The army led by the princess of Zhenbei and the prince was about to arrive in the capital when they were ambushed by the Hule spies.

Although the spies did not cause any casualties to the army, they also frightened everyone.

The spies who ambushed were quickly killed, but it was not the army that killed them, but King Zhao's men.

King Zhao took precautions and sent many of his subordinates to secretly protect the army, but it was they who acted in time to prevent the army from suffering any casualties.

Wan Lin was also shocked when he heard the news, but he admired King Zhao's scheming even more.

The emperor soon learned about this matter, and when he went to the court, he took the initiative to talk about it in front of all the ministers, and asked everyone what they thought of it.

The ministers only said that King Zhao was thoughtful and prepared for a rainy day, and even the elders of the Yuan Pavilion and Wu Xuehai praised King Zhao a few words.

It was rare for the emperor to praise King Zhao in public, saying that he could take the initiative to go out with the army this time, and he was very brave and bloody, and he would not lose the prince of Dachen.

After listening to the emperor's words, everyone had their own thoughts.

Although Marquis An Guohou is the founder of the country and his descendants are prominent, but in the generation of King Zhao's uncle, except for King Zhao's uncle Dou Xianji, who went to the battlefield several times in his early years, and then stayed away from the battlefield after being injured, the rest of the people did not engage in martial arts.

But even so, they play a pivotal role in the DPRK and China.

King Zhao's request to take the initiative to go on the expedition was not discussed with anyone, and when Dou Xianji heard that King Zhao was going to the front line, he was immediately frightened and his face changed.

Dou Xian inherited the title of Marquis of Anguo, although he had long ceased to fight and had a big belly at home, his bravery in his early years was still very admirable.

When he was young, King Zhenbei saw him as a role model.

"Your Majesty, the minister has something to say." Dou Xianji thought about it for a long time, but decided to say what was in his heart.

The emperor looked at him mildly and said, "Marquis An Guohou has something to say. ”

Dou Xianji directly knelt on the ground and bowed: "Please also ask Your Majesty to reject the request of His Royal Highness King Zhao to go on an expedition." His Royal Highness King Zhao is young and vigorous, he has never been to the battlefield, although he is dedicated to the country, but only with full of enthusiasm, but he has no experience in going to battle, I am afraid that it will cause chaos to the king of Zhenbei and disrupt the battle plan of the king of Zhenbei! ”

Yuan Ge Lao and Wu Xuehai didn't expect Dou Xianji to stop King Zhao, they were all unwilling that King Jie was a weak scholar and didn't have the opportunity to behave like this, Dou Xianji actually wanted to stop King Zhao from making meritorious contributions!

When the emperor heard his words, his face changed slightly, but the emperor's tone was still very gentle.

"I know that Lao Qi has never been on the battlefield, but his reputation outside is both civil and military, this time I will give him a chance to train, and also help him to build such a reputation. I have given him the official position of Ben Yong Lieutenant, and he will go on an expedition with the king of Zhenbei tomorrow. If you are concerned about him, go to his house and see him today. ”

After the emperor finished speaking, he stood up and said "scatter the dynasty" with a cold expression.

Yuan Ge Lao and Wu Xuehai looked coldly at Dou Xianji, who was still kneeling on the ground, and left with a glance.

Dou Xianji's younger brother, Hubu Shangshu Dou Xianxu walked up to him and helped him up.

"Big brother, this is a rare opportunity for His Highness, why do you need to stop it?" Dou Xian asked puzzled.

Dou Xianji glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Can't you see that I did it on purpose?" If I don't say that, won't my majesty be suspected of pleading with King Zhao? ”

Dou Xianxu was stunned at first, and quickly reacted.

"Oh, it turns out that the eldest brother is so thinking about His Highness? It's me who is confused! ”

Dou Xianji looked around cautiously, and pulled his younger brother to walk quickly outside the main hall, "Don't say any more, let's go see King Zhao." ”

What happened in the early morning court soon spread throughout the Hanlin Temple.

After Wan Lin learned about King Zhao's behavior, he suddenly felt that he had such scheming and the courage to go on the expedition, which was actually very admirable.

Regardless of the purpose of King Zhao's actions, at least he took action, which is better than King Jie who was only busy fighting for the crown prince and did nothing for the court and the soldiers who had fought for him.

But I didn't expect that before noon, the Hanlin Academy got the news that King Jie voluntarily donated 10,000 taels of silver and ten carts of grain and grass as military funds.

King Jie's actions set an example for the other princes and ministers, and for a while, the princes and princesses and ministers all contributed one after another, and Master Zhu also discussed with the officials of the Hanlin Academy, asking them if they were willing to donate generously.

This is an opportunity to perform, who is reluctant to pay?

However, some officials come from average or even poor families, and even if they want to get more money, they are powerless.

Mr. Zhu didn't ask them to donate money immediately, let them go home and discuss with their families, and told them not to be reckless, just have their hearts.

Wan Lin planned to go to see King Zhenbei see him off tonight, and as for how much silver he took out, he would hand it over to Fu Xiaojiu.

Wan Lin was about to go to Zhenbei Wangfu first after letting go of the government today, but was stopped by the small servant of King Zhao's family halfway.

"Lord Wan, His Royal Highness King Zhao is invited."

Wan Lin poked his head out of the car window and said, "I am tired of telling His Royal Highness King Zhao that the lower officials really can't accompany him today." The king of Zhenbei is going on an expedition again, and the lower officials are going to see him. ”

Xiao Wu Chong Wanlin smiled slightly, "Your Highness, he has already invited the King of Zhenbei to the palace, and he is waiting for you." ”

"Oh? Okay, I got it. ”

Wan Lin retracted his head, and his expression became a little more solemn.

