Chapter 170: Returning to the world

In the early Ming Dynasty, the two major powers of military affairs and military orders were controlled by the Ministry of War and the Grand Governor's Office. In the 13th year of Hongwu, the Grand Governor's Office and the Prime Minister's Office were abolished and replaced by the five military governor's offices on the left, right, middle, front and back. Among them, the Central Governor's Office was in charge of Zhongdu and Henan. The highest commanders of the military governor's offices were all first-rank governors, all with the first-rank governors, and several assistants under the governor's offices. The governor's officers were in the first-rank governors and the second-rank governor. These people were stationed in the capital and were served by some military generals with titles. In fact, the military system of the Ming Dynasty largely imitated the Tang system. The Five Army Governor's Office was equivalent to the sixteen guards of the Tang Dynasty. Like the generals of the Tang Dynasty, they had no power in normal times and were supported by the court. When there was war, they led troops to war. After the war, the troops returned to the guards and were to the Five Military Mansions.

Although Li Weizheng's deputy governor's name sounds nice, he actually has a low position in the Governor's Office of the Five Army. The real deputy position of the Governor is Tongzhi, and the deputy governor is just the deputy position of Tongzhi. Because of the high status of the Governor's Office of the Five Army, his deputy position is also from the third rank. But like other groups of governors of all sizes, they are all idle positions. They go to order a Mao when they have nothing to do, sit in the office and drink tea and chat. The more idle he seems, the more Zhu Yuanzhang likes it.

Li Weizheng knew that the real intention of Zhu Yuanzhang's appointment was to be low-key. His position was equivalent to the deputy director of the office of a certain democratic party in later generations. It is estimated that he worked until he retired, and many people would not know about it. Secondly, he had time and time to give advice on Zhu Yunwen, and even helped him injure people. In short, what he did was the tricks of villains such as Fang Xiaoru and Huang Zicheng and other great scholars who were unworthy and scoffed at him.

Helping Zhu Yunwen ascend to power is also one of Li Weizheng's established strategies. On the one hand, it is certainly out of repaying Zhu Biao's kindness, but on the other hand, it is a gentleman who is not a toxic man, and he is not a husband. How could Li Weizheng let go of King Qin and Zhan Hui who almost killed him? Borrowing Zhu Yunwen's hands is the best strategy, but none of these matters, but more importantly, he needs Zhu Yunwen as a springboard.

Generally speaking, he will go on the road the day after receiving the imperial edict, except for special circumstances. Li Weizheng has special circumstances and has not returned to the door yet! He married three wives in one day. Who can spare him if he doesn't return to the door?

Returning to the door is the third day after marriage. The rule of returning to the door is that you cannot spend the night at your parents' home. Going early and returning late is nothing more than accepting delicious food and drinks from the Ye family, and then writing a few blank checks to the Ye family. What will happen to him when he develops in the future? There is nothing worth writing about. It is just a formality. Coincidentally, Mrs. Ye will return to the capital the next day after returning to the door, and Li Wei is going to return to Beijing to take office. The two families just joined the way and went to Beijing together.

From being demoted in September last year to taking office in April this year, half a year later, the capital city is still prosperous and bustling, with people coming and going, showing a vigorous spirit. Li Wei was riding on his horse, looking at the political and economic center of the Ming Dynasty with great emotion, thinking about how panic and sad he was when he left the capital last year. No one came to send him, but when he set foot on the land of the capital again, he felt a sense of being different. Six months seemed to have passed.

Li Weizheng and his family used five carriages, full of their dowry and other items. Mrs. Ye was worried about the situation at home, so she went back to the house first. Only their family's convoy slowly moved forward on the street. Zi Tong has been observing her husband's expression since she entered the city. Seeing that his eyes were full of complex expressions, when he walked to the carriage, Zi Tong opened the curtain and asked him quietly, "Dalang, go back to the capital again, you are very moved!"

Li Weizheng nodded and smiled and said, "It will take at least two or three years for ordinary people to be demoted and come back, but I only have half a year, so I am still lucky."

"What's the lucky thing? One day it made the emperor unhappy and had to be beheaded again. No one would save you at that time. In my opinion, it would be better to raise chickens in the countryside and live a comfortable life." The person who spoke was Qianqian. She had no affection for Zhu Yuanzhang who was killing without blinking. She was full of worries about her elder brother becoming an official again. When she saw Ye Sutong laughing but did not say anything, she patted her with her hand and said, "Don't just smile foolishly, tell me, do you hope Dalang farms in the countryside or come out to be an official?"

