After Li Jinglong came out of Chunhe Hall, he left the palace directly.

He no longer lives in the palace. After taking the title of Duke of Cao, he has his own big house in the capital.

However, after leaving the palace, Li Jinglong did not go home directly, nor did he go to the Zuo Army Governor's Mansion where he was currently employed.

Instead, he went straight to Prince Yan's Mansion.

Just as Zhu Yunwen admired him, he also admired Zhu Di, who had grown up with him since childhood.

How could he not understand the meaning of the conversation he had with Zhu Yunwen just now?

Zhu Yunwen's purpose is very simple, just to get him to support him.

Of course, Li Jinglong would not refuse directly, but would just give Zhu Yunwen the illusion that he had agreed.

What Zhu Yunwen didn't know was that Yao Guangxiao, on behalf of Zhu Di, had already had a deep talk with Li Jinglong a few days ago.

The content of the conversation is unknown, but judging from the current actions, the meaning is quite obvious.

Just when Li Jinglong arrived at Prince Yan's Mansion.

In the palace of the Prince of Jin.

King Zhu Fan of Jin called his eldest son Zhu Jixi over and asked, "Have you been in contact with your eldest brother recently?"

Zhu Jixi was a little confused and asked, "Father, which eldest brother are you talking about?"

"You bastard, this Ming Dynasty, who else can be your elder brother?" Zhu Fan scolded.

Zhu Jixi was reprimanded and quickly recalled, and then said: "Father, are you talking about the owner of the tea house by the Qinhuai River, Zhu Ying?"

"I have no respect for my elders. Are you qualified to call your eldest brother a taboo?" Zhu Fan was so angry that he would have wanted to kick Zhu Jixi if he were not far away.

"But, has the identity of eldest brother been confirmed? Grandpa Huang has not yet joined the palace." Zhu Jixi was glared at by his father and subconsciously took a step back.

It's not a joke when my father gets angry and hits people.

My younger brother Zhu Jiye, who is only 13 years old, was whipped by his father at the beginning of this year because he was too naughty. His skin was torn and his flesh was torn, and he lay in bed for half a month.

"When the news about Xiaoling came out, your eldest brother's identity has been confirmed by your grandpa. The reason why he hasn't entered the palace yet is because your eldest brother is a bit weak."

"But your eldest brother is quite good. He treats my third uncle very well."

After Zhu Fan explained, he finally said with a smile.

Zhu Jixi's eyes lit up and he asked: "Is it possible that my father is the head coach of Pingwo West Road because of my elder brother's help?"

Zhu Fan was somewhat proud and said: "Of course, otherwise your father and I, whose vassal territory is in Shanxi, would not be able to go to the coast to quell the Japanese without my father's permission."

"I think this is actually your eldest brother's arrangement. This is to give me a chance to avenge my shame in front of your fourth uncle."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Fan then asked: "Your father and I will go on an expedition in a few days. Don't think about returning to the vassal territory. Stay well in the capital, especially go to your elder brother's place to get close to him.

"

"If nothing happens tomorrow, your eldest brother will be in charge."

When Zhu Jixi heard this, he immediately understood what his father meant and said quickly: "Father, don't worry, the child will only follow the lead of his eldest brother."

Zhu Fan nodded with satisfaction, with a slight flush on his face, and then said: "As a younger brother, you have to bring some good things with you when you go to your eldest brother's house for the first time."

"It just so happens that your eldest brother has helped me a lot. When the time comes, you can select ten good war horses from the house and send them to your eldest brother."

Zhu Jixi quickly replied: "I understand, kid."

The war horses mentioned by Zhu Fan are not comparable to ordinary good horses, especially those brought to the capital by Zhu Fan from Shanxi. Even if they are not one in a thousand, they are one in a hundred, which is extremely rare.

The reason why Zhu Fan chose to send horses was because he saw that some personnel under Zhu Ying had no horses available in the capital.

.....

Daming Palace, Chunhe Hall.

"Sir, with the support of my cousin, I think I will have a lot more strength."

After Li Jinglong left, Zhu Yunwen said to Huang Zicheng with a smile.

"Gong Cao Guo and His Highness have grown up together since childhood. With such a strong brotherly love, it is natural that Duke Cao will choose to side with His Highness."

After Huang Zicheng finished speaking, he added: "I'm afraid it's not enough to rely on Duke Cao alone. As far as I'm concerned, His Highness Changsun has not yet been announced by Your Majesty, but in the eyes of all the ministers, His Highness is still the great grandson."

"That's the case. I feel that Your Highness should take the initiative to win the support of His Highness from the ministers."

After Zhu Yunwen listened, he nodded in understanding and asked, "Then how can I gain the support of the ministers?"

