The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Not two days after Zhang Zhou entered the palace to "see a doctor" for the emperor and his wife, feedback from the palace came.

And it was Zhu Youtang’s personal feedback.

On this day, Zhang Zhou was sitting at home, and Zhu Youtang came to the door in person. When Zhang Zhou got the message and saw Zhu Youtang at the door, he was a little unbelievable. It seemed that Zhu Youtang himself had recovered from his illness.

"Your Majesty, you should rest more. Why do you want to leave the palace?" Zhang Zhou stepped forward, saluted first, and then said in a doctor's tone.

Zhu Youtang's face was red and he looked energetic. He smiled and said: "I'm feeling much better. You told me to walk more. It's rare for me to leave the palace and I don't have anywhere else to go, so I run to you." Now that I’m here, I haven’t even seen the place where you live. I wonder if you’re still used to it?”

This can be regarded as the emperor's home visit to the minister's home.

Zhang Zhou was also thinking, as an emperor, you are still claiming to be ill and cannot go to court. If the ministers find out that you are recuperating and running to me at the same time, they will think that I am a sycophant and think that I am leading you astray. What will happen to these rumors? I can't tell you how unpleasant it sounds.

Zhang Zhou welcomed Zhu Youtang into the door.

Along with Zhu Youtang, in addition to Li Rong, there was also Jin Yiwei commander Mou Bin and others. Even though Zhang Zhou already felt that his yard was very spacious, when this group of people came in, he felt a little crowded.

Zhang Zhou invited Zhu Youtang to his main hall.

After the monarch and his ministers sat down, Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Bingkuan, your medical skills are indeed superb. Not only me, but also the queen's illness was cured without medicine. I won't do it if you don't accept it."

Zhang Yiyi knew after hearing this that Empress Zhang would no longer continue to pretend to be ill, and Zhu Youtang and his wife seemed to have reached a "reconciliation" in some aspects.

Zhang Zhou said: "I did not prescribe medicine to the queen, but just chatted with the queen for a few words."

"I know." Zhu Youtang seemed a little interested when he said this, and then waved his hands and said, "You all go out first. If I have anything related to my illness, I will talk to Bingkuan alone."

"Yes."

Li Rong responded and asked Mou Bin to go out.

He was still thinking in his mind, what illness did His Majesty and the Queen have, and they actually avoided telling people about it?Is it an unspeakable secret?

When only Zhu Youtang and Zhang Zhou were left in the main hall, Zhu Youtang moved a chair towards Zhang Zhou like a naughty boy. Just when Zhang Zhou was about to get up to help him, he was stopped by Zhu Youtang. He stretched out his hand to block it, and then Zhu Youtang sat down on the chair he moved.

"Bingkuan, although I don't know what you said to the queen, the queen has been a little different these past two days." Zhu Youtang whispered.

Zhang Zhou probably knew that this was a private matter between the couple, and as a courtier he should not interfere. Although Zhu Youtang regarded him as a friend, he should not confide everything to his friends.

possible……

This emperor is still too easy to be influenced by others. The people who controlled his thoughts before were Empress Zhang and the civil servants of the Manchu Dynasty, but now they are Zhang Zhou without realizing it.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, there are some things that you don't need to mention to me."

"How can I not tell you? I won't be happy if I don't complain." Zhu Youtang looked very secluded and said with a smile, "The Queen has not only had a lot of contact with Concubine Xian in the past two days, but also sewed clothes for Hou Xuan herself. . Last night, Concubine Xian was left in Kunning Palace. Haha, Bingkuan, you really... helped me solve my troublesome family affairs."

Zhang Zhou couldn't bear it.

As an emperor, do you know what you are talking about to your ministers?
As a king, how you get along with your queen and concubines has nothing to do with me as a minister. Don't always push all your official and private affairs on me, as if you won't be able to behave yourself without me.

Zhang Zhou smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, I just used myself as an example and mentioned a few words to the queen. Only when the backyard is peaceful can I be willing to do things outside."

"Okay Bingkuan, you don't need to explain." Zhu Youtang said with a satisfied face, sincerely sighing, "I actually wanted to ease the affairs in the inner palace before, but you know, this kind of thing is really inferior to others. Yu, maybe it is because you are a doctor who can cure all diseases in the queen's heart that she will accept your proposal. If it were me, it would be useless."

