In front of Yongding Gate in the capital, colorful flags were fluttering and crowds of people were crowded. It seems a bit exaggerated to say that the streets were deserted by thousands of people, but the number of people who greeted Lord Zhang's triumphal return outside the city gate ranged from the emperor Zhu Houzhao to the common people in the capital, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
During the Battle of Daming Mansion, the government army defeated the number of traitors with more than 30,000 soldiers and horses. The traitor leader Liu Liuyang Hu and others were all beheaded. News came that tens of thousands of traitors were scattered as birds and beasts. There was great joy in the government and the public.
voice.
Since the chaos broke out at the beginning of the year, the news of the bandits has affected the hearts of people all over the world. The bandits have been victorious and arrogant. The government and the public are helpless. Everyone is afraid that the bandits will come to the capital, especially after hearing about the bandits.
After what the soldiers did in Wen'an and Xiong County, people in the capital were in panic.
Those who were most afraid were the officials and wealthy people. Most of the targets of the bandits' burning, killing, and looting were wealthy households. They robbed all their land and property, distributed their fields to the common people, and ruined their wives, daughters, and concubines at will.
.
If the rebels attack the capital, will it be okay? Then everyone will be harmed by them.
At this time, no matter who stands up and defeats the thieves, it is their savior, which makes them grateful. Maybe after a while, they will forget it and start to be hostile to the benefactor again because of their different positions. But
At least at this moment, they are grateful.
Of course, the happiest person is Zhu Houzhao.
Before that, the rebel soldiers were making a riot. Everyone was helpless. When the rebel soldiers defeated Shenlong Zhongwei and Hejian's three guards, for a moment, Zhu Houzhao's heart was also frightened. He felt that the throne of the emperor seemed to be like this.
A little bit swaying.
Although it is said that when the rebels actually attack the capital, the frontier army and the Beijing camp have hundreds of thousands of troops to call upon. However, being attacked by the traitors in the capital is extremely embarrassing both in face and in the inner world.
Zhu Houzhao, who had a high self-esteem, aspired to be the emperor for eternity. However, in the four years since he ascended the throne, the Ming Dynasty had turned into a mess, which already embarrassed him. A group of common people rose up and made a fuss, which already made him disgraced. He was attacked again.
To go to the capital and shake up the country is even more unacceptable.
Moreover, Yang Tinghe and others have analyzed the situation. The traitors must not invade the capital. The danger lies not in the traitors themselves, but in the event of chaos in the capital, demons and monsters from all over the country will appear.
Tatars, disloyal local vassal kings, outlying chieftains, green forest bandits, and all the beasts, horses, insects and snakes inside and outside the Ming Dynasty would take action. By then, the situation would be out of control.
Therefore, Zhang Yanling once again lived up to expectations, stepped forward to carry this heavy burden on his shoulders, and once again quickly calmed down the disaster, one can imagine the joy and gratitude in Zhu Houzhao's heart.
In addition, the nobles were also very happy. Although they did not take action, the nobles and nobles were all members of the group. Zhang Yanling led the regiment to counter the rebellion, so winning would naturally bring honor to the regiment.
Over the years, I don’t know how many people have said that the regiment camp is a group of veteran soldiers who do nothing but get paid. The border troops are still fighting the Tatars, and the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses in the capital camp are simply living off the food.
I'm afraid no one will say that anymore today. It takes a thousand days to raise an army but only a short time to use it. When the critical moment comes, we have to look at the soldiers and horses of the regiment and battalion to escort the Ming Dynasty. Although, they all understand that the Zhenwei Battalion led by Zhang Yanling and them
The regiment and camp he leads are actually two concepts.
Ding Guogong Xu Guangzuo's face was full of smiles. After receiving the news, he was already being congratulated. The leader was his son-in-law. The one who captured Liu Chong, the leader of the thieves, was his son Xu Yande. This honor,
Dingguo Gong has his own share.
Xu Guangzuo believed that since then, his Duke Dingguo has become the leader among the nobles of the Ming Dynasty. His prestige has surpassed that of the British Duke. Thinking about it, the position of governor of the regiment should soon belong to his son-in-law.
At noon, the cannon sounded, and the music of silk and bamboo also sounded happily.
On the official road, Zhang Yanling led dozens of horses galloping towards him. When he got close, he jumped off his horse. Zhu Houzhao greeted him with a big smile. Zhang Yanling, Xu Yande and others knelt down and saluted.
"I, Zhang Yanling, Xu Yande and others, have come to see the Emperor. Fortunately, I have lived up to my command as a thief who has been defeated. The Emperor personally welcomed me, but I did not dare to do so." Zhang Yanling said loudly.
Zhu Houzhao stepped forward to help him and said with a smile: "Uncle, thank you for your hard work. I said that when you return in triumph, I will personally greet you. Not only will I greet you in person, I will also lead your horse. You mount the horse and I will lead it for you.
Hold the reins."
All the officials were shocked. The emperor actually wanted to rein in the horse for the Marquis of Jianchang. How could this be allowed?
However, all the officials understood that it was just talk. Zhang Yanling did not dare to let the emperor do this. He would refuse.
However, the next moment, their jaws all dropped to the ground.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I have this honor, and this life and death is worth it. So I boldly asked Your Majesty to lead the reins." Zhang Yanling said loudly.
The ministers were silent and their expressions were dull. It took Xu Guangzuo a long time to react and shouted loudly: "Zhang Yanling, don't overstep your bounds. How dare you let the emperor lead the reins?"
