Volume 5: Fellow Traveler Chapter 881 Afterwards
When Hua Qi followed Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying, and Ah Liu followed reluctantly, to see the emperor and Zhao Guogong Zhu Jing again, he knew that the cousins must have said everything. At this time, there was a long distance between the two of them. The emperor had a calm face, but his eyes showed confusion. On the contrary, Zhu Jing did not show any emotion of surviving a disaster.
"There were rebels who broke into Baiyun Temple and intended to assassinate the Duke of Zhao and his son-in-law who were holding a ceremony here. After failing, they even set fire to the temple. Fortunately, the guards were loyal and brave, and they were all captured in the end. I have sent someone to pass on the order, and tell the world this."
The emperor spoke very slowly, and every word seemed to come out from between his teeth. When he found that Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying were silent, Ah Liu was like a wooden man, and there was also Hua Qi who had returned at some point, he pulled the corner of his mouth and smiled and said, "The current situation is all because of my indecisiveness over the years, and my negligence to the point of almost blindness. I can't blame others."
Having said that, his gaze fell on Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying's hands that were still clasped together, and when his gaze moved upwards, he saw no confusion or fear on their faces, only calmness. Even though he had always known that Zhu Ying was the most carefree person and Zhang Shou was even more of a demon, he couldn't help but envy this young couple at this moment.
"Yingying, don't you have anything to say to me? Aren't you worried that I will investigate Zhang Shou?"
"Your Majesty, if you are going to be like some of those foolish men and women among the people, then A Shou and I will run away." When saying this, Zhu Ying seemed to be talking about a trivial matter like an outing in the countryside, and her expression didn't even change.
She didn't care about her father's glaring eyes that felt like needles piercing her, nor was she afraid of the emperor's long cold face. She just kept talking to herself, "If you want to accuse someone, you can always find a pretext. Especially when it's just such groundless speculation? Ah Shou didn't take power, didn't get involved, didn't form a clique, didn't do anything for personal gain, but he almost lost his life because of someone else's suspicion. Isn't he wronged?"
"Most importantly, does he really have something to hide? Is he really like those famous doctors and craftsmen who secretly hide a skill as their trump card and think that teaching his apprentices will only make them starve to death? No! I only see him trying hard to teach others what he knows bit by bit, and I only see him treating every student with his heart!"
"If they can't even tolerate someone as gentle and harmless as him, then wouldn't it be even more difficult for me, who is outspoken, has a bad temper and explodes easily, to die without a burial place?"
"Yingying, what nonsense are you talking about!" This time, even Zhu Jing couldn't help but stop her, but the next sentence fully expressed his terrible mood as a father, "This is outrageous! How can you curse yourself like this!"
Knowing that Zhu Jing had always treated his daughter as the apple of his eye, and that he had always treated Zhu Ying as his own daughter, the emperor thought he could understand his cousin's anger. Especially knowing that someone had just carried Zhang Shou out of the fire, his feelings became even more subtle and complicated.
Therefore, seeing Zhu Ying glaring at him fiercely, Zhang Shou did not say anything, but continued to stand there calmly, as if he was not afraid that he was the emperor who could decide life and death, honor and disgrace, nor did he have any sense of having to wait for his fate. He could not help but think of the words of Chu Kuan that Zhu Jing had just repeated to him.
As a country boy, Zhang Shou had no famous teacher. Even if Ge Yong had taught for some time, he knew the whereabouts of his teacher, who would never stay in such a remote village often. Therefore, what kind of teaching and training did Zhang Shou have to go through to be like a round pebble washed by a rapids in the water, slippery but standing still?
However, these teachings and hardships are hidden beneath the surface.
Therefore, in this era where being different from others is considered extraordinary, this young man is as eye-catching as a torch in the dark. Chu Kuan thought that he was really deceived by Ge Yong's words, so he ignored Zhang Shou's extraordinary qualities, but how could he ignore them?
He himself is the most rebellious emperor, so how could he ignore someone who is even more rebellious than him?
You know, he had long seen that Zhang Shou had never respected him as the emperor from the bottom of his heart. As for those powerful old men in the court, he had never been afraid of them.
