After returning to the Hou Mansion from Nancheng Yizhuang, Chen Kan returned to the backyard, moved a deck chair and lay alone by the small lake.
He also poured himself a rare glass of high-altitude white wine and sipped it slowly.
The affairs of the White Lotus Sect were settled, and he felt a little empty in his heart.
Although he knew that this feeling was cheap, Chen Kan was not prepared to drive this feeling out of his heart.
Looking back on the two years since the Ming Dynasty, fighting against the feudal kings, the White Lotus Sect, the Jin Yiwei, Chen Ying, Yuan Rong, Li Rang...
Enemies one after another became stepping stones for Chen Kan.
The vassal king has lost his former glory, the top leaders of the White Lotus Sect have been wiped out, and the forces hidden among the people are also being eliminated in an orderly manner.
Jinyiwei has an extra opponent, the Wucheng Soldiers and Horses Division.
Chen Ying and Chen Kan didn't touch him for the time being. That's because he still has uses. Just like a shepherd will let his sheep be chased by gray wolves every once in a while. Those old, weak and sick sheep will be eaten by the gray wolves. This way Conducive to the development and growth of the sheep flock.
When the old, weak and sick sheep in the sheep flock are completely eliminated, the gray wolf will live to the end.
Yuan Rong and Li Rang completely lost the qualification to face him.
At this moment, Chen Kan only felt extremely lonely.
It seems that only in the endless battle can Chen Kan feel the meaning of life.
After half a glass of strong wine, Chen Kan's face gradually began to turn red.
This is why Chen Kan doesn't like drinking strong alcohol. Drinking alcohol easily gets on his face.
To be more precise, this condition is called an allergy in later generations. A certain hangover enzyme in the body is lower than normal, and the alcohol remains in the body and cannot evaporate, forming an alcohol allergy.
Zhu Zhanji ran to Chen Kan, glanced at him, and then ran away quickly.
Because Chen Kan's current state is difficult for him to understand.
His eyes were half closed, his face was blood red, and his eyeballs were also very red.
Chen Kan drank the remaining half glass of wine in one gulp, closed his eyes and prepared to take a nap.
But there are always blind people who disturb Chen Kan's dream.
A piece of dogtail grass scratched Chen Kan's nose, causing him to sneeze.
Even without opening his eyes, Chen Kan knew that this must be Zhu Zhanji's idea.
He reached out and grabbed it, and indeed he caught a thin and small figure. Chen Kan miscalculated. The person coming was not Zhu Zhanji, but the even smaller Zhu Zhanhe.
Chen Kan slapped him on the butt and asked angrily: "If you don't go to study with your second senior brother, why are you here disturbing me?"
Zhu Zhanhe struggled in Chen Kan's hand for a while, but when he couldn't break free, he had to say in a loud voice: "The senior and second senior brothers called me here. They said that teacher, you are in a bad mood today because of the death of a woman. They also said Let me take you to find one on the Qinhuai River..."
Before Zhu Zhanhe finished speaking, Chen Kan suddenly became furious.
He picked up Zhu Zhanhe's back collar and walked towards a small building.
Zhu Zhanji and Hua Shi, who were hiding behind the pillars, wanted to escape when they saw something was wrong.
But no matter how noisy the two five- or six-year-old children were, how could they escape the clutches of an adult like Chen Kan.
Soon, the screams of Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe sounded like they were killing pigs, and from time to time, Hua Shi's pleas for mercy could be heard.
Chen Kan knew with his butt that this must be Zhu Zhanji's idea. How could such a well-behaved child like Hua Shi know that he was looking for a woman in a place like the Qinhuai River?
As for the four-year-old Zhu Zhanhe, it is even more impossible to know.
But... the process of small punishments and big warnings still needs to be followed, so none of the three people can escape.
When Zhu Di came to the backyard, this was what he saw.
"Grandpa Huang, save me!"
Zhu Zhanji seemed to have seen the savior. He bared his teeth and claws to escape Chen Kan's restraint and rushed towards Zhu Di.
But how could Chen Kan allow him to do so.
So what if Zhu Di comes?
He deserves a beating even if he deserves it.
Zhu Di walked closer and watched with interest as Chen Kan violently assaulted the three minors. From time to time, he would give Chen Kan pointers on where to hit them, which would be painful but not injuring them.
Hearing Zhu Di spit out a textbook-like method of spanking a child, the eyes of the three little kids dimmed instantly.
I thought it was a savior, but I never thought it was the beginning of misfortune.
Based on Zhu Di's teachings, Chen Kan found that the fight was much smoother and more comfortable.
After giving the three little boys a hard lesson, Chen Kan put the bamboo stick in his hand back into the corner.
Then he panted and cupped his hands towards Zhu Di and said: "The evildoer is not very obedient. Let me teach you a lesson and make His Majesty laugh. I didn't know His Majesty was coming and didn't come far to greet you. Please forgive me."
