The Prosperous Era of Longwan

"Eunuch Chen, please take a seat."

After welcoming the guests into the box, Nafang took the initiative to invite the guests to sit at the top, completely lowering his body.

"Haha, Mr. Shao, you're so polite. Why should I overshadow the guest?"

Chen Hong, who had a "smile" on his face, said politely. Although he said so, he still walked over and Da Ma Jin Dao sat down.

Now Chen Hong's status in the inner court has been ranked third. In the past, he could only be ranked fifth.

As for those in front of him, in addition to Teng Xiang and Meng Chong, there were also Li Fang and Feng Bao.

But now, Li Fang has fallen from power, and he has been promoted to the position of Royal Supervisor, and he also serves as the Supervisor of Ceremonies and Dongchang. He has already surpassed Feng Bao.

With the improvement of his status, he gradually became more domineering in his words and deeds, and he was not very afraid even against Teng Xiang and Meng Chong.

They just entered the ceremonial department two years earlier than him, and flattered the emperor first, so they achieved their current status.

Now Chen Hong was constantly thinking of ways to make the emperor happy. The holy family was in full swing, and he felt that he could compete with them.

It is not his goal to be the imperial eunuch. He still wants to be the ceremonial eunuch and the eunuch to become the number one person in the inner court.

As for why I was invited by this country boy who ran out of nowhere today, it was all because of the generous gifts given by this boy several times. Otherwise, such a countryman would not be qualified to sit at the same table with him and eat.

Just as the two of them sat down, the box door was pushed open again, and the store had already started serving food.

Nao Fang reserved this place and the rooms on both sides, but he didn't want anyone to disturb the conversation, so he had already ordered the food and wine and ordered them to be served when they came in, and then he didn't have to worry about it.

And outside the box, there were his entourage guarding him, which naturally ensured the privacy of the conversation between him and Chen Hong.

While the store was serving the food, the two of them chatted for a while. After all, they were not familiar with each other.

Before Chen Hong came, he naturally sent someone to check on Xian Fang and found out that he was from Danyang, South Zhili, and had been very active in the capital recently. There were also signs that he came to the capital under the order of Gao Gong, the former cabinet scholar.

Chen Hong is naturally no stranger to Gao Gong.

When Xu Jie started the inverted arch movement, the eunuchs of all sizes in the inner court still liked to joke about it, thinking that it was just a group of dog officials biting each other.

Just as the civil servants regarded eunuchs as castrated dogs, in the eyes of most eunuchs, these civil servants were nothing more than a group of dog officials.

After all, some of the eunuchs who were able to enter the palace did so willingly. They chose this path because their families could no longer survive, in order to leave food for their families.

And most of the misfortunes they encounter are due to these dog officials.

This is not the early Ming Dynasty. People can still be captured through wars and young and strong eunuchs can be selected and sent to the palace as servants.

Among the eunuchs, only a handful of those who came out of the inner study hall would truly admire these literati and recognize their noble integrity.

After the food and drinks were served, everyone left. After the people from the box closed the door, he changed his relaxed smile, took out a letter from his arms, stood up, walked to Chen Hong, and wrote the letter respectfully. Send it.

This letter was naturally given to him by Gao Gong when he left Xinzheng. It was also a letter that Gao Gong had conceived for many days and polished repeatedly.

"What's this?"

Chen Hong pretended to be surprised and asked, but his hands did not move.

Ning Fang knew that this was Chen Hong's deliberate pretense, pretending not to care, and carefully said with his companions: "This is a letter from Mr. Zheng Zhongxuan of Xinzheng to my father-in-law."

"Mr. Zhongxuan? Oh, it's Mr. Gao Ge."

Chen Hong pretended to be surprised, then reached out to take the letter, tore open the seal, took out the letter and read it carefully.

Nafang really didn't know what Gao Gong wrote in his letter to Chen Hong. In his imagination, it should be a polite greeting, then a chat, and finally an expression of his feelings.

However, Nafang only guessed half of it. The words in Gao Gong's letter were indeed very polite, and even seemed a little humble. After all, today is different from the past. Gao Gong is just a former cabinet minister who has stepped down. He is influential but has no power. potential.

Nao Fang was waiting for Chen Hong to read the letter, but at this time, Chen Hong's heart was also in turmoil.

To be honest, Chen Hong really didn't expect that Gao Gong would speak to him in such sincere words. Until now, he had not noticed Gao Gong's promise to him.

In fact, the high arch gave too deep impression at first, that is, it was strong.

Since Yan Song's fall, Gao Gong has gradually revealed his character.

Although in the eyes of some people, Gao Gong is talented, ambitious and admirable, and is an unparalleled talent, his self-proclaimed talent and arrogance also make many people unhappy.

