For some people, autumn is the golden rice, the joy of harvest, the fiery red maple forest, and the openness of climbing high. But for some people, autumn is the scattered phoenix leaves in front of the courtyard.
It is a desolate and desolate autumn wind.
It has been nearly two months since Ren Li was beheaded. The originally prosperous and bustling Marquis Mansion has become deserted and sparsely populated.
The emperor was merciful. After Ren Li's death, he did not immediately exile his tribe. Instead, he stayed for more than a month to arrange Ren Li's funeral, and then he searched the whole house and exiled all the Ying tribe members to Tieling.
guard.
Ren Hong stood in front of the tall mansion gate. The palace remained the same as before. The two stone lions were tall and mighty. Except for the missing plaque that read "Ningyuan Marquis Mansion", it seemed that nothing had changed.
But after all, everything has changed...
"Master Ren, go in, the noble man is already waiting inside!"
Looking at Ren Hong who was standing at the door in a daze, Shu Liang was not in a hurry. He paused for a moment and then urged softly.
So, Ren Hong finally came back to his senses, and his eyes fell on the closed door of the mansion. He clearly remembered that there was a seal there, and there was a heavy lock on the door.
But now, the lock is gone.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and walked in through the half-open small side door.
Different from the deserted appearance outside, Ren Hong was shocked by the scene inside when he entered the mansion.
The courtyard that was supposed to be deserted was now filled with the Jinyiwei Primary School with embroidered spring knives on their waists. They spread out every ten steps, leaving no blind spots.
Looking forward along the road formed by the Jin Yiwei, in the hall, there is a person wearing Jin Yi, standing with his hands behind his back, as if he is looking at something.
Ren Hong's heart suddenly began to beat wildly, and his legs couldn't help but feel weak. Holding down the fear in his heart, he swallowed his saliva and turned to the eunuch who led him in.
"I just lost my courtesy, dare I ask my father-in-law what his name is?"
Before he came, he only knew that the visitor came from the palace and said that a noble person wanted to see him.
As a young man from a run-down prince's mansion, Ren Hong had no room to refuse no matter who wanted to see him. It was not that he didn't want to find out who the noble person was, but the number of people who came over was very tight, so he could only look at his clothes.
Among them, it can be seen that the person is a eunuch, and it seems that he is not an ordinary eunuch. As for the other things, it can no longer be seen.
On the way here, he had countless thoughts in his mind, but no matter what, he never expected that it turned out to be...
"I don't dare to show you respect, our family is Shuliang!"
At this point, there was no need to hide anything. Shu Liang looked meaningfully at Ren Hong in front of him and said with a smile.
These two simple words made Ren Hong's heart tremble.
It is true that he has never met Shu Liang himself, but he must have heard of the name of the famous Governor of Dongchang.
Moreover, the name Dongchang cannot be someone who dares to impersonate it casually.
If such a person brings him here in person, then how can he think of the noble person he calls other than today?
"Mr. Ren, please come with us!"
Looking at Ren Hong who was stunned on the spot, Shu Liang couldn't give him much time to react this time, so he had to urge him again.
So, Ren Hong came back to his senses and looked at the young figure not far away, feeling even more terrified in his heart.
He followed Shu Liang forward cautiously, not daring to raise his head at all, until he heard Shu Liang's respectful voice.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Ren has brought it!"
Feeling that the person in front of him turned around, Ren Hong immediately knelt down and kowtowed.
"Ren Hong, a common man, bows to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
"Get flat!"
A clear voice came, and Ren Hongfang stood up carefully. The corner of his eyes raised slightly, but he only dared to glance at the hem of the robe of the person in front of him.
At this moment, Zhu Qiyu was also looking at the young man in front of him.
Before, he didn't have a deep impression of Ren Hong, he just knew that he was Ren Li's eldest grandson.
Later, after the incident at the execution ground, this child finally caught his eye.
By the way, Zhu Qiyu asked Dongchang to investigate, and Zhu Qiyu also had a basic understanding of the young man in front of him.
"sit down!"
After waving his hand and signaling for someone to bring two cups of tea, Zhu Qiyu opened his mouth and gave instructions.
Ren Hong hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse. Instead, he handed over his hand to thank him, and then sat down carefully beside him.
Compared to Ren Hong's nervousness, Zhu Qiyu had already gotten used to it. He raised his head and glanced around the empty Hou Mansion before shouting.
