Qinghe, the sixteenth year of Yongli, has completely restored the prosperity of yesterday, and even more lively than in the past, but this kind of liveliness is often concentrated in the new city, the new city that is spacious and even not inferior to the streets of the Jingshi Imperial Road, the neat buildings on both sides of the street, and the street lamps on the side of the road, for every new person who comes here, they will always be attracted by the unique side of the city.

Of course, almost every out-of-towner who comes here is often surprised that the city has no walls...... The rammed-earth city, which had been built urgently to defend against the Qing army's attack, had been turned into a, and the embankment was planted with turf, manicured grass and gentle slopes, making it hard to believe that it could be a city wall.

For many people, it seems that this has never been a city wall, but in the atlas of the Qinghe official mansion, Qinghe has a city wall, and of course there is a city gate, compared to the earthen city wall, the city gate is made of bricks and stones, but it is not like the arrow tower and other tall towers of the ordinary city gate. It's just a very ordinary-looking city gate hole, but even if it is simple, this is where the city gate is.

On this day, the Xuanwu Gate in the north of the city was opened early, and the soldiers guarding the city gate would occasionally put their eyes into the city when they were busy. They know it's a big day.

Today is a big day, and it is an extremely important day for many people.

Today is the day of the Northern Expedition!

The army will march from here!

According to the stars, the north belongs to Xuanwu. And Xuanwu is the main sword soldier, so he sends troops to fight, and generally goes out of the city from the north gate. And the Xuanwu Gate is the north gate of the Qinghe.

The king wants to lead the Northern Expedition!

In the past few days, although the news seemed to be secretive, it finally came out, because everyone knew that the Northern Expedition was imminent, but when they were guessing who would lead the Northern Expedition, to people's surprise, the king would choose to lead the troops himself.

At this time, because Zheng Zhilongyi questioned the king, he also disappeared completely. It seems that people were secretly ashamed of their own suspicions of the king, but now it seems that the reason why the king did not ask about this matter at the beginning was probably because he was going all out to prepare for the Northern Expedition at that time, and naturally he had no time to take care of such a "small matter".

Of course, the so-called small things are just a step. The king needed this step, and the gentry and the common people needed this step. Now that we have this step, some of these things will naturally never be talked about again.

“…… In the thirteenth year of Yongli, the lonely battle was restored to Jiangbei, and the Suqian battle was fought bravely, and 100,000 Tatars were annihilated in the first battle......"

Again, Zhu Mingzhong, who was wearing a military uniform, tried to run through the sentence again, wanting to do a pre-war mobilization, but in the end he chose to give up.

The reason why he chose to give up was not because the pre-war mobilization was ineffective, but because it was impossible for his voice to reach everyone's ears.

"It's a pity there is no megaphone!"

When he secretly sighed like this in his heart, Zhu Mingzhong's brows furrowed, and his expression became more and more serious. For a moment, even breathing became a little short.

It's going to be the Northern Expedition!

Will this Northern Expedition be successful?

Dressed in military uniform, out of concern for the future, his mood became a little nervous, nervous about the unpredictable future.

Standing in the middle of the room, he slowly calmed his mood, and again, when he took the knife from the knife holder, the moment he held the handle of the knife, he immediately felt the blood boiling again, and the moment he drew the knife, he seemed to smell the smell of blood again, and even the hilt of the shark skin seemed to become greasy and slippery, just like the last time in Tongjimen, it was the blood of the enemy that made the handle slippery. Now it's going to be bloodied again.

"Kill ......"

Again, the scene of thousands of troops fighting to the death came to his mind, and again, the sky and the earth became red, everything was red, and the shouts of countless people rang in his ears again.

Fire, it's red!

Blood, it's red!

The sky, too, is red!

The earth is also red!

It seems that everything in heaven and earth is dyed red, and in the midst of the red, the earth is trembling, but it is ...... There was no more unbridled laughter in my ears, no more desperate cries of people, but the voices of thousands of people, which were neat voices.

What are they shouting?

It seems that it cannot be heard, but it can still be felt that their cry is not a cry of despair, but a cry of generosity, a roar of passion!

Although he couldn't hear it, Zhu Mingzhong could feel that the heavens and the earth were trembling, as if everything in the world was stirring there, just when the heavens and the earth were about to boil.

"The capital of Yao, the soil of Shun, the seal of Yu."

There was a childish child's voice, and I saw a young man with two horns combed into two buns coming over, the uncrowned young man was dressed in Han clothes, their eyes were resolute, their expressions were solemn, and they just chanted this song "Water Adjustment Bow Boat", walking forward.

"The capital of Yao, the soil of Shun, the seal of Yu. In the middle of the should be, a half shameful minister. Thousands of miles are as bloody as words, and the eternal heroes are safe? When will the majestic pass? Why does Hu Yun have to ask, Heri is from the middle. ”

Why do you need to ask, Heri is from the middle!

Why do you need to ask, Heri is from the middle!

The simple ten words exploded in his mind, making his whole mood in an unprecedented excitement, and at this moment, the blood seemed to be boiling.

