When the boat sailed to the territory of Nanhui County, the prince and Gao Zhen had already changed into clean clothes, and the wounds on their bodies were also dressed. The boat was not good at firing, so Zhang ordered Lu's mother to wash the medicinal powder she carried with her with hot water, and let them drink a bowl of each. Zhang added charcoal to the hand stove of himself and his granddaughter Zhao Xiu and sent it to the prince.

Because the weather is as warm as spring, the ancestors and grandchildren of the Zhang family brought hand stoves, foot stoves and other things, which were completely spare, and the three of them could not use them.

Chuansha City was already far away, and although there were officers and soldiers along the road, they were only on alert, and no one intercepted their boats. Zhang temporarily relieved himself and asked the prince what was going on on the dam.

The prince was actually careless this time. He had already known that Hong Wencheng had a problem from his brother King Guangping, but the emperor trusted Hong Wencheng for some reason, even if the envoy of King Guangping exposed the corruption problem of the military department, implicated Hong Wencheng, who was still stationed on the front line in Liaodong at that time, and made him lose his official position, the emperor still got him back to the capital, and he was promoted to an important position again within two years. The crown prince and the king of Guangping both suspected that this should be the wind blowing in the ears of Zhu Lifei in the harem, but unfortunately they could not find evidence at all to prove that Hong Wencheng had collusion with the harem and the Ying Palace, so they could only be on guard at all times. The prince was originally scheduled to go south next spring to inspect the rebuilt seaside dam, but in fact, he was forced by a group of them to talk. The Emperor is getting sick, and he has been sick since last winter, although it seems that there is no major problem at the moment, but at this time. If the prince leaves the capital lightly, it is inevitable that he will be prone to chaos. The matter of going south in Ming Chun was not his original intention. However, the emperor thought that it was very necessary to do so, and he could only do what he was told.

Later, because of the transcript of the Shanghai prefect, the king of Guangping was suspected of dereliction of duty, and the prince had to travel south in advance in order to prove his brother's innocence. He originally wanted Cao Taihe, the general of the Zhu State, to be the commander of the guard, but who knew that the emperor would choose Hong Wencheng.

The crown prince was very wary of Hong Wencheng, but fortunately, the emperor sent his confidant as his deputy. And the Zhong family took the initiative to find another deputy position for their little son-in-law. Although this was not what King Guangping meant, it could also be seen as a friendly signal from the Zhong family to the new prince. The prince respected his brother and sister-in-law very much, so he also accepted the kindness of his sister-in-law's relatives. He felt at the time. Among the two deputies, although the person sent by the emperor is reliable, he may not be willing to submit to him, and the son-in-law of the Zhong family is a more trustworthy cunzii. They always monitor and contain Hong Wencheng. The latter even if they want to do something. There's no way to start.

When he went to the dam, he was worried about what tricks Hong Wencheng would play, so he didn't take the other party with him, only the emperor's henchman, and left the little son-in-law of the Zhong family under the dam to contain Hong Wencheng. thought that this was foolproof, but he never expected that Hong Wencheng and the young son-in-law of the Zhong family had colluded together. Unexpectedly, they dared to blow up the dam. There was no consideration at all about the danger that would be caused to the people by the influx of seawater into the city after the dam collapsed.

The prince only remembered that when the dam collapsed, his nephew Gao Zhen was the first to pounce on him to protect him, and then the emperor's confidant generals also pounced. Thanks to this man, the uncle and nephew were able to avoid the large debris that had been blown up, but in their memory, this man was injured, knocked unconscious by the stone, and fell into the sea with his head covered in blood. The entourage on the dam does not know how many people will survive, and how many people will die in the water, even if they are lucky enough to be rescued alive, Hong Wencheng and others do not know if they will be wiped out in order to clear their suspicions.

