During this period of time, Liu Jin was in the room inciting her glib tongue, saying one sentence after another. Although it was not coherent, it faintly conveyed that the current Emperor should set his sights on the sea when expanding his territory, and thus his prestige within the universe was the way of the King. Her words made the young Emperor of Zhengde, who was fond of grandiose achievements, itching to immediately build a cloud-like warship, to pacify the sea border, to establish an unparalleled meritorious deed.
But he knew that he could only think about it, these things could not be done just by thinking about it. If the civil and military officials in the court insisted on not obeying, he as the Emperor could not roll up his sleeves and personally go out to build ships and train soldiers. It seemed like this matter still had to wait.
When Yang Ling returned to the study, he was afraid that Zhengde would ask about Cheng Qiyun, so he hurriedly presented the long sword with both hands and said with a smile, "I know that Your Majesty is fond of weapons, and coincidentally found a treasured sword that can cut iron like mud. I specially present it to Your Majesty for you to appreciate."
When Zhengde heard that it was a divine weapon, he was indeed pleasantly surprised. He quickly took it and unsheathed the sword with a 'cha' sound. Immediately the room was filled with light. The long sword was slender, the blade was as thin as paper, and on the bright blade there were faint dragon patterns. It looked cold and incomparably sharp.
Yang Ling smiled and said, "This is …"
"Japanese sword, this is the best quality treasured sword!" Zhengde interrupted him and said excitedly. He raised the sword to the same level as his eyebrows, squinted at the blade, and then raised the sword with both hands to test the weight of the sword. He chuckled and said, "This sword seems to be better than the Japanese sword hidden in the palace. The Japanese sword forging technique is even better than before."
Yang Ling was surprised and said, "Your Majesty recognizes this sword?"
Zhengde smiled proudly and said, "The palace has six treasured swords that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu presented as tribute. I often play with them, but they are swords from a hundred years ago."
During the reign of Emperor Yongle, envoys from Ryukyu, Japan, and Siam came to Ming Destiny to pay tribute. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu once presented six swords. Two years later, Emperor Yongle sent Zheng He to Japan with 100,000 naval troops. He issued an edict to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, "Let them exterminate the bandits on their own and rule them according to the laws of their country."
At the same time, Yongle the Great bestowed Ashikaga Yoshimitsu with the golden seal of the King of Japan. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu wrote back and declared himself the King of Japan, Minamoto Yoshimitsu. He also handed over the captured Wokou pirates to Ming Destiny to show his sincerity.
It was precisely because Yang Ling knew about the Ming Dynasty's joint capture of pirates that he specially prepared this treasured saber and personally presented it to Zhengde, wanting to take the opportunity to speak up. Unexpectedly, Zhengde knew about this matter like the back of his hand.
Yang Ling was greatly surprised; this time he would have to reorganize his original speech. While he was still pondering, Zhengde lightly wiped the blade of the sword with his fingertip and happily said, "The Kunyi Way is far away, who can be poor when cutting jade from generation to generation?
The treasured sword is near Japan, and the King of Yue is in the east of the sea.
Fish-skin sheath with fragrant wood, yellow and white mixed with copper.
When a hundred pieces of gold pass into the hands of a good person, admiration can make a demon fierce.
Yang, this is a poem written by Ouyang Xiu in the Song Dynasty to praise the Wokou. At that time, the Wokou was already famous. The Wokou originated from the Tang Dynasty and was made using the wrapping steel method. It is also commonly known as the wrought iron saber. It is extremely sharp. This saber is indeed a treasured saber. What is it called? "
Without waiting for Yang Ling to answer, he had already turned the blade over and saw two Chinese characters on the handle, 'Duan Lang'. He could not help but laugh and said, "It is a good saber, but it is a bit too arrogant. It can cut gold and break jade, but isn't it said that if a saber cuts water, the water will flow even more? Duan Lang? Humph, Duan Lang! "
Yang Ling did not expect Zhengde to be so interested in weapons and to know so much about them. He said with admiration, "Yes, most of the Japanese wanderers use this kind of sharp weapon. When I was in Jiangnan, I saw that our Ming Destiny's army is not as good as theirs in terms of weapons and formations, so … if everyone in Ming Destiny's army is equipped with this kind of sharp treasured saber, the Japanese will not dare to be so arrogant."
