The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 345 Yuan Chonghuan’s Prophecy (I)

At the beginning of August in the second year of the Tianqi reign, the Duke of Huguo became busy again after a month of recuperation.

In addition to the upcoming suppression of the rebellion in Shaanxi, military operations around Sakhalin Island have also been put on the agenda by the Protector of the Country.

In early August, the Duke of the Protectorate dispatched troops from Liaodong and Northern Zhili to Shaanxi to quell the rebellion. He also contacted officers from Northern Zhili, Shandong, and Liaodong, requesting that they assist the expeditionary commander, Li Sanguang, in selecting members and forming a second expeditionary force to launch a retaliatory operation against the Rakshasa Kingdom.

Three days before the Western Expedition, on the afternoon of August 5, the second year of the Tianqi reign, at about 3:00 p.m., Lady Zhang Yan gave birth to a baby boy in the west wing of the Duke of Huguo's house. Both mother and child were safe.

Shaoyao and Jin'er helped with the delivery in the house. The two maids were busy for more than an hour. Finally, under the watchful eyes of a group of Kaiyuan generals, they carefully placed the baby on a scale to weigh it.

"Six pounds and two ounces."

Liu Zhaosun hurried over from the camp, grinning and saying:

"He's so sturdy, he'll be a fierce general in the future!"

Kang Yinggan smiled from ear to ear, stroking his beard at his "god-grandson" who was still in the cradle and couldn't open his eyes:
"No wonder I saw a red glow spreading across the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion last night. It lingered for a long time. It seems to be an auspicious sign!"

When the news spread, people in Kaiyuan learned that the Duke of Protectorate had a successor, and the military and civil affairs officials all celebrated.

The "young lord" that many people have been looking forward to has finally appeared.

God bless Kaiyuan.

The various strange phenomena before and after the birth of the "young lord" quickly spread among the people.

Someone saw that when Madam Zhang gave birth, the Protectorate Mansion was "filled with purple air."

There was also a witness who said, "There were two dragons playing outside the gate of the pavilion, and they left after three days."

According to those who have seen the "young lord," the baby's bedroom is filled with "a red light, and a strange fragrance lingers throughout the night. Its body is golden, and it remains unchanged for three days."

Such rumors were spreading like wildfire in the capital, and they were just short of directly naming Liu Zhaosun and saying that he wanted to become emperor, and his son also wanted to be emperor.

It goes without saying who is behind these rumors. Apart from Kang Yingqian, no one else could be so professional.

In any case, the Duke of Protector's great cause finally had a successor.

All the officials in the capital congratulated the Duke of Protectorate, and the gold, jade, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings they sent to his house piled up like mountains.

Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youjian also sent his confidant Wang Chengen to deliver a gift. After Wang ordered the young eunuch to put down the gift, he went looking for Ma Shiying everywhere. Qiao Yiqi told him that Ma Zhizhou had gone to Sakhalin Island.

"Kuyi Island? Was he exiled too?"

Qiao Yiqi said without hesitation:

"What exile? Our people just fought with the Cossacks on Kuyi Island last month."

Wang Chengen's eyes turned, and he quickly pulled General Qiao aside and took out a scroll from his sleeve.

"I heard that Supervisor Qiao loved calligraphy and painting. This is Dong Qichang's last work from his time in prison—"The Civil Unrest in Wuzhong"."

When Qiao Yiqi saw Wang Chengen's charming face, goose bumps immediately appeared all over her body.

Thinking of his good friend Dong Qichang's unclear death in the Zhenfu Division prison two years ago, Qiao Dazui couldn't help but feel grief:
"It's a pity that Dong Xuanzai, who was once an incorruptible man, was finally implicated by the mob. Well, I will keep his paintings for his family. I wonder what your intention is, eunuch?"

Wang Chengen looked around and saw that no one was coming. He quickly lowered his voice and said:
"To be honest, my brother-in-law is originally from Hejian Prefecture. He fled to Sanyuan last year to do business. I heard that he didn't escape when the city was besieged. I don't know if he can survive this time. When I think of this unfortunate sister, I can't sleep at night."

Qiao Yiqi put away his friend's posthumous work and patted his chest:
"Don't be afraid, we're sending out 8,000 troops this time..."

Wang Chengen quickly asked:
"Eight thousand? How can eight thousand be possible? I heard from the Shaanxi Censor that there are thirty thousand bandits in Mizhi alone."

Qiao Yiqi chuckled and looked at the immature eunuch with a caring expression.

