Rebellious Minister Part 1

The news that Jing Tingrui was appointed by the emperor to be the commander of the Northern Expedition really shocked the people inside and outside the court. Even the old generals and old princes who usually don't care about political affairs have asked what's going on?

Even if Jing Tingrui captured Special Envoy Garland, it was only a credit. Without the help of the Iron Eagle Knight, he would be helpless alone.

The most important thing is that Jing Tingrui has no achievements in leading troops to fight, how can he be promoted by leapfrogging?

Back then, Ke Weiqing became a general who conquered Lingquan Kingdom from a small Zhonglang general. He passed the national martial arts competition and even took down the traitor Zhao Guowei. It is obvious to all that his defeated opponents were all convincingly defeated.

As for Jing Tingrui, his martial arts were not half as good as Ke Weiqing's back then, nor was he wise enough.

This kind of statement was passed around, and the emperor naturally heard it, but he just smiled and refused to comment.

On the contrary, Empress Ke Weiqing, when she heard Zhang Huzi, who was her deputy general and is now the general of the court, talked about this rumor, she smiled slightly and shook her head, sighing: "You were also there, you should know what happened back then. what happened."

It turned out that at that time Ke Weiqing was criticized just for taking part in the martial arts competition. Although he served as Zhonglang General, everyone regarded him as the emperor's male favourite, and various censures never ceased.

"Those people, because you are the empress now, that's why they confuse the past, let's flaunt it like this." Zhang Huzi said clearly in his heart.

However, recalling that extremely thrilling martial arts competition back then, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "At that time, you really shocked the audience with your skills and were invincible."

Then, he realized that he had made a slip of the tongue, so he hastily clarified: "Of course, you are now in charge of the Six Palaces, Empress, and assisting the emperor, which is even more powerful."

Military generals don't know how to speak official courteous words, especially Zhang Huzi, who was born as a commoner, is even more clumsy at the moment, but Ke Weiqing smiled softly, waved his hands and said, "Why should you be so polite to me? Besides, you are right. It's a thing of the past, even if I have the intention to go to the battlefield now, my body and kung fu are not as good as before, and it's time for the younger generation to go out and make a difference."

"Look at what you said, they seem to be in their 34s and [-]s..." Zhang Huzi couldn't help laughing, because Ke Weiqing is only [-] years old this year, and he is in his prime.

Because of this, some people say that the emperor is not worried about the queen's body, but he can't leave Ke Weiqing's side at all. The two of them are so loving and like glue.

"Hehe." Ke Weiqing asked the eunuch to show Zhang Huzi tea. This is the second round, and then he said comfortingly: "It's just that you have been wronged by such an appointment."

Because Zhang Huzi was very popular, everyone fought for his return, but they would say in private that the post of commander must belong to Zhang Huzi, and he was also a famous general brought out by the empress.

As for the other general, Qingyun, he still has to be the prince's teacher, so I'm afraid there is no time for him.

"Serving the emperor and the country, how can there be any grievances?" Zhang Huzi was straightforward, clasping his fists and said, "It's just that this time he will be stationed in the northern border instead of the vanguard, so it's a bit itchy."

"Since there will be a chance for you to play, Jing Tingrui will ask you to take care of him. After all, he is still a junior and has no actual combat experience. He still needs a lot of support from you."

"Your Majesty, you can rest assured. Speaking of which, the emperor has discerning eyes and will never pick the wrong person. This Huzi naturally understands in his heart." Zhang Huzi got up and knelt down to express his heart.

Ke Weiqing helped him up with his own hands, chatted with Zhang Huzi for a while, and rewarded his wife and daughter with some silk and satin, before saying goodbye to him.

Zhang Huzi has great prestige in the army, if he is willing to submit to Jing Tingrui, then other generals' dissatisfaction with his "jump promotion" will be much lessened.

Ke Weiqing was also a former general, so he naturally knew what kind of difficult situation Jing Tingrui would face, so he came forward to help him, or in other words, relieved some troubles for the emperor.

