The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhang Zhou braved the wind and snow to return to Beijing.

Xiong Xiu, the right minister of the Ministry of War, personally went to greet him outside the city and brought him some latest news, including that Cui Yuan and Zhu Feng had "lost contact" in the grassland and had not spoken a word for many days, which meant that they were talking about what they had said. The troops and horses led by the enemy have entered a "bad luck" situation.

"Oh."

Zhang Zhou was quite indifferent to this.

Unless there is extremely bad weather, more than 10,000 soldiers and horses will be in a dilemma. But even so, such a large team has enough food, grass and baggage, and it can absolutely suppress the Tatars in terms of weapons. Even if they are temporarily defeated, The news doesn't seem to be fatal.

Xiong Xiu said: "Zhang Butang, I heard that recently some officials are secretly plotting to impeach you. I don't know the details... I don't know. There is another thing. The southern scholars are secretly discussing that you are in the literary world. The superiors favored the northern scholars, and there were many discussions..."

Zhang Zhou looked sideways at Xiong Xiu, with a slightly weird smile on his face.

"Shilang Xiong, my reputation among scholars seems to have nothing to do with being an official in the court, right?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.

Xiong Xiu said: "Now there are rumors all over the capital that you will preside over the Spring Palace next year. Something happened in the Spring Palace three years ago, and you are aware of it. Now...this incident will also have some impact on your reputation. You are the target of public criticism. It seems inevitable.”

"Yeah." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Xiong Xiu said again: "The British Duke has sent a letter to the capital, informing him that troops are currently stationed on the border of Ningxia. Please ask the court to allocate more money and food to him, otherwise he will withdraw his troops and return to Yansui. The troops of the Three-Border King Zhi and Xinjian Bo , have withdrawn to the territory of the Ming Dynasty one after another, this battle...only Anbian Hou and Jingshan Bo have no news."

Zhang Zhou said: "Didn't I hear that Ma Yi's group has not yet returned from Ningxia?"

"Uh... yes."

Xiong Xiu seemed to suddenly remember this, and nodded: "That's true, but this group of people went to chase the Tatars. There was news that they were heading towards Yansui." . The news is not yet certain. I have made a summary of the matters within the Ministry of War. This is a statement. You will know it after reading it yourself. "

"Oh."

Zhang Zhou took a folded book handed over by Xiong Xiu.

Xiong Xiu said: "Many things in Beijing have come to a halt recently because of the snow. Even the Yanwu Hall has been temporarily closed. Your Majesty has not been to court for many days. When you come back...if you can enter the palace to meet the saint, I hope you will Please inform us of your majesty's condition so that we can rest assured."

Zhang Zhou waved his hand and said, "I don't know whether you are a saint or not, and I cannot leak the affairs of the palace to others. Please forgive me, Mr. Xiong."

"Yes." Xiong Xiu said, "Furthermore...Mr. Xie Ge is in prison because of some things. The Ministry of War is discussing with him that he should be rescued. I hope you, Zhang Budang, can sign on."

Zhang Zhou narrowed his eyes.

Logically speaking, Zhang Zhou should join forces at this time to ask the emperor to release Xie Qian, in order to reflect Zhang Zhou's high integrity.

Literary people are all about saving face. If he doesn't come forward, people will think he is petty, and many people will be alienated from him because of this.

Zhang Zhou said: "Since you have been sent to prison, you must have committed something. Now that the matter has not been resolved, you have to go to the court. What to talk about? I was not in the capital during this period and I have no idea about Mr. Xie Ge. Such a high court , that is irresponsible towards Chao Gang."

Xiong Xiu looked at Zhang Zhou in surprise. He didn't expect Zhang Zhou's attitude to be so tough.

Xiong Xiu was surprised and quickly reminded: "There is no news about Anbian Hou and Jingshan Bo yet..."

Zhang Zhouyi understood clearly that this was a reminder to him that you have to make peace with the civil officials, otherwise if Cui Yuan and Zhu Fengzhen suffered a big defeat in the grassland, or there were large-scale losses of troops and horses, your current attitude would be to yourself. Looking for trouble.

You speak for Xie Qian, so that traditional civil servants will not desperately try to impeach you when they come back.

"They are leading troops outside. Do you have any news? What does it have to do with me? Although I am the Minister of War, I cannot do everything myself." Zhang Zhou's tone was very cold.

Xiong Xiu didn't seem to expect that Zhang Zhou would choose things so cleanly, as if he was shirking responsibility.

But before the two could exchange more words, someone came from the palace.

It's Li Zhang.

After Chen Kuan was promoted to Chief of Ceremonies and Eunuch, Li Zhang's position remained unchanged. This time he made a special trip to help the emperor convey a message.

"Then... I'll take my leave first." When Xiong Xiu saw someone from the palace coming, he quickly bowed and said goodbye.

Zhang Zhougong cupped his hands and said goodbye.

……

……

When Li Zhang arrived, he naturally took Zhang Zhou into the palace.

