When he arrived at the Imperial Hospital, Lao Zhu couldn't wait to ask the imperial doctors before they could salute:
"How is Han Du?"
The doctor at the Taiyuan Hospital had white beard and hair, a rosy complexion, and looked well-kept. Even facing the emperor, he only bowed slightly and said: "Back to the emperor, Marquis Zhenhai fainted because he hadn't eaten for several days. I have already asked someone to give him liquid food. It won't be long before he wakes up." of."
Lao Zhu nodded and felt relieved. Seeing that Han Du was still in a coma, he couldn't stay here longer. He turned to the old eunuch and told him: "When he wakes up, bring him to see me."
After that, Lao Zhu left.
"My slave obeys the order." The old eunuch bowed to the emperor.
The next day, Han Du slowly opened his eyes from his daze. The body was weak due to not eating, but recovered quickly after regaining energy.
"Are you awake?" The old eunuch sat aside and looked at Han Du with a smile.
Han Du was confused for a few breaths, then slowly turned around and asked doubtfully: "Why is father-in-law here? What's wrong with me?"
The old eunuch glanced at Han Du in surprise, and asked with some uncertainty: "What's wrong with you? You can't remember, right? Do you still remember what you want to do?"
"Remember. Did my father-in-law present the imperial seal to the emperor?" Han Du nodded slightly, and then asked what he was most concerned about.
"It seems that the Marquis has completely woken up. In that case, please invite the Marquis to come to see you. The Emperor wants to see you." The old eunuch stood up tremblingly, straightening his back and standing in front of Han Du. .
Han Du stretched out his hand on the edge of the bed. Although his arms were still a little weak, they no longer affected his movements, so he turned over and got off the bed.
After standing still, he nodded to the old eunuch and said, "Thank you, father-in-law. Please lead the way."
Han Du was brought to Lao Zhu by the old eunuch. As soon as they met, Han Du immediately knelt down and said: "I pay homage to the emperor, long live my emperor..."
"Okay, okay, excuse me." Before Han Du could finish speaking, Lao Zhu saw that Han Du was struggling to kneel down. Knowing that Han Du had not fully recovered, he quickly waved his hand and excused Han Du from the courtesy. .
Seeing Han Du standing in a daze, he glanced at the old eunuch and said, "Please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Han Du did not expect that Lao Zhu would give him a seat, but it was really uncomfortable for him to stand now. Since he had the opportunity to sit down, Han Du would not refuse.
The eunuch who was waiting on the side quickly moved in a brocade pier.
Han Du climbed to the top without any hesitation.
Lao Zhu glanced at Han Du and didn't say anything. Instead, he focused on the box in front of him.
The red sandalwood box has exquisitely carved patterns, giving it a royal elegance. Not to mention anything else, just such a box is a rare treasure.
But no matter how rare this box is, compared with the contents inside, it is like rotten wood.
Lao Zhu opened the box casually, and the crisp sound echoed in the hall. Although the sound was small, it attracted everyone's attention instantly. Not only Han Du and the old eunuch, but also the eunuchs and maids standing on both sides could not suppress their curiosity and quietly raised their eyes.
Lao Zhu ignored the others, opened the box with a longing expression, and reached out to hold the jade seal. As soon as I put it in my hand, I felt a strange warmth, a feeling that even the well-informed Lao Zhu had never felt before.
He quickly took out the jade seal, held it in his hand and looked at it constantly. After a while, Lao Zhu looked at Han Du expectantly and asked, "Is this real?"
Han Du smiled, bowed slightly and said, "I can only say that I am 90% certain that this is true."
"Oh? Are you so sure?" Lao Zhu glanced at Han Du while stroking the jade seal.
Han Du nodded with a relaxed expression, "I have taken a closer look and found that the seal on this jade seal is indeed a small seal, and it is also consistent with the legend of being ordered by God to live long and prosperous."
"Also, the missing horns were inlaid with gold and repaired. It is also consistent with the legend. Of course, we need to carefully identify whether it is true or false." The news of the national jade seal must have been spread throughout the city by now. I don’t know how many people’s attention it attracted. Even if this is true, it may be difficult to convince the public without repeated verification by authoritative people.
Lao Zhu smiled and glanced at Han Du. He was noncommittal and said nothing about Han Du's words.
Lao Zhu was able to conquer the world from a commoner, so he naturally believed that he was destined to do so. But all this time, he has never gotten the jade seal that represents destiny. There were even multiple northern expeditions to the grasslands, which may or may not mean that they didn't want to pursue the jade seal passed down to the country.
Unfortunately, Xu Da went to the grassland many times but could not find it, which made Lao Zhu deeply regretful.
Even Lao Zhu waited for many years, but never got even a fake one. It's not like Lao Zhu has never thought about it, he might as well forge one himself. Anyway, no one has seen what the imperial seal looks like. As long as he can justify himself, who can raise objections?
