Bright Spring

The sound of ritual and music and footsteps were loud, and teams of people walked past Hongwumen continuously. Zhu Gaoxu did not speak for a while, and even if he did, everyone could not hear clearly.Amidst the bustle, only the loud salutes of the officials of Honglu Temple and the yelling of the generals could be heard.Every team passed by, Zhu Gaoxu greeted each other with the soldiers.

The majestic Hongwu Gate, the civil buildings hanging on the top of the mountain, the carved doors and windows, and the Hanfu of the people are all antique scenery.However, the military uniforms of the soldiers below Zhu Gaoxu have a modern atmosphere; the spring cold guns they are equipped with are only arquebus guns, but with bright wrought iron barrels and wooden butts, at least they look, indeed, look serious Gun|support.At this moment, there seemed to be a different atmosphere outside the imperial city.

The combination of classical and modern atmosphere, Zhu Gaoxu did not find it abrupt at all, perhaps he had already accepted such a scene in his memory.

There is a civil servant behind Zhu Gaoxu who is actually sitting on the ground struggling to paint, leaving the scene at this moment on the paper.

Unexpectedly, there was a "rumbling" thunder from the sky, followed by a bean-sized torrential rain, which finally fell from the clouds.The civil servant who painted the painting hurriedly began to collect the paintings.The sound of "squeaking..." rain between the sky and the earth became more and more noisy, and the people onlookers were in a state of confusion. Many people got up and squeezed under the eaves to hide from the rain.

The eunuchs quickly moved the umbrella cover over to cover Zhu Gaoxu from the rain.At this time, Zhu Gaoxu looked back at the eunuchs, shook his head slightly, shook the reins, and walked forward into the rainy field again.Because the soldiers also had nothing to hide, he didn't want to make an appearance that was too elegant.

The ranks of marines on the street have not changed in the slightest, and it is impossible for these elite soldiers to be scattered by a rain in front of the emperor.In the hustle and bustle of the atmosphere, there was a shout at some point, and then the soldiers shouted "Long Live" to Zhu Gaoxu in the rain.

The rain quickly flowed down Zhu Gaoxu's face along the brim of his hat, but he still held his fists, saluted the passing soldiers, and looked directly at each soldier, paying attention to the faces of the passing soldiers.

The people in front of them are all young and middle-aged men, well-nourished and strong, well-equipped, and in good military appearance.Even people who don't know the art of war should be able to see that the members of the navy are elite officers and soldiers.

The Han soldiers and civilians were usually more obedient, but after the imperial court allocated enough military funds to send the regular army to sea expeditions, no one resisted.

Because of the high risk of going to sea, most of the merchant ships and warships at sea in the past were exiles and recruited refugees as sailors.And this time the Ming army marched to the sea, using regular Beijing camp officers and soldiers.Perhaps the price is not small, but Zhu Gaoxu thinks it should be worth it.

After all the troops passed through the Hongwu Gate one after another, Zhu Gaoxu turned his horse's head and headed towards the corridor of the city gate.His whole body was drenched by the rain long ago.

When he entered the city tower, eunuchs and maids came immediately with dry clothes. The eunuch Wang Jinghong persuaded, "The emperor's dragon body is important, let the servants wait and change clothes."

But Zhu Gaoxu immediately refused, "It's just raining. I'm going to go to the university field to give lectures in a while, and I'm going to get wet soon after changing clothes. Why bother?"

Wang Jinghong looked distressed, as if his own father had been caught in the rain, and continued to persuade him.

Zhu Gaoxu was already a little impatient, so he ordered, "Go and bring me a cup of hot tea, and we will set off after drinking the tea."

Wang Jinghong had no choice but to bow and say, "Your servant will go right away."

All the civil and military officials went into the city tower to worship, and it was inevitable to sing their praises again.Most of the civil servants in the Ming Dynasty were in good health, and they always took pride in overcoming difficulties. For example, on rainy days, they would come to court early before dawn. If the emperor did not go to court early, they would not be satisfied, so it should be a problem for everyone to get wet in the rain. not big.

After a while, Wang Jinghong came in with tea in his hands.Zhu Gaoxu saw that the important ministers were all present, so he said, "Wang Jinghong is still the chief envoy of the navy who went to Hainan this time. He has rich experience. The rest are the eunuch Meng Ji and others as deputy."

Officials chimed in.Wang Jinghong kowtowed to "the slave and maidservant lead the decree."

