Chapter 24 There is news
Toghto Boluo received the appointment and was named the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and accompanied the Minister of War Wang Ji to Ganzhou area.
Although he was not going to fight on the battlefield, this trip to Ganzhou was not only to reprimand Jiang Gui and others according to the emperor's order, but also to participate in military training. For someone like Tuotuo Boluo who had been galloping on the grassland since childhood, it was like a captive bird returning to the forest and returning to nature.
The most important thing is that after so many years in Beijing, because his father was seriously injured, Toghto Boluo had to take care of him to fulfill his filial duty. Moreover, he was still too young and a foreigner, so he had no chance to make achievements.
Now that the opportunity has come, Tutu Boluo must seize it.
Before leaving, Tuotuo Boluo made a special visit to the Xu family clinic. Thanking Zhu Yuhuan was one thing, and asking Xu Wangzhi to take good care of his father while he was away was another.
Zhu Yuhuan had not left the palace, so it was naturally Xu Wangzhi who received Toghto Boluo. She agreed to take care of Abji'an, but she was curious and asked, "How do you know it was the eldest princess who recommended you?"
"When the princess led the army to suppress the rebellion, I was by her side, so I have some combat experience." Tuotuoboluo smiled and said, "Besides, no one except the princess remembers us father and son, let alone sending me to accompany the Minister of War to the north. If I ran away, I'm afraid there would be criticism in the capital. Only the princess would be so bold."
Xu Wangzhi had known him for so long, and since Toghto Boluo usually dressed like a Han Chinese, he almost forgot that he was of Tatar origin.
Previously, the Uriankhai tribe surrendered and then defected to the Ming Dynasty. If this happened again, Zhu Yuhuan would be in the spotlight.
Xu Wangzhi suddenly realized and said, "The princess knows that you are filial and will definitely not abandon your father and your people."
"The princess trusts me so much, I certainly can't let her down." Totoboluo said this, looked at Xu Wangzhi, and bowed solemnly, "But once I'm gone, only my father and a few old servants will be left at home. I hope Madam Xu will pay more attention to them. As long as you say something, everyone in my family will obey your orders and will never disobey!"
Xu Wangzhi comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll take care of your father. When you come back, I guarantee he'll be even healthier than he is now!"
Tuotuo Boluo felt a little embarrassed when he heard her agree so readily. He said, "Thank you, Madam Xu. I will work hard at the border. When His Majesty has a reward, I will give it all to you as a thank you gift!"
Xu Wangzhi chuckled and said, "I'm not short of rewards. The princess has given me many good things, including precious medicinal herbs from all over the country. I have no shortage of them." She looked at Tuotuo Boluo and warned him earnestly, "If a fight really breaks out, it's most important to save your own lives. What I've taught you and Zhongge'er are the most reliable methods of stopping bleeding and bandaging. Don't lose your lives, or you'll bring shame upon me."
Hearing the concern in Xu Wangzhi's tone, Tuotuo Boluo quickly responded. Before leaving, he did not forget to remind Xu Wangzhi: "Please, Madam Xu, be sure to convey my thanks to the princess."
Xu Wangzhi nodded slightly and watched Toghto Boluo leave. Then he turned back into the inner courtyard and asked Zhu Yuhuan, who was flipping through a medical book, "Why don't you meet him in person? Don't you have a good relationship with him?"
Zhu Yuhuan put down Xu Wangzhi's medical manuscript and said with a smile, "It's always awkward to thank him in person. Besides, Toghto Boluo knows that your dedication to treating his father is also related to me. There is no need to say more words of thanks. It's better not to meet him."
Xu Wangzhi uttered a soft "oh" and, seeing her holding his manuscript, asked, "Can you understand medical books now?"
Zhu Yuhuan handed the book to Xu Wangzhi and asked curiously, "I can understand it, but I don't understand how to operate it, especially when there are steps that require surgery. Where should I operate?"
Xu Wangzhi first explained her doubts, but then he felt something was wrong and couldn't help asking, "Why are you learning this? Shouldn't I do it?"
Zhu Yuhuan just chuckled and said, "I'm just curious. Didn't you teach Tuotuo Boluo and Zhang Zhong the life-saving medical skills? I want to learn from you too."
Xu Wangzhi put the manuscript away and said, "With me here, you don't need to learn this. Just say the word and I'll come to save you no matter where you are."
Zhu Yuhuan looked flattered and said, "A promise is worth a thousand gold. This is truly a promise worth a thousand gold. I must find a piece of paper to write it down and pass it down from generation to generation."
Xu Wangzhi sighed, "I only care about your business, not anyone else's." She then felt a little itchy and said, "I heard you're going to open a wine shop again, selling sorghum wine. Is it good? What's the difference between it and rice wine?"
When Zhu Yuhuan heard her ask this, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "I brought it for you." After that, she took the box she brought and opened it. There were two jars of wine inside.
