Chapter 166 Dad: Why should I be afraid of rumors?

Who invented the term "poetry"?

Really useful!

Zeng Anmin looked at the eldest princess who had fallen into silence.

The corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up slightly.

There was a hint of smile in his eyes.

Obviously, I made the right choice in the poem "Inscription on the South Village of the Capital".

Of course, this poem title cannot be used in this world.

Whether it is Nanzhuang or Liuzhuang.

The important thing is to be able to pretend.

There is a saying that goes, being able to pretend is a blessing.

"Regarding the matter of volunteering to fight, I still need to ask my father."

Zeng Anmin interrupted the princess's lost in thought. His eyes were steady.

"As a member of the royal family, Your Highness finds it difficult to befriend military commanders. I understand."

"But even though I'm just a scholar, I still have to consider my father, so I have to think long-term."

"I will try to talk more with Wu Qianfeng before we go on the expedition."

The eldest princess slowly raised her head, revealing her calm eyes.

No one spoke for a long time.

"Um."

…

Zeng Anmin left the Liu Mansion.

He didn't see Liu Xian.

Only after leaving Liu Mansion did he roughly understand the purpose of the princess's meeting him this time.

It’s still for the Xihuangtu.

Of course, it's also to show off muscles.

She revealed her martial arts aura, and to a large extent, she was also expressing her dissatisfaction to herself.

She helped her father in the court.

And since she hadn't found any clues to the Xihuangtu for such a long time, she thought she was slacking off.

"Fourth-rank warrior."

Zeng Anmin rode on his horse, recalling the eldest princess's heroic appearance.

The corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously.

“That’s powerful!”

"Da da da."

He pulled the reins, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes:

"Now the eldest princess's purpose in obtaining the Xihuangtu is clearer."

"She is a fourth-rank warrior, so it is natural for her to want the Xihuang Diagram."

"Then the conditions I can propose can naturally be bolder."

“…………”

Several days passed.

Zeng Anmin shuttled back and forth between the Imperial College and the palace.

In the past few days, he has felt a glimmer of opportunity for a breakthrough.

But every time it comes to the last moment, it will be just a little bit short.

But in order to avoid being exposed, he could not take the initiative to ask anyone, so he could only suppress the matter.

"The storm is coming."

Although it was in the Imperial College, nothing happened.

But through the daily conversations among students, he could also feel a brewing storm slowly approaching.

A war is about to begin.

Some actions were taken frequently in the palace today.

The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were also fully cooperating with Duke Tian Ji of Wei.

Many smart people have guessed from these actions that His Majesty wants to start a war.

Everyone is doing things in tacit agreement, and everyone has been working diligently during this period, not daring to make even the slightest mistake.

"Master Zeng."

That day, Zeng Anmin had just returned home from the court.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

He dismounted and looked towards the source of the sound.

Wu Qianfeng was fully armed and wearing heavy armor and stood in front of Zeng's mansion.

However, in contrast to his tall and straight figure was the shy look on his face.

"Why are you here?"

Zeng Anmin felt a slight movement in his heart when he saw Wu Qianfeng.

Wu Qianfeng is in the army these days, so it is not convenient for him to go to him directly.

Therefore, the eldest princess's order could only be buried in my heart for the time being.

I never thought that he would come to me today.

But counting the days, it is indeed time for him to find himself.

After so many days, he should have almost finished training his troops.

"I came to keep my appointment."

Wu Qianfeng approached Zeng Anmin, and the armor plates on his body jingled.

He bowed to Zeng Anmin as a disciple and said, "What I promised Master Zeng last time can be fulfilled today."

"What?"

Zeng Anmin was a little confused when he saw how serious he was.

"It's about the Jiaofangsi." Wu Qianfeng coughed, his face a little embarrassed, his eyes looking away, and he said in a shy voice:

"Master Zeng, just spend your money today. I've already borrowed money from my colleagues before coming here. I won't spoil Master Zeng's fun."

