The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 504
Zhu Houzhao gave his old father a current affairs policy, which discussed the development of the First World War in Ningxia.

When he was asked to recite the annotations to the Four Books of Mo on a regular basis, he would complain all over the place. But when he was writing this, he didn't feel tired at all. He couldn't stop when he picked up the pen. Even the lecturer in the East Palace didn't know what he was doing down there. It was I who taught him. Mine, you do yours, don't interfere with each other.

Before it got dark, the current affairs policy fell into Zhu Youtang's hands. Zhu Youtang felt very puzzled when he held it in his hands.

"Is it really written by the prince?" When Zhu Youtang asked this question, he felt it was unnecessary.

He recognized his son's handwriting very clearly, and his son's poems did not have any frivolous things. They were almost all straightforward, and there were not even various honorifics. This made people like Zhu Youtang who were used to following the rules want to hit someone. .

Li Rongdao: "Yes, Your Majesty, it was played by the prince, and it did not go through the cabinet."

Zhu Youtang frowned and said: "It's better not to take this thing out and embarrass it. Look at what is written here... Why does he think that it is impossible for the Tatars to cross the Yellow River? He has never been on the battlefield and even has a bow and arrow. You haven’t even taken one yet, so you think you can run a country and an army?”

"This……"

Of course Li Rong wanted to help the prince, but he didn't know what to say at this time.

"Your Majesty, everyone in the court is talking now, saying that the Tatars are going to cross the Yellow River. After crossing, the fields and people around Zhongtun in Ningxia will be plundered wantonly. As far as the slaves know, Ningxia Governor Yang Yiqing said before sending troops Proper arrangements have been made, but now the summer harvest season is approaching, and the summer grain from the north has not yet been stored in the warehouse. Even if the people and livestock can be evacuated to the fortress, I am afraid that the crops will..."

Li Rong expressed embarrassment and concern.

No one mentioned it before, but now that someone has carefully analyzed the Tatars' intentions, the purpose of the Tatars crossing the Yellow River is also obvious. Li Rong is talking about the matter.

Zhu Youtang said: "The Tatars did not send troops into the Hetao, but chose to invade from Huamachi. Their purpose is obvious. Why don't they want to plunder? If they really want to resist the main force of the army, they should use real swords." It’s a real fight, but look at these battles, in which of them were they determined to fight to the death? If there was a real fight, would they be able to kill so many people at once? "

Li Rongdao: "Then how to prevent the Tatars from crossing the river north?"

"Haha." Zhu Youtang's smile looked very cold, "Isn't it true? The prince has already said that the Tatars crossing the river are destroying themselves, so the Tatars must not be able to go north?"

Li Rong also smiled bitterly.

He said to himself, Your Majesty, even if you think your son's words are unreliable, let's not use his words to stifle others.

Zhu Youtang thought for a while and said, "Bingkuan didn't come to such a conclusion like the prince, did he?"

Li Rongdao: "Not really. What Cai Guogong meant was that it was an expedient measure for the Tatars to cross the river north. This was because they were discovered by the Ningxia border army when they invaded before, and the people on the south bank of the Yellow River had already taken precautions. In addition, In the two battles of Huamachi and Shigouyi, the Tatars were defeated one after another. The Tatars failed to achieve results and could only attempt to go north to reverse the defeat."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Then, in fact, the Tatars' crossing the river north was just a temporary move. As long as the border soldiers can fight bravely, it will not be easy for them to cross the river and plunder. Then let's wait for the results of the battle first. "

"Yes." Li Rong nodded.

Finally, the matter of the prince's memorial was dealt with.

"Take it." Zhu Youtang suddenly stretched out his hand to greet Li Rong.

Li Rong walked over and Zhu Youtang handed him the memorial. He was still puzzled and didn't understand what the emperor wanted to do.

"Let Bingkuan have a look. The good disciples he taught did not practice knowledge at all. They pondered these things every day. When I was as old as him, I was afraid that there would be some deviation in knowledge, but what about him?" Zhu Youtang? There was still some anger between the words.

Li Rong was also wondering, is the emperor planning to vent his anger on Mr. Zhang Zhou?

