Chapter 75
Concubine Lan said, "It is useless for me to have a high position. I just hope that after I succeed in my career, I can still enjoy the glory."
Concubine Chang was delighted, but she didn't show it on her face. After looking at each other, she had already made up her mind, "I'm afraid my little sister hasn't seen my little son yet. Why don't you come to my palace more often in the future?"
Concubine Lan agreed.
The Queen didn't even know that her stupid move had given Concubine Chang and Concubine Lan the opportunity to join forces. If she knew, she would be filled with remorse. She was really feeling unwell at this moment. She had hardly slept all night and had difficulty getting up in the morning. However, it was not appropriate to call the imperial physician now, so she asked Yuzhu to bring her some tranquilizer pills, and after taking them, she continued to lie down and rest.
These things in the palace have nothing to do with the Yongning Marquis's Mansion. When he was in court today, Emperor Cheng finally talked about the situation in Shu. In order to appear less guilty, he asked, "I just got the news last night. Why did Yongning Marquis ask about the news in Shu during the morning court yesterday? But did Yongning Marquis get the news first?"
Chu Xiuming said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I don't know why it is such a coincidence."
The word "coincidence" was used very well. Most of the court officials knew the inside story and found it funny. Could it be that Emperor Cheng really thought he could keep it a secret? If the officials in the capital really only knew about the affairs of the capital, then he would not be able to sit still in this position. Moreover, the arrogant attitude of the Cheng En Mansion made it difficult for people not to know that there was something fishy going on. It turned out that it was right to hold back on the Cheng En family.
Emperor Cheng felt guilty after all, so he said, "My dear minister, please don't misunderstand me. I was just sighing."
"I dare not." Chu Xiuming's attitude was respectful and his tone was calm, and his true emotions could not be seen.
Emperor Cheng said nothing more, and Chu Xiuming returned to his seat and stood there, feeling like a crane standing out among a group of ministers.
Emperor Cheng said, "Those rebels are ungrateful and have no intention of serving their country. They actually did such a heinous thing. Which of you is willing to help me quell the rebellion?"
For a moment, the court was silent. They still remembered what happened when Chu Xiuming went to Minzhong. They did not have the ability of the Earl of Yongning or the prestige of the Chu family among the soldiers. If they were asked to go, they would probably never come back.
Emperor Cheng glanced at the ministers he had promoted, but saw that they all lowered their heads and could not see his gaze at all. He felt depressed for a moment, thinking that they were all useless talents. "There are less than a thousand rebels, but I have a million troops. Whoever quells the rebellion will be appointed a general and lead an army of 50,000..."
Many people's eyes lit up now. If that was the case, this was not a hard job at all. It was simply a gift of honor. Several people couldn't help but secretly look at Chu Xiuming, and saw that there was no fluctuation on Chu Xiuming's face. As soon as Emperor Cheng finished speaking, someone went up to ask for orders. Looking at the many ministers kneeling below and asking for battle, Emperor Cheng glanced at Chu Xiuming and said, "Even without the Chu family, I can still sit firmly on this throne."
Emperor Cheng quickly selected the candidates and with the intention of training military generals, he selected many young talents to fill the team, including the prince of Yongle Marquis. Yongle Marquis was happy in his heart, thinking that it was just a matter of gaining military merit, which was also a good thing for the prince.
"The Earl of Yongning is not feeling well, so he should take good care of himself during this period of time." Emperor Cheng said with some pride.
"Yes." Chu Xiuming responded respectfully.
Chu Xiuming looked normal when he returned home. Even his personal guards didn't notice anything. However, Shen Jin, who was being supported by a maid outside for a walk in the sunny weather, paused when she saw Chu Xiuming, who had changed into casual clothes, and said after thinking for a moment, "Husband, give me a hug."
"How long have you been walking today?" Chu Xiuming asked.
Shen Jin looked at Madam Zhao, who said respectfully, "Madam, you have walked enough today. You can go back to your room and rest."
"Husband!" Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming again. Chu Xiuming then carefully picked Shen Jin up and let her sit on his arm with his other hand around her. Shen Jin moved her feet and said, "Let's go see the little one."
"Okay." Chu Xiuming agreed.
Shen Jin asked somewhat embarrassedly, "Husband, am I heavy?"
"Not heavy." Chu Xiuming felt the young lady in his arms. This was not only his wife, but also his child. He sighed slowly.
It was the first time Shen Jin heard Chu Xiuming sigh, but he didn't ask anything. He spoke softly about the things he used this morning. The little one had heard their voices and came out a long time ago. He ran over with his tail wagging. Chu Xiuming put Shen Jin down and said, "Little one, did you miss me?"
"Awooo!" The little guy rubbed Shen Jin's hand with his big dog face.
Chu Xiuming said, "Bring a comb."
"Yes." Someone immediately brought a comb and a chair over. Chu Xiuming sat on a low stool to comb the little one's hair, Shen Jin sat on a chair, and Anping brought a small blanket to cover her legs.
The little one was very obedient under Chu Xiuming's hand. He would raise his paw when told to do so. However, his eyes looked at Shen Jin with resentment. He was much thinner than before Chu Xiuming came back. The kitchen no longer gave him delicious big bones. Shen Jin couldn't stop laughing when he saw this.