It was not contempt or disdain, but complete equality. Under the strict etiquette, no old master could teach such a student, not even Ge Yong!
Although Chu Kuan's life-threatening remonstrance was like a thorn in the emperor's heart, and Zhu Ying's words were even more piercing, he finally laughed. Although the laughter was not as clear and hearty as before, the haze on his face gradually dissipated.
"Okay, Yingying, you don't have to act like a beauty protecting a hero. I have no intention of doing anything to Zhang Shou. Just like your father said to Chu Kuan, there are more than one famous general who can fight in the world, and there are more than one confidant around me. I admire Emperor Taizu very much, but I have never pinned my hopes on a pile of old papers."
He did not mention the so-called lost firearms in the Military Equipment Bureau, nor did he mention the Taizu handwritten notes in the Ancient and Modern Collection Library, which he might not be able to translate in his lifetime, or even in the next few generations of emperors. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back and said word by word: " When I first ascended the throne, I was still young, boastful, fond of archery and horse riding, and often clashed with ministers. At that time, some people said behind my back..."
"I won't live long. If I do, I will be a tyrant and a disaster to the country!"
He chuckled when he said this, and then said nonchalantly: "In fact, I almost died during the tenth year of Yongchen. Later, I was seriously ill twice and almost died. Fortunately, my temper has gradually become more restrained, and I no longer use people at will. The reputation of the court and the public has finally improved a lot. But those who really understand me know that I don't care about these things at all."
"The royal fleets that have been supporting the palace expenses for a long time have actually stopped being busy with trade and making money several years ago under my control. Instead, they are re-surveying the four seas, drawing maps and sea charts, and buying some books from overseas. It's a pity that I really can't understand them. The words on them are like ghost paintings. It's not the first time they were sent back at the end of last year."
"The Arms Bureau kept two accounts, one open and one hidden. Half of the muskets and cannons were sent to those ships. This account was even hidden from Chu Kuan. Weinan Earl Zhang Kang was a very cautious person, so Chu Kuan actually thought that some cannons had been lost. In fact, it was only because there were no strong cities on the grasslands, and it was inconvenient to carry cannons on the northern expedition, so they were not used at all."
"Of course, there are problems. The training of captains and sailors on the royal ships has always been passed down from father to son and from master to apprentice. It is indeed not as good as the new school system you mentioned in your letter. I just didn't expect that there would be so many children of officials willing to take such a risk and go overseas to see the danger of being eaten by fish. Even though many of them have utilitarian intentions..."
“But I appreciate this kind of utilitarianism.”
He suddenly turned around and glanced at Zhu Jing. After he said this, he saw that although the other party hid his astonishment well on his face, his eyes did reveal some unexpected emotions. He turned back with satisfaction, and then glanced at Zhu Ying, who also had her eyes wide open, but his eyes fell on Zhang Shou, who seemed to be thinking about something.
But then he suddenly asked, "Where did Chu Kuan take you? How did you get back?"
Although the emperor did not mention any names, how could Hua Qi misunderstand? He had just encountered Ah Liu and had a strange fight with him. When he heard Zhu Ying's words, he actually wanted to escape. He thought twice before staying. At this moment, he sighed in his heart and finally told the truth.
"Chu Kuan said that something happened again in the Tianjin Linhai Camp. It was said that Commander Xiong was assassinated. The emperor asked me to go over and take a look." As soon as he said this, he heard a sneer from behind. He knew it was Ah Liu's voice without even looking at him. If he was ridiculed by his apprentice like this at other times, he would definitely go after this kid, but now he had to swallow his anger.
After all, it is not a glorious thing to be pecked by geese while hunting geese all day. Therefore, he did not bother to mention the forged messenger by Chu Kuan, the token and some other evidence that made him have to believe it, and said directly: "However, when I was halfway there, my horse stumbled. When I went to the post station to change horses, I casually asked the post station official, but he said that he had never seen the urgent messenger at all."
The emperor was speechless at such a coincidence. However, such a coincidence was indeed reasonable. The court strictly regulated the use of 400 li and 600 li express, which was the speed and grade of the horses on the post roads. Therefore, for the postmasters who greeted and sent off people every day, it was really easy to tell whether it was an urgent messenger at a glance.
