Daming Palace, Imperial Study Room.

Ding Yuannan knelt down in front of the Imperial Bookcase in an anxious mood. Kneeling next to him was the old eunuch Dai Quan, both of whom were bearing the emperor's wrath.

Emperor Zhide angrily rebuked: "A journey of four to five hundred miles, you rode on horseback for three days and three nights. Are these still the same soldiers from the Beijing camp who defeated the foreigners?"

"This old slave deserves to be punished, Your Majesty."

Dai Quan was well aware of Emperor Zhide's temper. When he scolded someone, the person being scolded could never defend himself and could only bow his head and admit his mistake.

Emperor Zhide glared at Ding Yuannan and asked: "Ding Yuannan, tell me why everyone in the Beijing camp was so full of life in Lin Yun's hands, but turned into a bunch of sick cats when it was handed over to you?"

Ding Yuannan secretly complained when he heard this. This time he went to the Governor's Mansion in North Zhili to arrest Zhao Yuanliang. It was not that he did not do his best, but that Dai Quan was dragging his feet on the road. He walked four to five hundred miles and walked for three days.

Three nights later, when they arrived, Zhao Yuanliang had been dead for a long time.

Naturally, he did not dare to expose Quan's background, but he also did not dare not answer the emperor's questions.

Finally, he defended with a guilty conscience: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Zuo Wuwei lacks war horses, and most of the soldiers are unable to carry out equestrian training."

"Sophistry! When Qin Rong left, he didn't leave you with a cavalry of five hundred men. Could it be that he couldn't pick out a hundred men from the bell?"

Ding Yuannan was speechless now. He couldn't say that because he took over Qin Rong's class, those people were obeying his orders.

Fortunately, a young chamberlain came in and rushed to Emperor De to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Xuan is here."

"Quickly tell Uncle Wang to come in."

"yes."

After the servants left, Emperor Zhide waved his hand to Ding Yuannan and said: "Go back and train the soldiers well. If you still don't see results, don't be a commander anymore. Go back to the academy to study as soon as possible."

"Wei ministers respect the decree."

Ding Yuannan responded, then stood up and walked out of the hall.

Emperor Zhide looked at Ding Yuannan's back and sighed secretly in his heart.

Originally, he had great expectations for Ding Yuannan, thinking that even if he couldn't surpass Lin Yun, he wouldn't be far behind.

Now it seems that Ding Yuannan is still a bit far behind Lin Yun.

Even after Qin Rong left for so long, he still couldn't control Zuo Wuwei, which really disappointed him.

…

At this time, Prince Xuan walked in, rushed to Emperor De and saluted, "Old minister, I'm here to see you, Your Majesty."

"Uncle Wang, no gift."

Prince Xuan glanced at Dai Quan who was kneeling on the floor and asked, "What's wrong with the old Prime Minister?"

Dai Quan: "Reporting to your Majesty, this old slave did not do things well, which led to disappointment in His Majesty."

Only then did Emperor Zhide remember that Dai Quan was still kneeling in front of him.

He said with a disgusted look on his face: "Why are you still kneeling? Get up quickly and get some fruit for the prince."

"yes."

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan felt as if he had been granted amnesty, and the test was finally over.

…

Emperor Zhide asked his chamberlain to bring a chair and asked Prince Xuan to sit down below.

Emperor Zhide picked up a memorial and handed it to Prince Xuan, saying: "This is a memorial sent by someone from Jiayu Village on a fast horse. As soon as he took over the prisoner, the main criminal Gao Qiaoan was hanged."

Prince Xuan took the memorial, read it over, and handed it back to Emperor Zhide, saying: "The killing method is so ruthless, and the person behind it is not simple!"

Emperor Zhide: "Uncle Wang thinks, should I let Jia Yucun continue to investigate?"

Prince Xuan: "The investigation still needs to be carried out. The old minister suggested that your majesty appoint Jia Yucun to investigate the malpractice of the salt administration in Beizhili. The matter of iron ingots is not easy to be investigated openly. After the matter is over, your majesty can send a capable minister to Jiangxi."

