King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 459 Sun Shaozu’s self-recommendation
More than 20 days passed in the blink of an eye, and nothing happened to the common people, but the princes in the court were experiencing storms.

The impeachment of Liaodong Dusi was just the introduction. Subsequently, surrounding this matter, the two sides launched a larger-scale mutual impeachment.

During this period alone, fifteen officials were dismissed, and Prince Rui and King Rui suffered their own losses.

When the two sides were in a stalemate, several reports from Liaodong completely heated up the battle.

After investigation by Jinyiwei's North and South Division and East Factory, it was confirmed that Liaodong Dusi was still involved in reselling ordnance, and Shui Rong himself was indeed suspected of covering up.

On April 12, the [-]th year of Zhengtong, people from Jinyiwei came to the Prince's Palace in Beijing and ordered Shui Rong to be placed under house arrest in the Palace.

In the study room of the palace, Shui Rong smashed more than a dozen toys in a row. At this moment, he hated himself very much. Why didn't he investigate more strictly in the first place?

"I was deceived by them, I was deceived by them!" Shui Rong roared.

It can be said that Liaodong Dusi and Andong Xingdusi are all old and cunning people. In comparison, Shui Rong is too young, so it is normal to be deceived.

At this time, someone outside the house said: "Your Majesty, Deputy Li Qianhu of the Imperial Guard is here to ask questions. Please go to the front hall immediately!"

Seeing the gloomy look on Shui Rong's face, Princess Zhao explained: "As long as you were deceived when you were bitten to death, then you just made an oversight. At most, you will be fined and issued a salary. Considering the merits of the late king, I think your majesty will not be too harsh on you." !”

"This is true according to common sense, but now those two are fighting, how can it be based on common sense?" Shui Rong lamented.

After another long sigh, Shui Rong walked out of the room, and soon he came to the front hall.

The one who came to ask questions was Li Wenzhao from Nancheng Qianhu Office, and he was also responsible for Shui Rong's house arrest.

As an outsider, after more than a year of separation, Li Wenzhao finally gained a foothold in Nancheng Qianhu Office and is now focused on his career.

"I'm asking a question, and you must answer truthfully!" Li Wenzhao looked serious.

"Yes!" Shui Rong hooked his waist, showing how humble he was now.

"Do you know Prince Li Hui of North Korea?"

"We know each other, but we just know each other, we are not very familiar with each other!"

Li Wenzhao then asked: "I don't know him well, so why did you invite him to your house so many times in the past few days?"

"Just because I learned that North Korea has good things, I plan to buy some from them to give to the old people in Beijing!"

"You only talked about this matter? Didn't you say anything else?"

"That's all I said!" Shui Rong replied calmly, because he was telling the truth.

"My lord, if you want to be given a lighter sentence, you'd better confess truthfully!" Li Wenzhao reminded him at the right time.

"I'm telling the truth!" Shui Rong replied calmly.

Li Wenzhao didn't ask any more questions. After he left, Shui Rong slumped on the chair beside him like a deflated rubber ball.

At this time, he felt extremely regretful as to why he had interacted with Li Hui before. This was completely an excuse.

But he could also think that it was precisely because he saw that he was interacting with Li Hui that King Rui designed a series of combination punches.

This also means that even if he has no contact with Li Hui, there will always be other inappropriate things, and Prince Rui can still dig holes for him again.

So the key question now is whether the prince can protect him, rather than relying on evidence to exonerate himself.

Can the prince protect himself?To be honest, I don’t have enough confidence in water-soluble products.

Shui Rong was worried about himself, but Li Hui, the North Korean prince who was also involved in the matter, was also stopped on the way back.

"We are the North Korean mission, you must not be rude!"

The speaker was Zheng Hong, the deputy envoy of the North Korean mission. He was also Li Hui's teacher. He was a relatively elegant middle-aged man.

