As soon as the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th passed, the whole city of Beijing became lively.
There is no such thing, because the tens of thousands of military divisions in Suiyuan just walked around for thousands of miles, followed by the officers, and returned to the capital.
For tens of thousands of people in the capital, it is the greatest luck that their fathers, sons, and nephews can return safely.
But for many generals who want to make meritorious deeds, it is very difficult.
Especially Wu Sangui and Li Jingwu, especially Wu Sangui.
Riding on a horse, Wu Sangui looks majestic and exudes the courage of a military commander, which is impressive.
Surrounded by a group of soldiers, the bright armor and fierce aura spoke of its excellence.
Wu Sangui is forty-five years old this year.
Among the ten great princes, he is in the middle of the pack in terms of age, but at the same time he is at his most energetic.
The most obvious evidence is that, except for the newly promoted Gao Yigong and Li Dingguo, he did not have a double title, that is, his other son was a baron.
Although he made great achievements in North Korea and Liaodong, he is insignificant compared to others.
Everyone in the army felt that the reason why he was ranked among the top nobles was because he dedicated tens of thousands of Kanto cavalry.
In addition, many people argued that it was his delaying time that led to the invasion of the army into Beijing, which led to the suicide of the late emperor and the overthrow of the country.
This made him particularly frustrated.
Really, everything will be blamed on him.
Especially when he was being discussed while carrying his record on his back, he felt unwilling to do so.
Therefore, he desperately wanted a hearty victory to prove himself and improve his status among the nobles.
Unfortunately, this battle in Mobei, which had high hopes, ended in an anticlimax and paved the way for Zeng Ying.
Good guy, let's directly lead Tukushetu Khan's tribe northward. What a temptation this is for the generals!
If he missed such a good opportunity, it would cost him his life.
Outside the palace gate, the eunuchs and ministers had been waiting for a long time.
Wu Sangui and others went to the summer resort. After meeting the emperor, they hurried back to their villa.
At this time, his eldest son, twenty-four-year-old Wu Yingxiong, stood respectfully to greet him.
"Let's go!" Wu Sangui stopped and looked at his son's handsome appearance. He nodded slightly, feeling extremely satisfied.
Compared with other achievements, Wu Sangui always wanted his son to study. Perhaps due to the influence of the Ming Dynasty trend for hundreds of years, or the stability of the title, Wu Sangui did not have high hopes for his eldest son.
Wu Yingxiong stayed calm and responded.
Being obedient and serious are his strengths.
Returning to the house, he met Fang Guangchen in the study.
After spending several years in officialdom, this former counselor finally resigned and returned to his former leisurely life as a staff officer.
"Dong Weng is still angry about what happened in Mobei?"
"That's right." Wu Sangui didn't hide anything: "It's a pity that I missed such a good job."
Fang Yichen shook his head and said: "The official position of the country is high, and the minister stationed in Mongolia has been located in Mobei for a long time. He has great autonomy. The emperor will not rest assured."
"You can't earn it in the first place."
In this way, Wu Sangui was quite discouraged: "Now that the ministers can't get anything, and the military achievements are too little, what should we do in the long run?"
Fang Yichen understood Wu Sangui's situation.
The nobles first compete for titles. If they want to wait for titles, they compete for military merit and seniority.
Good guy, Wu Sangui missed the Battle of Dashanguan, the Battle of Huguang, the Battle of Xi'an, the Battle of Luoyang, the Battle of Nanjing, and the crucial Battle of Beijing.
Often in the second half, he plays the villain, which leaves people speechless.
"Fighting merit may not be necessary in officialdom."
Fang Yichen smiled and spread out his folding fan, his face full of confidence.
"How to say?"
Wu Sangui was stunned for a moment, then asked directly.
"Fifth Army Commander's Mansion."
Fang Yichen raised his head, his eyes bright: "Ten major princes sit in one department, but the most important one is the Military and Political Department."
"Isn't that Zhu Meng's position?"
Wu Sangui was stunned.
"The administrative affairs of the Military and Administrative Department are complex and require both high fire and low fire. Zhu Meng is not suitable for the Military and Administrative Department."
"You want me to fight?"
"No, Dong Weng, you have to fight for yourself."
Fang Yichen said in a deep voice.
"The Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army controls the world's troops. Although the military department is decentralized, it should not be underestimated. Those who can fight must be fought back."
When he said this, his eyes burst out with bright colors, which surprised Wu Sangui.
