Seeing that Cheng Yue was about to go on the expedition, the court was very busy. Cheng Yue brought 60,000 people this time, and the navy is not among them! The amount of grain, weapons, and ordnance used was a rather large amount, and the preparations must not be sloppy, and the Metropolitan Governor could not be deceived.

The training of the generals has also been carried out to the final stage, and there are various armies shouting and shouting and killing every day around Lin'an, and the people are accustomed to it, and they find it interesting. Anyway, it doesn't disturb the people, and sometimes you can see the excitement and follow the pointers.

From time to time, there are posteriors who have been beaten with a blue nose and swollen face to go home to recuperate, and their hearts hurt so much that their parents shed tears. Since Cheng Yue came to power, the martial atmosphere of the Southern Song Dynasty has slowly emerged, and the status of the warriors has been significantly improved.

The composition of the 60,000 horses that Cheng Yue brought this time is a bit complicated. Xu Hanqing, Mrs. Xu, and Chen Hangyan led 10,000 troops, Xia Jing 5,000 people, Angier 5,000 people, Zhang Gui 5,000 people, Quanzhou generals 2,000 people, 5,000 people who dewarmed without flowers, 2,000 generals in Guangdong, 4,000 people in Ali Hague, 5,000 people in Zhang Rongshi, because Wang Li wanted to garrison Japan, leading the most troops, 15,000 people, 1,000 people in Kutoulon, 1,000 people in Nangjiazhen, a total of 60,000 soldiers and horses. The 1,000 elite soldiers of Dehuan are also commanded by Cheng Yue, but they are not counted among the 60,000 people.

Among them, Zhang Gui, Tuowen Buhua, Zhang Rongshi, Wang Li, and Ali Hague each had 1,000 musketeers in the army, and they were also equipped with artillery. In addition, Cheng Yue had 1,000 guards, 1,000 monks and 200 spearmen. This team of people and horses are all elites from all over the world, and their combat power is strong. Can compete with any Mongolian elite soldier.

As for the Navy. Compared to the Army, it is not far behind. Xie Ruji, Liu Shiyong, Li Ting, and Gu Changde each led 5,000 people to participate in the battle. Zhang Shijie personally led 10,000 marines, Zhang Xuan and Zhu Qing formed an army of 8,000 people, plus most of the Guangdong and Fujian sailors, a total of 60,000 people!

Wealthy merchants in Suzhou, Yangzhou, Shanghai, and Lin'an also donated a large amount of money and grain for Cheng Yue's eastward expedition. At the same time, they also sent a large number of merchant ships to transport troops and various supplies for Cheng Yue, once the defeat of Japan. Their investment will be recouped exponentially!

Through the reform of the army, Cheng Yue abolished countless idle official positions, took back all the power to make up for the shadows, and established a rule that no military merits could be conferred on officials. As a result, the children of all families in the army tried their best to squeeze these 120,000 people, and their desire to make meritorious contributions was unprecedentedly high.

The Crusade is a big deal, and it's all about it on the streets these days. Because Zhao Miaohui is poised to reach the sky, the sales of "China Daily" have skyrocketed again. The drills and confrontations of various armies, and the victory and defeat of the various armies, have all become the news that the people of Pingtou are talking about, and it can be called an unprecedented grand occasion. The generals who accompanied Cheng Yue on the expedition have also become news figures, and their every move has attracted much attention, and the Great Song Dynasty has never had such respect for martial artists!

When there were only three days left before Cheng Yue's departure, Cheng Yue personally took charge of the work and published the "Eastern Expedition Essay" in the "China Daily", counting Japan's coveting of the Central Plains since the Tang Dynasty. He denounced the hatred of the Japanese for plundering the coast and killing the maritime merchants and fishermen, and vowed to avenge the people who had been harmed, but never mentioned the assassination of the Japanese from beginning to end.

As soon as the text came out, the Great Song Dynasty was furious, and everyone scolded the Japanese for being cruel and murderous, and had no objection to the Eastern Expedition of the Metropolitan Governor.

On 28 May, Cheng Yue swore his army to the north, and the army near Lin'an immediately marched along the Grand Canal to Dadu.

Cheng Yue did not set off with the army, he still took the imperial boat to Dadu like last time, and it was not too late to leave three days later.

Seeing that they were about to leave Lin'an, Kuo Kuolun and Babahan were reluctant. In the past few days, in addition to making some preparations for departure, Cheng Yue stayed in the villa almost all day, nominally to accompany Kuo Kuolun and Babahan to play more, but in fact, he closed the door and did not come out at all. Wanze and Nangjiazhen are very busy, and they have become their own world in the villa.

The day after Cheng Yue released the text, the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion was also busy, and this time the wives and concubines who went north with Cheng Yue were not only Wan Ze and Nang Jiazhen, but also Rou Niang, Yaguli, Zhang Shufang, Ye Yiyi, Gillian, and Wan'er, and the three ladies naturally had to follow Cheng Yue. In addition, Wan Ze also selected fifty palace maids who Cheng Yue had not been pampered to serve with him, and they were carried by Pearl and Qinglian, in case Cheng Yue wanted to change his taste.

When Cheng Yue returned from Kuo Kuolun and Ba Ba Han, the concubines were picking out the belongings they were carrying. Cheng Yue's last expedition to the north, he went for half a year, and it is hard to say how long this expedition will last, and it is definitely right to bring a few more clothes for the winter.

Cheng Yue's clothes and boots were prepared by Wan Ze, Ding Niang and Zhang Shufang, Wan Ze was afraid that she and Zhang Shufang would be too busy at that time, so he specially called Mrs. Song and Mrs. Gu to buy them together, so as not to find Cheng Yue.