After all, horses are considered to be something that needs to be taken care of these days. If it is not an urgent matter, who would recklessly ride a horse on the road? How much does it cost to destroy a horse? Even the rich and powerful are unwilling to easily bear such unnecessary losses.
"So you came back right away?"
"I showed the token for mobilizing the post station to the postmaster, and dispatched a post soldier to deliver the letter to the Linhai camp, and another post soldier followed behind." As for why he did this, Hua Qi knew that these people were all smart and he didn't need to waste his breath on it - as for the stupid apprentice with a dull face, he was probably smart now. If he underestimated him again, he would be the only one who would be in trouble.
Now that most of the truth had come to light, the emperor finally shook his head in dismay and made a decision.
"Let's end it here. Zhang Shou, no matter who your teacher is, whether you are born with knowledge or not, or how much you know that other people in this world don't know, I don't care. As the Son of Heaven, if you are afraid of this and don't tolerate that, you will end up being nothing more than a mediocre dictator! Just do whatever you want to do, and say whatever you want to say, don't be afraid!"
Seeing that Zhu Ying beside Zhang Shou was happier than anyone else, her excited look was as vivid and real as before. The emperor felt that his depressed mood suddenly improved a lot.
Therefore, his originally somewhat stiff tone unconsciously became softer.
"I have always treated Yingying as my daughter, but she is a stubborn and strong girl. She has never accepted any other title. Even the crown and clothes I once bestowed on her were simply thrown at the bottom of the box. But, Zhang Shou, I hope you remember one thing..." The emperor paused, glanced at Zhu Jing intentionally or unintentionally, and finally coughed heavily.
"If it was me just now, I would definitely carry you out of the fire!"
Zhang Shou was calmly thinking whether he should express some gratitude. After all, the emperor generously said that he would have the freedom to speak and act in the future, which was good news after Chu Kuan's unsuccessful coercion. But this last sentence still stunned him, so much so that he couldn't help but look up at Zhu Jing behind the emperor.
As expected, the father-in-law, who always had a dark face, looked like a pot-bottomed cowrie. Especially when the emperor seemed to be dissatisfied and added, "I also regard you as my son-in-law," Zhu Jing finally couldn't help frowning and objected in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, be careful with your words!"
However, who is the emperor? Why would he care about such a protest? He smiled and said nonchalantly: "Why should I be so cautious? We are all family here. You and I are almost like brothers. I have always regarded Madam Tai as half mother, and I also regard your eldest son and second son as half sons. My sons and daughters who are not up to the task are also your juniors!"
Hearing this, Zhang Shou couldn't help but complain in his heart - Fortunately, the emperor didn't say that your mother is my mother, your children are my children, and your wife is also my wife... Otherwise, Zhu Jing would definitely fight with the emperor!
Although he had just been through the gates of hell, he was completely unable to feel sad and depressed at this moment. He even showed a hint of smile on his face, and said with a smile: "So, I am alone, but I have two fathers-in-law, which is a rare adventure in the world. But since he is a half-son, Brother Zhu is already married, Your Majesty must not forget him."
"I will never forget it!" The emperor laughed dumbly, "That boy has never been good at literature or martial arts, but now he has made great achievements. How can I, as his cousin, not show any appreciation? Don't worry, I will give him an official position!"
What are you worrying about? If you really do it to me, I will have a headache! Zhu Jing was speechless because his objection was ineffective. Now he felt even more overwhelmed. He couldn't help but glare at Zhang Shou fiercely. For the first time, he thought whether it would be better to throw the man into the fire. Anyway, with Ah Liu holding Chu Kuan, this clever boy would definitely not die!
When the group came out of Baiyun Temple, the fire in the side hall had been put out. Fortunately, Chu Kuan had used some excuse to clear out all the Taoists and pilgrims here, so the sudden fire did not cause too serious consequences. As for how much it would cost to rebuild it, that was already a small problem.
Hua Qi, who was the last one to fall behind, glanced at the body covered with white cloth and carried onto the carriage, but could not help but gently press his chest. Chu Kuan had asked him to pass on a letter to the Queen Mother long ago, so he should wait until he checked it, otherwise he could just pretend that nothing had happened!