After being groomed by Chu Xiuming, the little one's fur became even more fluffy, and finally shook it to look particularly beautiful. Chu Xiuming also completely calmed down, and the nanny said, "General, Madam, the meal is ready."
Shen Jin smiled and said, "Husband, let's go."
Chu Xiuming nodded and patted the little one's head. Shen Jin supported An Ning's hand and stood up and said, "Husband, go back and change clothes first. I will walk back."
"Okay." Chu Xiuming now understood. He was afraid that Shen Jin still needed to walk a little bit every day. "Help Madam."
"Yes." An Ning and An Ping responded respectfully.
Chu Xiuming then left. When Shen Jin walked back into the house slowly, he saw that Chu Xiuming had changed into casual clothes and was washing his hands. Nanny Zhao also prepared water for Shen Jin. An Ning helped Shen Jin wash his hands. An Ping went to the kitchen to help carry some things over. Today, the kitchen had prepared a small casserole with stewed vegetables and crispy meat in it, which was best served with rice.
Just after finishing the meal, someone sent a note to Shen Jin. Shen Jin saw it and found it was from Shen Qi. "Hey, sister, is there something urgent for me?"
Chu Xiuming said, "I'm afraid it's because of the Yongle Marquis's son."
Shen Jin nodded, looked at Chu Xiuming and asked, "Does my husband want to see him?" If he did, Shen Jin would naturally bring the Prince of Yongle to meet her husband. If he didn't want to see her, there were ways to avoid it. She could just insist that Chu Xiuming was not in the house.
Chu Xiuming said, "See you."
Shen Jin agreed and replied to the invitation to Shen Qi. Chu Xiuming sent Shen Jin back to the room and then called Manager Zhao to the study. Shen Jin felt that Chu Xiuming was very angry and didn't know who had annoyed him. But it wasn't her anyway. Chu Xiuming was actually the most vengeful. After thinking about it, Shen Jin might have been the one who could make Chu Xiuming like this. But... even when he was sent to Minzhong by Emperor Cheng, Chu Xiuming was not angry.
The more he thought about it, the more confused he felt. Shen Jin simply stopped making things difficult for himself and gently touched his belly.
In the study, Chu Xiuming told the emperor about the arrangement that he thought was clever in the court. Manager Zhao's face changed and he sneered, "This is simply a joke."
Chu Xiuming did not speak. The most angry moment had passed. Thinking of the look in his wife's eyes, Chu Xiuming calmed down a lot. Manager Zhao walked around the room angrily, "He arranged so many people to go there. Who should the 50,000 soldiers listen to? There are so many princes and nobles, and even the prince was thrown in..."
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Manager Zhao gritted his teeth and said, "No one objects?"
"Fifty thousand and one thousand." Chu Xiuming said in a deep voice, "Even those who felt it was inappropriate did not take these thousand people seriously."
Manager Zhao said, "Actually, this matter... is good for us." The 50,000 soldiers sent by Emperor Cheng were all his men. He just regarded this as a military exercise. But even so, Manager Zhao felt indescribable indignation in his heart, "What do they regard this as! Is it a game of house?"
Chu Xiuming didn't know how he endured it. Besides him, some generals who had experienced wars noticed it, so those people looked hesitant and did not take the initiative to ask for orders. Emperor Cheng would not use them anyway. The idea was that with 50,000 against 1,000, as long as they were not fools, they would not lose.
"General, what do you think of the outcome?" Manager Zhao looked at Chu Xiuming and asked.
Chu Xiuming prepared a pen and paper and drew the general terrain of Shuzhong. He memorized the map of the entire Tianqi. The Chu family spent a lot of money on this map. I'm afraid that the maps in the Chengdi Palace are not as complete as theirs. "I don't know what will happen if the earthquake occurs. We will have to send people to measure it again."
"Yes." Manager Zhao looked at the picture and was not surprised.
Chu Xiuming's drawing was crude, but the general situation was clear at a glance. "The situation in Shuzhong is more complicated than other places. Not only is the terrain complicated, but also... Are there really only a thousand people? Emperor Cheng's self-righteous concealment has made them take root more firmly. Relatives are connected to relatives, friends are connected to friends, and people from the same hometown and town... How many troops are there in Shuzhong? These thousand people are no longer the original thousand people."
Manager Zhao was shocked. He was just angry and thought that this battle might end in a tragic victory with many soldiers sacrificed. But from what Chu Xiuming said, it seemed like...
Chu Xiuming said, "Even I can't predict the outcome, I'm only 70% sure."
These seven points are naturally defeated. Emperor Cheng has not appointed a crown prince yet. Now that they have finally got a chance to make a contribution, how could these princes let it go? Naturally, they will try their best to show off themselves and step on others.
Chu Xiuming continued, "What's more, there may be other tricks involved."
"The general is worried, Ying..." But Manager Zhao couldn't continue.
Chu Xiuming didn't say anything else, but took the drawn map and threw it into the charcoal basin. After watching it burn, he said, "Who knows."
Manager Zhao stopped talking. In addition to indignation, he also felt a little helpless. Chu Xiuming closed his eyes and said, "But it's the common people who are suffering."
"General..." Manager Zhao looked at Chu Xiuming.
Chu Xiuming shook his head and said nothing more.
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