The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

in the hall.

Zhang Zhou attended the court meeting as a non-voting delegate, and at this court meeting, Zhu Youtang began a speech on the northwest frontier affairs. What he said was that the northwest could not be idle and must continue to fight.

"...Since the beginning of autumn, there have been reports from many Tatars approaching the border and attacking the border, and there are urgent reports from various guards in Ningxia. The Tatars seem not to be reconciled to their previous defeats, and are still trying to invade the border. Looking for opportunities to harass and plunder..."

"I have thought over and over again and decided to use Wang Qiong and Wang Qing's family to take over the military affairs of Yansui, Ningxia, Gansu and other places. He will go to the northwest and take over the Qin Qing family's return. After Qin Qing's family returns to the court, I will make arrangements for him as appropriate. New errand.”

……

In addition to saying that he would send Wang Qiong to the northwest, he also wanted to transfer Qin Hong back.

Rather than directly asking Qin Hong to retire and return to his hometown, he was given an official position at the level of a minister and allowed to hang out in the capital for a period of time, which would be considered a glory before retirement.

After being reactivated once, he couldn't just release it, otherwise others would think that Qin Hong's job this time was not done well enough.

But in fact, from the emperor's point of view, Qin Hong's work in the northwest this time was basically satisfactory. This was also because the Tatars did not invade Yansui, but chose Ningxia twice. Qin Hong had no chance to make mistakes. , and there is no big opportunity to make meritorious deeds.

Xie Qian came out and said: "Your Majesty, since the military affairs in the northwest are tense, we should send people from the Ministry of War to coordinate the military affairs of the three sides. Why should we transfer people from the Ministry of Household Affairs?"

If you want to send someone there, you should push that guy Zhang Bingkuan over.

This saves us from seeing him.

Out of sight, the mind is still.

Zhu Youtang said: "Xie Qing's family, who do you think is suitable? Just explain it directly. There is no need to be so obscure."

If you name Zhang Zhou, I know what you mean.

Xie Qian seemed to be very sensible and did not dwell on the topic any further.

Zhu Youtang also deliberately waited for Xie Qian for a while. Seeing that Xie Qian really had no intention of coming out to spoil the fun, he said with a straight face: "In that case, let's settle the matter first. With Wang Qing's family now holding an official position, he also serves as the right capital." The censor is transferred to Yansui and will set off today."

Because Wang Qiong was always Zuo Shilang and did not become minister, he did not directly transfer to the northwest as Zuodu censor.

The transfer of Youdu Yushi was considered a relatively high salary, but because the Trilateral General System was considered the most important military commander in the northwest, such a transfer was equivalent to giving Wang Qiong an opportunity to be directly promoted to Minister, and the ministers present could also Be aware of this.

If Wang Qiong performs his duties in the northwest, even if he does not have to make a big contribution, as long as he prevents the Tatars from invading the country or has a small victory in some local wars, then Wang Qiong will return to the court in two or three years and become a minister. It's basically a done deal.

Liu Jiandao: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Household Affairs is currently involved in the storage of autumn grains. Transferring Zuo Shilang out at this time will cause slack in the internal affairs of the palace. We might as well appoint another person as the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Household Affairs."

"No need."

Zhu Youtang also understood what Liu Jian meant.

Liu Jian wanted to weaken Zhang Zhou's control over the Ministry of Household Affairs. After all, the current left and right ministers of the Ministry of Household Affairs, one is Wang Qiong and the other is Lu Wan, are both promoted by Zhang Zhou. Only Shangshu Zhong is still from their old faction. People, but Shangshu doesn't care about things.

The errands of the household department are now basically stolen by the second and third leaders.

If someone can replace Wang Qiong, it will greatly strengthen the control of the old faction over the household department.

Controlling the allocation of money and food from the Ministry of Household Affairs has always been considered by the old faction as the best way to curb imperial power.

"This use of troops in the northwest will not allocate more money and food. Each border town still needs to be self-sufficient." Zhu Youtang added, "I have previously approved the construction of a shipyard and port in Yongping Prefecture, which is related to Nanjing. We are waiting for the transfer of money and grain to the north. You ladies and gentlemen, there is no need to discuss it. This matter can be considered beneficial to the country and the people."

The emperor made another announcement, deciding something directly without consulting the ministers.

Build a seaport close to Gyeonggi, and it will not be a small ferry like before, but a large port that can dock large sea ships and make up for the lack of canal transportation capacity through land transportation.

Liu Jiandao: "Your Majesty, this waste will be huge."

"There is no need for the court to provide money." Zhu Youtang said, "Every time I mention the construction of sea ships, you are always opposed. Have you ever thought that this can bring some tangible benefits? Ships traveling from south to north must How much does it cost to dredge a big river every year? How many times a year are ships impassable because of this? The sea is now peaceful, so why can't we make good use of the waterway?"

Liu Jian wanted to say something else, but seeing the emperor's firm attitude, he couldn't object.

It's also because the emperor said that there is no need for the court to provide money.

In fact, Liu Jian also wants to see if you, Zhang Bingkuan, can raise money and food to solve everything by yourself. Why are people so unbelievable about this matter?

