Bachelor

Chapter 426 Aftermath ([-])

Where to wake up tonight, the bank of the willows, and the waning moon.

It was dawn, on the Tongzhou Wharf, Zhang Cong looked as far as the eye could see with his hands behind his back, but he saw waves surging in the strong wind, the fully loaded boat had a deep draft, and tens of thousands of white sails were bulging perfectly round.

In the foam raised by the waves, there are grains floating up and down in the water, and a large number of water birds "quack" fly by, constantly swooping down, competing for food floating on the water.

It has been a while since the official document to take office at the Ministry of Criminal Justice in Nanjing has been sent. According to the old procedures and the speed of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the appointment of such an expatriate official would have to be delayed for a month and a half, but this time it was very It is an exception, as soon as the early court was over, the letter of appointment arrived on the back foot.

When he received the letter of appointment, Zhang Cong was still in a daze for a while. Now he is unwelcome in the capital like a mouse crossing the street.It took him a whole day to inquire about what happened in the morning court.

Now, Zhang Cong knew that his speculation was a complete failure.

Speaking of which, taking up the post of director in Nanjing made me seem to have been promoted on the surface, but in fact it was not.The Ming Dynasty implemented a two-capital system. Shuntianfu was the capital city, where the government offices and the emperor's palace were located, and was called Beijing; Yingtianfu was the accompanying capital, which also had the imperial palace and various government offices, and was called Nanjing.

It's a pity that, unlike Beijing, the six departments in Nanjing are all old and sick, and they don't take much care of their daily affairs. They are supposed to be a nursing home.

Zhang Cong is already in his forties today, if he stays in Nanjing for another term, he will never be able to make a difference in his life.

After thinking up to this point, Zhang Cong's heart was already cold, and his whole body was empty.

He also knew that after he left, there was no possibility of returning to Beijing.Going to Nanjing this time is probably the last term of my life. Given my notoriety in the court, once my term expires, the only way I can go is to go home and retire.

Therefore, after receiving the appointment to go to Nanjing, he did not immediately set out on the road, but stayed in the capital for half a month.In the past half a month, Zhang Cong turned his Beijing house and Yiying industry into reality. Anyway, he will never return to Beijing in the future, and it is useless to keep these things here.

Generally speaking, if you can't find any good buyers in a hurry, and you are in a hurry to sell, you don't even want to sell for a good price.Fortunately, Fangshan Weaving Bureau wanted to set up an office in the capital, and did not lower his price, which prevented Zhang Cong from suffering too much loss.But Zhang Cong also knew that Sun Dan was taking care of him, and Sun Dan had only asked him to meet him.But Zhang Cong is also disheartened now, so he declined.

He is still very grateful to Sun Dan.Today, Zhang Cong is notorious, and there is no one to talk to in the vast capital, and only Sun Jingyuan still regards him as a friend.Just because there is such a close person, Zhang Cong does not want him to see his embarrassment at the moment.

The luggage has been packed, and the hired boat is about to arrive. Zhang Cong got up early, took his servants to the pier and waited quietly.

It's almost midsummer, and the weather is hot, but it's strange that a thin layer of white mist formed on the Grand Canal this early in the morning.

This feeling and scene aroused Zhang Cong's melancholy, and he couldn't help chanting: "The city is heavy in the city, and the narrow fields are seen. Seeing the West Mountain from a high, and writing about the nostalgia."

But after only reciting these four sentences, he felt that his writing was not smooth, but he couldn't read any more.

When I stroked my long beard with one hand and wanted to ponder it carefully, I heard a clear voice from the mist in the distance: "The sky is endless, and I waited for a while. The fallen leaves return to their roots, and the mountains are full of catalpa. If you feel comfortable, how can you comfort the separation and reunion?"

As soon as these three sentences came out, they just entered Zhang Cong's heart.

He turned his head and saw Sun Dan and Huo Tao walking from a distance in Confucian robes.

Zhang Cong was greatly surprised, and hurriedly shouted: "Jingyuan, Mr. Huo, why are you here?"

When the two of them came over, Huo Tao smiled and said: "Master Zhang, Master Sun heard that you are leaving today, so he specially invited me to see you off. Why, we are not welcome?"

Zhang Cong didn't expect Sun Dan to rush over from the capital, and his heart was moved, and his eyes turned red: "Jingyuan, although there are things like burning cold stoves in the officialdom, Zhang Cong is like this now, and he will never think about it again in this life." Turned over. Jingyuan, why bother?"

Huo Tao suddenly sneered: "Master Zhang, it's subordinates against their superiors who burn cold stoves, and Jingyuan is the one who wants to join the cabinet, so there's no reason to come here to please you?"

In the eyes of outsiders, both he and Zhang Cong are Huang Jin's party, but in fact they don't think much of each other, and they don't have any personal relationships on weekdays.

Zhang Cong was blushed by Huo Tao's sneer, he felt ashamed and hurriedly bowed to the ground: "Zhang Cong was impolite, please forgive Jingyuan."

Sun Dan hurriedly helped him up, "Bingyong doesn't need to be like this, you and I get along very well, so there is no need for so many etiquettes. This trip to Nanjing, the mountains are high and the rivers are long, and we will leave today. I don't know when we will meet you again. .Hey, it's really sad!"

Zhang Cong was also sad, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Over there, Huo Tao suddenly sneered again: "Master Zhang has been promoted to Nanjing this time, so why bother to make such a parting mood? Huo Tao will congratulate Master Zhang first here."

