Chapter 42 Snowy Night Talk
Although he was the Liaodong Border Patrol Commander, he was not really patrolling the entire Liaodong. The weather was getting colder and colder, and not only Zhu Yuhuan, a royal family, but even the soldiers who followed him on the border patrol could not bear it.
Therefore, after arriving in Guangning, the army turned south and headed back, probably because the trade had just ended and everything went smoothly along the way.
Zhu Yuhuan was originally curious about the situation of the Jurchens in later generations. After asking Liu Yongcheng, he only got a response that they were Dongyi barbarians. He then realized that the Ming Dynasty did not take the Jurchens seriously at all at that time.
"However, if Your Highness is at all interested in the Jurchens, you could meet the eunuch Yishiha. Not only is he a Jurchen, but during the reign of Emperor Taizong, he was repeatedly ordered to inspect areas like Nurgan Dusi and pacify local chieftains. He's incredibly familiar with the area." Liu Yongcheng pondered for a moment, then said, "Although Eunuch Wang Yan shares a similar background to Yishiha, he's had dealings with the King of Han. Your Highness should avoid getting too close to him."
Zhu Yuhuan wrote down the name and said, "Thank you, Master."
Liaodong Regional Military Commission could already be described as bitterly cold, not to mention Nurgan Regional Military Commission in the north. It was easy to encounter Tatars when inspecting there, and one also had to consider local ethnic relations. It was clear that this eunuch was no ordinary person.
Liu Yongcheng shook his head and said, "Your Highness, please be careful when interacting with servants like me. The eunuchs are favored by Your Majesty, and although they are grateful, there are some who do not know the importance of it and take advantage of the favor to become arrogant..."
He was an official from outside the palace and also a eunuch, so he knew more or less about the affairs of other eunuchs. Some of them took advantage of the power of others to make money wantonly, and even dared to use officials to smuggle for them. The ill-gotten gains were used to build mansions outside the palace, and their luxury was no less than that of the royal family. They were simply courting death.
Zhu Yuhuan understood his implication and said, "Master, you are right. I will be more careful and will strictly control the palace servants on weekdays and not let them interact with others at will."
She asked Huai'en to build good relationships with other eunuchs in the inner library, but she herself had almost no contact with these eunuchs who had not yet been given important positions. She was mainly close to the female officials and ordinary palace maids.
After all, whether these people will be reused is another matter. As future members of the Imperial Household Department, their interactions are also under observation and record. Zhu Yuhuan does not want to commit suicide.
Liu Yongcheng was relieved to see that she was confident and said, "I'm glad that Your Highness understands."
It's no easier in the palace than outside. Better safe than sorry.
This border patrol was different from Zhu Zhanji's simple border patrol. In addition to the simple inspection of the border situation, there was also an investigation of the situation of local officers and soldiers. Therefore, it took a lot of time to stop and go. When the team returned to Jizhen, winter had already completely arrived.
The weather was changeable along the way, and there were several heavy snowfalls. Fortunately, Hu Shanxiang had anticipated this and brought a lot of thick clothes for Zhu Yuhuan. Zhu Yuhuan did not catch a cold along the way. Even Xu Gong was hit by the cold, but Zhu Yuhuan was not hurt at all.
Zhu Yuhuan was quite proud of this, claiming that he had a physique that "becomes stronger when facing stronger opponents". He also took out the amulet given to him by Xu Wangzhi, saying that he was protected by the Goddess of Mount Tai and would naturally be free from illness and disaster. This time Xu Gong was really convinced and cooperated with Zhu Yuhuan's words.
The princess's strong physique is indeed extraordinary.
Liu Yongcheng personally sent Zhu Yuhuan back to Jizhen, and Jizhen also wanted to entertain the two of them. Because Liu Yongcheng still had official duties to attend to, and then he had to go to Kaiping Wei to inspect the project left by Xue Lu, he could not stay in Jizhen for long. Zhu Yuhuan also had to rush back to Beijing at the end of the year, so after resting for two or three days, the officials of Jizhen held a farewell banquet for Zhu Yuhuan and Liu Yongcheng.
