Chapter 1: Journey to Liaoning (Part 1)

  He slept until the sun was high in the sky, and only then did Zhu Yinglong slowly come to, opening his blurry eyes. The same headache that had greeted him when he first arrived in this time and space immediately washed over his entire head. It seemed that being drunk was really uncomfortable; from now on, it would be best to drink less. After resting for a bit, lying in bed wasn't an option either, so he crawled out of the covers and sat up. A moving scene appeared before his eyes.

  Three wives, as well as Yan Hong and younger sister Tian Shulan, were all in their own rooms. Yan Hong and the Tian sisters were leaning against the bed, softly snoring, clearly having stayed up to take care of themselves before finally falling asleep. Zhou and Ye, on the other hand, were propping themselves up with their elbows on the table, facing each other, and dozing off. From the messy state of the floor, it was clear that they hadn't rested at all the previous night. Zhu Yinglong couldn't help but let out a sigh. They say that a warm bed is a hero's tomb - at this moment, he just wanted to give up all his ambitions and find a secluded paradise with them, living a simple life of farming and weaving.

  "Your Highness, you're awake?" The soft sigh from Zhu Yinglong surprisingly woke up Zhou Yining who was sleeping. It seemed she wasn't really asleep after all. A slight sound had startled her awake, probably because she had been sitting for too long. As soon as she stood up, Zhou Yining suddenly felt numbness in her lower body and her face flushed bright red again, so she sat back down, looking at Zhu Yinglong with a bashful expression: "Your Highness, I..."

  Zhu Yinglong nodded at her with a hint of a smile, indicating that he understood.

  The three maidservants lying on the edge of the bed also woke up, saw Zhu Yinglong sitting up, and were all embarrassed with red faces. Zhu Yinglong gazed at them deeply, they also looked at Zhu Yinglong with deep affection, in the air there was a strong emotional flow, releasing, accepting, merging, the sublimation of emotions, finally solidifying.

  Ye Liangwei was the last one to wake up. As soon as she saw Zhu Yinglong awake, she didn't restrain herself like the other four girls, with a impulsive personality and Zhu Yinglong's indulgence. Without outsiders around, etiquette couldn't hold her back. She happily called out: "A'Long, you're awake!" This one tender cry instantly dispelled the beautiful feeling from earlier. Zhu Yinglong could feel Ye Liangwei's concern for him, it was just expressed differently. Zhou Yuning and the others were more reserved, while Ye Liangwei was more direct. It was precisely because of her unique personality that everyone liked this straightforward little girl.

  Next, Zhu Yinglong spent the most carefree day in this time and space, a day where he forgot everything and wholeheartedly accompanied several young girls to play and cause trouble, making him feel as if he had returned to his school days in that time and space.

  It has finally come, but it's a good news, however this good news is not good for Zhu Yinglong. He Tengjiao, the newly appointed Kaifeng Prefecture governor, was accused of treason and exiled to Liaodong to guard the border. The new governor is an imperial censor who is a eunuch party running dog, named Liang Menghuan. This name is not unfamiliar to Zhu Yinglong. In the case of the deposed empress, he was one of the most ferocious ones. Now that the plot to depose the empress has failed and he can't stay in the capital to work anymore, he can only be exiled to a local place, and even got a promotion in disguise. This is a mad dog, it seems that we need to be more careful from now on.

  At this moment, Zhu Yinglong made a decision that no one expected. He wanted to go to Liaodong. This time, Sun Chengzong did not turn his sleeve and leave, nor was there any expression on his face.

  A new year, and the first roundtable meeting fell into an awful silence because of Zhu Yinglong's decision.

  There was neither opposition nor support, the atmosphere in the air was very oppressive, and even Shi Kefa, who could guess Zhu Yinglong's thoughts the most, showed a bewildered expression.

