Chapter 39: Gathering of Heroes (9)

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  This episode of "The Gathering of Heroes" is now complete. The main character has obtained a considerable amount of money, exercised his team, colluded with the Brocade Guard, established contact with high-ranking officials from neighboring countries, successfully connected with Tianjin, and even laid down a foreshadowing plot at the General of Ganning... Overall, I'm quite satisfied with this episode.

  Incidentally, continue to resolutely canvass for votes!

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  Zhu Ciwen immediately knew the purpose and awkwardness of Feng Kechang's arrival in Beijing, so he took a step forward, grasped Feng Kechang's hand, and smiled: "These days, you must have suffered a lot of grievances in the capital?"

  Just now, even at the most critical moment, Feng Kai Zhang, this young master of a noble family, was still calm and composed. Years of strict family education had taught him to restrain his emotions, rarely revealing any signs.

  But at this moment, the crown prince was just a sentence, but Feng Kai Zhang felt a sourness in his eyes, his throat rolled up and down, wanting to say something, but ultimately nothing came out.

  "I know, I know, everything is mine!"

  Zhu Ciwen grasped his hand tightly, then let go, and all the words were already contained in this action.

  Tianjin Governor Feng Yuanqi and his thousand-strong elite troops, as well as two hundred four-hundred-ton double-masted large ships... This force is too crucial!

  From Beijing to Tianjin, a journey that would take only a few hours in later times, took five or six days back then. Even riding horseback at full gallop, it would still take more than two days. Because the official roads were poorly maintained year after year, the road conditions were extremely bad, beyond what later generations could imagine. So even though Beijing and Tianjin are very close to each other, this stretch of road was by no means easy going.

  But in general, it is safer and more secure than fleeing thousands of miles from the capital, Shandong, Subei and other places by land. After Li Zicheng occupied Beijing, some officials also arrived in Nanjing by land one after another, but they experienced hardships along the way and were often in danger, especially with Zhu Cizhao and Chongzhen's large entourage, it is feared that they would be intercepted on the way... This road is too dangerous!

  Now that the sea route to Tianjin is open, those members of the imperial family and officials who wish to follow can leave Beijing at their leisure. In a few days they will arrive in Tianjin and set sail, after which everything will be much more convenient and quick.

  In addition, Tianjin also has some military strength to rely on, which is better than Chongzhen's worry that the Beijing garrison cannot be used, and it is easier to become a lone hero halfway.

  Tonight, he was able to catch this line, Zhu Cixian felt deeply relieved... Looking up at the sky, although the snowflakes on Yanshan were as big as a mat, they kept pressing down on people's faces and bodies. The snowy night was icy cold, making one's whole body feel chilled to the bone... But no matter what, tonight this thieving heaven gave him a glimmer of hope, at least in this dark and endless night, it revealed a tiny bit of brightness!

  "You're a adventurer, right? Although you're a girl, your skills are quite good."

  After comforting Feng Kechang and Wang Jiayan, Zhu Cixiu turned to look at Huimei, his expression also somewhat complex, saying: "Those who surrender are often forced by corrupt officials and evil officials. If you lay down your arms now, I won't punish you, and I'll ensure your safety."

  "Hmph, what about the Crown Prince?"

  In the eyes of the crowd, Zhu Ciyan's treatment was already quite lenient, but Huimei showed no gratitude, and instead coldly sneered, saying: "Most of the evil deeds in the world are led by your Zhu family, others respect your emperor, princes, and royal sons, but we bandits don't care about that. How many princes have been killed, and yet you still think you're a crown prince?"

  "How dare you!"

  "Damn it, take down the female thief quickly!"

  "Don't let her go!"

  Everyone was furious, amidst the shouting and scolding, Huimei rushed to the city gate, turned her head and gave Zhu Ciyan a cold smile, then jumped off the city gate with a swift movement.

  "Whoa, this time he's really going to get himself killed!"

  Wang Yuan and others rushed to where Hui Mei jumped down, looked around with their heads stretched out, but didn't see any trace.

  "This girl has a Henan accent, she should be from Hong Nangzi's Jianfu Camp." Zhu Ciyan also walked forward to take a look, then smiled and said: "Her rope skills are quite good, she must have secretly tied herself to the city wall and then flipped down, but not a single hair was hurt."

  Wang Yuan was furious and said: "I will go after her!"

  "It's not necessary, capturing her wouldn't be of much use," Zhu Ciyan thought for a moment and said in a cold tone: "But when the bandits approach the capital, we absolutely cannot let them join forces with those outside. At that time, we must catch all the spies from the bandit camp in one net!"

  Just now he had some sympathy for Huimei, or perhaps a psychological pleasure, and had a little tenderness towards her. Now, only a cold and decisive tone remained.

  Saying this, his gaze naturally turned towards the three Embroidered Uniform Guards.

  "We request an audience with Your Excellency!"

  Unlike the officials outside the court, Wang Jia Yan, although a noble attendant, saw the Emperor almost every day, but except for the New Year's ceremony, he could not see the Crown Prince. The people of Jin Yiwei were divided into several systems, but they took turns entering the inner court, and over the years, there would always be times when they were on duty in the Eastern Palace or the inner court. These three Jin Yiwei had all seen Zhu Ci Xuan from afar or up close, so they did not have any doubts about his identity.

  As soon as Zhu Ci saw it, Hu Yan Ao led the way, and two people knelt down on the left and right to pay their respects.

  "I'm really happy today."