Ever since Huo Tao appeared, he kept saying sarcastic remarks, Zhang Cong suddenly felt angry.He lowered his voice and shouted: "Master Huo, what's the point of saying this now? You and I are on the same page when it comes to great etiquette. Besides, you are also the magistrate of Yan'an now, haven't you been promoted?"

"Fellow?" Huo Tao smiled lightly, "Don't mention the name Huo Master in the future, now Huo Tao is just an ordinary person?"

Zhang Cong was very surprised: "Why is this?"

Huo Tao laughed loudly: "Anyone with eyes knows that I will be the magistrate and you will be the head of the government is actually just a disguised distribution. Could it be that Mr. Zhang still can't see through it, and still dreams of returning to the city one day?" Is this chaotic place in the capital playing tricks? Hehe, Huo Tao doesn’t want to go to Yan’an to make people laugh, he might as well go back home to farm and try to be at ease. Today, a certain person just came to Tongzhou to take a boat back to his hometown. It’s Mr. Zhang! Hehe, I’ve also met Mr. Zhang now. Huo Tao greatly admires your literary talents, but Huo Tao greatly despises the utilitarianism in your heart. The way is different, No collusion, farewell!"

After speaking, Huo Tao flicked his sleeves and walked away.

Huo Tao's words made Zhang Cong so ashamed that he could hardly raise his head, but there was a voice in his heart shouting: Zhang Cong, are you willing, are you willing?
Seeing that Huo Tao spoke so directly, Sun Dan was amused in his heart, so he comforted Zhang Cong: "Bingyong, Huo Tao has that temper, so don't take it to heart."

Zhang Cong raised his head, his eyes were numb.Suddenly asked: "Jingyuan, is Zhang Cong really finished? Is there no chance to realize his ambition in this life?"

Sun Dan, of course, in the next two years, what changes will happen to the politics of the Ming Dynasty.

After arriving in Nanjing, Zhang Cong would naturally not be reconciled to working in Nanjing until he died of old age. After Jiajing stabilized his position, he wrote a letter to discuss gifts, and finally returned to the capital successfully, and has since ascended to a high position.

Besides, even if history changes and the great etiquette no longer happens, with Zhang Cong's talent and ambition, he will take other opportunities to rise to the top. Sun Dan is still confident about this.

For Sun Dan, Zhang Cong is just a talent in his pocket, if Zhang Cong comes out, he will naturally use it to great effect.If Zhang Cong does not have the right opportunity to return to the political arena, there will be no loss for Sun Dan.

The first stage of the Great Etiquette is over, and there should be more than a year or two until the next outbreak.In the past two years, the emperor will definitely not be reconciled to his failure, and will definitely seize every opportunity to consolidate the imperial power. Once his power is stabilized, it will be the time to discuss again.

As for the ministers headed by Yang Tinghe in the imperial court, there is a hidden danger. The three elders in the cabinet and the six ministers are all old.The younger generation of officials, except for Yang Shen, Wang Yuanzheng, and Sun Dan, have no suitable talents to take over.Even Sun Dan felt that he was quite inadequate. First of all, he felt that he was not very familiar with local government affairs.Secondly, the major affairs of the central government are not too clear, and it will take some time to learn.

Two years, two years should be enough to grow up on your own.

Sun Dan comforted Zhang Cong: "Bingyong, although the head of the Nanjing Criminal Department is an idler, it's not impossible for him to do things."

Zhang Cong shook his head in pain: "Jingyuan, you don't need to comfort Zhang Cong, everyone in Nanjing knows that it's just a place for the elderly, and Zhang Cong knows it very well."

But Sun Dan said: "What Bingyong said is wrong, Sun Dan is very disappointed when you say such a thing."

Zhang Cong looked at Sun Dan in surprise: "Why did Jingyuan say that?"

Sun Dan smiled and asked: "Bingyong, let me ask you. Have you ever been an official before you went to the Ministry of Officials?"

Zhang Cong: "Since Zhang Cong was elected, he has participated in seven consecutive examinations. This year, he was awarded a Jinshi. It is also the first time to be an official in the Ministry of Officials."

"That's it." Sun Dan put away his smile and said sternly: "I know to uphold your ambition. But, have you ever thought about it, you have never been an official for a day, even if you are in the official department, all your energy is involved The question of the emperor's exam is over. How much do you know about government affairs? If the imperial court really sends a mission, Bingyong, are you capable of handling it? Although this trip to Nanjing is an idle job, at least you can do some practical things. Plus I have a lot of free time, so Bingyong might as well go around the south more, learn about people's livelihood, and make some preparations for the future. There is a saying in my hometown: Opportunities are always prepared for those who are prepared. Bingyong You use it, you blame everyone and everyone when you encounter setbacks, it’s not like you! According to Sun Dan, it might not be a good thing for you to be sent to Nanjing this time?"

Zhang Cong was ashamed for a while, and made another long bow, and said sincerely: "Zhang Cong has been taught, thank you Jingyuan for reminding me."

Sun Dan smiled: "Bingyong, who can explain clearly the affairs in the political arena. There is also a saying in the countryside: three poor and three rich can't grow old. Anything can happen in a person's life. Do you know what the future will look like?"

After laughing, he pointed to the water ahead: "The boat is coming."

(End of this volume)

(End of this chapter)