The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 450

Zhang Zhou would not give Ning Tong a chance to get involved in the mining business.

The cooperation mode is different.

On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, it would be almost ten days before Zhang Zhou returned to Beijing. Zhu Feng arrived in the capital on this day. Unlike Zhang Zhou in the past, who did not care about his return to Beijing, this time Zhang Zhou went to greet him in person.

That day was also Zhang Zhou's "posting on the net". According to the previous agreement with the emperor, it is fine to go to the imperial court every other day, or even every few days. He was promoted by sitting on duty and asking about court affairs, in terms of seniority...he may not be as good as an ordinary chief among the six ministries, and he has become a famous minister in Daming before he has been in the imperial examination for three years.

"Brother Zhang."

Seeing Zhang Zhou, Zhu Feng was extremely excited.

Perhaps it was because he was "wronged" in Ningxia this time, and he was still anxious on the way back, afraid of being reprimanded by the emperor and Zhang Zhou, and was also thinking about how to plead guilty after returning.

Seeing Zhang Zhou coming in person now seemed to give him a reassurance.

Zhang Zhou didn't bring any colleagues with him, and he didn't wear official uniforms, so he went out of the city to greet him in a private capacity.

After the two entered the city, Zhang Zhou didn't rush to ask Zhu Feng to go to the governor's mansion to report on his work, but let him go to the nearest teahouse first. The two sat down and asked Zhu Feng to sort out the thoughts of Ningxia and his party first.

"...When I arrived in Ningxia, I saw the Tatars burning, killing and looting everywhere. I also worried in my heart. If all the soldiers and horses I brought were wiped out, the Tatars would be like no one in Ningxia. So I To preserve strength..."

Zhu Feng's words surprised Zhang Zhou.

You Zhu Er Er, where did you learn these clichés and Mandarin?

To be able to talk about cowardice in such a beautiful and refined way, you damn well live up to your talents.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Zhijie, if you say that, it seems that you have nothing to do."

Zhu Feng lowered his head and said: "The situation is inferior to others, so I can only endure it. At first I fought with them twice, but the damage was a bit serious. I told the court truthfully. Those heavy Shenwei cannons, that is, It looks good, the Tartars don't fight us now, they come and go like the wind, but they can't catch up with the cannons."

Zhang Zhoudao: "You're right. If we fight in the usual way, fighting with the Tatars at the speed of the cavalry, unless we can predict the enemy and block the enemy in some way first, otherwise we will fight this kind of chasing battle." , there is no chance of winning. It will only drag us down."

Zhu Feng said with an aggrieved face, "But Uncle Xinjian will do."

snort!
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, can you compare with Wang Bo'an?

No matter what level you are, even if you know that the cavalry on the grassland is not as fast as the Tatars, you still know how to judge the retreat route of the Tatars, and only pick the slow-moving tribes of the Tatars to chase them, and then force the Tatars to fight. That's a big win.

what about you?
Catch the ducks on the shelves, everyone knows what level you Zhu Zhijie is, and don't expect you to become a phoenix.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Zhijie, do you know why I used you in the first place?"

Zhu Fengdao: "I know, I don't have any great skills. In the beginning, it was because I knew Brother Zhang early, and also... I will listen to orders, and I won't make my own decisions. Because I don't have that ability."

"It's good, you have self-knowledge." Zhang Zhoudao, "Since you know what you are good at, and you are not good at leading the army like Uncle Xinjian, and you are not suitable for taking risks, why do you force yourself?"

Putting these words on others must have the meaning of scolding.

But Zhu Feng was very useful after listening to it.

As long as Your Majesty and Brother Zhang don’t have high expectations of me, it’s fine. Anyway, I’m just a fool waiting to die. You can see that I don’t have much strength. Don’t let me go if there is any important military situation in the future. I will be responsible for doing chores with you That's fine.

"Drink some tea, organize your thoughts, and go to the face. What should be said should not be said, there is no need to hide, what can you think of to mention to His Majesty, about Ningxia's precautionary omissions, you can also explain what you can think of... In this battle, you held back the main force of the little Tartar prince, which is considered a credit, His Majesty will not punish you, but will reward you..."

……

……

Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng went to the palace to meet Zhu Youtang.

Inside the Qianqing Palace.

