The atmosphere boils with the sound of salute, and the atmosphere is heightened to the extreme.
Civil and military officials and envoys from various countries entered the palace;
Wang Jinghong was still worried about the "prophecy of disaster", so he didn't dare to neglect it when he came to this magnificent palace. He quickly calmed down and exchanged a look with Zheng He.
The two have been working together for several years and have formed a tacit understanding early on.
Zheng He knew that he had something to talk about, so he just looked back and said it later.
Tacit understanding facilitates.
The two of them looked at the crowd together and began to pronounce the salute and introduce the origins of the countries.
Malindi was the first to bear the brunt of the attack because the divine messenger was among them, hiding his identity.
Then sort them by region.
Dozens of countries gathered together, and just chanting the trumpet made people's ears roar.
Although Zhu Gaochi was sitting upright on the high platform, he felt that his physical strength was exhausted.
Zheng He knew it well. When he saw His Highness the Crown Prince for the first time today, he knew that he would be blessed again in the past two years and that he would become rich and noble.
Seeing that today's gift list could not be displayed, after introducing the names of the countries, the conversation changed -
"Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
"Zheng He, under the orders of His Majesty, led more than 20,000 Western troops to tour the Western countries. In addition to promoting the virtues of the Ming Dynasty, he also gave teachings and rewards to various countries in order to explore the true knowledge of the world."
“And this trip has actually yielded something!”
All the officials in the court were shocked and whispering to each other.
"Could it be that 'local product' that Zheng He protected like a baby?"
"Oh, Zheng He has been with Wang Jinghong for a long time, and he has learned how to be a sycophant!"
"He was at Longjiang Port just now. Didn't he have a high-sounding intention to go north to offer a gift? Why can't he wait to claim credit in front of the palace now?"
Regardless of whether they are good or bad, they are generally looking forward to being curious.
After all, Zheng He had come a long way, and if there were no more surprises, his duties as imperial envoy to the West would have come to an end.
Zhu Gaochi also became interested when he heard "harvest". He was afraid that if the gift list was read out, it would be dark if it was too late, and his body could no longer bear it.
It's better to come up with something "real", which not only attracts the applause of the whole house, but also goes through the motions.
"Sir Zheng, please stop being too pretentious and tell me quickly, what shocking treasures did you find overseas?"
Zheng He stepped back, but his partner Wang Jinghong stepped forward: "Your Highness, why don't you take a guess?"
"This treasure cannot be eaten, cannot be used, and it is not tangible, but if it is promoted and popularized, it will bless millions of people in our Ming Dynasty!
"
You can’t eat or use it, and you still don’t have the real thing?
But the tone is so high again, will it bless millions of people in the Ming Dynasty?
The palace was even more noisy.
"What on earth is it?"
"It's so ambiguous, who could have guessed it?"
"Your Majesty is indeed a sycophant. He is so despicable for trying to please everyone!"
Zhu Gaochi thought about it and couldn't figure it out, but his curiosity was aroused and he said impatiently: "My lord, please tell me quickly! Do you want to play tricks on the princes in the court?"
Wang Jinghong came to his senses and shouted: "It is said that the chief medical officer of the Western Army, Lu Zhrang!
"
Everyone looked sideways and saw a figure hurriedly stepping out from the end of the crowd.
A middle-aged man in his forties who maintains good health and looks like he is in his early thirties with rosy skin.
Lu Zhirang bowed to him and said, "Lu Zhirang meets His Highness the Crown Prince."
There was a commotion in the hall.
"Who is this person?"
"The chief medical officer? But the imperial doctor of the imperial hospital?"
"I have never heard of this person. How could the imperial physician Jin Gui accompany him on overseas visits? I have heard that Zheng He recruited many "washing ladies" on the ship to take care of the internal affairs of the army and the people. He also spread the word in foreign barbarian lands.
The indigenous methods of delivering babies can be considered a blessing passed down by the Ming Dynasty."
On the side of the hall, Zhu Gaoxu also frowned.
He had previously focused his attention on the Malindi people because he knew that the origins of the nine people hidden among them were unknown.
There has been news from the Chief Secretary of Fujian and the Quanzhou Prefecture...
After Wang Jinghong landed ashore, he became arrogant and domineering. He even hooked up with more than a dozen eunuchs and deputy chief envoys, saying that he would support several "noble envoys". Anyone who offended him would be asked to implicate the nine clans.
Even Zheng He had acquiesced in this matter.
