Time was running out, and the naval fleet simply did not have enough time to rest. In this case, Han Du simply split the navy into two. Some people took the time to rest while others replenished them with fresh water and food. After the supplies were replenished, these people took a rest and then, under the leadership of Han Du, escorted Zhu Biao to Beijing. And those who have not rested should take their time to rest at this time.
In this way, time will not be wasted and the navy officers will not be too tired. The only problem is that only half of the warships can be brought back to Beijing, and the remaining half can only return to Beijing after they have rested.
However, even half of the warships are enough to ensure Zhu Biao's safety in Nanyang. There is no need to worry about anything, the problem will naturally disappear.
As soon as Han Du returned to the Yangtze River estuary, he immediately sent people to disembark and quickly returned to Beijing to report the news.
...
A fast horse rushed into the capital gate in the morning light.
When the old eunuch received the news that Zhu Biao had returned to Beijing, his face suddenly lit up and he ran all the way into the palace on his old legs.
Lao Zhu was sitting upright behind the imperial desk. When he heard the noise made by the old eunuch, he frowned slightly and asked with some dissatisfaction: "How old are you? Why are you still as frizzy and frizzy as a young man?"
The old eunuch didn't bother to explain, and said quickly with a happy face: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness is back."
Lao Zhu's hand that was reviewing suddenly shook, and a drop of bright red ink fell on the memorial, staining a patch as big as the belly of his finger.
"What did you say, say it again?"
The old eunuch smiled brightly with his old face, and quickly raised the document in his hand and presented it to the emperor, "There is news from the Marquis of Zhenhai that His Royal Highness the Prince's warship entered the Yangtze River Estuary yesterday and will be able to return today."
"Biao'er is back?" Lao Zhu asked in disbelief. He grabbed the document and opened it. It turned out to be Han Du's handwriting.
Lao Zhu's face, which had been gloomy for many days, suddenly burst into a smile, "Okay, very good, just come back."
Zhu Biao's return made Lao Zhu relieved, and the stone in his heart fell.
Then Lao Zhu suddenly asked: "Since Biao'er is back today, isn't he arriving soon?"
Han Du did not say in the document that he would arrive in the capital at the above time, he only said that he would arrive today. When the old eunuch was asked this question by the emperor, he really didn't know how to answer.
But facing the emperor, it is not enough not to answer. The emperor is happy now. Even if the answer is wrong, he may not be punished. But if he doesn't answer, it will anger the emperor, and he will not be able to live with it.
"Your Majesty, it's still early. I'm afraid the Marquis of Zhenhai and the others didn't come back so early, right? It may be after Xiangwu that His Highness the Prince and the others will arrive in the capital."
Lao Zhu nodded slightly in agreement. With a sigh, he sat back on the dragon chair again, lowered his head and picked up a memorial to read through. After just two glances, Lao Zhu angrily threw the memorial onto the imperial desk with a snap.
Attracted by Lao Zhu's movement, the old eunuch bowed and raised his head, and asked doubtfully: "Your Majesty?"
Lao Zhu suddenly stood up and shouted: "Let's go to the Navy's water village. I didn't see Biao'er come back with my own eyes, so I was very upset and couldn't stand the memorial at all."
"According to the order, I will go and prepare now."
...
Lao Zhu issued an edict, and the water village was in a state of panic, sweeping and preparing to welcome the holy driver. As soon as the streets of Shuizhai were cleaned, Lao Zhu's imperial edict arrived.
After saying long live greetings, Lao Zhu directly waved his hand for everyone to get up, and then directly ordered Yu Chu to stop at the plank road.
The guard of the water village did not dare to step forward rashly, and could only carefully follow Yu Hu and wait quietly.
The sun was a little strong, so Lao Zhu simply sat on the wooden bench and waited for Zhu Biao to come back.
The old eunuch stood under Yuhu, his neck stretched out like a goose's neck, constantly looking towards the river.
When he saw the bow of a warship emerging from the corner, the old eunuch was as happy as a child, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it seems to be His Royal Highness's warship."
There was a sudden noise inside the Yuhu, and Lao Zhu calmly opened the car curtain with his thick palm, strode out, stood on the Yuhu and looked up towards the river. When he saw the warship, he quickly took out his binoculars.
When he saw Zhu Biao standing on the bow of the ship, Lao Zhu's face showed a smile from the inside out.
The old eunuch on the side was paying attention to Lao Zhu at all times. Seeing the change of expression on his face, he quickly asked: "Your Majesty, have you seen His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Lao Zhu nodded happily. Although he couldn't see clearly from too far away, Lao Zhu was sure that it was Zhu Biao, and Lao Zhu also saw Han Du next to him.
The moment he saw Zhu Biao, all the worries and worries that Lao Zhu had in the past suddenly turned into nothing and dissipated in an instant. As long as Zhu Biao can come back, Lao Zhu feels that his surroundings are full of light.
The old eunuch's whole body relaxed instantly, and he clasped his hands together and chanted vigorously: "Amitabha, my ancestors bless you, His Highness the Prince has finally returned safely."
