After hesitating for a long time, Chen Kan did not make a decision.
After Dao Yan had eaten and drank enough, he stood up, cupped his hands towards Fang Xiaoru and Chen Kangong, and strode away.
Today he was ordered by Zhu Di to be a tool man. Now that his purpose of being a tool man was achieved, he didn't bother to stay any longer.
After watching Dao Yan leave, Chen Kan had no intention of getting up to see him off, but turned his head and continued to fall into deep thought.
Fang Xiaoru slowly took a sip of the vegetarian wine, and then said calmly: "After the New Year's Eve, remember to come and see your wife. She doesn't have much time, and I'm leaving too."
After saying that, he stood up and left.
Hearing this, Chen Kan stood up quickly and asked, "Is Master's wife in bad health?"
Fang Xiaoru nodded and couldn't help but sigh slightly.
After a moment, he hesitated and said: "After you have passed Yuan Zheng, you might as well go and pay a visit to His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince?"
Chen Kan frowned slightly, but did not dwell on this issue. Instead, he cupped his hands and said to Fang Xiaoru, "The student will bring his wife and daughter to the house tomorrow to make trouble."
Fang Xiaoru hummed and slowly walked out of the house with her hands behind her back.
After the banquet was over, Chen Kan thought for a moment and asked Yuncheng to come over to spend time.
Things in Beijing really need a trustworthy person to take care of them, and Hua Shi is indeed the most suitable person.
But Chen Kan did have a lot of doubts about this matter. Whether Hua Shi could suppress Beijing's arrogant and powerful generals was a matter of two opinions. The most important thing was whether he was willing to go.
Again, although the three disciples were raised by Chen Kan, Chen Kan would not interfere in their lives.
Just like Fang Xiaoru never interfered with the path he took in the Ming Dynasty.
"Teacher, are you looking for me?"
The flowering time came very quickly, and the little boy's eyes were a little confused, but mostly filled with joy.
Because when he found out that Chen Kan called him alone, instead of calling them three senior brothers.
The comparison mentality among young people is very strange, so Chen Kan didn't say much. He pointed to the table in front of him and said warmly: "Sit down."
Hua Shi sat down respectfully in front of Chen Kan, ready to listen.
Chen Kan did not show off, and said bluntly: "Do you know that His Majesty asked me to serve as a teacher in Zhan Shifu?"
"Well, students have heard from senior brother that the teacher is worried about things in Beijing?"
Hua Shi revealed Chen Kan's inner thoughts with one word, and Chen Kan couldn't help but nodded with relief.
"Yes, Beijing is the foundation of our family. Since I want to stay in the capital, someone needs to take care of me in Beijing. Your senior brother and junior brother have sensitive identities, and our family is not prosperous, so I want to ask you In your opinion, how many years would you like to go to Beijing?"
Chen Kan quickly explained his purpose. He had nothing to hide from his three disciples.
It is a fact that the Hou family is not prosperous, and it is also a fact that Chen Kan does not have the right manpower to run Beijing.
Of course, this may be a bit biased. Chen Kan does have a lot of people available to him.
But this era is, after all, an era that pays attention to blood ties and inheritance.
Chen Kan can promote a confidant to run Beijing for him, but after all, outsiders are not as considerate as his own people, and many of his arrangements in Beijing cannot be exposed to the eyes of others at will.
Therefore, if Huashi is willing to go, that will naturally be the best result.
If he doesn't want to, it's not too late for Chen Kan to make other plans.
When Chen Kan said what he said, Hua Shi was stunned for a moment, and then asked thoughtfully: "Teacher, can you safely leave the arrangements for the capital to me, a young boy?"
Chen Kan smiled and said: "You are not a young boy. Your mother told me that the strategic deployment of the Hengfeng in the coastal provinces was all done by you, especially the shift of the focus of sea trade from The decision to transfer the capital to Guangzhou and Quanzhou is a stroke of genius, and it is not something that a young boy can do."
Hearing this, Hua Shi couldn't help but smile reservedly.
The things Chen Kan said were indeed the decisions he was most proud of.
The maritime trade of the Ming Dynasty flourished, but to be honest, only a few years have passed since the development of the maritime trade of the Ming Dynasty.
When everyone still regarded the capital as the source of sea trade, he, a child in his early ten years, could see the development potential of Guangzhou and Quanzhou and shifted the focus of the Hengfeng ship there early.
Don't think it's just a matter of simply moving the Hengfeng's headquarters, but making this decision requires not only forward-looking vision, but also courage, perseverance and skill.
After all, the capital is the most virtuous place in the world. This concept has been deeply rooted in the blood of the Chinese people.
