"My lord, what's wrong with you? I dare to ask, when will we leave to return to China? Zhu Chenhao has probably already arrived at the gates of Nanjing, and may even have captured Nanjing. The situation is extremely urgent. My maid thinks that my lord should
Leave early to return home. The Emperor is looking forward to it."
Zhang Zhong looked at Zhang Yanling, who was sitting there in a daze with a frown on his face for a long time, and said cautiously in a low voice.
Zhang Yanling returned home and glanced at Zhang Zhong, who was full of expectations, and said in a deep voice: "Does the emperor have an edict? What I mean is, did the emperor ask you to deliver the edict? Where is the imperial edict?"
Zhang Zhong's face suddenly became embarrassed. He smacked his lips and said in a low voice: "My lord, the imperial edict is there, but this servant deserves to die. He lost it."
Zhang Yanling's eyes widened in astonishment and she shouted: "What did you say? Lost it?"
Zhang Zhong smiled bitterly and said: "That's right, slaves are really stupid. More than ten days ago, when we just left the port of Manlajia, we encountered a storm. The ship almost capsized. Fortunately, we found a small island to take shelter from the wind.
But then, the slave girl discovered that the imperial edict was lost. The slave girl had originally hidden the imperial edict in her arms. When the hurricane broke out, I helped to maneuver the boat.
I pulled the sail and didn't pay attention to other things. When everything was calm, I realized that it was missing. We searched the whole ship and everyone's body, but it was missing. It must have fallen out of my arms when I was busy.
When I came out, I was blown into the sea by the wind and rain. Alas, this slave is so stupid, she deserves to die."
When Zhang Yanling heard this, looking at Zhang Zhong's annoyed expression, she suddenly burst into laughter.
Zhang Zhong looked at Zhang Yanling in surprise, and shouted with a mournful face: "My lord, do you think that this slave is lying to you? You can't trust me, right? I swear on my behalf, the eighteenth generation of the ancestors of the Zhang family,
Everything the slave said is true. Everyone who came with me witnessed the whole thing and experienced it personally, and they can all testify."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and waved his hand: "Zhang Zhong, where did you want to go? I still can't believe you? I just think this matter is very funny. You came to deliver the edict, but you lost the edict. Is this okay?"
"
Zhang Zhong said with a sad face: "Yes, this happened. After I go back, I will apologize to the emperor and ask for punishment. Alas, I am really unlucky. I encountered a hurricane."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "That's nothing. Losing the imperial edict is not a big deal. It's not like this has never happened. It's good that the person is not lost. You are lucky and you found a shelter from the wind. If not
Find shelter from the wind. The hurricane ten days ago would have killed you all in the sea. It's not a big deal. It's just that I can't listen to the imperial edict, which is a bit regretful. But the content is just to let me return to the country to quell the rebellion.
.It’s not hard to guess either.”
Zhang Zhong was very happy when he heard what Zhang Yanling said. This imperial edict was originally read out to Zhang Yanling. After the reading, he would stay with Zhang Yanling. If Zhang Yanling said he didn't care, it wouldn't be a big deal. There was no need for him to tell it out, so as not to get beaten up.
Scolded.
"Thank you so much for your generosity, Lord. If I take this job again next time, I will have to sew the imperial edict into my clothes. I will never make such a mistake. This is my first time to formally deliver the edict, but I still don't have enough experience."
Zhang Zhong bowed and sighed.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Once you are alive, you will become familiar again. Just be more careful in the future."
Zhang Zhong nodded repeatedly and asked: "So, when will the Duke leave for his return journey?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "What's the rush? Is it possible that I can't leave now? You've worked hard all the way here, so you should have a good rest. I also have to arrange things here. In short, there is no need to worry."
Zhang Zhong said hurriedly: "What the Lord said is true. But this matter is indeed extremely urgent. It doesn't matter if I have worked so hard for you, but you can't miss the important event."
