Seeing Zhu Biao's eagerness to give it a try, Han Du had to quickly dispel his thoughts. This time when he came to the West, Han Du took the risk of being hung up and beaten by Lao Zhu and sent Zhu Biao to him. If Zhu Biao continues to wander west, how will Han Du explain to Lao Zhu when he returns?
Even if Zhu Biao had to go back in full force, Han Du would probably not be able to spare him by then.
Seeing the nervous look on Han Du's face, Zhu Biao burst into laughter and said, "Don't worry, I promised you that I will follow you back to the capital after coming to Tianfang. I will keep my promise."
This is the best... Han Du nodded with a smile on his face, "Your Highness, don't think I'm verbose, it's just that we've been out for too long. And we originally planned to just wander around Nanyang, but now we're all over the world. . If I don’t go back, I’m afraid that the emperor will be waiting anxiously.”
Han Du's words were not alarmist. As the prince, Zhu Biao was the foundation of the Ming Empire. If it weren't for the excuse Han Du made that Lao Zhu couldn't refuse, Lao Zhu would never have agreed to let Zhu Biao leave the capital.
The naval fleet is too large, and it is impossible to hide it from everyone's eyes when leaving the old port and heading west. After these few months, the news of Zhu Biao's journey to the west will probably reach the capital soon.
Han Du didn't know how Lao Zhu would react when he heard the news.
...
Beijing.
Night has not yet completely fallen, and lanterns have been hung up neatly in fifty squares in the city. When night falls, all the streets are brightly lit. Looking down from the Bell Mountain, the entire capital is shining like a huge gem embedded in the earth.
At the moment when the city gate finally closed, a memorial entered the capital and was handed to the General Affairs Department.
The official of the General Affairs Department only glanced at the cover, and immediately handed the memorial intact to the clerk on the side, and solemnly ordered: "The emperor has decreed that all memorials from Nanyang do not need to be signed, and can be sent directly to the emperor. . Hurry, send this memorial to the palace immediately before the palace door is closed. It’s too late, I’m the only one asking you!”
"Yes, sir!" The expression on the clerk's side changed, and he immediately raised his hands nervously to take it.
The memorial passed through the hands of the scribes, entered the palace gate, passed the imperial guards, passed through the hands of the eunuchs, and finally fell into the hands of the old eunuch.
The old eunuch opened it and glanced at it, then closed it in an instant. Having seen strong winds and waves, he couldn't help but have a look of horror on his face. Not daring to delay for a moment, he turned around and headed towards Qianqing Palace.
In the Qianqing Palace, Lao Zhu has been reviewing memorials for many years. Since Zhu Biao went to sea, without Zhu Biao helping Lao Zhu handle some less important government affairs in advance, the number of memorials that Lao Zhu needs to approve has suddenly increased. Today's Ming Dynasty stretches from Liaodong Sanwei to the north and Jiugang to the south. Its territory is much larger than in history. There are many more memorials sent to the capital every day than before.
And Lao Zhu did not trust anyone except Zhu Biao, so only he personally reviewed the memorials. This resulted in Lao Zhu having to review the memorials until late at night every day even at the age of sixty.
Even Lao Zhu wanted to send someone to deliver the message more than once, asking Zhu Biao to come back quickly. But every time he thought about the illness Han Du mentioned, he stopped his thoughts abruptly. As long as Zhu Biao can return to normal after this incident, Lao Zhu feels that it is worth it even if he is tired and suffers a little.
When the old eunuch arrived, Lao Zhu was still in the bright light, working hard like an old scalper. I don't know why, but when the old eunuch saw the emperor like this, his eyes became slightly astringent.
"emperor."
"What's the matter? Tell me." Lao Zhu didn't even raise his head.
"I present this memorial to the Governor's Mansion of Old Port, please see it before your Majesty." The old eunuch bent down and stood to the side, holding the memorial in both hands and raising it high.
Lao Zhu raised his head and gave the old eunuch a strange look, then put down the Zhu batch in his hand. At this time, he suddenly felt thirsty in his mouth, as if smoke was about to come out. He reached out to pick up the tea cup and took a sip of ginseng tea to moisten his throat.
Then he said: "Send it up."
The old eunuch kept his bowing posture and took a few steps to hand the memorial to the emperor.
Lao Zhu glanced at the old eunuch again, grabbed the memorial and opened it.
After just one glance, Lao Zhu's face suddenly darkened.
The old eunuch knew that the matter was important and did not dare to raise his head at all. He kept his bowed posture and quietly waited for the emperor's order.
After waiting for a long time, just when the old eunuch's old bones were almost unable to support him, an indifferent voice came down like a powerful force from the sky.
"Who else knows about this?"
"The memorial was delivered directly to the palace without the signature of the Secretary of General Affairs. When the slave opened it, the wax seal was intact. It should be that no one else knew about it except the slave." The old eunuch said, straightening up.
Lao Zhu's gloomy expression softened a bit and he nodded secretly.
The old eunuch lowered his eyes and continued: "Your Majesty~"
"If you have anything to say, just say it." Lao Zhu gave the old eunuch a cold look.