"Get lost."

Zeng Anmin rolled his eyes: "I was just joking at the time, and you took it seriously. I'm not that kind of person!"

"Well."

His performance caught Wu Qianfeng off guard.

For a moment, the eight-foot-tall man stood there at a loss as to what to do.

"How much did you bring?"

Zeng Anmin crossed his arms and looked at Wu Qianfeng with raised eyebrows.

"ah?"

Wu Qianfeng was so confused by Zeng Anmin's train of thought that he didn't know what to say.

"What? How much money did you bring?"

Zeng Anmin was amused by the silly boy's performance.

"One hundred taels."

Wu Qianfeng pursed his lips and lowered his voice seriously:

"That's definitely enough."

"Oh."

Zeng Anmin laughed

This child is so honest.

"Let's go! We can talk while we walk."

Zeng Anmin casually handed the reins to Wu Qianfeng.

"Why!"

Wu Qianfeng naturally took the reins handed to him by Zeng Anmin, led the horse for Zeng Anmin, and followed behind him.

Zeng Anmin is still wearing a blue robe today.

He is now sixteen years old and his body is not fully grown yet.

But because of his martial arts training, he is much taller than his peers, more than seven feet tall.

Although she looks weak, once she takes off her clothes, she will definitely drive young ladies crazy.

As a fierce general in the army, Wu Qianfeng has an air of dignity without being angry.

There was shock in his eyes.

Except for the respectful look when he looked at Zeng Anmin, when he looked at other places, his eyes were more fierce than a tiger.

In addition, he had just finished his shift and had not had time to change his armor. The deterrent power on his body made all the people on the street look at him sideways and dared not look around.

"How old are you this year?"

Zeng Anmin picked up an apple and threw it towards Wu Qianfeng.

Wu Qianfeng took it subconsciously, hesitated for a moment, and replied, "Twenty-six."

Twenty-six?

Zeng Anmin raised his brows.

About the same age as Bai Ziqing.

"Have you heard of Bai Ziqing?"

Zeng Anmin raised his eyebrows and asked.

"The name of the White-Clad Swordsman of the Capital is well-known in my martial arts community."

When Wu Qianfeng mentioned Bai Ziqing, his face showed indifference.

"I don't know many martial artists, but Bai Ziqing is one of them. He's known as the best swordsman in the capital."

Zeng Anmin raised his eyebrows and looked at Wu Qianfeng.

When Wu Qianfeng heard Zeng Anmin's words, his mouth moved, then he sighed and did not fight for it.

Zeng Anmin began to follow the topic:

"But I remember my cousin told me that my cousin's husband is the best swordsman in the capital. This confused me."

The two men were walking on the street, and the people on the street would retreat when they saw Wu Qianfeng's armor.

After hearing Zeng Anmin's words, Wu Qianfeng raised his head abruptly, a look of astonishment in his tiger eyes:

"Excuse me, Master Zeng, your cousin's husband..."

Zeng Anmin showed a proud look on his face: "Zhongyuan Earl Duan Yuheng."

As soon as these words came out, Wu Qianfeng's pupils suddenly contracted.

He stared at Zeng Anmin in a daze.

"What's wrong?"

Zeng Anmin frowned and looked at Wu Qianfeng.

He asked this question even though he knew the answer.

This topic can only be discussed here and then it can flow smoothly.

If you want to ask Wu Qianfeng for some information about your cousin's husband, you can't just ask him right away.

"nothing."

Wu Qianfeng opened his mouth to say something, but swallowed it back down. He just helped Zeng Anmin lead the horse.

As the two of them were talking, they had already arrived at the door of the Jiaofangsi.

The Beijing Jiaofangsi is different from other low-rate brothels.

He is very famous in the Great Saint Dynasty.

Unlike other places, there are girls who attract bees and butterflies and show off their bodies and stand at the door to solicit customers.