Unexpectedly, Zhu Youtang changed the subject and said: "No matter what you say, you always say something out of tune. Let Bingkuan teach him these things in peacetime, but it must be moderate. You still need to be knowledgeable and broad-minded to govern the country. If Bingkuan can I won’t stop you from teaching some things about heaven and earth... That’s it... let Bingkuan figure it out on his own."

Li Rong was speechless for a moment.

This Majesty...

It's obvious that he is a little confused when it comes to teaching his son. Maybe the father doesn't know which direction to train his son in.

I don't think it's a good thing for my son to be a martial artist, but I also know that my son is naughty. Now that I finally have a relatively serious thing to attract my son's attention, what more can I ask for?

I told my son to teach him the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as a collection of classics and history. Can this kid listen?
Therefore, the emperor probably couldn't plan a direction for Mr. Zhang Zhou. In the end, he just let Zhang Zhou teach him casually and let his own way.

……

……

In the afternoon of the same day, the capital was in the palace of Duke Chengguo.

Mrs. Cheng Guotai is receiving visitors. It is Princess Yongkang who had previously asked Zhu Feng to reconcile with Zhang Zhou. She came in person because she wanted the old lady of the Zhu family to think of her and do more in this matter.

"Eldest Princess, wait a moment. I have sent someone to invite my grandson. I think he is on the way and will be here soon."

Mrs. Zhu Hu did not expect the eldest princess to come in person. She felt miserable for such a powerful eldest princess.

There was some friendship between the two families before, but the key point is that the matter you asked is a bit difficult to handle. Our old Zhu family also wanted to curry favor with Zhang Bingkuan, but they didn't give us much face.

Do you think Zhang Bingkuan is very considerate to our Duke Chengguo?Although my grandson and Zhang Bingkuan are brothers, that is just a superficial phenomenon. My son Zhu Fu, who is now the Duke of Chengguo, meets Zhang Bingkuan, which is like a mouse meeting a cat.

This status is not equal.

at last.

Zhu Feng returned to the house and came to see him in person.

"Marquis Anbian is really a talented person." Yongkang also met Zhu Feng for the first time, and his beautiful eyes looked at Zhu Feng.

The reason why she was able to meet Zhu Feng without avoiding suspicion was because she had also secretly investigated the Ming Dynasty's former "number one general" and knew that Zhu Feng was different from ordinary men.

Zhu Feng said: "Your Royal Highness, the eldest princess, I did go to see Brother Zhang before. He told me that Your Majesty intends to place Prince Consort Cui where he is needed most."

Upon hearing this, Yongkang said happily: "In that case, we should be transferred back to Beijing as early as possible and reassign our duties in the Beijing camp."

"No, no, no," Zhu Feng said hurriedly, "Brother Zhang said that the most suitable position for Prince Consort Cui is to find him an errand in the northwest town. Only in this way can he make the best use of his talents and materials."

"Who do you think is a thing?"

When Yongkang heard this, he almost got angry.

Zhu Feng didn't expect that this woman would turn her back as quickly as she could turn the page in a book, so she was still stunned for a moment.

Women are indeed tigresses, and powerful women show this more obviously.

So scary.

Mrs. Zhu Hu hurriedly said with a smile: "Eldest Princess, please don't misunderstand me. My grandson just relayed what Cai Guogong said. I don't think Cai Guogong has any malicious intentions."

"No, grandma, these are not Brother Zhang's original words. I just paraphrased the general meaning. I don't remember exactly what he said. It's strange... I'm sorry for my gaffe. Your Royal Highness, please forgive me." Zhu Feng couldn't do anything else. , he is a master at taking the blame and admitting his mistakes.

It is also because Mr. Zhu Er is sincere and will not lie.

Mrs. Zhu Hu glared at her grandson and said, "Know your integrity!"

This is to remind my grandson that when dealing with the situation, you should step aside and let me take care of it myself.

Yongkang said: "Does that mean that he won't give face and insists on separating us as husband and wife? Unless we give in and let the concubine step down from his military duties and continue to come back as an idle man with nothing to do? He doesn't even have the thought of serving the country. It can’t be realized, can it?”

"Ah?" Zhu Feng looked at the old lady and then at Yongkang, not knowing how to respond.

Zhu Hu asked: "Elder Princess, was there any misunderstanding between you and Duke Cai before? I want to say that if there is a misunderstanding, you must make it clear."

This is a reminder to Yongkang.

