The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 158 The rain is coming
The feast is over.

Zhu Youtang ordered Zhu Houzhao to go to study, and he had some simple conversations with Zhang Zhou, and he was about to send Zhang Zhou out of the palace.

Zhu Youtang said to his son's teacher in the tone of a father: "The prince seems to be a martial artist, and occasionally he makes opinions that even I will look at differently."

Zhang Zhoudao: "Then your majesty, if the crown prince is a martial artist in the future, what choice should your majesty make?"

As a person who has experienced history, Zhang Zhou is using historical allusions to consult a father who is still unclear about the future prospects.

"I have been weak since I was a child, and what I have been taught by officials is nothing more than benevolence, filial piety and etiquette. I have never even been on horseback, let alone martial arts, and opened up territories."

"I use civil servants to govern the country. In fact, I also hope that the prince can have both civil and military skills, but let's not go too far, because I know that the kings who have been martial since ancient times will either conquer the world and be famous forever, or be crowned as a military force and stay forever. The prince will be in my century in the future. Afterwards, to defend the territory of Ming Dynasty, my wish is enough."

Zhu Youtang's words were earnest, and he seemed to regard Zhang Zhou as a close friend, so he said these words.

Dai Yi and Xiao Jing next to him lowered their heads and pretended to be deaf as much as possible.

Because these words, just hearing them in their ears, are a kind of presumption.

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "I understand."

Zhu Youtang also seemed to feel that this topic was a bit heavy, and said with a smile: "Bingkuan, you predicted that there would be problems in this exam, do you still think so?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "After the second game came out, there were rumors of the inscription, and the target was pointed at Cheng Xueshi."

"It's true... Cheng Minzheng has not been in the court for many years, and it has been less than a year since he returned to the court. I originally wanted to use him as a cabinet minister to reserve talent. It coincides with the exam and the Northwest War is urgent. You can also see that, The three ministers in the cabinet are stretched, but now it seems... Maybe I did something bad with good intentions, and I was too hasty."

Zhu Youtang was somewhat regretful.

To think highly of Cheng Minzheng but fail to do so is contrary to his original intention.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Your Majesty, it is still uncertain, or the minister is worrying."

"I was too stubborn before and insisted on letting him be the chief examiner. If this exam is over and he can pass through safely, I am not in a hurry to promote him. Let him stay in the Imperial Academy for a few more years, let's talk about it."

The emperor probably didn't have enough confidence in using Cheng Minzheng.

Now that the vend case has not yet been raised, the emperor has already made up his mind to put Cheng Minzheng's important role aside.

It was a kind of protection for Cheng Minzheng.

……

……

Before dark, Zhang Zhou had to rush out of the palace and go to the Gong Yuan to take the third round of the exam.

Although the exam will only start the next morning, the dragon gate for admission will be closed at the first shift, and candidates must enter, otherwise the door will not be opened early in the morning to welcome candidates.

That night Zhu Youtang took the prescription given by Zhang Zhou and slept peacefully in the apse of Qianqing Palace. He didn't have a good rest for several days, and Zhu Youtang went to bed just after the first watch.

However, Empress Zhang hadn't seen her husband for a few days, and heard that her husband had gone to see the prince this day. She thought her husband was busy with court affairs, so she came here to meet her in the Qianqing Palace in person. She wanted to be gentle, but Xiao Please be informed that the emperor has gone to bed.

"Go to bed so early?"

Queen Zhang was a little dissatisfied.

She felt that her husband was deliberately avoiding her and did not want to see her.

After Zhang Yanling was imprisoned, the couple quarreled and the cold war continued. Empress Zhang felt that her husband's heart was no longer on her side.

Xiao Jing looked puzzled: "Your Majesty has been overworked recently for the military deployment in the Northwest, so he just took the medicine today and went to bed early. Tomorrow there may be a war report coming from the remote pass, and he will be busy for another day..."

"Who has His Majesty seen?"

Queen Zhang was afraid that her husband would be confused by some "little goblin".

Even though Xiao Jing didn't want to say it, he still told the truth: "I met Zhang Gongsheng. Ask about important military matters."

"Your Majesty has time to see Zhang Bingkuan, don't you even have time to see me?" Empress Zhang was angry, but she generally knew that her husband was talking about state affairs when he saw Zhang Zhou.

If her husband wanted to talk to her, she would be able to quarrel with Zhang Yanling alone.

What state affairs does she know?
"Your Majesty, besides Zhang Bingkuan, who else have you met in the past few days?"

"There are Mr. Liu Ge, Mr. Xie Ge, Ma Butang and others..."

"The empress dowager didn't ask for the maid? Didn't anything happen?" Empress Zhang was afraid that the old lady would play tricks, so she took advantage of the quarrel between the husband and wife and put a woman next to the emperor.

Xiao Jing was so frightened that he was in a state of desperation, he hurriedly said: "It never happened."

When Empress Zhang heard this, her expression improved a little. Before she left, she said, "Your Majesty woke up and told him that I have been here. Besides, I have always kept the door open for him. He can come anytime..."

"Yes."

After Xiao Jing answered, he lowered his head and waited for Empress Zhang to walk away before raising his head to have a look.

Dai Yi came out from the nearby hall and asked, "What is the queen's order?"

Xiao Jing repeated it almost exactly.

Dai Yi sighed: "Your Majesty listened to Mr. Zhang's words, took Mr. Zhang's medicine, and finally got a good night's sleep. The battle report is expected to come tomorrow morning, so why do you have the heart to do other things? Let's divide the work, I deserve it In the middle of the night, after midnight, you and Chen Kuan came and got to work quickly."

