King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 666 Night Detective
"Your Majesty, what a coincidence! I just arrived in Yingtian and you are back!"

Yang Jingting had a bright smile on her face. She was indeed very happy at this moment because Zhu Jinghong now belonged to her alone.

Zhang Xiaoyue, Li Huizhen and others who came with her were insignificant characters without even a rank, so how could they be qualified to be compared with her, a concubine.

When Yang Jingting approached to salute, Zhu Jinghong helped her up and said, "You've worked hard all the way here!"

Yang Jingting raised her head slightly, her eyes full of admiration as she said, "Thinking that there is no one to take care of Your Majesty, I wish I could fly to Your Majesty's side!"

Zhu Jinghong smiled slightly, then held her hand and walked inside, saying, "Have you had lunch?"

Leaning on Zhu Jinghong's shoulder, Yang Jingting replied: "I am just waiting for the prince to come back. I don't have the heart to eat alone!"

"Whether I come back or not, you still have to eat. Don't starve..."

"Without the prince coming back, all the delicacies from the mountains and the sea are tasteless!"

The two chatted as they went into the inner house, where the food had already been prepared.

After having lunch with Yang Jingting, Zhu Jinghong originally planned to have a good sleep, but another military report was delivered, so Zhu Jinghong had to get busy with business first.

In fact, this kind of situation happens a lot. Now that he is in charge of military affairs in the southeast, many things need his approval, so being busy has become the norm.

Yang Jingting was ready to rest with Zhu Jinghong, but now that he was gone she was very disappointed and could only take off her pajamas and put on her home robes again.

She was just disappointed. Zhu Jinghong belonged to her alone now. If he couldn't work at noon, there was plenty of time at night.

There were a lot of official documents submitted. After reading and signing them for a while, two hours had passed and it was dinner time again.

After chatting with Zhang Xiaoyue and others for an entire afternoon, Yang Jingting adjusted her state. The originally elegant and noble concubine of the royal palace now became charming and seductive.

Zhu Jinghong is not a saint. He has been very busy during this period, let alone eating meat.

Being alone with Yang Jingting at this moment, he could not bear her like this and even thought about our respective postures in his mind.

The two finished their dinner. Just as Yang Jingting was pulling Zhu Jinghong into the inner room to have a deeper conversation, Yu Hai appeared outside again and reported that the Southern Pacification Office had military intelligence to report.

Zhu Jinghong had no choice but to leave again as he couldn't delay his business at all, so Yang Jingting was left alone in the empty room again.

At this moment, she hated the people in Jinling Qianhu Suo, but in the end all she could do was sulk and then find a maid to chat with her.

When Zhu Jinghong arrived at the front hall, two people came to pay him a visit. They were Jia Zhiping, a captain of the Northern Division's Jinling Commandery, and Lu Tao, a captain of the Southern Division's Commandery.

The latter was the main reporter, reporting on the situation of the Spanish troops stationed in Luzon.

According to various descriptions, the general meaning is that the Spanish fleet is forcibly recruiting local people to expand the docks and military camps.

This shows that Spain is determined to confront the Ming Dynasty and is planning to mobilize other fleets to help and completely subdue the Ming Dynasty.

This means that fighting with Spain will be a long-term undertaking, and if the Ming Dynasty does not inflict severe damage to the enemy, they will continue to attack it.

"Can we find a diplomatic solution?"

While the two Jinyiwei continued to analyze the situation, Zhu Jinghong had this idea.

The so-called diplomatic approach, of course, was not to make peace with the Spaniards, but to unite with his opponents to confront them.

Who are the Spaniards competing with?

The question is very simple. The countries that can send troops to Asia are in competition with each other.

According to the information Zhu Jinghong learned, in the Indonesian area today, in addition to the Spanish, there are also the Portuguese and the Dutch, but the latter two occupy less territory.

"Find a way to contact the Portuguese and the Dutch and tell them that the Ming Dynasty is willing to join forces with them to drive the Spanish away!"

Of course, this matter has to be handled by Lu Tao, after all, he is responsible for overseas affairs.

"I will go down and think of a solution!" Lu Tao replied.

He could only try to find a way, but he couldn't guarantee whether he could accomplish it.

After all, the ocean is vast, the transmission of information is slow, and the slightest carelessness can result in the destruction of the ship and the death of people. In addition, there is little contact with the Portuguese and the Dutch, so every point is full of difficulties.

"Just do your best!" That's all Zhu Jinghong could say.

These are all external forces. The truly effective way is to build a strong navy so that we will not be afraid of threats from the ocean.

After the two men left, Zhu Jinghong thought for a while alone, and then picked up his pen to write a memorial, the main content of which was to ask the emperor to approve silver to build ships and recruit soldiers.

By the time he finished writing, night had already fallen.

