Regarding the matter of the Phoenix Seal, although all sorts of rumors and barbarian language had been deliberately suppressed and quickly quelled, it still couldn't be controlled and secretly spread to the people.
In just a few days, the imperial edict came down, appointing Shangguan Mingde as a military governor and sending him to the northern border camp to assist Lin Bing in battle.
From an outsider's point of view, this was actually a big promotion, but people with discerning eyes could see that he might not be able to return from the battlefield where the plague ran rampant. Besides, sending an official out of the capital was not a sign of favoritism.
With Shangguan Mingde's imperial favor, it was not difficult for him to go all the way from the Ministry of War to the assistant minister and then to the minister.
He was caught on the bed in the brothel, but when the imperial edict came down, not only was he not demoted, he was promoted.
This eccentric young official with a strange temper was especially favored by the emperor, this was known by the entire court.
But if he went to the northern border, everything would be different.
Shangguan Mingde, who was not sick, coughed twice. If he was sick, he was even sicker. Once he went to the battlefield, what were the chances of him coming back in one piece?
Everyone was watching, even Prime Minister Xia could not help but ask someone to pass on a message, "If young master Shangguan is in a difficult position, then leave everything to this old man. As for the emperor, this old man will naturally persuade him …"
The servant who passed on the message did not hear a reply from the young master in front of him for a long time. Thinking of the rumors of young master Shangguan's bad temper, he could not help but secretly break out in a cold sweat, "If young master is worried, my master said that Zhenren Jia's words are not to be believed. The emperor may not be willing to let young master leave the capital …"
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Mingde, "The people of the northern border are rampant with the plague, the country's mountains and rivers have been invaded by foreign tribes. Fighting against the Xi Wan army is the responsibility of the people of our court. Did Prime Minister Xia forget this?"
Not only the servant, even Shangguan Shilang and Madam Zhang could not help but break out in a cold sweat, "Impudent!
How can you answer Prime Minister Xia like this! "
Unfortunately, Shangguan Mingde was clearly in a bad mood today. He laughed coldly and raised his voice, "As the general who defeated the army predicted by Zhenren Jia, of course I should lead the soldiers and die for the country!
How can I ignore the country's mountains and rivers because of my own selfishness!
Prime Minister Xia was so stubborn, how could he be worthy of the three generations of Emperors' favor?
Our ancestors are bitterly disappointed, and we are despised by the world! "
The pitiful servant could barely stand. "Young Master Shangguan, you … you …"
When Mingde saw that he was about to pounce over, he raised his foot and kicked him. "Go back and tell your master that I said it. Tell him to look after his daughter!
That's none of his business! "
The manservant was scared out of his wits. He immediately rushed out of the Shangguan Mansion and ran back to the Xia Family. Trembling with fear, he reported Young Master Shangguan's "decree" to Xia Zheng.
If it was someone else, Prime Minister Xia might have slammed the table in anger. But since it was Shangguan Mingde, Xia Zheng could only stare blankly for a while before muttering, "… This young man has a bad temper today."
The servant asked angrily, "Sir, should we send an invitation to the Shangguan family to teach them how to raise their son?"
Xia Zheng slammed the teacup in his hand. With a loud bang, he said, "— Nonsense!
Look at Ding Huang trembling in anger because of Shangguan Mingde. Did he dare to talk back?
How could this official's … self-restraint be worse than that old man Ding Shan's?! "
Shangguan Mingde's temper was really bad.
Especially in the past two days, it had almost reached a violent level.
Before he left, Madam Zhang sent someone to teach him a lesson. The manservant and maids around her were all superior. They walked into Mingde's small courtyard with their heads held high. However, before the manservant could speak, he heard Mingde sternly say, "Get out!"
The manservant had never seen a weak and easily bullied concubine's son like this. He immediately burst out with anger, pointed at Mingde's nose and shouted, "Brother, are you rebelling …"
Before he finished speaking, he felt his vision go black. Then, he was kicked far away by Mingde.
The maid was scared silly. She sat where she was and was about to cry loudly. However, Shangguan Mingde glanced at her coldly and immediately ran out, "Call Madam!
Call Madam!
Rebelling!
Rebelling! "
When Madam Zhang hurriedly rushed over with the maid, Mingde had just finished packing his things.
