At midday, the sun was blazing, pedestrians were hurrying on the streets, and they were listlessly enjoying the shade under the trees. The whole capital seemed lifeless. The excitement of the Ming army's victory had passed, and life had returned to calm. The reality of firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea overwhelmed many people.
The lingering plague in the city is getting worse and worse, casting a shadow of death over the imperial capital.
In the pavilion of Long Live Mountain, Emperor Chongzhen looked around the capital with solemn eyes and was silent for a long time. A eunuch next to him whispered: "Eunuch Chang returns in the early hours of the morning, and nine out of ten generals who go to the banquet are drunk... Eunuch Chang just went to Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town, and then
Half a hundred cavalry were mobilized and left the city from Andingmen.
"Is Shi Kefa drunk too?" Emperor Chongzhen asked lightly.
"I'm so drunk that I guess I haven't even woken up yet," the eunuch replied.
Emperor Chongzhen laughed and said: "It's surprising"...
"Your Majesty, the Minister of War, Shi Kefa, would like to see you." A eunuch hurried over.
Emperor Chongzhen raised his eyebrows: "Chang Yu has left, and he will leave too. Looking at the Ming Dynasty, they are the only ones who can really relieve me of my worries." He turned around and went down the mountain.
At noon, the imperial court issued a notice in the imperial court, announcing that from now on, the Jiaofang Division would be banned, the guilty women in the Division would be pardoned and sent back to their place of origin, and each person would be given a supplement of five taels of silver, which would be appropriated by the Ministry of Household Affairs... There was a lot of discussion in the city.
In the afternoon, when it was the hottest time of the day, two teams left the city from Andingmen and headed south. One was Zhang Guowei, the imperial censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. He had just been appointed to patrol the five northern provinces and ten prefectures, and he was accompanied by his consort.
Captain Gong Yonggu and a young man were included. The emperor's grace was so great that he also sent a retinue of 500 imperial guards.
The other team was led by Shi Kefa, Minister of War, accompanied by dozens of Jinyi guards, including Wang Guoxing and Li Ruogui who had been poached to Dongchang.
"Zhang Xunzong, I have official duties, so I have to take the first step." Outside Andingmen, Shi Kefa clasped his fists, and Zhang Guowei hurriedly returned the gift: "I am deeply sorry that I can't come with you to learn from him. I'll see you in the future as a host and treat Mr. Shangshu for a drink."
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"It should, it should" Shi Kefa responded with a smile and looked at Gong Yonggu: "Have a good trip, Prince Consort."
"Have a good trip, Lord Shangshu. See you soon." Gong Yonggu returned the gift and looked around: "Did the melancholic guest drink too much yesterday and didn't see him out of the city?"
Chang Yu was stared at by Gong Yonggu because he copied Nalan's sentence "I am a melancholy guest in the world". At this moment, he joked, and everyone laughed: "Eunuch Chang's official duties are much more arduous than ours. Besides, there is a big problem whether to send him or not."
What does it matter? Everyone, please take the first step." Shi Kefa handed over his worldly skills and hurried away.
Twenty miles northeast of the capital, under the shade of a tree by the roadside, Chang Yu, who Gong Yonggu called a melancholy guest, was sweating profusely and cursing why the weather was so hot. His bodyguards were scattered under the shade of the surrounding trees.
I drank some water and rested, and after running twenty miles in one breath, the heat was unbearable for both men and horses.
"It's so damn hot in the Ming Dynasty, but our place in Shenyang is very cool." Azig leaned against the tree trunk and panted heavily, wiping the sweat from his neck and complaining. At this time, he took off his shackles and rushed on his way.
Cheng Changyu gave up letting him ride in the prison car and instead rode a horse.
With a snap, Chang Yu slapped him with his backhand again, making his eyes full of stars: "You guys are so cool, why don't you come to Daming to do it, you bastards!" Everyone laughed, Azige didn't dare to say anything even though he was angry,
He knew that he would receive a lot of beatings, but he secretly swore in his heart that if he caught the little eunuch one day, he would definitely have his skin peeled and cramped.
In the evening, when the heat subsides, the city and outside the capital become lively again. Each guard camp is collecting money. It is not compulsory to donate a hundred taels, and there is no limit to one hundred taels. You can also donate a penny and receive it.
Soldiers generally resent soliciting money, but this was an exception.
Because it was to prepare for the construction of a military hospital.
As long as a military hospital is built, medical insurance will be provided to the entire army, and free treatment will be provided whether injured or sick in the future, whether in service or retired. These soldiers who are good at benefiting others and benefiting themselves are not stingy, and you will donate one tael to me.
Of course, some people are murmuring, shouldn’t the military hospital be funded by the Ministry of War and funded by the government?
The imperial court is poor.
In the courtyard of the Great World, Zhou Yuji, Huang Degong, Ma Ke and others were drinking tea in the hall. Their heads were still aching from being drunk last night. During the chat, someone came up and said that they were sending a letter to Zhou Yuji.
The letter was written to him by a young eunuch, with a few words: "When all the flowers are gone, fight into Chang'an City."
Huh... Zhou Yuji took a long breath, his expression slightly solemn. Huang Degong next to him frowned: "What does this mean?"
Next to him, Tang Tong said: "Uncle Jingnan, have you heard about Huang Chao?"
Huang Degong was startled: "The one who rebelled in the Tang Dynasty? I am from the Huang family."
