Inside the Imperial Palace Wuying Hall.

It was late spring, and the charcoal fire in the warm pavilion had long since been removed. Sunlight filtered through the vermilion window lattice, sprinkled on the three-foot square dragon case in the pavilion.

Zhu Yuanzhang was wearing a bright yellow casual clothes, a thin blanket on his legs, his head was leaning back on the back of the chair, and he looked very tired at the moment after he had just finished approving the recital.

After the beginning of spring, he felt that his body was not as good as day by day, and this broken body was like a broken candle in the wind, and he didn't know when it would be blown out by the wind.

A lonely old man, sitting quietly in the room, silently counting down the days when death is approaching, who can experience the bitterness and bitterness of this feeling except himself?

He remembered the year of the catastrophe when he starved everywhere and starved everywhere, and he remembered that the elders and brothers in the family starved to death one after another, in order to survive, he had to go out to be a monk, a beggar, and a thief, and he remembered the enemies he had defeated in this life, Chen Youliang, Zhang Shicheng, Wang Baobao...... He even remembered the ministers and generals he had killed happily in his life, Hu Weiyong, Song Lian, Fu Youde, Lan Yu...... The enemies are no longer alive, and the comrades-in-arms are no longer alive.

Now that the hero is in the twilight, his sideburns are gray, no matter how powerful a person is, no matter how respectful his status is, he can't escape the years and sand, and he can't escape birth, old age, sickness and death.

Soon, he may have to go down to meet his former enemies and comrades.

Zhu Yuanzhang has done a lot of things that should not be done in his life, and has killed a lot of people that should not be killed, right and wrong, and future generations will give him a fair evaluation, he doesn't care.

What he is worried about is that this Zhu Ming country is secretly in danger, can his simple and young grandson really inherit this country, and can he create a glorious Ming Dynasty?

The future is too unpredictable, and as an emperor, you can't predict what the future holds.

Recently, Zhu Yuanzhang kept asking himself, what else can I do for Yun Wei? Who else I am not worried about and am bound to be punished for future troubles?

Thinking about it, a burly and tall figure always emerges in front of me.

Zhu Di, his fourth prince, the Yan King who is extremely deferential on the surface, but ambitious behind the scenes.

A fierce killing intent quickly flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, and then disappeared.

If he was a foreign minister, then he would have died a thousand times by now, but unfortunately, why is he his own son, and he is the most outstanding and capable son among the princes, and enjoys the highest prestige among the people!

Tiger poison does not eat children, how can the old Zhu Yuanzhang bear to poison his own son? Zhu Yuanzhang in the eyes of outsiders is cruel, murderous, and cold-blooded, but Zhu Yuanzhang asked himself, he is really a good father and grandfather in the eyes of the prince, he has done so many evil things and killed so many people who should not be killed, isn't the purpose to consolidate the Zhu family? If he killed his son for the sake of the Zhu family, what is the point of everything he has done over the years?

But...... What should I do with this?

Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his forehead lightly and fell into deep thought.

The sound of light footsteps outside the door walked in, and then, a pair of warm and steady hands pressed his forehead and gently rubbed it for him.

Zhu Yuanzhang still closed his eyes, but there was a kind and relieved smile on his face.

"Yun Wei, among these princes and grandchildren, you are the most filial, know how to understand my hard work, and do your filial piety in front of me."

Zhu Yunwen stood behind Zhu Yuanzhang and smiled faintly: "Imperial grandfather, you can think about it, there is more than one grandson who has filial piety, those imperial uncles, royal brothers and brothers also want to be filial piety in front of your knees, but you, the boss has a face, scared to death, they dare not approach you, not unwilling to fulfill filial piety." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted and said dissatisfiedly: "I have done so much for them, in the end they are still so afraid of me, I have worked hard all my life, who is I working for and who is busy?" ”

Zhu Yunwen smiled and said: "They are afraid of you because they respect you, and your anger is unreasonable, grandfather Huang." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, and his laughter regained a bit of the heroic attitude of the prancing horse whip.

Looking at Zhu Yunwen with gratifying eyes, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a burst of emotion in his heart.

Many times, he regards this most beloved grandson as a continuation of his life, whether it is the truth of dealing with the world, or the truth of governing the country and leveling the world, he can't wait to stuff all his brains to Zhu Yunwen, only Zhu Yunwen inherits everything from him, he can feel that even if he dies, his soul will be immortal.

"Grandson, how did he handle the assassination of Xiao Fan?"

Zhu Yunwen's eyes narrowed into a slit with laughter when he heard this, thinking about the Four Emperor Uncles and Daoyan Monk who were deflated in Xiao Fan's hands, he felt particularly relieved.