"Yes, I'm finally back." Lao Zhu sighed. Then Lao Zhu subconsciously looked at the old eunuch and couldn't help joking happily: "When did you, this old slave, become a believer in Buddhism? Why didn't I know?"
The old eunuch looked excited, with tears in his eyes. He bowed slightly and said, "As long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can come back safely, I can make you believe in anything, let alone make me believe in Buddhism."
"Hahaha," Lao Zhu burst out with a burst of hearty laughter, "It's good that you have this heart."
As he spoke, Lao Zhu turned his attention to the warship that was getting closer and closer.
...
Han Du's eyes were sharper than Zhu Biao's, and he could see the bright yellow Yuhu behind the water village plank road at a glance.
"The emperor is here?" As he said that, Han Du looked at Zhu Biao with doubts.
Zhu Biao was also extremely surprised and couldn't help but said: "My father has so many things to do, how can he have time to come here?"
"You must have been out at sea for too long, which made the emperor worried." Han Du immediately started to scold Zhu Biao angrily, "I just told you to come back after seeing Nanyang, but you didn't listen. Why did you have to go? Xiyang. We're here now. I don't know how anxious the emperor is since I haven't seen you back for so long. Maybe he even complained about me, thinking that I took you running around outside and didn't come back to Beijing. ..."
Zhu Biao was annoyed by Han Du's ramble and interrupted him angrily, saying, "Have you finished speaking?"
"No!" Han Du immediately replied to Zhu Biao. When he thought that Zhu Biao had to go to the West, Han Du's anger rose for a long time.
Obviously he didn't want to go to the West, Zhu Biao insisted on going. Now when he thought of being complained by Lao Zhu, Han Du's mood couldn't stop fluctuating.
"Okay, is it all Gu's fault?" Zhu Biao's tone of breaking the jar made Han Du startled.
Zhu Biao glanced back at Han Du and said, "What's the use of talking about this now? Let's get off the boat first and see what Father means. If you think too much, Father will not blame you at all. What do we mean?"
Han Du nodded and had no choice but to do so. But what I am thinking is that it is true that Lao Zhu will not punish you. I am afraid that I will not be able to escape this disaster. I just don’t know how Lao Zhu plans to punish himself. If the punishment is lighter, Han Du will accept it calmly.
Seeing that the warship was about to dock, Lao Zhu simply got off the boat and walked along the plank road towards the warship with the support of the old eunuch.
As soon as the ship stopped, Zhu Biao ordered his soldiers to put him and Han Du down.
As soon as the hanging basket landed on the plank road, Zhu Biao jumped out of the hanging basket, walked a few steps quickly and came to Lao Zhu, knelt down with a bang, and bowed sincerely, "Father, forgive me, son. My unfilial piety has made my father worried."
Han Du and Zhu Biao were stunned as they watched from behind. Didn't they say they didn't have to worry about Lao Zhu's punishment? Now that you have done this, what should I do?
Sure enough, Lao Zhu was very satisfied with Zhu Biao's attitude. Then he bared his teeth and glanced at Han Du.
Han Du suddenly became excited, his legs went weak, and he immediately knelt down in front of Lao Zhu.
"I'll be punished by death..."
Lao Zhu ignored Han Du and focused all his attention on Zhu Biao. In Lao Zhu's eyes, except that Zhu Biao looks exactly the same as before, only a little darker and a little stronger, there is almost no difference.
But Zhu Biao's spirit gave him a completely different feeling. If the former Zhu Biao was like a towering tree with a canopy covering one side, then the current Zhu Biao is like a mountain. Although it lacks the gorgeous crown, it has a calm and virtuous temperament.
Although Zhu Biao knelt down in front of him, he was in high spirits, as if he was standing upright.
When Lao Zhu saw Zhu Biao's transformation, he was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth. He kept saying, "Okay, okay, okay, just come back, just come back!"
With that said, he helped Zhu Biao up from the ground.
"Thank you, Father." Zhu Biao immediately stood up from the ground, magnanimously and fearlessly.
Lao Zhu saw Zhu Biao's performance, and the more he watched, the happier he became.
Han Du knelt on the ground in embarrassment, looking at Lao Zhu longingly, wondering whether he really forgot about him or did it on purpose.
Lao Zhu looked at Zhu Biao and sighed: "It seems that you have gained a lot from this trip to sea. Come on, let's have a good talk and tell me about your experience overseas."
When Han Du saw Lao Zhu deliberately ignoring him and heard Lao Zhu's words, he suddenly felt that it was okay to ignore him. After Lao Zhu left, he quietly went home. This time I went to sea with Zhu Biao. It took almost a year to go back and forth. I missed another opportunity to celebrate the New Year at home. I don’t know how Anqing will blame himself. It would be nice to go back early to comfort her.
But Lao Zhu didn't let Han Du get what he wanted. After talking to Zhu Biao about their heartfelt feelings, Lao Zhu glanced at Han Du lightly and said, "You have gone to sea after all, so come too."
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