When Zheng Ling, Shi Zhao, Mu Yunqing, and Jin Suo walked into the house, they saw their husbands in military uniforms standing in the room, standing there quietly with a blade in hand.

None of the four of them spoke, none of them bothered him, and they could hear the voice coming from his throat, which was extremely impassioned, and even had a feeling of wanting to explode.

“…… Thousands of miles are as bloody as words, and the eternal heroes are safe? When will the majestic pass? Why does Hu Yun have to ask, Heri is from the middle. ”

Listening to the words coming from the king's throat, Zheng Ling seemed to think of the scene when he first saw him, and thought that he was at the bottom of the boat at the time, didn't he just memorize this poem?

Thinking of this, the corners of her lips lifted slightly, and a heartfelt smile flashed on her pretty face.

This is the past that belongs to the two of them, which no one else knows, perhaps, it was that first meeting that carved his shadow in her heart, and since then, she has never forgotten it.

It was here that the baby's cry interrupted Zheng Ling's thoughts, and also made Zhu Mingzhong wake up from the wandering lost soul, the baby's cry, when his soul was recalled, he realized the lost soul just now, and when he turned around, he saw four women in palace clothes, who else could they be if it wasn't Zheng Ling?

"The concubine has seen the king!"

As soon as Zheng Ling and the four of them saw Zhu Mingzhong turn around, they hurriedly curtsied. They are here to see off the king, after all, the king led the northern expedition this time, and he doesn't know when he will come back.

"You're here,"

Looking at Zheng Ling, Shi Zhao, Mu Yunqing and the four of them, the position of the four of them can show their status, they seem to be standing in a row, but in fact they are clearly lined up in three rows, Zheng Ling is the first, Shi Zhao and Mu Yunqing are a few inches behind, and the golden lock is slightly behind,

Zhu Mingzhong was not interested in these trivial matters at home, and when he listened to the baby's cry, he looked at his son who was being held by the wet nurse on the side.

"Why did you bring him over so early?"

"Back to the king, the prince has woken up, and I think the prince also knows that he is thinking about the king in his heart......"

The nurse's compliment made Zhu Mingzhong's brows lock slightly, and there was a little unhappiness in his heart, from the twenty-first century, he naturally knew that sleep was important to the baby, and the nurse's seemingly compliment made him a little bored, he didn't have to guess that he also knew that it must have been the nurse who woke up her son, and everything this nurse did was just to invite credit to the master, that is, to invite Zheng Ling by this clumsy means.

Although he was slightly unhappy in his heart, he could vaguely guess the reason, which was just to prove his existence - the son of the world was also seeing off his father even though he was young. This is filial piety for children!

This is a gift......

With a long sigh in his heart, Zhu Mingzhong glanced at his son, who was not yet a year old, and then said to Zheng Ling.

"Ling'er, let's take Yi'er back in a while."

Zhu Mingzhong's Yi'er is his son, his name is very simple, he is called Zhu Yi, the reason why he is named Huo, is precisely because Daming is the five elements of "fire", so he will give this rather simple name.

"Hmm,"

Nodding, Zheng Ling didn't say anything, she knew that she didn't need to say too much now.

"Please rest assured that the king will go on the expedition, there is a concubine in the family."

As the princess of Huai, Zheng Ling knew that after the king left Qinghe, this Qinghe would have to rely on her to support her, although the military palace was still there, but she and Yi'er, who was less than a year old, would be the backbone of the entire Jiangbei. Looking at the woman's firm eyes, Zhu Mingzhong nodded slightly, and then walked out of the house silently.

"I wish the king a triumphant ......"

When the women's words came from behind him, Zhu Mingzhong didn't look back, just walked forward silently, and the maids he met along the way all curtsied.

After leaving the back house, Zhu Mingzhong saw Gu Yanwu, Zhu Daxian, Qian Lei, and Wu Youcai, all four of them were standing there, and the civil and military officials of the six departments in the mansion were all standing behind the four of them, they were all wearing Han-style right official robes, they held the wat board in their hands, and when Zhu Mingzhong left the house, they all held the wat and bowed.

"Congratulations to the king!"

In the face of their bow, Zhu Mingzhong nodded silently, and then said.

"This Jiangbei will be left to you!"

Leaving Qinghe and leading the Northern Expedition, this is Zhu Mingzhong's own decision, is this decision correct?

He didn't know if it was right.

But he knew very well that in the Northern Expedition, he had to go, and he couldn't let others do it, after all, he was the Huai King of the Ming Dynasty! As the Huai King of the Ming Dynasty, he must personally lead the Northern Expedition, not fake the hands of others. It's not that he doesn't believe in other people, but he prefers to bury the Manchu Qing who led the Chinese nation into the darkest abyss.

And in addition to this, there are other ideas for the Northern Expedition in person, some ideas that are not well known.

"Please rest assured that the ministers will guard Jiangbei for the king, so that the king has no worries."

As a member of the military government, Gu Yanwu knew what their responsibility was, that is, to guard Jiangbei, Jiangbei was the foundation of the king, and there was no room for failure.

Now that the king has left Jiangbei, then they must guard this place for the king. There must be no mistakes!

