BSI Chapter 50 Welcoming
Chapter 50 Welcoming
The following morning, Li Jinglong had just finished his shift at the Left Army Headquarters and was preparing to skip work when he was unexpectedly invited to the Eastern Palace by an eunuch sent by Zhu Biao.
Li Jinglong thought he was going to Wenhua Hall, but to his surprise, the eunuch led him directly to Chunhe Palace, where Zhu Biao lived.
"Your Highness, you wanted to see me?" Li Jinglong asked as he approached Zhu Biao, who was testing Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong's studies.
"Jiujiang, you've arrived! Sit down!" Zhu Biao waved his hand in greeting, then continued to test Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yunwen's studies.
Li Jinglong was very familiar with Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong. They were ten and nine years old respectively, still quite young children.
"Yun Teng, you can't even do such simple lessons? What have you been learning from your teacher every day?" Zhu Biao scolded Zhu Yun Teng with a stern face.
Zhu Yunwen was startled by Zhu Biao's anger and stammered, "Father, I...I will definitely study hard when I get back!"
"Look at Yunwen, he's only a year older than you, but his studies never worry his teacher. He's already started reciting the Five Classics!" Zhu Biao continued to scold.
Hearing Zhu Biao's words, Li Jinglong was filled with emotion. It seems that whether in ancient or modern times, brothers cannot escape the comparisons made by their parents.
"Father, I have finished studying the Five Classics. In another month, I will definitely be able to recite them all!" Zhu Yunwen said.
Li Jinglong couldn't help but glance at Zhu Yunwen. Good heavens! This attempt to claim credit completely disregards his younger brother's life or death!
"See? If you don't work harder, Yunwen will fall even further behind!" Zhu Biao's words were born of deep love and strict discipline.
Seeing this, Li Jinglong couldn't bear to see Zhu Yunwen continue to be reprimanded, so he stood up and said, "Your Highness, the sage's books are for reading, not for doing practical work. The Third Prince only needs to understand the principles; he doesn't need to memorize them all!"
"Jiujiang, what you're saying is rather unorthodox!" Zhu Biao frowned and said in a low voice.
Li Jinglong smiled and explained, "Your Highness, I am a military general. On the battlefield, I will use whichever method works best; I will use whichever strategy can help me win battles. I value pragmatism!"
Upon hearing Li Jinglong's words, Zhu Biao nodded and said, "You are a military general, so naturally you can do so, but Yunwen and Yuntong, as imperial grandsons, should naturally study the teachings of the sages."
Li Jinglong smiled and didn't argue further, but he didn't agree with it at all!
Not to mention Emperor Wu of Han, who established the exclusive veneration of Confucianism, in all dynasties, which great ruler did not wear the cloak of Confucianism but practice the hegemonic ways of Legalism?
Li Jinglong guessed that Zhu Biao probably thought that Zhu Yunwen and the other two were too young, so he was still letting them lay the foundation for the time being and hadn't taught them anything else!
Zhu Biao gave Zhu Yunwen and the other man some more instructions before sending them away. He then turned to Li Jinglong and said, "Jiujiang, I've called you here today to entrust you with something."
"Your Highness, please don't stand on ceremony. Just give me your orders!" Li Jinglong said with a smile.
"Yesterday, the Crown Princess and I discussed adding military training courses for Yunwen and Yunhuo. As you know, the older generation of dukes all have important matters to attend to, so we can only look among you younger generation. After much consideration, I think you are the most suitable!"
Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself; he certainly didn't want to be that teacher!
"Your Highness, I am of limited talent and learning, and I fear I may fail to live up to your expectations!" Li Jinglong said worriedly.
Zhu Biao waved his hand with a smile and pointed at Li Jinglong: "Jiujiang, why hide your talents? You're so young, it's the perfect age for you to get things done. Don't be so lazy and avoid trouble!"
Li Jinglong gave a wry smile: "Your Highness, I am currently preparing for my wedding, and then I have to train troops and go on a campaign. I really don't have the time!"