Xu Wangzhi sniffed the smell and couldn't help but sigh: "It smells delicious, not inferior to the rice wine back home."
"Doesn't the clinic often brew medicinal wine? I've taken two jars for you to taste. If it works, I'll have more sent over later."
Xu Wangzhi showed a rare excitement and said, "If you don't go back to the palace today, let's try something new."
Zhu Yuhuan raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "How could I not see that you are still a drunkard."
"What's with all that wine?" Xu Wangzhi said confidently, "Drinking moderately is good for your health and can even prolong your life. My grandmother used to drink medicinal wine when she was alive."
Zhu Yuhuan was a little amused and said, "Okay, okay, then I won't go back to the palace today and will accompany you to the end."
When Xu Wangzhi was talking about drinking, he became interested. After just a few drinks, he passed out on the spot. Zhu Yuhuan, on the other hand, remained calm. He reached out and touched Xu Wangzhi's red cheek, and said helplessly, "Seeing you were so interested, I thought you were so powerful, but it turns out you're just three drinks away."
Chen was also at the table. After taking a sip, she praised the quality of the wine. It was just a little stronger than rice wine. She wondered if it could be used to make medicinal wine. She decided to try making two jars first to see if it worked.
Hearing Zhu Yuhuan's words, Chen smiled and said, "This monkey has been with her grandmother since she was little. The old lady always feeds her a cup of wine during festivals, but I didn't expect that after so many years of feeding her, there has been no effect." After she finished speaking, she weighed the wine pot, a little curious, and asked, "Your Highness drinks more than the monkey, how come you don't even blush?"
Zhu Yuhuan looked through the sake in the cup and could vaguely see that his complexion was normal, in stark contrast to Xu Wangzhi, whose face was red and unconscious.
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Everyone in my family is a good drinker, even my mother can hold her liquor quite well. Although I don't drink much, my grandfather is a good drinker, so maybe I can handle a bit of alcohol. Today is just a small test."
As they were talking, Han Guilan came in and said, "Your Highness, it's getting late. It's time to go back home."
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at the sky and knew that Han Guilan had something else to say. Just as he looked at Chen beside him, she had already stood up and said, "It's autumn now, and the sky gets dark early. The clinic is far from the princess's residence, so it would be best for Your Highness to leave early."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded slightly, looked at the drunk Xu Wangzhi, and said to Chen with a smile: "Thank you for cleaning up the mess, madam. I will go ahead."
"Your Highness, what are you talking about?"
Zhu Yuhuan and Han Guilan got on the carriage together. When the carriage slowly moved forward, Zhu Yuhuan asked, "What's the big deal?"
"It's a letter from Taiping Teahouse. I asked the caravan to find a way to send it back." Han Guilan took out the envelope from her bosom and said in a low voice, "It was sent by Shi Heng."
Zhu Yuhuan exclaimed, quite surprised.
When Liu Yongcheng was still stationed in the north, Shi Heng was already the commander of the garrison. Before Liu Yongcheng left, Shi Heng had been promoted to the rank of assistant commander. Later, because of his military achievements, he was transferred to Datong to serve as the deputy commander. It can be said that his career was going smoothly.
On the surface, Liu Yongcheng was Shi Heng's old boss who had promoted him, and the two of them had some interactions. However, Shi Heng and Zhu Yuhuan were completely different, rarely interacting with each other. His sudden letter this time probably meant he had something important to discuss with Zhu Yuhuan.
Zhu Yuhuan opened the envelope and quickly glanced at the contents of the letter. Fortunately, the letter was not long and there were very few greetings. It just went through a simple process and stated the reason.
Shi Heng noticed that the garrison eunuch Guo Jing had dealings with the Oirat and seemed to have accepted bribes from the Oirat. In addition, Shi Heng also cited Guo Jing's acts of exploitation and humiliation, and his implicit meaning was that Zhu Yuhuan should find a way to report it to Zhu Qizhen.
Zhu Yuhuan read the letter again from beginning to end and said, "He actually knew to ask me first and didn't report it to His Majesty first. This letter clears himself of all charges, yet it expresses deep resentment towards Guo Jing. It's clear that these two have been at odds for a long time..." She looked at Shi Heng's letter and couldn't help but say with disdain, "How can this article be written like this? It seems like no one has polished it..."
Han Guilan couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you using His Highness as a pawn?"
Zhu Yuhuan refolded the letter in his hand, chuckled, and said, "He is now the deputy governor of Datong. He thinks that he has made his way step by step through military merit. If I, the eldest princess, can't help him solve his problems, there is no need for him to have any dealings with me."
Han Guilan couldn't help but frown and said, "Why are there so many people like this..."
