The day after Zhu Houzhao left the capital was the day Zhang Zhou predicted that an earthquake would occur in the capital.
Zhu Youtang got up a little later that day because he had been ordered to miss the day. However, he learned that his son was missing only after Yang Peng, the admiral of Dongchang, and Mou Bin, the commander of the Jinyiwei, reported in person.
"Bastard?! How can a living person be gone?"
Zhu Youtang felt angry and wanted to kill someone.
Mou Bin was the one with a low status in front of Yang Peng, so he naturally became the "scapegoat" this time. He knelt on one knee and said: "Your Majesty, I have already checked, or the Shouning Hou and Jianchang Bo came out yesterday." When I was in the palace, I was surrounded by many middle-ranking officials who were giving gifts. It is said that the middle-ranking officials from the East Palace were among them, or...the prince was among them."
"Marquis Shouning and Uncle Jianchang?" Zhu Youtang slammed his fist on the table angrily, "Are these two brothers tired of living? Where are they?"
In the past, the Zhang brothers were the brothers-in-law who were absolutely trustworthy in the eyes of the emperor.
But things are different now. The Zhang family has to fall behind Zhang Zhou, and is considered a "second-tier" minister, so the treatment they receive is naturally very different.
Mou Bin said: "I checked with the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities, and they said that before nightfall yesterday, the carriages of Shouning Marquis and Jian Changbo left the capital, heading towards Tongzhou. The prince may be on the carriage."
"Cough cough cough..." Upon hearing this, Zhu Youtang coughed in anger.
The two brothers-in-law are going to rebel against each other. Even if they take the prince out of the palace, they actually take the prince out of the capital? Are you just going to leave the city in two carriages? If I encounter something unexpected again on the road...
Xiao Jing hurried over and comforted him: "Your Majesty, please calm down."
Then he shouted at Mou Bin and asked, "Didn't you send someone to chase him?"
Mou Bin said: "I have sent people to check the inns along the way, but have not found the carriages of Shouning Houfu and Jianchangbo Mansion, and... I dare not set up a jam to check."
Xiao Jing hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, because Duke Lai Guo said there will be an earthquake today, it is estimated that the entire Shuntian Mansion will be in a mess. If the prince leaves the capital like this, it will be difficult to trace."
"Check! Get him back!" Zhu Youtang shouted angrily at Mou Bin.
At this moment, another member of the Jinyi Guards came to deliver the news at the door. Yang Peng, who was standing at the door, turned around and asked, and then came back and said to Zhu Youtang: "Your Majesty, the princess outside the palace... said that she is going to give birth. .”
"What?"
When Zhu Youtang heard this, he realized that the old lady was right. There was an earthquake in Beijing today. I am going to have another child?
Then this kid...
"Follow me!" Zhu Youtang no longer bothered to ask Zhu Houzhao about running away from home.
Yang Peng hurriedly asked: "Then Prince..."
"Can't you bring back a child who is less than ten years old? Do you need me to teach you? Ahem." Zhu Youtang has been thinking about having another son, and now he is finally leaving the palace to "draw a lottery". His long-cherished wish may be It can be achieved today...
The big ones can’t be dealt with first.
Let’s first see if the younger one is a son...
After practicing the tuba, I have to practice the trumpet.
…
…
Zhu Youtang led people out of the palace, but Yang Peng, Mou Bin and others were not qualified to accompany him. Only Xiao Jing was allowed to follow him out of the palace, and he also brought a large number of guards with him.
"Eunuch Yang, what should we do?"
On the way out of the palace, Mou Bin asked Yang Peng for help again.
On the way here, Mou Bin wanted to ask for help, but Yang Peng was very smart and did not ask for specific details to show that the matter had nothing to do with him, so that when the emperor asked, he would appear to be able to stay out of it.
When the task of chasing the prince back is carried out, all arrangements will be made so that the fault belongs to Mou Bin and the credit for chasing the prince belongs to him.
Yang Peng said: "Didn't you already send someone to follow him? How far can the prince go in one night?"
Mou Bin said with a nervous look on his face: "The vanguard has arrived in Tongzhou, and Zhang's car was not found along the way. Strangely enough, there was no sign of the two uncles heading east on the official road along the way."
"you……"
Yang Peng stopped, frowned and looked at Mou Bin and said, "Then you still swore to tell His Majesty that the car was going to Tongzhou?"
Mou Bin said: "It is true that some people have seen him going to Tongzhou."
"You...you are going to piss our family off to death." Yang Peng then realized that tracking a naughty kid who ran away from home was not as easy as he thought.
"Ship! Search the ship, and send people to the west, south, and north to check. The prince is very smart, especially after following Master Zhang for a long time. Perhaps he has also learned some Qimen Dunjia skills. To prevent He makes noises in the east and attacks in the west."
