With Liu Jian's promise, sure enough, at the last court meeting the next day, ten days before the Lantern Festival holiday, no one mentioned the military affairs in the northwest.
After the meeting.
Xiao Jing breathed a sigh of relief and was about to go to Fengtian Hall when Dai Yi came over and said, "What did you say to those people yesterday?"
Xiao Jing was puzzled, and then he almost said exactly what he said.
Dai Yi just gave him a very strange look.
When the four directors and supervisors arrived at Qianqing Palace together, they found that Zhu Youtang was unhappy.
"Your Majesty. Mr. Zhang will return to Beijing from Xishan today..." Xiao Jing reminded carefully.
"Um."
Zhu Youtang just nodded.
Probably he didn't want to summon Zhang Zhou to ask anything. Originally, Xiao Jing thought that the emperor would care about the last two things Zhang Zhou detected.
Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty, will you send someone to ask?"
"What are you asking?" Zhu Youtang's tone was stiff, "Bingkuan went to Xishan to look for ore, and he also made iron for the court. He came back from hard work to prepare for the national examination, why should I bother him?"
Dai Yi lowered his head and did not dare to answer.
"I asked them not to mention those officials, but they still refused to let me go. Could it be that just because Mr. Ge told them, they could listen and not even ask about the northwest affairs?"
At this moment, Xiao Jing seemed to understand the meaning of Dai Yi's previous question to him.
He was still a little scared in his heart.
The emperor won't blame him for saying the wrong thing, right?
Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty, or not many people in the court know about this matter. They are afraid of leaking the important military affairs, so they dare not mention it."
Zhu Youtang is still angry.
Dai Yi winked at Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing didn't understand, what should he say to the emperor at this time? Dai Yi, can’t you say it yourself? Why do you want me to say it?
"Don't delay the prince's recent schoolwork." Zhu Youtang ordered.
"Yes." Dai Yi answered cautiously.
"Send someone to tell Bingkuan and tell him not to go anywhere recently. After the examination, he can concentrate on working for the court. Regardless of whether he passes the imperial examination or not, he must think about how to be a good official. I will go to see the emperor first. The Empress Dowager, I leave matters here to you!"
…
…
Zhu Youtang left Qianqing Palace.
For Zhu Youtang, there will be a ten-day holiday next. During this period, most of the memorials will be handed over to the Director of Ceremonies for review. The three Directors of Ceremonies do not have a real holiday to speak of.
"Eunuch Dai, your Majesty's side..."
Xiao Jing wiped away cold sweat.
Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty feels that the prestige of the Chief Assistant may be a little too great."
Chen Kuan also came over and asked, "Just because of this little thing?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Dai Yi glared at Chen Kuan and then said as if to explain, "In the past, your majesty could just trust the senior ministers in governing the country, but now Mr. Zhang, whether in the court or in the government, can Your Majesty can ask ghosts and gods for advice on civil affairs or military affairs. Do you think your Majesty will still be so tolerant to the old ministers?"
Xiao Jing sighed: "It won't have any impact on people like us, right?"
Dai Yi smiled and said: "This is a good thing. In the past, when you had to approve on behalf of the emperor, didn't you always have to rely on the votes of the elders? If you make a slight change, there will be criticism in the court. Now you try again!"
"Dai Gonggong's words make sense."
Xiao Jing smiled, but found that the smile he put on was a little too bitter.
Wei Bin asked: "There are no hidden worries, right? In the past few years, the cabinet has gained your majesty's trust... After Mr. Xu Ge left, your majesty's trust in the cabinet has only increased."
This is talking about Xu Pu's retirement.
After Xu Pu, Liu Jian was the first assistant, and Zhu Youtang relied more on the cabinet.
Dai Yi seemed to have seen through everything, smiling and shaking his head: "No, the hidden worry is that the civil servants will take back the power. For us, Zhu Biao is different from the draft. If the civil servants want to target, they will always use their strength to Mr. Zhang, and with What should I do?"
