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

Chapter 518 Family
To stabilize Liaodong, it is necessary to build a defense line and train troops, all of which require money, but Emperor Chongzhen just can't give the money to Sun Chengzong.

According to Sun Chengzong's plan, building Dalinghhe City and Youtun is the top priority. Once completed, the Ningjin defense line will be fully restored and Liaodong will be stable.

But whether it is building a city or training troops, it costs money. Now the court does not give money, what should Sun Chengzong do? Moreover, unlike Emperor Tianqi, although Emperor Chongzhen appointed Sun Chengzong, he did not fully trust him. While entrusting the Liaodong affairs to Sun Chengzong, Emperor Chongzhen also appointed a Liaodong governor to share his power. This Liaodong governor was Qiu Hejia, who was a man of Liang Tingdong, the Minister of War. Relying on his backers, he did not get along with Sun Chengzong as soon as he took office, and he grabbed the military and political power of Liaodong without any scruples.

By the way, Emperor Chongzhen replaced the Minister of War again. Shen Yongmao, who replaced Wang Qia, was dismissed by Emperor Chongzhen not long after taking office. The cabinet elders also replaced three people because they were dissatisfied. Liang Tingdong was appointed to become the new Minister of War. As one of the six ministries of the court, the Ministry of War actually changed three ministers in less than a few months. It was incredible.

After Qiu Hejia took office, he looked down on Sun Chengzong. He believed that Sun Chengzong was too old and could not keep up with the times. Moreover, this old man was an important official of the previous dynasty. This was not the Tianqi Dynasty, but the Chongzhen Dynasty. An old guy like him should give way to a young man like himself.

Because of this mentality, Qiu Hejia even said in front of Sun Chengzong that "the cabinet ministers are old, and I can handle Liaodong affairs alone", which shows his arrogance. In addition, Qiu Hejia also wrote to the court to criticize Sun Chengzong's handling of military and political issues in Liaodong to show his ability.

In one sentence, he opposed everything Sun Chengzong wanted to do, and he agreed with everything Sun Chengzong thought was bad. Even when it came to the construction of Dalinghe City, Qiu Hejia originally agreed, but when the court could not give money to Sun Chengzong, Qiu Hejia actually wrote to the court directly saying that he was against the construction of Dalinghe City, and directly put the blame on Sun Chengzong, which made Sun Chengzong very angry.

Sun Chengzong was appointed to the post in a time of crisis. He had already retired when he was reinstated. Now at an old age, he has worked hard for the country. He finally forced Huang Taiji to withdraw to Liaodong and resolved the threat from foreign enemies. Sun Chengzong has fulfilled his responsibilities.

Sun Chengzong was very dissatisfied with Qiu Hejia's disturbance, and he also vaguely saw the shadows of Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen in Qiu Hejia's case. Before he became the governor of Ji Liao, Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen disagreed in Liaodong, which eventually led to a dispute between the governor and the governor, resulting in the defeat of Liaodong. He had witnessed all these things with his own eyes.

The lesson of the past is not far away. Sun Chengzong is not Xiong Tingbi, nor is he Yuan Chonghuan. He certainly understands what the result will be if he continues like this. So when these things happened, Sun Chengzong had the intention to leave. He wrote to Emperor Chongzhen many times to explain that he was too old to be the governor of Ji and Liao, and asked the court to send someone to replace him so that he could retire and return home. But Emperor Chongzhen refused to let Sun Chengzong go, so Sun Chengzong was uncomfortable staying in Liaodong. He couldn't leave, and he couldn't do what he wanted to do. He could only reluctantly stick to his post and continue to stay.

Let’s not talk about Sun Chengzong for now. After Zhu Shenzhui and Wang Rong left the capital, they returned to Shanxi. Soon after they returned to Luzhou Wei, they also received the news that Huang Taiji had withdrawn his troops.

Huang Taiji's withdrawal marked the end of the war in the capital, and their army had completed its "mission". However, the Luzhou Guards' army was almost a tour of the capital this time. Not only did they not do anything, they were almost involved in a mutiny in the army. Now they were able to return safely, which was considered good.

After returning to Luzhou and settling the army, Zhu Shenzui went to his home in Luzhou Wei.

Since sending his family from Pingyang Prefecture to Luzhou Wei, Zhu Shenzui's wife and children, including sister-in-law Zhang and niece Qiao'er, have been quietly settled here. With Wang Rong taking care of them, it is much safer here than in Pingyang Prefecture.

A year has passed since they last parted. Zhu Shenzhui missed his family very much. After washing up, changing clothes, Zhu Shenzhui said goodbye to Wang Rong and went back home. When he arrived, he knocked on the door twice. Soon there was a noise from inside. The door opened and a servant appeared. When he saw Zhu Shenzhui, he was stunned at first, and then he showed an ecstatic expression.

"Madam! Madam! The master is back!" The servant was brought by the Pingyang family. When the family's situation improved that year, Zhu Shenzhui bought a few servants. These people have been with Zhu Shenzhui for many years. After Zhu Shenzhui got married and had two children, they have also been there.

Many years passed in a blink of an eye. These servants worked well and were reliable, so when Zhu Shencui settled his wife and children in Luzhouwei, he also settled these servants here. Now, except for one old servant who stayed in Pingyang Mansion, the rest are here, and naturally they know their master.

