After the signing of the treaty between the Ming and Qing Dynasties was completed, the next step was to return to Beijing and Nanjing respectively, and then hold press conferences to announce the treaty to the outside world.
On the morning of August 10th, the Mingfang delegation finished breakfast in the villa and were packing their things. They were waiting for the car to take them to the port after a while. Everything they had to do was completed relatively smoothly, and everyone felt relaxed.
Shu Chang. Especially Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong, both of whom have "hostage" status. They came to Beiqing for the past few days "to play with their heartbeats." Now that they are about to return to Daming safely, they are even more excited than when they came.
When no one else was paying attention, Xiang Xiaoqiang secretly hugged Zheng Yucong's waist and laughed softly:
"It's a pity that I didn't seize the opportunity these days. It's a pity."
Zheng Yuqing's face flushed red, she quickly looked around and laughed in a low voice:
"That's right, what can I do... Oh, what a pity, what a pity."
Xiao Nizi covered her mouth with a sweet smile, her eyebrows and eyes were full of charm, which made Xiang Xiaoqiang very anxious, but everyone in the room around was busy packing their things, so he had to say sternly into Zheng Yucong's ear:
"Okay, you wait!"
Zheng Yuqing lowered her head and tried to hold back her smile, her face full of pride.
…
At 8:30 in the morning, the Nanming delegation's motorcade left the East Jiguanshan Villa and drove down the mountain.
But after a while, Xiang Xiaoqiang realized something was wrong. He turned around and looked left and right outside the window, feeling that this was not the way he came. At first, he thought he might have remembered it wrong, after all, he only saw this road a few days ago.
Once. But after a while, he found that the road was getting more and more wrong. And the direction was wrong. The way to the port should be south, but now it was clearly north. The East Jiguan Mountain that he had just come down was now on the right.
He immediately asked a Northern Qing official sitting in the front seat:
"Sir, where are we going? It doesn't seem like we are heading to the port."
The Beiqing official in front turned back and said:
"Yes, not to the port."
"Where is that going?"
"Airport."
Xiang Xiaoqiang was startled:
"Airport? Why are we going to the airport? Take us back by plane?"
The Northern Qing official in front hesitated and nodded.
Xiang Xiaoqiang immediately became worried. Sending the Nanming delegation back by plane? Impossible. Although the straight-line distance from Lushun to Nanjing is only 700 to 800 kilometers and can be flown directly, there have been so many since the first airplane on the earth.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, planes from both sides never flew under each other's
Landing at the airport. If today is the first of its kind, it will definitely be a big event. My delegation must have received a telegram from Nanjing in advance. And the last time I contacted Nanjing before breakfast today, Nanjing did not mention changing the return method.
That is to say, the default is still the sea route.
A more important reason is that Emperor Guangwu's younger brother is still in the hands of the Ming Dynasty. It is impossible for the Qing Dynasty to send himself and the Nanming envoy back first, unless Nanming has already sent Guangwu's younger brother back first. But the same
, he, Zheng Yucong, and the entire mission were still in Beiqing, and it was absolutely impossible for Nanming to send Guangwu's younger brother back first.
The only feasible option is to take the sea route as we did when we came here. The ships of both parties will meet at the agreed coordinate point and "pay with one hand and deliver the goods with the other hand."
Thinking of this, Xiang Xiaoqiang felt that the blood all over his body was getting colder. He forced himself to calm down, and kept telling himself in his heart that Guangwu's brother was still in Daming's hands, and Guangwu didn't dare to do anything to him... Guangwu
Although Wu had many brothers and sisters, they were either born to Emperor Xuantong's other concubines, or they were related by "cousins" like Shi Shigege... There were only two biological brothers from the same mother.
It was impossible for him not to care. After the Guangwu coup came to power, he first massacred the clan, and even forced the fourteenth princess to come to Nanming; and it was not long after he came to power, and now there is a lack of absolutely trustworthy people, so the two brothers
He appointed the commander-in-chief of the Eight Banners Division, and the commander-in-chief of the Guards Division... It was because of this that Zhu Yourong asked his brother to be a hostage instead of someone else...
Xiang Xiaoqiang thought this and calmed down a little.
So, where is this going?
…
After a while, the convoy drove into Lushun Military Airport, drove directly to the runway and stopped.
