As soon as the sky was bright in the morning, Yao Ji, who was neatly dressed, had already sent Zhu Gaoxu to the gate of Concubine Xian's Palace. Last night's torrential rain didn't last long, but it rained lightly one after another, and the brick floor in the morning was still very wet, and Zhu Gaoxu saw that the hem of Yao Ji's long skirt was already wet.

The sedan chair outside the door was waiting there, and there were some eunuchs with simple honor guards in front and behind, as well as palace maids carrying lanterns.

Not far away, a lantern quickly moved this way. Zhu Gaoxu waited for a while, and then saw that the person who came was the eunuch Wang Gui. Wang Gui hurriedly walked up to Zhu Gaoxu, bent down, and handed over something with both hands. Wang Jinghong's recital.

Wang Gui stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Emperor, when the chapter entered the city, the city gate had not yet opened. Because there was the word "800 miles urgent", someone was sent to come in in a hanging basket. The officials on duty at night in the Department of General Administration recorded the chapter, but they did not have time to transcribe the contents. The slave passed on the emperor's holy decree yesterday and sent someone to bring the chapter into the palace in advance. ”

The palace people who greeted Zhu Gaoxu all stayed in front of the sedan chair and did not move. Yao Ji also stood behind him and did not come forward to ask.

Zhu Gaoxu stood in place, immediately opened the concerto, and read the content by the light of the lantern. He skimmed through it roughly, then took a deep breath and closed it, then turned around and said, "Concubine Xian, go back to the palace quickly." ”

At this time, Yao Ji was looking at him silently, and she didn't know what she was thinking. When Yao Ji heard Zhu Gaoxu's words, she bent her knees and squatted, and said, "The concubine respectfully sends the saint." ”

Zhu Gaoxu got into the big sedan chair and patted it. The eunuch next to him shouted, "Get up! The eunuchs who were relatively strong in front and behind skillfully lifted the sedan chair flat.

The sedan chair swayed slightly, but it was balanced. Zhu Gaoxu sat on it and unfolded the movement again. He leaned to the left, and by the light of the lantern, he took a closer look.

The situation is very bad, and Zhu Gaoxu's luck has come to naught. But it doesn't seem to be so bad that it makes people desperate. So Zhu Gaoxu's mood at this time was a little complicated, and he didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed.

The naval fleet was indeed hit by a storm and was located in the sea south of the Fujian Provincial Envoy. The left wing of the Navy was swept up in a hurricane, and the right wing was able to get away with it. Heavy losses on the left wing of ships, personnel.

After Wang Jinghong and others counted the ships, they preliminarily determined that 12 seagoing ships had sunk or capsized, and dozens of ships had been damaged to varying degrees. The number of casualties and missing persons cannot be determined for the time being, and the specific list will be reported to the imperial court at a later date.

The navy decided to move the seriously damaged ships north to the Yongningwei port (Xiamen) and hand them over to the left and middle two thousand households for safekeeping.

The remaining ships will head south into the mouth of the Pearl River. Among them, the damaged sea vessels will continue northbound to Guangzhou; Because Guangzhou has a larger dock and more abundant supplies. Officials in Canton will be responsible for mobilizing craftsmen to repair damaged ships. The whole army will be repaired in various waters of the political envoy in Guangdong.

The procession of people surrounding the sedan chair has passed a palace wall from the gate on the southwest side of the Qianqing Palace. At this time, Zhu Gaoxu had already seen the Qianqing Gate in front of him.

He suddenly turned his head and said, "Don't go to Fengtianmen, go to Qianqing Palace." ”

The eunuch next to him shouted: "Move to the Qianqing Palace." ”

Zhu Gaoxu beckoned Wang Gui to come closer, and said, "You go to Fengtianmen to pass the decree, because of the rain, cancel the morning dynasty today." and called the Guogong, Jiuqing, and the cabinet ministers who were not among the Jiuqing to go to the Dongnuan Pavilion to discuss matters. ”

Wang Gui hurriedly said: "The slave and maid will do it immediately." ”

The road from Qianqingmen to Fengtianmen is very long, and it will take a long time for Wang Gui to go to the place first, and then send a decree to let the civil and military people in. Therefore, when Zhu Gaoxu walked to the inclined corridor outside the Dongnuan Pavilion, he paced back and forth in the corridor, and did not rush in.

The masonry on the ramp floor is worn smooth, and it looks older than the rest of the palace. Since the time of Taizu, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty has summoned ministers here.

After thinking about it repeatedly, Zhu Gaoxu gradually had an idea in his heart.

After all, the naval fleet has already set out for the expedition, and the chapter can be approved: let Wang Jinghong and Chen? After Zhu Zhen and Zhu Zhen discussed, they made their own decisions on follow-up matters.

Since Zhu Gaoxu appointed Wang Jinghong and Chen Gaoxu, he chose them himself; Zhu Gaoxu was reluctant to interfere with the generals outside. For he believed that it seemed possible for the Navy to continue the expedition, and that a gesture of full confidence in the principals would boost their confidence and relieve them of their worries.

Since ancient times, kings have sent out generals remotely, mostly out of political considerations. The issue of Zhu Gaoxu this time is no exception, and the success or failure of the navy has a bearing on the new policy of the imperial court. It's just that Zhu Gaoxu is willing to take on the political affairs by himself, after all, he doesn't have to go to war, he only needs to sit in the imperial court.

