The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 445
Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao and their party passed through Linqing Prefecture smoothly, and then entered the ground of Beizhili.

The local bandit suppression operation has just begun, and Zhang Zhou has made a good start in the name of Zhu Houzhao. In this way, even the Shandong Capital and the Chief Envoy had to send people to assist, and Ping Shanwei commanded Qian After all, Cao Bao suddenly became a hot figure on the ground in Shandong.

The group went north and arrived in Qingxian County, and the reinforcements brought by the brothers Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling were long overdue.

Zhang Zhouguang calculated the marching speed of these two guys a little bit, and he knew that the two of them must have done nothing good on the road... In the past, they had no chance to lead the army directly, but now they are given the right not to be supervised, and they were blackmailed along the way There must be many local officials and gentry who have been harmed and entrapped.

"It's good that Mr. Zhang is fine. The two of us are still worried that you will be trapped by those thieves. Didn't we even send you the guns? How about we go south and kill those thieves?"

Zhang Heling was very enthusiastic when he saw Zhang Zhou.

It is also thought that Zhang Heling will go back to the Yanwu Hall to "re-study" soon, and Zhang Heling needs to establish a good relationship with the principal first.

On the other side, Zhang Yanling was rolling his eyes, probably a bit disdainful of his elder brother's humble attitude.

Zhang Zhou beckoned people to move on, but he didn't seem to care about the two brothers.

Zhu Houzhao came out from behind, and said with a smile, "You two uncles, long time no see?"

Zhang Heling originally had a smile on his face, but when he saw Zhu Houzhao, the smile on his face froze instantly... The psychological shadow that Zhu Houzhao brought to the two brothers was too great, so I said that this time Zhu Houzhao used them They ran to the south to find Zhang Zhou, but no one else was punished, but his brothers were grounded for more than two months.

If it weren't for the emperor giving the two brothers a chance by sending cannons this time, maybe the two brothers would still be stuck in the capital and unable to get out...

Of course, this is their own subjective idea.

Speaking of grounding, in the past two months, the two brothers have caused a lot of trouble in the capital. Zhu Youtang asked the two of them to come out to deliver the cannonballs. In fact, he wanted them to "avoid the limelight" because the two brothers-in-law were too noisy. Not where they stay.

"Prince, you... are well too." Zhang Heling swallowed and said.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "I didn't make less money along the way, did I? Take two, how much will it cost?"

Zhang Heling subconsciously wanted to cover his purse. This kid is not only wicked, but also very greedy for money. He seems to be able to grasp their weakness every time.

Zhang Heling said: "The crown prince is joking, the minister led the troops to the south, and traveled day and night, not daring to delay the important task entrusted by His Majesty...Second brother, why are you pissing me off?"

Zhang Yanling pulled his elder brother aside and raised his voice: "Boss, you still don't understand? You're so wrong, you'd better shut up!"

"Is that how you call your elder brother? Is there any priority?" Zhang Heling was very dissatisfied with his younger brother's disrespect.

Zhu Houzhao curled his lips and said: "Okay, looking at your fat-headed appearances, you know that you have entrapped local officials along the way. It's best that you didn't do anything like burning, killing and looting! Now all the bandits on the ground in Shandong have been put down by the prince. !"

"What?" Brothers Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling were stunned at the same time.

Is this kid bragging?

Of course Zhu Houzhao was bragging, but it was true that he personally participated in the battle of Zhong Twelve.

Zhu Houzhao didn't enjoy himself on the battlefield, but the result was in line with his expectations. Besides, Zhang Zhou didn't bother to talk to him about the credit for suppressing the bandits, so now Zhu Houzhao is the "coach" of this battle, which means that the first credit goes to this kid body.

"Hmph? Don't you believe me? The prince never had a chance to make a move before, but this time he beat the thieves to pieces, and even captured their family members. If you don't believe me, just ask... Eunuch Yang!"

Zhu Houzhao originally wanted to say, you go ask Mr. Zhang.

But thinking about it, maybe Zhang Zhou won't get used to his own faults, and he still can't refute if he breaks the stage.

So find Yang Peng who is "will do things" come out and brag about it.

Yang Peng said with a smile: "That's exactly the case. Under the Prince's leadership, the thief's lair was destroyed in one pot, and a large number of robbers were captured."

