Chapter 505:
Of course Du Ning was not the only one who was wary of Shu Liang.
When he heard this name, Zhu Qizhen immediately put away his relaxed attitude and raised alarm bells.
To be honest, he was in a good mood during this period.
Although there was always a big stone in his heart that he couldn't let go of, he finally returned to Daming, the place where he had been raised and where he cared about people.
After all, Wala is a bitterly cold place. After the battle at Zijingguan, their vitality was severely damaged. The subsequent battle at Shawo made matters worse. They themselves were short of supplies, let alone Zhu Qizhen.
Although it is said that every fifth day, some cattle, sheep and spirits will be sent first.
However, Zhu Qizhen never saw things like tea and grain that were commonplace in the Ming Dynasty twice a year.
Although Datong is a border town, it is rich in all kinds of materials. Even though it is difficult to compare with the capital, it is still much better than Wala.
What's more, although he has abdicated now, he is still the Supreme Emperor after all.
Especially when the imperial court welcomed the Emperor back with the most solemn ceremony, the local officials were very respectful to the entire team. The treatment wherever he went was actually very different from the treatment he received during the Northern Expedition.
Even Yu Qian, who had always been upright, tempered his edge after he was forced to retreat outside Datong City using etiquette.
After that, during all the time Zhu Qizhen was in Datong, Yu Qian only came to greet him twice, but did not express his views on anything.
All of this made Zhu Qizhen's originally somewhat turbulent heart gradually calm down.
When he was on the road, he would often hold the clothes, shoes and hats that Queen Qian had sewn for him, thinking about them and looking forward to being reunited with the Queen as soon as possible.
However, this does not mean that he loses his vigilance.
In fact, during this period of time, the more than 20 guards brought back from Oara have been guarding outside his residence day and night, refusing to leave a step. In addition, he also specially transferred a eunuch to his side.
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This person was also an internal official whom he trusted very much before. His name was Liu Yongcheng, and he was the guarding eunuch of Gansu.
Although he was a eunuch, he was able to serve in the army and fight in battles, and he was also very loyal. He was an old man who had served Zhu Qizhen since the time of the late emperor.
After Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne, he always intended to explore the border.
Therefore, he specially transferred Liu Yongcheng to Gansu to guard him to prevent him from invading Gansu first.
It should be said that Liu Yongcheng did a very good job. Over the past few years, he had resisted many invasions from various Mongolian tribes and could be regarded as ensuring peace.
If he had not learned about the situation in the palace and there were too few people he could trust at the moment, he would not have taken the risk and transferred Liu Yongcheng to his side.
Yes, his will comes with risks!
After all, Liu Yongcheng was a guard eunuch. Leaving Gansu without permission could be regarded as dereliction of duty. Once he came over and returned to Beijing, he would definitely be questioned.
Although it is said that there is the "will" of the Supreme Emperor as a talisman.
But today, Zhu Qizhen also has a question mark in his mind as to how effective this "will" can be.
However, by this time, he no longer cared so much.
Now, apart from Yuan Bin and Ha Ming, he really has no one he can completely trust.
Although those Mongolian guards were ordered by Ye Xian to protect his safety, they were too easy to attract hatred. Just like that day outside Datong City, they blocked Li Xian without knowing what he was doing, which ultimately led to
the intensification of conflicts.
Along the way, he was incompatible with not only local officials but also the mission's own guards, causing frictions many times.
Therefore, Zhu Qizhen must find someone he can trust and who is capable and able to ensure his safety.
He chose Liu Yongcheng!
This time, he did not misjudge the person, Liu Yongcheng is here...
At this moment, Eunuch Liu was riding a horse and walking beside the carriage.
Like Zhu Qizhen, he was also wary of Shu Liang, the big brother, right away.
Liu Yongcheng is tall and burly, and he does not look like he was born in an eunuch at all. Instead, he looks like an old general. In fact, he has indeed led the army and went to the battlefield several times.