Representatives from Nanming in each car got out of the car, their expressions were the same as Xiang Xiaoqiang's, suspicious, worried, and nervous. It seemed that they had asked the same questions along the way and received the same answers. Moreover, they were all the same as Xiang Xiaoqiang.
Like Xiaoqiang, I don’t really believe it.
A group of Qing soldiers stood on the runway, all carrying guns. Behind them were two Junkers-52 transport planes, which had started to start their engines. Soon, the runway was deafening and the wind was strong.
The first plane was painted all white, and the fuselage was also painted with the yellow flag of the Manchu royal family. It seemed that it was a small passenger plane used by the royal family. The second plane was nothing special, just ordinary military green, painted
It bears the logo of the Beiqing Air Force. This is an ordinary military transport aircraft.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong were invited to board the first plane, and the remaining members of the Nanming delegation were arranged to board the second plane.
The luxurious and comfortable interior decoration of the aircraft also confirmed Xiang Xiaoqiang's judgment. This should be a special aircraft for the royal family of the Northern Qing Dynasty. This was probably specially arranged for Count Xiang Xiaoqiang and Princess Zheng Yucong because of their distinguished status. Others
People who live there can probably only fly on rigid military planes.
Two large planes took off one after another.
…
Once in the sky, Xiang Xiaoqiang could no longer tell the difference between east, west and north. He and Zheng Yuqiang sat on the soft and comfortable sofa, staring blankly at the six Qing soldiers with guns and live ammunition opposite. Those soldiers also sat dumbly.
He stood and looked at them expressionlessly. These Qing soldiers were escorting them on the surface, but they were actually escorting them.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong looked at each other from time to time, neither of them said anything, and their buttocks moved back and forth on the sofa, both of them felt extremely uncomfortable. Xiang Xiaoqiang calculated the time in his heart: Junkers 52, even if the cruising speed is 250 kilometers per hour, Lushun
It’s 800 kilometers to Nanjing and takes a little over three hours.
unless……
Sure enough, what worried Xiang Xiaoqiang the most happened.
After just over an hour, the plane began to land.
Both Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong cried out in their hearts, and stretched out their heads to look down from the portholes. There were mountains below, endless mountains as far as the eye could see. They were definitely not Beijing or Nanjing. There was also a river that meandered through the mountains.
Passing by, but definitely not the Yangtze River.
Where is this?
…
Because it is in the mountains, the airport is not big. However, after Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong got off the plane, they found that this small airport had dozens of fighter jets parked on both sides of the runway, all colored Haidongqing. And there were dozens of them all around.
There are densely packed anti-aircraft gun positions on the top of the mountain, which looks like an extremely dense air defense network.
This mountainous area should be an important military base in Beiqing, right? Or a place where strategic weapons such as train guns are parked?
Zheng Yuqing suddenly whispered:
"What about a plane?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang looked back and saw that the entire runway was empty except for his own large plane. The other plane that carried other members of the mission when it took off from Lushun was now not even a shadow.
Moreover, everything around was empty, the sky was cloudless, not even a small black spot.
A car and two military vehicles were parked beside the runway. A Qing soldier sergeant behind him asked the two of them to get in the car without any expression.
Unlike Lushun, there were only soldiers here, not even an official. Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that he couldn't get anything out of the soldiers, so he got into the car with Zheng Yucong.
There was a military vehicle in front of and behind the car, and the three vehicles were driving on the winding mountain road. From time to time, an anti-aircraft gun emplacement could be seen on both sides. At the bottom of the mountain was the river.
After a while, a large mountain lake appeared beside the river at the foot of the mountain. There were green willows in the lake, and pavilions and pavilions could be faintly seen in the lake. The three cars drove down the road, and after passing numerous checkpoints and checks, they drove on.
After crossing the long embankment in the lake, we soon arrived at a large island in the middle of the lake.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong got out of the car and looked in amazement at the wavy green willows around them and the palace-like balconies in the middle of the island.
The surroundings are very quiet, except for the sweet chirping of birds in the willow forest. The fresh and moist smell of the lake comes in waves, and the cool breeze blows. In the midsummer of August, this place is like an oasis isolated from the scorching heat, making people cool and refreshing.
…
The sergeant said respectfully to Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong:
"Please, the Earl and the Princess, come with me."
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong looked at each other, followed him, and then still looked greedily at the surrounding scenery.
