Chapter 31 Old Acquaintance
Previously, Liu Yongcheng had successfully pursued Alutai in Liaodong and had retreated to Kuanhewei to continue patrolling the border. Now that Zhu Yuhuan was coming to the border with all kinds of supplies, Liu Yongcheng naturally could not slack off, so he specially sent generals south to protect Zhu Yuhuan.
In fact, his original intention was to let Zhu Yuhuan station in safer places such as Zunhua and Qianxi, and then he would go south to welcome him. However, Zhu Yuhuan, who came on behalf of Zhu Zhanji, did not allow it. Liu Yongcheng had no choice but to do as Zhu Yuhuan wanted and send reliable people to welcome Zhu Yuhuan.
Not far from the capital, Zhu Yuhuan would occasionally switch from riding in a carriage to riding on horseback. After all, the weather was getting hotter and it was a bit stuffy to stay in the carriage.
The route to the north this time was similar to the route he had taken when he had previously followed Zhu Zhanji on his border patrol. Zhu Yuhuan was very familiar with the scenery along the way and could give Huai En some pointers from time to time.
Seeing her at ease, Huai En couldn't help but sigh and said, "Since returning from following the emperor on the border patrol, Your Highness seems to have become a different person."
Zhu Yuhuan sat on the horse, holding the reins, and turned his head slightly to look at Huai En, who was sitting in front of the carriage and driving, and said, "Has he become a different person?"
Huai En nodded seriously and said, "Your Highness is more composed than before."
If Zhu Yuhuan was a treasure whose brilliance was unconcealed before, then now he is a sword hidden in a sheath, with its cold light restrained, making it impossible to glimpse its true meaning.
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, and said, "Then I'll wait for you to return and change drastically."
Han Guilan, sitting in the carriage, naturally heard everything the two said clearly. She continued, "I feel that His Highness has always been very calm and resolute."
Logically speaking, Zhu Yuhuan should not have taken Han Guilan, a palace maid, with him on the trip. However, Han Guilan was born in Korea and had come all the way through Liaodong, so she was familiar with the route. Therefore, Zhu Yuhuan took this opportunity to take her along.
Although Han Guilan couldn't go home, at least she was closer to home and could get out and relax.
Zhu Yuhuan shook his head helplessly and said, "Why are you two suddenly praising me?"
"It's not just you, everyone else admires your Highness." Han Guilan said with a proud look on her face, "Your Highness isn't as spoiled as they think. Not only can he endure hardships, he's also very knowledgeable."
Many people have heard before that Princess Shunde accompanied His Majesty on a border tour, but how difficult could the conditions be when the emperor was on tour?
But since she left the capital, she has only been seen for half a month. Princess Shunde talks freely about the local customs and people around her. Not only does she ride a horse every day, but she also eats and lives like ordinary soldiers without any complaints. This shows that Princess Shunde is determined.
No wonder the princess was so beloved.
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Well, last time I only accompanied Daddy to Xifengkou, and then we returned to Beijing together, never continuing north. Once we reach Shimenyi and head north, I won't have much to boast about even if I want to. Don't brag too much, or else I'll be laughed at."
Liu Yongcheng sent someone to bring a letter to Zhu Yuhuan, saying that the entire team would rest in Jizhou Town for a few days, and he had sent Shi Heng south to meet them. Liu Yongcheng also specifically described Shi Heng's appearance and the number of guards he led in detail in the letter to avoid any accidents.
But he naturally didn't know that Shi Heng was also an "old acquaintance" of Zhu Yuhuan.
The nine frontiers of the Ming Dynasty changed constantly over the past two hundred years, but Jizhen's strategic significance remained profound, and several generals served in succession. However, the most famous of them was probably Qi Jiguang, who was not yet born at the time.
This trip was at the turn of spring and summer, and Zhu Yuhuan sometimes saw green crops and vibrant life on the road.
Zhu Yuhuan arrived in Jizhen again and took his men into the city to rest. Because they would stay for a few days, the government office had already prepared a resting place for Zhu Yuhuan and his men. After Zhu Yuhuan settled everyone, he changed into casual clothes and went out with Han Guilan, Huai En, Xu Gong and others.
Huai En looked at the bustling scene on the street, a little surprised, and said: "I didn't expect that there would be such a lively scene in the border town."
Zhu Yuhuan laughed and said, "Jizhen is not an ordinary border town, it is a military stronghold. There are tens of thousands of officials alone, not to mention the common people."
"I see."
Han Guilan had never been out of the capital, so she found everything new and interesting. She said to Zhu Yuhuan, "If I could buy something here for Second Lady to take back, she would definitely like it."
Seeing that she was also very fond of these little things, Zhu Yuhuan said to the others, "We can still buy some on the way back to Beijing. We can take them back as gifts then."
Han Guilan nodded repeatedly.
After all, they were all outsiders, their accents very different from the locals. These days, there weren't many people who could travel back and forth outside, and they were mainly businessmen. These businessmen had a lot of money, which was already eye-catching. Furthermore, the leader, Zhu Yuhuan, although dressed in men's clothing, looked like a woman, which was indeed quite eye-catching.
After all, they were in an important town, and Zhu Yuhuan didn't want to attract too much attention. So, after a brief stroll, he took Han Guilan and Huai En back to the camp. Unexpectedly, he saw a cavalry at the gate. The man in the lead looked familiar. Before Zhu Yuhuan could distinguish him, the man had already noticed her arrival and greeted her, saying, "Your servant Shi Heng greets Princess Shunde."
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