Several people seemed to have come to their senses.
There was a rift between the emperor and the civil servants, all because of Zhang Zhou.
If the civil servants wanted to target Zhang Zhou, they would also use force against Zhang Zhou, while they, the ceremonial supervisors and eunuchs, could do nothing.
This is to say that no matter what the outcome of the struggle between the civil servants and Zhang Zhou is, they will remain invincible.
…
…
Zhang Zhou returned to the capital.
The first thing I did when I returned to the capital was to go to the British government to "find people."
Jiang Dezhong was doing business with the Dudu Mansion, but he didn't go back for four days. Zhang Zhou's brother-in-law Jiang Shanquan knew that he was back, and almost begged his grandfather to sue his grandmother, hoping to "redeemed" Jiang Dezhong.
"What's wrong with my father-in-law?"
Zhang Zhou also felt strange.
Just now he said he wanted to do business with the Governor's Mansion. In the two months before and after, what kind of big deal did Jiang Dezhong make? If someone is going to be detained, it should be done by the Governor’s Mansion. How come it’s Old Man Zhang who’s arresting someone?
Jiang Shanquan drove a carriage and took Zhang Zhou to the British government.
As soon as the carriage stopped and Zhang Zhou's feet landed, Sun Shangqi from the Hundreds of Jinyiwei came with his people.
Jiang Shanquan originally counted on Zhang Zhou, but when he saw that it was the Jin Yiwei who was looking for Zhang Zhou, he quickly avoided it.
Sun Shangqi said: "Mr. Zhang, I have been ordered to be by your side at any time. Please give me your instructions if you need anything."
Zhang Zhou hadn't met Xiao Jing yet, so he didn't know that he was being protected.
"Then please help me knock on the door."
Zhang Zhou pointed to the door of the British Government Palace.
In any other place, it would be easy for Sun Shangqi to rush in with his men, but in the British government, he was a little afraid.
When I say knock on the door, I really mean go up and knock on the door.
After finally saying hello to the doorman, the doorman still had to go in and make a call, and the group of people were waiting outside.
…
…
Zhang Zhou still met Zhang Mao.
Zhang Mao came out to greet them with his grandson Zhang Lun. He seemed very polite and welcomed Zhang Zhou and Jiang Shanquan inside.
"Xian Nephew Bingkuan, you came to my house, but you have something to do?" Zhang Mao looked very polite.
Zhang Zhou asked: "I heard that I, Old Taishan, am a guest at my house?"
Zhang Mao said: "Exactly, I recently drank with Lao Jiang and chatted about everything. Your father-in-law is a eloquent person, and he refused to leave."
Zhang Zhou looked at Jiang Shanquan.
Jiang Shanquan was also confused.
Are you talking about my father who was detained and never returned home? He... actually stayed on his own initiative?
"It just so happens that you, nephew Xian Bingkuan, are here too. Let's have a banquet and have a glass of wine together. It's like I'm thanking you for saving the puppy. Zhang Lun, go tell your father, Mr. Zhang Here we go, let him pack up and come over and have a drink together."
"yes."
Zhang Lun looked very happy.
As if he wanted to introduce his husband to his family, he went to the inner courtyard excitedly.
…
…
The banquet was placed in the banquet hall of the British Palace Wing.
Zhang Mao first asked his servants to greet Zhang Zhou and Jiang Shanquan. He said that he would go in to find Jiang Dezhong himself, looking friendly.
"Bingkuan, look at me... I didn't even ask clearly. If my father left it on his own..."
Jiang Shanquan still seemed a little embarrassed.
Zhang Zhou curled his lips and said: "The British Lord clearly wants to use your father as bait. As soon as I return to the capital, I will take the bait myself."
Zhang Zhou saw this matter very clearly.
No matter how unreliable Jiang Dezhong was, it was impossible for him to stay in the British government and not leave, right? Doesn't he know his social status and how much he weighs?
