Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4887 Entering the East Palace at Night
"This child is so handsome. Shu'er and You'er are not as good-looking as him. He looks like Jing'er. He will definitely grow up to be a handsome man as handsome as Pan An and Song Yu. I wonder how many noble ladies will suffer. Haha."

Princess Gaoyang held Lu'er tightly in her arms and praised the child's fair and handsome face. Jin Shengman, who was standing by, supported her belly with one hand and leaned over to look. She nodded in approval as she listened to Princess Gaoyang's words, thinking that she would be so happy if her own child was born so well.

Princess Changle had a cold face and looked at Princess Gaoyang's enthusiasm and love for her own child with disapproval. She knew very well what this girl was planning, so she secretly alerted herself and was on guard, determined not to be bewitched by her words and decide to keep the child in Fang Mansion.

Although she loved Fang Jun terribly, her attachment to Fang Jun quickly shifted to the child since the birth of the child. Although her love for him did not diminish, she was more inclined towards the spiritual resonance and harmony of a "Taoist couple", and her physical obsession greatly diminished.

The child is her life, how can she allow others to covet and interfere with her?

Even my own sister can’t…

After a while, Fang Jun, who had received the news, hurried back, sat in the hall, held the child in his arms, and coaxed, "Son, shout yeah yeah!"

Lu'er didn't understand, but she naturally felt close to this man, so she stretched out her chubby little hand to poke Fang Jun's face. Fang Jun opened his mouth, bit her finger, and giggled.

Princess Gaoyang hated to see this guy holding his son tightly and not letting go. He had done the same with Fang Shu and Fang You in the past, doting them to no limit. In that era, people emphasized "holding grandchildren but not sons", and the image of a father was always strict, otherwise he would not be able to teach his children well.

"Don't bother the child. He might catch a cold. Send him to his room and let him sleep."

"You are always like this. Can't you love your own children? You have to follow the corrupt scholars' way. They are all strict fathers, but not all of their children are upright gentlemen."

Fang Jun was somewhat dissatisfied, but was afraid that the child would catch a cold, so he handed the child to the wet nurse standing by, and took him away to feed and coax him to sleep.

Only the couple were left in the hall, and all the servants and maids were sent away.

Princess Changle then told the Queen that she was worried about the Prince's safety and that Princess Jinyang had decided to accompany the Queen to live in the Eastern Palace to ensure the Prince's safety. At the end, she said, "It is extremely difficult to bring firearms into the Eastern Palace. We can only sneak in under the name of Sizi's guards. However, the court has extremely strict control over firearms. We can only find a solution from your side."

Fang Jun thought for a moment and exclaimed, "You are truly as capable as men. Not only are you thoughtful and considerate, but you also have good command and discipline. I deeply admire you."

Princess Changle rolled her eyes at him and said angrily, "Don't be so slick. It's better to dispatch firearms as soon as possible. The left and right Jinwu Guards are all under your control. It shouldn't be too much trouble to dispatch some firearms and manpower, right?"

"If the situation really reaches that point, the bandits will certainly be well prepared. If I withdraw personnel and firearms from the left and right Jinwu Guards, they will probably be discovered in advance. By then, the bandits will be prepared. If they do not move, they will be as powerful as thunder and it will be difficult to resist, and it will not be possible to achieve the effect of surprise. In this way, I will withdraw a batch of high-quality firearms from the Foundry, and select some young students from the Academy to be led by Cen Changqian to serve as the personal guards of His Majesty Jinyang and stationed in the East Palace. These students have young faces and do not have much military bravery, which can confuse the enemy. As long as the bandits underestimate the enemy, they will certainly not attack Lizheng Palace with too many troops. By then, these students, plus a sufficient number of firearms, will be able to defend Lizheng Palace like a rock."

"Although Cen Changqian is young, he is experienced, calm, and has been tempered by war. He is indeed a suitable candidate."

Princess Changle nodded in agreement.

Fang Jun then handed his personal soldiers to the hall and instructed: "Immediately go to Zuo Jinwu Guard to inform Cen Changqian, and order him to go to the academy to select 50 students who have participated in the development and test firing of firearms to come to the mansion. I have important matters for them to do. If Li Jingxuan asks, just say you don't know. Also, go to the foundry to see Liu Shi, prepare the necessary firearms, ammunition, and armor, and immediately transport them to the mansion."

"Here!"

The personal guard received the order and withdrew, and went to convey the order himself.

Fang Jun clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Although everything must be prepared in advance and done as early as possible, a day or two won't be a big deal. His Highness Changle rarely comes back to the palace, so this time he will stay a few more days. I'll have someone prepare a banquet for us to have a good drink. There is warm water shipped from Mount Li in the palace. After slightly heating it up, put it in the pool, which is as warm as Mount Li. Soaking in it together will wash away the dust and fatigue, and it will be very comfortable, haha!"

Princess Changle blushed and said, "You wish."

The thought of a warm scene of several people running together seemed absurd, and I absolutely refused to do it.

Jin Shengman also blushed, but bit her lips lightly and said nothing.

She is pregnant now, no matter how ridiculous it is, it is impossible for her to be so ridiculous. If she is just a bystander, it is fine...

Princess Gaoyang sneered and said, "Fang Erlang is a romantic and suave man, enjoying the happiness of having many wives. He is truly a role model for the world, and I don't know how many people envy him."

