Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 147 Li Rusong’s resentment

After the banquet was over, everyone began to watch the show.

"Although the first few scenes are old plays, you can still hear the taste every time you watch them. The story of "Mu Guiying Takes Command" is good, and women can also be heroes. The Ai family remembers that during the Jiajing period when they were fighting against the Japanese, there was also a Mrs. Wa's wife led the soldiers to fight. The soldiers fought bravely, so they were also called wolf soldiers. This is also the story of loyal ministers and good generals of this dynasty. Why has no one put this story into a new play? Or is it because the Ai family didn't watch it? arrive."

"Mother, my son will look back and see if anyone has arranged this play. If not, ask someone to write it." The emperor said.

"Although the story of "The Palace of Eternal Life" is good, every time it seems to make the Ai family feel sad. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty doted on Concubine Yang. In the end, An Lushan raised an army and the world was in chaos. In the end, it was not Concubine Yang who was blamed. . In matters in the palace, Your Majesty should not be too partial."

"My son must obey the mother's orders."

"Ai Jia just wants to say a few words. How to deal with major affairs in the world depends on your Majesty and the assistance of all the virtuous ministers and generals." The Queen Mother said leisurely.

"Mother, there will be a show behind this," the emperor said.

"Oh? Besides singing and opera, are there any other programs? Since it is His Majesty's wish, please present it quickly."

The stage team quickly evacuated the belongings, and then a group of people carried out the Atlantic Ocean.

Zhang Xiao walked out in his performance clothes, sat in front of the Atlantic piano, and started playing, first "Two Tigers", and then several pieces of music by masters, such as Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". After playing a few pieces, Zhang Xiao I feel like my clothes are a little soaked, I don't know if it's because I'm nervous or tired.

Zhang Xiao was thinking about how to thank the gift and end the ceremony. When he heard this, he had no choice but to stand up and salute, and then prepared to continue playing.

It’s just that I basically played all the songs that I had finally recalled before. There was no other way. The melody of a song flashed in Zhang Xiao's mind and he started playing.

"This piano is indeed played well, but this music officer actually knows how to play a Western instrument. It seems that this instrument is not that easy to play. Come here, bring me the golden melon seeds. The Aijia will reward him. ."

"Oh, I have never seen this instrument before in the Aijia family. Although it is not a classical music instrument, it plays quite nicely." Empress Dowager Li said with emotion.

"Then he is also the prince's teacher. Why did your majesty ask him to play the instrument? Please invite him. My old lady also wants to meet her grandson's teacher."

"Emperor, this song sounds like military music. What is the name of the minister who is playing, and what position does he hold? Does he currently hold any position? Where is the county commander?" The Queen Mother became interested.

"This instrument is called the Atlantic Qin, and it was just paid tribute by the Western Yi. Is the queen still satisfied?" the emperor asked.

In this way, Zhang Xiao, who was about to step off the stage to change clothes, was brought directly in front of the Queen Mother and the Emperor. Of course, there were a row of concubines from the harem sitting behind them, but Zhang Xiao did not dare to look up.

"To report to the Queen Mother, Foreign Minister Zhang Xiao comes from Nanyang. His family has a lot of property and is quite familiar with the affairs of the Western Yi. The foreign minister is very familiar with the history, geography and even the artifacts of the Western Yi countries. This Foreign Minister of the Atlantic Qin I had it at home before, so I am still quite familiar with this instrument.”

"The lyrics of this song are still being conceived by Foreign Minister, but they have been roughly figured out." Zhang Xiao was very nervous inside. If the lyrics of this revolutionary war song were to be revealed, it would shock the Ming Dynasty, and he would be in danger. , fortunately, I know the lyrics of the original version of this song, "The Marshal's Military Training Song", so the lyrics of this version will not be too out of line.

The little eunuch who was with him carefully brought a box of golden melon seeds to Zhang Xiao, and conveyed the Queen Mother's decree to Zhang Xiao.

"Zhang Xiao, why does this name sound familiar to you? The palace has invited a gentleman to teach the prince before. Did he hire a man named Zhang Xiao?"

"I will invite him down now," the emperor said.

An exciting and lively tune sounded.

"You can also compose military songs, so you are familiar with military affairs, right?" the Queen Mother then asked.

"Mother, the people playing on the stage are not musicians, but court officials, so there is no need for rewards." The emperor quickly advised.

"Is he a court official? It doesn't matter. The rewards and punishments of the court are the court's business. The Ai family is happy today, and they have given him this box of golden melon seeds. Let him play another song." The Queen Mother also became interested.