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said: "Ding Guo Gong, it doesn't matter. I want to do this, not my uncle who wants me to do this. I am willing to do it. Marquis of Jianchang, mount your horse? I will set up a celebration banquet in the Qianqing Palace for all the ministers who have worked hard and made great achievements.
Everyone comes to the banquet."
Zhang Yanling kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. That made me bold."
Zhang Yanling stood up, turned around and mounted his horse, came to Zhu Houzhao, and handed the rein to Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao was not upset, took the rein, turned around and walked towards the city gate. Liu Jin looked livid and said loudly: "Your Majesty, you can't
Ah, the emperor can greet him in person, how can he lead the horse for the Marquis of Jianchang? Is this even a good thing?"
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said: "Get out of the way, you are blocking my way."
Liu Jin had no choice but to get out of the way, looked up at Zhang Yanling on the horse and said: "Marquis Jianchang, you are so rude. This is a crime of transgression. How dare you let the emperor lead the horse? How dare you do this after you have achieved some merit? How can you be safe?
What heart?"
Zhang Yanling sneered and said: "I am a hero. Your Majesty thanked me for holding the horse for me. I deserve it. Eunuch Liu, get out of the way. My horse has a bad temper. It would not be good to kick you when I turn around."
Liu Jin was so angry that she couldn't speak, so she had no choice but to bow and follow Zhu Houzhao forward.
Under the public gaze, in stunned silence, everyone looked at Zhang Yanling sitting on his horse, with the emperor holding the reins in front of him. Many people thought: He has great achievements, but he does not know what humility and dignity are. Zhang Yanling may not live long.
.
"Is Zhang Yanling crazy?" Liang Chu, the assistant minister standing next to Yang Tinghe, murmured.
"He is not crazy. He is smart. The emperor has really grown up and knows how to win people's hearts." Yang Tinghe sneered.
"How do you say this?" Liang Chu said.
"Mr. Liang, can't you see that this is a show?" Yang Tinghe looked at Liang Chu.
Liang Chu stared at his dim eyes and asked in astonishment: "A show?"
Yang Tinghe sneered and said: "Master Zhang is cooperating with the emperor to stage a play. The emperor has done too many wrong things since he came to the throne. So many people died in the chaos in Hebei, which made the world uproar. The emperor is a man who wants to save face.
people, but
In the past few years, nothing has made him lose face. In order to restore his image and regain the hearts of the people, he would perform a show of holding a horse for a hero to tell others that he is a good emperor. He knows people well and is courteous to virtuous officials. In this way, he can stabilize himself.
People’s hearts.”
"It makes sense. It's actually like this. But how dare Zhang Yanling do this? This is a big taboo." Liang Chu said.
"Zhang Yanling didn't understand that this was transgression? But he didn't refuse at all. How could a person as smart as him make such a mistake? He knew the emperor's thoughts, so he did it deliberately. Not only did the emperor not think that he was transgressing,
On the contrary, they will value him more. Because
He helped the emperor. He used others' disgust for his arrogance to set off the emperor's benevolence and righteousness. Hehe, he was really willing to spend a lot of money. Originally, after this great achievement, Zhang Yanling was praised by thousands of people, but now he has been praised by many people
I am dissatisfied with him." Yang Tinghe said.
Liang Chu stroked his beard and was speechless for a long time.
"But what he did is a grave crime. In two days there will be ministers to interrogate him. He is above the emperor, and he is a arrogant and powerful minister. Isn't he afraid of being impeached? I want to interrogate him personally.
." Liang Chu said.
"Absolutely not. Mr. Liang, please don't be greedy. It's other people's business to participate in other people's affairs, and my outer court cannot do this." Yang Tinghe said hurriedly.
"Why not? This is for the sake of the righteousness of the court and the affairs of the Ming Dynasty. Why not? Do you have a relationship with him? Do you want to cover up this matter? If he wants to do this, he should pay the price." Liang Chu blew his beard.
Yang Tinghe looked at Liang Chu with a wry smile and whispered: "Master Liang, listen to me, don't do this. You can't defeat him. Didn't you hear? The emperor called Zhang Yanling uncle. From the beginning to the end, the emperor never used his identity and identity as the emperor.
Zhang Yanling is talking. He is talking to Zhang Yanling as a nephew. My nephew is holding a horse for his uncle. Is this transgression?"
Liang Chu opened his mouth, his gray beard fluttering in the wind, and was speechless for a long time.
Indeed, from the first time he met Zhang Yanling, the emperor addressed him as uncle. This was to prevent anyone from impeaching Zhang Yanling for the crime of transgression. As a nephew, holding horses for his uncle was not only not disrespectful, but also natural.
If anyone impeaches Zhang Yanling, the emperor will respond with this reason. The emperor and Zhang Yanling may have communicated before and acted out this drama together.
If this is true, it only means one thing. Zhang Yanling's status in the emperor's mind has reached the point where he can have a heart-to-heart relationship with him without any defense at all.
After entering the city, Zhu Houzhao rode his horse and rode side by side with Zhang Yanling. There was no need for a complete set for the show, just a certain gesture.
At noon that day, there was a sumptuous banquet in the Qianqing Palace. Zhu Houzhao was in a happy mood. He exchanged cups with Zhang Yanling and other heroes and generals, and had a hearty meal with laughter and laughter.
After the banquet, Zhang Yanling went to see the Queen Mother again. It was a lively meeting between the siblings.
Empress Dowager Zhang understood that Zhang Yanling was eager to return home, so she didn't keep him much longer and let him out of the palace after a conversation.
Zhang Yanling then flew back home with his personal guards. The wives and concubines at home were indeed waiting anxiously.