In early spring and February, the vast northern land turns into a snowy area, covered with layers of thick snow, ensuring the harvest for the coming year.
Zheng Sen rushed to the capital with difficulty in the howling wind and snow. The master and servants arrived at the capital inn as if they were fleeing.
"Hey, this snowstorm is as deadly as it is, much more severe than in previous years."
The groom wiped the horse's body with a dry cloth, shaking the snow off his body and complaining.
"Who says it's not the case!" The entourage echoed: "It would be strange for God to kill us all."
When Zheng Sen heard this, he shook his head. After being the county magistrate for more than two years, his mood was naturally very different: "The auspicious snow heralds a good harvest. There will definitely be a good harvest this year."
"That's right, the auspicious snow heralds a good harvest, and the young master has a bright future. This is a good sign."
The attendants quickly agreed, with smiles on their faces.
The coachman curled his lips and said, "It's not you who is rushing along with you."
He looked at the horse distressedly and thought to himself that he had to add a few eggs to the trough at night, so he couldn't get too tired.
After returning to the capital, Zheng Sen rushed to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to report, and the first person he went to visit was the Imperial Academy's Jijiu, who was the examiner after all.
Then I went to visit some colleagues or old friends in Beijing. After a busy few days, I waited at the Ministry of Personnel for the announcement:
He was worshiped as the head of the Ministry of Rites (from the sixth rank) and sent as an envoy to the imperial court to go to Ryukyu.
"Weak minister Zheng Sen, please pay homage to Your Majesty——"
After receiving the imperial edict, Zheng Sen immediately went to Yuquan Villa to meet the emperor.
His official position jumped from the seventh rank to the sixth rank. On the surface, it only took one step, but in fact, he changed from a local official to a capital official.
As we all know, if a Beijing official is sent to the outside world, he must be promoted to a higher level. If he is not careful, he can reach the sixth rank.
How could this not make him happy?
"Get up!" The emperor's voice was still so lazy, as if he had no strength.
Zheng Sen raised his head slightly and saw that the emperor was wearing a thin shirt and a fur coat, sitting casually on a tiger-skin chair. His face was slightly red, which was obviously due to the intense fire on the ground.
He quickly lowered his head, not daring to look any further.
He is the emperor of the entire Ming Dynasty, so this consumption is normal.
"You have done well in Hengshui, and your reputation has spread to the capital. If you follow my wishes, you will go to the governor's Yamen or the Chief Envoy's Yamen to serve as an experience."
"However, things have happened for a reason. Letting you be the person in charge and sent to Ryukyu can be regarded as a kind of training."
Zheng Sen knew very well that this must be true.
According to the past, those who served as county magistrates in the local area were most likely to be adjudicators and supervisors of students, while Jinshi were mostly third-level Jinshi.
Now that Hanlin like him has gone to a place, it is the experience that the emperor himself said.
If they don't travel back and forth for ten years, the emperor will not let them go.
Of course, this kind of experience is quick, and you will basically be promoted before completing your term. In the later period, you can quickly serve as a Beijing official and integrate into the center.
"How dare you bother Your Majesty with your humble reputation..."
"Get up!" the emperor said softly: "Although it is carpeted, it is still very hot. Don't let it burn out."
"yes!"
Only then did Zheng Sen realize this. He stood up hurriedly and stood respectfully with his hands down, not daring to look blindly.
…
"By the way, your master died of illness in Guangxi. In the last few years, he taught local children and corrected the folk customs, which is considered worthy of his knowledge."
"After you return from your mission, take care of his funeral affairs in Nanjing!"
"Yes!" After hearing the bad news, Zheng Sen looked solemn and sighed in his heart.
Soon, the emperor asked about some of his political achievements in Hengshui, such as rectifying water bandits, cleaning up water mills, etc. His tone was neither salty nor bland, making people confused.
After waiting for a quarter of an hour, Zheng Sen was trembling and answered cautiously, for fear of leaving a bad impression on the emperor.
After the meeting, Zheng Sen took out a few food stamps and stuffed them into the eunuch's hand, and said respectfully: "Father, what do you think of this?"
"You are in good order this time. Your Majesty is in a good mood. Please rest assured!"
"Thank you, father-in-law, for your advice."
After stuffing a few more food stamps, Zheng Sen breathed a sigh of relief and left Yuquan Villa.
As the heir to the Marquis of Nan'an, the Zheng family has never been short of money, so they naturally purchased real estate outside Yuquan Villa.
Zheng Sen moved in without any scruples. Everything was so comfortable.
Not long after, someone suddenly came to see me.
"I just got home and there was someone? They were targeting me."
Zheng Sen changed his clothes and read the greeting card.
I saw the word Zhu Jing written on it.
The housekeeper on the side said hurriedly: "Sir, this person is a great person. He just came back from the border."
"Just because of this surname, I dare not neglect you."
Zheng Sen shook his head.
Of course he knew something about Zhu Jing.
Regardless of the greatness of his sacred scroll and the crowning of the capital, he said that he had heard rumors that this person would form a team with him, serve as deputy envoy, and lead hundreds of soldiers from the capital camp.
I came to visit you this time, presumably to make an outpost and communicate a few things before traveling.
For such young people, their hearts must be satisfied.
"Open the middle door to welcome distinguished guests."
Soon, Zhu Jing felt great importance after being personally greeted by Zheng Sen.
"Mr. Zheng, you're welcome."
Zhu Jing walked into the hospital with her arms crossed, sat down, drank hot tea, and smiled sincerely: "How can I feel comfortable with such a grand ceremony?"
"General Zhu followed Lu Zhongtang to the border town and made outstanding achievements. This time I go to Ryukyu, I have to rely on you even more!"
"You're welcome--"
The two of them were very polite and respectful, and they had a great time talking.
Zhu Jing understood that although Zheng Sen was only the head of the district, he was the heir to the Marquis of Nan'an and the successor to the Zheng family's huge power, so he could not be treated with common sense.
And Zheng Sen was even more cautious. Although Zhu Jing was still a sixth-rank official, she was a close minister of the emperor. When she returned this time, with the speed of her progress as a military attache, she might soon hold a high position.
You can't get too close to this kind of person.
After some conversation, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The envoys and deputy envoys on this trip are not mediocre and idiots, and they must be able to successfully complete the mission.
"How's it going? Can Zheng Sen do something?"
When Zhu Jing returned to the mansion, she saw Sun Shining, who was bouncing around and looked like an abandoned dog.
At the age of fifteen, Sun Shining has been favored by the queen since he was a child. Although the Sun family has a strict upbringing, it is still difficult to restrain his jumping.
As the emperor's brother-in-law, the queen's brother, and the future prince's uncle, Sun Shining's future is limitless.
From his body, Zhu Jing could vaguely see the shadow of her past.
"He's a smart man."
Zhu Jing sat down, took off her heavy coat, and said softly: "This trip should go smoothly."
"No, this trip should be about fighting."
Sun Shining said excitedly: "Aren't there Japanese? As soon as our heavenly soldiers arrive, we will fight them until the end of the day. When the time comes, I will take the lead, make great achievements, make my wife a shadow, and become a blockbuster..."