The four eunuchs Zhu Youtang and Si Lijian were there, and Yang Peng, who had just been promoted to the eunuch of the imperial horse supervisor, was also there, and they all listened to Zhu Feng's "bragging".

He said he wanted to tell the truth, but Zhang Zhou regulated what he said. The general meaning is... Where can you gain face for Daming, why should you focus on it? Take it all over, of course, don't hide it, because no matter how much you hide it, the emperor will still know about it.

"Zhijie, it's not easy for you." After listening to Zhu Feng's narration, Zhu Youtang comforted him with a smile, "You have only attracted a few thousand troops, and you have to deal with the forty to fifty thousand soldiers of the little Tatar prince. There were small losses in the battle situation, but in the overall situation, you have delayed the speed of Batu Mengke's return and created the foundation for Guanshan's great victory."

Zhu Feng was very moved when he heard this.

Almost cried bitterly.

Your Majesty still dotes on me, but you don’t blame me for losing the fighter plane at this time, and even praise me for contributing to the overall situation... Huh, these are the most heart-warming words I have heard in the world.

"Back to the capital, assist the Ministry of War to run the martial arts training hall well, and also assist in completing the drill of the new artillery." Zhu Youtang instructed.

Zhu Feng said: "I want to ask for an order to go back to Nanjing to visit relatives."

Zhu Youtang squinted at Zhu Feng when he heard the words, giving you a face and telling you to work hard, but you actually want to put down the pick?

"Your grandmother has always been in the capital, and your mother is also there. This time, only your father is responding to Tianfu's handling of military affairs. If you want to visit your relatives, you don't have to go anywhere." Zhu Youtang seemed to have made preparations early.

Zhu Feng was dumbfounded when he heard that, I don't even have a chance to ask for a rest?
"Besides, your marriage should have been settled early. You don't even have an heir, how can you settle down?" Zhu Youtang said, "There were many famous families before. Marriage, and even Uncle Pingjiang told me many times, mentioning your brilliant talent, and saying that you are brave and fearless..."

Zhu Fengxin said, is it me?

"I have already asked someone to say hello to your grandmother, as well as Ling Tang, to let them choose a marriage partner for you earlier, and you have done this recently!"

In order to tie Zhu Feng's heart, Zhu Youtang even cared about Zhu Feng's private affairs.

Regardless of Zhu Feng's poor ability, Zhu Youtang didn't have much expectations for this kid, but he also felt that this kid was very pure in mind, at least he didn't have so many tricks. If Zhang Zhou wanted to employ someone, Zhu Feng would be the best choice. suitable.

It is also because Zhu Feng is deeply influenced by Zhang Zhou, it is not enough for him to lead troops to fight in the front line, but if Zhu Feng is asked to teach the students about firing guns in the martial arts hall, Zhu Feng can also be clear, because Zhu Feng has contact with new guns The earliest time, and he is also a person who has experienced actual combat. Having actual combat experience is a plus for him as the instructor of Yanwutang.

……

……

Zhu Feng was sent back and asked to rest at home first.

Zhu Youtang also dismissed Xiao Jing and other eunuchs, leaving only Zhang Zhou alone.

He came out from behind the desk, and wanted to go back to Xinuang Pavilion with Zhang Zhou.

"Bingkuan, I see that Zhijie is actually not a good player in the use of troops, and he doesn't have much knowledge, and he is negligent and slack in governing the army." Zhu Youtang said earnestly.

It roughly means that Zhu Feng's ability is average, mainly because he is not knowledgeable, nor does he have the courage of a literati.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "A military ruler, how much ability is ability?"

"Ha ha."

Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded.

At the top and bottom of the court, there are so many honorable ministers, and they have little knowledge. At best, they can't even pass the examination of a scholar, and their knowledge is also very mediocre. I didn't see how much credit they could make.

Regardless of past wars or future wars, the Ming Dynasty basically relied on generals who were civil servants.

"Bingkuan, how is the research on the new artillery?" Zhu Youtang asked.

At this time the two walked out of Qianqing Palace, it was still relatively cold outside, Zhu Youtang didn't bring any retinue with him, so he stood in an open place with Zhang Zhou, not in a hurry to go to Xinuang Pavilion.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Returning to Your Majesty, recently I have done very little research on artillery, etc., and are actually researching firecrackers. Now many exquisite parts have been mass-produced, and the assembled firecrackers have been improved in terms of accuracy and safety." Improvement, the module can also be delicate and detailed.”

