Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

However, Zhao Zeyong finished the warm sweet soup in one go and said, "Not bad. How do you feel?"

"It's, it's not bad." Rong Youtang took back the bamboo tube, wondering whether to laugh or cry, and asked doubtfully, "Your Highness is very hungry? Could it be that you haven't had dinner yet?"

It is rare to see King Qing touch sweets, and the sweet soup in the palace is specially prepared for the Ninth Prince.

Guo Da also frowned and asked, "Could it be that His Highness the Eighth Prince is still hungry?"

Zhao Zeyong said worriedly: "Lizheng made meat porridge for him, but his hand hurts and he has no appetite. He has to send a cook over tomorrow."

"Then you also drink porridge?"

Zhao Zeyong shook his head: "I don't care about it. Xiaoba lives there, so he must arrange it properly. It's his first time to leave the palace, so I don't understand."

"Oh." Guo Da crossed his arms.Even cousins ​​who are as close as life and death, can't be outspoken, some words are difficult to speak.

"These meals are all hot, we still have to call the kitchen—" Rong Youtang pointed at the carbon cage.

"No need." Zhao Zeyong said softly, "Those are fine."

Guo Da was not feeling well, but he still felt sorry for his cousin who was hungry and busy until late at night. He helped to bring the food to the table, but the force of putting the plate was a little heavy.

"Come." Rong Youtang pushed the chopsticks and spoons wrapped in handkerchiefs over.

Zhao Zeyong picked up the chopsticks, but looked at his cousin and asked, "Xiaoer, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Guo Da replied with a straight face, lowered his head and curled his lips. He was so big, but he squatted on the pony and put his hands on the carbon cage to warm up.

Zhao Zeyong smiled, knowing his cousin's personality well, stopped asking, and bowed his head to eat.

Rong Youtang counted silently in his heart: one, two, three... nine——

really!

Guo Da endured it for a while, then couldn't bear it anymore, frowned and said: "Since the Eighth Highness is injured, he wants to rest, but how can the northern suburbs have the conditions? Go to Lizheng's house to borrow a kang tonight, transfer a cook tomorrow, and invite some people the next day." Imperial doctor...how is this right? Fangjia Village has already started to demolish houses, the noise is overwhelming, the dust is flying, people come and yell, it is not a place to recuperate! In my opinion, even if you don’t go back to the palace, you can go back to the palace. It should be." Guo Da had a serious face and a sonorous tone.

"Mr. Guo is right." Rong Youtang agreed seriously, and reminded: "After the villagers have moved out in two days, Lizheng's house will also be demolished. Follow-up shipments are smooth.”

"Exactly!" Guo Da said in awe-inspiring tone.

Zhao Zeyong raised his head, about to put down the bowl and chopsticks——

"You eat first, eat first!" Rong Youtang hurriedly apologized, "I just said it casually."

Guo Da resentfully said: "Don't worry, they're all staying anyway. I just said it casually."

"Hmm." Zhao Zeyong smiled.

After the meal, put the food box in the corner, and the kitchen will come to collect it.

The commander and generals did not return to the city, but stayed in the camp overnight, and the people below were very busy: adding charcoal basins, delivering bedding, and boiling several basins of water on the stove.

"Oh~" Guo Da casually threw his robe on the quilt, got into the quilt, pillowed his arm, squinted his eyes comfortably, and said, "Brother Rong, let me have a cup of tea when the tea is ready."

"Okay." Rong Youtang fiddled with the small tea stove, said with a smile: "This thing is actually quite convenient, but it's been here for so long, and I've only used it two or three times. Look, you can add things to cook as you like."

"What did you add?" Guo Da asked lazily.The bedding is placed directly in the outer tent, which is his own arrangement, just like in the northwest.

"Jasmine slices and Longjing."

"Sounds interesting."

In the weather where the dripping water turns into ice, the thick tent curtains are blown by the wind, and the corners are flying.

