The Ming Dynasty started with caution

On an island, waves crash against the rocks.

Surrounded by mountains and dense forests, the big ship stopped at the seaside a hundred steps away from the coast.

"Brother Liu, you can arrive in the capital in two months."

Although Qian Ning didn't know the name of this island, there was a group of Japanese pirates hiding on this island. According to the Japanese, it must be the islands surrounding the island country.

With a slight joy on his face, Liu Jin searched through the Japanese pirates' granary and found a lot of money.

"Unexpectedly, he also achieved military merit."

This is an isolated island. He is not sure whether it is an island country or an island in Songjiang Prefecture, but if there are Japanese pirates, they must be very close to the Ming Dynasty.

If you encounter a merchant ship, it's easy to ask for directions.

…………

Gyeonggi, on the official road.

Xu Guangzuo, Duke of Dingguo, held his horse's back between his legs, closed his eyes and meditated.

Outside the Western Regions, he saw Wang Shouren leading the Tang and Song armies. The key was that he was deceived by Wang Shouren into taking away 50,000 soldiers and horses and 10,000 shi of food.

How to explain this to the court?

“I’m really worried to death!”

Wang Shouren went on a study tour and became the head coach of the Tang and Song Dynasties. This study tour was quite impressive.

Since the class teacher returned to the court, Xu Guangzuo had pulled out his hair once every three days, and his head almost bulged out. He just couldn't think of how to explain to the court that if they all died in the battle, the thousands of people behind him were not blind.

Although they did not see the coach of Tang and Song Dynasty, they saw with their own eyes that he lent troops to Tang and Song Dynasty.

"Dad, why are you bald?"

"Daddy, I've been fooled. How can I explain this to the court?"

Xu Guangzuo seemed to be answering his son's words, but also seemed to be mumbling to himself. After thinking about it, he decided to go see Wang Hua first. The civil servant had a good mind and might be able to give him some advice.

Two days later, a group of soldiers arrived outside the capital.

Xu Guangzuo ordered people to go to the palace to report, and he himself went to the palace. When he walked into the courtyard, he saw Wang Hua drinking tea in the main hall.

"Brother Dehui, long time no see."

Wang Hua raised his eyes slightly and looked at the loud voice in the main courtyard, "Dong Guo Ding has returned to the court? Why don't you go to the palace first to pay the decree?"

It has been more than two years since Ding Guogong went on an expedition. It is not known where he went, and there is no news about him.

Now, he suddenly came back.

"You all go down and pass the order of the Duke of our country. No one is allowed to approach the main hall!" Xu Guangzuo waved his hand, and his guards escorted all the housekeepers and maids out.

Is this your mansion or my mansion?

Wang Hua was confused!

After closing the door, Xu Guangzuo turned to look at Wang Hua and sighed several times: "Brother Dehui, good news or bad news, which one do you want to hear?"

Seeing his solemn expression, Wang Hua put down his tea cup and said, "I won't pick the next official, but the Duke of the Kingdom will please speak."

"The good news is that my father-in-law met Wang Shouren in the Western Regions."

Wang Hua stared at Xu Guangzuo, closed his lips, and said after a long time: "Did you really see my son!?"

"Brother Dehui, don't be too happy. Maybe it would be better if you didn't see it. Now, he is already a general in the Tang and Song Dynasties. My father-in-law was deceived by him and lent him 50,000 troops. What should I do?"

Wang Hua looked stiff and the light in his eyes dimmed.

"Brother Dehui, don't get me wrong. I, Mr. Xu, am not here to threaten you. I lent 50,000 troops and horses to Wang Shouren. I don't know where he has taken him now. I just want to ask you to help me figure out a plan."

Xu Guangzuo's face flushed, and the more he spoke, the more he spoke: "Although Mr. Xu is a warrior, he dare not forget the word loyalty. If Brother Dehui helps me, I will definitely tell the descendants of the Xu family not to forget Brother Dehui's kindness."

Sure enough, as I expected, how could my son resign without any reason?

He must have been summoned to the Western Regions by Yan Chengjin.

Wang Hua sighed: "Go find Yan Chengjin."

