"Damn it! Hahahaha, Master Yang, you lost again. "Liu Jin clapped his hands and laughed, looking very proud of himself. Nothing happened along the way. Liu Jin often asked Yang Ling to come to his carriage to play chess to kill time. His chess skills were not very good, but once he found out that Yang Ling's chess skills were worse than his, he became a chess fan and enjoyed trampling on Yang Ling every day.
Yang Ling let out a grunt and said, "This round doesn't count. I ate your army and you shamelessly slowed down by a step. Otherwise, you wouldn't be a match for me if you only had one horse and one cannon left. No way, no way, let's start again.
Liu Jin hurriedly blocked his hand and smiled proudly. "Gentlemanly, you must be gentlemanly, Mister Yang. Haha, today I've won three out of four rounds." This future traitor was no different from an ordinary person before he became famous. When he was proud, he would shake his head. Yang Ling had been with him for a long time and his original fear was gone. The two got along like old friends.
Liu Jin opened the curtain and looked outside. He said happily, "We're here. We're going to enter the city soon." Yang Ling also looked out the window and saw the dusk. The tall and solemn city gate was already in front of him.
Yang Ling opened the curtain and walked out. He stood in the carriage and watched. The 16 imperial guards opened the way and the guards did not dare to stop them. The carriages drove into the city. Liu Jin also walked out and stood next to him. He put his hands in his sleeves and said with a smile, "Master Yang, this is the capital of our Ming Destiny. What do you think?"
Yang Ling sized up the city of Beijing. Even though the entire city was filled with houses and pedestrians, other than a few restaurants near and far, as well as the mansions of the officials and generals in the distance, none of the houses were more than twenty feet tall. Looking into the distance, he could see a patch of golden buildings in the afterglow of the sun. Naturally, that was the Imperial City.
Liu Jin asked, "Master Yang, do you want to find an inn to stay in? Today the sky is already dark, tomorrow at a quarter to three, I will invite Master Yang to see His Majesty outside the Wu Gate. "
Before Yang Ling could answer, Liu Biao, who had stealthily crept up to him, said loudly, "Young Master, Old Master Yang has already sent people to the capital and bought a house on Hu Guo Si Street for young master to live in. Shall we go home directly?"
Yang Ling and Liu Jin were both startled. Liu Jin's expression was a little ugly. He had thought that Yang Ling was a poor deputy, so he didn't have the idea of making a fortune from him. But from the looks of it, the Yang Family was a local tycoon in Jiming, and Yang Ling didn't express anything to him, which was a little too much. Those who received a tip-off would be rewarded, but why was he, who reported information to the Emperor, so worthless?
As Liu Biao spoke, he took a bundle from his shoulder and placed it on the carriage. As soon as the bundle touched the carriage, there was a 'bada' sound. It seemed that the contents inside were not light. Liu Biao smiled apologetically and said, "Master Liu, this is a special local product that Old Master Yang instructed me to bring for you. Please take it back and try it. It's just a small gift from a country bumpkin. It's not enough to show our respect."
Liu Jin looked at the heavy bundle and estimated that it was at least two hundred taels of silver. His face was suddenly full of joy. He turned to Yang Ling and said with a smile, "Master Yang is too polite. The Imperial Palace doesn't lack anything, but local products from the countryside are really rare. Hahaha, it's rare for you to have such thoughts."
Yang Ling knew that it must have been prepared by the Imperial Bodyguard, so he quickly smiled apologetically and said, "Not at all, not at all. As long as Master Liu likes it, it's fine."
Liu Jin beamed and said, "I like it, I like it. I like it. I like to eat local specialties. Since Master Yang already has a place to go, I will return to the Imperial Palace to report. Tomorrow morning, I will wait for Master Yang outside the Wu Gate."
Immediately, Liu Jin happily directed the carriages to return to the Imperial Palace. Yang Ling's two carriages turned to Hu Guo Si Street. When Yang Ling returned to his own carriage, Young-niang vaguely heard some sounds. She happily hugged his arm and said, "Master, do we have a house in the capital?"
