King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 416 I have been wandering for half my life

Although it seemed miserable, Wu Changhui was very satisfied and the ending was better than he expected.

Although he lost his position, the emperor still arranged an errand for him, asking him to see if there were any omissions in the training methods of the Northern Four Guards based on the actual conditions of the Junggar Army and the Grassland Army.

After watching it today, Wu Changhui was really shocked, and even more surprised by Zhu Jinghong's military talent, otherwise he would not have come up with these tricks.

"You've practiced really well, but I don't know how powerful I will be on the battlefield... You think so, right?"

While Wu Changhui was thinking, Sun Shaozu, the commander of Yongning Guard behind him, looked at the commoner at the top of the sentry tower.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Wu Changhui turned around and followed Sun Shaozu's gaze towards the sentry tower.

"General, is that His Royal Highness King Xiang?" Sun Shaozu asked.

Although he had only been in Beijing for two days, Sun Shaozu had already heard a lot about Zhu Jinghong's deeds, and he became more and more curious about this man.

"You didn't see Jiang Qingsheng following behind like a slave, who else could he be if he wasn't this man!"

Wu Changhui's words were obviously sarcastic towards Jiang Qingsheng. It can also be seen that they are both powerful and powerful people, and there are always some grievances between them.

"Yesterday I heard someone say...His Royal Highness Prince Xiang was demoted because of his selection of a concubine. If he offended the Holy One, he would even..."

At this point, Sun Shaozu stopped. It was obvious that what he said next was too taboo.

"What even?" Wu Changhui asked.

"I'm afraid I won't even be able to protect the king!" Sun Shaozu whispered, even though there was no one else around.

"If this is the case, do you think Jiang Qingsheng will still meet him? Will he be so flattering?" Wu Changhui asked with a smile, scorning Sun Shaozu's statement.

In Wu Changhui's view, Zhu Jinghong kept making big and small mistakes, and now he was named a prince, and he could even work on the farm in Shanglin Garden on behalf of the emperor. His holy family ties were so profound that it was outrageous.

Wu Changhui did not want to say more, but he warned future generations to have more contact with this man.

Although he, Wu Changhui, was dismissed from his official position, he still established himself as An Bo. His eldest son was already serving as a commanding officer in the capital camp, and his grandson only joined the Dragon Guards last year. The family inheritance remained the same.

"Every day the Fifth Army Mansion inquires, tell the truth about what should be said, and you can't admit anything that shouldn't be said even if I kill you..."

"Don't worry... I still have some face in the Fifth Army Mansion, so I won't make it too difficult for you!"

Wu Changhui had enemies among the real powerful nobles, and naturally he also had a group of people with whom he was friendly, so the problem of passing the test for Sun Shaozu was not a big problem.

And he must pay attention to this matter, otherwise something happens to Sun Shaozu and he may be implicated.

"Thank you, General!"

"I have an appointment at Mr. Jiu Guo's house in the afternoon, so I'll go back first... let's go!"

Although Sun Shaozu has risen through the ranks, in the final analysis he is only a fourth-grade military attache and is not yet qualified to join the upper-class circles.

"General, I'll invite you first. I'd like to take a look at this humble post!" Sun Shaozu was very self-aware.

"That's fine... you young people should learn more and watch more!"

After bidding farewell to Wu Changhui, Sun Shaozu turned his eyes back to the school grounds, but he was still looking at Zhu Jinghong on the sentry tower.

He is a smart and capable person. He just said that Zhu Jinghong would be demoted, but he was just hiding his weakness in front of Wu Changhui.

He will be smart when he should be smart, and a little stupid when he should be stupid, so he can always seize the opportunity to rise to the top.

Due to the collapse of the situation in the northwest, Sun Shaozu felt that his future was bleak, and now he was eager to find a backer so that he could continue on his glorious path.

And Zhu Jinghong in front is what he thinks is the best backer.

On the one hand, this man likes martial arts, and his Sun Shaozu is also a professional counterpart; on the other hand, this man is frank (young), honest (and easy to cheat), and he is more likely to succeed in fawning.

It is normal for Sun Shaozu to think that Zhu Jinghong is easy to "cheat", because Zhu Jinghong has been reckless for more than ten years, and no one would think that he has been pretending since he was a child.

