Early the next morning, Chen Kan woke up early.
By the candlelight, he looked at the little one curled up in the bed and touched her little face.
Then with a look of reluctance, he gently put the little meat dumpling into the arms of Chang Ning, who was still sleeping.
He kissed Chang Ning on the forehead and turned around and left the room.
As the New Year approaches, the wind and snow in the north are getting heavier and heavier.
The cold north wind hurt my face, like a sharp knife slicing across my cheek.
After washing up under the service of two maids, Chen Kan put on the armor that he had not worn for a long time. Looking at the heroic young man in the bronze mirror, Chen Kan raised a satisfied smile at the corner of his mouth.
Unconsciously, it has been so long since I came to Daming.
He also grew up from a fledgling under Fang Xiaoru's wings to an eagle capable of soaring across the sky.
Time goes very quickly and very slowly.
Many things seem like yesterday.
His old rivals turned into yesterday's ashes.
Fu Yu, Zhu Jixi, Fo Zi, Tang Xianer, Liu Futong, Yuan Rong, Li Rang, Chen Ying...
One name after another passed through Chen Kan's mind, and Chen Kan could no longer remember what they looked like.
But... Chen Kan's success today is indispensable to their contributions.
And now, Chen Kan is going to face a new opponent again.
The maid put on Chen Kan's helmet and hung his sword. She couldn't help but admired loudly: "He is so heroic. I'm afraid Mizhouro in history is nothing more than this, right?"
Chen Kan accepted all the compliments from the maid.
Under the starry gazes of the two maids, the fully armed Chen Kan strode out of the atrium.
In the front yard, two hundred soldiers stood solemnly, waiting quietly for the coach who led them to create countless legends.
The floods in Sichuan flooded the Eastern Buddha, Yunnan plotted to kill the White Lotus Sect, the soldiers and horses in the five cities were hoeing out traitors, and a sea of fire broke out in the grassland.
They were involved in every incident.
Over the years, they and Chen Kan have become one.
This time, it's no exception.
A small country in Nanyang dares to offend the power of God.
They can go to the grassland, and they can go to the sea!
Chen Kan's figure emerged from the darkness. The soldiers stared at this young and excessive commander, their eyes filled with fighting spirit.
With just one command, they can tear apart any enemy.
"Set off!"
Chen Kan didn't say anything inspiring, only two simple words.
The gate of the Hou Mansion was wide open, and in the snowy night, horse hooves splashed with flying snow.
When a hint of fish belly white appeared on the horizon, the cavalry had arrived in Zhuozhou.
This time, Chen Kan did not plan to take a boat, but chose to go south along the official road beside the canal.
Taking a boat is naturally comfortable, but Chen Kan doesn't have time now.
Zheng He's fleet was left alone overseas without knowing whether it was alive or dead, and the situation had been formed with no ammunition or food.
There must be a fleet prepared by Zhu Di for him in Nanjing. What he has to do now is to get to the capital in the shortest possible time.
Then he took the warship out to sea and rescued Zheng He and Xingxuan.
"Drive~drive~drive~"
Amidst the wind and snow, although the canal was not frozen, there were almost no ships passing by.
In such a snowy day, even the most profit-oriented businessmen would rather stay at home, warm wine and enjoy soft and fragrant nephrite.
But on the official road beside the canal, the silence was broken today by a group of cavalry.
The foot-thick snow did not stop them.
The snowflakes in the sky scattered in all directions, fell on the knight's armor, and quickly condensed into ice.
The mouths and noses of the knights were already covered with ice shards, but no one said anything.
Chen Kan was at the head of the cavalry, his face turned red by the wind and snow.
But he just kept urging the war horse on his crotch.
He needs to go faster, faster!
On the third day, Chen Kan and his cavalry crossed the Yellow River on the border of Shandong and officially entered the Huaibei area.
On the fifth day, the Huaihe River with its rippling blue waves and stunning scenery came into view.
After crossing the Huaihe River, the snow and wind finally stopped.
The snow on the ground also turned into a thin layer.
In the plains of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it rarely snows in winter, let alone the capital Jinling.
It was December, and it was also freezing and windy in the capital.
Both officials and common people were all wrapped in thick fur clothes.
The eighth day of December is the Laba Festival again.
Zhu Di gave porridge and food to all the officials in the Fengtian Hall, and all the officials bowed their heads to thank him.
And I sincerely wish your majesty’s granddaughter to be born.
Yesterday, Chen Kan's bodyguard Zhang Dong went to Beijing in person and reported the birth of the eldest daughter of Jinghai Marquis Chen Kan to famous officials in Nanjing.
After learning the news, Zhu Di discussed the title and name of his granddaughter with Zongzheng Temple and the Ministry of Rites last night, and planned to announce it to the world today.
After Zhu Di finished conferring food to all the officials, the eunuch Song Xin, who was now the governor of Dongchang, read out the imperial edict conferring the title on the eldest daughter of Marquis Jinghai.
"The edict says: Today Princess Zhu Yuelan of Changning and Marquis of Jinghai Chen Kan have a daughter. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, in front of the imperial edict, a ceremony was prepared and ordered. She was granted the title of Princess Fengyang and named Chen Ning. She was entered into the royal family's golden register. The palace has entered the history, it’s so impressive!”
As soon as the imperial edict came out, the officials were instantly shocked.
Just because of Chen Kan's daughter's title, Princess Fengyang.
You must know that Fengyang is Zhu Yuanzhang's hometown, and it is the central capital jointly established by Huaixi Xungui and Lao Zhu.
