King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 493 Rumors arise

"Zhao Ying hasn't come back yet?"

In the military tent, Zhu Jinghong was convening the generals to discuss matters. Fan Changchun, the commander of Zhenwei Central Guard, reported the situation to him.

"Could it be that I'm trapped?" Zhu Jinghong asked with a frown.

"The person he sent back half an hour ago said that Zhao Ying has gone to arrest No. 0!" Fan Changchun replied.

By coincidence, just as Fan Changchun finished speaking, he heard noise coming from outside.

A few breaths later, a guard came into the tent and reported: "Commander, the young master of Junggar was captured alive by our people!"

"Did Zhao Ying do it?"

Zhu Jinghong is talking nonsense. Only Zhao Ying has not come back yet, and there will be no one else except him.

"Exactly!"

About ten minutes later, when there was loud sound of horse hooves outside, Zhu Jinghong knew that Zhao Ying was back.

So he immediately led the generals all the way out of the temporary camp gate.

At this time, Zhao Ying had already dismounted, and he quickly came to Zhu Jinghong.

"Commander, I am fortunate to have fulfilled my destiny and captured the young master of Junggar!"

Even though he was thirty years old and had been in battle for a long time, Zhao Ying could not restrain his excitement at this moment.

Capturing alive the general in charge of the Junggar army, and this person is also the young master of the Junggar, such a great achievement will surely make Zhao Ying rise to prominence.

Of course, what makes Zhao Ying even more fortunate is that the court now lets Zhu Jinghong lead the army.

This man has always been upright and aboveboard, never taking credit from those below him, and does not allow others to take credit indiscriminately.

If not, Zhao Ying's great achievements today would probably be said to be due to Fan Changchun's proper command, and he was just executing it.

Although there will be merit, most of it will be taken by Fan Changchun.

"Okay... very good, I want to take credit for you personally!" Zhu Jinghong laughed heartily.

When he felt at peace, Zhao Ying rushed behind him and shouted: "Bring the people here quickly!"

Soon, the tied-up Ling Ling was escorted over, with a ball of cloth stuffed in his mouth, making it impossible for him to speak and bite his tongue to commit suicide.

Zhu Jinghong was looking at Di Ling, who was also looking at him at the moment.

Just such a young boy? Just beat yourself to defeat again and again?

Although he knew that Zhu Jinghong was young, seeing him with his own eyes still made Di Ling feel incredible.

"What does it look like when your mouth is blocked!"

Zhao Ying was about to explain when he heard Zhu Jinghong continue: "I visited Jinyiwei before and they have better ways to prevent people from committing suicide..."

Seeing everyone looking at him, Zhu Jinghong smiled and said: "They took off the man's jaw and made it difficult for him to even close his mouth, let alone bite his tongue and commit suicide!"

Good guy, everyone thought that Zhu Jinghong had violated the Bodhisattva's heart, but unexpectedly, this was not a living Bodhisattva but a living King of Hell.

When everyone looked at each other, Zhu Jinghong ordered the guards beside him: "Take him down first and torture him carefully!"

"Yes!"

Regardless of the outcome of the torture, Zhu Jinghong will send the person back to Beijing, which will also make the old man happy.

"Everyone, although this battle is won, there is no guarantee that the enemy will not counterattack. You will immediately return to your headquarters and sit in battle. As long as you have nothing to do tonight, I will celebrate with you tomorrow!"

Zhu Jinghong is also very cautious, but his caution is very different from Ning Huanxiang. It is obvious that his behavior is more popular.

Under his order, the generals left one after another.

They were very busy when they returned, and so was Zhu Jinghong, who continued to pay attention to the reports sent back from all directions.

In the end, Zhu Jinghong was overly concerned. The Junggar army did not attack, and the night passed very quietly.

The intelligence on the next day showed that Junggar's defeated troops retreated a hundred miles away, and then gradually began to be gathered together.

On the fourth day of September, the Ming army did not continue to move forward. Zhu Jinghong specially ordered a rest and at the same time held a celebration banquet for each guard.

