Chapter 402 Return

As expected, Eunuch Zhang took out another letter from his sleeve, presented it with respect and said, "Duke, this is the emperor's will, you must dismantle it yourself."

Yang Ling nodded, took the secret letter, asked about the office where Eunuch Zhang lived, and prepared several gifts and two ingots of red gold, and sent Eunuch Zhang out, and then he returned to the study.

Ma Lian'er snuggled gently beside him with a fragrance. Yang Ling unfolded the emperor's secret letter and saw Emperor Zhengde write: "My dear, I have been fighting for the past two years. With the help of my dear, I have been rewarding my victory one after another and invincible. However, the treasury has been completely wiped out now. Jiao Fang, Yang Tinghe, Liang Chu and other ministers have tried their best to survive now. The country has no money left, and I am very uneasy.

In addition, I wanted to marry Yixian last year, but the Empress Dowager first buryed the sky, and then the white-clothed chaos broke out again and again. Good things were delayed again and again, and the state affairs were mixed. I had no intention of doing it. I wanted to wait for you to return to Beijing, so I would just do it simply according to folk rituals. The grain transportation was only completed, but the tax silver paid by Jiangnan had been transported to Tianjin by sea. Most of this silver relies on opening the sea to trade and suppressing the Japanese and opening the sea. Now I feel it.

In the great victory in Jiangnan, although the remnants of white clothes must be eliminated, they are not the primary task. I hope you will return to Beijing as soon as possible. I rely on the state affairs and economy. The situation outside the border needs to be discussed in detail with you, and I will be very dependent on it!"

After reading the letter, Yang Ling sighed deeply, leaned on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. Lian'er obediently beat the shoulder list for him and said softly: "What's wrong? The emperor's secret letter didn't say anything, and he still relied on you. Why is your husband unhappy?"

Yang Ling shook her head and gently put her waist, making her fragrant. Her soft body sat in her arms and pressed against her shoulders and shook it gently, "Liang'er, you don't understand. The emperor is innocent and easy-going, and he is like a brother in private. The private letter he wrote to me has always been relaxed and casual. Although he pretended to be relaxed this time, his tone was actually very heavy. It seems that the political situation in the court is really difficult.

Alas, whenever the reform begins, the old system will go. The new system is not sound, and the old resistance forces still exist, they should have worked diligently, walking on thin ice, and they need to pay the most manpower and material resources. Only after this period can we see the superiority and results of the new policy. However, the reform I promoted has been accompanied by constant wars. Confrontation between the court, internal struggle, external struggle, and constant wars. A little bit of the original savings have been used up. I really don’t know if I am too eager to move forward, but I will backfire."

"Silly Husband". Lian'er's Jian Jian'er's eyes were gentle and pity. She hugged Yang Ling gently, kissed him on the forehead, and said softly: "Today, things have come to you. You can only grit your teeth and persevere. No matter what method you use or how much sacrifice you make, you have to survive this most difficult period, otherwise you will not only waste all your previous efforts, but you will even go backwards.

You, you just treat the current emperor too much as your little brother who is doting and caring for him. Seeing that he is also worried about state affairs, you wonder if the situation is too serious. This carefree naughty boy is not happy all day long. Assisting him and making him a wise king, making him care about state affairs is not your expectation? If he has such a show of expression, isn’t it the emperor who has grown up and he is sensible?”

Yang Ling kissed her gently and said softly: "I love you, I'm a close friend, you are really my favorite."

Lian'er chuckled and said, "Husband. It is said that it is broken before it can stand. When the cocoon turns into butterflies and wants to spread its wings, it is the time when the wings are most fragile. You must make some changes in the Ming Dynasty and be reborn. This is also the time when its wings are weakest. If you, the initiator, doubt yourself and lose your courage, then how can you expect others to firmly support you and follow you?

Husband, don't forget that our little emperor is the time when the cocoon is about to turn into a butterfly, and it is also the time when he is confused and doubtful. At this time, what should he do if he trusts the most? Should he encourage him and turn him into an eagle that is fighting against the wind and waves, or a sparrow that is timid and fears high?"

