Nanjing in March is full of beautiful spring scenery.
There are countless people shopping on the streets and they are overcrowded.
The same goes for famous mountains outside the city. Countless tourists go out to play. After more than three years of development, today's Nanjing has undergone earth-shaking changes from the past, and now has the atmosphere of a brilliant imperial capital.
Moreover, along the river near Nanjing City, countless houses and shops were built along the river, where brothel singers sang songs, or where rare treasures were sold. In short, all kinds of materials were available.
Nanjing City at this time, outside the East City.
A carriage came slowly and stopped temporarily after approaching the city.
The curtain of the carriage was raised, and sitting there was an old man with a bright head. Beside the old man were two young men with firm eyes and dark skin.
The old man has gray hair and a pair of deep and vast eyes. His face is covered with age spots and has layers of folds that have been weathered by the years.
The old man looked very old.
He was wearing the most ordinary coarse linen clothes, but even so, he had a very elegant demeanor, giving people an elegant and distinguished feeling.
The old man was clearly Zheng Xuan.
He took Lu Yu and Zheng Xiaotong on a trip and only came back this year. The reason why Zheng Xuan came back was not because he had completed his travels, but because he was getting older and less energetic and could no longer travel with his two children.
Lu Yu is not the child of the past, but a young man of nine years old.
In ordinary poor families, people are already sensible at the age of nine, and so is Lu Yu. Over the years, Lu Yu followed Zheng Xuan and lived in the open air. Although he is only nine years old, his appearance looks extremely mature, like a child of thirteen or fourteen.
Zheng Xiaotong, as Zheng Xuan's grandson, is the same.
Lu Yu looked at the people coming in and out of the city gate with bright eyes and said happily: "Teacher, look at the people around you, their expressions are full of satisfaction, and they are all in high spirits. Today's Ming Dynasty has really changed a lot. ”
There was a hint of emotion in Zheng Xuan's eyes, and he said: "Your Majesty swept the world in just ten years, and then quickly governed the place, making the world completely new."
"This feat is unprecedented."
"Especially in Jingzhou, Yizhou and other places, we encountered sweet potatoes, potatoes and corn grown by fellow villagers. Such grains have large yields and can fill their stomachs, which has changed the food rations of people all over the world."
Zheng Xuan said: "If the people can have enough to eat and not be hungry, the world will be settled. All of this is your Majesty's credit."
Lu Yu listened to Zheng Xuan talking about his father Lu Xuan, his eyes were even brighter, with deep admiration in his eyes.
He has great respect for his father.
Lu Yu changed the subject and said: "Teacher, even though we are in a prosperous age, there are still problems of one kind or another. Especially in recent years, we have seen corruption in many places, and the military has invaded businesses, which is even more serious. All of this can't be eliminated. , it must be dealt with after all.”
Zheng Xuan nodded and said: "It needs to be dealt with. The foundation established by your Majesty cannot be destroyed just because of the corruption of a few people."
Lu Yu said: "Teacher, don't worry, I will find my father."
Zheng Xuan said: "It will not be too late for you to report back when your Majesty returns. I heard that your Majesty went on an expedition to the Japanese country. Things will be difficult to handle if your Majesty is not around. You should do things with a benevolent heart, but you must also be able to protect yourself."
Lu Yu laughed and said, "Teacher, don't worry, the disciple will understand."
Zheng Xuan continued: "Next, you have to go back to the East Palace to live. But Xiaotong needs to make changes. Although he has traveled a lot and seen a lot, he still has to study. I plan to let him go to the Five Classics Hall to study, so I can't accompany him. is you."
Lu Yu nodded and said, "Everything depends on the teacher."
Zheng Xuan stroked his gray beard and nodded slightly.
In terms of talent, Lu Yu is very smart and can tell at a glance. Moreover, Lu Yu has perseverance and tenacity, which are the fundamental prerequisites for doing things.
The carriage entered the city and soon returned to the city.
Zheng Xuan took Zheng Xiaotong off the carriage and found a post house to stay.