"Lone knows!"

Nodding slightly, Zhu Mingzhong looked at the civil and military officials in the mansion, at this time he even had an illusion, if he changed his title, maybe he would be a king!

When this thought surfaced, Zhu Mingzhong's heart trembled slightly, he knew that this was a thought that should not be born, after all, he was the Huai King of the Ming Dynasty.

But although he wanted to stop this thought, he still couldn't help but imagine and think, after all, everyone will have a little ambition, but in many cases, people's ambition will always make reality dispelled, and reason will always make people choose between ambition and reality.

At least, for a moment, Zhu Mingzhong was indeed moved, and in the face of the temptation of supreme power, who would not be moved?

Of course, this thought was just a flash, and then he regained his composure again, and then, he once again recognized his identity - the Huai King of the Ming Dynasty!

That's all.

As for what the future holds...... I don't know, but he knows what the purpose of this expedition is, that is, for the Northern Expedition and to restore the world of the Ming Dynasty. In order to allow the people of the world to live a peaceful life again. In order for China not to fall into the eternal darkness like another time and space.

"When you are not in Qinghe, in this house, please leave it to you!"

After bowing, Zhu Mingzhong instructed Gu Yanwu, Zhu Daxian, Qian Lei, and Wu Youcai.

"Jiangbei affairs, big or small, are determined by the military government, and there will be four brothers in the future!"

In the face of Zhu Mingzhong's politeness, the four of them all looked like they didn't dare to, and at the same time, they guaranteed that they would not have a heavy trust, of course, in the end, Gu Yanwu deliberately emphasized

"Although the king is not in Qinghe, the prince is still here, although the young master is young, the princess can also be in charge, please rest assured, the ministers will do their best to assist the young master and the princess."

Gu Yanwu's words were quite skillful, he was called "king" and "prince" at the beginning, and in the end he became "lord" and "young lord", such a simple change in title is to show loyalty to Zhu Mingzhong.

A "lord" undoubtedly shows his recognition of his identity, he is no longer a minister of the Ming Dynasty, but the king of Huai and a courtier of Zhu Mingzhong.

This "lord" sounded in the hearts of other people, and it also made them all look sideways at Gu Yanwu with a solemn expression, and Qian Lei was even more surprised on the side.

"I didn't expect this Gu Ning person to have this eyesight! It's so good at picking the time. ”

There is no better time than at this time to say this, more suitable to express allegiance, this "lord" is undoubtedly telling everyone, who they are, they may be the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty in name, but in fact they are all the courtiers of the "lord", and loyalty to the lord is a matter of course.

Of course, Gu Yanwu is also using his own way to tell others that now, it's time for everyone to make a choice.

For a long time, for the officials of Qinghe, they are facing a contradiction in identity, on the one hand, they are "Ming officials", holding "Ming Yulu", but in fact, they are officials of the Huai Wangfu, Huai Wang has the grace of knowing and appointing them, and they also get the Huai Wang's Yulu rice grain.

But most of the time, they are called "Da Ming", after all, they are the courtiers of Da Ming. And for this identity, they have never doubted it, but, deep down, they know that sooner or later, they must face the reality - it is Da Ming, or King Huai!

Perhaps, King Huai is the King of Huai of the Ming Dynasty, but they are the courtiers of King Huai. They are the courtiers of the King of Huai of the Ming Dynasty, or the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty, this word seems to make no difference, but the difference is big, if they choose the former, then even if there is an imperial order in the future, they can refuse to obey the edict, because they are not the ministers of the Ming Dynasty, they are the ministers of the Huai King.

Unless it is ordered by the king, it is not obeyed!

For them, who have long been accustomed to Daming, this choice is difficult, but they all know that this day is unavoidable.

And many people are ready for this day. Even they have already made a decision, but everyone is waiting, waiting for someone to take the lead, waiting for this day to come.

What should come will come!

Zhu Daxian sighed in his heart, for this day, his father had expected it as early as last year, in fact, everyone guessed it, but it was just ...... How long will it take to delay?

"Please rest assured, the ministers will do their best to assist the young lord and the princess, do everything impartially, and never dare to show favoritism......"

Everyone made a choice, even Zhu Daxian, although his father was loyal to Daming, but last year between their father and son had already made a decision for today. Although the Ming Dynasty was kind to them, the kindness of King Huai was difficult to repay even if he was powdered.

"Please rest assured, the ministers will do their best to assist the young lord and the princess, do everything impartially, and never dare to show favoritism......"

There are four people who joined the army to set an example, and the other people who were originally entangled in their identities have all expressed their loyalty to the wat again, from now on, they are no longer the ministers of the Ming Dynasty, but the ministers of the King of Huai, when the King of Huai is the King of the Ming Dynasty, they are the ministers of the Ming Dynasty, if the King of Huai is not ...... Then they will only follow the lord.

When he was called the lord by everyone, Zhu Mingzhong did not feel the slightest flutter, but he felt an unprecedented pressure.

Because he knew very well what this lord meant! These people put all their personal honor and disgrace on him.

As their lord, henceforth, while accepting their allegiance, he must also repay them......