Chapter 52 This time Lao Zhu wants to experience it from a different perspective
"So, Chongba, you want Biao'er and Di'er to go to Ouyang Lun to buy 'Yongan Bonds'?" Queen Ma asked.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "That's the plan."
After finishing speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while, "But this involves millions of silver taels. That boy Ouyang Lun is too insidious. We are worried that Biao'er and Di'er combined will not be as clever as him."
Looking at Queen Ma, she smiled and said, "How about, sister, you will accompany me to Yong'an Mansion again this time?"
Empress Ma thought for a moment and nodded, "I haven't seen Anqing for more than a year. The couple moved from Kaiping County to Funing County. I don't know how their life was. Last time Anqing told me , miss the roast goose I made."
"Let's make an agreement first. When we go to Yong'an Mansion this time, you will buy bonds, and I will go visit my daughter. We will complement each other."
"Okay, okay, as long as the girl is willing to accompany us, I'm fine with you." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.
"You will only be in Yong'an for a month or two. What will happen to the affairs of the court?" Queen Ma asked.
"Biao'er is the crown prince. If I'm not here, it's natural for him to supervise the country and govern the country. We should also give Biao'er a chance to practice." Zhu Yuanzhang then said in a deep voice: "Besides, isn't there a capable prime minister like Hu Weiyong? , I won’t be around for a few months, nothing big will happen.”
"Since you have made all the arrangements, I won't say much more." Queen Ma nodded and continued: "The food is almost ready. Can you eat before leaving today?"
"Of course, in Kunning Palace, my sister, eating is the most delicious." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and touched his belly, "Don't tell me, we are really hungry. It would be nice if we had a grilled fish. .”
"I don't know how to cook grilled fish. If you want to eat it, wait until you get to Yong'an. Go to your fourth son-in-law's house and ask him to cook it for you."
"It's not easy to eat one of his grilled fish."
Early the next morning.
When all the officials went to court, they found that the dragon chair was empty. Only then did they know that His Majesty had gone out on patrol incognito, leaving the Crown Prince Zhu Biao to act as the agent of state affairs, and the Prime Minister Hu Weiyong to take charge of government affairs.
The carriage carrying Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma drove out of Nanjing under the escort of more than a dozen Jinyi guards.
half a month later.
Zhu Yuanzhang and his party finally arrived at the border of Funing County.
"stop!"
Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth to call the parking team.
Jiang Wei quickly rode up to the carriage and said, "Your Majesty, Funing County is ahead. According to the map, follow this road and you will reach Funing County in about one day. If it is that kind of cement road If so, it only takes half a day or even less.”
Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma stepped out of the carriage.
"Chongba, what do you want to do?" As a couple for many years, Empress Ma sensed what Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking.
Zhu Yuanzhang whispered: "Sister, this is how we went to Kaiping County last time. This time we think we should change the way."
"How to change?" Queen Ma asked.
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered: "According to Ouyang Lun's routine, there must be a wide, flat cement road ahead. Then at the entrance of the cement road there will be someone serving a drink to welcome you, and further ahead there will be a toll-collecting policeman."
"This is what we think. This time we will enter in batches to see if there is any difference. Then we will meet in Funing County!"
"Sister, what do you think of this?"
Queen Ma nodded, "You are right. We have more than ten guards in one carriage every time. The target is too big and it is easy to attract attention."
"That's right, that's what we mean." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly, "Sister, leave the carriage to you, and let Wu Yong lead ten Jinyi guards to protect you. Jiang Yu and I are behind."
"Chongba, it's better to keep a few more guards by your side." Empress Ma said with some worry: "You can be the Emperor of Ming Dynasty. If something happens, the sky of Ming Dynasty will fall!" Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, looking confident. Said: "Sister, we, Zhu Yuanzhang, relied on more than a dozen cavalry brothers to build our empire back then. What can a mere Funing County do to me?"
"With Jiang Wei and the others protecting us, you don't have to worry. If you encounter someone pouring wine, remember to keep the wine for us!"
"Look at what you're doing."
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's persistence, Empress Ma stopped persuading him, got back on the carriage, and left first.
Wait for Queen Ma to leave.
Zhu Yuanzhang took Jiang Yu and other four or five royal guards and began to dress up on the roadside. First he put on ordinary people's clothes, and then put a layer of dust on his face.
"Your Majesty, are you?"
Jiang Wei said quite puzzled.
"I want to test how Funing County treats beggars!"
"The first two times I was in Kaiping County, I went there as a wealthy businessman. What I saw was only from one angle. This Funing County is where the Yong'an Prefecture is governed, and I can best see Ouyang Lun's governance ability!"
"This time I'm going to look at it from the beggar's perspective."
Zhu Yuanzhang explained while smearing plaster on his face.
"Your Majesty is wise! Then I will apply some too."
"You have to put it on your body too. Our clothes are so new that they are easy to put on."
"Put away all the weapons. Don't let them leak out. Forget it, don't bring any weapons. Bury them all in the woods."
"Seals, road signs, tokens and other things that can prove our identity are also buried."
Soon, with some mutual help, five or six beggars were born, each with a stick.
Zhu Yuanzhang took a look at everyone's costumes and nodded with satisfaction, but then frowned and said, "It would be nice if there was another broken bowl. That will make it okay."
"Let's go! Go to Funing County!"
As Zhu Yuanzhang expected, they soon walked onto the cement road and met the woman who greeted them at the entrance of the cement road.
"Uncle, you look so familiar. Have we met somewhere?" Two women dressed in national costumes were holding wine and bowls.
Aren’t these the two in Kaiping County!
Zhu Yuanzhang was glad that he had disguised himself well and said in a low voice: "The two girls have misunderstood. There is a disaster in the south. We fled all the way from Suzhou. I heard that Yong'an Prefecture has a good prefect, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, and have food and clothing. So I want to come here to make a living!"
Upon hearing this, the two women's eyes immediately lit up.
"So you are from the south! Welcome to Funing County. Our magistrate is in Funing County. You are right to come here!"
"Come on, let's have a bowl of wine to warm up!"
"Can I have another bowl?" Zhu Yuanzhang finished one bowl and felt that it was not enough.
"Of course, the prefect said that ordinary tourists can only drink one bowl per person. If you want to drink, you can buy it yourself. But for people like you who are fleeing from the disaster, the first drink is enough!"
"Just drinking is not enough. Sit down and I will get you some food to go with the wine so that you can eat and drink well!"
The taste of the 'Maotai' wine and the enthusiasm of the two women made Zhu Yuanzhang, Jiang Yu and others let down their guard, eat and drink happily, and soon they all fell down. When Zhu Yuanzhang woke up. (End of this chapter)