Hearing this, Zhengde laughed and said, "Although Yang is good at leading troops, he is after all a scholar. Hahaha … everyone in my Ming Destiny's army is equipped with this kind of sharp saber? Impossible, impossible. "
Seeing him laughing, Yang Ling could not help but anxiously said, "Why is it impossible? The sharpness of your Majesty's Longquan sword is not inferior to this saber. Can't Ming Destiny forge this saber? "
Zhengde said with a smile, "It's not that there are no blacksmiths, it's just that it takes time and effort to forge the saber. Most of the steel needed is from Hami Wei, so the production is not enough. As for Japan … if both sides can send a few thousand people to war, it will be an earth-shattering event. My Ming Destiny's army is more than a million, and everyone is equipped with this treasured saber? Even if I had a mountain of silver, I would not be able to do it. "
Yang Ling did not expect that this little emperor, who usually looked ignorant and incompetent, who liked to study music and Buddhist scriptures, would be an expert when it came to weapons. Yang Ling could not hide it from him even if he wanted to. He could not help but feel depressed and said, "So, in terms of weapons, we can only be at a disadvantage?"
His heart moved and he thought of firearms. If we can make rifles with long range and fast firing speed, it should be able to deal with the Japanese saber. If we can develop a powerful cannon … "
Zhengde said with a smile, "Weapons are not as good as people, but there is a way to restrain him."
He had a chance to show off his knowledge, and his eyebrows were full of pride. He said, "The Japanese saber is sharp and hard, but once it is damaged by a hard collision, it becomes an irreparable scrap iron. It can be restrained by an iron rod or a podao."
He spread his feet and waved the saber twice. He said, "Japanese sabers focus on speed and arm strength, so the saber can't be too heavy. The Japanese saber is strong and heavy, and the back of the saber is thick. When using the saber, it will use arm strength and waist strength. If he dares to touch it, his saber will be finished.
Now, more than half of the soldiers in the army use spears, right? The wooden handle of the spear will naturally break under such a sharp saber, but … if the handle is soaked in boiling tung oil, it will be tough and strong. Even if he only uses a spear, the Japanese saber will not be able to take advantage. "
Yang Ling was dumbfounded. He originally wanted to show off the brilliance of his country and arouse Zhengde's yearning. He never would have thought that Zhengde could think of such a method.
Yang Ling said sincerely, "Your Majesty is wise. I saw that the enemy's weapon was powerful and thought that I could only restrain it by creating an even more powerful weapon. I did not think of such a simple and practical solution. I am truly ashamed."
Zhengde saw that he had broken his spirit and smiled with satisfaction. He said, "Yang, you don't need to be ashamed. In fact, how could I think of such an idea? When you were suppressing the Japanese in Haining, a branch of the Imperial Guard escaped. When the news came back to the capital, the imperial censors all submitted memorials to punish the general who led the troops. Only one person submitted a memorial saying that the Imperial Guard's weapon is inferior to the enemy's and proposed this method. I found it interesting and remembered it. The memorial has already been sent to the Ministry of War. "
He thought for a moment and said, "Who was that person again? Wang … Wang something Ren, a small official … Liu Jin, do you remember? "
Liu Jin jumped in fright. That Wang Shouren, the head of the Ministry of War, a sesame-sized and mungbean official, actually dared to submit a memorial to plead for leniency for Dai Xian and the other imperial censors, directly calling him a traitor. Now he was flogged thirty times and thrown into prison. It was only because that person was the son of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Wang Hua. For a moment, he still hadn't thought of how to deal with him. Why did the Emperor think of him?
Liu Jin stammered, "Eh … your servant also doesn't remember clearly. I think there was such an official."