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, is the emperor so disrespectful in front of his wife?

If that doesn't work, just issue the decree directly. You were pretty good at snubbing the Queen before, weren't you?If it weren’t for your neglect, the queen would not be so nervous that she would pretend to be sick to win your sympathy, nor would she adopt my opinion!
"It's rare for me to come out. Bingkuan, you can take me around, including the martial arts hall and the school grounds. There is no need to show off, or let me see your recent achievements in improving Shenji camp's firearms. I'm not here to check you. , I just want to know how the progress of firearms in the army is, and what the chances of winning against the Tatars are in the future. I suddenly feel very energetic and want to lead the army on horseback and lead the expedition myself!"

Zhu Youtang changed his previous decadent demeanor, and when he said this, he also gave Zhang Zhou a feeling that he was not lying.

It may have solved the troubles in the inner court and made the emperor feel the pride of being a man.

After the woman's troubles are solved, the next step is to show off her ambitions and think about the fight. Maybe men have some unrealistic ideals in the end.

"Your Majesty has an order, and I must obey it. Please give me some time to clean up before I can go with you."

"You don't need to be so formal. You don't even need to change into court clothes. I'm just in casual clothes. I don't need to be solemn and solemn. I can just walk around."

Zhu Youtang said that he had already started to pull Zhang Zhou away.

Zhang Zhou was also a little helpless.

Perhaps after this treatment, Zhu Youtang trusted and relied on him more. After all, he even came to him to deal with matters between husband and wife. This was beyond the relationship between a monarch and a friend. Zhu Youtang regarded him as a respected person. The doctor who can cure all kinds of diseases is also used as a tree hole where you can talk about your unhappiness...

Zhang Zhou even felt that he might really take the emperor into a ditch.

Those ministers were on guard, so maybe there was some truth to it.

But who caught you off guard?Who is to blame?
……

……

Zhang Zhou took Zhu Youtang to check the existing armaments of the Ming Dynasty capital.

As an emperor, it is said that he does not check the actions of his ministers, but Zhang Zhou also knows that if he has not achieved any results recently, he will never be able to communicate with the emperor. After all, he does not usually go to court and has the title of official in the East Palace. He rarely goes to teach the prince, and he almost never sets foot in the Governor's Mansion.

If you don't get some decent results like this, even if you don't have to criticize it from civil servants, the emperor will probably think, Zhang Bingkuan, you are usually too idle, right?

I trust you and I will give you work.

Therefore, this time Zhang Zhou could be considered as finding a reasonable excuse for not having any contact with the court.

Inside the ordnance factory.

Zhang Zhou took Zhu Youtang to inspect the rows of artillery in the warehouse. There were more than 60 heavy artillery pieces alone. In addition to the multiple artillery pieces and light artillery pieces, there were as many as six to seven hundred. It was rare for Zhu Youtang to see this. It's incredible. After getting up there, he didn't care that the cannon body was dirty and went up to touch it with his expert hand. It gave the impression that this emperor was not so gentle to anyone.

"Bingkuan, why are there so many? Didn't you have time to send them to the northwest?" Zhu Youtang seemed to have discovered a treasure. After walking around, he remembered that the biggest contributor to this matter was still following him for inspection.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, these are all used for the defense of the capital. This is only part of them. A large number have been sent to the city head and other places to strengthen the city's defense."

Zhu Youtang exclaimed: "Is it so much? Maybe the capital doesn't need it, so why not transport more to the northwest?"

Zhang Zhou replied: "Your Majesty, these have only been built in the past two months. Even if they are sent to the northwest, most of them are built from Datong, Xuanfu and other places and then directly transported to the northwest. This batch is basically from Xishan The artillery built in Yongping Mansion is basically used in Liaodong, Jizhou and other places."

"Okay, okay. You make the arrangements."

Zhu Youtang originally wanted to "point out" Zhang Zhou's artillery layout, but he may have realized that he didn't know much about it. Seeing that Zhang Zhou was confident, he let go and left the matter to Zhang Zhou. .

Just as he was talking, Li Rong walked in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, I went to check the fire guns next door. There are tens of thousands of them."

"Are there so many?" Zhu Youtang asked, "Are they all new?"

Li Rong smiled and said, "Yes."

