The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 430 Loyal and Competent
In the office of Shangshu of the Ministry of War in Nanjing.

Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao were listed on the left and right respectively, receiving Xu Yu and Shi Zan, while Yang Peng was sitting beside him, and Liu Jin and others were standing.

"Knowing that the Duke of Lai is about to leave for the north, I have nothing to give, so I specially prepared some small gifts." Xu Yu said with a smile, and glanced at Zhu Houzhao, "It is also used for the daily dispatch of the prince and the Duke of Lai to go north."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "Are you so polite?"

Zhang Zhou said: "No need."

Zhu Houzhao hurriedly said: "Don't, sir, you are not short, but there is still a shortage of students. Speaking of which, I have spent too much money on the way to the south, and I can't make ends meet. Liu Jin, right?"

"Yes, yes." Liu Jin couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Is this considered the prince of Ming Dynasty blatantly extorting bribes from ministers?If the emperor finds out...

Xu Yu hesitated to speak, and wanted to say something, but it seemed that it was difficult to speak in front of Zhu Houzhao.

Even Zhu Houzhao couldn't stand it anymore, and asked: "Wei Guogong, if you have something to ask, just ask directly. If I can't answer you, Mr. Zhang will answer you. When we leave, there is no such shop after passing this village." .”

Then Xu Yu said: "Mr. Lai Guo, I don't know who will take over the post of Nanjing Counselor for Military Affairs after you go north?"

Shi Zan and Yang Peng next to him also looked over eagerly. Obviously, the position of Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing is the highest among the six ministers in Nanjing. It is related to the military and political power structure in Nanjing. In Nanjing, he cultivated a person close to him to be the minister in order to obtain more political resources.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Such matters should be negotiated by the imperial court. Ask me directly, okay?"

Yang Peng said: "Master Zhang, who do you think is more suitable?"

Don't ask who it is, just ask who you like, so we can go to the event in advance.

Zhang Zhou seemed to be muttering to himself, and said with emotion: "The position of Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing has always been replaced by the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Nanjing. This is in line with the imperial court's arrangement. Am I right?"

"It seems to be." Xu Chu said.

The Shangshu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Nanjing was changed to the Shangshu of the Ministry of War. Before Zhang Zhou, Zhang Yue and Ni Yue were like this twice. If you say that Hou Zan, the Shangshu of the Southern Military Department before Zhang Yue, was changed by the Shangshu of the Southern Ministry of Industry... It can be said that The six books in Nanjing are actually very introverted, just such a group of people dispatching each other.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Now the Minister of the Ministry of Officials in Nanjing seems to be Qin Minyue, the right servant of the Ministry of Officials before?"

Yang Peng said with a smile: "Exactly, Qin Shangshu was transferred from the south of the capital last year. You should know Duke Lai, right?"

"No." Zhang Zhou said, "Qin Shangshu was transferred to the south in August last year. At that time, I was just a new scholar, and I was still dealing with military affairs in the northwest. I haven't had the opportunity to have much friendship with these ministers in the court."

Zhang Zhou was really right about this.

He really has no friendship with Qin Minyue. If Qin Minyue belongs to the traditional faction, it is not always true. Otherwise, he would not be transferred directly from the position of the right servant of the Ministry of Officials to Nanjing. Normally, he should be the left servant, and then go to the six ministers of the north. Seat changed.

But who made Zhang Zhou soar into the sky later, and even the traditional civil servant faction formed an involution?
The main reason is that the emperor wants to give up part of the position of minister of ministers to Zhang Zhou's people, such as Lin Han who was previously the minister of the Ministry of officials and was promoted to minister of the Ministry of rites... To allocate part of the position, what traditional civil servants can occupy There are even fewer positions. For a fringe figure like Qin Minyue, it is a great deal of face for him to have the opportunity to be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials in Nanjing.

If you want to ask the ministers of the court, do you want to be the Zuo Shilang of the Sixth Northern Division, or the Shangshu of the Sixth Division of Nanjing... Of course, it is the Zuo Shilang of the Sixth Northern Division.

This is roughly equivalent to the fact that the Northern Sixth Department's Minister is greater than the Northern Sixth Department's Zuo Shilang, and then the Nanjing Sixth Department's Minister, and then the Northern Sixth Department's Right Minister. To see if a person has a chance to be promoted to the Northern Sixth Department's Minister, it depends on whether he is the Northern Sixth Department's Zuo Shilang. Just transfer to Nanjing.