While the banquet was in progress, the good news had already been announced and it was rushed to the capital at a speed of 800 miles.

Now that the enemy is far away and is basically no longer a threat, Zhu Jinghong plans to rest where he is for two days before continuing to break camp and head north.

On September 15th, the twelfth year of Zhengtong, news of the frontline's victory once again spread back to Beijing.

After learning that another good news came from the northwest, the people of the capital took another turn to help Zhu Jinghong maintain top-notch treatment.

As a top-notch person, it will definitely become a topic of conversation after dinner. If there are too many topics, it is easy to get sidetracked.

For example, at the end of an alley somewhere, someone was discussing the issue of Zhu Jinghong's heirs.

We have been married for more than a year, and it’s fine that the princess is not pregnant. None of the women in the palace are pregnant. This is obviously an abnormal situation.

No one would suspect that Zhu Jinghong would have physical problems, so under the guidance of thoughtful people, the finger was pointed at Princess Xue Baochai.

"I think there is a high probability that this matter has something to do with Princess Xiang!"

"When the princess is the head of the family, all the women in the house must look up to her. I'm afraid the princess won't be able to give birth to a child... and no one else will be allowed to have a child!"

"Prince Xiang, will you allow her to act like this?"

"Prince Xiang is so outspoken, how could he think of such nonsense!"

"That's right!"

"Do you think... could it be given by the man from the East Palace?"

"Who is in the east palace?"

"Don't you know that the current Crown Princess is Princess Xiang's aunt and cousin?"

"There is still this relationship..."

"With the support of the Crown Princess, Princess Xiang can really do whatever she wants..."

Similar rumors can be found in every corner of the capital, and they became popular in just ten days.

Jumping off the horse, Jia Yun stood outside the wall and listened carefully for a while, and suddenly felt unknown in her heart.

So he looked at his entourage and ordered: "Go to the patrol officers of the Military and Horse Department immediately and ask them to take away these gossips!"

King Xiang Zhu Jinghong was kind to him, and Princess Xiang was also a kind and dignified person, but she was randomly arranged by some market scoundrels. How could Jia Yun endure this?

He has "reported" this matter several times in the past two days, and at least fifty people have been sent to prison by him.

Are these people really just too full and have nothing to do, so they make up the plans?

In the current context of Zhu Jinghong's consecutive victories, Jia Yun has every reason to suspect that someone is definitely causing trouble behind the scenes.

Soon, people from the Five Cities Military and Horse Division rushed over, and all these people who were talking nonsense were sent to prison.

Watching this scene from a distance, Jia Yun felt a little better, then got on her horse and drove towards Rongguo Mansion.

When I got home, I heard a servant report that Mr. Ni from next door had been here.

Jia Yun quickly ordered: "Go and invite him over!"

If it were in the past, Jia Yun would definitely have come to find him, but now his status is different after all, so he can only act according to the rules.

It's not that he wants to show off, but if he lowers his posture too low, Ni Er will feel particularly uncomfortable and uncomfortable.

"Yun'er, I've already made an agreement with the matchmaker and decided on the eldest girl of the Liu family. His father is a member of the Taiping Ninth Year. This is by no means an insult to you!"

While Jia Yun was thinking, his mother Bu's voice sounded, bringing him back to reality.

"Mom, my son doesn't have the mind to care about this right now..." Jia Yun hesitated as usual.

"There are three types of unfilial piety, the greatest is not having an offspring..." Mr. Bu began to lecture.

Yes, there are three unfilial piety, the worst of which is not having an heir. If all the concubines in the palace have nothing to do, it will be difficult to avoid rumors...

Jia Yun is also really loyal and is still considering going to Prince Weixiang's palace at this time.

Seeing that her son was distracted, Mrs. Bu, who was talking endlessly, stopped, picked up the feather duster on the side, and hit Jia Yun twice.

"Did you hear what mother said?"

