King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 695: The Ming Dynasty Can't Live Without You

Since the emperor had approved the task of guarding the mausoleum, Zhu Jinghong wasted no time. He ordered his men to pack their luggage in the afternoon and set off for the imperial mausoleum the next day.

He had only been back for three days and now he had to leave for a while again, which caused a lot of complaints among the women in the palace.

Time flies, and half a month passes in the blink of an eye.

During this period, the emperor himself finally made up his mind to launch a fierce offensive in the second half of the year and win a great victory to seize the initiative for the decisive battle next year.

After making up his mind, Zhu Xianming began to make arrangements. The first thing he did was to increase the number of military equipment, food and supplies.

Of course these things are available at the front line, and they are being delivered continuously, but if a major unplanned battle is to take place, additional these things must be dispatched.

To achieve this, Zhu Xianming had to consult with court officials, after all, things still needed to be done by the people below.

Unfortunately, Zhu Xianming was very dissatisfied with the results of the first meeting, and most of the important officials did not support his plan.

There are two main reasons. First, the court's finances could no longer bear the consequences. Second, the severe cold in the northwest in the second half of the year made it unsuitable for a major war. If we had to fight, we would almost certainly suffer a major defeat.

Zhu Xianming compared himself to Emperor Taizong of Tang, and at this time he really made the same mistake as the latter in his later years. He insisted on fighting to the death with Galdan Rakshasa Empire in the second half of the year.

In response to the first question raised by the court officials, Zhu Xianming planned to fill it with silver from the treasury, as he still had more than 13 million silver in his hands.

As for the second question, Zhu Xianming felt that as long as he sent his youngest son, no problem would be a problem.

So after the meeting ended in an unpleasant mood, Zhu Xianming went to Kunning Palace and told the Queen about the situation of the court meeting.

In the small Buddhist hall of Kunning Palace, after listening to her husband's story, Yang Qingyin asked calmly, "So what you mean is... you want me to talk to Old Thirteen and ask him to come back from the Imperial Mausoleum now... and then go to fight for you?"

"That's about it..."

Before the emperor could finish his words, the queen said, "Don't even think about it!"

"I promise you, this is the last time I send him to the northwest!" Zhu Xianming quickly explained.

"I don't want it to happen again!" Yang Qingyin said with a cold face.

As a mother, she certainly didn't want her son to go to the battlefield. She had had enough of living in fear.

Zhu Xianming was not in a hurry, but moved to sit next to the queen and said, "This kid is restless. Is it possible that he won't go just because you don't want him to go?"

"There will definitely be a war in the northwest. If we don't go now, he will make a fuss about going next year. Besides the northwest, there are also the southwest and southeast. I'm afraid there will be wars in the future!"

"Do you think you can stop him from running away without my help?"

Yang Qingyin was of course very clear about how much Zhu Jinghong loved fighting, after all, he had attempted suicide because of it before.

Seeing his wife's thoughtful expression, Zhu Xianming continued, "But if you and I are of one mind, wouldn't it be easy to keep him in the capital?"

"As long as you promise to help me this time, I will definitely stand by your side in the future!"

I'm afraid no one in the world would have thought that the emperor and empress would discuss such a major event as the war in the northwest in such a frivolous way.

There is actually an information gap here. Neither the emperor nor the empress knew, and Zhu Jinghong no longer wanted to lead troops to fight.

At this moment, the queen felt very uncomfortable and said coldly: "So now... you are blackmailing me with this matter?"

"He has to go to the northwest anyway, why don't you help me this time... From now on I will be on the same page with you!"

"You're just an old bastard!"

Hearing this, Zhu Xianming was stunned for a moment, then he smiled.

"Hahaha... the Queen is absolutely right!"

But the queen continued, "Okay, don't think I don't understand your thoughts!"

"What am I thinking?" Zhu Xianming showed curiosity. He really wanted to hear what the queen said.

"I asked you to tell him because I'm afraid that Old Thirteen will know that you, the emperor, can't live without him!"

Zhu Xianming smiled slightly, he knew that the queen could not hide his thoughts.

But the queen continued, "As for not letting him go in the future, don't use that kind of talk to fool me. The Northwest has won the war again, and the Ming Dynasty has no more powerful enemies coming to invade. Why do we need him to lead the army?"

"To put it another way, even if a powerful enemy really came to attack, you wouldn't let him go!"

"Why?" Zhu Xianming said with a wry smile.

He really couldn't laugh because what he was thinking was completely revealed.

"Why? First, to prevent Old Thirteen from getting too big, and second, to prevent him from making a mistake!"

The Queen's words revealed a fact. After weighing the pros and cons, the Emperor also believed that after Zhu Jinghong led his troops to a great victory in the northwest, he had reached the limit of his ability to suppress his youngest son.

In other words, if Zhu Jinghong led troops in the northwest before leading them again, Zhu Xianming would not be absolutely sure that he could suppress him.

