The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 446 Reward
In front of the Pavilion of the Shangting Department next to the Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Youtang personally brought Zhang Zhou to visit, and by the way, Zhu Youtang also called Li Rong over to inform him about the possibility of a major earthquake in Shaanxi, and asked him to inform Shaanxi.

"Bingkuan, this is for you."

In front of Zhang Zhou, Zhu Youtang didn't need to hide it at all, "After you return to Beijing, take a rest for a few days and come here every day as an errand. I will call you over if you have something to do. If you have free time, go over and stare at the prince." As for the homework, he must have missed a lot on his schoolwork this trip, I can't mention it at any time, so I will leave it to you."

Parents hand over their children's homework to the class teacher?

Zhang Zhou thought that he had to go to check on Zhu Houzhao's class every time, so he was really no different from the head teacher.

But Zhang Zhou has been engaged in the education industry for two lifetimes, which is not unfamiliar to him.

"Also, I'm going to let you meet someone."

Zhu Youtang seemed to be playing charades.

Zhang Zhou was wondering if he saw Ning Tong who was treating Zhu Houxuan in the palace?Or see Concubine Xian's mother and son?Or when I went to see the Empress Dowager Zhou.

But not far away, a little girl ran over bouncing around. In the snow, this girl wrapped up like a small meat ball looked extraordinarily agile, just like a ray of sunshine reflected in the snow. Where there is her It will produce this kind of brilliance.

Zhang Zhou met Zhu Xiurong several times. After all, he had dinner with Zhu Youtang's family not once or twice, but when he saw Zhu Xiurong again, he would still feel the innocence of this girl.

"coming."

When Zhu Youtang saw his daughter coming, his face was also filled with the kindness unique to a father, which was completely different from when he saw Zhu Houzhao.

Zhang Zhou thought about it, and when he saw Zhang Jun, he felt almost the same, but when he saw his daughter Suisui, he would feel tenderness in his heart.

"My son pays respects to Father Emperor."

Zhu Xiurong's voice was very crisp, and she saluted Zhu Youtang, her cheeks were flushed red from the cold from the snow, making her look even more delicate.

Zhu Youtang said: "This is Mr. Zhang, come here to salute."

"Student Xiurong, I met Mr. Zhang." Zhu Xiurong seemed to have known for a long time that he wanted to be a teacher, so he didn't feel shy at all when he saluted Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou returned the gift: "I have seen Her Royal Highness the Princess."

"Bingkuan, you don't need to be too polite. I originally wanted to invite a female husband back for her, but it was really hard to choose. I thought of asking you to mention her more while teaching the prince." Zhu Youtang said with kind eyebrows and kind eyes. "She has grown up, you saved her life and allowed her to stand here. She is very naughty now, the inner courtyard of the palace can no longer keep her in, even when I go to court, I will run out to watch , I will give her enough space in the future so that she can come to the Auditorium."

Zhang Zhouxin said.

People are really more popular than people.

Zhu Houzhao made a Wenhua Palace, and if his father knew about it, he would punish him.

Now Zhu Xiurong can run freely in the palace... The difference in treatment between the son and the daughter is really extraordinary.

Zhang Zhoudao: "The little princess is still young, I am afraid that the princess' reputation will be ruined."

In this era, feudal ethics still have to be avoided, and it is inappropriate to invite a man back to a girl, let alone let the little princess run around in the palace.

If someone attacked Zhang Zhou for plotting against the little princess, or for disrespectful behavior, he would not be able to cleanse himself by jumping into the Yellow River.

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Bingkuan, you are worrying too much. Because she is young, I want her to see more things. She told me that she wants to learn medicine... You can point her out, and she will think about it later. You should also mention some things you have learned, and when she gets some inspiration from you, she can learn by herself when she goes back. As for female filial piety, etc., you don’t need to worry about those things, someone in the palace will teach them.”

They are teachers and students in name, but in fact, what Zhang Zhou teaches is "miscellaneous".

In other words, he doesn't need to worry about those basic things at all, besides, Zhang Zhou can really teach the content of "Nv Xiao Jing"?Does he have a deep understanding of that thing?

"Sir, I will study hard." Zhu Xiurong knew that he was going to have a very "powerful" husband soon, so he looked very happy and looked at Zhang Zhou expectantly.

His eyes were full of curiosity.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I can only say that I will do my best."

