King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 448: Husband and wife’s secret discussion
While Zhu Jinghong was thinking, the emperor himself continued to speak. He stopped when he saw Zhu Jinghong didn't respond.

"Did you hear what I told you?"

"I heard!"

After coming back to his senses, Zhu Jinghong said again: "Father, regardless of whether mother allows her son to go, you can always agree!"

"Why are you following me to join in the fun?"

"Dad, the North Fourth Guard is a new army trained under the leadership of his son. You have to see with your own eyes whether they can beat him. If there are any shortcomings, they can be improved!" Zhu Jinghong had thought about these words in advance, so it was very important to say them. Smooth.

A prince got involved in the Northwest War and got mixed up with a group of military generals. It was very taboo to have the "jewels first" of this dynasty.

Therefore, Zhu Jinghong paid special attention to this point, and was extremely cautious when speaking at this time, emphasizing that he went to the northwest mainly to watch the battle.

However, in fact, the emperor himself did not think that deeply. This is also due to Zhu Jinghong's good establishment.

Unlike Zhu Jinghong who looked relaxed but was actually prepared for the situation, the emperor in the sedan chair was still calm and calm at the moment. He asked slowly: "You, a child, should not interfere in military and national affairs!"

Even though Zhu Jinghong had fought in battles, even if he had trained strong soldiers, even if he had been granted the title of king and opened a palace... he was still a child in Zhu Xianming's eyes.

This is the benefit of establishing a character. As long as the emperor has a character in his mind, he will think about his motivations and stance based on the character he created.

Of course, it is extremely difficult in reality to make Zhu Xianming completely trust someone.

Zhu Jinghong's success was due not only to his consistent recklessness for more than ten years (including his predecessor), but also to the fact that he was the youngest son of the emperor and empress.

Such an experience cannot be replicated at all, so he became the only person trusted by the emperor.

"Dad, my son is seventeen this year, is he still a child?"

"Besides, my son didn't say he wanted to get involved in military and state affairs, he just went to have a look!" Zhu Jinghong explained one by one.

"Besides, Dad, you were only 15 years old at the time, and you went to conquer the east and west with the living ancestors. You conquered the Rakshasa in the north and conquered the great city of Phnom Penh in the south, and made great achievements..."

"To the extent that our ancestors will boast to all the generals and praise you as the grandson who will be passed down from generation to generation, you will definitely make my Ming Dynasty prosperous forever!"

Zhu Jinghong compiled a lot, which made Zhu Xianming very useful.

Then Zhu Jinghong changed the subject and continued: "It is said that a tiger father has no dog son. His son is seventeen now. Even if he is only half as heroic as you, he should go to the northwest battlefield and take a look!"

You still want to imitate half of my heroic spirit. Do you want to be the emperor too?
When this idea came up, Zhu Xianming was shocked by himself again, and secretly thought that this kid really doesn't want to be the emperor, does he?
"Since you compare yourself to me, Old Thirteen...could it be that you want to be the emperor?" Zhu Xianming said in a cold tone.

If he had doubts, he would ask directly, hoping to catch Zhu Jinghong off guard.

Zhu Xianming's question, coupled with his cold tone, not to mention really frightened Zhu Jinghong, thinking that his performance was too revealing.

But when he thought about it again, he realized that no matter whether he had missed the point or not, he could never admit his desire to be the emperor.

So he immediately replied: "Father... do you want to pass the throne to your son?"

This is called going against the grain, but these words are in line with Zhu Jinghong's character, and the effect is much better than denial and explanation.

Of course, only he can use this method.

Before the emperor could reply, Zhu Jinghong asked again: "Dad, what about the fourth brother? I will be the prince and he will be the king of Xiang?"

Hearing this, Zhu Xianming in the dragon chariot laughed, secretly thinking that he was just capable of random thoughts, and even an honest man like Lao Shisan doubted it.

"Shut up, these things can still be joked about?"

