From the time Shen Yizhong became a Jinshi in the seventh year of Hongde to today, for more than four years, whether passively or actively, he has been preparing for the Northern Expedition.
But no matter how much preparation Shen Yi made, he alone could not determine the course of history.
At least not now.
Therefore, the Northern Expedition...has not made any progress.
And now!
When the emperor said these words!
Hongde's Northern Expedition finally took a solid step forward, and it was a crucial step!
Shen Yi lowered his head with a smile on his face: "Yes, I will leave back to Huai'an early tomorrow morning."
He paused and said: "Your Majesty, if the Northern Qi Dynasty increases its troops on the Huaihe River, the pressure along Huai'an may increase sharply. By then, the coastal capital's bet of guarding Huai'an for two years will have to be suspended for the time being?"
"This is natural."
The emperor smiled and said: "The Huaihe Navy cannot withstand the Qi army that has almost doubled, and it also needs the support of the imperial court. Since they also need the support of the imperial court, it is naturally impossible for Huai'an to support it independently."
"I will send the imperial army over at the right time, and it will be at your disposal."
Shen Yi breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his head slightly and said, "In this case, I will feel relieved."
He cupped his hands in front of the emperor and said, "With your Majesty's words, I can guarantee that Huai'an's defense line is impregnable."
After saying that, he was about to say goodbye and leave.
The emperor offered words to persuade him to stay.
"Don't rush away, there are still many things to discuss."
He smiled and said: "Today at noon, Shen Qing will not leave. He will have a meal with me in the palace and will not leave until the afternoon."
After saying this, he waved to Gao Ming. Eunuch Gao immediately understood and handed the eldest prince Li Wang into the hands of the emperor. The emperor held Li Wang and walked to Shen Yi, reaching out and touching the child's face. , smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this is your Uncle Shen."
This pie is a bit big...
Shen Yi has no clan status or noble status. He and the emperor have a very simple relationship between monarch and minister. He should not be called uncle in any case. Mr. Shen was startled and quickly took two steps back. He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the imperial court It has its own rules and regulations, no matter what..."
He wanted to say that no matter what, he should not call him uncle.
The emperor smiled, shook his head, and said, "It doesn't have to be from me."
"Shen Qing, please don't forget that the fate between me and Concubine Hui was renewed with your help, Shen Qing. You and this child..."
The emperor smiled and said: "What a great fate."
"It's appropriate to call you uncle."
Shen Yi stood with his hands down and said nothing.
He did have some connection with this kid, because back then, in order to build a good relationship with the emperor, he did help the emperor with some "private affairs."
It was precisely because of this private matter that the eldest prince Li Wang.
Although there is this relationship, to be honest, Shen Yi does not want to expose this relationship publicly, or even want to be involved with Concubine Hui and her son.
After all, this is just a concubine prince.
Fights in the harem are also very troublesome.
He, Shen Ziheng, was born as a second-ranked Jinshi. Now he is young and holds a fourth-rank official position. His future is already promising. There is really no need to get involved with these two women.
However, His Majesty the Emperor seems to really want his eldest son to have something to do with Shen Yi.
Li Wang was already smart and could talk a lot now. After being guided by the emperor for a while, he shouted out a non-standard "Susu".
This is the first uncle of the eldest son of the Hongde Emperor.
Even his uncle Yue Wang Yu could not hear this uncle.
Shen Yi lowered his hands and silently took two steps back without saying a word.
The emperor smiled slightly, played with the child for a while, then handed the child to Gao Ming and said, "Go and send it back to Concubine Hui. I want to talk to Shen Qing about business."
Eunuch Gao took it respectfully and stepped back.
On this day, Shen Yi stayed in the palace until the afternoon, chatting with the emperor in many details about the front line, and then took his leave and left the Manlu Palace.
His Majesty the Emperor personally saw him off and said, "This time the Northern Qi Dynasty will increase its troops, and the first few waves of offensive will be very fierce. After you go back, you must defend Huai'an."
"This year it's mainly about defense."
His Majesty the Emperor warned: "Until next year, we will take action again."
Having said this, he looked at Shen Yi and said in a deep voice: "In the past two years, you have fought well in Huai'an. In two years, even if all five old guys from Zhongshu are killed on the golden pillars of Deqing Hall, I will I’ll also give you a Minister of War!”
