Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 216 Husband and Wife Father and Son
In the evening, after dinner, Zhu Shenzhui took Xu Jingqiu for a walk in the yard to digest the food. In this era, giving birth is a daunting task for women. Xu Jingqiu is not like Tana, who has lived on horseback since she was a child. She is just the daughter of an ordinary family and is not as strong as Tana. So since she became pregnant, Zhu Shenzhui specifically explained some precautions. Whenever he was at home, he would accompany Xu Jingqiu for a walk every day to exercise a little to prepare for the birth.

Although she didn't understand why Zhu Shenzhui understood all this, Xu Jingqiu could feel Zhu Shenzhui's care and love for her.

"How long will it take you to come back this time?" Sister-in-law Zhang and Qiao'er had already returned to the house, and the servants were also in their room. There were only Zhu Shenzhui and Xu Jingqiu in the small courtyard. The weather was neither cold nor hot, and it was very pleasant.

The two were walking and chatting, and as they were talking, Xu Jingqiu suddenly asked this question.

"If it's faster, it will be about one and a half months. Even if it's slower, it will be at most two months. No matter what, I have to come back early to see our baby being born." Zhu Shenzhui said this, looking at Xu Jingqiu's belly with anticipation on his face.

He took Xu Jingqiu's hand and said with guilt: "I'm sorry for putting you in such a difficult position. I wanted to stay at home with you for a few more days, but I didn't expect something like this."

"My husband, you don't have to do this." Xu Jingqiu smiled and said, "My husband is doing the right thing. Although I am a woman, I still understand the truth. My husband, please be careful when you go to the grassland. Don't take any risks. Don't forget that my child and I are waiting for you to come back home."

"Don't worry, nothing will happen. I will try to go early and come back early this time. When I come back, I will spend time with you and our children." Zhu Shenzhui nodded vigorously and made a promise.

After they got married, Zhu Shenzhu gradually told Xu Jingqiu about Hengtong Trading Company, including not only the company's industry, but also the trade with the grassland. As his wife, Xu Jingqiu can be said to be one of the closest people in Zhu Shenzhu's world. Moreover, Xu Jingqiu is different from his sister-in-law Zhang. Compared with Zhang, who is more traditional and soft-tempered, Xu Jingqiu is soft on the outside and strong on the inside. Although she is just a woman, she has a very positive mind. Zhu Shenzhu felt this after getting married.

Since they were already a family, there was no need for Zhu Shencui to hide some things from Xu Jingqiu. He picked out some things that she needed to know and told her. Moreover, when he was not in Pingyang, Zhu Shencui also instructed Kang Youfu that if he was undecided about any major matter, he could go to his wife to discuss it. This was equivalent to handing part of the decision-making power of the business to Xu Jingqiu.

Xu Jingqiu was surprised at first when she knew this. She never thought that Zhu Shenzhu, a member of the royal family, had such a private business. Although she knew that Zhu Shenzhu was doing some business when they got married, she was not sure what the business was. In Xu Jingqiu's opinion, Zhu Shenzhu was just making money for his family by smuggling to the grassland. Who would have thought that he would do such a big business?

Hengtong Trading Company is now a well-known trading company in Pingyang and even in the whole Shanxi Province. The background of the trading company is said to be not simple. The chief manager Kang Youfu is also a well-known figure in Pingyang. Who would have thought that the real owner of this trading company is her husband Zhu Shenzhui?

The fact that her family's business was so big was beyond Xu Jingqiu's imagination. Before she married him, Xu Jingqiu thought Zhu Shenzhui was just an ordinary royal family, and a royal family that lived a tight life. But she didn't expect that his family had such a large industry, which was beyond her expectation. However, in addition to being surprised, Xu Jingqiu also had a worry, that is, how did this industry come from, and why her husband could make Hengtong Commercial Bank so large.

Xu Jingqiu was a smart woman. As Zhu Shenzhu's wife, she had guessed something. But Xu Jingqiu never asked in detail, nor did she actively seek answers. Because she knew very well that as a royal family member, there were great restrictions in the Ming Dynasty. If the news of the industry got out, especially Zhu Shenzhu's private smuggling trade with the Mongols, it would not be a trivial matter if it got to the ears of the court.

Zhu Shenzhui could tell herself that he trusted her, so she would not betray his trust. Besides, she was now Zhu Shenzhui's wife, so she naturally had to consider the Zhu family and would never ruin Zhu Shenzhui's plans.

Apart from the situation of the business, Zhu Shenzhui would not tell Xu Jingqiu about other arrangements. It was not that he did not trust her, but there was no need to tell her, because these facts were too big. Even if Xu Jingqiu was smart, she was still a woman after all. It was for her own good not to let her know some things.

Xu Jingqiu also heard about the accident of Ma Shizhou's caravan on the grassland. Although she didn't know much about the details, Xu Jingqiu knew that such an incident would be a trouble for the business. It was risky for Zhu Shenzhu to lead the team to the grassland personally this time. Xu Jingqiu wanted to persuade her husband not to go, but she didn't say it in the end. She just told him to pay attention to safety and be careful about everything.

Between husband and wife, there are often times when there are things that don't need to be said so clearly. Zhu Shenzhu also knew a little about Xu Jingqiu's thoughts, but they both kept it to themselves. Perhaps this kind of relationship was the best.

Zhangjiakou, the former garrison headquarters, is now the guerrilla general's headquarters.

Hei Mingzhong came galloping on his horse. He was a good rider. When he got close to them, he pulled the horse to a stop and then jumped off.

