Chapter 188 The monarch and his ministers play against each other

Chapter 188 The monarch and his ministers play against each other

Chapter 188 The monarch and his ministers play against each other
It was not until noon that Lan Yu explained all matters concerning the northern expedition and left the imperial city.

Also leaving with them was the Ming Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

At the Hongwu Gate, Crown Prince Zhu Biao had already changed into his indigo-colored uniform.

His expression was no longer as solemn as it was in the morning, but instead he looked relaxed and emotional.
He stood opposite Lan Yu and said with a smile:
"Uncle, my father has specially ordered me to hold a family banquet in the Crown Prince's mansion.
Why don't you go with me, uncle, and ask the people in the mansion to bring some clean clothes."

Lan Yu was wearing the general's armor at the moment, standing there steadily, with a look of emotion on his face:
"Your Highness, I'd better return home first. The Prince's Mansion is a confidential place. Please don't break the rules."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Uncle, you watched me grow up, how can this break any rules?
The Ming Dynasty ruled the world with benevolence and filial piety. If someone else makes irresponsible remarks, I will not forgive him!"

For a moment, Lan Yu couldn't stop smiling.

He looked Zhu Biao up and down, tears glistening in his eyes. He did the same every time he came back from a battle.

He is nearly fifty years old and in poor health.

My own child was not very ambitious and did not achieve anything in the Northern Expedition.
Fortunately, my nephew was capable enough and handled all court affairs properly.

"Your Highness, there is something I don't know whether I should say or not." Lan Yu said hesitantly.

"Tell me, uncle. I feel a lot more unfamiliar with you after being away for a year."

Lan Yu stared blankly at the faint white hair on the crown prince Zhu Biao's temples and said softly:

"Your Highness, although the country is busy with political affairs, please don't overwork yourself. I went to the north to fight, and I am not aging as fast as Your Highness."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then looked relieved:

"It's because the uncle hadn't seen his nephew for a long time. When he saw his uncle outside the city in the morning, the nephew was a little afraid to recognize him. He had been gone for a year. Fighting in the war was really hard."

As he spoke, Zhu Biao's face became heavier. He walked closer and lowered his voice:
"Uncle, along the way, Du Peng recorded your ten major sins.
Just now when you were reporting the military situation to your father, the impeachment memorial had already been submitted."

Zhu Biao sighed: "Uncle, why are you doing this?"

Lan Yu had anticipated this and just smiled:
"The northern expedition army has won a great victory. I was negligent for a moment. I beg Your Highness to forgive me."

Zhu Biao's face darkened a little, he put his hands behind his back and sighed heavily:

"Forget it, the victory of the army is a great joy, so let's not talk about these troubles.

By the way, uncle, you wrote to me earlier about a new type of horseshoe.
Just by making a slight modification to the original horseshoe, we can reduce the loss of war horses by 10%? Is this true? "

Speaking of this, Lan Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

There were so many new things in the military these days that he had somewhat forgotten the original horseshoe.

Lan Yu laughed, and the dry dead skin on her face began to crack:
"Your Highness, it's not just horseshoes, there are some new things,
Especially something called a telescope.

If it can be mass-produced, it will bring fundamental changes to the battlefield situation.

The telescope played at least a 10% role in my success in the battle in the northern border."

As soon as these words came out, Zhu Biao suddenly remembered what was mentioned in the military reports, and said thoughtfully:

"Is it something used to collect intelligence information during the attack on the Kharajhang camp?"

"Yes, it is the telescope, which is in the army now.
Your Highness, please go back home first. I will go home and collect one or two things and then take them with you.
There are also some novelties, which I intend to hand over to the Arms and Arms Bureau and order them to study them further and make improvements. "

After hearing this, even Zhu Biao had to take it seriously and became curious.

He smiled and said, "Then uncle will bring it to the Prince's Mansion and let nephew take a good look."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After he finished speaking, Crown Prince Zhu Biao smiled and got on the sedan chair. The accompanying guards, palace maids, and eunuchs immediately gathered around him.
The entire sedan was wrapped tightly and slowly left Hongwu Gate.

Facing the sun, Lan Yu stood there silently, with a smile on his face, until the prince turned the corner and disappeared from his sight.

