Zhang Zhou traveled by boat and chariot all the way, so he was naturally not as fast as Zhu Feng. He set out in early October and did not pass through Tongzhou until late October.
This is the result of rushing.
As the news came that Zhang Zhou was coming to the capital, Zhu Feng also told Zhu Houzhao this "good news".
"That guy is finally here! I plan to punish him. Tell me what method you can use to not only save face but also make me feel happy?"
Zhu Houzhao was posing problems to Zhu Feng and the eunuchs again.
Now Zhu Feng is not responsible for teaching Zhu Houzhao. When there are lecturers around, Zhu Feng either doesn't come, or when he comes, he is only responsible for security and not in the front.
After they leave, Zhu Feng will play with Zhu Houzhao, which is equivalent to saying that when Zhu Feng enters the palace, he plays the role of eunuch.
Gao Feng said: "Why don't we find a few people, find his residence, and teach him a lesson!"
"No, Your Highness!" Zhu Feng heard this suggestion and quickly persuaded him.
When Zhu Houzhao heard this suggestion, his eyes lit up at first, and then he also seemed to be uninterested: "He was called to the capital by my father. If I beat him up, will my father beat me up?"
Several eunuchs heard this and realized that the young prince had some brains and knew what could easily get him into trouble.
This is already considered an improvement.
"Master Chu Wuming, besides, I don't think this idea is very good if I beat him up! Find another one!" Zhu Houzhao was very angry with Zhang Zhou at first, but Zhu Houzhao was not a fool.
If Zhang Zhou was beaten and Zhang Zhou was not happy and deliberately did not write the rest of the martial arts novels for him, wouldn't he be digging a hole for himself?
Besides, there was also the risk of being taught a lesson by his father. He usually used this kind of beating to frighten the servants around him, but he couldn't beat Zhang Zhou himself. What fun was there?
Liu Jin smiled and said: "I have an idea, but..."
As he said this, he looked at Zhu Feng, which meant that Zhu Feng was present. I couldn't say that if Zhu Feng told Zhang Zhou, then this matter would be meaningless.
"You, get out!" Zhu Houzhao was not polite and pointed at Zhu Feng and gave the order.
Zhu Feng could only walk out of the palace obediently.
When walking out, Zhu Feng was still thinking. It seemed that he had to find a way to leave the palace as soon as possible, even if he was to be a guard of thousands of households. What would be the use of accompanying the prince in the palace?
For the future? Why am I, the second son who has no right to inherit the country's family, joining in the fun here?
"Your Majesty, as long as your Majesty summons Zhang Jieyuan to enter the palace, we will do this and this..."
Liu Jin gave advice to Zhu Houzhao and deliberately did not tell it to Gao Feng and other East Palace eunuchs.
After hearing this, Zhu Houzhao smiled and said: "You are still smart. What I want is to compare his talents and let him know who is the real smart person!"
…
…
Zhang Zhou passed through Tongzhou in late October, and his treatment was immediately different.
The Jin Yiwei sent a man named Sun Shangqi from a hundred households to escort him to the capital with the Jin Yiwei, and also brought him a "gift" given by the emperor.
"Sun Baihu, what is this?" Zhang Zhou got something that looked like a folded book and wanted to open it, but he was afraid that it was something that could not be opened lightly.
Sun Shangqi smiled and said: "Zhang Jieyuan, this is your certificate for paying tribute to Beiyong. You will be given the official position of candidate for the ninth grade, receive a salary from the court, study in prison, and prepare for spring high school next year."
Zhang Zhou said: "Oh, does that mean that I will still be a tribute student in the future?"
"It's different." Sun Shangqi's face was filled with compliments, "You used to just pay tribute, but now you pay tribute and you are more respected."
Zhang Zhou didn't think much of this.
Why do you have to put a layer of shackles on yourself?
In fact, during the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty, there was a rule that all failed candidates must go to the Imperial College to study and complete necessary coursework. However, in fact, failed candidates from all over the country tried their best to escape from the Imperial College and return to their hometowns. No matter where they were, they would not be as comfortable as in their hometown.
Do you think it is a good thing to live in a place like Beijing where prices are high and far away from home for a long time?
But to give a candidate for the ninth grade to learn the truth... Zhang Zhou thought to himself, wouldn't I be on the same level as that old scholar Qu Mingren who has higher ambitions?
Next time I go back, I will throw this thing in your face, and then I will discuss with you who is the polite scum!
Zhang Zhou made up his mind.
Anyone who offends me will definitely find his way back even if it takes ten or eight years.
"I don't know how the man named Li in Nanjing has been doing these two days!"
…
…
The person Zhang Zhou was worried about was none other than Li Zhui in Nanjing.
Zhang Zhou was very happy when he paid back the money, but after he paid it back... he couldn't forget it.
I don't know why I owe you twenty taels of silver, which almost caused my family to be destroyed, and even my wife and children were almost taken away by you. You just came to ask for the debt, and I will pay you back...
Did you think it was so cheap?
Of course, when I'm in Nanjing, I can't be too blatant. After I leave, if you get beaten up again, then no one will be suspicious of me, right?
