[Zhu Ning] For the sake of the country

(Seven)

The next day it was already dawn, and I didn't understand and all the ministers came to the emperor's bedroom in the official office. Chen Zhuo had a haggard face all night, frowning and smiling bitterly, "I have seen you, my lords."

"We want to see the emperor, please pass it on to Eunuch Chen."

The emperor didn't give orders, and Chen Zhuo didn't dare to enter the room all night. He regarded death as if he wanted to go home, "Your Majesty! Please see me, my lords!" After speaking, he walked in and left.

Zhu Houzhao had already known that the ministers came here. When Chen Zhuo came in, Zhu Houzhao was already standing in front of the door to welcome the guests. Chen Zhuo saw that the emperor looked good and was well dressed, and said to him appreciatively, "Bring them in. .” Immediately the energy recovered by [-]%, “Observe the order.”

I don’t know the leader, the Minister of the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Officials, all the crowns and clothes, and then entered, in addition to Zhu Houzhao sitting upright, and King Ning also sat beside him, both of them were dressed in luxurious clothes, turning wealth and elegance into ingenious embroidery covering the whole body , A beam of morning light shone in from the window sill behind them, and it was the two people who turned against the sun that shone with brilliance in every move. Zhu Houzhao should have just woken up, and there were breakfasts brought by Chen Zhuo and other servants in front of him. The quantity is not many, but the categories are very rich. I didn't know how to glance at King Ning. He was dressed in light golden clothes, and he was very luxurious, but his clothes were tied up and his face was a bit unkind. I wonder if he came to accompany the emperor for breakfast.The ministers spoke one by one, and Zhu Houzhao heard them one by one. King Ning never said a word.

Going back to the other side of the official office, King Ning changed his brocade suit, leaned on the soft cushion of the bed, closed his eyes and was half asleep, the prince did not return all night, Zhu Qin brought tea and a lot of food, and another attendant untied the prince's inner sheet , wanting to help him apply medicine, he was injured in the battle with Wuliangha earlier, the wound has not healed, King Ning opened his eyes, pressed his lapel, and asked others to retreat, the attendants saw that the prince's face was not good, Don't dare to stay longer, leave quickly.

Although King Ning was resting, he still clenched his right hand tightly, as if there were countless hatreds in his heart and nowhere to vent them.

I don't know how to stay alone at Zhu Houzhao's place for the second breakfast, "These snacks are so delicious, are they specially prepared for me?" He looked at the table and licked his lips.

"Teacher can eat whatever he likes." Zhu Houzhao was in a good mood, although the uncle didn't touch a bite, but he also saw these thoughts.

"Oh, I thought you were for King Ning." Don't know a smirk.

"Ah? To him?" Zhu Houzhao pretended to be confused with understanding.

"Isn't he recovering from his illness? He snatched Daning back for the sake of the country. I don't know what to worry about for selfishness. It's best for him to eat porridge and side dishes with him." "Just now I saw his subordinates waiting for him to come out from a distance, saying that he was asked to go back to take medicine and report the matter. He can really resist. He came to you so early to pay his respects and eat."

Oops, since last night I pestered the emperor until just now, and never thought that he needs to take medicine to cultivate himself. Zhu Houzhao suddenly realized that he was worried about King Ning's Chuhealed body. Don't want to think about it, just verbally agree to the matter.

"My lord, my lord," Shan Zhou begged to see him in the afternoon, and the attendant called softly. King Ning had already bathed, washed and changed his clothes. He got up from the bed and sat on the edge of the bed, slowly drinking the bitter soup. Shan Zhou had already come in to say hello. "Your Majesty, the Emperor has ordered the people here to set off at Maoshi tomorrow and return to Beijing a year ago. The suburban sacrificial ceremony was held on the first day of the first lunar month. Just now Eunuch Chen came to deliver the imperial decree. Please come to Beijing at will to celebrate the festival together in the palace."

King Ning frowned and drank the thick black concoction. Only by recovering as soon as possible can he act faster. He put down the bowl, "This place is still a border town, far away from Nanchang. You and I didn't have time to go back to the feudal land a few years ago. Since there is a decree, Follow the holy will first, go back to Beijing, and take advantage of the New Year's Eve guests to take care of our contacts in the court, especially those in the Ministry of War, understand." King Ning said softly but firmly.

