It's June, and the weather in Beijing is getting hotter and hotter. The occasional rainstorm will not cool down the heat. Zhu Gaoxu was originally scheduled to leave Beijing in late June, just this month!

Everything has been prepared one after another, including warm clothes and felt blankets, which have been transported to the political envoy of Peiping.

It was very hot in Beijing now, but when the army arrived in Mongolian territory, it was the cold season of autumn and winter. The military department and the Governor's Office of the Five Armies were ordered to order a large number of felt blankets, cotton clothes, and woolen clothes from the Shen family merchants.

Originally, this was an unruly thing, and the official and military degrees of the Ming Dynasty were generally made by the various yamen under the Ministry of War, and then ordered the local government to levy and send people for transportation; This time, due to the issuance of the holy decree, everyone had no choice but to use expedient methods.

Shen Xu had only been in Beijing for a few months, and had annexed some weaving factories in the Zhili area, but they were still unable to meet their needs; She also contacted merchants in various places to buy it, and it was delivered on time.

After Xia Yuanji, the head of the household department, asked for the addition of salt citation, he found a group of merchants to transfer the cold fabric along the canal and transport it to the political envoy of Beiping. In the past, these salt merchants used to transport grain to the border to exchange salt for salt, and boats, boats, mules, and carts were available, and they were familiar with transportation.

Zhu Gaoxu also informed Shen Xu, suggesting that she made money from this military supply and ordered more sea ships from official shipyards, so that she could be given orders to transport government supplies in the future. I don't know why all dynasties liked river transportation, but Zhu Gaoxu's concept in later generations believed that offshore shipping should be cheaper.

In addition, the Tatar Command Division and the Uliangha Command Branch of the Southern Department of the Imperial Department also went to Liaodong a long time ago. They will inquire about the news of the Mongol side through the Uliangha tribe who had submitted to the Ming Dynasty and had envoys to deal with.

Later this month, Zhu Gaoxu will lead 20,000 elite cavalry to the north, and he will also be the last group of people and horses of the Northern Expeditionary Army to leave Beijing.

…… In the main hall of the Rouyi Palace, Zhu Gaoxu sat behind the bookcase in the middle, with a map in front of him. A group of generals stood opposite the bookcase, saluted, and then spoke.

At this time, Zhu Gaoxu spoke: "Xincheng Hou Zhang Fu! ”

Zhang Fu took two steps forward from the crowd, hugged his fists and said, "The minister is here!" ”

Zhu Gaoxu said straightforwardly: "For this march, you are responsible for arranging the marching camp and taking turns to guard the guards. ”

After hearing this, everyone looked at Zhang Fu. Zhang Fu was also very surprised, he immediately hugged his fists and said: "The minister obeys the order!" We will live up to the trust of the saints, be faithful, and dare not slack off! ”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded in response. After seeing Zhang Fu retreat into the crowd of generals, he looked thoughtful.

A group of generals, including Zhang Fu, may feel that the cavalry of the guards around Zhu Gaoxu should be deployed by the old generals of the Han Palace.

However, Zhu Gaoxu believes that Zhang Fu's situation is improving; A noble who has the opportunity to be promoted has already seen the dawn of the future, and it is unlikely that he will have two hearts at this time!

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu dared to reuse Zhang Fu.

"Chen Dazhui led the Yulin Left Guard cavalry, and Wang Yu led the Jinwu Rear Guard Cavalry, and followed me northward." Zhu Gaoxu said again.

The two stepped forward one after another to respond to the order.

"Baihu Chen Wu, since the Chinese cavalry left Beijing, you have been the general of the guard." Zhu Gaoxu raised his head and looked at the young man standing at the back.

Everyone turned their heads to look, and saw a military general clasping his fists and bowing: "The minister obeys the order!" ”

Everyone just thought that this person was raw, and they didn't pay much attention to him. Many people can't figure out the origin of this Chen Wu now! Zhu Gaoxu is now the emperor, and the people he summons on weekdays are all civil and military with great power, and it is really unusual for a hundred households to stand in this Rouyi Palace.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't explain, anyway, he himself understood what was going on.

Last year in Huguang Hengzhou Mansion, that Duan Yang wanted to assassinate Zhu Gaoxu, but as soon as she arrived in the city and didn't make a move, she was already noticed by this Chen Wu; Later, Zhu Gaoxu asked Chen Wu to be a hundred households and restrain his subordinates not to leak the news, and Chen Wu also kept it very secretive.

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu remembered that this little person, who was originally unknown, felt that he was quite talented, so he asked him to be the commander of the guards on this expedition.

Qi Tai, the secretary of the military department, persuaded that the vassal kings should not dare to easily and openly rebel, but the conspiracy is not necessarily absent; Zhu Gaoxu also listened to the persuasion to some extent, and had some precautions in advance.

In addition to the guard generals he personally promoted, he also ordered Concubine Duan Xue to go out with him, of course, not because Concubine De was the most favored......

Zhu Gaoxu arranged some manpower, and then looked back and said: "Last year, the Mongolian tribes, taking advantage of the civil war in the Ming Dynasty, sent troops to disturb the border, burning, killing, looting, and plundering all kinds of evil!" If our army does not counterattack the north, it will not be able to repay the troops.

This battle is imperative, and only by making the enemy pay the price can we make both sides understand the value of peace! Otherwise, no matter how much you persuade them, it will be useless! ”

The generals bowed one after another: "May the saint come forward!" ”

"You have your own business." Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand.

