Kunning Palace.
Empress Zhang was listening to Zhang Yong's description of the fasting ceremony held in the palace garden the day before yesterday.
Zhu Xiurong was running around next to her, making a "clucking" sound like a little hen laying eggs. Empress Zhang tried to pull her daughter over several times, but she ran away.
Zhang Yong finished talking intermittently amidst the little princess's troubles.
"The Queen Mother didn't say anything to them?"
Empress Zhang somewhat guessed the old lady’s motives.
To say how worried she was, that was not the case.
Empress Zhang was not the kind of woman who was good at strategizing and fighting in the palace, and Hongzhi never gave her a chance to practice it.
She has only one goal, which is to tie her husband tightly, and then use her power to eliminate all hidden dangers in the palace.
As for palace fighting... it can only be done when a group of women compete for favor, and she is confident that she does not have to worry about it.
She knows better than anyone how her husband will behave when meeting strangers.
Zhang Yong replied: "The Empress Dowager did not say anything during the banquet. She just heard that the Gongsheng named Zhang was summoned. Now everyone in the palace calls him Zhang Xianshi."
Queen Zhang's expression became serious when she heard Zhang Zhou's name.
Then she asked the female officer on the side to take the little princess to the back hall to play.
"Is that Zhang Bingkuan really that powerful? It seems that everyone in the palace has been possessed by the devil recently. His Majesty even mentions him when he is fine."
Queen Zhang was jealous.
In the past, no stranger had ever won such trust and courtesy from her husband. Even Li Guang only developed a relationship because the emperor had always been by his side when he was young.
Empress Zhang was not that worried about Li Guang. After all, Li Guang was a eunuch and could not escape her grasp.
But Zhang Zhou is different. Zhang Zhou is a person outside the palace, and it is not that easy to completely control him.
What's even worse is that Zhang Zhou is still a scholar. Maybe after becoming a Jinshi, Zhang Zhou joined forces with those civil servants.
What civil servants like to mention the most is to allow the emperor to have concubines, just like the kings in ancient times. The reason is particularly lofty, which is called "preserving heirs through wide coverage".
Zhang Yong said with lingering fear: "I heard that this person not only has supernatural powers, but he is also easy-going. He can chat with anyone, he is not pretentious, and he can speak freely and casually..."
"Who is this?"
Queen Zhang didn't understand.
Can you still speak as you please within the palace system? It seems that even she, the queen, cannot do this.
"Where is your Majesty? You are not meeting Zhang Bingkuan again, are you?"
Empress Zhang was a little wary and wanted to go to her husband to discuss this issue in depth.
Zhu Houzhao was not the only one who kept an eye on the emperor's movements.
Zhu Houzhao only occasionally kept an eye on whether his father would go to the East Palace, while Empress Zhang had to keep an eye on her husband's every move at all times, mainly because she was afraid of some vixen trying to charm her husband.
The husband controls the world, but she only needs to control her husband alone.
Zhang Yongdao: "Your Majesty met the prince in the front hall. It is said that the prince punished the people in the East Palace because of his play two days ago, and the prince went to intercede."
"oh."
When she heard that her son was leaving, Empress Zhang felt relieved. Her husband was concerned about his son's studies.
As long as her husband is not seeing Zhang Zhou all the time, she can accept it.
…
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Houzhao was talking eloquently in front of his father, and according to Zhang Zhou's instructions, he did not deliberately contradict his father.
To sum up the meaning expressed...
One person does the work and one person is responsible.
"...Father, the fault lies with my father. I should not play with those things. I must care about my own identity. I cannot be like the children of ordinary people in the market, let alone lose my temper with my father. What happened this time , I am willing to bear all the sins."
"Why don't my father continue to lock up my son for ten days? I just ask my father not to embarrass Liu Jin. He is just following my son's instructions and doing things. He has made mistakes, but he will not be held responsible for this crime."
Zhu Houzhao's words made Zhu Youtang very comfortable.
My son seems to have finally grown up, and he has the courage to admit his mistakes after making them, and he has a sense of responsibility.
This is much better than before I left the government to study, and it is a huge improvement from a few months ago.
Mainly because Zhu Youtang's anger dissipated.
Thinking about it, his son was just playing, and it was not study time. His son's homework had been completed. Although he had always asked his son to follow the rules like himself, he did not want his son to follow the rules.
Even Zhu Youtang knew how depressing his life was from childhood to adolescence.
Zhu Youtang said with a straight face: "Do you really know that you are wrong?"
"Yes, Father."
Zhu Houzhao felt a little happy in his heart.
Seeing his father's reaction, it seemed that Zhang Zhou's words made sense, and Zhang Zhou was right.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Then how did you figure it out?"
"this……"
Zhu Houzhao never knew how to answer.
This question is a bit out of scope.
How did you figure it out? Is this a problem? Do you want me to tell you all about my thoughts over the past few days?
The key is that I didn't understand it either.
It's just that Zhang Zhou asked me to say this, so I did it.
If I say this was taught by Zhang Zhou, will my father beat me?
Zhu Houzhao thought for a while, and then said seriously: "I thought of it when I thought of it. I don't know how I thought of it. Father, please let Liu Jin go and punish Erchen alone."
Zhu Youtang said, "What did the Zhang Qing family tell you?"
There is no better son than a father.
How could Zhu Houzhao be so obedient and well-behaved if there was no one to teach his son?