"By order, Prince Li Hui of North Korea is invited to return to Beijing for questioning!" Baihu, the Jin Yiwei who blocked the way, said with a cold face.

This is also to blame for Li Hui's late realization. He only chose to leave the capital on the tenth day after learning that someone was impeaching Liaodong for selling arms to North Korea.

Ten days have passed, and he is still in Henan, easily stopped by Jin Yiwei.

"Question? What question?" Zheng Hong asked in a deep voice.

"You will know when you go there!"

Zheng Hong continued: "We still need to return to China as soon as possible. If the angel wants to ask questions, we can ask them now!"

The people who came were Jin Yiwei. Being taken back by these people would be very dangerous, so Zheng Hong would never go unless necessary.

Baihu, the team leader, sneered and asked immediately: "Do you want to resist the order?"

Such a big hat made Zheng Hong shut up immediately. If he continued to speak, his sin would be even greater.

"How dare foreign ministers resist the decree? We are willing to go back with the angels!"

…………

It is said that every family has its own scriptures that are difficult to recite. Shui Rong and Li Hui are in big trouble. Sun Shaozu, who has been newly married for a long time, is also bullied to the point of being out of breath.

Because he relied on the Xia family's financial resources, after marrying Xia Jingui, he almost carried Xia Jingui to the sky.

And this Xia Jingui was also aggressive. He kept Sun Shaozu under control in every aspect, restricting him from interacting with his friends, not allowing him to play with women, and even giving harsh words and blows every day, as if he wanted to subjugate him.

According to Sun Shaozu's fiery temper, it is really rare that he has been able to endure it for the past two months.

The result of what he did was that he got more than 3 taels of silver from the Xia family, all of which was spent on running for office.

It's a pity that after spending more than 3 taels of silver, he only got a false position in the Beijing camp, which almost made Sun Shaozu angry to death.

Today, he drank to relieve his worries. After drinking, he said a few words to Xia Jingui's dowry girl, and was scolded by her for nearly a quarter of an hour.

"You still imitate others and run for office. Look at your current virtues. Bah..."

"If I am not good at literature or martial arts, why am I blind and marry someone like you..."

"Shut up!" Sun Shaozu yelled angrily, with a fierce light flashing in his eyes.

He was a ruthless man who fought hard on the battlefield. At this time, he was scolding him angrily, which really scared Xia Jingui.

But then, realizing that Sun Shaozu needed help from his natal family, Xia Jingui was sure that he would not dare to do anything wrong.

"Shut up? You dare to tell me to shut up? You were not so majestic when you were trying to persuade me to go back to my parents' house to get money!"

"You are incompetent and can't get a real job, so you take it out on me. You are really..."

Before Xia Jingui could finish her words, she saw Sun Shaozu standing up and walking over. The murderous look in his eyes really frightened her.

"You...what are you going to do...don't come over..."

At this time, Sun Shaozu was extremely angry. He didn't care about the Xia family's financial resources. When he got closer, he grabbed Xia Jingui's lapel and slapped him in the face the next moment.

First there was a scream, and then Xia Jingui yelled angrily: "You bastard...you dare to hit me?"

She was greeted with the second and third slaps, during which she continued to yell and curse, but when the tenth slap fell, Xia Jingui finally knew how to beg for mercy.

"Husband, I was wrong, please spare me!"

Xia Jingui begged. At this time, both sides of her face were swollen, and bloodshot eyes overflowed from the corners of her mouth.

After slapping her hard twice, Sun Shaozu threw her to the ground and forcefully asked Bao Chan to come over.

"Watch out, not only do I want to talk to Baochan, I also want to play with her in front of you!"

After saying this, Sun Shaozu tore Baochan's clothes directly, while Xia Jingui, who was lying on the ground, did not dare to say a word.

"Raise your head and look at me!" he said angrily.So next, Xia Jingui could only raise his head in humiliation and watch Sun Shaozu live broadcast in front of him.

