Huangming

Chapter 92 Like oil being poured on a raging fire, humanity awakens to reality.

"Liaodong has deep-seated problems and needs loyal ministers and capable generals to assist it in changing these chronic issues. You two go down and each write a report on the problems in Liaodong and the solutions, then submit it to me for careful review."

Tong Zhongkui and Qi Jin knelt on the ground and said, "Your subordinates obey!"

The emperor continued speaking without pausing:
"Furthermore, I have something else to instruct you on. The Four Guards, who are stationed at the palace, are deeply entrenched in corruption. I need you to act as a ballast so that my men can reorganize the Four Guards. Do you have the guts?"

The four guard battalions under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Horse Stable are the emperor's personal guards. Their mission to assist in the reorganization will surely offend many people.

but.
With His Majesty's great favor, what does it matter if I offend someone?
Those who receive the emperor's salary must serve him faithfully.

Both men had a determined look in their eyes and said, "Your humble servants will obey Your Majesty's command!"

Zhu Youxiao was very satisfied with the two men's reactions and continued, "I have recruited tens of thousands of soldiers to garrison Xishan and Fengtai. At that time, the training of the troops will require the assistance of the Southern and Sichuan troops."

If reorganizing the Four Guards Battalion is a task that offends people.

The position of Imperial Guard Instructor was a coveted one.

If one or two of the people you taught become generals, then there will be some teacher-student bond between you.

With these people backing them up, who would dare to look down on them?

The two men replied resolutely and loudly, "Your subordinates obey!"

after that.

Zhu Youxiao held a banquet at the inner training ground, with plenty of wine and meat. The five hundred Zhejiang soldiers ate and drank their fill, holding heavy silver ingots in their hands, already knowing who they were to pledge their allegiance to!

It wasn't those literary gentlemen, nor the generals leading troops.

Instead, it was the sun overhead, radiating brilliant light and scorching heat!

Their Emperor!
After the banquet, Zhu Youxiao left the inner training ground and proceeded to the Qianqing Palace.

With state affairs so numerous and complicated, there must be countless memorials piled up in the East Warm Pavilion, waiting for his review!
October 17th of the first year of the Taichang reign.

Snowflakes were falling in Beijing in early winter.

Lady Li, the wife of the Marquis of Dingyuan, wore a brocade dress with lotus patterns and gold embroidery. A moon-white shawl swayed gently over her shoulders, and a newly changed kingfisher feather hairpin trembled lightly with her steps.

She stood in front of the hanging flower gate, smiling as she greeted the endless stream of visitors.

On the mahogany table under the corridor, all sorts of gift boxes were piled up: brocade from the south, leather goods from the north, and gold-flecked envelopes containing silver notes, covering the sandalwood tabletop that had been covered in dust.

"Please take a seat, Auntie!"

"This is a pre-rain Longjing tea that was just sent by the Imperial Clan Court a few days ago. Please try it."

Sitting below was a woman wearing a parrot-green silk vest, who was Deng Shaoyu's distant aunt.

"As expected of the Lady of the Marquis, this blue-and-white porcelain cup must cost twenty taels of silver."

Before he finished speaking, two more well-dressed young men rushed forward. One of them held a jewel-encrusted ruyi and said with a fawning smile, "Cousin, you are now a favorite of the Emperor. We distant cousins ​​can only rely on the Marquis's mansion for support."

Amidst the hustle and bustle, steady footsteps echoed across the bluestone slabs.

Through the swastika-patterned window lattice, Li saw Deng Shaoyu dismount, his black silk robe stained with mud from the Western Hills, his deerskin official boots clattering on the blue bricks.

Deng Shaoyu wore a black robe embroidered with gold python patterns, with a jade belt around his waist.

The python pattern gleamed with a dark golden luster in the sunlight; it was a four-clawed python robe specially bestowed by the Emperor, signifying an honor unlike that bestowed upon ordinary nobles.

"Master Hou!"

Everyone greeted him in unison, their voices trembling with ingratiating indignation.

Deng Shaoyu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the guests in the hall, his expression indifferent as frost.

He lifted his foot and walked towards the inner courtyard.

Li hurried after him. Seeing that Deng Shaoyu was not in a good mood, he immediately said, "Sir, they are all relatives and friends. It would be a shame to offend them."

Deng Shaoyu paused under the covered walkway. "Now that His Majesty has entrusted me with the important task of recruiting soldiers, countless eyes are watching. Among these people, there may be spies from those who wish for the ruin of the Marquis's mansion, or from other nobles sent to gather intelligence."

He turned around and looked intently at Li, his gaze seemingly reproachful.

"Remember, those who offer unsolicited kindness are either up to no good or are thieves."

Madam Li bit her lip, the kingfisher feather hairpin swaying gently at her temple: "But these are all..."

"lady."

Deng Shaoyu raised his hand to stop her from speaking.

“Back when we were down on our luck, these people avoided us like the plague. Now they’re just trying to get a piece of the pie because I’ve gained imperial favor.”

He looked at the noisy crowd outside the courtyard, his eyes as cold as an eagle's.

"The more glorious the times, the more you must stay true to yourself. Starting tomorrow, apart from officials of the third rank and above, all other idlers will not be seen."

Li nodded, but her expression showed that she was unwilling.

Having finally gotten the chance to show off in front of others and have some fun, the Marquis became afraid of this and that.

Deng Shaoyu untied his rhinoceros horn leather belt and casually handed it to the servant behind him.

"Madam, please return the Shu brocade that Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites sent this morning."

Li's smile froze for a moment, and she said stiffly, "That's twenty bolts of brocade."

"How many people are eyeing the position of Assistant Commander of the Five Armies? And how many are envious of the opportunity to recruit new troops for His Majesty?"

Deng Shaoyu walked straight to the study.

"Don't be fooled by the current prosperity of the Marquis's mansion. If anything goes wrong, it won't just be a return to the hard times of the past; it could cost you your life."

Li pursed her lips, her brows furrowed. Coming from a humble background, she had no understanding of such profound principles.

"In addition, all the gifts that others have sent in the past few days have been returned."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Li became anxious.

"Those gifts must have cost at least several thousand taels of silver. Are you out of your mind, my lord?"

"A woman's view!"

Deng Shaoyu snorted coldly, his eyes filled with exasperation at the disappointment of his students.

"With the Emperor's grace, what wealth and honor could we not have? Now that you've accepted these gifts, do you intend for your husband to be taken to the Imperial Prison by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"Let's just return some, we don't have to return the whole thing," Li muttered to herself.

Deng Shaoyu looked coldly at his wife.

"The Marquis's mansion is burning like oil on a hot fire. If my wife does not wake up, the mansion may be in danger of collapsing. For the sake of the mansion and for the sake of our ancestors, I have no choice but to divorce my wife."

The first sword coming ashore is to kill the person you want first!
Upon hearing these words from the Marquis of Dingyuan, the Marquis's wife turned deathly pale, and the silks and satins she wore, as well as the jewelry around her neck, suddenly felt as if they were burning hot.

She was finally afraid.

"My lord, please don't say such things. I will return all those gifts. Don't scare me."

Women are so dramatic, but if we don't teach them a lesson today, the Marquis's mansion might be ruined by this stupid woman.

Deng Shaoyu remained expressionless, as if everything was normal and nothing had happened.

He looked up at Li and asked, "Are there any visiting cards in the Four Guards camp?"

(End of this chapter)