Lord Lingyang Li Zhu quickly put the treaty into a small album and put it in his arms, and said to Princess Zhenming: "Aunt Zhenming, please keep this covenant and never leak it."
Zhang Yuandao: "This copy of Your Highness the Princess is temporarily kept with me to avoid any mistakes."
Princess Zhenming bowed slightly, nodded, handed over the folded treaty in her hands, looked at Zhang Yuan with her clear eyes, and nodded again greatly, indicating that she knew that the matter was of great importance, and that this treaty brought her
She is closely connected with her mother, Princess Inmu, the Great Angel Zhang Yuan, and Lord Ayang Lee. From now on, the three parties must work together. From this point of view, this treaty is the most beneficial to Princess Jeongmyeong and Princess Inmu.
, because Princess Jeongmyeong is officially dead and is now just a female disciple of a mountain virgin, and the deposed Princess Inmu is even more difficult to see in the cold palace. She has nothing to lose except her life. This time, things are set right.
If it succeeds, the former honor will be returned, and she can take revenge and avenge her shame. Therefore, Princess Zhenming is extremely grateful to Zhang Yuan. Although the plan to overthrow Lord Guanghai has just begun, and the future is dangerous and unpredictable, there is always hope -
—
When Li Zhu saw that Zhang Yuan had put away the treaty, he was immediately reassured. The Ming Dynasty envoy's status in North Korea was transcendent. Liu Dongming did not dare to search Zhang Yuan's residence under any circumstances. He handed over his hands and said, "Then I have a few words with the Ruan envoy.
If anything happens, I will inform Mr. Zhang in time." After saying that, he strode out.
Zhang Yuan and Princess Zhenming heard Li Zhu and Ruan Dacheng talking in the room, and then went to the small hall to play chess.
It was still early for lunch, so Zhang Yuan said to Princess Zhenming, "Is Miss Gu Xishan feeling better? I'll go check on her."
Princess Zhenming bowed to Zhang Yuan, straightened her black gauze hat, and led the way.
In North Korea in early May, the weather is not very hot. The hibiscus flowers in the small courtyard of the post house are in full bloom, and the faint fragrance of the flowers is refreshing. Last night there was a drizzle, but today it is a sunny day. The red sun is shining, and the humid land is steaming up real soil.
In addition to the fishy smell, Zhang Yuan also smelled the body fragrance of Princess Jeongmyeong and the fragrance of the sophora flower powder used in the massage. Looking from the back, Princess Jeongmyeong's Korean men's black gauze hat and wide white robe
It is both simple and elegant, like an elegant ink painting——
When they came to Princess Zhenming and Gu Xishan's room, Gu Xishan was sitting on the bed knitting bead butterflies. Seeing Zhang Yuan come in, he hurriedly got out of bed to salute. Zhang Yuan waved his hands and said: "Miss Gu, there is no need to be polite."
How is his injury? Can he go on the road tomorrow?
Ju Xishan said: "My slave's injury is not a problem. Your Excellency does not need to take care of my slave."
As soon as Princess Zhenming entered the room, she was sharpening ink and writing, and then presented it to Zhang Yuan. However, she was rushing to Wangjing to try to meet her mother, Princess Renmu. Zhang Yuan felt that it was inappropriate and advised: "Your Highness, please
I understand my mother’s eagerness. But if I go back to see my mother now, I might arouse Mr. Gwanghae’s suspicion and cause more trouble. I’d better go with our delegation. Although it will take a few days to arrive in Seoul, it’s safe, so don’t act rashly.”
Princess Zhenming heard what Zhang Yuan said and quickly bowed and nodded.
There was a small pot of dendrobium on Princess Zhenming's desk. It was purple and white and looked like a Korean woman's dress. Zhang Yuan picked up the flower pot and prepared to put it on the windowsill to enjoy it. There was a gap on the edge of the flower pot.
He cut his hand. A trace of bright red blood oozed from the index finger of his left hand, and there was a small scratch. Zhang Yuan didn't care and said to Princess Zhenming: "Your Highness, please be patient. Your Highness will be reunited with Princess Renmu soon."
