Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 72 Awkward Meeting

Zhu Houzhao finished his lessons in the Eastern Palace early today. As the New Year was approaching, he planned to go to the Duke of Yingguo's mansion to learn some martial arts from Zhang Mao.

Emperor Hongzhi did not refuse. He still respected Duke Ying of England Zhang Mao very much. Since his son Qilin liked to wield spears and sticks, he asked Zhang Mao to teach him when he had time.

I don't expect Zhu Houzhao to become a master, but it's good for him to be able to keep fit.

Anyway, it’s better than cockfighting and dog walking in the East Palace.

Zhang Mao had a grandson in his old age. He was teaching his grandson Zhang Lun in the study. When he saw Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao coming, he immediately took his family to pay a visit to the crown prince.

After paying respects, Zhu Houzhao returned to normal and said with a smile, "Is Uncle Zhang teaching his grandson?"

Zhang Mao was so angry that he sighed, "What the hell is this? He is just a blockhead."

"I am so angry with him that I don't know what to do."

"Your Highness, you came at the right time. Please help me teach you for a while. I will go get you some snacks and clean up the martial arts room later. Then we can practice a few moves together."

Zhu Houzhao chuckled and said, "Great!"

After Zhang Mao left, Zhu Houzhao stood behind Zhang Lun with his hands behind his back, acting like an older brother, and said, "Little brat, read the Analects to me."

"Oh."

"Is it not a pleasure to learn and practice from time to time? Is it also a pleasure to have friends coming from afar? Isn't it a pleasure?"

"Hoohoohoo."

Zhu Houzhao was confused and suddenly found that he almost didn't recognize the word.

What kind of mess is this?

“I examine myself three times a day: As a human being, am I not loyal in my plans?”

Zhu Houzhao was also confused, and asked casually while holding the tea, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Lun stammered, "I examine myself every day and find that I am a human being."

puff!
Zhu Houzhao spat out all the tea in one mouthful, covered his forehead and said, "If you are not a human, then what else can you be, a pig?"

Good for you!

No wonder Uncle Zhang has a headache, you are so awesome!
He stopped giving Zhang Lun instructions as he didn't have the ability to do so.

After practicing martial arts with Zhang Mao for a while in the martial arts studio, Zhang Mao asked Zhu Houzhao, "How is my grandson?"

"hehe."

Zhu Houzhao grinned and said, "I have something else to do, let's talk another day."

After saying this, he turned around and ran away. It would be better not to come to this Zhang Mansion again in the future, and it would be best not to have any contact with this grandson of Zhang Mao again.

Zhu Houzhao left Zhang's house and took Liu Jin for a stroll on the street. He felt a little disappointed when he found that the author of "Rebirth of the Red Chamber" had not yet written the third volume.

Liu Jin wanted to go to the East Factory to check on the person, but was rejected by Zhu Houzhao, who said indifferently: "We will meet if we are destined to."

Liu Jin didn't understand and asked, "Master, why is this?"

Zhu Houzhao looked mysterious and yearning, and said calmly, "Fate is indescribable."

"You do not understand."

"Let's go and see what the little brother is doing."

Liu Jin: “Oh.”

……

In Huaihua Hutong, Li Zhen brought several Jinyiwei flag officers to the gate of Chen Ce's courtyard. The flag officers threatened Nie viciously that if she dared to continue to cause trouble in Chen Ce's courtyard in the future, she would be arrested and sent to the imperial prison.

Chen Ce asked Jin Yiwei Xiaoqi why he had to wait until later? Can't he do it now?
Several flag bearers of the Imperial Guard: "..."

I thought this gentle and refined young man looked kindhearted, but I didn't expect him to be even more cruel than the Jinyiwei. So the flagmen took Nie away without any explanation.

Li Zhen smiled bitterly, thinking that this mother and son were unlucky. Why did they offend Master Chen for no reason?
Chen Ce invited Li Zhen to the central hall for tea, but Li Zhen refused. Seeing that he was in deep thought and absent-minded, Chen Ce asked, "What's wrong, Lord Li?"

Li Zhen smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Chen, you are a scholar, and I am a warrior. There are some things I don't quite understand. I really have something to ask you. See if you have any countermeasures."

Chen Ce nodded and smiled, "Tell me about it, but I may not understand it."

"Well, more people, more ideas, that's okay."

Just as he was about to speak, he heard a loud voice outside the courtyard, saying, "Brother Chen, what are you doing? Let me guess, are there guests coming?"

Zhu Houzhao walked in with his hands behind his back, and then saw Li Zhen, the commander of the Northern Pacification Office.

Li Zhen was stunned. What did His Royal Highness call Master Chen? Brother?

He finally reacted and quickly clasped his fists in salute. Zhu Houzhao was startled and went over to put his arm around Li Zhen's shoulders, saying, "Old Li, we are colleagues, why are you so formal?"

"You bowed to me, and I have to return the favor. What a hassle!"

Li Zhen understood that the prince did not want to reveal his identity and wanted to get along with Master Chen in his normal capacity.

Chen Ce played along with Zhu Houzhao and pretended to be ignorant: "Aren't you both Tongzhi? Why don't you look familiar with each other?"

Zhu Houzhao said, "Are you not familiar with him? I already call him Lao Li."

"What about you?" Chen Ce looked at Li Zhen.

Li Zhen was sweating profusely.

Brother, do you have to be so persistent? There is no need to ask in detail about the name, right?
How should I address the prince? Xiao, Xiao Zhu?
Do I still want to live?
Zhu Houzhao said, "Don't look down on my young age. My martial arts skills are far superior to his. He usually calls me Brother Zhu."

Chen Ce almost spit out his tea.

You are amazing, you really look like Pig Brother.

"Don't worry about me. What were you talking about just now? Keep talking."

Zhu Houzhao sat down familiarly, then commented on the good decoration of Chen Ce's courtyard, and took his words to heart.

"Let's chat, let's continue the previous topic." Zhu Houzhao said to Li Zhen.

Li Zhen hummed awkwardly and said to Chen Ce cautiously, "Yes, that's right."

"Um, can I, can I tell the truth?"

Zhu Houzhao frowned and said, "How can I know if you can tell the truth? But if you lie, I will definitely know."

Li Zhen looked bitter and asked Chen Ce honestly, "It's like this, Mr. Chen."

"One of our Northern Pacification Division officials will be retiring at the beginning of next year."

"There are three fourth-rank deputy commanders below me. I admire one of them, but the commander may not appreciate him. I want to promote him, but I don't know how to help him win the competition."

Chen Ce frowned and looked at Li Zhen, and suddenly asked, "Aren't there two people in charge of the Jinyiwei?"

"You and Master Zhu? Who's going to retire next year?"

Li Zhen was sweating profusely.

Zhu Houzhao was also stunned and thought to himself, "Li Zhen, are you a fool?"
He tried to smooth things over, "Little brother, you don't understand. There are many things in the Ming officialdom that have no fixed rules. For example, there are three people who are in charge of the Jinyiwei. The one who retired is another old one."

Chen Ce pretended to be surprised and said, "So that's how it is."

Zhu Houzhao was also very curious, so he asked Chen Ce, "The assistant official that Lord Li admires is also one I admire, but he has a commander above him, so how do you think he can stand out in the competition?"

Chen Ce motioned for the two to drink tea, then held the tea and said, "This is not difficult."

what?
Isn’t this difficult?
Zhu Houzhao and Li Zhen looked at Chen Ce in amazement. This is difficult, right?
(End of this chapter)