King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 405 Military meeting in the fields
Inside the palace, the lanterns have been turned on.

In the side hall of Kunning Palace, the emperor and empress were also having dinner, and the scene was relatively simple.

"The thirteenth daughter-in-law also cooks for the fourteenth and fifteenth sons. She is quite like a sister-in-law!" Yang Qingyin couldn't help but praise.

"It's not bad... She has no complaints these days. She puts down her body and does the rough work. She has lived up to the love of Old Thirteen!" Zhu Xianming said slowly.

"Are you really planning to let Old Thirteen stay in Shanglinyuan for seven or eight months?"

After thinking for a while, Zhu Xianming calmly said: "Let's take a look again!"

"The thirteenth daughter-in-law has been staying in Kunning Palace for a long time. I know that she has always been a considerate person. If you try to find fault with her, you will probably fail!"

"You have to try to find out. It's only been a few days... just wait a few more days!"

After picking up the tea cup and taking a sip, Zhu Xianming continued: "Lao Liu's family has been restless these past two days. You have to say something to her!"

"It's rare to see you dissatisfied with the Sixth Family!" Yang Qingyin laughed.

"If it weren't for our son, I would have punished him long ago for all the things he did behind the scenes!" Zhu Xianming said with a cold face.

But both he and the queen knew that these were purely angry words. At least it was impossible to deal with Zhu Jingyuan at the moment. This was related to the balance of the government.

Of course, the most essential reason is that Zhu Xianming needs Prince Rui to check and balance the prince, and at the same time use him as a backup tire when the prince is no longer able to use him.

While the couple was chatting, there was also a small meeting in the east hall of Kunning Palace.

Zhu Yunsheng looked at the dishes in front of him and said with a sad expression: "Brother Thirteen eats bran-pharyngeal vegetables, life is really hard!"

"Sister-in-law Thirteen still has to do her own laundry and cook, but I don't know how she can endure it..."

Zhu Yunsheng thinks about these words all the time, which shows that she is really worried about her brother and sister-in-law, because she has the best relationship with Zhu Jinghong among the three brothers.

"Princess, why don't we think of a way to go to Shanglin Garden to see Master Thirteen and the others!" Xiangyun suggested.

Zhu Yunsheng said helplessly: "I'm afraid this will be difficult. Now I can't even leave the palace. How can I go to Shanglin Garden!"

At this time Daiyu said: "Princess, you are blind to Mount Tai. If you can persuade the Queen to visit the Thirteenth Master, we can go with you!"

"This... is not impossible!" Zhu Yunsheng thought.

"But this matter cannot be rushed. I only mentioned it two days ago, but my mother did not approve it!"

At this time Zhen Qin said: "The Queen is also worried about the Thirteenth Master. If the princess mentions it a few more times, the Queen will definitely agree!"

…………

One night passed, Zhu Xianming began to manage the government as usual, and as usual he issued a reply memorial.

Among the three eunuchs, Si Li Jian, it was not always Lu Chun who came. For example, today it was Dai Quan, the eunuch Bingbi.

"There's still no movement over at Jinling?" Zhu Xianming asked casually.

As the eunuch in charge of Dongchang, Dai Quan knew exactly what the emperor was asking.

Just listen to Dai Quan reply: "Reporting to your majesty, there are already people connecting with each other, but no one dares to stir up trouble yet!"

Jinling's affairs are now top priority, so even though Jin Yiwei is watching, Zhu Xianming arranged for Dongchang to send someone there.

Therefore, he has more than one source of information about the ground in Jinling, which can relatively reflect the actual situation more objectively.

Putting down the memorial in his hand, Zhu Xianming asked: "Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?"

Although Dai Quan was a eunuch, he held the high position of Chief of Ceremonies and Bingbi, and his vision and knowledge were no less than those of foreign ministers, so Zhu Xianming asked him this.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I think... Calm waves are good, but big waves may come in the long run. Your Majesty should make preparations in advance!"