Then……
On a dark and stormy night, when Li Zhui was going home after drinking wine, he was stopped by a group of people on the road, and then was pulled to a back alley and beaten up.
To Zhang Zhou, just a beating was considered light.
I haven't come to your door yet and dragged your mother-in-law and children away to sell them.
Too kind.
Zhang Zhou arrived in the capital on October 24th.
This day happened to be Han Qing's birthday. After rushing into the city, Zhang Zhou settled his wife and children in the post house and agreed that Zhang Zhou would come back to celebrate Han Qing's birthday in the evening. Then he and Sun Shangqi came out. It was originally agreed that Zhang Zhou would come back to celebrate Han Qing's birthday. We need to report to the Imperial College together.
"...Zhang Jieyuan, please don't rush to Beiyong. I want to take you to a place where someone wants to see you."
"Who wants to see me?"
"We can't say for now that he is a nobleman who wants to bring you into the palace."
Sun Shangqi, as a member of the Imperial Guard, had accompanied Zhang Zhou to Beijing in the past two days, and he had taken good care of him along the way. However, this person was actually very strict in his words, and he did not explain the specific arrangements after arriving in Beijing in detail to Zhang Zhou.
Now Zhang Zhou knew that after entering the capital, he would be eligible to enter the palace immediately.
I thought that if I had known earlier, I should have bragged with my wife and children first. Going to meet the saint in silence was like walking at night in brocade clothes, which was not glamorous enough.
Zhang Zhou almost wanted to ask, is it still too late to hire a bunch of people to come back and beat gongs and drums to spread the word?
…
…
The person Sun Shangqi took him to see was Dai Yi, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony.
A very honest-looking old eunuch in his sixties, perhaps because he did not purify himself until he was an adult. He has an Adam's apple and carries the character of an old scholar.
As far as Zhang Zhou knew, this was an old eunuch who was proficient in piano art and calligraphy.
Otherwise, we can’t know much from history.
"Zhang Jieyuan, I have admired him for a long time." Dai Yi met Zhang Zhou in a private house outside the palace. As an old eunuch in the palace, by the early years of Hongzhi, he basically had his own private house for resting and resting.
Zhang Zhou quickly raised his hands and said, "I have met Eunuch Dai."
"No gifts, no gifts, His Majesty has been talking about you a lot lately. Let's go, the carriage is ready. Let's talk slowly on the way to the palace."
…
…
Dai Yi and Zhang Zhou took a carriage to the palace.
Zhang Zhou felt very awkward. Sharing a carriage with an old eunuch would not be very honorable.
"Zhang Jieyuan, you are not yet a Jinshi or an official. If you don't understand the rules and etiquette after entering the palace, just stay humble and self-restrained. Try to be as quiet as possible. Everything depends on our family's eyes."
Dai Yi is relatively responsible.
He told Zhang Zhou some court etiquette, such as walking in steps after entering the palace, waiting respectfully outside Qianqing Palace, and not squinting...
Even if you don’t say this, Zhang Zhou can probably understand.
The carriage entered Dong'an Gate, went all the way to Donghua Gate, and got off in front of Donghua Gate. Dai Yi personally led Zhang Zhou inside, still telling stories along the way.
"When you meet His Majesty, you must be careful in your words and deeds. Even if you are credited with saving the princess, you must not take the credit and be arrogant."
"clear."
"Then what do you answer when His Majesty asks you? Don't talk nonsense without asking!"
"OK."
"If your Majesty has a reward for you, you can just kneel down when you thank me. There is no need to refuse."
"Oko!"
"What?"
"I said it's no problem."
Talking to such a cautious old eunuch, Zhang Zhou felt like he was going crazy!
Listen to you? I guess I don’t even know how I died, right?
Just using the alchemist to fool the king would be a death penalty, not to mention that there was Li Guang in the palace who was eyeing me.
Li Guang claims to be the Great Tomorrow Master. Will he allow a second alchemist with great supernatural powers to exist?
If he doesn't die, I will die.
…
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
Zhang Zhou finally met Zhu Youtang. Compared with the excitement of the common people when they met the saint, Zhang Zhou's expression was completely calm. He seemed to be visiting a history museum and wanted to change history and take something from the museum. As a result, I met the owner.
If you want to successfully take things away, you must first pass the level of the museum owner.
If you want to prove your existence in the long history, you must first make the Lord of the Times happy.
"Zhang Bingkuan? Hmm." Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Zhou in front of him and nodded with satisfaction, "Jiangnan Jieyuan is a talented person. He is talented in learning, writing, etiquette and benevolence. He is good. I will give you a seat."
Just like his attitude towards Zhu Feng, Zhu Youtang offered him a seat when he came up, which showed that he valued Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I am ashamed of myself. After I entered the palace and looked at the surrounding buildings, I suddenly felt an ominous atmosphere shrouding my heart. But I don't know whether to say it or not!"
"Huh?" Zhu Youtang frowned when he heard this.
Dai Yi on the side looked horrified when he saw this scene.
After talking so much on the way, this kid kept saying words like "I know" and "I understand" all the way, thinking he was a well-behaved and obedient young boy.
As a result, after the interview, you didn't play according to the routine, and you didn't listen to a word of emotion?
