Zhang Zhou thought to himself.
Just give me something and ask for thanks? Do I need your money?
But he still had to pretend to be very happy on his face and said with a smile: "How can this be embarrassing? Since this is a reward from the Queen, I understand that this is the Queen's love, but it is disrespectful."
"Who told you to reject it? Others want it but they haven't yet. Drink."
As Zhang Heling spoke, he asked a woman who was accompanying the wine on his right to kneel down next to Zhang Zhou and pour the wine with her slender hands. Zhang Zhou did not dare to drink casually.
If someone gets involved in the wine, I'm afraid I'll end up here.
But it seems that Zhang Heling doesn’t care whether Zhang Zhou drinks or not. Anyway, he invited Zhang Zhou here just to complete the errand entrusted by his sister, and he had no intention of talking to Zhang Zhou.
"Zhang Zhou, I heard that you are quite greedy. When you work for His Majesty, if His Majesty doesn't give you a reward, you will take the initiative to ask for it, and you will complain when the reward is less. Is that what it is?"
Zhang Heling saw Zhang Zhou carrying the wooden box over and looking like he was going to count the money on the spot, so he couldn't help but said in a disdainful tone.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I'm afraid of being poor."
As soon as he said this, even the girl serving the wine next to him couldn't help but look at him sideways.
In a place like Jiaofangsi, a person as straightforward as Zhang Zhou is really rare.
Here, who doesn’t hold on, hold on, and pretend?
Who is this person? It was actually the Queen who gave me the reward? What an honor is this?
Zhang Heling seemed to appreciate Zhang Zhou's character of being extremely poor and greedy for money, and probably felt that this kind of person was easy to handle, as if he had a winning ticket.
"You all stand down, I have something to tell him!" Zhang Heling said.
The waitress got up and went out together with Zhang Heling's retinue, the Yingying Yanyan, musicians, etc. who were performing.
But here Sun Shangqi and Wang Mingshan were still standing in the room.
Zhang Heling said coldly: "I didn't say you were, did you?"
But Sun Shangqi didn't dare to leave Zhang Zhou in there casually. He was under orders from the emperor and Dongchang.
After Zhang Zhou smiled and waved his hands, they retreated to the door.
…
…
"Zhang Bingkuan, a man of the truth doesn't speak secretly. Did you trick my brother, right?" No one was present, and Zhang Heling began to make his words clear.
Zhang Zhou said: "Marquis Shouning, please don't talk nonsense. When have I ever tricked Uncle Jianchang?"
Zhang Heling sneered: "Didn't Your Majesty put my brother in prison because you said that there might be an earthquake in Jianchangwei, Jianchang County or Jianchang Mansion, which would implicate my brother?"
"Wrong, wrong, wrong order. Your Majesty felt that Uncle Jianchang was too casual in doing things, and local thieves always used his name to do evil. His Majesty was afraid that the ministers in the court would misunderstand, so he temporarily invited people to Beizhen Fusi. This It's a kind of protection. When the limelight passes, the person will be released."
Of course Zhang Zhou couldn't admit that this was his conspiracy.
Besides, he was just telling the truth, where was the conspiracy?
Zhang Heling said: "Is there an earthquake or not?"
"Maybe there is, maybe not. His Majesty said that by the 22nd of this month, before news of the earthquake has come, Jianchang Bo can return home safely, and Peng Quan, the commander of Jianchang Guards, will not have anything to eat. .”
Zhang Zhou's words seemed to be of the same mind as Zhang Heling.
Zhang Heling counted with his fingers and said displeasedly: "Twenty-two, doesn't it mean that my brother will have to suffer in prison for four more days?"
"Wrong." Zhang Zhou interrupted Zhang Heling again.
Zhang Heling stared at Zhang Zhou: "It's not four days, but five days?"
Zhang Zhou shot back a sharp look.
You don't know how to settle accounts? You even need to ask me basic addition and subtraction? Are you so unsure of yourself?
Zhang Zhou shook his head: "Marquis Shouning, what I'm saying is that if the news of the earthquake doesn't come, Jianchang Bo will have to stay in prison for four days, but if it happens, I'm afraid it won't be as simple as four days!"
"Don't worry, listen to me. Your Majesty did this not to teach Uncle Jianchang a lesson, but simply to give an explanation to the ministers in the court, so as to avoid being dumped on Uncle Jianchang for some unforeseen disaster."
"boom!"
Zhang Heling slapped the table and said, "The surname is Zhang, and you say he's not the younger brother of this Marquis?"
Zhang Zhou chuckled lightly, not afraid, and replied: "Let's be serious, I also want to step in to solve the problem. After all, the earthquake is not just because I said it happened, but he can come down out of thin air, right? If I have the power to call the wind and rain, , even the ability to shake mountains with a wave of my hand, why am I still sitting here?"
As he was speaking, he noticed that Zhang Heling's face, which should have been furious, had a look of timidity and avoidance.
His face was livid.
It's like saying... You kid won't really cause an earthquake, or come with a thunder to kill me, right? So scary, so scary...