Zhu Youtang patted Zhang Zhou on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "You can teach me how you want. In fact, what I want to say is that this child has many similarities with the prince, and she can't sit still. But she is a girl, so she looks She's very delicate and cute, not like a prince... When I saw it, I wanted to beat him up."

Zhang Zhouxin said that he really felt the same way.

They are also children, and they are also mischievous, but daughters can be treated more tolerantly than sons.

……

……

In the listening office, the preparations are complete.

After Zhang Zhou and Zhu Youtang went inside, even Zhu Xiurong ran in after them.

Zhu Xiurong asked: "Father, will my son attend classes here in the future? Where will my son sit?"

Zhu Youtang said: "This is where the Auditor's office works. Your guest house is not here. I will ask someone to prepare a place for you in the Wenhua Palace. When you want to go to class, you can go to class with your brother. Occasionally, you can also attend the lectures given by the East Palace lecturer."

"Oh."

Zhu Xiurong still doesn't understand so many rules.

Now she only wants to be a normal "female student", so she naturally doesn't know how much "torture" her imperial brother Zhu Houzhao has experienced in order to attend classes in the past few years.

For Zhu Xiurong, being a student is something worth looking forward to.

Perhaps after she has taken classes for a period of time, as a child, she will realize how exciting it is to be able to play as she pleases.

"Bingkuan, speaking of officials in the East Palace, I want to promote Wang Jia and Wang Qing's family to the cabinet recently, what do you think?" Zhu Youtang sat on the throne prepared for him, and chatted with Zhang Zhou as usual.

Zhang Zhou said: "It's not good for me to discuss this matter casually."

Zhu Youtang said: "I just think that you should participate in the discussion, so I will tell you... Maochun, you step back first, let me talk to Bingkuan."

"Yes."

Li Rong also felt that it might be a little inappropriate for him to hear such a confidential matter.

After he received the emperor's order, he hurriedly withdrew from the palace.

However, Zhu Xiurong who was on the side did not leave, and was still sitting on a stool, listening to the conversation between his father and his teacher very seriously.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, according to what I see, it is not appropriate for the cabinet to increase cabinet ministers."

"Why?" Zhu Youtang asked.

"The three court elders are highly respected. With their presidency, the major affairs of the court can basically be handled properly. At most, the ministers will advise His Majesty on military affairs. Even the daily court meetings, as seen by the ministers, may be subject to change. There are some differences in ideas, and there are some disputes with colleagues in the DPRK and China." Zhang Zhou said.

Zhu Youtang said: "If there is a dispute, one more person in the cabinet will help you talk, wouldn't it be good?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, I really don't want to ruin the stability of the court. This will not help to calm down the grassland in the future."

In other words, what's the point of fighting back and forth?

Now that I have been arguing for a long time, the minister's participation in impeachment of me has subsided, and my appointment as Minister of the Ministry of War is "justifiable". Then the court can perform its duties. There is really no need to fight for the sake of it. As for adding a cabinet Minister, outsiders will know that it is targeting the cabinet, and His Majesty is also helping me. At that time, the three members of the cabinet will focus more on targeting me.

Zhu Youtang sighed: "Actually, recently, the three elders have resigned many times, and I have considered it as appropriate and planned to replace one or two of them. But for some reason, I feel that the three of them are indispensable, so I I just wanted to add one more person."

Zhang Zhouxin said, you really don't feel wrong.

It is precisely because the Iron Triangle of Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian in the cabinet has greatly helped you in the middle and late stages of your administration, making you feel that they are all indispensable, making this Iron Triangle continue until your son ascends the throne .

It won't make you think that the three of them can be replaced because of me.

This also shows that during the Hongzhi period, the three of Liu Jian did indeed play an irreplaceable role in helping you stabilize Chao Gang.

But it is precisely because they are too stable that they have caused the shackles of the court structure, so that after your son ascended the throne, a battle between eunuchs and civil servants broke the stable structure you have painstakingly managed... It is not to stick to the rules all the time, Instead, choose to change when the time is right.

Not now.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, as Minister of the Ministry of War, I want to focus more on military and political affairs."

"Yeah." Zhu Youtang nodded, "It's rare that you don't fight, but I feel that you are still too isolated and helpless in the court. Cheng Minzheng can actually join the cabinet, but he is easy to be criticized... I always feel that he has shortcomings What."

