Ming Dynasty, starting from the empty seal case

Chapter 185 The Confidence of the Strong
Xu Mansion.

After Xu Da returned quietly from Peiping, he was not greeted by a large crowd of ministers, and he declined all the banquets of old friends. He just seemed to have retired and lived deep in his mansion.

Although it suffered defeats during Hongwu's five-year Northern Expedition.

However, throughout his military career, after participating in the Yuan Dynasty Uprising, he experienced countless battles, large and small, and always returned with great victory.

As Zhu Yuanzhang's right-hand man, before and after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, he participated in almost all the wars that shaped the country's destiny.

Xu Da has been taciturn all year round. He is not as careless and careless as Su Xian saw in some movies and TV dramas. He seems to have no sense of authority.

On the contrary, he acts steadily and is taciturn when he is not working on weekdays. He has the aura of a famous general who is as motionless as a mountain and as dynamic as thunder.

And this moment.

He was dressed in a rich robe and brocade clothes. Although there were some white hairs on his temples, he was vaguely handsome and handsome. He was sitting on a recliner, squinting in the sun, and seemed not to even react to the officials approaching.

"master……"

But during my return to Beijing, I heard that so many things that happened in the capital in the past two years were all involved, and coupled with the more careful background investigation, even the Holy Emperor seemed to trust him very much for a certain period of time. He couldn't help but be surprised.

Having been on the battlefield for decades and experiencing countless battles, he knew very well what His Majesty was like, and he also knew that the so-called rumors and rumors would not even blow a hair on his head for a military commander like himself.

"Dad, didn't you promise me a few days ago that you would go to the palace as soon as possible? Why are you still lying at home now?"

These words were thrilling to her. Ever since her father returned to Beijing, a big net seemed to have fallen over him.

But as a mainstay in the founding of the Ming Dynasty, how could his father be willing to give up military power, since the court wanted to exchange financial power for military power.

The more this kind of credit is mentioned, the easier it is for people to guess the next four words - great achievements and shocking masters.

As soon as he finished speaking, a childish-looking girl came quickly from behind. When she saw Xu Da, she sweetly called "Daddy" and then quickly came to his side.

But if the news came from someone who was interested, and the other party's position in the Ming Dynasty was not inferior to that of her father, she couldn't help but frown.

The more she read, the more anxious she became. In addition, in the past few days, there had been more similar rumors, and they had even been written clearly in some "popular publications".

It is said that since Su Guiyuan took control of Chaojingyuan, the court guided nobles to intervene in the bank. The original intention is already obvious, which is to take the military power back from the hands of the founding nobles and then transfer it to the vassal king.

Xu Da is really confident, even different from Xu Miaojin's worries and panic.

Since last time, Xu Miaojin thought about it all night after returning from the Gewuyuan. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, so he immediately came to Xu Da, hoping that the latter would go to His Majesty to find out more about him and tell him that he was in Peiping. Definitely not involved in the so-called treasure money.

"But..." Xu Miaojin said anxiously: "Aren't you going back to Beijing to report on your duties? Even if your Majesty delays the government affairs, it won't delay the military situation, right?"

Xu Da agreed, but there was no movement at all.

"No matter how strong the wind and rain in the government and the public are, it can't hit the heads of the Xu family. The powerful enemies of the Northern Yuan Dynasty are still there. The Ming Dynasty has not yet reached the prosperous age of the Han and Tang Dynasties. Your father and I are not ready to go to Nanshan..."

"Whether or not to enter the palace, or when to enter the palace, is not my father's final say."

Perhaps it is because he and his wife are both good-looking, so in addition to their different personalities, the eldest daughter Xu Miaoyun, the eldest son Xu Huizu, and the younger children all have refined looks and talents. .

however.

And this third daughter has been smart since she was a child, just like her eldest sister.

His deliberate "intimidation" of his daughter made him look down upon her.

"Don't follow what others say. Even if King Yan and your eldest sister go to Peking, my father will continue to stay in Peiping. How can major military affairs be so simple?"

It is said that my father was the Duke of Wei, and he was the leader of all the nobles after the founding of the country. He once conquered Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng, and after the founding of the country, he recovered Shaanxi, Shanxi, Ningxia, and Peiping... and single-handedly established the [Great Wall System] to defend the Northern Yuan Dynasty!
Even His Majesty personally praised it as the "Great Wall" of the Ming Dynasty.

And the same was written in those express newspapers.

"Miss Third is here. It should be about the printing plate thing that I mentioned before."

Xu Da looked at his daughter in front of him with a smile, scratched her little nose, and said with a smile: "Our little daughter is smart, but she is too timid."

In this regard.