There was a layer of dust on their bodies, but the conditions were simple, and the few people only boiled hot water to scrub and changed into clean clothes.

"What you just said is exactly what this king thinks." Zhao Zeyong took the initiative to mention it, with some headaches: "But Xiaoba doesn't want to go back, so he can't be tied up and thrown into the carriage."

"Then what should we do?" Guo Da said anxiously: "His Majesty is supposed to come to visit the camp these days. If you don't know, you think we treat His Highness the Eighth Highness harshly and make him live in a cottage!"

"Not at all." Zhao Zeyong said with a smile: "Xiaoba can't hide this matter, tomorrow morning there will be three memorials to the father, mainly depends on his old man's wishes."

Rong Youtang was a little apprehensive, and blurted out: "Will Your Majesty blame us for not taking good care of us?"

"Huh?" Zhao Zeyong raised his eyebrows, and calmly said: "If you want to blame it, you also blame the king. However, no one can guarantee that everything will be safe when you go out to practice in the palace. There are many risks, and the father understands in his heart."

The timing was just right, and Rong Youtang took advantage of the opportunity to explain in detail what happened when they split up, as an explanation, so that King Qing would not be confused.

"What are you afraid of?" Guo Da lay on the bed with his neck curled up, and muttered, "When I was in the northwest, it was ten times more dangerous than here. Who hasn't broken a few bones? You have to carry it, just grit your teeth and pass."

Zhao Zeyong just pretended that his cousin was talking in his sleep, and he had no choice but to tell Rong Youtang: "Tell the few people who were looking for the person together at that time: this king knows that you have worked hard, and will give you a credit. But after all, Xiao Ba was seriously injured. Although the people who followed were arranged by him to leave, it is not appropriate to commend you on the surface, and it can only be counted as merit and demerit. We will find an opportunity to reward you in the future."

Rong Youtang sighed with emotion: "As soon as we heard that His Royal Highness fell and broke a bone, we were all frightened. How could we even think about rewarding him?"

Zhao Zeyong focused his eyes and said with a smile: "Can I still push you out?"

Rong Youtang looked at each other, hesitated to speak, suddenly ran out of words, bowed his head and hurriedly made tea.He was absent-minded, and the tongs were clicking back and forth in several small porcelain cups, randomly picking up something, and he was about to put it into the tea soup.

"Do you want to put tangerines?" Zhao Zeyong raised his hand to block it.The two sat opposite each other, with a small tea stove in between.

"Don't let it go." Rong Youtang shook his head subconsciously, but when he returned to his senses and looked down, he found that he was holding a tangerine... He collected himself and put it back in place as if nothing had happened.

after a while

"Mr. Guo, do you want some tea?" Rong Youtang greeted and asked.

However, there was no response from the bedding in the sheltered corner, and the snoring gradually started.

"Xiaoer fell asleep." Zhao Zeyong turned his head to look at him.

Rong Youtang said with a smile: "After drinking warm and warm, you can just rest."

"What about you?"

"I'm going to look for Brother Wei, there are always a few people in their house who are going back to the city after taking a rest." Rong Youtang replied.

Zhao Zeyong looked around, looked at the back tent, then looked at the front tent, fell silent, intending to keep the other party behind, but unfortunately the place was too inappropriate.

But Rong Youtang drank the tea in twos and twos, hurriedly packed the tea utensils, and said sleepily: "Your Highness, I don't have any instructions, I want to go to sleep."

The candlestick is placed on the corner of the square table, and the figure is cast obliquely on the tent cloth, sitting and bending down, inseparable, like a sitting posture.

Really want you to stay.

But it is not possible for the time being.

"Wait." Zhao Zeyong walked into the back tent, and took out two blankets from the cabinet. One was laid on his cousin when he passed by, and the other was handed to Rong Youtang: "There is no heating kang in their room, don't be cold." Broke you."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Rong Youtang took it.

Neither of them moved for a moment.