"He said to Gu Xishan to have a good rest, and turned around to go out. As soon as he walked to the small courtyard of his residence, there was the sound of light footsteps behind him. When he turned around to look, he saw Princess Zhenming leaning forward with her hands holding
With her chest in front of her, she ran up to him in small steps, bowed, took his left hand, quickly applied medicine to his cut finger, and wrapped it twice with white gauze, then took two steps away and looked at him.
The light was like water, and his cheeks were stained with red clouds. He bowed again, turned around and hurried back——
Zhang Yuan watched the graceful back of the young princess disappear. When he turned his head, he saw Li Zhu and Ruan Dacheng standing on the eaves. Ruan Dacheng was smiling, and Li Zhu was smiling——
Zhang Yuan raised his hand and said, "I accidentally cut my finger on the flowerpot, a small injury."
Ruan Dacheng smiled and said: "This female disciple, Jin Chushi, has a lot of affection for Duke Zhuangyuan. Although this girl is deaf and mute, she has good medical skills and has a very beautiful appearance. Doesn't it matter to Duke Zhuangyuan?"
Zhang Yuan said coldly: "His Royal Highness Lord Lingyang is here. Brother Ji, don't make random jokes."
Ruan Dacheng hit a snag and became a bit bored.
Li Jie just smiled and said nothing, but Li Jie also saw that his Aunt Zhenming had some affection for this great angel. Aunt Zhenming was sixteen years old, and she was in love. Zhang Yuan was handsome in appearance and had extraordinary intelligence.
Everyone in North Korea is respectful, and it is reasonable for Aunt Zhenming to be interested in Zhang Yuan, but Zhang Yuan has already been married and has children. Even if Zhang Yuan is not married, it is impossible for a North Korean princess to marry an important minister of the Ming Dynasty, because there is no precedent, and even if North Korea
The royal family is willing to let the princess get married, but Zhang Yuan does not dare to marry him. The Ming Dynasty's officials are sharp-tongued and can use this matter to ruin Zhang Yuan's career. However, it is too early to consider this matter now. He has more important things to face -
It was almost noon, and the Huangzhou government office brought wine and food, specially for the two angels and their main entourage. Ayayang Jun Li Zhu and Hucao Judge Liu Xiya accompanied Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yuan to dine.
…
On the eighth day of the fifth lunar month, when the lanterns were held, Pingshan Jiedushi Li Gui led 1,200 elite troops to arrive outside the south gate of Huanghai Prefecture. The defenders quickly informed the capital observation envoy Cui Li.
General Wei Liu Dongming and Li Zhu pretended to be cautious and said: "It is dark at night and the city gates are open for fear of traitors sneaking in. Let General Li Gui's troops be stationed outside the city and enter the city early tomorrow morning."
Liu Dongming thought to himself: "His Royal Highness Lord Lingyang is more cautious than me." He said: "The Pingshan Army has come a long way, how can we refuse to leave the city and rely on them to escort the angels into Wangjing? First let General Li lead a few
The cronies enter the city, and after asking about the situation, let other sergeants enter the city."
At the beginning of the Haishi period, Li Gui, the governor of Pingshan, accompanied by several people including Li Zhu and Liu Dongming, came to the post house to visit Zhang Yuan and Ruan Dacheng. Li Gui was nearly fifty years old, with a long face, quick movements, and a pair of slender eyes with a calm gaze, implying coldness.
Zhang Yuan knew nothing about Li Gui before. Since this person was an important figure arranged by Jin Chushi and Ayang Jun Li Zhu to participate in the coup, he should be reliable. Zhang Yuan could only trust Li Gui and exchange a few words. Li Gui and
Liu Dongming also begged the two angels to agree to set off tomorrow——
Zhang Yuandao: "Although Li Duhu has arrived with his troops, the king of your country has not yet issued a decree to allow Li Duhu's troops to escort him into the capital. Should we wait for two more days?"
Liu Dongming couldn't wait any longer and said: "Master Zhang, we will set off for Ancheng County tomorrow. Ancheng County is the headquarters of the Pingshan Protectorate. It is 150 miles away from Huanghai City and is a two-day journey. We are here.