Xu Miaojin seemed to feel more relieved when she saw her father was like Mount Tai. However, if these storms came out of thin air, there would be no need to worry.

The official reminded him softly, and only after the former reacted did he open his eyes.

After comforting his daughter, looking at her confused eyes, he seemed to have thought of something and smiled:
"You told dad before. I guess it was Su Xian who told you. Before we returned to Beijing, we heard about his name when we heard about the establishment of a bank in Peiping."

"Since you are such a smart boy, why don't I just tell you a guess and not how to analyze it?"

He smiled warmly, not worried at all because of the storm in the capital, and this might just be the magnanimity of a famous general.

He just took advantage of the plan and secretly controlled the bank. He also had the remnants of the previous printing plate case, secretly accumulating power...

She didn't say the rest, but felt a little worried.

However, it seems that he really regards this as a big deal?
"It's said that this kid has good friends with your second and third brothers. He even ran to our house a few years ago. Why haven't you seen me during this time? Dad still wants to ask him..."

That kind of speculation shocked even him.

To be honest, Xu Da was really curious about Su Xian based on those rumors before he came back. He was just a young boy about the same age as his second son. I'm afraid someone was deliberately inducing him behind the scenes.

"Besides, King Yan and the eldest sister are about to leave Beijing. Will it be true as popular rumors say that dad will leave Peking, and then..."

"What's the matter?"

"Even if King Yan is the reincarnation of that young Martial God, he won't be able to drive away your father and me."

Just on this matter.

Xu Da quickly sat up and looked at the visitor with a smile.

"Since the last Jingzhe, Su Xian rarely goes to the Gewuyuan, let alone our family. Moreover, even the Gewuyuan itself is in trouble now, and he doesn't seem to cause trouble anymore. Besides, dad asked him What?"

Xu Da smiled and glanced at his daughter, "Of course it's something I'm curious about."

"But Su Xian should be here during this period." Xu Miaojin seemed to have remembered something and continued: "Today, they went to the West Market with the second brother. I heard they went to see the colored glaze. When they come back, you can give it to the second brother. Just say it.”

Xu Miaojin said again, this time she talked about her conjecture, "Dad, what if this rumor is not groundless, but someone spread it deliberately, and that person is the first step in a deliberate plan?"

Hear the words.

Xu Da was silent at first, and then smiled noncommittally, still with infinite confidence, "Then it's still what Dad said before - no matter how strong the wind and rain are, it can't rain down on my Xu family."

Just saying.

Suddenly, in the courtyard, a strong man in his forties who was missing his left arm hurriedly walked over.

When Xu Da saw him, he immediately asked curiously: "Fushou, what's the matter?"

"Sir, the Holy Emperor has sent word that you should enter the palace."

Xu Da was stunned for a moment, then looked at his daughter with a smile: "Look, dad has the opportunity to enter the palace now."

The next moment, his face became solemn.

"Come here, take off your clothes!"

……

After Xu Da left, Fushou returned to the gate of Xu Mansion and sat in his seat as usual.

If someone comes and sends a greeting card, he will inform them as usual.

It's just that my master, although he was born in a noble family in Huaixi, but because of his taciturn character, he doesn't usually have good relations with his subordinates.

He has never given the impression of being an easy person to deal with, so he rarely has guests.

Even if they return to Beijing, there will only be two or three honorable men. Therefore, his days are also leisurely.

It's just that... from being a deputy general in a pro-military camp to being a janitor for ten years, life is always a bit boring.

In the Xu Mansion, during the Chinese New Year in previous years, there were many people coming and going, and this time was the busiest time for me. Some of my former subordinates are now the commanders of the guard...

Some people even became middle-level generals.

"Shh!"

Sighing and shaking his empty left arm, Fushou sat down peacefully.

The little father-in-law who had just sent the message had already left. He took advantage of the master to go out and continue to rest as before.

But at this moment, another person came in front of him.

Fushou raised his head and saw that the visitor was carrying a gift. Fushou thought he was here to see his master.

"My master is not here, please come back another day."

"What's wrong with me? I'm looking for you, brother. Why don't you recognize your brother? I, Xiaotong, was still a hundred households under your control."

After listening to the introduction, Fushou finally realized, "Qian Tong? You kid..."

He looked at the figure in front of him. A command token on his waist attracted his attention, and he suddenly smiled bitterly, "Is he the commander now?"

"It's just a small guard post commander." Qian Tong smiled, and then recounted the past, "Recently, the military situation has been somewhat mobilized. All of us station commanders have to go to Beijing. The first thing to do when we come to the capital is What I was thinking about was you, my eldest brother. I thought that my eldest brother had been transferred out, but I didn’t expect that he was still here... Alas!"