"My lord," Shan Zhou said worriedly, "This is exactly what my subordinates are worried about. I rushed to report to you last night. For some reason, the Minister of the Ministry of War agreed to understand the implementation of the new policy. Now the commanders and envoys in various places are rotated regularly. It is necessary to practice in detail, our previous troops have been sent to Yunnan, Guizhou and southern Xinjiang, and I am afraid that we will be far behind in Beijing."

"What?!" King Ning turned his head and glared at Shan Zhou, then stood up suddenly, smashed the porcelain bowl in his hand to the ground, and sat back on the spot due to lack of strength.

The porcelain bowl shattered with a bang, and the fragments splashed all over the brick floor under his feet, "I don't understand! I don't understand again!" King Ning was angry and even murderous, his breath was not smooth again, and he coughed continuously. Shan Zhou hurriedly handed over tea , King Ning resisted the urge to smash the cup again, took a few sips before suppressing his anger, "I told you to check his life experience, his past, how did the investigation go?"

"Back to the prince, Ye Zi is investigating in the south of the Yangtze River, but there is no result yet..." Shan Zhou looked at King Ning's pale face, feeling a little worried. "Do you want to get rid of him?" Shan Zhou made a killing gesture.

"I didn't think of him as an opponent before, so naturally I underestimated him and didn't bother to attack him. Now he is an important minister of the court and someone the emperor relies on. A rash assassination will definitely cause the emperor's anger and turmoil in the court. Our foundation is not stable, and it is not good for us recently. I am afraid that when the time comes, I don’t know how to die, and those ministers who take advantage of the situation will also oppose us. The most important thing is the emperor. He will not let the person who killed the Tai Tuo go. Let's not move for now, understand?" King Ning squeezed his teacup tightly, and even though he was talking, Shan Zhou could still feel the prince's firm belief. He looked at King Ning after bowing to the end, The face of the prince today is the same as before, but it is different from usual. He looks elegant and relaxed but extremely restrained. There are many unknown emotions buried and cannot be vented. The whole person is like a trapped beast licking wounds. "What?" Zhou's gaze aroused King Ning's curiosity.

"Back to the lord, this subordinate feels that you have made up your mind today, and I will wait for the big thing to come true, but..." Shan Zhou paused.

"Just what?" King Ning raised his head, his jaw and neck were connected with a graceful arc, and the military commander with precise eyesight saw the mottled dark red mark on the skin that was hidden behind his clothes and only emerged with this movement. Don't look away, lower your head and answer truthfully, "It's just that the prince was just step by step, planning accurately, and didn't make up his mind like today." Shan Zhou didn't dare to hide it, and answered truthfully.

King Ning coughed twice, and his subordinates accurately judged his state of mind. He cast an approving look. Those who achieve great things can recognize people and tolerate others. , personally helped Shan Zhou up, and then walked over to his desk, where he closed the opened piano scores, music scores, and poem reviews one by one, "There is no peace, there is a swallow, the blood of the king of Yan sits Owning the world for more than a hundred years, I have lived up to my oath to divide the world with King Ning for a long time. Before this king, I only wanted to be a powerful minister, but the four kings rebelled, border wars, the emperor neglected the government, and neglected political affairs. , How to sit firmly on the country that has spent a lifetime of painstaking efforts, and let this great river and mountain be ruined by a group of mediocre people?" King Ning sat on the chair and held the handles on both sides. Ningcheng's tens of thousands of elite armored soldiers, countless soldiers and warriors marched mightily under banners covering the sun, "Only I, the only one in the whole world, can be in charge of the world." King Ning spoke resolutely. "My lord is wise! I will follow you to the death!" Shan Zhou cupped his hands.

The previous hesitation and fear of fighting for power were completely abandoned last night. Zhu Houzhao, you have treated me like this again and again and threatened me, and you have used such low-handed methods to force me!I will definitely take everything from you to eliminate your hatred!King Ning secretly made up his mind.