  "Prince Wang is going to Liaodong, who will be in charge of Kaifeng?" Shi Kefa knew Zhu Yinglong best after all. Some things could be compromised on, some things could be opposed, but some things were pointless to oppose no matter what. He believed that Zhu Yinglong wouldn't have made this decision without a reason.

  "Ning Wangfei is the main one, Ying Wangfei and Lianyi Wangfei are secondary." Zhu Yinglong's words were firm and forceful, leaving no room for denial.

  The king is not present, and the entire palace is dominated by the three queens. No one dares to oppose this fact. Zhou Tingen's eyes flashed with surprise at first, but she quickly calmed down, showing a composure and calmness that earned everyone's respect. Zhu Yinglong was also very satisfied with Zhou Tingen's performance today, it seems that history has not been wrong, Zhou Tingen indeed has the temperament and ability to be a queen who can rule the world.

  "The king is leaving now, what if Wei Zhongxian suddenly attacks us?" Xu Guangqi had been in the officialdom for many years after all, and he still had some political awareness.

  "For the time being, Wei Zhongxian has handled He Zhi's case to show goodwill to the king or numb him, plotting a bigger conspiracy, so for now, he won't make a move on the king." Sun Chengzong suddenly analyzed calmly after keeping silent all along.

  "What Director Sun said is not wrong, the biggest enemy of the Eunuch Party at present is not me, a powerless and influenceless vassal king, but the Donglin Party. I guess that in the next half year, the Donglin Party will suffer the most ruthless purge by Wei Zhongxian." Zhu Yinglong continued.

  As soon as the Donglin Party was mentioned, Shi Kefa and Sun Chongzong's faces immediately turned gloomy. If what Wang guessed was true, then the future situation could be imagined, and it would inevitably stir up endless bloodshed and turmoil throughout the Ming dynasty. Those who fell were either their own teachers or close friends, how could they not be anxious?

  Shi Kefa was no longer the impulsive and passionate Shi Kefa of old. He did not ask Zhu Yuelong to help Donglin Party because it was unrealistic, as he himself could hardly take care of his own safety, let alone have the ability to help others.

  But can Zhu Yinglong be self-sufficient? He cannot, as there are many talented people in the Donglin Party who have a high reputation among scholars. He needs to rely on their intelligence to govern the country, so he is destined not to let go. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Xiong Zhaoqi: "Brother Xiong, immediately select some men, quietly leave Kaifeng, and according to this list, invite these people to come to Kaifeng for me. Remember, when they arrive, let the whole world know that they are already dead. Do not leave any clues for the Embroidered Uniform Guards or the Eastern Depot. Rescue as many as you can, but do not expose yourself. Understand?"

  Xiong Zhaokun's body shook slightly as he saw the list, his face suddenly turned solemn. This was a rather difficult task. He said seriously: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely bring back the people on the list safely to Kaifeng."

  "Wrong, the people on the list can bring back as many as they want, the key is not to expose their own identity, and even more cannot let one person fall into the hands of Jin Yiwei or Dongchang, and you, Xiong Da Ge, this king still hopes that in the future we can fight side by side, do you understand?" Zhu Yinglong gazed at Xiong Zuoqi.

  Xiong Zhaoken's eyes suddenly became moist, and he guaranteed: "Your Highness, I will definitely not disappoint Your Highness's trust!"

  Everyone could see that the list was extraordinary, and at the same time, they felt that Xing Wang's wisdom was unfathomable, as if everything had been anticipated.

  "Your Highness, if someone from the imperial court comes, what edict will they bring and how can we conceal the fact that you are not in the palace?" Shi Kefa asked thoughtfully.

  Zhu Yinglong's faint smile eased the depressing atmosphere, and he said, "Brother Xian doesn't have to worry, this matter has long been settled by me, and I've entrusted everything to Princess Ning."

  Zhou Yingning cooperated with Tao: "Yes, Wang Ye has handed over all the plans to me. After Wang Ye left, everyone will know."