usatvline Chapter 94 Liu Bowen's second son, Liu Jing, brings Zhang Jigang
Chapter 94 Liu Bowen's second son, Liu Jing, brings Zhang Jigang
Since taking office as the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Wu's Palace, Guo Ming has been conscientious and dedicated to his duties, never slacking off. Asking him to resign rashly would inevitably damage the harmony.
Zhu Gaoxi was determined to talk to Guo Ming, but found it difficult to bring up the subject.
Just as he was in a dilemma, his father-in-law, Xu Zengshou, arrived uninvited to bring supplies for his beloved daughter. Zhu Gaoxi hurriedly ran out to greet him with a smile.
Faced with his son-in-law's excessive enthusiasm, Xu Zengshou dared not be careless and still bowed respectfully.
learn from mistakes.
After being humiliated last time, Xu Zengshou learned his lesson and constantly reminded himself to be careful with his words and actions.
Who knows which of his son-in-law's words he misunderstood, and he ordered the arrest of people again.
Zhu Gaoxi was always thick-skinned. He didn't mind his father-in-law's respectful distance at all and continued to fawn over him relentlessly.
The father-in-law was truly a good man; he didn't reveal a single thing about being kidnapped to Xu Miaojin, allowing Zhu Gaoxi to get through this ordeal unscathed.
I will never forget your great kindness and virtue.
Zhu Gaoxi kept this in mind and was ready to reciprocate at any time.
Zhu Gaoxi invited his father-in-law into the house, personally pouring tea and water, doing everything he could to inquire about his well-being and get closer to him.
"The Marquis of Wuding told my elder brother that Lady Guo misses her daughter and is worried that she will not be used to living in Dalinghe. She wants Guo Ming to go there so that the siblings can take care of each other," Xu Zengshou said slowly.
Zhu Gaoxi was overjoyed upon hearing this. He had been worried about how to broach the subject, but Guo Ming's initiative to resign was more considerate than a timely rain.
In the twenty-seventh year of the Hongwu reign, the daughter of Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding was made the principal wife of Prince Zhu Zhi of Liao.
Zhu Zhi was initially granted the title of Prince of Wei, and later changed to Prince of Liao. His fief was in Guangning. After taking up his post in the 26th year of Hongwu, he temporarily resided north of Dalinghe because the palace of the Prince of Liao had not yet been built. Construction began in September of the same year, and Guo Ying was ordered to supervise the construction.
Guo Ying was eager to finish the work, and the labor was heavy. The old emperor was worried that if he urged them too much, the soldiers would suffer unspeakably. He was also afraid that Goryeo would have some ulterior motives and take the opportunity to send troops.
Therefore, a year and a half later, the old emperor issued an edict to suspend the project.
Before the palace was completed, the Liao king and his wife temporarily camped near the Daling River.
At this critical juncture in the struggle for the crown prince position, it is only natural for Guo Ying to suggest that Guo Ming go to the northern border to stay away from trouble and protect himself. This is not surprising.
The old emperor was still hesitant and undecided, so how could he expect others to give him their full support regardless of the consequences?
In contrast, the father-in-law's behavior was commendable. He tied his family's future and destiny to the Prince of Wu early on, which impressed Zhu Gaoxi. He secretly vowed to treat Xu Jingyan well in the future.
After seeing Xu Zengshou off, Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun, seeing that it was getting late, did not dare to linger at the Prince of Wu's residence and hurriedly returned to the palace.
The following morning, Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun went to the Qianqing Palace together to handle government affairs.
Zhu Jixi was packing his belongings, preparing to return to his fiefdom, and did not go into the palace to get involved.
The old emperor was having an enthusiastic conversation with an unfamiliar Confucian official when his two grandsons entered. He took Zhu Gaoxi's chubby little hands, bent down, and asked, "Xi'er, do you know Mr. Liu?"
Zhu Gaoxi looked in the direction the old emperor pointed. The man was over forty years old, thin and tall, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He was refined and had bright, piercing eyes.
He racked his brains and searched his memory, but could not find any relevant information. Zhu Gaoxi looked at his grandfather with doubt. Who exactly was this extraordinary scholar?
"Xi'er, Mr. Liu Jing is the son of the venerable Bowen. He is learned and talented, and full of knowledge," the old emperor introduced with a kind smile.
"Your Majesty flatters me, I am unworthy of such praise," Liu Jing said modestly, then bowed to Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun without haste, "Your humble servant greets the young prince."
"Mr. Liu, please don't stand on ceremony," Zhu Gaoxi said, raising his hand in a gesture of support as he quickly racked his brains to find relevant information.
The renowned imperial tutor Liu Bowen had two sons.
The eldest son, Liu Lian, was quite like his father in temperament. He hated evil and was upright and unyielding. While serving as the Right Vice Minister of Jiangxi, he was coerced by Hu Weiyong's faction and died by falling into a well.
