Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 26 2.3 Thanks to Her Royal Highness the Princess for the reward

Volume Two

2.3 Thanks to Her Royal Highness the Princess for the reward

Three days later, time entered the second day of March of the 48th year of Longwu. Looking at the huge team of hundreds of people in front of him, Zhou Yang was a little confused. He really didn't expect that in fact, people had already moved in to clean up, but they just didn't have time to block the entrance. Fortunately, he was allowed to come in because he had the reputation of being a martial arts scholar. Otherwise, there would have been two more corpses in the valley.

"Thank you, Princess, for your generous gift. I will never forget it!" No matter what kind of benefit the attitude gave, the favor of these three days is still owed. No matter what happens in the future, a sincere thank you is still necessary.

"Mr. Zhou, there is no need to do this. I just hope that you will study hard and practice hard, so that you can be named on the gold list as soon as possible and serve the great Zhou Dynasty." The eldest prince's reply was very official.

"Thank you for the guidance, Guard Dongfang. If you need help in the future, please don't be polite!" Of course, the most important thing is actually another person. Zhou Yang will not forget it. Although Dongfang Bing is a woman, she is really powerful. There is no moisture in her body, at least among the high-level imperial guards who came here, no one can get past her.

"If there are things I can't do, I will naturally report to Her Majesty the Princess. Presumably there are not many things I can't do. Is it similar to you?" It was still a poisonous tongue that made people vomit blood. Even if Zhou Yang endured it for three days, he still had more The urge to draw a sword.

"Okay, take your little beauty and continue preparing for the martial arts competition." Princess Yongchang said with a mocking look. Maybe this means that like a master, like a servant, "Qingwen, right? She's so pitiful, she just needs a little reward. It’s a little thing, so that no one will open their eyes.”

After saying that, Princess Yongchang picked a golden phoenix hairpin with ruby ​​​​from her head, reached out and pinned it on Qingwen's head, then took off a pair of jade bracelets from her wrists, and stuffed them into the hands of Qingwen, who was already covered.

"Stupid girl, why don't you thank me for the reward!" Dongfang Bing was actually very kind to Qingwen, and he didn't forget to remind her at this time.

"Thank you for the reward, Your Highness Princess!" Qingwen quickly knelt down and kowtowed three times. Zhou Yang pulled her back on the fourth time.

The master-servant pair, who didn't say anything or expressed emotion or were misled, among the group that had already left, Princess Yongchang, the eldest prince, Dongfang Bing, Guard Luo and others were discussing.

"Confirmed?" The eldest prince's tone was calm.

"I returned from Nanyang in September last year. I first appeared on the roadside from Jinmen to Beijing. I bought a tavern and have been running it ever since. I registered in November last year. However, we only found out that the person who helped with the application was Shuntian Mansion. The experience of a man named Li found no problem." Guard Luo quickly reported.

"What about the martial arts competition?" the eldest prince asked with a frown.

"There is nothing wrong. On the contrary, he has been a little wronged." Guard Luo bowed and replied, "Originally, with his strength, it was all the capital can do, but there are some things that His Highness must also know, so he let him Made the seventh.

Not only that, the subordinates learned from the Daxing County Government that he is a "double good" scholar who has not appeared again in many years. He is very outstanding in both bravery and shooting skills. If there are no surprises, this year's Daxing County Memorial will be indispensable. His name, if he can make another step forward in the August Provincial Examination, the Daxing County Magistrate will surely receive an 'excellent' rating by the end of this year. "

"That's enough for now." The eldest prince sighed and said helplessly, "Because in today's world, the trend of 'the noble in culture and the low in martial arts' is becoming more and more obvious. Since the 35th year since the Supreme Emperor Longwu, the difficulty of martial arts examinations has become more and more difficult." Lowered again and again, in Longwu 42 years, the riding and archery subjects of the scholar examination were even canceled, and the performance standards could only be lowered.

During the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, all of the three thousand battalions of elite cavalry were able to hit three out of nine shots, and a small percentage of the elite soldiers were able to hit five out of nine shots. It was not uncommon for the 'eagle shooters' to hit the target with [-] shots. Now look at it, Even 'riding and shooting' has become synonymous with excellence, and many people can only barely pass the 'riding skill'. "

"Kai'er doesn't need to worry, it's not like the emperor can't see these things." Princess Yongchang said with a smile, "Since she ascended the throne, she has strictly sorted out the combat power of the various armies in Beijing. , Qi Jianhui is quite good, he can sort out five thousand elite soldiers in less than three years, and he is worthy of the royal brother's generous reward."

"Hmph, those old guys are too conservative. If they are willing to give their full support, how can my father not?" Guo Kai complained dissatisfied.

"Your Highness, be careful!" "Shiwei Luo" just knelt down to dissuade him, "In fact, the Wuxun families have not blocked His Majesty's new policy. The Zhou Dynasty has been peaceful for a long time, and the army has not had a major war for more than ten years. The army's combat strength "Of course." "Yes, isn't this the case in all dynasties?" The eldest prince shook his head helplessly, "These old cunning people didn't do anything to hinder them, but they didn't give them any support. On the contrary, the civil servants gave them an unexpected boost. Obstacle."