  Zhu Ciwen stepped forward, and surprisingly, he personally helped the three Jin Yiwei up. He then slowly examined them, saying in a slow and measured tone: "The Imperial Guards are in decline, and the Jin Yiwei are also on the verge of collapse. I didn't expect that today, on this city wall, apart from my own inner guards, I would still see members of the imperial family's personal bodyguards! You three are quite impressive!"

  Received the warm and encouraging words from the Crown Prince, the three Jin Yiwei were naturally very moved. Tonight's encounter was also a rare opportunity for them, after all, the Emperor did not trust the Imperial Guards much, and now it was even more so at the end of the world, with people's hearts floating in the guards. It can be foreseen that even if a new dynasty is established, similar to the Jin Yiwei department, these Ming Dynasty palace eagles will not have any good opportunities, after all, the Jin Yiwei are the Imperial Guards, different from ordinary civil and military officials.

  So others can be demoted, high officials can be demoted, but these people are in a very difficult situation.

  Tonight I met the Crown Prince, isn't this an opportunity given by heaven!

  The three men had different expressions, but their thoughts were the same. Li, the quick-witted and sharp-tongued general, was the first to speak: "I want to advise you a few words, Your Highness... As the crown prince of the great Ming dynasty, you can't take such risks so lightly! If anything happens to you, we will be held accountable and our lives will be forfeit. What's more, if there's any important matter, just give the order and let us or the inner court officials handle it!"

  One remark was made with great eloquence and loyalty, and even said things that Minister Wang Jia Yan did not dare to say. Listening to this, Wang Jia Yan couldn't help but nod his head repeatedly, and the two companions also frequently nodded in agreement. As for the inner court martial officers, they were also not offended... This person's eloquence and cunning are truly impressive.

  "Alright, I'll listen to you. From now on, Gu will never lightly leave the East Palace."

  Things that can be done outside have been done, and for a young master like Feng Kai Zhang, it's just a matter of finding an excuse to let him in and out of the palace. The case of embezzlement has caused a huge stir until now, although I've used the pretext of being a military officer acting on my own to execute this batch of people, it's barely enough to justify myself. However, this cannot continue, for as soon as black eyes see white silver, the Eastern Palace will become a den of thieves.

  Now I've got quite a bit of money, it's actually enough for me to retire!

  Since this embroidered uniformed imperial guard is advising me, it's better to take advantage of the situation and step down, declaring that I will no longer leave the palace from now on.

  As soon as this was said, everyone showed a happy expression, and even Li Gong and others also had a relaxed and relieved look on their faces. After all, this kind of thing, snatching life, wasn't something that people's identities should be used for.

  It's all over now, and it can be considered a perfect ending.

  Having obtained the loyalty of Wang Jiaxun and others, he hooked up with Tianjin on this line, and had a communication channel with the outer court ministers. Incidentally, he also planted his men in the Imperial Guard... This night was extremely hard, but undoubtedly, this trip was well worth it.

  Zhu Ciwen was also delighted, looking at the crowd, their faces were all radiant, just about to announce that they could disperse and do as they pleased, but turning his head, he saw a beautiful woman, with a rag in her mouth, but still smiling on her face, staring straight at him.

  This feeling is quite strange, he hesitated for a moment, stepped forward and took out the gag from the beauty's mouth, smiled and said: "The official is doing something illegal, but it's called little girl being frightened... Don't worry, I will send someone to take you back immediately, so that your reputation won't be damaged."

  He was quite clear about the rules of the gang at that time. Robbing women, it must be robbed on the same night and released on the same night. After that night, the family would not ransom them because after spending the night among the thieves, the woman did not know what kind of humiliation she had suffered. A slightly better-off family would not ransom their people again.

  Unexpectedly, the crown prince of a country was very familiar with this kind of thing. The woman's eyes were full of smiles, and her upper body was still tied up in a cloth bag, but she still managed to make a curtsying gesture, and her mouth also lightly said: "Your humble servant Chen Yuanyuan, thanking Your Highness for saving me..."

  Zhu Ci Yun only felt a dizziness in front of his eyes, looking at the beautiful woman with her head bowed down, extremely respectful... In his mind, it was also a complete blur... He really didn't expect that he would end up having a connection with the Wu family as well, and on this snowy night, he would rescue Chen Yuanyuan, a legendary super beauty of later generations...

  Shouldn't we just leave her for Lai... otherwise it would be a waste if Liu Zongmin gets her...

  Just a little while ago, Zhu Ciwen didn't notice that he was now standing in front of the beauty, with an incredibly beautiful face before his eyes, a clear and crisp voice like an oriole singing in the valley in his ears, and a fragrance that assailed his nostrils... Zhu Ciwen raised his head to the sky and tears streamed down his face... Ah, what a test this was!

  The prince of this life is cautious and careful, while Zeng Bufan of the next generation is very bold, thinking about doing it, and his personality is mainly dominated by the main type. If not, he wouldn't dare to say that he would rob the rich merchants in the city...

  Chen Yuanyuan saw the crown prince's face twisted in anger, and she became a little afraid, timidly saying: "Your Highness, my husband Wu Sangui, the commander of Ningyuan, will certainly thank Your Highness for your heavenly kindness."

  A single word awakens a sleeping person. The beauty in front of me is definitely not the reason why Wu Sangui brought the Qing army into the pass. A political figure, deciding his own actions for a woman, this is a joke.

  But with this thread, how to get in touch with Wu Sangui and influence his decision is a big thing worth considering.

  At this moment, Zhu Ci'er slowly untied her own outer garment... and then covered Chen Yuanyuan's body with it. She turned around and said to Li Gongling: "Quickly take a few people and send Wu Furen back to the General's mansion!"