Zhang Mao does not necessarily need to forcibly detain people, but can also use both kindness and power, using the excuse of waiting for Zhang Zhou to come before letting Zhang Zhou take Jiang Dezhong away. Jiang Dezhong had to stay in order to do business and for that old face.
Jiang Dezhong appeared in the wing with Zhang Lun.
"Father!"
When Jiang Shanquan saw his father, he hurried out of the door to greet him.
Jiang Dezhong walked steadily and did not look drunk at all. When he saw his son and son-in-law standing together, it was as if he had never seen his son.
"Xian son-in-law, you have just returned to Beijing. You have not been at home during the Chinese New Year. I have always wanted to drink with you again. That royal wine is really... a fine wine..."
Jiang Dezhong did not mention at all why he stayed in the British government.
Zhang Lun said: "Mr. Zhang, what else do you need? My grandfather and father will be here in a moment."
"Zhang Lun, please help me tell your grandfather that if you have anything to do, please find a room to finish it first, otherwise I won't be able to enjoy the feast satisfactorily."
Zhang Zhou is a cheerful person.
It's outrageous for the Zhang family to force people to stay, but I can understand it. If something goes wrong, let's talk about it.
…
…
After Zhang Mao learned what Zhang Zhou meant, he also understood the rules and invited Zhang Zhou to the Zhangjia Zhengtang.
Retreat from the screen and meet each other alone.
"Bingkuan, you have just returned to the capital, and you may not know the situation in the capital in the past two days. The news that the Ming Dynasty is going to use troops in the northwest has been leaked." Zhang Mao said with a smile.
Zhang Zhou nodded: "It's a bit difficult to completely hide such a big event from everyone in the court. Besides, there are only a few people who know about it. Your Majesty shouldn't be able to trace it, right?"
"Haha, Bingkuan, you are not in the court, but I always feel comfortable talking to you. It is true. His Majesty did not say to find out who leaked this matter, or no one leaked it. There is a little trouble in the northwest. Those places Can the supervisory censor and local officials not report to the court? So I think you are a bit hasty in this move."
Zhang Mao sighed.
Zhang Zhou said: "The British public speaks directly."
Zhang Mao's eyes lit up and he said, "Then tell me clearly how this battle will be fought?"
A very pointed question, but not one that Zhang Mao should ask.
Perhaps Zhang Mao also knew that if he took the initiative to ask this question, without Jiang Dezhong as a "hostage", Zhang Zhou would not pay attention to him at all.
"The British Lord is afraid that after this battle is over, Uncle Wei Ning will be famous far and wide. From then on, the momentum of the Wang family will increase. His Majesty is afraid that he will rely more on him, which will affect your Zhang family, right?"
"you……"
Zhang Mao originally felt that he had all the initiative, but Zhang Zhou's words made him feel a little frustrated.
Zhang Zhou continued to be unyielding: "The British lineage, as the head of the Ming Dynasty, has always been the pillar of the imperial court. However, in the war, His Majesty relied on Wang Weining. Is there a thorn in Mr. Zhang's heart?"
Zhang Zhou specifically picked out Zhang Mao's weak spots and injected them with needles.
"Ahem." Zhang Mao cleared his throat and said, "Bingkuan, you said so, and I didn't hide it. It would be better if Wang Weining was a civil servant. If after this battle, he regains his title and is favored by His Majesty, Yi, the Zhang family will indeed be in decline from now on. You also know that I am getting old..."
Zhang Mao probably wasn't afraid that his generation would be robbed of his position in the governor's office by Wang Yue.
The admiral of the capital camp was equivalent to the commander-in-chief of the capital's garrison. Zhang Mao had been famous all his life, but he was afraid that his descendants would not be able to take up the banner he left behind.
He is not afraid of others. Zhang Mao knows better than anyone what kind of birds those old nobles are.
Zhang Mao was afraid of the new rich, especially a famous general like Wang Yue who was famous in the world.