The strong wind was blowing outside, and the corners of the tent curtains were slapped on the pillars, making a loud "crack" sound!Rong Youtang woke up like a dream, turned around and hurried out with the blanket in his arms, without looking back, he said: "You rest, I'm leaving."

"Okay." Zhao Zeyong stayed where he was, and watched him off in a low voice.

——If you don’t leave, you won’t be able to leave tonight.

-

next morning

It is rare to have a two-day break. After the trivial troubles in the early stage of the kitchen are resolved, only supervision is required in the later stage.

Rong Youtang huddled in the borrowed bedding, wrapped in a fluffy blanket, and slept soundly even though the guards in the same room had rough hands and feet and rattled.

Until Wei Jie came back after breakfast.

"Brother Rong? Brother Rong?" Wei Jie shouted several times.

"..." Rong Youtang curled up like a shrimp, without any response.

"The miscellaneous grain steamed buns steamed in the kitchen this morning are fragrant and soft, and there is also millet soup. Hurry up and eat."

"Forget it, let him sleep, he has been working hard day and night, and it is rare for him to rest for two days in school." Chen Ji, who went into the water with Wei Jie to save people last night, stopped him.

"I'm just teasing him. This kid sleeps all night without turning over. He probably didn't respond when he was carried away." Wei Jie couldn't help laughing, with a knife across his waist.

Several personal guards who came back from duty took off their sweaty boots and put on the ones that were dried in front of the firepit one after another. The sudden eruption of the smell made Rong Youtang wake up gradually.

Chen Ji said distressedly: "That person is really hard to serve, he doesn't even eat chicken soup and noodles, but our Highness still eats steamed buns with mixed grains."

"I'm going back to the mansion right now, bring a cook, and bring some fresh vegetables and meat. If I don't make it for lunch, it will definitely be bad." Another guard sighed and shook his head.

Rong Youtang was half asleep and half awake, thinking in a daze: Who are they talking about?

"Of course the villages in the outskirts can't compare to the palace. It's good to have hot soup and food."

Chen Ji complained in a low voice: "I didn't sleep almost all night last night, serving tea and water to relieve myself!"

"Isn't it? Then it can be tossed?"

"Our Highness never does that. We want to serve, but he won't let us."

Chen Ji was rather gloating: "It's a shift change, I'll take a half day's rest, which one of you will go to Lizheng's house?"

They are discussing the Eighth Prince!Rong Youtang was completely awake, but he couldn't interrupt suddenly, so he could only pretend to be asleep in embarrassment.

Wei Jie patted the saber: "Xiao Lizi and I, what's the matter? Do you want to change?"

Chen Ji shook his head immediately, and firmly refused, "Are you kidding me? I need to catch up on sleep, and I have to serve at night."

"Don't worry, it's definitely only temporary. If you stay here for a long time, His Highness will definitely transfer servants from the mansion. We are not full-time servants, and we have a lot of work to do outside." Wei Jie comforted.

After chatting for a while, they went off to work separately. As soon as Chen Ji and the others retreated into the bedding, they snored loudly, one after another.

Rong Youtang closed his eyes for another quarter of an hour, and was finally awakened by the assistant steward running over. Fang Tong said anxiously, "Little Brother Rong? Brother Rong? Wake up, I'm waiting for your decision!"

Rong Youtang followed the trend and opened his eyes, a little surprised, and hurriedly asked: "What happened to the kitchen?"

"It's not out, so it's considered!" Fang Tong scratched his ears and cheeks anxiously, and said with a sad face: "His Highness, the breakfast is still useless! We sent steamed buns and rice porridge, chicken noodle and chicken porridge, pancakes and buns, but they were all returned. It is said that His Royal Highness has no appetite, although he did not blame us, but he is the younger brother of His Royal Highness King Qing, and he is injured, so we can’t let him go hungry? I don’t know, but I thought the cook was deliberately neglecting us!”

"Understood." Rong Youtang shook his head, got up from the bed, put on his outer robe neatly, put on his boots and went to the ground, took a wooden basin to fetch water to wash.

