The news of Chenxi's decisive victory in the fight against Japan soon spread all over the country.

Before the war, news about Chenxi spread very slowly, but after the news of overwhelming defeating the Japanese pirates and the Flangji coalition forces and achieving the largest naval victory in East Asia in a century, the news spread, and within two days, the news spread to the capital.

Xie Qian, who has been cultivating his body and not arguing with others these days, suddenly felt like a thorn on his back.

In a quiet voice, Chen Xi once again had a great impact on Xie Qian and the imperial system, making Xie Qian not know how to deal with it.

"Yu Qiao, don't force it."

Xie Qian went to the Governor's Office of the Five Army to visit Zhang Mao. When Xia Ru, Zhang Mao directly persuaded him to let him see more.

Xie Qian obviously had a knot in his heart.

He was wary of Chen Xi's affairs, and he didn't expect to be caught off guard.

Xie Qian was not angry, but his tone was quite helpless: "I thought he would stay in Jiangnan for two or three years. If His Majesty goes there, he will only cause trouble and delay the fighter's opportunity. The victory will be postponed indefinitely... Who would have thought that he would advance the war and achieve a great victory."

Zhang Mao smiled and said, "In this way, Yu Qiao, are you worried that Zhihou will return to Beijing one step earlier?"

Xie Qian did not answer because Zhang Mao's words were as close to what he thought.

I originally thought that Chen Xi would not be able to see at least two or three years, and the court could reduce its influence. Even if Chen Xi wore the black hats of two ministers on his head, the affairs of the court were basically handed over to his subordinates. During this period, Chen Xi was the local official with the title of Minister of the Court, and it was difficult for even local affairs to interfere. He was simply a general who led troops to fight.

However, it never thought that Chen Xi took a year to quell the Central Plains rebellion, and then to pacify the main force of Japanese pirates in Jiangnan, exceeding the task.

Xie Qian was immediately faced with the situation of Chen Xi returning to the court to question the government, and the situation in the court changed significantly again.

Xia Ru asked on the side, "Now Your Majesty is in Jiangnan, Shangshu Chen hasn't come back so early, right?"

Xia Ru was asking Zhang Mao more about this question.

Recently, Xia Ru and Xie Qian have been moving a little, and they have become familiar with each other and have a certain friendship. However, when it comes to Shen Xi's return to the court, Xia Ru's right to speak has always been insufficient. In terms of private friendship, Xia Ru and Zhang Mao can talk about everything.

Zhang Mao nodded: "Your Majesty is in Jiangnan, and you will not be in a hurry to come back for a while. Maybe the Holy Lord will go to the southwest or walk to the south?"

Xie Qian ignored it because he could hear Zhang Mao’s words comforting him more than reality.

Xie Qian said: "Then I should reward me for merits... Zhihou led only 20,000 troops, and successively achieved the achievements of quelling the rebellion of the Central Plains and suffocating Japanese pirates. It is really unexpected... He is now a duke and cannot be promoted again, but his meritorious soldiers cannot be buried... The court will vigorously promote these people, enfeoffed them everywhere and guard the territory."

"oh."

Zhang Mao's face showed a sense of understanding.

Xie Qian knew that he could not start by reducing the power of Chen Xi, so he transferred the elite soldiers and generals around Chen Xi to other places, and gradually disintegrated the power in Chen Xi's hands, especially military power.

Xie Qian said again: "I will ask Your Majesty to reward the meritorious officials. The soldiers who stayed in the new city will be transferred first, and then exchanged defenses with Jiangnan's troops... After all, Jiangnan's local military affairs must rely on local people to support them. I will greet the Nanjing Ministry of War and the garrison yamen and let them cooperate with them with all their strength!"

Zhang Mao asked, "I wonder what can I do to you Yu Qiao?"

Xie Qian thought about it, his face full of embarrassment, and finally sighed quietly: "I hope the Duke of the State can help you walk more in the court, especially the Governor's Office of the Five Army. You must withstand the pressure from His Majesty and the Ministry of War... I still have important things to do, so I will say goodbye!"

...

...

"What's Xie Yuqiao? Are you hiding all the birds? Why are you still so unsightly at such an old age?"

When Xie Qian was in front, Zhang Mao spoke well and would cooperate with him with all his strength. However, when someone left, Zhang Mao changed his attitude and spoke with Xia Ru with a teasing meaning.

