Chapter 323 The Imperial Envoy

Although the Sixteenth Prince looked smiling, he couldn't hide his alcohol when he walked closer. Seeing him lying on the sand with his face inadvertently showing fatigue, the Thirteenth Prince was quite surprised and asked, "Is this a happy time to have a son?"

When the Sixteenth Prince heard that the Thirteenth Prince mentioned this, he closed his eyes and grinned at the corner of his mouth, and said with a wry smile: "The Thirteenth Prince is right. If you have a son, your brother will naturally be very happy!"

The Thirteenth Prince heard something wrong, sat next to the Sixteenth Prince and asked, "What's wrong? If you have any worries, tell me about it."

The sixteenth prince opened his eyes, perhaps because the sunset was shining dazzlingly, and stretched out his arms to cover his eyes. After a while of silence, he said, "Thirteenth brother, my brother is afraid..." His voice was very lonely.

The Thirteenth Prince shook his head and said, "You are the dignified prince, what else can you be afraid of? Don't think about it anymore. It's getting late. If you don't go back, you will be in the palace gate!"

The sixteenth prince sat up and said to the thirteenth prince: "The lotus fragrance is dead!"

The Thirteenth Prince frowned. Although it sounded like the name of a palace servant, it should not be the wife and concubine of the Sixteenth Prince, otherwise there would have been news.

The sixteenth prince murmured: "My younger brother has been to the frontier for the past few months, and she will take care of Li's diet."

Although the Thirteenth Prince heard nothing, he could also vaguely hear something. Then the Sixteenth Prince said again: "I just said that I had an unknown disease in my stomach. I did not look for the doctor outside. I only took medicine from the eunuch doctor. It was gone on June 18th. Because it was not easy to keep, the body had been cremated."

The Thirteenth Prince thought for a moment and asked, "Can the Sixteenth Brother be too worried? Isn't Li Fujin safe from both mother and son?"

The sixteenth prince rubbed his face with his hands and said, "Brother, I hope he is too worried! I only have this son, so I don't want him to make any mistakes."

The Thirteenth Prince patted the Sixteenth Prince on the shoulder and said, "With you as a care of the Mama, my nephew will definitely be a blessing."

The Sixteenth Prince temporarily let go of his knot and smiled on his face: "It would be great if he could be as strong as the young princes on the Thirteenth Prince. After all, he was big. I hope he looks like an elder brother. Now it's good, but he doesn't look chubby!"

The two brothers were talking when they saw the Thirteenth Concubine Zhaojia coming in with two cups of herbal tea. One was filled with ice cores, and the other one was not placed.

The sixteenth prince stood up quickly and said, "Sister-in-law, why are you sending tea? Just send the servants over!"

The Thirteenth Prince also looked at Zhao Jia with a little concern and said, "That's right, look at the sunset, be careful to catch a cold!"

Zhao Jia smiled and said to the Thirteenth Prince: "I have been lying in the house for more than a month, and I have no problem with it." At this point, I said to the Sixteenth Prince: "Sixteenth Brother, the little brother has landed in the middle of summer and is not a month old, so it is not as fast as the child born in winter. When the moon is full, it will grow slowly!"

The sixteenth prince smiled and said, "If this is the case, my brother will feel at ease. This is the first time Li has passed this. My sister-in-law goes to the palace for more time and can teach her."

Zhao Jia handed the herbal tea with ice core to the Sixteenth Prince and said with a smile: "Look at the appearance of the Sixteenth Brother, are you worried about the little prince or your mother?"

When the sixteenth prince heard this, he gradually lowered his head and said, "Sister-in-law, that person who doesn't like Li, my mother doesn't like Li. There is no one in the palace who can speak. Even if my sister-in-law is looking forward to her, she should take care of her more when she sees her younger brother."

Zhao Jia also knew a little about Concubine Yi’s dislike of Li’s family, but her own situation was also embarrassing. In addition to Concubine De, the other concubines did not have a good face to her. However, she never mentioned these things in front of the Thirteenth Prince.

Although Concubine Yi was a little domineering, Zhao Jia looked at the Sixteenth Concubine Guo Luoluo, who looked like a good-tempered person, and he was quite polite when he met him.

Although he knew that the Sixteenth Prince was devoted to the concubine Li, Zhao Jia still advised: "After all, that niece who was afraid of being wronged. Even if the Sixteenth Brother loves Li, don't be too arrogant and go over the Sixteenth Brother and Sister. In this way, let alone causing trouble for Li; if the long term continues, the Sixteenth Brother will also lose his reputation."

The Sixteenth Prince heard it, then bowed and said, "Thank you sister-in-law for your teaching. Xiao Sixteen has recorded it in his heart!"