Zhu Gaoxu went on to say, "Tang Jing, Wang Heng, Lin Zixuan, Hu Jun, and Ha Tong will be the generals. The envoys will use Liu Ming and let him go south to make up for his mistakes."

Chen E, who was promoted to the official position of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, immediately came out and said, "I report to the emperor that Liu Ming is a criminal. He has been dismissed from office and is waiting for interrogation at home."

Zhu Gaoxu said, "I know. However, I have sent someone to find out that his relatives broke the law, and Liu Ming didn't know about it. Even so, Liu Ming still couldn't get rid of the responsibility, so I let him take the crime and make meritorious service. Everyone knows, compared to the capital It is safe and comfortable, and it is not a good job to go overseas. Think about Qian Xili, the people who went to Chenla last time. Maybe there are still officials with Jinshi background who are willing to serve as envoys, but who has Liu Ming who has been sent to Chenla many times? Overseas experience? I just want to do everything I can.”

Minister of the Ministry of War Qi Tai, Minister of Dali Temple Gao Xianning and other ministers came out to second the proposal one after another.So the rest of the senior officials had nothing to say, and Chen E also withdrew to the team.

end of this chapter)

Chapter 871 The Immortals Gather

Summer rainstorms come and go quickly.The noisy sound of the rain has disappeared, the world has returned to tranquility, and only the silent drizzle is left in the air, fluttering in the breeze.

Horses and chariots like dragons gradually appeared outside the Hongwu Gate, and a mighty guard of honor took to the street. General Jin Yiwei, guard cavalry, and hundreds of civil and military officials all came out of the city.The traveling group of people marched towards the Zhengyang Gate in the south.

After the heavy rain, the street buildings are very damp, and water has accumulated on the road surface, and the water flows into the sun ditches and drainage channels like streams.The horse's hooves stepped on the brick floor, and water splashed everywhere.

Emperor Zhu Gaoxu didn't ride in the car, he was still riding a horse surrounded by people of all kinds.Eunuch Wang Jinghong, as a close attendant, also accompanied him on horseback.

Wang Jinghong is a great eunuch. Not only does he often show his face in front of the imperial court, he is also the highest-ranking envoy after the navy goes to sea; he is obviously a well-received figure outside.But Wang Jinghong kept his posture very low by Zhu Gaoxu's side, never daring to forget his true identity, which was the emperor's domestic slave.Since he is a domestic slave, he naturally has to do errands such as leading horses, serving servants, and serving tea and water.

The large group of people left Zhengyangmen, and it was not far from the Dajiaochang.There are more and more houses in the capital, but no one has ever dared to plan for this large school land.

The navy officers and soldiers had gathered in formation at the Dajiao Field, and the muddy grass was crowded with people and the banners were like clouds.Officials and Jinyiwei have set up thrones and guards of honor in the north.

But just as Wang Jinghong expected, Zhu Gaoxu didn't intend to get off his horse, so he rode straight to the formation.A group of officials, guards and attendants hurriedly patted their horses to follow.

The countless pairs of eyes of the soldiers were all focused on the approaching emperor.Today Zhu Gaoxu is wearing a navy uniform, which seems to be approved by the soldiers.

Many Jinyiwei officers and soldiers applauded and shuttled between the various formations, and stood scattered around the formation.Wang Jinghong could see clearly that those Jinyi guards wanted to repeat the emperor's precepts.

The generals in the army saluted Zhu Gaoxu who was riding a horse, saying long live.Zhu Gaoxu rode through the crowd for a while, then reined in his horse and stood where he was.The entourage also stopped one after another.

The horse the emperor was riding was not very quiet. He was still kicking his hooves in place, circling in all directions, shaking the horse's head from time to time, and splashing the rain in all directions.No one said anything, and Zhu Gaoxu seemed to be pondering his words. He behaved very naturally, looking at people's faces, as if he cared about the soldiers.

When Zhu Gaoxu gave lectures, he never asked people to write articles, and he seldom spoke classical Chinese. They were all vernacular, which was very popular among the soldiers.Wang Jinghong, who was in the distance behind him, also reined in and waited.

After a while, Zhu Gaoxu finally looked left and right, and said angrily, "Looking back at the past, we have passed the torch from generation to generation, struggling to survive under the iron hooves of the Huns, Wuhu, and Mongols. The history of China is a history of blood and tears." , we are being bullied all the time.”