"Ren Hong?"
"The grassroots are here!"
Although he had made some assumptions before coming here, for Ren Hong, he was still unprepared to see His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and it was natural to feel uneasy.
Hearing the emperor calling him, Ren Hong immediately stood up and bowed.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qiyu shook his head, but didn't say much. After a short pause, he asked.
"How do you feel about visiting your old place again?"
Hearing this, Ren Hong's expression was a little complicated, although he knew that he needed to answer as soon as possible before the emperor.
However, once again returning to the place where he was born and raised, the sourness in his heart was still uncontrollable.
Taking a deep breath and barely suppressing the excitement in his heart, Ren Hong knelt down and spoke.
"Returning to Your Majesty, the criminals of our ancestors deceived the emperor, and they brought it upon themselves. Thanks to Your Majesty's mercy, you have forgiven your great-grandmother and raised your life with kindness. The common people will burst into tears with gratitude."
Zhu Qiyu looked at the young man in front of him. After a moment, he said softly with a hint of emotion in his tone.
"It's your own fault?"
"Yes, Ren Li started from a young age. He was originally a garrison soldier in Yanshan District. He gained meritorious service in hundreds of battles and became a hereditary prince. However, due to greed, he embezzled military villages, intercepted and killed envoys, formed cliques for personal gain, and plotted assassinations.
It is appropriate to say that the important minister is responsible for his own fault."
"But what about you?"
After a slight pause, Zhu Qiyu's eyes fell on Ren Hong, and he changed the subject and asked.
"As the eldest grandson of the Hou family, you were supposed to have a bright future. But now, with your grandfather's mistake, your family has fallen and your future has been cut off. Do you have any resentment in your heart?"
This was an understatement, but beads of sweat appeared on Ren Hong's forehead.
He didn't know what the emperor's intention was in calling him here, but in any case, it was not easy to answer.
You definitely shouldn’t do it if you should, but you still need to have a good reason if you shouldn’t.
After hesitating for a moment, Ren Hong answered.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Cao Min is the eldest grandson of the Ren family. Honors and disgrace are all destiny. Born in a marquis mansion, Cao Min is lucky. However, Cao Min also knows that this is the result of his grandfather, not Cao Min. Enjoying this glory and wealth is not
deserve."
"Since the Ren family has been rewarded with honors and worshiped by the people because of their grandfather's merits, then if the grandfather is guilty, the Ren family can hardly absolve themselves of the blame."
"The so-called great future comes from my grandfather, and it is also lost because of my grandfather's thought. Gains and losses cannot be controlled by ordinary people. Therefore, ordinary people can only accept it calmly."
Hearing this, Zhu Qiyu nodded imperceptibly, looked at the young man in front of him again, and felt a little more approving in his heart.
When he came this time, he didn't give Ren Hong time to prepare, so when faced with such a question, he either spoke from the bottom of his heart.
Or, he is a genius who can organize such a perfect answer in a short period of time.
No matter which one it is, for Zhu Qiyu, it is worthy of praise.
Of course, judging from the recent contact with Ren Hong, he prefers the former.
This child is a resolute and sensible gentleman!
With his eyes flashing, Zhu Qiyu opened his mouth and said.
"Things in this world are inherently difficult to meet people's expectations. You are right. The so-called future needs to be fought for by oneself. The shadow of my father and ancestors is a gift from the court. If you get it, it is a good thing. If you don't get it, it is also destiny."
"Always have a gentleman's heart, and there is no perfect path for anyone. Although Ren Li has committed a heinous crime, he has already paid the price, and your Ren family has also been implicated. This matter can be regarded as a clean slate."
"I called you here today because I have something I want to leave to you..."
At this point, Zhu Qiyu stopped and had no intention of continuing.
Although Ren Hong was well prepared, when he actually heard these words, his heart was beating loudly and he kowtowed.
"The common people obey His Majesty's orders and will not hesitate even to the death!"
So, soon, there was a small token in front of him.
Ren Hong was also a knowledgeable person, and he quickly recognized that this was the identity token of the Jinyiwei Zhenfu Envoy. At the same time, the emperor's voice sounded again.
"The thing I want to entrust to you requires you to travel thousands of miles. With this token, you can get help from the Jin Yiwei. However, your name will not be included in the imperial court's registration list. Although you have contributed to the country,
But it’s extremely dangerous, are you willing?”