"Imperial grandfather, Xiao Fan's assassination case, he has already dealt with it."

"Oh? What did he do? ”

He ...... He extorted three or four thousand taels of silver from the fourth emperor uncle, and later ...... Later, he stole a jade Buddha from the courtyard of the Four Emperor Uncles, and then sold the Jade Buddha to the staff members around the Four Emperor Uncles at a high price of eight thousand taels......" Zhu Yunwen smiled vigorously.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face suddenly became very strange: "He...... Actually blackmailed King Yan? More than 10,000 taels of silver before and after? ”

"yes." Zhu Yunwen couldn't help laughing.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "I can't think of it...... An assassination case fell into his hands, and it turned out to be a tool for him to make a fortune, this person is really ...... It's ......."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time, but he couldn't find a suitable word to evaluate Xiao Fan, and couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.

After thinking about it, Zhu Yuanzhang finally sighed and said: "That's okay, Xiao Fan can be regarded as understanding what I mean, and the case of being stabbed will be revealed, there is no job and no result, no increase or decrease, balance is the right way." ”

Zhu Yunwen looked a little uncomfortable and said, "Grandfather Huang, grandson thinks...... Felt ......"

Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily and angrily: "Do you think that the assassination case was revealed so easily, and this result is a little unfair to Xiao Fan?" ”

"Grandson really thinks so, Imperial Grandfather, this is a blatant assassination of the imperial court officials at the feet of the Son of Heaven, such a bold and reckless move, is it so careless?" Zhu Yunwen felt that he should be upset for Xiao Fan.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked a little indifferent and said, "Otherwise, what can I do?" Ming canonical punishment of the murderer? Do you want me to attack your own son for the sake of a mere minister? ”

Zhu Yunwen was stunned, hung his head and was silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "Grandson, you were born in the emperor's family, you should have the consciousness of the royal family, Xiao Fan is your friend, you want to complain for him, this shows that you treat people sincerely and righteously, which is good, but you can't ignore the overall situation for the sake of sincerity and righteousness, and even indulge the minister, Xiao Fan will be your courtier in the future, the emperor treats the courtiers, one shows his authority, and the other gives him grace, under the combination of grace and power, the courtiers will have a fear of the emperor, and will be loyal to you, you are so arrogant Xiao Fan now, Aren't you afraid that he will become a powerful minister in the court in the future? ”

said something that was not light or heavy, and Zhu Yunwen was dripping with cold sweat, and his handsome face turned red in an instant.

In the warm pavilion, the grandfather and grandson were silent for a long time.

"What the emperor's grandfather said, my grandson understood. Can...... But Uncle Four Emperors, he did ...... ...... true"

Zhu Yuanzhang said lightly: "I do have a heart of disobedience, right?" ”

"Yes."

Zhu Yuanzhang let out a long sigh and said, "I've been thinking about this recently, I'...... What should I do with King Yan? I can't bear to kill, even if it becomes a disaster, I am also in trouble now! ”

Zhu Yunwen plucked up the courage and said: "Grandfather Huang, this matter will be resolved after all, it is better to decide it early than late, and there will be changes later." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and said: "Yes, it should be solved as soon as possible, recently it has been said that the kings have successively resigned to me, and returned to the fiefdom to become a vassal, but Di'er's resignation was not approved, and before I thought of a safe way, Di'er ...... Let's let him stay in Beijing, what I'm worried about now is that there is no vassal king in Beiping to defend it, who should take over the great cause of destroying the Northern Yuan? It is undeniable that Di'er has been guarding Beiping for many years, and he is really a rare good general......"

Zhu Yunwen thought for a while and said, "Geng Bingwen, the Marquis of Changxing, was ordered to pacify the Northwest Rebellion, hasn't he already returned to Beijing?" Why didn't the emperor's grandfather let him go to Beiping to lead the army? ”

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and smiled: "Geng Bingwen? No, no, he can't. ”

"Why not?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked a little stunned and said: "Grandson, do you know that so many founding generals who followed me have been killed by me over the years, and those who have been given death, why did I leave Geng Bingwen alive, not only did not move him, but let him lead the army with confidence?" ”

"My grandson is stupid, and I don't know it."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed bitterly and helplessly: "If I don't kill Geng Bingwen, the secret is in Geng Bingwen's title......

"Marquis Changxing?"

"Yes, Changxing, I fought with Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng for the country, conquered the Quartet, ordered Geng Bingwen to garrison Changxing City, resist Zhang Shicheng's attack, Geng Bingwen lived up to my expectations, a defense is ten years, Changxing City is solid under his defense, not moving at all, greatly restraining Zhang Shicheng's troops, buying me time and fighters, I can take this country, Geng Bingwen is stationed in Changxing, and the contribution is indispensable......"