Yang Ling thought it sounded familiar. He was just about to interrupt and ask when he saw Cheng Qiyun leisurely walk in. He shut his mouth. Cheng Qiyun did not look sideways, she did not even look at Yang Ling. With a calm expression, she smiled at Zhengde and said, "Although commoner does not know martial arts, I can see that Your Majesty's saber is brimming with murderous aura, it is a treasured saber."
Zhengde laughed and said, "Exactly, Yang understands my heart very well. The things that he found for Zhen are all very suitable to Zhen's taste. Although the Central Plains is big, it seems that there are still some good things beyond the heavens."
Cheng Qiyun happily said, "What Your Majesty said is very true. Although Ming Destiny is big, it cannot encompass the four seas. Let's not talk about other things. Even the princes, marquises, dukes, ministers, peddlers and common people all need to use green onions, garlic, coriander, celery, cucumber, eggplant, grapes, watermelon, pomegranate, and other fruits. Didn't they all come from abroad during the Han and Tang Dynasties?
At that time, carriages, horses, waterways, and sailing ships could not travel far. Now it's different, there are foreign countries coming from tens of thousands of li away to visit. As the saying goes, there is a mountain higher than the mountain, there is a heaven beyond the heavens, how can we know that there are no foreign countries beyond foreign countries?
The heavenly country is big, if we learn from other people's strong points, we can gather the things of the four seas. In the imperial court, we have Liu Gong-gong and Mr. Yang, these loyal subjects who serve the country, who are skilled in both literary and military strategies, and Your Majesty also knows how to use people well, rewards and punishes appropriately. With this kind of monarch and minister of one mind, why should we worry about not being able to create a flourishing era of Ming Destiny, leaving its name in the annals of history? "
Hearing that Cheng Qiyun ranked him in front of Yang Ling, praising him in front of the Emperor for his loyalty and ability, Liu Jin could not help smiling from ear to ear. Zhengde also repeatedly nodded his head, he had a pensive look on his face.
If she said some big principles, he might not necessarily listen, but Cheng Qiyun started with the green onions and garlic that every family cannot lack, her explanation was simple and subtle, but it was easier for people to accept.
When Yang Ling saw that she expressed what he was about to say so euphemistically, he could not help but look at her approvingly, and there was a sense of regret in his heart: Did I look down on others too much? I actually directly pulled out a sword to threaten her. Is it because her killing Mo Qinghe with her own hands left a deep impression on me, or is it because her resourcefulness that usually doesn't let men make me wary?
After Cheng Qiyun finished speaking, she quickly glanced at him. When her eyes met his, she first narrowed her eyes, then she immediately noticed that his eyes were a little unusual. She raised her eyes and deeply glanced at him, then she faintly smiled. Her eyebrows were like smoke, and it was hard to see whether she was happy or sullen.
※ ※ ※
In the inner study, Zhengde listened to Yang Ling talk about the trip to Jiangnan. Cheng Qiyun was clever and clever, and she helped to sing on the side. She said it vividly. Zhengde listened with relish to the local customs and practices of the people, but he was so angry that his handsome face turned red when he heard about the illegal and treacherous officials. It was not until Liu Jin reminded him at dusk that he remembered it was time to return to the palace.
Han Youniang led Yutang Chun and Sheridan to send the Emperor away from the back garden. Yang Ling and Cheng Qiyun accompanied Zhengde to the front hall and stood in the corridor. Liu Jin ran down the steps to instruct people to bring out two white horses from the horse gallery in the side courtyard and hitched them to the shafts.
Cheng Qiyun was quick-witted. She saw Zhengde's expression and knew that the Emperor might have something he wanted to talk about with Yang Ling in private. She held the 'Wave Breaker' saber and followed Liu Jin with a smile, leaving the two of them some time alone.
Zhengde stood in the corridor and smiled at Yang Ling. "All right, don't keep pretending at home. I'll give you another ten days to rest, then obediently return to court."