Looking at the three little kids lying on the ground, Zhu Di said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, children should be beaten if they disobey. Only filial sons can emerge from the stick."
When the three little guys saw Chen Kan and Zhu Di being polite, they stood up and wanted to run away.
Chen Kan grabbed him by the collar and carried him back: "You're not polite. Why are you running away after seeing His Majesty?"
Chen Kan didn't strike hard, his main purpose was to teach the three little brats a lesson, so he just ran the bamboo strips along their buttocks to greet them.
Being scolded by Chen Kan, the three of them had no choice but to cover their buttocks and salute Zhu Di respectfully.
"My grandson has met Grandpa Huang."
"I met His Majesty when I was spending time."
"Haha, no courtesy at all."
Zhu Di looked at Hua Shi with a smile: "You are the great-grandson of the Duke of Dongqiu, right?"
Hua Shi glanced at Zhu Di with some resentment and replied: "Your Majesty, yes."
There was unconcealable affection in Zhu Di's eyes, and he smiled and said: "Not bad, not bad, very smart. Learn your skills from your teacher, and I will make you a high official in the future."
Chen Kan glanced at Zhu Di in surprise, wanting to ask where he could tell that this little kid was so smart?
But...dare not.
The emperor is the greatest, so if he is smart, then he is smart.
He was still acting stupid when he saw the flowers. Chen Kan couldn't help but kicked him in the butt: "Why don't you thank your Majesty?"
With Zhu Di's words, it will be much easier for Hua Shi to pursue an official career in the future.
Zhu Di would not make a blind move, he must have taken a fancy to something in this child.
When Hua Shi woke up from a dream, he hurriedly bent down and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will definitely learn my skills from the teacher and become a useful person to the Ming Dynasty in the future."
"Okay, okay, okay, let's go play. I'll talk to your teacher about something."
Zhu Di smiled even more happily because he discovered that these three little guys all had a sense of spirituality.
"Get out of here!"
Chen Kan scolded the three little kids, watched them go away, and then fawningly moved a recliner for Zhu Di.
"Your Majesty, please sit down."
Helping Zhu Di to sit down, Chen Kan hurriedly ordered the servants in the mansion: "What are you doing standing still? Hurry up if you have any snacks. By the way, give me another pot of rice wine."
Zhu Di lay carelessly on the rocking chair, reached for the silver pot filled with high-strength wine, put it on the tip of his nose and smelled it. He suddenly waved his hand and said: "What kind of rice wine do you want? I think this wine is very good. Mr. Chen, come and have a drink with me."
Chen Kan's face suddenly turned bitter.
However, when Zhu Di wanted to drink, Chen Kan naturally had no room to refuse.
Just as he was about to reach out to take the wine bottle and fill it up for Zhu Di, Zhu Di had already taken the lead in pouring two glasses of wine.
The emperor personally poured the wine, which was such a favor. Now Chen Kan had to drink even if he didn't want to.
After drinking it in one gulp, the strong liquor made Chen Kan's throat and eyes feel uncomfortable.
His face also turned red.
Sticking out his tongue, Chen Kan asked, "I wonder if your Majesty is here today?"
Zhu Di leaned his head on the rocking chair, bathing in the sunshine, with a comfortable expression on his face.
Hearing Chen Kan's question, he said without raising his eyelids: "It's okay, so I can't come? Why, are you unhappy when I come to your house?"
Chen Kan was silent, and then said with a smile: "How can that be possible? My father-in-law is here, and my son-in-law is naturally happy. It's just that my father-in-law is usually busy with documents, so why would Yaxing come to my son-in-law's house today?"
Zhu Di didn't say anything because Chen Kan's words sounded like nonsense to him.
Seeing that Zhu Di was silent, Chen Kan also tacitly agreed not to say anything.
Who knows what words he says will make Zhu Di unhappy. Silence is golden, silence is golden.
Leaning back on the lounge chairs, the king, the minister, the father-in-law and the son-in-law just leisurely took in the lake breeze and basked in the sun for a long time.
The sun shines on people's bodies, making them lazy and unable to exert any strength.
Before we knew it, it was sunset.
"It's a steal of half a day's leisure."
Zhu Di suddenly sighed with emotion.
Chen Kan opened his eyes in time and agreed: "Yes, it's rare to bask in the sun so leisurely."
Then, Zhu Di fell silent again.
After a while, Chen Kan sat up straight, cupped his hands towards Zhu Di and said, "Your Majesty, I don't want to stay in Nanjing anymore."
Zhu Di's expression remained unchanged and he asked, "Why?"
Chen Kan grinned: "Chen's wife said that he misses Beijing, so I plan to take her to Beijing to see it?"
Zhu Di asked: "How long will it take to go?"
Chen Kan pondered for a moment and said calmly: "It could be as short as three years or as long as five years."
