Chapter 23 Before Returning to Beijing (Part 2) Two-in-one Chapter
"Lord Qi, there are angels coming to the capital."
After hearing the report from his servant, Zhao Junchen nodded, but he didn't look too surprised.
Angels are the envoys of the emperor.
Now Zhao Junchen has been away from Beijing for nearly two months, far exceeding expectations. Although in order to stabilize the holy family, Zhao Junchen has sent Emperor Deqing a greeting note every few days and reported on the current situation. However, as Zhao Junchen is the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs and is also in charge of the internal transportation treasury, many matters in the DPRK are at stake. I can't live without him and have been away for such a long time. Given Emperor Deqing's temperament, it's time to send someone to urge him.
Guessing the purpose of the emperor's envoy, Zhao Junchen turned to Guo Linxiang and said: "Boss Guo, can you move to the side hall to wait? After I receive the angel, I will discuss it with Boss Guo in detail. If there is any neglect, please forgive me." Don’t blame Boss Guo.”
Guo Linxiang nodded and said with a smile: "You're welcome, sir. When the angel comes, I must have something important to discuss with you. It's right to go to the side hall and take a temporary shelter. How dare I blame you?"
While speaking, Guo Linxiang did not delay. After saluting Zhao Junchen, he was led by his servants to wait in the side hall.
"Qingyan, follow me to meet the angel."
After Guo Linxiang left, Zhao Junchen also stood up and said to Xu Qingyan beside him.
…
When Zhao Junchen brought Xu Qingyan to the gate of the palace, he saw the angel waiting outside the palace with a group of followers - he was an eunuch in his fifties. Looking at his service, he thought of his status in the palace. Not low, but although the eunuch had a smile on his face, he always gave Zhao Junchen a feeling of being smiling but not smiling, and having a deep palace, which made Zhao Junchen instinctively wary.
"Qingyan, do you know this eunuch?"
After seeing the eunuch from a distance, Zhao Junchen asked Xu Qingyan.
Seeing that Zhao Junchen didn't know the identity of the visitor, Xu Qingyan couldn't help but be surprised, but he still replied softly: "Master, how could you forget him? This eunuch is Zhang De, your majesty's close eunuch, who is following your majesty. It’s been over ten years.”
Zhao Junchen nodded and did not explain. He just walked quickly to Zhang De, cupped his hands and said: "The angel has arrived, but I was not able to welcome him from far away. Please forgive me."
Zhang De also smiled and replied: "Mr. Zhao, you are too polite. Our family has a low status. It is flattering to our family that Mr. Zhao can come to greet us in person."
Zhang De's voice was sharp. Although it was not a drake-like voice, it was not pleasant either. There was also a strange and sinister tone in his tone, which seemed to have some kind of hostility towards Zhao Junchen, which made Zhao Junchen secretly frown.
"Eunuch Zhang, you're welcome. Let's go into the house and talk."
Sensing Zhang De's hostility that he didn't seem to want to hide, Zhao Junchen was a little confused, but he was no longer polite and just led Zhang De towards the house.
Although Zhang De is an angel, Zhao Junchen is also an imperial envoy, so when the two parties meet, they don't need too much etiquette.
After leading Zhang De to the hall, the two parties took their seats respectively. Zhao Junchen asked: "I wonder if your Majesty has sent Eunuch Zhang to look for me, but what orders do you have?"
After Zhang De coughed, he replied slowly: "Well, there is no intention. It's just that Your Majesty hasn't seen you for such a long time. He misses you a little, so he sent our family to Lu'an Mansion to ask you when you can come back." Beijing. Mr. Zhao, we are not talking about you. You are not only the minister of the household department, but also in charge of the internal transport warehouse. If the household department is separated from you, there will still be ministers and other ministers in charge of the affairs. But if the internal transport warehouse is without you, you will be in charge. Without the person in charge, wouldn't it become a mess? Our family knows that you have important things to do in Lu'an Mansion, but you can't leave for two months? To serve His Majesty, we have to divide It’s a matter of priority, isn’t it?”
Zhang De spoke very slowly and verbosely. Zhao Junchen finally listened patiently. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Zhang De cough again and continued: "It's up to us to tell you. My lord, you have managed the inner treasury in an orderly manner since you took charge of the inner treasury. However, as a high official of the imperial court, you have heavy affairs and a promising future. You will only become busier and busier in the future. The matter of the inner treasury is , it will be shouldered by you, my lord, I am afraid there will always be omissions, just like this time, my lord, you have just been away for only two months, and everything went into chaos at the inner shipping warehouse. What do you want me to say? , if someone can help you, sir, the burden on your shoulders will always be lighter, sir, do you think this is true?"
If Zhang De's words had any meaning, Zhao Junchen couldn't tell, but he didn't answer the question. He just said lightly: "What Eunuch Zhang said is absolutely true. I have been taught a lesson, and I would like to ask Eunuch Zhang to go back and report to Your Majesty." He said that I will definitely return within three days."
