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"Stop talking! Let the prince be quiet!"
Qin Bing and Fan Huaizhong inspected the official post station first. Although the official post station located between the hills looked remote, it was the closest one to the important coastal city in the north of Fuzhou. Therefore, the doors and windows of the houses in the official post station looked to be about 70% to 80% new, and there were several bluestone slabs on the ground. It was not like the official road outside that became muddy when it rained.
The official post station has limited space, so today the Qingyang brother and sister have to squeeze into the same yard with their father and mother.
Qingyang was not caught in the rain, so she didn't need to change clothes. After a brief rest, she emerged from her room. Standing under the eaves, she could hear the clatter of the imperial guards setting up their tents and stables outside. They were all so well-trained and accustomed to the task, not even the horses neighed randomly. Even so, rain always brought its share of inconveniences. This was only during the emperor's southern tour during peacetime; on a march or a battle, the soldiers would face far greater hardships.
Therefore, although Qingyang was used to a life of luxury in the palace, he would not dislike the simplicity and discomfort during the southern tour.
At this time, Fan Zhong came over carrying two food boxes. Seeing the little princess standing outside, Fan Zhong walked over to a place where the rain could not reach her. He took out a bowl of ginger soup from one of the food boxes and offered it to her with both hands: "Your Highness, this is the ginger soup we just made at the post station. It's wet and cool on rainy days. Please have a bowl."
The ginger soup was steaming hot. Qingyang asked Jie Yu to put some in first and asked Fan Zhong, "Have you drunk it?"
Fan Zhong knew that the little princess cared about these rough men, so he smiled and said, "I'll drink it in a moment. Your Highness, don't worry. I've made four large pots to ensure that every soldier can drink it."
Qingyang nodded, and Fan Zhong continued to deliver ginger soup to the emperor, his concubine, and Prince Jing.
A figure in light-colored robe appeared at the entrance of Yu Guangli's courtyard. Qingyang turned his head and saw Zhang Su standing on the left side of the door holding an umbrella. The man had obediently changed into a jade-white brocade robe. The drizzling rain blurred his face.
Thinking that there was still chaos outside, Qingyang gave Jie Yu a few instructions, and Jie Yu walked quickly to the gate of the courtyard with an umbrella and led the future prince consort in. Otherwise, even if a real prince consort came here, the guards at the gate would not let him in without the consent of the emperor, concubines and princesses.
"Go move the chess table under the eaves. I'll play chess with the Third Young Master."
Jie Yudao said yes, put away his umbrella and went in.
Qingyang asked Zhang Su to put away his umbrella, stand next to her, and asked, "You haven't had the ginger soup yet, right?" The kitchen would definitely send it here first, and then it would be the generals' turn. Zhang Su rushed here after changing his clothes, so he probably missed it.
Before Zhang Su could speak, Qingyang called Fu Liu to bring out her bowl of ginger soup and asked Zhang Su to drink it.
Zhang Su: "Your Highness, please drink it. I am used to it..."
Meeting the little princess's raised eyebrows, Zhang Su had to stop, took the bowl of soup, turned around, and started drinking with his back to the little princess.
Qingyang insisted on looking at him, so he walked around him and saw that the soup bowl blocked most of Zhang Su's face. As he swallowed, his Adam's apple rolled up and down.
As if he knew the little princess was looking at him, Zhang Su slowed down the speed at which he drank the soup, taking small sips like he was sipping tea.
Qingyang looked at his waist, where a new sachet lay, one of the four she had given him since the beginning of summer. They had all been prescribed by the imperial physician, and Qingyang couldn't use them all by herself, and Zhang Su needed them more often when traveling, so she gave him a few.
After Zhang Su finished drinking the ginger soup, Jie Yu also set up the chessboard and two small stools, and Qingyang and Zhang Su sat face to face.
From the eaves of the corridor, one could see the green hills and clouds outside the official post station, but Qingyang's gaze was mostly fixed on Zhang Su's face. When she was busy with her duties, she seldom thought about her future prince consort. Now that she had some free time because of the rain, and the future prince consort was so handsome, it would be strange if Qingyang didn't like to look at him.
