Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 45 Summoning
In the early morning, a few horses came galloping on the official road, and the sound of horse hooves broke the tranquility of the morning.
The leader was wearing a red military uniform, about 30 or 40 years old, with a burly figure. This person was Jiao Lian, the deputy general of Guilin in the Ming Dynasty.
Behind Jiao Lian were five or six personal guards, all of whom were strong and muscular, carrying bows and swords.
After receiving the order in Guilin, Jiao Lian led his soldiers on a rapid march and finally arrived at Yuecheng Township at dusk last night and set up camp.
After arranging the camp affairs at midnight last night and sleeping for only an hour or two, Jiao Lian followed his usual habit and went out with his personal guards to inspect the terrain around the camp.
In fact, this was not necessary at all. Yuecheng Township was located in the hinterland of Guangdong Province, not on the front line, so the army was not in any danger at all. It was just that Jiao Lian had developed a habit when marching in the wild, and it was difficult to change it for a while.
It would not be accurate to say that it was purely a habit. He had just received the imperial order to enter the capital, and he was so focused on urging the soldiers to hurry up that he had no time to think about all this. But now that he had really arrived near Zhaoqing and had suddenly set up camp, he felt a little uneasy.

Jiao Lian led his guards and galloped all the way. Soon they arrived at a camp. There were several soldiers guarding the gate. When they saw that it was Jiao Lian who came back, they did not move.

Jiao Lian led his guards directly into the camp
The camp was simple, without even a trench. There were just some simple chevaux de frise installed around the tents as a defense.
In fact, there is no need to spend too much time on this camp. If it weren't for the imperial court's order, they wouldn't have to camp here.
In a few days, when His Royal Highness Prince Gui completes the Regent Ceremony, they will set off again and enter Zhaoqing, which is the end of their journey.
The sun was already high, and the golden sunlight was shining on the tent, but the tent was completely silent.

They had just decided to camp here at dusk last night under the coordination of the county government. It was already late at night when the soldiers finished setting up their tents.

They had been traveling day and night for the past few days, and everyone was exhausted. Jiao Lian had already issued an order last night that all the soldiers in the camp did not need to exercise today, so at three o'clock today, the soldiers were still resting in the camp.

Jiao Lian looked at the quiet military camp with a dazed look on his face. A dozen days ago, he was still in Guangxi Province training troops to suppress bandits, but now he has led a large army across thousands of miles to this unfamiliar Guangdong Province. It really makes him feel unreal.

When he received the imperial edict in Guilin that day, he was completely bewildered. He thought that those people who claimed to be the head of Guangdong Province were a bunch of liars who wanted to cheat him out of his reward money.

It's no wonder he didn't believe it. He was a general stationed in a remote province. He might have some fame in Guangxi Province, but it's no exaggeration to say that he was unknown outside of Guangxi Province. How could he become a member of the Central Imperial Guard overnight and lead the army to the central government to protect the emperor? The gap between them was too big.
It's like a newly-minted Jinshi who just finished the palace examination and received a certificate of official appointment from the Ministry of Rites, and was suddenly told that the court now wants to appoint him as the Prime Minister and ask him to pack up his belongings and enter the court to assist in government. This kind of person would think that the messenger is a liar.

But after the envoy reminded him, he realized that when he led his army to Yongzhou and defeated the western bandits, he had accidentally saved a prince.

And this prince whom he had forgotten about was now going to be the emperor, and he was going to be transferred to the court to serve as the central imperial guard.

But even at this time he was still skeptical, until the person who came to announce the imperial edict took out Qu Shisi's letter, he had to believe it.
He had received Qu Shisi's kindness and knew Qu Shisi's character. He knew that Qu Shisi would never lie to him about such an important matter. Therefore, it was not until then that he finally confirmed that he seemed to have hit the jackpot. He had transformed himself into a member of the imperial guards overnight.

Jiao Lian told the army about this letter, and everyone was delighted.

How could I not be happy? Between guarding a remote county and guarding the emperor in the court, do I need to choose between the two?
So Jiao Lian, in a trance, led a group of happy generals to break camp and set off, all the way to the outskirts of Zhaoqing City.

