is poor. I heard that you can have enough food and meat in the palace. The eldest and the second brother..."
The younger brother Huang Xiu was still young, so he said, "Brother will go."
Huang Jin said, "Brother will go."
The two brothers pushed each other, and finally their father made the final decision, saying that the second brother was still young and was afraid that entering the palace would offend people. The eldest brother went.
Huang Jin followed his father to take the exam without knowing what was going on. Before he left, his family sent him out of the village as if he were taking a test.
To be prosperous!
I want to make a name for myself and provide my family with enough food!
This was the oath that young Huang Jin made when he left his hometown.
The subsequent knife attack left him in despair for two months.
It turns out that entering the palace not only means having enough food to eat, but also requires you to undergo surgery to cut off the symbol of masculinity.
The wound healed, and the confusion in the young Huang Jin's eyes also disappeared.
He was assigned to the Prince Xing's Palace to be the companion of the Crown Prince Zhu Houcong.
Although it was not in the palace, the food in Prince Xing's Mansion was better than in the palace, and as the prince's companion, his status was extraordinary.
Those years!
Huang Jin's mouth corners curled up slightly.
The prince loved to play, so he took them around the city.
The teenagers were enjoying their time carefree.
That was the happiest time in Huang Jin’s life.
Until news came from the capital that the emperor had passed away.
Zhu Houcong, who was now Prince Xing, was welcomed into the capital by Cui Yuan.
He actually became a eunuch beside the emperor.
Emperor Jiajing was a man who valued friendship and loyalty, and from then on, Huang Jin's family became prosperous.
His younger brother Huang Xiu was appointed as a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and both his father and grandfather were posthumously awarded the title.
The once poor family is now extremely wealthy.
Huang Jin was a grateful man and vowed to be loyal to Emperor Jiajing from now on.
He hoped that Emperor Jiajing would live to be a hundred years old, and even better, he would achieve immortality.
As long as Emperor Jiajing lives, the Huang family will remain rich and prosperous.
And all this depended on the trust that Emperor Jiajing had in him.
Therefore, whoever snatches away this trust will become Huang Jin's mortal enemy.
Lu Bing kept his distance from him and the two did not interfere with each other.
But now there is one more person, Jiang Qingzhi.
"Huang Ban!"
Huang Jin quickly opened his eyes when he heard the voice of Emperor Jiajing. "Your Majesty."
When Emperor Jiajing called him Huang Ban, it meant that something was troubling him.
"How is my uncle's grave?"
Huang Jin had just returned from Suzhou Prefecture the day before yesterday after paying homage to Jiang Gan. He said, "It was quite neat and solemn."
"Not enough." Emperor Jiajing shook his head.
"Yes, I'll pass on the message later."
Then naturally, the Ministry of Works took action to renovate Jiang Gan's tomb.
"Is it time to spank Qingzhi?"
Could it be that my expression was wrong earlier? Huang Jin shuddered with guilt.
Emperor Jiajing suddenly laughed, "I haven't seen you like this since I came to Beijing from Prince Xing's Mansion. Hahahaha!"
Huang Jin breathed a sigh of relief.
"Qingzhi is taking risks." Emperor Jiajing sighed, "He's a fool. He made me lose my appetite and sleep for a while..."
"Your Majesty." Huang Jin felt a pain in his heart, as if something important had been cut off. "Prime Minister Yan and the others seemed worried earlier!"
"Yes!" Emperor Jiajing shook his whisk. "As soon as he arrived in Datong, he shouted for war and couldn't wait to go to the battle. But how could fighting be so simple? I am worried that he has never experienced such a big battle... After all, the Japanese pirates are just bandits, while the Altan tribe is a large army!"
Huang Jin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, just send someone to pass on the message. I think Long Wei Bo will be more cautious."
Emperor Jiajing said calmly: "They have already set out."
Your Majesty's actions are indeed awe-inspiring... Huang Jin said, "Your Majesty is wise."
"How many people are waiting for his defeat, this idiot!"
Emperor Jiajing closed his eyes.
…"Xu Li needs to urge us." Cui Yuan said in the duty room, "You can lead your troops to watch the fighting. Once you are defeated, let Xu Li incite the Datong gentry to start a riot..."
Lu Bing said: "If Jiang Qingzhi is defeated, he will certainly be angry and ashamed. The gentry who caused the trouble will probably not have a good end..."
"If the death of a few gentry can bring down Jiang Qingzhi, then their deaths are worthy." Cui Yuan revealed his cold nature.
No one questioned this statement.
At this time, an official came in from outside, looking quite cultured.
"Father!"
The man was called Zhao Wenhua, a student of Yan Song when he was a priest in the Imperial Academy. Later, he recognized Yan Song as his adoptive father. At that time, Zhao Wenhua was the Minister of Public Administration. All memorials submitted from outside had to pass through his hands first, and after screening, they would be reported to Yan Song first.
This is a key position, which shows how much Yan Song values this adopted son.
"Wenhua, what's the matter?" Yan Song asked.
Zhao Wenhua turned his eyes, nodded slightly to Lu Bing, but just smiled at Cui Yuan.
Cui Yuan is old and his days are numbered.
Lu Bing was in his prime and had the trust of the emperor.
