The Ming Dynasty started with caution

In the capital, a line of white cranes flew southward, and the weather was getting colder.

In the past few days, the news from the three imperial guards was that the people saw a giant object in the sky, which was in Chaigou Fort in Xuanfu.

This place is close to the border, and you can get out of the pass after crossing the Xiyang River.

The officials were frightened and pale. The last time they went out of the pass, they were guarded by the Ningxia border army, so they were safe.

If they were caught by the Tatars this time, they would die outside the pass.

Emperor Hongzhi frowned and looked at Li Dongyang: "Did Yan Chengjin take leave again?"

"Well, as far as I know, Yan Chengjin sent the four divisions of the Censorate to patrol the nine borders. Once there is news, it will be sent back to the capital." Li Dongyang did not dare to directly exonerate Yan Chengjin.

The Kongming lantern was made by Yan Chengjin and Song Jing, which is true.

The officials were not very worried. With the emperor's grandson, if His Majesty can still be in power for more than ten years, then the emperor's grandson can inherit the throne.

Whoever is the emperor is the emperor.

Wang Ao said in a deep voice: "This Kongming lantern is harmful!"

Emperor Hongzhi was not interested in discussing other things. He glanced at Xiao Jing. Xiao Jing understood and shouted to withdraw the court.

Wang Mansion,

Back in the mansion, Wang Ao walked through the central hall with his hands behind his back. He felt a little strange and turned his head: "Who are these meals prepared for?"

On the mahogany round table in the central hall, there were roast chicken, fish and tofu soup.

The mansion would only have meals at 15:00. Now it was not long after 15:00, so it was obviously not prepared for him.

The housekeeper smiled and said: "It's for the fourth young master. Today, the fourth young master did not enter the palace for duty, nor did he come out to eat."

Wang Ao felt a little distressed.

Although he scolded him, he also wanted his son to do well. He didn't care how he scolded him before. Did he scold too much the past two days?

"Call out the fourth young master!"

Wang Ao ordered his servant to bring another bowl of rice, and saw Wang Yanzhao walk out with lifeless eyes: "Zhao'er, eat with dad."

Wang Yanzhao's eyes were red, as if he had not slept all night: "Dad, I went to see Lord Yan, and went to the Ministry of Revenue to check the accounts. Don't blame His Majesty for accusing me of slander."

"Why did you go to see him! What did he say to you?" Wang Ao threw down his chopsticks and turned around abruptly.

It is said that the sons of Li Dongyang, Xie Qian, Liang Chu and other lords changed their temperaments after meeting Yan Chengjin.

And the son of Lord Liu actually publicly exposed Lord Liu.

At first he didn't believe it, but when he saw his son like this, he suddenly had a bad premonition.

Wang Yanzhao raised his head slightly: "Lord Yan said that the child is a talent and should not be buried. He also asked the child what his dream is and promised to recommend him."

"What nonsense! I have never heard of the word dream!" Wang Ao slammed the table and stood up.

Wang Yanzhao said: "It's ambition. Dad has ambition, and I have ambition too. I want to establish a career."

"You are just a secretary of the Central Secretariat. What ambition do you have? Just write the imperial edict."

"I guessed that Dad would say that. Only Lord Yan in the world thinks that I am a talent." Wang Yanzhao was disappointed, thinking of Yan Chengjin's serious look and his solemn promise.

Suddenly, his eyes were firm, as if he had made up his mind.

Crazy!

Wang Ao looked at his son in disbelief. This is crazy!

In the past two days, he had mentioned Yan Chengjin many times in the court. Unexpectedly, he would retaliate against his son. How despicable!

The next day, Yan's Mansion.

Yan Chengjin was about to get on the sedan chair, but saw a man who looked like a scholar standing in the alley.

Wang Yanzhao bowed slightly: "I borrowed the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue from Lord Wang. Since the 13th year of Hongzhi, the national treasury has been in surplus every year. Your Majesty is right. I am the one who made a false accusation."

"What can you do?"

Yan Chengjin wanted to recommend him, but he also wanted to know Wang Yanzhao's strengths.

Although he had seen Wang Yanzhao's family files, it was too common for civil servants to be able to write memorials.

Those who can pass the imperial examination can write memorials.

If everyone can do something, there is no difference between you and not being able to do it.

Wang Yanzhao's face flushed and he bowed: "I can copy imperial edicts and write good calligraphy. I beg Lord Yan to recommend me."

Yan Chengjin sat in the sedan chair with a thoughtful face.

Now, he is only the last assistant of the cabinet and has no real power. Although he is also the chief censor, he only receives a salary.

It is obviously impossible to recommend Wang Yanzhao to the six ministries.

"Are you afraid of death?"