Zhang Zhou returned to Beijing because the emperor missed him, and Zhang Zhou naturally wanted to meet Zhu Youtang as soon as possible when he came back.

"Sir, that person just now... was Minister Xiong, right? Did he... tell you anything?" Li Zhang asked tentatively.

Zhang Zhoudao: "That's right. It's basically all official business. He also told me that there are rumors in the capital that they want me to be the examiner in the spring of next year. They also said that I prefer northern scholars and so on. I am from South Zhili. Being a Jinshi, I don’t understand what they are saying at all.”

Li Zhang was surprised: "He... told you this?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Actually, I don't understand why he reminded me of this. I can understand it. He seems to care about my reputation, so he may be thinking about it for me."

"hehe.",

Li Zhang smiled.

You really treat others as a good person.

"Sir, did you hear anything about Mr. Xie Ge on your way back?" Li Zhang also spoke frankly and raised Xie Qian's question.

Zhang Zhou said: "What a coincidence, I just learned that Mr. Xie Ge is in prison."

He didn't say whether it was Xiong Xiu who said it or not. He just said that he had just learned about it. In fact, it was a hint to Li Zhang. You should figure out Xiong Xiu's attitude by yourself. Don't expect everything to come from my mouth.

Li Zhang sighed: "Speaking of which, Mr. Xie Ge can be regarded as an ancient man. He didn't say a word in the imperial prison, and he has been living without food for the past two days. There is a big difference... Alas! Your Majesty After learning about it, I felt a little distressed, saying that they are all veterans of the court and have done many things for the court... They want to send the people back... Even the queen is helping to plead for mercy."

Zhang Zhou thought to himself that Xie Qian was not as honest as he seemed.

As a leader of civil servants and a cabinet minister, he still had basic means. He said that he was just, but now as the emperor's teacher, he had to go on a hunger strike in prison to make the emperor feel pity and let his matter be forgotten. At that time, Xie Qian had persuaded the emperor to postpone the adoption of the concubine, which was considered "kind" to Empress Zhang. Now Empress Zhang will also come forward to speak for Xie Qian.

Zhang Zhou said: "That's a pity. Eunuch Li didn't try to persuade him?"

Li Zhang was stunned and asked: "Do you think I am in Dongchang? No. I have nothing to do with Dongchang. His Majesty did not say that he must be held accountable. He probably just wanted Mr. Xie Ge to suffer some hardships. He was a slave. Yes, it’s not appropriate to speculate on the Holy Will casually. Now that you are back, I only need to let you know about this matter and what your opinion is, our family will not dare to interfere."

He was testing his tone again.

Zhang Zhou and Li Zhang walked side by side, looking at the empty streets in the distance, and said: "At any rate, Mr. Xie Ge is kind to me, so I can only sit back and ignore it? But I don't care about Mr. Xie Ge." , I don’t know much about it. I just came back, so I shouldn’t say anything casually.”

Muddy the waters.

Zhang Zhou is also used to this kind of almost meaningless pulling and pulling in official circles.

He seemed to have noticed that when he returned to Beijing this time, many people seemed to be waiting to see his attitude towards Xie Qian. Even Xiong Xiu, who seemed to be unconcerned about the world before, came over and suggested that he intercede for Xie Qian. This also shows that Everyone knows that now that he is extending an olive branch to Xie Qian, he can indeed save Xie Qian's life.

But having said that, does the emperor really want Xie Qian's life?
Li Zhang said: "Yes, yes. You don't know much, you will know later."

Zhang Zhou glanced at Li Zhang and guessed that the emperor wanted to hand over Xie Qian's case to Zhang Zhou?
Doesn't the emperor know how embarrassed he, Zhang Zhou, is in this matter?
Zhu Youtang was an emperor who understood how to deal with people and the world. According to Zhang Zhou's expectation, Zhu Youtang probably wouldn't mention anything about Xie Qian to him. At certain times, this emperor could also be responsible, that is, to help Zhang Zhou. Weekly solve some unnecessary troubles.

……

……

Zhang Zhou returned to the capital and immediately entered the palace with Li Zhang.

However, the news reached Li Dongyang's ears immediately. Li Dongyang wanted to visit Xie Qian's house. At this time, he did not choose to avoid suspicion, but took the initiative to greet him. This also showed that the senior civil servants wanted to advance and retreat together with Xie Qian.

The person who met Zhang Zhou was Xiong Xiu, the right minister of the Ministry of War, and the person who went to see Li Dongyang to tell him the news was Xiong Chong, the left minister.

"Zhang Bingkuan then entered the palace?" Li Dongyang didn't care much about Zhang Zhou's ambiguous attitude. He didn't even expect Zhang Zhou to speak for Xie Qian. He only cared about Zhang Zhou's return to Beijing this time.

Xiong Chong said: "I heard it was true, but no one followed him. You know the people in Dongchang. That Eunuch Li's methods of doing things are... extraordinary."

