In the new yard.

Zhu Ying was looking around to see what needed to be changed.

Zhang Bo was directing his servants and subordinates to make adjustments and clean up everywhere.

It is said that this courtyard was once the residence of high-ranking officials of the imperial court.

But unfortunately, he was executed by His Majesty for the crime of corruption.

The location of this courtyard is very good. It is only a few hundred steps away from the Qinhuai River and it is a large courtyard with five entrances.

It is relatively close to the teahouse.

Without Zhu Gaochi's help, Zhu Ying, as a merchant, wouldn't even be able to see the yard.

"Uncle Zhang, you stay busy here first. I'm going to Prince Yan's mansion. I have to inform Prince Yan."

"Don't worry, Boss. I'm here. I'll clean everything up when you come back."

After saying something to Zhang Bo, Zhu Ying left alone.

In the Western Regions, days on the grassland.

Zhu Ying is always accompanied by dozens of people, not for the sake of pomp and circumstance, but because in such places, a bloody fight can take place from time to time.

However, this is the capital, and the public security here under the emperor's feet was still quite good, especially during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang.

About half an hour later, Zhu Ying arrived at the gate of Prince Yan's Mansion.

Zhu Ying left from here several hours ago.

The men didn't have much luggage, so it was very convenient for them to leave.

It was just that Prince of Yan Zhu Di had been summoned to the palace at that time, and now it was getting late, so he should be back, so he came to thank Zhu Di for taking him in recently.

"Mr. Ying, you came just in time. His Highness just returned home."

When the servant at the gate of the palace saw Zhu Ying, he smiled and said.

Zhu Ying still has some characteristics of people in later generations, and he never looks down on any servant or anyone else.

Although they would not try to please him deliberately, the servants in the palace were all very enthusiastic towards the temporary guest, Young Master Ying.

"Thank you very much. I'll treat you to tea later."

"Mr. Ying, you're welcome."

Since the Yan Wang family all have the surname Zhu, in the capital, they are more particular about addressing them, using their given names instead of their surnames.

After entering the yard and taking a few steps, Zhu Ying saw Yao Guangxiao in black clothes in front of him.

"Master Daoyan, wait a moment."

Zhu Ying called out, and Yao Guangxiao turned around and saw Zhu Ying, then walked over and said with a smile:

"Why, you're not used to staying in the palace, so you moved out."

It seemed that Yao Guangxiao had only been back for a short time, but Zhu Ying had already gotten used to Yao Guangxiao's early departure and late return.

"My subordinates are rough and clumsy. I'm afraid that one day I'll break the rules of the palace. It will be difficult to do my job then. It's better to move out and feel more at ease."

Zhu Ying explained casually.

Yao Guangxiao didn't ask much. After a few pleasantries, he took Zhu Ying to the lobby of the palace.

In the lobby, Zhu Di was sitting and drinking tea, apparently waiting for Yao Guangxiao.

Seeing Zhu Ying, he was slightly surprised, and then smiled and said, "If you encounter any problems outside, just tell me. I still have some dignity in the capital."

"Thank you, Your Highness, the Prince of Yan. I came here to express my gratitude to you. I wonder if you are free today. I have prepared some wine and food to thank you."

Zhu Ying said politely that as a businessman, he certainly knew that the Prince of Yan was a powerful figure.

The title of Prince of Yan was extremely useful not only in Peking, but also in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Now his caravan is estimated to arrive in the capital soon.

When the time comes to do some business, with the relationship with King Yan, it will naturally save a lot of trouble.

As for why the King of Yan was so obsessed with him, he was too lazy to think about it.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem like a bad thing at the moment.

Zhu Di did not expect Zhu Ying to invite him to the banquet, but after a little hesitation, he still refused:

"I have other things to deal with in the palace. I appreciate your kindness. Please come back another day."

Zhu Ying was slightly stunned when he heard this.

He expected Zhu Di to refuse, but these polite words did not sound like the feeling of a vassal king towards a merchant.