It's okay if you built the ship yourself, but now you have to build a port yourself? Then you are quite capable.

"I have calculated with Bingkuan that the construction of the port and other things this time will cost about one million taels. This is also a large sum of money. This may not include the cost of manpower. Bingkuan also said it first, and he We will try our best to raise funds, and the local government will also provide support." Zhu Youtang mentioned this with a bit of pride.

Bingkuan and I can do it without any help from you people in the DPRK.

This is very different from the past when everything was required of you.

As a result, the emperor's waist became stronger than before, and he became more confident in speaking.

Ma Wensheng, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, said: "Your Majesty, Yongping Mansion involves local government affairs and other matters, which have not yet been clarified and implemented. If you lightly talk about mining in Yongping Mansion at this time, it will inevitably be regarded as the imperial court coercing the local government. It will bring disrepute to the court."

As soon as these words came out, all the ministers present were shocked.

Ma Wensheng was usually considered a representative of the compromise faction. Why was he so stubborn today and directly questioned the emperor's decision?

Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and other cabinet ministers could not help but look sideways at Ma Wensheng.

There are indeed not many times when Ma Wensheng is as strong-willed as he is today. In the past two years, Ma Wensheng has become too old and dim, and he is obviously not as aggressive in the court as he was in the past.

"I have already asked people from Dongchang and Jinyiwei to investigate the Yongping Mansion matter. Dali Temple is also involved. The results will be available in the next few days. It will not cause any negative consequences to the local area. Don't worry." Zhu You Zang said a few words casually.

He didn't say that, in fact, the case had been settled, and the local government voluntarily handed over the money to the court, or to Zhang Zhou, as protection money.

Obviously, the emperor wanted to "operate behind the scenes" when it came to the Yongping Mansion. Not everything needed to be stated openly. The emperor also had his own little thoughts.

……

……

The meeting ended.

The ministers ended up disappointed again, while the emperor headed towards the Qianqing Palace with great satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, it seems that Ma Shangshu and others are still very critical about the construction of the port in Yongping Mansion." Xiao Jing said, "Why don't Your Majesty make the case of Yongping Mansion clear to the officials in the court?"

The Yongping Mansion case is no longer a secret among Xiao Jing.

Li Zhang was still his subordinate no matter what, and Xiao Jing was the former admiral and eunuch of Dongchang, and he also had people in Dongchang.

The emperor did not hide this matter from the Director of Ceremonies, but did not allow it to be disclosed to the ministers of the court.

Zhu Youtang said: "This place in Yongping Mansion used to be a thorn, which brought a lot of trouble to Bingkuan and me. But after this incident, this place is next to Shuntian Mansion, where I can run my business with peace of mind. Just like your own vegetable garden, do you have to tell others everything about your own backyard?"

"Yes." Xiao Jing quickly responded.

But I felt uncomfortable in my heart. Did the emperor regard Yongping Mansion as his "own vegetable garden"?

Xiao Jing couldn't help but think that some people were talking that His Majesty was going to give Yongping Mansion directly to Cai Guogong. It seemed that the rumors were true.

"Go and tell Mou Bin." Zhu Youtang added, "Transfer the idle personnel of Jinyiwei and some of the salary officers to Yongping Mansion, relying on the mines and the port and shipyard to be built, You can transfer as many people as you can. From now on, whatever Bingkuan wants to do in Yongping Mansion will be coordinated by Jin Yiwei."

Xiao Jing reminded: "Your Majesty, Liu Yu, the governor of Ji Town, seems to be able to help."

Hearing this, Zhu Youtang suddenly stopped, turned his face to the sky, thought for a moment, nodded and said: "That makes sense. Previously, my intention was to transfer him back to the capital to be a minister, but now it seems that it is not necessary. It’s better to stay in Ji Town as governor for a period of time and help pave the roads.”

"Yes." Xiao Jing responded hurriedly.

"In addition to the governor of Ji Town, the prefect of Yongping Prefecture, and some local officials should also be replaced by a group of trustworthy people." Zhu Youtang thought of something else and added.

Xiao Jing said: "Then, Your Majesty, are you going to ask the officials to come for the examination?"

"Ministry of Staff? Hum! Who can they choose? Let Bingkuan draft it." Zhu Youtang said, "Go in person. Bingkuan will also be busy with the design and construction of the port recently. If you have time, you can also help." Fan."

Xiao Jing was startled.

I am the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, and I actually go to work with the Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty?

This is obviously not right.

It is a taboo thing for an internal minister to get close to an external minister, but he asked me to coordinate with him... Xiao Jing was naturally a little aggrieved.

"In two years, and in two more years at most, I hope to see everything change from the northwest to Liaodong in the east."

Zhu Youtang is also looking forward to it, "It would be best if the grassland could be completely pacified. Even if two years later, the wolves in the grassland have died down and the Ming Dynasty's army is invincible, it will be enough. Whether the grassland can be wiped out in one fell swoop is unclear. It doesn’t matter anymore. I never dared to think that I would be able to see such a grand scene in my lifetime. If it can really be achieved, I will have no regrets!"