"Yes...the way to control water is to block it rather than to clear it. But they are a pool of stagnant water and are unwilling to flow out along the river I dug. There is nothing I can do!"

"Your Majesty, yesterday we received a memorial to impeach Jia Yucun, the prefect of Yingtian. There are 78 memorials in total..."

"More than ten people signed the memorial together, a total of fifteen!"

"Yes!" Zhu Xianming nodded without any additional instructions.

This also means that the above-mentioned memorial will be kept in the archives of the Supervisor of Ceremonies like the previous ones (it will be kept in the middle), and will not cause waves in the court.

In fact, the origin of these memorials is very complicated. Not only the local officials of Jinling were impeaching, but also some officials outside Jinling were impeaching.

"Tell me...it's not that we want to take away their land, we just want them to pay the actual taxes, but it's the same as killing them!"

It was not easy for Dai Quan to accept this. He actually understood the thoughts of the scholar-bureaucrats.

Today your emperor is raising taxes on his land. Will he raise the tax rate later for money?Will they make donations in various ways by coincidence?

The scholar-bureaucrats used these similar methods too much, so they naturally wanted to guard the royal family to the death.

"Jia Yucun said that the Qingzhang will be completed by the end of the year. Do you think there is any moisture in his so-called completion?"

Even though Jia Yucun was doing the dirty work under tremendous pressure, it was obvious that the emperor did not have 100% trust in him, which is what an emperor should be like.

"This...slave doesn't dare to judge!"

Zhu Xianming raised his head and said slowly: "Then check carefully, send appropriate people to check, and don't let anyone know!"

"Yes!"

While Zhu Xianming continued to read the memorial, a young eunuch appeared outside the door and reported that several commanders of the Northern Fourth Guards wanted to see him.

Only the commanders of the pro-army forces were qualified to meet the emperor directly. For other generals such as Jingying and Dusi, it was not that difficult to meet the emperor.

"Let them in!"

After Zhu Xianming's instructions, four commanders quickly entered the palace, saluted the emperor and were summoned.

"What's the matter?"

Jiang Qingsheng, the commander of the Yulin Right Guards, said: "Your Majesty, I am getting up this time to report some training matters!"

"Say it!" Zhu Xianming put down the chapter in his hand.

Then Jiang Qingsheng began to report. Zhu Xianming could understand it at first, but when it came to the coordination of new tactics, the emperor sounded a little confused.

About ten minutes later, Jiang Qingsheng raised his waist and asked: "I have thought carefully about it, but I still don't have a complete solution when it comes to the connection. Please give me your Majesty's advice!"

Zhu Xianming said with a dissatisfied look on his face: "It is for you, as generals, to think about these specific training matters, rather than bothering me..."

"I'm waiting for you to die!" All the generals bowed down.

"Get up, no one wants you to die. I still hope that you will train strong soldiers to defeat Buchen!" Zhu Xianming said calmly.

After several people stood up, Song Run, the commander of Xiaowu Right Guard, raised his head and said with fear on his face: "Your Majesty... I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not!"

"Say!"

"I thought that maybe... maybe I could... let the Thirteenth Master help me with the details!"

After saying this, Song Run lowered his head again. He knew very well that these words were taboo. As a military general, it was a serious crime to befriend a prince.

When the other three were preparing to plead for Song Run, Zhu Xianming acted extremely calm.

"Without that bastard... this soldier won't be able to train?" Zhu Xianming asked calmly.

Before the generals could react, Zhu Xianming continued: "He is in Shanglinyuan. If you have any questions, just go to him directly!"

Does your Majesty agree with this?

Before anyone could ask, Zhu Xianming said: "It's nothing... just go down!"

So they could only conclude that the emperor had agreed.

Although Zhu Jinghong is now working on behalf of the emperor, he has not been removed from his position as "Supervisor of the Army" of the Northern Four Guards. It is only natural to ask him for advice.

Let's talk about the fields in Shanglinyuan. Zhu Jingchun and his wife are still hoeing.

