It was past noon, and after waiting for Guiyue for more than an hour, Yuxiang still did not return.
Guiyue didn't wait any longer, she was ready to take the risk to the East Palace.
At this time, a young eunuch from the East Palace appeared at the door in time.
He brought a can of prepared medicinal soup and a bowl of white fungus, red dates and minced meat porridge.
The little eunuch didn't say anything and left in the heavy snow.
Everything is hot.
Guiyue quickly poured out the medicinal soup into a bowl, lifted Xiuying's upper body and let her drink it.
An hour later, Xiuying broke out in a sweat and felt much better.
Mom, the medicinal soup from the East Palace has a different effect.
"Come on, Yun Niang, let's have a bowl of white fungus, red dates and minced meat porridge."
"This is…"
"It was sent by someone from the East Palace."
Upon hearing this, Xiuying knew that it must have been sent by Mr. Xu.
She stirred the white fungus and minced meat porridge in the bowl with a spoon, her nose became sour and she cried again.
The porridge is sweet but not greasy. The tip of the tongue tastes the sweetness first when entering the mouth. When it reaches the taste buds, it only feels fresh and smooth.
Suddenly, she seemed to have figured out something, wiped away her tears, and took big gulps into her mouth.
Some things should not be too difficult for Mr. Xu.
She is Tie Xuan's daughter. If this matter fails, Mr. Xu may be killed.
…
Late January.
The first month of the lunar month is about to end, and spring is coming quietly.
This night, there were few people in the moonlight.
After the break, while all the masters were sleeping, Zheng He sent someone to prepare a hot pot under the house, warmed up a pot of good wine, and waited for Wang Jinghong to come over.
After a while, Wang Jinghong arrived.
The two of them were enjoying themselves next to the charcoal fire in the room.
The rice wine was radiating heat. Wang Jinghong slowly raised his arm, filled the wine glass, and toasted to Zheng He.
"Master Zheng, oh...Brother Sanbao, we brothers haven't been together like this for some time."
"You have always been my superior officer, and I respect you."
Wang Jinghong is two years older than Zheng He. When he was in Prince Yan's palace, he, Zheng He and Luo Ping were considered brothers.
Now, Zheng He is a third-rank internal official.
Wang Jinghong raised his wine glass over his head.
He did not grovel in front of the emperor and queen, but showed respect. His peach-blossom eyes, which always concealed a deep sense of crisis, also temporarily relaxed.
"Master Sanbao has been promoted again this time, Brother Yu, congratulations."
Zheng He calmly raised the glass and touched it lightly, then drank it up, put down the glass and laughed at himself:
"This is not about being promoted. It's all about His Majesty's trust and other assignments."
Wang Jinghong picked up the wine pot and filled Zheng He's wine glass, "Are you in Yingtian Mansion or Taicang Mansion?"
"Come on...don't talk too much, eat the food first."
Zheng He did not immediately respond to Wang Jinghong's inquiry.
Because his current job transfer is still confidential.
Ten days ago, master Yao Guangxiao suddenly found him.
"Sambo, are you willing to go to sea for His Majesty?"
Going to sea?
Zheng He was shocked.
He was born in southern Yunnan, and first arrived in Nanjing when he was very young. Then he followed Lan Yu in the northern expedition to Mobei, and then stayed in Prince Yan's Mansion.
He was a landlubber. For the Fengtian Jingnan Campaign, he crossed the Yangtze River and practiced water-based water warfare.
Hard work pays off.
The Battle of the Yangtze River started in Zhenjiang. He was unstoppable and became an excellent naval general.
But when it comes to going to sea, he has never even seen what the sea looks like.
I only heard that the sea is vast and boundless, and the waves are turbulent, and the Yangtze River cannot be compared with it.
Seeing his disciple's dull look, Yao Guangxiao continued to explain:
"Your Majesty has listened to Mr. Xu's proposal to expand the sea territory these days. He wants to send someone to lead a fleet to go offshore first and then sail far to occupy surrounding islands or develop overseas trade."
Zheng He understood that expanding maritime territories and developing overseas trade was one aspect.
On the other hand, they continued to look for Zhu Yunwen.
There are rumors that he ran to an overseas island.
"The Three Treasures obey your Majesty and Master's instructions and will go through fire and water without hesitation." Zheng He stood up and cupped his hands.
"Okay, sit down."
Yao Guangxiao waved his hand and continued:
"The sea is not as big as the Yangtze River. It is necessary to build larger and stronger treasure ships. Your Majesty decided to build two major shipyard workshops in Longjiang River in Yingtian Prefecture and Liujiahe River in Taicang Prefecture."
"The Imperial Military Department has set up the Treasure Ship Lifting Division, and you will serve as the commander of the capital, starting from the second-grade military position."
Zheng He was stunned when he heard this.
The commander-in-chief of the capital is a foreign minister, but he is just a eunuch.
"Don't worry too much. His Majesty doesn't think you are a eunuch. He thinks you are both civil and military and a disciple of Buddhism, so you are fully qualified for military duties."
Yao Guangxiao had already guessed Zheng He's thoughts and dismissed his thoughts with one sentence.
Treating a eunuch as a foreign minister requires breaking the conventional wisdom and braving the disapproval of the world.
What a magnanimity this is.
The emperor’s grace is mighty!
Wang Jinghong saw that Zheng He was silent and knew that it was inconvenient to talk, so he quickly changed the subject.
"Master Zheng, please let Jing Hong know when we are going to get together. I will be there immediately."
You will know something is wrong as soon as you say this.
If it can pass, do you still need to keep it a secret?
"Well, there are many things in the palace, and the emperor and empress also need you by their side. How can I do this? When I miss you, I will come over by myself and have a drink with everyone."
Zheng He said calmly.
The eunuchs in the palace who currently hold great power are all people from Prince Yan's palace in Beiping.
He and Wang Jinghong are the highest.
In the past, when we were in Prince Yan's Mansion, there were only a few dozen eunuchs. We all got along casually, and it was okay to say a few words without restraint, whether it was nice or not.
But now, the imperial palace is much larger and more complicated than Prince Yan's palace.
Everyone seemed to be wary of something, hiding their words behind closed doors.
They are more like strangers to each other. Whether they are all the way together is another question.
Tonight, it was supposed to be a gathering of brothers and old friends, but unexpectedly it turned into a mere formality.
Wang Jinghong smiled and said nothing, just poured wine.
"You will take over the position of Ouchi Manager after I leave. You are so good and loyal. When the time comes, you will definitely take over my position."
Zheng He knew very well that Wang Jinghong's recent affairs with the King of Han had won the satisfaction of the Queen and the Princess of Han.
"Oh, Mr. Zheng, you are ridiculous. Jinghong is very mediocre. As for the position of head chamberlain, it is always the master's decision. I dare not make any guesses."
Zheng He hated the current Wang Jinghong from the bottom of his heart.
A sanctimonious appearance always gives people a feeling of hypocrisy.
Over the years, he has risen steadily through the ranks and reached his current position as Chief Supervisor of Internal Affairs, all on his own merit.
Zheng He really didn't help much.
But the more this happened, the more I realized that this person was extremely sophisticated and good at wielding power.
Not someone worth getting to know deeply.
"I will recommend you to the Queen before I leave the palace."
This is a polite statement.
Just a favor, nothing more.
"Then Jinghong will thank Mr. Zheng first."
After saying that, Wang Jinghong had no expression on his face and drank it all in one gulp without thinking.
Humph, even if you don't mention the position of Chief Supervisor, I am bound to get it.
In the imperial palace where life is like a piece of cake, power is the most useful thing.
