The next day, after lunch, Zhu Ping'an and Zhang Nietai asked Deputy Envoy Bai and Deputy Envoy Hu to go to the Ministry of War. The Ministry of War was already full of officials, including Zhang Jing, Eunuch He, Duke of Wei, Marquis of Linhuai and others.
Soon, everyone was there.
After Zhang Jing saw that everyone had arrived, he cleared his throat and said slowly: "Everyone, the angel is on the way and will arrive in an hour or two. Please follow me to Chaotian Palace. We will be waiting for the angel there."
"How dare you disobey my order?" everyone said in unison.
So, the group headed towards Chaotian Palace in a mighty manner.
The imperial envoy was about to arrive, and the rewards and punishments were about to be announced. Everyone had different expressions, some were excited and expectant, while others were as sad as if they had lost their parents. Although the results had not yet been finalized, everyone knew their own performance in dealing with the Japanese pirates in Shangyu. They knew it very well.
Some cities were attacked by the Japanese pirates, some fled without a fight, and some were defeated in the battle with the Japanese pirates. Although they spent a lot of effort, cost and money to arrange for the settlement, they were still in a state of panic.
Although they fought against the Japanese pirates, those who had managed to preserve the city and capture one or two Japanese pirate heads were relatively calm.
Those who had made military achievements, such as Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai, were full of anticipation and joy. Thanks to Zhu Ping'an, they caught the Japanese pirates who had sneaked into Yingtian City in advance and the traitors who had been instigated by them, and beheaded more than 40 people, including 24 real Japanese pirates. Apart from Zhu Ping'an, they had made the greatest military achievements.
"Hehe, thank you very much, nephew. If it weren't for your persistence, we wouldn't have achieved this feat."
On the way to Chaotian Palace, Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai found Zhu Ping'an and took him aside to express their gratitude.
"Uncle, you are too kind. I just made some suggestions. These achievements were actually made by the two uncles. The two uncles braved the doubts of the city officials and insisted on identifying the Japanese pirates and their accomplices who had sneaked into the city. Later, it was the two uncles who commanded the troops to wipe out the Japanese pirates and their accomplices."
Zhu Pingan said modestly.
"Nephew, there is no need to be so modest. Without you, there would be no credit for us this time. Now is not the time to talk. We will reward you handsomely later." The Duke of Wei and the Marquis of Linhuai patted Zhu Ping'an on the shoulders and promised without any room for negotiation.
"This time, my nephew has made great contributions. His Majesty will surely reward him. We would like to congratulate him in advance."
The Duke of Wei and the Marquis of Linhuai congratulated him with a smile.
"Congratulations, uncles, you have made great contributions this time. The emperor will certainly reward you. I, your nephew, congratulate you in advance."
Zhu Ping'an also bowed and congratulated the two.
"Hahahaha... it's all thanks to my dear nephew." The Duke of Wei and the Marquis of Linhuai were so overjoyed that they couldn't hide their joy.
Just as the two said, now was not the time to talk. After the three of them exchanged a few simple words, they separated and returned to their respective seats.
In the feudal era, people paid great attention to levels and camps.
Chaotian Palace is located on the bank of Qinhuai River, not too far away. After walking for a while, Zhu Pingan saw a majestic palace complex from afar. Listening to the people around him talking, Zhu Pingan knew that it was Chaotian Palace.
This was Zhu Ping'an's first visit to Chaotian Palace. Although Zhu Ping'an had been to Yingtian many times, he had been concentrating on preparing for the imperial examinations in Yingtian before, and had never been to Yingtian and Chaotian Palace. After that, he was busy with official duties and had no time to visit Yingtian.
Today, I finally got to see it.
Before entering Chaotian Palace, the first thing that catches your eye is a dismounting archway outside the gate with the words "All officials dismount" engraved on it, which looks majestic.
"Chaotian Palace and Shenleguan Palace are both royal Taoist temples. Chaotian Palace was granted by Emperor Taizu, and its name means 'worshiping heaven' and 'paying homage to the emperor'. It used to be a temple where royal relatives burned incense and prayed for blessings, and it was also the place where civil and military officials practiced the etiquette of worshipping the emperor before major festivals." An official whispered.
It was named by Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, and it is also a royal temple. It is the perfect place to welcome angels and listen to the imperial edict. In addition, the Linhuai River is in front of Chaotian Palace. If the angels come by boat, they can dock at the Linhuai River and walk a few steps to the destination, so the transportation is also convenient.
Such an arrangement is worthy of Zhang Jing.
Zhu Ping'an praised in his heart and followed everyone into Chaotian Palace. The interior of Chaotian Palace was very large, covering an area of more than 300 acres. There were halls such as the God Hall, the Three Pure Ones Hall, the Datongming Hall, the Wansui Hall, and hundreds of rooms.
Chaotian Palace is very new, and it feels like it was just built a few decades ago.
Not far from the entrance, you can see a stele pavilion in front of the Danchi, with the words "Stele of Rebuilding Chaotian Palace in Compliance with Imperial Order" engraved on it.
Zhu Pingan took a closer look. The inscription was more than 1,000 words long and was written by Shang Lu, a university scholar during the Chenghua period. It recorded the location and scale of Chaotian Palace in the early Ming Dynasty, as well as the whole process of its reconstruction during the Chenghua period. Zhu Pingan suddenly realized that it was no wonder that it looked so new. It turned out that it was rebuilt during the Chenghua period, which was only a few decades ago.
Zhang Jing decided to wait for the angel and listen to the imperial edict in the Wansui Hall of Chaotian Palace. The hall had twelve rooms, which was spacious enough for him to perform. The officials of Yingtian Ministry of Rites also led everyone to practice the welcoming ceremony in the Wansui Hall.
"Report, the imperial envoy's boat has entered the Linhuai River." After everyone waited in Chaotian Palace for more than half an hour, the general entered the palace to report the imperial envoy's movements.
"Everyone, follow me to welcome the angel." Zhang Jing nodded and said to everyone.
"Yes." Everyone responded.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites of Yingtian had already arranged the ceremonial guards to welcome the imperial envoy. The red silk tents and other ceremonial guards stretched for more than five miles... ... Led by Zhang Jing, Eunuch He and others, and surrounded by servants, the crowd marched along the Linhuai River to welcome the imperial envoy. After walking for three miles, they finally saw several tall ships approaching the Linhuai River. The ships were covered with yellow flags, yellow umbrellas, yellow fans and yellow signs, demonstrating the royal majesty. Several rows of guards in distinctive armor were guarding the five eunuchs at the bow.
Among them, the one occupying the C position in the center is a eunuch in his forties or fifties, who is tall and thin, looks old, has a hooked nose, thin lips, narrow eyes, and a sinister and wolfish look on his face, giving people the feeling that he is not easy to get along with.
"Why is it this guy!"
Eunuch He, who was in charge of guarding Yingtian, saw the eunuch in the C position on the ship from afar, and couldn't help but frown and curse in a low voice.
Zhu Ping'an has sharper ears than most people. Although Eunuch He's voice was as small as a mosquito, Zhu Ping'an still heard it because it was not far away.
Oh, could it be that among the eunuchs announcing the decree there is an enemy of Eunuch He? !
Zhu Ping'an thought so.
In fact, if Liu Dadao were here, he would definitely recognize this eunuch. Zhu Ping'an once sent him to Suzhou to deliver a letter to this eunuch saying "The autumn air is getting colder, I hope you can take care of your mind and body." At that time, the eunuch's skills left a deep impression on Liu Dadao.
Yes, this eunuch is Chen Hong.