Because we are still in the New Year holiday.
The matter of Peng Quan, the commander of the Jianchang Guard, who participated in the impeachment of Zhang Yanling, was not brought to the court, and the censors who usually liked to have trouble with their relatives did not have the opportunity to report it to the emperor.
But the news soon spread in the capital.
And it’s a bit unpleasant to hear…
Jianchang Bo indulged a group of nominal domestic slaves to rob the villagers in Jianchangwei, Jianchangfu, Jianchang County and other places, using the word "Jianchang" in the local prefectures and counties, killing people, stealing goods, raping and plundering...
Zhang Yanling didn't have a good reputation to begin with. When rumors spread outside, it was almost said that Zhang Yanling was the ancestor of thieves.
It seems that in addition to treason, he has not let go of anyone from an eighty-year-old lady to an old sow in a pigsty... He is the only representative of the Ming Dynasty borer.
On this day, inside Shouninghou Mansion.
Zhang Heling then criticized and educated his younger brother...
"Look at you, I asked you to build a Zhang family temple. How did it turn out? The local government almost reported you, saying that you were shoddy. Did you hire those craftsmen? Aren't they all dispatched by the Beijing camp? There is no food, and people are asked to prepare their own rations..."
The Zhang brothers were cheated by their eldest nephew Zhu Houzhao.
Naturally, they had to find a way to make amends, because Zhang Yanling was the one responsible for the construction of the family temple. The method he was looking for was to defraud the people who built the temple, even the people who were from the same ancestral home of the Zhang family.
As for the materials…
It was originally a pile of bad materials, but they were picked and picked. They simply used the worst materials at the most expensive price to fool the Zhang family ancestors. Even the local officials in Xingji County saw it. Can't go down anymore...
Who are these brothers? The emperor allocated funds to them to build their own temples, but still so perfunctory?
Zhang Yanling shouted: "Brother, it's just you, right? I promised you to give me five thousand taels to build the temple. Where's the money?"
"Didn't I give it to you?"
"When did you give it to me?"
"The three thousand taels I gave you earlier..."
"That's the cost of transporting materials back. It's free to hire a boat?"
"That's less than three thousand taels!"
…
…
The brothers first had a quarrel over the money, but it ended in nothing.
Because the two brothers were half-matched, none of them was good. Anyway, the two brothers calculated that they did not lose money in this transaction. The only ones who lost money were Zhu Youtang and the ancestors of the Zhang family.
After the quarrel, the two brothers became harmonious again, and Zhang Yanling, the younger brother, was still pouring wine for the elder brother.
"Brother, calm down, we'll go back and make up for it elsewhere." Zhang Yanling smiled.
Zhang Heling said: "Second brother, I heard that the people in the court accused you of bringing a group of thieves in Jianchang Guard and robbed the territory of the commander of Jianchang Guard?"
"That bullshit commander is just a commander. That place is close to the chieftain's territory and there isn't much oil and water. Guess what? After two years of plundering there, the total was less than two thousand taels of silver..."
Zhang Yanling's words were tantamount to admitting that this happened.
Zhang Heling said angrily: "Why didn't you tell me about such a big thing?"
Zhang Yanling smiled.
Will good things come to you? Which of us brothers doesn't know who the other is?
Everyone has ways to make money, but the methods they use are different. I use a group of sloppy people to fight against the autumn wind in some places, but you have no means?
"Now things are getting serious!" Zhang Heling said angrily, "My sister sent someone to me earlier to tell me to take care of you, but I told them that I can't take care of you! Now you can rebel!"
Zhang Yanling pouted: "Afraid of a ball? What can they do to us brothers? Besides, those people are not my domestic slaves..."
"Not a single domestic slave?"
Zhang Heling was curious and interrupted his brother.
"Yes. No." Zhang Yanling was sure.
Zhang Heling said in surprise: "Without your slaves, you dare to let them fight the autumn wind in the local area. How much have they made? Can you tell the truth? You are just a cover, and most of it is in their hands."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "It's okay, it's all for nothing. I'll think of a way to defeat these bastards later. Do you really think I have no means? After the quarrel with the Zhou family in the first two years, our people were a bit unreasonable." That's enough, now there are more than 300 people in my house just for those who can move things... It's so easy to feed so many people, do you think it's easy?"
Zhang Heling said angrily: "You have food to feed a group of people who eat for free, but you don't have food to feed our family to build a temple?"
"Brother, the people I support are mine, why should I work for the Zhang family? You don't have anyone to help, so why should you let me do everything? As the eldest brother, do you want to set an example first?"
"You bastard son of a bitch..."
The two brothers, who had just been harmonious as before, were now at odds with each other.
The two brothers are also involved in the feud between brothers. Anyway, they are brothers and they have to settle the accounts openly.
…
…
Royal Palace, Kunning Palace.
Zhu Youtang was very excited that day and wanted to make a little man with his wife, but was rejected by Kunning Palace.
"Go find your ministers! My second brother has done nothing wrong, but he is always being impeached. Is our Zhang family so annoying?"
Empress Zhang was supporting her younger brother.
Zhu Youtang wanted to explain something, but Queen Zhang wouldn't let him in.
Several eunuchs nearby are worried about the emperor. You say you are the emperor, why are you making such a scene as if this palace is not your home?
After marrying a queen, you don't even have a concubine. Now you can let the queen shut you out?
