King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 605 Brother-in-law, you are back
Ye Hemingen took the military stick by himself, and he became much more at ease, which subsequently led to the rest of the Jurchen tribes becoming more honest.

Zhu Jinghong issued an order yesterday, requiring all ministries to stop all attacks and harassment. Even the most thorny Jurchens were suppressed, which helped North Korea restore order.

Under the auspices of Zhu Jinghong, the plan for the Ming Dynasty's ministries to evacuate North Korea was also put on the agenda.

The final result of the agreement was that 2,000 infantry troops would be left in the Andong capital division, 3,000 infantry troops would be left in the Liaodong capital division, and 1,000 cavalry troops would be left in the Yehe tribe and Haixi province, for a total of 7,000 troops stationed in Seoul.

Qi Yanze, the commander of the Andong Xingdu Division, stayed behind and was specifically responsible for commanding the remaining troops and cooperating with Gao Zhiwen, the Minister of War, to correct North Korea.

This is just a plan, and it has to be reported to the emperor for approval, so it will have to wait for the decree to be implemented, but that will be at least a month later.

Zhu Jinghong, on the other hand, had decided to leave for Beijing at the end of October. He originally planned to leave on the 25th, but there were too many things that he couldn't get away from.

In order to stay, generals such as Dong Ebu of the Huifa Department approached Zhu Jinghong many times to express their feelings, but they were still rejected by the latter.

The reason is very simple. The remaining Yehe tribe and the western part of the sea are nearly a thousand miles away from North Korea. It will not be too big to stay in North Korea.

In addition to wrangling the issue of garrisoning troops, Zhu Jinghong also convened several discussions on how North Korea should supply military rations, how to disband its troops, and how to punish rebels.

Only Gao Zhiwen and the capital commander were qualified to speak to Zhu Jinghong, and only Chen Taimin in North Korea was qualified to come forward.

When he came up with this idea and changed his perspective, Gao Zhiwen realized how great Zhu Jinghong's advantage was. Maybe this man could really become emperor.

This means that when you think of Touxiang, the sky and the earth will be widened in an instant.

Fading his smile, Zhu Jinghong said: "As you wish, I won't take the North Korean Crown Princess back with her!"

Seeing that Zhu Jinghong didn't answer, Gao Zhiwen continued: "I know about this, the officials in North Korea will know about it, and people in the court will also know about it!"

"Master Gao, do you have anything else to say?" Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile.

Jin Youyan was left behind, but the ten singing girls sent by Li Hui left with the team.

"Secondly, she is the wife of a foreign minister, and now she is insulted at will by His Highness. How do the chieftains and alliances of the vassals feel? Don't you think that a big country is bullying the weak by relying on its strength, and has no magnificence of the heavenly kingdom!"

The reason why Gao Zhiwen said so much was because he also learned the news that some people in the court were dissatisfied with him because he did not give Zhu Jinghong a stumbling block.

The current Minister of War is less than sixty. Hearing Zhu Jinghong say this, Gao Zhiwen showed an embarrassed smile.

Gao Zhiwen replied: "Your Majesty's country is Qiancheng, how can I sit back and watch others frame me!"

Gao Zhiwen continued: "I heard that Your Highness took away a woman from the Joseon Palace. This person is the Crown Princess of Joseon. Is it true?"

"Master Gao, do your best in Korea. Among all the officials in the ministries and agencies in the DPRK, no one is more suitable than you to succeed the Minister of War!"

In the 13th year of Orthodoxy, October 28th, North Gate of Seoul.

"Your Highness, please lend me a moment to speak!"

"Your Highness knows that there are many people in the imperial court who are looking for an opportunity to impeach you, and these people will do whatever it takes. Why would Your Highness want to give someone a hand?"

In this case, he might as well directly attach himself to King Xiang.

The two exchanged a few more polite words, and then the conversation ended.

"Your Highness is wise!"

At this point, Gao Zhiwen raised his hands and saluted: "All of these are serious mistakes. They are not in line with His Majesty's bravery and integrity, and will also be criticized and impeached by the courtiers. Your Majesty should deal with it carefully!"

After a few breaths of silence and careful consideration, Gao Zhiwen said: "I do have something that I don't understand, and I would like to ask Your Highness to clarify it!"

Zhu Jinghong sighed and replied: "Sir's words really moved me, but it's rare for someone to say this to me!"

As expected of a veteran with a well-established career and a long career in officialdom, Gao Zhiwen's words were so profound that Zhu Jinghong was convinced.

Zhu Jinghong was stunned for a moment, then motioned Gao Zhiwen to go aside.

"Hey...how can this be called promotion? It's a fact that you are capable!"

"Oh?"

The skill of drawing cakes has almost become Zhu Jinghong's instinct, but this method can indeed bring people closer together.

"Hahaha...thank you, thank you!"

After Zhu Jinghong boarded the carriage, he ordered Yu Hai to send someone to place Jin Youyan properly.

In other words, even if he doesn't want to admit it, people still think that he is a member of King Xiang's party, and they must try their best to deal with him.