"Because, in the future, there will not be many opportunities for the Duke to also be in charge of the Governor's Mansion, and the Marquises will naturally not be willing to take the position of subordinates easily."
"The marquis is several times as powerful as the duke. When the time comes, the competition will be huge."
"As for you, you must try your best to let Duke Jingguo gain a favorable position and establish the status of the Duke for decades to come."
At this time, Wu Sangui suddenly realized.
Because of the importance of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion, it is only natural that as the first-generation Duke, he should take a front-line position in advance to pave the way for the next generation.
After all, no one knows whether the Shaowu Dynasty can inherit official positions after inheriting titles like the previous Ming Dynasty. For example, the Duke of Wei has held the official position of Nanjing garrison for generations, which is the envy of others.
If you cannot hold an official position, you must expand your influence and pave the way for your heirs.
Because the righteous Duke You Shiwei was demoted, the entire system of nobles and nobles became restless.
There is a carrot and a pit. Only when the ones in front leave can the ones behind follow.
At this time, there was another scene in the capital.
The noisy Fanou Street was actually a little empty at this time.
In Prince Fu's house, Prince Fu Zhu Yousong, who was imprisoned in the mansion, was lying under the shadow of the tree. Several maids stood aside to fan him.
His complexion is fair, but his complexion is a bit bad, with heavy bags under his eyes. This is a kind of paleness caused by alcoholism, and his Yintang is also faintly black.
At fifty years old, his temples are gray, but his skin is shiny and does not look old.
He had a chubby face and looked very fat in his loose robe. He was lying on the chair with his flesh spread directly to both sides, slowly squeezing the entire chair.
Zhu Yousong complained more than once that he wanted to order a large bamboo chair, but he often said it but could not say it.
Because he was afraid that his sudden words might make the emperor think of him and the court think of him, making him disgusting, which would lead to a decrease in his treatment.
Compared with other Zhu family members, Emperor Shaowu was indeed kind-hearted.
Look at the Jiansu people, they were imprisoned stupidly. Yingzong was imprisoned in Nangong and faced death. Now he is trapped in the palace, with no worries about food and drink, and a group of wives and concubines. It is simply great.
I am used to living a life of ups and downs and facing beheading all the time. This kind of life is so nostalgic.
"Why is it so quiet today?"
Zhu Yousong suddenly opened his eyes and leaned his ears against the wall.
"Sir, I heard that the army is coming back today, and everyone on the street is probably waiting to welcome them."
The maid's clear voice sounded.
"Oh!" Zhu Yousong nodded, with a disappointed look on his face.
This location was specially chosen by him. It was shady and close to the street. He could hear a lot of interesting things. This was the first time he had found folk life so interesting after living in the palace for decades.
Suddenly, the small door opened, and a servant came to report that it was King Lu.
King Zhu Changfang of Lu was one of the vassal kings who fled to Huai'an with him. Later, because the Donglin Party tried to establish him as the throne, he was disliked by the Donglin Party and was sent to Hangzhou.
After the city of Nanjing was captured, King Lu supervised the country, but was soon captured again, and together they were taken prisoner to Beijing.
However, after Emperor Shaowu regained Beijing, the two were treated completely differently.
King Fu Zhu Yousong was directly placed under house arrest, and his Hongguang reign was abolished. He was politically deposed from the throne, and then isolated and weakened his influence.
King Lu was different. Although he was in prison, he was forced to do so and there was no political threat. He was liberated after three to five years of house arrest.
Moreover, she often comes to see him and chat with him.
Of course Zhu Yousong understood that King Lu came with a political mission, and the purpose was very clear, which was to examine his thoughts and explore his movements, and he was considered a chess piece.
"Nephew, I'm here to see you."
It was the third time he came here in a month, and King Lu still looked very energetic. He also had a bundle of Ming Dynasty gazettes in his hand. No one could bring in except him.
Although King Lu has gained some weight, his face looks white and tender, and his limbs are strong.
"Uncle Wang, you are here——"
Zhu Yousong showed a sincere smile.
Although he knew its purpose, he was still happy.
"coming."
King Zhu Changfang of Lu sighed and said, "Why are you still indulging in alcohol and sex? This is not good for your health."
"After decades of life, you still have to enjoy yourself to the fullest." King Fu said casually: "I have experienced it once and I understand the truth."
"Besides, I don't know how many people are looking forward to my death!"
When King Lu heard this, he was a little silent for a moment.
Although it's hard to hear, it's true.