As he said that, he seemed to be a little bit intolerant, "Brother was good at martial arts back then, and you taught me this skill. Even if I am injured, even if I go to train new recruits, it is more than enough to be a general instructor, but I don't want to..."

"Oh, let's not talk anymore. When I return to Beijing this time, I have to have a good talk with us..."

"Okay..." Fushou agreed and said awkwardly, "It's okay anyway."

"Then it's better to choose a different day than to hit the sun. We will come to you before the curfew tonight to see the beauties of this capital together!" Qi laughed.

"Also, I heard that the latest colored glazes in the capital are rare treasures. I knew that my eldest brother was having a wedding, so I packed the wine in colored glazes and sent it to him."

Fushou was shocked and quickly declined.

next moment.

Then he saw a transparent wine jug that was glowing in the sun. The red fruit wine inside it looked like the wine that the Fan people recently brought from the trading town in Xifan.

Great value!
"Isn't this too expensive?"

"What is this? Brother, don't you know that all of us brothers are very good now, just a little vulgar, how can it compare to the life-and-death friendship of the past?"

"As a commander, I am actually not worth mentioning. Brother, you will know when you come tonight."

After leaving the gift, we reminisced about old times for a while and then left in a hurry.

Fushou looked at the token hanging around his waist and couldn't help but sigh again.

……

at the same time.

West Market.

Su Xian had been here before, but in his impression, it was four or five years ago when he came here with his mother to see white elephants and lions.

At that time, the West Market could only be considered lively, not prosperous at all.

But now, it's visible to the naked eye.

It was simply more noble than some of the bustling streets in Shangyuan County where Su Xian lived.

On both sides of the road, except for Mingren's vendors, most of them have faces of foreign origin. In front of many stalls, there are some exotic items shipped from thousands of miles away.

The customers who came and went were all looking for a fresh person, walking around, and the servants behind them had their arms full of new things they bought. They squandered their money without hesitation, and seemed to have bought everything.

Among them, Su Xian also saw many tents set up not far away.

And in front, there are many people standing like Yaxing, all of them are rare foreign girls, old and young, with different styles.

The ones who followed this time were besides Chang Sheng, Chang Sen, Xu Yingxu, Fu Zhong and others.

Xu Huizu, Chang Mao, Li Jinglong and others also came together.

Seeing this scene, Su Xian and other children who have not grown up, some of them did not notice it at all. Chang Sen, for example, was still looking around. From time to time he saw some interesting things, so he stopped in front of them, and waited until he bought them. move on.

Some who already understood the matter secretly blushed and were a little curious, but in the end they pretended not to know.

On the other hand, Chang Mao and Li Jinglong's eyes widened. Finally, they simply found a reason and ran towards that place.

"Cough cough!"

"Don't look around, remember why you came today."

It was Xu Huizu, who was quite a gentleman, leading his brothers towards the destination.

soon.

Several people came to a courtyard.

This place can be regarded as the only representative building in the West Market, unlike the random vendors on both sides.

This place is like a deep palace courtyard, and there are eight foreign faces outside the door. They are not tall and strong men, but lean and strong, with slightly dark skin, and their eyes are scanning all directions like a lone wolf.

After seeing Su Xian and others, he paused for a moment on the leader Xu Huizu's face, and his fierce expression immediately became as docile as a sheep.

"Another distinguished guest, please!"

Xu Huizu nodded, and it could be seen that this was not his first time visiting the bustling Western Market in the capital recently.

But after walking in, it seemed like a completely different world.

Along the way, Su Xian had seen too many "colored glazes." However, the colored glaze that seemed to him to be of inferior quality attracted many wealthy businessmen to rush to buy it.

This shows how popular it is.

But when you enter this courtyard, even the inferior colored glaze is gone. You can see at any time, a delicate and gorgeous exotic beauty, holding a wooden plate in her hand, on which is placed a seemingly flawless colored glaze, showing the color of the sun. , more transparent.

"Here are all the high-quality colored glazes brought to the Ming Dynasty this time, and the Haiyue colored glaze you want to see is also among them..."

"What's more, there are tributes deliberately leaked out by diplomatic missions from various countries. Every one of them is not something that our Ming Dynasty can see."

"Now, did you see those words? Every small country has its own small courtyard. If you are interested, just go and see it one by one..."

"Haiyue Liuli, I guess we have to wait a while. After all, not everyone has arrived yet."

Just saying.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door.

But the next moment, a surprised voice suddenly sounded.

"Master Sun is here, and Young Master Qi is here too. What kind of wind is blowing? Come and greet us. All these young masters are here today, and the young prime minister must also be..."

I haven’t finished speaking yet…

An increasingly surprising voice sounded again!
"The young Prime Minister is here!"

(End of this chapter)