In the early morning, the sunlight slanted in from the window and shone on the face of Zhang Yanling, who was lying on the big bed in the room. The dazzling light woke Zhang Yanling up, and he sat up suddenly, squinting and looking around blankly.
There was no one in the room, the birds were chirping crisply outside the window, the white gauze curtains were swaying slightly in the morning breeze, and the fresh floral-scented air filled the room.
There was no one on the pillow, and a few long golden hair fell on the pillow. Zhang Yanling reached out to pick it up and looked at the sun. The hair shone in the sun.
Zhang Yanling was stunned for a while, recalling the passion of last night in his mind. Last night's wine, beauty, poems and songs made him finally unable to control himself. The night of joy, shouts and tears, passion and tenderness were still in his ears.
Catherine's tenderness was as tender as water, and she was extremely flattering. The two of them were in harmony with each other, and they were extremely happy. It was really a beautiful and beautiful scenery. They didn't fall asleep until dawn.
Perhaps Catherine was shy. She got up early in the morning and didn't know where she was going. Zhang Yanling stood up lazily, shirtless, slowly put on clothes and tied her hair into a bun. She walked to the window and looked into the garden, only to see a scene in the garden.
Next to the rose bushes, Catherine was wearing a white dress and a red hairband, holding a small kettle to water the flowers. The sun was shining slantingly, the roses were in full bloom, and the people among the flowers looked even more warm and beautiful.
Zhang Yanling coughed loudly. Catherine looked up and saw Zhang Yanling standing at the window with a smile on her face. She gestured to Zhang Yanling, meaning that she would come back after watering the flowers. Zhang Yanling nodded and slowly left the room and went downstairs.
Wash.
Catherine came back soon. When she saw Zhang Yanling, her face turned slightly red and she whispered, "Did your lordship sleep well last night?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Slept well. How about you?"
Catherine's face was feverish and she said softly: "I'm fine too. I prepared breakfast for you. I baked bread and had morning tea."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "That's great, I'm very hungry."
Freshly baked hot bread was served, as well as a pot of tea for the people of Franji, a drink made with tea leaves, raisins, walnuts, dried fruits, etc. Zhang Yanling ate his fill with the tea. He was very satisfied.
Catherine stood aside and watched Zhang Yanling eating with a smile, but she didn't take a bite. Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Why don't you eat?"
Catherine said: "I don't have much appetite. I'll be fine if I drink some tea later."
Zhang Yanling winked and said, "It seems you are full."
This was a pun. Catherine's face turned red, and she looked at Zhang Yanling with annoyance. Zhang Yanling laughed loudly, got up, hugged Catherine, kissed her on the lips, and said softly: "Thank you for the hospitality, I have to go do something.
There is an important meeting to be held today. You can eat something later and get some sleep. I will come back tonight."
Catherine blushed and nodded slightly.
Since then, Zhang Yanling's insomnia has finally improved. Accompanied by Catherine's singing, mellow wine, and her gentle comfort, every night is a happy and warm night. Their relationship has gradually become known to the public. Zhang Yanling comes and goes.
On various occasions, Catherine was also brought along. Everyone felt it was inappropriate at first, but then they became accustomed to it, which is not surprising.
On April 19, Zhang Yanling received the news that the returning ship led by Zhang Yin had arrived at Longyamen, entered the entrance of the Manlajia Strait, and would arrive in the near future. Zhang Yanling was overjoyed, as this was the good news he had been waiting for. Three
After more than a month, Zhang Yin finally came back.
Zhang Yanling immediately boarded the Datong armored ship in person, and Chen Shiyi and other generals went to greet him.
Two days later, on the calm sea in the middle of the strait, Zhang Yanling saw the huge figures and tall sails of the two supply ships Kunpeng. Zhang Yanling was so happy that he ordered the ship's cannon to roar to greet Zhang Yin and others.
Return.
However, what is puzzling is that there were two ships, the Kunpeng, when they went back, and there seemed to be only these two ships when they came back. Zhang Yin didn't seem to come with a new armored warship, which is a bit strange.
Zhang Yin boarded the Datong iron-clad ship from the gangplank. When he saw Zhang Yanling on the deck, he knelt down to salute and shouted loudly: "Zhang Yin, who is of humble rank, has seen the Lord Protector."
