The morning sun was rising, and the birds were chirping annoyingly. Zhang Yanling woke up suddenly. He sat up from the bed. The thin quilt slipped from his body, revealing his naked body covered with red marks.
There was no one in the beautifully decorated room. The curtains on the long window were half-closed, and the sunlight from outside filtered in and fell on the soft sand curtains. Everything was peaceful and calm, like waking up from a spring dream without a trace.
Zhang Yanling sat blankly on the bedside, recalling in his mind the night last night that was filled with shouts, tears and sighs.
There was a stormy night in the small building, and the sky was covered with red flowers. It was a crazy and ecstatic night.
Zhang Yanling slowly dressed and got out of bed, feeling mixed. After standing in the room for a while, he saw a piece of plain paper on the dressing table and a strand of hair next to it.
"Master Hou, Qingyi has returned to the palace. Seeing Master Hou sleeping soundly, she couldn't bear to wake her up, so she left without saying goodbye... What happened last night was all of Qingyi's own free will. Master Hou must not care about it. Master Hou must not feel sorry for it.
, this is not what Qingyi wants. Don't belittle me with this. Qingyi just wants to leave a good memory, and it is not in vain to meet the Marquis."
"How lucky is Qingyi to meet the Marquis in this life. Qingyi will remember the kindness of the Marquis in her heart and will never forget it in this life. How unfortunate is Qingyi. There is no way to escape from various situations. She can only end up here, which makes people hate her.
There is nothing I can do about my liver and intestines. No matter what, if I have to meet the Marquis in this life, Qingyi will never regret it."
"The Marquis has returned to Beijing recently, so I forgive Qingyi for not being able to see him off. It's a long journey home. Please take care of yourself and return slowly. Don't be anxious. Safety is the most important. Have a smooth journey. On the occasion of parting, Qingyi wishes you the best."
The future has great ambitions and a long journey ahead. What’s more important is peace, joy, and no illness or disaster.
.After the Marquis has passed away, thousands of mountains and rivers have blocked us. The sky is high and the sky is far away. I fear that you and I will never see each other again. But Qingyi will always remember the Marquis and pray for his peace and happiness. I only hope that the moon will be bright and the wind will be clear.
At that time, the Marquis could still remember Qingyi. He remembered that we once had a night of happiness and a short-term true love."
"I will give you a strand of black hair as a tribute to you, and I will also take a strand of your hair. Although I have no intention of getting my hair tied, I will leave you with the thought of breaking it off. Don't come looking for me. Qingyi will not see the Marquis. It will only increase your troubles."
, it is of no use to the matter. Leave a message with clear etiquette"
Zhang Yanling finished reading this letter in a daze, feeling so filled with emotions that it is difficult to express in words.
Zhu Qingyi is strong and independent, but also passionate. She is calm and emotional. Her dedication to herself is her bravery and fearlessness in love. However, she will not get dizzy because of love. She knows
It is your own responsibility to know how to choose between advancement and retreat.
Zhang Yanling touched her bun and found that a strand was indeed broken. It had obviously been cut off by Zhu Qingyi. He picked up the strand of hair on the dressing table and brought it to his nose for a deep kiss.
"Qingyi, just wait. I will find a way to solve this matter. You treat me like this, how can I live up to your deep love? I swear." Zhang Yanling thought in her heart.
…
At noon, on the official road in the south of Ningxia City, under the shade of willows beside the road, Yang Yiqing led Qiu Yue and other Ningxia town officials and troops to see Zhang Yanling off.
"Master Zhang, Eunuch Gu, and all the generals of the Zhenwei Battalion. After drinking this glass of wine, I wish you a smooth journey back to Beijing. Needless to say, you have contributed a lot to Ningxia's rebellion this time. On behalf of me,
Ningxia Town people, thank you all." Yang Yiqing raised his glass and said loudly.
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "You're welcome, Mr. Yang. I'm going back to Beijing, but Mr. Yang still has to stay in Ningxia Town to rectify the situation. After a rebellion in Ningxia Town, the military and the people need to be rectified and stabilized. I'm afraid Mr. Yang will have to worry too much."
Okay. However, with Mr. Yang’s ability, I believe that the situation will stabilize soon. With this glass of wine, I also wish Mr. Yang all the best."
Yang Yiqing chuckled and said, "Okay, let's take advantage of the Marquis's good words and let's do it."
"Dry!"
"Dry!"
Everyone raised their wine cups and drank all the wine in one gulp.
