After seeing Zhu Feng leave the Chinese army tent, Chen Rui returned to his tent where he was sleeping. Before he could sit down and take a sip of tea, Zhang Yong came.
"Eunuch Zhang?"
The person Chen Rui respected the most in the army was naturally the close minister around the queen and the lieutenant who helped Wang Weining achieve a great victory in a partial pass.
Zhang Yong motioned to Chen Rui not to be polite, and then sat down.
"Uncle Pingjiang, you just went to see Uncle Anbian, and what you said is already known to our family."
After Zhang Yong finished speaking, Chen Rui became cautious.
At that time, in addition to Zhang Yanling eavesdropping for a while, there were also ears through the wall?
It seems that Zhang Yong, the eunuch who oversees the army, is still very competent and keeps an eye on them all the time.
Zhang Yongdao: "I heard that you gave your daughter to Mr. Zhang, so why are you talking to Uncle An Bian about marriage?"
"This..." Chen Rui didn't know Zhang Yong's intention and couldn't explain it.
It's a bit like betrothing a daughter to two families. Although it's not considered a betrothal to Zhang Zhou, he can't go back on his promise to go out.
"My daughter is already in Mr. Zhang's name, haven't she been sent to the house? Don't blame our family for talking too much. Before our family leaves the capital, some colleagues will tell our family about this. If you I want to regret it by marrying An Bianbo, so I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible. Because of this, His Majesty also knows about it."
Zhang Yong actually came to persuade Chen Rui not to mess around.
The emperor asked you to lead troops in Liaodong and gave you a chance to make a difference. Do you think there are no prerequisites?
Are you giving a gift to Zhang Zhou? The emperor depends on your attitude in giving gifts. Only if you can sincerely serve Zhang Zhou will the emperor feel that you are one of his own.
It turns out that you just said you wanted to give your daughter to Zhang Zhou... Let’s not talk about Zhang Zhou’s attitude towards this, but if you go back on your word, you will be causing trouble for yourself.
"The general has learned a lesson." Chen Rui quickly showed a fearful attitude.
Zhang Yong sighed: "What's so good about Uncle An Bian? It's just a vase. There are so many vases in the world, and you have to support this vase when you marry him. Why not find a good backer, under a big tree, where you can enjoy the shade?" .”
Zhang Yong was reminding Chen Rui.
You chose the wrong target.
It seems that marrying Zhu Feng is a good thing for you, but in fact Zhu Feng has no ability at all and relies entirely on Zhang Zhou to support him.
You can't do the right thing in the first place and then regret it when you think it's going to hurt your old face.
"Yes, yes." Chen Rui continued to respond.
Zhang Yong said with a smile: "If we can win this battle, our family will rely on you more in the future."
"When Eunuch Zhang promotes a junior general, it should be for you to drive him around." Chen Rui also saw that Zhang Yong also wanted to recruit him.
Does Zhang Yongyong want to win over Wang Weining?
But what is Wang Weining’s identity? Although Wang Weining liked to curry favor with senior officials, the one he liked to curry favor with the most was either Dai Yi or Chen Kuan.
Now Wang Weining has obviously fawned over Zhang Zhou, and he only shows courtesy and respect to Zhang Yong. Zhang Yong still wants to make a contribution in the military world in the future. If he wants to be a royal eunuch, a lieutenant in charge of the capital camp, etc., he needs to They have military backgrounds.
Chen Rui also seemed to understand why Zhang Yong wanted to advise him on giving away his daughter, because the two of them had common interests.
…
…
March eighteenth.
Early in the morning, all the tributes gathered at the left gate of Chang'an.
This place is also called "Dragon Gate" because the yellow and gold lists for each palace examination are hung here. For the scholars in the world, this is the symbol of the carp leaping over the Dragon Gate. This time every tribute came here. They all looked happy.
Basically, there are no candidates who fail the palace examination. Even if there are those who fail the palace examination, it is basically because their parents died suddenly and they have to go back to stay in the system, or they suddenly become seriously ill or burp.
Those Gongshi who did not participate in the palace examination would be released as Jinshi after the expiration of the period of service. This has always been the case in the Ming Dynasty.
"Everyone, have you heard? It is said that after this palace examination, Shujishi will not be selected. It seems that apart from winning the Dingjia, there is no possibility of palace selection."
The gold medal list has not yet been hung, and the tributes do not need to line up yet, but they are exchanging news with each other.
What concerned them the most was the selection of the Ming Dynasty's prime minister. The selection examination for Shujishi was cancelled.
After hearing the news, many people also cast hostile eyes on Tang Yin, because the rumors from outside basically described this incident. The main reason why Shujishi was not selected this time was that the examination involved vendetta. question.
It turned out that Zhang Zhou was also involved in the case.