Jiao Lian and his party were appointed by the central government, and this time they were going to the central government to serve as imperial guards. After the officials of the counties along the way confirmed the situation, no one dared to make things difficult for him, the general of the imperial guards, so the prefectures and counties along the way provided more or less supplies.
In addition, Jiao Lian was very strict in his military discipline, and his generals were eager to serve as imperial guards, so his soldiers did not cause any trouble, and they arrived at Yuecheng Township, Guangdong Province smoothly.
Yuecheng Township was still nearly a hundred miles away from Zhaoqing, but the imperial court had issued an edict that forbade him to enter the court before the regent ceremony was completed, so he had no choice but to do so.

He initially thought that a grand ceremony was being held in the court, so he did not allow the army to enter and disturb the people in the city.
But these two days, he reread Qu Shisi's letter and found something wrong. This visit to the court might not be as simple as his generals thought, that is, to receive a reward.

Jiao Lian stood beside his horse with his hands behind his back, thinking about the hint left in Qu Shisi's letter. At this moment, a noise came from the camp gate, interrupting Jiao Lian's thoughts.
A knight in red military uniform was seen galloping from the official road in front of the camp gate. The knight was stopped by the gatekeeper. After talking to the knight for a few words, the gatekeeper let the knight into the camp.
After the knight entered the tent, he was led by a soldier to the central tent and finally entered a tent next to the main tent.
Jiao Lian narrowed his eyes slightly. That tent was exactly the tent of the envoy who came to the army to announce the imperial edict. This person was an eunuch in the palace of Prince Gui. Now that the knight went straight into the tent of the eunuch, it was probably some news from the court.
Sure enough, not long after the knight entered the tent, Li Laitong, a palace official who had returned with the army, came out of the tent and walked straight towards him.

"Eunuch Li, is there something going on?" Jiao Lian bowed to Li Laitong.

"Yes, there is something going on, and it's a good thing, a very good thing."

Li Laitong was beaming with joy, and without waiting for Jiao Lian to ask any more questions, he spoke directly.

"This morning, the ministers urged the prince to ascend the throne for the third time, and the prince has received the regent's memorial," Li Laitong said happily.
Yes, Jiao Lian arrived in Yuecheng late at night on the 11th. Today, the 12th, is the day Zhu Lang accepted the third persuasion.

After this persuasion, Zhu Lang should officially accept the persuasion of the ministers and prepare to complete the ceremony of supervising the country.

"Your Highness is brave and benevolent. Our Ming Dynasty has found another wise ruler. This is a blessing for the country and the people. It is truly a great joy."

Jiao Lian's expression became solemn, and he bowed towards the direction of Zhaoqing in the east.

"Who said it wasn't? It's a great joy for His Highness to be the regent, but General Jiao's joy is also coming," Li Laitong said with a smile.
"I have any good news, please let me know, Eunuch Li."

There was a hint of doubt in Jiao Lian's eyes, but he remained calm and bowed to Li Laitong.

He originally thought that the envoy just now was here to inform the King of Gui that he would officially become the regent, but seeing Li Laitong's appearance, he actually had his own business.
"Just now, news came from the palace that the prince knew that the general had entered Guangdong, and he sent a messenger to specifically request General Jiao to come to the court to participate in the regent ceremony."

"The prince also said that all the generals above the rank of guerrilla commander in General Jiao's camp can come to the court to participate in the ceremony. General Jiao is really valued by the prince."

Li Laitong looked at Jiao Lian, who looked a little surprised, with a hint of envy on his face.

Li Laitong was considered an old man in the palace. He had traveled thousands of miles, but the prince did not even mention him. Instead, he was anxious to get Jiao Lian to attend the ceremony.
Although Jiao Lian was a military commander and had soldiers under his command, Li Laitong had made contributions, but he had also worked hard. After being away from the palace for so long, the prince might have forgotten about Li Laitong. How could this be possible?
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace." Jiao Lian was only slightly surprised for a moment, but then he immediately reacted and bowed towards Zhaoqing.