Of course, this rule is not always the case, but most of the time it works.

Xu Wu asked: "You don't have much friendship with Qin Butang, does that mean that he... has other assignments?"

"Haha." Before Zhang Zhou could answer, Zhu Houzhao's face blossomed with joy. For Zhu Houzhao, this was the first time he had encountered such a "deep" topic, and it actually involved the appointment and dismissal of ministers in the court. It was still so high-sounding. Open discussion here?

Zhang Zhoudao: "The prince's smile made me feel that you have your own opinion?"

"Hey hey..." Zhu Houzhao said with a smile, "Forgive me, sir, I just thought it was fun. Qin Shangshu of the Nanjing Ministry of Civil Affairs is not friendly with you, so Wei Guogong asked him if he had other assignments, which means that he is not qualified to be the Minister of the Nanjing Ministry of War. ?”

"Ah? Crown Prince, this old minister doesn't mean that." Xu Chu quickly denied it when a ten-year-old brat heard the implication in his words.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Don't dare to admit it if you dare to say it? Don't you think the prince heard it wrong?"

"No……"

This made Xu Chu very embarrassed. He could not say that the prince's understanding was not good enough, and he could not admit that what the prince said was his own.

He couldn't help but feel that some things should not be asked, especially in front of the Crown Prince of Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Duke Wei's question is indeed a bit inappropriate. The imperial court's dispatch of Qin Shangshu naturally depends on where there is need. We are all screws. Where there is need, we will go to support it."

Zhu Houzhao asked with wide eyes, "What's a screw?"

Zhang Zhou explained: "It's almost like tenon and tenon."

Zhu Houzhao muttered: "They are all mortise and tenon joints. How can they be inserted where? The text is wrong."

Xu Yu and others understood a little bit. Anyway, Zhang Zhou didn't want to say who the successor was, but unexpectedly expressed that Qin Minyue, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, probably would not be transferred to the Minister of the Ministry of War of Nanjing and counselor for military affairs according to the rules.

Shi Zan asked: "Then I don't know who the Nanjing garrison will be in the future?"

Xu Yu hastily said: "Uncle Huairou, your question is inappropriate."

It’s fine to ask the Minister of the Ministry of War of Nanjing, but even the garrison minister wants to ask, and the job you asked is still on me, Xu, you just want to ask, is there anyone to replace me, right?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I can answer this. Isn't Duke Cheng already on his way to Nanjing?"

"what?"

Zhang Zhou's direct answer made Xu Chu a little overwhelmed.

It’s over.

The garrison job in Nanjing is just gone, and Zhang Bingkuan said it directly in front of my subordinates. It probably means that I don’t like the appreciation of the emperor and Zhang Bingkuan, and he was so decisive when he replaced me.

"Your Majesty has another important role for Wei Guogong." Zhang Zhou added, "In order to complete the shipbuilding of Jinghai in the Ming Dynasty, Wei Guogong will be in charge of the left army's governor's office, admiring military affairs, and cooperating with the court to handle it."

Xu Wu's waist was a little collapsed at first, but when he heard this, his waist suddenly straightened up a little.

The rules for Nanjing’s garrison officials are to take charge of the Nanjing Central Army’s Governor’s Mansion and change it to the Left Army’s Governor’s Mansion. Although it has been downgraded by one level, it still stays in Nanjing, which means that it does not need to be transferred back to the capital for use. official.

Shi Zan was confused and asked, "Jinghai?"

In Shi Zan's opinion, are these eight poles worth fighting?Jinghai is Daming's priority?

If it is just to keep Xu Yu's status as a "big border official", letting him go to Jinghai is a bit of a fool. It seems that it is much better for you to give him an admiral to supervise the military affairs of Guangdong and Guangxi than to be in charge of Jinghai, or it is better to be transferred. Go back to the capital and use it.

Zhang Zhou asked: "Has Tang Yin been in the city these two days?"

Yang Peng said: "Tang Zhongcheng has been traveling around Nanjing very frequently recently, and even went to Suzhou Mansion. He has raised no less than 20 taels of silver for shipbuilding, and there are also a large number of manpower and material resources, which have already begun to be dispatched to the coast of Zhejiang. "

"20 taels, not a lot." Shi Zan sighed.

