The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1724

[1724. Chapter 1640 The Emperor’s Wrath]

Not long after…

the inn actually became popular.

The firelight was reflected in Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes.

In the depths of Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes, fire danced, but he kept pursed his lips, clasped his hands behind his back, said nothing, and just stared at the dazzling fire in silence.

Fang Jifan was also silent.

He glanced at Emperor Hongzhi. Although Emperor Hongzhi did not show too many expressions, he seemed to be able to feel the overwhelming anger in Emperor Hongzhi’s heart.

Fang Jifan naturally understood Emperor Hongzhi’s mood.

This is a provocation to the imperial power, so naked that there is no longer a fig leaf, and the pretense of propriety, justice and shame is completely stripped away.

“Your Majesty…”

Emperor Hongzhi glanced at Fang Jifan with a dull expression, but said calmly: “If the prince were here, how would he handle this matter?”

Fang Jifan thought for a while and did not answer.

Emperor Hongzhi’s face finally showed a bit of gloom, but the always kind emperor tightened his face and said calmly: “This is a hidden danger. Such a huge hidden danger is left here, but I was unaware of it at the beginning. These… today If I don’t accept it, then it will be my descendants who will bear it someday.”

Fang Jifan immediately understood what His Majesty meant.

Emperor Hongzhi is a strange emperor, because it seems that the meaning of his life is to overcome obstacles for his children and grandchildren. He has no hobbies, does not know how to enjoy, does not love beautiful women, is not good at women, and even… is not enthusiastic about exercising power, either. He didn’t have great ambitions for success, and seemed to have no desires or desires, but… Fang Jifan understood that he had a pursuit, but this pursuit was more noble than most people who were emperors and fathers.

Emperor Hongzhi turned around and seemed to have returned from the darkness on the deck to the brightly lit human world, back to the Qinhuai River here, a place where rich people can buy drunkenness.

So I asked the turtle slave to pour tea, and he took a sip as if there was no one there.

He seemed to be hungry, so he ordered people to serve wine and food. The food in the south of the Yangtze River was extremely exquisite, especially for those scholar-bureaucrats and scholars. It’s always a little rougher.

Emperor Hongzhi ate very deliciously, but was very silent. He seemed to have a good appetite. When he was almost done eating, he looked up: “The Xiaoling Mausoleum is not far from here, right?”

Fang Jifan thought for a while and said, “The Xiaoling Mausoleum is in the Purple Mountain. I’m afraid there will be some distance.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded: “I am the unworthy grandson of Emperor Gao.”

Fang Jifan said, “Your Majesty wants to go to Xiaoling?”

“When you come to Nanjing, why don’t you visit Emperor Gao?” The emperor took over the world with a commoner and carried a three-foot sword, and unified the Chinese and barbarians. This was unprecedented since the beginning of the world. He ruled the world with severe punishments, and many people complained. I was not sensible after all, and I always thought. , Emperor Taizu Gao was harsh on others, so all his ministers were in danger, sighing that although Emperor Gao had great merits, he was still beautiful and had flaws. But thinking about it today, it was not the case. Emperor Taizu Gao knew people’s hearts well and was inhuman. Comparatively, he grew up in a humble and turbulent place, and lived in troubled times. The world he saw was full of devastation and the ugliness of people. Taizu saw everything clearly, and he was very aware of everything. I have been in power for decades. Emperor Gao could only inherit the throne after he won the country. He drank water and thought about his origins, but he thought that it was unworthy of him not to visit the Xiaoling Mausoleum in person for decades. Today… it’s time to take a walk and take a look. Then Xiangdian, in front of the souls of our ancestors, reflect on your mistakes and go to… Xiaoling.”

Fang Jifan nodded: “Your Majesty, I will make arrangements now. Xiaoling is an absolutely safe place. After all, there are Xiaoling Guards there, and all of them are dedicated to their duties. It would be best if Your Majesty is there. What’s more, it’s only a short distance away from Nanjing, but at the same time, it avoids the disturbance in Nanjing… Your Majesty. This arrangement can be said to kill three birds with one stone, and I admire you.”

“Okay, don’t flatter me.” Emperor Hongzhi said coldly, with no expression on his face. “

Obviously, Emperor Hongzhi. My mood was really bad, and I was a little less patient than usual.

Fang Jifan was almost wailing: “Your Majesty, these words from my heart are from the bottom of my heart. Even if they break my heart, I will never change. I will remain determined and will never regret it.”

At night…

the weather is a little cold.

There is no joy of silk and bamboo in this flower boat. The colorful flower boat cruises quietly on the Qinhuai River, moving slowly, with its back to the lights of thousands of families behind it, and slowly cruising in the direction of the stars. The swaying water ripples cut into pieces the bright moon reflected in the river.

…………

Qi Mansion, backyard.

In this hall, Qi Zhiyuan was actually just accompanying the last person.

Sitting tall at the head was an old man who seemed to have just finished his shift. He was still wearing official clothes and his black gauze hat was placed on the coffee table.