You have a conflict with Zhang Bingkuan, and they make you wear small shoes. You can't treat the messenger among us as a villain, can you?
After this, no one will dare to send you a message, and no one will want to be your friend.

Yongkang suppressed his anger and said: "Misunderstandings will naturally happen, but I don't know who is so petty that he would care so much about a trivial matter."

Mrs. Zhu Hu secretly laughed in her heart, you offended Zhang Bingkuan, and you didn't apologize, but asked us to come with a message to reconcile. You took advantage of the situation and blamed others for your incompetence?
Zhu Feng said: "Your Royal Highness, Princess Zhang, in my opinion, Brother Zhang is a generous man. He has always been diligent and dedicated to the affairs of the court, and he will not give up on a capable minister like Prince Consort Cui just because of a trivial matter. He also mentioned that, so Give Prince Consort Cui a better chance of promotion."

"No need!"

Yongkang said angrily, "As a consort, it's enough to do something for the court. As for promotion, it's too far away and there's no need to think about it."

Zhu Feng said: "I used to think that I had no chance of being promoted, but it was because I listened to Brother Zhang that I..."

"Zhijie, that's enough!" Zhu Hu interrupted her grandson.

You kid, it’s okay if you can’t speak. Now you’re in Versailles. Are you trying to stab Yongkang with needles?

Do you think your title is earned based on ability alone?
Then the ancestral graves of our Lao Zhu family are still smoking, and the emperor only gave it to you because of the merits of your father, ancestors and others. Do you think that a consort from an ordinary family can be treated like you?
Yongkang glanced at Zhu Hu sideways and said, "Madam, do you think you can't help me in this matter?"

Zhu Hu said: "Alas! I also want to help, but...my son is in Yingtian Mansion, and now I know him...Alas! I don't have much ability, so I can only do odd jobs in the capital. I also hope that he will be able to work as soon as possible." It’s difficult to find a job in the Beijing camp.”

Help your family get a job in Beijing?
Do you think this job is so easy?
My grandson is only working on a temporary basis at the Yanwu Hall, and has not yet secured a position in the Beijing camp. This is the treatment he gets from being a close friend of Zhang Bingkuan. Does your husband have this kind of relationship with Zhang Bingkuan?
"I know, please excuse me!"

Yongkang seemed to have vented his anger on the Zhu family and stopped entangled with this family, almost walking away.

……

……

Although the matter fell apart, Zhu Hu still asked Zhu Feng to send Yongkang away in person.

When Zhu Feng came back, he saw Zhu Hu looking very unhappy, and even stared at him, thinking that he had brought trouble to the Duke Cheng's palace.

"Grandma, I didn't expect the eldest princess to ask us to be peacemakers. She should talk to Brother Zhang about her matters herself," Zhu Feng said.Zhu Hu glanced at him and said: "If you were more ambitious and were still leading troops in the northwest, who would dare to look down on us? Now even the eldest princess who is not in power has come to the house to show off her power. You really don't feel that you have done anything wrong. Yet?"

"I……"

Zhu Feng's head is not bright, so the angle of blaming him is... very special.

Zhu Hu said: "After following Cai Guogong for so long, what have you learned? You are still as lazy as before, or you might as well have let your eldest brother lead the army. At least your eldest brother still thinks about this family. How many people are there in the government and the public now?" Do you think highly of Duke Cheng’s Mansion?”

"Grandma, don't belittle yourself. No one looks down on us now." Zhu Feng felt that the old lady did not understand the situation outside.

Zhu Hu said coldly: "This kind of respect now is just for a prince. Now is no longer the time when a prince can be used as a name. I thought you were the most promising descendant of my Zhu family." , now it seems...you are the one who is least up to date."

Zhu Feng was scolded and scolded, so he naturally felt uncomfortable. However, based on the filial piety and etiquette he had been taught, he could not talk back when the old lady was furious when he saw her.

"If it doesn't work out, just tell your father to transfer you to Nanjing and give you any errand. It's better than embarrassing you in the capital." Zhu Hu said.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Feng looked over with expectant eyes, as if to say, is there such a good thing?
I wanted to leave, but no one let me go.

Nanjing?

I have longed for that place. When I go back, being an idler is more comfortable than being a god.