Jia Yun was about to stall when someone outside reported that "Master Ni" was here. "Mom... my son has gone to have guests!"

"Then I'll call your uncle over and discuss the betrothal gift together!"

Hearing this, Jia Yun stopped again and said, "Mom, I have my own opinion on this matter, so don't worry!"

"When my son succeeds in his career, wouldn't it be better if I marry you an official lady?"

Jia Yun has mastered the matter of prevaricating her own mother, and now she has also mastered the skill of "painting cakes".

After a few perfunctory words, Jia Yun hurried to the outer hall. At this time, Ni Er had also arrived in the hall.

"Second Master is here!"

Seeing Jia Yun appear, Ni Er stepped forward to greet her.

Although Jia Yun is easy-going and easy-going towards others, he has an official status after all, and he has a rather calm and self-assertive style, which makes fierce men like Ni Er feel particularly humble at this time.

"Sit down!" Jia Yun waved her hand.

After Jia Yun sat down, Ni Er followed suit.

Picking up the tea cup, Jia Yunsui asked: "Second brother, do you have any clues about what I have asked you to do these two days?"

"What the second master told me is, how dare I not inquire carefully? I have been to the east city, south city, and west city in the past two days, and everyone on the ground..."

This is how they talk about each other. One calls the other "brother" and the other calls the other "ye".

After Ni Er introduced a lot of things, Jia Yunfang, who frowned and thought, said, "So... someone is really causing trouble behind your back?"

Nodding, Ni Er replied: "Although there are some new faces, my friends on the ground don't care, otherwise if we catch a few of them, we can ask them clearly!"

Jia Yun quickly reminded: "Don't...just notice it. Don't arrest people, otherwise you will get into trouble!"

"Who dares to cause trouble when working for Prince Xiang?" Ni Erhun said nonchalantly.

Ni Er emphasized the four words "Give it to Prince Xiang", which made him quite proud. In the past two days, he had straightened his back a lot when doing things.

There is no way, Zhu Jinghong is the only prince, and he is now the pillar of the empire with consecutive battles and victories, and his status has reached the pinnacle.

He, Ni Eryi, was a reckless person. Although he was very capable on the road, in front of Prince Xiang's Mansion, he was really not as good as a fool.

Not to mention working for Prince Xiang, he knelt outside the palace for three days without even being able to see the eunuch in charge.

Seeing that Ni Er was too proud, Jia Yun reminded him at the right time: "After all, it involves royal affairs. A little carelessness can lead to death and destruction of the family. You must not act rashly!"

Seeing that Jia Yun was serious, Ni Er did not dare to take it lightly. He leaned closer and asked, "Is it really so dangerous?"

To be honest, the internal struggle of the royal family is too far away from ordinary people. Even if we can imagine that it is very dangerous, it is difficult for us to put ourselves into it, so Ni Er's reaction is normal.

"Second brother, actually, I shouldn't involve you in this matter!"

After saying that, Jia Yun stood up and paced back and forth. When Ni Er didn't understand the reason, she listened in front of him and said solemnly: "Brother Ni, it's still too late for you to withdraw. You'd better not get involved in this matter!"

"Second Master? Am I, Ni Er, an eggless person? Can these things scare me?"

Standing up as well, Ni Er said: "I understand what Second Master means, and I will shake my mind today..."

"Second Master, how many people can have a good death if I wander around in the Tao like this?"

"I'm sure I'll offend someone one day. It's the same as death without a burial. It's the same as death... Why don't I go for a better future!"

"The second master fell in love with Prince Xiang, and now he has a serious official status. It is not an exaggeration to say that he has reached the sky in one step..."

Listening to Ni Er's blunt words, Jia Yun realized that he still didn't know enough about his neighbor.

But when he thought about it, he felt that it was normal. Who in this world can really understand anyone.

"Now that the second master has given me the opportunity, I also want to find a way out, and I ask the second master to help me!" Ni Er fully expressed his thoughts.