"He has leverage over Guo Jing, but doesn't Guo Jing have leverage over him?" Zhu Yuhuan said with a half-smile, "Guo Jing was sent to Datong as a garrison eunuch during the late emperor's lifetime. He clearly enjoyed the late emperor's trust. Even if he were to report him, Your Majesty wouldn't touch Guo Jing. How dare he use it to test me?"
Han Guilan felt a little worried after hearing this and couldn't help asking, "What are your plans, Your Highness?"
Zhu Yuhuan sealed the letter back into its envelope, thought for a moment, and said, "The writing you wrote to him is so poor that it gives me a headache just reading it, let alone letting His Majesty read it. Have him find someone to polish it and send it to the capital."
Han Guilan couldn't help but exclaim when she heard her say that. She asked in confusion, "Your Highness means that he should report directly to His Majesty?"
Zhu Yuhuan sneered, "Didn't he ask me to find a solution? I'll give him one, and even if I don't, he'll submit a petition sooner or later... I want to see who's more stubborn, him or Guo Jing. I remember clearly that his uncle Shi Yan passed away and passed the position of commander of the Kuanhe Guard to his nephew Shi Biao. Would he dare to gamble with the future of both uncle and nephew and add fuel to the fire?"
From the previous incident of beheading An Jing, Zhu Yuhuan had already seen that Zhu Qizhen attached great importance to military affairs. Zhu Qizhen would definitely personally inquire about matters such as the discord between the eunuchs guarding the border and the military generals at the border.
Shi Heng wanted to kill someone with a borrowed knife, and Zhu Yuhuan happened to be good at tit-for-tat, so he could set an example for Shi Heng.
Zhu Yuhuan saw Han Guilan's puzzled expression and said, "Although he hasn't stated it explicitly, the letter clearly shows a long-standing grudge against Guo Jing, especially regarding his dealings with foreign tribes. Even if it's true, there are only questions and no evidence. Who knows how much truth he's saying? He views Guo Jing like an enemy, so I'm afraid Guo Jing is no less resentful. The document implicating him is almost ready for the capital."
Han Guilan finally understood. "Your Highness, what you mean is, let Shi Heng do it first, and then we can take action when the time comes?"
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly and said, "Not bad."
Han Guilan understood Zhu Yuhuan's intentions and said, "If he hadn't encountered obstacles, he wouldn't have appreciated the kindness of His Highness and General Liu in supporting him. He would have thought that he could have achieved such a high position solely through military merit, and even his nephew could have been granted an official position."
Zhu Yuhuan saw that she had come to her senses and leaned back slightly. She leaned back on the pillow, one hand on her cheek, and continued, "Besides, doesn't he think that I, the eldest princess, am of little use? I would like to ask him through His Majesty who is the monarch and who is the subject."
Military officers and civil officials were slightly different. While support from superiors was important, it was one's own solid military achievements that convinced the public. Furthermore, with Liu Yongcheng no longer at the border and Shi Heng having been promoted for his merits, it was inevitable that he felt he no longer needed to rely on others.
Whether it's the eldest princess or the prince, there is no possibility of going any further, not to mention that after the new emperor takes power, the court will have a completely different situation. Who knows whether it will be a blessing or a curse to rely on the eldest princess? It is better to rely on your own abilities.
Zhu Yuhuan didn't mind him having such an idea, but based on the theoretical consideration of "either don't fight, or fight to death", Zhu Yuhuan didn't mind letting Shi Heng hit a wall.
Han Guilan and Zhu Yuhuan exchanged a glance. Seeing her looking at him, he said, "Should I...should I write?"
Zhu Yuhuan pursed his lips and smiled, then asked, "What else?"
There was paper and pen in the carriage. Han Guilan wrote her reply on the paper according to Zhu Yuhuan's instructions. Then she heard Zhu Yuhuan ask calmly, "Guilan, do you miss home?"
Han Guilan was stunned and wanted to reply to Zhu Yuhuan immediately, but her mind couldn't help but recall the time when she was still at home. At that time, she was still young and lived with her sisters at home every day. Her brother also taught her to read and write occasionally. How could she forget the warmth of home.
The sound of wheels rolling over the stone slabs was particularly clear in the silent night, almost weighing on Han Guilan's heart. After a long silence, Han Guilan finally said, "I do. But after entering the Ming Dynasty, I am a Ming person from now on. Since I am at home, why should I miss home?"
Zhu Yuhuan looked at her profile and repeated what she had just said, "Since you're at home, why miss home..." Seeing Han Guilan stop what she was doing, she smiled and said, "Why did you stop? Keep writing. There are still many things waiting for you to write in the future, so it's better to familiarize yourself with them sooner."
A gust of wind blew by, and Han Guilan felt relieved. She warned herself in her heart that since she had already taken this step with His Highness, she must never have the slightest thought of looking back.
She is just Han Guilan of the Ming Dynasty.
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