It's just that on the battlefield, I never pay attention to the set of rules in the palace. As the saying goes, "The general is outside, and the emperor's life is not acceptable." Can it all be resolved?

Ke Weiqing knew this very well.

"Your Majesty, your medicine is ready." A father-in-law came over with a bowl of warm soup.

"Let's put it aside for now." Ke Weiqing said, looking out of the window where the snow was melting, the water under the eaves was dripping like it was raining.

"If Jing Tingrui was there in the martial arts competition back then," Ke Weiqing thought, "maybe there would be me now."

The emperor has been secretly teaching Jing Tingrui and Yan'er to practice the peerless Qinglu swordsmanship for the past few years. Ke Weiqing knew about it, and he also went to see it secretly, just because he knew how amazing Jing Tingrui's strength is. Unfathomable, so it is not surprising that the emperor will choose him as the commander in chief.

And why does the emperor try his best to cultivate Jing Tingrui, the prince's bodyguard.Ke Weiqing knew better in his heart that this was for Ai Qing, and he would have a strong supportive arm when he succeeds to the throne in the future.

Father's love is like a mountain, and Ke Weiqing really feels inferior to the emperor's determination to continue to do so even in the face of criticism from all the officials!

Picking up the medicine bowl, Ke Weiqing was tired of this weak body that always needs to take medicine from time to time to improve. If he still had internal strength, his physical strength would not be so bad.

Sighing to sighing, he still drank the bitter soup with his head up, because he wanted to assist the emperor, protect the prince, and not fall down.

"Your Majesty, the slave has something to report." A eunuch who served the emperor came, his name was Xiao Shanzi, he was Li Deyi's godson, he was also trained by him, and he was very alert.

"What's the matter?" Ke Weiqing put down the medicine bowl, and a maid brought some tea to rinse her mouth.

Xiao Shanzi didn't seem to want others to listen, so he stood up, covered his mouth with his hands, and whispered something into Ke Weiqing's ear.

"What?" Ke Weiqing couldn't help being startled, and wanted to say something, but after all, he just waved his hand, and Xiao Shanzi bowed and retreated, but Ke Weiqing stopped him immediately.

"and many more."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Please, Your Majesty... That's all." Ke Weiqing wanted to say something, but finally heaved a sigh of helplessness.

+ + + + +

A cold spring made the Prince's teacher Wen Chaoyang fall ill, and the Imperial College was on holiday for three days. Aiqing and Jing Tingrui went to visit Wen Taiyu together, and also gave them some cakes from the Imperial Dining Room. The teacher was so moved that he burst into tears. I almost got down on my knees to thank you.

Fortunately, the Beidou imperial doctor said that this is not a serious problem, and it will be cured after drinking a few bowls of anti-cold medicine.

Beidou is a famous doctor, what he said was right, so Aiqing resigned with confidence. Although she had been looking forward to the school holiday, she really didn't have to go to school, but she was also very bored.

The most important thing is that Aiqing originally wanted to take the opportunity of going to school to ask her younger brothers what to do about Jing Tingrui being appointed as the "coach" by her father.

Have a look at this matter or is there any possibility of changing it?The four brothers get together and have nothing else to do, there are always a lot of ghost ideas.

"Your Highness, where are you going?" Jing Tingrui asked seeing that the prince did not intend to return to the East Palace, but instead turned his head and walked towards the south palace gate.

"Go to Yan, and Tianyu and Tianchen to play with." Aiqing didn't look back, but still made great strides forward.

During these days, Aiqing always treated Jing Tingrui like this. Although she spoke, she never looked directly at her.

He clearly knew that Jing Tingrui became the general of the Northern Expedition and was about to leave the East Palace, and it was his father's intention, but he just couldn't let it go, as if he had a lump of iron in his mouth, it was so heavy that he couldn't breathe.

"It's going to rain soon." Jing Tingrui looked at the dark clouds above his head, the wind was so strong that the branches in the courtyard were shaking, and persuaded him, "Let's go another day."

"Even if it's a rock, I'll go!" Ai Qing said, puffing her cheeks.

