Chapter 1045
: The princes from all over the country gather together
Chapter 1045: The princes from all over the country gather together
As night falls,
The infantry of the Beijing Camp had already set up camp on the official road north of Daliang City, while the 20,000 cavalry led by Marquis Luo Yun arrived at the previously prepared camp at midnight.
At least there are people guarding the camp.
When the army arrived at the place, they immediately dismounted to eat. After finishing their meal, they found a tent in the camp and went to sleep.
As for the camp tent,
Zhang Jinyu also looked haggard. It is said that one can travel 800 miles a day. If you change people but not horses, even animals cannot be used in this way. Not to mention anything else, riding in a carriage is so bumpy that one's whole body will feel exhausted, not to mention those who ride horses. They didn't feel it when they came back from outside the Great Wall, but they were just marching slower. After walking for most of the day, their thighs were trembling and their backs were sore.
Looking at His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin, he was not much better. However, the two women in the carriage looked better than them.
"Your Highness, finish your meal early and rest early. We will march early tomorrow morning. We will be back in the capital in one day at most. Your Highness should think about how to write the congratulatory letter today."
It is said that if you don't brag about a victory, it would be a waste. Moreover, the King of Jin followed the army all the way to destroy the bandits, not to mention that he did not have any complaints at all, and he asked about every detail, no matter whether it was instructed by the palace or not. This perseverance is worthy of praise.
"Your Majesty is right. I was thinking that since I have to write a congratulatory letter, I can't just write one copy. I have to send another copy of the auspicious omen to Changle Palace. But I don't know how to write this auspicious omen."
The court can report victory, the emperor can report merit, but the emperor emeritus can only report auspicious signs. Prince Zhou Ding of Jin thought about these things and considered them carefully, but auspicious signs had to look good and make sense, so he had never really seen these, so how could he write a congratulatory message.
Little did he know that these words made Zhang Jinyu, who had already picked up his chopsticks, look up at His Highness. It was true that like a dragon, like a phoenix, like a phoenix. No one in the royal family was simple. He didn't think too much about the congratulatory letter he just said.
"Your Highness is right. Over at Changle Palace, the Emperor is practicing Taoism. As the saying goes, Taoism follows nature. This congratulatory letter should be related to Taoism. Taoism should require jade. We have looted a lot of things from Runan, including the finest jade. If we package it, isn't it a good omen?"
Zhang Jinyu spitted in disdain. What about auspicious signs and ascending to heaven? They were all just talk. They could say whatever they wanted. Before, many local officials had to submit congratulatory reports almost every month, saying that auspicious signs had occurred. But this was not the fairyland, so where did all the immortal energy come from? Even if it was the fairyland, auspicious signs would not occur every month.
"That's true. In the mansion in Runan, there is a piece of white jade as tall as a person. It is a rare treasure that can reflect one's own reflection. But I don't know how to explain this reason."
King Zhou Ding of Jin was in trouble again. It was easy to get the things, but how should he make up a reason? Why did he say it was fabricated? Creating something out of nothing, isn't that just making it up?
Zhang Jinyu picked up the bowl and took a sip of porridge. This question was clever and indeed hard to fabricate. An auspicious omen was three parts true and seven parts false, all depending on who had the best tongue. This thing was looted in Runan, so we should think about it from Runan.
"Your Highness, why don't you think about it from the perspective of Runan Weishui? Our army almost didn't go to war with the White Lotus Sect, all thanks to this thing. As for how to make up the rest, Your Highness, after you think about it, tell me. I'm going to sleep first."
Zhang Jinyu drank up all the porridge in the bowl, put down the bowl and chopsticks, and went to the western bed in front of King Jin's surprised eyes, took off his clothes and armor, and went to sleep without any hesitation, which also made the other two women look confused.
"My Lord, you slept soundly."
King Jin knew that it was getting late and he had to travel early the next morning, so he quickly packed up and went back to his east bed to sleep.
that's it,
The night was peaceful, and until the next morning, he had a quick meal and led the army to continue northward.
On the morning of the third day,
Not far south of the capital, the carriages of the vassal kings from the interior have already arrived twenty miles outside the south city gate. Leading the royal carriages is the Zheng Palace, with twelve black flags piercing the sky.
The red-gold chariot shaft rolled over the official road. The mighty royal guards stretched for miles. The armors, in particular, shone with the cold light of fish scales. They were all new armors, which showed the financial strength of the royal palaces within the pass.
