The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 476
The Zhang family's "old house".

Zhang Zhou's house in Qingchengfang outside Dong'anmen is usually uninhabited, but recently Zhang Zhou had people clean it up and use it as his "outside house". In addition to receiving guests here, he can also do some things here. Research and invent things.

It's just that the dignitaries living nearby don't know that there is such a "explosive barrel", or laboratory, around them.

If the neighbors knew about it, they would definitely go to court and complain against him.

This day he was "watching a show" in his old house.

In other words, to let the family experience the "foreign customs", Zhang Lushui and Xiao Jangjin came to his house to perform, as well as the troupe from his theater. This time they performed specifically for the female family members around him, but that day Jiang Pingyu didn't come over because she felt unwell.

The main wife was not here, but Han Qing, Wang Mingshan and Lin Yi were all there, so it didn't affect the theater, and the courtyard was very lively.

There is also a desk in front of Zhang Zhou. Each of the women has restrained herself and tried to show her generous and decent side while watching the show. Han Qing has been suppressing it, while Lin Yi has been used to suppressing it since childhood. As for Wang Mingshan didn't need to suppress it, because she was just watching the fun.

"Give me some advice on the new play, and they will perform it later. It will increase the family's income, and you can be considered the female shopkeeper."

Zhang Zhou said to them with a smile.

Lin Yi looked at Zhang Zhou with an incomprehensible look, as if to say, are you serious?

Not only do you let us watch the show, but you also let us give our opinions?This doesn't seem to be the duty of "every lady", right?After entering Zhangjiamen, what on earth did I come for?

A good show here has just begun.

The maid entered the backyard safely, saluted Zhang Zhou respectfully and said, "Master, there is a man outside wearing an official uniform and carrying a sword. He says he is here to pay homage to you."

"You guys continue watching." Zhang Zhou knew that the main character tonight was coming, so he let his female family members continue to enjoy the opera. "If I come back late, just sleep in the room, or you can take the carriage back to the mansion. .”

Wang Mingshan was about to get up and leave with Zhang Zhou, but Zhang Zhou motioned for her to continue sitting and watching: "I don't need you to go."

After all, she is a personal bodyguard. Wang Mingshan is usually used to dressing up in men's clothing, but this time she is wearing a skirt. Maybe she is not used to it.

Wait for Zhang Zhou to leave the backyard.

Han Qing asked: "Why do you come here to watch a show?"

The three women could finally have some simple communication without shying away, but it was obvious that Wang Mingshan could not answer such questions.

Lin Yi said: "Maybe... the master wants to keep us here, right?"

Wang Mingshan didn't understand, and Han Qing was from a humble background. She soon seemed to understand the meaning of Lin Yi's words... Since this is an outside house, it can be used as a golden house to hide the beautiful women. Maybe Zhang Zhou just wanted to let them What about moving here?
……

……

What Zhang Zhou saw was none other than the commander of the Jinyi Guards, Mou Bin.

Mu Bin was here under orders, or Zhu Youtang specifically informed him in advance. This time, Zhu Youtang did not ask Li Rong, the admiral of the East Factory, to communicate with Zhang Zhou, but directly asked the commander of the Jin Yiwei to come, which made Zhang Zhou feel that This matter may be related to the eunuchs in the palace.

Mou Bin was very respectful when he saw Zhang Zhou and knelt down on one knee to salute Zhang Zhou.

"Commander Mou, you're welcome. We have something to talk about." Zhang Zhou said, "His Majesty just said that there is something that you want me to help with, but after all, I am not responsible for the mission of Jinyi Guards. My opinions are only for reference."

Mou Bin then handed something like a document to Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou opened his eyes and took a look at the case. It was about the case of Zhang Yu, the former governor of Liaodong, and Ren Liang, the eunuch of Liaodong garrison. Zhang Yu had resigned from office and returned to Beijing and was secretly detained, while Ren Liang was detained after the year...that is to say , the two big bosses of Liaodong were taken away by the emperor.

Zhang Zhou said: "It's really unexpected. The two of them... seem to be capable people."

Zhang Yu was the former Yin of Shuntian Prefecture. He was transferred to Liaodong as governor in August of the 13th year of Hongzhi. Historically, it was in April of the [-]th year of Hongzhi. Go deep, kill and injure the officers and soldiers, and plunder people and animals. I will send the officers back on my behalf."

However, because of Zhang Zhou's presence, Zhang Yu's false claims of military exploits in Liaodong were not investigated in detail. This arrest was all due to secret trade communications with Duoyan Sanwei, which was unknown to the court.

Mou Bin said bluntly: "After Eunuch Ren was brought back to the capital, 6000 taels of gold, 3 taels of silver, [-] taels of coin, and countless other properties were confiscated from his ancestral home and private residence. According to the confession of his close associates, Eunuch Ren has been in the northwest for many years and has many party members in the DPRK. He also secretly trades horses, copper, iron, cloth and other items with the Tatars, and accepts bribes..."

