Chapter 27 Before the Patrol
Zhu Qizhen has always been decisive and resolute. Once he has made a decision, he will carry it out without hesitation. No matter how people around him try to dissuade him, Zhu Qizhen will never look back.
Not to mention that there was Wang Zhen next to him who was even more excited than him, and a group of officials under him who followed Wang Zhen's orders. The preparations for the border patrol were smoother than anything before.
According to Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen's personalities, if anyone dared to confront these two, no one would end up well.
What's more, the emperor is just going to inspect the border. Foreign tribes generally won't choose this time to invade the south. There are border troops guarding along the way, so there shouldn't be any danger.
Besides, the Oirat and the Three Doyan Guards had been at odds for a long time. How could the Oirat rashly launch a large-scale attack on the border before eliminating the main enemy?
Most people were hoping for a lucky break, but there were also some who insisted on opposing it, and that was the Minister of War Wang Zhi in Beijing.
The reason is simple. The late emperor encountered the Uriankhai when he was patrolling the border in the third year of Xuande. He raided the enemy with only 3,000 people. Given the emperor's admiration for the late emperor, if he encountered the Oirat army, he would definitely imitate the late emperor's actions.
But the biggest problem was that the emperor had never been involved in military affairs and had never participated in any war. The only time he left Beijing was to go hunting in the imperial estate. Even though Wang Zhi was a civil official who had never been on the battlefield, he knew how fishy the hunting in the imperial estate was.
This is the emperor. If he really encounters the enemy and something goes wrong, what will happen to the ancestral temple and the country when the eldest prince is still young?
By then, all of them will be sinners for all eternity.
Therefore, Wang Zhi specially found several colleagues to submit a memorial together, hoping that the emperor would change his mind. Even if he really had to go out to patrol the border, he should at least prepare for a few more days.
Wang Zhi said this for one reason: after Princess Shunde returned, the emperor couldn't continue to act arbitrarily like this...
However, these were just a few annoying voices to Zhu Qizhen.
I was just patrolling the border, but these people kept repeating the same two or three sentences over and over again.
However, this incident did remind Zhu Qizhen that, given Zhu Yuhuan's speed, if he returned before he left the capital, he would probably be stopped in person. Zhu Qizhen certainly wouldn't let a princess ride on his head, but if those officials also took the opportunity to pester him, it would be troublesome.
In this case, we have to send someone to keep Zhu Yuhuan outside. When he returns from his border patrol, I believe this group of people will have nothing to say.
Zhu Qizhen glanced at Wang Zhen and said, "Remember to inform the officials along the way to treat Princess Shunde well and not to rush back to the capital."
Wang Zhen had been waiting for these words, and upon hearing them, he immediately responded, "Your Majesty is right. I will send someone to give the order right away."
In fact, he had thought of this before, so he sent people to greet officials at all levels along the way early in the morning, trying to slow down Zhu Yuhuan's pace.
Unlike other princesses and their husbands, Princess Shunde was a regent princess who had received the order from the Empress Dowager. Even if the emperor did not listen to her, he, a eunuch in the Imperial Household Department who was a slave, would always bow down to this princess.
In order to avoid being caught by the eldest princess and suffering a loss by accident, Wang Zhen must make plans early.
Zhu Qizhen still felt a little uneasy. He said, "Also, have Cao Nai, Kuang Ye, Wang Zuo, and the others accompany us. If there's anything important, have them escort us all the way from the capital. As for the rest of the officials, make a list and notify them one by one." He frowned and said, "Wang Zhi and those mentioned in the memorial will all remain in the capital."
Although he verbally appointed Zhu Qiyu to remain in Beijing as regent, he still felt somewhat uneasy. Although the Prince of Qing knew that his interests as a vassal king were always aligned with the emperor's, it would be quite troublesome if Zhu Qiyu had any inappropriate thoughts of his own.
When Zhu Zhanji left Beijing, he also asked Prince Xiang Zhu Zhanji to stay in Beijing to supervise the country, but it was just a nod and a formality. The serious matters still had to be sent to the army and reviewed by the emperor in person.
Wang Zhen understood what Zhu Qizhen meant and said, "Your Majesty is right. Prince Qing is still young and has never been involved in government affairs. It is best for Your Majesty to handle the specific matters personally."
Zhu Qizhen nodded with satisfaction. He walked over to the map that had been displayed in the palace for a long time, looked at the situation in the Xuanfu area, and then said, "In addition to these officials, we should also bring a few people who are familiar with military affairs. Duke Ying..."
Upon hearing the title of Duke Ying, Wang Zhen took the initiative to say, "I've heard that Duke Ying's son, Zhang Zhong, has a close personal relationship with the Princess. Xu Wangzhi, who works for the Princess, has even helped Zhang Zhong with his leg ailment several times. Although he wasn't able to completely cure Zhang Zhong, the Princess has shown great kindness to the Zhang family, and this is beyond doubt..."
Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly and sneered, "Although Zhang Fu is no longer in charge of the army, he still has a lot on his mind. I'm afraid he once thought of attaching himself to the princess in exchange for a title, just like the Xue family is doing now."
Wang Zhen saw Zhu Qizhen's displeasure and immediately echoed him, saying, "Although Duke Ying is old, he is not foolish. He must have had such a plan. Fortunately, the late emperor was wise and prevented him from succeeding."
Zhu Qizhen snorted coldly, frowning in disgust. "That's a good idea, but unfortunately Zhang Zhong is a cripple. He has no chance of inheriting the title, let alone marrying the princess. As for his grandson, he's even less worthy..."
Wang Zhen, seeing this, took the initiative to explain to Zhu Qizhen, "The generals selected in the first military examination have been on the border for many years and must have gained experience in marching and fighting. Your Majesty, why not take this opportunity to summon them to the imperial court to show your appreciation? They will surely be grateful and serve you wholeheartedly. Moreover, they have been on the border for many years and are more familiar with the situation in the Oirat Mongols."
This does make some sense, but Zhu Qizhen is still a little hesitant.
Although Zhang Fu is old, he is also a veteran who has conquered Annan many times. Having such an experienced person to patrol the border together is also a guarantee.
Wang Zhen understood Zhu Qizhen's hesitation and took the initiative to speak, "By comparison, Duke Ying has lived in the capital for a long time and hasn't led troops in battle for many years. Even if he were to serve Your Majesty, he wouldn't necessarily be much better than these generals. Furthermore, Marquis Wuding Guo Xuan is stationed in Xuanhua, and Duke Chengguo Zhu Yong is also here. Both of them are veteran cavalrymen with rich experience in battle. What is there for Your Majesty to worry about?"
Hearing Wang Zhen's words, Zhu Qizhen felt relieved. His brows gradually relaxed. Looking at the hung map, he couldn't help but mutter, "Finally, I've waited until today..."
The time had finally come for him to realize his ambitions, to break free from the shadows of his father and sister, and to let those who once admired them know of his abilities.
He is the most outstanding successor to the emperor.
Wang Zhen also followed Zhu Qizhen's gaze and looked at the map, feeling equally proud.
As long as he can assist the emperor in patrolling the border this time, he will definitely be able to completely suppress Princess Shunde's arrogance, wash away all the humiliation he has suffered, and make everyone look up to him forever.
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