Xu Guangzuo was a little confused. The civil servant's mind was just unpredictable. What was he going to do with Yan Chengjin?

But before he could say anything, Wang Hua opened the door and waved to see the guests off.

Speaking of which, Xu Guangzuo and Yan Chengjin also had some friendship. They left the palace and went straight to the west of the city, arriving in front of the dilapidated courtyard.

Nothing has changed except that the vines are growing fruits.

"Dingguo Duke Xu came to visit me."

The disciple glanced outside the mansion and hurriedly ran to report to Yan Chengjin: "Master, Duke Dingguo is here."

Not long after, in the main hall.

Xu Guangzuo raised the tea soup and drank it in a big gulp. He turned to look at Yan Chengjin, hesitated for a moment, and then made up his mind:

"My dear nephew, I saw Wang Shouren outside the Western Regions. This man was cunning. He said he wanted to borrow troops to fight the Turks, but he refused to return them. What do you think we should do?"

Yan Chengjin was already the chief assistant, and he was colluding with the new emperor.

These days, I want to be made a Duke, but I have no chance. If I get his help, I might be able to exonerate myself and keep my title of Lord.

"Dong Guo enters the palace and reports to the new emperor truthfully."

Yan Chengjin thought for a while, but he didn't expect Wang Shouren to borrow Xu Guangzuo's troops.

It seems that the war with the Holy Roman Empire will last for several years.

Xu Guangzuo was a little uneasy and said: "The new emperor attaches great importance to horse administration, and my country has lost 50,000 people for no reason. This..."

Zhu Houzhao was not as tolerant as the Supreme Emperor and would miss his old feelings.

Maybe he would be deprived of his title of Duke of the country as soon as he took the imperial case.

"Does Duke Dingguo have a gold medal?"

………

The next day, it was early in the morning.

"The new emperor, Dingguo Duke Xu Guangzuo wants to see you."

Zhu Houzhao looked outside the hall with a thoughtful look in his eyes. Last night, Lao Gao sent someone to the palace to inform him. Xu Guangzuo didn't need to tell him what happened.

"I was in the Western Regions and took the initiative without authorization. I lent 50,000 troops and horses to the Tang and Song Dynasties, and begged the new emperor to punish me."

Xu Guangzuo raised his eyes slightly and told the whole process of attacking Osman.

Yan Chengjin remained silent.

Li Dongyang glanced at the back of his head and pondered for a moment.

Xu Zan, the official in the Ministry of Personnel, said, "How can the Duke of Dingguo lend troops?"

"Tang Song first asked for 50,000 rebels from Datong, and then borrowed 50,000 border troops. I think we should send someone to Tang Song to check." Luo Wen, the official in the Ministry of Rites, was puzzled.

All the officials looked at Xu Guangzuo.

He borrowed troops without authorization, did not report to the court, and broke into the Western Regions. According to the law, he should be stripped of his military power and reduced to a civilian.

However, before all the officials could speak, Xu Guangzuo had already knelt in the hall.

"The Ottomans are the common enemy of the Ming Dynasty and Tang Song. It is a good thing that Tang Song sent troops to clear them up, so I borrowed troops."

"I am willing to return a gold medal of immunity from death, and I hope the new emperor will show mercy."

As Yan Chengjin said, he would have to pay a price for this matter to shut up the civil servants.

If the new emperor wants to pardon him, he will take away the gold medal.

Zhu Houzhao had many questions to ask, but it was not convenient to do so in the court. "According to the law, this crime should be punished by beheading. I will take a gold medal from you and remove your military power. Do you have anything else to discuss?"

Xu Guangzuo was overjoyed to have saved his position as Duke.

The officials looked at each other, but could not speak.

Zhang Sheng frowned and said, "Since it was borrowed, it should be returned. Moreover, Tang and Song deceived our generals so much. Let's order the king to be punished!"

There was silence in the hall for a moment.

Yan Chengjin said, "What Lord Zhang said makes sense. Please ask the new emperor to order the punishment."

"Well, I will order it in a while. Let's adjourn the court." Zhu Houzhao waved his hand.

The officials were speechless, and they always felt that something was wrong.