The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 217 Widower and Widow

On the night of March [-]th, Zhang Zhougang packed up his blueprints in the study.

Go to bed early at night, even the entertainment program before going to bed was canceled by him, and he will go to the palace early in the morning to wait for the announcement and publicity, and he was just about to wash up when he was told that Xiao Jing came to the door.

"Eunuch Xiao, what is this?"

Seeing the smile on Xiao Jing's face, Zhang Zhou probably knew that Xiao Jing came with a happy event.

Xiao Jing cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Congratulations first, Zhang Gongsheng, No. 1 in Yijia. The champion of the gold list."

"Hey, is it?"

Zhang Zhou smiled.

No. [-] pick?

It's okay, since he started to take the imperial examination, hasn't it been smooth all the way?The accumulation of knowledge from the two lifetimes seems to be very important.

Therefore, there are no white diamonds in the paper pile.

Xiao Jing said: "Today, Your Majesty, your paper is the most respected by the marking officer, and you deserve the title of champion."

Most Admired...

Zhang Zhou thought for a while, Li Dongyang and Wang Jia, as his former chief examiners, could have recognized his characters. Could it be that the civil servants had no intention of suppressing him, and just pushed him to the top spot?

Aren't the civil servants worried that an uncontrolled alien will rise up around him in the future?

Or do they have the confidence to incorporate themselves?
Zhang Zhouxin said, it is not certain who domesticates who!

"Eunuch Xiao, you didn't come here just for this matter, did you?" Zhang Zhou said with a smile.

"You can't hide anything from Mr. Zhang. Seeing how calm and composed you are, you should have figured it out long ago. Our visit is just icing on the cake."

Telling Zhang Zhou that he won the first prize, Zhang Zhou just smiled politely.

In fact, Xiao Jing can also understand, no matter whether Zhang Zhou counts this round in advance, for Zhang Zhou, is there really a big difference between being the number one?

Anyway, he entered the court as an official.

With the great backer of the emperor, and a close relationship with the prince, why worry about it?
It would be fine if Zhang Zhou sought favor by ingenuity, maybe there will be a day when he will fall out of favor, but Zhang Zhou won today's favor by relying on understanding God's will from the top and hitting people's hearts directly from the bottom. Even if he is not in court, he can make a name for himself, so does Zhang Zhou really care about his fame and fortune?
It seems that this stingy kid really cares.

But that should be just a superficial phenomenon, right?
"It's about the military situation in the Northwest." Xiao Jing also explained the purpose of his visit.

The good news is only secondary, and the focus is still on the military situation, and it is stated that it is "Northwest", not Liaodong.

"En." Zhang Zhou nodded, "Eunuch Xiao, let's sit down and talk."

……

……

Zhang Zhou's study.

Two more candles were lit, Wang Mingshan stood at the door, even Xiao Jing didn't mind her, maybe he also knew that this was Zhang Zhou's personal bodyguard, even if Wang Mingshan came from the Wang family, he didn't worry that she would ventilate to outsiders informer.

"This is Ningxia, Shaanxi, Yansui and other places. You can take a look at the performances of the last five or six days."

Xiao Jing took out several things, including memorials and direct battle reports.

It was the emperor who showed it to Zhang Zhou, and Zhang Zhou didn't need to be polite, so he picked it up and looked at it carefully.

Xiao Jing also made a narration to explain: "Huozhai suffered a big defeat at Pianguan, the situation in the grassland was turbulent, and the little Tartar prince Batu Mengke didn't seem to focus on the matter of annexing the Huozhai Ministry. Recently, they have often harassed Yulin Guard and other places, Cheng Guogong just arrived, but... he is stubborn and hard to get out..."

Although it feels like the war on the nine sides, the next big battle may be in Liaodong.

But it seems that apart from Yansui, which is the core of the three sides, in the northwest, it is the center of gravity of the defense of the nine sides.

Before the emperor insisted on sending Zhu Fu, the Duke of Cheng, to Yansui to be the commander-in-chief, and he also tasted the evil result of "nepotism", because Zhu Fu... is indeed an idiot. Even if they attack occasionally, they will retreat hastily.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Don't say it's Cheng Guogong. Except for Wang Weining, it seems that no one in Ming Dynasty can change the situation around Yansui."

It means that if Zhu Fu is replaced by someone else, the effect will be better?
Not to mention that Zhu Fu is an idiot, even if he is brave and good at fighting, with his own strength, he can't change the habits accumulated by the Ming frontier army for hundreds of years.

That is... shrinking.

But in the eyes of the emperor, it means "my son is a hero, and my father is a bastard". I promoted you because I believed in your son, but this is how Zhu Fu showed your ability?