Yang Ling said, "Your Majesty, even if I return to court, I will still work here. The inner factory yamen is located in the back mountain."
Zhengde suddenly said, "You're right, hmm …" He looked Yang Ling up and down and asked, "Do you want to take on another job? You can't enter the court to discuss politics. If I have something to discuss with you, it will be very troublesome. "
Yang Ling said, "People of the Imperial Guard cannot take on a part-time job in the court. Now that the inner factory has just been established, I cannot give up halfway. If I enter the court to manage politics, Your Majesty will be impeached by the imperial censor again. It would be better if Your Majesty sends someone to summon me when you want to find me. I will immediately enter the Palace to see Your Majesty."
Zhengde said, "All right, at the beginning of spring I will move to the leopard room to live. At that time there will be fewer rules and regulations, I won't have to be angry with those old men. If you want to come, it will be much more convenient. I was just telling Liu Jin and Ma Yongcheng to hurry up and tidy things up. "
Liu Jin heard his name from afar and quickly ran over like a wisp of smoke, saying, "Your Majesty, you called your servant?"
Zhengde laughingly scolded him, "Get lost, what did zhen call you for?"
Liu Jin smiled apologetically and ran away like a wisp of smoke. Zhengde sighed and said, "Zhen is tired of living in the Palace. When I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, she keeps nagging me to take care of Marquis Of Shouning and Xiongdi. When I see the Empress Dowager, she says every day that zhen is idle.
Ay, zhen will walk around the Palace. The officials of the outer court have very sharp noses, the memorials will come immediately. Kun Ning Palace is also restless. "Speaking to this point, he gave a bitter laugh and said," Seeing your harmonious family, zhen is very envious. Young-niang jiejie has the demeanor of a proper wife, unlike in the Palace …
The Empress only pays attention to the Empress' etiquette all day. A fourteen-year-old girl is so inflexible, zhen is too lazy to see her. Consort Wu is tactful, but the Empress and zhen are at loggerheads. Every time she makes things difficult, zhen is even more disgusted. "
Yang Ling was startled. He had also heard that the Emperor had no interest in the affairs of the palace after his wedding and rarely favored the concubines. It turned out that the Emperor still preferred Concubine Wu, but what did this have to do with the Empress?
Thinking about the Emperor's wedding, the rules of the Palace that he had read when he was the vice envoy, Yang Ling suddenly understood. Because the Emperor had the right to choose his consorts in the Palace, but there was another procedure. The Empress had to use the golden seal before the Greetings Office could send the consorts to the Emperor's sleeping palace.
Hearing Zhengde's tone, a sixteen-year-old boy and a fourteen-year-old girl, if they were the Emperor and the Empress, were they not a pair of young man and woman? The young couple had quarreled. The Empress would definitely make things difficult for Zhengde in bed, wanting to force Zhengde to lower his head. But with Zhengde's temper, would he say anything soft?
This kind of Palace affairs, it wasn't good for Yang Ling to interrupt. He stammered and couldn't speak. Zhengde looked left and right. He lowered his voice and said bashfully: "Zhen won't hide it from you. The matters of the bed curtains have their own fun, but zhen's consorts are too inflexible. Zhen … zhen suddenly misses the eight female officials who taught zhen the etiquette of human relations at the wedding. They are much cuter than them."
Yang Ling looked at him strangely and thought: "History says that Zhengde prefers married wives. Could it be … that this is the root of his illness? Those few beautiful female officials were already eighteen or nineteen years old, and had learned the art of the boudoir beforehand. Compared to the three young and inexperienced girls of fourteen years old, Zheng De naturally preferred to be with them, who were gentle and tactful.
Yang Ling awkwardly coughed twice. The Emperor was willing to tell him such a secret matter. Naturally, he saw him as someone he could confide in. But what could Yang Ling say?
At this moment, there was a commotion at the door. Yang Ling took the opportunity to relieve his embarrassment. He hurriedly shouted at the old housekeeper who was guarding the door, "What is so noisy about?"
