"Ask for the Viscount?"
After hearing what the prince said, Zhu Yuanzhen's face became even more surprised.
"For whom does Prince Ying seek the title?"
Zhu Hongyu hurriedly replied: "He is a student from Tiannan College. When the beast wave happened, this person was performing college tasks in Beiyang City. He was promoted to the position of Qianhu by the governor of Yumen County because of his merits in saving people.
When the fourth uncle learned of this, he thought the reward was insufficient and begged his father to grant this man the title of viscount. "
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhen nodded, stroking his beard and said in deep thought.
“Although the position of Viscount is not a big one, it cannot be conferred casually.
Who is this person's name and where is he from? Why did King Ying try so hard to obtain a title for him? "
Zhu Hongyu didn't dare to hide it and told the truth.
"This person's name is "Han Feng", and he is from Bailong County, Xichuan Province. This year, because of the favor from his father, Tiannan College expanded its enrollment, this person was able to be admitted to Tiannan College.
The reason why the Fourth Uncle asked for credit for him was because he felt that the reward was not enough, and secondly, he seemed to be... quite attached to this person, so he specially asked for the reward for him. "
"Han Feng."
Hearing this name, Zhu Yuanzhen's eyes flashed with suspicion.
"I seem to have heard this name somewhere."
Hearing this, the silent round-faced eunuch standing next to Zhu Yuanzhen flashed his eyes slightly and immediately spoke softly.
"Your Majesty, do you remember that half a year ago, the Southwest General Association of the Imperial Commercial Bank submitted a "report"?"
When Zhu Yuanzhen heard this, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes and he nodded.
"You mean...the "Continuous Crossbow" developed by the Northwest Federation?"
The eunuch bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, this old slave read the memorial for your Majesty and vaguely remembers it.
The Northwest Association said that the design of the repeating crossbow was presented by a young man named "Han Feng" from Bailong County. "
"Oh...?" Zhu Yuanzhen finally showed interest on his face.
"This man is also named Han Feng, and he is also from Bailong County. Could it be that they are the same person?"
Hearing this, Prince Zhu Hongyu, who was standing bowed at the bottom, was also shocked.
The design drawings of the repeated crossbow obtained by the empire not long ago caused quite a stir in the imperial court, especially the military, and even led the military's regular army to carry out a weapons upgrade.
Zhu Hongyu never thought that this matter would be related to Han Feng.
Zhu Yuanzhen was also puzzled.
"I didn't know that there was such a young hero in Xichuan Province."
Hearing this, Zhu Hongyu's heart moved and he immediately spoke again.
"Reporting to my father, as far as I know, this Han Feng should be very familiar with Governor Zhang of Xichuan Province."
"Oh...?" Zhu Yuanzhen's expression changed.
"How did the prince know?"
Zhu Hongyu's mind turned and he did not report Zhang Dingnan's appearance in Beiyang City, he just said.
"Hey... I investigated this person out of curiosity.
It was reported that Governor Zhang had ordered someone to send a letter of recommendation recommending this person to Tiannan College. It seems that the two of them have a close relationship. "
Speaking of this, Zhu Hongyu said in a very plain tone.
"But the Governor is busy with official duties, so it's not surprising that he didn't mention this person to my father for a while."
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhen narrowed his clear eyes slightly and glanced at Zhu Hongyu.
Zhu Hongyu felt an inexplicable chill rising from his back, and suddenly knew that his shrewd father had seen through his hidden provocation.
Zhu Hongyu suddenly felt a little regretful, because this time he had enmity with Zhang Dingnan, which affected his state of mind.
In the past, he would not use such despicable provocation methods in front of his father.
There was silence in the study for a moment before Zhu Yuanzhen spoke again.
"Now that Commander Dugu is returning to the court to await his reward, I have ordered Governor Zhang to go south tomorrow to the Nanhai Camp to temporarily handle military affairs for Commander Dugu.
When I see you off tomorrow, you can come with me and see me off in person. "
As soon as he said this, Zhu Hongyu's pupils shrank suddenly, and he was shocked!
Although his father said it calmly, he knew how important his father's move was.
As the Presidential Commander in Coastal Battlefield, Marshal Dugu is in charge of the empire's millions of troops by himself. He can be said to be the most representative figure in the empire's military today.