"How?" Zhu Houzhao stretched out his hand with a frowning face, "So all the gold, silver and jewelry you got along the way under the banner of my palace and in the name of exterminating bandits can be given to my palace! "

Zhang Heling said: "No... nothing..."

But I was thinking in my heart, is it so easy to exterminate bandits?The war is over before we arrive?Then where do we continue to blackmail?

"It's not honest at first glance. After returning to Beijing, I will definitely report to my father, saying that you delayed the battle and almost caused me to be trapped and killed in a den of thieves. When the time comes..."

Zhu Houzhao seems to have made great progress in threatening people, and he will adapt to local conditions, targeting the weaknesses of his two uncles.

While speaking, the man turned around and headed towards the carriage.

Zhang Heling hurriedly chased after him, and said while chasing: "His Royal Highness, we have something to discuss. I do have some gadgets. If you don't mind, I will send you to the palace!"

……

……

Zhang Zhou arrived in the capital on the first day of December.

The time had been planned a long time ago. This day was originally the day when the emperor "watched the sacrifice". All the officials hadn't planned to go together, but they bumped into each other at just the right time.

In this way, it is tantamount to saying that the emperor greeted Zhang Zhou with all the officials.

The sacrificial ceremony was carried out first, and Zhang Zhou hadn’t arrived yet. After it was over, Zhu Youtang didn’t want Baiguan to delay the farewell between him and Zhang Zhou, so he directly ordered Baiguan to return to the city as soon as possible. At this time, the sky began to snowflakes.

"Rui Xue."

Zhu Youtang had a happy expression on his face.

Let Zhang Zhou count the days when it will snow, and it happens that the snow will come on this day, and it will snow on the day when he came out to worship. Although this is not a ceremony of praying for rain and snow, it is praying for the protection of God, and God will directly end the scene Snow has a very good meaning.

Xiao Jing and Li Rong walked towards the snow, and everyone also changed into thicker clothes.

Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Your Majesty, news has come that the Prince and Cai Guogong are driving, and the distance is less than ten miles away."

"quick!"

Zhu Youtang looked very happy and said, "Get ready for Luanjia, I will meet you in person. Clean up Luanjia."

"Yes."

Xiao Jing quickly made arrangements.

Snow fell on the day when the emperor was on tour, which was a very good sign, and even the faces of these old eunuchs were filled with joy.

Because the weather is already very cold at this time, the snow can almost be stored directly when it falls on the ground, and soon there is a silver layer on the ground.

When Zhu Youtang got on the Luanjia, he also said with emotion: "The first snow this year came a little late, but it was just in time. Take the Yu Ruyi I brought out, and the box I picked out together. , and send it back to Bingkuan's residence."

"Yes."

Xiao Jing couldn't explain the envy in his heart.

……

……

In order to meet Zhang Zhou, Zhu Youtang went ten miles outside the city.

Jinwuwei and Jinyiwei walked along the way, and the people stopped and watched from afar, as if the emperor was going on a long journey.

But when Zhang Zhou's party and Luan Jia's party met, Zhu Youtang immediately turned the car around, and he got out of the car himself to meet Zhang Zhou... On the contrary, he had no enthusiasm for his son Zhu Houzhao.

"Bing Kuan."

Zhu Youtang looked very happy when he saw Zhang Zhou.

"Father..." Zhu Houzhao felt that he was being left out, and hurried up to show his existence.

"Send him back first!" Zhu Youtang said with a straight face.

Zhu Houzhao was startled.

what's going on?
Didn't the emperor come out to greet me?I am still sighing, my father really cares about me, why is the painting style not right?

"His Royal Highness, please." Li Rong went over to invite.

"Who are you?" Zhu Houzhao yelled at Li Rong.

Xiao Jing introduced: "This is Li Rong, Eunuch Li, who will be in charge of the East Palace from now on."

"Hey, who's in charge of you? Liu Jin, keep this person out of the way, it's a little annoying to see him, father, can we go together? I want to sit with you." Zhu Houzhao looked like he didn't see anyone.

Zhu Youtang glared at Zhu Houzhao fiercely, with the sternness of "go back and deal with you", then ignored his son, took Zhang Zhou's hand and walked towards Luanjia.

"Bingkuan, tell me what you have seen and heard along the way. Look at the snow. Next year should be a good year, right?"

"Back to Your Majesty, it's hard to say."

"Just a few perfunctory sentences to make me feel better? You have to be so straightforward."

"Yes, Your Majesty, next year must be a good year, and everything will be smooth."

