Yu Xin stood on the embankment of the Yellow River, looking at the prosperous city of Kaifeng in the distance, with a bit of worry in his eyes, and said to Jing Qing beside him: "Kaifeng is an important place in the Central Plains."
Jing Qing nodded in approval, turned around and glanced at the Yellow River, and said, "The bed of the Yellow River is so high. Once the embankment breaks, the entire Kaifeng Prefecture will be unsafe. Fortunately, the embankment is stable and it has not caused a major disaster."
Song Li on the side shook his head slightly and added: "Sir, if the sand in the Yellow River is not controlled and the river bed continues to rise, the only choice is to raise the dam. However, there will always be times when the dam is unsafe. To completely cure the Yellow River, we should start with the sand. "
Yu Xin took a deep look at Song Li and said: "Zhang Zhongzhen did not misjudge you. You are a water conservancy talent. After you return to Beijing, the emperor will definitely transfer you to the Ministry of Works. If you are serious, you can think more about how to control water conservancy." .”
Song Li's face became solemn when he heard Yu Xin mention Zhang Xianzong.
After Zhang Xianzong's death, Xue Xia returned to the capital to report the news. Song Li, Pan Xing, Gao Wei, Lao Chuanggong and others stayed outside Xuzhou City. On the one hand, they were waiting for the decree from the capital, and on the other hand, they were observing the diversion situation of the Yellow River.
Later, Yu Xin, Jing Qing, Mao Taiheng, Xiong Wucheng and others rushed to Xuzhou.
Gu Pu, who was originally traveling with them, returned to Beijing first due to orders from the Ministry of War. Huang Zicheng also transferred back to Fengyang Mansion because he cooperated with Dingguo General Tie Xuan. After the victims were properly dealt with, he returned directly to the capital.
Yu Xin and others paid their respects to Zhang Xianzong outside the city of Xuzhou, and personally inscribed Zhang Xianzong's ancestral hall with the title "Loyalty Relief Temple" and ordered people to pass it on to future generations.
Song Li was full of respect for Zhang Xianzong.
"Mr. Yuge, should we go directly to Kaifeng Mansion?"
Gao Wei asked.
Yu Xin turned around, looked at the old boatman, and said: "The Security Bureau has investigated. Cai Zhi, the former magistrate of Wuxian County, left office in the 25th year of Hongwu and died of illness in Shandong in the same year. Now that Cai Zhi is dead, who else can prove that Hongwu II Is it a man-made disaster when the Heiyangshan embankment burst in Yuanwu in the 14th year?"
The old boatman gritted his teeth and said: "If the county magistrate dies, the chief bookkeeper and the county magistrate may not die. Even if they all die, will all the old government servants of Yuanwu also die? When there is a flood, they will have boats. !”
Yu Xin could understand the anger and hatred of the old boatman, and said with relief: "This pavilion will investigate this matter clearly. If the King of Zhou is really involved behind this matter, we will report it to the court truthfully. But now we need to enter Kaifeng. After entering the city, you cannot wander around and must be under the supervision of the security bureau."
The old boatman looked at Yu Xin with doubts and distrust in his eyes, and asked: "Why didn't Mr. Ge go straight to Yuan Wu to find the person who knew the news? Instead, he rushed to see the King of Zhou?"
The old boatman has heard and seen too much about the mutual protection between officials.
Yu Xin shook his head slightly, pointed to Kaifeng City in front of him, and said: "We came to Kaifeng under orders. If we don't enter the city and go straight to Yuanwu, wouldn't it arouse suspicion? How can we investigate once we alert the enemy?"
The old boatman snorted coldly and said without mercy: "Didn't Mr. Ge give them time to deal with the tail?"
"presumptuous!"
Gao Wei scolded sharply.
Yu Xin glared at Gao Wei and said seriously to the old boatman: "I am a member of the imperial court and was appointed by the emperor. How can I have anything to do with the King of Zhou?"
The old boatman shook his head and said: "Mr. Ge, he must have forgotten that the former Wuzhi County magistrate is also a member of the imperial court, and he is also a Yuanwu appointed by the emperor!"
"The elder Ge has a lot of resources and can allow you to be arrogant. We don't have such a capacity. If you don't show respect anymore, I can take you to the government office for a visit!"
Xiong Wucheng spoke up.
