On the ninth day of April, Zhang Yanling and his party finally returned to the capital.
After being away from the capital for a long time, Xu Wanyi and other people who have lived in the capital for a long time are quite emotional, and they feel like they are reunited after a long separation. In fact, in terms of the exquisiteness of the architecture and the scenery in the city, the city of Beijing cannot compare with Nanjing. The city of Nanjing is so beautiful. The buildings in the city are colorful and gorgeous. However, the capital is mainly black and gray, which looks dull and depressing.
But this is how a person is nourished by the soil and water. On the first day after Xu Wanyi and others returned to the capital, they hurriedly ordered people to buy crab roe buns and various snacks from Liubiju, and ordered fragrant rice balls from Lijiazheng Store Come back with steamed pork and enjoy it.
In fact, in Nanjing, we can never get tired of fine food, but the taste is always different from that in Beijing. I still feel comfortable eating the food and snacks in Beijing.
Zhang Yanling went to the palace to see the emperor on the day he returned to Beijing.
It was April in the capital, and spring was in full swing. In the back hall of the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Houzhao was playing Cuju with Jiang Bin and others in the open space. He was sweating profusely from playing and was sitting on the porch drinking tea. Jiang Bin was beside him talking.
Zhang Yong reported that Zhang Yanling had returned to Beijing for an audience. Zhu Houzhao quickly ordered someone to invite him. When he saw Zhang Yanling coming from the corridor, Zhu Houzhao stood up with a smile on his face and his eyes shining.
"Uncle, are you back? It's been a long trip." Zhu Houzhao smiled as he came down the steps from the corridor.
Jiang Bin frowned, he could see the emperor's expression. In his mind, the status of the Protector was very high.
"Your Majesty, Zhang Yanling, bows to the Emperor." Zhang Yanling stepped forward and shouted salute.
"Get back on your feet quickly. Tell me how the ship is built? Your memorial doesn't explain it clearly, and I'm confused." Zhu Houzhao stretched out his hand to help him.
Zhang Yanling thanked him and stood up, and said with a smile: "I am here to report to the emperor. The emperor looks good and is in good health?"
Zhu Houzhao said: "Very good. Haven't you seen that I have gained some weight?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I am indeed a little fatter and a little stronger. The emperor is in good health, so I feel at ease."
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said: "Don't talk about me. I'm very good. Let's talk about shipbuilding. Jiang Bin, go and bring a stool to the Protector."
There was a hint of imperceptible anger on Jiang Bin's face, but he hurriedly agreed to bring a brocade stool, placed it next to Zhang Yanling, and said with a smile: "Please sit down, Lord Protector."
Zhang Yanling looked at Jiang Bin and said, "Thank you, Mr. Jiang. Why is Mr. Jiang in the palace?"
Zhu Houzhao said: "I asked him to play Cuju with me. Jiang Bin's Cuju skills are so exquisite that I can't even compare with him."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Oh? Mr. Jiang actually knows how to play Cuju? And he mentioned it well? Your Majesty, please give him a surname."
Zhu Houzhao smiled and said: "I have given him the surname Zhu. Isn't he my godson? Have you forgotten?"
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "What I mean is that you give him the surname 'Gao'. In the Song Dynasty, there was a person named Gao Qiu who was very good at Cuju. He later became a Taiwei."
Zhu Houzhao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter and said, "You are talking about the treacherous minister Gao Qiu of the Song Dynasty. Hahaha, that's interesting. Jiang Bin, how about I give you the surname Gao?"
Jiang Bin's face was like a purple liver, and he was cursing in his heart. The monarch and his ministers were teasing and teasing in front of him, and they simply didn't think of themselves as human beings. Jiang Bin thought to himself: You guys just wait for me, one day I will definitely take my revenge. Today's humiliation.
"As long as the emperor is happy, don't give me the surname Gao, just ask me to change my name to Gao Qiu. But one thing, I must make it clear. Even if I change my name, I am definitely not the traitorous minister Gao Qiu. I am right Your Majesty's loyalty can be demonstrated by the sun." Jiang Bin said with a smile.
Zhu Houzhao laughed and said: "Very good, Jiang Bin. He is not afraid of favors and humiliations, and he is generous. I like him very much. Come and reward you."
