A carriage drove slowly, surrounded by a group of soldiers to protect it.
This group of soldiers was surprisingly the soldiers of the Sharp Knife Battalion led by Li Zhen. Li Zhen hurried all the way from Guangzhou to Beijing, and it still took him a month and a half to arrive in Beijing. Unfortunately, it was already the New Year. He took Yang Banhou and Huang Qiang with him On the way to Beijing, the soldiers of Jiandao Battalion all rode horses. They changed to walking on foot only after entering Beijing to avoid ostentation.
After all, there are countless nobles in this imperial city. If Li Zhen is too ostentatious, he will inevitably make people hate him. Even if Li Zhen is not afraid, it is better to do less than to do more. No trouble is always better.
"May I ask, are you the one accompanying Admiral Li Zhenli?"
When Huang Qiang and his soldiers were walking on both sides of the carriage, an old man standing at the gate of the city blocked the way and asked. Huang Qiang looked at the old man warily and said in a deep voice: "Who are you? What do you want to do with Admiral Li?"
The old man arched his back slightly and said slowly: "The little old man is the steward of Shangshu Mansion. He is waiting for my uncle and young lady here. The old man asked the young old man to take the message. He asked his uncle to go to the palace to meet the emperor first, and asked the young lady and the other military masters to Go back to Shangshu Mansion."
Upon hearing this, Huang Qiang immediately walked to the carriage.
He passed on the old man's words in a low voice. After hearing this, Li Zhen showed a solemn look on his face.
Ginger is still spicy.
As a high-ranking member of the imperial court, Guiliang was a member of the officialdom, so he was indeed more considerate.
Li lifted the curtain of the carriage and ordered: "Call the steward of Shangshu Mansion." Huang Qiang immediately called the old man. The old man stood under the carriage and said respectfully: "Sir, the master has prepared the carriage and is waiting. I just need the young lady." Together with the other military masters, we will go to Shangshu Mansion to stay temporarily, while I will go to the palace first and then come back."
Li Zhen nodded, looked at Zhilan, and said, "You go back home first, I'll come back later."
"Um."
Zhilan hummed, got off the carriage, and followed the old man to another carriage. At the same time, Huang Qiang, Yang Banhou and the rest of the soldiers from the Sharp Blade Battalion followed Zhilan to the Shangshu Mansion. Li Zhen asked the groom to drive to the Forbidden City. The carriage was in Stopping in front of the palace gate, Li Zhen stepped forward and asked the guards stationed at the palace gate to pass the news.
In the Yangxin Hall, Xianfeng is lying down and resting with his eyes closed.
The great eunuch Han Laiyu got the report from the guards and walked in quietly. He stood in the palace and called out softly. With sore eyes, he saw that the person coming was Han Laiyu, and asked: "Han Laiyu, what's the matter?"
Han Laiyu said: "Reporting to the Emperor, Admiral Li has arrived in Beijing and is waiting outside the palace."
"Oh, so fast."
Xianfeng raised his eyebrows, with a surprised look on his face, and said in disbelief: "I thought Li Zhen would arrive at the end of the month, but he arrived at the beginning of the month, which is fast enough."
Han Laiyu said: "Admiral Li has just arrived in the capital. Before he went to see Lord Guiliang, he came to see the emperor."
"Okay, Xuan Li Zhen comes to see you."
Xianfeng was in a good mood after hearing this, and his face was filled with joy.
Han Laiyu immediately conveyed the news, and the young eunuch went to convey the order. Not long after, Li Zhen came in from outside the palace and came to the Yangxin Hall. He looked at the pale emperor, knelt down on one knee, and said loudly: "Your Majesty Li Zhen, pay your respects to the emperor." Li Zhen knelt down on one knee, secretly muttering to himself that Xianfeng was a sick young man. Looking at his face, he knew that he was weak due to nostalgia for the harem.
Although he knelt down, he was worshiping the dead in advance.
Xianfeng waved his hands and said: "I love you for your life."
Li Zhen stood up quickly and stood in the Yangxin Hall, a little reserved.