And on the Quanzhou dock, the 'young noble envoy' was so angry that everyone criticized him.
All of them seemed strange.
I thought I would get a confirmation today, but Zheng He actually ignored several people. This is the most strange thing.
At this time, another Lu Zhrang appeared?
The King of Han tilted his head slightly: "Who is this person?"
"It's true that no one knows and no one pays attention to the ship's medical officer!"
Fortunately, Lu Zhirang reported to his family: "In the third year of Yongle, the grassroots were recruited by the envoy Zheng, and they boarded the ship and became the medical officer. It has been ten years now."
"Thanks to His Majesty's grace and the care of all the masters of the fleet, I was able to travel to overseas countries, witness interesting things, and even gain true knowledge of the world!"
Everyone understood.
This person is not from the Imperial Hospital, and does not even hold an official position.
The four trips to the West in ten years may be the result of private doctors wanting to make a career.
However, some people grasp the key points...
True knowledge of the world?
This phrase is a bit unfamiliar and not commonly used; even in Taoist temples and temples, Taoist priests and masters may not always talk about it.
Zheng He mentioned it once at the beginning to explore the true knowledge of the world.
But it didn't attract attention.
Now when I listen to it the second time, it seems quite harsh.
So, what counts as true knowledge of the world?
What did they see?
Criticism arose again.
But Zhu Gaochi obviously lost his patience. What's the matter with being so appetizing over and over again?
"Come and tell me!
"
His Highness the Crown Prince's words were a bit harsh, as if he was trying to block someone's way and then use a roundabout way to tactfully speak.
Lu Zhirang didn't have the courage like Wang Jinghong, so he took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and restrained his emotions.
But no matter what, when it comes to such a huge grace, it’s hard to do it——
"Report to His Highness the Crown Prince..."
"This trip..."
"The ordinary people have a great opportunity to understand the secrets of the law and learn..."
"Acquisition..."
He couldn't help but stutter.
Even the people in the court couldn't help it: "You can tell me what you have learned!"
Lu Zhirang exhaled while holding his breath, followed by a surprising word——
"Learn and crack the secret method of 'smallpox'!"
Buzz.
There was a roar in the hall, and suddenly it fell into dead silence.
Everyone was dumbfounded and their brains were running out of ideas.
Smallpox? What smallpox?
Could it be that smallpox?
Can the ceiling be broken?
I'm afraid he got something crazy!
There have been records of smallpox plagues since the Han and Jin dynasties, and the closest one to the Ming Dynasty was at the end of the Yuan Dynasty.
The disease broke out in one city and spread to several cities. The people of Yuan Dynasty issued an order to burn the city with fire to prevent the disaster from spreading.
During the Hongwu period, smallpox disasters were also reported in remote villages and towns, but they were effectively contained...
Everyone knows what an "effective" method is.
So much so that in everyone's mind, the word smallpox is taboo.
It's both extremely familiar and yet strange.
Before he appeared, no one cared about him. It wasn't until the disaster came that he realized that the world was ruthless and humans were like grass.
At this moment, the prince suddenly stood up on the high platform: "What did you say?"
“Can smallpox be broken?!”
"Say it again!"
After all, Lu Zhirang had seen the world before and was not frightened. His previous trembling was just due to excitement.
He first looked back at Zheng He and Wang Jinghong, and when he saw them nodding in approval, he loudly replied: "Report to His Highness the Crown Prince, Lord of the Court..."
"Yes, Lu has found a way to cure smallpox!"
"To be more precise, it's for prevention;"
"Anyone who has obtained the secret method will not be afraid of the disease in this life!"
Zhu Gaochi, who had a big belly, was walking on both sides of the chair. The eunuchs on the side were shocked. They didn't know where His Highness got such strength, and...
Does your foot pain stop hurting?
Little did he know that upon hearing this, his adrenaline secretion intensified, and Zhu Gaochi felt his whole body feel light-headed.
Another person in the audience shouted: "This matter is of great importance and should not be trivial. As you can see, if it is false talk, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor!"
Zhu Gaochi also stood still again and stared down deeply.
Lu Zhirang did not hesitate at all and said firmly: "I have already tested the secret method and tried it myself. Apart from me, there are many medical officers who have been vaccinated with the secret method, but they have not used it again!"
"I firmly believe that the secret of this law is true."
"Because, this is the true knowledge I found overseas!
"
"Zheng He! Wang Jinghong!" Zhu Gaochi read their names again.
