weaving

Chapter 1527 Such nonsense must not be uttered again.

"Earl Yongning, you were far too bold just now."

Zhang Cheng was also quite alarmed at this moment. After hearing Bian Yongqing's words, he quickened his pace and said as he walked, "Lord Bian, you know that Zhang Cheng is completely loyal to His Majesty. Of course, I must tell you everything I know."

"Hehe." Bian Yongqing's expression was quite intriguing: "If that's the case, why the rush?"

Zhang Cheng turned around and glanced at Bian Yongqing, saying, "I am worried about the affairs of the country and am eager to share His Majesty's burdens and devise a good strategy to resist the Jurchens."

“Why hide it from us when the Earl of Yongning is right here in front of us?” Bian Yongqing hurried two steps to catch up with Zhang Cheng and continued softly, “We are the Military Commissioner of Yongyi Army, and we share weal and woe with you, Earl. When something happens, we will naturally side with you, Earl.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng slowed his pace. He glanced at Bian Yongqing, unsure whether what he said was true or false, but he couldn't help but respond: "To be honest, Lord Bian, I was indeed a bit rash in front of the Emperor just now."

He then lowered his voice and said, "The Emperor's imperial majesty was so overwhelming that I could hardly breathe. I was only thinking that I dared not deceive the Emperor, and for a moment I lost my composure and blurted out everything that should and shouldn't have been said."

"Sigh...!" Zhang Cheng finally let out a heavy sigh.

Although Zhang Cheng believed that in this time of national crisis, the court and the emperor still needed him to do his best to resist the invaders, he was also afraid that the Chongzhen Emperor might be in a bad mood and take action against him, as there were precedents for such things!

Back then, what about Yuan Chonghuan, the military governor of Jiliao?

Therefore, he dared not linger too long in the palace and quickly headed out.

Just then, Zhang Cheng faintly heard a soft call of "Earl of Yongning" coming from not far behind him. He didn't want to turn around to check at all. Instead, he grabbed Bian Yongqing's hand and quickened his pace to hurry forward.

“Yong…Bo…take care…take care…” The voice was not clear, but it could still be faintly heard.

Bian Yongqing seemed to have heard it too. He noticeably slowed his pace and reminded Zhang Cheng, "Lord Yongning, someone is calling you."

"No, I didn't hear that!"

Zhang Cheng didn't turn his head back, and vehemently denied it. He pulled Bian Yongqing along and hurried forward, his steps not slowing down at all...

"Lord...Lord Yongning...please wait a moment..."

The faint shouts seemed to become clearer, and Bian Yongqing finally heard them clearly. He grabbed Zhang Cheng and said, "Lord, it's calling you."

Zhang Cheng had actually heard it clearly, but he couldn't guess why the little eunuch had suddenly caught up with him, so he pretended not to hear it and wanted to escape from the palace as soon as possible.

But Bian Yongqing held his hand tightly, and even though he moved his feet, his body remained in place, and he couldn't move at all!

A young eunuch came running up behind them, panting heavily as he reached Zhang Cheng and Bian Yongqing, unable to speak.

After a while, the little eunuch's breathing eased a little. Although he was no longer panting as before, he was not completely calm. He spoke urgently: "Yongning...Earl, His Majesty...has something to tell you."

Upon hearing that it was an imperial edict, Zhang Cheng hurriedly knelt in the corridor to receive the decree. Although he saw the little eunuch waving his hands in front of his chest, he did not understand what he meant and therefore ignored him.

"No... I must kneel to receive it."

Zhang Cheng was stunned for a moment after hearing this, thinking to himself, "Then I've been kneeling for nothing?" He was already being helped up by Bian Yongqing beside him.

"San Dezi, did His Majesty say whether we should leave?"

San Dezi was very respectful to Bian Yongqing. He bowed slightly before clasping his hands and saying softly, "No, not at all."

Bian Yongqing smiled slightly, no longer mentioning the words of avoidance, but simply stood with his head bowed beside Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng, assuming a posture as if he were to accompany him in receiving the Emperor's edict.