At the same time, Zhu Gaoxu also considered, Wang Jinghong and Chen? Before going to sea, listen to everything you should hear; Nothing more about it now, it doesn't work. And those who are in the military know the specific situation best. It is more reasonable to let them make decisions than to imagine those who live comfortably in Beijing.

Zhu Gaoxu made up his mind and walked into the East Warm Pavilion. To approve an important recital, it is necessary to listen to the opinions of the ministers first, and the process has to go through a process.

…… In mid-July, the departing naval fleet slowly entered the bay at the mouth of the Pearl River.

Wang Jinghong, the eunuch standing on the command tower of the treasure ship, could see the land on three sides from a high place. He had been standing behind the railing for at least two hours. The cloak on his body fluttered in the sea breeze like a flag, and the pattern on the python robe showed teeth and claws, as if it was moving with the shaking of the robe.

Wang Jinghong's face was exposed to the wind and sun, and it became darker. Coupled with his face with high cheekbones, his haggard complexion for a while made him look a little yellow and thin.

At this time, Chen? walked out, also looked at the land in the distance, and then hugged his fists and said, "Princess, we are going to the place." ”

Wang Jinghong looked at Chen? Nodding, he raised his arm and pointed ahead: "The wide body of water on the right is the waterway leading to Guangzhou Mansion. ”

Old? "I have first sent a clipper to Guangzhou Prefecture to discuss with local officials and arrange a place for the damaged ship to dock. When the pioneer returns, we will let the injured ship go north, and the rest will be arranged. ”

Wang Jinghong nodded and said, "The handsome is properly arranged." ”

The two of them suddenly stopped talking, silently watching the movement of the ships around them. The sound of brass bells came and went, the flags of the ships were repeatedly waving, many sails had been lowered, and countless warships were slowly fluttering forward.

Wang Jinghong spoke again: "Our family worships the concubine Niangniang in the building, and there is also incense in the Longjiang Temple of Jingshi. ”

Old? Noncommittal, he said after a while: "Actually, the person who stood here for two hours should be me." ”

Wang Jinghong turned his head to look at Chen, and the two glanced at each other. Wang Jinghong probably understands Chen? Meaning: He himself is a popular eunuch trusted by the emperor, and if he can't, he can still be a eunuch in the palace; But Chen? If you don't do a good job this time, I'm afraid your career will be hopeless.

However, Wang Jinghong suddenly felt that something was wrong. Yes, should Chen? It's right to be bored here, why Chen? Looks like it's okay?

"I'm ashamed of the emperor." Wang Jinghong sighed and said, "Our family estimates that there are no less than 3,000 soldiers who are wounded, killed, and cannot be found; Add to the ships that cannot be repaired for a while, and the number of warships will be reduced by dozens. The division was unfavorable, the losses were heavy, and the morale had a great impact. Some ministers in the court may admonish the emperor and call us back. ”

Sure enough, Chen? 's expression became a little nervous at this time: "The Holy Lord will not agree with the courtier's proposition, right?" ”

Wang Jinghong took a breath and frowned: "Our family has been with the emperor for many years, and I think the emperor should not be too influenced by the courtiers. But the point is, now that we can continue to sail and get to the place, will we have to fight two battles? ”

Old? Shen groaned, "Ben will feel that he can continue. What's more, this matter will have to do with the New Deal. ”

Wang Jinghong looked at Chen with a little surprise, surprised by what he had just said. But think about Chen? This martial artist, who has been in charge of water conservancy and formulated laws and regulations for water transportation, should indeed understand the affairs of the court; Maybe it's because of Chen? Very good at judging the situation before surrendering "in time" in two civil wars? Wang Jinghong suddenly showed a slightly awakened look.

"Don't think too much about the government and politics, the most important thing is to estimate the situation in the army." Wang Jinghong kindly reminded.

Old? said very simply: "When you go out to fight, it is difficult to guarantee that it will be smooth sailing every time, there will be adversity and vicious battles, and the current situation is not so serious." He may have remembered that he had never won a big battle and surrendered one after another, so he couldn't help but emphasize, "Ben will promise, and he is not talking nonsense." ”

Wang Jinghong put his hand on the railing, looked down at the soldiers on the deck, and observed for a long time.

Old? The voice added: "But it still has to be decided by the prince, and the general can only suggest." ”

Wang Jinghong turned around and said, "Our family thinks that we have to wait for the approval of the imperial court first." Anyway, we won't be able to go for a while, and if we don't fix those boats, the soldiers will be crowded into other ships, and it will be too crowded. ”

Old? Said: "The prince is reasonable. ”

After some conversation, Wang Jinghong had lost interest in sighing for a long time, so he went back to the command building to rest. Only then did he feel stiff and uncomfortable.

The naval fleet stayed in various parts of the Pearl River. By the end of July, all the damaged warships had left for Canton, and many were still anchored at the mouth of the Pearl River. At this time, I didn't expect the approval of the imperial court to come so soon, and the messenger rode a fast horse and rushed to the Guangdong political envoy on the post road.

Wang Jinghong saw Zhu Gaoxu's handwriting, and then passed on to the general of the Chinese army. Many people can't help but be moved when they see it.

The red letter reads: The hurricane is unpredictable, and the responsibility of the officers and men should not be borne by the admiral of the Navy. Those who died in the sea sacrificed for the development of the Ming country, and died in battle. How will the fleet be arranged, and where will it go, Wang Jinghong and Chen? After deliberation, make your own decision. I don't doubt it.