"Ha~"
Zhu Di suddenly chuckled and said with a smile: "You know how to hide from Qingxian."
Chen Kan nodded slightly, and to be honest, he thought so too.
Zhu Di continued to ask: "If you leave, what will happen to the Five Cities Military and Horse Department, the Treasure and Cash Department, the Ordnance Supervisor, the Bank, and the Naval Academy?"
Chen Kan lay back on the rocking chair and said as calmly as possible: "His Royal Highness King Zhao is in charge of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division, and it doesn't matter whether he has ministers or not.
The Baochao Department and the Arms Supervisor are now on the right track, and the craftsmen will naturally burst out with unparalleled creativity. Banks only need to develop step by step.
As for the Naval Academy, with His Majesty's decree, talents from all over the world will be admitted. "
Zhu Di said: "You are just lighting the fire."
Chen Kan said calmly: "I am a lazy person, it is good to light a fire."
Zhu Di pondered for a moment, then his tone suddenly became serious: "Just think about it, once you leave, everything you manage in the court will be used to make wedding clothes for others."
Chen Kan also became serious: "I have thought about it again and again. Besides, for such a big thing as the construction of Beijing, I can help keep an eye on it. There is also the Army Academy, and I can also go over and give guidance.
Judging from the current situation in the court, it is more useful for me to go to Beijing than to stay in Nanjing. "
"Okay, I will give you a decree in a few days."
After saying that, Zhu Di stood up and left the Hou Mansion without looking back with the help of the accompanying young eunuch.
Looking at Zhu Di's tall back, Chen Kan smiled but did not get up to see him off.
He knew that the purpose of Zhu Di's visit today was to make him give up control of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division.
Because the existence of the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division has affected his plan of killing people.
So Chen Kan took the opportunity to propose going to Beijing.
That's fine, Zhu Di can flex his muscles, and Chen Kan can go to Beijing and make arrangements calmly.
A decent outcome for everyone.
Chen Kan stretched and waved to a bush not far away.
Zhu Zhanji and Hua Shi led Zhu Zhanhe to cautiously walk to Chen Kan.
Chen Kan pointed to the recliners where he and I, Zhu Di, were sitting, as well as the snacks on the folding table, and said calmly: "I leave it to you, don't be lazy."
Leaving the mess by the lake to the three little kids, Chen Kan couldn't help but stretch.
At this moment, he felt the long-lost freedom.
This feeling is amazing.
This was not the first time he left the capital, going to Taiyuan, Shuzhong, and Yunnan, but he didn't feel this way every time in the past.
But this time when I went to Beijing, it was as if I had suddenly broken free from the shackles, and my whole person exuded a sense of comfort from the inside out.
"Yuncheng, Yuncheng, where did he die?"
Chen Kan stood in the backyard and called Yuncheng's name loudly.
Not long after, Yuncheng appeared in front of Chen Kan, rolling and crawling.
Chen Kan asked: "Where did the princess go?"
Yuncheng stood firm and hurriedly said in a deep voice: "Back to the Marquis, the mistress will accept the invitation from Mrs. Longping Marquis to settle the income of this quarter's perfume and soap."
Chen Kan said: "Immediately send someone to inform His Highness that we will move tomorrow. No, we will move now. If the notice continues, our whole family will move to Beijing!"
Yuncheng was stunned: "Everyone is going to Beijing?"
Chen Kan nodded: "Yes, let's move the whole family. We won't go into the muddy waters of the capital anymore. I'll call Fang Xu here."
The servants of the Hou Mansion had not heard about such a big event as moving the family to Beijing in advance, so everyone was surprised after receiving Yuncheng's arrangements.
Yuncheng was already prepared for this. He promised that those who were unwilling to follow the family master to Beijing could stay in Nanjing and guard the house, and their wages would be paid.
However, although the servants of the Hou Mansion have an employment relationship with the Hou Mansion, no one is willing to stay in Nanjing.
After the servants digested the news for a short time, they suddenly burst into great enthusiasm.
Many of them have lived in Nanjing all their lives and have no chance to go out and see the outside world. If you don’t take this opportunity to go to the north, when will you go?
What's more, the remuneration in the Hou Mansion is unique in the entire Ming Dynasty, and no one is willing to lose this job.
Fang Xu came in a hurry: "Master Hou, what happened?"
Chen Kan said: "You hurry up and go to Beijing to buy a house by the Jinshui River. By the way, ask someone to inform Xu Yuan and tell him that the Five Cities Military and Horse Division will be headed by His Highness King Zhao. Well, let's do this for now. "
Chang Ning, who went to settle the profits, was also hurriedly called back.
When Zhu Yuelan returned home and saw how busy the entire Hou Mansion was, she couldn't help but frowned and said, "Even if you want to go to Beijing, there's no need to be in such a hurry, right?"
Chen Kan shook his head: "We must hurry up. Your Majesty has come to drive away my husband today."
