The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 218
After seeing Zhu Feng, Chen Rui left the tent of the Chinese army and went back to the tent where he slept. Before he could sit down and have a sip of tea, Zhang Yong came.

"Eunuch Zhang?"

The person Chen Rui feared the most in the army was naturally the minister next to the queen and the middle official who helped Wang Weining achieve a great victory.

Zhang Yong motioned Chen Rui not to be too polite, and then sat down.

"Uncle Ping Jiang, you just went to see Uncle An Bian, and our family already knows what you said."

After Zhang Yong finished speaking, Chen Rui became cautious.

At that time, apart from Zhang Yanling eavesdropping on a passage, did the walls have ears?
It seems that Zhang Yong, the eunuch who supervises the army, is still very competent, and he keeps an eye on them all the time.

Zhang Yongdao: "I heard that you gave your daughter to Mr. Zhang, why do you want to talk about marriage with An Bianbo?"

"This..." Chen Rui didn't know Zhang Yong's intentions, and it was hard to explain.

It's a bit like marrying a daughter to two families. Although it's not considered a betrothal to Zhang Zhou, it is reasonable to say that you can't go back on your promise to go out.

"Ling Ai is already under the name of Mr. Zhang, didn't they all be sent to the house? Don't blame our family for talking too much. Before our family leaves the capital, some colleagues will tell our family about this kind of thing. If you I want to repent by marrying An Bianbo, and I advise you to stop thinking about it as soon as possible. Because of this, His Majesty also knows about it."

Zhang Yong actually came to persuade Chen Rui not to mess around.

The emperor asked you to come to Liaodong to lead the army, and gave you a chance to pay off your merits. Do you think there are no prerequisites?

Are you giving Zhang Zhou a gift?The emperor depends on your attitude in giving gifts. If you can sincerely serve Zhang Zhou, the emperor will feel that you are one of his own.

As a result, you just said that you would give your daughter to Zhang Zhou...Let's not talk about Zhang Zhou's attitude towards this, but if you go back on your word, then you are causing trouble for yourself.

"The last general has been taught." Chen Rui quickly showed a gesture of sincerity and fear.

Zhang Yong sighed: "What's so good about Uncle An Bian? It's just a vase. There are many vases in the world, and you have to support this vase after marrying him. Why don't you find a good backer, and you can enjoy the shade under the big tree." .”

Zhang Yong was reminding Chen Rui.

You picked the wrong target.

It seems that marrying Zhu Feng is a good thing for you, but in fact Zhu Feng has no ability at all, and Zhang Zhou is all supporting him.

You can't do it right at the beginning, and then think about hurting your old face, and then regret it.

"Yes, yes." Chen Rui continued to answer.

Zhang Yong said with a smile: "If we can win this battle, our family will rely more on you in the future."

"Eunuch Zhang's promotion of the last general should be the last general for you to drive." Chen Rui also saw that Zhang Yong also wanted to take him in.

Doesn't Zhang Yong want to win over Wang Weining?
But what is Wang Weining's identity?Although Wang Weining likes to curry favor with middle officials, the one he likes to curry favor with the most is either Dai Yi or Chen Kuan.

Now Wang Weining has obviously flattered Zhang Zhou, and Zhang Yong is only showing respect to him in terms of etiquette. Zhang Yong wants to make achievements in the military in the future. Their background in the army.

Chen Rui also seemed to understand why Zhang Yong wanted to give him some advice on sending his daughter away, because the interests of the two were common.

……

……

March [-].

Early in the morning, all the tributes gathered at the left gate of Chang'an.

This place is also called "Dragon Gate", because every time the palace examinations are made, the yellow and gold lists are hung here. For the scholars in the world, this is the symbol of the carp jumping over the Dragon Gate. This time, every tribute comes here. They all look happy.

Basically, there are no candidates who fail the palace examination. Even if there are some who fail the palace examination, it is basically because of the sudden death of their parents, they have to go back to guard, or they have a sudden serious illness or belch.

Gongshi who did not participate in the palace examination will also be released as Jinshi after the expiration of the guard system, which has always been the case in the Ming Dynasty.

"Everyone, have you heard? It is said that after this palace examination, Shu Jishi will not be selected. It seems that there is no possibility of selection other than Zhongdingjia."

The gold list has not yet been hung, and the tributes have not yet lined up, so they are exchanging news with each other.

What concerned them the most was the selection of the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty, and the selection exam for Shujishi was cancelled.

After hearing this news, many people also turned their hostile eyes on Tang Yin, because the rumors outside have basically described this matter. question.

It turned out that Zhang Zhou was also involved in the case.