Although the imperial edict said that Mingde should choose a day to leave, in reality, he had specially asked the Beiping General Lin Bing to send two of his trusted subordinates to welcome him. Even the carriages and palanquins were carefully prepared. They did their best to ensure that Mingde would not be wronged in the slightest during the long journey.
What he needed to do was to prepare the things that he had brought with him.
As soon as Madam Zhang entered, she ordered the manservants, "Tear down this courtyard for me!
I want to see if this newly minted imperial envoy wants to kill his parents! "
The manservants swarmed forward. There was no need for an order and they directly started to move.
Madam Zhang had long been depressed because her eldest son did not make the list. When she saw Mingde, how could she control herself? She sneered, "What a great imperial envoy!
Don't think that the Emperor likes you so much. If he likes you, would he send you to a place of no return?
A concubine's bastard, do you think you … "
Before she finished speaking, a slap sounded. Madam Zhang's body was even knocked to the ground because of the huge impact.
This noble lady who had lived like a princess and ordered people around for most of her life did not think that she would be slapped. She paused on the ground and immediately jumped up. She slapped her thigh and wailed, "Someone come!
Why aren't you going to invite Master!
What kind of bastard did he give birth to … "
Mingde squatted down and looked directly at the battered and exhausted Madam Zhang on the ground. He said faintly, "Although my mother used to be unbearable, she was still the mother of the country. Although my father's family was exterminated, at least he left behind this bloodline."
He laughed softly, "I have always wanted to slap Li Ji because of my parents. I didn't expect that today this dream would come true on you."
Madam Zhang wanted to curse and jump up, but Mingde raised his hand. A knife flashed in his sleeve and a small dagger slid out.
"Madam, you have to be careful … Although Shangguan Han married into the Prince's Mansion of Dongyang, Prince Jinyuan colluded with the Xi Wan Kingdom's army with the intention of rebelling. Even if the Emperor doesn't deal with it today or tomorrow, he will deal with it sooner or later.
At that time … "Mingde stood up and whispered. A little sternness hung on his delicate eyebrows and he smiled," … At that time, prepare a good coffin for your daughter … "
Madam Zhang was so angry that her blood was congested. She wanted to scratch Mingde's face with her nails, but at this time, there was the sound of the door opening outside.
A group of imperial guards ran in and stood in two rows. Zhang Kuo walked in with a group of imperial guards with his head held high and his chest puffed out. He shouted, "Counselor Shangguan Mingde of the Ministry of War, receive the imperial edict!"
Ming De paused for a moment, then stood up and walked over with graceful steps.
The whole family knelt on the ground. Zhang Kuo stood in front of the door, surrounded by the imperial guards. Mingde was about to kneel, "Oh, Eunuch Zhang, how can I let you personally …"
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Zhang Kuo's scalp tingled.
This young man's temper was unusually bad these days. Even the Emperor, who was deep in the palace, had heard about it. It seemed that he couldn't find someone to vent his anger on, so he wanted to find trouble with him.
"Young Master Mingde, you don't have to be so polite, you don't have to be so polite … I really can't accept your kneeling. Young Master, please do as you please!"
Mingde knelt down naturally, "Eunuch Zhang, how dare you …"
Zhang Kuo's knees went soft. At this moment, he deeply understood the feelings of Prime Minister Xia and Ding Daren.
Mingde smiled gently, "Seeing the imperial edict is like seeing the Emperor himself. How can I not kneel?
Eunuch Zhang, you have too much power. I don't know if eunuch Zhang often gives officials the right not to kneel when you deliver the imperial edict for the Emperor? "
Zhang Kuo knelt down silently in front of Mingde, "I know I was wrong!"
Mingde lifted his eyelids, glanced at him, and suddenly shouted with a smile, "Since you know you were wrong, why don't you quickly announce the imperial edict!"
Zhang Kuo quivered, stood up solemnly, and said loudly, "Counselor Shangguan Mingde of the Ministry of War receives the imperial edict. Since I heard you were going to be on a diplomatic mission, I've been very worried.
It's cold in Beijiang, so I've specially bestowed twenty thick clothes and a fire fox fur coat.
In fact, there was only one fire fox fur coat that could be found in the depths of the palace.
Qianwandi had worn it when he was the Crown Prince. However, the color was too bright, so Qianwandi didn't like it very much.