Zhu Youtang asked, "Why not artillery?"

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Returning to Your Majesty, no matter how powerful the artillery is, its effectiveness in actual combat will decrease more and more. On the contrary, it is not as good as the firecracker. Just imagine, Your Majesty, if every soldier has a firecracker that can change the projectile at any time, every time it is replaced It only takes a short while, wouldn't all the bows, crossbows and swords on the battlefield be replaced?"

"That's right." Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "The Tatars ride horses like the wind. If you go to a decisive battle with them with cannons on your back, they will avoid the battle, which is very inconvenient. It will definitely not be the enemy's attack in the future. , just turned around.”

Speaking of this, Zhu Youtang asked again with some expectations: "Then Bingkuan, in the future, when the imperial conquest is in person, will the artillery or the firecracker be the most important thing?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "Returning to Your Majesty, it is more important to look at the right time to go to the grassland. What is the most important thing at that time depends on how the Tatars are preparing for the war. I believe that in the next few years, we should try our best to instigate internal turmoil in the Tatars. , so that its internal strife, so that it has no intention of disturbing the side, so as to ensure that Ming's preparations for the war can proceed smoothly."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang obviously does not have a clearer outlook for the future.

It was rare that Zhang Zhou was worried about this matter for him now, and he was no longer in the mode of directly recruiting soldiers and horses to go out. He could also consider tactics, and even thought about the important issue of guns and guns.

Zhu Youtang said: "Everything depends on you."

The implication is that in the next few years, you will be in charge of the military department of Ming Dynasty, and you will be in charge of the affairs of the Dudu Mansion.

If you grasp the matter of dispatching troops and commanding troops like this, you will help me completely eradicate the hidden dangers in the grassland and make me an emperor through the ages.

Under this premise, you can let go and do it.

……

……

On the eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhang Zhou's family finally arrived in the capital.

One day when the family returned to the mansion, they first saw the plaque of "Cai Guogong's Mansion" hanging on the door, and they all felt very fresh.

Zhang Zhou just returned home.

"Master." Jiang Pingyu brought a family of women over to greet Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "The journey has been exhausting. The journey to the south has caused a lot of trouble for our family, but after returning to Beijing this time, it should not involve moving and other matters. Even if I may go out on business in the future, you will stay in the capital." That's it."

The layout of the courtyard remains the same, and each of the female relatives has their own courtyard.

Before, it was even tidied up very well, intact, and the female relatives could live in on the same day, but they would feel very comfortable.

It was Lin Yi who was very shy in front of Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou knew about Lin Yi's meeting with Li Yu in Dongchang Mansion a long time ago, so he immediately called Lin Yi aside.

"Master, I told Ms. Li that I didn't write those words." Lin Yi explained the situation to Zhang Zhou seriously.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "It doesn't matter who wrote it? I said you wrote it, so you wrote it... It's like the three poems of the prince. What do you think?"

Lin Yidao: "The concubine guessed that the prince's poems were also written by the master, probably only the master has such talent."

In the past, Lin Yi acted like a lady in front of Zhang Zhou. She always liked to use dogma to make things difficult for Zhang Zhou.

But after marrying in, she fully felt that she could not compare with Zhang Zhou in terms of talent, and then became depressed, and even her inferiority complex gradually fermented.

Zhang Zhoudao: "You are too sincere. The girl from the family wants to be your friend. You are a bit unreasonable. It's just a few poems. What does it matter who wrote them? Do you think it's my husband? Do you need that bit of poetry to accumulate some reputation for yourself?"

Lin Yi thought for a while, and said seriously: "I'm already married as a woman, and I don't need a name outside my body."

"Ha ha."

Zhang Zhou felt that Lin Yi was quite open-minded.

A famous talented woman in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, many people thought that "flowers are planted on cow dung". Behaviors that are not as good as animals".

However, as Zhang Zhou established his reputation as a literary guru at the Nanjing Literary Association, this kind of rumors became much less, but many people still couldn't stand the secret slander.

To put it bluntly, it is envy, jealousy and hatred.

"Take a good rest. I won't come here to bother you these two days. I'm very busy now as Minister of the Ministry of War." Zhang Zhou sighed, "Being Minister, you may not have many chances to see me. I can't take care of the family a little bit."

What Zhang Zhou said was basically the normal state of the middle and upper-level officials of the Ming Dynasty.