The prince even suspected that there might be Hong Wencheng among the entourage. After all, he also listened to the persuasion of the people around him before deciding to go to the dam to see the so-called cracks in person. When the second ancestor of the Zhao family arrived in Jiading, the head of the palace told him that Mrs. Zhao had committed an old illness and stayed in her hometown and did not come, so he did not order to summon him. He had planned to visit her on the way back after inspecting the dam, but he never expected that his grandparents and grandchildren would always follow him. It can be seen that the head of the palace was also bought by the people behind Hong Wencheng. How many people like him have been bought? The prince really couldn't even think of it.

The Zhang family was very surprised by his words, she also knew the origin of the two deputy commanders of the guard, and she didn't expect that the one who really betrayed the prince would be the son-in-law of the Zhong family! He is a brother-in-law with King Guangping, and his relationship has always been good, why do you want to do this? When the crown prince ascends the throne, he will only treat his brother and sister-in-law's family well, but if the sixth prince or King Ying gains power, what good will he do as the in-law of King Guangping?

Zhao Wei looked at Gao Zhen in shock, Gao Zhen had been sitting silently on the side, not saying anything from beginning to end, and the cold on his body seemed to be heavier.

The crown prince and the king of Guangping are siblings, but the prince sits on the lost throne of the king of Guangping, who was originally the eldest son, and has been the prince for several years, and is widely acclaimed, he has not done anything wrong, but lost his original position because of blindness. If the prince is suspicious of his brother because of the matter of the Zhong family's son-in-law, and suspects that he is dissatisfied with the prince because of his resentment, then wouldn't King Guangping die unjustly?

Zhao Xiu thought of King Guangping's kindness to his family, and said to the prince carefully: "The son-in-law of the Zhong family colluded with Hong Wencheng, I don't know if it is a personal wish, or ...... What does the Zhong family mean? But in any case, this matter is absolutely impossible to be the idea of King Guangping, Gao Zhen is his only son, no matter how he is, he will not sit back and watch Gao Zhen encounter danger. ”

The prince smiled slightly: "I have never doubted my brother and sister-in-law, not only because Zhen'er is here, but also because we are blood relatives." When I was in danger, Zhen'er was the first to pounce and save me. He is still a child, so sensible, how could I suspect my own brother and sister-in-law because of the actions of a distant in-law? ”

Gao Zhen glanced up at him: "Since my grandfather died, my mother and her mother's family have had a lot of trouble, and my uncles intend to seek the position of the sixth princess or the daughter-in-law of King Ying for their beloved daughter, and my mother can't do anything except be angry and sad." What my uncle did was really what the uncles meant, and I don't know. ”

The prince sighed. He said softly: "Zhen'er, you don't have to worry, how is the Zhong family." Irrelevant to me. All I care about is your parents and you. ”

Gao Zhen looked at him deeply, lowered his head again, and was silent. But Zhao Xiu always felt that he seemed to be in a better mood, and the cold around him was a little lighter.

Zhang asked the crown prince: "What does Your Highness plan to do now?" I don't know which official to contact the courtiers and grandchildren to escort His Highness to safety? ”

The prince smiled bitterly: "A safe place? Old Madam Zhao, I won't tell you. Lone really doesn't know where it's safe now. Which officials can be trusted? Hong Wencheng and others laid out such a big situation, but I am afraid that this Shanghai place is already in his hands. ”

He was not alarmist. Starting from Jiading, to Chuansha City, and several dams with cracks in the mouth of the Shanghai prefect, you can know that the other party is well prepared. Almost all the coastal areas of Shanghai are arranged. Those military attachés who went to "dot" along the way for him, the prince. For example, Zhao Jue and others are probably all Hong Wencheng's people, and among the officials in other regions, I don't know how many are cronies of the prefect.

Although he is out of danger for the time being, he really doesn't know where to go or who to find to protect himself. The three ancestors and grandsons of the Zhao family were reliable enough, but they were weak, and he couldn't completely count on them. And how many officials in Shanghai can be trusted? Trustworthy officials. Do you have the ability to protect Hong Wencheng and his life under the hands of Hong Wencheng and others? At the very least, he had to have the strength to escort him to a safer place. That has to be outside of Shanghai.

