Yang Ling came to the main hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity and saw the people from the Musical House of Emperor Dan of the Palace of Heavenly Purity playing ceremonial music. Inside the main hall, a large group of eunuchs and palace maids were busily making arrangements. Two tables were temporarily set up in the main hall and covered with apricot yellow satin tablecloths. On one table was the "ceremony" and on the other table was the "name" imperial edict. Next to them were the gifts that were prepared to be sent to the Governor General of the Five Armies' Mansion, Xia Ru, Lord Xia's mansion.
Today was the emperor's wedding. Naturally, Liu Jin and the others who could not be seen in public did not have the opportunity to show up. Yang Ling could not find any of the people he was familiar with. He stood still in the Palace of Heavenly Purity and waited for the supervisor of the Sky Observing Officials, Mo Daowei, to announce in a lively manner that the auspicious time had arrived. Only then did Yang Ling see Emperor Zhengde, who was dressed neatly, making a grand entrance surrounded by internal officials, bodyguards, and eunuchs. He walked into the main hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity and took his seat amidst the music.
The civil and military officials, princes, dukes, and ministers who were qualified to come to congratulate him prostrated on the ground and kowtowed, shouting "Long live His Majesty". The announcing official received the imperial edict and stood on the east side of Emperor Dan. He announced the imperial edict in a loud voice, appointing the two angels, the principal and the deputy, to go to Lord Xia's mansion to attend the ceremony and ask for his name.
Yang Ling had already memorized these procedures by heart. Beside him, there was also a Honglu official from the Ministry of Rites who could imitate him. They were able to move forward and retreat accordingly. After receiving the imperial edict, the Honglu official from the Ministry of Rites was appointed as the Head Envoy and Yang Ling as the Deputy Envoy. They held the Imperial Edict of Enlistment in their hands, with a ceremonial procession and drums leading the way. They set off from the Palace of Heavenly Purity, opened the Meridian Gate, and headed straight for the Xia Residence.
Miao Kui was the Commander of the Imperial Guards responsible for the protection of the guards of honor. Along the way, the principal and the deputy envoy walked side by side. Miao Kui led the Imperial Horse Supervisor and the Great Han Army's guards of honor. When they arrived at the Governor Xia's mansion, Lord Xia knelt down to receive the angels. He presented his daughter's name, resume, and date of birth to the principal envoy. When a banquet was held to entertain the Emperor's envoy, Miao Kui was allowed to sit at the same table as Yang Ling. As for the guards of honor, the drums, and the imperial guards, they could only squat in the courtyard and hold large bowls of food and rice to eat.
Yang Ling was not good at conversing with officials he was not familiar with. However, although he was the deputy envoy, he was the Emperor's most trusted external official. The Emperor's internal officials and close attendants were all on good terms with him. Although Xia Ru was about to become the Emperor's father-in-law, he knew that if his daughter wanted to be loved by the Emperor, she would need the cooperation of the Emperor's most trusted internal and external officials. Therefore, he was very warm towards Yang Ling.
Yang Ling and the others had to return to the palace to receive the imperial edict. Therefore, the wine prepared by the Xia family was Jiangnan rice wine with a lower alcohol content. It was fragrant with a hint of sweetness. The weather was hot and this wine was very thirst-quenching. Yang Ling could not help but drink a few more cups.
While the Honglu Official and Governor Xia were talking, he called over a servant of the Xia family and asked for the place to wash his hands. He stood up and excused himself to the other officials at the same table, then turned around and walked towards the latrine.
The servant attentively led him to the side courtyard, pointed out the place and left. Today, the Xia family's decorations were magnificent and majestic. There were clusters of flowers. Even the latrine entrance was hung with red silk. The Xia family's latrine was built like a flower pavilion. In order to shelter the entrance, a few cherry trees were planted. Red, agate-like cherries dotted the branches.