Zheng He and Wang Jinghong came out together and said in unison: "We can vouch for Doctor Lu. We have seen this secret method with our own eyes and there is no falsehood!"
More than a dozen people stood up and said, "Your Highness, we are all witnesses!"
The mountain of meat on the stage trembled wildly and laughed: "Hahaha."
"Okay, okay, good to you Zheng He!"
"This is the power of throwing the sky, the power of throwing the sky!"
"Lu, Lu..."
Wang Jinghong continued: "Lu Zhirang!"
"Yes, Lu Zhirang! We have drafted a decree to promote Lu Zhirang to the imperial hospital and be appointed as an imperial physician from the sixth rank. If the secret method is proven, there will be promotion and rewards!
"
As soon as this statement came out, the whole room was shocked.
What does it mean to reach the sky in one step?
That’s it!
Some high-ranking officials in the imperial court also wanted to say that this matter did not suit Zhang Cheng. How could he have been hastily appointed to the position of imperial doctor without the 13th Department of the Imperial Hospital reviewing his abilities?
But everyone also knows that the smallpox can be broken, and this person must be reused;
Even if he is promoted as an exception now, as long as he cannot show his true ability, the punishment he will receive will be several times the reward.
Zheng He, Wang Jinghong and more than a dozen eunuchs all dared to act as guarantees, so there would be basically no problem in this matter.
at the same time……
Everyone glanced at Zheng He and others.
They all contributed greatly to the cure for smallpox, and even went down in history!
Some people are envious and some are jealous.
At this point, the welcome ceremony was considered complete. Zhu Gaochi had already laid out a banquet in the East Palace to reward Zheng He and welcome the envoys from various countries.
Afterwards, a group of civil and military officials accompanied the prince to the East Palace. Previously, a decree was issued to lift the night ban for four days, and the whole world celebrated together.
On the road.
Countless officials came to congratulate him.
Not to mention that Zheng He made money from the West to fill the treasury of the Ming Dynasty, and the scale of the pilgrimage from various countries was unprecedented. The method of breaking smallpox alone was worth millions of gold.
Countless people are curious about what kind of reward Zheng He will receive for this trip to pay homage to His Majesty.
During the Yongle Dynasty, Zheng He was already one of the most famous people in the palace. He served his master as a young man, and he also had the ability to serve as a slave to the dragon, and was in charge of the internal officials and prisons.
If he had not visited overseas and the West, stayed away from the center of power, and had done a little bit of operation, Zheng He today would not be much worse than Wang Zhen and Liu Jin who came later.
It's just that Zheng He had a pure character and was a Muslim, so he didn't have so many materialistic desires.
"When will Mr. Zheng go north to see His Majesty?"
Zheng He had already learned in Quanzhou that Zhu Dishang was in charge of Shuntian Mansion. Of course, he would not ask stupid questions about when His Majesty would return. He would go north to present prisoners and gifts, and he would also explain everything about his trip.
"The sooner the better! But it still depends on the prince's wishes."
Someone said: "We have to rest for a few days. It coincides with the dredging of the river. Previously, Mr. Zheng and Mr. Wang were in charge of the sea transportation. The water transportation is about to start. You two adults should understand it and make suggestions."
Zheng He was tired of socializing, so Wang Jinghong said: "It will take a few days to settle down, and the envoys from various countries will be very tired from the journey."
As they said that, the two of them looked at each other again, showing a good gay friendship.
The reason why "Lu Zhirang" is launched today is to eliminate the presence of several divine envoys.
This is the design method of the two...
Of course, Lu Zhirang's own income is also highly valued.
But all these connections ultimately boil down to one point, and they are all inseparable from the word "balance."
There was a banquet in the East Palace, with singing and dancing.
As the night falls, the celebrations in the city are also beginning. The palace is colorful inside and outside, and it is truly a glorious and prosperous time.
And the banquet in the East Palace is just the first one;
The prince is ill, so it is best not to disturb him too much.
After more than an hour, the banquet gradually dispersed.
I will go to the Siyi Pavilion for the second show and have a carnival night.
Wang Jinghong arranged for people to escort several divine envoys away, but he and Zheng He had to stay in the East Palace.
Wait till you come to the study room.
The scent of tea is already brewing.
Zhu Gaochi bowed and said, "Mr. Zheng, you have worked hard all the way, Mr. Zheng."
The two were flattered and quickly returned the gift.
In court, the prince must maintain dignity, but in private, he is a junior and should have etiquette.