This woman has been serving her in various ways during this period, and Zhu Jinghong will not take advantage of her in vain, so he will properly arrange her, at least she will not be held accountable in the subsequent liquidation.

The generals of the Ming army and the Jurchen generals, as well as the civil and military ministers of North Korea, all came to the city gate to bid farewell to Zhu Jinghong.

But he understood what Zhu Jinghong meant, so he replied: "Your Highness really praises me!"

Jin Youyan is really fun, and Zhu Jinghong is willing to accept it, so he is in his motorcade.

Except for Wang Pei'an, the chief historian, no civil servant had ever put himself in his shoes so much, which surprised Zhu Jinghong.

After the two of them walked aside, Zhu Jinghong smiled and asked, "Master Gao, what advice do you have?"

After saying their final goodbyes, everyone took a step back, except Gao Zhiwen who seemed hesitant to speak.

He is not afraid of criticism from courtiers, but if he is said to have been promiscuous in the Korean harem, which will damage his image as an upright warrior, and even cause "bad international reviews", he will have to pay more attention.

"If it is an ordinary woman, His Highness can just want her, but the Crown Princess of North Korea is the wife of a sinner. Is it legal for Your Highness to include her in the palace?"

"you say!"

By this time, there was no need to talk about anything real, all that was said were polite farewell words.

Zhu Jinghong didn't know this yet. After all, he had too many things to do every day. Yu Hai mentioned that he didn't take it to heart.

In a carriage in the middle of the team, Park Jinying looked at the city in the distance, tears falling unconsciously from the corners of her eyes.

She had just learned that her family was gone two days ago, and now she was leaving the place where she was born and raised. It was no wonder that the two kinds of sadness were superimposed on her and she was sad.

But in fact, the so-called absence of her family was completely deceived by North Korean officials, just so that she could serve Zhu Jinghong wholeheartedly. It was only because Zhu Jinghong glanced at her more that night.

As for the other nine people, it was not so miserable, because these people were from the two classes of nobles, and their families were very supportive of them going to the Ming Dynasty.

The days on the road are boring. These ten young girls also became good sisters on the road and vowed to work together to share weal and woe.

Among them, Park Zhenying made the best friend, a girl named Li Huizhen, whose father was an official in Licao Banshu.

After walking for seven consecutive days, Zhu Jinghong's motorcade entered Liaodong. Then Zhu Jinghong rushed to Jinzhou. Next, he would rush along the coast to Peiping.

November 12, Jinzhou.

Since the war has ceased, peace has generally returned to Jinzhou. When they learned that Zhu Jinghong would be returning in the next two days, the officials of Jinzhou Prefecture were busy welcoming him.

In the Xue family's mansion in Fucheng, several women are also busy at the moment.

Zhen Qin was wondering what to wear tomorrow, Nuo Min was thinking about how to tie Zhu Jinghong, and Zhang Xiaoyue repeatedly adjusted her body to perform a newly practiced piece for Zhu Jinghong.

As for Baoqin, as before, the local gentry who were good friends with the Xue family all sent their daughters over and gathered here at this time.

The idea of ​​these people is very simple. They plan to try their luck again. If their daughter can be favored by Zhu Jinghong, their family will avoid dozens or even hundreds of years of detours.

Different from the last time, the girl who comes this time is very clear about her tasks, so she will do her best to achieve her goals. If you want to stay with Zhu Jinghong, the first thing you have to do is to go along with him, so these people all come to ask Baoqin.

At first, Bao Qin told the story with all her heart, but later she found out that these people had impure motives, and she didn't want to say any more.

But these people kept asking, which really made her feel extremely annoyed, so she simply hid in the attic alone.

He held his face with his hands and looked toward the northeast, which was the direction Zhu Jinghong came back from.

"Brother-in-law...why haven't you arrived yet!"

As the saying goes, "It used to be difficult to change the sea." Although this metaphor is not appropriate, the truth contained in it is the same.

When meeting such a dazzling man as Zhu Jinghong, Bao Qin couldn't tolerate others in her heart.

At first, Bao Qin lied to herself, thinking that Zhu Jinghong was just a good friend with whom we could talk.

But as the separation time got longer, the longing and pain in her heart accumulated more and more, eventually forcing her to face her true heart and admit that she really fell in love with Zhu Jinghong.

Normally, a martial artist like Zhu Jinghong could not be Baoqin's favorite person, but there was no reason to talk about feelings.

Baochai, Daiyu, Yang Jingting, Yingchun... all fell into the same trap, and Baoqin just made the same mistake again.

"It's just that he is my brother-in-law. Is it really okay for me to have such thoughts?" Baoqin asked herself in her heart.

She is only two or three years younger than Baochai. It can be said that the two grew up together and have a very close relationship in private.

During the days when Baochai returned from the capital and waited for Zhu Jinghong to marry, she spent her last girlhood with her sister.

Now she has to pester her husband, which makes Baoqin feel somewhat guilty. In her opinion, this is an immoral thing.