Zhang Yanling waved her hands and said: "Don't say anything, just listen to my arrangements. If you come, turn around and go back to Hong Kong. Tell the cook to prepare wine and food tonight to welcome Eunuch Zhang and his party. We have come all the way here, but we have to eat
It’s a big loss and we have to make up for it.”
Everyone on the side agreed and said with a smile: "That's what it should be. This journey is naturally hard."
Zhang Zhong was so grateful that he repeatedly raised his hands and said he didn't dare.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Don't be polite, we are all brothers, there is nothing to be polite about. Yes, you came to convey the order, the pomp is not small. You actually brought three boats. There are quite a lot of people, I will tell Chen in a moment
General, I want to arrange accommodation for your people. We should also prepare enough food for the evening. There must be hundreds of people in three ships."
Zhang Zhong said hurriedly: "My lord, is there such a grand ostentation there? I only have fifty followers, and my boat is only this one."
Zhang Yanling said in shock: "Aren't those two ships at the back yours?"
Zhang Zhong replied: "No. We are just on the road together. They set off from Manlajia Port. They are my merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty. Don't you know that?"
"What? Merchant ship?"
Everyone was stunned.
Zhang Yanling said in surprise: "My Ming Dynasty's merchant ships have already arrived? I haven't ordered navigation yet. The trade routes have not been fully opened, and the relevant affairs and facilities are not yet complete. How can someone be so impatient and unruly?"
Zhang Zhong shook his head and said: "Then I don't know. I thought the Duke knew about it. But I met the people on the ship, and it is true that I, a merchant from the Ming Dynasty, unloaded the goods at the port of Manlajia, and then said that I would come
Here we happened to be coming, so we came together."
Zhang Yanling was speechless. She turned around and told Chen Shi: "After entering the port, go and see where the merchants are who don't know the rules. Bring their managers to me."
Chen Shiyi bowed and said: "As ordered."
The ship turned around, and several armored warships, one on the front and one on the left, escorted Zhang Zhong's official ship and two merchant ships back to the port. Zhang Yanling specially observed the two merchant ships. The ships were very new, and they were indeed from the Longjiang Shipyard.
The style of the sea-going ship was basically confirmed to be a merchant ship from the Ming Dynasty.
I don’t know which merchant ship it is that is so impatient. Even the ships from my own Daming Sea Trading Company didn’t come, so this family got a lucky draw. This guy doesn’t understand the rules and doesn’t obey orders, so I should give them a good scolding.
, give them a heavy fine. Otherwise, the shipping department’s maritime trade management will be a lot of trouble in the future, and they will have to set rules.
In the evening, Zhang Yanling held a banquet to welcome Zhang Zhong and his party. Although Zhang Zhong was very humble in front of Zhang Yanling and called himself a slave, his current status is no small matter. His status as a ceremonial eunuch is enough to attract people's attention. Not to mention
, he is also the admiral of Dongchang. It can be said that Zhang Zhong's status in the inner court is probably second only to Zhang Yong, the eunuch in charge of the eunuch.
However, the current inner court is not as arrogant and domineering as when Liu Jin was in power. The inner court under the leadership of Zhang Yong is very conservative, so it appears to be much more low-key. But in fact, in terms of status and authority, it is still huge.
Naturally, the generals did not dare to neglect Zhang Zhong. The dinner was very lively with cups and plates mingling among each other. Zhang Zhong and his followers had suffered a lot at sea for more than a month, and today they could finally drink with peace of mind.
eat meat,
Relax. The banquet lasted until the second watch. Zhang Zhong and others were very drunk. Zhang Yanling, Zhang Yin, Chen Shi, and other generals also drank a lot. Finally, Huo Shijian and his guards sent Zhang Zhong and his party back.
Rest in the military camp accommodation.
Zhang Yanling also drank a lot, and when she was staggering back to her residence with the help of Chang Shun, she was stopped by Zhang Yin, Chen Shi, Wang Hong and others.
"Sir, I have something to ask you. Could you please stay for a while?" Wang Hong said, cupping his hands.
