The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 433
Zhu Houzhao is about to leave for Beijing.

But he always wanted Zhang Zhou to go with him, which meant "I won't go back if you don't come with me", and he was inseparable from Zhang Zhou for a few days. Never picked up a book.

"Xin Xue is now admired by many people. I want to go out to give lectures, but I am afraid that the lectures will not be good. My husband will not make up a lecture for me. I also want to go out and write poems. Many people think that I did not write the poems. I really want to prove it."

Zhu Houzhao's mind was a little uncertain, and it seemed that he was pretending to be forceful and not enjoying himself.

The three poems given to him by Zhang Zhou before, he used them to show people in front of people, but when others knew that he was the prince, they thought he was using his power to steal. There are different opinions in the world about the real author behind the three poems , which also made Zhu Houzhao very depressed.

Just because I am a prince and I am younger, the poems I write cannot be written by me?
Of course, I didn't write it per se, but it definitely came from my handwriting.

On this day, Zhu Houzhao went to the opening ceremony of a store in Nanjing with Zhang Zhou. This is Zhang Zhou's first chain of stores in Nanjing. It is the only one in this world.

At the end of the previous ceremony, Zhang Zhou didn't let Zhu Houzhao go out to show his face, because Zhu Houzhao had already shown his face in front of the scholars in Nanjing City, and someone knew him.

It was Zhang Zhou's father-in-law Jiang Dezhong who presided over the opening. After Jiang Dezhong finished the previous work, he hurried to the back to salute Zhu Houzhao.

"He's good at doing business, can he earn a lot of money a year?"

Zhu Hou looked at Jiang Dezhong with a look of interest.

Jiang Dezhong hurriedly said: "If you go back to Your Highness, the grassroots will only earn hard money after a year, and they can barely support their families."

Zhu Houzhao said: "It looks like I'm fooling people. Don't you know that you are the prince? You and Mr. Zhang opened the mine together. It seems that you have made a lot of money, right? Let me tell you, I also own shares in this company, and I still own half of it. Don't I thought that only Mr. Zhang was your boss, and so did I."

Zhang Zhou explained: "The head of Jiang's family is not my shopkeeper, he just came to help. There will be a special person in charge of business matters."

Zhu Houzhao curled his lips. He obviously didn't like Jiang Dezhong, a philistine and slippery person.

And Jiang Dezhong still felt good about himself, pretending to be a grandson in front of the prince, and the result was that the prince felt that he was not sincere, which was equivalent to saying that Zhang Zhou gave him a good opportunity to make him look familiar in front of the prince, but because His own intentions were dishonest, but the prince loathed him.

……

……

Jiang Dezhong was not the only one who followed Zhang Zhou to Nanjing, but also Chen's daughter.

The Chen family came with them, mainly because Zhang Zhou wanted to expand the business in Nanjing City. In the future, Tang Yin might stay in Jiangsu and Zhejiang for more shipbuilding and training naval forces, etc., which required a huge amount of money as a supply.

Relying on Jiang Dezhong alone, even Zhang Zhou felt that it was unreliable. He wanted to form an internal competition and make old man Jiang feel a sense of crisis.

Chen's daughter is responsible for the transformation of industrial products, that is, bringing some non-ferrous metal products to the south of the Yangtze River for sale, most of which are sold as mature industrial products, and at the same time, as the material supplier behind the shipyard, they are transported from both sides of the river A large amount of wood and stone were transported to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Jiang Dezhong was not entrusted with important tasks in this matter.

Just let Jiang Dezhong come to see the prince, and Zhang Zhou just let old man Jiang think that now the shipbuilding is to make money through the business name, after all, the prince is involved in it, but in fact it is not, it is just a cover.

If outsiders want to pay attention to Zhang Zhou making money behind his back and criticize him based on this, they will definitely make a fuss about the business name, so Zhang Zhou can suspend the business name at any time, and it will not have a big impact on his hematopoietic ability. It can be said that it created favorable conditions for Tang Yin to build ships and go to sea with large ships.

On the opening day of the firm, Yin Wu Xiong of Yingtian Mansion did not come, but Wei Guogong Xu Yu came in person, and with him, Cheng Guogong Zhu Fu who just arrived in Nanjing City yesterday.

The two are going to complete the handover.

