Zhurou

Chapter 244 Maruko

Hearing him ask this question, Zhao Hong couldn't help but look up.

Pei Yong said: "I have been on the military for many years and have often been injured and sick. I have received many prescriptions from people. When I encounter something, I look them up. Although they may not be exactly the right ones, they are always very effective."

"That day, the princess went to the northwest to mobilize troops. She traveled with me all the way back to the capital. In the process, she was exhausted and wandering around. At that time, she had both external injuries and internal diseases. After returning to the capital, she had not had time to recuperate, but she encountered the siege. It was inevitable that she was trapped inside and outside, and the accumulated problems..."

He actually talked about the matter at hand, and spoke of his own speculations one by one, without any extra words, but the concern and worry in his words moved Zhao Hong, who thought: Although my sister said that sincerity may not be exchanged for sincerity, this is true, but it also depends on people. No matter how many cold-hearted people there are in the court, are there no righteous men and good ministers? When she went to Jingzhao Prefecture to request the transfer of the Western Army, she might not have thought that it would succeed in one fell swoop, and she could not have expected that Pei Yong would be so kind and caring.

Then I thought: the many soldiers in the camp who went out of the city to welcome me the day before yesterday, as well as the ministers from other states, could be the civil and military ministers in the capital. I think there must be many good ones who just can't get the chance to come in front of me. They may not be unloyal. Moreover, even if they are not loyal to me, as long as they don't have any other thoughts, it will be like what my sister said. The civil and military officials work hard, the ministers are worthy of their salaries, the merchants are worthy of their buyers, the employers are worthy of their workers, and everyone is down-to-earth. What they think and how much selfishness they have, what does it matter?

I think this is what is meant by judging by deeds rather than intentions.

Once he figured this out, Zhao Hong felt much more relieved, especially when he learned about the so-called "prescription". He also saw that Pei Jiedu described the cause of his eldest sister's illness so clearly, without taking her pulse or examining her, and the explanation was almost the same as the speculations made by those medical officers. He couldn't help but feel hopeful. He had the idea of ​​trying everything possible, and quickly asked the eunuch to send the medical record and prescription in his right hand over.

Pei Yong got the pulse case, lowered his head and read it carefully for a long time, then looked up and said: "I am not a medical practitioner, so I am not as good as the doctors in the palace. But just looking at the pulse you have diagnosed here, it is an invasion of external evil, spleen deficiency and lung heat. But when prescribing medicine, there are many concerns. No one dares to use heavy medicine. All of them are based on mild and moderate medicine. Although it is safe, it is difficult to cure acute diseases."

He did not hesitate and immediately added: "Such a high fever, coupled with the unbearable heat, it is not a good idea to just endure it. I don't know how much my energy and blood will be depleted over time."

At this point, he paused for a moment and said, "Doctors have their own concerns, and prescriptions also have many considerations. They cannot be easily changed. However, I have a pill recipe on hand. You don't need to take it orally. Dissolve it in water. Ask your trusted people to wipe your forehead, face, hands and feet three times on time, and then wrap the limbs, forehead, and cheeks with a wet cloth. Change it frequently. If you repeat it, even if it doesn't work immediately, I think it won't cause any harm."

"I would like to copy the princess' pulse record. After returning to the camp, I will compare the pulse record with the pill prescription. If it is indeed effective, I will send it back to the palace and ask the doctor to examine it. I wonder if Your Majesty thinks it is appropriate?"

This was not an internal medicine, but an external medicine. He had to test it himself first, and then ask the doctor to test it again. With such caution and care, how could Zhao Hong say no? He didn't want to think too much at this time, and because he was young, he didn't have the heart to think too much. After a while, he was actually very willing in his heart, and was about to nod, but then he felt that it didn't seem appropriate, and he knew to make up for it: "Today I was going to discuss the reward with Pei Qing, but I didn't expect..."

Pei Yong said: "The illness is of vital importance. The sooner Your Highness recovers, the less pain he will suffer. As for the reward, how can it be done in one day? With Your Majesty's behavior, the empty reputation today is good, but how can it be as good as being in the Emperor's heart?"

Zhao Hong was stunned when he heard this.

After he ascended the throne, there was hardly a day when he did not teach as the "imperial tutor" of the two ministries. The Censorate took it as its responsibility to advise the emperor. Not to mention that they could not become the emperor's mouthpiece, Zhao Hong would be thankful if there were a few words of advice to the emperor in the memorials he submitted one day. Although there were palace maids around him, they often flattered him, but they were either in the tone of coaxing children or too deliberate. Today was the first time he encountered such straightforward words, and the most important thing was that the person who spoke was so special.

