Inside Kunning Palace.
With a pitiful little face, Zhu Xiurong came to see her mother, Queen Zhang, and said in a childish voice: "Mom, the beads my brother gave me are gone. Can you give me two more?"
Xiao Nizi cherished the two glass beads Zhu Xiurong got two days ago.
But glass beads like to roll around. No matter how carefully Zhu Xiurong took care of them, the last two beads were still gone.
Empress Zhang said: "When your imperial brother left, he specially took away all the glass beads. He deliberately did not leave them for you and wanted to set rules for you."
"Why is my brother like this?"
Zhu Xiurong still couldn't figure out why the emperor's brother wanted to embarrass her. After thinking about it for a long time, she could only understand that... her emperor's brother also liked the glass beads and was reluctant to give them to her.
…
…
When Zhu Youtang went to court that morning, he specifically told the ministers that Zhang Yanling would be sent to Piantouguan to join the army.
Not surprisingly, the ministers were opposed.
"... Dear gentlemen, my original intention was to make him guilty and meritorious service, but if we really want to judge him guilty, is he guilty now?"
Zhu Youtang's question seemed to be a reminder to the civil servants.
If I say he is guilty, he is guilty. If I say he is not guilty, he is not guilty. If you beep again, I will not even give him a small punishment or a big warning. I will directly say he is not guilty and let him go home. What a loss when I see it. who is it.
"Dongchang!" Zhu Youtang said.
Xiao Jing took two steps forward from behind him and said loudly to the people present: "Peng Quan, the commander of the Cha Jianchang Guard, once got entangled in the cavalry's secret smuggling and trafficking with the foreign countries. Later, he was blocked by the local rebels. He participated in the impeachment memorial out of resentment..."
The ministers present were a little unable to keep up with the train of thought.
Did Peng Quan go to impeach Zhang Yanling because his smuggling interests were damaged? Isn't it because he is selfless? How can this be?
Someone wanted to speak for Peng Quan.
But obviously, no one knows what the situation is like in Jianchangwei. Thinking that Emperor Gao was far away that day, the local guard commander Qian Shixing was the person who commanded the envoys. He was the highest military officer of the party. He really wanted to smuggle for profit. It's not impossible.
Zhu Youtang said: "I don't want to care too much about what is right and what is wrong. What I mean is that both Jianchang Bo and Peng Quan have made excuses to appease the wrath of God. Dear nobles, Is this feasible?”
If it were said before, the minister would definitely not agree.
But now it's hard to tell whether Peng Quan is good or evil, and the case is in the hands of Dongchang.
Even if the so-called Pengquan smuggling was a lie, in order to quell the public complaints, the emperor had to let Dongchang frame up and make Pengquan smuggling a solid case. At that time, it can be said that the earthquake in Jianchangwei was God's crime for smuggling. Peng Quan, who failed to frame the distinguished noble, would have probably suffered as well as the local generals, let alone punishing Zhang Yanling.
"Ministry of Punishment." Seeing no one answered, Zhu Youtang could only take the initiative to ask.
Bai Ang came out and said: "Your Majesty, I think this is acceptable. However, when the two of them go to the northwest for military purposes, they should also thoroughly investigate the matter of Jianchang Guard."
Zhu Youtang said: "I don't want to cause any complications, so this case ends here. I don't want to hear anyone mention it again. Let's leave!"
…
…
The meeting ended.
On the issue of Zhang Yanling, the emperor once again "succeeded" and used an almost fictitious Peng Quan smuggling incident to determine the outcome of Zhang Yanling's punishment for sending him to the northwest border guard.
Not surprisingly, after the court meeting, the two cabinet members became the target of public criticism again.
Xie Qian became impatient and said to the people who gathered around him: "If anyone has any objections, you can report it yourself. Your Majesty said that you don't want to hear it mentioned again. Are you going to turn a deaf ear to the justice of heaven for the sake of justice in your heart?" What is right and what is wrong is not decided by the law, so why should we just rely on words to decide here?"
Xie Qian wanted to remind these people not to act with the benefit of hindsight whenever something happens.
You have the ability to go mad at the emperor.
Our cabinet, like you, is working for the emperor. We will rush forward without saying anything that sounds unfair.
The minister walked towards the palace gate while complaining.
Liu Jian and Xie Qian were on their way back to the cabinet for check-in.
Xie Qian said: "Counting the days and reviewing the papers under the curtain, these two days should be over, right?"
"Yeah." Liu Jian nodded.
The end of the examination papers will mean that Li Dongyang will come back. With Li Dongyang here, many troubles can be solved by Li Dongyang. Li Dongyang is the most experienced in dealing with colleagues who are looking for trouble.
Xie Qian asked: "Your Majesty is suddenly so unscrupulous and even mentioned the so-called smuggling in Jianchangwei. Could someone be giving him advice behind his back? It sounds like it doesn't sound like a serious proposal."
The implication is that Zhang Zhou is fanning the flames behind the scenes?
Liu Jian shook his head and didn't comment too much, but it was obvious that he was thinking about another thing.