"Your Majesty is very dissatisfied with this. We are obviously superior to the Tatars on the frontier of the Ming Dynasty. Why do you have to be so timid? Your Majesty wants to let Mr. Zhang attend the court meeting tomorrow and participate in the discussion on this matter. "

Xiao Jing also made it clear.

Regardless of whether tomorrow is the Grand Ceremony of Chuanlu, anyway, the Emperor wants to hear your explanation of the situation in Yansui.

Others... just stay where they are cool.

Even if it is a negative map of the horse, it will not work.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "In my opinion, the situation around Yansui is nothing more than the Tatars deliberately creating tension. They don't even know what the Mighty Sky Gunpowder is, so how could they violate the border on a large scale? As for the harassment in Hetao and other places , are all caused by the survival pressure of some tribes. Let's put it this way... I think that the situation in Yansui, if there is no better suggestion, I am afraid that I will disappoint His Majesty."

"you……"

When Xiao Jing heard this, he seemed to be more disappointed than the emperor.

He knew very well that the emperor had such high expectations for the situation in the northwest, all because of Zhang Zhou.

Now that Zhang Zhou said that there is no play in the Northwest, he meant to focus on Liaodong.

"Besides, I'm not a Jinshi now. Being listed in the court class will only attract criticism from others. I don't even have a good plan for the situation in Liaodong now. I really have no intention of procrastinating." Zhang Zhou sighed.

Xiao Jing said with regret on his face: "If this is the case, you should also write a copy, and our family will take it back to show His Majesty. Don't get me wrong, our family is not trying to shirk responsibility, just because Your Majesty only believes in you, you What you said, His Majesty can listen to it, and our family's retelling...or it will be invalid."

Zhang Zhou smiled, picked up the pen, and wrote some of his opinions on the paper according to Xiao Jing's request.

In general.

Yan Sui, there is nothing I can do.

……

……

Liaodong, Ningyuan.

After nightfall, Zhu Feng, who had been busy all day, sat in the so-called large tent of the Chinese army, and once again opened the letter from his wife Ning Tong. Yes, at the time it was just a family matter, but... Ning Tong proposed to make peace with him.

"Young master, Uncle Pingjiang is here to visit."

Zhu Daqi came in to report to him.

Zhu Feng hadn't had dinner yet, and was waiting for the meal to be prepared by the stove, but here Chen Rui came.

"Let him in."

Zhu Feng calmed down.

Chen Rui came into the big tent with a smile on his face, and after a brief exchange of greetings, he said with emotion: "The capital command post should be let out to you, you are the commander-in-chief, you don't regard the army as the commander-in-chief, It's inappropriate."

Zhu Feng said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter where you raise your account."

For Zhu Feng, he just wanted to finish the war and return to the capital as a carefree young man. Whether it was in the Northwest or Liaodong, he didn't want to stay for a moment.

As for those face-saving projects... People like Ren Liang and Chen Rui are very concerned about it, but he has no idea at all.

"Eat?" Chen Rui asked with a smile.

Zhu Feng shook his head: "Uncle Ping Jiang can tell you directly if you have something to do, I still have some personal matters to deal with."

Chen Rui smiled and said: "Knowledge, I didn't expect you to be so organized in the military and political affairs. You are really a general. No wonder you can rise from the army. The old man also likes to talk to young people the most. ..."

It was just a compliment, and from Zhu Feng's point of view, this guy should be nothing serious, he was just here to make jokes with him.

"...Speaking of personal matters, the old man heard that you recently recognized a adoptive father? I don't know who it is?"

Chen Rui's last question made the second monk Zhu Fengzhang puzzled.

Zhu Feng said: "Father? There never was."

"Then why... Forget it, it might be someone spreading the rumors." Of course, Chen Rui wanted to ask, did you really worship Zhang Gongsheng as your adoptive father as the rumors said?
Since Zhu Feng categorically denied it, how could he have the nerve to continue asking?
Zhu Feng said impatiently: "Bo Ping Jiang, is there anything else to do? After I eat, I want to rest earlier."

Since you, Chen Rui, have nothing important to do, you should go back early. You really don't feel tired after coming to fight?

Chen Rui smiled and said: "When it comes to personal matters, I would like to ask a few more questions. I heard that you married a wife from a military household in the Nanjing Local Guards. I don't know how you feel about it?"

Zhu Feng frowned slightly.

You Chen Rui have bad intentions.

Since you've already inquired about my marriage, don't you know how my relationship with my wife is?I brought people to Ningyuan...

"It's not very good. I have already repaired a book and went to the capital, and I have included a letter of reconciliation and sent it to the capital."