He still has to find a way to return to the capital as much as possible. Although the emperor's ears are softer, he is not a fool, Hong Wencheng and others excused the pirates to be in trouble, and wanted to create a lie that he was the prince of a country who died at the hands of pirates, which cannot stand scrutiny at all, as long as the court carefully investigates, it is easy to find the flaws. But Hong Wencheng and the others still did it, and they didn't seem to care about the consequences of this at all, presumably the people behind them still had a backhand? When the crown prince thought of the emperor's condition that seemed to have worsened in the past two months, the uneasy premonition in his heart became even heavier, and he had to rush back as much as possible, and later things would change!

Since the crown prince wants to return to Beijing, the Zhang family naturally wants to do his best to help: "There are also ships at home, and there are familiar boats, if His Royal Highness disguises himself and pretends to be from my Zhao family, he can also get mixed up." The courtiers simply went to make a cover for His Royal Highness, and if anyone asked, they only said that it was to send Zhao Jue's son back to his grandfather's house. ”

This method seemed to work, but the gradual increase of officers and soldiers on the river caused their plans to fail. Probably because of the delay in finding the relationship between the prince, the prefect of Shanghai strengthened the inspection of both land and water in the whole province in the name of searching for pirates. Fortunately, the name of the Zhao family is still quite loud, and Zhao Xiu asked his brother to borrow Zhao Jue's name, saying that Zhao Jue's son was seriously ill and was in a hurry to go home for medical treatment. Those officers and soldiers knew that Zhao Jue was now a popular person in front of Hong Wencheng, so they didn't dare to go on the boat to search and let him go. But this is only on the way back to Fengxian in Nanhui, and it is not the focus of the officers and soldiers' inquiries, but if the Zhang family really plans to take a boat to the canal and send the prince and Gao Zhen back to the capital, I am afraid that there will be no less inquiries along the way, and God knows which time it will be exposed?

Zhang began to worry, Zhao Xiu looked at the river view outside the window, but suddenly thought that now they are in Nanhui County, and what is in Nanhui?

Zhao Wei looked at her sister in confusion, not understanding why she asked like this: "What is in Nanhui?" ”

Zhao Xiu stomped his feet: "There is a port in Nanhui!" Brother, there is a large harbor here, and there are sea boats! If we want to go to the capital, why do we have to take the canal? Can't you go from the sea? ”

Zhao Wei's eyes lit up, but he quickly shook his head again: "It's not proper, where can our family find a big ship that can go by sea?" The only trustworthy ships are boats that go through the canal, and like before, they just go to the sea by chance, and they want to sail thousands of miles to the capital? I'm afraid that halfway through, the ship will fall apart first! ”

Zhao Xiu smiled and said: "We don't have a sea boat, but others do, have you forgotten Mrs. Wells?" They have a full fleet of ships, sailing from thousands of miles away in England, all safe and sound, are they afraid of this sea route? They are foreign merchants, and who would suspect that the prince is hiding on their ship? Mrs. Wells, on the other hand, had no difficulty convincing her to help. Who is behind Hong Wencheng? It's not Zhu Lifei, it's Ying Wangfu, anyway, they are all the backers of the enemies of the Wells family. As long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sues her and is willing to help her avenge the murder of her husband, she is willing to do anything! ”

Zhang briefly introduced the grievances and feuds between Mrs. Wells and Matt, two foreign merchants, to the prince, and the prince pondered for a moment and said, "It is inconvenient for me to interfere in the disputes among the foreigners. But it can be guaranteed that the merchant named Matt will not receive any more protection in the future, as for what will happen to those who have enemies with him. That's their own business. What I can promise is that I will never treat anyone who has helped me in a dangerous situation. ”

This guarantee should satisfy the Wells family. Zhang resolutely said: "The courtiers and granddaughter personally persuaded her that she must borrow her boat!" ”

Gao Zhen raised his head: "Foreign merchant ships can't enter Beijing, so they are on the ship, where are they going?" ”