They are all emperors. You are really incomparable to your ancestors, but you are a bit similar to your damn father...
Zhu Youtang returned to Qianqing Palace in despair. He was obviously the hyperactive type that day, but his wife insisted on pouring cold water on his head, which made him very unhappy.
"Has there been any discussion in the imperial court about the matter of prolongation of life in recent days?"
As expected, Zhu Youtang followed the queen's resentment and vented his anger on the invisible civil servants.
Xiao Jing replied: "Your Majesty, the court meetings have been suspended recently, and each government office has only left a few people on duty. Everything that can be accomplished by the end of the year has been completed... I haven't heard of anyone talking about it."
"Really not?"
Zhu Youtang didn't quite believe it.
No one talked about it, so why did the wife react so drastically?
Xiao Jing said: "There are reports from officials, but there should be no private discussions. What the scholars in the capital are concerned about now are the examinations that will be held in February."
"Um."
Zhu Youtang nodded.
Thinking about it, it is still the first month of the year, the yamen are in a state of half-rest, and the court meetings are not held, so no one should hold on to Zhang Yanling.
"Your Majesty, there is something that I don't know whether to say or not." Dai Yi, who had been silent all this time, suddenly reminded him.
Zhu Youtang said: "Speak!"
Dai Yi said: "I seem to remember that in the prophecy given by Mr. Zhang before, it seems that the second thing is related to Xun Chen's relatives... could it be... that this is what he was talking about? thing?"
"Have it?"
Zhu Youtang only remembered that Zhang Zhou said that earthquakes would occur in Shaanxi and Ningxia in mid-February.
From the beginning, he never associated Zhang Zhou's words with Zhang Yanling.
Dai Yi tentatively said: "Your Majesty, you see, Mr. Zhang's prophecy mentioned this sentence, saying, 'Those who have laws but fail to do so should put the evil ones first, and God will warn them.' This servant has not done anything before." If you think about it, this seems to be somewhat related to this matter."
Zhu Youtang took the note given by Zhang Zhou, looked at it carefully, frowned, and probably felt that there might be some connection.
But many of the connections are far-fetched.
"What did Bingkuan say about this before?" Zhu Youtang asked.
Dai Yi said: "Mr. Zhang said that this is the only trend now, and there may be more signs when things come to an end. I also asked Wu Jianzheng of Qintian Prison..."
"Forget it, don't mention that person!" Zhu Youtang didn't want to hear Wu Hao's evaluation of this.
Dai Yi smiled bitterly and said: "Wu Jianzheng really doesn't have any opinions. How about your majesty ask Mr. Zhang now to see if there are any further signs?"
Zhu Youtang put down the note and looked very annoyed and said: "If anything happens to me, I can't just listen to Bingkuan. What should I do today?"
Ask this question...
Several eunuchs around him were mute.
Asking eunuchs how to solve the problem of men holding back panic is obviously the wrong person to ask. We have never had anything like this. Could you ask someone else? For example, Zhang Bingkuan, whom you trust?
"Bingkuan has been preparing for the exam recently. Have you been out?"
"Rarely."
Xiao Jing replied.
Recently, Dongchang also followed the emperor's instructions and sent people to protect Zhang Zhou throughout the process. In fact, he also indirectly supervised Zhang Zhou and found that Zhang Zhou did not go out and wander around.
Zhu Youtang said: "If I go to visit him at this time, will it disturb him?"
Dai Yi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, it's time now and it's going to be dark soon. You'd better not leave the palace. If you go out... I'm afraid it won't be easy to come back."
The palace gates must be closed after nightfall. Although a small door will be left, if the emperor comes in and out and the news gets out, it will be a big deal.
"I'm really worried, so I'll go talk to Bingkuan." Zhu Youtang felt frustrated with his wife. All he could think of was Zhang Zhou, whom he trusted.
If you don’t want to see your wife, you still have a “buddy”, right?
…
…
Zhang Zhou was so baffled that one night when he was about to stay up late to read, he saw the emperor who had left the palace in a dusty state.
When Zhu Youtang left the palace, he was different from Zhu Houzhao's crowd. It seemed that the emperor's actions were more low-key.
This shows that Zhu Youtang is actually confident in the security of the capital. He had previously strengthened protection for his son because he was more afraid of his son messing around.
This emperor...
Always give more to others than to yourself.
Zhang Zhou felt that the emperor had a strong tendency to commit suicide.
"Your Majesty, I am very frightened and don't know how to greet him." Zhang Zhou received the emperor in the main hall of his home.
Zhu Youtang waved his hand. At this time, only Xiao Jing and Jin Yiwei commander Mou Bin were left beside him.
Then Zhu Youtang winked at Mou Bin again, and Mou Bin could only wait in the yard.
"Bingkuan, it's me who disturbs you. It happens like this every time." Zhu Youtang sighed, "Actually, I was supposed to be in Kunning Palace tonight. In addition, I also want to know what's in the prophecy you gave me earlier. , regarding the second hexagram, it seems to be related to Xunchen, right?"
The emperor could only tell the eunuch and his good friend Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhouyi understood after hearing this that the emperor was rejected by his wife and came to find An.
"Your Majesty, there is a storyteller stall at the corner of the street. It will be late at night. Why don't you invite the person to your house and let him talk while I tell you some hexagrams?"
"Okay, you arrange it."
(End of chapter)
