King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 341 Qin Family Affairs 1
Generally speaking, the main military force near the capital consists of the Beijing camp and the bodyguards.

But in fact, there is another important force that has been ignored by the world all the time, and that is the mausoleum guarding army near Wan'an Mountain.

From the Jingling Tomb of Taizong to the Yongling Tomb of Shizu, twelve imperial mausoleums are lined up from east to west, and a total of twelve troops guarding the tombs are stationed along the way.

These troops are different from the mainstream guards that are paid today. They still follow the reclamation system set up by the Taizu, and they have cultivated themselves for generations.

Therefore, there are a total of twelve guards, which add up to more than 6 military households. In fact, they can only send [-] soldiers, and the rest of the military households are mainly responsible for working and raising soldiers.

At this moment, around Yongling, there are both mausoleum guards and military commanders, as well as a large number of Beijing camps and pro-military forces. The total number of guards exceeds 2.

Although the army is large, it does not appear chaotic at all, which shows that the current general command system is still very efficient.

Besides, the whole process of sacrificial offerings is highlighted by a scale. Simply put, there are many people involved, and the various rituals are ridiculously complicated.

After a toss, the time has come to the afternoon.

A weak body like Zhu Jingyuan was already so tired that he was supported by eunuchs, so the emperor would naturally feel a lot of dissatisfaction when he saw it.

Among the people present, only Zhu Jingyuan was extremely happy about this, and he was also looking forward to the prince falling ill, so that he could replace the emperor and preside over the sacrifices in the next few days.

Of course, Zhu Jingyuan would never let him go as he wished, even if he insisted on it, he would go on.

Now that the sacrifice was over, everyone returned to their positions, and followed the brigade on the way back to Beijing.

Now on the road, Jin Yiwei has arrested more than 100 people in line with the principle of catching the wrong and not letting them go. These are people who are too close to the blockade.

That's right, even outside the blockade, it won't work if you get too close.

Under this kind of high-pressure control, it was really difficult to assassinate the king, so the team was able to return safely as when they came.

After returning to the capital, civil and military officials and royal family members stopped outside the Chengtian Gate, knelt down to send the emperor into the palace, and then left.

They were all extremely tired and needed to go back to rest quickly, after all, these were the things that were going to happen in the next few days.

Only the three royal sons were able to escort the emperor back to the palace.

In the side hall of Qianqing Palace, looking at the frail body of the prince, Zhu Xianming wanted to teach him a few words, but when he thought that it was the Chinese New Year, he finally decided to save him some face.

"Fourth and sixth, you all go back!"

"Yes, my son is leaving!"

After the two of them saluted and left, Zhu Xianming glanced at Zhu Jinghong, and then asked, "Have you thought about the military training?"

This is the first time the emperor has asked about this matter since it was agreed upon.

When asked suddenly, Zhu Jinghong was a little confused for a moment, but he soon sorted out his thoughts.

"Father, this matter is very detailed, and it will take at least half an hour to introduce it!"

Zhu Jinghong gave the emperor a vaccination because he was afraid that the old man would find him verbose.

"Come and listen!"

"Yes!"

So Zhu Jinghong began to introduce, and it really took an hour for this lecture, during which he drank two cups of tea.

He was originally a layman, but these days of careful research and the exchange of experience with "foreign teachers" really allowed him to make a very detailed plan.

Seeing that the plan was so feasible, Zhu Xianming felt much more relieved.

"Father, what do you think about that matter?"

Zhu Jinghong's inquiry interrupted the emperor's train of thought.

"What's the matter?"

"It's about giving the land and money, and letting foreigners and our craftsmen make guns and cannons together!"

Zhu Jinghong had mentioned this matter, and Zhu Xianming had been thinking about it, but he forgot about it these two days.

After thinking for a while, the good emperor asked: "Soldiers are expensive and not many. Can you really guarantee that foreigners can make better guns?"

"Yes!" Zhu Jinghong said firmly.

Now foreigners do have an advantage in technology. Secondly, Zhu Jinghong probably knows the historical context, so he is confident to build better guns.

"I hope you don't disappoint me!" Zhu Xianming said in a deep voice.

"Dad, did you agree?"

"It's in Shanglin Garden. It's spacious and you can find a place to settle it yourself. As for the money... you can ask Lu Tong for it!"

Lu Tong was in charge of the internal funds and silver. Zhu Xianming's arrangement was obviously to use money from the small treasury, which was a rare thing.

"My son has accepted the order, but there is one more thing..."

"What's the matter?"

"It's not enough to rely on foreigners alone. We have to find some skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry and the Military Bureau, so that our people can also participate in it!"

"Yes!" Zhu Xianming agreed very simply.

Trying to hide his little calculations, Zhu Jinghong went on to say: "This requires the cooperation of the Ministry of Industry. My son thinks... there must be a proper and thoughtful person!"

Seeing that he spoke cautiously, Zhu Xianming said bluntly: "It seems that you already have someone to choose!"

"Son does have some ideas!"

"Speak!"

"Qin Ye, the doctor of the Department of Construction and Repair of the Ministry of Industry!"

Hearing this name, Zhu Xianming couldn't help showing a strange look: "Mr. of the Camp Division? Are you out of your mind? This kind of craftsman must either be assigned to the Department of Officials by Yu Heng, or belong to the Military Weapons Bureau of the Ministry of Industry. Who are you looking for?"

The old man pointed out the flaw in just one sentence, and Zhu Jinghong felt extremely embarrassed.

But before he could speak, Zhu Xianming went on to say: "If I remember correctly, this Qin Ye...has been imprisoned now, and the Ministry of Punishment has planned a sentence of exile, and it will be executed soon!"

This sentence was beyond Zhu Jinghong's expectations, and the emperor also saw this, and was looking at him with great interest at the moment.

"Father... what's going on here? How could Qin Ye be imprisoned because he was so thorough?"

Even though he asked this question, Zhu Jinghong had already guessed the reason. After all, the recent big turmoil in the imperial court, he couldn't figure it out.

He also knew that it was caused by the incident in his mansion, but in the beginning, people from the Ministry of Rites were severely punished, so he didn't pay too much attention.

Later events swept through various ministries and yamen, and more people were implicated and convicted. In addition, he was preparing to reorganize and train the army and build guns, so he had no time to pay attention to it.

Now that he suddenly learned that Qin Ye was imprisoned and sentenced to exile, how could Zhu Jinghong not be surprised.

Picking up the teacup, Zhu Xianming said slowly: "He has failed in his duties, how can he not be convicted, I spare his life... that is kindness!"

"Dad...why don't you be extra merciful and exempt him from punishment?"

Hearing only a "pop", the emperor put down the teacup, and then scolded: "Nonsense!"

"My son is guilty, father, calm down!" Zhu Jinghong quickly knelt down.

"This big case involves so many hundreds of officials. Do you want to give Qin Ye a favor? Do other people want to be merciful? Do you want the court system?"

Although the emperor was very angry, Zhu Jinghong still raised his head and asked: "Father... the matter of hanging the plaque is just to deal with the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Industry. Why bother to implicate so many people because of my son-in-law?"

Hearing this, Zhu Xianming couldn't help laughing, and then he said coldly: "This is not your business!"

This is really not Zhu Jinghong's business, because the turmoil caused by him this time is essentially that the emperor allowed Zhao Yushan to "eliminate dissidents" in order to clear the way for the next reform.

So Zhu Jinghong shouldn't have asked about the reasons for these things.

"Father... Is there really no way to accommodate?"

After the emperor clearly expressed his dissatisfaction, he, the direct prince, dared to ask this question again.

"Accommodating fart!"

(End of this chapter)