He waited for a while, waiting for Jin Yiwei to spread the words over and over again, and then said, "Now we are in a prosperous age, and the Ming Dynasty is strong and strong, and the army is strong. At this time, can we allow Fanbang to insult my dignity and trample on my dignity?"

The soldiers around were in an uproar, shouting, "No! You can't..."

Zhu Gaoxu had just opened his mouth to say a few words, and the silent school ground was immediately lit up, shouts came and went, and there was a commotion in all directions.Many soldiers also raised their guns.

"Absolutely not!" Zhu Gaoxu shouted loudly, "The sinner who killed my envoy, the monster, the ghost, and the young man, even though he is thousands of miles away, I will let the officers and soldiers go and crush him."

There was a long quarrel on the wide flat ground.Zhu Gaoxu gradually slowed down his tone, and said kindly, "We have never been like some tribes, who burn|kill and loot at every turn, but we have always treated people generously and loved peace.

I went to the West twice on a sea ship to make friends with foreign feudal vassals and exchange needs.The doctors accompanying the army learned that there were many local diseases in Chenla, so they kindly poured medicinal materials into the river and treated countless local natives; even when the natives saw my sails, they regarded me as a god.The officers and soldiers have never killed innocent people indiscriminately, but they have shown more kindness without asking for anything in return.But how did the Chenla people repay us?Should the court use force to suppress those treacherous enemy countries? "

All the troops shouted in response, "It should be..." This time the shouts were much more orderly, with bursts of shouts from far and near, and the momentum was overwhelming.

Zhu Gaoxu remained silent for a while, and waited for the soldiers to calm down a little before continuing to speak.Every two or three sentences he said, he paused for a while.At this time, his tone became more calm and calm, as if he was reasoning with people.

Court officials and generals generally do not reason with soldiers and warriors, but Zhu Gaoxu seems to like trying to let everyone understand why they are fighting.

"In ancient times, canoes could not cross rivers and rivers, but today's sea-going ships can reach thousands of miles away. The exchanges between countries in the world will become more and more frequent in the future. My Ming Dynasty prides itself on the heavenly state, the central dynasty, the territory of thousands of miles, and the subjects Billion trillion. But if you can't even control the sea surface of Shenzhou, just sit and watch the surrounding small states jump up and down and do whatever they want, is it plausible?

You brothers are all young, strong and good men of the Ming Dynasty. I sent you to conquer the enemy country to affirm the status and majesty of the Ming Dynasty in the sea; to control Malacca, an important sea pass, and to establish ports, official shops, fortress.In this way, we can guarantee our strategic presence in the ocean.

Our court not only wants to fight in the northern grasslands and western deserts, but also builds national defense in the southern seas, expands strategic depth, avoids the same mistakes of being plundered and killed, and uses this to enrich the country and strengthen the army, and glorify the ancestors.The merits of the general plan will last for thousands of years, brothers and sisters who are loyal to the country, I will reward you for your merits, and you will not hesitate to confer titles and worship ministers, gold, silver and treasures..."

"Long live the emperor!" Someone shouted, and the soldiers of all ministries shouted one after another, and the voices of the crowd once again enveloped the open sky.Zhu Gaoxu couldn't continue his lecture for a while.

Zhu Gaoxu thought for a moment, then grabbed the reins and turned the horse's head back, and said to a general, "Let's pass on the order, everyone doesn't need to be trained today, and all the soldiers are asked to return to the barracks to take a bath and change clothes, so as to recharge their batteries."

The general clasped his fists and said, "I have orders!"

"Drive!" Zhu Gaoxu yelled, and rode to the north of the school grounds.Wang Jinghong and a large group of people around also kicked their horses to follow and left the place.

Wang Jinghong turned his head and took a look. Seeing the guard of honor with the umbrella cover in the north, he thought that the arrangement of the Department of Rites and Guards was obviously in vain...

The mighty people returned to the imperial city, Wang Jinghong was not on duty today, so he left the emperor's team.In fact, the time he was on duty with the emperor was relatively short.

There were few, most of them were Wang Gui Cao Fu and his gang wandering around the emperor.

After Wang Jinghong walked out of the Xihua Gate, another gate tower appeared in the long palace wall in a short while. It was the "West Up South Gate" that opened to the south.He walked through the gate tower, and a large area of ​​houses in the south was like a city, with streets and alleys, and even shops for buying and selling daily expenses. This was the place where eunuchs lived and worked, and they were called the prisons of the inner palace.