Although the old marshal has returned victorious, the empire's senior officials know that the old marshal's vitality has been severely damaged and it is impossible to return to his peak. The coastal battlefield will naturally be leaderless.
At this moment, Zhang Dingnan was assigned to go south and assumed the temporary position of commander-in-chief. His father's intention was self-evident.
Is this to push Zhang Dingnan to the top and prepare to officially take over the post of Commander Dugu?
Zhu Hongyu was extremely shocked. This disrupted his original plan and deployment.
Although his heart was in chaos, Zhu Hongyu did not dare to hesitate for a moment and immediately bowed to accept the order.
"My son, I obey."
Zhu Yuanzhen nodded and then waved his hand.
"Okay, you must be tired of running around. Go back to the East Palace."
Zhu Hongyu did not dare to say anything, so he hurriedly said goodbye and left, hurried back to the East Palace.
After Zhu Hongyu left, Zhu Yuanzhen took the book from the old eunuch's hand, but gently placed it on the desk without turning it over.
He looked towards the void in front of the study.
The next moment, a thin purple arc flashed in the void ahead, and then the space was distorted, and a figure slowly emerged.
This person was wearing a lavender robe. He had a handsome appearance and an elegant demeanor. His starry eyes flashed with lightning. He was extremely mysterious, but if he wasn't Zhang Dingnan, who could he be!
Seeing Zhang Dingnan appear, Zhu Yuanzhen asked casually.
"Zhang Aiqing, you heard the conversation between the prince and me just now.
What do you think of my eldest son? "
It turned out that Zhang Dingnan was in the study room from beginning to end, but he only used his mysterious magical power to hide his figure.
And this is what Zhu Yuanzhen meant.
When Zhang Dingnan heard this, he cupped his fists and said.
"Your Majesty, a humble minister is just a warrior. How dare you speak arbitrarily about the crown prince of the empire?"
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhen couldn't help laughing and scolding.
"You guys, when did you learn to be like those cunning civil servants and learn to say such slippery words in front of me?"
Zhang Dingnan couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this.
"Your Majesty, the humble minister has been involved in the officialdom for so many years. Even if he is a bit "old and cunning", it is not an exaggeration."
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhen was stunned, and immediately looked at each other with Zhang Dingnan.
The king and the minister laughed out loud at the same time.
But then, Zhu Yuanzhen looked solemn and said.
"Dingnan, you and I have known each other since I was a prince. Although you and I are called monarchs and ministers, I also regard you as a close friend, so... I want to hear your truth!
Do you think it was right or wrong for me to make Hongyu the crown prince? "
After hearing this, Zhang Dingnan's eyes fixed and his face gradually became serious. After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, I have been stationed in Nanhai all year round and have not had much contact with His Highness the Crown Prince.
However, based on what others heard and what the minister saw with his own eyes in Beiyang City.
His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, is considered to be an outstanding strategist, his city is deep, and he is very tolerant. These are all very imperial, but..."
Zhu Yuanzhen narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing."
Zhang Dingnan said bluntly: "However, His Highness the Crown Prince has too much murderous spirit and insufficient benevolence. He may be a smart and capable princess in the future, but he will not be a benevolent ruler!"
"It's hard for the benevolent Lord!"
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Yuanzhen's eyes flashed with light, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
After pondering for a long time, Zhu Yuanzhen's light dimmed in the dark, and he finally let out a soft sigh.
"Hey... Dingnan, you should know that I have never regretted anything I have done in my life.
But I don’t want future generations to follow suit, and I don’t want to see the royal family fighting among themselves.
Although Hongyu is not a benevolent master, if I hand the empire over to his hands in the future, it will definitely not decline... Do you understand what I mean? "
Hearing this, Zhang Dingnan looked serious and knelt down on one knee.
"Your Majesty, ministers of the royal family dare not make rash judgments, let alone go overboard in the slightest.
But Zhang Dingnan can use the head on his neck to guarantee that he will be loyal to the Qianlan Empire in this life. As long as he is recognized by His Majesty as the crown prince, even minor ministers can die in the future! "
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhen nodded and stepped forward to help Zhang Dingnan himself.
The king and his ministers looked at each other and knew each other's feelings without any words.
After a while, Zhu Yuanzhen asked again.
"By the way, have the sentinels from the Tianyuan Dynasty in Xichuan Province recently left?"
Zhang Dingnan nodded.