"Go pass the sedan chair." Jing Tingrui ordered the accompanying eunuchs.

"I don't want to take a sedan chair! I'll just walk!" Aiqing stepped out of the winding corridor, crossed the courtyard, and hopped forward like a little rabbit, as if confronting Jing Tingrui.

Jing Tingrui has no choice but to keep up. No matter how big or fast Aiqing's steps are, Jing Tingrui can keep up. , they fell a lot.

Only Aiqing and Jing Tingrui left in front.

Aiqing looked at it, and it was very close to the Double Star Palace where Tianyu and Tianchen lived. The plaque on the gate of this palace was inscribed by the emperor himself, and it was carved by a skilled craftsman.

Princes can't live in the same palace, but for Tianyu and Tianchen, father is extra merciful, saying that they are the same person and should not live separately.

First there was the magnificent gold plaque, and then Aiqing noticed that there was a large circle of people around the palace gate, all of whom were eunuchs, poking their heads into the palace.

"What are you doing?" Aiqing shouted at them with a smile. Tianyu and Tianchen can always come up with some interesting games. Could it be that they are playing hide-and-seek while they are on vacation?Why are you hiding outside the palace gate?

It's okay to be silent, but with such a cry, those eunuchs were all shocked as if they were struck by lightning, and they turned around, just looking at the yellow clothes on the prince's body, they all fell to their knees on the ground .

One by one, they scrambled to say: "The servants have not seen the crown prince, and have not been able to meet him far away, so please redeem your Highness!"

It is right for a slave to see his master salute, but the eunuchs of the Double Star Palace and the princes often play together, and they don't get along well.In the past, even when kneeling down to worship the crown prince and the prince, they always had a playful smile and were not serious.

Aiqing couldn't help being stunned, blinked her eyes, looked at the shrunken body all over the place, and laughed, "I see, you are colluding with Tianyu and Tianchen again, are you trying to fool me?"

A bolder eunuch lowered his head and replied softly: "No, the younger ones are all newly transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs..."

"A newcomer?" Ai Qing nodded, "No wonder you're afraid of me, get up, I'm not carnivorous, just ask Xiao Chunzi and they will know."

But no matter what Aiqing said, the eunuchs didn't dare to get up. They didn't get up until Aiqing repeatedly stated that they would not punish them, and they retreated like a tide in fear.

"Which play is this playing? It's so strange." Aiqing shrugged. Seeing that the heavy rain was about to fall, he stepped into the palace gate. caught.

"Don't go in." Jing Tingrui's voice was very deep, like thunder in the sky.

"Why? Even you have become so strange." Ai Qing was a little angry, "Let me go."

"Your Highness!" Jing Tingrui persisted.

At this moment, she heard a sound of ping-pong-pong, and Aiqing looked inside, and a group of Imperial Forest Army armed with weapons came out. They escorted many people, all of whom were eunuchs, with chains around their necks and ankles. .

This sound was made when they were walking, and Xiaochunzi was the first one, his face was pale, he was lost, and his eyes were red from crying.

Never seen such a terrifying scene, Ai Qing couldn't help but widen her eyes, her heart was pounding with nervousness!

Ai Qing wanted to go in and ask what happened, what mistake did they make?It was still good yesterday!Jing Tingrui didn't let him in.

"Don't stop me!" Aiqing struggled desperately, the leader of the Imperial Forest Army saw the prince and stood still to salute.

The eunuchs who were locked up all cried, knelt down and yelled, and kowtowed vigorously, "I don't want to die, please forgive me, Your Highness the Crown Prince!" It was miserable for a while.

The bean-sized raindrops poured down, and the imperial guards pulled the chain fiercely, dragging them away from the prince, and drove them out of the double star palace, all the way to the north.

"Why...they begged me for mercy..." Standing in the rain, Aiqing looked at the group of people walking away, shook Jing Tingrui's hand, and said in a trembling voice: "Why...?!"

"Because you are the crown prince," Jing Tingrui said, seemingly unwilling, "Although it is cruel, it is a fact that they disrespected you, that's why the emperor ordered them to be executed..."