Zhang Zhou nodded.

Before Ren Liang was in Liaodong, he was one of the top local tyrants, but because of his background in the imperial court, he was Wei Bin, the eunuch who was in charge of rites, and the four top eunuchs in the past were Dai Yi, Xiao Jing, Wei Bin and Chen Kuan. There are many connections between them. This time the emperor asked Li Ronglai to be the chief eunuch Bingbi to supervise the East Factory. In fact, it was clear that he wanted to break the pattern of the eunuch.

The person behind Ren Liang and Zhang Yu is Wei Bin. The investigation should wait until Li Rong takes charge of Dongchang, not when Xiao Jing is in charge of Dongchang.

This is very particular.

"Apart from these two, don't the generals below participate?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.

Mou Bin was startled.

From Mu Bin's point of view, an ordinary person would definitely want to reduce big problems to small ones. What Zhang Zhou meant was... that he also wanted to deal with the disobedient generals in Liaodong as well?
Mou Bin immediately realized that Liaodong was actually Zhang Zhou's territory now. The emperor now asked Zhang Zhou to directly intervene in the cases of Ren Liang and Zhang Yu. Isn't it clear that Zhang Zhou was allowed to watch the whole thing himself?That is to let Zhang Zhou clean up the back garden of Liaodong by himself.

Mou Bin understood this, and immediately said: "Beizi also has a list of bribery of Liaodong generals, and some evidence that two of them collaborated in corruption, perverting the law, and having liaisons with foreign barbarians. Because it is not complete yet, Beizi does not have it this time." bring."

Zhang Zhou smiled.

If you don’t ask, you won’t bring it?You, Mou Bin, are also very good at "getting things done".

Zhang Zhou said: "Don't be in a hurry. By the way, I heard that your Majesty is planning to assign a new person to the governor of Liaodong recently. I have not asked about this matter. Does Commander Mou know about it?"

Mou Bin replied: "Previously, His Majesty intended to appoint Wang Xian, the governor of Jizhou, as the governor of Liaodong, but for some reason it did not happen. I heard that the governor of Liaodong, Lu Wan, was preparing to leave for Beijing, and the person who will replace him... will most likely be Shuntian Prefecture. Prefect Han Zhong."

Han Chong was from the traditional faction and was not promoted by Zhang Zhou.

This would replace Lu Wan with an old person, which seems to give the territory of Liaodong to the traditional faction, but in fact it is just Zhu Youtang operating on the old system of Liaodong for convenience.

You see, although I questioned Ren Liang and Zhang Yu, I did not completely hand over Liaodong to Bingkuan. They were replaced by old ministers that you respected. You should believe that I am dedicated to cleaning up the darkness in the officialdom, not for factional strife, right?
"Then this case should be investigated carefully. I don't know much. Show me as many documents as possible. Let me sum up. Commander Mou may have to work hard these two days. If something happens, let's interview him alone. It's still not suitable for outsiders to do it. Come and send a message.”

Zhang Zhou won't make up his mind right away.

Mou Bin seemed to understand Zhang Zhou's intentions very well. The case could be delayed a little, or even spread a little bit outside, to test the reaction of his colleagues in the officialdom.

Who said that in such matters of officialdom purge, it must be thunderous?
……

...Wang Qiong's residence in Beijing.

A guest came that day. He was Li Gao, the former commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, who was transferred back to Beijing from Liaodong. Because Li Gao had attacked Wang Qiong in the Battle of Ningyuan, even though Li Gao was still the eunuch Ren Liang at the time. But now that Ren Liang and Zhang Yu have fallen, the only person he can think of to curry favor with is Wang Qiong, the current Minister of Household Affairs.

As it happens, Wang Qiong is not very good at avoiding others' visits and requests.

"Your Majesty, the general has been looked down upon since he returned to the capital, but he is determined to serve the court. Please give him this opportunity, Mr. Wang."

After Li Gao met Wang Qiong, he also sent a "heartfelt message" in a small wooden box, which must be something valuable.

Wang Qiong didn't even look at it and asked, "I haven't cared about Liaodong affairs for a long time. How is Eunuch Ren doing?"

After the Battle of Ningyuan, Ren Liang rose to power in Liaodong as a hero. After Lu Wan became the governor of Liaodong, he kept causing trouble for Lu Wan.

In Wang Qiong's view, Ren Liang had eunuchs and eunuchs as his backers, and as a general under Ren Liang, there was no need for Li Gao to join his side.

Li Gao said: "To be honest, as far as I know, Mr. Ren may be... sent to prison."

"Really?" Wang Qiong didn't know about this.

But he knew that Ren Liang was secretly dismissed.

Li Gao hurriedly expressed his position: "Today, all the soldiers in Liaodong are grateful for the convenience that Sir Wang brought to us when he was here. At the same time, they all admire the reputation of Mr. Cai Guogong and Mr. Wang, and miss you two talented people with knowledge of the world and the earth." , so that those turtle sons of Wu Liangha do not dare to invade again. Now everything is stable on the border, and the soldiers and people all praise your lord's wisdom."