Who would have thought that such a person would talk to him in such a tone and ask for help.

Chen Hong couldn't help but feel a little proud. If this letter spread, I don't know how many people's jaws would be shocked.

It seemed that those boys were well prepared for the investigation. Although he didn't know how Nafang got involved with Gao Gong, he came to the capital to seek Gao Gong's comeback.

He raised his head and glanced at Sato, then continued to lower his head to read the letter.

Nafang also noticed the change in the expression on Chen Hong's face, especially when he inadvertently raised his head and made eye contact. He always felt that Chen Hong's eyes looked strange.

But at this time, after sending the letter, Nafang returned to his seat and sat upright. Apart from being curious about the content of the letter, he didn't dare to think too much.

Now he just hopes that Chen Hong will agree to help because of his friendship with Gao Gong, which will save him a lot of effort.

When in contact with other officials in the future, if many parties are hesitant, he can also pull the tiger skin of Chen Hong.

Only then did Chen Hong notice Gao Gong's promise.

Chen Hong helped him make a comeback, and he helped Chen Hong attack the eunuch in charge of the ceremonial department and became the leader of the eunuchs in the inner court.

Originally, when Chen Hong knew that Nao Fang might be Gao Gong's broker, he deliberately refused. He didn't want Gao Gong to come back.

You must know that with Gao Gong's character and how they competed for favor in front of Emperor Longqing, I am afraid that not only will they not look good on them, but they will also urge the emperor to punish them.

But now that he saw the letter and knew the conditions Gao Gong could offer, Chen Hong was still moved.

Although he felt that he could compete with Teng Xiang and Meng Chong, he still lacked confidence after all. If he could really get Gao Gong's support and Gao Gong's influence on Emperor Longqing, it seemed that great things could be accomplished.

As for whether bringing Gao Gong back to the capital would offend the officials in the court, haha, he is a eunuch, and the inner and outer courts will naturally not deal with him.

On the other hand, other people in the inner court may also isolate him, or even try to find opportunities to mess with him.

You know, how long has it been since Li Fang's incident?

Many of the things inside were actually created by Teng Xiang, Meng Chong, and his conspirators.

They were able to defeat Li Fang last time without giving him any chance to fight back. There is no guarantee that Meng Chong, Teng Xiang, and others will not use the same method to deal with him.

Chen Hong's face was uncertain, and he was quickly calculating the pros and cons of this matter in his mind.

Although the bait thrown by Gao Gong was attractive enough, he could only get what he wanted after he succeeded. It took too long and he paid too much.

Even if he has Gao Gong's letter in his hand, who knows whether Gao Gong will fulfill his promise in the end?

Thinking of this, Chen Hong's mind moved and he read the letter carefully.

There is nothing wrong with the handwriting, and the final signature and seal are indeed Gao Gong's habits and things.

It doesn't look like it was written by someone pretending to be Gao Gong.

Instantly, Chen Hong felt relieved.

It must be true that Gao Gong asked him for help. This letter is a petition.

You know, if the content of this letter is finally spread, it will discredit Gao Gong.

As long as he holds this letter in his hand, it is equivalent to holding Gao Gong's destiny.

However, Gao Gong did not say how he was asked to help in the letter. It seemed that their plan would still fall into Nafang's mouth.

Thinking of this, Chen Hong folded the letter and put it in his arms, and then looked at Nafang.

"Tell me how you can help me."

When Nao Fang heard Chen Hong's words, he felt happy. He knew that Gao Gong's letter had taken effect and Chen Hong planned to provide help.

Great things can happen.

This is a sentence that comes up repeatedly in Nakata's mind at this moment.

No matter what his original purpose was when he left Danyang, as long as he returned Gao Gong to the court, his trip would be worthwhile.

In August in Beijing, the weather has gradually entered autumn. The temperature has begun to drop but it is still a bit hot.

However, the weather today is not bad, the sky is clear and the clouds are clear, which is a good opportunity for the military parade.

From the Anding Gate in Beijing, a long line of sedans and horse teams came out one after another, shouting and swarming towards the camp on the outskirts of Beijing.

After meeting with Zhu Xizhong and others at the gate of the camp, everyone quickly arrived in front of the grand review platform built by the Ministry of Works.

For this grand parade, all etiquette must be used. From the moment the emperor leaves the palace to entering the camp, the entire streets and towers must be under martial law.

However, since it was just a drill, this part of the arrangement was naturally not used. Now Wei Guangde and others were standing quietly under the grand review platform where the officials stood. The highest place was where the emperor stayed, and they could not overstep it.

Here, the people with the highest status are undoubtedly the Duke of Cheng, Zhu Xizhong, and the Duke of England, Zhang Rong. In addition to the Duke, they are naturally Chen Yiqin and Wei Guangde in the cabinet.