The old eunuch suddenly broke out in dense cold sweat on his forehead, and he quickly bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I thought that the naval warships were so mighty that they floated on the sea and blocked the sky and the sun. If they were to go westward, I'm afraid it would be impossible to hide it from anyone who was interested. Eye."
When Lao Zhu heard this, his expression darkened again. What he fears most now is that the news of Zhu Biao's westward journey will be leaked, causing shock to the government and the public.
Zhu Biao is the prince, the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, and the foundation of the country. If it was known that he had gone to the West, before Zhu Biao came back, I am afraid that all the courtiers would begin to feel anxious.
The wind and waves on the sea are unpredictable. If there is an emergency...
At first, Lao Zhu was worried that the news of Zhu Biao's trip to the West would be revealed, so he asked who else had seen the memorial. After hearing that only the old eunuch knew, he breathed a sigh of relief.
But now the old eunuch reminded him that he might be happy too early. It was impossible for the navy fleet to hide it from everyone when it sailed westward. Even if this memorial is not leaked, the news will become known sooner or later.
Regarding this point, Lao Zhu was lucky at first, but now the old eunuch revealed it. There was no luck left in my heart, and I had to lower my head and ponder how to face such a situation. Fortunately, the news of the prince's westward journey has not yet been sent back from Old Port, and Lao Zhu still has enough time to think about how to solve the matter.
In fact, the best way is for Zhu Biao to come back immediately. As long as Zhu Biao returns to Beijing, all problems will be solved immediately.
Unfortunately, Lao Zhu could only helplessly shake his head. If Zhu Biao has not yet left for the west, he can just directly issue an order for him to return to Beijing. Now that Zhu Biao has gone to the West, even if Lao Zhu immediately issues an edict, the edict will never reach Zhu Biao's hands.
Thinking of the news that the officials knew about the prince's westward journey and the upcoming turmoil, Lao Zhu became dissatisfied with Han Du. Why didn't he stop Zhu Biao in the first place? If Zhu Biao had not left Nanyang, these things would not have happened now.
Lao Zhu opened the memorial again angrily, and this time he read it carefully. After a while, Lao Zhu suddenly burst into laughter.
"Your Majesty, is there any good news?"
Lao Zhu didn't take his eyes off the memorial at all, nodded and said: "Well, that's right. Wang Yuanji said in the memorial that Biao'er is so majestic in Nanyang, and soldiers and civilians at home and abroad are all impressed by the prince's grace. He is indeed my Biao'er, wherever he goes. They can all dominate the world and make the people of the world happy and sincerely convinced."
The old eunuch's expression changed when he heard this. Although the prince was the crown prince, he had not yet ascended the throne. It seems a little inappropriate to say that you rule the world, right?
However, who said that the person who said this was the emperor? No matter what, if you rule the world, then rule the world. Anyway, as long as the emperor is happy.
"The old man heard that Governor Wang was born in the imperial examination. Not only did he write beautiful articles, but he was also able to calm the people. His memorial was correct." The old eunuch was able to gain a foothold in this inner palace where swords, swords, open guns and secret arrows were used. Naturally, he also One person is fine. On the surface, his words were praising Wang Yuanji, but in fact, he was praising His Highness the Crown Prince in a subtle way.
The old eunuch knew that the prince's status in the heart of the prince was unparalleled by anyone. As long as he said good things about the prince, the prince would be happier than flattering himself.
But no matter how scheming the old eunuch is, there are times when he makes a mistake, and today he made a mistake.
After listening to his words, Lao Zhu not only did not smile at all, but instead turned coldly and said: "Huh! This Wang Yuanji is also a slick man, and he knows the bastard Mr. who defends him. He actually said that it was Biao'er who wanted to Heading west, the naval fleet will go to the west only after Han Du tried his best to stop it but failed."
"Do you think this is human language? Biao'er is such an honest kid. He has never done anything out of line since he was a child. Why would he propose to go to the West?"
"It's that bastard Han Du. Ever since he gave me the complete map of all the countries in the world, he keeps talking about how rich the West is, as if there is gold everywhere and you can get it if you lean over. In my opinion, it must be this bastard He encouraged Biao'er to go to the West. When he comes back, I won't be able to spare him!"
Lao Zhu's eyes widened and he gritted his teeth. With that look, if Han Du stood in front of him now, he would definitely be beaten to death by him.
The old eunuch immediately shut his mouth tightly and did not dare to speak randomly again. The emperor was angry now, and he did not dare to replace Han Du and become the target of the emperor's anger. As for his friendship with Han Du, it has not reached the point of life and death, life for life.
After a while, Lao Zhu sighed and waved his hand, saying: "Go to Kunning Palace."
"Yes, my slave, go and prepare now." After hearing this, the old eunuch felt as if he had been granted amnesty, and quickly turned around and left to prepare for his chariot.
Lao Zhu sat on the imperial chariot, thinking about how to deal with the shocking situation when all the officials knew that Zhu Biao had gone to the West. After thinking for a long time, I still couldn't come up with a good idea, and an unknown anger gradually rose in my heart.
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