Fang Jun looked puzzled: "It's just a warm bath, what are you thinking, Your Highness? But I have neglected Your Highness recently, which has caused you to be dissatisfied and resentful..."

"Just shut up!"

Princess Gaoyang's pretty face turned red and she quickly interrupted the guy. What kind of vicious words were he saying?

This is shameless!

He said, "I'm going to prepare the banquet" and went to the back hall.

Princess Changle couldn't stand it anymore, so she stood up and walked out: "I'll go see the child."

Jin Shengman chased after him in one swift step: "I will go with Your Highness."

In the blink of an eye, Fang Jun was the only one left sitting in the hall. He sighed helplessly and drank a sip of tea: "You are already an old couple, why do you have to be so reserved and shy? You guys are having more fun than me in many ways..."

……

Heavy snow fell all day, and there was still no sign of stopping until late at night. Cen Changqian and his group of fifty people entered Chang'an City and went straight to the Duke of Liang's Mansion in Chongrenfang, and entered the mansion through the back door.

There was a small training ground in the backyard of Fang Mansion. The snow that had just been cleared was covered with a thick layer. Fang Jun stood in the heavy snow wearing a brocade hat and a mink coat. He looked at the fifty students in front of him who were standing tall and full of energy. He said in a deep voice: "The mission of this trip is extremely important and extremely difficult. It may even involve sacrifice. So if anyone retreats now, you can leave through the back door. I will not blame you. I will just pretend that you have never been here."

The heavy snow fell down, but the fifty people did not move at all, and not one of them turned around and left.

After His Majesty ascended the throne, he encountered two mutinies in succession. The academy suffered heavy losses during this period, and no less than a hundred students died in the rebellion. However, the blood of the young students was boiling. In such a martial era, they were not afraid of death. In addition, the idea of ​​"family, country and the world" was instilled day by day in the academy, which made all students respect the belief that "death is lighter than a feather but heavier than Mount Tai".

Standing in front of them was the idol in the hearts of almost all young students. This young man, who was once uneducated and dandy, rose rapidly to the top of the world with his brilliant military exploits. He had already set the best example for young people - to gain wealth and honor on horseback!

What's the fear of death?

As long as it is for the country, the king and the people, it is a worthy death.

Fang Jun looked around and saw that no one had left. He nodded slightly and said, "I am very pleased. Students of the academy should not only learn various knowledge, but also have a lofty ambition to overcome difficulties. What you are doing this time is to enter the East Palace to guard the prince. If there are traitors invading the East Palace, you should do your best to protect the prince."

Cen Changqian and the fifty students finally moved. Their straight standing posture, which was not shaken even by the wind and snow, loosened slightly. They could not hide their shock and exchanged glances with each other.

There is actually a traitor who wants to kill the prince? !
Is someone planning another mutiny?
Cen Changqian stepped forward and said in a low voice with a firm look: "Don't worry, Marshal. We are the people of the Tang Dynasty. It is our duty to be loyal to the emperor and love our country. It is an honor to have the opportunity to protect the prince. We are willing to die for it!"

"I will not refuse even if it means death!"

Fifty people roared in unison; their voices floated in the wind and snow but were blocked by the high walls and did not leak out.

"very good!"

Fang Jun nodded in satisfaction, then waved his hand. Lanterns were lit on one side of the parade ground and several houses opened. Fang Jun's personal soldiers came out pushing a cart full of firearms. On the cart were bundles of muskets, boxes of thunder bombs, and a large number of lead bullets and gunpowder. Under the light of the lanterns, everyone was so scared that their faces changed.

If a lantern accidentally fell onto the car, I'm afraid half of the house would be razed to the ground...

After the tension, there is extreme excitement.

No matter what subject the students in the academy study, "military training" is a compulsory course. Everyone has practiced firearms and is very familiar with these firearms. Naturally, they know the lethality that such a large number of firearms will produce.

Fifty men equipped with these firearms can hold one place. As long as they can coordinate with each other and are not afraid of sacrifice, they can withstand the attack of ten, twenty, or even thirty times the number of enemies.

……

The heavy snow was like reed catkins all over the sky, and the whole place was blurry. The back door of the Fang Mansion was opened, and dozens of people, led by Cen Changqian, pushed a cart covered with felt and walked out of the door, crossing the north-south Xing'anmen Street, entering the imperial city from Jingfeng Gate, and then walking north along Anshangmen Street through the imperial city and Tianjie, and arrived at Jiafu Gate of the East Palace.

The eunuch of the Eastern Palace who had been waiting here opened a small door on the side and welcomed the convoy into the palace. They passed through Chongming Gate and Jiade Gate, walked east through Fenghua Gate, and went north from Zuochunfang, bypassing Jiade Hall and Chongjiao Hall, and arrived directly at Lizheng Hall.

Lizheng Hall is a huge building complex. The convoy entered it and disappeared silently...

……

The guard room door on the side of the Xuande Gate at the north gate of the East Palace was knocked by a soldier. Li Anyan opened the door with his clothes on, and heard the soldier whispered: "Just now a convoy entered from the main gate. They said they were the guards of Princess Jinyang, escorting the princess's clothes, accessories and daily necessities."

Li Anyan looked up at the heavy snow and frowned. Escorting Princess Jinyang's things into the palace at this time?

"Gather a team of imperial guards and follow me to the Lizheng Palace to take a look."

"Here."