Zhu Hu said sternly: "I have selected a few ladies from famous families for you, and they will marry you recently. If your new wife's stomach doesn't move before the end of the year, let's see how I deal with you! You won't even have to be buried in the Zhu family's ancestral grave in the future. …”

"Grandma, I...what did I do wrong?" Zhu Feng realized then that the old lady might be serious about it.

I originally thought it was some clumsy way to provoke generals.

"It's up to you!" Mrs. Zhu Hu walked out aggressively, but couldn't help but say, "There are many talented people in Cai Guogong's side. You were very impressive at the beginning, but if even the eldest princess's consort can live happily with you, Shuiqi, then who will take you seriously in the future? Take us as the Duke of Chengguo seriously?"

Zhu Feng hurriedly caught up and defended: "Brother Zhang has such ability, I don't dare to compare with Uncle Xin Xin."

"Humph!"

Zhu Hu just snorted softly.

This grandson has no sense of crisis at all.

Although you, Zhu Feng, are the first generation to rise around Zhang Zhou, now the second and third generations have come out, and their reputation is higher than yours, and you are starting to be laughed at because of your laziness and inaction. It’s “It’s good to enjoy the shade under the big tree”, aren’t you alarmed?
Zhu Feng wanted to catch up, but his brother Zhu Lin, who had just returned from behind, hurriedly stopped him.

"Brother, I..." Zhu Feng wanted to explain to Zhu Lin.

"Second brother, have you grown up or something? Can't you see that grandma is angry?" Zhu Lin rolled his eyes at his younger brother.

Only then did Zhu Feng give up the idea of ​​explaining, and said with self-pity: "It was Princess Yongkang who asked us to do something, but it didn't get done. It's not my fault."

Zhu Lin said: "Second brother, grandma hates you for not living up to expectations. Obviously you are more advantaged than others. Cai Guogong appreciates you, and His Majesty also thinks you are a talent. But in the end, you stay in the capital every day like a moth, eating and waiting." Damn it! Do you know how the news about you is spread outside now? It is said that you have an unclear relationship with Cai Guogong... Oh! I am embarrassed to say it! Do you think my grandmother will not be angry after she finds out? "

"What? This...this is an unjust accusation!" Zhu Feng was so angry that he almost cried.

Like a wronged child.

Zhu Lin rolled his eyes at him and said: "Everyone's mouth is worth their weight in gold. The more the situation in the northwest changes now, and the less you do, the more others will secretly slander and slander you. Grandma is also doing it for your own good. You said that if you didn't do anything last year, If you are in a hurry to return to Beijing, but stay in Ningxia, you won’t be on the front line in this year’s battle, so won’t the credit belong to you?”

"what?"

Only then did Zhu Feng realize why Mrs. Zhu Hu was so concerned.

More than half a year ago, Yang Yiqing still managed to retain his official position by relying on Zhu Feng's performance on the battlefield in Ningxia. Although Zhu Feng's performance in that battle was not very good, he managed to retain Ming's face.

As a result, in the past year, Yang Yiqing had made many military exploits in Ningxia, while Zhu Feng was in a hurry to return to the capital and asked to be transferred back. As a result, he missed this battle and the opportunity to make meritorious deeds.

Zhu Lin said: "As an honorable minister, the position you should be in is now held by someone else, and the credit that should have been yours has become someone else's. How do you think the world will evaluate you?"

"I……"

"Others will say that you are timid, fearful, and irresponsible, and may even think of you in evil ways. You don't have to care, but my grandmother is very concerned about this for the sake of the reputation of the Duke of Chengguo! You have to take responsibility for your integrity. As for the responsibilities of this family, that's all I can ask you, brother! Alas!"

Zhu Lin also hates his brother for not fighting.

It is clear that all the hopes of Duke Chengguo fell on Zhu Feng, but Zhu Feng was an unmotivated character. The Duke of Chengguo, who could have dominated the Ming Dynasty, now became an object of ridicule.

It is also the Zhu Feng who succeeds and the Zhu Feng who fails.

……

……

That night.

Zhang Zhou received Li Rong at his door again. Li Rong not only came to ask Zhang Zhou about the plan for handling court affairs, but also brought the military policy written by Zhu Houzhao during the day.

"Your Majesty, the prince is too enthusiastic about military and political matters, which is not a good thing."

Li Rong summed it up.