Yang Peng admired Zhang Zhou so much that he did not dare to be careless about the naughty children Zhang Zhou taught.
Mou Bin cupped his hands and said, "I accept my order from my humble position."
…
…
Zhu Youtang led people out of the palace gate and found a mess outside the palace.
"The people in the city are preparing for earthquakes. Shuntian Prefecture has jurisdiction over the two counties of the capital and Guo, and cooperates with the five-city military and horse departments to carry out disaster prevention and resettlement. The people are convinced of this, but they are afraid that if this matter does not come out, what will happen It affects the reputation of the court." Xiao Jing followed behind, still explaining to Zhu Youtang.
Zhu Youtang said: "Do you think Bingkuan will use this kind of thing to torment me and the people of the capital?"
Xiao Jing said: "I am just afraid that God will not grant my wishes."
"Humph." Zhu Youtang said, "If I had a choice, I would rather not have this earthquake. Do you think that a disaster would be a good thing for me?"
"yes."
Xiao Jing cursed, Your Majesty, please stop pretending. I clearly noticed that you are very excited about the coming of this earthquake. It seems that an earthquake can become a touchstone to test Zhang Zhou, and it can also make all officials in the government and the public speechless.
The group arrived at Ning Tong's shop.
Jin Yiwei had already entered it in advance, and Zhu Youtang walked straight inside after arriving.
Ning Tong didn't say anything about going out to avoid disaster. She just stood there watching Zhu Youtang step in and saluted from a distance. Zhu Youtang didn't bother to pay attention to her.
"This is?"
When Zhu Youtang entered the backyard, he found that the backyard had become a mess.
Because a woman is going to give birth, there may be an earthquake that day, and the birth cannot be on the street, so a temporary tent can only be set up in the yard. All kinds of people are not allowed in the house. There are only three or four Wen Pos, plus The temporary wet nurse and the female officials and maids serving tea and water...
The backyard is almost full of space.
"Are you giving birth?"
After Zhu Youtang came over, he first looked at the maid next to Xiaolian.
The maid said: "I haven't replied to the master yet, it's a bit uncomfortable."
"Is anyone from the Tai Hospital here?" Zhu Youtang called to the side.
Xiao Jing had already spoken to the eunuch sent in advance and said quickly: "Back to Your Majesty, we just informed the Imperial Hospital that people are on their way here."
"Asshole! Notified until now? Aren't you prepared in advance?" Zhu Youtang felt very angry, and then he felt as if he had a headache, holding his head with his hands.
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, many things have happened together. The nobleman gave birth outside the palace, and there was no plan in the palace. The main reason is that Your Majesty did not give any instructions before, so..."
"hurry up……"
Zhu Youtang felt that his head was buzzing, and he was too lazy to argue with this group of people. He waved his hands, meaning that you can do whatever you like.
Just take my son out quickly.
…
…
The capital has indeed turned into a mess.
Parts of the city were relatively orderly, but some people in the city couldn't stand the chance to cause trouble, so that all levels of yamen under the Shuntian Prefecture had to come out to maintain order, and the task of catching bandits was also very heavy.
Ministers did not have to go to court that day, but basic official duties still had to be completed.
Xie Qian was visited by Tu Jie early in the morning. The two of them went to the public houses on both sides of Daming Gate. They saw various tents rising from the ground, and the open spaces were occupied by officials.
"What a nonsense!" Tu Yu screamed in mourning, beating his chest and stamping on the ground, feeling as if his country was in ruins.
Xie Qian looked indifferent, shook his head helplessly and said: "I expected it a long time ago!"
At this time, an official from the Ministry of Personnel came over and said: "Two ministers, Zhang Fuyin of Shuntian Prefecture has been waiting in the Ministry of Personnel for a long time."
"Walk!"
Tu Yu was about to ask his people to lead the way to see Zhang Xian, Yin of Shuntian Prefecture, but then he remembered that there was Xie Qian next to him and said, "Yu Qiao, let's go together to ask about the situation?"
Xie Qian said helplessly: "What else is there to ask? In such a situation, the most important thing is not to affect the court's official affairs. I'd better do my job. I'll take my leave."
With Xie Qian's shrewdness, he would not go to see Shuntian Prefecture Yin during this extraordinary period.
If an earthquake really happens, and the earthquake is very serious, then someone will say that it was Xie Qian who commanded improperly... Zhang Xian came to visit the Minister of Civil Affairs and others, didn't he want to shift the big responsibility to others?
An earthquake that may occur in the capital city should be warned in advance. When people are preparing for disasters on their own, the person with the greatest pressure on their shoulders is probably Zhang Xian.