"Eight thousand is just the first batch of troops, equivalent to the vanguard. The Duke of the Protectorate also asked General Man Gui to provide assistance, and the garrisons in various parts of Beizhi will also be dispatched..."

~~~~~
After Liu Zhaosun finished his military duties, he held the baby in his arms and kept watching him.

"He looks a lot like me, and he has big ears. That puts me at ease."

Liu Zhaosun muttered to himself, while Zhang Yan lay on the bed, smiling haggardly:
"My husband really loves to joke. Who else could he be like if not you?" Liu Zhaosun laughed.

The Liu family bloodline will be continued in this child.

Everything will proceed smoothly, regardless of whether I really die young as Ke Zhen'e said.

The great cause of Kaiyuan will have successors.

The Duke of Protectorate was still lost in thought when he suddenly heard a sobbing sound. When he looked down, he saw that Zhang Yan had started crying without him noticing.

Liu Zhaosun hated to see women crying, so he quickly dismissed the maids and guards, sat down at the head of Zhang Yan's bed, and asked her softly why she was crying.

"In three days, Deng Changxiong, Sun Chuanting, Wu Xiao and others will lead their troops into Tongguan. The Luosha Kingdom in the north is almost at Sakhalin Island. The army is really busy. I haven't been able to spend more time with my wife and children these days. It's my fault."

Zhang Yan said with tears in her eyes:
"I'm just worried about my husband's health. You've only been recuperating for a month. I wonder if you're fully recovered? I heard from Doctor Song that if it relapses, even the reincarnation of Hua Tuo wouldn't be able to cure it."

The Duke of Protectorate was stunned for a moment, holding the child in one hand and Zhang Yan's little hand in the other.

"Madam, don't worry. The memorial has been returned to the Cabinet and the Imperial Household Department. We have people on both sides. I will just look through it occasionally. I won't stay up late every day like before."

Zhang Yan struggled to sit up. The Duke of Huguo quickly called the maid Shaoyao, handed the child to her, and helped his wife up.

Zhang Yan smiled slightly, her eyes were like the moon reflected in the clear river, shimmering with a little light, as if the whole sky had dimmed.

"Is the cabinet controlled by Elder Yang?"

Liu Zhaosun said without hesitation:
"Exactly."

Zhang Yan's eyes were slightly red and swollen. She curled up on the bed, hugging her knees, looking pitiful.

"Madam Jin was born into the Joseon Yangban class. She was known for her Red Buddha Night Escape and the Hunhe River Drumming. She is deeply loved by my husband and has the support of the Central Army Guard. Madam Yang is now the daughter of the Prime Minister and my husband's legal wife. After all, we are the only ones left without support. I heard that this time, Supervisor Kang offended Elder Yang. My husband will be away on the battlefield, so I will bear some grievances, but it will be hard for this child."

As Zhang Yan spoke, she started to cry again.

Liu Zhaosun was at a loss and quickly comforted him:
"Madam, you are too kind. You three sisters should love each other, not fight with each other. Besides, I will mediate. Although you came to Kaiyuan last, no one will dare to bully you."

Zhang Yan kept crying, and the baby next to her started crying too.

Liu Zhaosun sighed, knowing that he was in Zhang Yan's control, and could only promise her:
"I understand. If Madam Yang has no heir, this child will be made heir."

~~~~~~
At that time, the rebellion in Shaanxi had not yet been quelled, so the Duke of Huguo named his child Liu Kan, implying that the Western Expedition would be successful.

After hearing about it, Kang Yingqian, Ma Shiying and others firmly opposed it.

Even Yang Hao quoted scriptures and advised:

"Er Ya says, '戡' means 'conquer', and heavy warfare is indeed an ominous sign."

When Zhang Yan heard that her son was given this name, she was so angry that she fainted.

Liu Zhaosun could only mumble:
"The word '戡' is powerful and domineering. If that doesn't work, then I'll call him Liu Kan, because Kan is very useful!"

~~~

It happened that Yuan Chonghuan sent a letter from Kyushu, Japan, and Liu Zhaosun didn't care about the name and read the letter carefully.

Governor Yuan first introduced the progress of business and farming by the garrisons in various prefectures of Kyushu during this period, the maritime trade between Kyushu and Portuguese merchants, and the plan to import Champa slaves to Kyushu.

Then, he changed the subject and advised the Duke of Protectorate to be cautious and not to be too conspicuous. He should bring more guards with him when he went out of the city and return to the city, strengthen the supervision of the emperor, and forbid the minister from meeting the emperor alone...

In short, we must avoid repeating the Gaopingling incident.

Master Liu threw the letter aside and said disapprovingly:
"Everyone in and outside the capital is my subordinate. Who can harm me? I am not Cao Cao! And Zhu Youjian is certainly not Sima Zhao."

Jin Yuji advised: "You are already a mother, yet you are still so impulsive. Last time in Hetuala, Yuan Chonghuan advised you not to be reckless..."

Liu Zhaosun said unhappily, "This is a different time now. He is a foreign minister, staying in Japan and caring about the affairs of the capital every day. What is his intention?"

(End of this chapter)