But if the examinee wanted to hate him, he couldn't hate Zhang Zhou, even if it was this kind of anger, he still had to pinch Tang Yin, a soft persimmon.

"Bing Kuan."

Zhang Zhou was still standing there with his eyes closed, Lin Ting came over and saluted Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou smiled and cupped his hands: "Brother Lin."

Lin Tingdao: "I was embarrassed to ask you in front of people before, the poem about sister-in-law..."

No talking nonsense, anyway, the palace exams are over, only the results are still pending, so Lin Ting is now straight-forward to ask about the poem.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Didn't your sister write it?"

"Bingkuan, Ming people don't say dark words, and my sister has been troubled a lot by this matter, please clear up your doubts." Lin Ting was also polite.

You Zhang Zhou claimed that my sister wrote a poem. If you don’t blow your beard and stare at you, you can’t see any malice on your part, but literati will also seek truth from facts.

Zhang Zhou shook his head: "Actually, brother Lin, you shouldn't ask, do you have to say something clearly?"

"that is you……"

Lin Ting is also a smart person.

Since it wasn't written by my sister, and no one else has admitted that it was written by him, it can only be Zhang Zhou's masterpiece?

Zhang Zhou didn't deny it, which was tantamount to admitting it.

Lin Ting said: "Then why don't you..."

Zhang Zhoudao: "Fame is like floating clouds to me, let's talk about false fame. If you don't understand, brother Lin, maybe you can ask your father for advice."

"Father?" Lin Ting was puzzled.

Is this my father's instruction?

Zhang Zhou actually told him that your father still thought that the Queen Mother Zhou asked me to do this. In fact, I just wanted to get rid of your sister as soon as possible so that she would not let her pester me... Sure enough, the personalities of your family are all in the same line. People make trouble.

It's not that a family doesn't enter a house.

"It's on the list!"

Just as he was talking, an official from the Ministry of Rites came out at the door, holding a gold list, ready to announce it.

After that, they will line up and enter the palace to prepare to participate in the Ceremony of Biography.

……

……

Inside Fengtian Temple.

The court meeting is still in progress, and the focus of the day's topic is that Zhu Fu, the censor of the northwest, can't hold out after he arrives in Yansui.

Zhu Youtang sent Xiao Jing to harass Zhang Zhou last night, and this is the key point.

It’s not that Zhu Fu will be safe and sound if the emperor doesn’t hold Zhu Fu accountable. In fact, Ke Dao’s officials are clear about what he did in the northwest. Big, you will be impeached if you don't send troops, it depends on what the emperor decides.

"Gentlemen, even if Cheng Guogong didn't benefit in Yansui, at least he didn't cause the place to be robbed, didn't he?"

Zhu Youtang will still say a few words for Zhu Fu when it comes to Zhu Fu's issue.

Zhang Zhou didn't favor Zhu Fu, but the emperor would feel that this is the commander-in-chief appointed by me. If he didn't make a big mistake, why do you want me to send Zhu Fu who has just been transferred to the northwest? Dismissal investigation?
Ma Wensheng, Minister of the Ministry of War, said: "Your Majesty, Yansui involves hundreds of thousands of acres of surrounding farmland. If the Tatars continue to retreat and the frontier army continues to remain silent, it may affect spring sowing and summer harvest. Take strict precautions, and perhaps drive away the Tatar raiders and horses.”

Ma Wensheng also did not support directly sending troops to the grassland.

But Zhu Fu always shrank his soldiers and horses in the pass, and he was even more opposed.

When the Tatars came, it was fine if they didn’t engage in battle. They didn’t even chase after them, and there was no real confrontation between the two sides. Now the people and animals around Yansui are protected by fortresses, but there are no walls around the fields. The Tatar cavalry wants to To trample is to trample.

Xie Qian also came out and said: "Your Majesty, the most important military deployment on the nine frontiers should be transferred to Yansui, Ningxia and Guyuan."

After all, the minister still has opinions on the emperor's ambush in Liaodong.

I have never heard of the reason why Ming puts the defense of Liaodong as the top priority. After all, Daming only set up a governor in Jiliao, and has never set up a general level. The little Tatar prince Batu Mengke has never been to Liaodong. Why listen to Zhang Zhou and shift the focus?

Zhu Youtang said: "The Tatars don't intend to invade the country on a large scale around Yansui. Most of them are just rumors that the grass and trees are all soldiers. Let's talk about it when something really happens."

The emperor ignored the suggestions of Ma Wensheng and Xie Qian.

In other words, there is no need to pay attention to it at all.

I meant to tell Zhu Feng to go to Ningyuan to prepare for the war, but does this affect the situation in the Northwest?Isn't the local people in Liaodong used to prepare for the war?