Perhaps they were getting closer, and the confidant outside the car hurriedly reported back,
"Report, Your Majesty, we are less than 20 miles away from the south gate of the capital. I have inquired and found that the soldiers who came with the prince are all camped near the post station and have not followed the prince into the capital."
Inside the spacious carriage, several ladies in palace dress were serving. On the soft couch at the back of the carriage, there was a middle-aged man with a majestic face but a thin complexion. His face was a little gloomy, but he was wearing a dragon robe made of Sichuan brocade. It was known that this man was Zheng Wang Zhou Changde, who could be said to be the head of the vassal kings.
"Well, it would be strange if they could enter the capital. Of the three thousand soldiers escorted by the palace, five hundred will remain, and the rest will stay in the camp. By the way, how is the prince?"
Zhou Changde asked with a cold face. He knew the situation in the capital, but he didn't know who dared to attack the Zheng Palace. Was it a warning to his palace or a disaster for innocent people? He thought about this on the way.
"Replying to the prince, the prince has been staying in the Honglu Temple and has not left. There are many rumors in the capital that are both plausible and half-truthful. The prince is making hidden moves to confuse people. Mr. Fan said that everything is fine. We just need to wait for the prince to enter the capital and ask to see the emperor, and then we will know everything."
The trusted eunuch took over the conversation and narrated the actions of the prince of the capital. Everything was fine with Mr. Fan's arrangements.
"That's true, old man. You said some useless things yesterday. I know that there is little hope. This is the last time. If the emperor is really unmoved, it is better to return to the fiefdom and wait for the right time."
Zhou Changde sighed slightly. When his elder brother started the rebellion, if they had not retreated at the critical moment, how could the two rebels of the Jia family have failed? Even after the failure, he would have had the best chance of ascending the throne. Unfortunately, he was timid and missed the throne. How could he be willing to accept this?
"My Lord, old slave,"
Steward Zheng's eyes reddened. The prince had gone through so much hardship and suffering when he was conquering his fiefdom, and only then did he manage the fiefdom in an orderly manner. Now the weapons and armor are complete and the food and grass are plentiful. In the whole fiefdom, everyone praises the prince. If the people of the court were as prosperous as the people of the prince's fiefdom, how could there be the Taiping Rebellion and the White Lotus Rebellion?
"You, I didn't say anything, but you are being so hypocritical. Does the Emperor Retired in Changle Palace know how he is doing?"
Ask in a low voice,
This is the key point. If the retired emperor is weak and unable to take care of state affairs, he can only obediently send the gift and then return to his fiefdom to live out his life. If the retired emperor is strong, perhaps he still has a chance to fight for it.
"My Lord, I learned from the Crown Prince that the Emperor spoke with great vigor that night. However, when he spoke, he was separated by a gauze curtain. It was dark at night and the lights in the palace were dim, so the Crown Prince did not see it with his own eyes. But he can be sure that it was the Emperor."
Manager Zheng gave a clever answer. After all, the prince had not seen it with his own eyes, so the details of the emperor were still just guesses.
King Zheng frowned, a trace of thought flashed in his eyes. He didn't know why the emperor had changed so much and actually liked to practice Taoism. What was the reason for this? Moreover, the previous incident of Jia Zhen in Ningguo Mansion was right in front of him. He also saw the strange phenomenon in the sky a few days ago, and there were also rumors in the capital. Could it be that by intercepting the luck of the court, one could gain immortality? Thinking of the chaos in the south of the capital, could it be related to this?
"We will know the truth when we reach the capital and see the emperor. There is no rush. I heard that the two old men, the West King and the South King, have also come to the capital. Can you send someone to find out where they came from?"
"Master, the spies reported that they did not find any trace of the two princes. All they could find were fake convoys. However, the news from the palace said that it was a secret order from the current emperor."
Eunuch Zheng lowered his head quickly. Some of his words had gone beyond the limit.
"Well, when we get to the capital, we will go directly to the Honglu Temple and submit a petition for an audience with the emperor to see the palace's reaction."
"Yes, Master,"
Following a gentle response, King Zheng leaned back on the bedding at the back of the carriage, closed his eyes and dozed off.