But if the candidates want to hate him, they can't hate Zhang Zhou. Even if they want to express their anger, they still have to pick on Tang Yin, a soft persimmon.
"Bingkuan."
Zhang Zhou was still standing there with his eyes closed and concentrating. Lin Ting came over and saluted Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhoudui smiled and cupped his hands: "Brother Lin."
Lin Ting said: "I was too embarrassed to ask you in front of others about the poem about my sister-in-law..."
There was no need to talk nonsense. Anyway, the palace examination was over and only the results were not released. Now Lin Ting went straight to the point and asked about the poem.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Didn't your sister write it?"
"Bingkuan, people in the Ming Dynasty don't speak secretly. My sister-in-law has been troubled a lot by this matter. Please clear up the doubts." Lin Ting was also polite.
You, Zhang Zhou, took a poem and said it was written by my sister. I didn’t brag about it and stare at you, so I can’t see any ill intentions on your part, but the literati will also seek truth from facts.
Zhang Zhou shook his head: "Actually, Brother Lin, you shouldn't ask, do you have to say something clearly?"
"that is you……"
Lin Ting is also a smart person.
Since it was not written by my sister, and no one else has acknowledged that it was written by her, then it can only be Zhang Zhou’s masterpiece?
Zhang Zhou didn't deny it, which was equivalent to admitting it.
Lin Ting said: "Then why don't you..."
Zhang Zhou said: "Fame and fame are like floating clouds to me. Let's talk about a little bit of fame. If you don't understand, Brother Lin, you may ask your father for advice."
"Father?" Lin Ting was puzzled.
Is this my father's instruction?
Zhang Zhou actually told him that your father still thought it was Queen Mother Zhou who asked me to do this. In fact, I just wanted to get rid of your sister early and stop her from pestering me... As expected, your family members all have the same personality. They like to give People look for trouble.
It’s not that one family doesn’t enter the same house.
"The results are released!"
Just as he was talking, officials from the Ministry of Etiquette came out at the door, holding gold lists and preparing to announce them.
Then they will line up and enter the palace to prepare for the Chuanlu Ceremony.
…
…
Inside Fengtian Hall.
The court meeting is still in progress, and the focus of the day's issue is that the northwest censor impeached Cheng Guogong Zhu Fu for not being able to leave after arriving at Yansui, which was suspected of delaying the fighter plane, and there was also a situation of retreating when encountering the enemy.
Zhu Youtang sent Xiao Jing to bother Zhang Zhou last night. This is the key point.
It's not that the emperor doesn't pursue Zhu Fu, so Zhu Fu can be safe and sound. In fact, Ke Dao's officials are clear about what he did in the northwest. The more noisy Dayan Khan's troops are around Yansui, the more pressure Zhu Fu will have. If you don't send troops, you will be impeached. It depends on the emperor's decision.
"My lords, even if Duke Cheng Guo made no progress in Yansui, at least he didn't cause the place to be robbed, right?"
Zhu Youtang would still say a few words on Zhu Fu's behalf.
Zhang Zhou did not favor Zhu Fu, but the emperor would think that this was the commander-in-chief appointed by me. If he had not made a big mistake, why should you ask me to give Zhu Fu, who had just been transferred to the northwest a short time ago? Dismissal and investigation?
Ma Wensheng, Secretary of the Ministry of War, said: "Your Majesty, Yansui involves hundreds of thousands of acres of surrounding farmland. If the Tatars continue not to retreat and the border troops continue to show no movement, I am afraid it will affect spring sowing, summer harvest and other matters. We must strictly guard against it, and we may be able to drive away the Tatar raiders."
Ma Wensheng also did not support directly sending troops to the grassland.
But Zhu Fu always kept his troops in the pass, and he was even more opposed to it.
When the Tatars come, they don't want to engage in battle. They don't even pursue them. There is no real fighting between the two sides. Now the people and animals around Yansui are protected by city fortresses, but there are no walls around the fields. The Tatar cavalry want to Trample on them.
Xie Qian also came out and said: "Your Majesty, now the emphasis of the troops on the nine sides should be transferred to Yansui, Ningxia and Guyuan."
After all, the minister still had objections to the emperor's ambush in Liaodong.
I have never heard that the Ming Dynasty should regard the defense of Liaodong as a top priority. After all, the Ming Dynasty only set up governors in Jiliao and never set up a general level. The little Tatar prince Batu Meng never went to Liaodong. Why should we listen to Zhang Zhou and change the focus?
Zhu Youtang said: "The Tatars have no intention of committing a large-scale invasion around Yansui. They are just some reports of turmoil and chaos. Let's wait until something really happens."
The emperor ignored Ma Wensheng and Xie Qian's suggestions.
In other words, there is no need to pay attention at all.
I said that Zhu Feng went to Ningyuan to prepare for war, but will this affect the situation in the northwest? Are we not using local troops from Liaodong to prepare for the war?
