After a big battle, hundreds of thousands of coalition troops collapsed, with countless casualties, under the leadership of Zhai Luan, it took only three days to pursue and suppress the remnants of the enemy, and it could be regarded as completely annihilating the last resistance of Dongying.

When the good news reached Beijing, a group of civil and military officers in the Ming Dynasty were naturally overjoyed when they learned the news, and Zhu Houzhao invited Chu Yi to lead hundreds of officials to the Taimiao Temple to worship the emperors of the past dynasties.

Not to mention how much loot can be obtained in this battle, just completely occupying Dongying is a merit of expanding the territory.

For an emperor, it is his duty to defend the territory, but if he wants to live for generations, the most direct way is to expand the territory.

It is precisely because of the difficulty of expanding the territory that it is so important to evaluate the merits of an emperor.

It is said that Zhu Houzhao, as the king of a country, should be very happy, and this is also true, but Zhu Houzhao was only happy for a few days.

Early in the morning of this day, when Zhu Hou looked at a figure that appeared in the ranks of the courtiers, his face couldn't help but show a look of consternation.

Not only Zhu Houzhao, but even the Manchu Dynasty Wenwu was stunned when he saw that figure, obviously he didn't expect this person to appear in the court.

This person was none other than Chu Yi.

After Chu Yi resigned, it can be said that he has not appeared in the sight of hundreds of officials for quite some time, and even some officials have subconsciously forgotten Chu Yi's existence.

If it weren't for the news of Chu Yi's assassination from time to time, I'm afraid that some officials would really forget about Chu Yi.

Suddenly, seeing Chu Yi again above the court naturally shocked the spirits of many officials.

Fools can realize that Chu Yi's sudden appearance in the court must be something big about happening, otherwise, after all, just Chu Yi, who left the court, returned to the court, it was something that hundreds of officials watched.

Even the officials who had something to do at this time temporarily suppressed the thoughts in their hearts, and the important things were more concerning than Chu Yi's comeback.

Just looking at the expression and reaction of the Son of Heaven, it can be seen that Chu Yi suddenly appeared above the court, and even the Son of Heaven did not know in advance, otherwise the Son of Heaven would not have such a stunned expression.

Zhu Houzhao's face showed a little joy, he pleaded with Chu Yi several times to help him take care of the government, but Chu Yi never agreed, and now that Chu Yi appeared in the court by himself, how could he not let Zhu Houzhao be happy.

"Otobe, are you ready to return to the court?"

Chu Yi shook his head slowly, seeing the disappointed look on Zhu Houzhao's face, Chu Yi could only sigh in his heart.

Taking a step forward, Chu Yi saluted at Zhu Houzhao and said, "Your Majesty, the minister is here to affirm that Your Majesty has allowed the minister to lead the fleet to the Western Ocean!" ”

"What ......"

With an exclamation, Zhu Houzhao suddenly sat up straight and looked at Chu Yi in astonishment.

"To the West?"

Many officials looked at Chu Yi with wide eyes, obviously confused by Chu Yi's plea.

Although it is said that hundreds of years have passed since the deeds of Zheng He, the eunuch of the Three Treasures, he heard Chu Yi mention going to the West, but the first thing that came to mind of all officials who knew that Zheng He went to the West was Zheng He.

Thinking that Zheng He was the confidant of Cheng Zu in the past, although his status was not as good as Chu Yi's now, he was also an inner servant who was deeply relied on and trusted by the Son of Heaven.

Chu Yi begged the Son of Heaven for permission to go to the West, and to be honest, it was indeed beyond many people's expectations.

Everyone knew that there must be something wrong with Chu Yi's sudden appearance in the court, but they didn't expect Chu Yi to follow Zheng He's example and go to the West.

Almost immediately, Zhu Houzhao had the idea of refusing in his heart.

Chu Yi finally stayed in Beijing for more than half a year, but as soon as Chu Yi opened his mouth, he was going to lead the fleet to the Western Ocean, knowing that it would take at least a year or two to take any time.

Thinking that he would not see Chu Yi for a year or two, Zhu Houzhao was a little panicked.

"Otomo, don't ......"

Almost instinctively, Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and shook his head.

Sensing that he was a little out of shape, Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath and stared at Chu Yi, and Chu Yi stood there, like a green pine, his body was extremely straight, and he looked at Zhu Houzhao like that, his eyes were full of determination.

Just looking at Chu Yi's expression, Zhu Houzhao felt a little panicked in his heart, just as Chu Yi understood Zhu Houzhao, Zhu Houzhao also knew Chu Yi very well.

Therefore, Zhu Houzhao knew that Chu Yi had already made up his mind about Chu Yi, and if he wanted Chu Yi to change his mind, it would be extremely difficult. At least Zhu Houzhao felt that he might not be able to persuade Chu Yi.

But even if he is not sure, Zhu Houzhao does not want Chu Yi to go to the West for a year or two as soon as he leaves. He didn't care what Chu Yi was going to do when he went to the West, anyway, anyone could go to the West, but Chu Yi couldn't.