"Dad, you were the first to joke with your son!"

"You..." Zhu Xianming thought for a while and found that this was indeed the case.

"Dad, how is the performance of the new army? Whether it is successful or not, my son must go and see!"

"This matter is related to your great cause. As you said, your son enjoys the royal honor, so he must make more contributions!"

Zhu Xianming couldn't make up his mind as to whether Zhu Jinghong should go to the northwest, because overall speaking, this was indeed "out of line."

"You should go to your mother's level first!"

After that, Zhu Xianming said no more, and Zhu Jinghong just regarded him as acquiescing.

So the next key task became how to get the queen to agree.

Compared with Jinling, the conditions in the northwest are undoubtedly much more difficult, and it is indeed not easy to get the queen's permission.

Let's say that after Zhu Jinghong sent the emperor back to the palace, he went directly back to the palace and was not in a hurry to go to the queen.

This matter required careful planning. He planned to discuss it with Baochai when he went back, and the couple would get it done together.

However, as soon as Zhu Jinghong arrived at the house, Deng An came to him to report the situation.

"You mean...Wang Shuirong of Beijing personally participated in the road festival?" Zhu Jinghong was deeply surprised.

"This servant also thinks it's strange. Logically speaking, he shouldn't go!"

Being able to identify the anomaly in this matter and proactively report the news to Zhu Jinghong is the greatest value of Deng An's existence.

Therefore, if such a person makes some mistakes, it is not a matter of principle that Zhu Jinghong can forgive.

As for the matter of water dissolution, Zhu Jinghong could roughly guess that Lao Liu would definitely take action due to this matter in the future.

Zhu Jinghong didn't want to get involved in this, after all, he still had his own things to do.

"Has the princess returned home?"

Today Baochai went into the palace again, so Zhu Jinghong asked this question.

"The princess returned home half an hour ago!" Deng An looked particularly respectful when he mentioned Baochai.

Not only him, but all the eunuchs and maids in the house now are in awe of Baochai.

"Ok!"

After saying that, Zhu Jinghong continued to walk deeper into the palace, and he would discuss it in detail with Baochai next.

Entering Tongxin Hall, Baochai was talking to Keqing at this time, talking about planting flowers and trees.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, Baochai wanted to adjust the layout of the palace garden, so he asked Keqing to come with him to discuss the details.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Seeing Zhu Jinghong arriving, Ke Qing quickly stood up and saluted.

Of course Baochai was no exception, but she just knelt down and performed the Wanfu ceremony.

"But please go back first, the princess and I have something to say!" Zhu Jinghong said as he sat on the couch.

After taking a look at Baochai, Keqing wisely said goodbye and left, and Baochai also asked all the maids serving in the house to go out.

Sitting on the other side of the soft couch, Baochai handed Zhu Jinghong a cup of tea, and then asked, "What's the matter, Your Majesty?"

"This time the Northern Four Guards are going to fight in the northwest. I want to go to the northwest with the army to have a look!"

Hearing this, Baochai's heart tightened, and a look of worry appeared on his face.

The Northern Four Guards were going to the northwest to suppress the rebellion, and there were no eyesights on the battlefield. If Zhu Jinghong was gone, if something went wrong... the thought of these treasure hairpins would make him feel particularly uncomfortable.

Ignoring the change in Baochai's expression, Zhu Jinghong continued: "The old man has already agreed, but now the trouble is... to get the queen mother to agree!"

Having said this, Zhu Jinghong reached out and took Baochai's hand, looked at her with a very solemn look and said: "Princess... you have to help me with this matter!"

"Your Majesty, not to mention the Queen Mother, even after hearing what you said, I am not very willing to let you go!"

Speaking of this, Baochai put his other hand on Zhu Jinghong's hand and asked: "The battlefield is dangerous, why do you put yourself in danger? You don't have to go this way to move forward!"