Make inspection tours and conduct secret verifications."

Emperor Zhide nodded silently. In fact, who is the mastermind behind the scenes? Besides the one from Ningshou Palace, who else could he and Prince Xuan have?"

After a pause, Emperor Zhide asked again: "Who does Uncle Wang think is qualified to be the governor of Northern Zhili?"

Prince Xuan thought for a moment and said, "What do you think of Dong Xiong, Your Majesty?"

"Dong Xiong?"

Emperor Zhide felt that the name Dong Xiong sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember who this person was.

Prince Xuan: "Dong Xiong is the military general who assisted Lin Ruhai in solving the illegal salt case. He is now a guard in Jinling."

Emperor Zhide nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor refuting.

At this time, Dai Quan walked in with a piece of iced watermelon and placed it on the imperial desk.

Emperor Zhide picked up a piece of watermelon and handed it to Prince Xuan. He then picked a piece for himself and said while eating, "The King of Chu has also reached the age of marriage. Does Uncle Wang have a suitable candidate to recommend to me?"

Prince Xuan thought for a while and said: "I heard that the daughter of Wei Xuan, a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, is fourteen years old. She has a dignified appearance and is a perfect match for the King of Chu."

Emperor Zhide smiled and said: "Since it is the candidate recommended by Uncle Wang, I can't go wrong. I will ask the Queen for her opinion later."

Prince Xuan: "It should be so."

Emperor Zhide added: "Ning Heng is not young anymore. Has Uncle Wang fallen in love with any girl?"

Prince Xuan was stunned when he heard this. The emperor suddenly asked about this. Could it be that he wanted to help Ning Heng get married?

He hurriedly said: "Heng'er has an impetuous temperament. Ning Cheng and I are thinking about letting him practice for another two years. After his temperament stabilizes, we can help him choose a girl from a scholar's family."

Emperor Zhide: "I think I have a suitable candidate. I wonder what Uncle Wang wants?"

Prince Xuan asked hurriedly: "I wonder which girl your Majesty is talking about?"

Emperor De: "Zhen Luo, the youngest daughter of the Zhen family in Jinling, I heard that this girl is very good-looking and of the right age. She and Ning Heng are a perfect match."

Prince Xuan was confused when he heard this. The Zhen family in Jinling was a big trap. Why did the emperor introduce the girl from the Zhen family to Ning Heng? Was he testing him?

He hurriedly declined and said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I just want to choose an ordinary girl for Heng'er."

Emperor Zhide: "That's it! Then I won't force Uncle Wang."

Prince Xuan quickly stood up and left. What happened today was too weird. He had to go back and think about it carefully. What was Emperor Zhide's intention?

…

Dai Quan followed Emperor De's order to send Prince Xuan out of the palace.

Seeing that no one was around, Prince Xuan asked Dai Quan: "Old Minister, why did your Majesty suddenly mention the girl from the Zhen family today?"

Dai Quan: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I heard that the Queen Mother mentioned to Your Majesty that the girl from the Zhen family is already on her way to Beijing and will arrive in Beijing soon."

Prince Xuan asked doubtfully: "What does this matter have to do with the Queen?"

"The King of Chu is about to choose a concubine. The girl from the Zhen family is coming to Beijing at this time. Can't the prince guess what the Zhen family wants?"

After hearing this, Prince Xuan suddenly realized that Emperor Zhide did not want King Chu to marry a girl from the Zhen family, so he wanted to push Ning Heng out as a shield.

After thinking about it, he hurriedly raised his hands to Dai Quan and said: Please ask the old minister to put in a few kind words in front of His Majesty and help Ning Heng'er reject this marriage.

Dai Quan smiled bitterly and said, "I just made a mistake. I wonder if Your Majesty will forgive me?"

Prince Xuan smiled and said: "No, your Majesty is just angry. After today, the old Prime Minister is still your Majesty's favorite."
Chapter completed!