Chapter 24: My heart feels sad when I see the empire

Zhu Cihao touched his palms and smiled: "Okay."

Then he said to the person next to him, a clear middle-aged man named Li Minggeng: "After some work, Xiao Wang will be the supervisor to wipe out the bandits this time."

Li Geng nodded: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I am 60% sure about this matter. If Your Highness can convince His Majesty, I will be 90% sure."

Zhu Cihao nodded and said nothing.

The capital has arrived.

During the Yongle period, the Ming Dynasty moved its capital here and implemented the companion capital system. Jinling, the original capital in the south, became the companion capital. Only then did the king die in the country.

After all, the capital is the capital, at the feet of the emperor. Probably because the crisis of establishing slaves has been lifted, there is less tension and more leisure in the capital.

There are common people, businessmen, visitors from the south and the north, dignitaries, rogues, all kinds of things.

It was as if the entire world was condensed into this huge city.

Zhu Cihao and Zhao Yu entered the city in a grand manner without any concealment. Before Ouchi could reach him, Emperor Chongzhen had already received the news.

Later, the most prestigious civil and military officials in the dynasty also received the news, and they all had different expressions.

In the palace, the emperor said to the queen and said with a smile: "The prince really never returns empty-handed when he goes out to fight."

Empress Zhou was a little worried: "Hao'er is only fifteen, and Your Majesty asked him to go to Liaodong. If there are any shortcomings, teach me how to survive?"

The emperor sighed: "I didn't send Hao'er to go, but Hao'er came to ask for orders. Zitong, you should know that Hao'er is eloquent, but I can't speak to him. Besides, the country is in danger now, and Hao'er is My son, the crown prince of the world, should take on some responsibilities."

The queen was silent for a moment and said: "At last nothing happened."

"Nothing will happen." The emperor said: "I have already sent the Jin Yiwei to protect me secretly, and also gave Hong Chengchou a decree, telling him to protect him carefully. At present, Jiannu is timid and huddles in his lair. Hao'er's departure should be treated as an autumn outing. .”

Then he smiled and said, "But Hao'er is also a ghost. Jin Yiwei almost lost track of him."

Speaking of which, I was a little scared.

Emperor Chongzhen knew that his son was a gift from heaven. Much stronger than his own abilities. It is said that in recent years, Emperor Chongzhen felt that the affairs of the country were not enough, and he had already thought about cultivating a prince.

If something happens this time, I'm afraid I will regret it.

Fortunately, I'm back.

Emperor Chongzhen has been burying this kind of worry in his heart for half a month. Half a month ago, after the prince arrived in Liaodong, he disappeared, which really frightened Emperor Chongzhen. In anger, Luo Yangxing, the commander of the Jinyiwei, was reprimanded several times. It was just that the queen was worried, so she never said anything.

Even if I mention it now, it would be an understatement.

The emperor then said to Wang Cheng'en who was accompanying him: "Send someone to fetch Hao'er. By the way, there is also Zhao Zhuangshi. I want to meet this divine general."

Wang Chengen quickly agreed and retreated.

After about half an hour, the emperor and empress were tired of waiting. Wang Chengen came in, kowtowed and said, "The prince and Zhao Zhuangshi have arrived."

The emperor let out a sigh of relief, and he and the queen put on regular clothes to receive him.

"Pass it in."

Zhu Cihao was in front and Zhao Yu was behind. The two followed each other step by step, but they never flinched at all. With head held high and chest held high, we entered the palace.

This is Cining Palace, where the Queen lives.

When you enter the door, you look up and see two ninety-five dragons and phoenixes sitting upright.

Zhu Cihao defeated his parents first and sat aside.

Only then did Zhao Yu face the emperor and empress.

He was not afraid of the royal majesty and raised his head without flinching. Looking at the emperor and queen, he saw that the clothes of these two women had turned white after washing.

There were patches on the queen's clothes!

This made Zhao Yu particularly surprised.

Is this what the emperor and empress look like? Aren’t you rich in the world?

Suddenly he remembered something Zhu Cihao said at that time.

Only then did he know for sure that due to the war in Liaodong, frequent natural disasters, and the rise of bandits, the emperor's internal funds had long been exhausted. I have to live frugally!

Is this the Tianjia?

Zhao Yu actually felt a little sad for it.

Emperor Chongzhen was probably only in his thirties. His temples were gray and his face looked tired. After all, Empress Zhou was a mother to the world, but she was just like an ordinary family person, except that her face was kind and gentle, and her eyes were like water.

If you give up a layer of identity and a touch of majesty, your life will be a little different from that of an ordinary well-off family.

It seems that Zhao Yu did not have a good impression of the Zhu family emperor. This world belongs to the Zhu family. But the world is so corrupt, and the Zhu family cannot escape responsibility.

His parents died at the hands of Tatars, so the emperor of the Zhu family failed to protect his people.

But now that he saw this emperor and the descendant, Zhao Yu suddenly felt that he couldn't blame him.

The emperor worked so hard that he even scrimped on food and clothing. How could you blame them?

With a subtle sigh, Zhao Yu bowed and said, "Zhao Yu, a common man, has met the emperor and the queen."

Next to the emperor, Wang Chengen was about to speak, but he refused to bow before the emperor, which was really treasonous. But he was stopped by the emperor.

Emperor Chongzhen laughed heartily and said: "What a fierce warrior! I have been waiting for you!"

Then he quickly said: "Give me a seat."