Perhaps realizing that he had stolen Zhang Zhou's limelight, Li Rong quickly looked at Zhang Zhou with a smile and said, "I guess Cai Guogong has already made arrangements for these guns." Zhu Youtang said, "It didn't take long to accumulate so much money." There are so many firearms, I don’t remember how many coins the court allocated for this, right?”

Li Rong said: "Your Majesty, it is true that he has never allocated it. It was all raised by Cai Guogong from various places."

"Bingkuan." Zhu Youtang looked touched and looked at Zhang Zhoudao, "I don't know how to describe this matter. I am so lucky to have you in the Ming Dynasty. You have supported the court by yourself."

"Your Majesty's words are serious. I am just doing my best. After this year, coal, iron and other products are produced in various places. Coupled with the expansion of production capacity, that is, the efficiency of manufacturing, the number of cannons manufactured this year has exceeded the previous two years. Years combined, and it’s only May.”

"Yeah, there are so many built. If so many artillery fire...haha."

"Your Majesty, we are also rushing to make cannonballs. The biggest problem at the moment is the lack of some materials."

"Then we still need to continue digging. Bingkuan, have you figured out where the minerals for making cannonballs are?"

When Zhu Youtang heard that there were few artillery shells, what would he do?

Just having artillery in rows and rows without shells is nonsense, so Zhu Youtang immediately became interested in discussing with Zhang Zhou about making shells.

Zhang Zhou said: "We are already stepping up mining."

Zhu Youtang slapped his forehead and said: "Look, since I have you, why should I worry about this? You can definitely do it. That's great. Hahaha..."

Later, Zhu Youtang even became a little incoherent.

……

……

The emperor came in person. In addition to inspecting the manufacture and storage of artillery, he also gave a meeting with some officials and generals in charge of the ordnance factory and the Beijing camp, which was an encouragement to them.

In Zhang Zhou's opinion, Zhu Youtang also had a purpose in doing this.

Who says that Zhu Youtang does things just because he feels like it?
At this time, they were investigating Zhu Hui and the old Xun faction. The morale in the army was low, and some people in the Beijing camp were feeling insecure. After all, Zhu Hui had been in the Beijing camp for many years and had many old troops. These people were also afraid of being held accountable by the emperor. , and the main purpose of the emperor's visit this time is to appease people's hearts.

Therefore, in addition to necessary gifts, the emperor's attitude towards his ministers is also very important. Zhu Youtang also directly expressed his trust in the officials and generals in the Beijing camp when meeting with them.

At the same time, rewards were also given, and promotion rewards were given as appropriate to some people who worked hard, even if they had no actual achievements.

This is also a shot in the arm for the Ming Dynasty's almost solidified army. After all, without military merit, ordinary soldiers cannot change their military positions in not just one generation, but even several generations.

And now the emperor has given them the opportunity to follow Zhang Zhou to do something special, and they want money and status.

"Your Majesty, everyone in the capital camp is grateful for your kindness. After they retreated, they still asked the servants if they wanted to write a petition together to express their gratitude." After Li Rong sent out some of the generals and officials he had met with, he came back and said Zhu Youtang said.

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "There is no need for those who are vain. Let them do their jobs well, which is more important than anything else."

Li Rong smiled and agreed: "Yes."

"Bingkuan." Zhu Youtang turned his attention to Zhang Zhou within a few words, "How come you haven't seen Zhijie recently? You said before that he wanted to get another chance to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield for the sake of his family, but he didn't Let him go to Liaodong, what is he doing now?"

Zhang Zhou said: "In the past few days, Anbian Hou followed Lu Wan, the outgoing governor of Neisan Pass, to inspect Xishan. Firstly, it was for coal mining and smelting, and secondly, he was preparing to build some walls around Xishan to avoid foreign invaders in the future. Invasion gives them the opportunity to seize the resources of Xishan.”

"Yeah. It's necessary. It seems that Chijie can also do these daily official duties, which is good."

Zhu Youtang treated Zhu Feng as a younger brother or a junior.

Seeing that Zhu Feng had made progress and started to work on the daily government and military affairs of the Ming Dynasty, he seemed very pleased to be the elder brother.

"By the way Bingkuan, Uncle Xinjian recently reported from Datong that the construction of the fortress at Maoerzhuang has come to an end, and at the same time patrols in Weininghai and other places have become more frequent. I am thinking about where to start the next war. Where to fight?"