"Haha! I am so relieved to have said this from you, Bingkuan."

……

……

Luanjia and his party were on their way back to Beijing.

Zhang Zhou and Zhu Youtang rode together, while Zhu Houzhao was stuffed into the carriage, and there was a big difference in mood.

"...I have read your report on the suppression of bandits on the ground in Shandong. The prince is still too nonsense. You shouldn't follow his wishes, but I also understand that sometimes I let him get in touch with a little bit of military and political affairs. , let him understand that even life matters are changing in an instant on this battlefield."

When Zhu Youtang mentioned this, there was vicissitudes in his words.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, it was my negligence."

"No, no, I definitely don't mean to blame you. I'm actually afraid that if something happens to your health in the past few years, and the prince is still so young, it's really hard for him to stand on the foundation of the country. His, besides me, is probably only you, Bingkuan."

Zhu Youtang is full of expectations for Zhang Zhou again.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty is in the prime of his life, why do you say these things?"

Zhu Youtang coughed twice and said, "Originally I didn't want to ask you about Tianshou and other matters, but in fact, who doesn't want to know? If you say that, I may feel a little relieved, even if God thinks that I am ashamed of the Ming royal family. The ancestors of the prince also accepted me after the crown prince became an adult, and gave me a few years to let me level the grassland, so I have no regrets."

Having said that, Zhang Zhou felt that the emperor, known for his benevolence and filial piety, was very open-minded in this regard.

If you don't say it, you are nostalgic and refuse to die.

It is difficult for a person with power to be so generous to life.

"Bingkuan, how is the going to sea going?" Zhu Youtang immediately became concerned about this topic.

Because it involves looking for jelly grass overseas, Zhu Youtang probably also has a feeling that even if I am open-minded about life, I also want to live forever.

Zhang Zhoudao: "It will take time to build the ship. Tang Yin will stay in the south of the Yangtze River, and Wei Guogong will cooperate with this matter. The ships sent to Nanyang can return in about four months, but if they wait until the next year or the year after that to go to sea to find new land, they will go to sea soon." It will take more than half a year."

"Then what can Nanyang bring back?" Zhu Youtang was also curious.

Many small countries in Southeast Asia have business contacts with Ming Dynasty. It is reasonable to say that the goods are exchanged, and there will be no need to send people to snatch or buy them alone.

But Zhang Zhou seems to be very concerned about this trip to Nanyang.

Zhang Zhou gave Zhu Youtang a rough plan, indicating that many things need to come from Nanyang, but these things are not valued by Nanyang people.

"Bing Kuan means that if Ming wants to be better at armaments in the future, it needs to purchase a large number of the materials you mentioned from Nanyang?" Zhu Youtang was somewhat confused when he heard that.

"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Zhu Youtang sighed: "I'm afraid that outsiders will not know it. If Nanyang is so important, it is not impossible to send troops to occupy Nanyang. All the lands of the four seas are the land of Ming Dynasty, but it is easy to conquer. In the future It is not easy to defend, Bingkuan, I am afraid you will have to worry more about it!"

……

……

The monarch and his ministers discussed matters in the Luanjia.

Luanjia and his party went directly from Zhengyangmen to Damingmen.

And unlike ministers who had to get off their horses when they arrived at Daming Gate, this time the emperor directly wanted to drive Zhang Zhou into the palace with a luan.

Many of the ministers had just returned, and there was auspicious snowfall here, and the ministers themselves didn't want to go out, but there were rumors that the emperor came back with Zhang Bingkuan, and he went straight to Daming Gate, so someone would come out to find out.

When they saw Luan driving into the palace without stopping, and also learned that Zhang Zhou was on it, the Liubu and other yamen had already exploded.

"What kind of treatment is this?"

The Minister of the Ministry of Households, Zhong Zhong, personally went to Lin Han, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, to find Lin Han to sort out the matter of etiquette.

After learning about this, Lin Han said indifferently: "Be safe and don't be impatient, Your Majesty has a gift, even riding a horse in the Forbidden City, or your Majesty thinks that the weather is too cold and it is still snowing, which is a kindness to your subjects." Woolen cloth?"

Zhu Youtang is famous for his benevolence and righteousness. He has never been harsh on ministers, and he has given ministers a lot of convenience, especially in matters such as going to court every day. If it is cold, he will move to a place with tiles to cover his head. If the wind is strong, the court meeting will be canceled directly... After the time of the court meeting, there will be banquets in the palace and so on.