"Fifth Young Master!" Hei Yunlong's personal soldiers stepped forward, took the reins, and saluted Hei Mingzhong.

"My father is in the mansion?"

"General, we have been waiting for you for a while." the soldier replied.

Hei Mingzhong nodded, walked up the steps, stepped over the threshold and went straight into the general's mansion, heading towards the backyard as if he was familiar with the place.

A moment later, Hei Mingzhong arrived at Hei Yunlong's study, raised his hand and knocked on the door, and soon Hei Yunlong's voice was heard from inside.

"Dad!" He pushed the door open and saw Hei Yunlong sitting behind the desk. "When did you come back?"

"I just arrived. I came straight to you after entering the mansion." Turning around and closing the door, Hei Mingzhong replied with his hands hanging down.

"How's the situation in Monolith City?"

"Everything is fine. The second and third brothers are leading the troops over there. Don't worry, Dad. The two brothers are veterans, and they will not be careless with your orders."

Hei Yunlong nodded slightly, and then asked some questions about the situation in Dushi City, especially the food, weapons, city defense, daily training, etc. Hei Mingzhong answered every detail, and only after listening did he show a satisfied expression.

"Dad, is there any movement in the north?" After answering Hei Yunlong's words, Hei Mingzhong couldn't help but ask.

Hei Yunlong sighed and said, "When has there been no movement in the north in all these years? It would be wrong if everything was stable. In recent years, Lin Dan Khan has been trying to unify the grasslands, and has fought and killed various tribes in the grasslands. I just learned that there have been unusual movements in Lin Dan Khan's headquarters. If things go wrong, fighting will break out in the north again."

"Right now, Liaodong is not peaceful either. Previously, Liaodong suffered a great defeat and lost the Liaoxi area east of Shanhaiguan. Now Lord Sun Chengzong has been ordered to lead the army to Ji and Liao. We don't know how to fight the next battle. Whether it's Zhangjiakou or Dushicheng, they are both important border areas. The Mongols or the Later Jin Jiannu can come at any time. We still need to be prepared to prevent a sudden war and be caught off guard."

"That's what Dad is worried about, but you don't have to take it too seriously. Second and third brothers are in Dushi City, and we have eldest and fourth brothers here. With you here, even if a fight really breaks out, as long as we keep our composure and defend the two places, there won't be any problem." Hei Zhongming saw his father's stern expression and spoke to comfort him.

Hei Yunlong forced a smile. He naturally knew what his son meant by saying these words. Moreover, even if Lindan Khan sent troops, he would most likely not attack Zhangjiakou and Dushicheng. After all, Lindan Khan and the Ming Dynasty were nominal allies. Lindan Khan's main target now was still Mongolia. The ambitious Lindan Khan had always wanted to revive the reputation of his ancestors and intended to truly unify Mongolia.

As for the Later Jin Jiannu, Nurhaci took over the territory east of Shanhaiguan, and his strength increased greatly. However, as long as Shanhaiguan was in the hands of the Ming Dynasty, it would not be so easy for Nurhaci to move westward. Moreover, it was heard that Sun Chengzong reorganized the army, built barriers, and put on a posture of defending to the death after arriving at Shanhaiguan. As long as the response was appropriate, Shanhaiguan would be fine.

The main defense target of Zhangjiakou and Dushi is still Mongolia. As long as Lin Danhan is not stupid, he will never fight with the Ming Dynasty at this time. Hei Yunlong is making these preparations just to prepare for a rainy day, and the possibility of an actual war is not great.

After talking about what happened in Dushi City, Hei Yunlong picked up a letter from the table.

"Zhong'er, I asked you to come back because I have something for you to do."

"Please give me your orders, Dad..."

"Take a look at this first." Hei Yunlong handed the letter in his hand over, and Hei Mingzhong took it with both hands. The envelope had been opened. The letter on the envelope was very simple, with only Hei Yunlong's name written on it and nothing else. Hei Mingzhong opened the envelope and took out the letter from it, and looked at it carefully.

After reading it for a few seconds, Hei Mingzhong frowned. There was not much content in the letter, it was very simple and concise, and he finished reading it in no time.

"Dad..." He raised his head and looked at Hei Yunlong, with a puzzled look on his face: "This letter...?"

"It was sent by the Royal Guards."

"Jinyiwei?!" Hei Mingzhong's eyes widened instantly. The three words Jinyiwei were well-known to him. In the Ming Dynasty, anyone who was involved with Jinyiwei could have any good thing happen to him? Could it be that Jinyiwei targeted him and his son?
But that's not right. If the Jinyiwei had targeted them and wanted to attack them, why did they send the letter? Shouldn't they observe secretly and find the right time to attack directly? If they didn't do that, wouldn't sending such a letter first alert the enemy? What was the Jinyiwei's intention?

"Dad, could it be that the court...?" Hei Mingzhong suddenly opened his eyes wide and asked with a trembling voice. He suddenly thought of something, that is, the experience of him and his son being captured in Mongolia. In the report to the court after they came back from Mongolia, they only said that they relied on their own methods to escape back to Ming Dynasty, and did not mention the real reason for their return.

After all, the son of a garrison commander and a general fell into the hands of the Mongols and became a slave. In the end, the Mongols released them after revealing their identities. Once the truth was known by the court, it is easy to imagine how the court would react. Not to mention taking back the previous rewards, it is possible that they would directly imprison the father and son, including the rest of their family members. As a minister, concealing the truth is a crime of deceiving the emperor!

(End of this chapter)