Su Tong looked at Li Weizheng and smiled and said, "As a woman, of course I hope that my man can be safe and sound, but since ancient times, only mediocre people have no ambitions. They will only be satisfied with the desire to speak and the joy of voice and color. Generally speaking, men with some thoughts will think about doing something, cultivating themselves, managing the family, governing the country, and pacifying the world. This is the dream of every aspiring man. I hope Dalang can go out of the house and strive for his career. If he succeeds, we can also share Dalang's glory."

"What about failure?" Qianqian sneered and refuted her: "If it fails, have you ever thought about your fate, the fate of the children, and the miserable end, can you understand that kind of tragic end?"

"Okay, don't argue." Zi Tong interrupted their argument and pointed to the front and said, "We have arrived home, so let's think about how to pack up the things! I'm really worried about where to put so many things?"

Speaking of putting things, Li Weizheng reminded him in one sentence. He hurriedly said, "I'm about to discuss with you! Our family has a large population and there are still children in the future. I plan to buy another big mansion. What do you think?"

Buying a house was a big deal, so several women said they would discuss it before making a decision. The carriage arrived at the housekeeper soon. They had not lived in the capital for half a year. The house in the capital was always handed over to the housekeeper and his wife for care. There was nothing to do. They cleaned the room regularly and took care of the flowers, plants and trees. Li Wei had sent his family to Beijing a few days ago to tell the housekeeper and his wife. Therefore, when they arrived, the room had been cleaned up, and the curtains, sheets, and bedding were all washed, and everything was well-tied, and the servants were all there. The only regret was that after he was dismissed, Li Weizheng's personal soldiers returned to the military camp, leaving only Shisanlang next to him.

Everyone moved all the things on the carriage into the mansion. Sister Zi Tong and Yao Ji went to pack up their things. Qianqian quietly pulled Li Weizheng aside and said solemnly: "Brother, I want to remind you about something."

Seeing her solemn look, Li Wei asked with a smile: "What's the matter?"

"I want to ask you, who is the decision in our family? Is it Zi Tong or Su Tong? If you don't determine this big thing earlier, it will be embarrassing for their sisters to get along with each other in the future."

Qianqian said that this matter is indeed very important. Although Su Tong is the wife, she came in late, and Zi Tong is her own sister, five years older than her. If Su Tong is allowed to take charge, she cannot accept the affection in family, and Li Weizheng cannot accept the affection in love. However, Old Mrs. Ye has solved this problem for him. When they were drinking Heyan wine, Old Mrs. Ye said that Zi Tong is the eldest to the inner Zi Tong and Su Tong is the wife to the outer one. In other words, Zi Tong has the final say in the family matters, but Su Tong is the one who treats the guests or accompanying Li Weizheng to the banquet. This is also the opinion of the Ye family. In fact, it doesn’t matter who decides the family matters. What is important is in the future. If Zi Tong and Su Tong both have sons, then whose son is the legitimate? It should be Su Tong, but Li Weizheng did not consider this matter, and the future may be natural.

The key is that, although the Ye family has proposed that the Zi Tong leads the inside and Su Tong leads the outside, Li Weizheng has to make a formal decision in the end. After all, he is the male owner of this family. Li Weizheng pondered for a moment and said to Qianqian: "I have already hinted to Su Tong about this matter, let her give in to her sister in everything. She is a smart woman and should understand what I mean."

"Okay, let's discuss with my elder sister when arranging the room! This is the most urgent thing."

Li Wei nodded and came to Zitong's room. Zitong was packing up a bunch of small clothes for her two daughters. When she saw her husband come in, she smiled and said, "In the blink of an eye, they are two years old. I can't bear to throw away any of the small clothes they used to when they were young. When they grow up, I will take them out and recall them slowly."

Li Wei was walking forward and laughing, "Then where are you going to let them live? There are only three rooms upstairs."

"This, my sister and Yao Ji have just discussed it. There are four rooms upstairs, and each of us is the four women. The two little guys usually sleep with me. When you, the big guy, come, let the wet nurse take them downstairs to sleep."

"Wait!" Li Wei interrupted her and asked in surprise: "There is a study room upstairs, do you want to drive me away?"

Zi Tong smiled, hugged her husband's neck and kissed him in the face, saying, "You can clean up the two rooms with miscellaneous items downstairs. I'll clean up your study room below. I'll clean up two rooms for you downstairs, one study room and the other for you to rest. Anyway, I'm going to buy a new house soon, so you'll be wronged for a while!"

Li Weizheng had no choice but to accept the arrangement. He asked again: "Did you agree to me to buy a new house?"