Housekeeper Gao hurriedly came back and bowed: "Master, High Scholar Li is making a lot of noise and is looking for daren. The Old Slave has already told him that there is an important guest at home and told him to come back another day. But he is shouting that even if the Emperor is here, he will still argue with daren."
"High Scholar Li? Which High Scholar Li? "Yang Ling was a little confused. Among the people he knew, there wasn't a High Scholar Li.
Steward Gao raised his head and quietly glanced at the emperor, who was in civilian clothes. He reminded him in a low voice, "It's … it's … Miss Wenxin's fiancé …"
"Ah, it's him!" Yang Ling was startled, then he became angry. His face was red with anger. He was the one who broke off the engagement. He was also the one who spread the rumor that Gao Wenxin had an affair with him. This was ridiculous. He still dared to come to my door. Even if I really wanted to marry Wen Xin, what kind of status does he have?
Zhu Houzhao listened and his eyes turned around. He suspiciously said: "Whose fiancé came to my door to fight? Yang, you … Are you trying to kidnap a commoner girl? "
He had to answer the Emperor's question. Yang Ling paused and said: "Emperor, she is the daughter of Imperial Physician Gao. The Emperor gave her to me to treat my wife's illness. Because she is a servant, High Scholar Li has broken off the engagement. I don't know why he came to my house to cause trouble."
Zhengde suddenly said: "Oh, it's her." When he heard that a man who had broken off his engagement went to Assistant Scholar Yang's house to pick a quarrel and cause trouble, he couldn't help but be curious. He said, "Let's go and see what he has to say. If he is unreasonable and causes trouble, he won't miss a beating."
Zheng De took the lead, and Yang Ling hurriedly followed behind him. Liu Jin and Cheng Qiyun also led the group of guards and chased after them when they heard the news. When the group reached the door, they saw two servants stopping a man dressed in a green shirt with a floral lined jacket. That man was slightly plump, about thirty years old, with a black and red square face and two black mustaches. He gave off an imposing aura.
Yang Ling looked around and saw two young people around 20 years old behind him. Their clothes were thin and shabby. Yang Ling couldn't help but ask: "Housekeeper, where is High Scholar Li?"
Before the old housekeeper could reply, the green robed person became angry and shouted: "The one with the surname Yang, don't go too far. Even if you are an official of the court, how can you look down on me like this?"
He took a step back, lowered his head and dusted off his robe. He looked at Yang Ling with disdain and arrogantly said: "I am Li Ji Meng, the High Scholar from Hongzhi's fifteenth year examination!"
Yang Ling's eyes widened and looked at him in shock. This was Gao Wenxin's fiancé? It was fine if he was ugly, but at this age … didn't people marry young these days?
Yang Ling clasped his hands and said: "So … brother is High Scholar Li. My apologies for not recognizing you."
High Scholar Li brushed his sleeves and said: "I don't dare!"
Yang Ling was rebuffed but he wasn't angry. He knew that these bookworms cared about their family background. He was an Elementary Scholar from Hongzhi's fifteenth year examination, but High Scholar Li was a High Scholar. There was a difference of one level between them. If it wasn't for the fact that Yang Ling was in a high position, he should be trying to curry favor with High Scholar Li.
He laughed and said: "Li Village and Gao Lao Village are neighbors. However, Yang Ling hasn't been here for long and I haven't gotten to know you. May I know why High Scholar Li has come to visit today?"
High Scholar Li was so angry that his hands were trembling. He stared at Yang Ling for a long time before he angrily said: "I am from a scholarly family and an official's family. How can Mr Yang bully me like this? The Gao Family offended the emperor and should be executed! "
He clasped his hands together and said: "The emperor is benevolent and benevolent. He only demoted her to a slave. I am a person with a high position. How can I marry a slave? It is right and proper for me to break off the engagement. Who dares to say no? Your excellency's good intentions, I have already politely declined. Whether she is a slave or a concubine in the Yang Family has nothing to do with me. But this lowly slave … "
Yang Ling had been patiently listening. When he heard these rude words, he was enraged. He took a step forward and said: "Who is a lowly slave? Gao Wenxin has entered the Yang Family and is now a member of the Yang Family. How dare you insult her like this? "
Yang Ling had great power in his hands. Life and death could be decided with a single thought. He had been an official for a long time. At this moment, his expression was stern and his actions were threatening.
