Zhu Houzhao didn't get up until about 4 o'clock. This should be the most peaceful sleep he had ever had in his life. Although he slept on a wooden bed in a tent, and although there were many mosquitoes and flying insects in the tent, it did not affect his health.
Sound sleep.
Zhang Yanling and others waited outside the tent for a long time and wanted to ask Zhu Houzhao to get up, but were stopped by Liu Jin.
"Your Majesty has worked hard for many days and finally managed to get a good night's sleep, so I just want your Majesty to sleep a little longer." Liu Jin's reason was simple, but it was irresistible.
Everyone had no choice but to wait outside the tent until they saw Zhu Houzhao yawning and leaving the tent.
Everyone hurriedly came forward to kowtow. Zhu Houzhao was smiling and looked extremely relaxed.
"I slept so soundly. I haven't slept so peacefully for a long time. Did you guys have a good rest?" Zhu Houzhao asked with a smile.
Everyone replied that they had a good rest.
Zhu Houzhao said to Zhang Yanling: "Uncle, we are about to leave, right?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Yes, I and Mr. Zhu Xiaogong, Dong Zongbing, just had a brief discussion and both agreed that the emperor should drive back to Beijing immediately and cannot stay any longer."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said: "It's really time to return to Beijing, and I don't want to stay here for a moment. Then let's break up camp and set sail."
Zhang Yanling said: "Your Majesty, my ministers and others have discussed it. Mr. Dong will accompany the Emperor first, and Mr. Ma, the deputy admiral, will lead a thousand Yaowu camp cavalry to escort him. I don't know if the emperor agrees."
Zhu Houzhao said in surprise: "Why don't you come back to Beijing with me?"
Zhang Yanling said: "I and Mr. Zhu want to go back to Dushi City. On the one hand, I promised that the people of Dushi City will go back to save them. On the other hand, Dushi City is still in the hands of the Tatars, and they must be driven out of our Ming Dynasty border.
"
Zhu Houzhao frowned and said: "Isn't that very dangerous? What if there is another battle? I don't want you to make any mistakes."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, the Tatars are like frightened birds now, how dare they fight with us. They will flee upon hearing the news and will never dare to take action again. I am here to fulfill my promise and go to save the wounded soldiers and civilians left in Dushi City."
The soldiers and horses from Xuanfu Town will arrive in a few days. After the handover is completed, I can return to the capital with peace of mind. Please give your permission, Your Majesty."
Zhu Houzhao thought for a while, nodded and said: "That's all. Everything was caused by my inspection of Dushi City, and I have to deal with the aftermath. Uncle, you can go and appease the people on my behalf. However, if we encounter a Tatar attack, I will
You should handle it carefully, safety comes first. I don’t want you to make any mistakes.”
Zhang Yanling and Zhu Lin said in unison: "I obey the order."
At that moment, Zhu Houzhao sent an order that the troops and horses should set off immediately to prepare for the journey. Just as Zhang Yanling was packing up, Liu Jin came and took Zhang Yanling to a secluded part of the camp and said he had a few words to say to Zhang Yanling.
The two of them stood under the shade of the trees at the edge of the camp. Liu Jin bowed to Zhang Yanling first and said with a smile: "Master Marquis, this time the emperor patrolled the border, something big happened. We really didn't expect that. We almost had an accident.
It's a big deal. If it weren't for Mr. Hou's tricks, it would really be a big deal.
It didn’t end well. Last night our family was still talking to Gu Dayong and others, thanks to the foresight of our family before, we invited the Marquis to go with us. The Marquis showed off his skills this time, and the emperor was full of praise for the Marquis.
The Marquis has done a great job this time. I am afraid that the Marquis also has to thank our family."
Zhang Yanling laughed and thought: This guy is really trying to put money on his face, and he actually said it was because he had a good vision. Fortunately for him, he could tell it, and Nanzhen Fusi lost more than a hundred men on this trip, and he almost died.
, this gelding wanted to share the credit.
"Eunuch Liu, I have no merit. It was the fallen soldiers who fought to the death to protect us. They fought to the death to kill the enemy and we were able to escape. In addition, please don't mention my merit again. I just did my part.
That's all." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Liu Jin chuckled and said: "Master Hou is not proud of taking credit, it is even rare. Does Master Hou really think so?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Eunuch Liu, if you have anything to say, just say it. Don't delay your trip. The emperor will be in danger if he doesn't return to the capital for a day."
Liu Jin hurriedly said: "Well, our family will not beat around the bush. This time we were able to escape from death, and the Marquis took the greatest credit. There is no doubt about it. Everyone from top to bottom is saying that it is your contribution, which is of course true. However,
, have you ever thought about the emperor?
Don’t you feel that? If it’s all your fault, then the Emperor’s border patrol is useless. It’s just a secret patrol, so he will be criticized by the courtiers. As servants and ministers, we should consider the Emperor’s face, don’t you think?”
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "What Eunuch Liu said is, what does Eunuch Liu suggest?"