In addition, there are several people who are accompanying me like stars holding the moon.

The old man was drinking tea slowly, while next door there were several musicians playing and singing. The faint tune was floating in the air. The old man closed his eyes slightly and sipped the tea while listening to the tune. Occasionally he put down the tea cup and pointed his fingers. Beating the beat softly, his head shook slightly, and then he smiled.

Qi Zhiyuan obviously did not have such a character. He kept looking outside, looking uneasy.

At this time, there were rapid footsteps outside.

Finally… there is news.

So Qi Zhiyuan was busy coughing loudly.

The musician next door seemed to have heard the signal, so the song stopped abruptly.

So…the old man’s brows furrowed deeply.

It seemed that because he heard the most touching part, his interest was disturbed by Qi Zhiyuan.

But… he seems to be a very well-educated person. Even if someone disturbs his mood, he has no intention of blaming him. His brows slowly loosen, and his face gradually becomes gentle again. He raises the tea cup, but does not drink. He just lowered his head and blew into the tea, blowing away the foam.

People from outside hurried in and said: “Master, master… there is news about the tiger.”

This is the head of the Qi family.

The hall was very dark, and everyone’s expressions became a little blurry.

It’s just that… this dim hall was like a mime being staged. Everyone in the hall was silent and motionless.

The chief said again: “The tiger from Taihu brought hundreds of brothers and suddenly attacked the inn. All the people he brought were good at using swords and crossbows. They also attacked and killed two people in the inn.” More than a dozen people…only…one was left alive.”

The old man frowned slightly again.

Qi Zhiyuan finally stood up and said sternly: “How can there be any survivors? Didn’t we agree that no chickens or dogs will be left? What’s going on? Could it be the water bandits of Taihu Lake, that dog who claims to be a tiger, actually did this on purpose? He wants to hold a living person and threaten us? Hehe… Who is he? He is just a pawn. How dare he do this? Tomorrow… he will kill them and let them die without a burial place. “

No.” The chief hurriedly shook his head and said: “There is something wrong… During the day, the imperial envoy and his entourage were the young ones, quite handsome, but very greedy and lazy. That guy…they…are not in the inn…”

“What…” Qi Zhiyuan’s body trembled, and his face suddenly turned bad.

The person was not here…

Qi Zhiyuan’s face suddenly tightened, and he said anxiously: “Didn’t you ask people to keep an eye on you before?”

“The key to the problem… is this…” The chief said: “Because the person is not here, so The tiger in Taihu Water Village left one alive and tried to find out the whereabouts of the two people.

“No… I don’t know. The people who were watching said that they were watching several doors, but there was no one.

“

Whereabouts, but…but…they guessed that maybe…they escaped through the back door.”

“Did they notice?” Qi Zhiyuan shuddered, his eyebrows twisted into a frown.

If the other party is on guard, then… everything is over.

“Maybe it’s not noticed.” The host said: “The back of the inn is connected to the Qinhuai River. There are many flower boats in the Qinhuai River… The young man I saw during the day was the delicious one… This person He has a lustful look, and although he has a face as beautiful as a crown jewel, he always looks idle and seems to be overindulging. In all likelihood, he… has a preference for this. After all, we are here on business. If we go there in a big way, we are probably afraid of being impeached by the imperial censor. Master, you know… they… always have to avoid things, so…” “

Have you checked?”

“Yes, there is one. The people on the flower boat said that a group of strange guests came here. They have a preference for men and are very willing to spend money. It is really hard to tell that this imperial envoy looks grand in the daytime, but he has no idea how much money he has behind him. …But…I heard that they seemed to…want to find the man at first, but later changed their mind after the inn caught fire, and hurriedly found a place and went ashore.”

“It seems…that they were aware of it. It’s dangerous, run away.” Qi Zhiyuan gritted his teeth and stamped his feet: “Even if you dig three feet of the ground for me, even the officers and soldiers who dredged the Nanjing guards, as well as the three religions and nine schools of Nanjing, will all be inspected and secretly investigated by me. I have to kill these two. People…”

When he said this…

the old man suddenly spoke: “Why do you want to kill them all?”

When he said this, Qi Zhiyuan turned around in surprise: “Teacher, didn’t we agree…”

“Our purpose, It was to confirm the serious crime of treason committed by the Duke of Wei, so he wanted to punish the imperial envoy. Now, although the imperial envoy is not dead, his business is being attacked, and almost all of his followers are dead. At this time, he will think, “

Who are this group of people?”

“What you mean is…”

“It doesn’t matter whether this person is dead or not. Now… we have secured victory, and now it’s time for the Duke of Wei to panic. , but… even if they jump into the Yellow River, they will not be able to clean themselves up.”

The old man paused, and then said: “Next, it is time for people to submit memorials… I think it won’t take long, this will happen. There will be no peace in the south of the Yangtze River. Let Your Majesty see that his country is not stable, so it’s okay…”

When the old man said this, the corners of his mouth slightly curved, and he smiled to himself.

(End of chapter)