Yang Ling brushed aside a branch sticking out and walked in to relieve himself. Just as he was about to leave, Miao Kui also walked in. Yang Ling remembered that Miao Kui was a eunuch and that it would be a little embarrassing for him to be next to him when he was relieving himself. He quickly smiled and said, "Eunuch Miao, I will return to my seat first."
Miao Kui took a step back and blocked his way. He slightly poked his head out and took a look. He then chuckled and said, "Mr Yang, please wait. I followed you because I want to build a relationship with Mr Yang. Please do me a favor."
Yang Ling was moved. Without batting an eyelid, he said, "What does Eunuch Miao mean? I hope you can explain it to Yang clearly. "
Miao Kui smiled and said, "I won't burn incense until I see the true Buddha. Today's action is pure sincerity. Could it be that Factory Supervisor Daren doesn't trust me?"
Yang Ling was secretly startled. His first thought was that among the Eight Tigers, someone must be in cahoots with Miao Kui. The construction of the Inner Faction Guards was an idea that Emperor Zhengde came up with on the spur of the moment yesterday. At that time, there were no eunuchs in the Hall. Even if the Two Factories and One Guard were very powerful, it was impossible for them to infiltrate every nook and cranny to this extent. Unless Liu Jin, Gu Daeyong, Ma Yongcheng and Dai Yi, the four of them have Miao Kui's trusted aides.
"Oh, so that's what Eunuch Miao is referring to. Hahaha, I dare not hide anything from you. I'm also at a loss about the Emperor's sudden decree. I reckon that the Emperor's intentions might fade away in a few days, so I didn't dare spread the news. I wonder what Eunuch Miao is referring to …" Yang Ling was secretly shocked as he calculated in his heart. He was calculating that the Emperor's intentions might fade away in a few days, so he didn't dare spread the news. I wonder what Eunuch Miao is talking about …
Miao Kui's pair of slender eyes narrowed slightly. He laughed mischievously and said, "It has not been too long since we received the Former Emperor's imperial edict to reopen the West Factory. I have some experience in this matter. In the future, you and I will have to work for His Majesty. If Miao Yang has any difficulties in opening the Inner Faction Guards, just say the word and I will do my best to help. "
Yang Ling smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Eunuch Miao. Speaking of which, Dongchang has been open for many years. The West Factory also has a precedent. Even if Yang Ling receives the imperial edict to build a new Inner Faction Guards, it will only be a small business. It is not something that can be put on the table. There is really nothing to do. I dare not trouble Eunuch Miao to worry about it."
Miao Kui did not expect Yang Ling to agree. After listening to Yang Ling's words, Miao Kui stopped smiling and said with a serious expression, "Miao Yang, the Outer Court does not have a good impression of our Factory Guards. As for our Factory Guards, the Dongchang Imperial Bodyguard is in cahoots with each other. Although the West Factory has the responsibility to supervise Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard, they are a big tree with deep roots and strong power. I have suffered a lot in the hands of Fan Ting and Zhang Xiu.
I have become the Factory Manager of the West Factory. Everyone looks glorious, but I am worried every day, afraid that something will fall into their hands. How can it be as good as my reputation? Once Miao Yang opens the Inner Faction Guards, not only will he have the power to restrain them, but he will also take the power of the Department of Rites and Tax Supervision into his own hands. This is practically cutting off one of their great sources of wealth. I am afraid... at that time, the Dongchang foreigners and Imperial Bodyguard all over the world will rack their brains to find fault with Sir. "
He smiled sinisterly and said, "Those who stand in their way of wealth always have a dead end. Isn't Miao Yang worried that he will fail and fail miserably in an easy task? The Imperial Bodyguard has a hundred and eighty methods of torture: boiling, pulling out the intestines, sawing, breaking the spine, pouring lead, grooming. Each of these methods can make a ghost tremble in fear. Moreover, Sir has the burden of a family. Even if you are favored by the Emperor, you will not be able to withstand the schemes of the Dongchang Imperial Bodyguard, right?