"Then...then in those places, will there be any earthquakes?"
Zhang Heling's voice was trembling when he spoke.
If nothing else, it was because Zhang Zhou's mouth was so effective that he could hit wherever he pointed.
God will help me fight, do you have to worry about people?
Zhang Zhou sighed: "If my guess is correct, the earthquake has already occurred, and it is in Jianchangwei. It is estimated that the news of the earthquake will come in the past two days! Think about it, the commander of Jianchangwei reported Jianchang Bo, There's an earthquake, how can those commentators not use the disaster to talk about it? In fact, I'm quite anxious too."
"Really...will it happen?"
Zhang Heling was also scared.
Even his sister, Empress Zhang, had no choice but to ask her younger brother to come out and talk to Zhang Zhou. It can be seen that no matter whether this matter will happen or not, the emperor is already sure that it will happen.
This is also the reason why Zhang Yanling has not been released.
"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded, looking very sorry and sympathetic to Jian Changbo.
Zhang Heling said: "Then you can't take back the earthquake?"
Zhang Zhou smiled bitterly and said, "Marquis Shouning is joking, right? I'm just a person who speculates on heaven's secrets, not one who creates them. I can't do anything to change the will of heaven."
"Then...are there any remedial measures?" Zhang Heling said, "Now that His Majesty has so much trust in you, you still accepted the Queen's gift and did nothing?"
Zhang Zhou waved.
Zhang Heling didn't seem to understand. After Zhang Zhou motioned Zhang Heling to come close to his ear, Zhang Heling looked around, then stood up on the ground, staggered to Zhang Zhou and squatted down next to him.
"Marquis Shouning, the partition wall has ears, and there are people from Dongchang outside..."
"Um."
Zhang Heling thought for a moment and nodded.
Zhang Zhou continued: "Actually, I have secretly suggested to Your Majesty that if an earthquake really occurs, in order to give an explanation to the ministers in the court, let Jianchang Bo go to the northwest and march with Wang Weining to strive for military merit and come back. Whatever he does, he is just like Zhu Zhijie, the second-youngest son of Duke Chengguo, who gets credit for doing just one lap."
"What?"
Zhang Heling frowned.
Although my younger brother is usually domineering, if he were to be sent to the northwest to lead the army... it would be strange for him to be a bear bag.
How can a person who is trapped in a den go out to fight and kill the enemy?
"I can only help here. If you are still dissatisfied, can you give me some advice? I will talk to His Majesty later." Zhang Zhou shrugged, meaning that we are all helping Zhang Yanling.
Zhang Heling said: "Can't you let His Majesty release the person?"
"Yes, but the problem is...the minister doesn't agree. The decision of whether to arrest or let go of this matter does not belong to me. I said that Po Datian is just an alchemist, so what can I do?"
"If I hadn't mentioned to your Majesty in advance that there was an earthquake, then the earthquake would have happened, and Yanguan would have been nagging him endlessly. His Majesty's punishment for Jian Changbo might have been more severe. You also know that your Majesty is the person who believes in things like God's will the most. "
"Li Guang, do you trust His Majesty enough? Because there was a fire in Qingning Palace, I was so scared that I wiped my neck!"
"Hey!"
Although Zhang Heling felt that Zhang Zhou was trying to evade, but thinking about it, it seemed to make sense.
Zhang Zhou seemed to have really not cheated Zhang Yanling on this matter.
How much does God's will have to do with Zhang Zhou? Not only is there no trap, it seems like she is still protecting Zhang Yanling! If you really want what Zhang Zhou said, the emperor forced Zhang Yanling to commit suicide because of the earthquake in Jianchangwei... Although it sounds nonsense, it is not impossible. By then, he will lose his brother.
"Okay, assuming you can still do things, sit down." Zhang Heling said.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "It's Hou Ning, you sit down. I'm sitting here very well."
"Um?"
Zhang Heling may have had a few drinks and his head was a little unclear. He looked down and saw that he was still squatting, and then returned to his seat and sat down.
…
…
After the words were "clarified", Zhang Zhou accepted the gift again, and seemed to still be doing things for the Zhang family. Zhang Heling's hostility was no longer so great, and he even regarded Zhang Zhou as "one of his own".
It's not that Zhang Heling is willing to look down on him, but he really can't help it.
What can he do if the Queen can't deal with him? Moreover, Zhang Zhou's ability is what people like him who are ignorant and unskilled and believe in God's will are most afraid of.
Since ancient times, the more shady a person's fame and fortune, the more they believe in those mythical things.
"Zhang Bingkuan, do you think my brother can make meritorious deeds when he comes to the northwest?"
Zhang Heling did not discuss with Zhang Zhou the possibility of an earthquake happening now. It seemed that he also felt that as long as Zhang Zhou said so, the earthquake would definitely happen. Moreover, he also seemed to feel that it was not a big deal for his brother to go to the northwest. bad thing.
Zhang Zhou asked: "Marquis Shouning, do you think my proposal is acceptable?"