This thing was the most light and delicate. An Emperor who had experienced the battlefield and didn't have any particularly harsh requirements for life didn't really need it.
The person who wore it the most was Mingde.
When he was seriously injured and weak, Qianwandi especially liked to wrap him in the fire fox fur coat and hold him in his arms, looking at the sharp little chin peeking out from the long, fiery red fur.
This secret pleasure accompanied the noble Emperor through an entire winter. After that, it never had the chance to see the light of day again. It was gone with the precious person that he had carefully held in his hands.
Zhang Kuo thought that Mingde would refuse, but Mingde didn't.
The young man in front of him, whose eyes were terrifyingly beautiful, only paused for a moment. Then, he lightly lowered his head, "I accept the imperial edict."
Zhang Kuo was stunned. After a while, he said with a slightly embarrassed smile, "Young master, why are you so angry with the Emperor? In the end, if he really wants to summon you back to the capital, it's just a matter of saying a few words … why do you have to?
After all, he is the Emperor, the Emperor. How can you provoke him … "
As he spoke, he suddenly stopped. Looking at Mingde's expression, he smiled and said, "If you really want to go out for a walk, just act coquettishly, and everything will be over … In my opinion, why do you need to go to the man-eating Northern Border?
Young master's body isn't necessarily very good … "
"Eunuch Zhang," Mingde asked softly, "the thirty beatings last time, do you think it's too little?"
Zhang Kuo suddenly closed his mouth. He only saw Mingde lightly cough twice. He raised his eyes to look at the fire fox fur coat in the hands of the eunuch behind him.
In that moment, there was no expression on the young man's face. But for some reason, Zhang Kuo had a feeling. He was even certain that if he turned around, Mingde would immediately burn this fire fox fur coat.
The day they left the capital was the end of spring.
Other than the city gate, there were two trusted lieutenants and escorts sent by the Beiping General Lin Bing. They were respectfully waiting in the dust.
Mingde turned his head. Zhang Kuo, who was sending him off, said in a low voice, "Young master, look at the city wall."
Mingde closed his eyes.
On the city wall, a bright yellow figure stood high up, lonely and lonely.
He could feel the heat of that gaze on his face. It was just like a long, long time ago, when he first saw that man.
… When exactly did he feel that "that man loves me"?
Like a small beast holding a grudge, he felt the other person's softness. Knowing that he was in no danger of being hurt, he immediately indulged himself and used his sharp little claws to scratch the other person's face.
Because he knew that he would be immune, he felt that revenge and hurt were especially effective. After testing and taking revenge again and again, he slowly established a confidence: Yes, he does love me.
This confidence came not easily, and it was also very precious.
But Mingde was a person who had to worry even if nothing happened. He not only had to be sure that "he loves me", but also that "he has always loved me".
Even if he was sure that "he has always loved me", he had to carefully protect himself, and then reach out to the other person to try and reconcile.
Mingde shook his head.
Perhaps the warmth that the man gave him was too deep. When the wind blew outside the city, there was a sense of loss and coldness about the future that slowly invaded his bones.
Zhang Kuo said in a low voice, "… Young master, it's not too late to back out now …"
With a crack, Mingde raised his whip and whipped Zhang Kuo to the ground.
"Come," he said lightly, "let's go."
The soldiers who came to welcome them silently came forward and untied the ropes. The group slowly turned around in the wind and sand, and gradually disappeared into the smoke and dust.
"… He didn't even look at me …" On the city wall, Qianwandi smiled bitterly. "He's really brave …"
He felt pain in his heart, as if a part that was always full of soft endoplasm was suddenly empty and could no longer be filled.
What kind of mood did that person have when he left him?
Was he excited?
Excited?
Or even sweet?
The high and mighty emperor lowered his head and pressed his hand tightly on his heart.
The fine pain there was like a rope that tied him up, and he couldn't escape.
He remembered the blood and wounds, and the hatred and curses that he had shouted himself hoarse.
In front of those memories, he was like an ordinary man who couldn't be more cowardly. He didn't even have the courage to rush down and kneel at the boy's feet to kiss him.
… He missed him so much that it could be considered as missing him …
Qianwandi smiled bitterly, slowly turned around, and walked down the tall city wall that stood silently in Chang 'an City.