"No rush, we'll wait until you return from the campaign!" Zhu Biao smiled and said, "After the New Year, all of you young men will accompany the army!"
"All of them will accompany the army?" Li Jinglong was taken aback.
Zhu Biao said solemnly, "That's right. Deng Zhen, you, Guo Zhen, Qiu Zheng, Chang Sheng, Fu Zhong, all of you, go and experience the atmosphere of a major battle. After the Liaodong Campaign, there won't be another major battle like this in the near future!"
"How can you know the cruelty of war if you don't experience the atmosphere of a major battle?" Zhu Biao said earnestly. "This is all for your future growth. Otherwise, if you only experience small battles, how will you cope when you encounter a major war in the future?"
"Your Highness's kindness in nurturing us is something we will never forget. We can only repay your kindness with utmost loyalty!" Li Jinglong cupped his hands in greeting.
Zhu Biao pressed Li Jinglong's hand down and smiled, "Jiujiang, there's no need for such formality. I'm doing this for the sake of the country's future!"
After saying that, Zhu Biao added, "By the way, the Duke of Ying has already returned to the capital. According to the journey, he should arrive in the capital in about half a month. When he does, you will represent the court and go ten miles outside the city to greet him!"
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Li Jinglong said, bowing.
As Li Jinglong left the Eastern Palace, he wondered why he had been chosen to teach military affairs to Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong.
If Zhu Biao hadn't died young, would Zhu Yunwen have been the future crown prince?
......
Half a month later, on the outskirts of Nanjing, Li Jinglong, dressed in the scarlet robes of a duke, led a number of officials from the Five Armies and eunuchs sent by Zhu Biao to welcome Fu Youde.
Five li, three li!
As scouts continued to report, Li Jinglong spotted a troop of cavalry, their path kicking up dust as they passed along the official road.
However, after traveling about a mile, the entire cavalry slowed down, began to reorganize their formation, and proceeded slowly.
Fifty meters away, Fu Youde, clad in full armor, dismounted and walked towards Li Jinglong.
"Duke of Ying, you must be tired from your journey!" Li Jinglong said, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Thank you, Duke Cao!" Fu Youde replied in an official capacity.
The eunuch dispatched by Zhu Biao immediately relayed the oral order:
Crown Prince's decree: The Duke of Ying has led an army to quell the rebellion and returned after four months. He has done a great service and is hereby rewarded with gold, silver, and silk. The Duke of Ying has had a long journey and may come to the palace to pay his respects to His Majesty tomorrow. A banquet will be held at the Eastern Palace three days later to entertain him!
Upon hearing this, Fu Youde immediately bowed and expressed his gratitude!
After finishing his official business, Li Jinglong stepped forward and said with a smile, "Uncle, you've returned from your campaign and must be tired from your journey. I've prepared a banquet, and I hope you'll do me the honor of joining me!"
Fu Youde glanced at Li Jinglong and nodded. After all, one can't hit a smiling face, and this was a marriage bestowed by His Majesty, so Fu Youde couldn't say anything.
The group returned to Nanjing along the official road. After Li Jinglong dismissed the officials of the Five Armies Office, he also went to the Duke of Ying's Mansion.
Fu Zhong, leading Fu Rang and his entire family, were already waiting inside the mansion!
"Father, you've worked hard!" Fu Zhong and Fu Rang bowed in unison.
Fu Youde nodded, stepped into the main hall, and with the help of Fu Zhong and Fu Rang, removed his armor and sat in the main seat.
A fragrant breeze wafted by, and Fu Wanqing handed a cup of tea to Fu Youde.
Fu Youde took a sip of tea before looking at the Fu brothers and saying, "The Duke of Cao has prepared a banquet; you two will accompany your father later!"
After speaking, Fu Youde looked at Li Jinglong, as if asking a question.
Seeing this, Li Jinglong smiled and said, "Perfect timing, the more the merrier!"