As for the second point the queen made, its meaning is easier to understand. If anything happens to Zhu Jinghong, there will be no one to succeed him.

Based on these two points, this Northwest War is Zhu Jinghong's last chance to lead the troops while Zhu Xianming is alive.

"Qingyin, if you and I weren't married, I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat well if someone like you were around!"

Hearing the emperor's sigh, Yang Qingyin had no intention of thanking him for his "grace of not killing me". Instead, she sneered, "Can't sleep or eat well? How many comfortable days have I had in my life since I married you?"

There was no doubt that Zhu Xianming was in the wrong, so he directly begged for mercy from the queen and ended the debate.

"So, can you help me with this matter?"

Sighing, Yang Qingyin said, "Whether I help or not, it's the same. If I don't help... you will find a way to achieve your goal!"

"Thank you!"

Even though the matter was settled, Yang Qingyin knocked on the wooden fish a few times and suddenly asked, "You mentioned the southwest just now. What happened in the southwest?"

"South Vietnam and Dacheng are making trouble again!"

Both of these two countries were vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, but they had been jumping between rebellion and submission for a long time. The two Dusi of Annan and Yunnan were always in a state of war readiness.

"This time the commotion is quite serious. I guess Britain and France are supporting it!"

Britain and France occupied the Indian region, so it was easy for them to support South Vietnam and Ayutthaya.

After talking about these major events, as if to liven up the atmosphere, Zhu Xianming continued, "There is another thing. There are people in the mountains of Hunan who have raised the flag of rebellion and have declared themselves emperor!"

"Is there such a thing?" The queen was surprised.

Although the Ming Dynasty was at war on all sides, it was still at its peak. Rebelling and claiming to be emperor at this time was simply courting death, so the Queen's surprise was normal.

“How many states and counties do they occupy?”

"Half a month ago, the Northern Pacification Office reported that three villages had been occupied!"

Hearing this, Yang Qingyin was stunned. At this moment, she thought the emperor was joking.

This was a trivial matter after all. Zhu Xianming brought it up to relieve his boredom. After the Queen asked a few more questions out of curiosity, the two of them changed the subject and talked about other things.

That afternoon, the empress revealed that she was not feeling well. After the prince came to visit her, the empress issued an imperial decree for Zhu Jinghong to return to Beijing.

A seriously ill mother wants to see her son. This is the most reasonable thing in the world, and no one can blame Zhu Jinghong.

When the sun was about to set, Zhu Jinghong received the imperial edict and knew that his journey of guarding the tomb was over.

So he immediately set out for Beijing and arrived back at the palace when it was almost dark. The palace gates were locked, so it was not appropriate to go in to visit, so Zhu Jinghong chose to go the next day.

As soon as he returned to the capital, everyone in the mansion had to come to welcome him, and it took a lot of trouble.

It was only after entering the inner palace that Zhu Jinghong noticed that there was a female Taoist priest wearing a crown in the house. Although his face could not be seen clearly because of the mask, he still easily recognized that it was Yingchun.

Yes, this is indeed Yingchun. After being packaged by Baochai, she has been transformed into a female Taoist priest and was invited to the Prince Xiang's Mansion to pray for the children.

After asking Baochai, Zhu Jinghong learned about these things and the stone in his heart finally fell.

In this way, Yingchun had a temporary explanation, and he would feel much better.

When he looked up again, he found that Yingchun was no longer in the hall. It was obvious that this girl was still socially anxious, even though she was wearing a mask.

At this time, Baoqin, who was talking to Yinglian, caught Zhu Jinghong's eye, and he couldn't help but look at her a few more times.

When Baochai thought that Zhu Jinghong turned around to ask Baoqin, she unexpectedly said, "Princess... why don't you ask Lin girl to come over?"

Hearing this, Baochai laughed and then said, "I thought you had forgotten her, but it's a pity that you said it now!"

"You sisters have a deep bond, it's time for you to get together!" Zhu Jinghong reminded.

"No matter how deep our friendship is, can it be as deep as the one between her and the prince?" Baochai joked.

Looking at the women talking and laughing in front of him, Zhu Jinghong picked up the teacup and said calmly: "If the princess doesn't understand what I say, I also know a little bit of boxing!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I won't do it again!"

After begging for mercy, Baochai said, "Your Highness should be blamed for this. If you wanted it, just tell me. If you didn't tell me, how would I know that you wanted someone else to come to your house?"

As soon as Baochai finished speaking, Zhu Jinghong slapped her on the butt, shocking her so much that she screamed "Ah" on the spot.

Everyone at the scene looked at her sideways, which made Baochai extremely embarrassed.

"Just now...something seemed to float by outside!"

In order to divert everyone's attention, Baochai could only make up a lie, causing everyone to turn their heads and look outside the house. Only Zhu Jinghong smiled.

"Sister, there is nothing outside!" Baoqin said after observing.

"Could it be a ghost?" Zhen Qin's voice trembled a little. She was a typical example of someone who looked strong on the outside but was actually weak on the inside.