Even if Zhu Youtang can't come up with a plan, the slave still has to think about what is best.

This is not to cause trouble for Zhang Zhou, but more to find a balance between the monarch and his ministers, making it easier to reach a consensus on teaching Zhu Houzhao.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I think what the prince analyzed is quite good."

Li Rong said in surprise: "Sir, that's not what you said before. You said that the purpose of the Tatars going north was to cross the river and plunder the Ming Dynasty. You also said that this battle is very dangerous and requires the full cooperation of the governor of Ningxia and others. …”

Zhang Zhou smiled without saying a word.

With Li Rong's shrewdness, he seemed to suddenly realize.

"Ouch!" Li Rong patted his thigh as if he was feeling self-hating.

The difference in Zhang Zhou's rhetoric is basically the contrast between diplomatic rhetoric and the actual situation.

Zhang Zhou couldn't have told the emperor before the war started that we have a high probability of winning this battle, right?
Perhaps Zhang Zhou, like Zhu Houzhao, felt that the chances of winning this battle were indeed not small, and he did not even think that it was a good idea for the Tatars to cross the Yellow River to plunder the surrounding areas of Ningxia, but Zhang Zhou would not say so at first.

"Sir, let me ask you a question. The soldiers of the border army are at a numerical disadvantage. After the Tatars cross the river, they are obviously unstoppable." Li Rong said a little helplessly.

Zhang Zhou said: "Let's put it this way, as long as the people around Ningxia are on guard and retreat to the city fortress, with the current morale and strategic goals of the Tatars, there is really a limit to what they can rob."

"Where's the grain?" Li Rong said, "It's almost the summer grain harvest season."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "In the past, if the Tatars came to plunder at this time, the defenders in the city would be surprised and give them half a month or even a month to harvest food. But I dare to ask what is happening today. Will the war give the Tatars the conditions to harvest the grain themselves and take it away?”

"That...that's impossible." Li Rong said, "Even if the local defenders in Ningxia are unable to stop them, Duke Bao Guo, Ping Jiangbo and other people from all walks of life will come to kill them."

Zhang Zhou said: "That's why I feel that it is not a wise choice for the Tatars to cross the river and go north. Maybe it is just because the Tatars have been defeated in succession and have no choice. They need to explain to both the superiors and the subordinates. Who will let them go?" This time, the little Tatar prince personally led the army? The little prince also wants to save face."

"Haha, that's what I said."

Li Rong seemed to be convinced by Zhang Zhou.

Just as he was talking, the voice of Jin Yiwei commander Mou Bin came from the door: "Master, Eunuch Li."

"Is something wrong?" Li Rong turned around and asked.

Mou Bin walked in and glanced at Zhang Zhou first. Judging from his cautious expression, it was obvious that he had something important to tell Li Rong, but Zhang Zhou happened to be nearby.

This situation is a bit delicate.

Logically speaking, there is no need for him, Mou Bin, to report the matter to Zhang Zhou. After all, Zhang Zhou is not his boss. But with Zhang Zhou's current status, if you, Mou Bin, have something to say to Li Rong and avoid Zhang Zhou... …Then you, Mou Bin, don’t have to hang around in the court anymore.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "There is something wrong, do you need me to avoid it?"

Li Rong said hurriedly: "This is absolutely not your intention. Commander Mou, why don't you say something?"

Mou Bin hurriedly said: "I just learned the news. The battle report from the northwest came. The Tatars forcibly crossed the Yellow River four days ago. As a result, they were blocked by Cui Prince Consort on the other side with more than [-] soldiers. They killed more than [-] of the enemy. The Tatars were forced to cross the Yellow River." People had to retreat along the south bank in the direction of Guansai."

"what?"

Li Rong then said in surprise, "I won, I won, it's great, and it's another good news. Sir, you really know what's going to happen."

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "No, I don't think the prediction is as good as the prince's. The prince has analyzed everything."

"Yes."

Only then did Li Rong remember that they were still discussing whether the prince was trustworthy.

Even Zhu Youtang felt that the prince was talking nonsense, but for a moment he felt that... the prince seemed so awesome that he could even predict such an ending.

"Eunuch Li, then let's..."

"Our family must return to the palace quickly. You must enter the palace early tomorrow morning. Our family is waiting for you!"

(End of this chapter)