The team was huge, but the other princes had their own thoughts. Chen Wang Zhou Qiwu lifted the curtain and looked at the soldiers outside the car with a hint of envy in his eyes. He thought that his brothers were very powerful and could see the whole picture at a glance. With money, they could find elite soldiers everywhere. Unfortunately, Hanzhong was poor and the tax silver was too little. If Shu was included, he smiled bitterly and shook his head when he thought of this. Shu was not a place that anyone dared to touch.
"Your Highness, we are less than ten miles from the capital. Prince Zheng has sent a message to bring only five hundred soldiers into the capital and then to the residence of the Honglu Temple."
Inside the car, the eunuch chief steward Chen's sharp words came, which made Prince Chen Zhou Qiwu frown and feel a little unhappy. If they had to listen to Prince Zheng in everything, what chance would they have?
"Then listen to him. Don't make any unnecessary trouble before entering the capital. How is the prince of Honglu Temple? I heard that he encountered an assassin in Yanchun Tower. What happened?"
"My Lord, the Crown Prince is fine. The assassins of Yanchun Tower are being tracked down by the Imperial City Department and the Military Department. So far, they have not found anything. But I learned that a crossbow was used at this moment. It is a weapon. Those who can use these are not simple."
Chen Zongguan shook his head. The situation in the capital was complicated and there were many spies. It would be difficult to find out who did it. In addition, Yanchun Tower was the property of the eldest princess. Some things were hard to investigate. "Hmph, why are you talking about those rubbish? The dogs raised by the Imperial City Department are not always loyal. Not to mention the people in the Military Department. I heard that my two sisters have been very quiet since they came to the capital. I heard that they have entertained Luo Yunhou. I don't know what they are thinking. The rebellion in the south has been quelled. I don't know how the palace will reward Luo Yunhou."
Since the assassin could not be caught, don't think about catching him easily in the future. The court appointed Marquis Luo Yun, the Northern King and the Eastern King, and the three armies went out together. In just over a month, they actually put down the rebellion in the south of the capital. These shocked Zhou Qiwu deeply, especially the fact that Marquis Luo Yun mobilized 500,000 troops to the south, and the entire court dared to give the military order. The emperor was really bold. If it were him, he would have been unable to sleep at night. It would be better.
"Your Highness, I haven't heard about the reward, but the palace is busy preparing for the birthday banquet of the retired emperor. The antiques in the capital, the works of famous artists, and the rare and valuable items have long been in short supply. However, I heard from the spies that there are rumors that Marquis Luo Yun's position is already high enough, so he should be granted the title of Marquis. The position of Duke is still a little short."
Manager Chen spoke carefully. In the capital city nowadays, any rumor could be found if one wanted to know something. As for whether it was true or not, one could only experience it for oneself.
"What a joke. Merits should be rewarded and faults should be punished. After such great achievements, his title was only raised to the rank of marquis. It seems that those who have made military achievements have begun to form a group. The vision of the four kings and eight dukes is still so shallow. Let alone those in Rongguo Mansion, how come those in Zhenguo Mansion have no objection?"
The question sounded a bit funny, but the more it was asked, the more King Chen knew that this matter was almost certain. If Marquis Luo Yun gave out titles too quickly, there would be no more titles to be given in the future.
"Your Majesty is wise. Among the dukes, only the Duke of Zhenguo went to the palace to talk to His Majesty about this matter. Although we don't know what the result was, the Duke of Zhenguo no longer cared about the matter after he came back."
I think there must be an explanation. Manager Chen couldn't guess, so he just replied.
"It's still that old fox, the Duke of Zhenguo. He did it just for Marquis Luo Yun to see. Regardless of whether it's useful or not, this friendship has been established. In this case, I will also submit a congratulatory letter when entering the capital."
He made up his mind that since everyone could say it, he could do it too. The King of the North and the King of the East would not be left behind, and even the King of the West and the King of the South, who were stationed at the border and had made great contributions.
Thinking of the wonderful thing, he couldn't help but smile. Seeing this, the people in the car just lowered their heads and remained silent.
The breeze blew into the carriage, making it feel much more comfortable. Perhaps they felt the same way, and almost at the same time, all the riders left their respective caravans. Only the last carriage was out of place. That was the carriage of King Wu Zhou Desheng, who was sitting in the carriage at the moment, enjoying the delicacies he bought from Anyang City, not paying any attention to the disturbances outside.
