When Zhu Hao returned home, he just said hello to Zhu Niang and Aunt Li, then went back to the room and fell asleep.
I don’t know how long I slept, but the sound of firecrackers outside kept ringing, which woke Zhu Hao up. He got up, stretched out, and looked out the window. The sun in the sky had passed the middle, so he thought he was just sleeping.
After two or three hours, I came to the yard to wash my face, and saw Zhu Ting playing with Xiaoyuan.
Xiaoyuan said she was Zhu Hao's personal maid, but in fact Zhu Hao rarely spent the night at home on weekdays. He was young and couldn't do much, so she became Zhu Ting's playmate.
"Brother, it's very lively outside. Mom said you wake up and go out and have a look." Zhu Ting's words were much less childish. Although her voice was still childlike, it was much cleaner and clearer than before.
When Zhu Hao arrived at the shop in front, he saw Aunt Li packing grain bags. Seeing Zhu Hao, Aunt Li smiled and patted the dust off her hands, and stepped out from behind the counter: "Master Hao, you slept really well this time."
Shen, you actually slept for more than ten hours at a stretch. Your mother couldn't wake you up last night or this morning...
"The government informed us a while ago that the suppression of bandits was a great success. All the gentry and wealthy households in the city contributed their efforts, and we also had a share of the credit. Your mother went to the state government office to receive the reward."
"Ah!? Did I sleep for so long? No wonder I'm so hungry..."
Zhu Hao was a little surprised, secretly wondering if his heartstrings were too tight before, and because he had not slept all night, he suddenly relaxed, so he slept for so long.
Fortunately, he no longer had to worry about thieves. At this time, all the door panels of the shop at home were opened, and the view was excellent. Zhu Hao looked out and saw that the city had returned to normal. People were coming and going on the streets. To celebrate the elimination of thieves, he would
Someone hung a string of firecrackers on a tree on the street and lit them with fire sticks. The crowd dispersed in a hurry, and screams spread everywhere.
"Bang bang——"
After the firecrackers were set off, the onlookers rushed forward to pick up the "dumb firecrackers" that did not explode immediately. Those who picked up the firecrackers cheered, and those who did not pick up the firecrackers sighed in frustration. When they saw someone setting off firecrackers not far away, they immediately screamed.
As we rushed over, we could hear the sounds of laughter and laughter in the streets.
The streets in March are full of vitality.
At this moment, Qian Chuanzi came out with a basin of water from the shop across the street. He looked over here fiercely and poured the water into the middle of the road, which immediately attracted scoldings from passers-by. But how thick-skinned is Qian Chuanzi?
He ignored the scolding and turned around to go back to the house.
"He doesn't know how to behave at all. He deserves to have no business."
Aunt Li was gloating.
Zhu Hao said: "Auntie, help me tell my mother when she comes back. I'm going back to the palace."
"Eh... let's go after dinner..."
Aunt Li originally wanted to persuade her to stay, but Zhu Hao had already disappeared in a puff of smoke.
…
…
Zhu Hao had a hearty meal at a restaurant on the street, and then Shi Shiran returned to the palace.
The palace is more lively than the streets.
Large and small boxes of things are being moved inside.
The gains from the suppression of the bandits should have been handed over to the court, but the problem is that the local government did not contribute much in this suppression of the bandits. The credit was basically earned by the Xingwang Palace. If there were good things, whether it was Yuan Zonggao, Zhang Zuo, or the former enemy commander
Tang Yin, the commander, felt that the brothers of the Yiwei Department who fought bloody battles should not be treated badly.
so……
It would be more practical to move the spoils of war home.
"Master Zhu."
"Isn't this Master Zhu? How are you?"
"Greetings to Master Zhu..."
When Zhu Hao usually enters the palace gate, few people greet him, and even if they do, they are mostly polite.
But this time when Zhu Hao came back, he clearly felt the changes in the attitude of the guards and servants towards him, with a kind of respect from the bottom of their hearts.
Outsiders may not know the inside story, but everyone in the palace knows that Zhu Hao is half responsible for this victory.
"Work quickly. What if the thieves come back and the things are stolen by them?"
Someone was making noise at the door.
But it was Jiang Lun.
Jiang Lun was a little surprised when he saw Zhu Hao: "Oh, Mr. Zhu, you are back? Come on, follow me to see King Xing. How can I miss you in this reward based on merit?"