For a moment, Zhao Hong couldn't help but recall many stories of emperors in the past who kept close to slanderous ministers and kept away from honest advice. He felt his heart beating fast: he really couldn't blame them. If every slanderous minister was of such status and spoke like this - in fact, such words were completely naked approval and affirmation of the emperor - which emperor could resist?

This time, seeing that the two governments were resisting Pei Yong and there were many voices of opposition, Zhao Hong had already prepared to give in, but he just didn't know how to strike a balance.

  We cannot let the meritorious officials who have returned to the court suffer injustice, but we cannot allow the State Affairs Hall and the Privy Council to remain in office for the sake of one person. Otherwise, who will take care of things in the future?

Even if we have to settle accounts later, we still have to eat one bite at a time and do one thing at a time.

Weighing the two options, after all, he had no foundation at all. No matter how hard he tried, he could not shake the determination of those old ministers. All his efforts were just to see if he could suffer less injustice to the meritorious officials.

After all, great merits but little reward is something that no one would be able to accept no matter who hears it. Even if it is released to the public for people to judge, most people would blame the emperor for being ungrateful.

Zhang Yi and others asked him to do more to comfort people, but he just kept talking. But what could he do to comfort people?

When he was a kid and had a tantrum with his parents, he could get one or two clay figurines to comfort him. Pei Yong was not stupid. What he did this time was like exchanging a clay figurine for his sword. He was not a child, so who would care?

Zhao Hong originally thought that the task was extremely difficult, but who would have thought that it would be effortless at all. Pei Yong was so considerate and had understood his difficulties clearly.

  ——He has never been a stingy person, and he is also as magnanimous as an emperor. Even if he cannot treat her well today for some reason, he has already kept it in mind and is just waiting for the future!

But how can I make such an empty promise?

But today, everyone knew about it without him having to say anything. How could Zhao Hong not be touched by the mutual respect between them?

  If according to what Zhang Yi and others said, Pei Yong was a tiger and wolf, using him would be like inviting a wolf into the house, but after getting along with him, Zhao Hong had already written a big question in his heart - is there such a good tiger and wolf in the world? If everyone can be like this, I only hope that my parents in the underworld will bless him with more such tigers and wolves around him!

Before Zhao Hong could say anything, Pei Yong turned to look at the eunuch next to him and asked, "Do you have any paper or pen?"

This question brought Zhao Hong back to his senses, and he hurriedly said, "The copy is in Pei Qing's hand, you can take it back!"

Pei Yong did not refuse upon hearing this, and immediately bowed and said, "The illness is like a mountain falling, and I have to make an emergency decision. I will not stay any longer..."

He took his leave at this point, without Zhao Hong having the nerve to say anything. He took the pulse case and hurried out of the hall.

Pei Yong had no intention of hiding anything in his actions today, and he was even more frank when talking to the emperor. In fact, no matter who asked him, as long as they asked, he would not hesitate to speak frankly, but no one would think that way.

He passed through several palace gates and saw Xuande Gate not far away, so he strode quickly and was about to find the horses waiting outside the gate. Unexpectedly, there were several people standing there. The one in front of him seemed to have heard the sound and turned back. When they met, it turned out to be Lu Xianzhang. Seeing Pei Yong, Lu Xianzhang also had a surprised expression. He said something to the person next to him, then turned back and greeted him, saying, "It's Pei Jiedu. I haven't seen you for many days. I was going to go to the camp to invite you."

The person next to him also turned around, and it was the Deputy Privy Councilor Zhang Yi.

Pei Yong stepped forward to return the greeting and exchanged a few pleasantries. He was about to leave when Zhang Yi spoke up, "I was just talking to Councillor Lu about the camping and logistics of the soldiers returning to the city. There are also arrangements for the transfer of troops. I was going to go to the West Camp to ask a few more questions before sending someone to deliver the letter. I didn't expect to meet the governor. It's a coincidence. I just came here to ask - I wonder when the two of us can go there?"

He spoke in a relaxed tone, made a joke, and seemed very friendly.

Pei Yong replied: "We are both teachers of the emperor, and you two are also his ministers. It is our duty, so there is no need to pick a date."

Zhang Yi laughed and said, "Since the governor said so, am I really going there now?"

Then he looked at Lu Xianzhang and asked, "What do you think of participating in politics?"

Lu Xianzhang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I still have things to do in my office, so I will have to come to bother the governor another day."

Having said this, he bowed and hurried away.

Seeing that Lu Xianzhang was so wise, Zhang Yi nodded secretly and said to Pei Yong with a smile: "The affairs of the Kyoto government office are very complicated, and there is rarely any free time."

He pointed ahead, signaling the two to go out together. But after walking a few steps, he suddenly seemed to remember something, shook his head, and said, "Look at me, I actually forgot that we still have to discuss the deployment of soldiers in the courtyard today. It's getting late now, I'm afraid it's too late to return to the city. I wonder if we can do it another day?"

