Ning Boyang did not notice my change and still said: "They are confronting each other. Naturally, everyone has to distinguish their positions, that is, who is leaving. Many people think that the Secretary of Ceremony and the cabinet have cooperated for many years and are deeply rooted. In addition, the emperor obeys their words , so, even though several father-in-laws in the East Palace gradually gained positions, they still chose the former. This includes the vassal kings in some places and most of the courtiers."
I had never thought so deeply. When I heard what he said was quite serious, I gave him a puzzled look and chuckled, "Aren't we talking about this too far away? We are just little royal guards. Where to follow? I haven't yet." Is this the status?"
Ning Boyang lowered his voice and said: "We have no status, but the commander of the Jinyiwei has a position. Dongchang is starting to rise, how can we not follow it? The key point is that the adults of the Jinyiwei have an unclear attitude!"
Naturally, I don’t know the reason, but Ning Boyang’s words still made me think for a moment and said: "We are just servants, why do we need to think about such complicated issues? Even if we want to go with Dongchang, one hundred households can control us all." Get rid of it!" Ning Boyang chuckled and said: "Remember Lao Ji? He told me about you, saying that you are a talent and have the background of Eunuch Zhang Yong. If you can follow Eunuch Wang's path, you will have a bright future. Very good!" I smiled unconsciously and said: "Didn't you just say that Eunuch Wang Yue and the father-in-law were at odds? How could you let me follow his path?" Ning Boyang nodded and whispered: "Didn't you say that? One hundred households can transfer us. We are indeed humble people. But we must protect ourselves. The so-called self-protection means playing both sides. We must not offend in any way, and we must always leave a way out for ourselves."
After hearing this, I was really surprised. How could it involve the prince’s connections? This Ning Boyang, who usually doesn't show much ability, always hangs around me. I don't want this Dongchang matter to be too clear, so I have to be cautious, pretend to sigh, and say: "You are the eldest brother, what?" Everything is clear. It's up to you to figure out what we should do!" Ning Boyang nodded and said, "As long as you are more flexible, everything will be easy to handle! Remember, Jin Yiwei doesn't have much to gain. However, We can't all listen to Lao Ji. Lao Ji is good with Little Eunuch Ma, so he should be the prince's son." Ning Boyang said at the end, his voice became smaller and smaller.
At some point, Manager Ge came out and we greeted him politely. He looked at us, with a smile on his face, and said: "Mr. Zhang, it seems that you have had a good rest. The higher-ups have ordered us to continue walking and we must reach Juyongguan before dark." I quickly said yes, and then arranged Chariots and horses. Everyone thought that it was impossible to go to Juyongguan due to such thick snow, and they had to set off if they didn’t want to, so they couldn’t help but complain. Although I felt sorry for everyone, I still asked Hardy and Ning Boyang to quickly appease everyone, and then rode ahead to clear the way. And I accidentally looked back at this Taibaiju, only to see Lao Qiu looking at us with a strange look on his face.
There were no pedestrians at all on the westbound road, but there were quite a few small villages along the road. The occasional barking of dogs floated over the villages, and the surroundings became increasingly quiet. I was riding on the horse and kept guessing who the person from the Marquis's Mansion could be. Could it be Miss Ning Xi?
Not long after, Ning Boyang caught up from behind, with excitement on his face. I wondered: "You are not in the middle, why did you come to the front?" Ning Boyang whispered: "I have some good news for you, Miss Ning Xi is here. In the sedan chair, when I passed there just now, I heard someone talking inside. The voice was so nice!" I felt a little happy in my heart, but with a straight face, I tapped his back with a riding crop and said, "So what? Like? Haven't you heard that she has a weird personality, so we're lucky if she doesn't bother her!"
Ning Boyang smiled and said: "So what if it's troublesome? Don't forget, you are still her savior!" I suddenly thought of Xiang Chong, and felt sad in my heart, and said lightly: "Forget about the past, we are all on duty. Protecting them is a matter of course, and I tell everyone to be careful and pay attention to what’s going on around you!”
We were marching hard on the snowy road, and there was a sound of horses neighing behind us. When we turned around, we saw three fast horses galloping on the snow. Even though the snow was thick, they were still walking as fast as flying. The people on the horses were wearing helmets. They were wearing felt hats and black cloaks, and they all had weapons on their waists. They simply ignored our presence and passed by in a hurry.