Aiqing is the crown prince, the future emperor of Dayan, if he is despised by the little eunuch, wouldn't it be messed up?Also, they used snowballs to attack the prince, and this act alone can be executed.

Coupled with the various "disrespect" these slaves had shown to the prince in the past, they were almost on an equal footing with Aiqing, so it was only natural that the emperor would be angry.Because this is really detrimental to the prestige of the country.

"I don't care if they respect me or not!" Aiqing gasped anxiously: "I want to play with them! If they want to be punished, I should be punished! What have you got to do with them?!"

"But the emperor cares, you are the prince of Yan after all..." Jing Tingrui had noticed early in the morning that the emperor was dissatisfied with the servants of the Double Star Palace, but he did not expect that he would kill him for it.

However, in the emperor's heart, if this move can set things right and establish the prestige of the prince, what's the point of killing a few eunuchs?Jing Tingrui understood the emperor's intention very well.

This trick is called killing chickens and respecting monkeys, but in all honesty, Jing Tingrui thinks that he is the one who is "most disrespectful" to the prince.As long as his affection for the prince exceeds the righteousness of a monarch and his ministers, it is like walking on the edge of a knife, and he will die as soon as possible because of it.

But, even so, he has no regrets.

"I don't want to be like this...I don't want anyone to die for me..." Aiqing repeated this sentence repeatedly, tears filled her eyes, Jing Tingrui covered his eyes and hugged him into his arms.

"Please don't be too sad, let's go back, this matter will be handled by the emperor." Jing Tingrui gently persuaded, "This is not your fault, nor their fault, nor the emperor's fault, the fault lies in This is the Dayan Palace, a place where everyone needs to perform their duties, and there should be no mistakes or omissions or overreach of authority."

"Rarui...so, should I just watch them die like this? Or, should I just smile and send you to the battlefield for adventure? Because I am the prince, and you...are the servant of the emperor, I can't resist...otherwise , Will more people die..." Aiqing leaned on Jing Tingrui's shoulder, and after saying these words, she couldn't help crying.

"Your Highness, don't cry, and don't be afraid." Jing Tingrui held Aiqing's face, kissed his forehead, carefully wiped away his tears, and promised again: "With your concern, how dare a humble official die so easily, No matter whether you go to the battlefield or hell, you will come back alive!"

Aiqing didn't answer, her little nose kept sucking, but he nodded and buried his head in Jing Tingrui's arms, "I don't want to cry anymore..."

On this day, Aiqing finally realized how heavy his status as "Prince" is. His words and deeds are related to the lives of people around him.

He has grown up, he is already 11 years old, there is no way he can get those few lives from his father just by playing with his temper as a child.

And Jing Tingrui also understood that if he wanted to stay by the prince's side for the rest of his life, he couldn't just walk on the edge of the knife forever and let others decide his own life and death.

He must become strong.No, it's very strong. He needs to gain vital military power, so he can get the chance to protect Aiqing.

However, Jing Tingrui didn't know that when he decided to climb up, he was also challenging the imperial power, which would cause many bloody storms. In the future, no matter what he wanted in his heart, he would be farther and farther away from his original intention...

+ + + + +

On the eighth day of March, after the annual spring plowing ceremony was held, the emperor decided the day to raise troops in Jialan, which would be on the third day of the next month.

At the ceremony, Jing Tingrui was appointed as the commander of the Northern Expedition at the same time, and received a black iron seal letter "Jiazi" from the leader.There is a saying that goes, "Every kindness of a meal must be repaid, and the resentment of Yazi must be repaid." Yazi is an example of overcoming all evil.

And Jialan Kingdom is Dayan's old enemy, and it must be eradicated!

Wang An, the director of the Shaofu who was in charge of weapon production, took this opportunity to present a complete set of utensils, including bows, crossbows, knives, spears, general armor, shields, etc., a total of fifty pieces. carriage.

The workmanship of each of these things is extremely exquisite, and the handle of the weapon is engraved with the word "Jing" in ancient style, which makes people feel majestic just looking at it.