As the examination papers are about to end, the rumors about the examination questions are becoming more and more intense, and I am afraid that it may happen in the next two days.
…
…
Zhu Youtang was in a good mood. In addition, he and his wife had reconciled in the past two days, and he was in high spirits. While he was going out to bask in the sun, he went to Kunning Palace again.
I was going to share the good news with my wife that Zhang Yanling was successfully sent to the northwest, but after entering Kunning Palace, I found my daughter wiping tears in a corner.
"What's wrong?"
Zhu Youtang hated to see people around him being wronged, so he quickly went up to comfort them.
Zhu Xiurong pursed his lips and said, "Father, my brother took all the beads away."
"Prince?"
Zhu Youtang frowned when he heard this.
I originally thought that even if my son was acting recklessly, at least he should value his family very much. How could he bully his younger sister when he was an older brother?
He said: "Don't worry, my father will make the decision for you."
After saying that, he pulled his daughter inside. After seeing Queen Zhang, Zhu Youtang asked about it and found out that it was Zhu Houzhao who brought things to Kunning Palace to honor his mother, and as a result, he had some misunderstandings with his sister.
"Let's set the rules... I can't say that the prince's heart is bad." Zhu Youtang looked at his daughter again and said with a smile, "There are plenty of glazed beads. I will ask someone to bring you some more. Queen, It has been decided that Yanling will go to the northwest. He is asked to go to Pianguan and become a general. If he performs well, he can be promoted to deputy chief military officer. He will leave tomorrow..."
…
…
After Zhu Youtang came out of Kunning Palace.
He called Xiao Jing over and gave some instructions.
"...Didn't Bingkuan open a grocery store? Go buy some glass beads and send them to the princess. Also, ask if you can still make telescopes. There is also a need for the military. Purchase a batch." Zhu You Zang Road.
Xiao Jing asked: "Your Majesty, how much will you purchase?"
Zhu Youtang said: "Let's buy it. Don't let Bingkuan suffer, but don't spend too much. We need to replenish all the nine sides. Even if it's one earth castle, it will cost at least three or four hundred. Ask first." The situation goes."
"yes."
Xiao Jing took the emperor's order and went to find Zhang Zhou.
…
…
In the backyard of Zhang Zhou's grocery store, Xiao Jing personally came to discuss the business with Zhang Zhou.
"Telescope? Eunuch Xiao came very timely. Originally, I wanted to sell it to ordinary people, but then I thought about it, this involves the stability of the Ming Dynasty border. It would be bad if the thing fell into the hands of the Tatars." Zhang Zhou smiled. , "If it is purchased by the imperial court, I will naturally do my best. I wonder how much the imperial court needs?"
Xiao Jing asked: "What's the price...?"
At any other time, even if the imperial court wanted to purchase something from the private sector, it would have taken the initiative, and the pricing power would have rested with the imperial court.
Only doing business with Zhang Zhou... Xiao Jing was more frightened.
He was also thinking, who doesn't know that you, Zhang, love money and are stingy? Finally, when you have the opportunity to make reasonable money, how can you not be a lion and open your mouth?
Zhang Zhou said: "One tael of silver each, what do you think?"
"How much?" Xiao Jing was surprised for a moment.
He originally thought that Zhang Zhou would at least offer a price of more than ten taels each. After all, this thing is the only one in this family that has no semicolon. Why can't Zhang Zhou ask for a sky-high price?
But who knows, Zhang Zhou only wants one tael for the price, so if he wants to purchase four or five hundred taels according to the emperor's needs, the four or five hundred taels of silver... This can improve the defensive vision everywhere on the nine sides, four or five hundred taels. Can it still be called spending money?
Zhang Zhou said: "A pair of glasses costs one tael of silver. One tael of silver for a telescope shouldn't be expensive, right? Of course, if the purchase volume is relatively large, you can get a 20% discount...that is, a 20% discount on the price."
"Can... can it be reduced?"
After hearing this, Xiao Jing's eyes showed some strange light.
"It's the limit. If you want to get cheaper, you can only wait two years. The craftsmen in my workshop will have better skills. By then, the output will be higher, and the price will naturally go down." Zhang Zhou said with a smile.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang, there is no need to reduce it any more, you also want to make a profit, right? Your Majesty said that you cannot suffer a loss."
This is purely beautiful words.
As a procurement officer for the imperial court, he belongs to Party A. Of course, he hopes that Party B will suffer more losses. I wish you could still succeed in the business even if you lose all your money.
But he couldn't express his intentions verbally.
"Okay." Zhang Zhou smiled, "How many do you need?"
"One thousand." Xiao Jing didn't do anything like four or five hundred, he just doubled it.
Zhang Zhou nodded: "Okay, eight hundred taels then. If you include those with poor quality or those that may be damaged, I will add another fifty taels to account for losses."
"well……"
Xiao Jingxin said.
Zhang, you have a good conscience. Not only did you take the initiative to lower the price, but you also gave away more?