"Ever since the Eye of Dongxu was stolen in the South China Sea and the prince chased it all the way to Xichuan Province, they began to be active frequently, but not long after the beast tide broke out in Beiyang City, they disappeared in Xichuan.
According to the intelligence, this group of people should be heading northwest towards the Great Yan Dynasty. "
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhen nodded with satisfaction.
"Well... although the Eye of Dongxu is the most precious treasure in the world, it is also the source of disaster. Now as the strength of the four countries becomes stronger and stronger, the Tianyuan Dynasty's suppression of us from all directions becomes more and more severe.
This Eye of Dongxu can turn the Tianyuan Dynasty's spearhead towards the Great Yan Dynasty, which is not a bad thing.
In this way, our plan will have a greater chance of being implemented! "
Zhang Dingnan also became energetic after hearing this.
"Your Majesty is wise, this matter can be regarded as a self-defeating thing, and the benefits outweigh the disadvantages!"
Zhu Yuanzhen nodded, patted Zhang Dingnan's shoulder again and said.
"Dingnan, you are my confidant, and you are also the most important part of this plan.
Now that Marshal Dugu is injured for the country, I am sending you south. You must take control of the coastal army as soon as possible to stabilize the military turmoil.
In this way, the civil servants in the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the guy in the north can keep their peace, and I can feel at ease. "
Zhang Dingnan was startled when he heard this.
"North... His Majesty refers to the "King of Zhenbei"!"
Zhu Yuanzhen nodded and said thoughtfully.
"The King of Zhenbei is the "King with a Different Surname" personally conferred by the late Emperor. This person is a descendant of the Wang family of the Biao tribe in the north before the founding of the Qianlan Empire. He has high prestige in several provinces around the Northern Xinjiang Province.
When the late emperor was in power, the second prince, King Fan, and the Biao tribe conspired and rebelled, breaking through seven provinces in a row. The army marched south and approached the imperial capital, causing the whole country to panic.
It was this man who suddenly emerged and led another Biao army to defeat the rebels head-on, and comprehensively counterattacked seven provinces, winning a complete victory.
The late emperor then named him the King of Zhenbei and allowed him to command the Biao army and control the north forever. "
Speaking of this, Zhu Yuanzhen couldn't help but a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.
"This king of Zhenbei has made great contributions to the country, and there is nothing wrong with him being crowned king, worshiping prime minister, and enjoying eternal glory.
But now, after decades of recuperation and various privileges granted by the empire, the number of descendants of the Biao clan has increased, and the power of King Zhenbei has expanded at least several times.
But back then, because of my affair with the crown prince and the second prince, I had a bad relationship with this person.
In the past, Commander Dugu was in charge, and the military was united, so he was calm and honest. But now that Commander Dugu is seriously injured, and the empire is turning around, I have to guard against it! "
Zhang Dingnan nodded when he heard this.
"What your Majesty said is true. Although I have only met the King of Zhenbei a few times, his strength is indeed unfathomable. Although he may not have disloyal intentions, he can be safe by taking precautions in advance.
Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will take control of the coastal battlefield as soon as possible and restore the prestige of the military headquarters! "
After Zhu Yuanzhen heard this, he finally showed a satisfied smile.
"Well...I believe you!"
As he said that, Zhu Yuanzhen remembered something again.
"By the way, Dingnan, do you know Han Feng, whom Hongyu mentioned earlier?"
Zhang Dingnan also smiled lightly when he heard this.
"Of course I know, Your Majesty, to be honest, this person is Wei Chen's sworn brother."
"oh……!"
Zhu Yuanzhen's eyes flashed with strange light.
"The person you can consider as your "adopted brother" must not be an ordinary person. Isn't this young man an extremely talented person?"
Zhang Dingnan shook his head and said.
"Your Majesty has misunderstood. Wei Chen, this sworn brother, may only be said to be average in terms of talent.
However, his temperament, perseverance and even character are far beyond the reach of ordinary people. The minister and he fell in love at first sight and became brothers! "
"I see!"
Zhu Yuanzhen nodded suddenly, then smiled.
"Since Han Feng has you, the governor's brother, and my royal brother as his guarantor, I can't think of not giving him a reward for such a great reputation.
Forget it, bring me the four treasures of the study, and I will personally draw up an imperial edict for Han Feng! "
…