Along the way, the young girl also had her own thoughts. Her husband was now a fifth-level Imperial Bodyguard official and a study attendant of the Crown Prince. Her words and actions couldn't be out of line and lose her husband's face. She heard that the madams and young ladies of rich families all sat quietly in their carriages when they went out. So when they entered Beijing, she had been sitting upright in the carriage and didn't even dare to lift the curtain. Now that the carriage was on the bustling street, she still didn't know what Beijing was like.
Yang Ling gently kissed her cherry lips and said, "Yes, it must be the Imperial Bodyguard's arrangement." Then he whispered in Young-niang's ear, "We just entered the city today, so we won't be having dinner. Tonight, Master will accompany you to go shopping."
Hearing this, Young-niang's expression lit up. She nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes. Young-niang hasn't seen what Beijing looks like. I really want to see it. Without Master's company, Young-niang won't dare to go out."
Yang Ling laughed and said, "Young-niang isn't even afraid of the Tartars. Why are you afraid of the streets of the capital?"
Young-niang innocently said, "Master, if you don't take me out, how can a woman casually go shopping by herself? I'll be laughed at."
Yang Ling said, "You, our family doesn't have those rules. If you like to go out, you can go for a walk, go shopping, go to the shops …" As Yang Ling said this, he looked at Young-niang's beautiful appearance and thought to himself, "If this was the modern era, this little girl would wear a T-shirt, jeans, and tie her hair into a ponytail. She would definitely be a refreshing and beautiful little girl. I could watch a movie with her, drink coffee, and then negotiate with the profiteers with her eloquently. Hehe, but if it was in that era, I wouldn't have the luck to have her …"
Young-niang saw that he was staring at her, and her face became even redder. She shyly lowered her head and said softly, "Master, we live on Hu Guo Si Street. I don't know if Hu Guo Si has an eminent monk who can … can …" As she said this, her face turned red and she couldn't continue.
Yang Ling's spirit was shaken, and his body suddenly became hot. The night before they left, Yang Ling had tried all sorts of ways to persuade her, begging her with gentle words. He had finally managed to get the little lass to learn how to play the flute under the moonlight, trembling with fear and shyness. The feeling of ecstasy was not something that could be described to outsiders.
It was a tiring journey, and there were many people around, so he didn't dare to be intimate with Young-niang. Now that he heard what she said, Yang Ling's heart suddenly itched. "When the jade is broken, the man falls head over heels for her. Feeling that the man is not shy, he turns around and hugs him. "Young-niang was a real pretty girl from a humble family. When he really had sex with her, he didn't know how charming it would be.
Yang Ling smiled evilly and said, "Yes, yes, tonight we'll go find a big monk and then I'll let you have a good look at my little monk."
"Xianggong, you can't," Young-niang anxiously said, "That won't do, we must see a big monk. How many years of cultivation does a little monk have? Young-niang doesn't dare to take Xianggong's life as a joke. "
The corner of Yang Ling's mouth curled up; with a strange expression he said, "Must I see a big monk? But Xianggong, if this little monk doesn't go through my dearest wife's blessing and go through thousands of tempering, how can he become a big monk? "
Although Young-niang was young and innocent, she was not lacking in intelligence. Hearing her husband's words, she blinked her pretty eyes and looked at him with some doubt. Yang Ling giggled and hugged Young-niang; he whispered something in her ear. Young-niang let out a soft cry; she couldn't help but angrily and shyly hit her husband a couple of times. Biting her lips, she blushed and rolled her eyes at him. She angrily said, "Xianggong is going to see the Emperor tomorrow, you need to have a good rest. Young-niang won't see any monk tonight."
Yang Ling laughed and said, "How can I do that? Let me see if there's a temple outside. Tonight I must let my wife open the door and welcome my little monk. "
Listening to her husband's shameless words, Han Youniang's body turned soft; she panted and snuggled up to him, not daring to make any noise. Yang Ling lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and looked outside. He saw people coming and going outside the sedan chair, there were many shops on the street. It looked like this street was quite prosperous.