Glancing at Chu Yi, Zhu Houzhao's gaze swept over the civil and military ministers below and said, "Zhongqing's family, there is a music!" ”

Above the court, there is no major event for the civil and military officials, not to mention that such a strong news has broken out now, and some small things, even if they are postponed for a few days and then played to the Son of Heaven or transmitted to the Son of Heaven through the cabinet, it is not a problem.

Seeing that there was nothing to do with all the civil and military affairs, Zhu Houzhao got up and said, "Retreat from the dynasty!" ”

The crowd of civil and military officers slowly dispersed, and everyone looked at Chu Yi who was standing there before leaving.

Zhu Houzhao's expression and reaction almost completely revealed his inner thoughts, and everyone could see that Zhu Houzhao did not agree with Chu Yi's move to go to sea at all.

It is impossible to say that there must be a detailed discussion between Zhu Houzhao and Chu Yi.

When all the officials retreated, Chu Yi, Zhu Houzhao and a few chamberlains were left in the main hall.

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, and the attendants also quietly saluted and retreated.

I saw Zhu Houzhao looking at Chu Yi and said, "Big Companion, isn't it good for you to stay in Jingshi to teach Ji'er?" ”

Chu Yi smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty, the minister has always wanted to go to sea and go to sea, in the past, Zheng He raised my great reputation overseas, and it will be famous for centuries, and the minister will not let the sages specialize in the front, and I am willing to go to the West like Zheng Gong, raise the prestige of our country, and ask Your Majesty to fulfill it!" ”

Zhu Houzhao shook his head and said, "I ...... I don't agree! ”

Saying that, Zhu Houzhao said: "I can hand over the matter of going to the West to others, and there is no need for Otomo to personally lead the fleet away from Jingshi, I ...... I can't bear to be a big companion! ”

Looking at Zhu Houzhao's reluctant look, Chu Yi felt bitter in his heart, he begged the Son of Heaven to allow him to go to the West this time, how could he not be preparing for his departure.

Thinking about it, if he cheats to death, I am afraid that the Son of Heaven is unlikely to believe it, as for saying goodbye without saying goodbye, it is not good that Zhu Houzhao dares to dig three feet into the ground to find him, so Chu Yi thought about taking the opportunity to leave in the West.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Yi said to Zhu Houzhao: "Please also ask Your Majesty to fulfill it!" ”

Seeing Chu Yi like this, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but be stunned, if it was in the past, Chu Yi would definitely explain to him, and then persuade him, but this time, Chu Yi didn't explain.

I don't know why, but Zhu Houzhao was a little flustered in his heart.

Looking at Chu Yi, Zhu Houzhao's voice trembled a little and said, "Big Companion, you won't have something to hide from me!" ”

Chu Yi sighed: "Where did Your Majesty say, how could the minister have something to hide from Your Majesty?" ”

Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi with a little disbelief in his eyes, and for a while, Zhu Houzhao's face was full of hesitation.

At this time, an attendant outside the hall said: "Your Majesty, Niangniang is invited!" ”

Zhu Houzhao, who was hesitating in his heart, suddenly brightened his eyes and said to Chu Yi: "Big companion, this matter is not trivial, and let me think about it, think about it, think about it......"

Saying that, Zhu Houzhao turned around and left, with that look, as if he would be caught by Chu Yi and promised him if he stayed.

Looking at Zhu Houzhao's hurried back, Chu Yi sighed lightly in his heart, and bowed slightly to Zhu Houzhao: "Wait for Your Majesty's reply!" ”

Hearing Chu Yi's voice, Zhu Houzhao's footsteps were faster.

With the hundred officials descending to the court, the news that Chu Yi pleaded with the Son of Heaven to lead the fleet to the Western Ocean above the court soon spread throughout the capital like wings.

As the head of the British Gong Zhang family, the British Gong Zhang Mao, who has been sick in bed since a few years ago, looks much older than before, and the whole person is lying there, dying, obviously time is running out.

Standing on the side of the bed, Zhang Lun said to Zhang Mao: "Grandpa, that's the way it is, Chu Yi suddenly mentioned to His Majesty about going to the West, and I don't know what the hell Chu Yi is doing!" ”

Zhang Mao, who was already seriously ill, lay there, listening to Zhang Lun tell him about what happened in the court, and when he heard that Chu Yi wanted to go to the West, a look of surprise flashed in Zhang Mao's eyes.

Obviously, Chu Yi's actions were quite surprising even for Zhang Mao, an old fox, but he couldn't guess what Chu Yi was thinking.

Everyone knows that leading a fleet to the Western Ocean is definitely not an easy task, and there is even a great risk at sea, there is a precedent for Zheng He, even if Chu Yi can do this well, in the future, it will not be able to cross Zheng He's pass.

Therefore, in everyone's opinion, Chu Yi's move is not beneficial at all.

I heard Zhang Lun muttering softly: "I really don't know what Chu Yi is thinking, he is clearly a very popular minister, one person is above ten thousand people, and the dignified general manager who holds great power, first inexplicably resigned and ignored the government, and now he has the idea of going to the West, this time is only a year or two, isn't he afraid that he will leave Beijing for a long time and lose the favor of the Son of Heaven?" ”

"Huh?"

Zhang Mao raised his eyebrows, and subconsciously said: "Could it be that Chu Yi is doing this on purpose, is he afraid that he will not die well in the future?" ”