One of the three capitals of Ming Dynasty today.
Just give it to Chen Kan's daughter?
Even though it was just a title seal, not a real seal, it still made the officials take a breath of cold air.
You must know that Zhu Yuelan, as Zhu Di's favorite youngest daughter, is only titled Chang Ning.
Now a granddaughter has been sealed in Fengyang.
Moreover, the name Chen Ning also has a profound meaning. Chen Kan's surname is Chen, and Zhu Yuelan's title is Princess Chang Ning. They each took one character and got the name Chen Ning.
What an honor is this?
The ministers never expected that Zhu Di's favor towards Chen Kan would not increase but decrease after he had been away from the capital for many years.
On the contrary, all the civil and military officials in the dynasty were a little jealous.
But the ministers were jealous, and once Zhu Di opened his mouth, there was no possibility of changing it.
Besides, this was Zhu Di's family matter, and it was difficult for the officials to refute him.
So the atmosphere was silent for a moment, and the ministers still knelt down on the ground reluctantly: "Congratulations to Your Majesty. I am so happy to have my daughter-in-law. Long live Your Majesty!"
It's strange that it was Chen Kan who gave birth to a daughter, but it was Zhu Di who was congratulated by the ministers.
Of course, even though this was very strange, Zhu Di still nodded slightly and said: "Everyone is safe!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After the scene was finished, the ministers began to discuss among themselves.
Everyone knows that Chen Kan is favored.
But being favored to such an extent is indeed shocking.
From ancient times to the present, I am afraid that only Li Tai, the king of Wei, who is recorded as the most favored king among the kings in history books, has this honor.
But Li Taina is Li Shimin's biological son, and Li Shimin should love him.
Chen Kan was just a son-in-law.
In the future, will historians be required to record a person who is the most favored among ministers?
Fang Xiaoru sat at the head of the civil service, almost on the same level as Prince Zhu Gaochi.
After reciting the imperial edict, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but turn his head and look at Fang Xiaoru and said with a smile: "Master Fang really taught a good disciple. Such grace and honor made Gudu a little jealous."
Hearing this, a smile suddenly appeared on Fang Xiaoru's face, and she responded lightly: "His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, has given you too much praise. His Royal Highness, the Emperor's eldest grandson, is now being taught by that evil disciple of the old minister. The old minister is even jealous that he has accepted a very good disciple."
At first glance, there was nothing wrong with the conversation between the two. They were just complimenting each other.
But if you analyze it carefully, you can easily come to the conclusion that they have formed an alliance.
Yes, Fang Xiaoru, the seed of studying in Chao Dynasty, has formed an alliance with His Highness the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi.
But only a handful of people know about this.
For example, Zhu Di, Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Gaoxu, the rest, even Chen Kan, his direct disciple, don't know about this yet.
Of course, their alliance may be beyond the expectations of many people, but it is definitely not surprising.
One is the prince who is constantly suppressed by Zhu Di, and the other is an old minister who is discarded after being used by Zhu Di.
Both of them were pitiful people who were fighting against the imperial power, so the alliance was a matter of course.
"Master Fang, tell me, who is Father waiting for?"
Zhu Gaochi continued to speak. The words were spoken by Fang Xiaoru, but his eyes kept falling on Zhu Di who had been absent-minded after reading out the imperial edict.
In this short time, Zhu Di had already raised his head and looked north several times.
Obviously he was sitting facing south, with the high wall of Fengtian Hall behind him, but he still turned his head to look at the wall.
It was as if his gaze could penetrate the high wall behind him.
Fang Xiaoru plucked the tiger's beard and said with a smile: "Maybe he is waiting for someone important!"
Zhu Gaochi withdrew his gaze from Zhu Di, as if asking, but also asking himself: "Is there an important person? What important person is worthy of the father's repeated glances?"
Fang Xiaoru smiled slightly, but did not continue to talk.
Everyone knows that Zhu Di is waiting for someone, but there are different opinions on who he is waiting for.
After all, there are many ministers returning to Beijing to report on their duties during these days, including Wu Gao, the Marquis of Jiangyin, Gu Cheng, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, and it is said that even the Marquis of Xiping is coming to Beijing.
Of course, most courtiers only heard about it.
Since the death of Zhu Neng, the Duke of Chengguo, there have been divergent opinions about who will take the post of Grand Governor of the Five Army Governor's Mansion, the Ming Dynasty's commander-in-chief of the world's troops.
At the same time, the position of Dean of the Naval Academy was also vacant.
These are all the fertile positions that truly stand at the pinnacle of Ming Dynasty’s power. Who doesn’t want to take a piece of the pie?
It is not strange for these generals who have lived outside the Great Wall for a long time to return to Beijing.
Zhu Di saw all the courtiers' performance, but he did not say anything to stop the ministers from discussing.
After all, he is not a tyrant like Zhu Yuanzhang.
In fact, during the Yongle Dynasty, the ministers lived a relatively relaxed and comfortable life.
Zhu Di's strong ability means that ministers do not need to deal with too many troubles. It is common sense that a relaxed environment can cultivate scholars.
Moreover, there are no treacherous or evil people in the Yongle Court, so everyone inevitably speaks more casually.
When Zhu Di looked north again, some courtiers finally couldn't help it.
He stood up, raised his hands to Zhu Di, smiled and asked, "Who is your Majesty waiting for someone important today?"
Zhu Di was stunned and looked at the person who asked the question. He saw that it was Ru Yu, the comedian in charge of the Ming Dynasty.
A mysterious smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he replied: "Ru Aiqing will know later!"