Others don’t know much about Zhang Mao, but Xia Ru knows it very well. Recently, Zhang Mao is talking about his grandson Zhang Lun. This time, Zhang Lun performed well on the expedition and was able to successfully succeed as the British Duke. Zhang Mao is very pleased with this.

Previously, Zhang Mao originally intended to assist Xie Qian in relieving Chen Xi's military power, but when things came to an end, he had to consider whether it was appropriate to do so.

Zhang Mao has a great position in the army, and it is not in his interest to get into evil with Chen Xi, especially Zhang Lun has accumulated qualifications and obtained military merits through Chen Xi, and suddenly turned against Chen Xi. On the one hand, there is a suspicion of ungratefulness, and on the other hand, if there is a direct conflict with Chen Xi, if he fails, his voice will be lost in the future. This is a scene that Zhang Mao does not want to see.

Xia Ru lowered her head: "I heard from Qiao's intentions, and seemed very afraid of him, and was eager to force him to hand over the military power?"

Zhang Mao had already stood up and sneered when he heard this: "I think so, but the key is to see Your Majesty's attitude... How much does Your Majesty trust him now? If it were an ordinary hero, he might be suspicious of him, but if it were a lot..."

"Since entering the court, Zhihou has never formed a clique for personal gain, but has only been like-minded with Your Majesty... His Majesty has encountered many oppositions in the court, but only Zhihou supports him... His Majesty uses his military merits to shock the people, how could he easily pull Zhihou off the horse at this time?"

Xia Ru thought about it carefully and couldn't help but smile bitterly and nodded: "I heard what you said, that's true."

Zhang Mao said: "In the past, the heroes were afraid of being suspicious of the emperor, but Zhihou was the least worried about it. He was too young and had the ability to rebel and rebel. How many people would there be in the world? This is a bit disrespectful, but the truth is that. Now he is not doing well, and the court is full of criticism. Who would believe that he rebels?"

"If there are a few years or even more than ten years, it means that Qiao and you and I will retreat from the court. Zhihou has no opponent. Then we don't have to worry about it, and His Majesty will do it yourself."

Xia Ru had some questions: "That means to be patient? But the problem is that Qiao quit the court. Wouldn't he be more full at that time?"

Zhang Mao shook his head and said, "We can wait. This has little to do with our nobles, but some people can't wait. What is involved is no longer a struggle for power in the court, but a complex factional struggle... We have nothing to do, just wait for death. Can some people wait for it?"

Xia Ru thought about it again and asked, "Is it a relative of Zhang?"

Zhang Mao shook his head: "It's not just a relative of the foreigners... I heard that someone in the south is planning to be illegitimate, but the royal family. Will Your Majesty ignore it?"

"When Zi ascended the throne today, there were enough disputes in the world, first the Tatars in the northwest, then the rioters in the Central Plains, as well as the Japanese pirates in the south of the Yangtze River, and then the princes and nobles rebelled... After all, too many people covet the throne. Today, the emperor is young and energetic, and does not care about the government, which makes many people feel that there is an opportunity to take advantage of it."

Xia Ru nodded one after another and highly praised Zhang Mao.

Xia Ru asked: "So, based on the current situation, how should we deal with it?"

"Wait."

Zhang Mao said, "The finger of this dispute is not directed at us, it is all aimed at Zhilong, but with Zhilong's wrists, wouldn't he do anything? Over the years, he has become more prosperous in the court, and now he is not very sharp except for his achievements on the battlefield. When he reveals his edges, a cleanup is inevitable!"

...

...

Forbidden City, Yongshou Palace.

The drum beats at the second update.

Queen Mother Zhang had supper early and went to bed, but was suddenly woken up by a quarrel and asked for a meeting.

Empress Dowager Zhang changed her clothes and saw Gao Feng standing in the hall with a restrained expression, as if something was important.

After greetings, Gao Feng reported to Empress Dowager Zhang about the situation of Chen Xi's victory in Jiangnan.

Empress Dowager Zhang put down Yu Ruyi in her hand: "This Shangshu Chen has achieved merits not once or twice, but just a naval battle and won by chance... Compared with his previous achievements, it is really insignificant."

Gao Feng is smart and has mediocre abilities but has enough political acumen.

After hearing Empress Dowager Zhang’s name Chen Xi as “Shangshu Chen”, Gao Feng knew that Empress Dowager Zhang did not recognize the identity of Duke Chen Xi.