On the soft couch in the carriage, King Wu's kind face and plump figure were very different from those of the previous princes. As the saying goes, a fat body means a free mind. The eunuch Wu, who was serving in front of the carriage, took out a piece of Anyang crispy meat wrapped in oil paper from some box, opened it and placed it on the square table in the carriage. A rich meaty aroma wafted in the face, making people salivate.
"Master, when you get to the capital, there are many delicious foods. I heard that the Youlai Restaurant in the capital uses delicacies from the Western Regions. One of its famous dishes, roasted whole lamb, is popular throughout the capital. There is also the stewed meat in Zuixianlou. I don't know what ingredients are used, but the taste is no worse than before."
King Wu hadn't reacted much yet, but a trace of nostalgia flashed across Wu Zongguan's face. King Wu picked up a piece of crispy meat with chopsticks and put it into his mouth. It was soft, glutinous, crispy, and full of fragrance. He laughed and scolded;
"You old fellow, you are the only one who knows about these foods. I have tasted them a long time ago. Just as you said, they are really rare. By the way, is Hao'er injured?"
His face straightened, he put down his bowl and chopsticks,
"My Lord, the prince is fine. Those assassins may seem fierce, but their methods are not really fatal. Yu Cheng reported that those assassins were probably used to confuse the audience. I don't know who did it."
"Humph, who else could it be? I think anyone could be the one. Even the palace may be directing and acting out the incident. I don't know. My brothers are born arrogant. In their early years, they were suppressed by their eldest brother, so it was better. But then that incident happened. They thought they had a chance to compete, but God played a joke on them. Do you think they can be calm?"
The King of Wu felt comfortable after having a full stomach and didn't want to get involved in anything. However, some things kept coming one after another and he couldn't avoid them anyway. He could only go along with them to lend a helping hand.
"Your Highness, don't worry. The princes are thinking about great things. I am here with you because you have mercy on me. The country is in a difficult situation now. You should be careful. If you can't make it, take the prince back to your fiefdom. The fiefdom of our Wu Wang Mansion is one of the most advanced ones."
Manager Wu's eyes were filled with distress. His master had been worrying so much about these things that he couldn't sleep well or eat well. Now, he had lost a lot of weight along the way.
"You keep saying useless things. If you hadn't come to hold us back, who knows what they would have done. It's because of me, the Emperor, and the princes that we can always smooth things over. When we get to the Honglu Temple, go to that, what is that restaurant, and buy some roasted whole lambs to taste first."
"Yes, Master, don't worry. As long as we get to the capital, including the cloud cake of Yaoji Commercial House, if he can't make it, block his door."
Manager Wu picked up another piece of cake with his chopsticks and placed it on the table. The master and servant were very satisfied.
As for the King of Song and the King of Han, they sat silent in the carriage, holding the military book and reading it carefully. From time to time, they would lift the curtain and look outside, and their anxiety was obvious.
In this way, everyone headed towards the capital with their own thoughts along the way.
After walking for about two hours, the majestic gate of the capital city came into sight. The guard at the front shouted,
"Raise the flag, organize the troops and march slowly."
At the command, almost the entire convoy began to gather troops and horses, and then raised the flags of various royal palaces, standing in rows in front of the convoy. There were also 500 escorting soldiers, all of whom were cavalry, and the momentum was impressive.
However, the fully-organized team suddenly stopped.
The leading deputy generals looked around with doubt in their eyes, and felt a slight vibration coming from the ground.
"What's going on? Why don't you leave?"
At the front,
King Zheng's unhappy voice came from inside the car.
"Your Majesty, something is wrong. The ground is shaking more and more. There must be a large number of cavalry chasing us from behind."
"What, cavalry?"
Prince Zheng frowned, wondering where the cavalry came from. As the convoy approached the post station outside the city, the weapons and armors brought by the various princely palaces also went on alert. The elite armored soldiers of the five princely palaces immediately gathered out of the camp, surrounded the carriages of the princes, and lined up on the official road south of the city.
The noise here naturally reached the eyes of Han Ling, the guard of the South City Gate. He was startled and shouted;
"Hurry up and tell Lord Fu and Lord He that the prince's convoy has arrived in the capital. Hurry."
"Yes, General."
The messenger rushed down the city after receiving the order, while Han Ling picked up the command flag and shouted;
"Send the order, blow the horn, order the heavy armored troops to line up outside the city, quickly."
"Ohh Ohh ohh!"
(End of this chapter)