*

A few days later, the Sixteenth Concubine Guo Luoluo returned to Beijing. A few days ago, she left Rehe with the Sixteenth Prince. She took a bus on the road and delayed it for a long time.

As the way, Guo Luoluo became a little bitter and had a bad appetite. After arriving in Beijing, he looked at the imperial doctor. However, he was happy. Everyone at the Prince's Office responded differently.

The Sixteenth Prince was very happy; the concubine Li was very nervous. Although she gave birth to a prince, she had a legitimate son and her child... The Sixteenth Prince was happy and felt a little guilty, and she always felt that whether she was letting her pregnant wife take care of Li or Li knew the news before she was confinement.

After two years of marriage, although he had some misunderstandings about Guo Luoluo earlier, the Sixteenth Prince was not a fool. After a long time of contact, he also knew that his wife was not a scheming person. Therefore, he was not careful about her, but only the old man Yifei used by the lotus fragrance.

The reason why Li's diet was entrusted to Ouxiang was that the Sixteenth Prince deliberately wanted to restrain Concubine Yi and prevent her from having any other ideas. Unexpectedly, it was still so strange in the end, which made him regret it.

Fortunately, Li and his son were safe, otherwise... the Sixteenth Prince was a little unimaginable.

Because he only asked for a month's leave in front of the imperial court, the sixteenth prince had to go north to follow the escort. The censor entrusted Li and his son to Guo Luoluo to take care of him.

After a few brothers who stayed in Beijing and walked with the Cao family, the sixteenth prince hurried north with his entourage and arrived at Rehe on July 20th, just in time for the circumference of July 21st.

The Holy Lord set off from the Rehe River on July 21st, followed the grassland and headed westward. On the 29th, he stopped at Keleuliyasutai. Along the way, Mongolian kings came to pay tribute every day, and then followed the escorts to surround him.

Because this year is the leap month of May, although it is now the end of July, the heat has disappeared, and it is already a bit cool in the morning and evening.

After more than a month of busyness, Cao Yong and Tang Zhiyu have carefully summarized the laws of mules and horse diseases on the ranch and weather changes. They have already sent their subordinates to the Taipu Temple Ranch to find the mature shepherds and check their inferences.

For those months when there are sunny, drought, rainy or floods, corresponding epidemic prevention measures should be specified based on the experience of the herdsmen. Therefore, Cao Yong has not reported this report inside Taipu Temple to Emperor Kangxi.

There is an Eight Banner Ranch near Kreuliyasutai. Cao Yong may have been studying data recently, and he is quite interested in mule and horse shepherding. As the Shengjia station is close to the ranch, he asked Tang Zhiyu to go and go for a walk.

Although the Eight Banners Ranch and Taipu Temple are two systems, because Cao Yong only asked whether the horse plague of spring passes through the border and the mule and horse evil spirits, the ranch officials had nothing to hide.

Some people were very nervous, thinking that this close minister of the emperor had received a secret visit from the emperor and some people stuffed silver notes into Cao Yong's hands in private. Cao Yong was so amused and did not dare to accept it, so he hurriedly pushed it with a smile.

The more Cao Yong refused to accept it, the more people decided that he was the "inspector". Someone who was blushing and white-faced began to sing. This is the disciple of the Iron Hat King, who said his family was a red belt.

After singing and writing, Tang Zhiyu was stunned. Cao Yong sighed in his heart. "Don't do bad things, don't be afraid of ghosts calling the door." This is such a taboo on the ranch, and the accounts inside are also unclean. Just like on the Taipu Temple Ranch, the actual number of mules and horses does not match the number of mules and horses reported.

Those who can get a share of the Eight Banners Ranch are all powerful families in each banner, which is not something Cao Yong can compete with. What's more, he is either a censor or even if he reveals this matter, he will not be able to fall in front of Kangxi, and he will only be scolded.

Tang Zhiyu, who had gone with Cao Yong a few months ago, knew the situation of the ranch there, and naturally guessed this. Although he was very angry, he remained silent and did not make much trouble.

Cao Yong couldn't say whether he was disappointed or satisfied with his attitude as his deputy, but he vaguely felt that Tang Zhiyu should have a brighter future. He could do things steadily and act expediently without being pedantic, and was a sensible source of official position.

However, after this encounter with the ranch, Cao Yong and Tang Zhiyu temporarily extinguished their interest in studying horse plague.

As soon as Cao Yong returned to the tent at the station, he saw the eunuch Wei Zhu beside Kangxi greeting him: "Oh, Mr. Cao, where are you going? Long live the summons, come with me!"