Our West Factory is made up of the Imperial Horse Supervisors. If I am not mistaken, when Miao Yang sets up the Inner Faction Guards, he will definitely use his trusted subordinates from the Shenji Battalion. You and I both come from the army, so we can be said to have a deep relationship. That is why I took the liberty to suggest this. What does Miao Yang think? "
Yang Ling was enlightened after hearing this. He quickly calculated in his mind: although he has a close relationship with the Imperial Bodyguard, once there is a conflict of interest, even if Zhang Xiu is willing to let him go, the whole power of the Imperial Bodyguard will definitely not let him go. And Dongchang, and even the Ceremonial Supervisor behind Dongchang, will definitely not let him go after he has been robbed of the power of the Revenue Supervisor.
Miao Kui is so open and honest because he has expected that he will inevitably face a situation, and there is no room for choice. It seems that the reopening of the West Factory has divided part of the power of Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard, and has been suppressed by Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard. That is why Miao Kui can't wait to pull him in as an ally.
This is a rare opportunity for me. If we work together, both sides will benefit, and if we split, both sides will lose. If I am really pushed down that road, then I have no choice. Thinking of this, Yang Ling made a prompt decision and said, "Yang has received the imperial edict, and my heart is also uneasy. If Eunuch Miao can give me some advice and help, it is my blessing. Yang can't ask for more cooperation."
Miao Kui raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Well, I did not choose the wrong person. Mr. Yang is really straightforward. Then we have a deal."
Miao Kui raised his hand and lightly clapped three palms with Yang Ling to make an oath.
Miao Kui, the Factory Supervisor of the West Factory, and Yang Ling, the Supervisor of the Inner Factory, decided on the cooperation plan in the toilet of the Empress's maiden home.
※ ※ ※
On the Tailing Mausoleum, a group of prisoners in ragged clothes with dirty hair and dirty faces walked barefoot, dragging thin iron shackles that clattered noisily. Under the command of the supervisor, they pulled the rope hard. There was a row of thin wood on the ground, and dozens of ropes were tied to a huge stone turtle, which was being hauled to the construction site.
But these prisoners could only be responsible for the ground work, the cleaning of the surrounding river, the planting of fruit trees, and other work. They were absolutely not allowed to touch the important places. If these prisoners were to enter the underground palace to work, then there was only one possibility, they would be buried with the old Emperor.
At this time, the stone turtle being transported to the construction site had a stone tablet carved with a holy name on top of its shell, so the whole stone turtle was extremely heavy. Among the group of prisoners, whose body was leaning forward at an angle of almost thirty degrees from the ground, suddenly the rope on the shoulder of a prisoner broke. The prisoner was caught off guard and fell to the ground, choking on a mouthful of soil, and his lower jaw was immediately dripping with blood.
He did not have the time to cry out in pain, and was whipped a few more times by the supervisor. The whip tore his clothes, revealing the fine skin and white flesh on the back of his shoulder, and the flesh where he was whipped was bleeding. The pain made him shiver, and suddenly turned his head and stared fiercely at the supervisor.
The supervisor was also a prisoner, but he had a good relationship with the foreman, so he was given an easy job. He was originally a fiendish person, a ruffian who would use a knife if someone looked at him for a second longer. Seeing that this delicate looking prisoner dared to be unconvinced, he could not help but sneer, "Son of a dog, you still dare to look at your father?" While saying that, the long whip whistled, 'pa!' another lash, the prisoner quivered, and his neck immediately became drenched in blood.
This prisoner was the son of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites in Nanjing, Wang Qiong. The foreman had long been instructed by Eunuch Dai to take good care of this new prisoner. Usually, he would be assigned to do any hard work, any dirty work, he would be the last to eat, he would sleep next to the toilet.
