The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

In Zhang Zhou's old residence, Li Zhang personally brought the case file, together with Mou Bin, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, and Guo Ang, the governor of Fusi Town in Beizhen, to discuss the case with Zhang Zhou.

They said it was for discussion, but in fact they were here to listen to Zhang Zhou's orders.

Even Li Zhang himself knew that as the admiral of the East Factory, Zhang Zhou's blowing on his trachea was no better than Zhang Zhou. After Li Zhang submitted the case, he waited for Zhang Zhou to read it and give him instructions.

"The handling of local wealthy gentry in Yongping Prefecture seems to be very decisive, but I wonder how well the communication with the local government is...? The previous attack on the mine, and even the secret attack on the Jinyiwei, were just decided by a few wealthy family heads? No. Is the government involved?"

After Zhang Zhou read it, he put down the case and said to Li Zhang with a smile.

Li Zhang said: "We took down a co-president of Yongping Mansion, and many people in the Yamen, it is said that they are related to this case. But because the investigation was about Tongfan's case, so when it comes to harassing Jin Yiwei, the investigation team It is not thorough enough. Mr. Cai Guogong, you should know that the tone set by His Majesty is to set the tone... This is a bigger crime."

"Oh." Zhang Zhou nodded.

But he did not comment further, giving the impression that Zhang Zhou was not satisfied with the final result.

Li Zhang glanced at Mou Bin, his meaning was clear, now Cai Guogong is not satisfied with this, you two come out to clean up the mess.

Mou Bin said: "Cai Guogong clearly knows that this matter has an unclear connection with the local government. However, because the specific person who assassinated Sun Qianhu has not been found out, the culprit has not been caught until now. Dozens of Jinyi guards have been sent. I checked all the places of the three religions and nine streams in Yongping Mansion, but no clues were found."

Li Zhang frowned.

I asked you to clean up the mess, but you ended up creating the mess?

"We haven't found any clues, what are you talking about? Is this the efficiency of your Jin Yiwei's work?" Li Zhang shouted angrily at Mou Bin.

Zhang Zhou said: "Since it hasn't been found out yet, it's not appropriate to make the matter more serious. Let's just end it like this and let all parties breathe."

Li Zhang turned back to look at Zhang Zhou and asked in a gentle tone: "What do you mean, Mr. Cai Guo, that the case should be handled according to... this?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Shouldn't I ask His Majesty for instructions?"

Li Zhang sighed and said, "I need you to nod your head first before I can ask His Majesty for instructions. And you should also know that His Majesty cares more about your opinions. Nothing you say will work better than what people like us say."

"Since it's all a case decided by Dongchang and Jinyiwei, what else can I say? As long as the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple don't object," Zhang Zhou said.

"That's not possible." Li Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief this time, as if he had settled a very important matter. He looked very relaxed and said, "As Cai Guogong said, all parties must be satisfied. Now others know this. It has something to do with Tongfan, why would you come out and make irresponsible remarks? The main thing is that you have set a good tone at the top. It involves the leakage of the most advanced firearms technology of the Ming Dynasty. Who dares to neglect it? Even those who have prejudices against you can't You should know that this is the most important miracle in the next decades or hundreds of years in the Ming Dynasty, and it can bring peace to the world. How can foreigners know about it?"

Zhang Zhou said: "Advanced is advanced, but we are afraid that outsiders will be more advanced."

"No way?"

Li Zhang smiled.

You, Lord Cai Guo, are quite humble. You have such advanced weapons, but you actually think that foreigners have more advanced ones?

Zhang Zhou was embarrassed to say that although no one has been able to produce yellow gunpowder yet, just talking about a double-jet cannon or a Franco machine gun, those are things invented by Europeans. If they see us After getting inspiration, a group of mature craftsmen can improve the artillery, and perhaps a better artillery can be built within a few years.

Artillery is an important weapon that changes the battlefield pattern. When the process of European civilization advances, Eastern and Western civilizations will collide in advance.

"If you have no objection, Mr. Cai Guo, then Dongchang will submit it to you first." Li Zhang said.

"Okay." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Li Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Commander Mou, did you hear this? Let's proceed with this. If His Majesty has a new decree, we will make changes. These families will be treated as if Yongping Mansion no longer exists, and the remaining All the families... who can provide the imperial court with shipyards will be allowed to contribute money and effort. From now on, Yongping Mansion... haha, it will be your back garden, Mr. Cai Guo."

"I don't dare." Zhang Zhou sighed with emotion, "I'm just mining there and doing something to benefit the country and the people. Yongping Mansion doesn't involve personal matters, so how can it be said that it has a deep connection with me? ?”

"Haha, it's the same. It will be easier for Jin Yiwei to do things in Yongping Mansion in the future. Yongping Mansion has both Shanhaiguan Pass and the seat of Ji Town. In the future, the governor of Ji Town should also arrange for your people to go there... It's our family's fault. From now on, you, Duke Cai, will have to worry more about the defense of the capital."

