Bright Spring

The Shangyuan Festival has just passed, and because of a spring rain, the temperature has turned cold again.

However, the activities of the world are still as accurate as the rotation of the sun and the moon. Once the New Year's Day is over, people will immediately start a busy year.In the imperial court, all the government offices have opened their seals, and all the officials have returned to the government office.

Zhu Gaoxu took part in the early court in the rain, he didn't care, anyway, he had an umbrella.As for the ministers, most of their robes and boots were wet.

After leaving Fengtianmen, Zhu Gaoxu went to Rouyi Hall which is closer to here.He immediately summoned Qi Tai, Ru Yu, and Hou Hai, and only said that he wanted to discuss military affairs... In fact, he wanted to arrange a patrol with troops this year, to leave the capital where he had been staying for several years, and go for a walk.Of course, such a major matter must be discussed with the courtiers first.

Although several people were called, the person Zhu Gaoxu wanted to see most was Qi Tai.This person is effective in speaking in front of the veterans, and he is more willing to obey Zhu Gaoxu, so he is the best mediator.

I guess it will take a while for people to come over.Zhu Gaoxu watched the memorial for a while behind the table case, then stood up and walked around the entrance of the main hall.

The rain outside was pattering and not falling heavily, but after gathering on the glazed tiles, it also formed a pool of water, which was flowing in a row along the eaves tiles.

At this moment, two people holding umbrellas walked in from the courtyard gate.Zhu Gaoxu didn't see the faces, but he quickly recognized one of them as the eunuch Cao Fu.Zhu Gaoxu was in the palace almost every day, so he was so familiar with these close eunuchs that he could recognize them by their walking posture.

When they came over and took out the umbrella, they saw that the eunuch in front was indeed Cao Fu.Cao Fu immediately stepped forward and bowed in salute.

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the woman behind him, he didn't recognize her, but he couldn't help but take another look.

At the first glance, he immediately had some kind of faint desire| desire, but when he looked at her again, he found that she was not beautiful at all.The facial features are very ordinary, and the light yellow skin is completely incomparable with the white and delicate jade-like appearance of Yao Ji and the others.The palace lady doesn't look too young, but she has a special temperament, and Zhu Gaoxu can't tell what's going on.

I saw her black hair with wooden hairpins, no jewelry, and a light gray flax dress with a simple style, which is extremely simple.Perhaps it is because of this simplicity that the contrast of her charming appearance is obvious.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at her twice, and couldn't help but look up at the clear water flowing under the eaves, and suddenly felt that this woman was very suitable for this scene.

"Her name is Xiao He, and the slaves found her in the Nine Five Flying Dragon Hall." Cao Fu said.Of course, Xiao He's age is not young at all, maybe it's just that she was young when she entered the palace to get her name.

"This servant kowtows to the Holy Majesty." The court lady Xiao He was about to kneel immediately.

Zhu Gaoxu stretched out his hand calmly, and held her hand accurately and steadily. He raised his chin, looked at the ground and said: "It's raining, the ground is tide, so avoid it."

Xiao He was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly turned her head slightly to one side, looked down at the dragon pattern on Zhu Gaoxu's chest, bent her knees and said, "Thank you, my servant."

Seeing this, Cao Fu on the side showed a very happy look on his face.

Cao Fu also spoke a little more, "Xiaohe entered the palace during the Hongwu period, and was later sent to the Nine Five Flying Dragon Palace, where he cleaned the palace. The slaves saw it in the Rouyi Palace yesterday, and the Shangshan Supervisor sent some Cantonese The Chaozhou tribute tea from the chief envoy came in, so he wanted to find a court lady from Chaozhou to come over, so it was good for the occasion. I asked a lot but couldn't find it. I heard that there was one in the Nine Five Flying Dragon Palace in the afternoon.

A person from Chaozhou is Xiaohe. "

"Hmm..." Zhu Gaoxu made a habitual and meaningless voice casually.Although Cao Fu tried his best to make Zhu Gaoxu's life comfortable, Zhu Gaoxu was really not very picky about these trivial matters, so he was not interested.

However, Xiao He must be very happy.Nine Five-Year Flying Dragon Hall, Taizu loved to live a long time ago, but it has lost popularity in recent years. The coffins of Taizu and Taizong used to stop there.

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the courtyard gate and there was no movement, then turned and walked into the main hall, then turned to Xiao He and said, "Then you go make tea."

Next to the bookshelf in the northwest corner of the main hall, there is a tea table, some chairs, and a red clay stove.Zhu Gaoxu also sat down, waiting to drink a cup of tea to refresh himself, and see the minister later.

Zhu Gaoxu was thinking about other things when he inadvertently noticed Xiao He.I saw that when she took tea, her posture was gentle and smooth, and her movements were very skillful, which was very beautiful.

Xiao He put the tea into the gaiwan, shook it slowly, then picked up the lid and smelled it lightly.

She also noticed Zhu Gaoxu's staring gaze, raised her eyes to look at him, and immediately lowered her eyes to avoid him.A subtle and flattering smile flashed across her face, and she quickly recovered her tranquility.

Zhu Gaoxu asked: "What tea, did you smell it?"