Hearing the sound, Xu Jingqiu, who was talking to her sister-in-law Zhang in the house, hurried out to greet them. When she arrived in the courtyard and saw Zhu Shenzhu coming in from the door, she was excited and hurriedly took a few steps. But when she arrived in front of Zhu Shenzhu, Xu Jingqiu stopped. Her eyes were slightly red, and she suppressed her excitement. She saluted Zhu Shenzhu and said in a trembling voice: "You... you are finally here..."

"I'm back!" Zhu Shenzui smiled, strode forward and hugged Xu Jingqiu. Xu Jingqiu didn't expect her husband to do such an intimate thing. Her body trembled slightly and she tried to break free, but Zhu Shenzui hugged her so tightly that she couldn't break free.

"Husband, you... I... in broad daylight..." "Okay, okay, let me take a good look at you. I haven't seen you for such a long time. Have you lost weight or gained weight?" Zhu Shenzhui didn't hold her for too long. Xu Jingqiu came from a scholarly family, and women of that era were very reserved. Even between couples, it was rare for them to hug each other face to face.

It was natural that she was not used to it for a moment. Zhu Shenzhui did not force her to let go, but still held her hand and looked his wife up and down.

Xu Jingqiu still looked the same as in memory, without any change, except that her face was flushed because of the action just now. Although she had given birth to two sons, she was still the same as when they first met, with a girlish shyness, and still so beautiful. Zhu Shenzhu was very happy to see that she was well.

At the side, Zhang couldn't help but smile at their intimacy, but deep in her smile was a hint of sadness. Perhaps she was thinking of her husband at this time, and the happy time when she just married into the Zhu family. So many years have passed, and although many memories have blurred, the feelings engraved in her heart are still clear.

After meeting Xu Jingqiu and holding her hand and talking to her for a few words, Zhu Shenzhui bowed to Zhang and greeted his sister-in-law.

Zhang calmly returned the greeting and said with a smile, "It's good that uncle is back. He must have had a hard journey. Come in and have a rest. Are you hungry? She will prepare some food."

"Sister-in-law, there's no need. You've worked hard. I haven't been at home these days, and it's all thanks to you." Zhu Shenzhui said with a smile, and at the same time glanced at Zhang. After not seeing her for a year, Zhang had become a little more charming, but this charm made the already beautiful Zhang look more mature.

Originally, Zhang was not very old. She was only in her teens when she married into the Zhu family. Now, she is less than 30 years old and is in the best time of her life for a woman. In addition, her family conditions have improved in recent years, and she has enough nutrition. She doesn't have to work as hard as she did at the beginning. Zhang's appearance has become even more beautiful.

As he was talking, two little ones heard the noise and ran out of the house. The one running in front was the eldest, Zhu Minlan, followed by the second, Zhu Mincheng. Children grow up so fast that in the blink of an eye they are very different from what he remembered. Now the eldest is almost eight years old, and the second is almost five. He parted with the two children at the beginning of last year. Over a year has passed, and the two little ones have grown taller, especially the eldest, who is almost as tall as his waist.

"Father!" Zhu Minlan ran all the way with his brother. His face was a little red because he ran so fast. He hugged Zhu Shenzhui's waist and called excitedly, "Father." As for the second child, he was only four years old when he left. Four-year-old children have just started to remember things. However, because of his young age, he did not have a deep memory of his father. He only knew what father represented, but he was not as excited as his brother. He hugged Zhu Shenzhui's thigh with his brother, and looked up at the man in front of him with curiosity. His eyes rolled around, as if he was recalling whether this person was his father.

"Good! Good!" Zhu Shenzui squatted down, touched their heads, looked at one and then looked at another, and his heart was filled with joy.

Both children have grown up a lot, and their features and features are extremely similar to Zhu Shenzhui. One can tell at a glance that they are father and son without having to guess.

Zhu Shenzhui felt a little guilty for not being able to accompany the children during this year's absence. The children grew up healthily and had good temperaments. It seemed that Xu Jingqiu had taught them well, which made Zhu Shenzhui even happier. While talking to the children, he took out the gifts he brought for them from his arms. The two little ones' eyes lit up and they were very happy when they saw the gifts, especially the second child who had not followed his brother in calling him father. Now that he had received the gift, his little mouth was very sweet and he called him father all the time, which was very affectionate, which made Zhu Shenzhui laugh even more.

After playing with the children for a while, he stood up. At this time, Xu Jingqiu said, "Let's go into the house first." Zhu Shenzhu nodded and walked into the house holding a child in one hand. When he looked forward, he saw his niece Qiaoer standing at the door.

"Uncle, you're back. Your niece says hello to you." Qiao'er has grown up too. Time flies so fast. So many years have passed in a flash. Now Qiao'er is almost sixteen years old.

The sixteen-year-old girl was bright and beautiful, standing there gracefully. If she were in an ordinary family, Qiao'er would be almost of marriageable age. Seeing Qiao'er, Zhu Shenzhu couldn't help but think of the time when Qiao'er was a child and pestered him to call him "father". In the blink of an eye, the little girl had grown into a big girl, and he couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion in his heart.

(End of this chapter)