Fang Tong followed closely, chattering: "What do you think we should do? We are ordinary people, and we only know the basics. What do nobles in the palace eat in the morning? Delicatessen? One hundred and eight dishes?"

"Ninety-nine 81 bowls!" Rong Youtang washed his face, and a cheerful laugh came from under the towel.

"Hey, are you not in a hurry?" Fang Tong wondered: It seems that His Royal Highness Eighth Highness and His Royal Highness King Qing have a very good relationship. According to common sense, shouldn't the people below be holding them together?

Rong Youtang understood that he would not be surprised that the eighth prince would do that, and ordered: "I'll take care of this matter, so you can do whatever you need to do. Yesterday, the five chefs recruited another fifty people, We're starting to unpack the Western films, remember to supply hot water for meals."

"Oh, that's no problem!" Fang Tong patted his chest: "I have added three wooden basins of steamed buns and a bucket of pickles according to your instructions. Hot water is always available, and the well is outside the stove. Just lack it."

Rong Youtang packed himself up and went out, he was shocked by the unimpeded cold wind from the empty village road, instantly refreshed, walked towards the nearest kitchen, cheered up and said, "I'm going to make a bowl of porridge. "

Fang Tong reacted immediately, dumbfounded, and asked cautiously, "For His Highness the Eighth Prince?"

——The eighth prince even asked why I don't have to cook when I work in the kitchen. It's almost an explicit statement. How can I be so arrogant and indifferent?What's more, he is not considered to be difficult, the chef is probably an outstanding cook.

In his position, seek his work, and fulfill his responsibilities.

Rong Youtang nodded with a wry smile: "Do my best, make a bowl of porridge and send it to me, the superiors will have something to say when asked."

"That's right." Fang Tong agreed: "In short, we didn't slack off, and we were frank and clear."

After a while, Rong Youtang appeared in the three kitchens, everyone hurriedly greeted them with smiles, they thought it was just a routine inspection, but they saw Rong Youtang rolled up his sleeves to wash his hands, and asked: "Ma'am, which stove is temporarily unused? I make a bowl of porridge."

Do you cook porridge?

The cooks and cooks were full of disbelief. In their minds, Rong Youtang was a young man who had a good relationship with his superiors, had a wealthy family, was educated, and was just in charge of the kitchen. How could he be allowed to cook?

"What kind of porridge do you want? Shall I come?"

"Don't worry, it will be cleaned up!"

Several middle-aged cooks scrambled to say that their sons and daughters were about the same age as Rong Youtang, and of course they liked smart and capable young people.

Rong Youtang hurriedly waved his hands: "It's not for me to eat, it's for His Highness the Eighth Prince."

Oh ~

Everyone's expression was subtle in unison, they were all from the same village, they were all related, obviously they had heard that the Eighth Prince was too talkative and difficult to serve.

Rong Youtang is not a complete "gentleman stays away from the kitchen". When he was a child, he would often lie on the edge of the stove to watch his mother busy.Rong Huaijin is good at cooking, but amidst the aroma of the food, she couldn't help but recall the carefree ten years in her natal family, while taking care of her son, while wiping away tears of sorrow and remorse.

"Although I do less, I see more." Rong Youtang said softly.He scoured two handfuls of rice, put them into boiling water, stirred them gently, and then chopped some minced meat into it, which looked decent.

Not long after, a bowl of light meat porridge was cooked. Fang Tong brought a food box and helped to pack it up. He sympathized and said, "It's really hard for you. If the old man sees it, I don't know how distressed he will be." He often goes to the city to buy food. , helping Rong Youtang carry messages from time to time, and had two meals at Rong's house.

"Don't tell me! My father suffered from cough after winter, and his legs hurt." Rong Youtang reminded immediately.

"Of course I won't tell, and I'm not lacking in understanding." Fang Tong smiled and said righteously, "Shall we send it together?"