Ancheng County, my king agrees with General Li's order to lead troops and retinues to the capital. I think it will arrive soon."
So we decided to set off before noon tomorrow.
After Li Zhu and others left, Zhang Yuan returned to the room and read the secret letter Li Zhu had just given him under the lamp. The letter said that the founding envoy Erdeni and his party of thirteen people were disguised as jewelry and mink traders.
We had passed through Xijing and Pyongyang the day before yesterday. We were in a hurry. We must have arrived at Wangjing before the Ming Dynasty envoy to have a secret talk with Gwanghaejun——
Zhang Yuan thought to himself: "Will I meet Nalanbaksh on the road tomorrow? By the way, I wonder if Keguang will recognize Nalanbaksh first?" He asked Mu Jingyan to call Keguang first.
Ke Guang first caught up with Zhang Yuan at Shanhaiguan and followed him all the way to Huanghai Road. He had been living alone for more than a month and never said a word to anyone. When he heard Yuan's summons, he followed Mu Jingyan. Zhang Yuan asked
Does he recognize Nalan Bakshi?
Ke Guangxian raised his eyebrows and replied: "I met Nalan Baksh more than ten years ago. That year Nalan Baksh came to Yehe City to discuss the wedding date of Busia Mara and Tong Nuer."
Zhang Yuan nodded and said: "What kind of person is this person?"
Keguang first said: "Sir Zhang, Nalanbakshi is Tong Nuer's most trusted civil servant. He can speak multiple languages and is very eloquent. Tong Nuer often sends him on envoys to lobby - why did you suddenly say this?
Narambakshi?”
Zhang Yuandao: "It is said that this person has also arrived in North Korea. I would like to meet him for a while."
Ke Guang first raised his eyebrows and said, "Sir, Nalanbakshi is famous for his cunning. He is very loyal to Tong Nuer. If you can kill him, it will be a big loss for Tong Nuer."
Zhang Yuan asked: "What does this Nalanbaksh like?"
Ke Guang first said: "This person likes reading, and he is quite greedy for money."
Zhang Yuan nodded and said: "You should pay more attention when you go on the road tomorrow. Maybe you will meet Nalan Bakshi on the road. It is of great importance. Don't alert him yet. Don't let him recognize you."
Ke Guang bowed first and said: "I understand, my appearance has changed a lot in the past ten years. Nalanbakshi may not be able to recognize me. I will also be careful. Please rest assured."
…
At noon on the ninth day of the fifth lunar month, Zhang Yuan and his party, escorted by Pingshan Jiedushi Li Gui and his 1,200 elite soldiers, set off from Huanghai City and headed for Wangjing Seoul. These 1,200 sergeants included 300 cavalry and 300 musketeers.
and 600 infantrymen, all with bright armor and high spirits. These sergeants are all elite soldiers of Pingshan Protectorate. The most important thing is that they are extremely loyal to Jiedushi Li Gui, because many of the 1,200 people
Most of them were Li Gui's servants. North Korea imitated the Ming Dynasty in every aspect, even copying the military system of maintaining servants by border generals.
After passing through Fengshan County, Jiansui Hall, and Longquan Hall, we arrived at Ancheng Hall on the evening of the 10th day of May. Zheng Renhong, the Li Cao Banshu sent by Lord Gwanghae, had already arrived at Ancheng Hall half a day earlier to wait for Zhang Yuan and his party. Li Cao Ban, Zheng Er
Zheng Inhong, a high-ranking official and one of the leaders of the Daebei faction, was a trusted minister of Lord Gwanghae. Lord Gwanghae learned that the Ming Dynasty envoy was attacked on Hwanghae Road and ordered Jung Inhong to come out of the capital to express condolences to the Ming Dynasty envoy. On the day that Jung Inhong left the capital,
, Lord Guanghai also received a memorial from Liu Dongming, requesting the 1,200 soldiers and horses of Li Gui, the governor of Pingshan, to escort the Great Angel to the capital. Lord Guanghai agreed and ordered people to quickly deliver the edict to Zheng Renhong, who would lead him
Go to Ancheng County to announce the decree to Li Gui——