Now the emperor let Zhang Zhou ride into the palace with "benevolence and righteousness", and there is nothing wrong with it.

Looking at Lin Han's appearance, Zhong Zhong knew that Lin Han and Zhang Zhou were wearing a pair of trousers. This kind of etiquette matter was a bit tangled.

Seeing that his bell was not up to snuff, Lin Han also reminded him: "If you feel that the etiquette is not suitable, you can go ahead and submit it, and the Ministry of Rites has no objection to it. Or you can go to Honglu Temple to talk about it. After all, there is no court discussion today. How can Duke Cai enter the palace?" , the Ministry of Rites doesn’t want to ask more questions!”

How is love.

If you like to participate in impeachment, go to participate in impeachment. Anyway, Zhang Bingkuan should have adapted to your nonsense.

This was approved by the emperor. Are you impeaching Zhang Bingkuan because you don't understand the rules?Or did the impeachment emperor give Zhang Bingkuan too much courtesy?

……

……

After Zhang Zhou entered the palace, he followed Zhu Youtang straight to Qianqing Palace.

As for Zhu Houzhao, he was directly sent back to his East Palace, and he was grounded as soon as he came back.

But for Zhu Houzhao, this was already predictable, so he didn't show much resistance... This time he went south and played for nearly five months, and it really made him have a good time, and returned to the East Palace Instead, it feels fresh everywhere.

The wanderer is still a little bit home-loving when he is away.

But the emperor did not allow him to go to see Empress Zhang, Zhu Xiurong and Queen Mother Zhou immediately.

"Bingkuan, now that you have returned, you will officially take over the post of Minister of War." Zhu Youtang took out a new letter of appointment, "I have made it clear to you before, and I have also made it clear to them at court. Everything is a matter of course, and by the way, your position as a bachelor of the Imperial Academy will also be retained, and the governor of the right army and the left governor of the mansion..."

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"Speak." Zhu Youtang thought that Zhang Zhou was going to talk about his position.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I estimate that on the first day of spring in the coming year, there will be earthquakes in Shaanxi and other places, and the situation may be very serious. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to issue an order early so that the local people can be prepared."

"Did the ground shake?" Zhu Youtang was a little puzzled, "Is it serious?"

How could it be an earthquake?

From the emperor's point of view, predicting earthquakes is already a matter of "the last life", and the time has passed, and ministers are no longer allowed to use disasters to attack Zhang Zhou.

There is really no need for Zhang Zhou to express himself with the earthquake.

If you can't guess this kind of thing, you will be deceived by others.

This point is Zhang Zhou's "responsibility". In the past two years, he often used natural disasters and man-made disasters to talk about things, but in fact, the earthquakes in the past two years were not too serious.

On the contrary, on the first day of the Spring Festival in the next year, the earthquake that occurred in Yan'an and Qingyang, Shaanxi became a deadly earthquake: "... , Tonghua and other prefectures, Xianyang and Chang'an and other counties, there were thunderous earthquakes from the first day to the next day, especially in Chaoyi County, which was shaken frequently from the first day to the seventeenth day, shaking down the city walls and sculls, and damaging the houses of officials and people. There are more than 14 rooms in total, more than 160 men and women were crushed to death, and there were many dead animals..."

From Zhang Zhou's point of view, he has done many times to use the earthquake to support himself, so he will not do nothing in this kind of earthquake that damages a lot, right?
In any case, it can be regarded as officially taking this kind of thing to do something for the people.

"Your Majesty, according to my deduction, this earthquake may be a bit serious, so we have to be prepared in advance." Zhang Zhou cupped his hands.

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "There is still one month left, so it is time to hurry up. It will take about ten days for the news to reach Shaanxi, and then the government will make arrangements and preparations... The time will not seem rushed."

Zhang Zhoudao: "I think so too. If time drags on, the common people will feel slack."

"Yeah." Zhu Youtang laughed, "You didn't say it."

Zhang Zhou said with emotion: "Since I have this ability, why do I need to cover it up? Even if it didn't happen, it can only be said that God blessed Daming and saved the people from a disaster. If it happened and I didn't say it, then I would be a sinner." .”

"Okay, okay." Zhu Youtang said with emotion, "Bingkuan, if everyone in the government and the public can be like you, why worry about the Ming Dynasty being unhappy?"

(End of this chapter)