Zhang Yanling squinted his eyes and waved his hands: "I'm so dizzy after drinking. What's the matter...can't we talk about it tomorrow?"
Wang Hong said: "Master, if we don't ask this matter clearly now, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
"That's it. Come, let me serve you tea to sober up." Zhang Yin shouted.
Zhang Yanling had no choice but to wave her hands and said: "That's all, just sit down for a while. You guys are really annoying me."
Zhang Yanling walked back into the drunken hall. Wang Hong brought a chair and helped Zhang Yanling sit down. Chen Shiyi held a feather fan beside him to fan Zhang Yanling.
Zhang Yin personally held the tea cup and handed it to Zhang Yanling and said: "Please give me some tea, my lord. This is local black tea, which is said to sober up. I got some and let your lord have a taste."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "To show your courtesy for nothing is to be either an adulterer or a thief. What on earth are you going to do?"
Wang Hong said in a deep voice: "Master Guo, we just want to ask Duke Guo, have you really decided to return to the country to quell the rebellion?"
Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes and said: "Yes, what can we do otherwise? The emperor sent Eunuch Zhang to convey the order and asked me to go back to quell the rebellion. Can I not go back? Zhu Chenhao, a thief, rebelled at this time, which caught people off guard.
Ah. The imperial court must have been caught off guard. Zhu Chenhao had
There are hundreds of warships and hundreds of Folan cannons. I estimate that he also has matchlock guns. In one month, he conquered Nankang, Jiujiang, and Anqing, and then Wuhu, Dangtu, and Nanjing. Once Nanjing is captured, our Ming Dynasty
Half of the country fell into his hands. The situation is dire."
"However, this distant water can't quench the near thirst. Are there so many princes and generals in the imperial court just for a living? Isn't it exhausting to have you step in for everything?"
"That's right, we are about to attack Guli Port here. The war is imminent, how can we fall short of our success? We have worked hard and shed blood and sweat for a year, and our brothers have died to get to where we are today. Do we just give up like this?"
"Sir, if we leave, this place and the port of Malacca will definitely be taken back by Ebi Folangji. Wouldn't our work be in vain?"
When Wang Hong and the other three saw Zhang Yanling saying that he wanted to go back to quell the rebellion, they immediately became anxious and started talking to each other one by one.
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "Then what do you think we should do? Do you want me to resist the decree? What kind of sin is it if I resist the decree and disobey it?"
The three of them were immediately speechless and looked at each other.
"Besides, there are so many talented people in the court, so naturally it is not necessarily me who is going to put down the rebellion. But the emperor sent a decree asking me to return to the court, which is of course a sign of trust in me on the one hand, and a critical situation on the other. How could I
Refuse?" Zhang Yanling picked up the tea cup and took a sip. This local Ceylon black tea tastes quite good. It enters the throat in one sip and has a strong and mellow aroma.
The three of them were as silent as deflated rubber balls, and did not hide their disappointment. It seemed that the Duke was determined.
Zhang Yanling drank tea and looked at them with a smile on her face.
"Hey, you three, do you really think I'm going back to quell the rebellion? I know you are holding these things in your hearts. It was very uncomfortable for you in front of Zhang Zhong at the banquet, right? Hey, we finally got here.
How could I let everything here fall by the wayside at this step today? You are just worrying blindly and not using your brain." Zhang Yanling couldn't help scolding.
"Ah? What do you mean, Duke Guo, don't know how to teach?" the three of them said in unison in surprise.
"Of course not." Zhang Yanling said.
"That's great, it makes us worry in vain." Chen Shiyi said happily.
"But...does the Duke really want to resist the decree? That's...but..." Zhang Yin whispered, but he hesitated twice and did not dare to continue.
"Resist the edict? Hahaha, what a joke. I didn't resist the edict. I didn't even receive the imperial edict. Who dares to say that I resisted the edict? Wouldn't that be a big joke?" Zhang Yanling laughed.
"..." The three of them were stunned, and suddenly understood, they looked at each other and laughed.