The momentum from the bloody battle made him appear calm and intimidating. At this moment, he frowned and glared at Shu Liang, and the temperature in the air suddenly dropped.
So, Zhu Qizhen narrowed his eyes and said.
"So you are Shu Liang. I know it. You can go back. I already have guards around me. You don't need to worry about it."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Du Ning quietly moved a step aside. Based on his understanding of Shu Liang, I'm afraid this matter will not be solved so easily.
However, what no one expected was that Shu Liang showed a trace of embarrassment on his face, but he did not bear it forcefully and just said:
"The Supreme Emperor has an order, and the ministers naturally dare not violate it. However, it is His Majesty's order to let the ministers be responsible for protecting the safety of the Supreme Emperor. How can the ministers resist and disobey the order?"
This was said calmly, but the meaning of rejection was very obvious.
Just when everyone thought that the Xuan Mansion would repeat the scene outside Datong City, Shu Liang suddenly changed the subject and said.
"Therefore, I would like to ask for a favor from the Supreme Emperor. Let me lead people to guard the perimeter. This can be regarded as fulfilling His Majesty's will. I beg the Supreme Emperor for your permission."
Now not only Du Ning, but also Zhu Qizhen himself was surprised by Shu Liang's tolerant attitude.
Since he has heard Shu Liang's name, he naturally knows what his style is.
The Governor of Dongchang is not the kind of person who would swallow his anger for the sake of the overall situation and the face of the court.
In his heart, there was only the emperor's order, and everything else was not within his scope of consideration!
Therefore, Zhu Qizhen has been prepared for a long time. Today, the commotion may be even more serious than outside Datong City. Maybe Shu Liang can be forced to retreat. Even if not, Shu Liang can be charged with disrespecting the emperor in full view of the public.
.
However, what he didn't expect was that Shu Liang would give in without even a word of defense.
Speaking of which, if he persists in refusing, he will obviously be making things difficult for Shu Liang.
But in the final analysis, Shu Liang came here on behalf of the emperor. In doing so, he actually lost his reason. In the current situation, the biggest bargaining chip in Zhu Qizhen's hand is nothing more than etiquette and rules.
He knew this very well.
Therefore, he hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said: "In that case, you are allowed to follow the guard and be responsible for guarding the outside of the team."
Shu Liang bowed deeply and his voice was respectful.
"Thank you, Your Majesty for your grace!"
However, among all the people, only Du Ning, who was closest to Shu Liang, saw the flash of smile at the corner of his mouth when he bowed deeply.
Proud and cold!
What happens next is a matter of course.
Although there was a small episode like Shu Liang, overall, the reception ceremony at the Xuan Mansion went very smoothly. Amidst the shouts of "Long Live the Mountain", the Emperor's chariot quickly entered the city.
There is no real palace in the Xuan Mansion, so Tao Jin's General Military Mansion was vacated and used as a temporary palace.
Although he was on the sidelines, Tao Jin was also a serious earl, and his mansion was very spacious and decorated in advance, so Zhu Qizhen was quite comfortable living here.
It wasn't until he got off the carriage and entered the General Military Mansion that Zhu Qizhen's tension was loosened.
After changing his clothes and reclining on the couch to rest, he couldn't help but think of the scene at the city gate.
After relaxing his mind, he even wondered if he was a little too nervous. Perhaps the rumors about Shu Liang were just rumors?
After all, he is just a servant of the royal family. Even if he acts cruelly, he is still treating ordinary people, but facing him, the Supreme Emperor, he may not really dare to...
As he was thinking this, a burst of noise suddenly came from outside, interrupting his thoughts.
Zhu Qizhen frowned, and was about to ask someone to go out and see what was going on. Before he could speak, he saw Liu Yongcheng coming in from outside, his face was ashen, and he reported.
"Your Majesty, Shu Liang led people from Dongchang and Jinyiwei to surround the General Military Mansion!"
This chapter has been completed!