Just as he was longing for the land of gentleness, he suddenly saw many lotus flowers blooming in the water tank outside the window.

Lotus is the gentleman among flowers!

This reminded him of Daiyu, so he asked Yu Hai who was standing to one side, "I asked you to go to the Lin family a few days ago. How is the situation?"

"In reply to your Majesty, I went to see her and asked if your Majesty had asked Miss Lin how she was!"

"Master Lin looks haggard and his breath is weak. I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left!"

"Miss Lin serves me all day long, and she looks a little haggard. And..."

"What is it?" Zhu Jinghong asked with a frown.

"It's the Lin family. They seem to be fighting for the family property. They have been making a fuss in recent days. Two days ago, they even wanted to force Miss Lin to discuss the matter and divide up the Lin family's property!"

Zhu Jinghong cared so much about the Lin family that even Xia Yuegui knew to send people to keep an eye on them. Yu Hai did not dare to be negligent in the slightest and specially sent several people to stay around the Lin family to keep track of the news and report.

Upon hearing the news he reported, Zhu Jinghong's face instantly turned cold. Even Yu Hai, a eunuch who served him personally, was frightened and broke out in cold sweats.

"You just watch them make a fuss?" Zhu Jinghong's eyes were sharp.

Yu Hai was almost frightened to death, and quickly replied tremblingly: "I was planning to intervene, but the master of the Xue family took action and scolded those people away at the Lin family!"

"Master Xue?"

Yu Hai quickly explained: "He is the princess's brother!"

Zhu Jinghong really didn't believe that Xue Pan could do such a thing.

"He has been muddle-headed for so many years, but now he is finally doing something useful!"

Yu Hai didn't dare to respond to this. Now that Zhu Jinghong had calmed down, he didn't plan to say anything more.

After a few moments of silence in the room, Zhu Jinghong said, "Get ready right away. I'm going to the Lin family!"

"Going tonight?" Yu Hai was a little surprised.

"if not?"

Zhu Jinghong also knew that this was not a good idea, so he continued to instruct: "Be low-key, and make arrangements quickly. I'll give you half an hour!"

"Yes!"

In fact, the most troublesome thing about this matter is Zhu Jinghong’s safety, and other things are secondary.

There was only half an hour left, so Yu Hai didn't dare to delay at all. He hurried outside to find Lu Yuxin to discuss the situation.

That’s right, the captain who followed Zhu Jinghong to Jinling this time and was in charge of his personal guards was none other than Lu Yuxin, a native of Jinling.

Lu Yuxin was very professional in this matter. He quickly made a plan and asked Yu Hai to send people to various government offices to pass on the message.

The soldiers of the Jinling Thousand Households Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Imperial Palace Guard Division, and the Yingtian Thousand Households Division all moved after receiving the order.

This is the most urgent order, and no one dares to delay even a moment.

In less than half an hour, more than 1,500 soldiers from various government offices rushed to Zhu Jinghong's residence and the road he was about to pass. Although there was no curfew system, there were not many people at night, so this action would not alarm too many people.

Of course, where Zhu Jinghong was going could not be hidden from the high-ranking officials in Nanjing, and Zhu Jinghong didn't care much about it.

Although his going to the Lin family might seem like a sign of being close to the literati, Lin Ruhai was also a half-loyal subject, so it wouldn't be a big problem.

At about 8 o'clock in the evening, Zhu Jinghong officially set off for the Lin family.

Back at the Lin family, after helping her father drink the medicine, Daiyu went back to her boudoir with a sad heart.

Sitting alone in front of the mirror, she took out a sachet from her bosom. It was the one Zhu Jinghong gave her three years ago. Later she learned that it was made by Baochai herself.

Thinking back to the time when she almost threw this thing away, Daiyu rarely smiled.

"Only he could do this. Fortunately, Sister Bao is generous, otherwise none of the sisters would be able to do this!"

While she was muttering, a maid came outside the house. Zijuan hurried out to greet her, fearing that this person would affect Daiyu's good mood.

After this person whispered the situation, Zijuan almost thought she had misheard.

"You're not kidding?"

"How dare I joke about this? It's really the Prince Xiang who has come. The guards have already entered the mansion, and everyone in the mansion has gone to the cross courtyard to avoid it. So let me inform the young lady!"

Upon hearing this, Zijuan knew that this was true, so she turned around and ran into the house.

"Girl, good news...good news!"

Turning back to see Zijuan looking delighted, Daiyu asked in surprise, "What good news?"

"Master Thirteen is here!"

"Who did you say is here?" Daiyu stood up straight away, seeming a little unconvinced.

Zijuan came to Daiyu and said with a smile, "It's really the Thirteenth Master. Go and greet him, young lady!"

"He...really came?"

"Ok!"

"Why is he here?" Daiyu looked puzzled.