Zhu Fu was here to take over the position of Nanjing's garrison officer. In fact, when Zhu Fu set off from the capital, the emperor hadn't asked him to serve as Nanjing's garrison, because according to Zhu Youtang's plan, once Wang Shouren went to war on the grassland, there would be no accident. It was to let Zhang Zhoulai be the Minister of Defense of Nanjing and Minister of the Ministry of War of Nanjing.

It's just that when Zhu Fu was halfway, Wang Shouren's good news came, and Zhu Youtang also sent a letter to Zhu Fu on a fast horse, so that he could come to Nanjing City to replace Xu Yu, and at the same time, he also replaced Xu Yu as the commander-in-chief of Jinghai. Things come through.

"Such an inconspicuous shop, from the outside, doesn't look like a big business." After Xu Yu walked into the backyard, he was still feeling emotional.

Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao walked out of the back hall one after the other. Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "It's just a small business. As a courtier, how can I do business openly? It's just that my old Mount Tai has a small business in Nanjing City. I'll come and take a look. "

"Yes." Xu Chu smiled.

It's really shameful for an official to come out to do business directly.

This has become a struggle with the people.

But it's not accurate to say what benefits to compete with the people, because the things Zhang Zhou sells are simply not available on the market, and Zhang Zhou doesn't seem to like making those tacky products, although with his current status, he wants to sell them in the market. Playing a monopoly in the city of Nanjing, where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, is as easy as pie.

Zhu Fu hurriedly saluted Zhu Houzhao and Zhang Zhou. As the Duke of the state, he acted like a handyman running errands in front of Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said: "Cheng Guogong? Is it Zhu Feng's father? The prince knows your son. He is very capable. He likes to play around with me when he has nothing to do. Next time I see him, I plan to question him. When did he owe me what he owed me before!?"

"what?"

Zhu Fu was completely unaccustomed to the prince's tone of voice.

He was also thinking, this brat Zhijie actually owes the prince something?And what did this kid do to make the prince "hold grudges" against him so much?Hatred has a bit of unforgettable meaning.

Zhang Zhoudao: "The prince's words, Duke Cheng, don't take it to heart, it's just a greeting."

"I should understand that after the dog comes back, I should teach him well." Zhu Fu said.

Zhu Houzhao sneered and said, "It's time to teach him a lesson, and Ben Gong will teach him a lesson with you."

Zhang Zhou turned to the topic and said, "The two of you must have finished handing over the errands, right? In the past two years, the north has been casting cannons, but everywhere in the south of the Yangtze River is far away from the border, but they can't even buy a new cannon." Not yet, the purpose of my going south this time is to open an ordnance factory to make cannons on the basis of Yingtian Mansion."

Zhu Fu said: "I will do my best to help. It's just that Nanjing's garrison office can't get much money to build a new ordnance station for a year. I'm afraid I will have to trouble Duke Lai to communicate with the Nanjing household department."

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "There is no support from the Ministry of Households for casting artillery in the north. You asked me, a minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing who is about to retire, to talk to the Ministry of Households? How?"

Cannons need to be cast, but there is no silver, so you have to raise money yourself.

"This……"

Zhu Fu had obviously never taken on such a difficult job.

Zhang Zhoudao: "On the canal, a lot of pig iron will be allocated to the south every year. The main expenses have to go to the accounts of the Nanjing Ministry of Finance. Nanjing's garrison needs to apply to the court on its own. Your Majesty will consider the situation and allocate funds. I'm not doing it for you. Difficulties come, and you need to work hard on your own.”

Zhu Houzhao said with a smile: "Can casting cannons also be raised by themselves? Is it because this shop makes money, and this hole must be filled? Sir, let's make an agreement. You have to send me to the palace for the half of the money. I am useful." , I don't like casting cannons."

Zhang Zhou glanced at him and said: "The prince's share is indispensable, I hope not to lose money, otherwise, I'm afraid the prince will have to take a lot of it."

"Ahem." Zhu Houzhao coughed twice, "Pretend I didn't say anything."

……

……

Xu Wu and Zhu Fu went to the back hall, sat down with Zhang Zhou, and explained the details of the handover of errands in detail.

As for the layout of the guards around Nanjing and Zhu Fu's future plans for Nanjing's garrison duties, Zhu Fu personally explained to Zhang Zhou, just like the emperor's report on his duties.

This also made Zhang Zhou realize that despite Zhu Fu's usually unreliable appearance, because his Cheng Guogong family was deeply involved in Nanjing's military power, it can be said to be handy in the selection and dispatch of generals. It's also the reason why Xu Chu felt embarrassed and even took the initiative to resign.