"In this way, the emperor's grandfather named him the Marquis of Changxing, but he deserved it."

Zhu Yuanzhang said meaningfully: "In the thirty years since I founded the country, there have been fierce generals under my command, and there are countless generals who are stronger than Geng Bingwen, those capable and capable generals were killed by me, but Geng Bingwen was left with his life, in the final analysis, it was Geng Bingwen who saved his life, grandson, do you know why?" ”

Zhu Yunwen thought about it and seemed to have an understanding: "Because Geng Bingwen's strength lies in defense, not in attack, the generals who are good at attacking are a threat to my Ming Dynasty's Jiangshan Sheji, in case they have different intentions, they will be invincible in attacking cities and plundering land, and they will become a big disaster, while the generals who are good at defense are not afraid that he has different intentions, no matter how strong he is, what he guards is nothing more than a city and a pond, and the trouble is not big." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and smiled: "Yes, it seems that you have understood my intentions, Geng Bingwen can be used, but he can only be used to defend the city, not to attack the enemy, to sweep away the affairs of the Northern Yuan, it is absolutely impossible to rely on Geng Bingwen, he has no ability." ”

"That'...... What to do? Zhu Yunwen said in annoyance.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said: "For the time being, let's leave King Yan in Jingshi, and I will slowly think of a safe way to solve the disadvantages of the vassal king's strategy......"

After talking for a long time, Zhu Yunwen got up and retired.

When he was about to go out, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stopped him.

"Changxing Marquis Geng Bingwen has already been a teacher, and his son Geng Xuan went out with the army, so he must have come back too, right?"

"This ...... It should be......" Zhu Yunwen suddenly mentioned Lao Gao in his heart.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the book on the dragon case, began to look at it, and said with an unchanged expression: "The marriage between your imperial sister Jiangdu County Lord and Geng Xuan should not be delayed any longer, and I ordered the officials of Qin Tianjian to find a good place to handle the marriage." Everything is according to the specifications of the royal daughter, and you will marry your royal sister beautifully. ”

Zhu Yunwen sweated on his forehead and hesitated: "This...... Grandfather Huang, are you waiting? Maybe...... Maybe the royal sister is not ready to get married......"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes moved away from the book, stared at Zhu Yunwen and frowned, "What are you talking about?" Do I have to wait for her to get ready for my granddaughter? A woman follows her ancestors from her father to her husband, so why should she be asked about lifelong events? Don't be verbose, go for it. ”

"This ...... Yes, Imperial Grandfather. ”

Out of the gate of Wuying Palace, Zhu Yunwen let out a long sigh, and the gloomy face of the imperial sister secretly sad for Xiao Fan flashed in front of him repeatedly, and Zhu Yunwen's expression also became bitter.

Sister Huang, marriage is imminent, I am afraid that your lovesickness for Xiao Fan will be in vain...... Xiao Fan was promoted again.

This official was not sealed by Zhu Yuanzhang, but by Xiao Fan himself. - Hidden version of the Great Ming Horse Captain.

What is your impression of a colt?

lowered his eyebrows, swallowed his anger, was respectful, and his attitude towards the county lord's wife was like that of a slave to his master, and he even went to bed honestly spread his legs, and said politely: "County lord, please go to me!" Let's have a good time......"

What is your impression of the colt's wife?

Born in a noble background, golden branches and jade leaves, commanding and domineering, relying on the identity of a princess or county lord, acting recklessly, silver and debauched, not taking her husband as a cadre, unscrupulously cuckolding her husband's head, one after another, and not swearing to her husband as Guan Gong...... I don't know what others think, anyway, in Xiao Fan's heart, the county lord and the horse are like this.

Fortunately, such a bad thing didn't happen to Xiao Fan.

Xiao Thrush does not have the high-flying surname of the county lord's mother, and Xiao Fan is not a poor colt with low eyebrows.

The trajectory of life is as usual, and the small Xiao Mansion has not changed in any way because Xiao Thrush is the county lord.

Xiao Thrush still has only two maids to serve, and Thrush still stays at home every day, embroidering happily, learning cooking, counting silver, and then happily burying the silver in the backyard, and by the way, he put a trap on it...... The little girl has her own interests and hobbies, Xiao Fan did not regard her as the county lord, similarly, Xiao Thrush did not regard herself as the county lord, after the life experience was revealed, Xiao Thrush was sad for two days, and then recovered her emotions, her face was full of sunny silver, and by the way, she grabbed the hoof with the Taoist grandfather.

