A strategic meeting in the Qianqing Palace was chaired by Zhu Youtang, attended by Wang Yue and Zhang Zhou, and lasted for more than two hours.
Xiao Jing then escorted the two of them out of the palace.
"Mr. Zhang, do you think you can win this battle?"
Wang Yue now has a mysterious trust in Zhang Zhou.
Since you, Zhang Zhou, can predict when the Tatars will arrive, it should be logical and easy to test whether you can win this battle, right?
Zhang Zhou smiled.
This has never happened in history, how can I test it for you?
Besides, my butterfly has begun to flutter its big wings, and history has begun to go astray at this point.
"Wang Shilang, even if I can sometimes break through the secrets of heaven, this battle has not yet been fought. As for how to proceed and how far it will go, you need to personally fight. There is nothing I can do about it."
Zhang Zhou's words made Wang Yue somewhat anxious.
The war has not happened, but it is predicted that it will happen. I don’t know whether it will come or not, and I can’t tell the outcome.
Summed up in one word.
wait!
I'm afraid that the Ming Dynasty's frontier soldiers can't afford to wait, but I, an old man, can't afford to wait.
Zhang Zhou said: "However, what your Majesty and Ma Shangshu mean, Wang Shilang should be well aware of. This battle cannot be like the battle at Helan Mountain. It will be all planned by you. At that time, the soldiers and horses that Wang Shilang can use will only be tilted. There are not many generals that can be dispatched to the garrison at the several guard posts around the pass, so it depends on Wang Shilang's own performance."
Wang Yue thought for a while and hurriedly expressed his position: "The entire responsibility for this battle lies with Lao Chan. Mr. Zhang will have the credit for the victory, but Mr. Zhang will not be responsible for the defeat."
Zhang Zhou looked at Xiao Jing with a smile, and Xiao Jing was also laughing.
"Wang Shilang, that's not what I meant. Don't get me wrong! Since I predicted this battle and it is really defeated, I am fully responsible."
Zhang Zhou is not a blame-shifter.
In order to ensure the victory of this battle, he also contributed his suggestions and efforts, just to ensure that he would have his own share of the military merits of winning the battle.
If you haven't passed the Jinshi exam yet, trying to gain military merit first sounds very good.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang, you are joking. As long as the Tatars come according to the time you calculated, it will be a great achievement. As for the follow-up, it depends on Mr. Wang."
Xiao Jing understands this clearly.
If the army is defeated, even if you want to take responsibility, do you think His Majesty will agree?
And the one named Wang!
Don't forget to count. People will tell you exactly when and where the Tatars will come. If you still can't win, you might as well not come back!
The emperor's trust is not something you can use as a perfunctory excuse or as a bargaining chip.
Wang Yue felt the pressure instantly and said: "Mr. Zhang, seeing that you usually come and go, there are few followers around you. Although the little granddaughter is born rough, she is good at fists, feet, swords, guns, swords and halberds. Why don't we let her stay here?" Protect everyone by your side."
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, is that still called being born vulgar?
That face, that figure, that silly and cute look...
It's really easy to inspire a man's desire for protection. The problem is, from strength to close combat skills, this girl is one of the best among women in the world.
Who protects whom?
Zhang Zhou has not yet returned to his thoughts.
"That's good." Xiao Jing on the side responded with a smile.
Zhang Zhou glared at him.
Could it be that you, Xiao Jing, can't tell that he plans to give me his little granddaughter as a gift?
Fortunately, you keep telling me that you have to be careful not to be corrupted by others. Now you are engaging in double standards. What you are guarding against is Yang Peng giving me gifts?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I have a family and a room, and your granddaughter is a lady, so it's inconvenient."
Wang Yue said hurriedly: "My little granddaughter has always admired Mr. Zhang's style. She also learned that Mr. Zhang is a talented poet. She can follow him. She does not ask for status, but only asks for his acceptance."
Now, even if Xiao Jing pressed hard, he could tell that Wang Yue was going to give his granddaughter a gift.
Even though Xiao Jing knew that Wang Yue was a person who liked to curry favor with powerful people, he never expected that he would do anything to him. The smile on Xiao Jing's face was somewhat embarrassing.
"I'm afraid His Majesty won't agree."
Zhang Zhou smiled and looked at Xiao Jing, meaning that you should come out and refuse for me, just like what you said before about not letting me accept the gift.
Xiao Jing seemed to have misunderstood, and said tentatively: "Then we will ask His Majesty for instructions later and see what His Majesty's opinion is."
Zhang Zhou said: "It's such a small matter, why don't you bother asking Your Majesty for instructions?"
Wang Yue seemed very enthusiastic about this and said with a smile: "Excuse me, Eunuch Xiao!"
Wang Yue was very insistent.
If he himself gave his granddaughter to Zhang Zhou, he would still be suspected of giving it as a gift. Others would also say that he was dishonest in sacrificing his granddaughter's happiness. How come you, Mr. Wang, have such high prestige in the court that you would give away your granddaughter like this? , don’t you feel blushing?
But if the emperor had spoken, the nature would be different.
Since this can be accomplished, Wang Yue will still have face.