Zhu Houzhao took it as the last day's tour with him who didn't know how to go shopping for food. He didn't know much about snacks, but he stayed for a long time at the juggling places on the street. After he finished the acrobatics, Zhu Houzhao had already bought them back full of them. Not only these snacks, but Ji Rong who followed behind was also full of "trophies".

"Is there enough to eat?" Don't know how to look at these different foods, scallion pancakes, vegetable buns, crispy rolls and so on.

"Leave it on the road and eat it slowly." Zhu Houzhao picked up a piece of scallion pancake, bit it down, imitating what someone said before, "Mmm, it's delicious."

Three of the six ministers came. At this time, they entered the official office and were busy with their business. King Ning approached them one by one to drink tea. They had a friendship with the court. Let these important officials in the court have a prosperous and good year, especially Wu Dayong, Minister of the Ministry of War. King Ning talked with him for a long time because of the garrison of Daning City. This time, King Ben was fortunate enough to go out of the customs, and only then did he see the bravery of our frontier army, which is all thanks to Lord Wu." Wu Dayong waved his hand quickly, "My lord is really flattering me." King Ning in front of him spoke elegantly, and even the corners of his eyes froze. It's a smile, Wu Dayong really can't imagine him beheading the enemy, but it is rumored that King Ning's bloodthirsty killing of Wu Liangha made the aliens terrified, and he admired and doubted this prince. After tidying up the four queens, they returned to defend Jiangxi. Even the emperor repeatedly hinted to Wu Dayong to keep an eye on him. This time, he didn’t know how to make plans. Undoubtedly the strongest among the many vassal kings, Wu Dayong had a premonition of the coming turmoil.

King Ning failed to win over Ji Rong, so he would not easily show favor to the important officials in the court, so he left after sitting for a while.

When I returned to my residence, I had been waiting for a long time, "My lord, while these important officials are not in the capital, the brothers are less restrained, and the progress is very smooth. Yes." The corners of King Ning's lips turned up when he heard this, and the feeling of buying people with a lot of money has not changed since ancient times, "It's just that the subordinates don't know why the prince and Lord Wu..." Shan Zhou asked. However, the feudal king's friendship with him is the most delicate.

"Wu Dayong is quite capable. I just don't want the hard-won Daning to be occupied by foreigners again, so I asked Duoduo to strengthen the guards. Even if the partition wall has ears, I have a clear conscience." A tired face emerged, and King Ning had calculated all the court personnel, and there was also When it is beyond their power, we can only hope that Wu Dayong's frontier army will guard the ten thousand li territory well.Shan Zhou heard that he didn't know how to reply for a while, so he bid farewell to King Ning and prepared his luggage for tomorrow's departure. With a candle, King Ning unfolded the map volume of Daning City that he had read for many years, and wrote at the end, "During the Zhengde period The descendants of later generations, Sun Chenhao, went there in person, and envoys returned after several wars, and the imperial garrison will last forever."

On the last day of staying in this city, the expeditioners in the long team fell asleep in the night. Zhu Houzhao only understood the lonely and hidden sorrow in the poem today. Several actors played music and sang. He leaned on the soft couch, immersed in the words , meeting and acquaintance is close at hand, but thousands of miles away, the name of life has long been determined, can't get rid of identity, can't change the difference between monarch and minister, how can it be performed chicly and affectionately.

In the early morning of the next day, the emperor set off to return to Beijing, with a full ceremonial guard of the emperor's flag, followed by the prince's full ceremonial guard, and then the first-rank and second-rank dignitaries with honorable retinues, and the team marched to the capital in a mighty manner. Home majesty.Different from the thousands of miles when they came here, at this moment Zhu Houzhao and Ning Wang were looking at the vast territory in the carriage and soft sedan chair. Ning Wang looked at the long and long mountains in the distance that seemed to meander to the end of the world. , Isn't it the Jingnan road that Chengzu took all the military power of Xuanzu back to Beiping?Just like Xuanzu left this place back then, it may be a long journey for me, as long as my heart is in that place, there will be no hesitation in the long journey, and the sky is high and the sea is wide and never forgets each other.The sky and the earth are long, only the sound of horseshoes and wheels...