Lu Yu headed towards the imperial city under the protection of his personal guards. When he arrived outside the imperial city and revealed his identity, the soldiers at the gate were stunned for a moment, and then their expressions suddenly became respectful.
The prince of the Ming Dynasty has been traveling abroad.
Everyone knows this.
Now, I'm finally back.
The soldiers flew towards the harem and told the maids in the palace about the matter. The news reached Da Qiao's ears, and Da Qiao became obsessed with it. When his son was more than four years old, he left with Zheng Xuan.
Now, five years have passed and Lu Yu is over nine years old.
Over the years, we only exchanged letters.
Da Qiao has never been able to see Lu Yu, but now he is finally back.
Da Qiao was anxious. He originally wanted to see his son in person, but he thought that Lu Xuan was not in the court and people were talking too much. Moreover, after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there were more rules, so he arranged for the maids around him to go to the city gate to pick him up in person.
Da Qiao was sitting in the hall, a little uneasy, thinking about Lu Yu.
While she was waiting, not long after, Lu Yu entered the hall.
As soon as Da Qiao saw Lu Yu and his eyebrows, he knew that this was his son.
However, the Lu Yu in front of him was not fair, but rather dark. But Lu Yu's eyes were sparkling and his black hair was meticulously combed, giving him an extremely shrewd and serious look.
Especially Lu Yu is very tall. Although he is only over nine years old, he is already close to 160 centimeters tall, which makes him look a bit outstanding.
Tears were already welling up in Da Qiao's eyes.
Lu Yu looked calm, with a faint smile on his face, clasped his hands together, bowed and said, "Mother!"
"Okay, okay, my son is finally back."
Da Qiao wiped his tears, waved and said, "Let mother see, how have you been doing these years?"
She held Lu Yu's hand and found that Lu Yu's hand was full of calluses and his palm was extremely rough. She frowned and said, "Yu'er, why are your hands so calloused?"
Lu Yu didn't think it was anything wrong and explained: "I have traveled with my teacher over the years and practiced martial arts and swordsmanship. It is normal to have calluses on my hands. Mother does not need to worry."
Da Qiao stroked his son's face again. His face was a little rough and his clothes were all made of coarse linen. She couldn't help but shed tears when she thought about the hardships her son had endured over the years. The so-called mother was worried when her son traveled thousands of miles, and she was always worried when Lu Yu was traveling.
It was just that Da Qiao knew that this was Lu Yu's opportunity, so he suppressed his worries.
Now, people are back.
Her heart that was hanging in mid-air was finally able to let go.
"Report!"
At this moment, another palace maid came in and reported: "To the Empress, Prime Minister Zhang has arranged for someone to inform you that your Majesty has swept away the Japanese country and is on his way back. He will return to Beijing in two days at most. "
"knew!"
Da Qiao nodded, her mind changed, and she ordered: "Go and inform Prime Minister Zhang that the prince is back."
The palace maid said: "I will inform you immediately."
Da Qiao nodded, watched the palace maid leave in a hurry, then looked at his son Lu Yu in front of him, and said: "Yu'er, you have been working hard all the way back. Now, you go back to the East Palace to wash up and prepare to meet me." Meet Zhang Zhao and the others."
"As for the East Palace, although you have been absent these years, there are still a few eunuchs responsible for cleaning. You can wash up directly after you return. In addition, these eunuchs are all arranged by mother, so there is no need to worry."
Lu Yu smiled slightly and said, "Mom, don't be in a hurry to wash up. The news of my return has reached Prime Minister Zhang's ears, and he will go to the East Palace. It's normal for me to reminisce with my mother in the palace and talk about household matters."
Da Qiao said: "Yu'er, listen to mother, that's Prime Minister Zhang, you can't neglect it."
Lu Yu said calmly: "Mother, no matter how big the matter is, you must put it aside in the face of filial piety. If Prime Minister Zhang has an opinion because of such a trivial matter, he is not worthy of being the prime minister of a country. Don't worry about this. that is."
Da Qiao looked at his stubborn son and sighed, he could only follow his son's arrangements.
