Chapter 377 Prince Yu Zhu Zaigui's Choice
"Why hasn't the headmaster gone to bed yet?"

"At this hour, has the headmaster not gone to bed yet?"

Almost at the same time, Yan Shaoting and Xu Wei asked in confusion.

Then the two looked at each other.

Zhu Zaigui looked at the two men with a smile on his face: "The Public Security Bureau asked the people to return home, summoned the officers in the bureau, and asked the militia to wear armor and carry swords to the scene. Something big must have happened. How can I sleep peacefully?"

After saying this, Zhu Zaigui's face showed anticipation.

Although he didn't know what exactly happened, he felt that he should know.

Xu Wei looked hesitant and glanced sideways at Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting didn't know how to start for a moment, but he still said hesitantly: "The headmaster has not returned to the capital for a long time recently, and the Dragon Boat Festival will be here soon..."

"Did something happen at the border?"

Zhu Zaigui spoke directly, interrupting Yan Shaoting's unfinished words, and then a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

Yan Shaoting was shocked.

This Prince Yu actually guessed even this.

But after thinking about it, I felt relieved. Although Zhu Zaigui might not be a qualified and perfect emperor in the future, he is not a fool.

Zhu Zaigui looked back in the direction of Juyongguan in the darkness and sighed softly.

"After the beginning of the year, Xuanfu urgently requested the court to allocate 300,000 yuan in military supplies. It seems that the people of Anda tribe outside the Great Wall will knock on the gate this year. So after thinking about it, the only reason that Master Yan and Mr. Xu had to summon the Public Security Bureau so late at night was this."

There was a gleam of light in Zhu Zai's eyes, and he looked energetic.

Yan Shaoting opened his mouth, then bowed and nodded: "Shanzhang, your subjects..."

Zhu Zaigui waved his hand again, smiling: "Since Master Yan calls me the headmaster, there is no need to address me as your subordinate."

Yan Shaoting closed his mouth and looked at Zhu Zaigui with some confusion in his eyes.

Xu Wei moved his lips, as if he had thought of something, and couldn't help but look up at Zhu Zaigui, but it was already a step too late.

Zhu Zaigui smiled, waved his arms and turned around: "Master Yan just mentioned the Dragon Boat Festival. I am afraid that he is worried that the bandits outside the Great Wall will come and kill me. I am in danger in Changping. That's why he said that. He wants me to return to the capital and be under the protection of the officers and soldiers of the Beijing Camp to make a perfect plan."

Yan Shaoting rolled his eyes and couldn't help but complain in his heart.

Now that you understand everything, you should return to Beijing as soon as possible.

Xu Wei hurriedly bowed and persuaded earnestly: "The headmaster is of noble status and has a superior position. He is the only second prince of your majesty and the biological father of the crown prince. He is related to the country and the clan's foundation. We are not deliberately concealing it, but the border wall of Xuanfu Town is facing siege by three Mongolian armies, and another enemy army has already entered the pass from Dushibao, Kaipingwei, and is now approaching Juyongguan."

After Xu Wei finished speaking.

Yan Shaoting followed suit: "We are the chief and deputy officials of Changping. According to the law, we have the responsibility to defend the territory. Changping has been rebuilt since the disaster forty years ago. The livelihood of the people is changing with each passing day. We are willing to defend it to the death. We should advance and retreat with the people. But the head of the mountain is worth a lot of money. If the army really comes to Changping, war will break out. We may not be able to take care of the safety of the head of the mountain on the battlefield. Please think twice. After dawn, I will send a team of militiamen to escort the head of the mountain back to the capital."

Faced with the persuasion of Yan Shaoting and Xu Wei one after another.

Zhu Zaigui smiled faintly and shook his head.

His face was calm, but his eyes were bright.

Zhu Zaigui glanced in the direction of the capital and said with a smile, "I'm afraid that at this time, the nine gates of the capital have been closed, and the officers and soldiers of the Beijing camp have all entered the city for garrison. Your Majesty and the court should be safe."

Seeing this, Yan Shaoting was about to speak, but Zhu Zaigui stopped him with his hand.

Zhu Zaigui took a deep breath, put his hands on his hips, and said calmly: "But Changping, the first place behind Juyongguan, is also under the rule of our Ming Dynasty! Since you say that I am related to the country, I should also stand together with the people of Changping!"

Yan Shaoting's face was shocked.

This kid actually wants to stay in Changping!

He is indeed very ambitious, but I will have to send someone to protect him when the time comes.

Zhu Zaigui suddenly smiled and said, "Besides, I am also the president of the academy. According to your majesty's previous instructions, I am also a member of the Public Security Department. According to the law, I should also defend the territory."

Yan Shaoting sighed and his face was tense.