But after the greeting, a trace of hesitation flashed across his face, and he said
"Eunuch Li, but didn't the imperial decree say that I can return to court after the grand ceremony? Is it right to return to court now..."

Before Jiao Lian could finish his words, he was interrupted by Li Laitong.

"Hey, General Jiao, you are such a blockhead. Although the court has issued an order, His Highness is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Do you listen to the emperor or the court? Is there any need to think about it?"

"Besides, the court is not allowing the general to lead his troops into the city, but it is not that the general is not allowed to enter the city. The general should have his men guard the barracks and then bring the generals in the barracks into the court, isn't that better?"

Li Guoyong looked at Jiao Lian who was still hesitant, his expression slightly calmed down, and he said

"General Jiao, please don't be like those hypocritical officials who say that the rules of the court cannot be changed. Your Highness has come a hundred miles to write to you. This is such a great favor. General, please don't let Your Highness down."

"Your Highness, this is a huge event. I'm afraid this is the only chance for you to encounter such an opportunity in your lifetime. If you miss it, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

Li Laitong spoke in a low voice, staring at Jiao Lian in front of him.

Jiao Lian thought that the imperial edict he received only ordered Jiao Lian to come to the court, but he knew that the palace had already issued an order that he must let Jiao Lian and his generals come to the court to participate in the state supervision ceremony.

If Jiao Lian gets carried away and insists on the court rules, whether Jiao Lian loses the prince's trust or not is none of his business, but Li Laitong will be in trouble.
"Eunuch Li is right. I was confused for a moment. I will summon all the generals in the camp to come to the court to see Your Highness."

Jiao Lian was also shocked when he heard Li Laitong's words, and quickly responded
He also realized at this time that he was able to enter the court this time not because he had made great contributions and the court had to reward him, but because

He had read Qu Shisi's letters and knew the reason why he entered the court. His entry into the court was entirely the result of the insistence of the King of Gui.
There are many people in the court who oppose him to enter the court. If this is the case, he should put himself in the right position. He should first be the prince's imperial guard, and then the court army general.
This is not a violation of the law. On the contrary, this is what the emperor requires of the imperial guards. If even the imperial guards listen to the court first, instead of just following the emperor's orders, what kind of imperial guards are they?

"That's right, General, please gather all the generals quickly. We will also return to the city with you."

Li Laitong saw that Jiao Lian had reacted and did not do anything to disobey his orders, and a look of satisfaction flashed across his face.

Li Laitong gave some instructions and was about to leave when he was suddenly stopped by Jiao Lian.

Jiao Lian gave a slight signal with his eyes, and a soldier behind him stepped forward and stuffed two hundred-liang silver notes into Li Laitong's sleeve.
Li Laitong was stunned, as if he had not expected that the general who had been silent all the way would do such a thing.

He subconsciously glanced at the banknotes in his sleeves and found that they were all large banknotes of 100 taels each.
The banknote was made of thick paper with intricate patterns painted on it. He subconsciously flashed a look of joy on his face, but then a hint of hesitation flashed across his face.

"What is General Jiao doing? We are just following orders. If the prince knew about this..."

Jiao Lian looked at Li Laitong's expression, waved his hand to interrupt Li Laitong's words, and said

"Eunuch Li, what are you talking about? Eunuch Li has been busy with court affairs all the way, and he has been tireless in guiding me in the court situation. This little money is just a small token of my appreciation. Eunuch Li, just consider it as tea money."

"That's it, eunuch, please make some preparations. I will gather all the generals in the camp and then follow you to the court."

After Jiao Lian finished speaking, he left with his guards without waiting for Li Laitong to refuse.
He has traveled from north to south over the years and has become a general in a certain place. He knows some official rules.

Among the superiors he had met over the years, except for a few such as Qu Shisi who really did not accept money, he had never seen a few officials who did not want money.

It is easy to meet superiors, but difficult to deal with the little devils. He has always known that it is these petty officials who are the most capable of causing trouble.
Since Li Laitong was sent by the palace to announce the imperial edict, he must have some status in the palace.

He spent this money without expecting any return. Even if Li Laitong could report his trip to King Gui properly when he returned home, it would be worth it.
(End of this chapter)