Then Xiao Jing felt that something was wrong and thought, if he loses money in this business and His Majesty finds out about it later, won't it mean that I, the person in charge of procurement, will take the blame?
"Sir, are you sure...it's not a loss?" Xiao Jing cautiously went to verify.
Zhang Zhou also didn't expect Xiao Jing, Party A, to be so humble.
Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head: "Of course there is no loss, there is still profit. Unfortunately, I can't give Eunuch Xiao some kickbacks. You know that I am the most rule-based person and don't like to engage in private giving and receiving."
Xiao Jing was still thinking in his mind.
I can complete the errand and make you and Your Majesty happy. Isn't the benefit obtained more direct than those two pieces of silver?
"No, no, no, don't suffer. Our family will not do anything to live up to the emperor's favor. By the way, Mr. Zhang, do you have glass beads? The prince brought a few to Kunning Palace earlier. The princess liked them very much and wanted to... get them again. If you go back a few times, you won’t be mistreated in terms of price or anything else.”
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "There are plenty of them."
After saying that, he took a basket from the side and poured out hundreds of glass beads. He asked, "Is it enough?"
"That's enough. No more."
"Eunuch Xiao, don't worry. It's a free gift. Just make the princess happy."
Zhang Zhou seemed very generous.
This actually made Xiao Jing a little embarrassed.
While they were talking here, Huang Li came in from outside. He glanced at Xiao Jing beside him and felt very puzzled. He just thought he was a customer who came to patronize him. He saluted Zhang Zhou and said, "My boss, someone from your house said... A man who claims to be your brother has brought several people here and is making trouble in front of your house."
"Hey."
Zhang Zhou frowned.
After his eldest brother Zhang Ye arrived in the capital, he had previously inquired about his residence and sent a letter to invite him to "peace talks."
He didn't even pay attention, but Zhang Ye came to the door?
"Mr. Zhang, what's the matter?" Xiao Jing received Zhang Zhou's favor, so he naturally wanted to pay more attention to him.
Zhang Zhou said: "It's okay. My eldest brother has separated from me. He is the kind of person who will make trouble even if his brother is in trouble. Maybe he heard that I got the position of Jin Yiwei Qianhu, and as the eldest son and legitimate grandson, he came to ask for it. "
"Can it still be like this?" Xiao Jing has obviously checked Zhang Zhou's family background and knows what is going on in Zhang Zhou's family. "Sir, don't worry, our family will solve it for you."
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "No, I'll just go and get rid of him. I want to give him the position of Jin Yiwei Qianhu, but I'm afraid His Majesty won't agree."
Xiao Jing said with a smile: "I guess you won't look down on a person who has sent a salary to thousands of royal guards. Your Majesty will definitely give you more rewards in the future. But we can't take advantage of outsiders in this position."
"That makes sense. Eunuch Xiao understands me." Zhang Zhou nodded.
"Mr. Zhang, why don't we go with you and have a look? If you have any orders, just say them. No matter what you do, it's all your word."
Xiao Jing is very generous.
Not to mention getting advantage from Zhang Zhou today, even if he didn't, he wouldn't dare to slack off on Zhang Zhou's affairs.
…
…
In front of Zhangjia.
Zhang Ye was leading a few old guys from Nanjing to call for formation at the door, and there were also followers brought by Zhang Ye who were knocking on the door.
As for the Zhang family, Wang Mingshan was holding a red tassel gun and guarding the door with her followers Ping An and Ji Xiang. In addition, there were long-term workers working in the nearby workshop who also came to help protect the home.
On the contrary, the Jin Yiwei who were supposed to be responsible for protecting the Zhang family were keeping a low profile at this time, standing aside as if they were passers-by.
They probably knew that this was a family matter of the Zhang family and it was not easy for outsiders to interfere.
The two sides are still in a confrontation.
"I'm here to see my younger brother. The eldest brother is the father. Haven't you heard of this? The neighbors in the street will judge!"
Zhang Ye was shouting there, but not a single neighbor came to join in the fun.
This is Qingqingfang. There are some mansions of princes and nobles next to it. Who has no time to come here to join in the fun?
"Hey, big brother, long time no see. Are you still alive?"
While Zhang Zhou was talking, he jumped down from the carriage and smiled at Zhang Ye from afar.
Zhang Zhou originally hated Zhang Ye, but when he suddenly met someone, he thought it was a bit funny that this brother would come all the way from Nanjing. It was like a monkey show.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, it's a pity that you don't know how much energy I have behind me now. If you want to know, you will never dare to come.
"Second brother! You're here! Let Brother Wei wait here! Let me introduce to you, this is the third uncle of our Zhang family. He hugged you when you were a child and saw you peeing. And these two are both The elders of the clan..."
Zhang Ye came prepared.
This is "foreign aid" brought from Nanjing city.
Before the introduction was finished, Zhang Zhou didn't want to hear it. He smiled and said: "It goes without saying, go back to where you came from and cool off! I just want to advise you, the water in the capital is too deep. If you are not careful, it is easy to get over your head and drown." Die. Please come back."
(End of chapter)