……

……

Xiao Jing personally took the emperor's oral instructions to Zhang Zhou's laboratory. After meeting Zhang Zhou, he told Zhang Zhou that the emperor was going to appoint a new group of Yongping Prefecture officials.

Xiao Jing said: "Everything is in accordance with the rules of the border town, and is appointed by the censor of the capital. From now on, there will be no separation between Yongping Mansion and Jizhen. Your Majesty also said that as long as the person is chosen by you, as long as he has a good reputation, That's fine. Even if it's just a student who has been elected as an official, or a tribute student, it's not a bad idea."

This is because Zhu Youtang is afraid that Zhang Zhouyi will not be able to find so many suitable helpers in time.

Anyway, Yongping Mansion is just a government house at best. All official vacancies can be filled by juren or even tribute students. At worst, students can be used to fill vacant official positions.

According to the rules of selecting officials in the Ming Dynasty, it is not impossible for students to become officials, but they must also be selected by the Ministry of Personnel, just like Wen Zhengming. In the end, officials are selected through this method. Of course, in terms of official vacancies, It's not even a little bit worse than Ju Ren's background.

It's even more incomparable to being a scholar.

But now it's different.

As long as Zhang Zhou thinks it is appropriate, the official vacancies in Yongping Mansion can be arranged at will.

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Speaking of which, I really don't have many people to recommend. I don't have any friends, and I don't have any classmates or friends..."

Xiao Jing smiled heartily when he heard this and said, "You are so humble, Mr. Cai Guo. Who among the people in the capital wouldn't want to be your teacher? The results of the Shuntianfu Provincial Examination are about to be released. Can't you choose a few from them? Of course, those young and energetic people The prosperous ones will not accept the selection from the Ministry of Officials, but what about the old ones? Don't they think about whether it is more appropriate to continue to take the Jinshi examination and pursue an unrealistic dream, or to directly work for you and make a bright future? A better future?"

Zhang Zhou smiled.

He wanted to say, when did Eunuch Xiao speak so "pleasantly"?

It seems that you have taken great pains to help me develop party members.

"Eunuch Xiao reminded me that the results will probably be released tomorrow." Zhang Zhou said.

Xiao Jing asked with a smile: "Have you read all the lists? Is there anything you like?"

Before the results were released, the matter of filling in the results was over, and Zhang Zhou, as the chief examiner of the Shuntian Prefecture Township Examination, even if he had left the examination room in the past two days, he would still check the rankings after the results were released.

"I've seen it," Zhang Zhou said.

"I don't know..."

"Eunuch Xiao, there are some things that should not be said before the list is published. Do you think it is right?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"It's natural."

Xiao Jing was a little embarrassed. The implication was that Zhang Zhou didn't want to tell him who had won and who hadn't.

However, Xiao Jing is not sorry, because this matter has nothing to do with him in the first place. Knowing it a day in advance will not have much impact on him.

"The Holy Will has been brought. Duke Cai Guo, please make your own decision. It is estimated that His Majesty will ask for the list before the end of the month. There are still six or seven days left, so you should hurry up."

It is already August 23rd, and seven days have passed since the end of the provincial examination.

Everything must come to an end.

Zhang Zhou couldn't help but sigh that after three years of reincarnation, he seemed to have grown up again.

……

……

At Li Dongyang's house.

After Li Zhaoxian came out of the examination room, he stayed behind closed doors for many days without coming out to meet guests... Mainly because... he knew that he did poorly in the exam, and he also felt deeply that just having some poetic talent or some crooked talent was a long way from passing the exam. There is still a little way to go in lifting people up.

"Brother, why have you been so depressed lately?"

Li Jue came to meet his sister-in-law that day because Li Zhaoxian's wife was expecting childbirth. As a woman in the family, Li Jue came to relieve Li Zhaoxian's wife's boredom.

Then Li Jue knew that his brother was staying behind closed doors, so he came over to comfort him.

Li Zhaoxian sighed: "Little sister, I understand that I have neglected my studies in recent years, so much so that I almost forgot how to write articles. During a scientific examination, I wrote quite well in the recorded article, so I thought I could cope with the competition. The test, who knew...the questions this time were a bit...difficult. Then I..."

Having said this, Li Zhaoxian lowered his head in shame.

Li Zhaoxian summed up his failure to perform well as... the questions were too difficult.

But in fact, the topic was not proposed by Zhang Zhou, but mainly by Yang Tinghe, and Yang Tinghe’s topic was very formal, just because the topic was too neat and neat. Everyone could say a few sentences, but it was difficult to express their talents. The kind of level that Li Zhaoxian failed the test without any accident.

"Brother, there is no need to be sad. My father once mentioned that no matter whether my brother passes the exam or not, he will consider finding an official position for you. After all, my brother is also a supervisor."

"My father's intention is to give you a middle school student, so that you can honor your ancestors in the future."

When Li Zhaoxian heard this, he rolled his sleeves and said: "If I only rely on Zu Yin to become an official, I would rather not do it. Men still have to be ambitious." (End of Chapter)