Li Zhang was very complimentary to Zhang Zhou.

Li Zhang also saw it.

The emperor planned to "give" Yongping Mansion to Zhang Zhou.

In addition to the fact that Yongping Mansion has the mineral resources that Zhang Zhou used to transform the Ming Dynasty, it is also because Yongping Mansion is close to the capital and is the focus of the capital’s defense. With the emperor’s unlimited trust in Zhang Zhou, as long as Zhang Zhou controls the military power of Yongping Mansion, , civil affairs, etc. are all under control, then Ming Dynasty will not have to worry about threats from the east of the capital.

……

……

After meeting Zhang Zhou, Li Zhang took Mu Bin on the way back.

Because Zhang Zhou's old residence is just outside Dong'an Gate, which is only a step away from the palace gate, Li Zhang will immediately go to the palace to find Zhu Youtang to inform him about the case, and he will also go back to the Supervisor of Ceremonies to handle official business.

"Eunuch Li, I never thought that things would go so smoothly today. As long as Cai Guogong nods, there will be no resistance to this case."

Mou Bin seemed very relieved. When he said this to Li Zhang, he seemed to be complimenting Li Zhang on his ability to do things, but also asking for credit.

Look.

How reliable is our Jinyiwei team? After handling it, Cai Guogong was not picky.

Li Zhang said: "Why did you agree to become Cai Guogong? In addition to giving us face, it is also because he does not want to antagonize anyone. If he wants to make the case bigger and the relationship with the people in the court become more stalemate, it is not impossible. , but maybe he has more important things to do now and there is no need to implicate the case."

"Eunuch Li, what do you mean?" Mou Bin heard that Li Zhang seemed a little dissatisfied with the case.

Li Zhang said coldly: "Take care of Duke Cai first, and then think about other things. Since Cai Guogong doesn't want to expand the case, we people also have to be sensible, so we can stop it. But since Yongping Mansion is already in Cai Guogong's pocket, he can't personally do it." Where we take action, shouldn’t we make things more beautiful?”

Mou Bin was a little troubled.

He was also wondering whether this big shot always spoke in such a cryptic way?

Could you please make it clearer? Do you want me to guess? How can I make things more beautiful?

"You still don't understand?" Li Zhang was a little annoyed.

Mou Bin didn't seem to be an educated person, and he didn't understand so many roundabout things. He humbly said: "Please give me some advice from Eunuch Li."

"Hmph!" Li Zhang snorted, "To put it bluntly, whatever is needed for Cai Guogong to open a mine in Yongping Mansion, you will provide him with it! There is no shortage of space now. He went to select the site himself, and now the local government does not dare to object. He takes advantage of the individual and does not care whether the individual is willing or unwilling."

Mou Bin said: "What Duke Cai Guo lacks is money, and he also needs help from people."

"That's it." Li Zhang said, "The money that each family should pay is equivalent to spending money to buy a way. Who will collect the money? Aren't you going to collect it? Should each family provide help? Should each family pay their tenants for payment? Want some to come over? Communicate with the local government and ask whether the Jinyiwei should call for manpower recruitment?" "Yes, yes."

Mou Bin understood what he was saying and thought to himself, he was just serving as Cai Guogong's subordinate.

"Furthermore, the money confiscated by each family, and the things related to wine, sex and wealth, should be given to Cai Guogong, no less!" Li Zhang said.

Mou Bin hurriedly reminded: "Eunuch Li, you may not know that Cai Guogong has never been fond of these things. If you give them to him, they will be returned."

"It's just a matter of time. Besides, gift-giving is a matter of tradition. If you just go and give it straight up, Cai Guogong can't say it's a smile, just don't slap you in the face! You don't even think about it!" Li Zhang said angrily.

"Please also let me know, Mr. Li."

Mou Bin was also a little anxious and said bluntly, "I have long wanted to take care of Cai Guogong's side, but unfortunately... I have no chance."

Li Zhang said: "Do the people who usually give you gifts always carry boxes and deliver them directly to your house? There are no twists and turns at all? Cai Guogong often goes out on business, does he take care of everything when he goes to rest? ? Have the dishes and bedding in various places been replaced with new ones? Are there any women who warm their beds? Thinking about where Cai Guogong went, after a day's trek, when he was tired and wanted to drink water, the tea brewed with clear mountain spring water Has Ming made arrangements? After a long day of hard work, someone has arranged everything for food, clothing, housing and transportation... Could it be that Mr. Cai Guogong can still withdraw things for you?"

"Yes, yes." Mou Bin felt like he was greatly inspired.

"You still have to have some brains when doing things. It's futile to always think about preparing gifts and sending them somewhere at once. You, Mou Bin, should also think about whether you want to take advantage of Jinyiwei's three-acre land in the future. If you think it doesn't matter, then it doesn't matter whether you take care of Cai Guogong's food, clothing, and daily life. But if you want to make some achievements, you must do things properly!"