It was the end of the new year when we arrived in the capital, the Zhengyang Gate of the capital opened, all the officials greeted the return of the emperor, the horns blew, the flags fluttered, and the emperor's golden dragon and jade chariot drove along the central axis—the most noble road in the world—to the Forbidden City. As far as the Meridian Gate, in the midst of the shouting of long live, the emperor got off the carriage and received thousands of people kneeling to worship. Countless people fell on the ground at his feet and sang the long live speech. Only Zhu Houzhao stood facing south at the majestic and magnificent palace gate, blue Under the canopy of the sky, the finely carved palace bricks were all his subjects. The wind blew up his sleeves, and also the hairband of King Ning nearby. The patterns on it reflected the brilliance in the sun, like invincible flowers bathed in flames, compared with the ignorance on the side, the latter was as pure as green pine in snow.Zhu Houzhao waved his sleeves to make everyone stand up, and then put on a walking chariot and entered the palace.

The palace was busy with getting rid of the old and welcoming the new, and the complicated state affairs that had been accumulated for many days came to the king of a country. Zhu Houzhao buried his head in the memorial, forgot to eat and sleep, and only after a sleepless night did he sort out the urgent important matters and leave them for discussion at the court meeting after sunrise.

Different from the strictness and boredom in the palace, King Ning's mansion in Beijing is quite leisurely. King Ning returned to the mansion where he had been away for many days. In his collection of books, he is holding a volume of pictures of Pine Mountains and Raining Bananas by King Ning Jing. The brushwork is as exquisite as a national hand.

Ye Zi and Shan Zhou's skill is so good that they can cherish the books, without touching the ground, they crossed the courtyard to the study room, the prince generously rewarded everyone with a year's worth of gold and silver and many treasures in the mansion, and gave his confidants twice as much Reward, Shan Zhou and Ye Zi came to thank you, and reported to King Ning by the way, "My lord, after searching Jiangnan for a long time, I still haven't figured out his identity and purpose. He seems to be an abandoned boy adopted by the monks of the Golden Pavilion Temple." Ying, who grew up in the temple, came across the current emperor who was still a prince, and went to Beijing with him, and the prince will know everything after that." King Ning carefully put away the scroll, thinking silently.

"My lord," Shan Zhou called softly, and King Ning put aside his ignorance for the time being, looked at Shan Zhou and said, "Today, the emperor's court meeting was full of civil and military disputes, until noon, and finally the emperor had to issue a decree and discuss it tomorrow." .”

"Oh?" King Ning's eyes moved, which was expected, "What are the important things?"

"The Huaihe River broke its embankment, the bandits in the southwest, and the mob in the Central Plains." It has been proven in a single week.

King Ning laughed silently, Zhu Houzhao, Zhu Houzhao, you avoided the early court of this king, whether you are jealous or have other plans, whatever, let's see how you govern the world.

Sleeping all day, Zhu Houzhao felt that every word in front of him was blurred when he was at his desk. There was no red sleeves to add fragrance or the prosperity of octaves. Zhu Houzhao asked Huang Sheng and Chen Zhuo to add a few more candles, but ignored the dinner they brought. Huang Sheng sighed worriedly, wiped away his tears silently and left, Chen Zhuo wanted to serve the pen and ink, but was also driven away.

In the depths of the night, thoughts and feelings are like blood poison that spreads extremely fast, infiltrating the blood vessels of the whole body.It's not that I don't know King Ning's sincerity, even if I don't have my heart, I got someone, but after all, it's like a flower moon in a mirror, and the vassal king is not allowed to stay in Beijing for no reason. This short period of time is also the reason why I issued an edict to use the excuse of the New Year to keep him. Yes, as long as we are in the same city, as long as we know that he is close at hand, it is the best comfort when we are exhausted at night. Zhu Houzhao took out the private seal in his jacket, and took it away from King Ning on purpose when he went to the palace with the imperial edict that day. After a long time in the palm of his hand, he has gained warmth. King Ning is already the prince of the world's most respected prince. It's also a relief, Zhu Houzhao thought to himself, sticking the seal on the corner of his lips, putting it in the skirt of his clothes and putting it away again.