Pushing Daiyu out of the house, Zijuan said anxiously, "Oh, my girl... no matter why he came, it's a good thing, you should go and greet him!"

"Wait a minute... I look haggard and my clothes are in disarray. I still need to tidy myself up!"

In fact, even though Daiyu wears no makeup and wears simple clothes, she still has an extraordinary and captivating temperament.

So, when Zijuan saw that Daiyu still needed to dress up, she was very confused, but she had no choice but to help her.

Women dress up to please themselves...it is indeed a very simple truth.

Zhu Jinghong's sedan chair was carried directly from the Lin family's gate into the inner courtyard, and then he walked out leisurely.

Lu Yuxin followed behind him, with ten heavily-armored guards on each side, surrounding Zhu Jinghong in the middle.

As for the yard, only the guards could be seen, and no one from the Lin family could be seen.

Zhu Jinghong was a little disappointed that Daiyu did not show up, but he was not too anxious, as good things are worth waiting for.

"Let's go see Mr. Lin first!" Zhu Jinghong said calmly.

This was also a step in his original plan, so everything was ready.

In Lin Ruhai's room, the three servants of the Lin family were allowed to stay. At this moment, there were only four more eunuchs and two more guards guarding the door.

Before entering the house, Zhu Jinghong smelled a strong scent of Chinese medicine in the yard.

When he entered the room and came to Lin Ruhai's bed and saw his real condition of being skin and bones, Zhu Jinghong was still shocked.

I remember the last time I saw him, he just looked unwell, but he still had the elegant demeanor of a scholar. I never thought he would look like this now.

"Oh..." Zhu Jinghong sighed.

But at this moment, Lin Ruhai slowly opened his eyes and saw a tall figure standing in front of the bed. However, due to the dim light and the degeneration of his eyesight, he could not see Zhu Jinghong's face clearly.

"Who...who?" Lin Ruhai breathed weakly.

The servants of the Lin family were now trembling with fear, kneeling on the ground unable to utter a word, let alone explain for the master of the family.

At this time, Yu Hai stepped forward and said softly, "Lord Lin, His Royal Highness Prince Xiang is here to see you!"

"Xiang...King Xiang..."

Lin Ruhai's eyes opened wider. He wanted to raise his hand, but in the end he only raised it two inches and then fell back onto his body.

Zhu Jinghong took two steps forward and said, "Mr. Lin, the emperor ordered me to come and visit you!"

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty..."

Lin Ruhai became excited. He originally thought that the emperor was treating him as a tool, but he didn't expect that he still remembered him now.

Zhu Jinghong continued, "The emperor said that you are a loyal minister, so he wants you to recover from your illness. When you recover, he will assign you a task!"

Although he was dying, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but shed tears when he heard Zhu Jinghong's words. It was obvious that he was really moved at this moment.

Unfortunately, these words were made up by Zhu Jinghong. At that moment, the situation was unrest in all directions and the emperor was overwhelmed, so he had no chance to get Lin Ruhai.

Of course, these are not important to Zhu Jinghong. As long as Lin Ruhai is happy to hear it, it will leave him with no regrets.

Just looking at Lin Ruhai's condition, even though Zhu Jinghong was not a professional, he could tell that he could die at any time.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Lin Ruhai began to speak incoherently, and then his voice became weaker and weaker, and after a while he closed his eyes again.

If Zhu Jinghong hadn't seen his chest rising and falling, he would have really thought he was dead, which would have been a joke.

"Your Highness, Miss Lin is here!" Yu Hai reminded at the right time.

Zhu Jinghong turned around and saw Daiyu enter the room.

Daiyu was seen wearing a moon-white robe and her hair was decorated with only a few simple hairpins and rings. She looked simple but still so graceful that it was hard to take your eyes off her.

Although the person in front of her was her lover, Daiyu did not dare to look at him for too long. Instead, she walked towards him with her head lowered, and finally knelt down in front of Zhu Jinghong.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May you live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!"

"No need to be polite, please stand up quickly!" Zhu Jinghong said with a smile.

Daiyu stood up with the help of Zijuan, and then she looked at Zhu Jinghong for the first time.

The decisive and ruthless Ming Dynasty god of war now had only tenderness in his eyes, which was a treatment that most women in the palace did not have.

"Your Highness, why did you come here so late at night?"

Daiyu's question was nonsense. She knew very well why Zhu Jinghong came, but she just hoped that he could give a reasonable reason.

Zhu Jinghong smiled slightly and said, "When I came to Jinling, His Majesty was concerned about your father's condition, so I came to visit him today!"

"Your father has already gone to bed, so let's not disturb him. Let's talk about it outside!"

Daiyu glanced at her father who was sleeping soundly on the bed, nodded, and followed Zhu Jinghong out.

(End of this chapter)