Zhang Zhou wanted to say that many people donated the 20 taels because of Zhang Zhou's face, and it was also an investment. After the ship was successfully built and went to sea, some of the things they got would be distributed to them.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Nanjing Zuojun Commander's Mansion, under the jurisdiction of the coastal guards, will also recruit 7000 soldiers to be responsible for shipbuilding along the coast of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. In fact, the shipyard has already opened on the northern Bohai Sea line. The money and food raised by the imperial court will continue. In place, this is the most important thing for His Majesty in the future."

Shi Zan asked: "Your Majesty attaches so much importance to it, I don't know... whom?"

This is also a topic that Xu Chu cares about.

They always say that I should be in charge of Jinghai, but the problem is that from the Ming Dynasty to the Hongzhi period, the pirates and Japanese pirates on the southeast coast were not a problem at all. It was a major social problem that gradually formed during the Jiajing period. You can let me go now , I have absolutely no idea what to do.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Is what your majesty wants to be the one who will calm who? You have never thought about why your majesty asked me to take care of this matter? Do you know that when I go south to Nanjing, I have another important errand, which is to find Panacea?"

"Cough cough cough..."

Xu Wu's breath was not smooth, and he coughed violently.

Big gasp than this.

Zhang Bingkuan, Zhang Bingkuan, in our eyes, you are a model of a capable minister, but why do you insist on turning yourself to the courtier?If you don't tell me, we have all forgotten that you started out by calculating the secrets of heaven with alchemy.

Yang Peng said with a look of surprise: "So, Lord Lai, do you know where such items are?"

"Not necessarily, but I always have to look for it, otherwise why would I go south?" Zhang Zhou replied with a smile.

Shi Zan said: "If it takes a lot of time to repair the ship and send troops to sea with the illusory fairy grass that becomes immortal and attains the Tao, will it be..."

He didn't finish the sentence, which meant that you, Mr. Lai, are not afraid of incurring the infamy of the world?
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, do you really think there is any fairy grass?I was just looking for a cover to go to sea to find the New World, bring back the minerals, primary industrial products, and food crops of the New World, and prepare for the conquest of the New World.

Xu Yu said with a smile: "Since it is what His Majesty wishes, this old man is still willing to work hard for it."

At this point, Xu Chu was relieved of his previous displeasure, and immediately smiled, as if he had found the goal of his life again.

It can only be said that Xu Chu's expectations for his future errands were actually not high.

The position of Nanjing guard, the emperor will return it to Cheng Guogong sooner or later. In history, when Xu Yu voluntarily resigned from his post as Nanjing guard in the 13th year of Hongzhi, he asked to guard Xiaoling. Once Xunchen returned to the capital, it was like the eagle's claws had been pulled out, there was no place to jump around.

Now Zhang Zhou has said that staying in Nanjing and working hard to help the emperor find the fairy grass is much more meaningful than staying in the Lingling Tomb.

If someone told him to find some fairy grass, he would definitely think it was nonsense.

But if what Zhang Zhou said... Maybe it is true given Zhang Zhou's previous accomplishments in heresy?The point is, the emperor believes that this is true, can ordinary people gain the emperor's trust to be responsible for such important errands?

Who would dare to say that Xu Chu was left out by the emperor?
……

……

After the meeting.

A big problem in the mind of the Nanjing military was partially explained, that is, Cheng Guogong came back to replace Wei Guogong to defend Nanjing.

Who is the Shangshu of the Nanjing Ministry of War is still pending for the time being, but anyone can imagine that the new Shangshu of the Nanjing Ministry of War must have a great connection with Zhang Zhou.

After Xu Yu and the others left, Zhu Houzhao also ran back to play. Zhang Zhou prepared some gadgets for him, and asked him to have a sustenance on the way back to Beijing.

Yang Peng reported the details of investigating Ning Fan to Zhang Zhou.

"...Not only the King of Zhongling, but also many clans of Ning Fan seem to have unruly intentions. It is said that in the past few decades, a lot of iron objects have been transported to Nanchang City, and their whereabouts are unknown. These iron objects may have been Forged weapons privately."

"There are also people from Ning Fan who have been buying saltpeter and other things in Nanjing. Some people even want to get the formula of mighty sky gunpowder. I heard that in the north, some craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry you brought out have been bought by Ning Fan. Or part of the formula has been leaked."

Yang Peng didn't know if he didn't check, but he was shocked when he checked.

Zhang Zhou smiled and listened, as if he didn't think it was so strange.

In fact, the rebellion of King Ning has been prepared in history since the first generation of King Ning. When the next generations of King Ning succeeded to the throne, they were warned that one day they would take revenge for seizing military power and breaking promises. .