At this time, Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi, who had been waiting on the side, walked up quickly with a happy look on his face and said respectfully:

"Congratulations, General, on your title of Duke of Jin!"

Huaiyuan Marquis Cao Xing also came up, with an irrepressible smile on his face:
"Congratulations to the general on his becoming the Duke of Jin!"

The smile on Lan Yu's face gradually disappeared. He sighed and his face turned cold:
"I was originally the Duke of Liang, but now I have become the Duke of Liang. What's there to be happy about?"

With a light snort, Lan Yu turned around, jumped onto his horse, and left without looking back.

The imperial guards at the side hurriedly chased after him, leaving Zhang Yi and Cao Xing looking at each other in bewilderment.

Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi's face became increasingly silent, and he sighed softly:

"I don't know what your majesty is thinking. She's just a woman. Why would you do this?"

Huaiyuan Marquis Cao Xing's face turned serious. He quickly looked around carefully and said in a low voice:

"Be careful what you say, walls may have ears."

Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi's face darkened, and his voice suddenly rose:

"What are you afraid of! Jiang Li is dead, what else can Mao Xiang do?
We fought desperately in the north, serving our country with all our might, countless of our brothers died, even my second son died, and you still can't say anything!"

Huaiyuan Marquis Cao Xing's face changed, and he quickly stepped forward to hold him, constantly comforting him:

"Hey~, okay, okay,
The higher-ups have their own considerations. It is useless for us to get angry here.
It is better to go back early and pack up, as we have to attend a banquet in the palace in the evening."

Both of them were promoted by Lan Yu and they can be regarded as his confidants.

They were also extremely angry about the title of Duke.
But what can I do? The general didn't seem to take it to heart and just said it verbally.

"I am a little angry. Duke Song has fallen, and I think Duke Ying will be too soon.
We in the army can only rely on the general, and we are left with the title of 'Duke of Liang'.
Who knows what rumors will spread, and it will only bring shame to those in our army."

Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi muttered as he walked, his face full of indignation.

Huaiyuan Marquis Cao Xing kept comforting him, and the personal guards behind him just followed him, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Only when they were far away from Hongwu Gate and turned into the main street did Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi's expression quickly calm down.

Huaiyuan Hou Cao Xing stopped comforting and fell silent.

"If you ask me, we should find an opportunity to go to the southwest to fight. It's uncomfortable to stay in the capital."

There was no more passion in Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi's voice, and instead there was calmness.

"Still fighting? Why not go back to your hometown in Fengyang?"

Huaiyuan Marquis Cao Xing curled his lips. For these military officers,
The more we fight, the greater the danger. It would be better to return to my hometown in Fengyang early to retire.

Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi glanced at him and shook his head slowly:

"You don't know yet? No one from home came to give you the news?"

"What?" Cao Xing's eyes flashed with confusion, and he explained:
"I need to meet His Majesty today. What news do you want to deliver? What happened in my hometown?"

"Someone in the family is investigating Li Cun Yi." Zhang Yi explained.

"What? Why are you investigating Li Cunyi? Wasn't he exiled to Chongming Island a long time ago?"

Huaiyuan Marquis Cao Xing's eyes widened in disbelief, his mind churning, and he thought of many things in an instant.
Li Cunyi was the younger brother of Li Shanchang, Duke of Korea. He was exiled to Chongming because of the Hu Weiyong case.

If someone were to investigate him, their purpose would certainly not be limited to just investigating a stubborn person.
Instead, it will involve the later Han Guogong, and even the Hu Weiyong case of that year.

Heqing Marquis Zhang Yi paused, his face solemn:
"I don't know the specific reason, but my old subordinates found out that someone was asking about Li Cunyi.

And there were people hanging around outside Li Cunyi's house, and some people in Beijing were looking for old cases."

Cao Xing's expression suddenly became serious:
"How did the Korean prince react?"

Zhang Yi shook his head slowly: "Ignore it, stay at home all day to enjoy the company of your grandchildren, probably just treat it as an ordinary investigation,

But I always feel that things are not that simple.

Now that we have defeated the Northern Yuan, it is time to mobilize troops in the southwest.
When there are no more external enemies, where will Your Majesty attack next?"

Zhang Yi sighed, with a hint of fear in his eyes:
"It must be to clean up the bureaucracy. I heard Guo Ying and others say,

The drawing of the Yellow Book of Fish Scales in Peking was not going smoothly. Your Majesty could have tolerated it before.

