My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 95 The Cautious and Suspicious Ji Gang

People are different, and the crises of middle-aged people are also different.

For example, like Zhu Gaoxu, he was born in the royal family, and his prosperity and wealth are not worth mentioning to him.

At that time, Zhu Gaoxu followed Zhu Di to set up an army to quell the disaster. After four years of fighting, he gained great military exploits, and his reputation, status, and power were all lacking.

It can be said that apart from the throne, Zhu Gaoxu has nothing to pursue.

But now this only pursuit has been completely lost by Zhu Zhanhe, so Zhu Gaoxu feels confused about the way forward and doesn't know where he should go?
Zhu Zhanhe was also worried at this time, he didn't want to see his father become confused, but it was not easy to solve the other party's middle-aged crisis.

For the middle-aged people of later generations, the best way to fight against the mid-life crisis is actually to cultivate a few hobbies to relieve their inner anxiety and confusion.

For example, when many people reach middle age, they start to coil, fish, grow flowers, walk birds and so on.

For middle-aged people, don’t talk about playthings, because middle-aged people are halfway through their lives, and the rest of the road can almost see the end at a glance. Instead of waiting for death in anxiety, it is better to do something to let yourself something to be happy about.

"This...Father, do you have any hobbies?"

Zhu Zhanhe pondered for a long time, and finally asked Zhu Gaoxu.

Although cultivating hobbies can't cure the root cause, it can at least relieve the restlessness in Zhu Gaoxu's heart.

"Don't you know me yet? Apart from martial arts and military training, I have no interest in other things."

Zhu Gaoxu spread his hands, but he doesn't want to do these two biggest hobbies anymore.

"Besides these two, do you have any hobbies that have nothing to do with fighting?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked again without giving up.

"Except for these two?"

Zhu Gaoxu scratched his beard and thought for a long time, and finally patted the table and said: "Horse riding! I not only like riding horses, but also like collecting good horses!"

"This... also counts!"

Zhu Zhanhe hesitated for a moment and nodded.

Although horse riding is still related to fighting, it is at least a little better than martial arts and military training.

Many wealthy people in later generations like to collect luxury cars, and good horses are the luxury cars of this era, so Zhu Gaoxu's hobby is considered normal.

"Father, since you feel bored and irritable, and don't know what to do, why don't you cultivate your own hobbies, go horseback riding and relax when you have time, it should be better."

Zhu Zhanhe finally opened his mouth to suggest.

"Can this work?"

Zhu Gaoxu was a little suspicious.

"When people reach middle age, it is best to cultivate some hobbies. For example, uncle, he likes to read books, and recently he likes to swim. Although the fat on his body has not been lost, his body is much stronger than before."

Zhu Zhanhe took Zhu Gaochi as an example.

"Okay, then I'll give it a try!"

Zhu Gaoxu finally nodded and said that he would definitely not be able to enjoy hobbies such as reading and writing, and riding a horse is more suitable for him.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu was willing to try, Zhu Zhanhe was finally relieved.

Zhu Gaoxu is a man of his word. In the next few days, he will no longer drink alone, but will often ride a horse around the palace for a few laps. When he is in the mood, he will even ride a horse around the city.

As long as people have something to do, they won't think about those messy things.

The same is true for Zhu Gaoxu. In just a few days, his overall condition has been greatly improved, and there is a smile on his face. Gao Guang also told Zhu Zhanhe privately that Zhu Gaoxu's temper has improved a lot in the past two days.

Seeing the changes in Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Zhanhe was also secretly happy.

However, Zhu Zhanhe also knew that this method would treat the symptoms rather than the root cause. Maybe Zhu Gaoxu would lose interest in horseback riding at some point?

Early this morning, Zhu Zhanhe was summoned into the palace again by Zhu Di, during this time because of Ji Gang's affairs, he also often entered the palace.

"See Grandpa Huang, but what happened to Ji Gang?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked Zhu Di hopefully, during this period of time he often went to Jinyiwei, which put a lot of pressure on Ji Gang, and he should not be able to calm down.

"There is movement, let the young master tell you!"

Zhu Di pointed to Yao Guangxiaodao next to him.

Recently, Yao Guangxiao's people have been secretly monitoring Ji Gang.

"Shizi's leadership of Jinyiwei did put a lot of pressure on Ji Gang, so he started to make some moves."

Yao Guangxiao said with a smile, he seemed very satisfied with Zhu Zhanhe's recent performance.

"Then has he met anyone in private?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked, what he is most concerned about now is the real murderer behind the scenes.

"He did meet a lot of people."

Yao Guangxiao nodded.

"A lot of people? Who has he met?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked in a bad mood when he heard the words.

"A few days ago, the concubine's brother broke the law and was found by Jin Yiwei, so Ji Gang went to see the prince. One of Zhao Wang's concubines died. It was suspected that it was the remnants of Jianwen, so Ji Gang went to Zhao Wang's mansion again, even the day before yesterday. , Ji Gang learned that the King of Han liked to ride horses, and personally sent him a good horse."

"Uncle, my father and third uncle, he actually met all of them once!"

Zhu Zhanhe was also stunned, this Ji Gang really had a lot of friends, and the news was even more well-informed, Zhu Gaoxu just started riding a horse, and he sent a good horse to his door.

"Not only the crown prince, Ji Gang also visited many important ministers in the court recently, such as Jin Zhong, Xia Yuanji and others. He even went to my place yesterday, saying that some things about Huihai have not been clarified, so he came to me. Asked about some things."