…
…
Tiqi from Jinyiwei and Fanzi from Dongchang are engaged in a chase battle.
The targets were Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling who "abducted the prince out of the city".
But in fact, the brothers had already returned to the city at this time, but their carriage was ordered by Zhu Houzhao to stay at the farm outside the city, and Zhu Houzhao took his "Four King Kongs" Liu Jin, Gao Feng, Ma Yongcheng, and Qiu Ju , go to Nanjing.
Both Liu Jin and Ma Yongcheng had been to the border areas as errands. In Zhu Houzhao's opinion, they already had certain military talents, and he himself had to be the head coach of running away from home.
Near noon, Zhu Houzhao was dressed in ordinary people's coarse linen clothes, lying on a bullock cart and sleeping. The driver was Ma Yongcheng. Gao Feng and Qiu Ju were resting side by side, and Liu Jin was responsible for looking out.
"Another group has passed." Ma Yongcheng waited for a group of riders to pass before he raised his head and looked eastward.
Ma Yongcheng lowered his head to drive the car. Fortunately, their clothes were too ordinary. Because there might be an earthquake in the capital, many merchants were walking from the capital to Tongzhou, and the road was also very lively.
The people of Jinyiwei could not have imagined that the prince would actually give up the convenient carriage and sleep on the oxcart, and five people would be squeezed into the oxcart...
"Shhh."
Liu Jin made a silent gesture, "Don't make any noise. Your Highness traveled all night last night and has to rest now, so don't make any noise."
"Yeah." Ma Yongcheng felt aggrieved.
When we were in Liaodong before, our family was still a garrison officer, but now... we have become a driver of an ox cart?
Zhu Houzhao, who was lying there sleeping, seemed to hear the conversation between Liu Jin and Ma Yongcheng. Even with his eyes closed, his eyes rolled, and then he turned over and continued his sweet dream.
…
…
The ox cart party arrived in Tongzhou at noon that day.
After all, it was less than fifty miles away, and the road was still flat, also because we took an ox cart, otherwise we would have arrived early.
"Sir, should we find a place to rest, or should we find a boat first?" Liu Jin stepped forward to ask.
Zhu Houzhao said: "Of course we will do it together."
Zhu Houzhao, who had taken a nap in the morning, was in good spirits.
After jumping off the bullock cart, he looked beside the canal, suddenly thought of something, and said: "We won't take the boat for now, let's continue riding the bullock cart."
"Ah?" When Liu Jin and others heard this, their heads suddenly became big.
"First find a restaurant and have something to eat. I want to try some folk delicacies." Zhu Houzhao rubbed his hands, as if rushing down the road had aroused his greed.
Qiu Ju came over and said, "Sir, the food in this market is not safe. You are a rich man..."
"What kind of rich man? Didn't I tell you? I'm just a down-and-out young man from a noble family. I'm going to Nanjing to visit my relatives. If anyone has no brains and can't remember, I'll throw him into the canal to feed the fish!" Zhu Houzhao cursed.
Then the group of five people did not enter any big wine shop, but just found a restaurant stall near the canal. There were many porters, trackers and others around, as well as merchants waiting to take the boat south.
"It's a mess." Ma Yongcheng walked over and quickly dusted Zhu Houzhao's stool with his sleeves.
Zhu Houzhao sat down and winked at Liu Jin. Then Liu Jin went over to greet the shopkeeper and served some simple dishes. Before serving the dishes, Qiu Ju and others stood there, as if they were usually waiting for Zhu Houzhao to eat in the East Palace.
"Sit down! Whoever jumps like this again will sink into the river!" Zhu Houzhao threatened.
Then four people came together, and there was a table with four sides, but they couldn't sit around. In the end, Ma Yongcheng sat at the table next to him.
"Come here and squeeze in. Don't be arrogant when you go out. A table is enough." Zhu Houzhao greeted.
Several bowls of noodles were served here, one for each person, and Zhu Houzhao's bowl was specially ordered by Liu Jin to put less noodles and more condiments.
Zhu Houzhao ate so deliciously.
The food may not necessarily be delicious, but this is free food. It is unrestrained. You can eat whatever you want and pay for it.
While we were eating, three men dressed as scholars came to the next table. After sitting down, they also ordered a few bowls of noodles.
While waiting for the table, I heard someone say: "This time Lai Guogong went south to Nanjing City, I heard that scholars from all over the country will gather at Yingtian Mansion. It is really a gathering of heroes. Yingtian Mansion will become a grand event in the literary world of our Ming Dynasty. Where it is."
His accent doesn't sound like that of a northerner, and it's precisely because he's a southern scholar that he brags about this literary event.