Now that the Northern Yuan Dynasty has fallen, can Your Majesty still endure it?

We all need to be quiet these days and not get dragged into this."

After hearing this, Huaiyuan Marquis Cao Xing was startled and suddenly thought of something. He turned back and looked towards the direction of the imperial city thoughtfully:

"Guo Ying has been staying in Liaodong for the past few years. I don't think he has found out anything. He seems to have not left the palace yet." Zhang Yi shook his head, his face full of fear:
"He has been your Majesty's personal guard since he was young, and we are not the same kind of people.

We are not involved in the affairs of Liaodong, so don't worry about it. Let's think carefully about where we are going."

For a moment, the two looked sad and dejected.

Fengtian Hall is where the emperor exercises his power and demonstrates his majesty.

Not far from it is the Wuying Palace, which is the emperor's private palace, where he lived and received ministers.
Compared with the majestic Fengtian Hall, this place looks much softer.

At this moment, the sunlight shines through the carved window lattices, scattering into the hall in patches, illuminating the scene inside.

In the four corners of the hall, there are huge and exquisite wooden sculptures, and hidden inside them are copper furnaces filled with ice cubes to cool off.
Behind it is a screen of neatly arranged palace lanterns with auspicious designs painted on them.

A thick carpet is laid in the center of the hall, with calm colors and intricate patterns, which adds a touch of solemnity to the Wuying Hall.

At this time, the sound of footsteps broke the silence in Wuying Hall.
Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang walked in silently, already wearing his regular clothes.
He walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, straight to the imperial desk in the center of the hall, and then sat down on the slightly solemn bench.

Although he was old, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, without a trace of cloudiness.
There is only indifference that sees through everything, without a trace of emotion.

Even the faint scent of ambergris in the air could not affect his mood.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang pursed his lips slightly, leaned back against the chair, put his hands lightly on the armrests, and tapped his fingers gently.
Time passed little by little. After an unknown amount of time, he finally spoke calmly:
"Where is Guo Ying?"

The red-robed eunuch standing to one side, half of his body hidden in the shadows, bowed slightly, the whisk in his hand dropped, and spoke respectfully:
"Your Majesty, Marquis Wu Ding has been waiting outside the palace for half an hour."

"Let him in."

Soon, hurried footsteps were heard from outside the Wuying Palace.
The seven-foot-tall Guo Ying came silently, wearing heavy armor that made a clacking sound as he walked.
The sunlight pouring down from above makes it reflect a faint light, which interweaves with the faint light in the hall, making it appear more stable.

He stood tall, his hands folded in front of his stomach, and there was a hint of excitement on his resolute face:
"Your Majesty, I, Guo Ying, pay my respects to you."

"Guo Ying, we haven't seen each other for a long time."

Emperor Ming Zhu Yuanzhang spoke calmly, with some emotion on his face.
But his eyes remained calm, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

"Your Majesty, it has been two years."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked calmly, without asking any questions: "How is the matter going?"

Guo Ying paused and looked to both sides.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand gently, and the red-robed eunuch standing on the side bowed slightly, then left with a group of followers and guards and palace maids.

The hall suddenly became quiet. The sunlight flickered back and forth in the hall, illuminating the old face of the Emperor Ming.

Wuding Marquis Guo Ying bowed slightly, took out a memorial from his bosom, and said in a deep voice:
"Sir, this is the reason why I have been sent to investigate the Japanese land in Korea over the years.
It was confirmed that some Japanese did enter Korea and eventually entered Liaodong.
As for whether he ended up going to the northern grasslands or joining the Ming Dynasty, it has been so long that there is no way to find out."

"Send it up."

"Yes." Wuding Hou Guo Ying stepped forward quickly, turned the memorial in his hand and placed it on the imperial desk.

"How is Liaodong colluding with the Northern Yuan?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not look at the memorial immediately, but put it aside and continued asking questions.

Guo Ying's face turned serious, and he continued:

“The collusion is not deep, just some business dealings;
Most of the goods traded were food and herbs, and the weapons were only defective.

After Nahachu surrendered, Liaodong's involvement with the Northern Yuan Dynasty became less and less, and was not as rampant as before.