Just as he was talking, Li Zhang had already arrived at the palace gate.

Mou Bin was going to enter the palace with Li Zhang, but Li Zhang flicked his sleeves and said, "Don't you understand? Why don't you go ahead and do it?"

Mou Bin said: "However, I haven't heard of Cai Guogong's travel plans recently."

Li Zhang rolled his eyes and said: "We are just making an analogy. Do you really think that you have to wait until Cai Guogong is out of town before you need to worry about daily care? Does it mean that when Cai Guogong is in the capital, there is no need? Mu Bin. Mou Bin, it seems that you, the commander of the Imperial Guard, are really going to die! You are like a lump of wood!"

……

……

Mou Bin was very depressed.

Zhang Zhou thought that he had done a great job by agreeing to the case reported by the Dongchang Jinyiwei. However, after listening to Li Zhang's words, he realized that his good days were coming to an end, and he might not even be able to secure his position as the commander of the Jinyiwei.

"Sir." Guo Ang had already been waiting for Mou Bin to return in Fusi, Beizhen.

"Yeah." Mou Bin just nodded.

He did not intend to remind Guo Ang of the inspiration he had received.

If he is no longer the commander of the Jinyiwei and retires, who is most likely to succeed him? Not Guo Ang?

Of course, Guo Ang also has this sense of crisis, which is also related to the fact that they are not Zhang Zhou's direct relatives, and they all want to work for Zhang Zhou An, but no one in the entire Jinyi Guard seems to have the unique conditions of Sun Shangqi.

"Your Majesty, Commander, I just received news that your Majesty is likely to arrange for a person to be responsible for the execution of Qianhu, and will be responsible for the affairs of the East Factory in the future." Guo Ang said.

"Who said that?" Mou Bin frowned.

Guo Ang said: "It doesn't matter who you listen to. Do you know who the person in the rumors is?"

Mou Bin frowned but didn't say anything.

You're a subordinate, and you're starting to show off?

"Maybe someone from the Wang family." Guo Ang said.

"Which Wang family?" Mou Bin asked.

"Of course it's the Wang family of Marquis Weining. Although Marquis Weining was born in the Wang family, there is also a royal guard on the other side of the branch who directs the affairs, that is..."

Guo Ang doesn’t need to be too thorough.

Mou Bin took a breath and said, "Is this Mrs. Cai Guogong's father?"

"Exactly." Guo Ang said, "When the Jinyiwei commanded the Qianshi King, there were rumors that he might have served in the Governor's Mansion. He had been transferred to the military post before, but he was recently transferred back to Beijing and was responsible for the Yanwu Hall. In terms of military affairs, he may also come over to take care of the affairs of Jinyiwei."

Mou Bin suddenly felt sad.

I originally thought that one of his subordinates would promote him to replace him, but now it seems that one of Zhang Zhou's father-in-law, Wang Mingshan's father Wang Shi, is more likely to replace him.

Wang Shi was related to Zhang Zhou no matter what, and he was still a noble concubine, so he now had the emperor's trust.

What's more important is that Wang Shina is Zhang Zhou's "one of his own" and can be regarded as a direct descendant. This marriage relationship is very important in a large family.

Mou Bin said: "You also know the details of the case. Do you know how each family will be allocated?"

Guo Ang nodded and said: "This is natural. You can judge the crime how you want."

"You still don't understand." Mou Bin said, "The Zhao family involved in the case was designated as the first offender, and the Xiang family was not acquitted. Aren't the married women of these two families also kicked out by each family?"

"Yes." Guo Ang didn't understand what Mou Bin meant.

"The female relatives of each family, as well as the convicted men, are all sent to work in the mines of Yongping Mansion, and there is no need to send them to the northwest frontier. There is also the matter of Cai Guogong building a shipyard in Yongping Mansion... I heard that We also need to build a port, which will be responsible for transporting goods from south to north in the future.”

Guo Ang asked: "Master Commander, shipping by sea... is not very convenient."

"That was before. There were no big ships, no good ports, and not so many goods that needed to be transported in this way. But in the future there will be!" Mou Bin said in a bad tone, "The remaining female relatives were all rounded up and kept. In Yongping Mansion.”

"Is this... what kind of arrangements are going to be made?" Guo Ang asked again.

"From now on, it will be Cai Guogong's fiefdom. After this incident, His Majesty will officially give Yongping Mansion to Cai Guogong. He doesn't say so on the surface, but you and I understand it. That three-acre land, no matter whether it is wealth What kind of goods, people and animals, do not belong to Duke Cai Guo? Anything that you want to give to Duke Cai Guo, and that needs to be sorted, just send it over there. Duke Cai Guo will go there several times every year. By then, Duke Cai Guo will know what our Jin Yiwei wants!" (End of Chapter)