In the latter sentence, Baochai already meant something, and wanted to persuade Zhu Jinghong to give up this idea. This is the simplest emotion and thinking of a wife.

Zhu Jinghong understood Baochai's thoughts very well. He sighed first and then said: "Baochai... time waits for no one!"

"If we don't go to the battlefield, if we don't get some military glory, how can we stand on our own?" In fact, Baochai understood the truth, but she still couldn't accept it calmly as she watched her lover put himself in danger.

"The old four and the sixth tree has deep roots. If I don't take shortcuts... there is no chance of winning!" Zhu Jinghong said solemnly.

"Is it really necessary to go?"

"We must go!" Zhu Jinghong said firmly.

"How do you want me to help you?"

Obviously, Baochai had compromised, and she knew she couldn't persuade Zhu Jinghong.

"You think of a way for me to get my mother to agree to let me go to the northwest!" Zhu Jinghong replied calmly.

"After talking for a long time, you actually have no clue about this matter. You want me to come up with something for you!" Baochai said angrily and pushed Zhu Jinghong's hand away.

Taking Baochai's hand again, Zhu Jinghong said: "I really can't think of it. Baochai, you are extremely smart. I think you won't let me down!"

Now is not the time to joke, Baochai frowned and thought for a while, then said: "The northwest is dangerous, my mother cares about your safety, and she will definitely not let you go!"

"So I decided to think of two ways!"

After picking up the tea cup and taking a sip, Zhu Jinghong said with a smile: "I said you were smart, but now you came up with two ideas!"

"Which two paths are there?"

"First, it is to let the Queen know that it is not dangerous to go to the northwest!"

Understanding what Baochai meant, Zhu Jinghong immediately replied: "Well...then I will promise her that she will never leave Jiayuguan, and she will never go to the battlefield with the army. How about that?"

Nodding, Baochai continued: "The Queen Mother keeps you in the capital for your safety, so this second method is to prove that you are not safe in the capital!"

To be honest, these words confused Zhu Jinghong. Where can the capital be safe if it is not safe?Besides, how could the capital be unsafe?
"Is it possible that... I will find someone to assassinate me? Or will the White Lotus Sect threaten to drive me out of the capital, otherwise my head will be taken?"

Ignoring Zhu Jinghong's joke, Baochai said to herself: "If you go to your mother to ask for help, she will definitely not agree. But if you become depressed and unhappy because of this matter, and even describe it as haggard and life-and-death, I think she will let you go!" "

"Can this fool his old man?" Zhu Jinghong expressed doubts.

"Even if you can't deceive me, let your mother see your determination, and she will let you go!" Baochai sighed helplessly.

Besides, she couldn't think of any better way.

"That's all we can do... Fortunately, we still have plenty of time. The North Four Guards will set off in mid-April. Even if I set off in mid-May, I can still catch up with them!"

The army was moving slowly, but Zhu Jinghong was able to catch up with him in a hurry.

It's only the beginning of March, and there are still two months in between, enough for Zhu Jinghong to make arrangements.

…………

The dignified prince will be in trouble, and the Yi Zhao Li Shu will be in even more trouble.

For example, in Xin'an County, fifty miles west of Shendu, Zhang Zhuang Village's wealthy man Zhang Quande has been in big trouble recently.

Zhang Quande had a daughter who was promised to the son of the commander of Xin'an Guards, a family member. It turned out to be a good marriage.

But it happened that the son of the magistrate of Xin'an also fell in love with the daughter of the Zhang family and gave her a more generous betrothal gift.

Zhang Quande was obsessed with wealth and wanted to be attached to the magistrate, so he accepted the betrothal gift from the magistrate's family.

Xin'an Guard, as the capital's guard, is a fifth-grade military attache in command, two levels higher than the magistrate of Xin'an County, so how could he be willing to suffer such cowardice.

Therefore, he commanded Qianshi's family to refuse to cancel the engagement, and even promised to marry the Zhang family's daughter.