Prince Ning's rebellion was definitely not something that Zhu Chenhao's generation could accomplish.

Of course, King Ning's guards were deprived, they could not train soldiers in public, they could only forge weapons first, and also reserve strategic resources for the accumulation of wealth.

It was precisely because of Ning Fan's wealth and wealth that Zhu Chenhao was able to buy more local gentry during the Zhengde period, and even used this to win the hearts of scholars. At that time, Tang Yin was attracted by the generous rewards.

As for Zhu Chenhao's ambitions for rebellion, he hadn't kept it too secret, because all the emperors of the Ming Dynasty knew that Ning Fan was dissatisfied with the court, otherwise why would he accept his right to guard?
Moreover, even an ignorant scholar like Tang Yin could detect Zhu Chenhao's conspiracy before his rebellion, and people related to King Ning reported his rebellion in advance, which also shows... Zhu Chenhao was almost Under the banner of openness, he is against the court.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Before I came, Your Majesty had said something beforehand. If you find any unruly vassals, you can take them down on the spot and escort them to Nanjing to wait for interrogation."

Yang Peng was surprised and said: "On the matter of the vassal clan, only the clan mansion is qualified to review it. If you... do this, I'm afraid it will cause public anger."

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Who told me that I was born to be hated by others? Besides, King Zhongling forged weapons privately, which has already been implemented, right? Is there a problem with Dongchang's order to arrest people?"

"But I'm afraid that Ning Fan's Patriarch...he won't agree."

Yang Peng was worried.

Take King Zhongling away directly from Nanchang, can Ning Fan's parents, the current King Ning Zhu Chenhao, agree?
No matter how powerful our Dongchang is, it is for ordinary courtiers. When we meet these powerful figures of the vassal clan, we will be unable to do what we want.

Zhang Zhoudao: "King Ning has not been on the throne for long. Even if he knew that King Zhongling was investigated, he would only think that this was His Majesty's beating on him. Could it be that he still dares to act recklessly? There is no need to be afraid of making trouble, anyway, Nanchang If we can find out that Ning Fan is casting weapons as a whole, if we find out, we will arrest one by one, and there will be no mercy."

"You really are..." Yang Peng couldn't help but sigh after hearing this, "Fearless."

This is all pretty good.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Otherwise, what do you call sharing your majesty's worries? I also follow the rules in doing things. If there is no evidence, I don't want to intervene casually. But once I get caught, I won't make them feel better."

"Yes, yes." Yang Peng sweated for Zhang Zhou.

There is no one who dares to fight against the vassal of the Ming Dynasty except Zhang Zhou.

No matter how awesome Li Guang was before, would he dare to offend Zong Fan?

Could it be said that this alchemist who was born in Confucianism is even more courageous than others?

……

……

Ningxia Town.

Yang Yiqing had been waiting for the report of his dismissal and investigation for many days, so that he had no intention of handling official duties.

Zhu Feng didn't seem to care about anything.

Daming sent reinforcements from all over the country to go north, but Ningxia stayed on the road. Even Qin Hong sent someone to urge him, but Yang Yiqing refused on the grounds that Ningxia suffered a lot of damage and needed to check for omissions and make up for it.

It is to highlight a personality.

I can't beat it during the fight, and I don't want to commit crimes and meritorious deeds after the fight. Anyway, it's like this, whether it's because I was born at the wrong time, or "meeting people is not kind", what else can I do?
The emperor's expectations for the Northwest are completely beyond what ordinary ministers can bear, and Zhu Zhijie, a commander in chief who is only famous but not shit, it's strange that I can get well.

It was the day when the imperial edict was finally delivered, and Yang Yiqing was surprised that...he was retained.

and……

Also received an award.

Zhu Feng, the commander-in-chief, was also commended. In the imperial edict, the emperor praised the "loyalty" and "competence" of the civil and military pair.

"Yang Zhongcheng, we are all defeated, why does His Majesty reward us?" Zhu Feng's words in front of Yang Yiqing made Yang Yiqing feel that this was a fool.

Yang Yiqing said: "Marquis An Bian, now that the grassland is victorious, His Majesty is not going to blame us for the past. From the perspective of the overall strategy, we have held back the main force of the little Tatar prince, which can be regarded as laying the foundation for the overall victory."

When Yang Yiqing said this from his own mouth, he couldn't believe it.

can only say……

For the sake of face and the morale of the army, the emperor didn't mind haggling with them.

(End of this chapter)