The capital of the Ming Dynasty, which is extremely noisy on weekdays, is unusually quiet and solemn today.
Starting from Xihua Gate, there is a guard post every three steps and a sentry post every five steps. The figures of the imperial palace guards extend along the official road to the direction of Huailai Guard.
Wearing bright armor, the half-foot-long red tassel on the spear in his hand fluttered in the gust of wind. The tip of the spear shone with cold air, reflecting the rays of the sun, making it look increasingly sharp and intimidating.
All the huge carriages from the Vehicle Frame Department of the Ministry of War have been lined up.
Fat and strong military horses, with reins on their bodies, were neatly arranged in front of the carriage to provide power for the carriage.
The large chariot used by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty had already stopped at the entrance of the palace.
The twenty-three bay-red army horses used as power were arranged in three rows in front of the carriage. The tops of all the poles on the carriage, as well as the shafts and flagpoles, were engraved with dragon heads. There was a huge golden canopy on the roof, and an apricot yellow canopy behind the carriage.
The flags all show the royal style.
The six ministers each stood under their own carriages, with their bodies slightly bowed, waiting for the emperor's figure.
The team of Jin Yiwei responsible for etiquette, holding various ritual vessels, had already lined up in front and behind the emperor's royal chariot.
In the Qianqing Palace, Ming Chengzu was dressed in a decent dragon robe, with his hands behind his back, looking at the palace entrance.
The hundreds of accompanying eunuchs were all well prepared and waiting outside.
"Your Majesty, the Huailai Hunting Launch Ceremony has been prepared. Do you think we are going out too?" Wang Xiaosi asked cautiously, bowing his body.
It stands to reason that going hunting in Huailai is something that is close to the heart of the emperor, but today, no matter how you look at it, the emperor doesn't seem to be very happy.
"Today, is the only prince and grandson who will follow me to Huailai, King Zhao?" With his hands behind his back, Ming Chengzu's tall body looked slightly rickety when viewed from the side.
Huailai hunting was intended to promote the power of the Ming Dynasty to surrounding countries. However, if the royal family's descendants were withering away, it would feel somewhat inconsistent with the power of the Ming Dynasty.
"Back to the emperor, there are many grandsons, but there is only one prince, Prince Zhao." Wang Xiaosi replied in a low voice.
"Three princes, I wanted to hunt, but only one of them followed me." Ming Chengzu couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
It seemed that he shouldn't sigh like this in today's situation.
Ming Chengzu worked hard to straighten his waist, and his face showed full confidence again.
"Today, I am going to Huailai. I will not ride in a large carriage. I will go on horseback." Ming Chengzu said.
"Horse riding? Although it is already March, the wind blowing outside is still very cold. Otherwise, the emperor should ride in a large carriage?" Wang Xiaosi hurriedly advised.
After a lifetime of fighting, riding a horse was as casual as sitting on a chair for Ming Chengzu.
But today, in such a big battle, if the emperor is riding a horse, it is inconsistent with many etiquette.
"That's it. Inform the Royal Horse Superintendent to bring my beloved horse 'Xue Ran'." He straightened his back and said Ming Cheng Zu said.
Wang Xiaosi rolled his eyes a few times, wanting to continue to comfort him, but looking at Ming Chengzu's decisive and firm eyes, he had no choice but to bow and answer: "Yes!"
At the entrance of the palace, under the eager eyes of everyone, Ming Chengzu was riding a tall horse with white hooves but four red hooves. He was surrounded by thousands of cavalry in brocade robes, followed by hundreds of eunuchs riding military horses.
, walked out slowly.
Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help but be shocked.
Is the emperor going to ride to Huailaiwei on horseback instead of riding in a large chariot?
Although Huailai is not too far from the capital, it is still more than two hundred miles away. The emperor rode there on horseback. Not to mention the bumpy ride, could his body bear the cold gust of wind alone?
Seeing this scene, Wang Changlian, the Minister of Rites, hurried forward to greet him.
He walked about five feet in front of Ming Chengzu, stopped, and clasped his fists: "Your Majesty, all the etiquettes have been prepared. I would like to ask Your Majesty to move the chariot."
"Why, etiquette stipulates that I can't ride a horse?" Ming Chengzu asked with a smile.
"No, no." Wang Changlian replied hurriedly, "All etiquette revolves around the emperor. Riding a horse can also show the emperor's bravery and prowess in battle. How could it not work?"
"In this case, I will not ride in the carriage today. I will ride out of Beijing today." Ming Chengzu said.
"Your Majesty, although it is already March, the capital is located in the north, and it is still very cold. It is more than two hundred miles from here to Huaihe, and I cannot bear to bear the cold wind and cold along the way." Looking at Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Changlian
There was a feeling of pity in my heart.
People often say that the more you have nothing, the more you want to show something.
The emperor is already sixty-one years old this year, and has long passed the age of bravery and fighting.
But looking at the current situation in the Ming Dynasty, it seems that the entire royal family has no successors.
The emperor is going to Huailaiwei on horseback today. He just wants to endure the bumpy and cold weather and show the world that the Ming Dynasty is powerful. He is still a sword that has not aged, and he can control the Ming Dynasty with ease as always.
But Wang Changlian knew Ming Chengzu's body very well.
Normally it doesn't seem like anything, but occasionally my lower back hurts when I sit up. It hurts so much that the emperor can't stand up straight.
I don’t know how many imperial doctors came through, and everyone’s unanimous diagnosis was: “lumbar muscle strain caused by long-term oppression.”
"It doesn't matter, I'm wearing thick clothes today." Ming Chengzu waved his hand, "That's it, I'll ride to Huailaiwei."
Between the eyebrows, there is a heroic spirit, as if time has passed and he has returned to the era of King Yan in an instant, with the world in mind and trying to turn the tide.
"Your Majesty!" Wang Changlian did not give in, but took three steps forward, almost reaching under the head of Ming Chengzu's horse.
Raising his head and looking at Ming Chengzu's white hair on his temples, Wang Changlian's eyes felt a little moist.
"How about you ride a horse, and when we get to the outskirts of Beijing, the emperor will ride in a large chariot?" Wang Changlian lowered his voice so that only he and Ming Chengzu could hear it.
Looking at Wang Changlian's loving eyes, and looking at the white hair on his temples that were the same as his own, Ming Chengzu nodded slowly: "Okay, I'll do as Mr. Wang said."
...
Dongchang Prison is still full of Dongchang captains.
Although Xiao Chen had already gone to Huailaiwei and the defense of Dongchang Prison, he did not relax at all.
Because the current prince Zhu Gaochi was detained here.
In the cell, Duan Tianming gently untied the cloth wrapped around Zhu Gaochi's calf and wrist, preparing to change the dressing.
"Your Highness, how do you feel now?" Duan Tianming asked after gently pressing the plaster site with his hand.
"Untie the cloth strips, and your whole calf will feel like it's being loosened," Zhu Gaochi said.
"Do you still feel pain?" Duan Tianming asked while taking off the plaster on his ankle.
"It doesn't seem to hurt much anymore. But I have an urge in my heart to move my ankle." Zhu Gaochi's face was full of joy.