Good life.

"The county lord is the county lord after all, if you don't take the county lord seriously, you don't necessarily have others like you, right?" Xiao Fan hugged the thrush in his arms, frowned and thought deeply.

Monk Daoyan has already discovered the fact that Thrush is the lord of Changning, and he will definitely mention it to Zhu Di when he goes back, what will Zhu Di do at that time? Is it a bloody door-to-door confession, or is it as casual as Xiao Fan and Thrush, ignoring it?

"Xianggong doesn't like to marry the county lord?" Xiao Thrush's eyes were wide open, and his expression was slightly nervous.

Xiao Fan came back to his senses, shook his head with a smile and said, "I only marry the thrush, whether the thrush is the original little beggar or the honorable county lord, it makes no difference to me." ”

Xiao Thrush quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and his little face showed a happy look.

"The thrush will always be the thrush, she won't be the lord of the county, she won't be a beggar, she ...... is the lady of the father-in-law, and the thrush only lives this identity in this life. ”

Xiao Fan hugged the thrush with some emotion, what people have never left in the end of this life is the relationship that is as plain as water, and the love that is like foam, compared to those vigorous and love that is like a landslide, the plain is more and more precious.

Xiao Fan was very glad that in that cold winter, he met Thrush, such a woman who invested her body and mind on him, she was fierce like a female tiger when she was meek, like a sheep when she was docile, the only thing that remained unchanged was her deep affection for Xiao Fan, heavy and thick, Xiao Fan believed that even if he was the enemy of the whole world, Thrush would always stand by his side, and even did not hesitate to help Xiao Fan stab the knife, pointing where to fight, more loyal than the dead soldiers of Yanwangfu...... In addition to being moved, Xiao Fan also felt that something was wrong, this is a distorted outlook on life, it is too easy to go to extremes, strictly speaking, Thrush not only regards himself as his little wife, but also like one of his believers, as devout as a god to him, if this continues, what will Thrush become in the future? …… A human bomb in the Middle East?

"Thrush, now that your identity has been revealed, have you ever thought about recognizing King Yan?"

Xiao Thrush's expression suddenly darkened, and he shook his head resolutely: "He is him, I am me, I have nothing to do with him, this father,...... I don't recognize it. ”

"But he's your father after all......"

Xiao Thrush raised his head and looked at him, and said deeply: "Xianggong, I am young, but it doesn't mean that I don't understand anything." …… I know that you and King Yan are not dealing with each other, and can even be said to be hostile, if I recognize him, how will Xianggong deal with himself in the future? Walking in the court, walking on thin ice, since you have stood on the side of the grandson, then it is best not to have any other relationship with the king of Yan except for the hostile outside, otherwise if the position of the prince is wavering, how will the grandson look at you? Xianggong has already gone so hard to be an official, how can I bear to cause trouble to Xianggong again? ”

Xiao Fan's heart was shocked.

He didn't expect that Thrush had seen the situation in the court so thoroughly at a young age, a twelve-year-old girl, how could she understand this? Could it be that political consciousness is also genetic?

Outside the Moon Gate, Steward Zhang's voice broke the warm tranquility of the two.

"Master, someone brought silver, it is said that a monk sent ......"

Xiao Fan and Xiao Thrush suddenly perked up when they heard this.

"Monk Daoyan is really a sincere monk, the monk is generous, he was beaten into that ghost in our house, and eight thousand taels of silver were still sent...... Xiao Fan couldn't help but praise.

Xiao Thrush's eyes shone with ten thousand golden lights, and a pair of big eyes had already become the shape of silver ingots, and she eagerly shook Xiao Fan's arm: "Xianggong, bury the silver, bury the silver......"

Xiao Fan nodded thoughtfully: "Yes, bury the silver!" Thrush, you have to be careful this time, don't be dug up again by the Taoist grandpa......"

The thrush's little face immediately became solemn, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes! You have to guard against the Taoist grandfather like a thief...... I'll add two more traps to ......"

With that, the thrush trotted out of the room.

is really a good wife who can pass by, Xiao Fan admired it in his heart.

"Master, the person who brought the silver said that he wanted to bring one back...... Emerald Buddha? ”

Xiao Fan patted his head as if he had just woken up from a dream: "Ah! I almost forgot about it, people can't give money for nothing. ”

Monk Daoyan is a believer, and he didn't frown when he took out eight thousand taels of silver, and of course Xiao Fan wanted to repay the favor.

The Jade Buddha must be returned to others, and it will not be righteous enough if it is not returned, after all, this is a ritual object for monks to worship.