It has now entered early winter, and the weather is getting colder, but Zhu Jingchun and his wife are still sweating.

The last acre of land is still left, and the royal fields of Shanglinyuan will be sown. The next step will be repeated weeding and maintenance, and the task will become more tedious and detailed.The two were busy, while Zhu Jinghong was sitting in the shade of the tree, while Baochai was pouring water for him.

"Let them both rest too!" Baochai said softly.

After taking the water bowl, Zhu Jinghong took a sip and said: "Who knows, every grain of food on the plate is hard work... They two need to understand this truth more than I do!"

"Master Thirteen also knows how to quote poems!" Baochai couldn't help but joked.

"Who did Miss Bao call the Thirteenth Master?" Zhu Jinghong asked along.

The couple were flirting and flirting, but they were exhausted from working in the fields. In the end, Zhu Jingchun couldn't help but straighten up and shouted: "Brother Thirteen... I'm thirsty!"

"You just drank water, are you thirsty again? Keep working!" Zhu Jinghong said without politeness.

These two boys like to cheat and play tricks. How could Zhu Jinghong fulfill their wishes?

Just when Zhu Jinghong was about to continue scolding, Baochai reminded him: "Someone is coming!"

"Who's here?"

While talking, Zhu Jinghong looked in the direction Baochai pointed and saw someone approaching on horseback in the distance.

His eyesight was pretty good, and he could tell at a glance that they were from the Northern Four Guards, which made him curious about the courage of these people.

"You go back first!" Zhu Jinghong said calmly.

"it is good!"

Knowing that it was inconvenient for him to be there, Baochai responded and left with the basket.

After a while, Jiang Qingsheng and his party arrived at the end of the field, dismounted from their horses more than ten meters away, and then walked towards Zhu Jinghong.

Looking at Zhu Jinghong, who was wearing a short cotton shirt, everyone present was deeply surprised. They didn't expect that this man had such a miserable life.

"See Lord Thirteen!"

Calling Zhu Jinghong the Thirteenth Master means that everyone has a close relationship with him.

"Everyone, please excuse yourself!" Zhu Jinghong stood up and said.

After these people got up, Zhu Jinghong asked: "Why are you here? Are you here to farm with me?"

"Thirteenth Master, I have come here under orders to ask you for some advice!" Song Run replied.

After patting the dust on his butt, Zhu Jinghong said: "Now that I am guilty, my father wants to destroy me. If you mess with me... I'm afraid you will get into big trouble!"

"Thirteenth Master, what you said is serious. The Lord has always valued you, so how could he..."

Picking up the hoe on the side, Zhu Jinghong sneered: "Taking care of me? Trapping me here and making me eat chaffy vegetables every day, is this called respecting?"

After saying that, there was no way to talk today, and the place became quiet for a while.

Seeing Zhu Jinghong leaving with a hoe, Jiang Qingsheng and others could only follow him, but their official boots were difficult to walk in the ground.

"You two bastards, are you slacking off again?"

After being scolded by Zhu Jinghong, Zhu Jingchun and the two people who were watching the excitement became busy again.

Seeing Zhu Jinghong start hoeing the ground, Jiang Qingsheng and others could only follow, and at the same time said: "Thirteenth Master, this time I came here, it is indeed the Lord's order to ask for advice!"

"Okay... just say what you have to say. Without my father's will, I won't help you?"

At this time, Zhu Jinghong changed his attitude, which really shocked Jiang Qingsheng and others, but they had no time to think about it, so they started talking about business.

Zhu Jinghong has really worked hard on training. He is still thinking about it even when he is farming. When Jiang Qingsheng asks questions, he can explain immediately.

In fact, many things may be bumpy if you try by yourself, but they are very simple if you stand from God's perspective.

Zhu Jinghong, whose consciousness is hundreds of years ahead, sees problems from God's perspective, so he can easily give solutions.

Of course, he understood the principle of teaching apprentices to starve their masters to death, so he often had reservations so that he could continue to interfere with the army.