Even in Peking earlier, I had never seen Prince Yan be so polite.

Although I felt a little strange, I couldn't ask too much.

Seeing Yao Guangxiao standing nearby, obviously having something to talk about, Zhu Ying said a few polite words and then took his leave.

This trip seemed like just a matter of a few words.

But first of all, it is a question of etiquette and attitude.

As the saying goes, the more courtesy you give, the less blame you will get.

In the chaotic and barbaric places like the Western Regions and the grasslands, Zhu Ying was able to make a living.

In a civilized place like the Ming capital, he felt like a fish in water.

In other words, he was much more familiar with this kind of civilized communication than barbaric ones.

Yao Guangxiao and Zhu Di watched Zhu Ying leave in silence.

Zhu Di signaled the guards and servants around him to close the door and leave.

Then Yao Guangxiao said, "I have already told my father about the method you mentioned, but you must grasp it well."

"I think you also understand that the Jinyiwei of the capital are very likely to be caught by them if there is any abnormality."

Yao Guangxiao bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness, please rest assured. I have arranged it in such a way that the Royal Guards will not be able to detect any abnormality."

"I left home when I was young and returned when I was old. My accent has not changed but my hair has turned gray. Children who meet me do not recognize me and ask me where I am from with a smile."

After Yao Guangxiao finished the first part, he recited a poem by He Zhizhang of the Tang Dynasty, and then continued:

"Let alone five or six years, even if we haven't seen each other for two or three years, we will look different. Moreover, Zhu Ying has only been away from home for a few years."

"I have traveled a lot since I was young, so my accent has changed a lot. It's like this, who can explain it clearly?"

"Just tell your Majesty this. With your suspicious nature, you will naturally believe it."

Yao Guangxiao said this with great confidence.

Seeing this, Zhu Di nodded with satisfaction.

When I was discussing with Yao Guangxiao how to create doubts about Zhu Ying's identity.

It was Yao Guangxiao who suggested making a fuss about the fact that Zhu Ying was doing business away from home and rarely went home.

Moreover, this technique is very natural and in line with the natural laws of human growth.

With just a little guidance, Zhu Ying's identity can be made mysterious and confusing.

The most important thing is that there is no trace of hidden hands.

It may not work for others, but Zhu Di deeply understands that it is extremely effective for his father.

When the time comes, my father can only make a choice based on his own feelings between what is true and what is false.

Zhu Di was well aware of how much his father doted on his former eldest grandson Zhu Xiongying.

Even his elder brother Zhu Biao cannot compare to him.

If Father really...then...

Thinking of this, Zhu Di turned to Yao Guangxiao and asked, "Regarding the follow-up matters, have you received a reply now? Have you arranged everything properly?"

"All of this is the key to the key, and we cannot be careless at all."

Upon hearing this, Yao Guangxiao said solemnly: "Don't worry, Your Highness. It's a coincidence. I carefully checked the travel permit file. In the 15th year of Hongwu, Zhu Ying's father set out from Hanzhong to the capital for business."

"Zhu Ying's nickname is Goudan. I have already set up a small cemetery outside Hanzhong, found the remains of children of similar age, and buried them there."

When talking about the child's corpse, Yao Guangxiao, who is a monk and a Taoist priest, spoke in a natural tone.

Zhu Di nodded, and then instructed: "After the matter of the Hanzhong cemetery is settled, don't interfere anymore. With the ability of the Jinyiwei, it won't be difficult to find out."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Di asked hesitantly: "Your disciples..."

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will arrange for them to go to the Western Regions to preach." Upon hearing this, Yao Guangxiao said quickly.

Zhu Di hesitated slightly, his throat rolling, but in the end he didn't say it.

It is said that those who achieve great things do not care about trivial matters. In theory, the best thing to do is to silence the witness.

But it is obvious that Yao Guangxiao still cares about those disciples.

As a military advisor to Zhu Di, Yao Guangxiao did not want to leave any unpleasant feelings because of this matter.

So I gave up.