After a pause, Zhao Junchen asked: "However, I think about it. If there was just some chaos in the inner treasury, Your Majesty would not be so eager to send his father-in-law to urge me to return to the capital. I don't know what happened in the court recently. What else happened?”
Zhang De curled his lips and said at the same slow pace: "Our family is working in the inner palace. How can our family know what happened in the past? Master Zhao, you are asking the wrong person."
While speaking, Zhang De stood up, cupped his hands towards Zhao Junchen, and said: "Sir Zhao, we have informed you of your Majesty's intention. Your Majesty still needs our services, and we dare not delay. I'll say goodbye and see you in the capital."
With that said, Zhang De turned around and left without waiting for Zhao Junchen to persuade him to stay.
"Eunuch Zhang is leaving now? It's getting late, why don't you rest here in Lu'an Mansion for the night?"
While speaking, Zhao Junchen winked at Xu Qingyan. After seeing Xu Qingyan's reluctant expression, Zhao Junchen glared at Xu Qingyan again.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's expression, Xu Qingyan had no choice but to walk to Zhang De, hold Zhang De's hand, and persuade Zhao Junchen to stay: "Yes, Eunuch Zhang, it's so late, let's rest here in Lu'an Mansion. Just one night."
While holding the hand, a five thousand tael silver note was already stuffed into Zhang De's hand.
After Zhang De took a peek at the amount of the banknote in his hand, the smile returned to his face. He turned to Zhao Junchen and said, "Oh, it's not that our family doesn't want to rest, it's just that the Holy Emperor cannot do without our service." , these years of delivering edicts to the saint, our family has always come and gone at night, traveling day and night, and we cannot delay a cup of tea, please forgive me, Mr. Zhao."
Zhao Junchen nodded and sighed: "I admire Eunuch Zhang's loyalty to the emperor. No wonder your majesty has asked your father-in-law to serve you all these years."
After Zhang De nodded, he seemed to remember something. He patted his forehead exaggeratedly and said, "Oh, look at our family's memory. You asked me just now about what happened in the past, but our family has forgotten it. These days ago Something did happen in the DPRK. Not long ago, His Majesty planned to tour the South, but the Ministry of Revenue had no money, so the officials of the previous DPRK worked together to dissuade His Majesty. They also said that His Majesty's southern tour would definitely waste people and money, which ruined His Majesty's temper. , His Majesty is unhappy about this matter these days."
Having said this, Zhang De glanced at Zhao Junchen and said with a smile: "However, Mr. Zhao, you have always done things that are most in line with His Majesty's thoughts, and your financial management skills are the best in the world. We are looking for it. Your Majesty urges you to return to Beijing at this time." , I guess it’s because the southern patrol is still on the mind, and I want you to give me some advice.”
Zhao Junchen nodded and said with a smile: "Please give me more advice from father-in-law."
………
After politely sending Zhang De away, returning to the hall, and sending his servants to invite Guo Linxiang, Zhao Junchen said to Xu Qingyan next to him: "This eunuch Zhang De speaks in a weird way, and it sounds awkward."
Xu Qingyan looked disdainful and said: "Huh, since His Majesty handed over the inner treasury to you to manage the inner treasury years ago, these eunuchs have behaved like this in almost every time they see you, master. Why should you follow them?" polite."
As he spoke, a look of pain flashed across Xu Qingyan's face, and he muttered softly: "Five thousand taels, why don't I carry a smaller denomination of banknotes with me? Five thousand taels, I'm really cheap on Zhang De..."
Hearing this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help laughing and scolded: "You are really a miser."
Although he had a smile on his face, Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed with contemplation.
He now understands why Zhang De is hostile to him. The reason is that Zhao Junchen is also in charge of the internal treasury.
The inner treasury, also known as the inner carrying treasury, was the private bank treasury of successive emperors of the Ming Dynasty. It had always been supervised by close eunuchs, but a few months ago, perhaps because of seeing Zhao Junchen's superb financial management skills, Emperor Deqing He transferred the power of managing the inner treasury to Zhao Junchen. As a result, those eunuchs lost an important source of power and financial resources, and naturally they would not like to see Zhao Junchen.
After Zhao Junchen traveled through time, he summarized three major crises for himself. One was that there were too many political enemies in the court, the other was that the reputation between the court and the public was too bad, and the third was the hostility of the current prince Zhu Hejiong towards him.
But at that time, due to the incomplete inheritance memory, Zhao Junchen temporarily forgot the origin of the inner transport warehouse. Now that he thinks about it, he has missed one thing - that is, some eunuchs were dissatisfied with him.
The eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty cannot be easily offended, not only because most of them are close confidants of the emperor and have great influence on the emperor, but also because they themselves have impressive power, such as the East Factory and the West Factory These spy agencies were in the hands of the eunuchs.