There were only a few eunuchs standing at the door of the Jiaofangsi.

Zeng Anmin stopped and stood there.

A long-lost feeling of emotion emerged in my heart.

finally……

Or was I the one who found me here?!

Damn fate, I want to see what excuse you can use to stop me today?

"Walk!"

Zeng Anmin waved his hand and led Wu Qianfeng in.

Full of ritual sense.

Wu Qianfeng's eyes flashed with astonishment.

He didn't understand why Master Zeng's movements looked so exaggerated?

However, Zeng Anmin has not yet stepped into the threshold.

Then the sound of galloping horses was heard.

“Gee!! Gee!!”

"General Wu! Urgent call!"

…

Zeng Anmin's eyelids twitched.

He raised his head expressionlessly and walked towards the source of the sound.

At this time, Wu Qianfeng had just helped Zeng Anmin tie up the horse.

He looked up blankly at the knight who was rushing towards him.

"General Wu, His Majesty has come to the parade grounds to observe the military exercises! Mount your horses and return!"

Wu Qianfeng opened his mouth.

Zeng Anmin couldn't help but clench his fists.

This damn fate!

"good."

When Wu Qianfeng heard this, his eyes became serious.

Your Majesty wants to watch the military parade in person.

This is an opportunity for him.

"Hurry up and go. I still need to go to Shangshu Mansion to look for Master Zeng."

?

The corner of Zeng Anmin's mouth twitched.

He glanced at the environment inside the Jiaofangsi with a look of despair.

He pursed his lips and could only sigh.

"No, I'm right here."

He walked towards the knight with an expressionless face.

"Your Majesty is watching the military parade. Why are you looking for me?"

There was a hint of doubt in his voice.

"It's a long story, so I'll try to be brief."

When the knight saw Zeng Anmin, his expression became serious and he said:

"Recently, rumors have suddenly spread from the south of Liangjiang County."

"It is said that Lord Zeng has been an official in Fengqi Road for many years and has intentionally allowed the demon tribe to be in Fengqi Road."

"Otherwise, how could the demon race easily show up in Liangjiang County, kill Huang Yuangao, and steal the Dragon Map?"

When he said this, Zeng Anmin's eyes narrowed.

Someone framed me!

This was the thought that came to his mind subconsciously.

The sergeant continued:

"I don't know who leaked the news that the method of forming the Yuanyang Army was passed down by you. This caused dissatisfaction among some officials in the court. They said that the Duke of Wei was neglecting the training of the army, not using his own strengths, but relying on the methods of outsiders."

"This has caused His Majesty's dissatisfaction, so he wants to watch the military parade in person."

"Even you are implicated in this."

"If the military exercise is not effective, someone will definitely use this rumor to make a big fuss..."

…

Hearing this, Zeng Anmin's eyes became deep.

It seems that someone has decided to take action against my father and myself?

"Well, let's go."

Thinking of this, Zeng Anmin no longer hesitated.

He went straight to the horses, glanced at Wu Qianfeng and said:

"Get on the horse!"

Wu Qianfeng hesitated for a moment.

But he also knew that the situation was urgent and he had no choice.

He mounted his horse and sat behind Zeng Anmin.

"drive!!"

Zeng Anmin reined in his horse.

The horse's hooves were raised high.

Then the two riders galloped wildly along the Beijing Road.

…

Capital city.

training ground.

Emperor Jianhong sat calmly on the military parade platform.

There was a hint of gloom in his eyes.

At this time, he was surrounded by several officials.

On the left stood the Prime Minister Li Zhen, Duke of Wei Tian Ji, Minister of War Zeng Shilin, and Minister of Revenue Lou Yingqi.

On the right are the Minister of Rites Guo Guangxiao, the Vice Minister of Works Liu Chenggan, and the eunuch Si Zhongxiao.

Behind him sat a graceful and elegant woman.

A woman's curves are natural.

