The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Inside Li Zhang's private residence.

An eunuch named Wu Feng reported the matter to him, and Wu Feng and his brother Zhang Mao followed different adoptive fathers respectively. They had always been members of the Li Rong faction, but now Wu Feng was working under Zhang Yong.

"You mean, His Majesty plans to let Admiral Yang Peng supervise Dongchang? Who said this?"

Li Zhang was very angry.

He probably knew that since it was Zhang Yong who said it, the matter would naturally be consistent, and Zhang Yong's limelight in the past few years has been higher than that of Li Zhang.

Even though he, Li Zhang, was a fellow student of Li Rong, he never received absolute recognition from the emperor in terms of his ability to do things.

Wu Feng said: "I saw Eunuch Yang going to see Eunuch Zhang, and then I heard about it from Eunuch Zhang. I also know that Eunuch Zhang Yong went to see Eunuch Cai today."

"what?"

Li Zhang stood up, with a little eagerness in his eyes.

In his opinion, Zhang Yong had already gone to visit the dock.

Wu Fengdao: "In the past six months, Zhang Yong has also been traveling around. Every time, he complained about the hard work His Majesty arranged for him. This time, he also said that he could finally stay in Beijing and no longer had to go to other places. The errands in the Beijing camp were given to him. With him, he can take care of everything. I also asked, isn't the Beijing camp now handed over to Eunuch Yang? He said that Eunuch Yang is not suitable to lead troops, and Eunuch Yang in Liaodong has not made any achievements, so His Majesty's choice I asked Eunuch Yang to take charge of Dongchang."

Li Zhang was so angry that he paced back and forth.

"Eunuch Li, you see, this East Factory is one-third of an acre of our land. If His Majesty really lets Yang Peng come over..."

"Shut up!"

Li Zhang said, "When did anyone dare to say whose territory this imperial court's Yamen belongs to? What about the Supervisor of Ceremonies? Isn't everyone coveting it now? Besides, Yang Peng had already supervised Dongchang, and he came to Dongchang to be the governor. There is nothing wrong with that. But why didn’t Your Majesty send Zhang Yong to the northwest or Liaodong, or to manage the port, and then transfer him back? Isn’t this adding chaos?”

Li Zhang seemed very unwilling.

He worked hard to do a lot of things for Zhang Zhou, but in the end his own errands had to be replaced by others.

Wu Feng said with a smile: "Eunuch Li, do you think it is possible for your majesty to promote you to the rank of Duke? Logically speaking, you have done a lot of things before, so this job is yours."

Li Zhang said angrily: "If you only think about good things, you don't want to think about it. If your Majesty wants to promote our family, he would not let Chen Kuan be the seal official before. At most, your Majesty will promote our family to the position of admiral of Dongchang. If it is good now Yes, our family can be transferred to various places to serve as guard eunuchs. If it’s not good..."

Wu Feng had a wry smile on his face.

He felt that he had flattered the wrong horse, and that he had flattered the horse's hooves instead.

"It doesn't matter if you serve as a guard, everyone will respect you." Wu Feng added.

"Hmph! Our family has worked hard for so many years and finally climbed to where we are now. Do you think our family is just going to be a guard outside? There are so many guards everywhere. How many years will it take for them to be transferred back to Beijing?"

Given Li Zhang's original status, he would be absolutely happy to have him serve as a guard eunuch.

But who asked Li Rong to step down and he was promoted to the position of admiral of Dongchang?

If you ask him to go back now, it's not whether he is willing, but because others will wear small shoes for him. If you demote your official position, the people you have offended will now take the opportunity to retaliate against you. The guarding eunuch is largely controlled by the court. Those in charge, such as Yang Peng and Chen Kuan, would secretly give him obstacles.

Wu Fengdao: "That matter..."

Li Zhang said: "Either tell your Majesty, will your Majesty listen to the complaints of people like us? We can only go to Cai Guogong! At the moment, he is the only one qualified to speak to your Majesty."

Wu Feng blinked and seemed a little puzzled and said: "But I heard that Cai Guogong never asked about the affairs of internal officials. At most, His Majesty arranged to ask who was doing what errand. Even Cai Guogong didn't ask. I will take the initiative to meet with the internal officials."

Li Zhang said coldly: "Let's just say that His Majesty asked us to meet him. Will he refuse? When we meet and complain, even if Cai Guogong doesn't take the initiative to make concessions to His Majesty, he still has ways to influence this matter." At least before your Majesty makes any decision, he will still ask Cai Guogong for his opinion. A few words from him...are more effective than a hundred words from others!"

……

……

Zhang Zhou had met Zhang Yong, and he was still reading official documents and listening to a play.

Zhang Yong brought in a young boy. He was also very handsome, but he looked a little childish. He was only half a child, not even a teenager.

