The war in the Southeast is raging, but the South is still peaceful.
After all, this is where Nanjing is. No matter how arrogant the Japanese pirates are, they cannot enter the Ming Dynasty's capital, which is the core of the empire. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are stationed here, intimidating the group headed by Wang Zhi like a needle in the sea. Kou.
The people and officials in Nanjing have never cared about the war in the southeast of the empire. Even the war that just broke out not long ago is not as attractive to them as a piece of gossip news in Nanjing city.
What's more, this news is that the daughter of Duke Yue is about to get married.
"Father, am I going here to see my unmarried wife?"
Eighteen-year-old Xu Shixing was of marriageable age. He was sitting in the carriage, full of expectations, and turned to look at his adoptive father.
"Not bad." Xu Shangzhen, the prefect of Suzhou, sat not far from him and nodded slightly when he heard his question:
"It's great luck that the Duke of Yue can take a fancy to you. With the help of the Duke, your future is limitless! If you are promising, I and your father will be relieved."
He gently patted his adopted son's shoulder, with excitement and excitement in his eyes. At this time, he was sincerely happy for his adopted son.
Marriage with such nobles and nobles, the political resources are unimaginable! Not to mention that my career will be smooth sailing in the future, but at least there will be plenty of help.
Xu Shixing didn't think so much. He was still immersed in the joy of his upcoming marriage.
It's nothing more than a night of flowers and candles in the bridal chamber, when names are named on the gold medal list.
…
Nanjing city.
Yan Kunpeng had inherited his father's title at this time. He is over sixty years old, and he has a daughter at an old age. He is particularly fond of his daughter Yan Qihua, and now that she is of marriageable age, she has arranged a marriage for him.
"Father, he...is just the son of a Suzhou prefect?"
Yan Qihua asked with some confusion. It was not that she looked down on the prefect, but she was surprised that she did not need a marriage.
She had read many books since she was a child and knew that the fate of a noble girl like her would most likely be to marry the son of another noble minister, and she was already prepared for this. After all, he has enjoyed the glory and wealth that ordinary people cannot have, and it is appropriate to sacrifice his marriage for his family.
However, unexpectedly, her father finally chose a Suzhou prefect, which she did not expect.
In the Ming Dynasty, there should not be too many such prefects. In the huge Ming Dynasty, there are countless people with a higher official rank than Xu Shangzhen. This is almost like marrying off.
When Yan Kunpeng heard this sentence, he sighed quietly and explained:
"At that time, all the nobles who had made great military exploits with Taizong followed Taizong to the north. They dedicated their lives to the emperor, so they naturally received this honor, took root in the new capital, and served generations of emperors."
"The lineage of my younger brothers in the north is indeed spreading. Many descendants have married into other noble houses, such as the contemporary Liang Guogong and my niece. They have formed a close political connection and have advanced and retreated together in the court."
"However, the nobles of the Taizu Dynasty were thrown aside like scraps of paper that had been used up and discarded. Although they were still prosperous and wealthy in Nanjing, they no longer had the power they had in the past. What's the use of such a marriage? "
"What's more, the noble sons and daughters of Nanjing are inferior to each other. Marrying them will not only have no effect at all, but will also wrong you."
"Actually, since you reached the age of marriage, many people have come to me to ask for your hand in marriage, but I have rejected them all."
"I know what you mean. You have read poetry and books since you were a child, and you definitely don't want to marry those playboys. So I searched all over Nanzhi and found Xu Shixing."
"Xu Shangzhen's adopted son has been smart since he was a child, has a reputation for talent, and has excellent character. He is a good match and will be good for us."
After listening to the explanation, Yan Qihua probably understood.
Do you have a talent name...?
The corners of her mouth raised slightly.
Free love was something she had never thought about. Her father had long told her that the so-called stories about talented men and beauties in books were basically the obscenities of scholars, and as she got older, she had already figured it out. Being able to marry a scholar with a pure temperament was already very satisfying to her.
Xu Shangzhen and his son soon arrived at the mansion. Facing Yan Kunpeng who was sitting on the throne, Xu Shangzhen was obviously a little nervous. He had heard the name of Duke Yue in Suzhou, but he had never seen him before. Now when I see this high and mighty man, I can even speak with trembling.
In comparison, Xu Shixing was much better. He behaved calmly and spoke appropriately. He combined the elegance of a scholar and the astuteness of a businessman, which made Yan Kunpeng very satisfied.
Afterwards, he inspected Xu Shixing a lot, both intellectually and politically. Xu Shixing spoke eloquently, and many of his insights were even beyond what he should have at his age, just like a sophisticated old man. People feel amazing.
"Did you bring your birthday and horoscope?"
Yan Kunpeng asked gently.
Xu Shangzhen and Xu Shixing were stunned for a moment, and then they were overjoyed!
They know that this is a sign that Yan Kunpeng has recognized!
They immediately handed over their birth dates and made calculations with Yan Qihua.
The result is naturally good, sir, he won’t be so blind.
At this time, Yan Qihua quietly poked half of her head out of the screen on the side and looked outside. She saw Xu Shixing kneeling down to salute her father, and Xu Shangzhen standing aside with a slight smile on her face.
She knew that the marriage was done.
After listening to the conversation, she had a very good impression of Xu Shixing and already recognized him in her heart.
This is my future husband, she whispered in her heart.
A few months later, after the wedding ceremony, Xu Shixing officially married his wife Yan, and then at his father's insistence, he restored his original surname.
From then on, his name was Shen Shixing.
The chain of fate connected him with this huge family, and together they took a step towards the unknown future.
…
Time will not stop because of someone. In the blink of an eye, the world will change.
Yan Song formally resigned in Jiajing's 35th year. Faced with Jiajing's request to stay, his answer was firm:
"I am already old and have lost the energy and ability of the past. How can I occupy the position of chief minister and delay the important affairs of the court?"
He returned to his hometown, enjoying the joy of having children and grandchildren around his knees. Finally, in the forty-fifth year of Jiajing, just one month before Jiajing passed away, he left first. This minister who had been a monarch and minister with Jiajing for most of his life finally passed away. He left as if destined.
Posthumous title "Wenzhen".
Xia Yan died of illness in the thirty-third year of Jiajing.
Jiajing continued to rule his Ming Dynasty. At the age of forty-five years, his body finally could not support it and he came to an end.
At the last moment of his life, he reached out to the sky, as if trying to catch something, and murmured:
"Why...can't you live forever?"
"I'm not willing to give in!"
A figure appeared inexplicably in his heart.
King Jingping...
Have you achieved immortality?
I envy you so much...
He turned his head and stared at the portrait that he had worshiped for most of his life, and then closed his eyes.
The Jiajing Dynasty was over.
(End of chapter)
