The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1602

[1602.Chapter 1523 The Wind Zhijincao]

Emperor Hongzhi’s heart was filled with excitement when he heard these words from Fang Jifan.

But… he had doubts in his heart again.

It took only a few years for Xingfu Group to reach this point in the place west of the Ural Mountains, thousands of miles away, isolated by the desert and the rolling mountains.

This approach will obviously not boost the share price of Xingfu Group too much.

But… it is something that will benefit future generations.

His only doubt was whether the matter was exaggerated.

If Wang Shouren is really capable of this, even if it is only half of what Fang Jifan said, this will be a great achievement in history.

Once this happens, it means that the west of the Ural may even become the Shuzhong of the Ming Dynasty. The so-called difficulty of entering Sichuan is as difficult as ascending to the blue sky.

But so what, even if there are many obstacles, and even if the road is closed during the war, there has never been a long-term separatist kingdom in Sichuan, and the court has never worried that someone can establish a separatist regime in Sichuan.

The obstacles of roads and terrain are not obstacles to the unity at all, but the people’s hearts are.

However, Fang Jifan’s words clearly contained an element of exaggeration for his disciples.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with exaggerating.

After all, these are all real and there is no deception or fraud.

Therefore, Emperor Hongzhi attached great importance to this.

After all… the problem that Ming Dynasty is encountering right now is that although it has strong military strength and the ability to expand outward, what it lacks the most is the capital to hold on.

At the beginning, Emperor Hongwu Gao and Emperor Wen swept across the desert and Hexi. The desert areas also built cities to guard them. Emperor Wen even conquered Annan and captured Jiaozhi, but so what?

Immediately afterwards, the Mobei land could not defend itself, and finally had to give up and use the nine sides as the defense line.

As for the land of Jiaozhi, after Emperor Wen, he withdrew his troops and had to recognize the Annan Kingdom.

Emperor Hongzhi also gave up on the Hexi Corridor for a time.

The reason is not that the blood of Ming Dynasty is gone and the descendants of later generations are unworthy.

But they discovered that the cost of occupying this place was extremely high, reaching the point where the court could not make ends meet. The so-called abandonment was really a last resort.

But if the west of Ural can be controlled and turned into Shuzhong of the Ming Dynasty, then… it is not an exaggeration to say that this is a legacy for the Ming Dynasty.

Emperor Hongzhi was silent for a moment and then spoke to Fang Jifan.

“I still have to let people see it with their own eyes. If seeing is not believing, I still feel uneasy.”

This is a big deal, and we need to be careful.

“If this is the case, Wang Shouren will be far ahead of Ouyang Zhi.”

As a coach, he has such long-term considerations. Every general is eager to achieve great achievements, but Wang Shouren is just like Fang Jifan said, A man who is good at fighting has no great achievements, and he only plans to do it slowly. On the surface, he has no merit. In fact, his actions are many times better than a great victory.

He is also a rare talent who can be gentle and gentle.

It was understandable when Fang Jifan heard that Emperor Hongzhi really wanted to send people to check to the west of the Ural Mountains.

This was a big deal. If it was done, it would leave valuable experience for future generations to imitate. Emperor Hongzhi had to be careful. If he were himself, he would have the same idea.

Therefore, Fang Jifan nodded to Emperor Hongzhi and fully agreed with his idea.

“Whoever Your Majesty thinks is appropriate to send, since he is going to send someone, this person must be absolutely loyal to Your Majesty, honest and honest.”

Fang Jifan said, raised his head and glanced at Xiao Jing standing aside.

Xiao Jing’s heart skipped a beat, his legs suddenly trembled, and he couldn’t help but start shaking.

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and said: “I am the most trustworthy of my successor.”

Fang Jifan immediately said: “I can’t go, I have to avoid suspicion. After all, Wang Shouren is my disciple. What’s more, I am ill.” …”

Emperor Hongzhi smiled: “Of course I know, don’t be afraid. What do you think of the British Duke Zhang Mao?”

Fang Jifan shook his head again: “Your Majesty, the British Duke Zhang Mao is old, and he is celebrating this year. To start, I’m afraid I can’t do it without him.”

Emperor Hongzhi sighed.

What he needs is an absolutely loyal person who can tell the truth exactly as it is, even if it is just a little bit of exaggeration, it will definitely not work. This is a big deal, and there will be a lot to learn from in the future.

“Then look at Jifan, who can do it?”

Fang Jifan smiled and filled up the wine for Emperor Hongzhi, and then looked at Xiao Jing.

“Actually, I think… Eunuch Xiao is the most qualified for this important task. Your Majesty has the most trust in Eunuch Xiao, and he has always hoped to serve your Majesty. He often told me that he is waiting by your Majesty’s side. Although I am very relieved to see Your Majesty every day, I always feel very distressed when I see His Majesty working on state affairs. Unfortunately, he is just a eunuch and can never find a chance to share His Majesty’s worries. Your Majesty, what a coincidence. …”

Xiao Jing’s heart was filled with chills, and he subconsciously wanted to say: “Your Majesty, this servant didn’t say these things…”

But…

didn’t what Fang Jifan said just mean that he was loyal to His Majesty? How can I deny it myself.