The two looked at each other for a while, Jia Yun sighed, and then said: "Forget it, since my second brother has made up his mind, I won't persuade you more!"

"But you must remember my words, you can only investigate secretly, and never act rashly!"

"Don't worry, Master Er!" Ni Er replied.

…………

When Ni Er was visiting Jia Yun, a sedan fell outside the Qianhu Residence of Jinyiwei Nancheng on the other side.

After a few breaths, a man with a white face and no beard walked out of it with a gloomy face.

This person's name is Song Yan, a eunuch in charge of Zhang Ping'an. He is just a small figure in Prince Xiang's Mansion, but he has become so famous after leaving the Prince's Mansion.

Jinyiwei Nancheng's Thousand Households Residence is a place that ordinary people avoid, but when they saw the sedan that appeared, the captain on duty immediately came to greet it.

"Father, why are you here!" Xiaoqiguan stepped forward to talk.

Of course he didn't recognize Song Yan, but he recognized the sign of Prince Xiang's Mansion on Song Yan's sedan chair. This was called looking at the Buddha's face without looking at the monk's face.

Ignoring the little flag official's flattery, Song Yan asked coldly: "Is Wang Jiyang in the Yamen?"

Wang Jiyang is one of the thousands of households in Nancheng. At this time, Song Yan called him by his first name, which seemed somewhat impolite.

"exist!"

Song Yan tightened his cloak on his shoulders and asked, "The other two are there too?"

The other two he refers to are the two deputy Qianhu.

"Reply to father-in-law, everyone is here!"

"Take me to see Wang Jiyang, and also ask the two deputy Qianhu to come over!"

After instructing his men to pass on the message, the flag officer on duty greeted him with a smile: "Father-in-law, please!"

After Song Yan and his entourage left, they heard a school captain talking: "I'm just a small steward of Prince Xiang's Mansion, and he's making such a big deal..."

"Say less. If he hears you, you will feel better!"

"Master Qianhu will be angry with him for a while, let's just endure it!"

When everyone was talking in low voices, someone scolded: "Shut up, everyone, what are you talking about?"

The person who came over was a general, the boss of their boss.

"Yes!" Everyone bowed in response.

Let's say that when Song Yan entered the lobby, Wang Jiyang, who had received the news, had already greeted him.

Although Song Yan was just an ordinary steward of Prince Xiang's Mansion, Wang Jiyang did not dare to offend him easily, not to mention that he was here on behalf of Prince Xiang's Mansion.

"Eunuch Song, you have come a long way to meet us, but you are disappointed!"

Song Yan finally softened his attitude towards Wang Jiyang and said with a smile: "Wang Qianhu, you are busy with everything, I thought I would never see you!"

"My father-in-law, what you said really upset me. No matter how busy I am, I still have to see you!"

While answering, Wang Jiyang asked Song Yan to sit down, and the latter also motioned for him to sit with him.

They both sat down in the guest seats, and then the captain brought tea.

Song Yan took a breath of hot air, then looked at the captain waiting outside the door, and said calmly: "Wang Qianhu, let's talk... we don't have to be waited on!"

"All of you, get down!" Wang Jiyang didn't hesitate.

After everyone retreated, before Song Yan could speak, Wang Jiyang asked, "Eunuch, what are your orders from Eunuch Zhang?"

Whether it was Zhang Ping'an's order or the princess's order was two different things for Wang Jiyang, and he had to adjust his language and attitude accordingly.

Song Yan understood Wang Jiyang's thoughts, so he did not answer directly, but reminded: "Wang Qianhu, everyone on the left and right is helping the palace, why do you need to ask so clearly!"

"Does it mean that the princess has to personally give instructions to ask you to help?"

Before Wang Jiyang could answer, Song Yan continued: "The princess has been upset these past two days. If these words reach her, you will be in trouble!"

This damn eunuch... Wang Jiyang cursed in his heart.

But then he smiled and said: "Eunuch Song... look at what you said, I was just asking casually!"

(End of this chapter)