In the past, Empress Dowager Zhang relied on Chen Xi, after all, she was a pillar of the country and her son's dependence. But now Shen Xi is a relative of the outside world, threatening the status of the Zhang family. In addition, Chen Xi and the Zhang brothers have grudges and entanglements, so they naturally have to target them everywhere.

Gao Feng said again: "Your Majesty has not given you a reward yet, but I think that in these few days, the Ning King in the south... will send someone to give you a gift to the Empress."

Empress Dowager Zhang shook her head: "This child is very determined. He is not old, but he is good at being a human being. The local vassal kings should learn from him and understand his duties!"

Gao Feng smiled and said, "What the Empress said is that King Ning gave gifts to you is to show filial piety to you. In fact, there are not many things, mainly local specialties... If the Empress thinks it is inappropriate, you can tell the envoy of King Ning to take it back."

Queen Mother Zhang thought for a while, shook her head and said, "Forget it, stay."

"Yes, Empress."

Gao Feng replied respectfully, his expression was much more relaxed, as if he had completed some kind of entrustment... When King Ning gave a gift, he would naturally get many benefits from it.

Empress Dowager Zhang said: "I heard that the Shen family left the capital and went south. Have you gone to check why they left?"

Gao Feng was stunned and then said, "Go back to the Empress Dowager, I have asked me, it seems that His Majesty sent an order to ask his relatives to go to the new city. This was the request made by Shangshu Chen himself. The Shen family left the capital... It would be a good thing."

While speaking, Gao Feng observed Empress Dowager Zhang's reaction and wanted to know Empress Dowager Zhang's attitude towards the matter.

Empress Dowager Zhang was a little angry: "Everyone went to Jiangnan, and even the emperor and that little girl went there, what kind of discipline does this have? Will they not return to the capital in the future? But those who are emperors do not sit in the capital and go on patrols again and again. If this continues, the court will cause chaos."

Gao Feng said: "There is Xie Ge Lao in charge in the capital, and no mistakes have occurred so far. The court is very stable."

"Then send someone to urge the emperor to come back. No matter what reason, it is okay to say that there is war in the northwest border, or that someone covets his throne." Empress Dowager Zhang said, "I don't have any sense of crisis when I am an emperor, what should I do if my country is robbed? He still has no descendants..."

In the words, Empress Dowager Zhang complained a lot.

Gao Feng didn't dare to talk, and lowered his head and said nothing.

Suddenly, Empress Dowager Zhang remembered something, "Ai's family wrote a letter, and went back to send it to Mr. Xie, and then called Grand Secretary Yang. Ai's family had something to do to tell him... The world's affairs were complicated, and the emperor didn't care. But the Ai family, the empress dowager, had to be more careful."

...

...

The fleet returned to the new city and took about five days from Juexi to Juexi, but Chenxi left him ten days.

The fleet is not too far from the coastline, and the itinerary is not long in one day. It sets sail at midnight. Before the night is over, the fleet will dock, and some people will station on the shore.

After more than a hundred years of blockade, the Ming Dynasty was very desolate at this time, like a primitive jungle. Chenxi went to observe everywhere and sent people to record the details. When he was alone at night, he would take out a map to mark it.

No one knows what Chen Xi is doing, and those generals will not ask. Chen Xi's ideas are incompatible with ordinary people. At the beginning, someone may be curious, but no one cares over time.

It was late at night and Chen Xi was still looking at the coastal drawings he drew and compared them with the existing map.

In the past, the Ming Dynasty's sea border map had no geometric concept, and the painting method was abstract, almost a line down, and even the basic directions of southeast, west and north cannot be marked clearly. Now the sea border map in Shen Xi's hand is clear at a glance.

At this time, Chen Xi seemed to be checking the sea border map carefully, but in fact, he was in a state of distraction.

"Sir, it's already dark, it's time for you to rest."

Yunliu appeared in front of Shen Xi.

At this time, there were two days before returning to the new city. She had just obtained the latest information from Jiangxi. When she passed by the cabin door, she saw Chen Xi still working in Bingzhu's office late at night. She couldn't help but walk in and persuaded her with concern.

Chen Xi ignored it and was still thinking about something seriously.

Yunliu didn't dare to disturb her. She stood beside her for a long time before she saw Chen Xi looking up at her.
To be continued...