The grand new year is approaching, the palace is decorated with lanterns and festoons, and every family in the city celebrates. At the banquet in the whole palace, the emperor is respected, and the hands are seated one by one. thorough.On this Lantern Festival, Zhu Houzhao, in order to express that the world is one family, invited all the royal relatives together, inherited the ancestral system, climbed up the Daming Gate, and was respected and worshiped by the people at the height of the city wall. He also turned his head to look at Zhu Houzhao. Between light and dark, the expressions on the faces of the two were also indistinct and indistinguishable, but the fireworks were reflected in each other's eyes, and the meaning was unclear.

Time flies, and after the Lantern Festival, King Ning is about to leave for the feudal land. He wrote a letter to resign from the vast fief granted to him by Zhu Houzhao, and he clearly understood the meaning of returning to Nanchang.There was no reply in two days, and King Ning was as expected. He was ordered to enter the palace to see Zhu Houzhao to say goodbye. It was just in the afternoon. Zhu Houzhao was discussing the new policy of the Ministry of War that was about to be implemented. The two disagreed, and they didn't know how to rush to implement it. In the next month, Zhu Houzhao refused, and the two stalemate for the first time. The student was still resolute, and he finally spit out the words that had been stuck in his throat for many days, "Give him the hinterland of the Central Plains, in fact, he was transferred away from his homeland in Nanchang, so as to remove his foundation, so why should he refuse this move to weaken the soldiers and horses? "Zhu Houzhao raised his head and glared fiercely when he heard the words. Anyone who mentioned that he had a little bit of love for King Ning was against the dragon's scale.

"King Ning tried his best to eliminate the four kings and recover the frontiers. He has made great contributions to me. It is my family's business to reward him." Zhu Houzhao withdrew his gaze, lowered his voice and exhausted his patience.

"The emperor's family affairs? The emperor has no family affairs, and the emperor is all state affairs." I don't know the sincerity, "You know everything he did in Jiangxi, and you know that he has planted so many people, but he insists on not pursuing it..." Simply put it today All the words have been explained, the big deal is to go back to the world, and whoever loves to take care of this stall.

Zhu Houzhao was furious, "Teacher speaks carefully!"

"How can I be cautious? Do you want someone to seize the military power and force you to be a puppet, so you..." I don't understand why Zhu Houzhao's mind is deaf and dumb to the matter of King Ning. The gleam in my heart found a little outlet.

King Ning was outside the warm pavilion in the palace. He looked at Chen Zhuo and glanced at the door lintel. Chen Zhuo shrank his neck. He really couldn't violate his heart when facing a handsome and handsome man. He wiped the top of his head and then respectfully He bowed his head and stood at the door to wait.

King Ning was relieved, and continued to wait patiently, just like the current dormancy.

"Teacher!" Zhu Houzhao almost roared, even King Ning outside the door heard the lingering sound, and looked sideways at the wooden door with a playful expression.For King Ning's heart, no one can peep at the starlight. Zhu Houzhao's patience with ignorance has reached the limit. His brows are raised, and he has already forgotten that King Ning's affairs are all about the country's plans. If he didn't know that he was kind to him before , has already been pulled out of the staff at this moment.

I don’t understand and realized that I lost my composure. The person in front of me is the Ninth Five-Year Lord. He can’t scold Zhu Zheng who is laughing at will. Zhu Zheng, who only belongs to him, was taken to the capital by King Ning and ascended the throne as emperor. He will never come back again. Only he is still trapped in Guanzizai Academy in the south of the Yangtze River...

Kneeling slowly without knowing it, "Minister, I'm sorry... everything is determined by the full screen emperor."

Zhu Houzhao looked at the unbendable back, with a kind of sadness in his eyes, suppressed the urge to help him up, and forced himself to say indifferently, "It's good for the master to know himself, step back."

He left Qianqing Palace sadly, even King Ning at the door was amazed by his downcast appearance. King Ning followed his footsteps, and then turned his head to look at Zhu Houzhao's inner room. It seemed that the emperor was in a bad mood. King Ning couldn't help realizing that he had never experienced the emperor's furious appearance. Zhu Houzhao either smiled peacefully at him or took advantage of it. At this time, Chen Zhuo bowed beside him, "My lord, the emperor invites you in."