"Okay, okay, let's go and mention it to His Majesty later."
The three of them continued walking towards the palace gate.
Zhang Zhou suddenly asked: "Shilang Wang, have you written any poems recently?"
Wang Yue wondered: "What does Mr. Zhang mean?"
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I've recently been thinking about opening a bookstore and publishing some books. After much thought, it would be safer to publish some poetry collections first. Don't you want to ask Shilang Wang to do a little favor?"
"Well……"
Wang Yue is also thinking about it.
Now that you are so admired by the emperor and you want to publish a collection of poems, I can only say that you want to find an excuse to ask me to help you. It is mutually beneficial and avoids always seeming to be the one begging you.
This is about mutual help and reciprocity.
"Yes." Wang Yue said, "In the past few months, I have been in the northwest, and I have been crazy about my youth and composed a few poems. If Mr. Zhang intends to publish them, I will show my shame."
Zhang Zhou said: "I would like to thank the king's minister."
Zhang Zhou really plans to publish a collection of poems recently.
Although he also knew that publishing the storybook was the most important thing.
But the problem is... opening a bookstore in partnership with the prince, and just doing those things, it seems too classy.
This market also needs to be tested first. It just so happens that it is the time of spring, and there are many students in the capital. In addition, his previous peach blossom poem has spread throughout the capital. No matter what other people say, he only needs to use his own name. If a collection of poems is published, many people will definitely buy it, even if it is not a popular one. Let those people buy it back and criticize it, and the purpose of testing the waters will be achieved.
This is more direct and effective than directly publishing the script.
If you add Wang Yue's poems that have not yet appeared in the world, it will be even more gimmick.
…
…
This time Zhang Zhou did not go to the Wenhua Palace to meet Zhu Houzhao, but left the palace directly with Xiao Jing leading the way.
When Xiao Jing returned to Qianqing Palace to report, he saw Zhu Youtang using a very thin bamboo tube to drink something from the bowl, making a snoring sound.
Xiao Jing didn't move forward to look, but from a distance he saw that the thing was white and sticky, like goat's milk.
"Your Majesty, you have worked hard today. What do you think of this?"
Dai Yi was waiting on Zhu Youtang.
This meeting lasted from morning to noon, and the emperor did not give a banquet or even eat. After noon, Zhu Youtang finally had time to eat something to replenish his strength.
Zhu Youtang put down the thing used to suck food and said with a smile: "Yes, what's the specialty of this thing?"
Dai Yi smiled and said: "This is called milk tea. It is similar to the koumiss on the grassland. It is mixed with tea leaves, goat milk, and some seasonings. The recipe was given by Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang said that His Majesty has always been dissatisfied with goat milk. I like it too much, which is not conducive to relieving the accumulated toxins in the body, so I changed it to this way of drinking, and also made some adjustments with goat's milk, mare's milk, etc. I couldn't always drink one kind, and I could even drink milk, but the palace did not There is no such thing as milk…”
"milk tea?"
Zhu Youtang smiled, as if he was still savoring the deliciousness, "Send some to the queen, prince, and princess. It has a slight taste of sweet tea. They should like it."
"yes."
Dai Yi took the order.
Dai Yi originally wanted to say that this was all for His Majesty's treatment and physical fitness, but when he thought about how delicious the food was, the Emperor thought of sharing it with his family, and there was nothing wrong with it.
Besides, there is no shortage of ingredients in the palace.
"Have you left the palace?" Zhu Youtang then raised his head and looked at Xiao Jing, who had been waiting for instructions.
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Wang have left the palace. On the way, Mr. Wang mentioned that he wanted a little granddaughter who practices martial arts to stay with Mr. Zhang to keep him safe."
"Yeah, okay."
Zhu Youtang thought it was a good idea without even thinking about it.
Dai Yi reminded: "Your Majesty, Wang Shilang's move... I'm afraid he has other motives."
Zhu Youtang was startled at first, and then realized that Wang Yue's intention was to give gifts, and he also gave his little granddaughter as a gift. He couldn't help but sigh: "Wang Weining is also a famous general in the northwest. He only wants to protect Bingkuan with these crooked things." Why use his granddaughter? Can't I send someone to protect her?"
Dai Yi and Xiao Jing were both thinking, Your Majesty, you have finally figured it out!
That guy Wang Weining is just a guy who clings to the powerful!
Zhu Youtang said: "Go and tell Wang Weining that it is okay to send your granddaughter, but it is only temporary. If he can win the battle in the northwest, this girl will let Bingkuan stay. If not..."
Dai Yi reminded again: "Your Majesty, you are not torturing Wang Shilang, you are torturing Mr. Zhang."
"Ah, really?"
Zhu Youtang thought about it and realized that if he sent people to Zhang Zhou, he could only watch from a distance but not play with them. He would have to wait for the war to end, and if he lost, he would have to send them back.
This is to roast the full-blooded Zhang Zhou on the fire.
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, if you send someone to Zhang Mansion, I'm afraid you won't be able to take him back again!"