Tang Tong smiled: "Huang Chao has an anti-poem. When autumn comes on September 8th, all the flowers will bloom. The fragrance will penetrate Chang'an, and the city will be covered with golden armor. The little governor quoted its poetic meaning to inform the generals.
Xibo, let him be prepared to attack Xi'an in the autumn."
Huang Degong was startled and then laughed loudly and said to Zhou Yuji: "Yesterday I was envious that you didn't have to work hard to run errands. I really thought that the little eunuch was so kind and wanted you to go back to Taiyuan to prepare for the attack."
Zhou Yuji smiled bitterly, nodded, and looked at the man: "Where is the factory supervisor? Please send me a message and I will see you later."
"Mr. Factory Gong went out to Beijing for official business. He said that Uncle Ping Xi might have left when he came back, so I left this letter for you." Na Fanzi said quickly. Everyone in the hall frowned, but he left first before the army moved.
One step.
Everyone thought Chang Yu had gone south.
"The imperial edict has arrived." This was the eunuch's male duck voice coming from outside the courtyard. Several people hurriedly left the lobby and knelt down in the courtyard.
"The emperor issued an oral order to summon Xibo, Dingxibo, and Jingnanbo to enter the palace to meet the emperor."
"It seems that we will have to break camp and go our separate ways soon." Zhou Yuji sighed.
Zhou Yuji and the others were ordered to enter the palace to meet the emperor, but in the Wu Mansion in Dongjiang Mi Lane, Wu Sangui had a solemn face and a deep frown. He had just gone to the palace to ask for an audience, but Emperor Chongzhen refused because he was busy with state affairs, and asked the eunuch to tell him that he was at home too much.
Rest for a few days and meet the Holy Spirit later.
"Last night, the little eunuch released the news. All the camps are preparing for the southern expedition in the near future. There is nothing in the capital at the moment, but we can't live without generals outside the country. The emperor actually asked the child to stay in the capital for many days in a normal manner. Dad
"Is there something going on here?" Wu Sangui frowned and looked at Wu Xiang next to him.
Wu Xiang thought for a long time and shook his head: "Dad, I don't understand. Maybe it's because there is peace outside the customs and the emperor really cares for you to stay at home for a while."
Wu Sangui nodded slightly but couldn't help but frown: "It may not be peaceful outside the customs at this time. When the boy entered the capital, Dorgon was on his way to the north. Now it is almost time to reach Jinzhou City, although he may not be able to escape when he arrives in Jinzhou.
We can't afford any trouble, but we have to take precautions to avoid changes. The emperor definitely wants this, and with his cautious temperament... If in the past, he could not let his children enjoy family happiness at home, he would have already issued an order for his children to rush back at night."
.
Wu Xiang hummed: "It's a bit strange. However, Dorgon suffered heavy injuries when he entered the border this time. Even if he wanted to make a fuss, he couldn't turn the tide. Maybe the emperor has seen through his strength, or maybe the emperor also knew that he was being shortchanged in terms of military achievements.
You, let me stay in Beijing for a few more days as compensation."
Wu Sangui snorted and said with a sneer: "A few days' leave can equal the merit of the battle. The Ningyuan battle was a rare victory in several years, but he... even the general of Zhuguo would have failed if he hadn't secretly kept it secretly.
Zhou Yuji and Huang Degong were only awarded titles in front of and behind the horse, but Tang Tong could do the same..."
It was obvious that Wu Sangui was very resentful.
Wu Xiang glanced at his proud son and let out a long sigh: "Zhou and Huang have made great achievements in the past few months, and they deserve the title. Then don't you see the way to the title of Tang Tong?"
"He just ran an errand. In fact, he did not put in any effort but made a lot of military resources. It was just getting close to the young eunuch." Wu Sangui curled his lips. Although he, Tang Tong and Ma Ke are now in alliance,
But deep down in my heart, I have always been worried about Tang Tong's ennoblement. Simply put, I feel that he is not worthy!
"It seems that you still haven't made much progress in the past few years." Wu Xiang snorted: "Is the reason why Tang Tong was knighted just because he was close to the young eunuch? Can't you see the emperor's thoughts? A thousand gold buys horse bones.
Ah! A few months ago, he issued an order to King Qin, and only Tang Tong came, so even if he was just running errands, the emperor wanted to confer a title on him, just to tell the world that only those who obey will have meat to eat!"
Wu Sangui snorted coldly: "The words of our ancestors are all reasonable. Birds are hidden behind bows, rabbits are dead and foxes are cooking. If it is too peaceful outside the pass, I, Wu Sangui, will be of little value. The court will only take me seriously if there is wind or rain."
”.
"What do you want to do!" Wu Xiang stood up and yelled angrily.
"My child didn't want to do anything. Don't worry about it." Wu Sangui quickly reassured his father: "My child is planning to go back and take advantage of the opportunity to capture Jinzhou. Huh, if you don't believe that the emperor won't ennoble you because of your great achievements in regaining it!"
"This matter is negotiable." Wu Xiang nodded: "Evaluate the situation after you go back, and if you are sure, write a report and ask for it. Now that the Manchu Qing Dynasty has been severely damaged and Dorgon is too busy to take care of himself, it is a good time to regain Jinzhou. It may also be the ancestral grave of our Wu family.
It’s a good time to smoke.”
Wu Sangui looked very excited: "My child has to go out now."
"Where to go?" Wu Xiang asked quickly.
"Go to the little eunuch of Dongchang and find out what's going on. I feel like something is wrong." Wu Sangui turned around and left.