Sun Shaozu was a rough man, especially because he had been controlled too strictly by Xia Jingui recently, so he transformed into a beast at this time, only leaving Bao Chan with bruises all over his body.

After he vented his anger on Bao Chan, he dragged Xia Jingui into the bedroom. After that, he didn't know how to show mercy to her.

Half an hour later, he came out of the bedroom still unsatisfied. Xia Jingui in the room was sore all over that he didn't even have the strength to stand up and walk.

At this time, Sun Shaozu felt particularly depressed, so after leaving the house, he rode out of the city, intending to take a walk and have fun outside.

After leaving the city and heading north, he planned to visit the Yellow River, during which he had to pass Shanglinyuan.

Although he now has no actual position, he finally has an official position, and there is no problem in passing through Shanglinyuan.

However, as soon as he entered Shanglin Garden, he heard someone commenting that in a few days it would be time for the Northern Fourth Guard to set out, and Zhu Jinghong was inspecting the weapons of the Northern Fourth Guard.

Although he has been a coward at home recently, Sun Shaozu has been paying attention to matters in the court. He knows that Zhu Jinghong will also go to the northwest this time.

Since we met today, it would be better to go see His Highness King Xiang again. If we can ask for help from him, it would be better than staying in the capital with nothing to do... Sun Shaozu thought.

If you want to be an official, you have to be supported by a noble person. Now he has completely given up hope in using money to get an official position, which is why his temper broke out today.

After searching in Shanglinyuan for a long time, Sun Shaozu came to the place where the weapons were stored in Beisiwei, and then he waited outside obediently.

At this moment, in the armory, Zhu Jinghong was checking one by one. These are all newly produced.

The four northern guards had a total of 2 people. This time, a total of [-] muskets were urgently made to ensure timely replacement if the guns were damaged.

What is currently in the armory is the first batch of [-] made, and they are about to distribute them all to various guard posts.

As for the second batch of [-] units, they will be delivered intensively in half a month. At that time, the Ministry of Industry will urgently transport them to the northwest to ensure that the North Four Guards can complete the replacement on the road.

The third batch of [-] firecrackers will be transported to the end before the war begins, ensuring that they can be replaced in time after the Bei Siwei begins.

As for the equipment eliminated by the four northern guards, they will be taken to the northwest and handed over to the guards of the Beijing camp who have already deployed their defenses.

First, he ordered people to try out the muskets, and then Zhu Jinghong tried out the artillery. The result was quite satisfactory to him.

Surrounded by a group of generals, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "You will take the first step in a few days, and I will catch up with you later!"

He originally wanted to set off with the army, but after thinking about it, he felt that it was completely unnecessary because the army was too slow to travel.

Even if they walked for half a month first, they would only have traveled four to five hundred miles. If they rode fast, they could catch up in three or four days.

Therefore, Zhu Jinghong planned to leave after a while. On the one hand, he would spend more time with his family, and at the same time, he would also spend a few more days of filial piety in front of his mother.

It would take at least half a year for him to come back from his trip to the northwest, so he had to leave no "regrets" before leaving.

After talking with the generals for a while, Zhu Jinghong dismissed everyone and asked them to go back with their weapons.

After everyone moved into the armory, Zhu Jinghong said goodbye to everyone and led the guards out of the armory.

"Master Thirteen, Master Thirteen..."

Not far away, Zhu Jinghong heard a shout from behind him. He turned his head to look at the person who came and felt that he looked very familiar.

"My grandson Shaozu, pay your respects to the Thirteenth Master!"

Sun Shaozu got off his horse and knelt down two feet away from Zhu Jinghong. The whole process was completed in one go.

Pulling in the reins, Zhu Jinghong signaled his men not to move rashly, and then asked: "Get up... why did you remember going to Linyuan!"

"I had nothing to do but was wandering around. When I learned that the prince was here, I came here to pay my respects!" Sun Shaozu said in an extremely humble manner.

"Um!