Han Youniang also looked outside curiously. She saw Liu Biao and Yang Yiqing were walking next to the sedan chair, and a man was standing on the far corner of the street. Liu Biao quickly made several hand signals to him. That man nodded his head, his left hand hung by his side, and quickly returned several hand signals before he turned around and left.
The two's movements were fast and natural. If it wasn't for Han Youniang's sharp eyes and meticulous mind, she really wouldn't have noticed them. Han Youniang curiously turned her head and said, "Husband …" At this time, Yang Yiqing shouted from outside, "We've reached home. Young Master and Madam, please get out of the sedan chair."
With this interruption, Han Youniang swallowed the words she was going to say. Yang Ling lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and saw a courtyard house in front of him. In front of the door was an open space with two rows of Dragon Claw Pagoda trees. The small courtyard door was open, and inside it was clean. It looked like it had just been renovated.
Han Youniang also jumped out of the sedan chair and happily looked around at her new home. Other than a well in the courtyard, there was also a flower garden in the middle. On the left and right were side rooms, and right in front was a three-room house with green tiles. It looked like the original family was also a well-to-do small family. It was unknown how the Imperial Bodyguard managed to buy this place.
Liu Biao and Yang Yiqing moved their luggage into the room. Although this courtyard had just been bought, it was complete with all the daily necessities, which saved them a lot of time. Seeing that it was still early, Han Youniang began to happily exercise her rights as a housewife and decorate her new home. For a moment, she was so busy and excited that she forgot about eating on the street and going to the temple to meet the monk.
Yang Yiqing had a mysterious expression on his face as he moved closer to Yang Ling and said, "Your Excellency, Admiral Zhang has heard that Your Excellency has arrived at the capital and wants to see you. Should we go now?"
"Ah!" Yang Ling suddenly stood up. The head of the Imperial Bodyguard wanted to see him. How could he dare to be negligent? He hurriedly informed Young-niang and immediately went out into the street accompanied by Liu Biao and Yang Yiqing.
Yang Ling had already heard from Liu Yiqing and Yue Zhong that the Commander's Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not located within the city of Peking, but in the Tianjin Garrison. However, the most important department of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the North Provost, was located within the capital. As such, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard spent most of his time in the city of Peking rather than in the Tianjin Garrison.
The Northern Provost was located in the north of Dong 'an, next to the main gate of Dongchang. In the vast city of Beijing, other than the Imperial City, this was the most serene place. As soon as he turned onto the street, the street was as clean as a dog's gnawed bones. There was not a single person to be seen.
As Yang Ling passed by the "East Editing Factory", he curiously looked inside. He didn't know if the foreign agents, directors, and supervisors were as skilled as they were in the movies. Unfortunately, it was almost dusk. Other than the two foreign agents standing guard in front of the door, there was no one else to be seen. Further ahead was the Northern Provost. It was no different from an ordinary government office. There were two large stone lions at the door and Imperial Bodyguard armed with sabers standing guard.
Under the guidance of Liu Biao and Yang Biao, Yang Ling entered the Provost and entered a large hall. On the white wall of the hall was a painting of a fierce tiger descending from the mountain. The tiger was vivid and lifelike, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, ready to pounce down. The hall was quiet and elegant. Liu Biao and Yang Yiqing didn't dare to enter when they reached the door. Naturally, another officer of the Imperial Bodyguard invited them in. Yang Ling stood in the middle of the hall, admiring the fierce tiger with his hands behind his back. Behind him, a man laughed and said, "Yang Tongzhi has arrived? Unfortunately, the Provost has brought people to Jinling. This lowly official, Yu Yong, is here to welcome Mr Yang. "
Yang Ling hurriedly turned around and repeatedly said, "I don't dare, I don't dare, your excellency …" He opened his eyes to take a look and couldn't help but be stunned. The man in front of him was indeed wearing the flying fish uniform of the Imperial Bodyguard, with a spring embroidery saber hanging from his ribs.