Zhu Houzhao reached out and pulled off the jade pendant from his waist and threw it into Jiang Bin's hands. Jiang Bin shouted long live and kowtowed to thank him.
Zhang Yanling looked at it with a smile, and was secretly surprised. This Jiang Bin seemed shameless, but he was quite scheming. This guy was by no means as simple and honest as he seemed on the surface. He acted according to the circumstances and was quite skilled in flattery.
Very. And Zhu Houzhao did exactly this.
However, for now, Jiang Bin has not done any evil deeds, and he is still doing his job. He has the Jinyiwei Yamen and the Fourth Outer Army in his hands, and he has heard that he has done some extraordinary things. There is no need to trouble him at the moment.
"Uncle, tell me about shipbuilding. I'm waiting to hear it," Zhu Houzhao said.
Zhang Yanling reached out and grabbed the scroll he brought with him and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I came back this time on the treasure ship Xingchen. It was the first armored ship I built. My wife is good at painting, but I have a stupid mouth.
Afraid of not being able to explain it clearly, I asked her to draw one on the road."
Zhu Houzhao smiled and said: "That's great. If you have a picture, you can see clearly."
Zhang Yanling stood up with a smile, and when he unfolded the scroll, he saw Jiang Bin stretching his neck to look at it, so he said, "Master Jiang, please stay away."
Jiang Bin was stunned and looked at Zhu Houzhao awkwardly. Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "You want Jiang Bin to avoid it? It's not necessary."
Zhang Yanling said solemnly: "The armored ship is a military secret. Its structure, firepower facilities, and navigation parameters are all secrets. How can it be known to everyone? It is for his own good that I want Mr. Jiang to avoid it. If the parameters are leaked in the future, I will doubt Mr. Jiang.
Still don’t doubt him? I know it’s okay for Mr. Jiang to see it. If Mr. Jiang is not afraid of trouble in the future, then just stay and watch.”
Before Zhu Houzhao could speak, Jiang Bin hurriedly waved his hands and said with a smile: "That's all, I can't even look at it. I'm a landlubber. I get seasick on a boat. When I go into the water, I just weigh the weights. I don't look at this because I'm dizzy."
Jiang Bin turned around and left quickly, and Zhang Yanling unfolded the scroll.
What was painted on the scroll was the full view of the Xingchen armored ship, as well as the enlarged decomposition of the surrounding equipment and cannons. Xu Wanyi's painting skills are already good, and the details of the graphics painted by her hands are full of lifelike colors.
, every detail is revealed. It really took a lot of effort.
But there is something a little strange. The battleships painted by Xu Wanyi's original majestic and majestic air have become more gorgeous and powdery. This may be the result of personal painting style.
Zhang Yanling compared the drawings and explained to Zhu Houzhao in detail the construction process of the ship, the structure of each part, the distribution of firepower, the key points of operation, the personnel deployed, etc.
Finally, he reported that hundreds of Japanese bandits were killed on the way back.
Zhu Houzhao looked at the graphics and listened to Zhang Yanling's narration, his eyes full of yearning.
"Uncle, when can I go to sea on this big ship? I like it when I see this big ship, and I want to go and annihilate the Japanese bandits myself."
Zhang Yanling had a big head, so he had to say: "Your Majesty, I will build a dragon-headed treasure ship for you alone. But not now. Now I have to concentrate all my energy on building the fleet into shape quickly, so as to open up sea routes and make sea trade smooth. Only then
It is the most important thing. In the future, when sea trade becomes smoother, the emperor will not only be able to go to sea, he can even take a treasure ship to visit overseas countries."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and sighed: "Hey, I know you won't agree. I won't cause trouble for you. But remember what I said today. I will take a treasure ship like this to go out to sea in the future."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I keep my word, when did I dare to deceive the emperor? This time I rebuilt the Longjiang Bao Shipyard and built large ships to make sea trade smoother. In the future, when the imperial court has sufficient finances, I will build a world-class ship for the emperor." The largest treasure ship. It is twice as powerful as this one and has twice the firepower. When some small foreign countries dare not to surrender, the emperor will teach them a lesson in person. I can take a rest and don't have to run around."
Zhu Houzhao laughed and said: "I insist on it. It's a deal."