Therefore, Zhu Jinghong is very grateful that his predecessor has been reckless for more than ten years and has fully established his personality so that he can easily take over. His consistent "recklessness" for more than ten years will not make people doubt him. This is the real legacy of predecessors who plant trees for future generations. Enjoy the cool air.

Seeing Zhu Jinghong, who was dressed in civilian clothes but still high-spirited, Sun Shaozu felt that he should go in to see the ceremony.

Although he is a dignified commander, it is not easy for him to meet a prince like Zhu Jinghong, and he cannot let go of this opportunity today.

However, there were many people around Zhu Jinghong at this moment, and it would be too abrupt to go directly to greet him, so Sun Shaozu could only step aside and act accordingly.

After about a few minutes, Zhu Jinghong set out to walk down the watchtower. Hou Jing, Jiang Qingsheng and others were accompanying him, and there was no chance for Sun Shaozu to speak alone.

After encouraging Jiang Qingsheng, Zhu Jinghong led people to leave Yulin Zuowei, and he planned to visit Yulin Right Guard at the next stop.

While he was wandering around Shanglin Garden, the emperor in the Qianqing Palace finally got up and started to move after reading today's memorial.

The situation in the northwest was still as complicated as a mess, so he had to consider another thing, who should be sent to the northwest governor's war.

The Northwest War will definitely be a big war. In addition to the soldiers and horses of the Anxi Xingdu Division, the Qinghai Xingdu Division will also send troops to participate in the war.

Several capital divisions in Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan, as well as soldiers and horses drawn from the Beijing camp, will also go into battle.

To coordinate operations with so many troops, high-level generals must be sent to suppress the situation. To put it simply, they can only be selected from the governors of the Five Army Commandery Mansion.

Although there are ten governors in total, excluding the older ones with poor health and a few people who have other errands, there are only four or five candidates.

Ability, resume, family connections...the choice of governor must be considered comprehensively, and it is really not a decision that can be made easily.

Compared with the importance of the situation in the northwest, the chaos in a county in Jinling seems less important.

Liang Qian, the governor of Jinling, is now vigorously investigating the case. More than 20 gentry have been convicted and arrested, and news has been coming one after another in recent days.

As for the rioters who committed the crime, hundreds of them have been captured, including almost a thousand family members. The Jinling Dusi is taking them to Annan.

Of course, there are more than a few hundred rioters, but if they are really caught, Liyang will lose half of its population, and neither the Liyang County government nor the local gentry will be willing.

Moreover, it is indeed very troublesome and complicated to move half of Liyang's population. Liang Qian knew the appropriateness of it very well.

Catching the troublemakers should be done in moderation, but digging out the troublemakers behind the scenes is a job that must be done seriously.

Liang Qian would submit memorials every day. On the one hand, he would explain the current situation, and at the same time, he would ask for instructions on how to handle the next step. What stood out was caution.

Because Jinling and Luoyang are far apart, it takes a long time to request instructions and give instructions, which also reduces the efficiency of work. It was impossible to complete the case a year ago.

Although the case progressed slowly, it also made the gentry all over the world see that the imperial court's determination to implement the Qingzhang could not be stopped by making trouble, unless someone raised the flag of rebellion to stop it.

Rebellion... Now that the imperial court is so powerful, rebellion is tantamount to seeking death. If you really have the courage to do something else, wouldn't it be better?

"You mean... Old Thirteen is still wearing civilian clothes?"

Whatever the emperor liked to hear, Cheng Ying would tell him to relieve his boredom. Today, naturally, it was Zhu Jinghong's business again.

But Cheng Ying didn't expect that the emperor's focus was on clothes, rather than today's training of the Northern Four Guards.

"Exactly!"

"Didn't his uniform get sent to him the day before yesterday?" Zhu Xianming asked rhetorically.

"I sent it, but Master Thirteen has not changed in the past two days, and he is still wearing the same clothes as before!"

Hearing this, Zhu Xianming immediately sneered: "What does he mean? What does this bastard mean?"

"Slave doesn't... don't know!" Cheng Ying stuttered.

"Send someone early tomorrow morning to take back all his clothes to prevent him from being embarrassed!" Zhu Xianming said coldly.

"Yes!"

There is no shame in wearing common clothes, but it would be shameful if worn on a royal formal occasion.