This is something that everyone in the palace talks about.

Now, when seeing Jing Tingrui in the Eastern Palace, the maids and eunuchs would bow down to the general, and even his father, Prince Jing, had to bow to show respect when he saw him.

On the other hand, Jing Tingrui himself acted the same way as before. He did not wear the fancy clothes provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but was still dressed as a bodyguard, guarding the prince rigorously.

He waited until His Royal Highness rested before he went to deal with military affairs.Some people admire him for his boundless energy, and say that he is a formidable young man.

As the date of the expedition approached, the prince's mind became more and more erratic. Seeing the maid secretly making some insect repellent sachets for Jing Tingrui, he also wanted to make something.

I wanted to embroider a sachet with a large "Jing" character, but all ten fingers were pricked with blood, and I didn't finish embroidering even one horizontal line, and the brocade cloth was also dirty. Aiqing was so annoyed that she shredded the cloth with scissors , saying that his hands are too stupid,

In order to get angry, I had to prepare a gift. Yan felt sorry for Ai Qing's finger, so he suggested that he could order the craftsman to rush to make a high-quality emerald jade pendant, and let Jing Tingrui take it with him to keep him safe.

After hearing this, Aiqing liked it very much, but she always felt that it was better and more caring for a craftsman to do it by herself.

"As long as it was given by you, he should be so happy, why bother to get it by himself, in case he hurts his hand again..." Yan Xin felt jealous, and said from the side.

"You don't know how exquisite and cute the things sent by the maids are. I can't compare to my craftsmanship, only my heart." Aiqing said while picking out the jade sent by the eunuch.

"You are the crown prince, can you compare with the court ladies? However, those girls are really, forgot that they are the emperor's women? You are not afraid of being punished for stuffing other men." Yan complained.

"Is the elder sister of the maid from the emperor's family?" This is the first time Ai Qing has heard this statement.

"Yes and no, anyway, it was stipulated by the ancestors." Yan was vague, not wanting Aiqing to know too much about this kind of men and women, so he leaned over to help pick jade, "I think this is the one, big enough."

What Yan held in his hand was a piece of emerald the size of a palm, green in color, flawless, with a jewel-like luster.

"Well, that's all!" Speaking of which, Jing Tingrui is a tiger, so let's carve a little tiger!The tiger is full of power, and it will definitely destroy the enemy!

Aiqing was very motivated. He asked the master craftsman of the Silver Bureau to guide him. He first cut with knives and wire saws, and then polished it with sand and stone. The injured finger bled again. He gritted his teeth and went to bed The medicine, after wrapping the fingers, continued to work, even the craftsman couldn't stand it, and said he wanted to help the master carve, but he waved them back.

Alone, Aiqing struggled for five days before carving the jade pendant and putting on the rope, it was considered finished.

"Yan, come over and take a look, what do you think?" Aiqing showed Yan first with her favorite work.

"This...hahaha!" Unexpectedly, Yan burst out laughing as soon as he saw it, holding his belly.

"What are you doing! What a nuisance!" Aiqing blushed, grabbed the jade pendant and walked out, who knew that when she walked out of the banking bureau, she ran into Jing Tingrui who came to look for him.

"Your Highness, what are you doing in the workshop these days?" Six days ago, Jing Tingrui was ordered by the crown prince to train soldiers for a few days without accompanying him.

However, Jing Tingrui was still worried, so he came to look for the prince during his afternoon break.

When Aiqing saw Jing Tingrui, her face turned even redder. After hesitating for a long time, she decided to leave.

"It's nothing, I won't come here again." Aiqing turned her head and walked out of the courtyard.

"Wait." Jing Tingrui took Aiqing's hand and grabbed it, "What happened to your hand?"

"It hurts so much." Aiqing yelled, and the jade pendant she was holding in her other hand fell to the ground.

"What is this?" Jing Tingrui bent down to pick it up, but Aiqing quickly stopped him, but Jing Tingrui picked it up before he could catch it due to his small size.

