After deciding to let Su Yao go to Zhejiang, Emperor Yuanfeng asked Xiao Heng, "How much time do you think it will take to train the navy in Zhejiang?"
This question was a little difficult to answer. Xiao Heng did not exaggerate his ability and said cautiously: "We still have to go and see it. Logically speaking, Duke Ping is very capable and has made great achievements over the years. If even he is in trouble, I think things are a little complicated."
Emperor Yuanfeng was very satisfied with Xiao Heng's attitude. Young people are not afraid of not having drive, but they are afraid of being too driven and losing their own capacity.
He hummed and said, "Discuss everything with your subordinates. This time, let Sun Yongning follow you. He is an old hand. With him around, many tricks will not be hidden from your eyes."
Xiao Heng agreed.
Before November, he officially set off with Su Yao.
On the day they left, many families in the capital got the news, and Mrs. Wang also knew about it. She rushed to the family temple outside the city to tell Wang Yuerong the news, and said with a wry smile: "Now that the Crown Prince's Consort is gone, you... even if you regret it, it's too late."
It has been a year since the incident with Master Wang. During this period, although the attitudes of Old Madam Su and Su Xingyi were not enthusiastic enough, Su Rong and Su Yao tried very hard to improve their relationship from the beginning, and Madam Wang saw it.
It's a pity that I don't know what my daughter is thinking. She refuses to bow her head no matter what. It's too late to regret now - it's not known when Su Yao will come back. By that time, Su Rong might already have a new wife.
After all, people are fickle.
Wang Yuerong was unmoved. She lowered her eyebrows and struck the wooden fish, saying in a deep voice: "Yaoyao is going to do great things. God will treat them well."
Mrs. Wang saw that she was not moved and could not help but sigh: "Even if you really don't want to go back to Yongning Marquis Mansion, can't you go back to our own home? What are you twisting your head about? Your father did such a thing, and the Su family is so tolerant of them..."
Mrs. Wang repeated these words over and over again.
It's not that she is snobby, but she really cares about her daughter's future.
Wang Yuerong looked at her mother seriously and said, "Mom, I will be ordained in a few days. I am no longer your daughter. Just pretend that you have never given birth to me."
Mrs. Wang was so angry that she didn't know what to do. She wanted to say some harsh words, but she couldn't. She could only go back to the Wang family crying.
Old Madam Wang was more open-minded. When she heard what Madam Wang said, she said calmly, "People make their own way. Since she has chosen this path, let her walk on it."
It is meaningless to judge whether what Wang Yuerong did was right or wrong. All they can do is try their best to make Wang Yuerong's life better. She wants to take this path herself, so what can others do
Old Mrs. Wang shook her head: "She is so stubborn. Everything else is fine, but she is just like her father in this respect. Her father made mistakes all his life, but she still can't let it go. What else can we do?"
Mrs. Wang had nothing to say.
Old Madam Wang encouraged her to cheer up: "It's not like the family is hopeless. Didn't the eldest son follow Su Rong to Zhejiang this time? I hope he can achieve something and give you someone to rely on."
Xiao Heng and Su Yao boarded a ship in Tongzhou and headed south along the canal. As the Crown Prince was travelling, the specifications were naturally good. There were more than 40 cabins on the several-story ship, which was very large. He had already learned about the situation in Zhejiang along the way and discussed it with Sun Yongning and others every day.
Along the way, many local officials came to meet the Crown Prince and his wife, but he almost all refused. Except for a few provincial governors, he did not meet the rest.
Sun Yongning felt relieved to see that he was able to keep his composure.
It is so rare to follow a reliable master.
He also privately told Xiao Heng about the situation in Zhejiang, shaking his head and saying, "I heard that the soldiers in Zhejiang are all idiots, and everyone is just messing around for a paycheck. If they see the Japanese pirates, they will turn around and run away..."
How can we train good soldiers in this situation? It will be useless no matter who is there.
Xiao Heng also learned this from Su Rong's letters. Just some time ago at Baishitan, several thousand people were chased and beaten by more than a thousand Japanese pirates, and many women and children were abducted. This was simply infuriating.
He threw away the document in his hand, frowned, but his attitude was firm: "Since the court has already decided on this policy, this matter must be completed! Lord Sun, I know your concerns, it is nothing more than worrying that after spending a huge amount of money, it will be in vain, and this will shake the status of the East Palace. But if you ask me, there is no need to do so. Everything depends on human efforts. This palace has always believed in this truth!"
Sun Yongning admired this point about Xiao Heng. Xiao Heng was a practical man who always did more than he said.
He nodded and said, "Your Highness, I would like to recommend someone to you. This person may be of some use."
Xiao Heng said, "Who is this person who deserves your personal recommendation?"
"I'm not recommending him." Sun Yongning explained briefly: "When I was in the northwest, I worked with this man. Although he was young, he was able to write a good strategy based on the northwest border defense at that time. Not only was he solid in theory, he was also a good fighter. He once led a patrol team of more than 70 people and encountered the Wala people. Not only did he escape unscathed, but he also killed more than a dozen of the enemy's cavalry!"
Xiao Heng's eyes lit up when he heard this.
Ever since the Great Zhou Dynasty fought against the Wala cavalry, it lost because of its cavalry. The Wala people were born to eat and ride horses, and they grew up on horseback. Their cavalry were fierce and brutal, and were much better than the soldiers of the Great Zhou in terms of both physique and horsemanship. This led to the situation that whenever the cavalry of Dazhou faced the Wala cavalry, they could only barely win by relying on numbers.
Under better circumstances, twenty Great Zhou cavalrymen can roughly match one Wala cavalryman.
But Sun Yongning said that this man led a patrol team of more than 70 people and encountered the Wala cavalry outside the pass. Not only did he escape unscathed, he actually killed more than a dozen enemies!
This must be a talented general!
He immediately asked: "Where is this general now?"
Sun Yongning smiled and said, "To be honest, he is a thousand households in Zhejiang. When you arrive, I will introduce him to you. His name is Qi Tianyou."
Qi Tianyou! Xiao Heng thought about it carefully and felt that this person's name was very familiar. After thinking about it again, he remembered: "I know this person. He is the captain who led the troops to help Baishitan, right?"
He had studied the war reports of the time and had some impression of this person's name.