Because Kangxi was on patrol in front of Mongolian princes and princes, he was full of ceremonial guards, and Cao Yong, the minister of the Taipu Temple, followed him and saw him every day.

When he heard that Kangxi was summoned by him, Cao Yong was surprised and didn't know what was going on. He put his official uniform on his back, took out a ring from his waist, stuffed it into Wei Zhu's hand, and asked in a low voice: "Master Wei, how about a good look?"

Wei Zhu recognized Cao Yong before he became famous. The two of them were now acquaintances, so they didn't be polite to him and whispered: "I thank Master Cao for his reward! The Living Buddha Zhebu Zundanba is here, Long live Master looks good! Master Cao doesn't have to worry, I look at him, it seems like a good thing."

After hearing this, Cao Yong whispered: "Thank you, Manager, so I feel confident!"

Wei Zhu couldn't help but look at Cao Yong and said with a smile: "I have seen many people around Master Wansui in recent years. There are few people like Master Cao who are not arrogant or impatient! Speaking of which, Master Cao is now half a celebrity in front of Master Wansui, but he is still kind to others. He rarely speaks loudly, unlike those things that rely on others' power."

Cao Yong quickly waved his hand and humbled himself, not even dared to say that.

Originally, he didn't look down on the eunuchs, not to mention that he knew the truth that "beating a dog depends on the owner." Just like the Wei Zhu in front of him, he was just a little eunuch who ran errands in the Qianqing Palace a few years ago. Now he has replaced Liang Jiugong and become the most capable eunuch in front of the imperial court.

Although Wei Zhu's position is the deputy general manager of the Ganqing Palace, whoever still talks about that "deputy" inside and outside the palace? Even the prince and prince will smile when they see him.

Perhaps because of Cao Yong's deep fortune, he had dealt with Wei Zhu several times before he became famous. Although Cao Yong was not close to others, he rarely had the intention of being despised and was generous to the eunuchs in the palace, Wei Zhu felt grateful. In recent years, he has helped the places he could take care of.

It was the emperor's taboo to be the eunuch who was in charge of the foreign officials. Wei Zhu didn't have the courage to say that, and Cao Yong didn't have the intention. Therefore, the two did not deliberately date, but they were able to be satisfied with each other every time they got along.

Last month, the Eighth Prince and the Seventeenth Prince returned to Beijing and replaced the Fifth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince who were on duty in Beijing to go north to support the escort.

Cao Yong asked for an order. When he entered Kangxi's imperial tent, the third prince, the fifth prince, the ninth prince, the fourth prince, the fifteenth prince and the sixteenth prince were all there.

Kangxi sat on the couch in his regular clothes, and sat at the bottom of the old lama in red with white hair and beard.

Although he could feel the eyes of all the princes looking at him, Cao Yong still gritted his teeth and took two steps forward, knelt down and said, "My minister Cao Yong has met Master Long Live, all the princes!"

Kangxi waved his hand and ordered Cao Yong to flatten him. Then he turned his head and said to the old lama, "Big Lama, this is my grandson-in-law Cao Yong. How about his welfare?" As he said that, he said to Cao Yong, "This is Hutuktu's Great Lama, why don't you see it quickly!"

Cao Yong felt that his eyes were extremely hot when he fell on his body, and he sighed in his heart. He didn't know why Mr. Kangxi was crazy. Even if he really took care of his grandson-in-law, he didn't have to show it in front of his sons. Isn't this turning him into a "hot commodity"?

Although he felt sorry for his heart, Cao Yong had no courage to resist the order in full view of the public and respectfully saluted the great lama.

Although he first saw this great lama, Cao Yong had already heard of his great name. The Great Lama from Hutuktu may not know much about the people outside the Great Lama, but everyone knows the living Buddha Zhebuzundanba. Zhebuzundanba is not his Dharma name, but a honorable title, which means "Zunsheng" in Tibetan. His Dharma name is Luosangdangbejianzan, the son of the old Khan of Tusitu, Gunbudorji, and the first-time living Buddha Zhebuzundanba selected by the Khalkhan Khan.

Because during the rebellion of Galdan, Luosangdangbejianzan led the Khalkha tribes south to surrender to the Qing court, Kangxi treated him very generously. In the 30th year of Kangxi, he was canonized as the Great Lama of Hutuktu and was in charge of religious affairs of the Khalkha tribe in the south of the desert. The current Tushetukhan is the nephew of the Great Lama and the son-in-law of the Borjijit clan Dundobdoerji, the fourth princess of Kangxi.

The big lama is already eighty years old, holding a string of brown Buddhist beads in his hand, smiling very kindly. However, after seeing Cao Yong's eyes a few times, he restrained his appearance and became solemn, muttering in his mouth, unheard.