Most of the local generals are the former subordinates of Zhu Fu's father Zhu Yi.

Zhu Fudao: "I have just arrived at Yingtian Mansion, and I heard that Dongchang has investigated the matter of King Zhongling's private weaponry in Jiangxi, and I also heard that King Ning has participated in the impeachment of Duke Lai and Duke Yang of Dongchang. I don't know what I have can help?"

Zhu Fu is also very knowledgeable.

He knows that King Ning is not a positive role in the eyes of the emperor. Even the first assistant, minister, etc., can't compete with Zhang Zhou in strength. Would it be useless for King Ning to impeach Zhang Zhou?
Of course, he still stood on Zhang Zhou's side and took the vassal vassal... Needless to say, this was the emperor's intention.

In short, standing on the same ground as the emperor is what he should do most, as a minister who has just inherited his father's job and became a minister of defense in Nanjing.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "The case investigation is what Dongchang is doing, and it's inconvenient for me to ask about it, but if Eunuch Yang asks me about something, I will give him some advice."

Zhu Fu hurriedly said: "Duke Lai, you don't need to be humble, we all know that this matter must be decided by you."

Xu Yu glared at Zhu Fu.

Even if that's the case, you can't speak so directly.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Your Majesty has always been aware of the fact that many suzerains and vassals on both sides of the river are secretly doing business and competing for profits with the people, annexing people's fields, and occupying nests to transport private salt, etc., but have not publicized it. I went to Jiangnan , is actually avoiding disaster, don’t you know?”

Xu Chu and Zhu Fu looked at each other.

Of course they knew why Zhang Zhou left the capital. It was because after Zhang Zhou returned to the capital from Liaodong, he was impeached by a bunch of ginseng, and then Zhang Zhou ran away.

Then there was an earthquake in the capital, and everyone knew that Zhang Zhou represented God's will, and no one dared to shoot Zhang Zhou with the disaster.

Zhu Fu said: "Duke Lai, as far as I know, after you return to Beijing, you will most likely take over as Minister of the Ministry of War. From now on, you will be responsible for most of Ming's military and political affairs, and I will also listen to your orders."

"Really? I don't even know that." Zhang Zhou smiled.

Zhu Houzhao said from the side: "It's all rumors. Even my palace doesn't know about such things. Who are you listening to nonsense?"

Both Zhu Fu and Xu Yu were thinking, you look like an awesome prince, but at your age, can the emperor tell you something?Don't you know what's weird?

Zhu Fu said: "Now we are all concerned. After you leave, who should be in charge of the military administration in Nanjing City? But it seems that there are many rumors, but none of them are accurate."

Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head. This time he was silent, as if there was no need to explain this kind of problem to Zhu Fu.

Xu Yu on the side said: "I heard that Wang Qiong, who is guarding the partial pass, was transferred back to Beijing, or he was going to be the right servant of the household department."

"I don't know about that either. The two of you are really well informed." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "However, according to my guess, His Majesty has no plans to use troops on the grassland recently, and everything will have to wait for the Tatars to take the initiative, so that Da Ming can counterattack conveniently. If the Tatars keep their own place, then Ming will devote all their efforts to preparing for the battle of Ping Prairie a few years later. As for who will guard the border town, who will be the minister and minister, this is a matter that His Majesty and the court should be concerned about. Nanjing, can't handle it."

Zhang Zhou's words can be said to be watertight.

Even if Zhu Fu and Xu Chu were told, Ming's future border policy will still be on the defensive.

But he also indirectly explained to them that he will fight the Tatars in a decisive battle in a few years.

As for what happened in the past two years, Zhang Zhou is like an outsider, so he can completely ignore it.

Xu Yu said: "There have been rebellions all the time in the border areas of Guangxi, Huguang, and Yunnan and Guizhou. Could it be..."

Zhang Zhou smiled and waved his hands and said: "Don't ask too much, I don't know if you ask. If it has something to do with the Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, then you can ask my successor. I will return to the capital soon. These are not the same. I am concerned."

Say what should be said, what should not be said, there is no comment at all.

……

……

Zhu Fu and Xu Yu saw Zhang Zhou, and they came out with doubts on their faces, and they were about to get into their respective carriages.

Zhu Fu walked over and asked, "Old Xu, do you understand?"

Xu Yu waved his hand and said: "This Lai Guo Gong, you all say how powerful he is, but all I have seen during these days with him is a mediocre young man who only thinks about idle clouds and wild cranes. Dazhi, I have never seen it before. If someone hadn't told me what he did before, who would believe it?"