You have to say that the focus of defense in the border area of ​​Ming Dynasty has shifted, and I didn't say that Wang Weining was transferred to Liaodong, right?
Now if we want to make a fuss about Zhu Fu shrinking in Yansui, it would be better to ask Zhen to send more troops to the three sides, but Bingkuan has said that even if the grassland tribes encounter natural and man-made disasters, they will not If you dare to violate the border on a large scale, since you know that there will be no major incidents over there, why should you strengthen your defenses?
Could it be that the cost of allocating money, food and materials to the three sides is small?
……

……

The monarchs and ministers were a little stiff on the issue of the key points of using troops on the nine sides.

Then came the Ceremony of Chuanlu.

When the court meeting was about to end, Xiao Jing went to the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, all the tribute students have been waiting outside the hall on both sides, please appoint your Majesty."

Zhu Youtang felt a little better when he thought that Zhang Zhou was going to win the first prize today, and said with a smile, "Everyone, there is a matter of passing on the coffins today, so let's put the matter of the frontier aside first. We will talk about it tomorrow."

At first glance, there is nothing wrong with this.

Since there are no major issues in the northwest, let's discuss in detail tomorrow, and today the focus is on spreading the truth.

But some people feel that the emperor's words are ambiguous.

Why don't you say it today, but wait until tomorrow?And what's the matter with the smile on your face, Your Majesty?Your Majesty, you don't mean to say that Zhang Bingkuan will enter the court as a Jinshi tomorrow, and we can discuss it together when he is by his side?

Ministers are more sensitive than anyone else when it comes to court affairs.

Especially those who can reach the level of elders and ministers. If they don't have the awareness of party unity and dissent, they probably don't know how they fell.

……

……

The Ceremony of Chuanlu.

When the tribute students entered the palace last time, they were still sorted according to the results of the general examination.

Not this time.

Just line up based on the results of the palace examination. Anyway, the yellow list has been posted.

There are 150 people on each side, Zhang Zhou is the leader on the left, and Lun Wenxu is the leader on the right as the second place.

The two teams stood for a while in front of the Fengtian Hall where they participated in the palace examination, but they saw Xiao Jing coming out of the hall, and then all the ministers of civil and military affairs were also lined up on both sides of the front of the Fengtian Hall, in front of the [-] new scholars.

The emperor's throne was also rearranged in front of Fengtian Hall.

The biography begins.

Play Zhonghe Shaoyue first.

A man who belonged to Guanglu Temple and was dressed as a ceremonial guard came out, held a static whip, and danced the whip three times.

This is to remind those present to be quiet.

To increase the sense of solemnity.

Then the live music turned to Danbi Dale, and the atmosphere instantly became high-spirited.

Because there is a vacancy for the minister of Honglu Temple at the moment, Li Nai, the minister of Guanglu Temple, came forward to announce the "Zhi".

The so-called system is equivalent to the imperial decree.

"Jiaxu in the third month of the Jiwei year, I personally planned to test the tribute scholars from all over the world outside the palace pavilion. The first class will be awarded Jinshi and rank, the second class will be awarded Jinshi's background, and the third class will be awarded with Jinshi's background."

Proclamation completed.

Liu Jian, the chief assistant of the cabinet, handed the three papers to the emperor.

Make a show, which means that the emperor has personally checked your papers now, and you are the disciples of the Son of Heaven.

First, there is the list of "Jinshi Jidi". The emperor opened the paper and read out the person's name in person, and then the eunuch standing in front of the emperor made a public announcement, and then six Jinyiwei with loud voices shouted together, announcing the person's ranking and name. Shout out, and the temple official Honglu walked over to lead this person out of the row, changing from two rows to one row.

"Jinshi Jidi, First Class No.1, Zhang Zhou!"

"Jinshi Jidi, First Class No.1, Zhang Zhou!"

"Jinshi Jidi, First Class No.1, Zhang Zhou!"

A first-class Jinshi read it three times in a row.

The second and third grades are only announced once, and no one goes to lead the way. Those in the back row may not be able to hear what is being read, but everyone knows what their ranking is, and they only need to go out after a while. Just list it.

……

……

Zhang Zhou was the champion.

stand at the forefront.

Every time Zhu Youtang looked at a name, he raised his head and looked at Zhang Zhou, as if Zhang Zhou was standing there, which could make him feel at ease.

Wait for the names of 300 people to be read out.

All the civil and military officials present and Xinke Scholars were required to salute the emperor.

Zhu Youtang was very excited, and said on the spot: "My dear family, you are a model of Ming scholars. After entering the court, you should serve the court with all your heart. Tomorrow, I will give you a banquet at the Ministry of Rites, and order the Grand Master and Prince Taishi Yinggong Zhang Mao, host the banquet at the Ministry of Rites."