Zhu Hao asked curiously: "Are you going to start asking for rewards based on your merits?"
"Otherwise? Do you really want to hunt for hundreds of miles and drive out the bandits? Speaking of which, the bandits suffered heavy losses this time. More than half were killed and captured. It is estimated that it will be difficult to do it again... Young Master Zhu, you are so beautiful, you
Those thunder bombs, if you throw them out casually, they will blow up and knock the bandits off their feet..."
Jiang Lun is the kind of person who is familiar with things and talks a lot.
He is not young yet, but wherever he goes he gives off the impression of an old naughty boy who doesn't know how much he weighs. He is not the type that scholars like to make friends with... Of course there are exceptions, such as Tang Yin.
It seems that anyone who likes drinking can become friends with Tang Yin.
…
…
Zhu Hao followed Jiang Lun and went straight into the inner courtyard.
No one even stopped me from asking questions.
Zhu Hao was very curious whether his entry into the inner courtyard this time was due to King Xing's instructions. However, since Jiang Lun was leading the way, even if someone blamed him, just push it to Jiang Lun.
Arrive at the study courtyard.
The palace officials and scribes were coming in and out, it seemed very busy.
Zhang Zuo and Tang Yin were sitting on the stone bench in front of the study room talking. When they saw Zhu Hao and Jiang Lun approaching, they quickly stood up to greet them.
"Zhu Hao, why did you come just now? Have you slept for more than ten hours? It's really yours... You were not there when the battle report was summarized. King Xing asked about it. I said you went home and I have sent you
Report the merits."
As soon as Tang Yin met, he was the first to say, The implication is that I am not greedy for merit.
Zhu Hao shook his head and said: "I'm really too tired. I went back and had a good sleep. I didn't come back until I woke up... As long as I don't delay my business, that's fine."
Zhang Zuo said with a smile: "No delay, no delay... At Mr. Zhu's age, it is normal for him to sleep a little. Besides, you have to prepare for the government examination. How can you not be energetic? You should really tell Kuang Zhizhou that this time
Mr. Zhu has made extraordinary achievements, so there is no need to take the government examination, just give him a eucalyptus."
"Ha ha."
Jiang Lun laughed and said, "Zhang Fengzheng, why is your memory so bad? Zhu Hao is already the head of the county examination. He is a good student. He can just cope with the government examination... If he can stand alone at such a young age, he will definitely be the number one scholar in the future.
life."
Zhang Zuo also laughed, and then pointed at Tang Yin: "Mr. Tang, quickly take Zhu Hao in to see the prince. Aunt Jiang should also go in. The prince is looking for you everywhere."
Zhu Hao originally thought that the people in front of the study were so unorganized because Zhu Youjia was not there, but who knew that Zhu Youjia was actually inside.
Perhaps after a great victory, King Xing completely put down his arrogance and enjoyed himself with the people.
The whole palace is harmonious and full of joy.
Tang Yin was about to lead the way when Zhu Hao grabbed him and asked, "Have the guards come back?"
The smile on Tang Yin's face suddenly faded, and he shook his head and said: "Lu Dianzhan has personally led people to search outside the city. The current situation is not optimistic, and there may be no bones left after being blown up... It is said that there is an explosion point around the camp in the northeast.
All of them are broken limbs... almost like Shura Hell."
Jiang Lun couldn't help but lamented when he heard this: "If the earthen pot is not broken outside the well, the general will inevitably die on the battlefield. This has been the case since ancient times..."
Speaking of which, there were so many people in the palace, and it was impossible for Jiang Lun to know them all, but after a battle, several people died, as if they had gone to the battlefield together and fought for their lives, sharing life and death. Some of them came back alive and made great contributions, and some
People are buried in the loess for a long time, bringing endless sorrow to their families.
This huge psychological gap is frustrating.
…
…
In the study room.
Zhu Youjia warmly received Zhu Hao and his party.
"Meng Zai, I have discussed with Yuan Changshi that the dispatch of troops this time was presided over by Mr. Tang and Zhu Hao, and the strategy of bombing the enemy camp was proposed by Zhu Hao alone. However, the court's calculation of merit and the procedures are cumbersome, and many things are not heard by outsiders.
It’s unbelievable that it’s useless to report it, and Zhu Hao is young and can’t use military merit, so I’ll put it in your name for the time being.”
Zhu Youjia suddenly told Jiang Lun some news that surprised him.