Rong Youtang shook his head: "I can do it myself, lest you show your face all the time." The Eighth Prince was annoyed.

at the same time

Temporary Commander of the Northern Camp in Dazhangzhong

"...The south is high and the north is low. I'm afraid it's not right to wait for the snow and rain to come up in spring." Emperor Chengtian pointed out.He changed into casual clothes and rushed to Beiying after he left the court early. He only brought a few important officials with him, and was escorted by the elite guards of the inner court and the commander of the city guards.

Seven or eight people stood in front of the hanging planning map, discussing in low voices.

Zhao Zeyong was at his father's side, at a distance of two people, and said solemnly: "I report to my father: the low-lying place you are referring to, my son is going to clean it up, store water, dig a channel to connect it with the nearby river, and use it for future military training." .”

"Oh?" Emperor Chengtian raised his eyebrows with interest.

Zhao Zeyong explained: "In the north of the capital, there are few rivers and lakes, and many people do not know water, which is understandable. But if most of the guards and soldiers are landlubbers, it is hard to justify. Usually Lu Xun is the main one. There is no harm in supplementing it with water training during the season to improve the strength of the whole army as much as possible."

Emperor Chengtian was noncommittal, and carefully looked at the map of Beiying under construction with his hands behind his back, with a satisfied smile in his eyes.

Gao Xin, Minister of the Ministry of War, agreed: "Your Majesty, I think this plan is very good. 'Raise soldiers for a thousand days, use them for a while'. The important thing is to be just in case. I always hope that the soldiers will be more stable and reliable." Although he did not look at Taifu Han, he Someone subconsciously glanced at the past.

——The Yuanshui camp, which has been criticized in recent years, is Han Feihong's commander.

"Master Gao is right. Your majesty is wise and mighty, and the rivers and seas are under his rule. But the imperial court allocates huge amounts of money and food every year, and it must see results."

"Your Majesty has always been far-sighted and savvy. After the Beiying is completed, it will surely be a source of prosperity for generations to come!"

"Master Li said it lightly. Do you know how much silver taels the budget for building the North Camp is? At least 1000 million! My emperor is wise and has worked hard to govern. The weather has been smooth and the treasury has been filled in the past few years. But there are so many places that need funds all over the country, such as building embankments, building dams, To build ships and pave the way, the province of Hejian alone needs 100 million taels of relief this year!" Wu Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, said earnestly.

Gao Xin immediately asked: "Master Wu, on the first day of the New Year's Eve, His Majesty ordered the construction of Beiying. He ordered the budget to be allocated. It is not required to be completed in one step, but at least to be given in succession. Judging from your tone now, it seems that there is no Unplanned mean?"

Zhao Zeyong said in a deep voice: "The initial budget was 1000 million, but now only 200 million taels have been approved. Building barracks is a major event for Yinze's descendants, not extravagant and wasteful. Tax money should be spent on these places. No matter how difficult it is, it is worth it of."

……

Emperor Chengtian remained calm and let his son and courtiers chatter away, only commenting and asking a few words occasionally.

The dark tide is surging, and several courtiers are arguing.Except for asking a few questions about the barracks system and recruitment plan at the beginning, Taifu Han didn't have much to say, he just stood aside quietly and respectfully.Among them, Marquis Pingnan reported his illness and did not come.

After a few cups of tea, Emperor Chengtian finally said, "It's good that you are eager to offer suggestions and opinions for Beiying. Since you're here, please bring the pictures above and have a look."

Zhao Zeyong stretched out his hand: "Father, please."

On the dusty corridor, King Qing and his personal guards and imperial guards supported Emperor Chengtian, and narrated in detail as they walked.Several important ministers kept a distance from the back of the palace and continued to fight with each other. The Minister of the Ministry of War and the Minister of the Ministry of Households almost quarreled.

"Cough, cough, cough." Emperor Chengtian coughed from the dust from the demolition of the house, but finally he let go and praised his son: "Yes, I have a party. Yonger, if you persist, the next batch of Kuyin It will be in place within half a month."