Zhu Feng is sincere.

Since Ning Tong didn't want to continue to be husband and wife with him, and he didn't want to cling to it, there was no way to give Ning Tong a future, and it would be good for friends to help and fulfill each other.

Zhu Feng is an open-minded person, and he would not harm Ning Tong for the sake of his own face.

"Ha...cough, Zhijie, why is this?"

It was precisely when Chen Rui heard about this incident that he made a special visit.

Since you, Zhu Zhijie, don't shy away from it, then of course I have to get to the bottom of it to achieve my goal.

Zhu Feng said: "My situation is different from that of ordinary people, please respect me, Uncle Ping Jiang, and don't ask any more questions."

Chen Rui sighed: "My father and I are old friends. Thinking that you have become the prestige of the government, how can you allow you to act recklessly? Not to mention reconciliation, even divorce is not allowed."

Zhu Feng shook his head and said, "I don't need to worry about my family affairs."

"Hehe." Chen Rui smiled, "Zhijie, look at you, now you have won His Majesty's trust, and you are still Uncle Anbian. Don't you want to pass on your title?"

Zhu Feng rolled his eyes.

You, Uncle Pingjiang, really don't know what to do, which pot is not opened and which pot is not to be lifted?
"I do have a little girl who is about the same age as you..." Chen Rui began to actively sell.

Zhu Feng frowned and said, "Ling Ai hasn't married yet?"

Zhu Feng was puzzled, even if you, Chen Rui, heard that I was going to divorce my wife, and came to match me, you should find someone of the right age, and you came up and said that there is someone who is about my age... I am almost 25 OK?Are you sure a girl your age has never been married?

Chen Rui said: "In the first few years, she was married, but it's a pity that her husband's family's fate is poor, and her husband's family background is average, so..."

"Uncle Ping Jiang, please respect your family affairs and stop talking about it."

Zhu Feng stood up, almost getting angry at Chen Rui.

It's because he has a good temper, or he still has a bit of low self-esteem in front of Chen Rui, and he wants to use Chen Rui's experience to help him win the Ningyuan ambush, otherwise he would have turned his back on him long ago.

Chen Rui was surprised and said: "You are a widower, and she is a widow. Besides, your situation is just to inherit the incense, and it is still the old man's daughter. Could it be that there is no room for negotiation at all?"

Chen Rui was also a little annoyed.

Didn't I think of marrying you, Zhu Zhijie, when I heard that you were going to reconcile and even sent the letter of reconciliation?
From now on, I will be your father-in-law. As for you, you think my daughter is not good enough for you...

I, Uncle Pingjiang, have been in power for so many years, is my status poor or something?Who doesn't know that your Zhu Zhijie's marriage is in name only?Who is not worthy of whom?
"The two of us join forces, and I will try my best to help you in military and political affairs everywhere in the future. I also think about you!" Chen Rui was also afraid that the matter would collapse directly, so he calmed down and talked to Zhu Feng. .

Zhu Feng was also quite speechless.

At this moment, a strange voice came from the door: "Hey, what are you two talking about?"

It was Zhang Yanling who forced his way in under Zhu Daqi's obstruction.

The so-called big tent of the Chinese army is nothing more than a tent with curtains. As the deputy commander, Zhang Yanling is not difficult to get in.

Zhu Daqi said: "Uncle Jianchang wants to enter, but his humble position can't stop him."

"It's okay." Zhu Feng didn't mind either.

A chief soldier and two deputy chief soldiers were dispatched by the emperor, and in Zhu Feng's view, no one was in a better situation than the other.

Zhang Yanling said with a sarcasm: "When we discuss anything later, remember to bring Ben along with you."

It means, don't discuss things in private, I followed you to Liaodong to make meritorious service, don't try to put me aside.

"Uncle Ping Jiang, Uncle An Bian, are you two here as a matchmaker?" Zhang Yanling sat down and crossed Erlang's legs.

Chen Rui said: "Uncle Jianchang, what do you mean?"

"Tsk tsk." Zhang Yanling said, "Uncle Ping Jiang, others don't know, but I heard that you gave all your widowed daughters to Zhang Bingkuan as maidservants in order to get the chance to come to Liaodong to be the deputy commander in chief. What's the matter, you still have Two widows and daughters, and one more for Uncle Anbian?"

As soon as Chen Rui heard it, he knew that Zhang Yanling was eavesdropping outside.

Zhang Yanling's news channel, or the intelligence under the palace system, is much stronger than the two of them.

Hearing this, Zhu Feng frowned and looked at Chen Rui, "Uncle Ping Jiang, is that so?"

