Hongwu's eighteenth year, February 2nd.
Fourteen-year-old Zhang Wanzhuang, the third sister of the Zhang family, is studying with her two naughty twin brothers.
This matter is extremely difficult.
"Third sister, if I had known that I would have to study in Jinling, I wouldn't have come with my father."
"On the contrary, I feel that Jinling does not have the expected scenery. The iron horse train is okay, but this will delay my studies."
Zhang Wanzhuang smiled and said, "Look, Wu Lang, Si Lang is very easy to learn."
"He's so eager to learn, so I'll teach him everything. Third sister, I want to go horse riding."
Zhang Wanzhuang was about to speak when she suddenly heard movement in the courtyard. She couldn't help but wonder why her father had come back at this time today, so she rushed to the window to take a look.
She saw her father standing in the courtyard stroking his beard, while her mother stood aside as if waiting for someone. After a while, the steward welcomed a young man in.
When the outsider entered the hospital, Zhang Wanzhuang was a little panicked for a moment and wanted to close the window.
But when I took a closer look, I saw that this young man was about eighteen years old. He was wearing a military robe. He had a tall and straight figure and a face that was carved out of wood. Especially his pair of bright star-like eyes, which showed both determination and clarity. feel.
When I was in the capital, I also met many young talents, including the current Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
But His Highness the Crown Prince is stable and mature, and his eyes are full of domineering.
She just glanced at it from a distance, but some of her didn't dare to look again.
His Royal Highness the Second Prince is approachable, elegant and easy-going.
But the young man in front of her made Zhang Wanzhuang feel that there was something more special than the young men she had seen.
"I've met the teacher, I've met the master's wife."
"The prince is injured? You have only been in the army for a long time, so..."
"Okay, okay." Zhang Jianzhi interrupted his wife's chatter and said, "Go and cook some of Su Jing's favorite dishes."
"Okay, okay. I'm going to make some braised noodles that the prince used to like to eat. It's time for the prince to satisfy his craving."
"Thank you, Master."
Zhang Jianzhi stroked his beard, gestured to Xiao Sujing, and said, "Sit down first. Logically speaking, I shouldn't have let you come over to meet me."
“Students miss their teachers, too.”
"Well, I didn't expect that His Majesty would transfer me to Jinling as deputy secretary. It seems that he intends to bring you and my master and apprentice together again."
"Maybe you also want me to continue teaching you."
"The talent of the teacher is well known to everyone in the world. There is also a portrait of the teacher in Lingyan Pavilion."
"Your Majesty is a man of great talent and strategy, but also unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness. My father often expresses his emotion. Students can see that my father really admires His Majesty."
Zhang Jianzhi said: "Maybe it's because of this. His Highness King Yan wants to establish his authority for the Daqian outside. Now he can only go back to Daqian very often. You and His Highness the King of Yan also spend less time together and stay apart more, so he sent me. come over."
Xiao Sujing nodded, clasped his fists and saluted the capital, and then said: "The students are very happy that the teacher can come to Jinling. After hearing about it for the first time, they quickly put down their affairs and came to see him, hoping to listen to the teacher's teachings again."
"Well, once you are a teacher, you are always a father. Don't blame His Highness King Yan, let alone His Majesty. In two years, you should be able to go to sea with His Highness King Yan." Zhang Jianzhi stood up and said: "Let's go and try your master's cooking skills."
Xiao Sujing was really a little greedy.
When I was eight years old.
Xiao Zheng went to sea again.
Because exchanges in overseas places were suppressed and plundered by the church, the lives and property of merchants and people were threatened.
Di Qing is leading the troops to fight.
Xiao Zheng is going to take the Sixteenth Cavalry of Yanyun to the sea, and from then on he will be stationed in Damascus, Constantinople and other places to protect the Daqian Exchange.
From now on.
I come back almost every two or three years.
Xiao Sujing was brought up by Zhang Jianzhi.
Wait until after the age of fifteen.
Just arrived at Jinling.
Accept the military power of Prince Yan in Jinling.
Because there will be some Japanese pirates on the southeast coast.
He led the Sixteenth Cavalry of Yanyun to guard the East China Sea.
This guarding lasted for three years.
Later, Zhang Jianzhi was transferred to the southeast and served as deputy secretary of Jiangnan Province, sitting in Jinling.
Xiao Sujing can accept Zhang Jianzhi's teaching again.
The two have a half-father-son relationship.
Zhang Jianzhi has always taken great care of Xiao Sujing, just like his own son.
After all, His Royal Highness, King Yan, established his prestige overseas for the sake of the country and the people of the country.
He is the greatest contributor to Daqian!
His son should not have been left out and lost the affection of his parents.
Of course, Xiao Yi took Xiao Sujing directly to the palace after he was eight years old, arranged him in the East Palace, let Xiao Yan take him with him, and treated him like his son.
When Xiao Sujing was a child, there was no lack of family affection.
A few days later.
At night, Zhang Wanzhuang was chatting with her mother by the fire. She lowered her head, hesitated for a long time, and asked in a low voice.
"Mom, who was the young man who came here that day?"
"He is considered a student of your father."
"Does father still teach students?"
"Occasionally I go to Hongwen Hall to give some... special lessons."
"I heard that grandma called him Prince, is he Xiao Sujing, the eldest son of His Highness King Yan?"
"Why are you asking about him, Third Sister?"
"No," Zhang Wanzhuang responded hurriedly, then immediately regretted it. But she didn't know how to take it back. She pulled the corner of her mother's clothes and said, "Mom, I..."
"My mother understands, but I'm afraid your father won't agree to this matter. Alas, he will go to sea in the future."
"His Royal Highness King Yan wants to establish his authority overseas."
"Over the years, I have often gone to sea. After the prince was eight years old, he rarely saw His Royal Highness King Yan and the princess."
"This child has been sensible since he was a child. He is also very independent and has high aspirations."
"Yeah?"
Zhang Wanzhuang turned to look at the snow outside the window, feeling sad that her relationship had ended in vain...
In April of the nineteenth year of Hongwu, Jinling.
In an elegant teahouse, Zhang Wanzhuang took a peek at Xiao Sujing while holding tea, and said, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking that it's not an option for us to communicate secretly like this."
"ah?"
Zhang Wanzhuang trembled and there were tears in her eyes.
"Therefore, I plan to propose marriage to the teacher."
Zhang Wanzhuang felt sad. Hearing this, her heart flew up again, and she wanted to say angrily: "My father will not agree. Humph, he doesn't like you as his son-in-law."
Xiao Sujing said: "Are you willing to go to sea with me? As long as you are willing, I will propose marriage to the teacher."
"Do you really want to go to sea?"
"The future of Daqian lies outside this vast sea."
Zhang Wanzhuang looked at him deeply, his eyes full of admiration.
Xiao Sujing smiled and said: "From now on, I promise you to be queen for the rest of your life?"
"Who wants to be your queen?" Zhang Wanzhuang turned her back and lowered her head and said softly: "But... I also want to go overseas to see her."
"I've thought about it all."
Xiao Sujing was overjoyed and continued: "Now that we are planning to get married in August, I will accompany you to Yancheng and travel to the south of the Yangtze River in September. At the end of the year, you will accompany me to the capital to meet relatives and friends. Next year, I will prepare to go to sea and follow my father. I I think my father and mother will definitely be satisfied with your daughter-in-law..."