Everyone bowed down one after another and said, "The ministers are grateful." ”

…… On the evening of the same day, Zhu Gaoxu's cold-forged armor had been moved to the Qianqing Palace.

The armor was well protected and took it out after a few months, except for the residue of oil on it, there was no problem at all.

When he returned to the Qianqing Palace in the evening, he picked up a handkerchief and carefully wiped the oil stains on it himself. Since becoming the king of Gaoyang County, Zhu Gaoxu's weapons have been changed countless times, but the main armor has always been this one.

The many patched marks and dents on it are all proof of being battle-hardened!

Zhu Gaoxu already has a little affection for it. It looks black with a dark metallic luster, and its appearance is not good, but the material of Qingtang Refined Iron is excellent, and the cold-forged armor is indeed stronger than ordinary iron armor.

At this moment, the gentle voice of the woman saluting came from behind her.

Zhu Gaoxu turned his head and took a look, and the person who came was the beautiful woman of Chao Xian and the virtuous concubine Pu. Recently, the rules of the harem have gradually formed, and the concubines and female officials have been sleeping in general accordance with the order, and tonight should be the turn of the Park family.

He said casually: "Flat, the virtuous concubine doesn't have to be stubborn." ”

"Thank you." Park's face was filled with joy.

She walked over and said softly: "The concubine heard before that the Ming Emperor was wearing a shining golden armor, but she didn't know that the armor of the saint was so old. ”

Zhu Gaoxu said with a smile: "According to the etiquette system, the emperor's armor is indeed yellow, but that thing is useless, and when you review the guards of the Beijing camp, you can wear it to go through the motions." But if you want to go into battle and fight, it's still my old armor that is good to use. Not only is it sturdy and difficult to break, but the goal is not obvious; There are so many people on the battlefield, it's not easy for the enemy to find me! ”

"The heroic appearance of the saint on the battle array, the concubine hasn't seen it yet......" Park said quietly.

Zhu Gaoxu observed her expression and felt a little confused, not like he was deliberately complimenting himself.

Sure enough, Park said again: "The concubine waited for many days, and finally saw the saint." But you're going on another expedition, and you don't know when you'll be able to meet again? ”

"Around the end of the winter." Zhu Gaoxu said very smoothly.

Perhaps Zhu Gaoxu's actions of wiping the armor were very careful and serious, and Park asked again: "Does the saint like to fight?" ”

Zhu Gaoxu stopped his hand movements and placed the handkerchief on the stool next to the armor. He sighed, shook his head, and said, "It's weird to say. I was a little averse to war and killing, but I found that for many years, I could only feel my own value best on the battlefield. ”

Park looked at him in surprise and was speechless for a moment.

Zhu Gaoxu also stopped tinkering with his armor and washed and went to bed under Park's service. Staying in a quiet and luxurious palace is like a gentle place at night, which is very pleasant.

However, Zhu Gaoxu still has an expectation for the northbound meal.

…… In his distant childhood, he remembered that there was a lot of farm work and housework at home, and his parents were busy and hard, so his mood and temper were not very good, and the atmosphere was not so happy and relaxed; He has to help with the work, and he doesn't have any friends to play, so he naturally finds it quite boring.

But every time I go to my grandmother's house for the New Year, the experience is very pleasant. Adults are always polite and have smiles on their faces in front of their relatives who rarely meet. His uncle would tell funny stories, and his cousin would play with him, so he was so happy!

So whenever he has to leave home and have a definite destination, he always looks forward to it. I always feel that there is an unknown happiness, waiting for me in front of me.

This time, Zhu Gaoxu left Beijing to go on the expedition, and he still has such a mood!

Even if he goes to war and has all kinds of things to deal with, he still has a vague sense of anticipation. This is probably a kind of complex.

The emperor's personal expedition is not the same as the general transfer of troops. Before Zhu Gaoxu left Beijing, he did some things according to the arrangements of the ministers.

He inspected 20,000 cavalry in the Daxiao field south of Hongwu Gate, and then led hundreds of civil and military officials to the Temple of Heaven to worship, praying to heaven, declaring the righteousness of the use of soldiers, hoping to get heaven's permission; Then I went to the Taimiao Temple to worship the spiritual position of the ancestors, and also reported the great events to the spirits of the ancestors in the sky.

Before leaving Beijing, Zhu Gaoxu did those things, the honor guard was very grand, and the clothes were also very complicated. However, by the time he actually traveled, he had abandoned the guard of honor and even the complicated costumes, and put on his unsightly armor again, with a jade plaque hanging around his waist.

The queen led the concubines and took the prince Zhu Zhanqi to Chengtianmen; On the road outside the Chengtian Gate, hundreds of court officials were also there to see them off.

Zhu Gaoxu, who was wearing heavy armor, took the reins, turned over and got on his horse, and countless people bowed and said goodbye. Although Guo Wei and others said a lot of words of blessing, they were already wiping away tears.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu sat on his horse and said loudly: "I led the army to the expedition, just to protect the land and the people, and to bring long-term peace and stability to my Ming Dynasty." You should wait for the news of my victory! ”

The guards outside the Chengtian Gate shouted one after another: "Long live the saint!" After a while, the shout of "Long live the ......" echoed in the palace.

Zhu Gaoxu turned around and waved his hand to Guo Wei and the others, and then slapped his horse and rushed out of Chengtianmen, and the sound of the hooves of the cavalry immediately resounded on the brick floor of the Yongdao.