Zhu Houzhao listened carefully and finally understood what he meant.
"Hehe." Zhu Houzhao smiled.
Because he went south this time to join in the fun. If Nanjing is very lively... doesn't that mean he went to the right place?
"Brother Hu, have you heard? This time it is about psychology and Neo-Confucianism. I heard that if you can be appreciated by Lai Guogong academically, you may be able to accept him as a disciple. Lai Guogong has not officially accepted any disciples. ." Another person said.
Zhu Houzhao couldn't stand listening anymore. He had a small appetite and ate about the same amount. He turned to a few people and said, "You ignorant people, Lai Guogong has already accepted a disciple. Don't you know?"
"Haha, boy, are you a scholar? Do you know what we are talking about?"
Several people saw that Zhu Houzhao was wearing coarse linen clothes, and because he was young and spoke in an old-fashioned manner, they naturally looked down upon him or made a joke.
Zhu Houzhao snorted: "You say you have no knowledge, but you really have no knowledge. What does Lai Guogong do in the capital? He is a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. He usually goes in and out of the palace to teach the prince. How dare you say that he has no knowledge?" disciple?"
Zhu Houzhao was almost bragging and said, "Master, I am Zhang's chief disciple, okay?"
"Ha ha."
The three people at the back table all laughed when they heard this.
The man surnamed Hu said: "Young Master, looking at you like this, does it mean that you still need the guidance of Duke Lai Guo?"
"How do you talk?" Liu Jin couldn't listen anymore and immediately went to find someone to settle the score.
This is called the eagerness to protect the Lord.
"Okay!" Zhu Houzhao said, "Don't be as knowledgeable as a few unsophisticated scholars. You guys... listen carefully. It's best to watch with your eyes wide open. After arriving in Nanjing City, I will personally go to become a disciple and worship you." Come to Laiguo Gong's door and let you know who is qualified."
"Haha... It turns out he is a young master who went to Nanjing to join in the fun. He is very powerful... Are you the elders of his family? Don't you care?"
The three of them were talking when suddenly one of them pointed not far away and said: "It seems there is a boat coming. Let's get on the boat."
"The noodles haven't come yet."
"Eat the same thing on the boat."
When they were about to leave, Zhu Houzhao stood up and pointed: "What are you still doing? Hurry up and pay and leave. A boat is coming."
"But our ox cart..." Liu Jin wanted to say, if we don't agree to continue riding the ox cart south?
The cow was bought for four to five taels of silver. It is hard currency in the market. Can an ordinary family afford to raise a cow?
"Take the boat first, a few of you...wait a minute and take care of us on the way."
Zhu Houzhao was bragging to a few strangers before, but now he felt that since these people went south to Nanjing together, they could still have more people to look after them on the way.
The man surnamed Hu smiled and said: "Young master, you have to prepare a lot to go to Nanjing."
"My master has a lot of money. Get on the boat and get on board!"
…
…
It's easy to have someone to guide you.
Following three scholars who often travel between the capital and Nanjing, they can even find suitable ships, negotiate the price, and arrange cabins for sleeping, as well as where to eat and where to stay along the way. .
"When you go out, you meet a noble person."
In the cabin, Zhu Houzhao took his four kings and was sitting with three scholars, eating the roast chicken he bought.
The three scholars did not expect this young master to be so generous.
"Young Master, judging from your accent, you are from the north, with a high surname? You are so...traveling very low-key."
The speaker's surname was Sun, and his name was Sun Che. He was in his mid-twenties and claimed to be a Gongsheng student who wanted to go back to his hometown to visit his relatives. But in fact, he was looking for an excuse to take leave and go to Nanjing City to attend a cultural gathering that was rare in a century.
Zhu Houzhao smiled and said: "My surname is Zhu. Just call me Zhu Shou. It's better to keep a low profile when traveling. These four are my servants. If you have something to do, just give me an order. But if someone is interrogating you on the road, you can also help... I ran away from home and was afraid that my family would take me back!"
"Oh, I understand. Let's attend the cultural gathering together. We are like-minded! I have a bottle of wine here. Let's have a drink?"
Zhu Houzhao brought out roast chicken here, and a jug of wine from the other side.
"Okay." When Zhu Houzhao heard this, how could he show his revolutionary friendship without drinking two glasses of wine?
Qiu Ju hurriedly reminded: "Young master, no!"
"You don't care what I do? Go out and tell the boatman to hurry up on the road and don't miss our important event. Come here and pour it... Hiss, why is it so spicy?"
"Haha, young master, you haven't had a drink in a bar yet? Why don't you drink when you want to make friends when you are traveling?"
"It makes sense, I will be drunk with you all the time!"
(End of chapter)
