King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 33 Silver Opens the Way

"The Thirteenth Master has a good memory, and I was promoted to Captain Wujie the year before last!" Qiu Hong was extremely humble.

Zhu Jinghong nodded and motioned for Yinglian to pour tea.

"In this way, it should be promoted from the fourth rank... right?" Zhu Jinghong asked indifferently.

With a few laughs, Qiu Hong had a bitter face: "The Thirteenth Lord has learned a lesson, but it's so difficult to be promoted across ranks!"

In fact, he was already a leader among his peers when he was promoted to the rank of general in his thirties.

But above the fifth rank, the number of official positions with real power has decreased sharply, and there are still one radish and one pit, so it is naturally very difficult to be promoted.

"This matter... It's difficult to say, but it's easy... It's easy!"

Zhu Jinghong looked very relaxed and comfortable while eating cakes while talking, but Qiu Hong didn't think he was joking.

These days he has also seen clearly that the crown prince relies heavily on Zhu Jinghong, and he has the final say on matters in Jinling.

"Also ask Thirteen Lord to clear up the confusion!"

"You're a smart person, why don't you shine at critical times!"

"I'm stupid!"

Not wanting to talk nonsense, Zhu Jinghong immediately said: "My Ming Dynasty has always been very clear about rewards and punishments. Now that you have brought troops to the capital camp, you just need to make contributions!"

"As long as you have a solid foundation of military achievements, with your friendship, after returning to Beijing, the old man will reward you with a fourth rank?"

Although he was in his thirties, Qiu Hong couldn't help being excited when he heard this beautiful vision.

"The Thirteenth Master is willing to help me?" Qiu Hong got up again, bowed his waist and bowed to Zhu Jinghong, his expression was full of hope.

Once again motioning Qiu Hong to sit down, Zhu Jinghong continued, "You know what's going on in Jinling now. The officers and soldiers along the coast have to encircle and suppress the Japanese pirates, and also have to guard against the Japanese pirates attacking from the sea. Their strength can be described as stretched!"

"If you are sent to the front line to assist the guards to wipe out Japanese pirates, it must be very easy to make meritorious deeds!"

It was Qiu Hong's idea to come to Jinling to make meritorious service in war, but it's a pity that the crown prince never mentioned this matter after he arrived in Yingtian.

"Master Thirteen means..."

"What I mean is, I recommend that you lead your troops to the east and assist the guards to wipe out the Japanese pirates!"

In other words, after Qiu Hong came to Jinling, he was finally able to lead troops into battle.

Qiu Hong was very excited, and immediately asked: "Your Highness, why don't you let Yang Renzhong go with you? In this way, the two of us will occupy the north and the south, and the chances of defeating the Japanese pirates will be even greater!"

The reason for not making this arrangement is that temporary food adjustments cannot support large-scale military operations, and it is already necessary to squeeze everywhere to replenish the front lines.

Yang Renzhong led the infantry, relatively speaking, the logistical pressure was less, and it seemed objectively more reasonable for him to go to the front.

The reason why Zhu Jinghong chose Qiu Hong was because of the mobility of his cavalry, which was undoubtedly more effective in defending the long coast.

Of course, Zhu Jinghong would not tell these truths.

"What's the relationship between you and me? If there is a good thing, you must let your own people go first. You don't understand this truth?" Zhu Jinghong asked angrily.

Qiu Hong hurriedly confessed: "The thirteenth Lord shows love, I am really grateful!"

"That's enough, that's enough, whether you are grateful or not, it's just empty talk... You have to fight hard and kill as many Japanese pirates as possible, so that you can live up to my love and concern!"

Hearing these words, Qiu Hong was really moved, this is a real benefit!

"Thank you Thirteenth Lord for your kindness, I will do my best to strangle the pirates!"

"Well... that would be the best!"

By simply using some tricks, Zhu Jinghong gained the gratitude of Jinling Dusi and Qiu Hong at the same time, and it can be said that he has gained a lot today.

After that, the two continued to drink tea, and Zhu Jinghong encouraged them again, and the conversation between the two was over.

