This was a surprise inspection. Everyone in the Beijing Camp did not receive the news in advance, so what they saw was the most realistic situation.
Although he is not a professional, he has discovered many unreasonable things based on Zhu Jinghong's personal experience.
For example, there are major or minor problems in the management and maintenance of guns and artillery, personnel training and equipment.
After some suggestions from Zhu Jinghong, everyone in Jingying learned something and were thinking about how to improve.
In this way, half of the afternoon had passed before Zhu Jinghong drove back to the palace.
After returning home, he learned that Zhu Jingyuan was still being pestered by foreign officials and was actually attending a show at the moment.
In order to curry favor with the prince, these local officials did everything within the scope of their power to the limit, and they did not know how much manpower and material resources they would spend.
Of course, these are all tricks played by civil servants. All the generals from Jiangbei Dusi were squeezed out after paying homage, and they went back to where they were supposed to be.
Let's say that when Zhu Jinghong returned to the palace, he saw Yinglian coming to greet him, holding tea in his hand.
"Master Thirteen, drink tea!"
He took the tea cup, sat back on the chair, and asked, "You didn't go to see Miss Xue?"
"Look, this slave is no longer dedicated to studying. In the past, she just went on the road. Now that she is stationed at the palace, how can she not stay and serve the Thirteenth Master!"
"Serve? How do you want to serve?" Zhu Jinghong smiled and pulled Yinglian into his arms.
"Master Thirteen, it's not good to do this in broad daylight..."
Yinglian struggled a little, obviously feeling ashamed because there were more than a dozen eunuchs inside and outside the hall.
Zhu Jinghong looked indifferent: "What happened in broad daylight? It's not just the two of us!"
Hearing this, the young eunuchs didn't understand what it meant, so they all left the hall.
After letting Yinglian go and letting her get up, Zhu Jinghong asked: "Tell me what you have learned in the past two days!"
"I have been talking about the Book of Songs these two days, and Miss Xue said that it happened more than two thousand years ago..."
While talking, Yinglian squatted down and squeezed his legs, making Zhu Jinghong feel particularly comfortable.
After listening for a while, Zhu Jinghong suddenly said: "Miss Xue taught me so well, how can we not thank her!"
"Deng An..."
Before Yinglian could react, Zhu Jinghong shouted outside, and Deng An hurried in.
"Master Thirteen, your orders!"
"Go to the palace warehouse and choose some good things. I'm going to thank Yinglian!"
"Ah? This..."
Even an unprincipled person like Deng An felt that Zhu Jinghong's actions were a bit too condescending.
Letting the Xue family live in the palace is already a great courtesy, so why bother giving them things.
The difference between Deng An and others is that even if he feels it is not appropriate, he will execute it without hesitation, so it is him who Zhu Jinghong calls.
"Slave, go do it immediately!"
Watching Deng An leave, Zhu Jinghong murmured in a low voice: "Speaking of which... I haven't officially thanked them for the last rescue!"
The last time he had a funeral, it was to prevent the emperor from knowing the truth, so that the accompanying guards and local officials would not be punished, and innocent people would be implicated.
Therefore, the contribution made by the Xue family cannot be mentioned, and neither the government nor Zhu Jinghong has commended it.
…………
There are about thirty female members of the Xue family living in a small courtyard in the southwest corner of the palace.
After coming in and working for a long time, I finally put everything in order. Suddenly, another eunuch came to tell him that Zhu Jinghong would be coming soon.
So everyone in the Xue family who had not yet breathed was now busy again, cleaning the tables, chairs, utensils, and the corners of the floor two or three times in a row.
So much so that this remote corner became completely new in the blink of an eye.
Now Zhu Jinghong values the Xue family, and he still has the friendship to rescue them before, so Aunt Xue is not worried that this time Zhu Jinghong's visit is a bad thing.
But what worries Aunt Xue now is that the Xue family is all female now, how to welcome Zhu Jinghong, the dignified prince.