Liu Jin said: "Our family thought about it in the middle of the night last night and felt that there were some things that we should discuss with Mr. Marquis. Can we change the narrative and say that the encounter with the Tatars this time was because the emperor discovered the enemy's situation and took the initiative to attract the Tatars, and then together with him in Dushi City
The Tatar War. Under the emperor's strategizing, the Tatar's plot to invade Xuanfu Town from the east and west was defeated. It was precisely because of holding on to the monolith
After several days in the city, they blocked the plot of the little Tatar prince to lead his army south towards the rear of Xuanfu Town, forcing the Tatar army on the west route to withdraw. In this way, the emperor's border patrol was timely and justified. The emperor is in the world
It also has an image of being wise and powerful in people's minds, which greatly improves the emperor's reputation. Mr. Marquis, do you think our family is right to consider this?"
Zhang Yanling looked shocked and almost laughed out loud. He had to admire Liu Jin's brains for coming up with such words. He also had to admit that Liu Jin did have his own tricks and was definitely not a fool.
On the surface, his words sounded like they were intended to protect the emperor's image, to portray him as wise and wise, and as a loyal act for the emperor's sake. However, Zhang Yanling at least heard two other purposes from his words.
Liu Jin clearly understood the consequences of such a big mistake during this patrol. He knew that a storm would be waiting for him when he returned to the capital. When the emperor proposed to go on patrol, some people compared Liu Jin to the traitor Wang Zhen, who used earthworks
Let’s use the analogy of the change in the fort. Now after encountering the Tatars, the emperor was almost captured by the Tatars. After returning to the capital, the outer court, including Wang Yue of the inner court, and others would not let him go.
Therefore, whitewashing the legitimacy of the border patrol, forcing it to appear as a successful heroic battle against the Tatars, and a proactive attack to thwart the Tatar invasion conspiracy can make this border patrol a heroic and legitimate feat.
Attributing credit to the emperor and saying that the emperor took the initiative to lead the army to fight against the Tatars in Dushi City is tantamount to saying that all these were legitimate actions. Given the legitimacy and great significance of this border patrol, the border patrol is not only not
A reckless move, but a far-sighted and strategic move.
However, he, Liu Jin, cleared himself of the crime of inciting the emperor to patrol the border this time.
The second purpose is obvious. This time Dushi City was trapped and successfully broke through, Liu Jin could not take any part in the success of the escort. Not only that, but Liu Jin and others were almost doomed because of their mistakes.
Liu Jin naturally could not tolerate the weakening of his status in the emperor's mind. Although Zhu Houzhao did not blame him, he was obviously dissatisfied with his performance. How to make up for and reverse the impression in the emperor's mind, this pair of people who knew Zhu Houzhao's temper very well
It is not a difficult task for Liu Jin.
Attributing the credit for the whole incident to Zhu Houzhao's wisdom and martial arts, and giving the whole thing a greater significance, will not only help satisfy Zhu Houzhao's desire to become a wise, sage, and virtuous emperor, but will also silence the courtiers.
, told them to shut up. Zhu Houzhao must have accepted it gladly, because it satisfied his vanity.
This not only greatly pleases Zhu Houzhao, but also takes away this great achievement from himself. In this way, he will not be able to gain huge benefits from it and become an opponent that threatens his status in the eyes of the emperor.
To please the emperor and attack those who threaten him, this is the second hidden purpose.
Therefore, the matter that Liu Jin came to discuss with him seemed to be just to protect the image of the emperor and the impression of the emperor in the minds of the people in the world. But in fact, it was a plan to kill three birds with one stone, which was extremely clever.
Liu Jin looked at Zhang Yanling nervously, fearing that Zhang Yanling would find out his other intentions. But in fact, he knew that Zhang Yanling was not easy to fool, and he actually wanted to test whether Zhang Yanling was willing to make concessions for him and whether he had experienced this incident.
will be out of your control.
"Eunuch Liu, this suggestion is very good. I agree." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
A smile appeared on Liu Jin's face, and a big stone fell to the ground in her heart.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Marquis. Our family is very grateful to you for being so generous. I just feel a little wronged by you. Everyone can see your contribution this time, and the emperor, our family and others are all aware of it."
Yes. I believe that the emperor will not treat the Marquis badly, and our family is even more grateful to the Marquis. If the Marquis has any instructions in the future, our family will do our best to help." Liu Jin saluted respectfully and said softly.
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "My father-in-law is out of touch when he says this. Everything is for the emperor and for ourselves, isn't it? However, since my father-in-law has revealed this matter, I will not get involved. In order to prevent people from talking too much.
It’s so complex that it exposes its flaws.”
Liu Jin nodded and smiled and said: "Okay, Mr. Hou, don't worry about it, everything is arranged by our family."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Then I'll take my leave. Eunuch Liu, we'll see you in the capital."
Liu Jin bowed his hands and said, "Be careful, Lord Marquis. See you in the capital."
On the morning of the next day, after sending out scouts to investigate the Tatar movements near Dushi City, Zhang Yanling and Zhu Lin led their troops to swim across the Dushi River. The pontoon bridge on the river had been dismantled after Batu Meng fled back, and there were no Tatars near Dushi City.
Traces of sub-activities.
After a few days, Zhang Yanling was in a mixed mood when he returned to the fortress of the Ming Dynasty border town. When the soldiers and horses entered the city through the damaged south gate, they were startled by a crowd of vultures and scared away a group of wild wolves.
This iron-blooded fortress is now devastated, with ruins everywhere, corpses everywhere, and no one left.