Wang Yanzhao's body trembled slightly, thought for a while, and said firmly: "If I die for the people, I am not afraid! I am afraid that my death is not worth mentioning."

"As expected of you, you are the son of a prince. I know that you are a talent."

He Neng on the side lowered his head and laughed secretly. You are dead. If the young master asks such a question, you will probably really see the King of Hell.

Ye Zhun's face was strange. He witnessed Li Zhaofan, Liu Lai, and Xie Pi.

Once you ask what your dream is, there is no turning back.

Wang Ao was an upright official, but he ended up like Xie Gong. Alas...

Sitting on the sedan chair, Yan Chengjin quickly came to the front of the Meridian Gate. Officials walked into the Guangting one after another, sparsely.

Like a student doing gymnastics on the playground,

Yan Chengjin felt a murderous gaze and turned his head slightly. Wang Ao stared at him.

Li Dongyang came up, frowning: "I heard from the prince that you bewitched his son?"

"Bole's selection of horses, is it bewitching?"

Soon, the golden bell rang.

Yan Chengjin walked into the hall and heard people talking about Zhu Houzhao's escape from the palace behind him. It seems that it will be mentioned again today.

"Your Majesty, Lord Yan is on good terms with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and he may have helped him escape from the palace. If not, why didn't he go to court for a few days?"

Zhou Xi, the Minister of Rites, said.

Yan Chengjin turned his head slightly, he knew Zhou Xi.

This person has a resounding name. He is known as one of the three sages of Luyang with Bao Zheng and Yu Que.

Among the six officials, he is very good at writing impeachment letters. He even impeached several people such as the Duke of Yingguo and dared to speak out.

"What Lord Zhou said makes sense. If Lord Yan was not afraid of our impeachment, why would he hide in the mansion?" Wang Ao said in a deep voice.

"I checked in the mansion how the prince went to heaven. I finally figured it out. The East Palace uses a lot of ink, and the prince is not good at reading.

Instead, he used ink to paint on the sky lantern, which is similar to night clothes, to avoid the eyes and ears of the guards."

Yan Chengjin bowed.

"Now that His Highness has left Beijing, what's the point of you talking about this?"

"It's useful. His Highness has reminded me that if this thing is used for a surprise attack, the guards can't see it, which means that on a cloudy day, the Tatars can't see it either.

If it is equipped with kerosene and rockets, and it goes straight to the central army camp, who can match it?

I think it can give the Beijing army a 10% chance of success!"

When the two armies clash, the most important thing is to find the central army tent of the enemy camp.

But the central army tent will not be exposed, and it will be surrounded by the front, back, left and right armies. If you want to break through, you need to fight all the way.

But this flying ball can get close to the central army camp without any hindrance.

Who can find it if it marches from the sky?

A trace of throbbing flashed in the eyes of Emperor Hongzhi, and he thought a lot: "As far as I know, sky lanterns require dozens of cowhides, where can the cowhides come from?"

Only two or three lanterns can be made, and the surprise attack effect is not great.

Song Jingweiwei stepped forward and said, "It can be replaced by silk. Silk is like a cocoon, airtight and tough as a rock. Then apply fireproof red paint on the inner layer. Liangxiang has tried it and it can fly."

There are many raw silks in Jiangnan. If they are woven into a big sky lantern, it is not only lighter than cowhide.

It is also airtight!

It means that even a very small wind can blow far away and carry more things.

The Minister of Personnel Han Wen said, "What Lord Yan said makes sense. Why not form a Kongming army for a surprise attack? Silk is woven very quickly and can quickly go north."

Emperor Hongzhi nodded: "You can recommend someone who will lead the army to the north."

Liu Jian thought about it carefully, but did not speak.

This cannot be recommended casually. The Kongming sky lantern flew into the sky and stood at such a high place. If it fell down, it might die.

It may not survive!

The officials looked uneasy and lowered their heads.

Yan Chengjin bowed: "I recommend Wang Yanzhao, the secretary of the Central Secretariat."

Wang Ao's breath was stuck in his throat and he almost choked to death. His face flushed as he pointed at Yan Chengjin, "You... my son is not a military officer, but a secretary of the Central Secretariat!"

"To serve the court, how can there be a distinction between civil and military? If Lord Wang feels that I am forcing him, why not summon Wang Yanzhao to see what he thinks?" Yan Chengjin said.

Emperor Hongzhi nodded slightly.

Not long after, Wang Yanzhao walked into the hall and bowed: "I am willing to lead the troops north to attack the Tatars!"

Wang Ao was out of breath, and his head was heavy and his feet were light. He almost fainted on the spot. Fortunately, he was supported by Wang Qiong next to him, "Hey, Lord Wang?"