Liu Jing was the second son of Liu Bowen, ten years older than Zhu Di. He was well-versed in military strategy and full of tactical acumen. When Wen Chuye Dingxiang and Wu Dasan rebelled, Marquis Tang Shengzong of Yan'an was ordered to lead an expedition. Liu Jing followed the expedition, strategizing and demonstrating his abilities.
After Emperor Shengzong of Tang returned in triumph, he praised his talent in front of the emperor.
The old emperor praised him with delight, saying, "Truly worthy of being Liu Bowen's son."
From then on, Liu Jing was summoned to court every year. Liu Jing spoke eloquently and fluently, drawing on a wide range of knowledge. The old emperor appreciated his talent and allowed him to inherit the title of Earl of Chengyi.
Liu Jing politely expressed his gratitude and relinquished the title to his nephew.
Therefore, the old emperor appointed Liu Jing as the Palace Gate Attendant, to attend to him and impeach officials for their shortcomings. Soon after, he was promoted to the position of Left Chief Secretary of the Prince of Gu's Palace.
Liu Jing had previously gone to the north to oversee the affairs of the six princely residences of Su, Liao, Qing, Ning, Yan, and Zhao. This time, his audience with the emperor was likely to report on his work to the old emperor.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Prince of Yan instructed me to bring back a clerk to be given to the young prince," Liu Jing respectfully reported.
Clerk?
Where are there no clerks?
Was it really necessary to bring it all the way from Beiping?
The old emperor frowned slightly; the fourth prince had really gone to unnecessary trouble!
"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Liu," Zhu Gaoxi said politely.
Liu Jing hurriedly stood up to return the greeting and briefly introduced, "This man is named Ji Gang, a native of Linyi, who once studied under Wang Sheng, the instructor of Jiyang."
"Wang Sheng, Wang Sheng," the old emperor muttered to himself, lost in thought.
"I remember him. He passed the provincial examination in the fifth year of Hongwu's reign. I issued an edict exempting him from the metropolitan examination and appointing him directly by the Ministry of Personnel. However, he insisted on returning home to support his parents," Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with a smile. "Wang Sheng is a very filial person. The students he teaches should be quite good."
Zhu Gaoxi was deeply shocked and remained unsettled for a long time.
Discipline and regulations?!
Ji Gang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?!
Ji Gang, Zhu Di's henchman!
Historically, Ji Gang voluntarily joined Zhu Di during the Jingnan Campaign, but unexpectedly appeared ahead of schedule.
"When the King of Yan raised his army and passed through the county, Gang knelt before his horse and offered his services."
Zhu Gaoxi recalled the historical knowledge in his mind and analyzed Ji Gang's personality traits.
The fact that Ji Gang dared to seize the Prince of Yan's mount demonstrates his extraordinary courage and resourcefulness.
"Gang was skilled in riding and archery, and was adept at deception and cunning, and good at understanding people's intentions."
Skilled in archery and horsemanship, cunning, and adept at understanding people's hearts—these are all essential qualities for secret guards and spies, which greatly piqued Zhu Gaoxi's interest.
During the operation of the secret guards, it was inevitable that they would break taboos. The second brother's identity was too conspicuous, and he could not be the scapegoat. Otherwise, the Yan Prince's Mansion and the Wu Prince's Mansion would be implicated.
Between the brothers Wu Liang and Guan Tong, only one can be sacrificed. If Guan Tong is targeted by Zhu Yunwen, Wu Liang absolutely cannot be allowed to get into trouble.
The secret guards of the Wu Prince's mansion needed a scapegoat, and Ji Gang was undoubtedly the most suitable.
Historically, Ji Gang was an out-and-out treacherous minister, notorious for his numerous evil deeds.
However, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Between a useful bad person and a useless good person, Zhu Gaoxi could only choose the former.
Time was of the essence, and he had no better option.
Just as the old emperor was having a lively conversation with Liu Jing, the crown prince Zhu Yunwen entered the hall. "Grandfather, I heard that Mr. Liu has returned, so I came here to see him."
Liu Jing was renowned for his talent, and Zhu Yunwen was probably here to snatch him away. Zhu Gaoxi raised his eyes, met Zhu Youdun's gaze, and then quickly looked away.
Zhu Gaoxi continued to analyze historical materials related to Liu Jing.
After arriving at the Prince of Yan's residence, Liu Jing sat and played chess with Zhu Di. Liu Jing was highly skilled and quick-witted, while Zhu Di was not good at the game and lost repeatedly. He couldn't help but ask impatiently, "Aren't you being quite lenient?"
"Where it is permissible to yield, it is permissible to yield; where it is not permissible, we dare not yield," Liu Jing said solemnly.
Liu Jing's words were loaded with meaning, and his reply was quite impolite.
Zhu Di could only laugh it off.
Although Liu Jing is exceptionally talented, it is unlikely that he can be won over in the short term. Trying to win him over with sincerity and earnestness may not be worth the effort. It is better to give up for now and look for another opportunity later.