Yang Ling remained silent, but his eyes were filled with a sense of interest. He gently pinched the tip of his nose and smiled: "The ghost spirit is not only the ecstasy of 'singing', but what he said is so touching."

Ma Lian'er shook her butt without hesitation and snorted: "Is it serious? I will never leave that kind of thing if I say three words. It's so bad, man."

"Hehe, men are so 'lust', otherwise where is the value of a beauty reflected?"

Lian'er glanced at him, shook her buttocks sitting on his thighs again, and laughed jokingly: "What's wrong, are your legs numb?"

"Yeah!" Although the beauty is light and pretty buttocks are soft, after sitting for a long time, this beauty has become an unbearable burden. Yang Ling nodded quickly.

Ma Lian'er laughed twice, wrapped her hands around his neck, and twisted her delicate body and said, "Then I'll change this place."

The two of them were still stuck together like a baby, Lian'er said softly: "Husband, your emperor brother is coming to a letter to ask you to return to Beijing. When are you planning to leave?

"Tomorrow!" Yang Ling made a quick decision.

It is said that in order to make the language concise as much as possible, a writer always keeps writing while writing. Because he is tired and wants to finish it quickly, he is not energetic and talks nonsense. Yang Ling thinks that if there is a beauty sitting next to each of them when officials are meetings to study government affairs, then whether she is like Lian'er, she always puts all her weight on a man's thigh or Lian'er, and her knees always touch places that should not be touched, it will be very similar, and the bureaucratic style of shirking responsibility will definitely be wiped out.

"I can't participate in Xiao Wu's marriage. You will be able to back up the gift and ask someone to send it to explain the reason. I will give it to Qian Ning, Xu Tai, Jiang Bin, Xiao Wu, Peng Shayu, and your elder brother. I'm relieved. We will set off for Beijing tomorrow morning."

After the decision was made, Yang Ling picked up Lian'er's legs, wrapped her charming eyes like silk, and picked up the wonderful beauty on her body like a snake, and went to do practical things.

Yang Ling returned to Beijing, and took his wife and children away from the ground with great integrity. Now there are no strong political enemies in the court, and he has a title, but he has no regular positions in the court, and he is not afraid of impeachment by the old masters. Duke Wei Guo posed as if he was not afraid of boiling water. No one dared to be the boiling water.

The happiest person here is Ma Ang. His legitimate sister has been hard for nearly three years, and finally managed to see the moonlight. He is naturally happy for his younger sister as his brother. Besides, who is this brother-in-law? Since Yang Ling openly moved into the Ma Mansion and walked on the street, even the men from the six ministries in Nanjing have to stop the sedan chair and say hello when they see him. If there is a businessman going to the royal relatives' house, he doesn't have to wait outside the second gate. At least he sits in the hall and has a cup of hot tea, and his name has changed from Xiaoma to Lord Ma.

But at that time, Yang Ling had not publicly announced Lian'er's identity, and he was a little embarrassed because he was not justified. This time, Yang Ling took the girl away without any hesitation. Who doesn't know his background? Don't look at the imperial edict, he was only promoted to general, but his sister entered the Duke's Mansion. He was like a firework and rocket. He suddenly became Duke's brother-in-law, his majesty.

Since Yang Ling brought his family back to Beijing, the person who left the city to see him off had to bring his wife. Qian Ningdi's wife looked average, but because her father was an old official in the former Jinyiwei, Qian Ning climbed so quickly, which was not because she borrowed the light of her father-in-law, so her status at home was not something that could be shaken by those concubines who were as beautiful as flowers.

Jiang Bin guarded the border all year round. He had just moved to the mainland for a short time. He had long thought of women, so he saved some money to visit the inferior kiln. Before he could marry his wife, he brought Wang Mantang here.