"These songs of yours are all good, especially the last one. It sounds ups and downs, like a song sung in a military camp. This song should have lyrics, right?"

"This is Zhang Xiao, the young minister of Honglu Temple. He used to serve in the Hanlin Academy."

"This is Zhang Xiao."

"Are you Zhang Xiao? You played the piano so well just now that the Ai family mistakenly thought you were a musician. How did you know that you were playing a Western instrument?" asked the Queen Mother.

"Mother, Zhang Xiao made plans for the Korean War very early, and she just returned from his mission to Korea," the emperor said.

"That's still a meritorious minister. What grade of official is this young minister of Honglu Temple?" asked the Queen Mother.

Zhang Xiao was too embarrassed to speak, and the emperor didn't speak either. The situation suddenly felt awkward.

"Queen Mother, the young minister of Honglu Temple is an official of the fifth rank." Seeing that no one was speaking, Chen Ju had no choice but to take the lead.

"From the fifth rank, that's still a little small. We just listened to the scene of Admiral Li's victory in the battle. Emperor, you can't treat these civil and military heroes badly." The Queen Mother said.

"I have always been generous with rewards for meritorious deeds, please rest assured, Queen Mother." The emperor wanted to say something, but seeing so many people here, he had no choice but to agree.

After the banquet was over, everyone dispersed, but Queen Mother Li only kept Princess Yongning.

"My eldest daughter, I haven't seen you for so many days, and you've lost weight." In Cining Palace, Queen Mother Li said with some distress while stroking her daughter's face.

"My daughter is just doing nothing every day, just chatting to get by, which makes the mother worried." Princess Yongning said.

"It's all because of my mother's fault. Feng Bao actually agreed to that marriage, which delayed your whole life."

"Mother, my daughter is living alone now. There is nothing wrong with observing the festival for her husband." "My dear, are you still blaming the queen?"

"It's all the daughter's bad fate. How can you blame the mother?"

"Let's not talk about this anymore. What have you been busy with these days, Yu'er?"

"My daughter has been idle in the house for a long time. She was continuing to write biographies of women a few days ago. Later, Sister-in-law Zheng saw her daughter writing a book and wrote one. Later, the book written by Sister-in-law Zheng caused an uproar. My daughter is now There will be no further writing.”

"The emperor doesn't want you to write a book? What does the ups and downs caused by Zheng have to do with you? How dare you insult my daughter?" the queen mother said angrily.

"Mom, please calm down. The Emperor's brother has not ordered me not to write it, but the situation is a bit delicate now. My daughter just wants to be quiet. Now I am afraid of provoking people who want to make trouble when I continue to write the biography of women, so I won't write it." Princess Yongning explained.

"It's a shame for you that you have to wrong yourself so much. By the way, Yu'er, how did you come up with the idea of ​​continuing to write "The Biography of Women"? My mother has never heard that you like this book before?"

"Mother, I was casually flipping through the book and came across "The Biography of Women". I became interested in the deeds of various women in the book, so I thought about continuing it."

"Xiao'er, your eyes have been erratic since you were a child. Okay, okay, my mother won't ask anything. If you don't have enough money, just tell her, I've collected so many things here these days. There are many things, feel free to take whatever you like," the Queen Mother said.

……

After many days of rehearsals, and a day of waiting and live performances, Zhang Xiao was really exhausted. Fortunately, the royal carriage made the last trip and took Zhang Xiao back home.

"Boss! Teacher!" As soon as Zhang Xiao arrived at the door, he saw Lu Zhang and Li Zhizao waiting for him.

"Come into the room and let's talk. Get me a glass of water. I'll go change first as well." Zhang Xiao said.

After finishing changing, Zhang Xiao slowly returned to the study, picked up the tea on the table and drank it, then picked up a piece of snack and ate it.

"Zhenzhi, aren't you studying in the Imperial College? Why is the Imperial College on holiday today?"

"When Zhizao heard the news that his teacher had moved to the left, he quickly took a leave of absence. When Zhizao arrived at the teacher's home, he heard the news that the teacher had entered the palace. The student did not dare to disturb him, so he waited until the Queen Mother's birthday before applying for leave to the Imperial College. We are waiting for the teacher to come back." Li Zhizao explained.

"I have nothing to do, I just went to the palace to rehearse. If you have nothing to do, you can rest here tonight and go back to the Imperial College tomorrow to cancel your leave. The imperial examination is coming soon, but there is no room for slacking off. I am still very optimistic about you. Do you have enough money with you now? If not, I will give you more money."

"Thank you, teacher. Zhizao's money is enough."