Zhu Youtang wanted to use Cheng Minzheng, but after last year's inscription case, Zhu Youtang actually lost confidence in Cheng Minzheng.

Letting Cheng Minzheng continue to be the left servant of the Ministry of Officials obviously wanted to develop Cheng Minzheng into the six ministers, and did not intend to let him join the cabinet. On the contrary, Wang Jia, who was diligent before, won the emperor's appreciation faster.

"Bingkuan, you will have to worry about the court meeting every day in the future." Zhu Youtang laughed.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Can I ask you to have more private time?"

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "I know you don't want to go to court every day. In this way, I will give you a certain amount of convenience. Just because you have other official duties, you are allowed to go to court every other day. If other officials ask, I just said that you still need to supervise the manufacture of magical machines and firearms... By the way, I also want to hear your opinion on the candidate for the Minister of Industry."

The six ministers have been changed almost all over, but the minister of the Ministry of Industry is still Xu Guan.

It is said that Xu Guan will not last long, but it will be the end of the year.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I have no objection."

"Hey! You are still too cautious. I want to use more people who can help you, but I don't know who can help you. This is my headache." Zhu Youtang said, "Recently, I want Lu Wan from Liaodong was transferred back, but the new governor of Liaodong has not yet been appointed. These are all embarrassing for me. Bingkuan, in fact, they think that many personnel matters are decided by you, but in fact they are all decided by me."

"I don't want to spoil major events because of some decisions. It would be better to listen to your opinions more. If you have any suitable candidates, you should always recommend them to me."

Zhang Zhou cupped his hands and said: "If I have a good candidate, I will definitely recommend it to Your Majesty."

……

……

Zhang Zhou could also see that the emperor's expectations of him were a bit too deep.

Most likely, there is a feeling that the government wants to adopt his opinions on everything. If this is the case, then he feels that there is nothing wrong with being a trilateral commander, or even being a minister of the Nanjing Ministry of War.

At least he didn't have to be a busy man like he was in the capital. When he was in Nanjing, he had a lot of time to do his own things comfortably.

That day Zhang Zhou had dinner with Zhu Youtang, instead of going to Kunning Palace, but he called Zhu Houzhao over and ate with Zhu Xiurong.

This meal is regarded as Zhu Youtang's official introduction to his son and daughter.

After dinner, Zhu Youtang asked Li Rong to send Zhang Zhou out of the palace, and by the way, he also informed about Li Rong's going to be the eunuch and admiral of Dongchang.

"...Cai Guogong, I hope you will add more points in the future." Li Rong looked very humble in front of Zhang Zhou. Among the old eunuchs in the palace, he was more shrewd and capable than Dai Yi. They are very gentle, without any aggressiveness on the surface.

But Zhang Zhou had already experienced Dai Yi and Xiao Jing's defensive and offensive physiques, so he naturally knew that Li Rong was not easy to mess with.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "It should be Eunuch Li who added more points."

Li Rongdao: "I heard that Cai Guogong's family members will not be able to return to Beijing in a few days. There should be no relatives in the house now. If Cai Guogong has no one to accompany him after returning to the mansion, we might as well arrange it for you."

Zhang Zhou found it strange.

My family is not in Beijing, you think I will be bored after I go back, and you actually want to make arrangements for me?

what to arrange?
Find me some women?
Zhang Zhou asked with a smile: "I don't quite understand what Eunuch Li means."

Li Rongdao: "Your Majesty let out the news that after Cai Guogong returned to the court, the Yanwu Hall will officially open classes to teach apprentices, and there will be an endless stream of generals from all over the country to invite them to enter the Yanwu Hall, and there are many honored ministers in Beijing who want to do something. Cai Guogong gave gifts to ensure that they can enter. They are all dedicated to the court, and they are also making contributions for individuals."

Zhang Zhou pondered for a while, did Li Rong want to replace Yang Peng, act as a professional intermediary, and send other people's gifts to him?
"Even if someone wants to give a gift, I can't accept it." Zhang Zhoudao, "Even if His Majesty wants me to cultivate some influence, as a subject, I have to understand the rules."

Li Rong said with a smile: "Naturally, you need to be cautious about gifts from courtiers, but if it's a gift from someone in the royal family, you can accept it."

Zhang Zhou frowned and said, "Such as?"