Merchants in the past dynasties have always had the tradition of marching to the capital when their business grew bigger. Who would shift their focus away from the capital or to a port city far away from the capital.
The direct result of Hua Shi's decision was that the Hengfeng jumped from a half-dead business in the capital to one of the giants at sea, only slightly worse than the navy led by the imperial court.
Therefore, Chen Kan has always been very optimistic about Hua Shi's ability.
After feeling proud for a while, Hua Shi muttered: "Teacher, the student is willing to go to the capital. However, before going to the capital, the teacher must first promise the student three things."
Chen Kan sat up straight and asked with a smile: "What's the matter?"
Hua Shi looked thoughtful and said slowly: "The first thing is that the students need Uncle Zhang to go to Beijing to help the students. Uncle Zhang is an old man next to the teacher and has a high prestige in the military. If he follows the students to the capital , students are sure to master all the power of Beijing in the shortest possible time.”
Chen Kan nodded slightly: "In order to allow Zhang Dong to follow you to Beijing, I also have a request as a teacher. If you can avoid killing, try to save their lives."
"Save it for the students. Please rest assured, teacher, the students are not murderous people."
Chen Kan was relieved by Youhuashi's words, and then asked: "Well, what about two more things?"
"The second thing is that the students want our family to have absolute control over the northern fleet. Uncle Li Si is a good fighter, but he is really not very good at managing the sea. Our family's treasure ship is under his control. In my hands, it’s really a bit of a waste.”
"This matter is not difficult. I will write a handwritten letter for you. You can take it to Tianjin and give it to Li Si. He will naturally cooperate with you."
Hua Shi nodded and continued: "The third thing is that the students want Uncle Cheng, Uncle Fang, and Uncle Zhou to be promoted to the capital. The students are too young. If they are not promoted, it will be difficult for the students to suppress them." Gotta hold them back.”
"Can!"
Chen Kan nodded decisively in agreement. Even if he didn't mention this matter for a while, Chen Kan would definitely transfer his three people to the capital.
First of all, their qualifications and merits have almost been accumulated, and it is time for promotion.
It just so happened that in the deal reached by Chen Kan and Qiu Fu, there were still two vacant positions for commanding officers of the Shenji Battalion.
In addition, Song Qing went to Fujian to serve as the garrison, and his position as the commander of Guanhaiwei was also vacant.
No more, no less, exactly three positions.
Secondly, it is also to stabilize the situation in Beijing.
Whether it takes time to go to Beijing or Chen Kan asks others to go to Beijing, these three people cannot be avoided.
After all, the four words "arrogant soldier and brave general" are not only reflected on the battlefield.
Cheng Feng dared to bare his teeth when standing in front of Chen Kan, let alone bow his head in front of others.
And the three of them are all good at fighting and messy people. It is unrealistic for them to run Beijing for Chen Kan. Chen Kan should rest assured when he is transferred back to the capital and watched under his nose.
Hearing that Chen Kan agreed to his three requests, Hua Shi immediately saluted Chen Kan and then said with a smile: "In this way, after the student has passed Yuan Zheng, he will leave for Beijing immediately."
Chen Kan hummed and said: "At that time, I will write a letter to the old man Qiu Fun. After you go to Beijing, if you encounter something that cannot be solved, you can go to the Army Academy to find him. In addition, Zhang San is now Under the command of Wu Gao, the Marquis of Jiangyin, he barely managed to gain a foothold. These are the forces you can use in the north. You go to Beijing and just act as the opportunity arises."
After explaining everything in detail, the tone for taking time to go to Beijing was set.
When waving away the flowers, Chen Kan asked Yuncheng to prepare a generous gift. Chen Kan took Jincheng and Fengyang out of the Hou Mansion and went straight to the palace.
Today is Yuanzheng. According to the rules, Chen Kan and Chang Ning need to go to the palace to attend the palace banquet.
Chen Kan was a little late because he wanted to entertain Dao Yan.
Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe had already gone to the palace first.
Chen Kan held Chang Ning's hand and held Fengyang, who was curious about everything, with one hand, and entered the palace unimpeded.
At the entrance of the palace, there were servants waiting here.
"Your Highness the Princess, Consort, the Empress has been waiting at Kunning Palace for a long time."
"Please, father-in-law, please lead the way."
Chen Kan said politely, and the little eunuch turned around to lead the way.
When they walked to Kunning Palace where the Queen lived, the three of them were greeted by silence.
This year's palace banquet was missing many people. The two princesses, sister and brother-in-law, who had little dealings with Chen Kan, were deceived by Chen Kan through public opinion last time and were abandoned by Zhu Di, so they were sent to other places to serve as officials. .