With Zhang Yi's status, if he went to the West Camp, Pei Yong would have to accompany him personally. However, Pei Yong was in a hurry to find the pill recipe and send it back to the palace, so he was not in the mood to deal with him. Seeing that he took the initiative to change the date, it was naturally better. He nodded and said, "No problem, the Privy Councilor will make the arrangements."

"Speaking of the deployment of soldiers, there is another governor who will send them in the future. Everyone in the academy has their own opinions, and they can't come to a conclusion. It's a rare opportunity to meet today. Although I can't go far to the West Camp, I wonder if the governor has time to sit down and chat for a while?"

As Zhang Yi spoke, he turned his head to look in the direction of Xuande Gate, as if he was looking for a shop.

If it was official business, Pei Yong would naturally not refuse. However, if it was just "chatting", although the meaning was obvious, he was unwilling to perfunctorily deal with it. He just bowed and smiled, "To be honest, I have some personal matters to attend to, so it is really inconvenient for me to come today. If the Privy Councilor is free, we can meet again another day."

Zhang Yi had a smile on his face, but after hearing Pei Yong's words, the smile almost froze on his face.

The domineering behavior of Jingzhao Prefecture was known to everyone in the court. The Privy Council held military power and had never moved the Western Army, so it knew this better than anyone else.

  However, this time Zhao Mingzhi's trip to the north to mobilize troops was unexpectedly successful, and after Pei Yong led the troops north, he did not seem to have committed much rebellious behavior. Although he had fought with the Privy Council with the help of the emperor in Caizhou, according to Zhang Yi's opinion, this man had won hundreds of battles against the Northern Di, but after returning to the capital, his reward was delayed and there was no news of his dispatch. How could he not be anxious?

Today I have expressed my good intentions, no matter what the other party intends to do, you should agree to it immediately, otherwise how can you find out the answer?

  Besides, if both sides don't put forward their conditions, how can they bargain? Whether it's military power or fame and fortune, only when they put it out loud can they discuss it. They can't just waste time like this, right?

How can you refuse outright at this time?

  Besides, this excuse is too outrageous. You are alone here, living in the West Camp day and night, so what "private matter" could be important?

Do I have to speak out directly?

Zhang Yi was unhappy and felt that he was being insulted, but business was more important. He hesitated for a moment before he was about to speak, but the person opposite him just bowed and walked away without stopping.

There were several people following him. They were originally eunuchs in the palace. They should have returned after leaving the palace, but for some reason, they still followed him closely. When someone came leading a horse outside the palace gate, they got on the horse and walked towards the outside of the city together.

  Zhang Yi stood there in shock, feeling confused. Even with his cunning, he couldn't help but speculate - what did this mean? Was he expressing his views to himself, using his mouth to demonstrate to the Privy Council? Or was he pretending to be indifferent to fame and gain, so that when the rewards were given in the future, it would be best if he made a very embarrassing scene, just to make trouble outside? If he really rose up, could he still pass the blame on?

What was strange was that he had just come out of Chongzheng Hall at noon, and it was also at his own instigation that the emperor hurriedly summoned Pei Yong, but what time was it now?

According to old rules, when the emperor meets with such an important official who has returned to the capital after great achievements, it would take at least half a day for the audience. Any less would be considered extremely disrespectful and would be talked about by outsiders. But today, Pei Yong had been in the palace for less than half an hour, and had spent most of the time in and out. Could it be that he just made a quick appearance in front of Zhao Hong and then came out?

  What can I say in such a short time?

Did I say something wrong and offend the little emperor?

  Or was it really because of the princess' illness that the emperor lost his composure and acted rashly, just meeting her briefly and then sending her away?

Isn't this too much? It's not like Zhao Hong's character!

Regardless of how confused Zhang Yi was, Pei Yong rode his horse first and almost galloped back to the West Camp. After searching for a while, he found a box of pills and several pill prescriptions. He also wrote down the detailed instructions on paper and pen, and then padded the box with soft cloth and wrapped it before leaving.

He found the leader of the eunuchs who had followed him and explained everything in detail. However, he was still worried about sending the box out, so he hesitated for a moment and said, "I will take you back to the palace together."

The man in the lead was Wang Shu, and had been very cautious, fearing that he might say something wrong and displease this legendary governor. So he dared not refuse, and could only follow behind obediently, looking confused. The group rode back to the palace at full speed.

Pei Yong's riding skills were excellent to begin with, and this time he was riding with great interest, so his horse was running at an incredible speed that the eunuch behind him was almost shaking his butt. As for the Xuande gate, he took the wooden box next to the saddle and handed it to Wang Shu. He then repeated what he had said before and left.