Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 527 Times have changed
Time flies, white horses pass by.

Six years have passed since Chen Ce nearly died in the mountain temple outside Beijing.

More than five years ago, he went to find Ning Cheng in a humble position. At that time, Chen Ce's idea was very simple. He wanted to find Lord Ning, marry Miss Ning, and then help Lord Ning run his business and help him get promoted in officialdom, so that he could live the last few years of his life well.

But Ning Cheng refused the marriage with the Chen family. It had nothing to do with right or wrong, and Chen Ce did not blame him. But since there was no relationship anymore, Chen Ce naturally would not consider Ning Cheng's future and prospects anymore.

Ning Cheng has been working hard in the officialdom over the years, but every step he takes seems to be inseparable from Chen Ce's shadow. He was initially demoted, then promoted to the Ministry of Rites, and then transferred from the Ministry of Rites to Shuntian Prefecture during the imperial examination.

Every step he took was closely related to Chen Ce, but not this time.

Before, many people were polite to Ning Cheng for Chen Ce's sake, but they overlooked the fact that Ning Cheng's abilities and connections were there, so it was almost impossible for him to be promoted.

As his relationship with Chen Ce became increasingly distant and after Lun Wenxu was demoted to the Japanese island, Ning Cheng's position in officialdom became precarious.

Not long ago, the Ministry of Personnel made personnel adjustments and the Yunnan Provincial Administration was short of staff, so Ning Cheng was transferred there.

This may also be related to Chen Ce's retreat some time ago.

At this time, Ning Cheng couldn't help but sigh when he saw Chen Ce again. Chen Ce was also a little dazed, but soon nodded and said to Ning Cheng: "Then I wish Lord Ning can make some achievements in Yunnan and come to the Six Departments to serve as a member as soon as possible."

This is highly unlikely. Ning Cheng is almost seventy years old. If he hasn't been promoted yet, there is almost no hope for him in the future.

Ning Cheng sighed and said to Chen Ce, "I heard that many officials were impeaching you some time ago. You should be careful in the capital in the future."

Before Chen Ce could speak, Zhu Houzhao said, "You should take care of yourself first. I don't want you to worry about me."

"Those officials impeached him because he had a child recently and didn't want to bother with them!"

Ning Cheng was stunned for a moment, then he smiled bitterly, and then he realized that he was overthinking. But think about it, with Chen Ce's ability, how could he disappear from the political stage just by being impeached by a few unknown officials?

It's just a question of whether he is willing or not.

"Congratulations." Ning Cheng had a hint of envy on his face. He really didn't expect that Chen Ce had accomplished another major event in his life during this period, getting married and having children.

"Boys and girls?"

Chen Ce smiled and said, "A pair of twins, a boy and a girl."

Ning Cheng was even more envious. He had married his daughter to Lun Wenxu in the past, thinking that his daughter would be happy. As a father, he always hopes that his children will become better, but the reality was not as expected. Lun Wenxu's personality changed again and again, and finally the two had to divorce.

in case……

He looked at Chen Ce deeply and knew that there was no if in this matter.

Chen Ce nodded and said, "I won't see you off, Master Ning. I wish you a safe journey."

Ning Cheng hummed and said, "Okay! See you later, take care of yourself."

"it is good!"

Several carriages, guarded by clerks, slowly disappeared from Chen Ce's sight and poured into the vast sea of ​​people. The ups and downs of official career and the waves of life are nothing more than this. Everyone has his own destiny.

Ning Cheng's carriage team left the capital from Zhengyang Gate and embarked on the official road heading south.

In the carriage, Ning Cheng looked at his daughter and sighed, "Jun'er, I'm sorry for you! I regret it. I thought I had fulfilled my responsibilities as a father when I made this decision."

"But think about it, your father shouldn't make the decision for you. When it comes to choosing a husband, you really need to find someone who knows you well."

"Chen Ce is a good kid, and a capable kid, but God didn't favor him. If you had married him, I believe my grandson would be five or six years old now."

"This old man... is confused!"

Ning Cheng actually knew all along that his daughter had always liked Chen Ce, but they were destined not to be together. If he hadn't acted on his own initiative, perhaps...

But am I really wrong?

Ning Zhijun shook his head and smiled, "Dad, don't say that. It's over. We all have our own paths to go."

Ning Cheng continued to sigh and said, "Before, I thought that I could make some achievements in the officialdom with my own abilities, but the facts have proved that people in the officialdom are not giving face to me, but to Chen Ce."

"All the recent changes and developments in Daming cannot be separated from his shadow. He is a man of great ability, much stronger than me. It's a pity that God doesn't favor him..."

The carriage went farther and farther away. Ning Cheng lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and looked back in the direction of the capital for the last time. After this farewell, he might never have the chance to come back.

……

Not long after Ning Cheng was transferred away from the capital, dozens of ships slowly arrived at Guangzhou Port on the calm sea.

Everyone on the ship stood excitedly on the deck, gazing at this long-lost homeland, the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty that they missed so much!

They have been away from Ming Dynasty for eight months. During these eight months, they have been drifting on the sea, helpless and facing all kinds of unknown dangers. Every day feels like a year. Now, they have finally returned.

Yang Yuzhen stood on the deck, tears of excitement streaming down his face. Although he had only been away from Ming Dynasty for a short time, he missed his hometown so much, his father, his mother, and his godfather!
During this ocean voyage, Yang Yuzhen brought back many agricultural crops that were not available in the Ming Dynasty. He did not recognize many of them, and many of them were not grown in overseas countries. But Yang Yuzhen brought them all back, whether they were crops that bore fruit on trees or crops that bore fruit in the soil, he brought them all back.

This was also what Chen Ce told him.

Hong Zhong was also very excited. During this voyage, he did a lot of things. He met many island countries, signed trade agreements with them, taught them ship-building technology, and so on.

At the same time, he presented many exquisite porcelain, silk, tea, etc. from the Ming Dynasty to the other side, which aroused great interest among many countries, and they expressed their willingness to sail to the Ming Dynasty for trade.

Of course, Hong Zhong also purchased various items such as spices, pearls, diamonds, etc. from these maritime countries, and this voyage was quite fruitful.

People from the three Guangdong offices and the Maritime Customs arrived at the Guangzhou Port as soon as possible to welcome the return of Hong Zhong and other sailing teams.

Everyone on the ship was in tears. They finally returned to the Ming Dynasty at this moment. In early October, they took a short rest in Guangzhou Port, and then the fleet turned to Ningbo in the southeast, then entered Hangzhou from Ningbo, and went straight to Beijing via the Grand Canal.

At the same time, the Guangdong Provincial Government immediately sent the news of Hong Zhong and others' return from the voyage to the Forbidden City.

(End of this chapter)