These prisoners liked to bully newcomers, and seeing the foreman's actions, they were even more tempted. This delicate looking, talented scholar was ordered around by them, and suffered unspeakable torment.
But this hedonistic son of a rich family who did not understand the affairs of the world, when he first came, he was timid like a rabbit, but slowly he seemed to be reborn, becoming stronger and stronger. These prisoners who were originally born as coolies also complained about the hard work, but he actually clenched his teeth and endured it.
The night before yesterday, there was a manly prisoner who took advantage of the fact that he was too tired to sleep, and wanted to pull down his pants to play with this delicate and tender scholar. When he woke up, he roared like a wild beast, pounced on the man and bit his ear, and did not let go. In the end, when he was pulled away, he actually tore off the man's ear and swallowed it in big mouthfuls. The corner of his mouth was dripping with blood, like the devil.
This shocked the prisoners, and from then on, ordinary prisoners did not dare to casually bully this seemingly gentle and weak young man. When Wang Jinglong had just been released from the prison of the Ministry of Punishments to Tailing, the invitation cards from the three Grand Scholars of the Cabinet arrived. Even the Minister of Internal Affairs Wang Yue did not dare to not give some face to these three people, let alone Dai Yi, so he had to give up the idea of killing Wang Jinglong. But since he was a criminal, the three Grand Scholars had nothing to say to make him suffer.
Today, Wang Jinglong no longer had the image of a handsome young master. His hair was disheveled, and his stench was overwhelming, no different from those prisoners. The foreman saw that he was not afraid after being whipped, and stared at him with a pair of beast-like blood-red eyes. He could not help but fly into a rage out of humiliation. The long whip in his hand came down, and he shouted angrily, "Do you want to die? Quickly go to work, do you think your father does not dare to beat you to death? "
At this time, two mule carts carrying vegetables swayed as they passed by. The vegetable vendor on the cart saw someone being beaten and could not help laughing and said, "Aiyo, Master, you have to take it easy. You can use the whip well, but if you are not careful, don't let the tip of the whip hook my eyes."
The vegetable vendor's words were humorous, and he opened his mouth to flatter the foreman. The foreman felt that he had gained a lot of face, and unconsciously laughed and withdrew his hand. He said proudly, "What are you afraid of? This whip of mine can extinguish a candle from twenty feet away, and it can even scrape your face. Ha ha ha, let's go."
Wang Jinglong gratefully looked at the vegetable vendor, but when he looked around, his body suddenly stiffened. His eyes shone with ecstasy, and without blinking he stared at the servant sitting next to the vegetable vendor.
That person was about forty years old, his face was mediocre, and he did not look remarkable, but Wang Jinglong recognized him at a glance. He was the steward of the inner study who had followed his father for more than thirty years, Wang Ping. Wang Ping was loyal and devoted to his father. Not to mention that the Wang family had not yet fallen, even if the Wang family had fallen to the point of begging on the street, he would not abandon his old master. Now that his father had gone to Nanjing to take up his post, why would he disguise himself as a vegetable farmer and come to the mausoleum?
Wang Jinglong's heart could not stop from thumping anxiously. Wang Ping saw that the young master was tortured to the point that he almost did not look like a human being, and that his tears were about to fall. He hurriedly signaled with his eyes, and suddenly turned his head away, and took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to wipe the tears from the corner of his eyes.
Wang Jinglong understood, and obediently went back and tied the rope. Following the foreman's chant, he tried his best to pull the stone turtle. At this moment, the blood in his body was boiling, as if he was filled with an inexhaustible strength: his father had not forgotten him, for his sake, his father was willing to risk his own head to send people to rescue him.
Wang Jinglong's scholarly rank had been stripped, and he could no longer become an official. Even with his status as a criminal, he did not know when the Emperor would be happy to pardon him. All of this was thanks to Yutang Chun. Towards Yutang Chun, he hated that he could not peel off her skin, break her bones, and swallow her whole, only then would he be able to dispel this boundless hatred in his heart.