A small talk ensued.

It's nothing more than asking about Zhao Yu's origin, upbringing, and some trivial matters. This made Zhao Yu feel that the emperor and queen were not much different from their neighbors next door.

The subsequent meal also proved the emperor's frugality.

The emperor, the queen, the prince, plus Zhao Yu, four people and five dishes. Two of the meat dishes were meat dishes, and the remaining three were vegetarian. They were served in small plates and small portions, and the portions were pitifully small. According to Zhao Yu's stomach, all this was poured in, and it was only filled to the bottom. But seeing that the emperor was like this, he couldn't say much, so he could only endure it.

I was thinking about finding a place to have a good meal after leaving the palace.

When eating, the emperor did not follow the rule of not saying anything about what he was eating. He was very kind and even gave Zhao Yu some food. So does the Queen. Zhao Yu didn't hide anything in his words, he just said that he came here to shine on the family lintel and carry on the family lineage.

The emperor also said that he was honest.

It's indeed there.

It's not that Zhao Yu is careless, but that he doesn't think it's necessary.

That's the way it is, twisting and turning, covering up, what's the point?

After eating and chatting for a while, the emperor asked Zhao Yu to attend the court meeting tomorrow, gave him a pass token, and arranged a residence for Wang Chengen, and that was all.

The prince personally sent Zhao Yu out of the palace. After saying goodbye, Zhao Yu stayed in a house not far from the palace under the guidance of a young eunuch.

The young eunuch also said that this house was once the home of an honorable nobleman, but the nobleman's family fell into decline and the house was sold several times and returned to the hands of the government.

It just so happened that he gave it to Zhao Yu as a reward.

The house is not small, with three entrances and three exits, a back garden, and a small school ground.

But it was full of dust and the garden was full of weeds.

Zhao Yu didn't need to worry about this. There were more than a dozen young eunuchs from the palace who quickly sorted things out.

It was just deserted, and in the end only Zhao Yu was left.

Fortunately, the prince's eldest attendant, Li Geng, arrived shortly afterwards, bringing with him ten maids and ten attendants. This made the house somewhat popular.

Another thousand taels of silver were sent to Zhao Yu.

Li Geng also explained that the prince had secretly sent people to do business over the years, but in fact he had accumulated some wealth. But it has never been used.

Zhao Yu knew it well.

Why did the prince accumulate wealth? Not to enjoy happiness, but to turn the tide and support the building before it collapses. There will be more places to spend money in the future.

Even Emperor Chongzhen didn’t know about this money.

Otherwise, they would have been looted by the emperor long ago when the Liao Dynasty was collecting wages.

So he settled down in this house safely.

Zhao Yu refused to accept life. He meditated for half a night to refine his Qi and blood. He slept for less than two hours, and it was already around midnight.

It's still dark, but it's so early for the meeting.

Since then, attendants have come to remind him that it is time to go to court.

Zhao Yu then put on the clothes brought by his attendants and left the house towards the palace gate.

Zhao Yu took out 200 taels of silver that Li Geng had brought yesterday, selected a leader from the attendants and maids, and gave each of them 100 taels for temporary decoration and daily needs.

This clothes was bought by the attendant yesterday after he had money.

According to Zhao Yu's request, it is still a short coat and cloth shoes, with better material at most, that's all.

At least Zhao Yu is definitely not used to wearing clothes like long-sleeved robes now. After all, I have been wearing this for so many years.

He is also not afraid of people laughing at him. Although Zhao Yu is young, his kung fu has reached such a high level that when his heart should be quiet, it is terrifyingly quiet. When you are angry, it is like a volcano erupting. They are two extremes.

In this regard, he would not be angry.

Just like now.

When Zhao Yu came outside the palace gate, he saw many carriages of various colors stopping outside the palace gate. In twos and threes, court officials wearing various official uniforms gathered together and chatted in low voices.

Seeing Zhao Yu, a man who looked like a civilian husband approaching, although he was tall and slender, he was looked at with a lot of disdain.

There was one person, and he didn't know what kind of official he was. Zhao Yu couldn't tell what grade he was in. He could only see that the official had a goatee three inches below his chin. His face looked like Zhou Zheng's, but his gaze was particularly annoying.

The official pointed at Zhao Yu: "Where did you come from, a commoner, who doesn't know this is a palace gate?"

He called to the guard guarding the door: "Drive him away quickly."

As expected, two guards came over and were about to call for peace when they saw Zhao Yu's face. Actually somewhat familiar. One person recognized him, it was clearly the person brought by His Highness the Crown Prince yesterday!

His heart trembled, he heard that this person was the God of Death from Liaodong!

So he quickly grabbed his companion, smiled flatteringly, bowed, and hurriedly retreated.

The officer was stunned, his face turned red immediately, and he shouted: "What's the point?!"

This movement naturally attracted the attention of the surrounding officials.

Everyone saw Zhao Yu.

If you are prudent, ask the two guards just now, and the two guards shouted loudly: "It's Mr. Zhao... Zhao from Liaodong!"

He was given the title of Mr.

Maybe I don’t know what to call it.

Some officials didn't react for a while, but some were alert and reacted immediately.

Someone said disdainfully: "He is a martial artist."

Zhao Yu looked at these court officials coldly, with a flash of light in his pupils. He glared at them and swept them sideways. In an instant, there was silence.

I actually smelled some stench of feces and urine.

Zhao Yu snorted coldly: "Trash."