Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 406 5.88 Is the princess’ arrangement for another highness?
Volume [-]

5.88 Is the arrangement of the princess for another highness?
After entering November, the atmosphere in the entire capital city was as depressing as a visit to a grave. On the surface, there was a peaceful singing and dancing, and even the routine quarrels and impeachments at the imperial meeting were reduced by more than half. However, people dare not feel the slightest calm. , or it was too quiet, as quiet as the silence at a funeral.

There are no more literati who recite poems, write poems, and give advice in various restaurants. There are also fewer martial arts disciples who drink in various restaurants and boast that their family background is better than their ancestors. The daily gatherings and banquets of civil servants and military generals are gone. , even the voices of the girls soliciting customers in the building have consciously lowered their voices, and the shop market will become more lively before the end of the year.

For more than half a month, Zhou Yang didn't ask any questions. He just spent time in the military camp, waving his horsewhip to drive away the Qiu Ba gang for high-intensity training, and carried out various live-fire drills regardless of consumption, even if they were scraping big guns. The north wind is blowing and snow is falling, so these soldiers can't be idle. They also need various trainings.

Except for going out with him, the girls in the family would never leave the yard. Three small-flag fusiliers and two infantry cannons were on guard for [-] hours, and [-] female guards recruited from the south of the Yangtze River were under round-the-clock protection. During this time, he I haven't been to Princess Yongchang again, but the exchange of information between the two parties has become more frequent, at least once a day.

It wasn't until November [-]th that Dongfang Bing, whom he hadn't seen for a while, finally came to visit.

"Ziyang, get ready!" As soon as he entered the inner study, he didn't even bother to drink water, and didn't care about his chilblained cheeks. He went straight to the topic, "Last night, the Supreme Emperor had already sent a decree to His Majesty, asking him to Instead of going to Tanzhe Temple to pray for blessings, whether it is for planning or filial piety, Your Majesty must agree."

"'Tanzhe Temple first, then Sijiu City', it's a good place. Anyone with knowledge in the capital knows that this place is famous for its efficacious wishes." When it finally started, Zhou Yang breathed a sigh of relief, " It’s more than fifty miles away from the capital, with Mount Baozhu at its back, and the surrounding areas are either mountains or woodlands. The location and distance are both suitable, so there’s no problem in any case—where’s the time?”

"According to the imperial court's practice, from December [-]th to the [-]th day of the first lunar month of each year, all officials take a hiatus and no longer interfere with official affairs except under special circumstances." Dongfang said softly, "But generally in the twelfth lunar month, officials at all levels basically Even if you can do nothing less and nothing more, the same goes for the palace, so the time is set for the third day of the twelfth lunar month."

"Huh -" Zhou Yang breathed a long sigh of relief, hugged his sister tightly and said, "He's here after all. There must be various signs in this capital?"

"Brother Zhou, these days have always happened." Zhao Qiying, who was sitting next to him, said softly, "Since the end of last month, the number of caravans entering the city has increased significantly. Although they are indeed doing business on the surface, they rarely come back once they enter the city. Going out, more than a dozen caravans came and went, and at least more than 300 people stayed in the city.

It stands to reason that as the end of the year is approaching, it is natural for merchants to purchase goods and do business, but the carriages of these caravans are all tightly packed, making it impossible to see what is inside; that's all, the city gate guards at Xizhimen like this the best. As long as they put on a front and conduct a detailed investigation, there will definitely be oil and water, but this time, even they didn't have the guts to ask more questions, because "

"Because these caravans are too generous with their actions." Dongfang Bingbing said coldly, "Any time they make a move, they use either five taels of silver ingots or twelve taels of gold ingots. It is obvious that there is something wrong, but they always have various tokens and signs with them, no matter who sees them. Everyone had to give it a pass, and no one had the guts to say whose face it was afterward."

"That prince? Is that too exaggerated?" Zhou Yang was a little puzzled, "Logically speaking, if you want to cause trouble, you should try to keep a low profile, right? How can anyone be so blatant in gathering people and transporting supplies? What about the imperial court? Mr. You can't just watch and let them do whatever they want and don't care, right?"

"But the Emperor?" Confidential Secretary Xing Xiuyan asked softly.

"Yes, the Emperor has issued decrees many times these days to make the Chinese New Year more lively. Caravans and convoys can save money when entering the city. The more goods will be cheaper, the people will not be short of money." Dongfang said calmly. Said, "Even Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch in charge of the Dragon Head Palace, personally came forward and vouched for the caravan many times.

The officials of the imperial court don't care about martial arts, and they don't care about it. Except for Qi Jianhui, Feng Tang, and you, all the major battalions have issued martial law, and no transfers are allowed unless there are extremely special circumstances; the civilian officials are even more straightforward. Except for daily duty, the six pavilion elders have not been alone in the palace for some time, and even the small court meeting has nothing to do. "

"Is it really okay for them to be so blatantly playing soy sauce?" Zhou Yang said speechlessly, "If you want to gain something, you have to make sacrifices. The result of not joining any team is that anyone who goes up may be punished. You must know that in this situation Understood, 'Unfaithfulness means absolute disloyalty' is an iron rule for superiors!"