Relying on this boundless hatred, he endured all the torture and humiliation. His future was gone, his life was ruined, and the only goal in his heart was to torture Yutang Chun to death. Now that he finally had the chance, how could Wang Jinglong not be wild with joy?
The stone turtle was hauled to its destination, and the prisoners were sent to the left side of the Emperor's tomb to plant the fruit trees. Wang Jinglong was assigned to carry two buckets of dung to the land of five grains to carry the stinky excrement of the craftsmen and soldiers. Wang Jinglong's shoulders had long been rubbed until they were unbearably ulcerated, and he had never had the chance to heal. The pain of carrying the buckets seemed to be drilling into his heart.
He carried the two buckets of dung and staggered past a bush. Suddenly, a voice called out beside his ear: "Third Young Master!" As soon as the voice fell, the steward Wang Ping suddenly came out from the bush. He looked around furtively and threw himself at Wang Jinglong. With tears streaming down his face, he said: "Young Master, how did you get tortured to this state?"
He saw Wang Jinglong's disheveled hair and dirty face, his bare ankles stained with blood, and his body whipped beyond recognition. He couldn't help but cry. Wang Jinglong hurriedly put down the buckets and sternly shouted in a low voice: "Now is not the time to cry. Quickly tell me, did father tell you to come and save me?"
Wang Ping wiped his tears and hurriedly nodded his head: "Master knows that our family has offended a few mausoleum building officials. Young Master will most likely die here. Therefore, before he left, he arranged everything and asked me to rescue you."
Wang Jinglong anxiously said: "How is that possible? The outside of the Emperor's tomb is guarded by soldiers. Look at me now, and I'm wearing shackles. I won't be able to escape far before I'll be caught and brought back. "
Wang Ping hurriedly said: "Young Master, don't worry. Master already has a foolproof plan." He raised his head and looked around. With a kick, he flipped over the manure bucket. He pulled Wang Jinglong's hand and said: "Quick, follow me." As he said this, he pulled Wang Jinglong and crawled into the bush.
Wang Qiong had put in a lot of effort for his precious son. Before he left, he had arranged for his most loyal servant, Wang Ping, to stay in the capital. First, he found a steward from the Ministry of Punishments that he had promoted and recommended to help him. He then bribed a group of outlaws to help. After finding out about the family that delivered vegetables to the Emperor's tomb, he ordered them to take over the vegetable shop. Then, he made a mule cart with a groove to hide people and prepared to rescue his son.
It was just that this plan lacked a similar body, which was why it was delayed for so many days. Until yesterday, when Wang Ping found out that a family's Elementary Scholar had passed away. His age and figure were similar to Wang Jinglong's. Thus, he took advantage of the night to rob the grave and brought the body to the Emperor's tomb.
When they arrived at the construction site and unloaded the vegetables, Wang Ping took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and brought the body to a remote valley. He tied the body with iron shackles and changed it into a tattered prison uniform. He smashed the face of the body and threw it into the valley. Only then did he rush back to save his young master.
Wang Ping brought Wang Jinglong to the mule cart that was parked in the bush. The few people who were bribed with a lot of money were standing around the cart. They looked like they had just come back from peeing and were observing the surroundings. Wang Ping hurriedly got on the cart and opened up a wooden plank. There was a groove that could only fit one person. He hurriedly said: "Young Master, quickly lie down."
Wang Jinglong did not say anything and hurriedly got on the cart and lay down in the groove. Wang Ping covered the wooden plank. His nervous heart relaxed and he actually collapsed on the cart. The leader of the hired people was a man with a full beard. Seeing that the matter was settled, he spat out the grass in his mouth and jumped on the cart. He lightly stomped on the wooden plank and said: "Boss Niu, is this your brother? Since the matter is settled, let's go back quickly. As for the remaining half of the silver … "
Wang Ping smiled apologetically and said: "Don't worry Brother Huang, I have already asked my men to prepare the silver. As long as my brother and I leave Tai Ling and reach a safe place, the remaining seven hundred taels of silver will be immediately handed over with both hands."