The monarch and his ministers talked again. Zhang Yanling talked about some of his plans and some arrangements before going to sea in half a year. Zhu Houzhao approved them one by one. While talking, Jiang Bin came over to serve tea with a teacup in his hand. He looked respectfully at Zhang Yanling. say.
"The Lord Protector has worked very hard for the country, and I admire him for his humble position. The emperor said that when you come back, we will go hunting in the Western Mountains to relax. I wonder if the Lord Protector has free time?"
Zhang Yanling frowned and looked at Jiang Bin. The emperor didn't even mention it. Why did this guy take the initiative to mention it?
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid I'm going to break my promise on this matter. I need to do a lot of things when I come back this time, including the training of soldiers and horses, the arrangement and transportation of firearms, and some things prepared by the shipping departments of various places. I'm afraid I don't have time to accompany you. Your Majesty is hunting. Your Majesty, please don’t be offended." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Zhu Houzhao was not angry, but said with a smile: "Jiang Bin, didn't I tell you? Just go with me. I didn't even mention the accompanying of the Lord Protector, so why are you talking so much? I Don’t you know that the Protector is very busy?”
Jiang Bin hurriedly apologized: "Yes, yes, I am talking too much."
Zhang Yanling sneered in her heart. It turned out that Zhu Houzhao had arranged for Jiang Bin to accompany him for this matter. Jiang Bin mentioned this matter deliberately, as if he was deliberately demonstrating to himself. The implication is that the emperor will have someone to serve him even if he leaves you, and this person is I.
"It would be best for Mr. Jiang to accompany you. However, Your Majesty, please forgive me for talking too much. When Your Majesty goes out, do a good job of security and don't go to the border town again. Also talk to Yang Ting and them. Don't make people panic." Zhang Yanling said .
A trace of disgust flashed in Zhu Houzhao's eyes, and he nodded: "Of course I understand. My uncle has been in Nanjing for several months, and the Queen Mother misses her very much. She has come to ask me several times. Uncle, go and see the Queen Mother."
Zhang Yanling hurriedly stood up and bowed to leave. Zhu Houzhao sent him out of the back hall and then turned back.
…
Zhang Yanling left the Qianqing Palace and went directly to the Queen Mother's Palace. The Queen Mother's Palace was quiet. Zhang Yanling was used to it, so she went directly to the Queen Mother's residence.
The female officials at the entrance to the apse looked a little panicked when they saw Zhang Yanling approaching. When Zhang Yanling walked in, they actually blocked him.
"Master, please wait a moment while I report to the Queen Mother."
"Report for what? Don't you know who I am? I want to report when I see the Queen Mother?" Zhang Yanling frowned.
"My lord, please forgive me. I have to report to you. I have to report to you. You can't go in without permission. The Queen Mother... is resting." The female official explained while winking at the other maids. The two maids quickly went in to report, even trotting along the way. Gone.
Zhang Yanling was a little puzzled and didn't want to force his way in, so he stood under the corridor of the apse. He heard voices in the courtyard of the apse, and the sound of doors and windows opening and closing.
While the tea was being served, a palace maid came quickly and said, "The Queen Mother invites the Duke to come in and see her."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "It's inexplicable. Is this a rule set by the Queen Mother? Even if you block me? I want to ask. If you make your own decisions, I won't punish you."
Several female officials lowered their heads and were speechless.
Zhang Yanling strode towards the back hall and entered the back hall courtyard. He heard something moving. He turned around and saw a man's back disappearing under the corridor. He couldn't see clearly who it was through a row of flower trees.
Who? But the figure from the back seems familiar.
Zhang Yanling frowned and thought for a while, but couldn't think of a reason. She thought: Maybe a palace eunuch was there, so she gave up and walked directly to the door of the Queen Mother's room in Dongchun Pavilion.
"Sir, walk slowly, sir, walk slowly." Someone suddenly screamed in the corridor.
Zhang Yanling was frightened and looked around, but it was the green-tailed parrot hanging on the corridor that was screaming.
"This beast scared me." Zhang Yanling laughed and cursed.
"Is it my little brother? Come in quickly, I'm going to kill the Ai family." Queen Mother Zhang's voice came from inside the house.
Zhang Yanling agreed loudly and got dressed and entered.