"Foster father." Zhao Wenhua put the memorial on the table and said, "Just now I saw Prince Yu arguing with several officials outside, his face was red."
"Why?" Yan Song asked.
"Those officials said that Jiang Qingzhi was too ambitious and might ruin the good situation in the Nine Borders. Prince Yu happened to pass by and argued for Jiang Qingzhi..."
Yan Song looked at Cui Yuan and the other man.
"I have nothing to do right now, why don't we go and take a look?" Cui Yuan said.
"Have a look."
When the four arrived at the scene, they saw officials gathered around. Prince Yu's face was flushed and he was arguing with several officials.
"...Chang Wei Bo is a great commander of the army, how could he be so reckless? You are just like a villain, but you are judging others by your own standards!"
Prince Yu scolded angrily.
The official opposite was in his forties, named Luo Ben. Yan Song recognized him and thought he had some connection with Lu Bing. He glanced at Lu Bing and asked, "Donghu, what are your plans?"
Lu Bing was silent.
"This is a great opportunity." Cui Yuan praised.
Robben looked distressed. "I know that Your Highness is close to Changwei Bo, but this is a matter of state. Changwei Bo wanted to fight Altan Khan as soon as he arrived in Datong. How can he be so ambitious? Your Highness defended him. Aren't you worried that if you lose, Altan Khan's army will march straight in?"
……
Emperor Jiajing just learned the news.
Huang Jin said: "Your Majesty, how about I go there?"
Emperor Jiajing shook his head. "The third son is stupid and dull. I thought he was irresponsible. I didn't expect him to dare to stand up and speak for Qingzhi."
He stood up and reached out to flick the incense burner.
"It would be good to let him feel the torment of being forced by the ministers. However," Emperor Jiajing sneered, "Remember Robben's name."
"Yes."
"Can those idiots bully my son?"
……
"Third brother...ah!" After hearing the news, King Jing put down his brush, feeling a little confused and bewildered. Finally, he sighed and lowered his head to continue copying the scriptures.
Huang Jian, the eunuch beside him, quietly went out and said to the messenger, "Your Highness is not aware of this matter."
"Yes."
The messenger was about to leave when he suddenly looked behind Huang Jian.
"Why don't you go and wait for your reward?" Huang Jian cursed while looking back.
Behind him, King Jing straightened his clothes.
"Where are you going, Your Highness?"
King Jing cursed: "The third brother is just an idiot, but think about it, I can squeeze this idiot, but are others qualified?"
He strode down the steps, "Come on, let me see who Robben is!"
……
After hearing the news, the prince said calmly: "The third brother is indeed reckless."
Reckless means being unwise and non-threatening.
……
When Prince Jing arrived, Prince Yu had no chance to fight back, so he just bit one to death.
"The battle report hasn't arrived yet, and you are slandering me!"
"I once served in the Nine Frontiers and know a lot about military affairs." Robben sighed, "If Lord Chang Wei is eager to fight, I dare say he will be defeated!"
Robben knew the situation of the Datong border army. In his opinion, Jiang Qingzhi's going with the Tiger Guards would be a drop in the bucket. If they went out of the city to fight, Robben would jump off the top of the city wall if they were not defeated.
"That's what you said!"
King Jing came out.
Standing next to Prince Yu.
"That's what I said." Robben bowed, "Meet His Royal Highness Prince Jing."
"Why are you saying this?" Prince Yu whispered.
"Fool, you have no way out now. Since you have no way out, just give it a try." King Jing said in a low voice with disdain, "Just bet that your cousin can win a great victory."
Prince Yu was startled. "Yes, since there is no way out, let's fight it out."
His eyes suddenly became sharp, "If Long Wilbur wins, I will impeach you for slander!"
Robben saluted, "I have a clear conscience."
Come, impeach me quickly!
"Urgent report from the Ministry of War!"
Everyone turned around after hearing the sound.
Then I saw several dusty riders riding towards me, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of War.
The riders dismounted.
"Isn't this Fang Zhe, the official from the Ministry of Rites who followed Chang Wei Bo to Datong?"
"Fang Zhe, has the battle report arrived?"
someone asked.
Fang Zhe stepped forward and looked at the lively scene with some surprise.
But, isn’t this just perfect?
Fang Zhe nodded.
"Say!"
Cui Yuan urged impatiently.
A strange light flashed in Robben's eyes and he glanced at the two princes.
Prince Yu clenched his fists, and Prince Jing beside him sneered, "Why are you panicking?"
"I'm worried about my uncle... If you're not panicking, then why are you shaking?"
"It's cold."
The autumn sun made people feel warm. Fang Zhe said loudly: "In July, more than 10,000 enemy troops pressed Datong. Chang Wei Bo led his army to attack and defeated 3,000 enemy troops in one battle. In this battle, 737 enemy soldiers were killed and 232 were captured.
A few days later, the battle resumed. Chang Wei Bo led the army with confidence and defeated more than 7,000 enemy troops, killing 1,275 and capturing 309. In total, he killed 2,002 and captured 541. The enemy general Shah did not flee.
Fang Zhe looked up and felt that the atmosphere was wrong, it was too quiet.
Is it because my voice is too soft?
He shouted at the top of his voice: "My Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
After an unknown amount of time, pairs of arms were raised.
"My Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
……
The fourth update is here.
(End of this chapter)