Zhang Yanling put down his wine glass, cupped his hand and said, "Then, Mr. Yang, generals, Yanling will take his leave. We will see you another day."
Everyone was about to return the favor and say some precious words. But Yang Yiqing said: "Master Hou, wait a minute. I still have something to say to you. Please move aside, Master Hou."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "It seems that Mr. Yang is still reluctant to leave me. Hahaha."
All the generals around also laughed.
Yang Yiqing smiled and walked deep into the willow forest. Zhang Yanling smiled and followed him.
Arriving deep in the willow forest, with willow branches flying overhead and dappled sunlight, Yang Yiqing stood still.
"Master Yang, what do you want to tell me?" Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Yang Yiqing smiled and said: "There are some things that I have been wanting to talk to Mr. Hou these days, but unfortunately I have never been free. If I don't say it now, I don't know when I can say it."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "Master Yang makes it seem like you and I will never meet again. With Master Yang's ability, I am afraid that he will go to the capital to take up a post soon. We naturally want to meet each other."
Yang Yiqing smiled and said: "Everything in the world is unpredictable, so don't dare to say for sure. Even if we meet in the future, it will be different from now. Today is in Ningxia Town. You and I are working side by side to put down the rebellion. Some words may be said. But in the future, even in the capital city
When we meet, you and I may not treat each other as we do today."
Zhang Yanling nodded slightly and said: "Master Yang's words are mysterious. Although I don't understand what you mean, I feel that it is very powerful."
Yang Yiqing chuckled and said: "Master Hou is such a smart person, so he naturally understands."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Master Yang likes to play riddles, but I don't like it. If Master Yang wants to say anything, he will say it directly. My brothers are waiting for me to set off. Everyone is eager to get home, so don't delay the trip."
Yang Yiqing nodded, cupped his hands and said: "Okay. First of all, I want to thank Mr. Hou. This time, it was not Mr. Hou who turned the tide. I almost made a big mistake and ruined the overall situation of counterinsurgency. Moreover, Mr. Hou was willing to help me, which benefited me even more.
It's a shame. Otherwise, I'm afraid my reputation will be ruined this time. Therefore, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Lord Marquis."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Thank you for nothing. There is no need to mention it again."
Yang Yiqing nodded and said: "The Marquis has a broad mind and is admirable. Because of this, I have other things I want to discuss with the Marquis."
Zhang Yanling said: "Please tell me."
Yang Yiqing said in a deep voice: "Master Hou, what is the cause of Zhu Zhixiu's rebellion this time? Has Master Hou ever thought about it?"
Zhang Yanling said: "The reason? Isn't it because Zhu Zhixiu's ambition was inflated and he wanted to be the emperor? This is called overestimating one's own capabilities and causing one's own destruction."
Yang Yiqing looked at Zhang Yanling and said, "Is this what Mr. Hou thinks? I don't think so."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "What does Mr. Yang think of it?"
Yang Yiqing said: "There are certainly many ambitious people, but not many who dare to actually raise an army. Zhu Zhixiu dared to do this because he found an opportunity. Just imagine, if Ningxia Town was monolithic, would Zhu Zhixiu dare to raise an army? A fly. If you don't bite the seamless egg, someone created an opportunity for him. Only then did he dare to rise up and raise an army brazenly."
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "You mean, because of the incident in Qingtun?"
Yang Yiqing nodded slightly and said: "Qingtun is the inducement. But the fundamental reason is that the traitors in the court are in power and the government is in chaos. The emperor favored the ministers, neglected the government affairs, gave the ministers the opportunity to control the affairs of the government, and allowed some people to do whatever they wanted, which messed up the Ming Dynasty. .If the Ming Dynasty is clear and the world is peaceful, how dare Zhu Zhixiu dare to cause chaos? How could there be such a catastrophe?"
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "Mr. Yang, what do you mean by telling me this? I and other honorable relatives have nothing to do with the affairs of the government. Besides, I'm afraid it's inappropriate for you to accuse the emperor. The emperor is young, and some things are not his. ’s fault.”
Yang Yiqing looked at Zhang Yanling and said: "Master Marquis, please don't misunderstand. I am not complaining about the emperor. The emperor has not been in power for a long time, and he is still young. Many things cannot be blamed on the emperor. I am talking about the people around the emperor. The sycophants are in power, and this is the source of trouble. .”