Yu Xin waved his hand and said to Xiong Wucheng: "That's all, he is also a miserable person. Protect him. Don't let anything happen to him. Let's enter the city."
Kaifeng, located in the Central Plains, is the place where the world competes.
In the early Ming Dynasty, Kaifeng's status and prosperity exceeded the imagination of later generations.
At that time, Kaifeng was the capital of Beijing.
Outside Jinling, the largest city in the world was prosperous.
The administrative regions of the Ming Dynasty were set up as two capitals and thirteen provinces, with a total of fifteen first-level administrative regions.
The two capitals here refer to Nanjing and Beijing.
In the Hongwu and Jianwen dynasties, Beijing was not the place where Beiping Prefecture was, but Kaifeng. The capital of Beizhili was originally Kaifeng. Later, Zhu Di moved the capital and changed Beiping Prefecture to Beijing.
Kaifeng is the capital of Henan Province and the place governed by the prefecture. Kaifeng Prefecture governs four states and 28 counties, which shows its large area.
Before Yu Xin and others entered Kaifeng City, they saw Ren Yi, the prefect of Kaifeng, and a group of prefect officials who came to greet them.
"Ren Yi, the magistrate of Kaifeng, led the government officials to pay homage to Mr. Yuge and all of you."
Ren Yi shouted loudly.
Yu Xin didn't expect that the local information was so well-informed. He had just landed ashore not long ago, but they were already prepared and even waited for a long time.
"No need, go directly to the government office."
Yu Xin and others came all the way and were so tired that they didn't even attend the dinner party prepared by Ren Yi. They ate something casually and rested in the back hall of the government office.
Seeing that Xiong Wucheng and others had also rested, Ren Yi left the government office at night and took the prefect Wang Wentao straight to Prince Zhou's Mansion.
Prince Zhou's Mansion.
Zhou Wang Zhu Ju was admiring a painting. Wang Han, the chief historian, came over and whispered: "Your Majesty, the prefect and the prefect of the state want to see you."
Zhu Zhu looked at the sky outside the window and asked, "It must be unusual to come so late. Are there any experts here in Kaifeng Mansion?"
Wang Han's expression changed slightly and he said to Zhu Zhu: "It's not clear yet."
"Wang Changshi, how many years have you been following me?"
Zhu Zhu rolled up the painting and asked softly.
Wang Han thought for a moment and replied: "Five years and seven months."
Zhu Zhu nodded with satisfaction, looked at Wang Han with sharp eyes, and said softly: "For more than five years, it has been a piece of stone, so it should belong to me."
Wang Han's pupils condensed slightly, and he cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Wang is the chief historian of the Zhou Palace, so he should do his best for the prince."
Zhu Tie laughed, shook his head, and said: "That's all, you are a smart person, you know what to say, what not to say, what to do, and what not to do. Don't go down the wrong path, after all, your parents haven't done it yet. At the end of the day, the children have not yet gotten married."
Wang Han gritted his teeth secretly, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the prefect and prefect ask to see you!"
Zhu Ru sat down and said in a deep voice: "Let them come in."
Wang Han walked out of the door and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
This is a place of right and wrong. If you stay here any longer, you may lose your life, but it is not easy for someone who knows the secret to leave alive with the secret.
Kaifeng Magistrate Ren Yi and Magistrate Wang Wentao saluted Zhu Xi. After they sat down separately, Ren Yi smiled flatteringly and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Yu Ge has arrived in Kaifeng City and is currently resting in the back hall of the government office."
"The First Cause of All Realms"
Zhu Tong didn't seem surprised by the news, and just asked calmly: "How many people are there in the Security Bureau? Who is leading the team?"
Ren Yi replied respectfully: "When we entered the city, the guards following Mr. Yu Ge were all members of the Security Bureau, approximately twenty-six of them. The leader of the team was not a simple person. He was Xiong Wucheng, a fellow commander of the Security Bureau."
"Xiong Wucheng?"
Zhu Rui pondered the name and frowned: "The Xiong Wucheng who defeated the White Lotus Sect in Dingyuan?"
"Your Majesty, it's that person."
Ren Yi replied.
Zhu Ju took a sip of tea and asked slowly: "Where is Xue Xia, the commander who has been following Song Li, Gao Wei and others? I remember that he returned to Xuzhou after returning to the capital. There is no reason not to talk to Yu Xin go the same way."