In the room, Zhu Houzhao had suppressed all negative emotions and performed the emperor's strategy mellowly. Even King Ning couldn't see that there had been a fierce conflict before. He saluted the person in the seat, "I will see the emperor." Zhu Houzhao knew what he was coming for, looked at him, didn't speak for a moment, just blankly, and King Ning, who hadn't responded, looked up at him, Zhu Houzhao then smiled, "Uncle, please get up." King Ning got up and took care of the obedient The skirt of the clothes did not intend to accommodate his mood, "Your Majesty, I have come to bid farewell. I have been in Beijing for a long time, and all the affairs in the feudal land have piled up. The humble minister will return to the fiefdom according to the system. The emperor takes care." King Ning did not say much, standing in the warm pavilion Wait for Zhu Houzhao's consent before starting the journey.

The two people who used to be the most trusted by me, one disagreed with each other, and the other was unpredictable and indifferent. Zhu Houzhao felt that very tacky comment, and he was lonely. "The emperor is leaving, when will he come back?" He blurted out inadvertently.

"Nanchang is my feudal land, and this trip is to return home." King Ning retorted, he wanted to put an end to Zhu Houzhao's shameless thoughts.

That's right, how could the capital become the home of King Ning? A powerful vassal and supreme emperor cannot live in the same city and palace.But if he let go, we don't know when we will see each other again. Although there is a New Year's pilgrimage, according to King Ning's temperament, he might refuse to be called.

Zhu Houzhao just looked at him without saying a word. King Ning's appearance is never tired of looking at him, but he is more heroic than a woman, and his eyes are always showing the confidence of pointing the country and the cunning of planning, and he can't look away at all.

King Ning also looked at Zhu Houzhao. He didn't want to stay longer, and he was about to leave. After thinking about it, he said to Zhu Houzhao, "Your Majesty, time goes by in the world. In the past, you can still pursue those who can't be persuaded. Why don't you pursue politics?" His gaze Looking directly at Zhu Houzhao is quite scrutinizing.

After Zhu Houzhao heard these decisive words, his expression was not good. On the contrary, King Ning seemed to be smiling, not respectful, "Your Majesty, I have retired."

"Uncle Emperor!" Zhu Houzhao's voice was quite majestic, "You and I agreed to travel to Haozhou together. You should prepare well for this trip. After I finish handling the affairs in Beijing, we will agree to go."

"..." King Ning almost blurted out a rebuttal, when did this king agree to you, but the emperor's words are the imperial decree, he saluted in a hurry and left the palace.

Zhu Houzhao, who had won the round, smiled proudly, looking at the empty Nuan Pavilion, his smile gradually turned bitter.

Walking down the white marble steps of the Qianqing Palace, King Ning looked back at the palace. Before him was Zhu Houzhao's pretended calmness just now, restraining only the last bit of reason, and the next moment he would attack again like a beast.The phantom and the palace merged into one, he took a deep breath, turned around quickly and left, together with the hairband and the eight-treasure tassel hanging from the belt fell into the air and drew an arc, "Your Majesty! Please stay still, there is an imperial decree." Chen Zhuo Running out from the side door of Qianqing Palace, King Ning stopped in his tracks and did not look back.Chen Zhuo ran up to him, leaned over and saluted, "My lord, the emperor has a decree for me to bring it to you." He was all smiles, for the emperor who can eat people in the warm pavilion, he is still very happy to come to see Ning Wang, although the prince has two opinions, and Chen Zhuo has seen the scene where King Ning killed the enemy for the country in Daning City. Also in the early morning of a certain day in Kaiping City, I tied hair and dressed King Ning in the emperor's bedroom. Even though I was unwell and sweated, I didn't show any emotion.In Chen Zhuo's eyes, Lanzhi's wealthy Ning Wang was wayward, much more real than the Chengfu's more serious emperor.

"My lord..." Chen Zhuo held the imperial decree in both hands and handed it to King Ning.

King Ning was a little hesitant, but knelt down on one knee and took it with both hands, "I accept the order." Chen Zhuo respectfully helped King Ning up, "Your Majesty, the order has been delivered, and the younger one is leaving."

King Ning nodded slightly, and then launched the imperial decree, not worried about staying in the capital and going to the south of the Yangtze River, but a gift list of rewards, Lumi, gold ingots, silver ingots, treasure banknotes, silk, ancient books, land deeds, etc. wait.