High Scholar Li couldn't help but take two steps back. He then said: "When a man achieves the Dao, even his chickens and dogs follow him. Gao Wenxin is an official slave. Even a peddler or a farmer can call her a lowly slave. Even if she has great power, she is still a lowly slave! "
Yang Ling was so angry that his face turned green. But Gao Wenxin was a lowly slave. Her status was the same as a prostitute's. This was an undeniable fact. Since High Scholar Li insisted on this point, how could Yang Ling use his power to take Gao Wenxin's life?
The Emperor of Zheng De stood on the stairs with his sleeves folded. He leisurely said, "High Scholar Li's words are wrong. Since you know that the Emperor is benevolent, how can you not know that the Emperor has already given a decree to remove Gao Wen Xin's lowly status?
She is now an imperial physician in the Yang Family. She is a high-ranking official. You dare to slander an official of the Imperial Court? You better be careful of your reputation! "
Yang Ling was overjoyed. He turned his head and looked at Zhengde. His eyes were filled with gratitude. Zhengde smiled. Seeing him like this, he was also very happy.
In the past, he mistakenly killed Imperial Physician Gao. Later on, he found out that the eunuch used the wrong medicine. He also knew that he killed the wrong person. But as the emperor, how could he admit his mistake? He could only make the best of his mistake. However, he no longer had any resentment towards the Gao Family. Seeing that Yang Ling cared so much about a lowly slave being humiliated, he could vaguely guess what was going on. He decided to do Yang Ling a favor and make up for his mistake.
After hearing the emperor's words, Yang Ling's heart calmed down. He took a step forward and smiled: "High Scholar Li, did you hear that? Seeing that you are ignorant and inexperienced, I will not argue with you. If you dare to speak rudely again, I will send you to Shun Tian Prefecture and ask the Minister of Education to come out. Ask his students if they know the difference in status! "
High Scholar Li had the qualifications to be an official, but Gao Wenxin was already an official. Naturally, her status was higher than his. High Scholar Li was bewildered. He didn't know who this young master was. However, this kind of crime of falsely passing an imperial edict was not something that he, Yang Ling, would dare to fabricate. When did that lowly slave have such an imperial edict?
Yes, Yang Ling was the emperor's trusted aide. If he had an affair with that lowly slave, he would naturally plead for leniency for her. But this lowly slave wanted revenge. She even tried to seduce Yang Ling, causing him to break up her marriage. How could he not care about this matter?
Thinking about this, High Scholar Li's heart was filled with jealousy and hatred. He gritted his teeth and said: "This student didn't know, please forgive me. But … I am engaged to the daughter of the Right Imperial Censor, Official Liu. What does that have to do with you? Why did you use your power to force Official Liu to return my betrothal gifts? "
Right Imperial Censor, Official Liu? Who is this? Yang Ling didn't know whether to laugh or to be angry. He didn't have a good impression of this High Scholar Li. Hearing that he had tasted what it was like to have his betrothal broken off, he didn't feel happy. However, he didn't know any Right Imperial Censor. Why was he being blamed for this?
Liu Jin was listening at the side and suddenly realized something. This Liu Yu, his own daughter's grandmother didn't care for her, and her uncle didn't love her. If she wanted to marry, she could marry whoever she wanted. Mr Yang didn't have the time to care about this dog skin dirty kitchen stove. I only heard that his daughter was engaged and said that Yang Ling had a grudge against the Li family. Even if you want to suck up to him, you don't have to do it like that.
Liu Jin knew that if Yang Ling continued to question him, he would definitely find Liu Yu to prove it to him. He rolled his eyes and hurriedly whispered into Zhengde's ear …
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