Such thoughts came to Lao Zhu's mind more than once, but each time they were eventually suppressed by the pride in his heart. He, Zhu Yuanzhang, was born into a poor peasant, and his ancestors had never been wealthy within eighteen generations. He even worked as a cowherd, made a living by begging, and became a monk. After raising the army, he conquered the world in just fifteen years.
If he is not destined to be like this, then this destiny is simply a joke.
Therefore, Lao Zhu has always believed that the imperial seal, which represents the orthodoxy of the world, will definitely come into his hands on its own. Naturally, he is disdainful of such things as fraud. He would rather not get it than lower his status to make lies and deceive the world.
Now, Lao Zhu finally got his wish.
Although Han Du kept saying that the authenticity of this national jade seal needs to be carefully identified before it can be determined. But the moment Lao Zhu got the jade seal passed down from the country, he already knew in his heart that this was the real jade seal passed down from the country.
"Okay, I will choose a good time and auspicious day, and let people check it carefully." Lao Zhu nodded with a smile.
Hearing Lao Zhu's words, Han Du also showed joy on his face and looked at Lao Zhu eagerly. Since Lao Zhu accepted the jade seal, shouldn't the blue jade also be released?
Lao Zhu saw Han Du's longing look and pondered for a while, guessing what Han Du was thinking. He raised his head and said, "I can no longer pursue the matter of Lan Yu's troops breaking through the barrier."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Han Du
He immediately bowed to Lao Zhu.
Lao Zhu waited for Han Du to straighten up, and then said calmly: "Don't be too happy too early. I only said that I would not pursue his case of breaking through the border, but I never said that I would release him."
"Your Majesty, this..." Han Du was stunned for a moment, looked at Lao Zhu in confusion, and asked in confusion.
Lao Zhu, what does this mean? You received the benefits but refused to do the work, right? How can a person be so shameless? He has already accepted the imperial seal, but refuses to let go of the blue jade?
Lao Zhu put his hands on the dragon chair, stood up, walked a few steps, and said: "What Lan Yu committed was not just to break the barrier with troops. Maybe you have heard of it, but I still want to talk to you again." Tell me again, it is absolutely true that Lan Yu defiled Concubine Yuan and caused Concubine Yuan to commit suicide. You yourself brought Togu Si Timur to the capital. If he knew about this, do you think he would let it go?
Do you want me to release Sapphire? Okay, you can go and convince Togu Si Timur yourself. If he is willing to let Lan Yu go, I will release Lan Yu right away. But if he insists on letting me make the decision for him and investigate Lan Yu's crazy behavior, then I will have no choice but to give him an explanation. "
Lao Zhu chuckled and shook his head, but did not continue. This matter is difficult to handle. For Lao Zhu, this is a very difficult matter. In his opinion, it was almost impossible for Han Du to persuade Togu Si Timur.
Han Du captured Togu Si Timur in the capital, and it was impossible that Togu Si Timur would be grateful to him in turn. Not only did the two have no friendship at all, but they also had a grudge. Why did Tuogu Si Timur listen to Han Du?
After Han Du heard Lao Zhu's conditions, if he couldn't defeat Lao Zhu, he would have wanted to rush forward and snatch the imperial seal back.
Meat buns and dog beatings are not presented like this!
Lao Zhu's move was not only to accept the benefits but not to do anything or say anything, he was also prepared to stand aside and watch the show with his hands folded.
Han Du gritted his teeth and said nothing, preparing to make a silent protest against Lao Zhu.
It's a pity that Lao Zhu's face is obviously much thicker than Han Du's, and his methods are much better than Han Du's. He waved his hand lightly and said, "Back off. If you can persuade Tuo Gusi Timur, I will release Lan Yu immediately and reward him for his merits. Of course, if you can't do it, then I won't There's a solution. After all, Togu Si Timur is the emperor of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, and it's impossible for me not to give him an explanation."
As he spoke, a different meaning flashed in Lao Zhu's eyes, and he asked Han Du in a tentative tone: "In fact, this matter is basically a dead end, so why do you have to run for Lan Yu? With your achievements this time , if you can let it go, even if I make you the Duke of the country, no one will dare to object. Then you will be the youngest Duke of the Ming Dynasty. Hereditary inheritance, what kind of honor is that? If you insist on being Lan Yu If you plead for mercy, then I’m afraid all your achievements will be wasted.”
Lao Zhu's meaning is very clear, that is, regardless of Lan Yu, he will make Han Du a duke. But if Han Du insists on interceding for Lan Yu, then Han Du may have to use his own merits to compensate.
Moreover, Lao Zhu was trying to persuade Han Du to give up Lan Yu.
Han Du took a deep breath, bowed his hands, and said: "The grace of saving your life must not go unpaid! Lan Yu owes me the kindness of saving the people. Even if I risk my life, I must repay it. I also ask for the emperor's permission."
Seeing that Han Du insisted on this, Lao Zhu had no intention of persuading him.
