Fu was ten years older than him; by the time he was born, Fu had already spent most of his childhood alone, by the time he was five, Fu had already begun his quest for vengeance.
You were born before I was, there is a certain regret in that.
Thinking of this, Zhu Ci could not help himself and leaned in to give Fu a kiss.
Fu looked back at him with some surprise, only to see a bit of flour—or perhaps glutinous rice flour—smeared on Zhu Ci's face.
So cute.
Fu thought to himself.
Every time he felt Zhu Ci was adorable, he wanted to get close to him, which resulted in the two of them being covered in flour and glutinous rice flour, in the end, a portion of the dumplings and tangyuan they ate was still delivered by the Shangshanjun.
During the New Year's Eve celebration, Zhu Ci lazily ate two dumplings while wrapped in an outer robe, then said, "How strange. When we were in the South, it snowed heavily every Lunar New Year, but since we came to the North, I haven't seen many snowflakes all winter."
Of course, it was still very cold; the wind was so strong that it could pierce through even the thickest clothing, if one stood outside for even a little while, they would turn into an ice sculpture.
He had originally wanted to say that there wasn't even a place to enjoy the snow, but he quickly realized that if it didn't snow, the weather would be dry, next year's harvest would likely not be very good.
He couldn't help but frown when he thought of this.
Fu also looked outside. At this moment, the north wind was still howling. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw tiny white specks drifting past and couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, it's snowing."
"Ah?" Zhu Ci looked up toward the outside.
His sleeping quarters had now been completely fitted with double-layered glass windows, allowing him to see the snowflakes drifting outside at a single glance.
So accurate?
Zhu Ci immediately clasped his hands together in prayer: "Let it be a little bigger, but not too big, just enough to be useful. Even if it means the Great Ming enjoys favorable weather, full granaries, economic development, people living in peace and prosperity, I would be willing."
Fu also clasped his hands together in prayer; whether he believed it or not was another matter, but he wanted to follow his husband's lead.
As a result, he had just assumed the posture when he heard this series of remarks, he suddenly felt it was both ridiculous and absurd.
It sounded like he was getting both a meal and a bribe.
Does anyone make wishes like that?
After Zhu Ci finished making his wishes, he lowered his hands and looked at the snowflakes outside the window, saying, "Next year, we must send someone to find a way to survey the coal mines."
At this point, he couldn't help but smack his lips and say, "Russia has so many resources.."
Fu said immediately, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty.. just give it another two years."
Before this, the entire Great Ming had truly been holding its breath to win this battle.
At that time, the reason everyone was of one mind was to reclaim their ancestral lands and to avenge their deceased loved ones.
But they did not bear such deep hatred toward Russia; as for wanting to take the initiative to send troops, I fear no one would be willing except for the Military Department.
However, even those generals might not be willing, unless they are those below who have not yet risen to prominence.
Generals die in a hundred battles, many generals have already obtained noble titles, so they may not necessarily wish to risk their lives anymore.
Zhu Ci coughed lightly. "Don't worry, I am not that impulsive. Besides, if we want to move against Russia, we must first take down the Weilaite. Sigh, has Li Zicheng still not caught up to Aobai?"
Aobai is much more familiar with the grasslands than Li Zicheng is, since it is currently winter, it is indeed not that easy, but it seems it won't be long now.
The Chuangwang's rewards have been held back until now, waiting for him to capture Aobai before discussing merits and rewards. If all else fails, tell him to drive Aobai toward the Ordos Mongols or Russia.
Although the Ordos Mongols are still in a state of division, the Khoshut Mongols, the Torghut Mongols, the Durbet Mongols appear to be on the verge of collapse.
Thinking of this, Zhu Ci felt a sense of frustration: I've secretly given you all cheats, yet how can you still be unable to defeat Galdan!
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: A bunch of useless things, get out of the way and let the professional handle this! *A kitty carrying a rocket launcher jumps out. jpg*
Next update at 12:00 PM~
Chapter 286
With Galdan and Dorgon, this atheist Zhu Ci truly began to doubt something as ethereal as destiny.
Not to mention Dorgon; if it weren't for Zhu Ci's personal expedition, the great generals under his command would likely have been crushed by the opponent.
Galdan was also outrageous.
On the surface, the Great Ming has firearms trade with all four of these tribes, the trade prices are all quite similar, with slight variations but no significant differences.
But in reality, even if the firearms provided were all the same, the quality from the other three tribes was still somewhat better.
Needless to say, the three tribes received the best ammunition with the highest stability, whereas Galdan's stock consisted of either existing supplies or ammunition captured from the Qing Army that had been modified, which had poor stability.
Even so, those three tribes were being suppressed even while working together, now they were barely holding on.
Even with those three tribes working together, they were still being suppressed in battle, now they were barely holding on. Zhu Ci felt depressed thinking about this; why were these children of destiny so hard to kill! This was even with the three tribes united, yet Galdan had never stopped trying to split them apart. Once he succeeded in splitting them, after the three tribes were defeated one by one, Galdan would once again achieve the great feat of unifying the Weilaite.
Zhu Ci felt depressed thinking about this; why were these children of destiny so hard to kill!
Fu Jian saw that he was unhappy and said soothingly, "Actually, Galdan isn't that easy either. If it doesn't work, we'll find another way."