"Wen Hua, is there anything important these days? I leave early and come back late, so there must be something you missed. Remember to tell me." Zhang Xiao looked at Lu Zhang.

"There haven't been any major events in the past few days. It's just that this morning General Zimao from Uncle Ning Yuan's house sent a greeting message. I replied that you are still busy with important matters and it is inconvenient to receive him." Lu Zhang said.

"Then since it is General Zimao who is coming to visit, it is better to reply as soon as possible. You can send someone to Uncle Ning Yuan's house tomorrow morning to reply. He will be there tomorrow morning."

"Master, don't you want to rest for a while?"

"Nothing, nothing. Tomorrow happens to be the day to take a rest. I should have a good sleep and feel better."

After Zhang Xiao finished explaining, there was no time to say more, so he went back to his room to rest.

At this time, Li Rusong was in a complicated mood in Uncle Ning Yuan's house.

"What, Zhang Shidu is no longer in the Hanlin Academy, but has gone to Honglu Temple to become a Shaoqing? Is this rank getting lower and lower?" Li Rusong said.

"What's so strange about this? You didn't ask clearly when you went to send the greetings yourself. Zhang Shaoqing has been helping organize the Queen Mother's birthday banquet in the palace these days. It's better for you. You don't even know if they have changed their yamen. If you If you don’t know, don’t ask me." Li Chengliang said.

"Father, how come you know everything so quickly? You are so familiar with the personnel changes in the civil service." Li Rusong was a little puzzled.

"Don't you understand this? If it weren't for my father's connections in the capital, would my father have been able to take charge of Liaodong for twenty years? But you, on the other hand, have been working in the Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army for so long without even a single person delivering messages to you. No, I don’t even know what you were busy with during the many days you spent in the Fifth Army Commander’s Mansion.”

"Commander Father, this is not the key now. Logically speaking, all our civil and military officials who participated in the Korean War should be rewarded together. Although Zhang Shaoqing did not follow the army into Korea at the beginning, he advocated preparing for war very early, and later He went on a diplomatic mission to North Korea. Forget it if outsiders didn’t know about it, but who within the imperial court didn’t know that the Japanese civil strife was due to Zhang Shaoqing’s alienation plan. Now it’s okay if he doesn’t get promoted when he comes back. He was also transferred out of the Hanlin Academy and went to an idle yamen, and his rank was demoted. Yes. Does Your Majesty have any prejudice against Zhang Shaoqing? Or you think I won't do well in Korea." Li Rusong was a little indignant.

"Rusong, there are some things that I can't help but think about, but I can't say them out loud. Your Majesty adjusted Zhang Shaoqing's position. There must be some considerations from His Majesty. Maybe something happened that we don't know about. You are so reckless. Losing is not the style of a great man."

"My son made a mistake."

"The ups and downs of the capital officials, as long as you don't leave the capital, it's not a big deal. Even if you leave the capital, capable people can still come back, but you still see less. I'm not worried about your skills on the battlefield, but this officialdom You still know too little about the things in the past. You didn’t bother to learn in the past, so what? It’s hard to live in North Korea these days.”

"Commander Father, it's hard to explain in one sentence. It was clear that we were going to rescue North Korea, but the monarchs and ministers of North Korea still resisted. Everyone in the country praised our military strength. At that time, I was walking on thin ice in North Korea. Dealing with the monarchs and ministers of North Korea was much more tiring than fighting the Japanese."

"Otherwise, the imperial court hurriedly sent Zhang Shaoqing to North Korea as a mission. Could it be that he was simply a liaison envoy? There are some things that others can't see, so why do you have to stand out. Once you stand out, others will But I have to fight you to the end. The Korean army is simply weak, otherwise it might not be able to play any tricks. In the Tang Dynasty, the Tang army helped Silla to destroy Baekje, but Silla later turned against the Tang army and started a war. If you encounter What does this mean?"

"My son has learned a lesson."

"That's all, I'm just talking about war on paper. In the past few times, the court didn't appoint me in the end. I can only teach you more, and you have to understand it yourself. Soldiers are impermanent, power is impermanent, and water is impermanent. Don't stick to it. Past war examples. To be honest, I really admire Zhang Shaoqing. He can use such a divorce tactic and can also demoralize hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops. His ability to read people's hearts is quite high. Don't offend him in the future. To him." Li Chengliang warned.

"Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief, I have a lot of contacts with Zhang Shaoqing, and I have always been polite to Zhang Shaoqing," Li Rusong said.

"Not necessarily. You don't know when you will offend some people. Anyway, just be careful." Li Chengliang said.

(End of this chapter)