My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 163 The Albizia Tree

Meeting Chang Sining at his mother's place, Zhu Zhanhe chatted with them for a while, and asked about the preparations of the ships of each family.

Similar to what Zheng He said, the ships, personnel and goods of each family are basically ready, and they can assemble and go to sea at any time.

For this voyage to the West, each family has put in all their strength, not only carefully selecting the goods they prepared, but also dispatching the most capable stewards and businessmen affiliated with them to try to maximize their profits.

After talking about the business, Zhu Zhanhe personally sent Chang Sining back, and then met Chang Wei, and told him about boarding a ship to Guangzhou in three days, and Chang Wei agreed without hesitation.

Then Zhu Zhanhe drove to Zhang Zhong's residence.

The carriage stopped in front of the small courtyard. During this period of time, Zhang Zhong has been living here with Bai Shao, and has not contacted the British government again.

During the period, the British princess went to the palace to find Zhu Zhanhe and inquire about Zhang Zhong's situation.

Although Zhu Zhanhe sympathized with the Duke and Duchess of England, Zhang Zhong was unwilling to meet anyone from the Duke of England, so he only told the other party that Zhang Zhong was fine now, and in the end the Duke and Duchess of England could only return disappointed.

Zhu Zhanhe got out of the carriage, stepped forward and opened the courtyard door and walked in.

Zhang Zhong was wearing short clothes, holding a pickaxe in his hand, digging a hole hard, and Bai Shao beside him was full of smiles, holding a sapling with both hands.

"Are you planning to plant trees?"

Zhu Zhanhe walked forward with a smile.

"Yes, Bai Shao said that the yard was a little empty, so we went outside the city to dig a sapling, and it is estimated that it will grow into a big tree in a few years."

Zhang Zhong wiped off his sweat and laughed.

After leaving home, Zhang Zhong had a new pursuit, his whole spirit became better, and his gestures became more masculine. He used to call himself "old lady", but he never said so now.

In fact, he used to call himself an old lady outside, and from time to time he did some girlish behaviors, which was also a kind of resistance to Zhang Fu's abuse of him, because the more Zhang Fu disliked him, the more he had to behave as a man and a woman.

"Then you are very good at picking, and you actually planted an acacia tree."

Seeing the feathery leaves on the saplings, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help laughing.

"It turns out that this is the acacia tree!"

Zhang Zhong didn't know the Albizia Julibrissin tree, he was a little surprised when he heard this, and then he glanced at Bai Shao next to him, because she chose the sapling.

Seeing that Zhu Zhanhe recognized the silk juniper tree at a glance, Bai Shao lowered her head shyly.

Because the Albizia Julibrissin tree is also known as the "Sentimental Tree", it is usually planted by newlyweds after they get married, implying harmony between husband and wife and a happy life.

Seeing Bai Shao's shy expression, Zhang Zhong's expression became a little complicated, but soon he smiled again: "The hole is dug, Bai Shao, put down the tree!"

"Ok!"

Hearing what Zhang Zhong said, Bai Shao raised her head joyfully, put the Albizia juliensis sapling into the pit with both hands, and then filled the soil and watered it with Zhang Zhong.

Standing aside, Zhu Zhanhe did not help, after all, an outsider should not interfere in this kind of matter.

After the tree was planted, Zhang Zhong invited Zhu Zhanhe to the living room, while Bai Shao was cooking tea for the two of them.

"Brother Zhang, Zheng Neigong came to see me today and told me something..."

Zhu Zhanhe talked about Chang Wei's participation in the voyage to the West, and Zheng He's arrangement for Chang Wei to go to Guangzhou on a ship.

"This is a good opportunity. If you want, you can board the ship with Chang Wei and adapt to life at sea in advance."

Zhu Zhanhe finally said.

"When are you leaving and how long are you going?"

Zhang Zhong asked without hesitation.

"In three days, it will take about a month, and when you come back, the fleet to the west will also set off."

Zhu Zhanhe replied.

Just as he finished speaking, there was a "clang" sound next to him, and a teacup fell to the ground and shattered.

"My lord, forgive me, I was too careless!"

Bai Shao stood up with a pale face, and said while tidying up.

"Be careful, don't hurt your hands!"

Zhang Zhongrou said.

"Ok!"

Bai Shao agreed, but the circles of her eyes turned red all of a sudden, and two tears also rolled down.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhanhe also sighed in his heart, so he changed his words: "Brother Zhang, why don't you go, anyway, you are just following the merchant ship, so you don't have to work as hard as Chang Wei."

"No, I'll go!"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhong said very resolutely.

He is not willing to just be a merchant who runs a merchant ship, but wants to lead a fleet and establish greater achievements in the future, so he must strictly demand himself, and he must do what Chang Wei can do.

"This……"

Zhu Zhanhe looked at the pale Bai Shao, finally nodded and said: "Okay, if that's the case, then you and Chang Wei will board the ship together in three days."

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Bai Shao who was beside her shook her body, then lowered her head sadly.

But Zhang Zhong seemed to be very cruel, he didn't pay attention to the change of Bai Shao, but said to Zhu Zhanhe again: "Zhanhe, come tomorrow afternoon with brother Zhu, the three of us have a good drink It should be practiced for me in advance!"

"Row!"

Zhu Zhanhe readily agreed, and then left. As for the matter of Zhang Zhong and Bai Shao, let them settle it themselves, after all, everyone is an adult.

On the second day, Zhu Zhanhe deliberately finished his work in the morning as much as possible, and in the afternoon he rode to Duke Cheng's mansion, called Zhu Yong who had made an appointment, and the two rushed to Zhang Zhong's residence together.

"Brother Zhang is really planning to go to the West with Zheng He?"

On the way, Zhu Yong asked Zhu Zhanhe reluctantly.

Zhang Zhong is his best friend. In the past, the two were almost inseparable, doing all kinds of bad things together. Now that the other party is leaving, Zhu Yong is of course very reluctant.

"Everyone has his own aspirations. Brother Zhang decided to leave the British government and live as a man. Naturally, he also wants to start a career that belongs to a man, and going to the West is his best opportunity."

Zhu Zhanhe sighed and replied, as a friend, of course he is not willing to leave Zhang Zhong, but there is no way, as we grow older, everyone's life paths are different, and separation is inevitable.

Hearing what Zhu Zhanhe said, Zhu Yong's mood also became very depressed. During this period of time, he has learned a lot about overseas affairs, and he is also yearning for overseas affairs. Sometimes he really wants to leave everything behind and go like Zhang Zhong. Meet overseas.

But it's a pity that Zhu Yong is also the only seedling in the family. If he dares to go, his mother will have to break his legs.

Zhu Zhanhe and the two came to Zhang Zhong's residence on horseback, but when they entered the yard, they were both stunned.

The yard was decorated with lanterns and festoons, the ground was covered with red cloth, Zhang Zhong was wearing a bright red wedding dress, and was stepping on a ladder with a red lantern hanging, and Bai Shao, who was next to him, was wearing a phoenix crown and Xiapei, helping Zhang Zhong hold the ladder.

At this moment, Zhang Zhong turned his head and saw Zhu Zhanhe and the two, and immediately showed a bright smile and said, "Zhanhe, brother Zhu, you are here just in time, come and help me hang the lantern."

(End of this chapter)