Zhu Ci did not remain depressed for long; things in the world could not always go according to his wishes, the current situation was already considered quite good.
He thought for a moment and asked, "Is there no friction between Russia and the Ordos Mongols?"
“Galdan is only one step away from bowing to Russia; how could there not be friction?”
Zhu Ci pondered for a long while. Galdan was a man who knew how to yield and how to expand, he was also very adept at assessing the situation; he remained very humble until he felt he could not win.
After the New Year, if the Dzungar Mongols want to enter the capital again, then let them come.
It would be better if he met Galdan; if he could avoid fighting and keep him in Tibet for the rest of his life, that wouldn't be impossible either.
Thinking about it, before Nurhaci raised his troops, his entire family was loyal, many people died for the Great Ming.
Fu didn't think much of the change in Zhu Ci's attitude; politics was never something that remained unchanging.
He simply said, "Are we not seeing those three tribes?"
We'll see.
After answering, Zhu Ci said, "Forget it. Why talk about such vexing things during the New Year? Let's go to Zhangjiakou tomorrow to see the snow and ride horses."
How could Fu refuse? After Zhu Ci finished speaking, he was already making plans in his heart.
After the Little Emperor had fallen asleep, he ordered his subordinates to prepare the items.
However, it was indeed quite a commotion in the middle of the night, so he simply rewarded everyone with a gold ingot.
The palace attendants, who had already been feeling sleepy, were instantly jolted awake, each of them went off joyfully to prepare the Emperor's traveling supplies.
So, the next day, while Zhu Ci had just woken up and was still in a daze, he was stuffed into a carriage.
He leaned against Fu, half-asleep, said, "This road isn't very smooth; it'll need to be repaired later. Ah, cement.. do we have cement now?"
Before Fu could answer, he muttered to himself, "It seems we don't have any, oh, we don't have modern cement.. I'll get some later."
Fu listened to him murmuring in a half-asleep, half-awake state, unsure if he was talking in his sleep or speaking the truth, couldn't help but smile knowingly, pulling him into his arms to kiss his forehead.
Although the road was uneven, the swaying of the carriage did indeed make it a bit easier to sleep.
By the time Zhu Ci woke up, it was already noon. Outside, the sun was shining brightly, the snow from last night had not yet melted, creating a beautiful scene of blue skies and white clouds.
However, the glare reflecting off the snow was truly blinding.
Just as he was about to close the window, Fu put a pair on him.
He took them off and took a look, feeling somewhat surprised; these were not any of the pairs he had given Fu, but these actually had blue lenses.
He put them on and felt as if he had instantly traveled from the snowy fields to the ocean; it was quite fun.
Zhu Ci took a look and suddenly remembered something very important. He turned his head to look at Fu and asked, "Where will we be staying later?"
Yesterday, he had only said it on a whim; before his transmigration, he had indeed gone on spontaneous trips before.
However, that was built upon the convenient transportation facilities and ubiquitous hotels of the developed infrastructure of later generations.
The relay station must be closed right now during the Lunar New Year; even if it were open, the Emperor would have to give advance notice to allow for preparations before staying overnight.
Zhu Ci did not care about that, but he had to consider the mental well-being of those below him. What if he suddenly arrived and scared the officials at the relay station to death?
Fu said calmly, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have already ordered men to prepare a manor."
Since when have you had an estate here?
Zhangjiakou is neither a holy land for investment nor a sanctuary for vacations, yet Fu actually bought a garden here.
Fu paused and said, "I gave the orders yesterday, bought it this morning to be renovated."
After he gave the orders yesterday, he issued a command for his subordinates to head to Zhangjiakou immediately, instructing them to find a similar manor at daybreak to handle the transfer of ownership.
Although it is currently still a holiday, privileges like this are everywhere.
Moreover, since Fu used money to clear the way, almost no one was dissatisfied with the entire process; the only real trouble was likely the task of tidying up the garden.
Fortunately, that garden was originally intended for wealthy families to enjoy the scenery, no one lives there during the Lunar New Year, so it wouldn't be much trouble to pack up the owner's belongings.
Anyway, it would take them some time to travel from Beijing, so as long as the main courtyard was cleaned up within a single day, the rest could be done slowly.
Zhu Ci..
This is truly being able to be willful with money.
He thought for a moment and said, "If I say something thoughtless next time, please give me a reminder, otherwise, what will happen if I get used to it in the future?"
Fu Qingsheng said nonchalantly, "It is not that difficult; whenever His Majesty wishes for the moon in the sky, I shall simply refuse His Majesty."
The problem is that if this continues, you're likely to end up in the "Biographies of Treacherous Officials"!
If it were just the two of them acting this way in private, it would be one thing, but the problem was that Fu always maintained this attitude, he hadn't been without people slandering him in the past.
However, seeing Fu's complete disregard for his reputation, Zhu Ci said nothing.
His "Empress" had gone to great lengths to ensure he had a good time, so why should he be the one to spoil the fun?
The two of them did indeed have a wonderful time, spending two days in Zhangjiakou and two days in Jizhou, only returning on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month.
On the day of the Lantern Festival, they also went to the lantern fair.
As the capital, Beijing did not suffer a particularly heavy impact during the previous period of turmoil.
At least the folk lantern festivals remained incredibly lively.