Zhu Zhanji was half lying in the soft sedan, humming: "Two years and two years, two years is so much..."
He glanced at Li Qing, who saw that the old man was there, closing his eyes and concentrating, but no matter how hard he looked, he deserved a beating.
"Uncle Qing."
"Hmm~"
Zhu Zhanji said helplessly: "When can I beat you?"
"In two years."
"..." Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but feel sad. Looking at the splendid mountains and rivers embroidered on the silk cloth on the roof of the car, he was speechless and choked.
~
evening.
The carriage stopped, and the factory guard went to the nearest place to do some shopping for food and clothing.
After eating and drinking, Li Qing suggested: "Keep on going!"
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Zhu Zhanji didn't understand and said angrily: "It's not a decisive battle on the battlefield. If we are not tired, others are not tired?"
Li Qing frowned: "I always have a bad feeling, so I'd better rush back as soon as possible."
"What premonition?"
"...Something will happen in the palace." Li Qing said softly: "Your father has always been gentle, but this time he is so tough on Kaihai and directly prevents officials from getting involved. I'm afraid it will cause quite a stir."
Blocking someone's way of making money is like killing your parents.
The sea had been closed before, and officials had no food. Now that the sea has been opened, and officials have no food, isn't the sea open in vain?
The ministers will definitely think so.
Li Qing sighed: "When your grandfather was in power, the officials supported your father because your father's ruling style was different from his. The officials felt that after your father came to power, their lives would be much easier, but what about now?
Officials, nobles, and vassal kings are all offended, and your father does not have the power of your grandfather, so it is difficult to suppress him. He must be under great pressure now."
After what Li Qing said, Zhu Zhanji also realized the seriousness of the problem.
Immediately ordered: "Keep on going!"
The factory guard complained a little in his heart, but no one dared to disobey, so he dragged his tired body and set off on his way.
Zhu Zhanji also felt a little uneasy, "Uncle Qing, is something really going to happen?"
"You have taken over the army now. As soon as you return, even if some people are really restless, they will have to be honest." Li Qing said, "At least it will not make the matter a big deal."
Zhu Zhanji nodded lightly, and then smiled again: "I can do what my grandfather did, and they can't even think of arguing with him."
Li Qing glanced at him, this time without teasing, and nodded gently: "If we go faster and get back a day earlier, it will be of great benefit to your father and the government."
"Well, okay."
…
Seven days later, the honor guard stopped at the border of Shandong, less than 800 miles away from the capital.
The continuous day and night work made the factory guards exhausted and reached the limit. As a last resort, Zhu Zhanji ordered a day's rest and let people buy food.
Seeing Li Qing's frown, Zhu Zhanji smiled and said, "We're going at full speed. We'll reach the capital in five days."
"Hmm..." Li Qing thought for a moment and asked, "By the way, did you have someone report to the Emperor when you came back this time?"
"No." Zhu Zhanji shook his head: "This is the return of the class teacher, so there is no need to go online like this, right?"
"That's not what I meant... Forget it, it's okay not to report." Li Qing said, "In this way, let the honor guard move slowly, and we will meet in Beijing one step ahead."
Zhu Zhanji said in surprise: "You're not in such a hurry, are you?"
"Somehow, the ominous premonition in my heart is getting stronger and stronger." Li Qing was a little panicked, "Your father's health was not very good to begin with, and he has been very busy since he came to the throne, especially opening up the sea, immigration, plus the cabinet, six departments
People are going to the countryside, and government affairs are even more arduous..."
Zhu Zhanji heard the implication and was a little panicked, but he said: "Uncle Qing, you are overthinking. Now the cabinet and all six departments have returned to Beijing."
"But the Kaihai incident has offended them all. How can they not make a fuss after they return to the capital?" Li Qing retorted, "It would be better not to return if they return to the capital. No, we have to go back as soon as possible and race against time!"
The more he thought about it, the more worried he became, "If you are tired, I can't wait any longer for you to be with the army."
"I'll go with you." Zhu Zhanji had never seen Li Qing like this before, and it was about his father, so he was anxious, "I'll make arrangements, and we'll leave right away."
…
…
Late at night two days later, the two of them arrived in front of the city of Beijing, covered in dust.
At this time, the city gate was closed. Zhu Zhanji shouted several times, and the soldiers guarding the city finally came forward.
"Who is under the city?"
"I, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty!" Zhu Zhanji said solemnly, "Open the city gate quickly. I, the Crown Prince, have an urgent matter."
"Prince?" The soldiers on the city suddenly became excited, their sleepiness disappeared, and they quickly stretched their necks to see, but in the dark, they couldn't see clearly.
Li Qing took out the fire stick and blew it, placed it in front of Zhu Zhanji, and said loudly: "He is indeed His Highness the Crown Prince, hurry up and open the city!"
The soldier looked at him again and again with wide eyes, and said sarcastically: "I'm sorry, I've never seen the prince!"
Two people: "..."
"I'm really the prince, please open the city quickly." Zhu Zhanji said angrily, "Hurry up."
"Sorry, you can't open it!" The soldier shook his head: "The Ming Dynasty Law contains clear text: Once the city gate is locked, it cannot be opened even if the sky falls."