Many dignitaries came, and they also knew the news and specially requested permission to participate in this drill.

The purposes are also different, some are to get a sneak peek, and some are to see Da Yue and prepare to succeed Qi Jiguang.

"Cheng Guogong and Huo Shangshu, once you get here, it's your business. Today I'll just watch with my eyes."

Everyone was sitting on the chairs that had been brought here, and Chen Yiqin spoke.

Zhu Xizhong is the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion and also the Admiral in charge of the Beijing Camp. He is the largest official in the Beijing Camp and is naturally his home turf.

Huo Yi is in charge of the Ministry of War and can be regarded as the leader of the Beijing camp, so Chen Yiqin spoke like this.

"Haha, this matter is all handled by Duke Cheng, Mr. Wei Ge and Mr. Tan Shilang. I won't take the credit. Let Duke Cheng make the arrangements."

Huo Yi smiled, knowing that he couldn't take credit for this.

He was the official who occupied the Minister of War, and Wei Guangde, Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang were actually responsible for the review from beginning to end.

Although his faction and Wei Guangde do not want to deal with each other, they will never show it to the public. It is just a conflict of interest, not a mortal enemy.

Wei Guangde smiled and answered: "Admiral Cheng Guogong is in charge of the capital camp, so he should be the commander of the parade."

When Zhu Xizhong heard what they said, he laughed and said, "That's okay, I'll make the arrangements."

After laughing, Zhu Xizhong stood up and stood on the edge of the grand review platform, shouting to the waiting generals from the Beijing camp: "Where is Premier Qi Jiguang and Qi?"

Qi Jiguang was the deputy general of the Beijing camp, but he was also responsible for training troops in the three towns of the prime minister. It was still a position without real power.

Since the official position of Prime Minister on military training affairs is not a permanent official position, Zhu Xizhong is called "Prime Minister" according to custom, just like the so-called "Governor". In fact, the title of the position is Governor of a certain place's military affairs.

Qi Jiguang, who was in the audience, heard the admiral shouting, and immediately walked a few steps out of the queue, clasped his fists and answered loudly to the stage: "The general is here."

"The military parade has been assembled."

Although more than ten square formations could be seen in the distance, and the soldiers had already been lined up neatly waiting to be reviewed, Zhu Xizhong still asked loudly.

"I report to the Admiral, except for the border troops, all the troops from the Beijing camp and Changping and Baoding are here. Please accept your review."

Qi Jiguang still answered loudly.

In fact, in the history of the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Parade did not have this dialogue ceremony. When Wei Guangde, Tan Lun, and Zhu Xizhong were thinking about the process, they thought that there seemed to be a military parade commander-in-chief in later generations who had such a dialogue, and they came up with it on the spur of the moment.

As the highest general in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Xizhong can naturally reprise his role as commander-in-chief.

However, in this drill, Zhu Xizhong asked questions in the name of the reviewer, while Qi Jiguang assumed the role of Zhu Xizhong to conduct the ceremony.

Later, the ceremony in which Zhu Xizhong rode on horseback to review the formations was canceled because it was a drill. He was seen standing on the edge of the grand review stage, waving his hand and shouting energetically: "The grand parade begins."

Qi Jiguang turned around and shouted to the Ming army formation in the distance: "The parade has begun."

As he shouted, several flags began to wave.

In such a large parade ground, no matter how high the volume of an individual's voice is, it is impossible to carry it very far, but with the command flag, the Ming army can easily receive the order.

As the flags were waved, the generals from the Beijing camp who were originally lined up under the stage also moved forward and stood in a line under the stage, acting as a human wall in front of the grand review stage.

Wei Guangde stood up, walked behind Zhu Xizhong, glanced at the generals in the audience, and said with a smile: "Why are their armors so new?"

"They are all getting brand new armor from the warehouse so that they can show off their energy in front of His Majesty."

Zhu Xizhong smiled.

Armor is not cheap to make these days, especially the battle armor worn by these generals. The materials are second, mainly the craftsman, which is particularly time-consuming, so it is expensive to make.

"During the parade, it's best to let them wear ancestral armor, the kind that has been on the battlefield, even if there are some signs of damage and repair, it doesn't matter."

Wei Guangde whispered to Zhu Xizhong.

"Um?"

Zhu Xizhong was a little confused, "Why?"

"The owners of those armors are the bones of the empire. Without their brave fighting, there would be no glory and wealth today.

Although the people are gone, the armor is still there. I believe that each family will preserve it well. Let them witness the military might of the Ming Dynasty army today. "

Wei Guangde replied.

"well said."

The voice of Yang Bo, the Minister of Civil Affairs, sounded from behind.