"You can't look at it, give it back to me!" Aiqing was in a hurry, because Jing Tingrui carried it in the air, and examined it carefully under the sun.

The more Aiqing bounced around, trying to take back the jade pendant, Jing Tingrui raised her arm higher, narrowing her black eyes slightly, staring at the jade pendant intently.

Afterwards, he lowered his head, looked at Ai Qing who was blushing, and asked softly, "Your Highness, do you dare to ask if this is for a humble official?"

The word "Ruirui" is engraved on the back of the jade pendant. Although the gestures are a bit rough and the shades are different, it can still be seen.

"I know my craftsmanship is not as good as the craftsmen's, and it's not as good as the sachet given to you by the maid." In this case, Aiqing went all out, turned her face to the side, looked at the flowers and plants, and muttered: " But anyway, if there are many jade materials, I will look at them carefully, if you want, just take them."

"This little pig is very cute... I like it very much." Jing Tingrui smiled, bent down, and looked at Aiqing.

"It's a tiger! It's not a pig!" Aiqing defended. He finally understood what Yan was laughing at just now. The tiger's nose was engraved a little bigger and rounded, which looked exactly like a pig's nose, but there was still a smudge on its forehead. There is a "king" engraved on it. Isn't this obviously a tiger?

"Ah, it's a humble job!" Jing Tingrui admitted his mistake, reached out to hold Ai Qing's hand, and kept apologizing: "It's all bad for a low job, and it hurt your hand."

"It's good to know, well, but I still want to punish you." Aiqing raised her head and said.

"The lowly position is willing to accept the crime."

"I-I will punish you to return all those things!" Ai Qing said solemnly.

"Those things?" Jing Tingrui couldn't understand.

"Even the sachets and embroidered handkerchiefs they gave you a few days ago, it would be cumbersome for you to take on the battlefield, wouldn't it? Why don't you return it to the original owner and give it back to the maid sister?" Although Ai Qing is not such a stingy person , but when thinking of Jing Tingrui taking the things from the maid with him, he always feels uncomfortable.

In addition, as Yan said, Aiqing also cared about the fact that the court lady is the emperor's woman. He was worried that this matter might be detrimental to Jing Tingrui and the court lady sister.

He never wanted to see anyone hurt again.

"Oh, you mean Xiaotao and the others, if they find out about their humble positions, they will return it immediately." Jing Tingrui didn't want to accept their gifts at first, but after he left the palace, these people were the closest to the crown prince, so he took the opportunity to accept the gifts. If there is an opportunity, tell them to serve the prince well and be careful in everything.

And those sachets, he didn't bring them with him, but they were all stuffed in the cabinet.

"You don't need to do it immediately, anyway, you can figure it out." Aiqing nodded, and smiled happily when she saw Jing Tingrui tied the jade pendant on her belt.

"Your Highness, can you make an agreement with the humble official?"

"what?"

"Until you come back from the humble position, you must stay in the palace obediently so as not to cause trouble."

"Look at what you say, like how bad I am."

"Because you are not bad, I feel a little worried about my lowly position." Aiqing's "causing trouble" is mostly out of good intentions, such as this jade pendant, if the emperor knows that the craftsman let the prince do rough work, I am afraid that the craftsman will inevitably be punished.

"I don't understand what you're saying." Aiqing shook her head, "However, I will listen to my father and father, study hard, and take good care of my brother and sister. You can go to war with peace of mind and come back victorious as soon as possible."

"Yes." Jing Tingrui knelt down on one knee, reached out to hold Aiqing's hand, and solemnly placed a vowed kiss on the back of his hand.

"Ruirui..." Aiqing's entire face turned red, and even the roots of her ears seemed to be on fire, exuding a burst of heat. Jing Tingrui's drooping eyelashes and straight nose bridge were so pretty.

Presumably, the most powerful craftsman in the world could not carve such a handsome face.

And the feeling of those soft lips touching the back of his hand was so hot.

This feeling is deeply burned into Aiqing's soul, making his heart beat around Jing Tingrui all the time.

Even if he left this time, it was surprising—for three whole years, this enthusiasm has never faded away...