"Okay, why not? I heard that other families are rushing to go to the northwest. Anyway, I don't want to go, so it's just right for me to go and get some exercise. I just don't know how hard it is to get such military merit!"
Zhang Heling is also the kind of person who can cheat his younger brother but never himself.
Anyway, a relative of the Zhang family can have a stable foothold in the capital with or without military merit, so why should I go to the northwest and suffer? But it would be great if my younger brother goes.
Not only can he win face for the old Zhang family, he doesn't have to go there himself. He has less younger brothers to compete with him for food. His Hou Ning Hou's basic position in the capital is more stable and he can make more money.
Zhang Zhou carefully analyzed: "Going to Xuanfu has the highest security, but the lowest chance of meritorious service. Going to Pianguan, it is best to follow Wang Weining, but the walls of Pianguan have been blown up, so dangers and opportunities coexist. As for going to Yansui, It’s actually pretty good, but it’s a bit far and a bit hard.”
"Oh, it seems it's a pity that you didn't go to the northwest. I know you very well!" After Zhang Heling heard this, he immediately felt like he had discovered a new world.
Are there so many doorways in the northwest?
Zhang Zhou almost felt ashamed after hearing this. How could this kind of nonsense analysis win such praise from Zhang Heling? It is true that your old Zhang family has no talent, is it so easy to fool you? Don’t you have any capable staff around you?
"Zhang Bingkuan, where do you think it is better for my brother to go?" Zhang Heling asked seriously.
Zhang Zhou also answered seriously: "Then go to Pianguan. With Wang Weining here, most of the Tatars will not dare to turn back. It is easy to get military exploits by following famous generals. Wang Weining likes to curry favor with powerful people. Say hello to him then. , Wang Weining will definitely take more care of him, and if there is anything meritorious but not dangerous, he will definitely let Jianchang Bo do it. This is how Zhu Zhijie got around."
"Um."
Zhang Heling nodded with satisfaction again.
It was in line with his expectations.
"Zhang Bingkuan, before I met you, I thought you were very ignorant. I thought you were very close to the Zhou family, and even helped them steal the job of building Qingning Palace... You don't need to explain, I know, you just We have set a very strict rule, in order to show our ability in front of His Majesty, right? That’s over! From now on, you will follow our brothers, and we will keep it under control so that you can be as prosperous as Li Guang."
Zhang Heling began to draw cakes for Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhouxin said, do you want me to die as badly as Li Guang?
His grandfather's, are you cursing me?
"I heard that the Empress Dowager often calls you over, but she didn't say anything to you?" Zhang Heling said.
Zhang Zhou said: "I didn't say it clearly, but I seem to know that the Empress Dowager wants to have a concubine for His Majesty."
"You know this as well?"
Zhang Heling was also surprised.
How can you guess such a confidential thing? Very good.
Zhang Zhou said: "The Empress Dowager asked me many times about Long Si and asked me to recuperate His Majesty's body. But you know, His Majesty's body is caused by long-term use of Li Guang's elixirs and the accumulation of poison. Once those elixirs are no longer used, Take the medicine, your body will recover, and your Majesty will be strong and vigorous soon. There are some things... In fact, even if the Empress Dowager doesn't say anything, I'm afraid..."
The more Zhang Heling listened, the more he felt that Zhang Zhou's ideas were "advanced."
In other words, he rarely interacts with "smart people", and he looks down on literati. Seeing that Zhang Zhou seems to be still helping the Zhang family in his brother's affairs, and Zhang Zhou has some miraculous abilities, Zhang Zhou is He immediately listened to this analysis and began to admire it.
"Keep talking!" Zhang Heling saw that Zhang Zhou was halfway through his words and couldn't help but urge him.
Zhang Zhou thought for a while and carefully considered his words: "Your Majesty will accept a concubine, or it will happen sooner or later."
"Hiss..." Zhang Heling was not annoyed after hearing this.
Zhang Zhou knew that this was a matter of personal position. If Queen Zhang heard this, she would definitely glare at him.
But after Zhang Heling heard this, he would not.
Zhang Heling said: "That's right. Which emperor in history would only guard one queen? In the past few years, His Majesty was too weak. Then Zhang Zhou, this is your fault. Why did you let His Majesty's body recover? "
From the perspective of those who have experienced history, we know that Zhu Youtang and his wife have a deep love for each other, and Zhu Youtang has also been consistent. However, from the perspective of the authorities, it is natural to speculate on the unknown future direction.
Zhang Zhou was surprised and said: "Marquis Shouning, this is so disrespectful. Do you wish His Majesty good or bad?"
"If there are no outsiders, can't we just say it straight? Zhang Bingkuan, tell me clearly, is there any way to stop His Majesty from having a concubine? You can also prepare some elixirs for His Majesty and let his body... go back?"
Zhang Zhou was surprised.
How stupid is it to say such a thing?
Zhang Zhou shook his head: "There is no way, it is better to block it than to open it up!"
(End of chapter)