Zhu Zaigui smiled and stepped forward, patting Yan Shaoting on the shoulder: "Master Yan, don't worry. If the bandits really come to attack, Master Yan will just dispatch troops to resist and repel the bandits. I will also work with the students of the academy to appease the people of Changping and protect Changping and its peace!"

Yan Shaoting said in a deep voice: "Your Highness!"

Xu Wei also looked anxious: "Your Majesty, please think twice!"

The two of them have even changed their way of addressing each other.

Zhu Zaigui waved his arm without questioning and looked at the two men with a serious look: "Master Yan, Mr. Xu, I have made up my mind and will never change it. Whether it is the Prince Yu of the Ming Dynasty or the head of the mountain in Changping, I have my reasons for not retreating."

Yan Shaoting looked more and more worried: "But your highness is safe..."

Zhu Zaigui smiled and shook his head: "I believe that even if the thieves come to attack, my Changping will still be as solid as a rock and repel all the invading enemies!"

It’s amazing to see that Zhu Zaigui is so determined.

Yan Shaoting and Xu Wei couldn't help but look at each other, and both of them saw the amazement and surprise in each other's hearts.

Who would have thought.

This Prince Yu can actually remain fearless in the face of danger.

He is actually quite a character.

Seeing that the two men were no longer trying to persuade him, Zhu Zaigui laughed, opened his arms, and took a few steps towards the training ground in front of him.

Under the gaze of Yan Shaoting and Xu Wei, he even turned around twice.

Then he spoke with confidence.

“I have personally experienced Changping for a long time.”

"The people are in harmony and unity, and the autonomous security department is united and working together."

"Although the militia only has 600 brave men, they train all day long and are not inferior to the soldiers of the Beijing camp under Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Huan, and can even be on par with the border troops."

The more he spoke, the redder Zhu Zaigui's face became.

He even patted his chest with his hand: "And the Public Security Department has another 6,000 reserve troops, all of whom are good fighters. Changping is united, whether it is the chief officer or the minor officials, they all have the will to advance and retreat together, and the troops are strong."

Speaking of this, Zhu Zaigui smiled slightly.

"In my opinion, even if the bandits from outside the Great Wall can really break through the Great Wall this time, they are only a few soldiers and horses."

"But we in Changping are using defense as an attack, and we have a full complement of troops and horses."

"Maintaining the status quo."

“This is my advantage!”

What Zhu Shanchang said earlier touched Yan Shaoting's heart deeply.

It is precisely because Changping is united and the people will surely advance and retreat together that he wanted to lead Changping to resist the Mongolian invasion.

If any of these points were missing, he would definitely not say anything about the chief officer's responsibility to defend the territory, but would just quickly run away with his men.

But Zhu Zaigui's last sentence almost made Yan Shaoting hold back his words. He wanted to step forward and cover the other person's mouth to force the words back.

Can you just say this?

Just when Yan Shaoting was wondering whether the sentence "I have the advantage" would bring any bad influence to Changping, Xu Wei was persuaded by Zhu Zaigui.

He could not help but bow and kowtow: "Your Majesty is sincere and wants to stand together with the people of Changping. This sincerity can be witnessed by heaven and earth. However, Your Majesty is ultimately related to the country. Today, Xuanfu is in a hurry to go to the capital. I am afraid that after dawn, the court will send people to escort Your Majesty back to the city."

This is inevitable.

Even if the court was full of cowards, who would dare to let Prince Yu stay outside the city? Or facing Changping at Juyongguan!

Yan Shaoting's eyes also flashed and he looked at Zhu Zaigui.

As long as the court sends someone to pick him up, he will have to leave even if he doesn't want to.

Zhu Zaigui suddenly laughed, his face showing deep meaning: "Master Yan, Mr. Xu, don't worry, I also know that a general in a foreign country may not obey the orders of the emperor. If someone comes from the capital tomorrow morning, I will never return to the city."

After saying this, Zhu Zaigui laughed even more happily.

His eyes flickered. "The capital will certainly send soldiers here by then. I will not return to the city, but will keep all these people here to fight against the bandits together with my men of Changping!"

Yan Shaoting became more and more helpless, and in the end he could only look at Xu Wei again.

The Prince Yu in front of him has made up his mind to stay in Changping.

He even thought that someone would come to the city to pick him up tomorrow, but he had already set his sights on these people.

Seeing that the two were silent, Zhu Zaigui stepped forward and said to himself, "You two are the chief adjutants of Changping. I'm afraid you will be busy with many matters in the future. Don't worry. I will stay in the Public Security Department from tonight."

After saying this, he really walked into the office of the Public Security Bureau.

After looking at Zhu Zaigui's back, Yan Shaoting turned to look at Xu Wei and sighed helplessly: "Now we can only hope that the court can send a capable person to bring this person back to the capital by force."

Xu Wei was also helpless.

Sighing and shaking his head.

He looked dimly towards the direction of Beijing city in the darkness.

And at this moment in the city of Beijing.