Qian Ning sent Wang Mantang back that day, and there were crossbowmen and musketeers in the mansion. If Jiang Bin didn't come, he would dare to break into the door with a knife. He immediately slaughtered him with an excuse. No matter how shameless Wang Mantang was, he had no shame to mention these things to others. Besides, Jiang Bin was dead, how dare she blame herself? She could buy her and arrange some reasons to blame Jiang Bin.

If Jiang Bin didn't come, he would knock down his teeth and swallow his blood and endure this tone. Then the embarrassing revenge in public will be avenged. The servants and the trusted guards slowly spread the news and saved their face. Even if Jiang Bin, a country bumpkin, returned to the north, would have to be laughed at by the people of Jinling City for half a year.

Such a thing is really important for men. No man would bring a woman to court without any shame. Even if he made trouble with Duke Wei, his concubines and property would be used as he would. Before he could pay the money, the Duke of the State would be unhappy at most and could not do anything to himself. However, Jiang Bin's face was greatly disgraced, and he would not be ashamed to lead troops in the future.

Qian Ning thought repeatedly and thought that Jiang Bin's reaction was to either go to the house to fight or swallow his anger, without calling the villagers to judge like a woman, so he harshly made him humble. When Jiang Bin took the knife out, the news was sent to him. Qian Ning was waiting for Jiang Bin to come to take his life. Unexpectedly, Jiang Bin stood there halfway and turned around and walked back.

Jiang Bin was very surprised to hear the news from the spy. He had already revealed his identity at Confucius Temple that day. This reckless man dared to challenge me. How could he bear this great humiliation today?

Qian Ning was a little uneasy at the beginning and secretly sent the Jinyiwei to follow Jiang Bin. Seeing that he often drank with wine, he once pretended to be a waiter and saw valuable rouge and water thrown at the corner of the yard. Qian Ning heard the reward and sneered twice, and said that Jiang Bin had become a cartilage that dared to vent his anger on women.

It was not until the Jinyiwei intelligence system sent an imperial edict issued by the cabinet three days ago. When Qian Ning knew that Jiang Bin was appointed as the commander of the Nanjing Central Guard, he suddenly realized and couldn't help laughing wildly: It turned out that no matter how arrogant he was, he would slap his butt and leave when he was at the foot of the emperor. I would not do anything to him. It turned out that he had already known that he would become an official under my nose, so he had concerns.

However, this is also a common human nature. Now the official is not young, and he has been promoted to deputy general. For the sake of his future and face, he has to be jealous. People say that he is strong if he has no desires and has something to ask for. If he does something, he must first analyze the pros and cons. For a concubine, he is certainly reluctant to have a bright future.

Today I came to see Yang Ling, but he didn't even look at him when he saw Jiang Bin with a verdant face. Wang Mantang was very different from the one in front of him, and his coquettish appearance was very different. He dressed up lightly and drank noodles in clear water. He was as obedient as a little wife. He was beaten a lot by the cowardly Jiang Bin, and was treated like this. Qian Ning couldn't help but laugh in his heart, proudly.

Yang Ling didn't know the undercurrent fighting between the two. He looked at the tiger generals standing among the Nanjing officials who came to see him off. He was mighty and fierce, and stood out from the crowd, and he was still very happy.

If you want to leave Nanjing smoothly, you have to take a waterway. However, this canal is not a straight river channel to dig out, but connects different river channels, pass by ships, whether it carries and people, or uses hydraulic and wind power. The cost is far better than carriages and horses, and there are more dynamic land.

However, due to the crisscrossing rivers, the ships suddenly turned left and sometimes went to the right, which was slower than land. Moreover, Yangling's people were going to return to Beijing, and even large and small boats were echoing front and back. There were dozens of ships, so Yangling chose to return to Beijing by land, and directly inserted into Shandong from Nanzhili to reach the capital.

The happiest thing along the way was Yang Paner. Sometimes he saw the mountains and water. The scenery was beautiful, and the birds were singing and flowers were singing. The little girl was so happy that she knelt on the mat of the car when she woke up, leaned over the window and looked out, and asked her mother about anything rare.