Huang Zicheng said confidently: "Your Highness, there is no need to worry. I have already contacted Liu Sanwu and Fang Xiaoru, two great Confucian scholars."

"Your Highness, please do not underestimate these two people. Although Fang Xiaoru has no official position, he is quite famous in Confucianism. Needless to say, Liu Sanwu is in the Hanlin Academy with his ministers, and he is vaguely a leader of the literati."

"If His Highness can get the support of these two people, other ministers in the court will definitely support His Highness."

"Your Majesty was given the title of grandson. Your Majesty took it seriously in front of many ministers and said it himself. Even if you want to change it, you will still be concerned about the impact. This is your Highness's opportunity."

After hearing Huang Zicheng's narration, Zhu Yunwen immediately understood the key.

He just asked with some hesitation: "Even if many ministers support me, what should I do if Grandpa Huang insists on not choosing me?"

Huang Zicheng explained helplessly: "Your Highness, regarding your Majesty's choice, it is not the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs who can influence it. Even if His Majesty insists on it, we can only accept it with peace of mind. There is no other way."

"Now, the only way is to get the support of as many ministers as possible, so that His Highness can have a chance in front of His Majesty."

Huang Zicheng is just a scholar. In the current situation of the Ming Dynasty, His Majesty is supreme and can cover the sky with one hand.

Whether it's wrong or right, who among the ministers in the court dares to argue.

Not to mention that in the current court, there is no concept of party at all. Under the surveillance of the royal guards and the majesty of His Majesty.

Forming a party for personal gain?

Haha, kill as many as there are, kill them all and replace them with another batch.

Those who can still stand in the court from the early days of the Ming Dynasty to the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu are the objects of worship by other ministers.

"But, Fang Xiaoru and Liu Sanwu are not familiar with me. Will they support me?" Zhu Yunwen asked somewhat unconfidently.

Huang Zicheng understood what Zhu Yunwen meant. This support did not mean current support.

But in the future, when the throne faces a choice, will he still support his speech?

Huang Zicheng said: "Your Highness may not know that when His Majesty asked the ministers, his original intention was to choose His Highness King Yan. Only Liu Sanwu stood up and supported His Highness. After weighing in His Majesty's heart, he chose His Highness."

"Is that true?" Zhu Yunwen asked with some joy.

"How dare I deceive His Highness? It's true." Huang Zicheng said firmly.

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen immediately felt relieved and said casually: "Mr. Xizhi seems not to be in the capital now."

Huang Zicheng said: "Your Highness doesn't know that he has arrived in the capital now and lives by the Qinhuai River."

"Your Highness, don't be anxious. I will go find Liu Sanwu and Fang Xiaoru tomorrow, and then arrange a time for them to visit His Highness. The palace is such an important place, so I may have to ask Your Highness to leave the palace."

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, "Then I'll leave everything to you, sir."

"Your Highness, please rest assured."

Huang Zicheng replied with a determined expression.

But at this moment, he had mixed feelings in his heart.

The reason why Liu Sanwu firmly supported Zhu Yunqi was because his legitimate son, Sun Cheng, was suitable for governing rites.

However, if Zhu Xiongying's identity is confirmed and he is the real eldest grandson of the emperor, will Liu Sanwu and others still support Zhu Yunzhen?

Huang Zicheng can't explain clearly. He is His Highness's confidant and will definitely support His Highness.

If he is not, it is hard for him to say.

Of course he couldn't say this, as it would weaken His Highness's will too much, and then there would really be no chance at all.

.....

Tianjie Temple, a deserted Buddhist scriptures pavilion.

Yao Guangxiao sat in the yard reading a book.

Apart from anything else, the scenery here is beautiful and the atmosphere is mild. Coupled with the warm sunshine, it is the most comfortable place.

It is almost July in Daming now, and the weather is not too cold, but for an old man like Yao Guangxiao, the heat in the sun is just right.

In the Sutra Collection Pavilion at the back of the courtyard, two guards in royal robes were still cleaning up.

After all, it is the Buddhist Scripture Pavilion of Tianjie Temple. Even though it is deserted, it still has seven or eight rooms, with two entrances to the courtyard.

It can't all be sorted out in one day.

The two Jinyi guards seemed to be suspected of imprisoning Yao Guangxiao, but if these two Jinyi guards were really missing, Yao Guangxiao would have difficulty living alone.

After all, trivial tasks such as fetching water, chopping firewood, making fire for cooking, and cleaning the house may seem simple, but they are not something that a fifty-seven-year-old Yao Guangxiao can handle.

Just carrying water for a few miles was difficult for Yao Guangxiao.

And Yao Guangxiao, who was sitting in the yard, seemed to have really settled down.

But is this really the case?
To be continued...