"Ever since leaving Beijing, I've always asked you to follow my second brother. Do you think I'm deliberately ignoring you?"
After making a move, Qingyang asked softly.
Zhang Su was usually taciturn, his eyes particularly reserved, but from his willingness to carry her on his back and his relentless grip on her wrist even after receiving a glare from his father, Qingyang could sense his affection for her. She should explain this, lest her chosen consort misunderstand her "coldness."
Zhang Su glanced at the little princess and said, "I absolutely have no such thoughts. Your Highness is well versed in the ways of the officialdom and can see through things like a glimpse into fire. Having Fan Huaizhong as your guardian is sufficient. Even if I follow you, I won't be able to help you much. On the contrary, by staying by your side, I can give you some advice and help relieve the worries of both His Majesty and the Emperor."
Qingyang smiled and praised him, "I knew you knew everything."
What Zhang Su said was indeed one of the reasons for her arrangement. Another reason was that if Zhang Su accompanied her to meet the local civil officials, even if Zhang Su remained silent, those officials would be distracted and explore her relationship with Zhang Su, wondering if she was so confident because she had a future son-in-law from the Duke of Wei's mansion...
This is what Qingyang doesn't want to see. What she wants is for these civil servants to submit to her completely.
Her love for Zhang Su does not need to be reflected in their inseparable relationship in the past few months.
.
The rain subsided, and as evening approached, the sounds of galloping horses were heard outside the official post station. It was Peng Ying, the general of Fuzhou, and Huang Ruqi, the governor of Fuzhou, who came to the post station with a team of guards to welcome the emperor. Also accompanying them were Lu Chaoguang, the prince of Duke Cheng, who was training here, and Peng Ying's two sons.
In Fuzhou, there are both civil officials to be inspected and naval forces to be observed, and the emperor will stay here for five days.
At dusk the day before the military parade, Qingyang followed her father to the seaside camp. The little princess, who was born in the heart of the Central Plains, also saw the sea for the first time.
Peng Ying first showed the emperor and his entourage the twenty new warships that he had asked the court for money to build four years ago. In fact, more than a hundred warships were built in total, and the warships were distributed to various camps along the coast. Only twenty warships were allocated to Fuzhou.
"Your Majesty, this is the iron-walled ship that destroyed dozens of Japanese pirate warships last year."
Facing the sea breeze, Peng Ying pointed to a warship and said in a tone that was even prouder than when he introduced his son.
Qingyang stood beside his father and looked carefully at the warship in front of them with his father. They saw that the warship was about ten feet long and about ten and a half feet wide. A layer of iron plates was nailed on both sides for protection. It was floating with a cold light in the setting sun. The bow was equipped with a plow-shaped iron ram, just like the rhinoceros raised in the Western Garden Rare Animal Park.
Emperor Xingwu inquired in detail about the battle between the Fuzhou navy and the Japanese pirates, including the type of the pirates' warships.
Peng Ying explained each of these, finally sighing, "Your Majesty, when it comes to a navy's combat effectiveness, the quality of its warships accounts for at least 50%. Having elite soldiers and brave generals without warships capable of charging into battle at sea is like a sea beast without sharp teeth and a powerful tail, or a cavalryman without a fine horse. Therefore, the innovation of our Great Qi's warships must not lag behind that of our overseas enemies."
Emperor Xingwu said: "It's not that we can't fall behind, but we must lead. I don't know how to innovate warships, so you naval commanders are welcome to think hard. As long as you can come up with better warships, the court will definitely not reduce your military pay."
The naval commanders, led by Peng Ying, were all very happy.
.
The navy loves warships, the cavalry loves fine horses, and in the capital, King Yong was very happy to learn that the envoys from Western Hu had come to deliver two thousand tribute horses this year!
The four great imperial camps were primarily infantry, but each also had two guards totaling over ten thousand cavalrymen, for a combined total of over forty thousand. Soldiers age, and warhorses age even faster than humans. Under favorable conditions, horses could be retired at fifteen. However, the best horses of the dynasty were prioritized for the border troops. The four imperial camps had trained elite soldiers comparable to those of the border troops, but warhorses were yearly in short supply. Each camp had over two thousand horses over twenty years old. This was despite the Western Barbarians having been paying tribute to them for six consecutive years; otherwise, the number of old horses would have been even greater.