The five women were busy in the bedroom, Cheng Yue stopped outside the door and watched quietly, and a huge sense of happiness arose.

Ding Niang saw Cheng Yue first and said with a smile: "Xianggong, have the queen and the princess cleaned up?" Do you want me to come over tomorrow to help? ”

Cheng Yue shook his head and said: "No, Wan Ze and Nang Jiazhen will personally bring people over tomorrow, the luggage is not much, there are enough people." ”

Wan Ze wiped the fine sweat on his forehead and said, "Xianggong, will my mother and the queen be reluctant?" They always say that Lin'an is better than most of them, and the villa is also comfortable. ”

Cheng Yue said: "They are indeed a little reluctant, but it doesn't matter, the craftsmen I sent to Dadu to build villas have already excavated the foundation and pipelines in Xiangshan in the west of Dadu, and after I have determined the design in the past, I can build a few villas comparable to Lin'an, which is a little filial piety of mine, and it is also a real dowry." ”

Wan Ze's eyes lit up, and he said in surprise: "Oh, has the construction started?" When will it be built? ”

Cheng Yue said: "For about half a year, it is halfway up the mountain, and it takes more work." ”

Wan Ze said: "Can you catch the winter?" My father Khan is old, and I want my father Khan to spend the winter comfortably. ”

Cheng Yue smiled: "I know that you are filial, so I sent craftsmen early, but this matter cannot be urged, it is difficult to achieve perfection in a hurry, the villa is for the Great Khan and the nobles of the harem, and it must be built." ”

At this time, the concubines who were working outside came back one after another, and came to Cheng Yue and Wan Ze to say goodbye.

Yunluo and Baji came back early, leaving Baxiao Geji in Yaleju, and wanted to accompany Cheng Yue for a while.

Ba Ji's work time is longer than that of other concubines, and there are many fewer opportunities to accompany Cheng Yue, and this time Cheng Yue came back, he only went to Yaleju a few times, and Ba Ji's newly rehearsed Heavenly Demon Dance for Cheng Yue Cheng Yue was about to leave before he had time to see it, and Ba Ji inevitably had some resentment.

Cheng Yue saw Baji Chuchu looking at him pitifully, he couldn't bear it, remembered one thing, and asked Yun Luo: "Yun Luo, is Yaleju very busy now?" ”

Yun Luo didn't know Cheng Yue's intentions, and said honestly: "After a year, Yaleju has a lot of manpower, and the branches in Dadu, Guangzhou, Ningbo, and Quanzhou are still in preparation, and there are many people who train helpers in the store, and there are more than enough people. ”

Cheng Yue's eyes flashed, and he pointed at Ba Ji and said: "In this case, Ba Ji, you go with me, from now on, wherever I go, you will follow!" ”

All the wives and concubines were stunned, and the eight concubines were so excited that they all jumped up and cheered!

Yun Luo hurriedly said: "Officials, why do you only take them there, I also want to go with the officials." ”

Cheng Yue hugged Yunluo, kissed her on the lips, and said apologetically: "No, you have to take care of Yaleju for me, you can't do without you here." Letting Hachihime follow me has always been my intention. Remember what I told you about soft power? Hachihime is an important part of this! I want to conquer Japan with military power as well as with culture. With Hachihime here, this goal is much easier to achieve. Originally, I wanted to wait until I had conquered Japan before summoning Yahime, but since Yaleju had enough men, I might as well let them go with me, lest I worry about them going on their way alone. ”

The wives and concubines suddenly realized that Cheng Yue had been preparing for expansion everywhere earlier, and they even thought of these! No wonder he insisted on letting his beloved Hachime perform on stage without interruption, and he still refused to change after taking charge of the government.

Wan Ze exclaimed: "Xianggong, you really deserve the words 'far-sighted'!" ”

Cheng Yue smiled: "It's nothing, it's just a little careful." You guys are busy, I'll go to the study and write some more novels for Zhao Miaohui. ”

Hearing Cheng Yue mention the novel that is now being published, Ding Niang just wanted to relieve the doubts in her heart, so she hurriedly pulled Cheng Yue and asked, "Xianggong, there is one thing, I have been wondering for a long time." Your "Four Famous Catches" is very good-looking, and it can be said to create a new game of fiction, but I can't see the deep meaning when I look left and right, isn't it really just an article that everyone plays in their spare time? ”

Cheng Yue smiled mysteriously and said, "It's not time yet, this novel has just begun, and the more important content will be later, I'll know when I come back." He turned and walked to the study.

After the last trip to Dadu, the official's royal boat stopped at the pier again. Unlike last time, the temporary hostess of Yuzhou was changed from Zhang Shufang to Wanze.

Taking a boat back to Dadu can be regarded as the first time Wanze has returned to his parents' home. Wan Ze was planning this trip early, as soon as the ship landed, Wan Ze immediately sent people to carry all kinds of items up, all the good things of the Southern Song Dynasty, Wan Ze wanted Kublai Khan to enjoy.

As a result, the huge imperial boat was stuffed with Wanze, and the tributes to Kublai Khan and the harem concubines and the gifts to the ministers of the Yuan Dynasty accounted for the largest number of them, among which the most sought-after table clocks were the largest, with a total of three hundred, and each of the important figures had one.

The grandfather clock made in the Southern Song Dynasty is not only extremely expensive, but what is even worse is that it has no price! The imperial relatives of the Yuan Dynasty, including Kublai Khan, did not even have one, and most of them were eager to see through it, waiting for Cheng Yue and Wan Ze to bring it to them. (To be continued.) )