But this man had blond hair, blue eyes, a high nose bridge, and extraordinarily fair skin. He was actually a European. This Yu Yong saw that Yang Ling was in a daze, so he laughed and said in a Beijing accent, "This lowly official is Yu Yong. Your excellency has just arrived in the capital. I will hold a banquet to invite you again another day. Hahaha, in the future, when I become an official with you, I hope that you will take care of me. Oh, by the way, the admiral has been waiting for you for a long time. Please follow me to see the admiral first. "
Yang Ling cupped his hands and followed this foreign Imperial Bodyguard around the hall. On both sides of the long corridor were rooms. Yu Yong led Yang Ling to the door of a room, opened it, and said with a smile, "Your excellency, please come in."
Yang Ling nodded his head in thanks and stepped into the room. He saw giant candles hanging on the four walls, brightly illuminating the room. A middle-aged man in plain clothes was sitting behind a table with a smile. Seeing him enter, he had just put down a scroll in his hand.
Yang Ling knew that this man must be the highest ranking officer of the Imperial Bodyguard, Zhang Xiu. He hurriedly went forward and knelt on one knee, saluting, "This lowly official Yang Ling pays his respects to the admiral."
Zhang Xiu squinted his eyes and looked at him. He smiled with satisfaction, saying, "Good, young and promising. Yang Tong Zhi, please sit, no need to be polite." Yang Ling also secretly looked at this Zhang Xiu. This Zhang Xiu was about 50 years old, had a gentle expression, and was refined. From his appearance, one could not see the slightest trace of authority or the grandeur of someone in control of life and death.
At the door, Yu Yong cupped his hands and said, "Admiral, Mr Yang, this lowly official will take his leave first." He said this and gave Yang Ling a friendly smile before gently closing the door.
Seeing his strange expression, Zhang Xiu chuckled, saying, "Yu Yong is a descendant of the Semu people. It is said that his ancestral home is somewhere near the Rhine River. Originally, he was a local aristocrat. During the Yuan Dynasty's expedition to the west, they captured tens of thousands of blonde and blue-eyed slaves. Among them was his ancestor. Today, there are more than a thousand families like him living in the capital. "
Only then did Yang Ling feel relieved. Zhang Xiu seemed to be quite satisfied with Yang Ling and said with a smile, "Yang Tong Zhi is a man of striking appearance and outstanding knowledge. After entering the Garden of Hundred Hives, you will definitely be put in an important position. Very good, very good!"
Yang Ling was surprised, "The Garden of Hundred Hives? Your Excellency, this … what is this place? "
Zhang Xiu choked and laughed involuntarily, saying, "Haha, it is my mistake. Cough cough, this … the current Crown Prince is young, uh … likes to play with new things. In the Eastern Palace … this … Haha, the court officials often refer to the Eastern Palace as the Garden of Hundred Hives. This is just a slip of the tongue."
Yang Ling broke out in a cold sweat and said modestly, "Your Excellency is overpraising me. This lowly official is only a scholar. To be able to serve as the Crown Prince's study attendant is already a great feat. How can I dare to have any more extravagant hopes?"
Zhang Xiu smiled and said, "A hero does not fear a low birth. Moreover … you know that the current Crown Prince's tutor and lecturer are all scholars. However, the Crown Prince has never had a study attendant by his side. Now, the Crown Prince likes you and asked His Majesty to summon you to the capital. The Eastern Palace loves you. His Majesty loves the Eastern Palace. That means His Majesty loves you. Tomorrow, His Majesty will bestow upon you the title of Grand Scholar. In the future, you cannot call yourself a scholar. "
Yang Ling stammered, "Your Excellency, I am ignorant. I do not know … how can a lowly official like me reach the heavens and enter the capital to serve as the Crown Prince's study attendant?"
Zhang Xiu heard this and laughed heartily. He was overjoyed and slapped the table, saying, "Reach the heavens? How can you only reach the heavens? Although you live far away, do you know that the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, the Three Laws Yamen, the Internal Affairs Yamen, the Overwatch Council, and the Governor's Office of the Five Armies are fighting in circles? Half of the officials in Beijing are involved. Is it all because of you, Yang Tong Zhi? "
Yang Ling was shocked when he heard this. He cried out involuntarily, "What?!"
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