Ordinary cities can be accommodating, but this is an imperial city. If the city gates can be opened casually at night, it will be a great threat to the emperor.
Therefore, the Imperial City adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, leaving no room for accommodation.
"There are only two of us, how can we still rebel?" Zhu Zhanji was furious, "Open the city quickly, or I will chop you up."
The soldier said bluntly: "I will be beheaded if I open it. It is better not to open it. At least I can leave a reputation for doing my duty. Besides, if you say you are a prince, you are a prince?"
Where’s the evidence?”
"You..." Zhu Zhanji lowered his head and looked. He was not wearing the prince's uniform now. It was really difficult to prove it.
Li Qing said loudly: "It's okay not to open the city. You can get the rope down and pull us up."
"No, once the imperial city is locked, no one is allowed to enter. This is a rule." The soldiers performed their duties diligently and meticulously.
At this time, more soldiers guarding the city were alerted, gathered at the crenel, and looked down.
Zhu Zhanji took the fire certificate from Li Qing's hand, walked to the corner, looked at his dark face, and said, "Keep your eyes open, are you the prince?"
A group of people looked at him again and again and expressed that they did not recognize him.
It is true that they have never seen the prince, let alone what he looks like, but no one dares to question it, after all, there is no difference between pretending to be a prince and seeking death.
"Go and call your generals!" Li Qing said in a deep voice.
A quarter of an hour later, the city guard general climbed up to the top of the city and looked down, cursing.
"Who is the prince?"
"Me." Zhu Zhanji raised his face, "Did you see clearly?"
Unexpectedly, the general still shook his head. He had never seen the prince.
Li Qing stepped forward and took the fire certificate, "Then do you know me?"
His mask was so recognizable that the general recognized him immediately: "Yongqinghou, I have met Yongqinghou."
Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief and urged: "Open the city gate quickly. If it doesn't work, just get a rope."
"I'm sorry." The general looked embarrassed, "It really can't be done, otherwise if we pursue the case, the officer's life will be at risk!"
Zhu Zhanji was furious and said angrily: "If you don't open the city again, I will kill you right now!"
"Um... Your Highness, please calm down. There are only two hours until dawn. Please feel sorry for me~" the guard said with a smile.
Once the identity of Marquis Yongqing is confirmed, the identity of the Crown Prince will naturally be confirmed as well, but if it is confirmed, the city must not be opened.
Li Qing also lost his temper. If he just brought a group of factory guards with him, how could the two of them break through the sky?
There were only two hours until dawn, but he didn't want to wait any longer.
Li Qing handed the crutch to Zhu Zhanji, took a deep breath and said, "Get out of the way."
"What are you going to do?"
"Up to town!"
The true energy in Li Qing's body exploded, his legs slightly bent, and then he stepped hard, "Get up!"
His body was like a fired cannonball, quickly leaving the ground and rising straight up. With only a slight jump, he reached a height of seven or eight meters.
Everyone in Zhu Zhanji was dumbfounded. Is this guy still a human being?
He was not the only one who was dumbfounded. The soldiers in the city were also dumbfounded and called him a ghost!
Zhu Zhanji quickly came to his senses and quickly stretched out his arms to catch it. The height of the city wall was more than ten meters, and he didn't think Li Qing could climb it.
If an old man fell from a height of seven to eight meters, he would die or be disabled.
Just when Zhu Zhanji was getting ready, he saw Li Qing lift one foot, and his body that was about to fall rose up again, and in an instant, he was on the top of the wall.
It’s a long story, but in reality it only takes a few breaths.
Li Qing jumped up to the city wall, glanced at the bottom of the city, and said: "If anything happens, I will be responsible for it. I'll lend you one of your horses, and I'll pay you for the two horses outside."
The general guarding the city was also a clever man. He immediately got the point and pretended to be dizzy with a roll of his eyes.
The others were stunned. It took them a while to react, and they fell to the ground one after another.
Li Qing was too lazy to care, so he took off these people's belts, tied them into a rope and threw them down, "Tie them up and I'll drag you up."
Zhu Zhanji looked at the towering city wall and said calmly: "You have to take it easy!"
"Hurry up."
"..." Zhu Zhanji swallowed his saliva and tied the rope around his waist cautiously, closing his eyes the whole time.
~
It seemed like ten thousand years had passed before Zhu Zhanji found his feet on the ground again and then opened his eyes.
"Go quickly."
"Oh, okay." Zhu Zhanji was infected by Li Qing and felt extremely anxious.
The two entered the city, mounted the horses of the generals who guarded the city, and went straight to the palace.
The two rode together and the speed was very fast.
"Uncle Qing, I suddenly remembered that the palace is also locked at this time." Zhu Zhanji said loudly, "We can't get in even when we arrive!"
To be honest, he didn't even understand why Li Qing was so anxious.
"Then climb over the wall and get in." Li Qing said urgently, "I always feel that something terrible has happened, and I can't afford to delay for a moment."
"I think you are wrong." Zhu Zhanji was dissatisfied.
"I don't want you to think that." Li Qing snorted, flicked his whip, "Drive...!"
"Ah...!" Zhu Zhanji screamed, "You slapped me on the leg!"
"Then please bear with me."
Li Qing was really anxious. He didn't even know why he was so anxious. He was just so flustered that he felt like he was about to jump out...