"Brother Zhou said it easily. The question is, under the current situation, who is sure that he will not take the wrong position?" Zhao Qiying said helplessly, "The Supreme Emperor Yuji has been in power for 45 years, and his martial arts and martial arts are among the best in ancient and modern times. He has made his position clear now. On the side of Yizhong County King; Your Majesty is also the current emperor. Although he has made no great achievements and no faults since he took the throne, he can be called a wise king.

Now that these two are facing each other, who else dares to say nonsense?Besides, this is not a change of dynasty, but a private matter of the royal family. As a minister, it is reasonable not to ask about the affairs of the Tian family; not to mention that this kind of thing should not be a big deal. Wu Xun is right not to participate, plus Not long ago, the old story of Prince Yi Zhong, the Twelve Marquis who participated in that time - I'm sorry, Sister Dongfang! "

"It doesn't matter, it's all over." Dongfang Bing shook his head with a dull expression and did not continue the topic, "His Majesty invited the princess over last night and set a general strategy. On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, Your Majesty must go there. For Tanzhe Temple, Qi Jianhui and the Imperial Guard will naturally be guarding you, while His Highness will be left in the palace to make decisions on his own."

"Where is the other Highness?" Zhou Yang frowned, ignoring the significance of the so-called "one can decide on his own affairs". "Since His Highness is considered the 'supervisor of the country', if the other one does not make arrangements, he is afraid that the order will be released." There are so many doors." "Your Majesty, there are no arrangements." Dongfang Bing said with a wry smile.

"Grass (a green plant)!" Zhou Yang cursed on the spot. This was obviously the so-called "way of balance", but there was no way to say more. Emperor Yonghe had just been in his sixth year on the throne, and he was less than three years old. In ten days, it is understandable not to be in a hurry to establish a reserve; the problem is that at such a critical moment, if you still play this trick, are you really afraid that you will not be able to clean up? "What do you mean, princess?"

"Immediately prepare the manpower you originally agreed on. I will personally arrange to enter the city and start tonight." Dongfang Bing said calmly, "Before coming to you, I have discussed it with Commander Qiu. He is located in the inner city. The Qianhu Office in the western city has cleaned up the place, and the most reliable people are left there, so it is not difficult to arrange two more hundred households."

"Where are the two infantrymen Baihu and the half artilleryman Baihu who the princess trained with me?" Zhou Yang asked immediately.

"Just leave it to me, you don't need to ask any more questions." Dongfang Bing's answer was simple, and then he explained with an apology, "You don't want to get involved in these things, and you'd better not know about my goals; again, this batch of The manpower is hidden even from His Majesty, it is a private arrangement made by the princess, so you can pretend not to know."

"Okay, then I won't ask." Zhou Yang nodded indifferently.

"That's good." Dongfang Bing nodded, picked up the already cold tea cup and drank it in one gulp, then stood up and said, "Get ready, I have to go."

"Master Qianhu, are you really in such a hurry?" Zhou Yang hugged her and sat down again, "How many days have we not seen each other? Can't you think about how I feel as a husband, huh?"

"You're not lacking anything." Dongfang Bing glanced at Zhao Qiying and Xing Xiuyan, who were looking teasingly, and curled his lips and said, "Okay, if you want me, hurry up. The princess is still waiting for me to repay you; Also, Sister Bao and Second Sister asked me to take care of them, but they can’t leave for the time being, and it’s not convenient to come to you.”

"Where's Xuan'er?" After thinking about it for a moment, Zhou Yang asked softly.

"Your Highness Yongjing. He hasn't come out since the beginning of the month." Dongfang Bing said with a wry smile.

"That's all." Zhou Yang sighed softly. Guo Xuan's status was completely based on the favor of the Supreme Emperor. He was able to talk to Zhou Yang in detail at the beginning, which was already the most benevolent and righteous. It is humane to choose to avoid it at this time, "In this case, Rong'er With the Supreme Emperor”

"Princess has not been to Longshou Palace for a while." Dongfang Bing also sighed.

"Okay, that's it." Zhou Yang nodded, "I specially prepared a few pieces of lock ring inner armor for you to take back when you leave. In these days until the matter is settled, you will wear them whenever you go out; also, big Your Highness, you can also send a few things to your Highness, and the request remains unchanged. He is the core of us people. If something happens to him, it will be nonsense for us to bother!"

"Don't worry!" Dongfang Bing nodded without hesitation.

"I have one last question, but you don't have to say it." After a moment of silence, Zhou Yang still chose to ask, "Is the princess's arrangement for another highness?"

"." Dongfang Bing was silent for a long time, and just when Zhou Yang thought he wouldn't get an answer, he calmly said, "Yes!"

"Huh--" Zhou Yang let out a long sigh of relief, and roughly understood the root cause of Wu Xun's failure in the original work. "You go back later, and let me help you relieve the pressure!"

".Hurry up!"

(End of this chapter)