"Master, I brought it to you." Liu Gui smiled.

Obviously from Liu Gui's point of view, these young men are just here to "learn skills" from Zhang Zhou. If they are often around Zhang Zhou in the future, they will also suffer hardships, and he can even bully them casually.

Zhang Zhou said: "Go down first."

"Yes." Liu Gui turned around and told the boy, "Serve me well and don't neglect it."

"Yes."

The boy came over immediately and wanted to serve Zhang Zhou tea with the teapot on the table.

Zhang Zhou said: "You are not here to bring tea and water, and you don't have to serve me tea. You and your sister just stay in the capital and follow me. Have you heard from your father recently?"

This man was none other than Ma Yi's son Ma Ang, who was later one of Zhu Houzhao's personal followers and later the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu. He was the same as Qian Ning and Jiang Bin.

Historically, Ma Ang became famous by sending his pregnant sister to Zhu Houzhao.

As a soldier, he also served as the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu, so he has a certain ability in running the army...

It's just the tradition of Lao Ma's family. Being a soldier is the same as being an official. They are all for wealth. It is normal to pretend to be a military hero. Even if you are capable, it is not tolerated in the eyes of civil servants.

But because Ma Yi was discovered by Zhang Zhou earlier, Ma Yi achieved military merit, while the Ma Ang siblings were sent to Zhang Zhou by Ma Yi when they were just children.

Ma Ang said: "My father hasn't replied recently."

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "If I didn't reply, it means you wrote to me before. Don't be nervous! You are considered the prince of Pinglubo and can inherit the title in the future. I am not considered your husband. Find a stool and sit down."

"Hey!"

Ma Ang went aside, moved a bench over, sat down and waited to listen to Zhang Zhou's teachings.

Obviously, in the minds of a child like Ma Ang, Zhang Zhou is also a hero. He can learn from the famous Cai Guogong and brag when he goes out.

Zhang Zhou asked: "How many people are there in the junior class of Yanwu Hall now?"

Ma Ang said: "More than a dozen people, and more are coming over one after another. The British prince's son is responsible for teaching martial arts, and the master from the Yanwu Hall will also come over. We are now learning horse riding and archery, and we usually study... I can read well. not good."

Zhang Zhou smiled.

Lao Ma's family has never relied on reading to get ahead. "To be a general, you not only need to know soldiers, but also the art of war. How can you do it if you don't study hard? In the end, the battle is not about who is braver, but who is more knowledgeable. Now I am just learning some basic theories. In the future, I will learn more I plan to let you go to the grassland for some experience." Zhang Zhou said.

Ma Ang was just a child, and he seemed to speak unabashedly: "I heard from my classmates that in a few years, the grasslands will be calmed down, and we may not have a chance to fight on the battlefield."

Zhang Zhou said: "The peace of the grassland cannot be completely solved in three or two years, and since ancient times, the tribes on the grassland have resurrected. Look at those tribes. From generation to generation, some are related to each other, and some are not. In the future, you Do you know if it’s Tatars or Turks? Or some other tribe making trouble on the grassland? Even if it doesn’t happen, we still have to send people to guard it.”

"Oh."

Maon made an instructable look.

Zhang Zhou casually picked up a wooden box, threw it over and said, "Go back and take a closer look. In the past few days, I have moved your dormitory to the city. Don't cause trouble in the city. If there is anything missing, Mention it to me..."

Ma Ang asked: "Can I see my sister?"

Although the Ma Ang brother and sister are both in the capital and are equivalent to hostages, they are working in different places.

The elder brother studied in the junior class of Yanwu Hall, while the younger sister studied in Zhang Zhou's girls' class, where they learned knitting and other matters.

Zhang Zhou said: "Take care of your own affairs first. Your sister is safe now. Your father may be able to return to the capital within this year. By then you will have a mansion in the capital. Your family will also come to the capital."

"Sir, can our family be reunited?" Ma Ang also looked very excited.

Because most of the Ma family are in Xuanfu, where Ma Yi once made his fortune. The brother and sister were just children, but they were wandering in the capital. Ma Yi also wanted to go back and reunite with his family as soon as possible.

"Will do."

Zhang Zhou said, "Put everything away. In two years, you will be successful in your studies, and when you are a few years older, you can join the army and go to the battlefield. Don't embarrass your father."

"Yeah." Ma Ang said, still looking a little inferior. "They said that my father committed a crime and even his title was not long-lasting. But I think they are jealous of me because my father has a title, but the elders in their family do not... Then This young master is also usually very friendly with me."

Zhang Zhou knew that Ma Ang was talking about Zhang Lun.

Zhang Lun was injured on an expedition with Zhu Hui. After returning to the capital to recuperate, Zhang Lun became a benchmark for the British government. As a young man, he had already begun to make a name for himself in the Yanwu Hall.