"Kaier, the treasury is empty now. The emperor has taken many measures to solve this problem, but the effect is not great." For some reason, Princess Yongchang's expression became a little cold, "It's no wonder, all the methods he came up with can be used in We can find it in the history books. Some people want to fight, and naturally they can find a way from the history books. If you really want to relieve the emperor brother, there is something right in front of you."

"Princess, are you talking about the rumors of 'King Ming coming to the world to save the world' that have been circulating in the capital these days?" Dongfang Bing said, "If there is no accident, it should be the traitors from the White Lotus Sect. Emperor Taizu should not have Spare them, I thought they were Han people after all when they 'revolted against the Qing Dynasty and restored the Ming Dynasty', and they didn't want to establish the Zhou Dynasty, but they still did so.

However, this group of thieves has been able to survive for hundreds of years. They have their own tricks. The Jin Yiwei and the Neiwei have taken action more than once, but it worked. Although they caught a few, they were all unworthy little guys. Well, it doesn't really mean much. "

"Why don't I want to share my father's worries?" The eldest prince's tone was obviously impatient, "But as Dongfang Guards said, this White Lotus traitor is very hidden, and those who can catch him are a bunch of people who don't stand up to the table. Things, not to mention the waste of manpower, there are still some people in the court who have no king or father and take advantage of the fish and meat village, and the harm is even greater than the White Lotus traitor."

"Kaier, don't be anxious. You can always think of a way. If it doesn't work this time, there will be a next time. Why be so anxious, get so angry and make the emperor's wife worry?" Princess Yongchang comforted her with a smile, "You can come out this time. You accompany me to relax, and you can also relax yourself for a while. I see that you have been going crazy with Yongjing girl these past few days, so I think you are in a much better mood, right?"

"Thank you, aunt, for taking care of me!" The eldest prince bowed gratefully, "I just realized today that my aunt's 'relaxation' this time was all for this."

"I'm in a bad mood too, and it's not all because of you." Princess Yongchang interrupted him with a smile, "That's all, you see that girl Yongjing is impatient. You should go back first. I have Dongfang taking care of me. Just go back home."

"Sister, what are you talking about? Wait a minute, I don't have one!" The little Princess Yongjing, who had been ignored, finally spoke, her cheeks were red and very cute.

"Yeah, I finally got out once, but a blind rabbit actually ran into your trap. Such an appearance, I have to show it off to the emperor brother and the emperor's wife no matter what, which made me originally planned to spend five days. It’s only the third day and I can only go back, hey.” Princess Yongchang complained helplessly.

"No, I don't!" Seeing a group of subordinates around her who wanted to laugh but were afraid to laugh, Princess Yongjing angrily waved her riding crop, looking like "I'll beat you if you dare to laugh", and finally glared She looked at the eldest prince with her beautiful eyes, "Why don't you drive back to the palace immediately?"

"Yes, little aunt!" The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked at this "little aunt" who was one year younger than him but a generation older. The eldest prince had no choice but to accept his fate and turned around to vent his anger on his subordinates. , "What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear? Go back to the palace!"

The large group of people immediately began to turn to the entrance of the Tienwang Mountain Paddock in an orderly manner. The speed was not too fast, but they completed the turn in a short time, showing a high level of training.

"Dongfang, I saw you were hesitant to speak just now, but what's the matter?" Seeing most of the Imperial Guards driving away, with only a dozen or so people left around her, Princess Yongchang waved her hand for everyone to disperse, and then turned to Dongfang Bing asked, "It's still not convenient to say?"

"Princess Qi, because it has nothing to do with His Highness the First Prince, I didn't say anything just now." Dongfang Bing replied calmly, "In the past three days, I have trained Mr. Zhou and found that his talent is indeed extraordinary. After only three days, He has learned Kung Fu well, and all that is left is time and hard work. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to get a place in the provincial examination in August.

Moreover, he has a good vision. Although he has not spoken much in the past three days, he has also shown his unique opinions on many things. Although not all of them are correct, he can still give a lot of inspiration. If possible, the princess can Take the time to call him and ask him about it, such as the matter about the White Lotus Sect just mentioned. "

"That's all." Princess Yongchang nodded and continued to ask, "Is there anything else?"

"His treasured bow was specially customized by the Supreme Emperor after he woke up and was given to a group of veterans. Each one has a mark." Dongfang Bing hesitated for a moment before speaking out, "My subordinates arranged for people to check it, and it is exactly the same. It was originally awarded to the Rongguo Mansion, but he has no social contacts with the Jia family, if there is a need to continue to investigate."

"No need." Princess Yongchang shook her head, "That group of minions in Rongguo Mansion can be considered 'famous in the capital'. It should be a problem in this area. Let's talk about the matter you just analyzed in two days. I need to repair something." Fan."

"My subordinate understands!"

(End of this chapter)