"Princess Yongkang wants her son-in-law, the captain, to enter the Martial Arts Hall, and she asked His Majesty to send two maids from the mansion to your side..." Li Rong said, "In addition, there are feudal lords from all over the country who want to be loyal to the country. There is also the meaning of a secret gift."

"and many more."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhou raised his hand and interrupted, "Eunuch Li, are you joking? I am a foreign minister, and you want me to accept the feudal lord's gift? I know how to measure it."

Li Rong smiled and said: "Who told you to be Cai Guogong? Your Majesty is using your hand to test the intentions of those feudal lords."

Zhang Zhou understood it after hearing it.

The emperor was not worried that he, Zhang Zhou, would assist those vassal kings in their rebellion... First of all, what benefits would he get if he assisted those people in their rebellion?Get the most meticulous trust?Then Zhang Zhou needs to fight for what the emperor and the prince and his son can already give?
When the emperor was not worried about his dealings with those feudal lords, the emperor wanted to know who among those people was loyal to the royal family and who had hidden evil intentions.

This is probably the same reason that the kings of all dynasties wanted to cultivate a traitorous minister and let him win over and control his courtiers... Of course, Zhang Zhou, a traitorous minister, does not have the qualities of being corrupt and perverting the law, and Zhu Youtang only took a fancy to him because of his power irreplaceability.

Zhang Zhou said: "Then how should I test it?"

Li Rong reminded: "However, you accept all the donations from the feudal lords, and you don't have to refuse their intentions. If anyone really wants to contribute to the Ming Dynasty's frontier war, it's up to them. They want to study martial arts. Hall can also..."

Zhang Zhoudao: "But the matter of King Zhongling has set a very bad example."

"It is enough to have one King Zhongling. If His Majesty wants to beat, it is only limited to the Ning Fan family. Cai Guogong, you might as well think about it. Are there many feudal lords who have different opinions in this world? Or are there many feudal lords who want to do things for Ming?" Li Rong said.

"That's probably... more of the latter." Zhang Zhou replied.

Li Rong said with a smile: "If these feudal lords are sincerely for the imperial court, their descendants are willing to come to the capital to study and take you as their teacher. What do you think...why not?"

In the name of Yanwutang, let the vassal kings and vassal lords send their nephews to the capital as hostages... so that the emperor can better control the suzerains and vassals everywhere?

Zhang Zhou suddenly felt that Zhu Youtang's method was more and more like a mature emperor.

And through a martial arts hall, competition among various suzerains and vassals can be achieved, and internal friction can be completed...

……

……

At the gate of the palace, before Zhang Zhou got into the carriage, he saw Ning Tong standing there far away, as if waiting for someone.

But when he saw him, Ning Tong walked towards him again, with a humble and respectful appearance, giving people the impression that he was a lady, or a demure woman.

Li Rong smiled and said: "Cai Guogong, our family will not bother you anymore."

The implication is that you "have fun"!
Zhang Zhou glanced back, and when he turned around, Ning Tong was already standing less than two meters away from him.

"The women have met Cai Guogong." Ning Tong saluted Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou asked curiously, "I haven't seen you for a long time, are you married?"

"Never." Ning Tong said, "Your Majesty's book is in the name of Madam, so that women can come in and out of the palace at any time, but since they have been married as women, they have to restrain themselves and return to the rituals. Besides, the women were swept out of the gate of the Chengguo mansion." At that time, there was an appointment, and apart from Cai Guogong's gate, the women had no other place to rely on."

Zhang Zhou frowned and said, "Speak humanly."

Ning Tong rolled Zhang Zhou's eyes, probably feeling resentful that "I'm being polite to you and you're still so picky".

She said: "The concubine thanks Cai Guogong for everything he has done for the concubine."

"For example?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Ning Tong said: "Such as helping the virtuous concubine to conceive, and treating the third prince's medical treatment, this concubine also has the skills to have the capital to settle down in this world."

"Oh." Zhang Zhou nodded, "It's nothing, I've always liked to help others. How will you repay me?"

Ning Tong said very naturally: "You can serve each other with your body."

"No, change to other ways of repaying, such as working for me in the future, I want to open a pharmacy here, I lack a shopkeeper, and don't pay wages, do you?"

"Do!"

"That's fine, go back and report to my mansion, and fix your stinking problems. Being a shopkeeper is an apprentice for me. I won't give her a good face!"

(End of this chapter)