After being forced to exclude others, only the three of them sat across from each other.
Zhu Gaochi stopped talking in circles, or asked under the influence of alcohol: "Mr. Zheng, it seems quite strange to return from this trip. I can't tell what is wrong. I still need Mr. Zheng to clear up my confusion."
Zheng He and Wang Jinghong had expected this, so they naturally came up with countermeasures——
It is absolutely impossible to hide something completely.
Even if the two of them issued a death order, they would not allow the main ship of the fleet to disembark and avoid contact with the outside world.
However, when entering the river mouth, there were already some Class B and Class C ships staying at Liuhe Port.
Because Longjiang Bao Shipyard cannot accommodate the repair work of so many ships.
If someone is interested, even if nothing is found in Longjiang Port, they will send people to Liuhe Town to investigate.
What's more, where on the ship is it monolithic?
If someone really needs to deliver the message, the message will still come out.
Rather than concealing it, it is better to let the Prince Supervisor know a general idea first, and then go to the details...
Only a dozen chamberlains and senior officials such as Tang Jing knew about it.
They were aware of the seriousness of the matter and did not dare to reveal a single word without Zhu Di's permission.
Zheng He took a deep breath and his answer was ready to come out——
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."
…
at the same time.
Outside Sanshan Gate, Xishui Pass.
The aqueduct is connected to the Qinhuai River. Because of this, high-rise buildings have been built on the banks of the river, making it the most prosperous commercial district in the capital.
Upstairs in Zuixian.
There were a lot of people on several floors, but the topmost pavilion seemed quiet. There was a harmonious music inside the house, and under the fence of the pavilion on the side, there was a bustle of people in the lively market.
King Zhu Gaoxu of Han Dynasty did not attend the banquet in the East Palace, and had already left when the prince was showing off his carriage.
Now he was drinking with a few close officials, but no one spoke, and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
Several singers also felt the pressure was huge. If they were not superb in their skills, others would have sang out of tune.
Everyone knew that the King of Han was suspicious that Zheng He's return from this trip was too strange.
But now, no one can figure out the inside story.
At this moment.
An announcement came from outside the door, but as soon as the sound came out, the door was already pushed open.
The official was about to get furious, but when he saw the person coming, his expression quickly changed to a flattering one——
"Master Ji."
"Commander Ji!"
The person who came was named Ji Gang, and he was in charge of the Jin Yi Guard.
If we say that Zheng He was far away from the center of power, and there were no descendants like Wang Zhen and Liu Jin who brought disaster to the country.
This Ji Gang was not simple. On the one hand, he used a sharp blade to eradicate Zhu Di's dissidents and gain power. On the other hand, he was arrogant and domineering. He no longer paid attention to the civil and military officials and even participated in the battle to seize the heir.
In the past, Xie Jin, a scholar of the Yongle Grand Ceremony, tried to dissuade Zhu Di from replacing the crown prince Zhu Gaochi. Later, Zhu Gaoxu and Ji Gang teamed up to falsely accuse him, and he was unjustly frozen to death in the snow.
As soon as Ji Gang arrived, the atmosphere changed instantly. Zhu Gaoxu stared at him seriously and was about to speak.
But I saw him waving his hand one step ahead: "Everyone, get out!"
A group of singers and musicians were granted amnesty;
But it wasn't over yet. He looked coldly at the Han King's internal officials and trusted subordinates: "And you, all of you, go down!"
"this……"
"King Han, we are..."
Still before Zhu Gaoxu could speak, Ji Gang took the short knife from his waist and slapped it on the table, took a sip of wine, his eyes were red, as if he had been greatly stimulated: "I said, get out!
"
Wow——
Everyone got up, not daring to stay, and closed the door tightly.
Zhu Gaoxu was very impatient with him being like this, but it was hard to get angry. He relied on this person for many affairs.
Taking advantage of their father's northern expedition, the two of them conspired to accomplish many major events.
"What happened? Even my closest associates can't listen?"
Ji Gang didn't answer, looked out the window intently, and took another sip of wine.
Zhu Gaoxu was no longer patient and hummed dissatisfied: "Huh?"
"Huh..." Ji Gang breathed out a breath of alcohol and said: "Your Highness, King of Han, I don't know if you believe it or not, because even I am confused right now!"
"Don't you want to imitate Zheng He? I'm not Zhu Gaochi and I have the patience to be teased!"
Ji Gang stared deeply: "There is news on the treasure ship;"