The emperor's tone was calm, but Ren Hong could naturally hear the risks involved. The emperor didn't say what it was, but he just left a way out.
Although he is just a young man from aristocratic family, he also knows that there are some things that you can refuse when you don't know, but once you know, you can only move forward in one way.
Moreover, although the emperor did not say what the specific matter was, we could guess a few things just from the token in front of him and the emperor's tone.
Jinyiwei is responsible for detective patrols, and many of his responsibilities are things that cannot be put on the table. Since the emperor said that he needs to travel thousands of miles away, it means that what he is responsible for is likely to require detective intelligence, investigation of cases, and even possible incidents.
Matters of armed conflict.
What's more, the emperor specifically emphasized that his name would not be included in the court, which shows the secrecy and danger of this matter.
A trace of struggle flashed in his heart. He took a deep breath and kowtowed heavily to the ground with a firm voice.
"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qiyu nodded, but he did not continue to say more, he just said.
"I just said that this matter is extremely dangerous, and even if it is done, you can't have a name, so I won't force you."
"You can go back and discuss it with your great-grandmother in one night. Shu Liang will be waiting for you outside the city gate tomorrow morning."
"What to do and how to do it, he will tell you when the time comes..."
Having said that, Zhu Qiyu didn't give Ren Hongduo a chance to speak and said directly.
"That's it for today, please step back."
Ren Hong hesitated for a moment, didn't say much, just bowed silently and left.
Immediately, Shu Liang ordered people to send Ren Hong out. After his figure disappeared from the door of the mansion, Zhu Qiyu sighed and asked Shu Liang.
"Do you think this child is suitable?"
Normally, Shu Liang would naturally agree, but this time, Shu Liang himself knew that the matter was of great importance. After thinking for a moment, he spoke cautiously.
"Your Majesty, there is no problem with this son's character. He will work hard for the future of the Ren family. However, I am always a little worried. If you want to survive in that place just by relying on this, I am afraid it is not enough. After all, that
It is a chaotic place that cannot be controlled by the imperial court."
"Based on the news that Duke Cheng Guo gave to the slave before, this Ren Hong was able to persuade Asu and reverse the situation in such a situation. It shows that his intelligence and character are the best choices."
"But this martial arts alone always makes the slave a little worried. Although he comes from a noble family, he has always liked reading. As for boxing and kicking, he only practiced it for two years under the pressure of Ren Li, and he is not outstanding. Self-defense
Maybe enough, but when it comes to dealing with those extremely vicious people..."
"Your Majesty, would you like to make another selection? If you really want to choose between Dongchang and Jinyiwei, you can always choose something that is barely usable. There is no need to put this matter on Ren Hong."
After hearing this, Zhu Qiyu was silent for a moment.
But in the end, he still shook his head and said.
"Of course there are people in Jinyiwei and Dongchang who are highly skilled in martial arts and resourceful, but this matter requires not only resourcefulness, but more importantly, a pure heart. What I value most about this child is his pure filial piety."
"Now that the Ren family has fallen to such an extent, he will definitely do his best to save the young and old of the Ren family. Although he is not very skilled in martial arts, you have also seen his tenacity. Once such a person is determined to
Whatever you do, the power you can unleash is the most terrifying thing."
Although Zhu Qiyu never promised anything to Ren Hong from beginning to end.
But actually, it goes without saying.
Ren Hong knew very well that if he worked for the emperor, the emperor would grant him pardon for the entire Ren family.
With this kind of motivation, Ren Hong was able to overcome all difficulties and complete the tasks assigned to him by Zhu Qiyu.
However, Shu Liang is indeed worried about a problem...
After pondering for a moment, Zhu Qiyu thought about it and said.
"Send a team of lonely souls to go with him!"
Lonely soul?
Shu Liang blinked. He knew that the emperor valued this matter, but he did not expect that the emperor would attach such importance to it.
You must know that since the establishment of the 'Lonely Soul', it has only been sent out once, to protect Yu Qian. At other times, its existence was not even noticed.
But now, the emperor actually wants to send a team of lonely souls to follow Ren Hong, which shows the importance of this matter in the emperor's heart.
It seems that we need to re-evaluate this matter and the importance of Ren Hong...