Xiao He said softly: "Hui Sheng told me that Chaozhou single clump of big black leaves has been roasted with charcoal, and the coolness has gone, and it has become more docile."

Zhu Gaoxu laughed and said, "Yes, you seem to be an expert."

Xiao He said again: "Everyone in Chaozhou loves to drink tea."

Zhu Gaoxu's smile also disappeared in a flash, and then he sighed casually: "Trapped between these mansions, I just want to watch you fiddle with these few cups and plates."

Xiao He probably didn't understand this sentence, so she looked at Zhu Gaoxu and smiled to show that she was rude in response.This court lady has been in the palace for many years, and she seems to have developed some skills.

At this time, the voices of ministers visiting came from outside the hall. Cao Fu glanced at Zhu Gaoxu for a signal, and then sent a message to let people in.

The ministers didn't see Zhu Gaoxu beside the table, so they quickly turned their heads to look at the northwest corner, but walked here.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Don't kneel, come and sit down."

Several people cupped their hands and said: "I thank you, the Holy One, for giving me a seat."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced over their faces, and found that besides the three people he had summoned, there was also a green-robed civil servant.Zhu Gaoxu recognized him, he was a Jinshi of the Ji Chou Division who was selected during the reign of Wu De, and his name was Zhang Shun.

The Ji Chou Division has ordered dozens of Jinshi, many of whom Zhu Gaoxu is not familiar with, but I remember that Zhang Shun is a Jinshi from the Guangdong Chief Envoy; war between cities.

Qi Tai said: "Eunuch Meng, the supervisor of ceremonies, Liu Tiju of the Ministry of punishment, and others have all gone to the south. Only Governor Zhang has been to Champa in person in the court. The minister made his own decision and called Governor Zhang to come and meet together. Holy."

Qi Tai, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, mistakenly thought that Zhu Gaoxu wanted to talk about the war in the south today.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't say clearly for the time being, following Qi Tai's topic, he said in a joking tone: "It's just right, we are drinking Cantonese tea today. Governor Zhang can comment on whether the local officials are buying good tea."

Zhang Shun hurriedly bowed and said: "Before I became a disciple of the Son of Heaven, I was born in a poor family and never drank good tea.

discuss.But as long as it can enter the mouth of a sage, it must be a local good. "

Zhu Gaoxu pointed at Qi Tai and said with a smile: "Back when we ate horse meat and drank horse blood, those horses must have been good horses."

Everyone immediately laughed for a while.

"Sit down." Zhu Gaoxu pointed to the chair.

The palace lady Xiaohe had finished her tea, so she held up a small cup with both hands, and began to divide the tea from Zhu Gaoxu.Qi Tai and Ru Yu were very casual, and when they finally arrived at Zhang Shun, Zhang Shun politely thanked the court lady, and asked Xiao He to bow in return.

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but glance at Zhang Shun.When talking about official affairs, this Jinshi was very stubborn and pedantic, but he didn't seem to be that stubborn, and seemed to be a gentle and easy-to-talk person.This person is indeed a bit strange.

Zhu Gaoxu picked up a roll of maps, unfolded them for a while, and then began to find reasons for his plan, "In the past two years, the Wacha people have been active, and we must not ignore the defense of the north. As for the operation of water and land transportation, I can only read what others wrote on paper."

He paused for a while, then said cheerfully: "This year, I want to go hunting in the north to see the real situation in various places, and to shock the Mongolian ministries and remind them not to act rashly. It is also good to let some soldiers of the Beijing camp go out for a walk, so as not to stay in the same place all the time. The capital has become unbearable."

As soon as the words were finished, Ru Butang really persuaded immediately: "Your Majesty, the Ninth Five-Year Honorable, you must travel carefully. Now that the country is settled, and the Holy Majesty sits in the center, the overall situation can be stabilized and the Ming Dynasty will last for a long time."

Qi Tai also echoed: "There are loyal ministers on the nine sides who will share the work with the Holy Majesty, and imperial envoys can also be sent to inspect various places. Besides, the Holy Majesty will spend money and food if he goes on tour in large numbers. If Xia Butang hears about it, he must have something to say."

But Qi Tai's tone softened a lot.It is precisely because he can consider the opinions of the old ministers that he can speak everywhere.

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu immediately changed his angle and said, "After the emperor's younger brother Gao Sui moved to Zhangde Mansion, he married his wife and got married, but I didn't go there either. If I can go north this year, I might as well go to Zhangde Mansion to see Gao Sui." .”

It sounds like the monarch and his ministers are speaking the truth in a friendly manner, but Zhu Gaoxu's words have another meaning.When it comes to Gao Sui, it must be referring to the vassal king.

On the issue of preventing and arranging vassal kings, the emperor and the Beijing officials have the same position.The ministers are very dissatisfied with the distribution of part of the interests of the vassal kings, let alone in case something bad happens again, who wants to see the capital's officialdom be washed again?

Zhu Gaoxu understands the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences.Sure enough, the attitude of several officials relaxed a lot, but they didn't agree immediately.Zhu Gaoxu was not in a hurry, so he put this matter aside for now.

So the monarch and his ministers talked about the war in the south again.

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly said: "Is the cool season in the south coming to an end, and the weather is going to be hotter?"