This daughter is so old that Yang Ling, the father-in-law, only met her when she was just born. It was separated by mountains and rivers, and we were unable to meet each other until now. Yang Ling was both ashamed and loved her, so she really loved her even more than Lian'er along the way. Yang Ling often hugged her in her lap, pointed to the mountains and rivers, rugged rocks, and told some stories of gods and monsters she liked to hear, such as "Journey to the West", "Nezha's Sea", and "The Romance of the Gods". Pan'er was fascinated by listening to it. Now even Lian'er was a little jealous when she met her father.

On this day, Yang Ling had just finished telling Lin Chong's story. Wang Lun made things difficult for him and asked him to hand over the story of his reputation. Pan'er listened with relish, but Lian'er said coquettishly: "Look at you, Pan'er is a girl's house, what are beheadings, robberies, and the story of fighting and killing is also told to her, you are a father."

Yang Ling held his daughter's little hand and said seriously: "Of course I have to say that my daughter, Yang, is not a petite lady in the ivory tower. There are various aspects of life and everything in the world. You should know more about it and let her know that this world is not all like her, and she has a good life. The children of the Yang family, regardless of gender, are treated equally, not only can be literary but also martial."

Ma Lian'er snorted and ignored him. Yang Ling picked up the tea and took a sip of it, and told his daughter the story of Song Jiang: "When Li Kui heard it, he said, "Ah," he threw down two axes, and bowed his head.

"Why are they all bowing to each other?"

"Uh...... Because he is Song Gongming, he often gives people some food, some food, and helps poor guys. Although it is a small favor for him, it is a kindness for those bloody men. It should be repayed with a spring. Baby, remember, one is one, two is two, we can never exchange the spring for a spring. When a girl has the spring, she will only promise her body."

Pan'er heard the fog and nodded very seriously. Ma Lian'er couldn't breathe when she smiled, and covered her belly and punched him hard.

Yang Ling continued with a smile: "The black whirlwind Li Kui shouted: 'It turns out that it is Brother Gongming in front of him, and Li Kui is polite here'. Oh, the axe landed with a loud bang and almost hit the foot."

Yang Paner smiled like a 'Princess', and Yang Ling was so happy that she looked at it. She was adding fuel to the fire and continued to talk nonsense. She suddenly heard someone outside the car shouting: "Stop the car and horse, stop the car and horse, Duke Wei, please stop!"

When the three thousand ceremonies turned around and the guards alertly protected Yang Ling's car sedan. They saw a group of fast horses running from the side of the road. There were about twenty people on the side of the ceremonies. They stopped to the side of the ceremonies, and hurried off the horse and looked around, then ran under the car sedan sedan with Yang's big flag.

Yang Ling had already walked out of the car and stood on the shaft and looked at the shouting place. Pan'er also crawled out mischievously, holding his big hand and standing on his legs, looking out on tiptoes. Yang Ling saw that the person in front of the team was Miao Kui, and quickly waved his hand and said, "Hurry up, let them come over, it's Miao Eunuch."

Liu Dabangcui immediately yelled: "Does go, it's Eunuch Miao, please invite them in."

Pan'er approached Yang Ling in fear, looked at Liu Dabangchui with a big bearded face, and whispered: "Dad, big bearded man, Li Kui."

Yang Ling smiled and touched her little head. Miao Kui was sweating heavily and grabbed the car. Yang Ling was about to jump out of the car to meet him, Miao Kui bowed and said tragically: "Dude!"

Yang Ling was shocked and hurriedly jumped out of the car. He was afraid that his daughter would fall off the car, so he carried her down and put it on the ground. Then he stepped forward to support Miao Kui. He said repeatedly: "Where is this to start? How can you give this great gift? Eunuch Miao quickly..."

Yang Pan'er also staggered over and said in a silence: "Where is your axe?"

"Uh?" Miao Kui raised his head and looked at the little man for no reason. Who is this?