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly, stepped forward to help him up, and said loudly: "I miss you so much. I'm back now."
Chen Shiyi laughed at the side and said: "Brother Zhang Yin, if you don't come back, the Duke of Guo will go crazy with anxiety. He checks for news every day and looks at the sea every day. He is like a stone to watch his husband."
Zhang Yanling spat: "What are you talking about? You don't know what to say."
Zhang Yin said in a deep voice: "You deserve to die for your humble position. You shouldn't have been delayed. You should have come back long ago. Please forgive me for keeping you waiting for so long."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Thousands of miles away, separated by oceans, three months of round trip is already very fast. I'm just anxious, but it has nothing to do with you."
Zhang Yin said: "Hey, I'm incompetent, and things haven't been done well. The things that the father-in-law assigned... I'm... I'm not able to complete my duties."
Zhang Yanling knew in his heart that he should be referring to his failure to bring a new armored treasure ship and his failure to complete the task of increasing troops. But Zhang Yanling thought that there must be a reason for this. I am afraid it is not Zhang Yin's problem, but other aspects of the problem.
.Either the subsequent armored ships were not completed, or there was something wrong with the increase in troops.
"Go into the ship's hall and talk." Zhang Yanling said.
Everyone entered the ship's hall, and the fleet began to turn around and return to the port.
In the ship's hall, Zhang Yanling asked Zhang Yin with a smile: "How is my situation in the Ming Dynasty? Have you seen the emperor? Is the emperor okay? Is there a war in the border town, or something unexpected in the court?"
Zhang Yin said: "I would like to inform you, sir, that everything in the country is stable. After I returned home from humble duty, I immediately rushed to the capital. On the day I arrived in the capital, I met the emperor. I submitted the memorial from the Duke of Guo, describing our journey and the situation of the battle. Your Majesty.
I'm so happy that I even gave him a banquet to reward him for his humble duties."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "This time you have shown your face. The emperor gave you a banquet, which makes others envious."
Zhang Yin said with a smile: "The banquet given by the emperor is in honor of the prince, and I just accept this honor on behalf of the prince. By the way, the emperor asked me to bring his edict and rewards to Kunpeng No. 1.
Come on. I'll go back and get it now."
Zhang Yanling waved her hand and said: "It's not too late to pick it up after I return to Hong Kong. Have you met my family? Are they all okay? Have the princes visited me?"
Zhang Yin nodded and said: "All the low-level officials have gone to visit me. Duke Ding, Duke Ying, and Young Master Zhu Lin have all seen them. The Duke of Guo's house naturally went to visit him as soon as possible and forwarded the family letter to the Duke and took it back.
The local specialties. The ladies were very happy and they were all very nice. They also wrote letters when they came and sent many food items. They were all placed in the secret warehouse of the Kunpeng. They would be handed over to the father-in-law after returning to Hong Kong.
"
Zhang Yanling's mood was agitated. Hearing that the ladies had written letters and brought things, she was eager to see them even more than she wanted to see the emperor's edict.
"Okay. Great. But the letters home from the soldiers and the injured brothers have also been arranged, right?"
"That's natural. All the humble duties have been arranged, so the Duke can rest assured."
Zhang Yanling breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "Very good. So, it seems that the only thing that has not been accomplished is that no new armored ships have arrived. I guess the shipyard must have failed to build the ships in time.
So that we can’t go here this time, right?”
Zhang Yin's face became heavy and he shook his head and said: "My lord, that's not the case. Longjiang Bao Shipyard built two armored ships after we left. Both have been completed and have completed sea trials."
Zhang Yanling was stunned and said in a deep voice: "Then why didn't you bring them to join the fleet? What's the reason? There are insufficient artillery or you failed to select good soldiers and horses? Or... the imperial court does not allow more troops?"
Zhang Yin sighed and said: "None of them. Sir, someone has taken over our ship."
"What?" Zhang Yanling shouted in surprise.
Chen Shiyi, Wang Hong and other generals were also shocked and yelled: "Who is so fucking bold and dares to seize our warship? Is this going against the grain?"