A vassal king who fulfills his throne, no matter which dynasty or generation he is in, will be persecuted. It is rare for him to live for more than ten years like Emperor Shaowu.
"Nowadays, you are kind and generous. You will be fine. Don't worry."
King Lu comforted him.
"Uncle Wang, I haven't read much, but I understand what you mean." Prince Fu nodded in agreement: "I feel comfortable raising a loser like me, but I still have regrets in my heart."
"I have several brothers, but I am the only one left. The huge Fu clan is about to be cut off, after only two generations..."
"How can I be willing to do this, Uncle Wang? How should I see my father after death?"
Hearing these words, King Lu felt sad in his heart, and his heartfelt words made people unable to help but feel sad.
Prince Fu's palace was in Luoyang, and only one Zhu Yousong escaped. After arriving in Nanjing, he still has no heir.
In this case, it is natural to eliminate the feudal vassal without sons.
But Prince Fu never wanted to accept such a result.
Because this means that after death, no one will come to worship them in the ancestral temple, and his name can only be seen in the thick genealogy.
No one wants to accept this reality, not even King Fu, who is now a pile of flesh.
Therefore, he opened his narrowed eyes, bursting with dazzling light, and made a plea:
"Uncle Wang, although I know this is against the rules, I still want you to ask His Majesty to adopt a prince into my family just like Qin Fan did."
As he said that, he grabbed his arm directly and used all his strength to feed her.
King Lu couldn't break free for a while.
He had to give up and said calmly: "Fu Fan, you know, Qin Fan is different after all. The emperor has roots in his family and will not just watch his heir die..."
King Fu heard this, but he had no intention of giving up. He held on to his clothes and said, "It's different, but it's also different."
At this point, he said without any scruples: "The imperial court was still troubled by the treason in Nanjing, but it has not happened in these years. It is all under His Majesty's protection..."
"But, this is a problem, and it needs to be solved."
"If you let a prince succeed you, won't you live in peace?"
When King Lu heard this, he stopped moving immediately.
He felt that this was indeed a good method.
At the same time, as an intermediary, he can also gain a lot of benefits.
After all, compared to other vassal princes, the rewards from Prince Lu's Mansion are the lowest. Although it cannot be said to be a financial hardship, it is not very honorable.
The cost and other things really put the entire palace at a disadvantage.
"I'll go try it!"
King Lu looked confused and troubled. It took him a long time before he responded: "Don't place too many expectations on me."
"I understand, I understand!" King Fu nodded excitedly.
"If there is a successor to the Fu clan, my life will not be in vain—"
The two chatted for a while, and then King Lu left in a hurry.
Prince Lu rushed directly to Prince Rui's Mansion.
As Zongzheng, King Rui had high prestige and was close to the emperor, making him a very convenient contact person.
King Lu understood that he didn't have much room to intervene in this matter, so it would be good to be the messenger.
After King Rui understood, he pinched his beard and refused to let go.
After a long time, he said: "I understand."
"Prince Lu, you have done a good job. I will present this matter to His Majesty. You have to go and appease him. This matter cannot be rushed."
At this time, the news about Prince Fu's Mansion arrived at Yuquan Mountain.
When the emperor heard this, he frowned: "Why are you still adopting..."
In fact, he has always treated King Fu coldly. After all, he is old. After his death, the Fu clan will be cut off and it will come to an end.
However, adoption is not a bad idea.
He had many sons, one of whom would inherit the title of King Fu, and at the same time inherit his status as a close relative, thus eliminating the threat.
It can even comfort the former Hongguang veteran.
Kill three birds with one stone.
Whenever he encounters a problem, Zhu Yixi likes to consult Zhao Shu, and this time is no exception.
Zhao Shoufu came slowly and sat down peacefully.
"It's just such a thing." Zhu Yixi explained calmly: "Fu Fan is different from Qin Fan. According to the rules of the court, such an extinct vassal king must be taken back..."
"But Your Majesty, in the three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, there was no second Fu Fan!"
Zhao Shu opened his mouth and it was history: "Yongle, Xuande, Tianshun, for several generations, the clan has always been unrest, and the bloodline has been restless, so much so that there is a matter of imprisoning the clan, and there is no screen vassal..."
As he spoke, he raised his head and said, "If a prince is adopted into the Fu Domain, it may eliminate the resentment of the clan members."
"After all, even in a peaceful and prosperous age, there are many vassal kings who have no heirs. Although adopting a prince is a bad idea, it is better than cutting off the incest, isn't it?"