What he meant was that if someone sends someone there, then it will be famous. How can there be any reason to send your granddaughter away and then take her back? At that time, who would dare to marry a woman who had been given away?
You still have to be humane and reasonable when doing things.
Zhu Youtang took a long breath and said: "I originally wanted to help them match up and make a betrothal marriage. After all, Wang Weining's granddaughter cannot be completely nameless. But as you said, let him marry her. Send him there and let him go to the northwest to lead the army with peace of mind."
"If they win, I will grant them a marriage, and let him marry his granddaughter with dignity. If he does not win or does not meet expectations, I will leave it to Bingkuan and let him figure out how to arrange it! I want to go back to rest, Zhu Pi I leave the memorial to you!"
…
…
The emperor issued an imperial edict.
Xiao Jing then sent someone to Wang Yue's house to inform him. On the same day, Wang Yue packed some dowry-like things for his granddaughter, loaded them in a carriage, and sent them to Zhang's house.
Zhang Zhou just arrived home.
So he took a big living person into the yard.
When Zhang Zhou came out after hearing the news, he saw Miss Wang Mingshan of the Wang family standing in the front yard, looking around, her eyes full of curiosity about the new environment, with a little bit of the same look in her eyes.
It's like cheering from the bottom of my heart...
I can finally live a different life.
Zhang Zhou was wondering, does this Miss Wang have something wrong with her brain?
Zhang Zhou walked over. When Wang Mingshan saw Zhang Zhou, she immediately knelt down.
"No need to be polite, Miss Wang, welcome."
After Zhang Zhou finished speaking, he thought about it and realized that this word seemed not to be used well.
At this time, the summer solstice also comes out of the inner courtyard.
Zhang Zhou said: "Go and call out that bastard Zhang Jun! Just tell him that the martial arts coach I hired for him is here!"
Xia Zhi stared at it with wide eyes, looking confused. Then he seemed to suddenly realize that this should be the concubine that the master had brought back. She quickly turned around and went in to inform the mistress of the inner courtyard.
For a maid, she is not responsible for her master, but takes orders from her wife.
…
…
Wang Mingshan was first arranged to arrange accommodation.
Instead of living in the backyard, we will live in the wing room across the courtyard. Anyway, there are many rooms in the third courtyard, so just free up one and it can be occupied with a little tidying up.
Zhang Zhou arrived at the inner courtyard.
A family of women and children were lining up to look at him.
"Boy, practice martial arts well in the future and don't let down your father and I's expectations!" Zhang Zhou said.
Zhang Jun looked at his mother and then his sister, feeling a little confused about the situation.
Jiang Pingyu said: "Go in and do your homework! Sister, you also go with them."
"Um."
Han Qing took them to the study.
Zhang Zhou and Jiang Pingyu entered the back hall.
"Husband, what is going on? You mean... there is a new sister?" Jiang Pingyu was not too repelled, but as long as she had feelings for her husband, when it came to her husband taking a concubine, , there will still be a thorn in my heart.
Zhang Zhou said: "Is that so? I don't know, I don't even know what it means."
"Husband?" Jiang Pingyu was also a little confused.
Everyone has been brought back, but you say you don’t know?
Zhang Zhou said: "Actually, this is the case. This Miss Wang, whose maiden name is Mingshan, is Wang Weining, the daughter of the former Minister of War and the second son of Weining Bo Wang Yue, and also his granddaughter. This daughter has been practicing martial arts, and Wang Weining is fine He likes to give gifts to powerful people. If I don't accept the gifts, he will send his granddaughter over and say that he will protect me. Maybe he will provide me with a bodyguard."
Jiang Pingyu said in surprise: "With her background, if she wants to look after her husband's home and nursery, then in the future she will..."
What he didn't finish talking about was, how will she get married in the future?
But then she seemed to understand that Wang Yue had no intention of marrying his granddaughter to anyone else. He said it was just an excuse to be a guard. In fact, he just gave his granddaughter to Zhang Zhou as a concubine.
"Then I'll make the arrangements." Jiang Pingyu stood up.
Zhang Zhou said: "What are you going to arrange?"
Jiang Pingyu was startled, and then she thought, shouldn't she arrange to consummate the marriage or something?
Zhang Zhou said angrily: "Madam, don't think too much about it. This Miss Wang is from a famous family. Even if I want to, she won't agree. This will have to wait until something happens in the future. If everything goes as I think. Material, it’s not too late for you to make arrangements..."
"When she comes to our house, I usually ask her to put on men's clothes and follow me around to protect me. Then... teach Xiaojun boxing and kicking skills. This saves the need to go out to invite the husband... kill two birds with one stone."
Jiang Pingyu was somewhat speechless after hearing this.
The husband is using Miss Wang as free labor.
A pretty girl comes over to run errands and do odd jobs for you, just to save you money?
"Husband, isn't this bad?" Jiang Pingyu was a little frightened.
This stinginess has reached a new level.
Zhang Zhouyizheng said: "I don't want it, but Lao Wang still insists on giving it away. Now even His Majesty knows about it, can I still send her back? I can only look at it but not get started. Find her some work and let her get in touch with society. There’s nothing bad about it.”
(End of chapter)