Li Dongyang sighed: "To be honest, in recent years, no one has treated my officials as well as this person."

There were two eunuchs in the East Factory, Xiao Jing and Li Rong, who were both "honest and honest". As secret agents, they were polite to civil servants, which would give the civil servants the impression that "the East Factory is nothing more than that", and Li Zhang Even if he behaves a bit normally, he will be labeled as an "evil official" by Li Dongyang and others.

"It is now confirmed that Wang Bo'an and Wang Dehua led the troops and achieved nothing on the grassland. At present, there are only a group of troops on the east and west sides. There is no news yet. Speaking of which... they were all direct descendants of Zhang Budang, Li Ge You should know that Ma Yi had some misdeeds in the past, and it was only thanks to Zhang Butang's protection that he was able to be where he is today."

Even if Xiong Chong no longer wants to be on the same team as Zhang Zhou, he still knows that Zhang Zhou is now his boss and the person who can influence his official career.

So even in front of Li Dongyang, Xiong Chong did not deliberately speak ill of Zhang Zhou.

When it comes to Ma Yi, it seems that it is just a matter of fact.

Li Dongyang said: "That's just right. Zhang Bingkuan thinks that everything can be as he expected, and he doesn't know that God has its own judgment. How can he be allowed to act recklessly again and again? This battle is a lesson for him."

Xiong Chong said: "It is too early to call it a defeat."

"Nothing is done. We have worked hard on people and money all over the northwest, and there has been no progress so far. Isn't it the planners' dereliction of duty? If you subordinates of the Ministry of War are not cruel, then if anything happens to the Ministry of War in the future, don't look for these people. They are an eyesore. , no one wants to do it!”

Li Dongyang just took the posture of "cutting off the seat" to let Xiong Chong know.

You can either eliminate Zhang Zhou on behalf of the Ministry of War, boycott him, and let the emperor know that your Ministry of War actually cannot tolerate Zhang Zhou.

Either... From now on, your Ministry of War will be a yamen besides the six ministries of the Central Government. Don't expect the traditional civil servants to give you any assistance. If your Ministry of War has the ability to stand on its own, then you don't need to beg me. Just solve any problems by yourself in the future.

After Xiong Chong thought about it, he seemed confused: "Let's go back and discuss this matter."

"What did I say?" Li Dongyang even sounded a bit shy.

"No." Xiong Chong said hurriedly, "Mr. Li Ge, you just said that if someone neglects their duty during this battle, we will go back and investigate."

After saying that, Xiong Chong was about to leave.

"wait."

Li Dongyang immediately stopped Xiong Chong.

Xiong Chong said: "What does Mr. Li Ge have to say?"

Li Dongyang hesitated and then said: "If it doesn't work, I will focus on the military affairs in the south. The affairs of Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as Jianghuai, Nanjing, and Zhejiang, ask your majesty to make some changes. Zhang Bingkuan will go to the south and become the minister of the Nanjing Ministry of War." It's not impossible. He has laid such a big plan in the south, and it is reasonable for him to take charge of it."

Li Dongyang also seemed to know that it was inappropriate to try to get the emperor to give up Zhang Zhou completely.

Only by gradually keeping Zhang Zhou away from the emperor, and when the emperor no longer relies on Zhang Zhou alone, can the other ministers have a chance to regain the emperor's trust.

"This..." Xiong Chong obviously didn't want to help Li Dongyang plan.

"Recently, Zhang Tianshi from Longhu Mountain is coming to Beijing. You should also know his identity and abilities. There can only be one Tianshi in the world. Let the Taoists solve Taoist matters on their own. , if a Taoist priest can stay in the position of Minister of the Ministry of War for a long time, even if there is no accountability for war disasters in the north, then won’t the court become a place overrun by snakes and rats? If this happens, the Ministry of War... will naturally be You...you should know what I mean."

It's not for nothing. If you can help accomplish this, I will give you the position of Minister of War.

Xiong Chong obviously didn't think this was a good suggestion.

Hot potato...

I am currently serving as the left minister of the Ministry of War, which is already a high-risk occupation. You want me to be the minister of the Ministry of War? Doesn't that mean putting me on the fire?

Do you really think that the bigger the official, the better?
"It's getting cold today. If the Ministry of War has anything to do, or if there are any shortages among the officials in Beijing, just let me know." Li Dongyang said, "These people will help wherever they can. In the past few years of Zhang Bingkuan's rule, The courtier is so silent that he doesn't live a good life. If he can stay in the south for a few years and come back later, he can be his minister normally, and we will have quit long ago. What do you think?"

Xiong Chong said helplessly: "I understand, I just feel that... there are some things that are really beyond my ability. If you have to let me express my attitude, then I... I am still willing to be driven by Mr. Li Ge."

After saying that, Li Dongyang sent Xiong Chong away.

When they walked away, Li Dongyang looked at his back, but he seemed to say viciously: "He who follows the wind will do the same." (End of this chapter)