Yang Ling laughed dryly and said, "This is... this is my daughter." As he said that, he helped Miao Kui up and brought his daughter over. He looked at the dusty Miao Kui and more than 20 guards in confusion, and said strangely, "Eunuch Miao, why are you here? But what's the point?"

"My Duke..."

"Isn't it Brother Gongming?"

Yang Ling hurriedly covered her daughter's mouth: "Don't pay attention to her, what's wrong?"

Miao Kui stomped his feet in a hurry. He grinded around the ground and then said with a sad face: "Dude, the Hongmaster's men and horses attacked the east and west, feinted the attack on Shaanxi. He lured my army to gather in the western front, but she suddenly returned to the horse to attack me. She crossed the river from Anran to the north and rushed to the vast mountains at the junction of Hebei and Shanxi."

Yang Ling was stunned, but suddenly felt relieved: "I guessed right. She really had no intention of rebelling again. Sure enough......... I abandoned Taiyuan and returned north, and went to the Taihang Mountains. Hongniang. The vast jungle and countless green mountains are the final destination of you, a wild woman who is hard to tame? Alas, go, stay there, never come out..."

Seeing him stunned, Miao Kui couldn't help but say hurriedly: "Duke, you know that I, Lao Miao, do your best to do my best to do my job for the emperor. Who would have thought that I would make a few contributions to the fight against the Tartars in Datong. But when I came to suppress the bandits, I made a fool of myself. I won't talk about the matter in Zhongtiao Mountain. We are indeed careless in the north bank of the Yangtze River. I don't know that Zhao Madman is so cunning that he left an ambush in the mountains to respond.

In order to make up for the merits, our family is really careful when extermination of the remaining bandits this time, and we are very cautious in using troops. Since we received an order from the Duke of the State that she might attack Shaanxi..."

"Ahem, right. My Duke got the local intelligence analysis. They did intend to attack Shaanxi. They also proved this from their first attack on Shaanxi. If they didn't do anything, they would go north when they saw something. It was just a contingency plan. In response to the enemy, it was the responsibility of the main general on the battlefield. My Duke is not a living god, so how could he predict everything? Besides, I told you, have to beware of their return to the north?"

When Miao Kui heard Yang Ling's push, two, five, six, and no responsibility was left, he cried and said in a flash, "Yes, yes, the Duke of China has instructed me, and it is all my fault that I, Lao Miao, have remembered it first, so I am eager to make contributions, and I am worried that Hong Niangzi is all cavalry, and if I want to break through the infantry, it is not advisable to chase after it. In order to completely annihilate, all the main forces are transferred to the western front...

I........ I am afraid that the emperor will no longer tolerate me when he hears it. The only Duke who can save me in the world will ask about the Duke's trip and route, and come here with a horse, just asking Duke to save me with pleasure."

"Hey, what's our relationship? You'll be out of your way" Yang Ling patted Miao Kui's shoulder, then turned around, took Pan'er back to the car, patted her on her little butt, and coaxed her: "Be good, go in and play with your mother, and Daddy and Uncle Li Kui' say something."

"Okay!" Yang Pan'er listened to it and laughed and went into the car sedan.

Yang Ling looked back at Miao Kui with guilt, feeling a little guilty. If he hadn't emphasized the focus on the Western Front in his letter and kept suggesting that he was secretly obtained from Zhao Crazy Army, and Miao Kui was overly convinced that his judgment of the General Yum and the vast powers of the inner factory, how could he let the Mong Lady cross the river easily and escape into the Taihang Mountains?

Speaking of which, he used Miao Kui to make no sense to others, and Yang Ling felt a little ashamed: In his letter, he talked about so much about the possibility of completely destroying the remnants of white clothes. With Miao Kui's eagerness to make great contributions and recover his mistakes, he said lightly what he paid attention to the northern defense line, reserved maneuvers, judged the situation, adapted to the situation, and looked at the overall situation without leaving any flaws, how could he listen to it?

