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When Li Yuanqing arrived at the capital, it happened to be the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

In the capital, the spirit of the New Year is already very strong. New couplets are posted in front of every house. Big families have hung up red lanterns. Children are running around in the streets naughtily, setting off firecrackers and making snowmen. Adults

They packed large and small bags and rushed home to prepare more New Year's goods for the upcoming New Year.

Throughout the second year of Tianqi, although the Ming Dynasty had entered a precarious state, with tight Liao affairs, unrest in the southwest, bad weather, and not much harvest, the overall situation was still good. Compared with the first year of Tianqi, various affairs

, slightly increased.

With Mr. An around, Li Yuanqing saves a lot of energy on many things. He no longer has to rush, he just needs to step on it.

Starting from the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, heavy snow fell like goose feathers all over the Northland. From Liaohai to Dagukou and then to the capital, there was a vast expanse of white snow everywhere. This also caused a lot of trouble for the group on their way.

.

Li Yuanqing originally wanted to visit Li Banghua in Tianjin. For Dongjiang, Denglai is a fortress, but for Changsheng Island, Li Yuanqing prefers Dagukou. The main reason is that the capital has a canal, which allows for faster buying and selling of materials and lower transportation costs.

Also lower.

However, heavy snow hindered the trip, and Li Yuanqing could not spare time, so he had to give up temporarily and prepare to find a better opportunity to communicate with Li Banghua.

The skeleton of the giant whale had arrived in the capital a few days ago. The young emperor Tianqi loved it very much. He had even decided to use woodworking to make a model of the whale bone and keep it in the palace.

Li Yuanqing originally thought that this thing could be placed outside the palace for the common people to see and spread his reputation, but this was the case, so Li Yuanqing had no choice but to give up.

As the old saying goes, 'There is no wall that is impervious to wind.'

In other words, keeping a slight distance between this thing and the human world will actually make people feel more mysterious.

After all, according to the eloquence of these little eunuchs and maids in the palace, the things they depict must be more exciting...

But everything has its pros and cons.

Li Yuanqing's reputation has indeed spread in the North, the capital, and even the entire Ming Dynasty. However, among the literati group, the word "Rogue" has not disappeared.

In this regard, Li Yuanqing did not worry too much about gains and losses.

To the literati, he is just a vulgar, ugly and lowly warrior. Even if he licks his face to please them, he may not gain anything. On the contrary, it is better to let the common people be familiar with his name, just like Chang Yuchun back then.

Like Mu Ying, gain or loss depends on one's own heart.

When the group of people arrived outside the palace gate, it was already evening, and heavy snowflakes were drifting in the sky. The whole world was covered with snow and fog, and the visibility was not very high.

The order given by the young Emperor Tianqi to Eunuch An was, 'Bring Li Yuanqing to the capital and go directly to see him.'

As a result, even if Li Yuanqing wanted to take a rest in Wuyu Pavilion, it would be impossible and he would have to face the Holy Spirit first.

"Brother, please wait here for a while. I will report it right away. There will definitely be news within an hour at most."

Eunuch An hugged Li Yuanqing and quickly entered the high red-walled courtyard.

However, although Mr. An left first, people like him don't have to worry too much when doing things.

Although there was no shelter from the wind and snow outside the palace gate, as soon as Eunuch An entered the city, he summoned a carriage, several large fire pots, and plenty of charcoal. More than 20 soldiers, including Li Yuanqing, Huang Guoshan, and Kong Youde, gathered around the carriage.

It's not too cold next to the brazier, and you can also grill whale meat, which is quite a treat.

After eating and drinking, Kong Youde looked at the red walls and green tiles not far away, and couldn't help but feel a little: "General, this, is this the palace? Barbecuing whale meat outside the palace gate, this is really..."

He thought about it, but didn't know how to describe it, so he laughed.

The soldiers are also extremely proud. They follow their generals and will not suffer any loss no matter where they go.

Li Yuanqing paid no attention to these soldiers. He slowly fell into deep thought as he looked at the behemoth swaying under the wind and snow.

In less than half an hour, the sky had darkened, the closed palace door opened again, and several young eunuchs hurried out.

"Who is General Lee?"

Li Yuanqing hurriedly greeted him and said respectfully: "My father-in-law, the humblest one is Li Yuanqing."

The leading young eunuch hurriedly saluted Li Yuanqing, "General Li, the emperor is waiting for you. Let's go there quickly."

Li Yuanqing did not dare to neglect, and waved his hand to Huang Guoshan, indicating that they would wait here, followed by several young eunuchs, and walked quickly to the palace gate.

After handing in his sword and weapons to the guards at the palace gate, Li Yuanqing walked into this huge palace complex again.

The young eunuchs walked quickly, and Li Yuanqing also accelerated his pace. After going around in circles for about half an hour, the group arrived at a tall palace.