The day after tomorrow is the Laba Festival, and the royal family will have a routine family banquet. Zhu Xianming was afraid that Zhu Jinghong would "misbehave" at that time, so he ordered someone to collect his clothes.

The clothes were collected, which meant the end of Zhu Jinghong's personal farming. This was also the result of the queen's forced labor.

If the prince and the sixth prince were to know that the emperor's father even took care of Zhu Jinghong's clothes, they would definitely be jealous.Of course Zhu Jinghong didn't know this. After a busy morning, he embarked on his return journey.

Hou Jing, Lu Yuxin and others accompanied him, and they sent him to the place where he was farming before he was greeted by Zhu Jinghong and left.

There was Baochai in his residence. It was really inconvenient for these people to go there, so it was naturally better to get rid of them early.

Whistling with his hands behind his back, he walked along the dirt road to the front. There were various warehouse buildings on both sides. Eunuchs passed by from time to time, and they all greeted Zhu Jinghong when they saw him.

"I've seen Lord Thirteen!"

Looking at the person who appeared in front of him, Zhu Jinghong felt very strange. He only felt that this person was unfamiliar and sinister.

Sun Shaozu never imagined that Zhu Jinghong would be displeased when he appeared for the first time, and his first impression was particularly bad.

Looking at the man saluting in front of him, Zhu Jinghong asked: "Who are you?"

"Reporting to the Thirteenth Master, Sun Shaozu, the commander of the Yongning Guards in charge of your journey to the west!"

"Oh... hmm? Who do you think you are?" Zhu Jinghong's eyes widened.

Even though he was not familiar with Red Mansion, he still knew the name Sun Shaozu and knew that this man was a famous domestic violence man.

"I...I am the commander of the Yongning Guard, Sun Shaozu!"

"Oh...it turns out to be Commander Sun, what do you want from me?" Zhu Jinghong asked calmly.

Sun Shaozu replied: "I've heard about your majesty for a long time. Fortunately, I met you by chance today, so I came out to pay my respects. It's really rude... Please forgive me!"

It's a chance encounter. It's strange that Zhu Jinghong would believe it if we could meet by chance in this place.

Thinking of this person's ulterior motives, Zhu Jinghong replied: "Prestige? I've become a joke now, so what's the prestige?"

"Your Majesty, your words are wrong. Everyone in the army would not praise you for your kindness and righteousness. Now your reputation is even greater than usual!"

Hearing this, Zhu Jinghong just smiled. The superficial praise from the military men was of little use to be honest.

"Commander Sun has returned from the northwest. I think he has a good grasp of the local situation. I wonder if he can tell me about it?"

If you want people to follow you and gain benefits, what benefits will make people follow you?That would naturally lead to promotion and wealth.

How military commanders and soldiers get promoted and get rich, they will naturally fight and win battles, and now a war is about to begin in the northwest.

Since Sun Shaozu had spent time in the northwest, it was perfect to find him to understand the situation.

Sun Shaozu was overjoyed when he heard Zhu Jinghong's inquiry. He was worried that he could not talk to him.

"Reporting to the prince, I also know something. Now in the northwest..."

Sun Shaozu's narration was clear and coherent, which made Zhu Jinghong feel his first-class business ability, and secretly thought that he might be able to use him if there was a chance.

A few minutes later, after Sun Shaozu gave a brief account, Zhu Jinghong said: "Commander Sun, you are so clear about the situation in the northwest and have unique insights... Now that the war in the northwest is about to start, I think it will be time for you to make contributions!"

However, Zhu Jinghong's words touched on Sun Shaozu's pain point. Due to the complete annihilation of Kushu Fort and the turmoil in the northwest, his commander was likely to be deposed.

As for the successor, his subordinates, commanders, colleagues, and ministers can all take over smoothly.

But how could Sun Shaozu say these words? He was undoubtedly resentful, and if the emperor knew that he was seeking death.

"I have been wandering around for half of my life, and my whole life has been wasted. Now that I am praised by the prince, it is like meeting a close friend..."

After half a lifetime, Zhu Jinghong felt something familiar, but for a moment he couldn't remember who had said it.

Just by praising this guy, he was moved like this. It was too frivolous and unstable. How can such a person be a good commander?