At this time, Qi Qi Ge said maliciously: "There must be a ghost, you better be careful under the bed at night!"

It was almost visibly that Zhen Qin's face turned pale, so she unconsciously grabbed Yinglian's sleeve.

"Sister Yinglian, don't worry... I'm with you!" Zhen Qin's voice trembled more and more.

She lived in the same yard as Yinglian, so she said she wanted to accompany the latter, but judging from her current behavior, it should be Yinglian who protected her.

At this time, Nuomin added: "It may also be on the beam. Once you open your eyes... it will appear in front of you!"

Only Nuomin and Qiqige, who have learned riding horses, shooting arrows and killing people since childhood, are not afraid of ghosts or the like.

Zhen Qin was so frightened that her face turned pale. She lowered her head and dared not look around. She didn't even have the heart to quarrel, which was her favorite thing.

Although Keqing, Yinglian and Baoqin, who were present, were not as frightened as Zhen Qin, they also felt as if a stone was pressing on their hearts.

"I was dazzled just now. Stop saying these country nonsense. This is the palace... not some low-class place!"

At this time, Baochai spoke in a serious tone, and her words were directed at Qiqi Genomin and the other two, causing the latter to immediately bow their heads and apologize.

As for Zhu Jinghong, he was just watching the fun the whole time and thought it was quite entertaining.

Everyone chatted for a while, and then after having dinner together, everyone left.

Zhu Jinghong came back after half a month, so naturally he wanted to be with Baochai tonight, and others naturally left tactfully.

After washing up, Zhu Jinghong was not as anxious as the first time, but was thinking about the current political situation.

At this time, the maids in the room had already left. Baochai, wearing her pajamas, poured a glass of water herself, handed it to Zhu Jinghong, and said, "Just when something happened in the court, my mother fell ill... What a coincidence!"

Although Zhu Jinghong was in the imperial mausoleum, he had almost complete knowledge of the major events that took place in the court.

He understood what Baochai meant, but he had no intention of responding at this moment.

"I think the old man wants you to lead the troops!"

Sitting next to Zhu Jinghong, Baochai turned her head and shook her hair, then continued: "The situation in the northwest is a mess. No one in the capital is willing to take over, and no one is sure of victory!"

She usually interacts a lot with the ladies of noble families, so she can understand the thoughts of the people below.

Today, Northwest Governor Shi Guangzhu and Deputy Governor Liu Fang have both reached the level of governor of the Five Military Governor's Office, which is the pinnacle of full-time military officers. Normally, they just need to continue to be promoted by accumulating seniority.

But after going to the northwest, the two old brothers, let alone promotion, were often reprimanded and fined by the emperor from beginning to end. Now, they have aged much faster due to the hardship.

In fact, it's not just them. All the generals commanding troops in the northwest now want to get out of this quagmire in the northwest. It's a pity that the emperor doesn't allow them to do so and they can only continue to endure it.

"After choosing so many, the old man can only use you. It shows that he can't live without you!"

Zhu Jinghong agreed with Baochai's analysis. He turned around and said calmly, "It's not that the old man can't leave me, it's that the Ming Dynasty can't leave you, my man!"

"Yes, yes, yes... Of course the court cannot do without you, Your Highness. The two capitals and twenty-three provinces of the Ming Dynasty are all on your shoulders!"

The two capitals and twenty-three provinces are all on my shoulders. Am I a weightlifting champion? Zhu Jinghong had a mess of thoughts in his mind.

Who knew that Baochai would continue to say: "So my sins are very serious!"

"What do you mean?" Zhu Jinghong asked curiously.

"If I hadn't taken Miss Lin home, and if the prince became sick with lovesickness, and the pillar of our Ming Empire collapsed, wouldn't I be dead and unable to redeem myself?"

Zhu Jinghong hugged Baochai and pressed on her directly, then said, "You are getting more and more outrageous now. I will teach you a lesson!"

"oops……"

A cry of "Ouch", followed by groaning throughout the whole process, this kind of pleasure is hard to describe in words.

After that, Zhu Jinghong held Baochai in one hand and played with her up and down in the quilt with the other.

"You said before that you didn't plan to go again... Now that things have come to you, how are you going to deal with it?"

Looking at the decoration on the top of the bed, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "Let's take it one step at a time, and push it if we can..."

"I may not be able to accomplish something that all the court officials oppose, so there is no need to worry too much for now!"

"If you really can't avoid it, how about saying you're sick?" Baochai asked.

Hearing this, Zhu Jinghong pushed Baochai a few more times. When the latter held him with her hands, he said, "Do you think I look like someone who is going to be sick?"

"Besides, will the old man believe me if I pretend to be sick? If he thinks I have ulterior motives, then it will be more trouble than it is worth!"

"That's true!" Baochai nodded in agreement.

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhu Jinghong pressed on her again, causing Baochai to scream again.

"Tell me I'm sick, and I'll teach you a lesson!"

"I will never dare to do that again...ah!"

(End of this chapter)