Zhang Zhou said: "It is also a good thing to learn from him and be friendly with him. From now on, the march in the army will depend on rising stars like you. Don't live on the merits of your elders. Go ahead."

"Yes, yes. Sir, I'm going then."

Ma Ang stood up and saluted Zhang Zhou respectfully.

Zhang Zhou nodded and watched the boy arrive at the door. After he opened the door, Liu Gui asked someone to send him down.

"Master, this boy is quite clever. I might as well transfer him here to serve as a guard for you, or look after the family home. The young master also needs someone to be a sparring partner, right?" Liu Gui suggested with a smile.

This means that Ma Ang should serve as Zhang Jun's bodyguard.

This seems to be Ma Yi's wish as well.

Ma Yi also knew that sending her children to Zhang Zhou would not accomplish much. What she hoped most was to serve as companions and maids for Zhang Zhou's children. This was equivalent to breaking into Zhang Zhou's inner house in advance. You can become a confidant of Zhang Zhou's children, and even use it to feed the Ma family.

Zhang Zhou said: "If every family wants to send their children to my house, what relationship do they have with me? Are the children of princes, generals and ministers just to serve as training partners and reading companions for my children? Little Guizi, what have you been thinking about recently? It’s quite beautiful. I heard that you are ready to take a concubine?”

"No...no..."

Liu Gui hurriedly wanted to explain, but suddenly found that Zhang Zhou seemed to see everything clearly, and explanations were in vain.

Zhang Zhou sighed: "I know, you work in my house, and you have the name of Jinyiwei, so others will naturally want to give you benefits. Your position as Jinyiwei Baihu, in addition to being deputy to Qianhu, is just There is no real shortage for you now. If you can’t keep your heart, sometimes I won’t be able to keep you.”

"I know, I know." Liu Gui had mixed thoughts, but he obeyed Zhang Zhou's words.

Zhang Zhou said: "I know you can't bear the hardship, but you still have to continue to do the military work. I will send you to the military camp later for training. In the Jinyi Guards, you will always just do a dead job, but in the army, you will have a bright future. Unlimited.”

"Yes Yes."

Liu Gui was originally a lazy person. When he was in Yingtian Mansion, he was just messing around.

It was precisely because he met Zhang Zhou, who was even more ruthless, that the two of them had the same chemistry, which led to Liu Gui's subsequent success.

"Go and pay two hundred taels of silver to your account, and take care of things at home. Don't say that I'm treating you badly...there are some errand changes in the capital camp recently. If it's suitable, I'll arrange for you to go there."

"Two hundred taels?"

"Too little?"

"No...it's too much. The little one...isn't qualified to receive so much."

"It's okay, just think of it as the hard-earned money I give you, otherwise how can you use the money to marry a wife and take concubines? You kid, your horizons are too high! I used to think that you would be good if I asked you to marry a girl from the house! But now It seems that even Jia Laoshui's vision has improved, not to mention you kid... Sigh! What I'm most afraid of is that those of you who have made a humble fortune like me mess up the rules... If someone wants to corrupt me, he will definitely follow me. Let’s start with you.”

"Don't worry, sir, I can keep it safe, and I will help you keep an eye on them. Your reputation will never be ruined in our hands."

……

……

Northwest, Ningxia.

Zhang Mao was still scalding his feet with hot water that day when he heard from Liu Jing the news about Zhu Feng and Cui Yuan's success.

He was so shocked that he stood up from the basin, then lost his balance and sat back down on the chair.

"Master, please calm down," Liu Jing said.

Zhang Maodao: "Which of your eyes saw that I am angry? Jizhou Dajie, do you need me to be angry?"

Liu Jing looked back and then said: "There are no outsiders here, and I don't have to hide it, sir. Can I not know what you think? Before, there were soldiers from all over the border town, but you were the only one who had good news coming back to the capital. You can Just sit back and relax and wait for your Majesty's reward. But now..."

Zhang Mao also looked very annoyed and said: "You know why you mentioned it?"

Liu Jingdao: "Aren't we trying to find ways to make amends? Who would have thought that neither Wang Shouren nor Wang Qiong won the battle, but Zhu Feng and Cui Yuan took advantage of them? I see, it was Cai Guogong behind his back. A partial gang, if he had not gone to Jizhou Town, there would never have been such a big success in Jizhou. He is not willing to help you."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Mao looked at Liu Jing angrily.

Liu Jing seemed to deliberately stir up trouble and said: "I was Baoguo Gong before, and now you are! Your matter is not too serious. If you just sit back and ignore it, then when you return to Beijing, the matter will be big or small. Someone I will definitely make a fuss about it." (End of Chapter)