"You know the truth, if I have any trouble in Pianguan, the defense here will be left to you for the time being."
After Chen Xun, Li Nuo and Zhang Yong left, Zhu Feng was left alone by Wang Yue.
Zhu Feng was shocked and said: "Mr. Wang, how can I be so virtuous and capable?"
Wang Yue smiled and said: "Don't worry, I mentioned this to Eunuch Zhang, but there's probably no need to worry, I'm still fine now."
"This this……"
Zhu Feng didn't know that this was just Wang Yue's method to win over him.
After Wang Yue dies, the emperor will definitely arrange someone to take over his position as the Northwest General Administration. As a military general, what qualifications does Zhu Feng have to take charge of the northwest military affairs? He is not even qualified to take care of the military affairs of Piantou Pass.
The person who could really succeed Wang Yue was either Ma Zhongxi, the governor of Xuanfu, or Wei Shen, the governor of Datong.
But if there really is a handover process, Wang Yue is qualified to ask Zhu Feng to temporarily replace him for a few days. There is actually nothing wrong with this.
"Knowing the truth, it won't be long before His Majesty calls you back to the capital. With Mr. Zhang as your backer, you will be able to do anything in the court from now on. The Wang family, please take good care of me."
Wang Yue's words made Zhu Feng realize that this was not an errand entrusted to Northwest.
It sounds more like Tuogu.
Zhu Feng wanted to say, your son is as old as my father. Besides, I am a second-generation Xun who is just waiting to die. Who will take care of whom?
Wang Yue grabbed Zhu Feng's hand and said eagerly: "I may not be able to go back to the capital, but can you agree to it if you know your integrity?"
"Yeah. Okay." Zhu Feng thought for a moment. Wang Yue helped him a lot. If he didn't agree to this, he couldn't treat himself as a human being.
"Okay, okay." Wang Yue was then satisfied and took Zhu Feng's hand and said, "Zhijie, you have noble people to help you, so there is no need to belittle yourself. Uncle Ping Jiang and Uncle Wu Ping, they are not in the northwest to defend the territory, they are all It’s for personal fame. Unlike you, you have a sincere heart. His Majesty will definitely promote you in the future, and I am also recommending you. Don’t let me down.”
"ah?"
Zhu Feng was confused.
just me?
It’s a good thing that I didn’t pee my pants on the battlefield. From now on, no one in the northwest should count on me! Leading troops into battle is not my life goal!
Got the wrong person?
Besides, I came to the northwest for personal fame. Who is nobler than whom?
"If Mr. Zhang still wants to use some civil servants in the future, as far as I know, there are two people in the court, Yang Yingning and Wang Dehua, and those who are not in the court... I have always admired Wang Bo'an of Yuyao, who is the son of Hanlin Wang Hua . I also have a military policy here. If you return to Beijing, remember to pass it on to Mr. Zhang."
Wang Yue said, took out something and handed it to Zhu Feng very carefully.
Zhu Feng said: "Mr. Wang, you'd better go back to Beijing in person and show it to Brother Zhang. I...will stay here in the near future."
"Haha, I know my integrity. No matter how long I live, even if I live a hundred years, I will still stay in the northwest to manage the army and guard against Di Yi. Your Majesty will not let me go back easily. What can I do if I go back?"
Wang Yue felt calm.
Zhu Feng didn't understand many things, but Wang Yue knew them all.
Based on his achievements, a knighthood is just around the corner. Once he gets the title, the emperor will definitely keep him in the northwest town. Otherwise, why would he, the Marquis or Uncle Weining, return to the capital? Go back and lead the training in the Beijing camp?
Good steel still needs to be used on the blade.
Even if he didn't get the title, he was still a civil servant. With his merits, it would be impossible to arrange for him to be the left minister of the Ministry of War after returning. This would not only humiliate him, Wang Weining, but also embarrass Ma Wensheng, the Minister of War.
Subordinates are more powerful than their superiors, and conflicts and disputes will arise in any dynasty.
Moreover, the civil servants would not allow him to go back and become the Minister of War.
Regardless of whether he is civil or military, Wang Weining will stay in the northwest from now on. Coupled with his poor physical condition, he knows that it will be difficult for him to have the opportunity to see Zhang Zhou again in this life.
In this way, he would let Zhu Feng bring back to Zhang Zhou what he had summarized throughout his life, which was considered a kind of entrustment and trust.
"Then... I will definitely take it back to Brother Zhang if I have the chance. But he... won't lead troops in the future, right?"
Zhu Feng wanted to say, if you sum up your life, would it be better to leave it to others than to Zhang Zhou?
Wang Yue said with a smile: "No, I have so many years of experience in knowing people, he has high ambitions, and after he joins the court as an official in the future, Your Majesty will definitely think highly of him. If the northwest wants to make further progress, we will level the grassland from now on." He may be the only one who can eradicate the troubles in the north! Zhijie, if you follow him, you will have a bright future!"
"oh."
Zhu Feng nodded with a dull expression.
I am still thinking in my heart, is Brother Zhang so powerful? Wang Weining shouldn't be complimenting him, right? Since even Wang Weining said this, doesn't it mean that Brother Zhang will be a very popular minister in the future?
It seems that I should try to curry favor with him.
"You must put your things away and remember what I said. I can only help you so far!"
Wang Yue smiled, and then asked Zhu Feng to go back and digest his words.
…
…
February 21st.
Early morning.
Early that morning, the civil servants gathered at the Meridian Gate. While talking in twos and threes, a news spread among them.
An earthquake occurred in Jianchangwei on February 16th.
"...Isn't this the same as what His Majesty said?"
"Heaven has sent a sign. It seems that His Majesty wants to clear away the moths in the court! Otherwise, the pillars of the Ming Dynasty will easily collapse."