Zhang Zhou shrugged: "But what does this have to do with me?"
Zhang Mao almost choked on his own saliva.
"Bingkuan, do you have to talk like this? I heard that you are very straightforward, but you can't pretend to be confused, right? If Wang Weining doesn't rely on you, he still has a chance to get a title? If you don't treat him Sick, he has entered the loess now, right?"
Zhang Mao almost said that you two are in the same group, and you are working together to deceive our old Zhang family.
Zhang Zhou frowned and said: "The British government spent all their efforts to bring me, Old Taishan, and me to your house. Is this just for this?"
"if not?"
Zhang Mao stood up and glared at Zhang Zhou fiercely, "I know that you are very pampered now. If not, would you talk to me? I am not the kind of ungrateful person. You saved the puppy and cultivated my grandson. Well, I've seen it all, and I didn't say that I would treat you Zhang Lun the same way I treated the second boy from Chengguo's family... The goal of the second boy from the Zhu family is to get a title, and my family doesn't need it! He has the lineage of the British Duke. Just go down! But if someone comes to the Zhang family to bully me, I will fight in the front no matter how old I am."
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Young Master, you mean that I have already bullied you?"
Zhang Mao said: "If you are close to Wang Shichang, you are the enemy of my Zhang family!"
"oh."
Zhang Zhou understood.
Zhang Mao has developed a sense of crisis.
"British Sir, if you need anything, just tell me. Just think of it as a sale. I am very similar to my father-in-law. As long as we negotiate the price, we are both fair and square! Of course, the price I mentioned is neither gold nor silver, but It's something more real. What I have, what you want, each other."
Zhang Zhou is not a vegetarian. Do you think you are awesome because you are a British man?
All the people I deal with are the emperor, the empress dowager, and the prince. Why are you playing charades? If you need anything, just say it.
Zhang Mao thought about it for a while.
Before, it was just him putting pressure on Zhang Zhou, but in an instant, Zhang Zhou seemed to be making his words clear.
Now it’s time to negotiate and agree on the “price.”
Zhang Mao smiled and said: "How else could you have won the favor of the wise nephew Bingkuan? Smart man! I just want one thing. No matter how great Wang Weining's contribution is, it is in the northwest and cannot be related to the surroundings of the capital. "
"Um."
Zhang Zhou nodded, "That's very reasonable. Don't worry, British public. Just look at how many people His Majesty sent to follow Wang Weining when he went to the northwest, and you will know what his position is in His Majesty's heart."
Zhang Zhou reminded Zhang Mao.
No matter how powerful the new rich are, they have not yet passed the test of time, and the emperor still does not trust them enough.
Zhang Mao said: "Of course I can understand this, but the biggest variable is..."
That's half the story.
Zhang Zhou is also a smart man and said with a smile: "Am I the variable? If I repeatedly say good things about him in front of His Majesty, will His Majesty change his mind?"
"Snapped!"
Zhang Mao slapped the table, then pointed at Zhang Zhou and said, "How about you being a sensible person? You don't let go of the eagle when you don't see the rabbit, right?"
"Nothing else. From now on, my grandson, that boy Zhang Lun, you will boss him around. As long as you give him some relief, I don't care what you do to him, but I want him to be your eldest disciple!"
"I will never interfere with anything that happens in the northwest, Liaodong, and Nanjing in the future. You can give me whatever suggestions you want. But if the capital camp is in trouble, your Majesty will ask you. If you blame my family, I will never let you down. Face!"
"The monthly repairs and teacher-appreciation gifts during the holidays will not be less than a penny. Your father-in-law, Lao Jiang, does business with the Dudu Mansion, and the custody allows him to make a lot of money."
"More importantly, when you enter the dynasty in the future, no matter how picky the civil servants are about you, I will treat you like my own nephew. Even if you lose power in the future, I will definitely ensure that your heirs will be rich and well-fed! If I die, there will still be me My son and grandson, our two families should be one family!"
(End of chapter)