Yao Guangxiao spoke again.

"Wait, did he realize that we were watching him, so he deliberately used this method to deceive people?"

Zhu Zhanhe suddenly realized that if this is the case, it would be terrible.

"Probably not. If he notices it, with his character, he will either run away immediately or put all his eggs in one basket, instead of playing tricks like he is now."

At this moment, Zhu Di shook his head and said.

"Ji Gang has been in charge of Jinyiwei for many years, and he has long developed a cautious and suspicious character. Therefore, even if he goes to meet the real culprit behind the scenes, he will probably make a lot of preparations. For example, like now, people can't figure out the truth."

Yao Guangxiao also said that in Ji Gang's position, being cautious and suspicious has even become his instinct, and many things will be done without thinking.

"I understand. Ji Gang is really a talent. If he does this, we will not be able to identify the real identity of the real murderer behind the scenes."

Zhu Zhanhe said again with a headache.

"It's not that serious. Although it can't be confirmed, the real culprit behind the scenes must be among the people he met. I have already made a list of the people he met. You can take a look, son!"

Yao Guangxiao said a piece of information and handed it to Zhu Zhanhe.

Zhu Zhanhe opened it, and saw the names of Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui at a glance.

"Wait, uncle, hasn't the suspicion been ruled out a long time ago?"

Zhu Zhanhe raised his head in confusion and asked.

"Although I don't want to admit it, the boss does have the possibility of poisoning the second!"

Zhu Di sighed at this moment and said.

"What about my father, he won't poison himself, will he?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked again in puzzlement.

"Your Highness, until the matter is clarified, even if there is a slight possibility, you must not give up!"

At this time Yao Guangxiao gave Zhu Zhanhe a meaningful look and said.

Zhu Zhanhe curled his lips when he heard the words. In his opinion, Zhu Gaoxu was indeed not very smart, but he would not be so stupid as to poison himself. As for such tricks, such as retreating to advance, Zhu Gaoxu didn't have that kind of brains.

In addition to the three brothers Zhu Gaochi, a series of names of ministers were listed in the information, and Yao Guangxiao's name was also listed.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhanhe was also relieved. Yao Guangxiao, a ruthless person who even doubted himself, doubted Zhu Gaoxu, the victim, was normal.

"what?"

At this moment, Zhu Zhanhe suddenly saw a familiar name, it turned out to be Zhu Di's brother-in-law, Xu Yingxu, the owner of Qiuxing Garden.

There is a note next to it, which says that the reason why Ji Gang went to see Xu Yingxu was because of gambling. It turns out that Ji Gang likes to gamble, and Xu Yingxu is one of his gambling friends. There are also several other nobles who also participated Gambling.

Zhu Zhanhe shook his head when he saw this, but he didn't think there was any problem. After all, the nobles of Ming Dynasty were fond of gambling. Zhang Zhong and Zhu Yong, two gamblers, often lost their money and ran to the Han Palace to hide their debts.

"How about it, is there anyone who doubts after reading it?"

Zhu Di patiently waited for Zhu Zhanhe to finish reading, and then asked.

"No, I don't know most of these people, let alone suspect them."

Zhu Zhanhe shook his head with a wry smile and said, he had underestimated Ji Gang before, thinking that the other party would go directly to meet the real culprit behind the scenes when he felt the pressure, but he didn't expect him to release so many smoke bombs.

"Don't worry, the real culprit behind the scenes hides so deep, it's not easy to catch him, but as long as there is a scope, he will be caught sooner or later!"

Instead, Zhu Di began to comfort Zhu Zhanhe.

"The emperor's grandfather is right, and my grandson has enough patience to wait for Ji Gang and the others to show their feet!"

Zhu Zhanhe also expressed his opinion immediately.

Seeing Zhu Zhanhe's performance, Zhu Di also nodded in satisfaction, and then he thought of Zhu Gaoxu again, so he asked, "Why did your father like riding horses recently?"

"It was my suggestion. Recently, my father is depressed and has no interest in other things, so I suggested that he develop a hobby, so that he can kill time and relax."

Zhu Zhanhe replied immediately.

"It's a good idea. The second child is already 35. Time is not forgiving!"

When Zhu Di said this, he recalled the appearance of Zhu Gaoxu, who was not yet [-] years old, galloping and radiant on the battlefield when he was in Jingnan, but now he has also entered the ranks of middle age.

Just when Zhu Di was recalling the glorious years, he suddenly saw an eunuch rushing to report: "Your Majesty, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Xia Yuanji, please see me!"

Hearing Xia Yuanji's name, Zhu Di's face darkened obviously, and he didn't summon him immediately, but pondered for a while without speaking.

This surprised Zhu Zhanhe, Xia Yuanji was good at financial management, Zhu Di's expedition to the north, construction of Beijing City, including Zheng He's voyages to the west, Xia Yuanji was behind the scenes to raise money.

Although Xia Yuanji was imprisoned later because he opposed Zhu Di's further northern expedition, but when Zhu Di died on the way to the northern expedition, he realized Xia Yuanji's painstaking efforts, so he yelled regretfully: "Xia Yuanji loves me!"

Of course, this "love" is not the love between a man and a man, but the love of a courtier to the king.

Ordinarily, Zhu Di should have summoned an important minister like Xia Yuanji immediately instead of hesitating like he is now.

(End of this chapter)