Zi Tong smiled and said, "Of course you have to buy a house. After all, in the future, Su Tong has a child and Yao Ji's family will become crowded. I suggest that it is best to buy a manor outside the city. Not only is the place spacious, but you can also grow vegetables, ride horses, and give the children a playground. We don't sell houses in our city. If you come to live there by chance, what do you think?"

"Okay! Just listen to you, I'll go find a house tomorrow."

After arranging the family affairs, Li Weizheng saw that it was still early, so he was about to go to the East Palace to worship the prince. At this moment, his family came to report that there were guests outside to look for him. Li Weizheng was stunned. He had just arrived in the capital, who would have the news so quickly?

He walked out of the gate and saw a middle-aged man standing outside the gate. However, he knew Chang Sheng when he first came to the capital. When Chang Sheng saw him come out, he bowed and smiled, "Mr. Li, congratulations on the wedding!"

"The news is very fast for Chang Taibao." Li Wei was walking forward with a smile and bowed and said, "Since you are here, Chang Taibao will ask the house for details."

Chang Sheng is the brother-in-law of the former crown prince Zhu Biao, also known as Zhu Yunwen's uncle. His arrival is naturally related to Zhu Yunwen. Chang Sheng smiled slightly and followed Li Wei into the small room. The two of them sat down with the guest and host. Chang Sheng immediately said, "Master Li might as well guess, how could I know that you entered Beijing?"

Li Weizheng thought for a moment and smiled: "Chang Taibao is generous and righteous, and has friends all over the world. Needless to say, this must be what the people from the Governor's Office of the Five Army told you and me. I'm right?"

Chang Sheng smiled and said, "Mr. Li is only half guessing right, but I am the general of the General Administration of the Central Army. Of course I know you are coming."

"So that's it." Li Weizheng couldn't help laughing. He quickly got up and bowed and said, "It turns out that Lord Chang is my immediate boss, I'm rude."

Chang Sheng waved his hand and said, "Mr. Li, don't be polite. Everyone is free to work, so I have nothing to tell you."

At this time, Qianqian came in with a tea tray to serve them. Chang Sheng kept staring at Qianqian's back. When she went out, Chang Sheng hurriedly asked, "I heard that Yunwen is quite affectionate to one of your girls, but is it her?"

Li Weizheng smiled faintly and said, "This is just a rumor. Chang Taibao doesn't need to take it seriously. The little prince often goes to buy pencils, so he can talk to me, a girl. He has no other relationship. Lord Chang should not be caught by someone who is interested in making mistakes."

Chang Sheng nodded silently. He understood what Li Weizheng meant. Now Zhu Yunwen also wanted to inherit his father's ambition and enter the Eastern Palace. King Zhu Lin of Qin was aggressive. If he caught this matter and made a fuss, the problem would be serious. However, Chang Sheng did not know that Qianqian was the daughter of Guo Heng, the protagonist of the Guo Heng case in the 18th year of Hongwu. Otherwise, he would jump up in shock. He pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Li, I just said it straight. The main purpose of my visit to you today is to get a clear answer from you. Who do you support?"

Li Weizheng glanced at him vigilantly and asked without saying a word: "Has Chang Taibao heard any news?"

Chang Sheng nodded and said, "We all know that your wedding was a grand wedding a few days ago. It was the witness for the King of Yan to personally serve as a witness for you. Now there is a saying that you abandoned the prince's kindness and turned to the King of Yan. Although this is just a rumor, it is true that the King of Yan attended your wedding. We have to ask clearly about this."

Li Wei was sighing secretly. Needless to say, this must be the King of Yan’s own publicity. As he expected, the King of Yan had ulterior motives to attend his wedding. He smiled and said, “Does King of Yan join my wedding mean that I have defected to King of Yan? I am in Linhuai County, Fengyang, but King of Yan is in Peiping. Chang Taibao thinks that King of Yan would travel three thousand miles to attend the wedding for a little deposed commander? If so, his subordinates would be convinced? Besides, the King of Yan came to attend the funeral of His Royal Highness the Prince. With his prudence, will he put the funeral and the wedding together? Chang Taibao, let me tell you the truth, he just happened to pass by Fengyang. He was not the only one who came to attend my wedding. His Royal Highness Ning also came and became a magistrate. Does that mean that I also surrendered to His Royal Highness Ning?”

Li Weizheng analyzed it very thoroughly. Chang Sheng understood it in his heart. He immediately stood up and said, "I will tell the little prince now that I can't fall into other people's counter-espionage tricks. Lord Li, I'll say goodbye first."
Chapter completed!