I hesitated for a moment and originally wanted to stop them, but Ning Boyang beside me said: "These people must be from Dongchang. Are they also going to Juyongguan?" I was even more surprised and said: "How do you know?" Ning Boyang said: "Look at their clothes, you can't go wrong." Although I said "hmm" on my face, I remembered what Liao Jianzhong said to me, sometimes sworn brothers cannot be believed. I didn't suspect that Ning Boyang had done anything to me, but I realized that this Ning Boyang must have done many things behind my back.
We walked forward slowly, and for about an hour, we were faced with rolling mountains. Juyongguan is located in the mountains northwest of Beijing. The winding Great Wall is like a giant dragon, flying over the top of the mountains, guarding the west gate of the capital.
After walking for less than half an hour, the city was very close, but I saw a group of officers and soldiers, surrounded by more than a dozen camels, and a few Mongolians! And those people from Dongchang that Ning Boyang mentioned were standing not far away, wearing masks, looking coldly at this side. When we came over, they just glanced at us briefly and turned away. But we can't see their faces clearly.
Our attention quickly fell on this group of Mongolians. One of them was a big Mongolian man, about thirty years old, tall and bearded. He was wearing a green brocade robe and was leading a black horse. Next to him was a man in white clothes. The woman, however, looks like a Han Chinese. She is beautiful, looks and behaves extremely luxuriously. Although he looks to be in his thirties, there is a certain charm in his movements. The remaining Mongolians were also strong men, with smiles on their faces, but an unnoticeable murderous intent in their eyes.
The camels were loaded with heavy goods, and a small leader at the head was directing the soldiers to inspect the goods. After the Battle of Tumubao, the relationship between Ming Dynasty and Mongolia has always been delicate. Although the mutual market is open, the number of times is limited. The Ming Dynasty defeated the Yuan Dynasty and captured Beijing. Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty fled to the north and became the Northern Yuan Dynasty, harassing the Ming Dynasty. The power of the Northern Yuan Dynasty was still strong. Emperor Taizu began to rebuild the Great Wall, which started from Shanhaiguan in the east and ended at Jiayuguan in the west, stretching thousands of miles and becoming a barrier against the Mongols. Although Lan Yu and Emperor Yongle swept through Mongolia, Mongolia was like leeks, always inexhaustible and always a big disaster. Ming Yingzong's Tumu Fortress Revolution almost destroyed the Ming Dynasty's century-old foundation. Starting from the Chenghua period, the imperial court attached great importance to the defense of the nine sides, with 300,000 troops stationed here all year round. Although the Mongols were ready to make a move, the various tribes confronted each other and split into Oara and Tatar, refusing to give in to each other. Therefore, after fighting with each other, During this time, he would do things with caution, and he would not dare to make any more serious mistakes against the Ming Dynasty.
It's just that recently the Mongolian Mentu Khan, commonly known as the little prince, who was originally the leader of the Tatars, has caused a lot of trouble in recent years. The Tatars had been bullied by the Oara and were defeated first. The Tatars took the opportunity to reunify the Mongolian tribes. Several generations of khans harassed the border courts many times. The police were often called in Yulin and Datong, and many border residents were killed or injured. Although Emperor Zhengde had just ascended the throne, he also issued an early warning from all sides and strictly interrogated Mongolian businessmen coming and going.
These Mongolians all looked like businessmen, but there was a sense of arrogance in their eyes. The strong man watched the officers and soldiers searching the goods with a cold look on his face, showing contempt, while the Han woman kept smiling and looking at the strong man, and the two of them exchanged words from time to time.
And those people from Dongchang not only stared at the Mongols, but also looked at us from time to time. I asked Ning Boyang to negotiate with the other party at the front gate. Hardy came over at some point and whispered to me: "Second brother, this group of Mongolians are not businessmen. That woman called the strong man sir!" Hardy is of Mongolian descent. Naturally I understand Mongolian, so I was stunned and asked, "What did they say?"
Hardy said: "They said there are Jin Yiwei here! But don't be afraid, there are people from Dongchang!" I was shocked and thought, what do these people do? I couldn't help but look at the strong man. The strong man and the woman also turned their attention to us. Our eyes collided, and I faintly felt a murderous aura. At this time, Ning Boyang ran back and said to me: "General Guo of Juyong Pass is not in the pass. It is temporarily managed by Yushi Zhang Qin. We can enter the pass to rest, but we have to go out." Pass requires a document from the Ministry of War. If there is no document, it must wait for General Guo to come back for approval. General Guo has gone to inspect the pass. As for when he will return, it will be three to five days, or ten days and a half. "