When the northern expeditionary army returned, they sent a detachment to deal with the Liaowang County in the northeast of Liaodong.

Among them, there were less than 30 large trucks involved in the smuggling in Liaodong, barely enough for more than a thousand people. "

"Someone sent troops to support Liaowang County. Since someone has gone there, it's useless to ask for things."

Emperor Ming Zhu Yuanzhang sat there quietly, his voice calm, his eyes calm.

Guo Ying bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, Liaodong should be punished. Now that the Northern Yuan Dynasty has disappeared, there is no need to worry."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not respond, but talked about something else:

"Jiang Li is dead?"

Guo Ying narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice:

"He was killed without a complete body, and died in a riot among the prisoners on the grassland. As for the real culprit, it has not been found yet. I speculate that it was Zhao Yong and Yu Tongyuan."

"I understand. It's just one person. If he dies, then he dies."

Emperor Ming Zhu Yuanzhang paused and continued:
"Lan Yubeijin, why didn't you wait for me?"

Guo Ying paused, his mood involuntarily speeding up.
His next answer may be more serious than anything Lan Yu did after the war.

He pursed his lips and said in a deep voice:

"At that time, the front army had achieved considerable results in the royal court, and determined the location of the royal court and the number of troops.

If we don't advance, we might miss the chance to fight.
If I were leading the troops, I would definitely head north as soon as possible.

They didn’t care about food, fodder, or weapons, and according to subsequent military reports, the war was going more smoothly than ever before.”

Emperor Ming Zhu Yuanzhang hummed lightly, his tone calm:

"Has the person who reported the incident to Bei Yuan been found?"

"Sir, after a thorough investigation of the Henan and Shandong Dusi, we have found some troops.
They are some of the old Yuan's subordinates, but I am afraid that when they reported the news, some people saw it and pretended to be unrestrained. "

A trace of viciousness flashed across Guo Ying's face, and the corners of his eyes twitched slightly, with a strong murderous intent flashing in them.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Let's take a look, but don't alert the enemy."

Guo Ying raised his head suddenly, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly lowered his head:
"Yes!"

"Did the people of the north eat meat and wear new clothes during festivals?"

Emperor Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang stopped pressing the keys. His increasingly old body caused his flesh and blood to shrivele, revealing blue veins.

Guo Ying's face was solemn, and he spoke in a deep voice:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the people in the north are living well and can eat meat.

During the Spring Festival, we also bought some new linen clothes for the children, but the adults were reluctant to do so.
The soldiers in the garrison are doing well, as they have reclaimed large tracts of fertile land in the north, which is enough for them to be self-sufficient."

Rarely, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened a little, and the lines on his face were not as tense as before.

"Still martial?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the border people are proud to enter the garrison.

After the fall of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, when the army was returning, I saw confusion on the faces of the northern border troops. "

"We must keep a close eye on the garrisons in the north. Without external enemies, the soldiers will easily relax. If the Yuan people from the north come to our Daming to raid the valleys, we can also go there."

"Yes."

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang sat at the top, looking at Guo Ying from head to toe. After a long while, he slowly spoke:
"Why is your beard white?"

"Sir, I am fifty-three years old, I am old."

Marquis of Wuding Guo Ying raised his head and looked upward for the first time. His eyes kept shaking, and the old figure was reflected in his eyes.

"Ha." Emperor Ming Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled and pursed his lips:

"When you joined the army, you were only eighteen, a half-grown boy.
The first time you were on night watch, I asked you if the gun was heavy, and you said it was not.

Now I ask you again, was the gun heavy at that time? "

Wuding Hou Guo Ying burst into tears, but a smile appeared on his face:

"It's very heavy, but I dare not say it. If I don't join the army, I won't have food to eat. I'm afraid that my superiors will drive us brothers away."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "You should stay in the capital for a few more days when you return to Beijing this time. Don't run around like your brother when you are old and end up with a lot of problems."

"I obey my orders."

"Starting tomorrow, you will be in charge of the imperial guards. Stay in the capital and take care of your health. I won't let you hold the gun this time. You can let someone else hold it."

"The minister obeys the order."

Marquis Wuding Guo Ying knelt on the ground to express his gratitude, raised his head slightly and looked at his superior, and they both smiled gently, just like they did in the past.

(End of this chapter)