"According to the order."

Zhang Mao went out to take the order.

It has long been a rule that the head of the martial arts presides over the Enrong Banquet. In the past three years, six years, and nine years of Hongzhi, the Enrong Banquets held on the day after the palace examination were all hosted by Zhang Mao.

In the past, Zhang Mao thought it was a routine at most, but this time it was different. Among Jinshi, there was a maverick Zhang Zhou. Perhaps Zhang Zhou had a higher status in the emperor's heart than these old fellows. Being able to host it will give yourself a lot of face.

……

……

The biography is over.

Zhu Youtang originally meant to call Zhang Zhou to the Qianqing Palace to talk, but it was Dai Yi who reminded him that now that Zhang Zhou has just become a Jinshi, he should wait for the series of activities of the Xinke Jinshi to end before giving Zhang Zhou the position of compiling in the History Museum of the Imperial Academy After that, transfer Zhang Zhou into the palace.

For the time being, Zhu Youtang resisted the urge to discuss matters with Zhang Zhou.

Under the guidance of the officials of the Ministry of Rites, all the Jinshi of Xinke left the left gate of Chang'an.

As soon as they came out, everyone began to congratulate each other.

The higher the ranking, the more courtesies they will receive from others, and Zhang Zhou, as the number one scholar, will be surrounded by no less people than on the day the palace examination ended.

"Mr. Zhang."

Before he could say a few words here, someone suddenly called Zhang Zhou.

Turning around, Xiao Jing came over with a smile on his face.

The other Jinshi had no experience in dealing with Zhongguan, so they all stepped aside, but they didn't go far. They all wanted to know who this Zhongguan was and why he came to find Zhang Zhou.

"Eunuch Xiao."

"Mr. Zhang, you are welcome. Our family is here to remind you a few words. Originally, the people from the Ministry of Rites should tell you these words."

Xiao Jing seemed very enthusiastic.

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, you know you shouldn't come to remind me, but you are here, this is not helping me to improve my face, but causing trouble for me.

Do you know that Jinshi in the same discipline will treat me as a different kind?
Xiao Jing didn't think so, and said with a smile: "Tomorrow 22th is the honor banquet, and [-]th imperial crowns and treasures are bestowed on you. On [-], you need to express your gratitude with all the new scholars. Officer wait."

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Eunuch Xiao is overthinking, I know all these things. Besides, it's not my business alone."

"Oh, Mr. Zhang, isn't it because you are just a Jinshi, and some things can't be done well? If you need help from our family, just say it."

Xiao Jing just finished speaking.

But I saw Wu Xun, the civil servant who had participated in the court meeting before, also came out of the palace gate. These people were of high status. As soon as they came out, they directly got into their own carriages and sedan chairs and left, and they would not accept the homage of ordinary Jinshi.

However, some people still walked towards the Jinshi.

The leader was Zhang Mao who had just been ordered to host the Enrong Banquet in Japan.

"Haha, Bingkuan, congratulations."

Zhang Mao, like Xiao Jing, did not shy away from so many Jinshi of new subjects present. He showed that he was familiar with Zhang Zhou, and walked all the way to Zhang Zhou with a loud voice.

Zhang Zhou had no choice but to go to the ceremony with Zhang Mao.

"Eunuch Xiao, do you... have orders?" Zhang Mao looked at Xiao Jing.

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang will naturally have to be busy after he is admitted to the university. Please don't make trouble for him."

"That's it, that's it." Zhang Mao was pondering.

You are the one who caused trouble for this kid, right?I greet my nephew Bingkuan, is it in your way?

Zhang Maodao: "Bingkuan, it seems that you are not prepared for this, why don't I lend you a horse, let you ride on the horse, and walk around East Chang'an Avenue, the scenery is beautiful, what do you think?"

"Oh, no need."

Zhang Zhou was ashamed.

There is no tradition of parading champions in Ming Dynasty, or this is not an imperial examination project at all.

Zhang Mao belongs to ingenuity.

Zhang Zhou wants to say, old man Zhang, have you watched too many Southern dramas?

Xiao Jing said with a smile: "What the British official said is very true. Mr. Zhang is the number one scholar in high school. How can he not make his name known? But I don't know how to tell the people around the capital."

"You two, I just got the honor of being a Jinshi, and there are a lot of entertainments at the house, and there will be an honor banquet tomorrow, can I let you go back and make some preparations?"

What Zhang Zhou meant was.

Whether I am the number one scholar or not is my own business, so there is no need for you two to worry about it, and there is no need to be courteous to me.

(End of this chapter)