Chapter 72 Wait and See
Hu Shanxiang had just stood up when a message came from outside announcing the emperor's arrival. Zhu Qizhen walked in and saw Hu Shanxiang there with tears in her eyes. He was slightly stunned and showed a rare look of confusion.
Hu Shanxiang was still thinking about bringing some things for her daughter, so she just said a few words to Zhu Qizhen in a hurry and returned to Qingning Palace. She must have started to ask people to count what to bring.
Zhu Qizhen sat at the top, but his eyes fell on Hu Shanxiang's back. He did not come back to his senses for a long time. It was not until Zhu Yuhuan took the initiative to speak that Zhu Qizhen responded.
"Why is your majesty so absent-minded?"
Zhu Qizhen showed a rare look of embarrassment and said, "I see tears in my mother's eyes. It must be because my elder sister is going to join the expedition."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't deny it, but smiled and said, "Mother is a little worried, but knowing that Minister Wang and General Jiang are traveling with me, I feel much more at ease."
Zhu Qizhen's tone unconsciously added a bit of envy, and he said: "Mother treats my elder sister very well."
Zhu Yuhuan was amused when he heard this and asked, "Is there anyone in the palace who is not kind to His Majesty?"
Zhu Qizhen scratched his temples, his tone becoming more awkward and irritable as he said, "Who dares to treat me badly? It's just..."
He couldn't put it into words, but he felt that the kindness was not simple kindness, nor was it the kindness that Hu Shanxiang showed to Zhu Yuhuan.
Even though as an emperor, he should be treated well by everyone, but Zhu Qizhen still felt that this was far from enough.
He also wanted the same kindness that Hu Shanxiang showed to Zhu Yuhuan, which had nothing to do with his status as emperor, but simply because of who he was.
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is resolute and resolute. Naturally, everyone can only look up to you and admire you. Why should Your Majesty mind?"
Zhu Qizhen was comforted by her words and simply put aside his awkwardness. He simply said to Zhu Yuhuan, "Although the emperor's armor is well-made, it is a bit old after all. I will ask Wang Zhen to send people to speed up the armor making. It will be completed before the elder sister leaves the capital."
Since the Zhengtong period, the armor has been changed. The two factories have been making armor all year round. All the materials are ready-made. They just need to be slightly modified according to the identity of the wearer. Therefore, the production speed is faster than usual.
This set of armor was an old one Zhu Zhanji had worn when he was the crown prince. It was only slightly newer than his previous set of blue armor. Zhu Yuhuan was tall and could have worn it in battle, but he had to consider it as a violation of etiquette, so he only gave it to the emperor as a reward, and displayed it in front of everyone as a token of his favor. Long before Hu Shanxiang, people in the court had witnessed Princess Shunde wearing the armor.
Zhu Yuhuan saw through Zhu Qizhen's thoughts at a glance and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't worry. The emperor has several sets of armor made after he ascended the throne. That is in line with the emperor's style."
Zhu Yuhuan was the eldest princess and the emperor's sister from the same father. Unlike foreign ministers like Jiang Gui, who were only rewarded with armor and other items from the emperor, Zhu Qizhen could only reward people with his own father's things.
But he still felt a little concerned. After all, this armor was Zhu Zhanji's old item. It was a father's thing and should have been left to his son. But he gave it to Zhu Yuhuan like this. Even though she was his own sister, Zhu Qizhen still felt a little unhappy.
Zhu Qizhen coughed lightly and said, "I know..." He looked at Zhu Yuhuan and said, "Wang Ji, Jiang Gui and Big Sister are going to Yunnan. Although they won't be going into battle immediately, the people in Yunnan and other places are tough. There are also powerful local chieftains and rebels who are colluding with Luchuan. Big Sister must pay attention to her own safety."
Zhu Yuhuan heard the concern hidden in his words and said, "I understand. Your Majesty, rest assured. After arriving in Yunnan, we will first investigate the local situation and discuss combat plans and strategies. We will definitely not act rashly."
This time, the number of recruited soldiers alone started at 100,000, which was definitely not as simple as the previous White Lotus Rebellion. Not to mention that places like Luchuan were good at raising rare and exotic animals, and there were elephants, lions, etc. as soldiers. Zhu Yuhuan's attitude was also cautious.
She doesn't want to "die before achieving success, leaving the hero in tears."
Zhu Qizhen himself had only learned some theoretical skills when he was studying in the cabinet, so naturally he could not give any practical guidance. He could only give a few dry instructions.
After all, all the polite words had been said when the decree was announced in the palace, so Zhu Qizhen was inevitably at a loss for words now.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuhuan took the initiative to speak: "If it weren't for the Luchuan incident, I would have wanted to watch the military examinations with His Majesty in the capital. What a pity..."
Zhu Qizhen could hear the regret in her words, so he consoled her, "Don't worry, big sister. This time, the martial arts exam isn't as well prepared as the civil exam, so it probably won't be very interesting. Once the martial arts exam has its own rules and regulations, the talents selected will only get better and better, and the spring exam will be even more interesting. Why rush it now?"
Zhu Yuhuan just sneered in his heart.
At that time, she had long lost the qualifications to assist in the administration. Who knows whether Zhu Qizhen would still allow Zhu Yuhuan to watch the spring military examination together as he said today?
While thinking this in his heart, Zhu Yuhuan still praised as usual: "The military examination is your majesty's new policy. I believe it will definitely select talented people. I will wait and see."
Mentioning this, Zhu Qizhen was full of confidence, patting his chest and saying, "Don't worry, big sister. Although the preparations for the martial arts exam are short, Zeng Heling is very capable and there will definitely be no mistakes."
The more he spoke, the brighter his eyes became, as if he had seen countless capable ministers and brave generals promoted by his own hands, which shocked those self-righteous officials.
"Liu Qiu and other scholars keep talking about defending the northwest border. After the military examination, these capable officials and brave generals will naturally protect the border. What is there to fear from the small Wala?"
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but sneer in his heart when he thought about asking someone to ask Shi Heng about the border smuggling.
She didn't know whether the Wala was small or not, but she knew that the termite was right next to Zhu Qizhen. Zhu Qizhen still knew nothing about this and was still imagining the future when the Ming Dynasty would sweep across the world.
Zhu Yuhuan looked at him, but his mind had already flown to a distant place.
Eight years, and another eight years... Or maybe even sooner...
Zhu Qizhen excitedly talked about his vision for the future, but he never heard Zhu Yuhuan's response. He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Big sister? Are you tired today?"
Zhu Yuhuan simply smiled and said to Zhu Qizhen, "I was simply lost in thought when I heard Your Majesty was so passionate about military affairs. Father would be very pleased if he knew Your Majesty was so devoted. Your Majesty is not only diligent in government affairs, but is also equally outstanding in military affairs."
Hearing Zhu Yuhuan praising him like this, Zhu Qizhen became even more proud and said, "Don't worry, big sister. If great-grandfather and father saw the future Ming Dynasty, they would definitely not be disappointed."
Zhu Qizhen often boasted that his father had followed Emperor Taizong to conquer Mongolia and had even led troops into battle personally. Because of this, he also firmly believed that he could become a man like his great-grandfather and father.
As for the current border, it is simply because of insufficient personnel. As long as he can select his confidants through the military examination to replace these original officials, he will be able to restore the Ming army to its former glory, defeat the barbarians, and conquer the Wolf's Lair!
Zhu Yuhuan was a little amused, but still said, "Then I will dare to wait and see with my ancestors."
"good!"
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