"Ah? This... this... is so embarrassing? It's all the credit of Mr. Tang and Zhu Hao... How dare I steal it on my own?" Jiang Lun was so excited that he was a little incoherent.
At that time, Zhu Hao proposed the strategy of using explosive gunpowder to blow up the enemy camp. Jiang Lun was just a few words of help. So the credit should be given to him?
Jiang Lun felt that happiness came too suddenly.
Zhu Youji said: "Originally, the credit should be recorded on Zhu Hao, but on the one hand, he is young, and even if he has merit, the court does not know how to reward him. On the other hand, he is taking the imperial examination, and military merit is of no use to him for the time being... The palace will take care of it."
Keep a record of his merits and do not hesitate to reward him. The military merits will be with you first..."
When Zhu Youji said this, he was a little arrogant and looked at Zhu Hao with guilt.
Yuan Zonggao agreed with him not to express merit for Zhu Hao, but mainly for the purpose of establishing the prestige of the palace.
If the credit is given to Zhu Hao, the court will doubt who the credit belongs to. After all, behind Zhu Hao is the Zhu family, a family with thousands of royal guards.
Also, if the credit is given to a nine-year-old child, the court will doubt Prince Xing's motives, and simple things will become complicated.
Everyone in the palace knew that Zhu Hao was capable, but the court didn't know it. If there were suspicions, it would be natural to investigate why Prince Xing's palace should give the credit to a child. Is there something fishy behind this...
Zhu Youjiao said the last part and nodded towards Zhu Hao: "Zhu Hao, I know this is unfair to you, but I hope you can understand that the palace needs this credit, so I owe it to you."
Zhu Hao hurriedly bowed in salute and said with a smile: "King Xing made a serious statement. My purpose is just to help the palace drive out bandits and save the people from the fire and water. I have never thought about greed for merit."
Tang Yin looked over with a bit of heartache in his eyes. He was probably also feeling regretful that Zhu Hao had made meritorious service and could not report it. But at this time, King Xing humbly admitted his mistake to Zhu Hao. What could he say as an aide?
"But I will not leave you without due credit. Although you are not the first contributor... you are second only to Mr. Tang..."
Zhu Youjia looked at Tang Yin again with a tone of trust and admiration.
Tang Yin hurriedly said: "Xingwang Mingjian, if it weren't for Zhu Hao, there would never have been such a great victory as yesterday. The first credit should go to him."
Zhu Hao wanted to laugh after hearing Tang Yin's words.
What’s the point of competing for the first credit here?
For the imperial court, the first contribution must be to Prince Xing’s Palace. We all work for Prince Xing’s Palace. People will pity you and remember your contribution. Do you really want to show yourself? Now you are working for Prince Xing’s Palace, and from now on you will be working for the imperial court.
, it’s all about this – you have to shoulder the blame if you have past mistakes, and you have to give up the merits to others.
No matter how unwilling you are, the reality is so cruel and you have to accept it.
Just as he was talking, Yuan Zonggao appeared at the door of the study: "King Xing, there is a letter from the governor of Gannan, please read it..."
With one sentence, he attracted the attention of several people present.
Zhu Youqian took the urgent document from Yuan Zonggao, read it, and said with a smile: "The new governor of southern Jiangxi, Wang Shouren, wrote a letter saying that he would cooperate with me in Anlu to wipe out the bandits. Who would have thought that the banditry has already begun here before the army has crossed the river?
calm."
Tang Yin said quickly: "Now we should write a letter to Brother Shou as soon as possible to let him know the situation in Anlu."
Yuan Zonggao smiled and said: "Bohu, don't worry, this matter has been settled long ago... Wang Bo'an's letter was sent two days ago. I think he is not far from Anlu by this time..."
"oh."
Tang Yin nodded in relief.
Yuan Zonggao added: "I wrote a letter to him early yesterday morning, informing him of the great victory here, and asking him to come to Anlu to discuss how to express his merits to the court. He should have received the letter by now."
The implication is that even if Prince Xing's Mansion gets credit, it can't brag about itself. It needs someone to help brag. The two yamen in Anlu Prefecture and Changshou County belong to a community of interests, so it's inconvenient... They just happened to go to Anlu Prefecture to burn, kill and loot.
The bandits belonged to Jiangxi, and they were within the scope of responsibility of Wang Shouren, the governor of southern Jiangxi, who was ordered to exterminate the bandits. He was the perfect person to list.