When an official reaches the level of Shangshu, the focus of life is basically not on the family. Even if I see my family occasionally, I will never take care of any short-term matters of the parents.

However, Zhang Zhou who became a minister at a young age is naturally different from those who became ministers at the age of 70 or [-].

"Master, the Miss Li family said, let the concubine go to teach her after I turn around, can I go?" Lin Yi asked.

Zhang Zhou shrugged and said, "This is your freedom. You don't need to ask me. Of course, I don't think you need to worry about those two bundles. Recently, I have made a lot of money in business. One person in my family gave me pocket money of 1000 taels. Save some money, I don’t know when the next pocket money will be distributed.”

Lin Yi quickly waved her hands and said, "Too many, I can't spend them all."

"It's okay, buy a house and land, you can figure it out." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "At the same time, we must prepare for the next generation. Work hard, Lin."

……

……

Big problem is.

After Zhang Zhou came to this world, his efficiency in farming was very low, and even Zhang Zhou himself didn't figure out what was going on.

Only Wang Mingshan's field sprouted and gave birth to a son, which made him realize that he could still do it.

But it's just possible... I usually have too many thoughts, and I didn't concentrate on doing this thing well.

Zhang Zhou felt that since he wanted to nourish Zhu Youtang, why not "practice" himself first?

I feel regretful in my heart, I can't personally go to Nanyang with the sea ship, or even to the New World of America, otherwise... I can get back any good things, who said that there is no "magic medicine" for strengthening muscles and bones in this world?Of course, all of this is based on a relative basis, and the key lies in... consolidating the foundation and cultivating the talents over the years.

The biggest change for Zhang Zhou when the female members of the Zhang family returned to the capital was that Wang Mingshan was able to follow up again.

Wang Mingshan could stay by his side before, but all he came into contact with were local officials and military generals, and the female family members around him also needed protection, and Zhang Zhou didn't want Wang Mingshan to leave his newborn child for too long.

Now that I'm back in the capital, I don't have such worries.

Wang Mingshan's first change was the military uniform of Jin Yiwei deputy Qian Hu, who was directly replaced by Qian Hu's.

In this way, Zhang Zhou has Wang Mingshan and Liu Gui, two Jinyiwei Qianhus. As for the former Jinyiwei Qianhu, Sun Shangqi, who has been transferred to work outside the country, he still hasn't returned to the capital to join Zhang Zhou.

at the same time.

In the city of Nanjing, the father and son of the Zhang family, Zhang Ye and Zhang Ping, who had worked hard all the way, finally returned to Nanjing after a long journey.

The first thing the two did when they arrived in Nanjing was to live in another house, which was tantamount to a complete break with the tigress at home.

"Son, this place chosen by father, you think it's okay?"

Zhang Ye stood in front of his new house of Jinyiwei Qianhu. In fact, the house was rented by Yin Wuxiong of Yingtian Mansion for Zhang Zhou's face, and the rent was a little less.

Zhang Pingdao: "Father, are we really not going back to see mother?"

"That woman, you have insulted your father half your life, why do you still want to see her? You want her to go back by herself, anyway, you can only choose one between your father and your mother!"

Zhangye also became angry.

In the past, she had no skills and was forced to be a strict wife, but now that she has finally made a fortune, she still needs to look after the tigress at home?

As soon as they moved into the new house here, a "matchmaker" came to the door.

"Master Zhang, right? I've heard about you for a long time. It is said that you want to take in a concubine. If you don't come here, how many families have you chosen for you?" The matchmaker was very considerate.

Said she was a matchmaker, but her words were more like an old bustard.

Zhang Ye said proudly, "Do you know who I am?"

The matchmaker said: "You are Jinyiwei Qianhu, or Cai Guogong's brother, you are famous, everyone in Nanjing knows who doesn't."

"It's good to understand. I only want people from good families. Also, I have to meet people in person before I accept them. By the way, let my son see if there is a lady from a rich family, and marry a daughter-in-law when she comes back..."

"Hey, Mr. Zhang, you are so powerful. You are growing old and strong. Do you want to marry your son? You found the right person in the old slave's house. There is nothing else in the old slave's house. There are plenty of girls. They are all golden girls from good families. You Just look..."

Zhangye on the side was dumbfounded.

Why does this sound more and more wrong?
(End of this chapter)