Military generals in the capitals in other places may have high positions with wine and rice bags, but there is no way that idiots will be sent to the position under the Anxi Xingdu, unless the people in the Ministry of War are crazy.

Therefore, Sun Shaozu's behavior made Zhu Jinghong deeply puzzled. He couldn't figure out whether the man in front of him went crazy after arriving in Beijing.

Zhu Jinghong regarded Sun Shaozu as a madman. How could he know that others also regarded him as a "fool", so he expressed his feelings so straightforwardly.

Just listen to Sun Shaozu continue to say: "Now that something has happened to me, I'm afraid it will be difficult to serve the court again!"

"What happened?" Zhu Jinghong asked casually.

It’s really easy to deceive... Sun Shaozu thought to himself.

"I was in the northwest, one month ago..."

Next, Sun Shaozu recounted his previous experiences and current difficulties, and finally said with emotion: "The wrath of the Holy One is like thunder, how can I resist it!"

At this moment, Zhu Jinghong probably understood the purpose of this guy, and he was probably looking for him just to plead for mercy.

Now that the purpose is clear, we have to look at the value of the other party and whether it is worth interceding with him.

"You have your difficulties too!" Zhu Jinghong replied, which was tantamount to throwing a hook at Sun Shaozu.

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozu was overjoyed and secretly thought that the man in front of him had taken the bait. At this moment, they were both treating each other as a fish.

Sun Shaozu said with a sad face: "I am not greedy for power, I just hate that what I have learned is wasted and I am unable to make contributions to the court..."

"Yes... your abilities are indeed a pity!" When he said this, Zhu Jinghong looked at the few young eunuchs approaching not far away.

Just when Sun Shaozu was about to strike while the iron was hot, the eunuch came to Zhu Jinghong and reported: "Your Majesty... the princess is here. The princess ordered the servants to wait for you to go back!"

"Yeah... Got it!" Zhu Jinghong responded.

Then he looked at Sun Shaozu and said, "Commander Sun... just come here today!"

Seeing that Zhu Jinghong was about to leave, Sun Shaozu immediately replied: "Farewell to the prince!"

Acting too much is actually not a good thing. Now that Zhu Jinghong is leaving, Sun Shaozu can only choose to "take it slowly."

After watching Zhu Jinghong go away, Sun Shaozu turned around and left.

But Zhu Jinghong, who had already gone far, remembered Sun Shaozu in his heart, secretly thinking that he might be useful in the future.

As for interceding with this person, Zhu Jinghong has not thought about it for the time being.

For one thing, he himself is still "behind jail". Not only does it look ridiculous to help others, but he also stretches his hands too far.

Second, even if you want to use this person, you must fully understand him and take action when necessary and critical, so as to achieve better results.

Let's talk about the hut in Shanglin Garden. Zhu Yunsheng came with two attendants and a large group of maids and eunuchs, and the place was crowded with people both inside and outside.

Standing in front of Zhu Yunsheng, Baochai asked with a smile: "Third sister, you sneaked out again today, aren't you afraid that your mother will punish you?"

At this time, Xiangyun interjected: "Your Majesty, what you said is wrong. The princess did not sneak out today, but came here on the order of the Empress!"

When she spoke, Zhu Yunsheng had a bit of pride on his face, which made Baochai a little surprised.

"Sister-in-law Thirteen, I am here to deliver a message on the orders of my mother!" Zhu Yunsheng said.

"I wonder what your mother's instructions are?" Baochai asked.

“The day after tomorrow’s Laba Festival family banquet, my mother asked you to come too!”

"Thank you, Queen Mother, for your love!" Baochai thanked her solemnly.

Then she asked: "For such a mission, you only need to ask the palace servants to convey the order. Why does the third sister bother to come?"

Daiyu, tightly wrapped in her cloak, stepped forward and said, "How could the princess not know that our princess is building a plank road in the open and secretly visiting Chen Cang!"

"You are the only one who is smart!" Baochai patted Daiyu's forehead dotingly. Of course she knew that Zhu Yunsheng was taking the opportunity to come out to play.

Looking at Baochai and Jingchai in cloth, Zhu Yunsheng asked: "Sister-in-law Thirteen, didn't my mother send someone to deliver the crown clothes yesterday? Why are you still dressed like this?"

(End of this chapter)