Zhu Youtang then seemed to be urging him to "put pressure" on Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou said: "Military supplies are being prepared everywhere, and it may take some time."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Don't think that I am putting pressure on you. In fact, I think so. With this new defeat, the reputation of the little Tatar prince in the grassland will definitely plummet, and there are wolves everywhere on the grassland. If If we can take the opportunity to add fuel to their fire, they will definitely fall into civil strife. Therefore, I am also very concerned about the reports to the court from various parts of the grassland recently."

As he said that, he glanced at Li Rong, meaning that I don't know the details, so you can tell me.

Li Rong added: "That's right. Before the Battle of Ningxia was over, Huo Si had already reported to the imperial court, asking for an order to coordinate sending troops to fight side by side with the Ming army. However, it took nearly a month for the report to reach the capital, which was delayed. , but it can also be seen that Huo Si is intentional. In addition, Tumut and other tribal leaders have also sent reports one after another, please negotiate with the Ming Dynasty, and have agreed on the recent tribute matters. "

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty wants to use the power of these small tribes to disrupt the situation on the grassland?"

"Yes." Zhu Youtang said, "Originally, I had intended to devour these small tribes first, but now it seems that using barbarians to control barbarians is a good choice."

"But Your Majesty, these foreign barbarians should not be unclear. The purpose of the Ming Dynasty is actually to completely wipe out the grassland, and they will also be destroyed or conquered. The ambition of this group of people may not be credible. Especially relying on them to fight against the Tatars Most of the princes' confrontations will be perfunctory with the court, or it may be some of the methods used by the grassland people to paralyze the Ming Dynasty."

Zhang Zhou didn't want to join forces with the small grassland tribes.

Nothing necessary.

The Ming Dynasty’s military power has gradually begun to reach its peak. If we rely on this group of small tribes to fight against Batu Monk, it will give these small tribes a chance to develop. After all, the Ming Dynasty wants to win over them to give them benefits. Even if they don’t give them firearms, at least they will Trade and so on will also be opened.

This group of small tribes used a situation to bargain with the Ming Dynasty, saying that they would confront Batu Monk, but in fact, with their abilities, how could they challenge Batu Monk's military prestige?

When the Ming Dynasty really comes to conquer the grassland in the future, these small tribes will most likely join Batu Monk's camp.

Zhu Youtang said: "Bingkuan is saying that there is no need to... raise tigers to cause trouble?"

"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Li Rong next to him said: "But in the current situation, the border troops will no longer send troops for a short time. Why not instigate civil strife on the grassland? Mr. Cai Guogong, I am not questioning you, but this does not seem to be in line with the art of war."

Both the people in power and the generals below in the Ming Dynasty seemed to be more superstitious about the so-called art of war, especially the art of war left by the ancient gods of war.

The so-called art of war basically follows the "deceitful" route, that is, using people's hearts and minds to maximize the advantage over one's own side.

But according to Zhang Zhou's thinking, the art of war is not important at all, or it is just a auxiliary role. The most important thing is to be stronger and rely on the crushing weapons of the times to complete the conquest of the grassland. Otherwise, use the art of war to use deception. If we win like this, I'm afraid that the forces on the grassland will still be dissatisfied and will resurrect.

Zhu Youtang said: "Well Bingkuan, when the little Tatar prince is so weak, why don't we do something? This battle in Ningxia seems to have won, but the Tatars have basically escaped with their lives. , I’m still very worried.”

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, based on what I have seen, you might as well put Datong into a border town and send troops to the outside in the name of patrol to carry out raids and plunder. Drive the Tatar tribes northward and bring them as close as possible. The fertile grasslands on the Ming border were occupied to weaken the strength of the grasslands."

"That's it. Pretty good."

What Zhu Youtang probably wanted was to demonstrate his military power and pave the way for the future of Pingping Grassland.

It's true that if you don't fight for a day, the emperor will feel uncomfortable all over.

In the past, we were forced to fight, but now we have to take the initiative.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, this war should not be expanded. It should be stopped in moderation, but someone must coordinate and coordinate it."

"Let Qin Hong." Zhu Youtang said, "He asked me to resign many times. I want to make good use of him one more time before he retires, and I don't want people to think that I don't trust him enough!" (This chapter) over)