The bearded Boss Huang smiled with satisfaction and called out: "Brothers, get on the cart. Let's go."
Wang Jinglong lay under the cart and held his breath. His heart almost jumped out of his chest. The cart drove out of the Tai Ling construction site. The soldiers guarding the perimeter saw that it was the two mule carts that delivered vegetables every day. They casually looked at the empty cart and waved their hands to let them go.
Wang Jinglong's body had been tense the whole time, as if he could jump up at any time. Hearing the officer's order to let them go, Wang Jinglong collapsed in the cart as if his tendons had been pulled out. Only then did he realize that his whole body was drenched in a layer of cold sweat.
He lay under the cart, gritted his teeth and swore in his heart: "I'm back, Yutang Chun! Just you wait, Wang Jinglong has been harmed so badly by you. I won't live an ignoble life like this. I want you to die! I want you to die miserably! Hahahaha …! "
* * *
In front of the Rain Flower Pavilion in the northwest of the Imperial Palace, two young eunuchs opened the door. Yang Ling and Emperor Zhengde, who was dressed in casual clothes, stood on the left and right. They looked at each other and hesitated for a long time before they stepped into the main hall with strange expressions.
There were five Buddha statues in the hall. Each Buddha statue was as tall as a person. One could barely make out that the Buddha statues were of a man and a woman hugging each other, but their appearances and postures were a little strange.
Four young eunuchs followed behind, holding a tray in their hands. Yang Ling took out three sticks of incense from the tray. The young eunuchs rushed over and lit the incense candles on the incense table in front of the main Buddha statue. Yang Ling lit the incense sticks, waved his hand to extinguish the fire, and handed it to Zhengde.
Zhengde walked forward to look at the five strangely shaped Buddha statues. Then he raised his hand to make three offerings and inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner. Seeing this, the four young eunuchs quietly withdrew from the palace door and closed it.
Only then did Yang Ling cough dryly and say: "Your Majesty, this is a matter of human relations. We worship the ancestral temple and continue the incense. Your Majesty's wedding is imminent. You should have some understanding of this. Cough, cough, please look here …"
He walked in front of the first Buddha statue and crouched down to find the mechanism on the book of rites. He used all his strength to shake it a few times. Then there was a rumbling sound and the Buddha statue made of a man and a woman mechanically and stiffly began to copulate. Yang Ling awkwardly pointed at the place of copulation and said: "Your Majesty, look here. The Saints also said that when men and women eat and drink, a person's great desire exists. When a person reaches adulthood, they will marry and get married. This husband and wife, they will do this kind of copulation, just like this … like this …"
It was unknown whether it was because the internal mechanisms of the Buddha statue were old and had not been repaired, or if they had forgotten to oil them. When they copulated, they gave off a strange, ear-piercing creaking sound that made one's teeth ache. Coupled with the two strange-looking Buddha statues that seemed human but not human, it was really a little scary.
Emperor Zhengde's little face paled when he saw this. He said in shock: "Yang, you said … just … just … just like this? Zhen and the Empress also have to do this? "
Yang Ling looked at his frightened appearance and couldn't help smiling bitterly: "It seems that my thinking was too simple. What do I have to say to make him interested? Don't tell him a dirty joke? Even if it's a dirty joke, just this dubbing and pictures will affect the mood. "
Teacher Yang braced himself and thought: "As long as he doesn't have a fearful mentality, it's fine. I really can't teach him … Isn't after this theory class, Your Majesty still has to have intercourse with the eight selected 'Si Men', 'Si Yao', and 'Si Yao' palace maids? With those older palace maids accompanying him to make love, how can he not understand? As a teacher … it's better to just be a hoodlum … "
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