Chapter 405: Brothers’ Heart-to-Heart Communication
Zhao Xiaofei was speechless. He looked at Princess Kunxing and turned away. He wondered how he could have led such a good princess astray.
Princess Kunxing was also very disappointed with Zhao Xiaofei. She thought to herself: Don’t you know that in the struggle for power, there is only moving forward and no retreat?
Princess Kunxing was in a bad mood and didn't even have dinner, so she went back directly.
Zhao Xiaofei has been staying in Zhaoren's room these days because Zhaoren is about to give birth.
Zhaoren asked, "What's wrong with my sister? She seems unhappy. Why don't you go to her room tonight?"
"No, your sister wants to be alone for a while. I've been busy lately, so I'll spend more time with you. You're about to give birth in the next few days, so you'll feel at ease with me accompanying you." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"You are so nice! Can you accompany me in the delivery room? I heard from Mr. Zhang that there is a custom in your place where men have to accompany their children in the delivery room!" Zhaoren said.
Zhao Xiaofei thought to himself: Doctor Zhang? How many men were accompanying me into the delivery room? You're setting a trap for me!
"Aren't you shy?" Zhao Xiaofei asked.
"No taboo!" Zhaoren said.
"Okay, then I will watch you give birth. Your husband will be by your side anytime and anywhere!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"My husband, you are so nice!" Zhaoren hugged Zhao Xiaofei happily, and rubbed against him from time to time, just like a kitten.
Zhao Xiaofei caressed her hair lovingly, but in his heart he was thinking about his son Mingyu. How could he get rid of the throne, how could he escape from this world.
But if this is done, without an emperor above, the Zhu family below will fight for this position, and may even start a civil war. In the end, it will benefit the foreign race, and all the efforts will be in vain.
Lu Ling and Huang Shufei were quickly and hastily buried, without any formal funeral ceremony. The court knew what Lu Ling was up to, so no one spoke up for them. They were both sacrificed, a tragedy.
Shi Lang was now the emperor of Joseon, and his word was final. Winter was approaching, and he had to prevent the Jianlu from raiding the fields and the Joseon royal family from rebelling.
He launched a propaganda campaign, asking the surrender faction to spread the news that Li Hao had surrendered and become the King of Ming. On the other hand, he immediately organized defense, raised and reinforced the city walls, and stockpiled food and fodder.
The Korean farmers around the city were forced to enter the city to avoid the Jianlu. It can be said that the entire Korea was defending the city and clearing the fields, leaving the Jianlu with no food to rob.
Shi Lang's plan was very successful. It can be said that Dorgon sent half of the Eight Banners into Korea to grab food for the winter.
Unfortunately, they were met with relentless artillery fire and landmines on the way back. With so many casualties, Dorgon's prestige was further reduced.
"Report! The Jianlu have retreated!" A messenger ran into Shi Lang's central military tent.
Shi Lang sat in the middle, Wu Sangui on the right, and Kong Youde and others on the left.
"General Wu, since the Jianlu are fleeing north, your Guanning Iron Cavalry should chase them! Remember not to chase them too closely, just so we don't suffer any heavy losses!" Shi Lang said.
"I obey your command!" Wu Sangui replied.
In the capital, Zhao Xiaokun and Zhao Xiaofei were studying how to surround the Jianlu in one go in the palace when they heard someone report from outside.
"Your Majesty, Dorgon's army was defeated in Korea and has retreated to Shenyang."
"Got it? Go down now!" Zhao Xiaofei said.
"It seems that Dorgon is lucky. Even after all this trouble, those who oppose him still don't take action to pull him down!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Those Jianlu are not fools. They also know that unity is the most important thing to do at this time." Zhao Xiaokun said.
"I want to unite with Mongolia next year, with them as the vanguard and our army following behind..." Zhao Xiaofei was interrupted by Zhao Xiaokun before he could finish his words.
"The Mongols as the vanguard? You think too much! They are all fence-sitters. If we don't win two tough battles, they will just watch the fun and may even stab us in the back. It's better to let them be the mobile force. We will defeat the Jianlu head-on, and they will use their cavalry advantage to chase and intercept the fleeing soldiers. In this way, the Jianlu's cavalry advantage will be gone, and we can complete our plan to annihilate the Jianlu in one go." Zhao Xiaokun said.
"Okay, you are right! How could I forget their fence-sitter nature! After the spring, I sent people to deliver food and weapons to the Mongolian tribes, and they have agreed to go to the battlefield with us!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Then let all the tribes gather in Datong. I will lead the troops to attack the Khorchin tribe directly. After taking down the Khorchin, I will go straight to Shanhaiguan to meet you." Zhao Xiaokun said.
"Okay, let's do as you say, big brother! I will lead the troops from the capital through Xifengkou, and we will meet at the foot of Shanhaiguan City." Zhao Xiaofei said.
After finishing the business, Zhao Xiaokun asked: "I noticed that you were in a bad mood recently. What's going on?"
"Kunxing has changed. I feel like I'm getting less and less compatible with her. She's obsessed with imperial power, and she wants Mingyu to be the emperor," Zhao Xiaofei said. Mingyu is Zhao Xiaofei's son, and Zhao Xiaokun has heard about this from his younger brother.
"It's a good thing that Mingyu becomes the emperor. You and I have so many children. If none of them has power, what will happen to them when we are gone? It is very likely that they will be like the Jia family in Dream of the Red Chamber. After their house was ransacked, no one could have a say." Zhao Xiaokun said.
“But I’m afraid of Kunxing…”
"Are you afraid that Kunxing will become the queen?" Zhao Xiaokun interrupted his brother.
"Yes! I think she has a tendency to develop in that direction!" Zhao Xiaofei said worriedly.
"Don't you think this is the real Princess Kunxing? Our arrival has released her nature. She is just like that, not the delicate princess you imagined. She does whatever she wants, and you have to learn to let go to be happy." Zhao Xiaokun said.
"Just like Liu Rushi?" Zhao Xiaofei asked his elder brother.
"That's right! She is busy every day, and I think she is very happy. Her relationship with me has also deepened, you know!" Zhao Xiaokun said with a wicked smile.
Zhao Xiaofei smiled obscenely and felt much better.
In Nanjing, at the Zhao family manor, Qin Xiaomi sat on the bed, feeding her daughter. Qin Baobao lay in bed, injured and unable to get up.
The doctor said they would have to stay in bed for at least two months. Zhao Xiaofei sent the palace guards and the army's personal guards to escort them both on board a ship to leave the capital. The Zhao family manor in Nanjing was the best place for them to recuperate.
Before leaving, Zhao Xiaofei met with Qin Baobao and said, "Empress Dowager Lu is gone. You and Xiaomi should live a good life. Nanjing is a better place for you to live."
Qin Xiaomi came over and held the child to show Qin Baobao, then said, "Sister, look, she looks like me, they are simply carved from the same mold, so funny!"
"Raise her well, I won't accompany you on the road ahead!" Qin Baobao burst into tears after saying this.
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