Zhu Houzhao said: "Zhang Qing's family just asked Erchen to think about what's wrong with this, and then think about whether the responsibility should fall on others. Erchen thinks so. Liu Jin is following orders, and the blame is not on him. Erchen I don’t want him to suffer for it.”
"Um."
Zhu Youtang nodded again with satisfaction.
Although the son couldn't explain it clearly, the father understood very well that the teacher's way of educating his son was correct.
Let your son think, summarize, recognize his mistake, and apologize...
As elders, they probably hope that the younger generation will be such obedient and good children.
"Where is Liu Jin?" Zhu Youtang asked Dai Yi who was standing aside.
Dai Yi said respectfully: "Assigned to the Huanyi Bureau as a supervisor."
Zhu Youtang said: "Send him back. Tell him clearly that this time it is the prince who pleads for him. I am only giving him a small punishment and a big admonishment. I will fine him three months' salary. If he messes around with the prince again in the future, he will be punished several times." We will never tolerate punishment and punishment!”
"yes."
Dai Yi thought.
This Liu Jin was also very lucky. He was not killed by the emperor, only beaten, but he seemed to be a blessing in disguise.
The prince was actually willing to speak for Liu Jin.
Your Majesty appreciates the prince's sense of responsibility, even Liu Jin let it go...
That Mr. Zhang is still capable.
But why did Mr. Zhang speak for Liu Jin? It seems that excusing Liu Jin is not Mr. Zhang's purpose. Mr. Zhang just wants to learn to make the prince responsible?
yes.
Mr. Zhang has won the trust of the emperor. Who is the eunuch of the East Palace? Is it necessary for Mr. Zhang to have trouble with Liu Jin?
"Okay, I won't punish you too much, but you have to work harder on your studies. You will recite "The Book of Songs" and other things before the year, and you will also learn all the words you need to learn. I will test you again before the year!"
"Yes, Father!"
Zhu Houzhao was very happy.
Not only did he not suffer, he also "fished" Liu Jin out and won his father's appreciation at the same time.
He almost wanted to get back his confiscated role-playing property, but he held back at the last moment.
Because he remembered Zhang Zhou's words again.
You have to do things that suit your identity, even if you have to play.
…
…
Zhu Houzhao went back to the East Palace.
After Zhu Youtang saw his son, he was in a good mood, and boasted to Dai Yi and other eunuchs: "...you still have to rely on Bingkuan at critical times."
The eunuchs were also thinking in their minds.
Your Majesty holds people up so high, and it’s okay to keep them that high. You won’t be afraid that one day you will suddenly withdraw your power and make people fall down...
I'm afraid I'll be like Li Guang again.
Xiao Jing reminded from the side: "Your Majesty, Wang Yue, the left minister of the Ministry of War, has been waiting outside the palace for a long time."
"Oh, by the way, why did you forget him? Call someone in."
After a while, Wang Yue appeared in Qianqing Palace in court uniform.
When he saw the emperor, he knelt down directly.
Zhu Youtang said: "What is Wang Qing's family doing? Get up and talk! This is not a court hall, so there is no need to be too formal."
Wang Yue refused to get up, and knelt on the ground looking very pious: "This life of my Majesty was given to me by your Majesty. On my way back to the capital, I suffered from a sudden illness. If it hadn't been for the medicine given by your Majesty, I would not have had the chance to return to the capital." A bet on the holy face."
Dai Yi, Xiao Jing and others next to him were all laughing.
This Wang Yue.
Everyone knows how much he likes to curry favor with internal officials, even the emperor.
Finally getting a chance to "repay the favor", Lao Wang must show his incomparable loyalty to the emperor.
This is also a way and means of being an official. No matter whether he is capable or not, he first puts himself in a very low position. To put it bluntly, it makes people feel that he is under control, and then he can gain more political power. convenient.
And Wang Yue wanted to make the emperor feel how grateful he was for the emperor's kindness.
"That medicine was not given to you by me, but by Bingkuan...that is, Zhang Zhou and Zhang Qing's family. He is Jieyuan from the Jiangnan Provincial Examination. If you want to thank him, you can go and thank him."
Zhu Youtang did not take credit.
Zhang Zhou was the one who did it, and he didn't mind telling Wang Yue who his savior was.
If you want to ask for that life-saving medicine again, go to Zhang Zhou and don't bother me.
There are many people who are fawning over me, and it’s not like I don’t know who you are, and it’s not easy for you to do this.
Wang Yue had just returned from the northwest and was not very well informed. He didn't know who Zhang Zhou was.
So his face was full of doubts.
Zhu Youtang said to Xiao Jing: "When you send Wang Qing's family out of the palace, explain the whole story to him."
"Yes." Xiao Jing answered.
Zhu Youtang said to Wang Yue: "Wang Qing's family, you have done well in the northwest, and I am willing to value you. However, your military achievements this time are still not satisfactory, and I cannot return your title to you. Please understand. In the position of left minister of the Ministry of War, I will work hard for the imperial court."
"Old minister accepts the order."
Wang Yue was very concerned about his title being taken away.
After the "great victory" in Helan Mountain, he thought he could be knighted again, but the emperor also made it clear that your contribution this time was still far from being knighted.
Wang Yue could only lament that he was born at the wrong time.
The Tatars didn't come out in full force. Even if I brought all my troops to kill them, I still wouldn't be able to catch the main force.
Feng Tang Yi Lao, Li Guang difficult to seal.
(End of chapter)