The two are of the same age, they are only twenty-one or twelve years old this year. Two years later, Shen Yi will only be twenty-four years old.
The twenty-four-year-old minister of the Ministry of War can be said to be extremely rare!
Facing the boss's flying pie, Shen Yi hurriedly lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty, you must not conflict with the princes of Zhongshu because of your ministers..."
"rest assured."
The emperor smiled and said: "There won't be any conflict. After Huai'an, your military exploits, Shen Ziheng, will be known to everyone in the court. Even if those old guys feel uncomfortable, they have no reason to object."
Shen Yi bowed his head to thank him, and the monarch and his ministers parted at the gate of Ganlu Hall.
After seeing off Shen Yi, the emperor returned to the Manna Palace to review the memorials that he had not had time to review because of the reception with Shen Yi. After working in the Manna Palace for more than half an hour, a young woman in palace clothes came with a bowl of soup. After walking in, she carefully placed the soup in front of the emperor and spoke softly.
"Your Majesty, the weather is getting hot. This is the iced lotus seed soup that I have prepared for you. Take a few sips to relieve the heat."
The emperor put down the ink pen in his hand, looked up at the woman, and rubbed his temples: "Let it go, I'll drink it after I finish what I'm doing."
"It's better to drink quickly."
The woman sat down, and while helping the emperor fill the soup, she said: "Eunuch Gao and the others have checked it before letting me serve it. The weather is hot this year, and the ice will melt soon. Your Majesty will take advantage of the opportunity." Drink it cool, it won't taste good after a while."
When the emperor heard this, he could only put down his ink pen, pick up the soup handed over by the woman and take a few sips.
"My concubine's craftsmanship is really good."
This concubine is naturally Concubine Hui.
In fact, among the concubines of the imperial concubine, she is the only one who dares to disturb the Emperor while he is at work.
Seeing the emperor lowering his head to drink the soup, Concubine Hui blinked her eyes and asked: "Your Majesty, the emperor is practicing calligraphy with you today. How is your practice going?"
The emperor put down the lotus seed soup, glanced at Concubine Hui, shook his head helplessly, and said: "I'm afraid Concubine Ai doesn't want to ask him about his calligraphy practice, but she wants to ask Shen Qi about his attitude towards him, right?"
Concubine Hui lowered her head slightly and whispered: "Your Majesty, as you know, I come from a humble background. In Jiankang City, I have no one to rely on except Your Majesty, and I stay in the harem every day."
"I don't want the emperor to be like me in the future."
Concubine Hui's eyes were slightly red. She lowered her head slightly and said, "I don't ask for anything else. I just want Lord Shen to accept Huang'er as his student..."
"If Lord Shen is not willing, I will personally go to his home one day and kowtow to him...!"
Concubine Hui bit her lip lightly and sobbed: "I beg and ask him to agree!"
"Historical princes have always begun to learn and become disciples at the age of five or six."
The emperor patted her back and said softly: "How can anyone find a teacher when she is less than two years old?"
"Besides, Shen Qi has a heavy responsibility now, and I don't want him to be distracted by my family affairs."
Seeing Concubine Hui crying so sadly, His Majesty the Emperor had no choice but to pat Concubine Hui on the back and said: "Don't worry, concubine. In a few years, Shen Qi will be done with what he is doing, and the emperor will be here again." Grow up a little..."
"I mentioned this matter to him personally."
Concubine Hui then smiled happily, wiped her tears, and lowered her head to the emperor.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
The emperor pinched her cheek and smiled fondly: "You are the only one who is very evil."
At this moment, the young couple seemed very close and had a great relationship.
However, they each have their own plans.
Concubine Hui is, of course, working hard to increase the political capital of mother and son.
And the smiling Emperor...
There was no thought of using the mother and son to fight against the descendants.
After all, at this time, the Sun family, which had two generations of queens in a row, was already extremely large!
Being an emperor requires not only balancing the court, but also balancing the harem!
After the couple had a conversation, Concubine Hui took the iced lotus seed soup away, then blessed His Majesty the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I will not disturb you in handling state affairs."
She bit her lip lightly, showing a coquettish look on her face.
"Your Majesty, come to my concubine's palace today, and I will make another soup for you..."
The emperor smiled knowingly.
"Okay, I will go look for my beloved concubine a little later."