When he arrived at the gate of King Zhao's mansion, Wan Lin saw the carriage of the king of Zhenbei at a glance.

Wan Lin was led into the door by the little servant, and he didn't take a few steps before he heard the hearty laughter of the king of Zhenbei.

The little servant led him to the garden, where King Zhao held a banquet by the lake, the breeze stirred the lake reflected by the setting sun, and the courtyard not only had the rich aroma of wine, but also the faint fragrance of flowers and grass and trees.

King Zhao and King Zhenbei sat opposite each other and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, looking like they were talking happily.

When they saw Wan Lin coming, they all stood up, and King Zhao greeted him warmly: "Lord Wan, you are here." ”

Wan Lin saluted him and the king of Zhenbei in turn, and the three of them all sat down.

King Zhenbei said to him: "Tomorrow, His Royal Highness King Zhao and I will go to the south together, and His Royal Highness has recently set up a banquet in the mansion just to let you say goodbye to us." ”

Wan Lin's mood at this time was quite complicated.

He knew that King Zhenbei was only loyal to the emperor and kept a polite distance from all princes, but King Zhao was the first prince in this dynasty to go to the battlefield in person, and for his courage, King Zhenbei would also be impressed by him.

And the same battlefield is a comrade-in-arms who has died, and they will be closer to each other than before.

Wan Lin picked up his wine glass and said to King Zhenbei and King Zhao: "The lower officials are not talented, they don't know the art of war, and they don't have the ability to charge into battle, so I can only wish the two princes a triumphant return as soon as possible and return safely!"

Wan Lin stood up and drank all the wine in the cup, and King Zhenbei and King Zhao also drank the wine in the cup after him.

King Zhao's expression was rare and solemn, and a pair of deep Danfeng eyes carried obvious sincerity.

"Lord Wan, this king invited you and the king of Zhenbei to his house just to say something from his heart before he set out on the expedition. I won't put any identity with you, if I wasn't a prince, I wouldn't have just entered the army with the rank of Ben Yong Lieutenant. When I arrived in the army, I was a recruit with no experience, and I still needed to ask the king of Zhenbei for advice on many things. ”

After King Zhao finished speaking, he first poured wine for King Zhenbei, then for Wanlin, and finally poured wine for himself.

King Zhao held the wine glass and said to the king of Zhenbei: "King Zhenbei, you are the god of war who has made great achievements in war and terrified the enemy country, the pride of my Dachen, and the example of my generation. Although I have been practicing martial arts since I was a child, claiming to be both civil and military, and familiar with military books, I have no actual combat experience and have always been on paper. This time, I have the honor to follow you on the expedition, and I ask you to be strict with military law, and do not relax the requirements for a new recruit because I am a prince. ”

King Zhenbei also raised his wine glass, and said with appreciation: "Your Highness, your courage to go out has already made Xiao Wang admire!" Whether it is among the princes or among the nobles in Beijing, you can be regarded as the best. Of course, the sword has no eyes on the battlefield, Xiao Wang will definitely give you careful advice, protect you thoughtfully, and will not put you in danger! ”

"No!" King Zhao suddenly put down his wine glass, and said with a serious face: "Since I said that I was going to go on an expedition, I have already put life and death aside!" You can ask me whatever you want from military law, but don't care about my life or death. It would be an honor for me to die in battle this time, so please know my thoughts! ”

King Zhao's words were moving, and King Zhenbei nodded vigorously, "Okay!" His Royal Highness King Zhao is indeed a young hero, Xiao Wang toasts you! ”

Wan Lin didn't expect that King Zhao, who was not very old and pampered, could have such courage and determination, and his good impression of him instantly increased a lot.

"Xiaguan also toasts you!" Wan Lin also raised his glass again.

The three of them talked about wine and joy, and did not talk much about parting, but mostly about national affairs and people's livelihood.

When Wan Lin and King Zhenbei left King Zhao's mansion, they were both full of alcohol and drunk.

Wan Lin had already asked the coachman to tell Fu Xiaojiu that he had gone to King Zhao's Mansion, and Fu Xiaojiu expected that he would not drink less, so he specially prepared a sobering soup for him.

Wan Lin, who couldn't walk steadily, entered the house, wiped his face first, and poured him a bowl of sobering soup.

Wan Lin drank it for a moment and felt that his mind was much clearer, pulled Fu Xiaojiu, and grinned at Fu Xiaojiu, "Lady, please give me some silver." ”

Fu Xiaojiu didn't ask him what he wanted the silver for, and asked directly, "How much do you want?" ”

Wan Lin replied: "King Jie took the lead in donating money and grain, and the princess and our courtiers must also show their hearts." However, Master Zhu told us to do what we can, and not to be strong. ”

Fu Xiaojiu said with some regret: "Unfortunately, our family now uses more silver, otherwise I can donate more silver." It's a pity that now I can only take out a maximum of fifty taels of silver. ”

Wan Lin said with satisfaction: "Fifty taels is a lot, how much do I have a year?" ”

"I will go and get the money, so that I will not forget it tomorrow morning."

Fu Xiaojiu took a silver ticket of fifty taels of silver and put it on the table.

King Zhao called Wan Lin tonight, obviously trying to win over Wan Lin, thinking of this rich Xiao Jiu, he asked eagerly: "Xianggong, how about you go to King Zhao's Mansion today?" What is the attitude of the king of Zhenbei? ”

Wan Lin showed a complicated look in his eyes, and said softly: "Lady, as soon as they leave, I'm afraid the capital will have an undercurrent." ”