The prince said: "Go to Nanjing first and ask for a ship guide to Tianjin in the north." The Shanghai government is unreliable, but the Nanjing Caoyun Yamen can open ships for foreign merchants. Since you said that the foreign merchant was protected by the Cao family. It's not that hard to do. Then we took the sea route straight to Tianjin, and then turned to the canal to enter Beijing. He sneered slightly, "The Tianjin prefect is an orphaned uncle. If even he can't be relied on, he should be lonely and have no chance to store it! ”

Everyone discussed it and felt that this plan was feasible. On top of that, the sea route allows you to avoid the checkpoints along the canal. It's faster than Caoyun. If I can return to Gyeonggi sooner, I think there will be a chance to stop the conspiracy of the traitors.

Once again, the ship changed its direction and headed for the Nanhui port area.

Two days later, Zhang took Zhao Xiu to the door in person to ask Gwyneth? Wells made a request. It was a matter of the prince's safety, and they didn't dare to hide too much. After Gwyneth expressed her anger at Matt's backer, Zhao Xiu told her the truth.

Gwyneth was silent for a while before she said, "Mrs. Zhao." Miss Zhao, what do you mean. Is there also a glorious revolution going on in your country? ”

Zhao Xiu smiled bitterly: "A lot of people have died, I'm afraid I can't afford the word Glorious Revolution, this is a coup d'état within the royal family." We are on the side of the crown prince, and it may be dangerous for you to involve you, but please think about it carefully, now that the big people that Matt relies on are busy fighting for power and profit, and they can't take care of you for the time being, so you only feel that you have been deliberately embarrassed, but when they fight for power and have time to think about other things, will you and your caravan really be able to survive safely? Even if Matt doesn't take your wealth, you won't be able to take revenge. Help us defeat all the big men behind Matt, the crown prince has promised that although he will not intervene in the fight between you foreign merchants, he will take back all of Matt's privileges and give shelter to the Welsh caravan instead. Don't you have the faith to avenge your deceased husband yourself? ”

Gwyneth raised her neck high: "I have faith!" Thank you, the crown prince, for giving me the opportunity to take revenge personally. Even if I have to take a big risk, I won't care! ”

Gwyneth informed her cousins of her husband's family, and for the sake of secrecy, she did not tell the true identity of the prince, only that he was a representative of the clan sent by the Zhao family, and that he would go to the north with them on the ship to do business. The Wells fleet was suppressed by the authorities, and life in Nanhui Port was not very good, but fortunately, there was a pillar of the General's Mansion to support it, so that they could take a breath and continue to do business. However, the New Year is approaching, the domestic businessmen basically go home for the holidays, and Shanghai has suffered a disaster this year, the purchasing power of the local people has plummeted, prices have plummeted, many foreign merchants can not sell the goods in their hands, and the market situation of Nanhui Port is depressed. At this time, Gwyneth said that it was not surprising that she wanted to buy a large number of local goods and sell them in other places to make a difference. Others will only think that she was lucky to climb to the General's Mansion, and she has the relationship with the Nanjing Caoyun Yamen, so she has the courage to make this money, and most foreign businessmen can't get the ship guide, so they can only envy it.

Gwyneth drove away on the best big ship, carrying the goods that her companions had recently returned from Nanyang, as well as the cotton cloth, tea, grain and other things bought locally in Nanhui, and took on a makeover, disguised as ordinary people, the prince, Gao Zhen, and Zhao Wei, Zhao Xiu, Bilian, and Mingzhang brothers and sisters, and sailed away from Nanhui Port. Zhang took Zhao Ze and took a boat back to his mother's house in Songjiang City. She was old and couldn't stand the bumps on the sea, and she wanted to help her grandchildren cover up, so she stayed behind and took care of the seriously injured Zhao Ze by the way. Even if Zhao Jue came to find it afterwards, she had something to prevaricate.

In this way, as one of the caravan employers and a part-time interpreter, Zhao Xiu embarked on an unknowable future with the prince's uncle and nephew. (To be continued......)