Zhu Houzhao had already prepared these generous rewards, but he was in a bad mood and forgot for a while, so Chen Zhuo sent them.It was still winter, and the north wind was howling. King Ning looked to the south, and somewhat despised Zhu Houzhao's obvious appeasement. Two years ago, he was also in Qianqing Palace. He was ordered by the first emperor to fight against the four kings and assist the prince. At that time, he was financially poor. The strength is weak, but now he is accumulating gold and silver, fighting hard, and finally realizing the power and status he wanted before. The prince is also the emperor, and he no longer needs assistance. On the day of repayment, King Ning collected the imperial decree and left the palace.

The next day the men and horses were ready and they set off towards Jiangxi, heading south all the way. After walking for nearly a month, they arrived at Anqing, which was a battleground for military strategists in ancient times. The spring breeze in the territory is warm, and the willows outside the city are spouting green, which adorns this important city with poetry. The forwards of the troops and horses have prepared the big boat. King Ning abandons the shore and boards the boat.The people in the palace who got the reward waited for a long time outside the Zhangjiang gate, and they welcomed King Ning into the palace with full guard of honor. After leaving Nanchang for more than a year, King Ning sat upright in the main hall of the palace and accepted the officials in the palace. The palace, this palace is the real princely style, with a large area and many buildings. The books compiled by the ancestors of the past dynasties, and the collection of ancient calligraphy and paintings enjoy a high reputation among the vassal princes.In the two-storey attic study room filled with the fragrance of books and ink, King Ning got a report from his subordinates, "In the spring, [-] civilians were recruited to build dams on the lower reaches of the Huaihe River. Pursuing the payment, the emperor also used the name of suppressing the rogues to suspend the reform of the military system that does not understand the proposal." Ye Zi said concisely.

King Ning has nothing to do with the troops stationed in various places. He looks at the book in his hand, but he is trying to figure out what the emperor is thinking. For the most important, and heavier than any.

"Central Plains rogues?" King Ning repeated, "Hmph, he can't even think about using me again." In a place where disasters continue, King Ning's resignation of this "reward" can not only avoid the attention of his officials, but also get out of the incident and stop being involved in disputes. Fortunately, Nanchang can continue to cultivate power.

"It's almost the middle of the year. You go back to the capital and continue to follow the plan. I want the officials in the capital to continue to love me," King Ning put down his books, and gave Ye Zi a serious order, and gave her a huge amount of silver. .

"Yes!"

"In addition, you should also pay attention to the life experience you don't understand. Although he can't make any trouble now, he is the only person who cares about life mentioned in the late emperor's edict. As long as he is in court, it is difficult to guarantee that he will not What kind of tricks are you playing?" King Ning did not forget this thorn in his side.

"Yes!" Ye Zi led away.

King Ning recruited Jin Xuan, the commander of the guard army of Prince Ning's mansion. The Jin family has been loyal to Prince Ning's mansion for generations, guarding the mansion. Jin Xuan is brave and resourceful. King Ning appointed him as the guard commander. The leader of his men and horses, Shan Zhou is good at planning attacks, so he followed King Ning to fight against the four kings. Jin Xuan was calm and careful, and was appointed by King Ning to stay in the vassal. He left Nanchang for a long time. Zhou Xuan was excellent, and King Ning also felt at ease about the affairs of the capital.

"My lord," Jin Xuan clasped his hands, "The 1000 troops you brought back have been settled down." Jin Xuan is imposing, if he found a country in a war, he would definitely be able to accomplish something, but it's a pity that the world is unified now.

King Ning turned his head and could see the green bamboos in the gaps carved on the window lattice. He seemed to be talking to himself, "These thousand people are the best of my king's elite, and they will be of great use in time, do you understand?"

"This subordinate understands! This subordinate must practice hard and urge the guards to practice diligently day and night." Jin Xuan ordered.

King Ning withdrew his gaze and looked at the couplets made from the manuscripts left by King Ning Xian in the room—the Chang'an Day could not be seen, and the world was clearly in front of his eyes.