But…west of the Ural Mountains.

Xiao Jing accompanied Emperor Hongzhi to see the map.

That place requires crossing tens of thousands of miles of desert, not only rugged mountains, but also long ice fields and grasslands. I heard that along this way, people’s tongues can freeze into popsicles when they drink water. Fang Jifan is such a bad guy. People are cheating, he is teaching us meat buns to beat dogs, there is no return.

Xiao Jing felt that his vision was dark. What a eunuch like us has done is not worth the slightest. We have managed to survive until today. We should have enjoyed happiness, but it was a disaster from heaven.

Emperor Hongzhi raised his head, looked at Xiao Jing, and called with a smile.

“Xiao Banban.”

Xiao Jing fell to the ground with a snap, trembling: “Slave… slave is here… here…”

Emperor Hongzhi was quite moved after hearing Fang Jifan’s words. This old slave followed him, It has been decades, and he has been working hard for decades. Unexpectedly, when he is older, he still has such a mind, which always makes him unfavorable in doing things, but no matter what, he still has this loyalty.

Emperor Hongzhi sighed in his heart and asked Xiao Jing seriously.

“Is what Jifan said true?”

Xiao Jing, can he say no? I could only lower my head and think about how to answer without saying a word.

Fang Jifan looked at Xiao Jing with a smile, you see… Xiao Jing, although he always had some friction with him, but I, Fang Jifan, never retaliated and said bad things about him, but he always showed his power in front of the emperor. Loyalty, what is this? This is sentiment. In this world, there are too few people in this world who are as kind-hearted and don’t bear grudges.

This reminded Fang Jifan of a short poem, if the world is dark, he is the light, yes, a very bright one.

Xiao Jing hesitated, but found that he could not say a word. What could he say at this moment? What could he say about Your Majesty? This was Fang Jifan’s lie. He never said that he wanted to share His Majesty’s worries?

He gritted his teeth: “Yes, slave… I said these words.”

Emperor Hongzhi sighed: “It’s rare for you to have such loyalty. I have seen you serve me all these years, and now you are both You still want to share your worries with me, because I trust you so much. But it’s a long way to the west of Ula, and the dangers on the road are unimaginable. I’ve even heard that this is a narrow escape, especially for you. As you get older, I really can’t let you go.”

Xiao Jing opened his mouth to say something, but found that he was speechless.

Fang Jifan said with emotion: “Your Majesty, since ancient times, the strong wind knows the strong grass, and loyal ministers have always been honest. A loyal man like Eunuch Xiao, although he is only a eunuch, his loyalty is still admired by his sons and ministers. “

Emperor Hongzhi nodded. He really couldn’t think of anyone else who could take his place and go to the west of the Ural Mountains.

Emperor Hongzhi said: “In that case, let Xiao Banpan go there.”

Xiao Jing: “…”

Emperor Hongzhi said again: “Go with my order, not only to inspect the people’s sentiments there, but also to gain experience. After looking at the customs there, it was just right to bring me a decree to call Wang Shouren back to the capital. As for who will take over his position, let the Wang Qing family choose a suitable candidate from the Xingfu Group.”

Xiao Jing cried. I came down with a crash, my legs were shaking, now… I was really going to die.

But at this moment he could only kowtow: “Slave… slave… I obey the order.”

Seeing him crying, Emperor Hongzhi couldn’t help but asked curiously: “Why did Xiao Banban cry so well?”

Fang Jifan immediately said: “This is Eunuch Xiao finally had the opportunity to serve His Majesty. Thinking about it, he cried with joy. Oops… His eyes seemed to have sand in them. Seeing such a touching scene, his nose was also a little sore. Eunuch Xiao, go ahead, there is no need. No worries, Your Majesty will take good care of your family. If they are really killed, it doesn’t matter. As the saying goes, loyal bones are buried everywhere in the mountains…”

Xiao Jing burst into tears and couldn’t help but said: “Qi Guogong, please stop talking. Please stop. I’ve said it, I’ll go as long as I can, but please don’t say it anymore.”

Emperor Hongzhi also felt a little moved by this scene.

He has complete trust in Xiao Jing. With Xiao Jing there, he can rest assured.

Seeing how much Xiao Jing was crying, he couldn’t help but sigh: “Let’s leave tomorrow and hurry up. I’m still waiting for news from you.”

Emperor Hongzhi drank a lot of wine that night and saw Xiao Jing crying non-stop, but Unconsciously, I was a little drunk.

Not to mention being surrounded by people and entering the palace that night.

When I got up the next day, it was already noon.

He rarely got up so late. When the eunuch who was waiting for him came in, Emperor Hongzhi asked subconsciously: “Where is Xiao Banban?”

The eunuch said: “Eunuch Xiao went westward according to the order. He said that your majesty asked him to leave today. He was crying early in the morning. I wanted to come to see you, but I heard that His Majesty was asleep, so I had to leave.”

(End of this chapter)