A group of people gloated.
Originally, when encountering this kind of thing, they would write some articles, speak out about the disaster, and give advice.
But now it’s saved.
Because someone had made the suggestion in advance, the emperor accepted it and took Jian Changbo to the imperial edict.
Court meeting.
After Zhu Youtang arrived, his expression was neither cold nor indifferent, as if he had expected many things.
Others had no confidence in Zhang Zhou, but he had no doubts.
"My lords, there has just been an earthquake in Jianchang and Wei in Sichuan and Sichuan. Because the news was far away and the roads were inconvenient, there was no report until early this morning. I wonder what your lords' opinions are on this?"
The emperor was patient, and he wanted to listen to the opinions of his ministers first.
Liu Jian asked: "Is the disaster serious?"
Zhu Youtang sighed: "It's not heavy, but some houses have collapsed. I'm going to order the Sichuan Chief Envoy to send people to provide relief and do a good job in bringing peace to the people."
"Your Majesty's kindness to the people is for the benefit of the people." After Liu Jian finished speaking, he returned to the court in full view of everyone.
The king and his ministers were stunned.
When Liu Jian comes out and says these two sarcastic words, does it count as your "knowledge"?
You are really sharp with your words!
Zhu Youtang waited for a while, and when he saw that no one came out to speak again, he couldn't help feeling a little unhappy.
When disasters happen, you are not allowed to express your opinions. You will come out one by one to make various connections with the disaster situation, making it seem that all disasters are caused by the negligence of my employees or the darkness in the court. It has been overcast and rainless in the capital for a long time. It was said that it was due to Cheng Minzheng's corrupt personal ethics, so in the end I dismissed Cheng Minzheng's official position.
Now I ask you to say it, but you won’t say it?
Zhu Youtang said: "Dear gentlemen, do you think this matter is possible because I do favor Uncle Jianchang and make Uncle Jianchang indulge in arrogance and cause trouble, disrupting people's livelihood in the place?"
If you don’t say it, I will say it for you.
There's nothing to hide behind anyway.
When the ministers heard this, they all wanted to laugh.
Your Majesty, you know what we are going to say, so why bother asking? Didn't you sum it up very clearly?
Bai Ang, the Minister of Punishment, came out and said: "Your Majesty, those who cause trouble in Jianchangwei should be brought to justice by the local government and guards, and the person behind them should be questioned!"
Civil servants cannot just rashly say that the person who carries the banner of Zhang Yanling in the local area must be Zhang Yanling's person, or someone may be impersonating him.
Letting the emperor investigate shows that their civil servants are practical and seek truth from facts and will not wrongfully accuse good people.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "It is necessary to investigate. However, the investigation of Peng Quan, who previously commanded Qianshi of Jianchang Guard and served as the commander and envoy, is quite clear. This matter is related to Jianchang Bo to some extent. It is said that there is communication between the two parties. Personal and physical evidence.”
The minister became anxious upon hearing this.
There has been evidence of guilt in the relationship before, but Your Majesty, you just didn’t say anything and asked Dongchang and Jinyiwei to get the person?
It's simply unreasonable.
"I asked Peng Quan to come to the capital just to confront Uncle Jianchang. Didn't I already take Uncle Jianchang into custody?"
The emperor's next words made the ministers present calm down their anger a little.
It’s right when you think about it.
No matter what the emperor's reason was for arresting Zhang Yanling, at least the emperor took action in advance. In addition, Peng Quan had not yet been formally imprisoned in the imperial prison or had a prison cell, and had not been interrogated. It cannot be said that the emperor just wanted to embarrass Peng Quan.
"I do favor Uncle Jianchang, but I also need to be cautious in doing things, especially not to go against God's will..."
By saying this, I want to tell the minister that the reason I am bringing Zhang Yanling to justice is not because Zhang Yanling did something wrong, but because someone told me in advance that God would be angry, and I had no choice but to do so.
Xie Qian really couldn't stand the emperor's nonsense. He walked out and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know how to bring order to the chaos? Should the perpetrators be punished?"
A group of ministers were all taking aim at Xie Qian.
I dare not say anything I want to say, but I actually admire Xie Qian in my heart.
Or do you, Mr. Xie, dare to talk nonsense and understand the canonical punishment? Didn't he hear His Majesty make so many excuses, or was he still interceding for his brother-in-law?
Wouldn't the emperor just turn his face and say that by imprisoning Zhang Yanling for a few days and letting him reflect on himself, the purpose of punishment has been achieved. Now that the earthquake has occurred, he can be fined with a few months' salary and let him go home and continue to think about his mistakes?
With the emperor's urine, this is very possible.
And it’s actually not easy to get to this point.
Zhu Youtang said: "This is exactly what I want to ask you, how to deal with Uncle Jianchang, which can not only appease the anger of God, but also give an explanation to the world, so that he can get the lesson he deserves, and then let him ...Do I feel better?"
Even though the emperor didn't say what the standard is for "feeling good in one's heart".
But in fact, it was equivalent to letting the minister know that he still did not want to punish Zhang Yanling.
It's better... I probably mean that in the end, don't let the queen take advantage of the topic too much. It's better for us to find a way to calm public opinion, with small punishments and big warnings, and forget it.
The ministers began to discuss in low voices in front of the emperor.
This is a question the emperor asked them.
Punishing Zhang Yanling must take into consideration all factors to achieve the most favorable result.
From Zhu Youtang's point of view, although Zhang Zhou had suggested that Zhang Yanling should be punished to join the army in the northwest, the emperor could not bring it up personally, and had to ask the ministers...
Otherwise, if the emperor says that he is not covering up Zhang Yanling, others will think that he is covering up, and the proposal of letting Zhang Yanling go to the northwest to join the army will be rejected by the ministers.
(End of chapter)