The young eunuch said respectfully: "General Li, please wait here while the Za family goes in to report."

Li Yuanqing smiled and nodded, and without saying a word, a white tael note was thrust into the little eunuch's hand.

The little eunuch's eyes couldn't help but light up, he smiled, and walked quickly inside.

Li Yuanqing carefully looked at the palace. However, the courtyard gate was almost three stories high. It was so majestic and majestic that one could not help but feel a sense of inferiority.

Unfortunately, at this time, Li Yuanqing and several accompanying young eunuchs were taking shelter from the wind and snow under the courtyard gate. With guards around them, Li Yuanqing could not go out to find out what the name of the palace was.

But after thinking about it, Li Yuanqing felt relieved.

The Forbidden City in later generations was rebuilt by the Manchu and Qing dynasties on the basis of the Ming Palace. It would be unrealistic to find traces of later generations.

After waiting for a while, there was actually no movement inside. This was a bit unreasonable. Li Yuanqing was a little distracted for a moment.

At this time, an eleven or twelve-year-old boy, wearing a golden brocade robe and a little thin, walked out of the darkness on the side with a smile, "But General Li? The emperor has been waiting for you for a long time, please come with me."

Li Yuanqing couldn't help but be startled, but the eunuchs and guards around him lowered their heads and saluted the young man to show their goodwill.

"Thank you, thank you so much, young master." Li Yuanqing already understood something at this time, but this place was extraordinary after all, and he did not dare to speculate or say too much.

The young man couldn't help but smile, "General Li, come with me."

With that said, he took the lead and walked forward.

Li Yuanqing hurriedly followed behind him.

Feeling Li Yuanqing's steady steps behind him, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but smile.

In fact, since he learned that Li Yuanqing could arrive in the capital today, he had been waiting in the palace early in the morning.

Just now, the little emperor Tianqi was going to summon Li Yuanqing to see him directly, but he took on the job himself and secretly spied on Li Yuanqing for a long time in the darkness beside the courtyard gate.

This was a method taught to him by his great companion Wang Chengen.

To see how a person is, it's best to first look at his patience.

He secretly glanced at Li Yuanqing for a long time, and found that Li Yuanqing was always standing upright, looking at the surrounding scenery calmly, without any urgency or impatience. What's more, he saw that Li Yuanqing was tall and mighty. Isn't this exactly what he imagined as a loyal and patriotic general?

Zhu Youjian laughed as he walked, and his steps began to become a little frivolous.

Although Li Yuanqing has been able to judge that eight to nine are inseparable, he will make mistakes if he talks too much, so he can only hold his temper for the time being.

However, looking at this young man's appearance, things should not be bad tonight.

They were about to arrive at the entrance of the palace. The eunuchs and maids standing around all bowed their heads and saluted the young master.

Perhaps he was too excited, and the threshold at the door was a bit high. Suddenly, Zhu Youjian slipped and stumbled, about to fall to the ground.

The eunuchs and maids around him were so frightened that their faces almost turned green.

If he fell like this, this young man would probably break his front teeth.

"Your Highness, be careful." A eunuch shouted.

According to how much the little emperor Tianqi loves his brother, if something happens, how can they still be alive?

Zhu Youjian was also a little annoyed. He had made a big fool of himself now. He didn't expect what harm this threshold would cause him.

But just when his face was about to come into close contact with the threshold, a big hand from behind firmly hugged his chest and helped him up steadily.

"It's slippery in the snow, sir, be careful."

Li Yuanqing carefully helped Zhu Youjian aside, patted the broken snow on his shoulders, and stepped aside respectfully.

Zhu Youjian couldn't help being stunned for a moment.

This big hand is too powerful. He has never felt like this in his entire life. This is a feeling that he cannot describe at all, but this big hand makes him feel extremely at ease, like a thousand soldiers.

He doesn't care about horses.

"Thank you, thank you General Li."

Zhu Youjian suddenly smiled and said, "General Li, please."

He actually opened the door for Li Yuanqing himself.

Li Yuanqing couldn't help but be speechless. It doesn't matter whether he goes in or not. Damn it...

In the hall, a warm breeze blew towards the face, carrying a hint of incense that Li Yuanqing didn't know how to describe, refreshing people.

The door was huge and he had some difficulty pushing it.

The eunuchs and maids nearby wanted to come forward to help, but they were stopped by his eyes.

Li Yuanqing's mind was spinning rapidly. For a moment, he gritted his teeth and cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your love, sir."

After that, he strode into the hall. After crossing the threshold, he helped him hold the door.

Zhu Youjian couldn't help but smile, "Thank you, General Li. The emperor is waiting for you inside. Let's go in quickly."

At this time, the little emperor Tianqi heard the noise outside and walked out quickly. When he saw Li Yuanqing, he couldn't help but be happy, "General Li, are you here?"
To be continued...