In previous years, Emperor Xingwu would select about ten of the best war horses from the Western Hu tribute horses for his own use or to reward his favorites, and then send a hundred horses to several horse breeding stations for breeding. The remaining one thousand horses would be divided equally among the border troops of Liangzhou, Jinzhou, Jizhou, Liaozhou, and Qingzhou, eight hundred horses would be divided equally among the four major camps in the capital, and nearly a hundred horses would be distributed to the Imperial Army and the Imperial Guard.
But rules are dead, people are alive, and while the emperor is away, Prince Yong has set his eyes on the 400 grassland horses that should be distributed to Liangzhou and Jinzhou this year!
Before the Western Hu envoys arrived in Beijing, Prince Yong had already approached his nephew, the Crown Prince, who was serving as regent, and enthusiastically said, "Hong'er, your uncle wants to make a deal with you. Let's give the 400 fine horses distributed to Liang Province and Jin Province this year to the Northern Camp. The Western Hu have been so docile in recent years that they dare not invade us. The border troops of Liang and Jin Provinces are primarily focused on defense, and they won't be able to use the fine horses. It would be better to give them to your uncle and let him build a truly elite cavalry unit for the Northern Camp. Then, when the Emperor reviews the military exercises next year, your uncle can show off his skills."
The 48-year-old Prince Yong has sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and is about 60% similar to his half-brother Emperor Xingwu. Because of their temperaments, although Emperor Xingwu is majestic, he is obviously a reasonable man, while Prince Yong is very tough and it is obvious that he does not like to be disobeyed.
If Qin Hong respected Yan Xizheng and Yang Zhimin more, he was even more in awe of this uncle. When he met his uncle's fierce tiger-like eyes, Qin Hong avoided them and said in embarrassment: "Well, the distribution of the tribute horses from the Western Hu has long been determined, father..."
Prince Yong: "Look at you, you're already a father, but why do you like to bring up the Emperor when you encounter a little thing? The Emperor asked you to be regent, which means that when he's away, all matters in the capital will be decided by you. Uncle Wang is not a unreasonable person. I want horses for the sake of the cavalry strength of our Beijing Camp. Besides, I didn't steal horses from the South Camp, East Camp, or West Camp, nor did I steal horses from Jizhou, Liaozhou, and Qingzhou, which are defending against the Donghu. Liangzhou and Jinzhou have indeed been peaceful these years, right?"
Qin Hong: "But..."
Prince Yong: "What do you mean by 'yes'? If you don't agree, I will write to the Emperor and ask for horses! Seriously, the Emperor has gone through so much trouble on his southern tour. When I was Regent, I never bothered the Emperor with anything bigger. Now, he has to write a letter just for four hundred war horses. Alas, uncle and nephew are just a layer apart. I have to ask my eldest brother for help."
After saying this, King Yong smiled self-deprecatingly and turned to leave.
Qin Hong hurriedly called out to Uncle Wang and said hesitantly, "Uncle Wang, don't worry. Let me discuss this with the Left Prime Minister and the Minister of War..."
Prince Yong sneered, "What a joke! I'm asking my own nephew for a horse, and I have to look at their expressions? It's up to you whether you want to give it or not. I'll ask my eldest brother for it!"
Qin Hong didn't dare to cause trouble for his father who was on tour in the south for such a small matter, so he had to agree to his hot-tempered uncle Wang.
King Yong turned his anger into laughter, praised his nephew profusely and left with satisfaction.
Qin Hong's heart could not calm down after Uncle Wang left, because the distribution of horses was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War. He had changed the rules without authorization and had to give an explanation to the Ministry of War.
Qin Hong was not very familiar with the Minister of War Tan Shixun. After much deliberation, he called the Left Prime Minister Yan Xizheng over, hoping that Yan Xizheng would inform the Ministry of War.
Feeling guilty, Qin Hong did not look at Yan Xizheng while speaking.
Yan Xizheng was very disappointed. This happened every year. How could the prince be controlled by Prince Yong again?
He could go along with the prince, but could this matter be concealed? When the emperor came back, those who should scold the prince would still scold him, and would also be deeply disappointed in him as the regent prime minister.
