A new ship passed through Xuzhou and did not go straight to Yangzhou, but suddenly diverted to Fengyang.

There were guards on the deck, and when they saw it from afar, they knew that they were riding big people, and the civilian ships took the initiative to avoid it.

On the crowded wharf, several stewards got off the boat and went straight to the yamen in charge of the wharf, handed over their names, and alarmed the officials inside to come out and clean the streets.

Not long after, two teams of river soldiers were mobilized.

"Get out of the way."

"Get out of the way."

The soldiers were like a great enemy, whether they were merchants or dock workers, or the rest of the people, they did not dare to delay.

People were curious, and they had been waiting at the dock for a long time, and someone from the Duke of Xinguo commanded the carriage to come.

"Even the Xinguo Mansion was shocked, and the origin is really not small." Someone whispered in surprise.

Fengyang is the hometown of the saint, but the saint is in the capital, and in Fengyang City, the biggest is an old man who has been in the city for many years.

A few stewards took the little maids and pulled up the curtain, blocking people's sight, and a group of grandmothers and maids protected Xu Miaojin and Guo Cailian inside and helped them into the carriage.

After a while, everyone was seated, and the procession departed.

From arrival to departure, it took half an hour, without the slightest delay, but the speed was not fast, and the scene just now was restored.

Some people are not surprised, some people are busy with their work, and some people talk to each other over drinks in the wine shop.

"It's the young ladies of the Xu family and the Guo family, who came back from Beiping." A big businessman was well-informed and said to a friend.

"Why are the young ladies of the Xu family and the Guo family in Beiping?"

The big merchant was a merchant who transported grain to the north, and his companion wore a long robe, and was a jinshi, because his rank was not high, he was in the six departments to observe the government, and now he is on leave.

"The eldest daughter of the Xu family is Princess Yan."

"Then it's no wonder that there should be such a big battle." The young jinshi suddenly realized that he took it for granted.

"This time, brother, you guessed wrong."

"Oh?"

The merchant said with a smile: "Although the Xu family is higher than the Guo family's lintel, this battle can alarm the Tang Mansion, and most of the reason for this is the Guo family." ”

"Which Guo family?"

"Marquis of Wuding."

The young Jinshi is called Zhang Lian, twenty-seven or eighteen years old, a person from Huguang, who is observing politics in the Ministry of Industry, and has not yet been awarded a real position.

And the businessman's name is Luo Zhongheng, who is about forty years old, but he calls the other party his brother and calls himself his brother.

Zhang Lian has not officially entered the officialdom, and he is not well-informed enough about the news, and he can't remember who the Marquis of Wuding is for a while, and the businessman saw this and took the initiative to say: "It's General Guo Ying, who is now in charge of the guards in the capital." ”

"It turned out to be him."

After being reminded, Zhang Lian thought about it, and his face showed curiosity.

What is officialdom, that is, human relations.

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Wuxun was an important political force, and he was still ranked in front of the civil officials, and Zhang Lian did not want to miss the information about these big people.

"The Guo family is not as good as the Xu family, right?" Zhang Lian asked curiously.

"Although the Guo family is not as good as the Xu family, the Guo family and the Tang Mansion are related."

Big businessmen go south and north, and they need to deal with all parts of the country the most, and how can they establish business routes without opening up relationships.

Although Zhang Lian is still just watching politics, in a few years, it will always be his turn to give a real position, whether it is staying in Beijing or being released, it is worth Luo Zhongheng's investment.

Isn't this how relationships are built gradually, and businessmen have the patience.

So the attitude of the businessman is very enthusiastic and takes the initiative to explain to the other party.

It is not easy to understand this information, and the Jinshi who broke up from the low-rise across the single-plank bridge is a short board for him.

It is also helpful for career paths, making it easier to get opportunities and understand the situation.

The smart Zhang Lian is very interested in these high-level confidences, maybe he will need to use them one day.

"Xinguo Gong Tang He was in Hongwu in the twenty-second year, and returned to Fengyang in the scenery, it can be said that because of the existence of Xinguo Gong, the Tang family is stronger than others in Fengyang Mansion."

"That's right, after all, there aren't many older generations alive, and people like Xin Guogong are indeed more influential."

Zhang Lian nodded, without questioning.

Under the same conditions, the relationship between the living is always stronger than the dead, although the lintel of the Xu family is also high, but Xu Da is dead, and Tang He is still alive.

"Miss Guo just now, her aunt and grandmother are the concubines of the saints, that is, Concubine Guo Ning." The merchant whispered.

"Concubine Ning's son, the tenth son of the saint, was named King Lu, and died because of indiscriminate use of gold and stone medicine, and the princess of King Lu was the daughter of Xinguo Gong Tanghe."

"Starting from this relationship, the girl of the Guo family wants to be called Princess Lu's cousin, so today's battle is not just against the Xu family."