But with these words, there is evidence in black and white. If Miao Kui wants to climb into the water, it is impossible. Otherwise, don’t think that the two of them are usually going forward and retreating. Now that Miao Kui has lost one after another, the Sacred Heart will inevitably be furious. As long as the Hongniang crosses the river, Miao Kui promises to go to Beijing without hesitation and immediately get the responsibility clear and all the blame is pushed on him.

In the huge circle of forces in Yangling, he still knows who is dependent, who is cooperative, who is confidant, who is alliance. Who can share life and death with life and death, and who is in a favorable way, if there is no profit, he still knows what is in his mind.

Yang Ling accompanied Miao Kui to a tree by the side of the road. The two sat down on an oval stone that poked out the soil and grass. Yang Ling carefully learned about the passing of Hongniang's men and horses, escaping into Taihang, and then held his chin and pondered for a long time. Then he said seriously: "Eunuch Miao. White-clothed bandits are different from ordinary bandits. They are the rebels of the court. Now they are fleeing back to Hebei and into the mountains. Who can guarantee that they will not make a comeback and continue to cause trouble? Therefore, this bandit still needs to suppress the land."

Miao Kui's lips shivered when he heard it. He didn't know that the rebel bandits must be swept and killed. But he was in charge of the Xichang and the Imperial Horse Supervisor. He knew better than anyone else about the emperor's lack of money. It's easy to talk about it, but can he fly in with his wings?

The continuous primeval forests and crisscrossing gullies and mountains were thrown into the hundred thousand troops and could not even hear the sound. Even if the food and salary were sufficient, it would not take three or two years to clear it up. Moreover, the court can withstand such troubles now?

If he hadn't been passively preparing for war on the north bank of the Yangtze River, he would not take the military arrangements of concentrating ships and using the Yangtze River as a natural barrier to prevent the white-clothed army from escaping. He would not have been in a hurry to win a game. Although his troops had already gained an absolute advantage, in order to wipe out the entire battle in one fell swoop, he would have transferred the army to the rear. What should he do now?

Seeing that he was sad and anxious, Yang Ling smiled and said, "Did you chase me all the way?"

"Ah? Oh. No. Our family led the troops to chase back to Hebei. I heard that Guo Gong took the right to rebel against Beijing. The Hong Madam escaped into the mountains and couldn't leave for a moment, so she couldn't do anything to her. Then she came and asked the Duke for a countermeasure. To be honest, our family was anxious. My team of people were left behind by me, for fear that they would not be able to catch up with you."

Yang Ling patted his shoulder and said, "This matter... has been reported to the emperor?"

When Miao Kui heard this, he showed off a bitter face and shook his head vigorously. How dare he say he would report to the emperor and just say Yang Ling. It was Yang Ling who proposed to focus on the western front and the token is still in his hands. He didn't dare to break up and clear the responsibility. What is the key point? The key point is not to ask you to take a gamble, and the Matchmaker has indeed gone, so that's right.

As for her temporary change of mind, it was because you sent troops to send troops and generals to her. At that time, you were the governor of Henan Road, and what was the matter of Duke Wei from the east of the river?

Yang Ling smiled and said, "I haven't reported it to the emperor yet? Well, that's good! Eunuch Miao, you know that at this point in the White Army, the White Army can no longer be considered a White Army. The Red Lady leads the army, and there are only 5,000 troops. Returning to the north that is no longer conducive to their development, he has no ambitions and re-engineered the bandits. Therefore, as long as the imminent crime of indulging the enemy to escape, they stay in the mountains and do not come out to cause trouble, and gradually things will fade.

You see, there are about 5,000 people who crossed the river, and about 1,000 people who lurked in the mountains in advance, here there are families of some important leaders. Hong Niangzi's old village has actually become a self-sufficient village stationed in the deep mountains. There are many men, women, young and old. These people are missing when they revived. So many families must have stayed in the Taihang Mountains to hide. Hong Niangzi went to find them and brought a big drag. Can she still cause trouble?"
To be continued...