"Your Highness, you shouldn't have agreed to Prince Yong's request. Although the Western Hu won't be fighting Great Qi again anytime soon, the Eastern Hu are gaining strength. If they attack, we'll have to send reinforcements from Liang Province and Jin Province. Therefore, the cavalry strength of the northern provinces must be maintained at all times. How could we rashly withhold the warhorses that are due to the two provinces?"
As long as the prince uses this statement to refute Prince Yong, he will be right. Then Prince Yong will report it to the emperor. Even if the emperor is confused and supports his younger brother, the prince will have a basis for his argument.
Qin Hong lowered his eyes, frowning as he spoke, "I know, but Uncle Wang won't listen to these reasons. I, I've agreed to his request. Please ask the Left Prime Minister to speak to the Ministry of War and make it clear that this is only for this year, and there will be no shortage of steeds in Liangzhou and Jinzhou next year."
Yan Xizheng: "Forgive me for not agreeing. Your Highness is the first regent. Rather than having the Ministry of War, the Liangzhou General, the Jinzhou General, and other generals criticize the Crown Prince for his unfair rule and disappoint the Emperor, it would be better to recall Prince Yong and reason with him before this matter is officially recorded, so as to dispel his selfish motives."
Several faces appeared in Qin Hong's mind at the same time. There was the face of the Minister of War Tan Shixun questioning him why he was unfair, the face of his father scolding him for being useless, the face of his uncle Wang who was angry because he broke his promise, and the figure of Yan Xizheng who was standing in front of him at this moment.
Yan Xizheng watched helplessly as the Crown Prince broke out in a cold sweat due to his indecision, so he simply made the decision for him and sent someone to summon Prince Yong to the Council of State. As the Left Prime Minister, he had the qualifications to invite any minister to come here to discuss government affairs.
Now, Qin Hong didn't have to waver, but he was afraid. He was afraid that Uncle Wang would hold a grudge against Yan Xizheng for ruining his plans. Uncle Wang was a rough man. If he took action, no, even if Uncle Wang just cursed him, the old prime minister might be so angry that he would end up in trouble.
"Left Prime Minister, I will explain everything to Uncle Wang. You can go back to the Secretariat first." Qin Hong said anxiously.
The sixty-four-year-old Yan Xizheng stood still. "Your Highness, considering the uncle-nephew relationship with Prince Yong, is reluctant to speak. I would like to explain the situation to Prince Yong on your behalf."
Prince Yong is a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong. He has even bullied the Crown Prince. Today, he must make Prince Yong understand the hierarchy between him and the Crown Prince.
Qin Hong failed to persuade the old prime minister to leave. Thinking that the upcoming conflict between Yan Xizheng and Uncle Wang was caused by him, he was filled with remorse, guilt and fear. As time passed like quicksand and Uncle Wang might return at any time, the Crown Prince, who was walking back and forth, suddenly had a splitting headache. He covered his head and staggered, then fell into the chair next to him.
"Prince!" Yan Xizheng rushed over in panic, "Prince, you..."
Qin Hong scratched his scalp again and again, buried his face and said reluctantly: "Imperial Physician, call the Imperial Physician..."
Prince Yong, the Imperial Physician, the Imperial Concubine, and Crown Princess Lü Wenrong arrived one after another. Upon learning that the Crown Prince's headache was caused by Prince Yong's request for a horse, the Imperial Concubine angrily rebuked Prince Yong, "You are the Prince's uncle, yet you dare to force the Crown Prince to act for your own benefit? If anything happens to the Crown Prince, I wonder how you will explain this to the Emperor!"
Prince Yong glared back, "What do you mean by seeking personal gain for me? The cavalry of the Northern Camp belongs to me alone? Besides, what evidence do you have that I angered the Crown Prince? Wasn't it your father who was with the Crown Prince in the end?"
Yan Xizheng: "Prince Yong, you still dare to quibble!"
Lü Wenrong, who was standing by the prince's side, looked over and cried, "Stop talking! Let the prince be quiet!"
【Author’s words】
Here it comes, there will be two updates tonight!
100 little red envelopes, see you tonight~
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