Qiu Hongxing returned home, full of fighting spirit at this moment, and vowed to lead the army to fight against the Japanese pirates.

"My lord, why do these officials see you like a mouse sees a cat?"

"What exactly does your family do?"

In the gazebo, Yinglian asked this question face to face.

Everyone was hiding it from her, and she couldn't hold back her strong curiosity, and now she was trying to be rude to ask.

Of course, she also saw that Zhu Jinghong was kind-hearted and would not take his anger out on her before asking. After all, the little girl is quite smart.

Zhu Jinghong clapped his hands for the residue of cakes on his hands and said, "Actually, it's nothing, just having a good father!"

"What does your family do?"

Zhu Jinghong smiled slightly, and replied: "My family... is in the world!"

"Sit down?"

Just thinking about it for a while, Yinglian's expression changed drastically, and she froze in place.

After a long time, Yinglian asked tremblingly, "My lord, are you... the prince?"

The emperor's son is the prince. This rule has been known for more than 300 years since Zhu Yuanzhang, and it has become common sense in the world.

"No...but it's coming soon!" Zhu Jinghong's tone was still calm, as if he was talking about something ordinary.

But through observing the palace these days, Yinglian knew that Zhu Jinghong was telling the truth, and only this kind of result was reasonable.

"Report to the Thirteenth Lord, Jinling seeks an audience with the son of He Gujin, the envoy of Jinling!"

The sudden report from outside interrupted Zhu Jinghong's conversation with Yinglian.

Zhu Jinghong turned his head, looked up and down Deng An who came to pass the message, and asked slowly: "This person has no official status, how can he get close to the palace gate? How can he find you to pass the message?"

Deng An came to pass the message after receiving the money, and at the moment when Zhu Jinghong questioned him, he was wrong in telling the truth and lying, so he froze in place for a while.

"Damn the servant, I took his benefits!"

This Deng An is a smart man, knowing that Zhu Jinghong cannot be deceived by lying, so he simply told the truth.

"Hmph, you know how to do business!"

Looking at Deng An kneeling on the ground, Zhu Jinghong asked in a deep voice, "What is he here for?"

"Going back to Master Thirteen, this man has brought a lot of things, including weapons and horses. I'm afraid...he came to give gifts to Master!" Deng An replied cautiously.

"It's the first time I've been bribed by someone...it's really interesting!" Zhu Jinghong's eyes were burning.

After reviewing the current situation in Jinling, Zhu Jinghong guessed that this person must have something to ask for, so he ordered Deng An to bring him in.

After leaving the gazebo, Deng An wiped the sweat from his forehead, it was only then that he was frightened, so he asked He Jiayan to double the money.

Hurrying to the palace gate, Deng An first said how troublesome it is to help pass the message, and then reminded how complicated the rules of entering the palace are, but he can help to take care of others.

So for the sake of convenience, He Jiayan offered 100 taels, which made Deng An smile.

"Master He, please come in..."

He Jiayan looked distressed, glanced at the convoy behind him, and asked, "But these things..."

Perhaps because he was happy to get the money, Deng An said nonchalantly, "Let the guards check it and bring it in together!"

"It's so good!" He Jiayan was very happy.

In the forbidden area of ​​the palace, everyone has to be interrogated and inspected when entering, especially if they are carrying something.

Soon, among the things He Jiayan brought, swords, bows and crossbows were found, as well as armor and firecrackers that were controlled products.

In the end, after He Jiayan's explanation and Deng An's life as a guarantee, these things were sent to the palace.

However, in order to ensure absolute safety, the thousand households on duty sent thirty soldiers to escort these things into the palace together.

"Mr. He, I risked my life to protect you. How can you repay this kindness?"

"Eunuch, don't worry, I know it well!" He Jiayan replied with a smile.

"If you want me to say... a few hundred taels of silver is enough!"

He only gave 200 taels, and he opened his mouth to say a few hundred taels. He Jiayan secretly scolded Deng An for being greedy.

"It's easy to say... easy to say!" He Jiayan suppressed the pain in his heart.

(End of this chapter)