Ren Yi did not panic and replied calmly: "According to reports from people along the way, Xue Xia separated from Yu Xin and others at Taojiadian. Looking at its direction, it should be
Went to Chenqiao Town, probably on Yu Xin's orders, to explore the situation on the north bank of the Yellow River. "
"Is someone monitoring it?"
Zhu Ru asked.
Ren Yi nodded solemnly and said: "My lord, don't worry, they are all good soldiers in the army and will not be exposed. Their whereabouts are under control."
A slight smile appeared on the corner of Zhu Zhu's mouth and he said: "In that case, I can sit back and relax."
Ren Yi hesitated for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, I am not here just to report that Yu Ge has arrived in Kaifeng."
"Oh? What else?"
Zhu Ru asked.
Ren Yi frowned and said worriedly: "Among Mr. Yu Ge and his team, the person who protects the most closely for the Security Bureau is not Mr. Yu Ge, but an unknown old man."
"elder?"
Zhu Xi stood up and asked seriously: "Could it be Wuding Marquis Guo Ying? No, he should still be in Datong. Could it be Changxing Marquis Geng Bingwen? He also came to Kaifeng?"
Ren Yi looked at the somewhat panicked Zhu Ji and quickly replied: "My lord, he is not the Marquis of Wu Ding or the Marquis of Changxing. According to my opinion, that person is not a court official, but just an ordinary citizen."
"How can an ordinary citizen be protected by the Security Bureau?"
Zhu Xi asked in confusion.
Ren Yi sighed: "This is exactly what I cannot figure out."
Zhu Ju walked around twice and said in a deep voice: "Lao Yu Ge will come to the house tomorrow. You must investigate this person's identity. The Security Bureau does not protect everyone, unless that person holds unknown secrets! "
Ren Yi agreed and bowed to Wang Wentao to leave.
After walking out of the palace, Ren Yi looked at the gloomy night sky and said to Wang Wentao: "As soon as Mr. Yu Ge comes, the sky in Kaifeng will become cloudy. We must deal with it well this time, otherwise, you know the consequences."
Wang Wentao solemnly promised: "All of my subordinates will obey the arrangements of the prefect."
Ren Yi nodded and said: "Don't use the manpower of the government office if you can. Instead, use people there to follow Mr. Yu Ge and his party."
"Sir, do you want everyone to be followed?"
Wang Wentao was a little worried.
Ren Yi bit the words and said, "That's right!"
Wang Wentao took a deep breath. The total number of people brought by Yu Xin was more than thirty. If he wanted to completely track these people, he would need to use at least three times the manpower. If he added more manpower, he would most likely be exposed.
Especially the people from the Security Bureau were extremely difficult to deal with, but the prefect had spoken, and Wang Wentao had no choice but to obey.
After Ren Yi and Wang Wentao left the door of Prince Zhou's Mansion, a beggar appeared at the entrance of a street not far away. He glanced at the two people's backs, then walked towards the bustling street south of Prince Zhou's Mansion with a bowl with a corner broken.
There, when night comes, the red lights are on, the wine is fragrant, and the autumn wind blows away the excitement and prosperity.
On top of a red building, Zhu Youxu (xun) held Xun in his arms and drank to his heart's content. The woman in his arms smiled happily with countless charms. Her red lips came to Zhu Youxun's ear and she said slowly: "Your Majesty, have you thought about it? ?This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Zhu Youyi's ears felt hot and he couldn't help hugging him tightly. He buried his head deeply and inhaled the fragrance deeply. He said, "But I don't want to let my father down. If others find out, how can I stand on my own?"
"Those who achieve great things don't stick to trivial matters. Mo'er believes in the Crown Prince."
The woman said softly.
Zhu Youhuo stood up, picked up the woman named Mo'er, walked to the red tent and said, "Do you really want to be Princess Zhou so much?"
Mo'er hugged Zhu Youyi's neck and said with longing in her eyes: "Mo'er doesn't want to be bullied anymore. If the prince can't protect Mo'er well, then I would rather grow old in the mountains and forests than leave this world."
"Haha, follow me, but no one will bully you."
Zhu Youhui blew out the candles, the room became dark, and the voice became shallower...