"Ah," Zheng Yucong suddenly whispered, "I know where this is!"
Xiang Xiaoqiang felt nervous for a while:
"where?"
Zheng Yucong lowered his voice and said:
"Summer Resort!...This is Chengde, the summer villa of Emperor Qinglu!...Xiaoqiang, we are probably going to see Emperor Qinglu!"
"ah!"
Xiang Xiaoqiang suddenly realized it, and his mind suddenly became brighter. No wonder Emperor Guangwu asked him to come to Beiqing by name, and then he didn't see him during the negotiation process... He was waiting here!
He could feel Zheng Yucong trembling through the air. He turned his head, and sure enough, Zheng Yucong's face turned red and white, biting his lip, and he couldn't tell whether his expression was fear or excitement.
"Relax, relax..." Xiang Xiaoqiang whispered, "You are the princess of Daming County, and your status is no lower than that kid."
"But he...he is the emperor."
"The emperor is just a ball..." Xiang Xiaoqiang looked around and lowered his voice and said, "The emperor of Qinglu has a lower status than the princess of Ming Dynasty, that's what I said."
…
It was about ten o'clock in the morning. The sergeant took them to a small hall and sat down, and then went out. Two palace ladies wearing Manchu cheongsam and palace clothes came over to serve them tea. Zheng Yuqing looked at the two palace ladies and suddenly spoke
asked:
"Hey, when will your emperor see us?"
The two palace ladies didn't seem to know who they were. They were startled when they heard Zheng Yucong's Nanjing accent. They looked at each other, wondering what to do.
At this time, another palace maid hurried in. She seemed to be of a higher rank. She whispered something to the two palace maids, sent them out, and then smiled at Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong:
"Your Majesty the Earl and the Princess, please be patient. The Emperor is currently handling official business and will give you a banquet at noon. It is still early. If you are interested, you can go sightseeing around with your servants."
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong looked at each other and felt that they were in the right mood. They didn't want to sit here for an hour or two anyway, so they walked out.
…
At 11:30 p.m., the two of them had been touring the lakes and mountains nervously for an hour and a half. At this time, a palace maid came and solemnly announced that the emperor had invited the earl and the princess to have lunch together.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong looked at each other, and their chests suddenly started to beat wildly. But after all, the two of them had noble status, and they both seemed to be in good control. They both nodded and followed the palace maid away generously.
After following the palace maid through the pavilions for a while, I saw a waterside pavilion in front of me, stretching deep into the lake.
The palace maid invited the two of them in, then turned and left.
The water pavilion is more than ten square meters in size, surrounded by water on three sides and rolled up with bamboo curtains. It is very transparent. The cool air on the lake "whirs" through the water pavilion, which is very comfortable. In the middle of the water pavilion is a round red sandalwood table, with only three tables placed around it.
A chair. Several exquisite cold dishes have been arranged on the table, and an enamel wine jug has been placed.
Apart from this, there is no furniture in the waterside pavilion, and there is not a single maid or guard.
The two of them were admiring the scenery in the water pavilion while waiting for the legendary Emperor Guangwu. The surrounding scenery and the elegant layout of the water pavilion were supposed to be very relaxing, but the two of them seemed like a couple in a dark screening room.
It's like a young couple watching a horror movie in a movie. It's tense, exciting, and enjoyable. In short, the mood is incompatible with the environment.
"Hey, Xiaoqiang," Zheng Yucong grabbed Xiang Xiaoqiang's hand, glanced into the distance, and said in a low voice, "Look!!!"
Under the long corridor in the distance, a man wearing a gauze gown and waving a fan slowly walked over, followed by two generals who were half-bent, as if they were reporting something. There was a guard standing every few steps down the corridor.
, when the man in the long gown passed by, the guard stood at attention.
Then, the man in the long gown in front closed his fan, made a gesture, and said something. The two officers behind him immediately stopped and no longer followed. Instead, they bent down and took small steps back. The man in front
I ignored them at all, waving my fan lightly and walking forward slowly, thinking about something.
Suddenly, he accidentally raised his head and saw Xiang Xiaoqiang and Zheng Yucong in the waterside pavilion. The two people here were shuddered, knowing who they were, and stared at him blankly.
The people over there only glanced at them, and without stopping, they turned along the corridor and disappeared behind a rockery.
However, only a few minutes later, people nearby shouted: