The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 493 The bird in the cage

Zhang Zhou was originally just listening to the "Royal Secrets", participating in the disputes within Lao Zhu's family, and watching the excitement from the sidelines.

But when the Princess Yongkang glared at him and said something like that, Zhang Zhou finally realized, "My relationship is still my business?"

Is it because you despised the unpromising person in your family and wanted him to get ahead, and then you insisted on joining the army for nothing. Now that your wish has come true, just because he has no experience in the army, he was pushed out to lead the troops on the front line. Is this all my fault?

Is it weird?
Empress Dowager Zhou didn't take her grandson's accusation seriously. She pretended to ask, "Bingkuan, is there anyone in the army who is jealous of Mao Ren's talent?"

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "Although Prince Consort Cui has no actual experience in leading troops, he has great potential. He can be said to be a hidden horse. There must be some people in the army who are jealous of his talents, especially some honorable ministers who are just waiting to die. The general may regard Prince Consort Cui as a thorn in his side."

Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Zhou from the side, his eyes seemed to say, Bingkuan, why are you still adding to the flames?

"But if you are not envied by others, you are mediocre." Zhang Zhou added.

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and nodded: "Bingkuan is right, you are not afraid of being jealous if you are capable, just like Bingkuan... You must have experienced this deeply in the court, right?"

Zhang Zhou said: "The Empress Dowager is smiling. I have done my duty in the court and have never taken the initiative to have any disputes with others."

The Empress Dowager Zhou looked at Zhu Youtang again and said: "Emperor, Bingkuan has a good understanding of people. He said that Maoren has abilities. If you use them more, you may be able to cultivate a pillar for you to govern the country and the army in the future."

"Yes, Imperial Grandmother."

Zhu Youtang suddenly felt that he was talking about the situation.

But it also indirectly complimented Zhang Zhou and Cui Yuan, which not only made him, the emperor, feel comfortable after hearing it, but it seemed that his sister... didn't look as anxious as before.

Sure enough, the old lady is still...

The Empress Dowager Zhou turned to Zhang Zhou again and said: "That's true, but Bingkuan, if something unexpected happens to Mao Ren in this battle, just like the British official, I'm afraid there will be some difficulties in explaining it. The Ai family still doesn't want them to do anything. damage."

Do you want to join the army and gain merit, but don’t want to take risks?
Zhang Zhou carefully analyzed: "The information we have received so far says that Cui Prince Consort and Xiangcheng Uncle brought two thousand cavalry reinforcements to Shigou City. The terrain around Shigou City is open and the roads are accessible in all directions. And there are cavalry. This attack But you can still run away, right?"

Yongkang became anxious upon hearing this and asked, "Who do you think can't be beaten and just run away?"

This touched upon a weak point in her heart. The eldest princess also wanted to save face.

Zhang Zhou said: "I'm just making a hypothesis. I'm talking about strategic retreat. What do you think?"

"you……"

"Okay." Empress Dowager Zhou interrupted the argument, "Bingkuan has already said that the outcome of this battle has not yet been concluded, and we will wait until there is an outcome. If you want to blame Baoguo Gong, can you blame Bingkuan? Bingkuan appreciates it. What a good thing it is for him to recommend him to Your Majesty? If Mao Ren can successfully obtain military exploits from this battle, it will be too late to be grateful. Yongkang, you cannot be ignorant of good and evil."

Princess Yongkang had only seen old ladies helping her own family before, but she had never seen old ladies helping outsiders.

She felt aggrieved for a moment, but she had to be strong-tempered and couldn't show it.

What she didn't know was that Queen Mother Zhou had long been able to distinguish who were "family members" and who were "outsiders". You, Yongkang, are already the married granddaughter, and you can be the most influential confidant around my grandson. Comparable to ministers?
At critical moments, the Ai family still relies on him to influence the emperor and help me with things.

Now asking him to explain a few sentences to you is enough to give you face.

……

……

Empress Dowager Zhou did not embarrass Zhu Youtang and Zhang Zhou, and quickly let them leave.

After they left, Yongkang looked very unwilling and said: "The Empress Dowager, didn't you want to explain things to your brother? Why did you only say these few words?"

Empress Dowager Zhou said: "Your imperial brother is busy with affairs, how can he spare time to care about your affairs? I have said what needs to be said. Are you asking the Ai family to propose a job to Mao Ren that does not require risk and can gain military merit?" Is it that easy? Bingkuan has already said that not being jealous is a mediocre talent, but being jealous of Mao Ren is a good thing."

Yongkang said: "It's not jealousy, it's just going to die."

"We'll wait until we get the results." Queen Mother Zhou said, "We still have children. Don't you think that the one who is jealous of your family is Bingkuan?"

Yongkang was speechless this time.

In fact, that was what she meant at first.

Just because her husband was appreciated by the emperor, Zhang Zhou cooperated with Zhu Hui, the protector of the country, to send her husband to the front line of the battlefield, and then found an opportunity to let him die to prevent her husband from gaining the emperor's trust in the future...

A fierce and powerful woman like Yongkang will definitely make people think the worst when it comes to getting into trouble.

Empress Dowager Zhou said: "Bingkuan knows how to do things. He is not like those ministers in the court. He has a sense of proportion. If he thinks this is okay, then it must be okay. Let's go back."

"The Empress Dowager..."

"Let's go!" Empress Dowager Zhou said impatiently, "The Ai family is going to have Buddhist rituals recently, so don't disturb me if you have nothing to do. Forget greetings or anything else. Now that you're married, you shouldn't hang around your parents' house as much as possible. It won't be known to outsiders. No, do you want people to think that you are here to ask for something from your royal brother?"

Yongkang is indeed here to beg for something, but it is not material, but it is more valuable than material.

……

……

Zhu Youtang and Zhang Zhou returned to the Qianqing Palace. Zhu Youtang said apologetically: "Yongkang's temper is the most stubborn among my several imperial sisters. Don't take it to heart, Bingkuan."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "It makes sense to fight for your own prince-in-law."

Zhu Youtang said gloomily: "She is causing trouble for me and the court! Is her government's affairs more important, or the court's affairs?"

Zhang Zhou smiled without saying a word.

"But if you have the chance, you can help Cui Yuan. He has a pretty good temper. I have met him in the past and I admire him somewhat." Zhu Youtang still added.

Zhang Zhou also saw that Zhu Youtang actually took good care of Cui Yuan, his brother-in-law.

Probably because Cui Yuan is a "harmonious wife", Zhu Youtang himself was the same in the past, and then they felt a little sympathetic to each other.

It also has something to do with Cui Yuan being a carefree person, making friends well, having an easy-going personality and not being pushy. Such a brother-in-law is considered a good old man in the eyes of his brother-in-law.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I think Prince Consort Cui has a great chance of making a success in this battle. It depends on whether he knows how to grasp it."

"How do you say it?" Zhu Youtang asked.

"With the front army, and there is a governor of Ningxia on the front who is determined to fight. As long as the men and horses he follows can rush forward, they will definitely gain something. No matter how many military achievements they have, they can be regarded as setting an example for the entire army." Zhang Zhou said.

Zhu Youtang said: "He is following Uncle Xiangcheng. He only has one or two thousand soldiers and horses. Will he bravely fight against the foreign barbarians?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "It depends on how the war progresses. If it is beneficial to the Ming Dynasty, then the soldiers will be brave. Otherwise...it depends on people."

……

……

Regarding Cui Yuan's performance on the battlefield, it was impossible for Zhang Zhou, who was more than 2000 miles away, to know about it. He did not even expect that Cui Yuan could be sent out by Li E to serve as the vanguard of the vanguard.

At this time, the Tatars were steadily retreating.

People from all walks of life in the Ming Dynasty were chasing after them, and there were several small confrontations, causing damage to each other. The biggest problem in the Ming Dynasty was not that the soldiers were not brave enough to fight, but that the number of firearms had dropped sharply.

Zhu Hui, who had the largest batch of firearms, delayed and failed to follow, so the war never broke out.

The Tatars are not good at anything else, but in terms of riding horses, they are indeed not comparable to the Ming Dynasty. Especially in the Ming Dynasty's Ningxia frontier army, more than half of them are not cavalry. It is a bit powerless to chase them with just two legs.

Two days after the pursuit began, the Ningxia headquarters was no longer close to the rear of the Tatar army as before, but had opened a distance of at least twenty miles.

By this time, neither side had stopped to rest, and both combatants had basically reached the limit of their physical fitness.

"Master Yang, the soldiers can no longer keep up. Some are already complaining. They have traveled nearly 260 miles in the past two days. It's okay if they have animals to carry them. Others...have been delayed a long way."

Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gao Pi rode his horse to Yang Yiqing's car and complained to Yang Yiqing.

Originally, Guo Jun should have done this job, but Guo Jun didn't want to talk about it now. It was rare for him to have military merit, so he had to let his subordinates do the opposite.

Yang Yiqing looked at the darkening sky. The pursuit had lasted for two days, two nights and one afternoon. He naturally knew that if he continued the pursuit like this, he would be the first to be unable to hold on.

Yang Yiqing asked: "Have Uncle Ping Jiang's men followed?"

"It's difficult, sir." Gao Pi said, "We are marching. Even if Uncle Ping Jiang mounts a horse to chase us, it will take several days."

Yang Yiqing said: "Uncle Ping Jiang should take the road through Lingzhou and cut off the Tatars' retreat."

Gao Pi didn't answer. Obviously he couldn't influence Chen Rui's decision. Even if he sent Chen Rui a message now to ask him to cooperate, it was too late.

Yang Yiqing was also a little annoyed and said: "Are all the generals of the Ming Dynasty so irresponsible? According to this posture, the Tatars want to cross the Yellow River, not towards the Hetao. If they reach the border of Ningxia Vanguard, they can cooperate with the defenders and generals. It was trapped along the Yellow River, making it impossible for it to cross.”

Gao Pi said: "Sir, are we going to catch up to the Yellow River? If we go this way, it may take... a day or two. We are getting slower and slower as we go."

"The Tatars are almost reaching their limit!" Yang Yiqing said, "Should we not pursue them and let them continue to wreak havoc in the Ming Dynasty? Now even for the sake of the people, we must continue to pursue them. Tell the soldiers that this matter Considering their military exploits and their lifelong glory, will they ever have the chance to experience something like this in this life?"

Gao Pixin said, this didn't sound right.

Could it be that just because we fought such a battle with you, Mr. Yang, it must be the pinnacle of our lives?
Why aren't we allowed to make greater contributions in the future?Our goals in life are very high.

"The Tartars are also at the end of their game. Let those who can't catch up first... catch up as much as possible, and those on horseback must not let up. Then tell Marquis Wu'an, Uncle Xiangcheng and Uncle Jianchang to let them follow closely." When Yang Yiqing was making arrangements, Gao Pi suddenly thought of something.

Gao Pi said: "Uncle Xiangcheng is already ahead of us, Uncle Jianchang has fallen nearly a hundred miles away, and I don't know if he can keep up. As for Marquis Wu'an... he is the closest to us."

Yang Yiqing nodded and said: "It seems that Uncle Xiangcheng is able to gain a foothold in the border town because of his abilities. I thought he was also a loser. Did I despise him?"

Even Yang Yiqing didn't think there was any difference between Li Hao and other distinguished ministers.

Gao Pi said: "That's probably because they performed meritorious service on the battlefield and were holding their breath. Now the brothers don't want them to take away the credit."

The two groups of people were originally cooperating. After all, there was no competition pressure. Li Nuocai only had 2000 people.

However, Cui Yuan's excellent performance on the southern line of Shigoucheng and the fact that he pursued so hard this time will make the local Ningxia frontier soldiers feel that they are deliberately trying to steal the credit.

"It's good to have competition. I also tell the people below that we can't be looked down upon. This is our territory in Ningxia. Do we have to hand over our achievements to others?" Yang Yiqing encouraged.

Obviously, Yang Yiqing did not regard Li Er or Cui Yuan as his opponents, but now he wanted to use these two as catfish to motivate his soldiers.

……

……

Within the capital.

The battle report is coming, but there is a lot of discussion in the capital. Unlike Zhang Zhou's optimism about Yang Yiqing, both civil and military officials and public opinion in the capital are generally not optimistic about Yang Yiqing and his tens of thousands of soldiers in Ningxia.

Even in the Yanwu Hall, there seemed to be many opinions on Yang Yiqing, mainly because Yang Yiqing was not a direct descendant of Zhang Zhou. From the perspective that most people in the Yanwu Hall regarded themselves as Zhang Zhou's disciples, Yang Yiqing was a political enemy.

How could a leader who had not been cultivated by Zhang Zhou become a victorious general on the battlefield?In the battle with Huamachi, it was obvious that Zhang Zhou had calculated the time and place in advance and asked Yang Yiqing to get a big deal.

Recently, the public opinion in the capital is simply trying to blow Zhang Zhou to the sky.

Omnipotent, like a god descending from the earth, attacking wherever he points. The Tatars all obeyed Zhang Zhou's instructions and went to the Huama Pond to die.

On this day, Zhang Zhou was still watching the opera rehearsal in the theater... The theater was not open to the public that night, but a new play was being rehearsed. As the boss behind the scenes, Zhang Zhou naturally wanted to come over and give guidance. He had to fulfill the boss's obligations Responsibility is also a pastime for him.

Zhu Feng, on the other hand, had been busy in the Yanwu Hall all day and came to Zhang Zhou to talk to him at night.

"Brother Zhang, don't mention it. I have seen many beautiful actors along the way. Your place has really become a golden house to hide your beauty."

Zhu Feng was still very envious as he spoke.

Zhang Zhou had money and leisure. After becoming the minister, he actually opened such a theater in the capital to make money. He won the respect of the entire circle of fans in the capital. He could not only make money but also come here for entertainment.

Zhang Zhou frowned when he heard this.

I don’t have the nerve to ask, what do you mean by “beautiful actor”?The so-called different visions mean different things to be evaluated...you should not be looking at the same thing as others.

"Really? For example?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Zhu Feng said: "Those female actors on the stage are all beautiful, and they are pleasing to the eye."

Only then did Zhang Zhou realize that the two of them were talking about the same thing.

"If you are interested, take her back and I will help you find a match." Zhang Zhou said, "If you can take a concubine and give birth to a son, I guess you can burn high-quality incense at home."

"Ha ha."

Zhu Feng smiled ashamedly and scratched his head.

Zhang Zhou instantly understood that this kid was just having fun with his mouth and had not really changed his temper at all.

Immediately, tea and snacks were served. Zhang Zhou looked at Zhu Feng and said to the waiter: "Give him some ordinary food."

Zhu Feng smiled and said: "Brother Zhang understands me. When I am busy, I have no time to eat. I feel hungry just talking about it."

Zhu Feng came to him for food not once or twice.

And Zhang Zhou also knew that Zhu Feng was not pretending on purpose. Zhu Feng still put in a lot of effort into the operation of the Yanwu Hall. After all, there was no principal or honorary principal, and he could only rely on the instructors to support the Yanwu Hall. Wang It is impossible for Qiong to go often, and the only one left who can speak with weight and can even lead students is Zhu Feng.

"After Lu Wan returns to the capital, it will be easier for you." Zhang Zhou mentioned Lu Wan who had just gone to Neisan Pass as governor.

"Yeah." Zhu Feng didn't mind much.

While waiting for the meal, Zhu Feng had no intention of admiring any "beautiful actors". He said: "Not to mention the person who came to give me gifts recently, he also said that he would like to go to the northwest with me to practice."

"Oh?" Zhang Zhou pretended to be surprised.

Zhu Feng said: "I haven't confiscated them. I also told them that your Majesty and Brother Zhang have no intention of letting me go to the northwest for the time being. That's the case. They secretly guessed that if this battle doesn't go well, your Majesty may send me to Ningxia to lead the troops. He also said that I know the military situation in Ningxia better, after all, I led troops to fight the Tatars there."

Zhang Zhou nodded slightly and continued to look at the stage.

At this time, Xiao Janggeum, under the leadership of Zhang Lushui, was rehearsing a local North Korean drama. Although it was also re-edited, it had an exotic feel to it.

This kind of play is just a prelude, not the main selling point, but Zhang Zhou found it interesting. After all, there were several women from North Korea on the side, including one who directly paid tribute to King Li Yi of North Korea. The Ming Dynasty was given directly by the emperor.

Although from an aesthetic point of view, they basically conform to the current male aesthetic standards... they have small round faces and look pink, but they still have beautiful facial features.

This also let Zhang Zhou know that in fact, the aesthetics of the past dynasties are similar, but there are limitations of the times in terms of makeup and so on.

"Brother Zhang, if you really lose, do you want me to join him?" Zhu Feng asked.

Zhang Zhou still didn't look back, but he said angrily: "Can you hope for something better? Hua Ma Chi has won, do you think there is a possibility of losing this battle? It's just a question of how much you win."

What Li Rong could understand at first, Zhu Feng might not be able to understand.

That is... As long as some Tatar heads are captured in this battle, the scene will not be too ugly. The two sides will retreat after fighting. Even if the losses of the Ming soldiers are several times that of the opposite party, it will not affect the frontier army's victory or the court's celebration. victory.

Zhu Feng said with a smile: "That's good that I don't have to go. By the way, Brother Zhang, there's another interesting moment. Guess who else gave me a gift? You won't believe it when I say it, but it's the eldest princess of Yongkang... "

This time Zhang Zhou's eyes were finally attracted, and he looked over with a frown.

"She just gave you gifts and had no demands?" Zhang Zhou thought of Princess Yongkang he met the day before and knew that she was a woman who was not easy to mess with.

Unlike Ning Tong, Princess Yongkang has her own pride as the emperor's sister.

Mainly Zhang Zhou is also difficult to deal with.

Zhu Feng thought for a while and said: "I didn't see the eldest princess in person. She just sent her servant. What she told me was that she has always been on friendly terms with Duke Chengguo and my father is not in Beijing, so I don't know her." What he said was true and false. He also said that when the consort comes back, he would invite me to come over and have a drink."

Zhang Zhou said: "You can agree."

Zhu Feng shook his head and said, "It's better to say goodbye. The eldest princess...is not someone to be trifled with."

Zhang Zhouxin said that it was rare to know who he could not offend. The most important thing was that the eldest princess was too strong. Unlike the emperor's other two sisters, Princess Yongkang seemed to have a preference for revitalizing the lintel. This made Zhang Zhou think that this was probably the reason why later. The reason why Cui Yuanneng fought for the title of marquis.

"I sent all the gifts back. If anyone comes to give you gifts in the future, I will refuse them." Zhu Feng said, "As you said, Brother Zhang, I will only go into battle with you when you are leading the army. Other times...it would be nice for me to stay in the capital."

"Yeah." Zhang Zhou continued to look at the stage.

Seeing that Zhang Zhou was not interested in his topic, Zhu Feng felt that he was asking for trouble.

It happened that the food was also served at this moment. He picked up the bowls and chopsticks and said as if talking to himself: "Speaking of which, I haven't seen Tong'er for a few days. I wonder how she is now."

Zhang Zhou said: "You haven't seen it, and neither have I."

"Ah?" Zhu Feng looked very surprised and didn't even bother to eat. "Haven't you seen her? Brother Zhang said he would take care of her."

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, when did I say I would take care of her?

"Brother Zhang, she is a lonely woman. Even if I no longer need to help her, she still needs some care. I have always hoped that she will not die alone. Brother Zhang, look... "

Zhu Feng was very enthusiastic.

Zhang Zhou glanced at him lightly and said: "Zhijie, this person has nothing to do with you anymore. You don't have to be responsible for her future. It's like she has never had anything to do with me and I don't have to be responsible for her. Since she can After entering the palace to treat the imperial concubine and the prince, everyone in the palace now respects her. Maybe she will stay in the palace if there is a chance in the future?"

"What do you mean?" Zhu Feng was still confused.

Zhang Zhou didn't answer.

After Zhu Feng thought about it for a while, he suddenly realized the meaning of Zhang Zhou's words and said with fear in his eyes: "No way?"

"Why not?" As Zhang Zhouzheng spoke, the Korean local drama on the stage had ended.

There was nothing to do with the actors, but Zhang Lushui knew that Zhang Zhou was there that day, so he insisted on dragging Xiao Janggeum up to serve Zhang Zhou tea. The entire theater troupe, especially the North Korean people, seemed to treat Zhang Lushui as half a wife.

It was also because Zhang Lushui had the skills, she spoke Chinese well, she came early, and she was a mainstay in the theater, so she often saw Zhang Zhou...

In short, she still has her own way of doing things in the theater. Others would think that Zhang Zhou would accept her, and no one would dare to offend her.

Zhu Feng whispered: "Brother Zhang should know that Tong'er doesn't want to be tied down in one place. If Brother Zhang accepts her, she can still do what she wants to do as before. But if it's His Majesty... ...I'm just talking nonsense, even if Brother Zhang listens to it...don't put Tong'er in a cage, she doesn't like to be a bird in someone else's cage."

(End of this chapter)