Because of the urgent news reported from Xuanfu during the day, the lights in the imperial palace and various government offices were still on.

None of the officials in the court left the office and went home.

The current situation is unclear and everyone in the court is on edge. Although many government offices have nothing to do with military or national affairs, no one dares to go home privately under the current situation.

cabinet.

Tea has been delivered again and again.

In the classroom.

It is also rare to be crowded.

In addition to the five cabinet ministers headed by Yan Song, the heads of the six ministries, the Censorate, the five temples, and the Ministry of Public Security were all present.

In addition, there was the Governor-General of the Beijing Camp, Zhenyuan Hou Gu Huan, and the governors of the Five Military Governor's Office.

Even Duke Dingguo Xu Yande, Duke Yingguo Zhang Rong, Duke Chengguo Zhu Xizhong and other nobles in Beijing squeezed in.

In addition to them, there was Huang Jin, the current commander-in-chief of the Imperial Household, who was sitting beside the emperor on behalf of him.

In the classroom.

The air seemed a little stagnant.

But no one cared at this time.

Gu Huan went out of the classroom and then hurried back.

"All the soldiers of the Beijing camp have entered the city."

"The Five Cities Military Command has sealed off all the city gates, and the Beijing Army is guarding the city walls."

"The scouts have already been sent out. News from Xuanfu, Yanqingzhou, and Baoanzhou will be received by this time tomorrow."

"In addition, we sent people to the rear guard of Miyun to prevent the bandits outside the pass from ambush and attacking Beigukou and other places from there."

Gu Huan's face was very solemn, but he didn't look panicked.

Although the Beijing army had been in a state of decline over the years, after he returned to Beijing from the grain transport business and was transferred to the post of governor of the Beijing camp, he also carried out many reforms and trained the troops.

At present, it is more than enough to protect the city of Beijing.

But Gu Huan was worried about what was happening outside the city.

Everyone present was relieved to see that Beijing was now safe, but they were still worried.

Minister of Rites Yan Ne looked at Yan Song and said, "Sir, should we order the troops from Baoding, Hejian, and Yongping to enter the capital?"

The three prefectures he mentioned, Baoding, Hejian and Yongping, were all Guannei prefectures bordering Shuntian Prefecture.

Moreover, all three prefectures are heavily garrisoned.

In Hejian Prefecture alone, there were the three Tianjin guards closest to Beijing, as well as the Shenyang Zhongtun Guard and Datong Zhongtun Guard stationed in Hejian Prefecture.

In Yan Ne's opinion, the more troops there were inside and outside the capital, the better.

Yan Song just glanced at Yan Ne.

He never spoke.

Yan Shifan, who represented the Ministry of Justice, snorted coldly: "The capital is guarded by tens of thousands of soldiers under Marquis Gu. Why should we fear the invading villains? If we mobilize troops at this time, won't it leave Yongping Prefecture and Baoding Prefecture with empty manpower?"

What Yan Shifan said was correct.

Within the territory of Yongping Prefecture, there is Shanhaiguan, which can be said to have the ultimate bearing on the Ming Dynasty's country and people.

In Baoding Prefecture, there is Zijing Pass which leads directly to the border town of Datong.

These two places are crucial checkpoints in the Ming Dynasty’s nine-border defense system.

Yan Ne, however, looked anxious: "The Beijing army can only guard the capital, and should not go out of the city to meet the enemy. If the Mongols really enter the capital again this time, I am afraid that the people outside the city will not be able to live in peace."

Yan Shifan glanced at Yan Ne with a hint of sarcasm on his face.

This Minister of Rites was actually more worried about his own safety than the safety of the capital.

Hearing the endless chattering in his ears, Yan Song frowned and knocked on the table.

He glanced at Yan Shifan and Yan Ne with displeasure.

Then he looked at the Minister of War Yang Bo and the people from the Five Military Commandery who were present.

"At present, with Gu Huan's army in the capital, Beijing City is not worried. But as the Ministry of Rites said, the areas outside the city and the capital, we, your Majesty's subjects, should also consider carefully."

This is asking for advice from the military.

Yang Bo immediately frowned and said: "This time, the Anda tribe is clearly well prepared and well planned. The four armies are real and the situation seems urgent.

“But you elders don’t have to worry too much. After all, the troops at Juyong Pass have not been withdrawn, so the pass is definitely safe.

Xuanfu Town is currently blocking three enemy armies outside the border wall. Even if another group of troops rushes into the pass, Xuanfu Town is now strong and can certainly divide its troops to join forces with Yanqing Guard and Huailai Guard to encircle this group of enemy troops."

at this time.

Yang Bo had to speak for Xuanfu Town.

This is a well-known reason.

Xu Jie, who had not spoken a word until now, snorted coldly.

"I think Xuanfu Town is the one that cannot escape the blame this time!"

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
(End of this chapter)