At the end of the discussion, everyone learned something.

Among them, Zhu Jinghong deliberately said that he was wrong about something, but he would take the initiative to correct it later and take this opportunity to remove himself.

After Jiang Qingsheng and others left, Zhu Jinghong fell into new thoughts.

The emperor asked these people to consult him, which obviously recognized his military talents. The key was that he was not very defensive about him, which was his biggest advantage at the moment.

Although there are advantages, this advantage depends entirely on the emperor's will, so Zhu Jinghong still dare not neglect it.

In the conversation with Jiang Qingsheng and others just now, Zhu Jinghong learned that the imperial court had sent additional troops to the northwest and also mobilized a large amount of additional grain, grass and ordnance.

In other words, the war between the Northwest and Junggar is inevitable, and it is very likely to happen next year.

Of course, the imperial court has not given up on recruiting Dzunggar to surrender, but the reality is that they have closer ties with the Rakshasa Kingdom.

Just fight, it will be fine... Zhu Jinghong thought.

"In addition to land battles, naval battles are also going to happen. I don't know what the situation is like in the coastal navy now after the last decree was issued!" Zhu Jinghong murmured in a low voice.

"It's useless for me to say it alone. We have to create some news to make the old man really believe that there is gold everywhere and that all foreigners are extremely rich!"

"With such land and sea battles, I can fish in troubled waters!"

Only war has its place, which also means that no war can create war.

After Junggar, there is the Japanese side, then the Portuguese side of Annan, and then the Luzon side...

Zhu Jinghong felt particularly at ease when he thought that there were so many potential enemies.

After another busy afternoon, the three of them returned to their residence.

At this moment, Baochai has also prepared dinner. Tonight, it will be noodles and pickles, plus a meatloaf and two fried eggs for each person.

As for Baochai herself, she was not hungry so she only ate a boiled egg and a bowl of porridge.

Zhu Jinghong and the other three finished the meal in a hurry, and Zhu Jinghao said with a satisfied look on his face: "Sister-in-law... your cooking skills are getting better and better now!"

"Yeah... I don't think he is any worse than those cooks in the palace!" Zhu Jingchun followed.

They had received Baochai's kindness, but now they had nothing to repay, so they could only say nice things.

"The more I talk about it, the more outrageous it becomes. If I was really that powerful, I shouldn't have been Sheng'er's attendant in the first place. It would have been better to go directly to Shangshi Bureau to apply for the position!" Baochai said half-jokingly.

Zhu Jingchun then said: "If sister-in-law goes to Shangshi Bureau, how can Brother Thirteen marry a good wife like you!"

Seeing that the two people were talking more and more enthusiastically, Zhu Jinghong put down the dishes and chopsticks and said: "Since you two are fine, you can wash the dishes for this meal!"

"Uh... Got it!"

Zhu Jinghong's words were tantamount to an imperial edict, so these two people did not dare to refute them, so they consciously got up and packed them up.

Baochai wanted to persuade her, but Zhu Jinghong stood up and reminded her to leave. Instead, he asked her to go out for a walk to eat.

He would take a walk every night, and Baochai never declined.

"Your Majesty, you have been here for ten days, do you still feel uncomfortable now?"

Zhu Jinghong calmly replied: "You think it's nothing, how can I be more squeamish than you?"

Stopping, Baochai asked softly: "But if you are trapped here for a long time, how will the prince's ambition be carried out?"

The surrounding terrain is open and there will be no one within a hundred meters, so Baochai asked this question for the first time.

"Ambition? What ambition?" Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile. He did not intend to confess his feelings at the moment.

Sensing his thoughts, Baochai stopped delving into it and said immediately: "There are so many good girls out there, we can't leave the palace empty!"

"Okay Baochai, you say these things again!"

As he spoke, Zhu Jinghong stretched out his hand to do something bad. If Baochai hadn't been too conservative, he would have thought that the wilderness was pretty good.

(End of this chapter)