"So it's Eunuch De. May I ask what His Majesty's decree is?" Zhang Cheng dared not address the little eunuch as "San Dezi" like Bian Yongqing had, but not knowing his surname, he could only vaguely call him "Eunuch De."

At this moment, San Dezi caught his breath, straightened up, and said in a calm tone, "His Majesty instructed me to tell the Earl of Yongning to devote himself to the affairs of the state and to devise a good strategy to defend against the enemy. If he achieves new merits this time, His Majesty will not hesitate to reward him. Since he is already a marquis, it is not impossible!"

San Dezi stopped there, and Zhang Cheng didn't know if he had finished conveying the imperial edict. He was at a loss for words, neither to express his gratitude nor to ask.

Bian Yongqing, who was quite influential in the palace, asked directly, "Is it over?"

"Zhang Cheng, you'd better watch yourself!" San Dezi said again, puffing out his chest, before turning to Bian Yongqing with a smirk and fawning, "It's all over now. Does Lord Bian have any further instructions?"

"Thank you for conveying the message, Eunuch De." Zhang Cheng said, stepping forward and casually stuffing a silver ingot, which he had taken out from who-knows-where, into San Dezi's hand.

San Dezi quietly weighed it in his hand, and his smile became even brighter: "It is my honor to be able to deliver a message to the Earl of Yongning."

"Please convey my message to His Majesty, Eunuch De. Zhang Cheng will do everything in his power to repay His Majesty's grace."

San Dezi smiled and agreed, then asked Bian Yongqing with a smile, "Lord Bian, is there anything else you need?"

"San Dezi, you better serve the Emperor well. When I return to the palace next time, I will reward you handsomely."

San Dezi agreed, smiled and said goodbye to Zhang Cheng and Bian Yongqing, then turned and left.

…………

Early morning of the 25th.

Due to the invasion of the Jurchens, a curfew has been imposed in the capital of the Ming Dynasty. The city gates around the city are no longer opened at will. For example, the Dongzhi, Chaoyang, Dongbian and Guangqu gates on the east side are closed all day to isolate the inside from the outside and are never opened.

The Andingmen Gate to the north, and the Zuoanmen and Yongdingmen Gates to the south were also closed.

Only the gates on the west side—You'anmen, Guangningmen, Xibianmen, Fuchengmen, and Xizhimen—will be open for a limited time each day, and even then, the opening time depends on the situation with the Jurchens. If any trace of Jurchen cavalry is discovered, the gates will be closed immediately.

Deshengmen is also closed, but not open to the public does not mean it is not open to everyone.

Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng entered and exited Desheng Gate without hindrance. He sent someone to open the city gate, and then, surrounded by his personal guards, he hurriedly rode out of the city and sped along the official road toward the northwest, leaving behind only a trail of billowing dust.

Wei Zhice, Li Jiyu, and others had already received the news and gathered in front of the camp outside Gonghua City to await the arrival of the Earl of Yongning. The soldiers accompanying them were all fully armed, as if they were about to go into battle.

"Why is it in such a state?" Zhang Chengce asked from his warhorse.

"Hey, we're afraid the Commander-in-Chief will be detained by the Emperor. If we don't get any news today, we'll storm the capital and rescue him!" Li Jiyu said cheerfully.

Zhang Cheng cracked his whip and said in a deep voice, "You are not allowed to say such nonsense again, understand?"

"Ah!" Li Jiyu was taken aback, then quickly said, "I've got it, I've got it now."

"Alright, I won't punish you this time." Zhang Cheng pointed his riding whip at Li Jiyu, "But I won't let you off next time."

"Yes. I've really remembered it this time."

Zhang Cheng ignored him and turned to ask, "Niu Sheng, are you here yet?"

Zhongjun Xiao Sanjie hurried forward and said, "Master Niu is here, waiting for the commander in the camp."

"Let's go back to the headquarters!"