"Uh..." Zhu Fu was taken aback by Xu Wu's straightforward evaluation.

Or you old man Xu directly.

After a brief silence, Zhu Fu sorted out his words, and said: "Duke Lai's temperament is indeed like this, but he can indeed do great things, the main reason is that he knows the will of God, and he can even guess the hearts of Tatars. Such a capable person, Daming is indispensable."

Xu Yu said: "Then can he calculate the fate of Nanjing City?"

Zhu Fu thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "Everything can't be calculated, don't you believe it, Mr. Xu?"

Xu Yu pondered for a while, then shook his head and said, "I'm going to Zhenhai later, I don't care about the affairs of Nanjing City, you can take care of yourself."

Why it is not other expectations, but just let him "do it for himself", this point Zhu Fu also has not thought about it.

When Xu Yu got into his carriage and left, Zhu Fu murmured to himself, "It's so unpredictable, it's all hard to figure out!"

……

……

Capital.

In the list of recommended assessments by the Ministry of Officials, Cheng Minzheng, the left servant, wrote the top memorial, which involved the employment of border affairs, and was approved by the emperor.

It can be said that Cheng Minzheng arrived in the capital from Nanjing non-stop. After arriving in the capital, he immediately gained the respect of the emperor. As for the vacancy of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, everyone thought that Ma Wensheng must take over. The "excellent" performance makes people realize that there is still a strong candidate for the Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

Then Zhu Youtang announced in the court hall that Wang Qiong would return to Beijing to replace Xu Jin as the left servant of the household department.

Wang Qiong was directly promoted from the governor of the border town to Zuo Shilang, which also means that Zhang Zhou has another helper in the court who can provide a lot of help in financial power, and all of this is based on the emperor's series of employing people. Under the basis of Sao operation.

"Who is the Minister of the Ministry of Officials to decide? Hasn't the case been finalized yet?"

Xie Qian had just come out of the palace that day, and was about to go back to have a good rest at night, when he was blocked by Xu Guan at the gate of the palace.

Xie Qian walked forward, seemingly casually saying: "I heard that Mr. Xiao, who is in charge of the supervisor of ceremonies, has seen you recently?"

Xu Guandao: "How did Mr. Xie Ge know?"

Xie Qian smiled and said: "There is no impenetrable wall in the world. In fact, you, the candidate for the Ministry of Industry, have been discussing in the court for a long time. You also know that it is impossible for you to retreat after the year."

Xu Guan's complexion was not good.

He also knew that he was about to leave the court, and because of this, he was not as cautious as before.

If you are going to fuck off, and you are still so low-key and forbearing, then there is no hope for people from your own faction to make their way in the court in the future.

Xie Qian said: "Guess what news I got from the outside world?"

"What?" Xu Guan frowned.

Xie Qian leaned over and said, "Your Majesty seems to want Zhang Bingkuan to replace you."

"what?"

Xu Guan was taken aback.

When Zhang Zhou returned to the court, didn't he become Minister of the Ministry of War?Actually... came back to be Minister of the Ministry of Industry?

To Xu Guan, this news was like a bolt from the blue.

Zhang Zhou is very powerful, but let him go to Huo Huo's Ministry of War. Why do you want to use our Ministry of Industry?Our Ministry of Industry did not have many direct conflicts of interest with Zhang Zhou before, and besides...he is the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, doesn't it mean that many people in our Ministry of Industry system will follow suit?
"Don't ask questions." Xie Qian took a few steps forward, and his sedan chair was not far away.

Xu Guan hurriedly asked again: "What about the Ministry of War? There is still no news from the Ministry of War up to now. If Ma Negtu is promoted one step higher, who will be his position?"

Unspoken.

Apart from the fact that Zhang Zhou succeeded Ma Wensheng and was convincing, who is qualified to skip Zhang Zhou and become the minister of the Ministry of War?
Xie Qianren had already got on the sedan chair, and the voice came out of the sedan chair: "Without Zhang Bingkuan, there is no other candidate? Ma Yingtu has already recommended Liu Shiyong, the servant of the household department he once valued, or in the near future, Liu Shiyong Shi Yong is about to enter the imperial court, as for serving as a servant, going to the Northwest to supervise military affairs, or directly serving as a minister...it depends on His Majesty's arrangement!"

(End of this chapter)