Before the matter of resignation was settled, the magistrate's family came to press for the marriage again, which made Zhang Quande who was caught in the process very uncomfortable.

When meeting old friends at this time, it is inevitable to sigh and even burst into tears.

Although he felt uncomfortable, his daughter Zhang Jinge felt even more uncomfortable. At this time, she was complaining to her close friends.

Cui Xiuqing listened attentively, and finally couldn't help but said: "Your father is too snobbish. How can he be so renegade on important matters of marriage?"

Cui Xiuqing here is the one who ran for the princess before.

Last year, her family planned to go to North Korea to recognize their ancestors, but they postponed the trip because her father was temporarily ill.

Recently, he finally prepared everything and decided to leave for the north within this month. His family wanted to say goodbye to relatives and friends one by one, so Cui Xiuqing came to the Zhang family with her father.

The Cui family is also a big family in the neighborhood, and they can be regarded as family friends with the Zhang family, so Cui Xiuqing and Zhang Jinge have a very good relationship.

Because of this, the two of them talked about everything at this time.

Seeing that Brother Zhang Jin was silent, Cui Xiuqing asked, "What are your plans for this matter?"

Now that the problem has occurred, complaining is futile. What matters is how to solve the problem.

Faced with this question, Brother Zhang Jin couldn't answer it at all. What could a weak woman like her have planned?

Seeing that she was silent, Cui Xiuqing turned to ask: "Then do you prefer the Xu family or the Li family?"

The commander of the Xin'an Guards, Qian Shi, was named Xu, while the Xin'an County Magistrate was named Li.

This question was too outrageous. If anyone else asked Zhang Jin, they would think they were teasing her, but she knew Cui Xiuqing was not joking.

Facing this close friend, Zhang Jinge just thought for a moment and then replied: "How can one woman serve two husbands? Although I have not yet married the son of the Xu family, my fate has already been decided... In this life, I am not the Xu family. The young master won’t marry!”

When she said this, Brother Zhang Jin was quite decisive, and Cui Xiuqing on the side understood what she meant.

Sighing, Brother Zhang Jin sighed: "If the Li family is really too intimidating, I will not remarry even if I die..."

"Why don't you remarry? You're not married yet, so how can you talk about remarrying?"

"Besides, the trouble your family is facing may not be impossible to resolve!" Cui Xiuqing said calmly.

"My father has thought of every possible solution. If the Li family refuses to let go, what else can they do?"

Silly girl, your father may not be of the same mind as you... Cui Xiuqing secretly thought in her heart.

It is said that county officials are not as good as current officials. Although the Xu family is of higher rank, it cannot be compared to the family of the county magistrate.

Zhang Quande loves money and clings to powerful people. It is self-evident who he prefers in his heart.

"But I have a way, which can not only solve your current troubles, but also help you achieve your full wish!" Cui Xiuqing said with a smile.

"It's already here, and you still have the energy to joke with me!"

Cui Xiuqing suppressed her smile and said solemnly: "I'm not joking with you. The solution to your predicament is very simple!"

"What's the solution?" Zhang Jinge asked quickly. At this moment, she was already hopeful that her best friend would come up with some clever ideas.

"I helped you, how do you want to thank me?" Cui Xiuqing smiled again.

"I knew you were teasing me, but you still let me amuse myself and ignore you..."

Brother Zhang Jin was so anxious that he could not resist Cui Xiuqing's teasing. She was really angry at this moment.

So Cui Xiuqing apologized quickly and tried to calm down her best friend.

"Do you still remember that I ran for the princess last year!"

"Ok!"

"I passed the princess re-election that day and got to know the current Princess Xiang when I was raised in the palace. I also helped her with a few small favors during the period. I can barely be considered a friend!"

Looking at Brother Zhang Jin, Cui Xiuqing's expression became more serious: "If you can ask this person to help, the trouble you are encountering can be resolved with just one word from her!"

(End of this chapter)