Seeing Zhu Jinghong's mediocre response, Sun Shaozu knew that if he didn't take the initiative, today's opportunity would be wasted.

"I heard that Master Thirteen is going to the northwest?"

"Well!" Zhu Jinghong looked thoughtfully at Sun Shaozu in front of him.

"I know a lot about things in the northwest. I happen to be free at home now. If the Thirteenth Master doesn't mind it... I am willing to follow the Thirteenth Master to the northwest to answer my questions!"

Is this guy speaking too bluntly, or is he too eager to rise to the top... Zhu Jinghong was confused.

So much so that at this moment, it reminded him of the first time he met Sun Shaozu more than half a year ago. The guy's speech was also so explicit.

In fact, Sun Shaozu was also helpless. He was also worried that what he said was too subtle and would not be understood by a straight person like Zhu Jinghong.

"Well... I have to think about it again. You should go back first!"

If you accept it personally, firstly, it will make Zhu Jinghong himself very cheap, and secondly, it will make Sun Shaozu not know how to cherish it.

"Yes!" At this moment, Sun Shaozu was somewhat disappointed.

But Zhu Jinghong did not directly veto it, so there was still a chance for him. Anyway, he would continue to think of ways.

When Zhu Jinghong went to inspect the military camp, Prince Xiang's Mansion was also very lively at the moment.

Mrs. Wang and her daughter-in-law came specially to see the princess. For this reason, she even called Aunt Xue.

At Prince Xiang's Mansion, Yang Jingting, Zhen Qin and Qin Keqing were also present, and the scene was not as lively as usual.

At this time, Tan Chun was talking to Yang Jingting, Yingchun Xichun was talking to Zhen Qinkeqing, and Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue were in front of Baochai.

Wang Xifeng, who was usually very lively, was standing quietly behind Mrs. Wang, looking somewhat embarrassed.

A few days ago, the Yun family sent someone to return the money and complained to her. Only then did Wang Xifeng know that Baochai had already taken action in the Zhang family's matter.

In other words, she was going against Prince Xiang's Mansion.

Every time she thought about this incident, Wang Xifeng felt so anxious that she couldn't sleep well during this time.

She did this matter in private, so she didn't even have anyone to talk to. So now, standing in front of Baochai, she didn't even know how to apologize.

Although Baochai never showed any dissatisfaction with her from beginning to end, Wang Xifeng knew that her cousin was a rich man and would not take anything seriously.

But she knew that Zhu Jinghong would take action to solve the subsequent problems, and Baochai really didn't know.

Everyone chatted for a while, and there were some matters in the palace that the princess had to decide personally. Baochai just stood up and left. This allowed Wang Xifeng to seize the opportunity.

Not long after Baochai left, Wang Xifeng excused herself to go out, and then she stayed in the courtyard outside the palace. She only waited for Baochai to return before she stepped forward to answer.

When Baochai came to the side hall, he saw his old friend again.

"Greetings to the princess!" Cui Xiuqing stepped forward and saluted.

"No gifts!" Baochai smiled.

After Cui Xiuqing got up, Baochai sat down and asked, "I remember that you have already embarked on the road to the north. Why are you returning to Jinei now? Are you encountering some difficulties again?"

Hearing this, Cui Xiuqing felt particularly embarrassed. After all, it was enough to ask someone to help her once. It would be too snobbish to do it a second time soon after.

And her embarrassed look was instantly captured by Baochai, who made Baochai think that she had guessed it.

But this time, the situation is indeed a little different. You have to be careful how to reveal Cui Xiuqing.

"Your Majesty... This civilian girl came here because she was entrusted by someone. She has something to report to you!"

Baochai said calmly: "We are all our own people, don't be so restrained, just say whatever you want!"

"Half a month ago, Minnu's family went north. The trip was delayed because her father was sick. When they were staying at the inn, they met the North Korean envoy returning. We originally planned to go with them..."

(End of this chapter)