……

……

this night.

Zhu Youtang slept soundly, almost until dawn.

After waking up, Zhu Youtang was still very happy, and he didn't feel anxious at all because Xi Jinping didn't come.

"Tell the ministers at the Meridian Gate to let them go to the Wenhua Palace and ask the dining room to prepare some breakfast for them... and also tell them that today's court meeting may last until very late, and I am not in a hurry to go there. I will go again after Chen Shi."

After Zhu Youtang listened to Zhang Zhou's words, there will be a battle report this morning.

Then don't engage in morning and afternoon mornings, just join them together.

I had a good rest, and I should also take a rest. When the battle report is almost here, I will take the battle report with me, or wait with the minister.

"Your Majesty, then you..."

Dai Yi also just got up, and he was a little sleepy at this time, and asked.

Zhu Youtang said: "I'm going to pay my respects to the imperial grandmother first, I haven't been there for a few days."

Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty, the queen also came here yesterday..."

"Queen, I don't have time to see her these days, let's talk about it later."

After saying that, Zhu Youtang asked the eunuch to come over and tidy him up, and he was about to go to Kunning Palace.

Dai Yi reminded: "The Empress Dowager may not have risen yet."

"No, the emperor's grandmother wakes up very early every day. When I was young, I lived with the emperor's grandmother. It was the emperor's grandmother who urged me to get up and study..."

When Zhu Youtang mentioned this, there was still a strong affection on his face.

……

……

Wenhua Hall.

Although it was an imperial meeting that day, it was moved to the Wenhua Hall, mainly because this is where the emperor usually gave banquets to ministers.

The prince will not come to the Wenhua Palace to study that day, but the emperor will come later, wait for the news of the Northwest War with them, and do some discussions before and after.

As soon as the ministers arrived, the desks were prepared in the palace, and breakfast began to be served.

The breakfast in the palace is not very special, it is just rice porridge, vegetables and the like, with a little bit of meat, eggs and other things are also added to ensure that these ministers have the strength to complete the morning meeting.

"Old Liu Ge, it stands to reason that there should be a conclusion today, right?"

Min Gui, the censor of Zuodu, went there with several officials, and said to Liu Jian as if asking for instructions.

Liu Jian nodded.

Xie Qian on the side said: "Everyone, what is the expected result?"

This is a joke.

Naturally, Min Gui couldn't say that he expected Wang Yue to lose, but he didn't think it was a good thing for Wang Yue to win.

Forget about others, he, Min Gui, was impeaching Wang Yue in the wrong way of using troops, not to mention his harsh words, and even turned against Wang Yue. If Wang Yue won a big victory, then he would be ashamed.

So from Min Gui's point of view, Wang Yue can win, but it is best to win miserably. It is also a good result for the Tatars to withdraw after the looting is over. In short... Wang Yue cannot be made comfortable.

Xu Qiong, who was eating in the front row, looked back and said, "Everyone, if you say something that is not pleasant, even if Wang Weining wins, if he fails to meet His Majesty's expectations, I am afraid that Wang Weining will still be held accountable. There have been many reports yesterday. An urgent report came, saying that it was the Pianguan and other places, because Wang Weining withdrew his troops, but lost a lot of food, livestock, weapons and supplies, etc."

Xu Qiong was actually reminding Min Gui.

There is no need to be too pessimistic.

Even if Wang Yue wins, we can still attack him from other angles, saying that he achieved a victory in a shameful way, disregarding the interests of the Ming border army, the court's expenses, and even disregarding the life and death of the people...

Hats off.

Who wouldn't?
Before breakfast was finished, Xiao Jing came in a hurry, indicating that he was looking for Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng.

Afterwards, under the eyes of everyone, the two were called out by Xiao Jing for a face-to-face instruction, and then Xiao Jing left again.

When Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng returned to the Wenhua Palace, the eunuch was already cleaning up the dishes on the table.

Everyone also stood up and surrounded them.

"There is no result yet, but I have learned that before the start of the battle, Wang Weining made a briefing, stating that he would lead three thousand cavalry to surprise the Pian Pass on the night of February [-]th, and that he would leave a thousand soldiers and horses inside the Pian Pass. Ambush." ​​Liu Jian said.

Xie Qian said: "What kind of tactic is this? How many troops are stationed in the Tatar city?"

Liu Jian sighed: "It's still unknown, but it's estimated to be at least tens of thousands."

After listening to Liu Jian's words, the discussion started.

It was known before that Wang Yue led the army and civilians to withdraw from Piantouguan, but whether he wanted to continue to lure the enemy into a few sides to encircle him, or whether he wanted to lead his troops to fight back, was still unclear.

It is clear now.

Wang Yue's plan was to take [-] cavalry and turn back when the Tatars were not able to gain a firm foothold in the pass.

"Three thousand, is it a little less?" Hubu Shangshu Zhou Jing questioned with a wry smile.

Xu Guandao, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry: "There are a thousand ambush soldiers left in the city, but you want to take advantage of Di Yi's unpreparedness and set fire to the city to disturb the Di Yi army's morale?"

The tactic that Xu Guan could think of was to set fire to the city and drive the Tatars out of the city.

But there are only 1000 people... What can they do?

Liu Jian didn't answer.

Ma Wensheng, who was at the side, said: "I just asked Eunuch Xiao about this matter, and Eunuch Xiao kept it secret, but I guess... there are other arrangements."

(End of this chapter)