Sitting behind Emperor Jianhong, his noble aura was no less than that of Emperor Jianhong.

She is the eldest princess.

The people on the stage had different expressions.

Emperor Jianhong had no expression on his face, and just looked at the 5,000 newly formed troops below the stage indifferently.

Zeng Shilin and Lou Yingqi frequently looked at Weiguogong Tian Ji.

Tian Ji, on the other hand, looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, and his expression was calm and his demeanor was natural.

The Minister of Rites Guo Guangxiao stood beside Jianhongdi, with a mischievous look flashing across his face from time to time, and he looked at Tian Ji and his group with a half-smile.

The Minister of Works Liu Chenggan had a similar attitude. He looked at the soldiers in the field from time to time, and looked up at Zeng Shilin and Lou Yingqi from time to time.

"How long has the Mandarin Duck Army been established?"

Emperor Jianhong spoke slowly, with a hint of coldness in his voice.

Tian Ji bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, there is one more in ten days."

"Eleven days."

Emperor Jianhong's eyes were like stagnant water as he looked towards Tian Ji:

"I heard that you have a different way of training your army?"

Emperor Jianhong's questions went straight to the point.

The four words "find a new way" are used very well.

But no one can understand the meaning.

Liu Chenggan, the Minister of Works, looked at Tian Ji with a half-smile, a hint of gloating in his eyes.

Tian Ji was silent for a moment. He slowly raised his head and said calmly, "Your Majesty, the way the young master Zeng trains his troops is not groundbreaking. I have been leading the army for half my life, and I never joke."

"This method of training the army is absolutely foolproof."

…

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Zeng Shilin was stunned.

He looked at Tian Ji blankly.

I want to make sure whether this Duke is joking.

But Tian Ji's face was calm, and he didn't look like he was joking at all.

Zeng Shilin clenched his fists under his sleeves.

Old thing, you can't handle His Majesty yourself, so you drag my son into it?

He pursed his lips and was about to speak to Zeng Anmin's defense.

But then he heard the Minister of Works Liu Chenggan stand up and respectfully say to Emperor Jianhong:

"Your Majesty, the Mandarin Duck Army Formation was created by Young Master Zeng. It's understandable that you were momentarily confused by Young Master Zeng's words."

In one sentence, Tian Ji was almost completely relieved of all responsibility.

All the thorns of the storm were directed at Zeng Anmin...

Emperor Jianhong glanced at Liu Chenggan indifferently.

Liu Chenggan smiled faintly and thought calmly.

"Duke Weiguo, what do you think of what Liu Aiqing said?"

Emperor Jianhong looked towards Tian Ji.

"While Minister Liu's words have some basis in fact, they lack objectivity. I have long admired Zeng Anmin's military training methods, so I certainly wouldn't be deceived by him. How could a little kid like him fool me about military training?"

Tian Ji didn't give Liu Chenggan any face at all, and his eyes remained calm.

Just hearing these words made Zeng Shilin sweat a little.

He narrowed his eyes and glared at Tian Ji.

Old man, aren’t you putting my son on the fire by saying this?

Zeng Shilin took a deep breath, then bowed to Emperor Jianhong and said:

"Your Majesty, I am not familiar with military affairs. Even though I have some methods for training troops, they may be immature, but they are for the sake of Your Majesty's great cause and what I sincerely wish for."

"It is understandable that we neglect military intelligence."

…

Hearing this.

Liu Chenggan, the Minister of Works, raised his eyebrows slightly.

He glanced at Tian Ji without leaving any trace.

"The crime of neglecting military intelligence can be either serious or minor."

Liu Chenggan smiled calmly and looked at Zeng Shilin calmly:

"Master Zeng, the death of Mr. Huang has touched the bottom line. Now, everyone in our Great Saint Dynasty is waiting for your Majesty to give an explanation. The urgency of the formation of the Yuanyang Army is unprecedented."

(End of this chapter)