However, Zhao Junchen also has a solution to this.
Although the inner treasury is a major source of power and financial resources for eunuchs, this power and financial resources have always been only in the hands of a few eunuchs, and the vast majority of eunuchs only receive a small share of the money every year. As long as the interests of those eunuchs are taken care of and they do not feel any loss, then most eunuchs will not only not be hostile to Zhao Junchen, but will regard Zhao Junchen as one of their own.
And those eunuchs who were still dissatisfied with Zhao Junchen because they lost the right to manage the inner treasury could no longer threaten Zhao Junchen at that time.
The world is bustling with people coming and going. Conflicts arising from interests are often the best to resolve for Zhao Junchen.
Just like Zhang De, who was originally hostile to Zhao Junchen because of the internal treasury matter, but as soon as the five thousand taels of silver notes were put into his hands, he immediately changed his attitude and greeted Zhao Junchen with a smile.
………
"After all, I made a miscalculation. I can't be so negligent next time. This matter should be resolved first after returning to Beijing."
Zhao Junchen murmured to himself while making plans in his mind.
Xu Qingyan, who was standing next to him, was curious and asked, "Master, what miscalculation happened?"
Zhao Junchen explained: "Since I was hit on the head with a stone, although my consciousness has not been damaged, my memory of many unimportant things has been blurred."
With that said, after making up for the loophole of asking Xu Qingyan about Zhang De's origin, Zhao Junchen continued: "The reason why I said miscalculation is because I have forgotten the conflicts with the eunuchs in the inner palace these days. If I had remembered it earlier, , I will never delay again in Lu'an Mansion."
Xu Qingyan asked in confusion: "Why?"
Zhao Junchen sighed and explained: "Although I say that the Holy Family is beautiful now, the Holy Family needs to be constantly accompanying the emperor to strengthen it, otherwise it will slowly fade away. I stayed here in Lu'an Mansion for two months. It's nothing at first, but if those eunuchs who are hostile to me say bad things about me in front of Your Majesty every day, as the saying goes, the ant nest will collapse over time, and I can't always be by your Majesty's side to defend myself. I can't withstand the consumption. But now it seems that your majesty's holy love for me has not faded. I am afraid that firstly, your majesty's holy love for me is too strong, and those eunuchs cannot shake it in a short time. Secondly, it is also the eunuchs themselves. I didn’t expect that I would be away for such a long time, because I didn’t have time to arrange it.”
After a pause, Zhao Junchen continued: "Didn't I tell you? From now on, we must make more friends and make fewer enemies. These eunuchs are with His Majesty every day, but they are not easy to offend. Return to the capital After that, we have to make good friends. If we can make these eunuchs allies, they will be useful in many places in the future."
At this point, Zhao Junchen warned Xu Qingyan: "And you, don't call each other a castrate in the future. If word spreads, those eunuchs are very vengeful, and it will be difficult for them to be of the same mind as us."
Xu Qingyan looked unwilling, but still said: "I understand, Master."
………
While the master and servant were talking, Guo Linxiang was led by his servants to the hall. After sitting down, he asked Zhao Junchen: "My lord, are you ready to return to Beijing?"
Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment and then asked: "How did Boss Guo know?"
Guo Linxiang smiled and said: "Your Majesty's love for you is well known to the whole world. Everyone knows that your majesty not only favors you, but also can't live without you. So as soon as this angel came, I wondered if your majesty was urging you to return to Beijing. ”
Zhao Junchen laughed and said, "Boss Guo is a smart man."
After some polite remarks, Guo Linxiang picked up the "Record of Locust Extermination in Lu'an Prefecture" and asked Zhao Junchen: "Sir, what do you think of the publication of this book?"
Zhao Junchen hesitated and said: "It is good to publish this book, but the meaning of speaking for me is too obvious. Why don't you find a reputable literary leader to write a preface for this book and state this clearly before publishing it? The purpose of the book is to disseminate to the world the principle that three people can become a tiger and follow what others say, and it is to clear the names of all officials in the world who have been harmed by rumors. If it is published later, there will be no problem."
"My lord is wise,"
After the publication of "Records of Locust Extermination in Lu'an Prefecture" was decided, the two talked for a while. Guo Linxiang saw that it was getting late and did not dare to disturb Zhao Junchen anymore, so he said goodbye to Zhao Junchen knowingly.
Before Guo Linxiang left, Zhao Junchen invited with a smile: "I plan to leave Beijing the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I will host a banquet for local officials and senior businessmen in Lu'an Prefecture. Boss Guo must come then."
Guo Linxiang nodded and said: "Of course, it's my honor."
ps: Seeing that some readers have voted for the update, I will try my best to be satisfied. There will be more updates tomorrow, but I can’t guarantee whether it can meet the requirements. I am quite busy at work during this period.