Hearing her mother's worries, Xue Baochai also felt uneasy, but she still persuaded her: "Mother... just kneel down and welcome them all!"
Going out and kneeling to greet them all was the best the Xue family could do. It couldn't be more humble than this.
"That's all it can do!"
As for how to entertain, there is no way to think about it. Good tea, good fruits and pastries can be served.
After cleaning up, everyone in the Xue family gathered and stood in line at the steps of the courtyard door, quietly waiting for Zhu Jinghong's arrival.
I thought I could have a good rest after entering the palace, but no one expected that something like this would happen.
No matter what time it is, the stressful wait is excruciating.
Watching the sun set in the west, the half hour of waiting seemed longer than a day.
At this moment, Aunt Xue's back was sore from standing, but she couldn't go in to rest, for fear that Zhu Jinghong would arrive next moment.
The same is true for Xue Baochai, but she is young after all and her legs, feet and arms can still hold on.
"Madam, here we come!"
The mother-in-law's reminder shocked everyone in the Xue family. Under Aunt Xue's command, everyone in the Xue family knelt down one after another.
When Zhu Jinghong's sedan chair approached, Deng An opened the curtain for him. Under the leadership of Aunt Xue, everyone in the Xue family kowtowed.
"Kowtow to the Thirteenth Master!"
Everyone in the Xue family kowtowed their heads to the ground, once, twice or even three times, and then waited for Zhu Jinghong's instructions.
Zhu Jinghong accepted all this calmly, knowing that if he refused, it would only make the Xue family more embarrassed.
Zhu Jinghong did not dress formally, but changed into a gray moiré round-neck robe, with his hair tied in a bun with a net scarf, looking more casual and at home.
After getting out of the sedan, Zhu Jinghong stood in front of everyone and said slowly: "Everyone, get up!"
"Thank you Thirteenth Master!"
With Xue Baochai's help, Aunt Xue slowly stood up and then moved to the left to get out of the way.
Zhu Jinghong did not hesitate. Surrounded by a group of eunuchs, he entered the courtyard, which was not very large.
There are obvious signs of cleaning inside, and it can be seen that the Xue family has put their best efforts into it.
Zhu Jinghong entered the main hall directly and took the main seat without hesitation, while everyone in the Xue family stayed outside.
The most embarrassing thing was the Xue family's mother and daughter. They were supposed to come in to greet them, but Zhu Jinghong didn't summon them, and they didn't dare to enter the hall without permission.
"You two are standing outside the door, how can you show your friendship as landlords? Come in!"
With these words, the Xue family's mother and daughter came in and saluted Zhu Jinghong again.
"That's all, it's troublesome to kneel down and kneel down!"
"How dare I, how dare you, how dare you..."
Aunt Xue insisted on saluting, but seeing how frightened they were, Zhu Jinghong had no choice but to let them go.
After the mother and daughter kowtowed, Zhu Jinghong said: "Mrs. Xue, please sit down!"
"How dare I..."
At this time, Aunt Xue was neither standing nor sitting. She was so nervous that she didn't even know where to put her hands.
Looking at Xue Baochai, who was relatively calm, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "Miss Xue, help your mother sit down!"
"yes!"
Supporting her mother, Baochai said warmly: "Mother, Thirteenth Master asked you to sit down. Wouldn't it be rude to refuse!"
"Yes, yes...Thank you, Master Thirteen!"
Aunt Xue, who was originally in good health, now seems to be hemiplegic. If it weren't for Baochai, she wouldn't even be able to walk.
Aunt Xue leaned over and sat down, and Baochai stood behind her.
At this time, a young eunuch brought hot tea. He had brought his own food and drink, so the Xue family had no chance to entertain them.
After signaling Aunt Xue to drink tea, Zhu Jinghong put down the tea cup and then said: "I came here mainly for three things!"
(End of chapter)