Xianfeng was very satisfied with Li Zhen's gesture, nodded and ordered: "Han Laiyu, bring a stool for Aiqing."
Han Laiyu agreed with a smile and immediately took a stool.
After Li Zhen sat down, Xianfeng said with a smile: "My dear, I heard from Han Laiyu that you just arrived in the capital, and you went straight to the palace before you went to the Shangshu Mansion to see Guiliang."
Li Zhen said: "Reporting to the emperor, the king of heaven and earth is my master. The king is in front of me, and I dare not neglect it. When I arrive in Beijing, I will naturally pay homage to the emperor first, and then I will pay homage to my father-in-law when I return to the mansion."
Xianfeng smiled and said: "Well said."
After a pause, Xianfeng said again: "I heard that Guangzhou is very lively, especially when you lead the troops to rescue the people in the rain. You are a model of imperial officials. Tell me about Guangzhou. You are very prosperous in Guangzhou." , I also have dignity on my face.”
Li Zhen bowed slightly and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "Reporting to your Majesty, I have made a small contribution in Guangzhou, and it all depends on the Emperor's power. Without the Emperor's trust and the Emperor's strong support, I would not be able to achieve even an inch of merit. I am here." When I was in Guangzhou, I encountered Japanese pirates who invaded the country. These Japanese pirates did not respect the Heavenly Dynasty and tried to disrespect the Heavenly Dynasty. I sent troops to encircle and suppress the Japanese pirates and wiped out nearly 2,000 Japanese pirates."
"Okay, good job."
A look of excitement appeared on Xianfeng's pale face, and his bloodshot eyes were full of energy. Li Zhen looked at Xianfeng's sick appearance and shook his head in his heart. The emperor was nostalgic for the harem and was not considerate of his body. According to this development, if In a few years it will be almost time to go see the Buddha.
Xianfeng had no intention of going deep, and waved his hand and said, "You have worked hard on your long journey, go back."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After thanking Li Zhen, he stood up, started to retreat, and then left the Yangxin Hall. Han Laiyu also exited the Yangxin Hall, jogged with small steps, and shouted loudly: "Admiral Li, wait a minute."
Li Zhen heard Han Laiyu's voice coming from behind him and stopped immediately.
"Father, what's the matter?" Li Zhenxiao asked.
Han Laiyu said: "Admiral Li must be well prepared to lead troops to fight when he comes to Beijing this time."
Li Zhen looked surprised and said, "Father, what happened?"
Han Laiyu looked around, lowered his voice, and said in a low voice: "The emperor has a headache because of the bandit attack. He has trouble sleeping and eating. The bandits are entrenched in Nanjing, forming a huge momentum that cannot be eliminated, and cannot be wiped out. The ministers of the DPRK and China argued and laid the plan. It happened that When Admiral Li returns to Beijing to report on his duties, isn’t this exactly the time to be on the cusp of such a storm?”
Li Zhen said gratefully: "Thank you very much for your advice, father-in-law. If my father-in-law is of any use to Li Zhen, just ask. As long as Li Zhen can do his best, he will definitely do a good job for my father-in-law."
When Han Laiyu heard this, he immediately laughed.
Li Zhen has already become an admiral and a feudal official of the imperial court. At Li Zhen's level, money has gradually lost its role, and more practical actions are needed.
Li Zhen's simple promise made Han Laiyu even happier.
Han Laiyu said with a smile: "Admiral Li has returned to Beijing and hasn't met his father-in-law yet. He should go back home early."
"Farewell."
Li Zhen handed over his hands and left, and soon left the Forbidden City. He sat in the carriage and fell into deep thought. At this time, Li Zhen felt a little worried in his heart. Xianfeng asked him to lead troops to fight, and he would probably leave Guangzhou, but Li Zhen has developed Guangzhou as his base and has no intention of giving up.
Guangdong is not Shanghai. Li Zhen can arrange the county magistrates in Shanghai, but he cannot arrange the governors and admirals of Guangdong. If Li Zhen leaves Guangdong, it means that everything he has done in Guangdong will be in vain.
With sadness, Li Zhen ran towards Shangshu Mansion.