The atmosphere in the room became strange, and Cao Yong also noticed something was wrong. He raised his head and faced the old lama's gaze that had seen everything. Cao Yong only felt that the old lama's gaze was very far away, which made people feel like they were looking for exploration. Although the voices were heard in his ears at this time, he seemed to be unable to hear them.

I heard someone whispering in Mongolian words: "The eagle will always land, and the Gesang flowers will eventually wither. Why are the tired travelers reluctant to return?"

At that moment, Cao Yong felt his years of fatigue surged up, and he just wanted to close his eyes and have a good rest. However, listening to the "buzzing" scriptures and looking at the golden pieces in the tent, he always felt something was wrong. At this time, Kangxi said with a slight anger: "Big Lama, what are you doing..."

Cao Yong's heart skipped a beat, and his consciousness gradually became clear. Looking at the tent, the princes didn't know when they would withdraw, only him, Kangxi and the big lama were left.

Seeing the big lama still looking at him solemnly, Cao Yong felt cold in his heart. Is there really a so-called "gods and Buddhas"? Did he really see something wrong?

The big lama did not answer Kangxi's question, but still looked at Cao Yong's eyes and asked in a low voice: "Why are the tired travelers reluctant to return?"

Cao Yong was sweating all over his back. Could it be that this big lama would say he was a "ghost"? He couldn't help but look at Kangxi, wondering if this emperor who was proficient in Western learning would believe the Lama's sayings of gods and ghosts. Could it be that he had been careful for many years and would die at the mouth of the lama?

When Kangxi saw Cao Yong's face showing a confused look, as if a drowning person was praying, his heart softened and nodded at Cao Yong.

Cao Yong widened his eyes. As soon as he talked to himself, Kangxi nodded very "cooperating", which was really depressing. He turned his head and looked at the big lama but his eyes calmed down.

He is just an ordinary person. Even if the soul trapped in this body is different from that of ordinary people, he has never done anything that harms the country and the people. What's there to be afraid of?

Seeing Cao Yong's expression changing, the big lama's eyes also became deeper. After looking at Cao Yong for a long time, he said to Kangxi beside him: "Long live, this child's eyes are clear and his mind is pure, so he can take on this responsibility!"

Hearing this, Kangxi and Cao Yong breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

It was difficult for Kangxi to find people he trusted, and it was difficult for the princes to do it because the prince's identity was too ostentatious. Cao Yong was very grateful. Although he didn't know whether this living Buddha Lama was really or fake, he was always a "person" and was not accused of being a "ghost".

Kangxi turned his head and nodded at Cao Yong and said, "Since it is the big lama who said you can take on this responsibility, then you can go for me!"

The imperial envoy, I can't blame Wei Zhu for saying it was a good thing, but I don't know why the old lama made such a scene to scare people? Cao Yong knelt down to receive the order while wondering.

Kangxi stood up from the couch, walked two steps behind his back, and said, "You go to the Zasaktu Khan tribe in Khalkha Mongolia to save a lama. You can't take my name in my name, nor can you make a big noise."

Cao Yong was a little stunned when he heard this. He knew a little about the distribution of Mongolian tribes outside the gates. Zasaktu Khan calculated that it was not close, so he should be in Outer Mongolia, where the pure Mongolian gathered. He could not use the "instructor" sign to rush over to save a lama from thousands of miles away. What's the matter?

Perhaps Kangxi was a little disgusted after saying the order and said, "You can choose a few helpers from the guard office. If you have conflicts with the Khan's Mansion, you can show your identity when necessary, but you cannot tell the reason. Why did you appear in the Zasaktu Khan tribe? You have to arrange this yourself."

Although Cao Yong didn't know who the lama he was going to save was, the one who could send a Mongolian living Buddha to send a message to Kangxi personally was definitely not an ordinary person. Although he was a little curious, he also knew the blessing of ignorance. Knowing too much may not be a good thing.

If the Mongols had not believed in the Yellow Sect and many lamas in various ministries, Cao Yong would not even want to ask about the characteristics of that person, but he could not go there for nothing. Wouldn't it be wrong if he saved the wrong one? Therefore, he had to bite the bullet and ask: "Long live, is that master detained in the Khan's mansion? How can he identify each other?"

Kangxi didn't expect Cao Yong to ask this. He nodded first, then turned his head to the old lama and said, "Big Lama, have you ever seen him?"

The great lama seemed to be trapped in a distant memory: "It was seven years ago, on the shore of Qinghai Lake. I had seen him once. Although I had never seen him again after leaving, I heard that he had grown up his hair and was fond of wine, so he was not with everyone."
Chapter completed!