The moonlight slipped in through the cracks in the window. He moved slowly and carefully observed the layout of the room. When he saw the young man sitting on the bed staring at him, he suddenly became frightened and pulled a dark cloud to cover him. .
The room darkened.
Gu Zhengchen let out a long sigh, as if he had fallen into a dream, and reality was a bit illusory.
There was no vigorous love, no unforgettable love, and I could even count a few words. Then, the marriage contract was signed and the wedding date was set.
Gu Zhengchen admitted that he liked Zhang Xiwan very much, but such a hasty marriage still caught Gu Zhengchen off guard.
There are no engagements in the twelfth lunar month and no marriages in the first lunar month. There are many engagements in the twelfth lunar month for the royal family. In a few years, Zhu Di will arrange to marry his wife in the first lunar month.
Even the royal family is not taboo about it, so naturally the Gu family will not be taboo about it.
What's more, since Gu Zhengchen had time in Jinling during the twelfth lunar month, Lao Zhu would be kind enough to give him an extra month's leave. If he didn't get married at this time, in what month would he have to arrange it?
You can't go to Jurong and get married in the county government office, right?
Although the wedding was a bit hasty, the etiquette was still fulfilled.
Gu's mother was very busy, organizing various matters. Hu Dashan dispatched several capable clerks, and the clerks from the Sun family and the Liang family in Jinling also sent out manpower to help.
In just a few days, the Mu Mansion Courtyard was already decorated with red lanterns, making it look festive.
Although the Gu family was very busy, Gu Zhengchen didn't have much to do. He stayed in the backyard all day, either teaching Mu Chun and Mu Sheng to read, or discussing battle formations with Wu Rong, and learning from his experience on the battlefield.
In a blink of an eye, it’s the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
On this day, the bright sun shone brightly on the earth, and the north wind blew gently without the roar and coldness of the past.
Zhu Yuanzhang led Hu Weiyong, Chen Ning, Fei Ju, Lu Zhongheng and others to stand outside Zhengyang Gate.
The street in front of the door has been swept and a group of soldiers are guarding it. No one can move around.
A horseman came and reported to Zhu Yuanzhang, then retreated to the side.
Hu Weiyong, Chen Ning and others straightened their clothes and looked solemnly at the official road in the distance.
As far as the eye could see, a group of cavalry appeared. The number was small, less than a hundred, but when they ran, they had the force of thousands of horses. The clatter of horse hooves was like war drums.
As the cavalry approached, a cold wind blew up.
Sitting on the war horse is a middle-aged general with a clear face and slightly ridged cheekbones. At first glance, he looks like a country man, with an air of taciturnity. However, with this majestic figure, his eyes are sharp and profound. His pupils are awe-inspiring when you look closely.
"Wei Guogong."
Hu Weiyong, Chen Ning and others saluted solemnly.
Xu Da turned over and dismounted, and the sergeants behind him followed him. They knelt and saluted, and a loud voice came out: "Xu Da returned to the capital with the order to pay homage to His Majesty. May Your Majesty's dragon body be safe, long live, long live!"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled heartily and stepped forward to help Xu Da up: "I finally got you back. How is it? How is the scenery in the North?"
Xu Da looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, and his heart was filled with warmth: "The wind in the north is strong, and the snow is flying on the mountains. It is a hard life. It is Xu Da's luck to be loved by the superior and be able to return to Jinling."
"Haha, don't do this between you and me."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.
During the conversation between Xu Da and Zhu Yuanzhang, someone suddenly interrupted: "After running for more than a thousand miles, we are also happy to see our superiors chatting and laughing."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked sideways and laughed loudly: "Lanyu, your boy is back too."
Xu Da explained on the side: "Li Wenzhong and Feng Sheng are watching from the north, so there is no need to worry. Lan Yu has been away from home for a long time, so we might as well go back to Beijing together."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the blue jade with thick eyebrows and round eyes and nodded repeatedly: "That's good, the prince talked about you a few days ago. This time you come back, you can accompany the prince."
Zhu Biao's Crown Princess Chang was Chang Yuchun's daughter, and Lan Yu was Chang Yuchun's brother-in-law. From a kinship perspective, Zhu Biao had to call Lan Yu his uncle.
"Let's go into the palace. I have something important to discuss with you."
Zhu Yuanzhang was in a good mood, holding Xu Da's hand and walking into the city together.
Seeing such a close relationship, Hu Weiyong frowned slightly, then relaxed.
Huagai Palace.
Zhu Yuanzhang arranged for Xu Da and Lan Yu to sit down, while Hu Weiyong, Chen Ning and others stood aside.
Feeling the warmth in the hall, but not seeing the smoke of fireworks, Xu Da and Lan Yu were surprised and looked around.
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw this, he smiled and said: "You can see this matter of heating the stove when you return to the house. There is an urgent matter now, and I need your advice."
"The superiors have made up their minds, and I will obey them."
Xu Da knew his identity and position very well. He would be outside and could not obey military orders. This was for the sake of the army and for the sake of victory.
But now that I am in Jinling, if I dare to have my own opinions outside, I am afraid that Zhu Yuanzhang will be unhappy.
Sure enough, after hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a little better and said with a smile: "Wei Guogong, you are responsible for training troops in the North. How is the result?"
Xu Da was a little stunned. He didn't know what this had to do with the "urgent matter", so he responded cautiously: "Back to the top, since receiving the new body-building technique, the entire army has implemented it. In two months, the sergeants carried heavy loads, His running, strength, and agility have all improved. If he goes out to the north to march in the future, he will definitely teach Yuan Ting a lesson!"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly and asked: "Then do you think this body-building technique can be regarded as a military merit?"
"It's natural!"
Xu Da said bluntly.
Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, took out a document from the desk, and handed it to Xu Da: "Please take a look."
Xu Da flipped through the documents, read them carefully, raised his head in surprise, stood up and said, "Sir, is there really alcohol in this world that can save people from danger?"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "I have tried it on death row prisoners. Even if the wounds are filled with pus, after treating the carrion and using alcohol and supplemented with medicine, the death row prisoners can still live. The imperial doctor believes that alcohol has the effect of removing redness, swelling, poison and pus."
"This is a national weapon. God bless the Ming Dynasty. I would like to congratulate Your Majesty!"
Xu Da knew how much this alcohol meant to the sergeant and immediately saluted and congratulated him.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xu Da who was kneeling and asked calmly: "Again, do you think this alcohol can be regarded as a military merit?"
"certainly!"
Xu Da was confused, why should I ask about such a thing?
Zhu Yuanzhang sat down and asked in a deep voice: "Wei Guogong, do you think that the people who contributed body-building skills and alcohol should be rewarded by the imperial court, and should I be granted a title?"
Xu Da stared and finally understood.
Mu Ying's letter mentioned that the person who contributed the body-building technique was named Gu Zhengchen.
Needless to say, there must have been disagreements within the imperial court over the reward for Gu Zhengchen, so His Majesty came to discuss it with him.
Xu Da thought about it seriously and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, only when rewards and punishments are clear can we have a strong army! Since physical skills and alcohol are military merits, they should be rewarded according to their military merits."
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Chen Ning, Lu Zhongheng and others, and said to Xu Da: "Then do you think it is appropriate to award such a reward..."
After hearing this, Xu Da's expression suddenly changed and he quickly advised: "Your Majesty, isn't this inappropriate?"