Guo Cailian's aunt and grandmother are Concubine Guo Ning, her aunt is Princess Ning, the second uncle and grandfather are the commanders of Fujian, the third uncle and grandfather are the Marquis of Gongchang, the grandfather is in charge of the forbidden army in the capital, the eldest uncle is a concubine, and the father is in charge of the Ning Palace, and the third uncle is in charge of the right capital of the military governor's mansion......

After the businessman's puzzle, Jinshi understood that the Guo family, which is inconspicuous and leaky, is indeed not to be underestimated.

"That's strange, the young lady of the Xu family can stay in the Yanwang Mansion, the young lady of the Guo family, what is the reason to stay in the Yanwang Mansion temporarily?"

"The younger brother heard some rumors in Beiping, it seems that the eldest son of King Yan is in the year of marriage, and Princess Yan may be interested in the girl of the Guo family."

"A strong combination."

Jinshi's eyes showed envy, and his tone couldn't help but be sour.

Is it easy for them to read?

One imperial examination in three years, passing five passes and six generals, finally won the jackpot, and still need to work on qualifications and achievements.

Look at people, through marriage and aftershade, the beginning is the end of most readers.

The two had a conversation, and the merchant wanted to go to the Beiping Trade Center for a trip and invited Jinshi to go to Beiping for a spin.

Jin Shi was in the mood of traveling, and he knew the other party in his early years, which was more in line with his temperament, so he did not refuse.

When the merchant's ship was settled, he rode the cargo ship with the merchant, and from time to time he ate Dongpo meat on the deck and recited poems, but he was also at ease.

The carriage of the Tang Mansion arrived at the gate of the Tang Mansion.

Under the signboard of the big Xinguo Mansion, there are two big stone lions squatting, three beast-headed gates, and there are more than a dozen people in gorgeous clothes sitting in front of the door.

The main gate is the same as Yanwang's Mansion, usually not open, only the east and west corner doors are in and out, everyone got out of the carriage, and the mother-in-law and maids in the back also came down and followed.

The steward and the servants, as well as the guards, remained outside and were placed by the little butler of the Tang Mansion.

The grandmothers and maids of the three families, surrounded the two young ladies, walked inside, and saw a group of people waiting in front of the hanging flower door.

It was the deacon's daughters-in-law, who came up with a smile and curtsied, and then helped Xu Miaojin and Guo Cailian into the weeping flower gate.

On both sides is the hand-copying verandah, in the middle is the hall, where there is a large interstitial screen of red sandalwood shelf marble.

Turning the interstitial screen, there are three small inner halls, and behind the hall is the main courtyard at the back.

The five upper rooms in the front are all carved beams and painted buildings, and the wings of the verandah through the mountains on both sides are hung with birds such as parrots and thrushes of various colors.

On the top of the platform, there were a few maids wearing red and green, and when they saw them coming, they hurriedly greeted them with a smile and said, "Mrs. was still reading it just now, but it happened to come." ”

So three or four people scrambled to open the curtains, and heard someone reply: "Miss Xu and Miss Guo have arrived." ”

Xu Miaojin is calm and calm, her family's rules are not smaller than this, but Guo Cailian is a little nervous, afraid that she will make a mistake.

However, when they entered the room, they couldn't help thinking nonsense, and they were busy saluting and calling out to several ladies, all of whom were their elders.

It's really hard to worry about the two girls for a day, and at night, it can be regarded as peaceful and free.

Xu Miaojin and Guo Cailian live in their wife's house because of their noble status, and are taken care of by their wife herself.

I changed it to a new lotus flower tent, and a few brocade quilts and satin mattresses.

Guo Cailian sat in front of the mirror, sitting up straight with her little back without her grandmother there, and had already formed a habit of pinching the hosta in her hand.

Xu Miaojin glanced over and couldn't help but smile wordlessly, but didn't bother Guo Cailian out of voice.

……

The Tang family and the Xu family.

The two families can't say who is stronger and who is weak, but from the perspective of descendants, Tang He is more capable than Xu Da, and has a lot more children.

But so.

The gold content of the Xu family is high, and the gold content of the Tang family is lower, especially the early death of the eldest son of the Tang family, which leads to the lack of qualifications of the leader of the Tang family.

The eldest of the Xu family, the second and the third, but the governor of the three armies in the five armies, the worst is also a servant, and the boss of the Tang family died of illness in the position of the former military governor, and the position of the younger children is worse.

Now the only thing that the Tang family is stronger than the Xu family is that the old man in the family is still alive.

Tang He was seventy years old, sick in bed, and weak to speak.

"King Yan wants to marry the Guo family, if it succeeds, you will remain neutral in the battle between the court and King Yan in the future, and you must not end up."