Wang Qiong looked at Li Gao and asked, "Are you in any trouble?"

Li Gao looked evasive.

"If you don't make it clear, please come back." Although Wang Qiong is also greedy for money and reputation, he will not just take people who were political enemies to his side.

How arrogant is Ren Liang?In addition, Ren Liang's backers have not fallen, who knows whether Ren Liang will make a comeback again?

These eunuchs seemed to ignore cats and dogs when they were in decline, but when they wanted to become more prosperous, it seemed that all they had to do was turn their faces, which was, to put it bluntly, the attitude of an emperor.

Why did Li Gao say: "Bizhi... was interrogated by the Jin Yiwei people and asked if they had given gifts to Eunuch Ren, Governor Zhang and others. Although Bizhi was not detained, the Shangguan of the Governor's Office said that he would either be transferred to Yunnan or I can only wait in the capital, and in the future... I'm afraid there will be no chance to serve the imperial court in the northern battlefield."

"Yunnan? It's pretty good." Wang Qiong narrowed his eyes.

"But the general still wants to... serve the imperial court." Li Gao said.

Wang Qiong said: "After you arrived in the capital and before you came to my official residence, you never visited anyone else?"

This left Li Gao speechless for a moment.

After arriving in the capital, Wang Qiong was obviously not the first target of his visit. He must have wanted to see "higher officials", such as Wei Bin or Zhang Heling, but all the invitations that needed to be delivered were delivered, and the gifts were not given. Few, that is, no one can be seen.

"Let's put it this way, I can't interfere with Liaodong's military affairs at the moment. As for your future, it also depends on how involved you are with Eunuch Ren. As for Eunuch Ren's case, it also depends on whether there are people behind it." Wang Qiong said, " If you are really capable, or if you are admired by Duke Cai, there is no need to transfer you to the southwest borderland to see if you are good at it."

"This……"

Li Gao understood.

Wang Qiong didn't want to interfere with his affairs and asked him to go find Zhang Zhou.

Li Gao was also anxious, thinking, I can visit that awesome Zhang Banxian, but why should I come to you?
Wang Qiong said: "But recently, the Yanwu Hall is recruiting military generals from all over the capital. If you are really capable, you can apply for the exam. If your grades are good, entering the Yanwu Hall may help your future. "

"what?"

Li Gao vaguely heard that this was Wang Qiong giving him a chance.

Wang Qiong had no say in Ren Liang's case and was not qualified to dispatch military generals everywhere, but Wang Qiong was responsible for the enrollment of Yanwu Hall, which was equivalent to opening a hole for Li Gao.

"I will understand that I will work hard to enter the martial arts hall, and I will do my best for you, Sir, and Duke Cai, and I will never forget my kindness in cultivating you."

Having said this, Li Gao knelt down and kowtowed to Wang Qiong.

As a military general, Li Gao didn't feel anything wrong at all when he kowtowed to the civil servants of the Ming Dynasty. Instead, he seemed to have chosen the right person, who would become Wang Qiong's disciple in the future.

……

……

Li Dongyang Mansion.

After sunset that day, Kong Hongtai, who had been lingering in the capital, came out again to intercede with Li Dongyang, making Li Dongyang take the trouble.

"...Dongzhuang, hasn't your brother been pardoned and returned to his hometown now? Why did you come to see me?"

Li Dongyang's tone was very impatient.

"Ahem." Kong Hongtai coughed and said, "It is said to be a pardon, but now it is just a common man. I asked people from the Ministry of Rites, and they said that your Majesty has not mentioned anything about the inheritance of the Confucius family recently, and this body... is really Every day is getting worse, what do you think we should do?"

Li Dongyang said: "The inheritance of Xuansheng Temple is not something I can interfere with. There is nothing I can do to help."

Kong Hongtai looked over with pleading eyes, probably saying that you can help, and you should know how to help.

Seeing Li Dongyang's unmoved expression, Kong Hongtai lowered his head with emotion and said: "Now my nephew Wen Shao has been staying in the capital, hoping to join a famous family. Moreover, he is devoted to studying and has made many friends in the capital. If he is a guest, Brother, can you help him..."

Li Dongyang waved his hand and said: "Your Majesty has canceled the marriage between my family and this matter cannot be mentioned again."

"It's not about marriage, but... do you think you can let him... have more contacts with people in the Hanlin Academy? Or let him enter Beiyong and study for a few more years... so that he can accumulate reputation?"

Kong Hongtai almost begged.

Li Dongyang said: "If you want to think about him, please ask him to do something. You can only find one person. You know who I am talking about. Apart from this person, no one else can help. Because of who he is, he must be the one to help." Come to relieve. Alas! Dongzhuang, you shouldn't be so humble."

(End of this chapter)