Although the banquet was not large, the atmosphere was quite warm, especially since Princess Shunde was also there. Despite the presence of a screen pavilion, local officials did not dare to entertain them carelessly, so this farewell banquet could be described as fresh and elegant, and both the guests and the hosts were very happy.
Tomorrow, Liu Yongcheng and Zhu Yuhuan, the master and apprentice, will be separated. Zhu Yuhuan is naturally reluctant to let Liu Yongcheng go, so he takes the initiative to send Liu Yongcheng back to the resting place.
In winter, Ji Town becomes quiet at night, no longer as bustling as it was during the day. There is only the whistling sound of the wind, which picks up the snow that had fallen on the eaves, and from time to time, it creates a white vortex in the darkness.
Master and disciple walked side by side. Liu Yongcheng, mindful of the march the next day, drank only a few glasses, the aroma of alcohol dissipating in the wind. He said to Zhu Yuhuan, "Your Highness will be heading south to return to the capital tomorrow. Jizhen will also send additional soldiers to escort you. I am finally relieved."
Zhu Yuhuan half-jokingly said, "Xu Gong can rest assured now. Otherwise, he would always be nagging me, 'Your Highness must pay attention to your own safety', 'Your Highness must be cautious in your actions'..."
Fortunately, Xu Gong and others were following at a distance and did not hear Zhu Yuhuan's ridicule.
Liu Yongcheng was a little amused when he heard this, but he still said, "Xu Gong is not wrong. Your Highness is a precious child, so naturally you must prioritize the princess's safety. Your Highness, don't forget that Emperor Taizong is always thinking about you, so you must take good care of yourself."
Hearing Liu Yongcheng mention Zhu Di, Zhu Yuhuan immediately said seriously: "I will definitely remember my master's advice."
Liu Yongcheng noticed that Zhu Yuhuan seemed a little anxious and asked, "Your Highness, are you in a bad mood?"
Zhu Yuhuan was silent for a long moment before finally speaking, "I often send people south to deliver food, so I've naturally learned a little about people's lives along the way. Your Majesty has inevitably indulged in pleasure over the years, leaving ordinary people struggling to survive. The White Lotus Sect has been unashamed in recruiting followers, and local officials have either kept their knowledge secret or colluded with these people... I'm afraid the Ming Dynasty will no longer enjoy peace."
Liu Yongcheng was slightly stunned. He knew very well that Zhu Yuhuan had accumulated a very well-informed network of intelligence among the people over the years. Coupled with Zhu Yuhuan's analysis of the situation, he was afraid that her prophecy would soon come true.
For a moment, both of them fell silent.
After an unknown amount of time, the two men arrived at Liu Yongcheng's courtyard gate and saw a ray of moonlight falling on the snow beside the gate, illuminating it brightly.
Liu Yongcheng sighed and said, "I wonder when I will see His Highness again."
Alutai fled and the Uriankhai traded, but although it was stable today, there was no guarantee that there would be unrest again in the future, especially since these Tartars were fickle and would harass the south at a whim.
Swords and knives are merciless on the battlefield. Who knows if Liu Yongcheng will die on the battlefield one day?
Seeing that he seemed somewhat disappointed, Zhu Yuhuan reached out and helped Liu Yongcheng up the stairs, saying, "Master is an ever-victorious general, loyal and brave, yet calm and meticulous. Not only does my father trust him, but Huanhuan also believes that Master will be invincible."
Liu Yongcheng saw her sparkling eyes looking at him, and thought that she was no longer the little girl who had just picked up the bow and arrow, and he felt that time was passing by quickly.
Liu Yongcheng supported Zhu Yuhuan as they walked up the stairs, and he himself took a step behind, saying, "Your Highness has placed such trust in me that I will be loyal to my duty and serve you till death."
Zhu Yuhuan looked at him and continued, "For the country and the people, this is what we should do."
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