"Ahem...... Ahem"

After saying a few words, Tang He gasped heavily, and the two grandsons present hurriedly served, for fear that the old man would have a good one.

The eldest sons are all in other places, and it is the younger son who is present to pay homage.

Tang He tried to keep his composure, and continued to say weakly: "If King Yan's idea fails, he will favor the imperial court." ”

"Father, son understands."

"Nope."

Tang He shook his head, he knew the Lord too well, and said intermittently: "It's not to let you end, it's better not to do anything." ”

"Ugh."

Tang He really couldn't hold on, so he closed his eyes and recuperated.

The hero is short of breath.

No one can withstand life, and in the face of the long river of life, everyone must bow their heads.

A few days passed.

The young ladies of the two families set off again, and the Tang family sent someone to escort them, making the team larger, and finally returned to the capital after a long journey.

"Ahem...... Ahem"

The Imperial Palace of the capital.

Zhu Yuanzhang held the music in one hand and the desk in the other, and the tears of bending over and coughing welled up out of the corners of his eyes.

The main hall is brightly lit.

Zhu Yuanzhang still couldn't read the words clearly, he didn't want to rest, and he didn't trust the eunuch, for fear that the eunuch would hide it from him.

So it was his youngest daughter who read the song for him.

Listening to his little daughter's immature voice, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but be distracted, and he thought of his thirteenth princess.

The thirteenth princess he loved died early and has been forgotten for many years, but since this year, these deceased faces have surfaced in his heart from time to time.

In the royal palace.

There are quite a few young sons and daughters who can't count on anything.

The human heart is unpredictable.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyesight problem made him more and more suspicious, and he missed his eldest sons more and more, hoping that they would return to his side.

With them by his side, Zhu Yuanzhang felt relieved and felt that he could sleep well.

The secret from Beiping was sparse, and Zhu Yuanzhang did not let others read it.

He won't read it to outsiders.

But I can't see it myself, so who should read it?

Jiang Zhen should stay a few more days.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly regretted that he shouldn't have killed him so early, but he knew too much, and Zhu Yuanzhang had been hesitating.

The way of economy has affected the balance in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

He finally decided to kill Jiang Xuan.

He was afraid that he would suddenly not be able to open his eyes one day, and miss the opportunity to kill Jiang Xuan, so that these "big rebellion" words would spread among the people.

However, he also buried Jiang Zhen, rewarded Jiang Zheng's family, and promoted the people he recommended, which is worthy of him.

"Father, I'm done." The girl said in a milky voice.

Zhu Yuanzhang came back to his senses, he couldn't remember what he had just said, and he felt sorry for his little daughter, and he didn't want her to read it again, so as not to tire her.

Is it that when people get old, their hearts also become softer?

Let the eunuchs send back their daughters, Zhu Yuanzhang felt even more lonely.

The quiet hall made his hearing more and more sensitive, but his sensitive ears still couldn't hear the sound, which frightened Zhu Yuanzhang to wonder if he was deaf.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened, put the song in front of his eyes, and tried to read word by word.

The eunuchs beside him wanted to speak and stopped, no one dared to persuade them, and the problem of sparseness was too sensitive, and no one dared to risk death.

"It turned out to be the impeachment of the second child, but the second child still hasn't changed."

It took a long time to read one letter, and Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the next one, this one is from the imperial history, which is to impeach King Yan.

It is said that King Yan violated the ban on opening the sea, colluded with the Japanese Kou, secretly communicated with North Korea, and had bad intentions.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly put down the song in his hand, and under his sparse eyebrows, his cloudy eyes made people unable to see his true thoughts.

Outside the Imperial City.

In a private house, in the warm pavilion in the back garden, three or five officials gathered, among which Qi Tai and Ru Yu quarreled again.

"The saint is in poor health, and many strict orders have been circulated, waiting for a bullet to impeach many vassal kings, wouldn't it arouse the suspicion of the saint?"

Ru Yu said dissatisfiedly to Qi Tai.

"The arrow is ready to be fired." Qi Tai explained to everyone: "The power of the Jin King and the Yan King is too great, and they must be seized now, otherwise if the saints are not hesitated, who can check and balance them." ”

The rights of King Jin and King Yan were given by Zhu Yuanzhang, and no one could change it, so they could only watch the strength of the two kings intensify.

The rest of the means are trivial, only by starting from the famous weapon and changing this will, is it to fight the snake and hit the seven inches.

So how to change it? By impeachment, of course.

Collect evidence and impeach several princes, so as to open a breakthrough and promote the seizure of the prince's military power.

"It's easy to backfire if you're too impatient, and it's best to stay stable." Ru Yu retorted.

"Now that the position of the imperial grandson is stable, there is progress in stability, and there is stability in advance, which is the most suitable for relaunching the offensive, otherwise it will only make the vassal kings hold the military power in their hands more and more tightly."

(End of chapter)