Just as she was suffering in her heart, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from downstairs. A few breaths later, Baoqin's mother, Xue Chen, came upstairs.

"Mother..." Baoqin stood up and saluted.

Mrs. Xue Chen walked up to her daughter and pulled her to sit on the chair together. Seeing Bao Qin's frown, she asked.

Of course Baoqin would not tell the truth, so he found some excuses to excuse her, but Xue Chen didn't notice anything strange.

The mother and daughter chatted for a while, and finally Xue Chen revealed the purpose of her trip.

"Girl, your father asked my mother to discuss something with you!" Xue Chen said with a troubled face.

"Mom, if you have anything to say, just say it!" Bao Qin replied.

"Your father said... you two brothers haven't established a family business yet, and now His Highness Prince Xiang is visiting. This is an opportunity..."

In fact, these words were not what Xue Qi meant, but what Baoqin's two brothers encouraged Xue Chen to say.

For their own future and for their sister to find a good home, the two brothers came up with this idea.

"Opportunity?" Baoqin was curious.

Although she is smart, she has little experience in the world, so she does not understand the deep meaning of her mother's words.

Xue Chen could only go further: "If you can win the favor of King Xiang, it will be a great good thing for you and your father and brother!"

Having said this, Baoqin finally understood.

She was in a strange mood at the moment. She felt that it was immoral for her mother to cling to Zhu Jinghong, but she also hoped that she could say more words at this time.

After all, this is her own mother, and it is only natural for her daughter to follow her arrangements. This can allow Bao Qin to reduce the moral burden on Bao Chai.

"Mom, what do you mean..."

This girl usually seems smart, but she still doesn't understand why I have reached this point...Xue Chen is very anxious.

"What mother means is that since His Highness Prince Xiang likes it, why don't you try to go to the capital with him, so that you can also visit your sister Baochai!"

"Oh..." Baoqin lowered her head, she was afraid that her joy would be discovered.

Mrs. Xue Chen thought she was embarrassed, so she tried to explain to her daughter.

After being indoctrinated by her, Bao Qin finally got over the hurdle in her heart and asked her last doubt.

"Mom, if I follow my brother-in-law, I'm afraid Sister Baochai will be unhappy!"

Hearing this question, Mrs. Xue Chen couldn't help laughing, and then said: "Girl... why do you think so!"

"Those positions in the palace are given to others, so why not give it to your dearest cousin, Princess!"

"Seriously?" Baoqin still didn't believe it.

"Why should I lie to you!" Xue Chen said helplessly.

Hearing this, Baoqin's biggest worry disappeared. At this moment, she felt relieved and her mood suddenly became particularly good.

Seeing that Bao Qin still didn't speak, Xue Chen asked: "Girl Qin, what do you think?"

"I...I...I listen to my parents' orders!" Baoqin muttered.

This made Mrs. Xue Chen very happy, and she immediately said: "Girl... if you think so, that would be great!"

"Honestly, how can an ordinary man with your character and appearance be worthy of you? Serving His Highness Prince Xiang is the best place to end up!"

These words made Baoqin even more shy. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer, so he could only sit where he was.

After Mrs. Xue Chen left, Bao Qin, who had completely thrown away her burdens, was in a relaxed mood and had a smile in her eyes all day long.

On November 13, Zhu Jinghong's team arrived in Jinzhou and received a warm welcome outside the city.

No matter how the court belittled him, he was always the prince of the Ming Dynasty and a hero in pacifying North Korea, so the local officials of Jinzhou did not dare to neglect him.

Zhu Jinghong really had no interest in just talking nonsense to these people, so he entered the city without long delay, and then stayed at Xue's house as usual.

"My lord, you are finally back. I am worried about you!"

When Zhu Jinghong entered the room, Zhen Qin was the first to come over, so Zhu Jinghong took him into his arms and measured his body.

"Your Majesty, you are here, you have made great achievements in battle... Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Nuo Min stepped forward to talk.

As for Zhang Xiaoyue, because she has no status for the time being, she can only stand outside the door.

At this time, Baoqin came outside the house. Because she was the princess's cousin, she could come and go freely in this heavily guarded mansion.

Unlike Zhang Xiaoyue, Bao Qin entered the house directly and attracted Zhu Jinghong's attention in an instant.

This made Baoqin feel a little shy, but still asked with joy: "Brother-in-law, you are back!"

This was Baoqin's innermost thoughts. As soon as the words came out, she realized something was wrong. After all, the meaning of these words was too explicit.

For a moment, Zhen Qin changed her color and Nuo Min looked sideways. Bao Qin immediately lowered her head shyly.

Baoqin, Baoqin, you are a serious girl after all. You have been taught by your family for so many years, how could you say something so frivolous... Baoqin scolded herself in her heart.

Seeing his sister-in-law's pretentious look, Zhu Jinghong felt it was particularly eye-catching, so he asked softly with a smile: "Girl, it seems you miss your brother-in-law very much!"

(End of this chapter)