Not only must it be returned, but it must also be sincere, so that Dao Yan can remember Xiao Fan's high righteousness, and it is best to remember the lifelong ......" Steward Zhang, let the person who gave the silver wait a minute, I will prepare a big surprise for the monk, he will definitely cry with joy...... Xiao Fan commanded loudly.

Yanwang Annex.

Zhu Di glared at Dao Yan in disbelief, and said in a lost voice: "Chang Ning? This king's youngest daughter Chang Ning is in Xiao Fan's house? Are you sure? ”

Dao Yan was lying on the bamboo bed, nodded weakly, and was beaten by Tai Xuan and Xiao Fan, Dao Yan is still lying on the bed to recuperate, and Xiao's trip to the mansion has become an indelible haze in his life.

"Your Highness, the poor monk is sure to be the lord of Changning, she ...... She and Concubine Li are almost printed in the same mold, and when the county lord was born, the poor monk also hugged her, knowing that there was a small diamond-shaped birthmark on the back of her neck, Your Highness, the poor monk confirmed that this woman must be the county lord of Changning......"

Zhu Di rubbed his big hands violently, a little caught off guard by the sudden news, surprised, confused, and faintly melancholy, and many emotions repeatedly intertwined and changed on the face of this world-shattering iron-blooded vassal king. The unexpected news came so suddenly that he temporarily ignored the fact that Dao Yan had been beaten up insincerely.

"Five years ago, she did not say goodbye in the Yanwang Mansion, and since then she has not known her whereabouts, the king has sent a large number of people to search in Beiping, has been fruitless, and now she has appeared in Beijing, it is really God's mercy! That's right...... How could she be with Xiao Fan? ”

Dao Yan shook his head and said, "This ...... The poor monk really didn't know, and the poor monk didn't have time to ask, so he was ......"

Dao Yan's lips trembled as he spoke, and his expression was full of grief and indignation: "...... was beaten like this by Xiao Fan and that miscellaneous old man......"

"Mr. has suffered......" Zhu Di sympathized with his warm condolences.

Zhu Di slammed the table hard, and said with a fierce face: "No! No matter what the reason, this king must recognize Chang Ning, and must not let her mix with Xiao Fanna! Nameless and divided, under the same roof, what kind of system is this! ”

Outside the inner hall, a guard said: "Master Daoyan, the silver has been sent to Xiao Fan's house, and the Jade Buddha you told you has also been retrieved for you......

Dao Yan's spirits perked up, and his dying face suddenly bloomed with excitement.

"Take ...... Got it back? Fast! Help me up...... Poor Monk ...... I want to personally welcome back the Bodhisattva, Amitabha Buddha, this is the Jade Buddha sent by the old Zen master Huiguang of Putuo Temple! Good ......"

Dao Yan, who was covered with scars, struggled to stand up, staggered towards the jade Buddha covered with flannel outside the hall, and gently uncovered the flannel cloth on the jade Buddha, and a smiling face of Maitreya with a turquoise and transparent water color came into view.

"Finally...... Finally back......" Dao Yan had tears of excitement in his eyes, and his trembling hand gently stroked the Jade Buddha, looking excited and excited, as if looking at a long-lost lover, so affectionate and lingering...... The guard on the side pursed his lips and said, "When I retrieved the Jade Buddha just now, Xiao Fan also said a word......

Dao Yan's eyebrows jumped: "What words?" ”

He said...... When the master saw the Jade Buddha, he would definitely be pleasantly surprised, and ...... The master will cry with joy......"

Dao Yan's eyelids jumped a few times, and an ominous premonition arose.

There is a bad omen!

After staggering a few steps, Dao Yan grabbed the Jade Buddha in his hand like a hungry dog, and then looked left and right on the Jade Buddha, carefully examining it.

After a long time, Dao Yan really fell to the ground softly as Xiao Fan said, crying out.

Zhu Di and the guards were taken aback, and hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Sir, what's wrong with you?" ”

"Heavenly ...... Heaven ......" Dao Yan choked intermittently.

"Oh my God?"

"Xiao Fan!" Dao Yan was overwhelmed with grief, and his trembling hand pointed at the Jade Buddha.

Everyone looked along his fingers, only to see that the smiling Maitreya was still smiling brightly, but on the smooth and flat back of the Jade Buddha, there was a string of crooked and slanted, as if the chicken paws had scratched the words, the words were carved with a knife, and the nicks were very deep, just like a wonderful picture scroll with a very abrupt extra lump of cow.

"To my dear friend, Monk Daoyan, friendship lasts forever. ——Daming brocade clothes and guards are all commanded to make the envoy Tongzhi, Xiao Fan presents. ”

(To be continued)