Zhao Zeyong nodded, and said solemnly: "I am not in a hurry, but the servants below need food and wages, and wood and stone materials from all over the place cannot be delivered as soon as I ask, and they also have to spend. And it will start in a few days." When recruiting soldiers, the barracks should always look like a barracks, and the training should be done sooner rather than later."

Emperor Chengtian said solemnly: "I understand your difficulties, but you also have to understand my difficulties. Wu Yu is not completely evading, 1000 million!"

"My son understands." Zhao Zeyong helped his father, climbed the steep slope and crossed the ditch, and said in a low voice: "You have become more frugal in recent years. You have not moved to the summer palace in summer, and you have not rebuilt the Qiyuan Hall. , I admire you."

The corners of Emperor Chengtian's eyes wrinkled a few lines of laughter, but he didn't say anything.

"Where's the seventh brother?" Zhao Zeyong frowned and looked around. Just now he was concentrating on mediating with the courtiers, and then he remembered to ask: "Didn't he follow?"

Emperor Chengtian sighed: "Don't you expect him to discuss state affairs? He called to visit Xiao Ba on the way."

Zhao Zeyong nodded.

"Little Ba fell to a broken bone." Emperor Cheng Tian hid his smile, and questioned displeasedly: "The people who followed the waiters were too unsatisfactory, they should be punished! What happened to you, in my opinion, all started because of the boy of the Han family. Otherwise, there are so many people up and down, why would he be framed? If words and deeds are appropriate and measured, how can something happen!"

Zhao Zeyong said: "Father, please calm down. My sons and daughters have already punished the people who followed. They only followed the order of the eighth younger brother to find someone, but unexpectedly the eighth younger brother slipped and fell on the village road, so he lost his safety."

Emperor Chengtian's face softened, and he sighed: "Xiaoba is early and should have left the palace to open the mansion, but the past two years have been busy with state affairs and a lot of family affairs, so he and Chen'er are still living in the palace. Chen'er is Helpless, he can't do without the imperial doctor and the imperial pharmacy, but he has delayed it. How do you think he handles his errands?"

Zhao Zeyong told the truth: "He is open-minded and eager to learn, but he is more impatient and reckless, and needs to be tempered."

Emperor Chengtian nodded in satisfaction: "As long as he makes progress, I will give him a chance."

"Yes."

It is rare for Emperor Chengtian to feel apologetic: "Xiao Ba insists on not going back to the palace, preferring to live in a cottage, just because he is afraid that his mother will make trouble again, and I will be detained again, alas! That's all, this year, no matter what, I have to allocate money to open a mansion for him, Xiaoba. Eight without the help of a foreign family, beyond the quota, go to my private treasury!"

"My son offered to support me earlier, but Wang Zhaoyi—" Zhao Zeyong reminded.

"Don't worry about it! The empress will restrain her." Emperor Chengtian's face turned dark, and he couldn't hide his anger.

"Yes." Zhao Zeyong pretended not to see it, and asked with concern: "Father, do you have an address?"

After a while, Emperor Chengtian finally said: "The Han family volunteered to take over the site selection as an apology."

It is said that it is a site selection, but it is actually a gift of land.When the prince opened the mansion, it was stipulated that there are [-] rooms in the second entrance, but as long as it does not exceed the limit, it can be expanded by itself. No prince only lives in the second entrance.

"They have intentions." Zhao Zeyong commented lightly.

After walking for a while, Emperor Chengtian saw a courtyard guarded by many guards, and asked, "Where is Xiao Ba?"

"Exactly."

"Go in and have a look and see how he is hurt." Emperor Chengtian ordered and walked straight.

Zhao Zeyong assisted him to go, and Emperor Chengtian easily avoided the guard's ceremony.But as soon as they walked into the courtyard, they heard the seventh prince, Zhao Zewu, yelling aggressively: "Why are you embarrassing Xiao Zhuo? It's a big fracture? I've practiced and practiced, and I just lay down and asked someone to serve me! You're too embarrassed ?”