"This one……"

Chen Rui couldn't hold back his old face, and explained, "This old man is just a joke when he was drunk, and it is not accurate. Besides, even if someone takes it seriously, this old man will ask His Majesty after this battle to invalidate this matter."

Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "You have married the daughter of a man who died before, and being someone else's concubine is not bad. Uncle An Bian dislikes it, but I don't dislike it here, just be my concubine. Isn't it the same for our two marriages? I won't humiliate you, will I?"

"what?"

Chen Rui thought Zhang Yanling was just here to amuse himself.

That's how I know.

It turned out that Zhang Yanling was also planning on his new widowed daughter.

With Chen Rui's identity, it is not acceptable for a daughter born on the first line to be a concubine... But there are exceptions, for example, he directly said that he would give his daughter to Zhang Zhou as a servant girl.

Anyway, my daughter has already been married once, and if she remarries again, unless she finds someone whose status is far inferior to hers, she may be married.

Otherwise...you can only count on Zhu Feng who just reconciled with his wife...

That's why Chen Rui had the cheek to talk about matchmaking as soon as he heard that Zhu Feng was going to reconcile.

Not only can she marry her daughter to a new rich man of comparable status, but also win over Zhu Feng and achieve the goal of political marriage.

It is simply the best home for his daughter Chen Rui.

As for whether Zhu Feng is a manly man or a womanly woman...whatever, this is not in my scope of consideration, Mr. Chen.

"Uncle Jianchang, the little girl is mediocre in appearance and doesn't like to be a concubine." Chen Rui declined.

Zhang Yanling said with a sneering smile: "What is the status of my Zhang family in the court? Are you still not happy to accept your daughter who is a ruined woman? What a disgrace to you! I will give you a few more days to think about it. If you don't Be sensible, if you beg Ben Bo in the future, Ben Bo won't give you face either! Let's go!"

After finishing speaking, Zhang Yanling walked away with a haughty look.

……

……

As soon as Zhang Yanling left, Chen Rui looked embarrassed.

Zhang Yanling knew about the fact that he was drunk and sent his daughter out, and he couldn't hold back his old face.

He also wanted to explain to Zhu Feng, Zhu Feng said: "If Uncle Pingjiang really intends to marry someone, why don't you ask Uncle Jianchang?"

Chen Rui said: "You don't know how famous their Zhang family is in the court? That's... that they killed my daughter."

Zhu Feng gave him a blank look.

What kind of father are you pretending to be?You gave your daughter to brother Zhang as a servant girl, so you didn't harm your daughter?

It's a drunken joke, but there's no reason to take back the water that was spilled when you say it.

"Zhijie, don't you want someone to give you advice in the future? Your Zhu family and my Chen family are in the same family." Chen Rui continued to talk.

Zhu Feng suddenly thought of something, and muttered: "The Chen family?"

Chen Rui frowned.

What's your kid's name?

Not the Chen family, could it be the Wang family and the Li family?
"Uncle Ping Jiang, when was your daughter...a widow?" Zhu Feng suddenly asked with great interest, uncharacteristically.

Chen Rui was a little uncomfortable with the change in Zhu Feng's attitude, and said impatiently: "Last year. However, she and her deceased husband stayed together less and more often. In the past two or three years, they have not seen each other, so they have no heirs. This is also to blame for Wang Weining, He Lanshan In the First World War, he made great achievements, but made my daughter a widow!"

"Oh."

Zhu Feng nodded and stopped asking.

Chen Rui asked: "Why do you ask this?"

Zhu Fengdao: "Brother Zhang, that is, Mr. Zhang, once asked me if I knew a girl from the Chen family, and later said that he was destined for me..."

"Really?" Chen Rui said pleasantly, "Look, even Mr. Zhang is trying to match you and my family."

Zhu Feng shook his head: "When he said this, it was still early, and it should have nothing to do with your Chen family."

"Uh……"

There was a big embarrassment on Chen Rui's face.

Zhu Fengdao: "Uncle Ping Jiang, the matter of reconciliation with my wife is just a matter of writing a letter and going to the capital. The details will be decided after I return to the capital. You don't have to talk to me about it. Marriage is a big matter, and the matchmaker is ordered by my parents. In other words, even if you really have this intention, go and talk to my father, and please focus on military affairs. Don't mess up the matter."

"Cough cough."

Chen Rui felt that he was choked back by Zhu Feng.

I was thinking in my heart, even if I was once such a beautiful girl, I would not insult you at all when I married you, you are still so picky?
You deserve it!
Marry you, or it's really better to give it to Zhang Bingkuan as a servant girl!
(End of this chapter)