He pouted his lips, "The imperial court is about to send a large army to suppress the bandits in the Central Plains, as well as the banditry in Jiangxi. Tell your subordinates to retreat, avoid the sharp edge of the imperial court, and remember to do nothing without leaving traces." Prince Ning's mansion secretly cultivated several bandits and bandits , making some ill-gotten gains, this is a secret activity that vassal kings are good at, but someone in the capital sent news that this time the court is determined to attack with all its strength, and they don’t know what is involved. Just in case, King Ning It is still decided to stop for the time being, biding our time is the current strategy.

In the imperial garden, under the begonia flowers, the breeze is blowing, and the falling flowers are colorful. Zhu Houzhao puts a table and pen and ink under the flower branches to outline the face of the person he likes. Each is embellished with two oriental pearls, just like "filling the ear with radiance", and a few petals are brushed on the shoulders, and the painter is also in the painting.The people in his paintings are beautiful and graceful, making a speech in the Golden Luan Hall, and going out for the country. Zhu Houzhao carefully traced the last stroke, put down the pen, and looked at the people in the painting quietly.Sitting in the capital city, the movements of the four directions of the Ming Dynasty's territory are in control every day, but the focus is only on those few places. A light ink dot on the territory is all the attention. Except for the officials of the border, Jinyiwei, and Dongchang spies, they can all Listen to the heavens on the things you care about.State affairs are in flux. Most of the embankments of the Huaihe River have been repaired, and corruption of officials at all levels has been exposed. Work hard, time flies.

In the blink of an eye several times in spring and autumn, this year's winter came early, and even a city near the water in the south needed charcoal fire to disperse the chill. King Ning once again received the imperial edict from Beijing and went to Beijing to make a pilgrimage to celebrate the New Year. The first two times he They all made excuses, and Zhu Houzhao didn't care about his rudeness, let alone traveling in Jiangnan and Haozhou together, King Ning only regarded him as a joke. He took the edict issued by the eunuch in charge of Jiangxi, and wanted to find another excuse Refused, but received a scout.

Wala, who had settled down for a long time, robbed and looted outside the Xuanfu this year. Zhu Houzhao was furious when he heard about it, and issued an order to conquer Dawala. The memorials flooded the Qianqing Palace, and Zhu Houzhao stayed in and ignored them. Five days later, all the officials knelt down at the Meridian Gate to petition, crying in blood, and even directly compared the current emperor to the change of Yingzong's civil fortress.

Zhu Houzhao stood on the tall city wall of the Meridian Gate, overlooking a place of "Zhongliang". He said to the incomprehensible, "Why did they stop? I just did what a man should do, defending the family and the country. He can, why can't I .”

If you don't understand, don't look at the city anymore, "Your Majesty, you are the most important thing for a country, so there must be no mistakes."

"They just dislike the bitter cold in the frontier. It is of no benefit. The battle achievements belong to me alone, and the responsibility for defeat is theirs." Zhu Houzhao tasted the feeling of loneliness in the bitter winter wind. "Besides, you said that I went to Xuanfu outside the Great Wall, and the capital is empty. Will he come prepared? He has stayed in the south for the past few years, has he really ignored this place?" Zhu Houzhao recalled a trace of sweet-scented osmanthus in his mouth The taste of brewing was the sweet-scented osmanthus lotus root prepared for him by the Imperial Dining Room this morning.

I don’t understand. It’s been a long time since I heard Zhu Houzhao mention King Ning. Although there are always stories about him in the chats of the officials in Beijing, it’s nothing more than praising the virtuous, or impeaching him for overstepping the rules. But I don’t know, Zhu Houzhao has never forgotten this man As a royal family, King Ning's reputation undoubtedly brought vigilance to the superiors, but there were always other secret reasons, and he was protected by the emperor and would never be shown to others.

Don't understand but still not afraid, "Your Majesty, all the soldiers and horses in the world belong to you, but the real strength is fighting with weapons."

Zhu Houzhao glanced at him, "Even you are persuading me to stop? Then how do you say you are going to deal with Oirat this time? The envoys negotiate peace, with countless rewards? Then let them continue to come to my territory next year to wantonly plunder my people?"

I don't know how to hold my head up, "Of course not!"

Zhu Houzhao sneered, "No? What does the Tai Tuo say?"