Of course, allowing them to serve as officials in other places was also a way for Zhu Di to protect them.
After all, the two of them really couldn't see the situation clearly.
Knowing that they can't defeat Chen Kan, they still try to get better and better to let them stay in the capital. Sooner or later, Chen Kan will kill them.
The two princesses Xianning and Ancheng were married by Zhu Di to the two sons of Xipinghou Mu Sheng respectively. Ancheng was married to Mu Sheng's eldest son Mu Hu, and Xianning was married to the second son Mu Ying.
This was all what happened while Chen Kan was at sea. It can be considered that Zhu Di did not receive compensation from Chang Ning for Mu Xin, Mu Sheng's younger brother.
The four daughters are all out of town, so apart from Zhu Di's three sons, only Chen Kan and Chang Ning attended this year's palace banquet.
In Kunning Palace, Zhu Di has not come yet, nor have the three brothers of the Zhu family. Only Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe are talking to Queen Xu.
Chen Kan and Chang Ning came forward to greet her and said, "I have met my mother."
Even Fengyang and Fengyang were pushed to the ground and kowtowed by Chen Kan.
Seeing Empress Xu, Fengyang immediately rushed toward her with teeth and claws bared.
He shouted vaguely: "Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa..."
Empress Xu was also very relieved. She opened her mouth and shouted affectionately: "Oh, my dear grandson, slow down, slow down, don't fall."
Queen Xu hugged Fengyang into her arms, and Fengyang suddenly burst out laughing.
"Come and get up too."
After teasing Xiao Fengyang, Queen Xu casually gave Chen Kan and Chang Ning some instructions.
Chen Kan and Chang Ning stood up, and Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe hurriedly stepped forward and saluted: "Teacher, sister-in-law."
Chen Kan nodded, sat down at a random table, and asked Empress Xu: "How is mother's health these days?"
Hearing Chen Kan's question, Queen Xu held Fengyang on her lap and responded softly: "It's okay, but I often feel short of breath and chest tightness, as if there is a breath blocked in my chest and I can't spit it out."
Chen Kan nodded and asked, "Have you called the imperial doctor to see it?"
"The imperial doctor came to see me and said he had insufficient energy and blood. After all, he is old, so it is normal."
"It turns out that my son-in-law still has a few wild ginseng dug from the old forests of Liaodong in his house, and they will be sent to the palace to replenish his mother's health someday."
"Yuan Sheng is interested, but I am almost reaching the age of knowing my destiny, so it is of no use whether I can mend it or not."
"..."
Chen Kan and Empress Xu chatted all the time, just asking about whether they were still healthy.
We talked about these topics in previous years, but this year Chen Kan asked in particularly detail.
Because in Chen Kan's memory, the historical Empress Xu died in the fifth year of Yongle, and the cause of death was very bizarre. Historical records indicate that she died of illness, but there is no specific record of the illness.
Later generations speculated that it might be due to having too many children, resulting in insufficient Qi and blood.
Although the current history has been changed beyond recognition by Chen Kan, it seems not surprising that Queen Xu lived for two more years.
But as soon as Chen Kan entered the door, he noticed that Queen Xu's face was sickly pale, so he asked more detailed questions.
After all, Chen Kan didn't want Queen Xu to die at this juncture.
Historically, the death of Empress Xu was a major turning point in the Yongle Dynasty. Zhu Di's temperament became violent due to the death of Empress Xu, and the fight for the heir apparent was directly exposed because of the lack of Empress Xu's balance.
Now that Chen Kan has stepped into the troubled waters of fighting for the heirloom, he extremely hopes that Queen Xu can continue to live for a few more years, at least until he can withdraw.
Now, since the imperial doctor has diagnosed a deficiency of Qi and blood, then just replenish Qi and blood.
If ginseng is not good, there are Tianqi and Gastrodia elata in Yunnan. These are great tonics. If people send them to the palace, add a little to the diet every day and there will be no shortage of supplements.
Of course, Chen Kan could not talk about these things to the outside world. He could only send those things to the palace in the name of filial piety.
After chatting for a long time, Chen Kan stopped talking.
Because the three brothers-in-law have arrived.
"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother."
Chen Kan bowed to the three of them in a polite manner. Since today was a family banquet, he was much more casual in addressing them.
Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui returned the favor honestly, while Zhu Gaoxu stepped forward and hugged Chen Kan's shoulders, and asked with a smile on his face: "Since my brother-in-law has returned to the capital, why don't you pay me a visit at my palace?"