After a pause, Yang Yiqing continued: "Master Hou, the reason why I tell you this is because I feel that Master Hou is a sensible and wise man. He is very different from other nobles. With all due respect, among the nobles, the pattern of Master Hou is No one can match their knowledge and knowledge, including several princes. I am not slandering them. It is not a secret that the nobles and relatives are selfish and bent on seeking their own benefits. Among the nobles and relatives, there are people like the Marquis, who may be Change other people’s impressions of our ancestors.”
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "You have lifted me too high. The higher you lift me, the harder I will fall. I can't afford it. I, Zhang Yanling, am actually a selfish person. Besides, what on earth are you going to say? I Still don’t understand.”
Yang Yiqing said in a deep voice: "Master Marquis, I have said it clearly. Liu Jin's followers control the government and act recklessly, and sooner or later they will destroy our Ming Dynasty. Zhu Chixiu's rebellion is just the beginning, and there will definitely be disasters in the future. This will destroy our Ming Dynasty. .The emperor is young and cannot distinguish right from wrong. We ministers must make decisions. Unless Liu Jin is eliminated, the world will be uneasy."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "Get rid of Liu Jin? How to get rid of him?"
Yang Yiqing said: "Isn't this an opportunity now? Zhu Zhixiu's rebellion is an opportunity. Zhu Zhixiu raised his troops and wrote a memorial, enumerating Liu Jin's crimes. Although it was an excuse, it can be used by us. This time Ningxia suppresses The incident in Qingtun was caused by Liu Jin. This is what I think. This rebellion must be held accountable, and Liu Jin cannot be allowed to fool him. Mr. Hou can join hands with my outer court to launch an impeachment , taking this rebellion as an opportunity to overthrow Liu Jin in one fell swoop. The emperor must have lingering fears about this rebellion. As long as the emperor understands that Liu Jin must be eliminated in order to avoid similar things from happening, the emperor will definitely make up his mind. Xun Qihe The cooperation in the outer court, especially the cooperation between you and me, will definitely be effective at this time."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "Is it that simple? Have you forgotten the original impeachment of the Eight Tigers?"
Yang Yiqing said: "This time, the situation is different this time. I think it will definitely succeed. Or at least it can make Liu Jin restrain himself. As long as Liu Jin controls the government for a day, the outer court and your relatives' families will be suppressed by him. The imperial court There will never be peace. This time Gu Dayong and the others behaved abnormally and intended to harm you. Don’t you understand that this was Liu Jin’s secret instigation? Therefore, both publicly and privately, Liu Jin needs to be brought down. What do you think?”
Zhang Yanling pondered, and Yang Yiqing looked at Zhang Yanling expectantly, thinking that Zhang Yanling was moved.
But Zhang Yanling said slowly: "Mr. Yang, I'm very sorry. Forgive me for not being able to do this."
Yang Yiqing looked disappointed and asked: "Why? Why are you unwilling to do this? Are you afraid of Liu Jin?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Yes, I'm afraid of him. He was already dissatisfied with me because I helped you bail out the foreign court last time, and I don't want to offend him again. Mr. Yang, you have misjudged me. I and other honorable relatives
It’s no different. We just want to live a stable life with good food, clothing, and treasure.
Ma Xiangche is very happy. No matter how bold Liu Jin is, he doesn't dare to offend our relatives. If we don't offend him, he won't dare to offend us. As for the affairs of Jiangshan Sheji, it's not our relatives' turn to worry about.
.We have never participated in government affairs, and we don’t have the ability."
Yang Yiqing was stunned for a moment, his face turned cold, and he said in a deep voice: "It seems that I have indeed misjudged the Marquis. I thought that the Marquis was a person who does great things, but unexpectedly he is also a timid person."
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "Mr. Yang, besides that, do you have anything else to say? If there is nothing else, I will leave."
Yang Yiqing frowned and said nothing. Zhang Yanling smiled and cupped his hands, strode back to the official road, and shouted in a deep voice: "Get ready to go."
Zhang Yin and Chen Shi agreed in unison, and immediately shouted orders. The generals flew on their horses, and Zhang Yanling also flew on his horses. He bowed to all the officials and generals and said, "Everyone, Yanling takes leave. We will see you later."
Qiu Yue and others all raised their hands and said, "Have a good trip, Lord Marquis."
Zhang Yanling nodded with a smile and turned the horse's head. The horn sounded, and thousands of cavalry slowly set off. The horses started from slow to fast, and soon the smoke was billowing and they galloped away.
On the top of Nancheng City, Zhu Qingyi, dressed in a red dress, stood quietly, watching the cavalry go away, tears streaming down her cheeks.