You must say that Ming Dynasty's border defense focus has shifted now, but I didn't say that I would transfer Wang Weining to Liaodong, right?
Now if we want to make a fuss about Zhu Fu's huddle in Yansui, we might as well ask me to send more troops to the three sides. But Bingkuan has already said that even if the grassland tribes encounter natural or man-made disasters, they will not If you dare to commit a large-scale crime, since you know that no big trouble will happen there, why do you need to strengthen your defenses?
Is it possible that the cost of allocating money, food and materials to three parties will be small?
…
…
The monarch and his ministers were in a bit of a stalemate over the issue of the focus of the nine-border military deployment.
Then came the Chuanlu Ceremony.
When the court meeting was about to end, Xiao Jing went to the emperor and announced: "Your Majesty, all the tribute students have been lined up on both sides of the palace waiting for you, Your Majesty, please appoint them."
Zhu Youtang felt better when he thought that Zhang Zhou was going to win the first prize today. He smiled and said, "Everyone, if we have matters to pass on today, we'd better put aside the border matters first. We'll talk about it in court tomorrow."
This sounds right at first glance.
Since there is nothing major happening in the northwest, we will discuss it in detail tomorrow. The focus today is on spreading the word.
But some people felt that there was ambiguity in the emperor's words.
Why don't you say it today and wait until tomorrow? And why is that smile rising on your face, Your Majesty? Your Majesty, you don't want to say that you will let Zhang Bingkuan enter the court as a Jinshi tomorrow, and let us discuss it together when he is by your side?
Ministers are more sensitive than anyone else when it comes to court affairs.
Especially those who can reach the level of cabinet ministers and ministers. If they don't have the awareness of being with the party and opposing the differences, they probably don't know how they fell.
…
…
The Grand Ceremony of Chuanlu.
The last time the Gongshengs entered the palace, they were still sorted according to the results of the examination.
No need this time.
Just line up based on the results of the palace examination. Anyway, the yellow list has been posted. When it is announced, it will be convenient to get out of the queue and stand in line again.
There were one hundred and fifty people on each side, with Zhang Zhou leading the group on the left, and Lun Wenxu, the second in command, leading the group on the right.
The two teams stood for a while in the square in front of Fengtian Hall where they were participating in the palace examination, but they saw Xiao Jing coming out of the hall, and then all the civil and military ministers lined up on both sides of the front of Fengtian Hall, in front of the three hundred new scholars.
The emperor's throne was also rearranged in front of Fengtian Hall.
The spread begins.
First play Zhonghe Shao music.
A man belonging to Guanglu Temple and dressed as a ceremonial guard came out, holding a quiet whip and dancing to make three cracks of the whip.
This is a reminder to those present to be silent.
To increase the sense of solemnity.
Then the live music turned to Danbi's great music, and the atmosphere instantly became high-spirited.
Due to the current vacancy of the Minister of Honglu Temple, Li Hao, the Minister of Guanglu Temple, came forward to announce the "Zhi".
The so-called system is equivalent to an imperial edict.
"In the third month of the third month of the year of Jiwei, during the Jiaxu period, I personally planned to test the world's tributes outside the palace. The first one was awarded the title of Jinshi, the second was awarded the Jinshi background, and the third was awarded the same Jinshi background."
Announcement completed.
Liu Jian, the chief minister of the cabinet, handed the three papers to the emperor.
To make a show, it means that the emperor has now personally checked your papers, and you are the disciples of the emperor.
First, there is the list of "Jinshi candidates". The emperor opens the paper and reads out the person's name in person. Then the eunuch standing in front of the emperor makes a report, and then six Jinyi guards with loud voices announce the person's ranking and name. After shouting, the official of Honglu Temple walked over and led the person out of the row, from two rows to one row.
"Jinshi passed, first place in the first class, Zhang Zhou!"
"Jinshi passed, first place in the first class, Zhang Zhou!"
"Jinshi passed, first place in the first class, Zhang Zhou!"
The first grade Jinshi read it three times in a row.
The second and third places are only announced once, and no one goes to guide the way. People in the back row may not be able to hear what is being read, but everyone knows what their ranking is. They probably only need to line up in front and then go out on their own after a while. Just list it out.
…
…
Zhang Zhou was the number one scholar.
Stand at the front.
Every time Zhu Youtang saw a name, he would look at Zhang Zhou when he raised his head, as if Zhang Zhou was there to make him feel at ease.
Wait until the names of all three hundred people are read out.
All civil and military officials and new scholars present were required to salute the emperor.
Zhu Youtang was very interested and said on the spot: "My dear friends, you are a model of the Ming Dynasty scholars. After entering the court, you should serve the court wholeheartedly. Tomorrow, I will give you an honorable banquet in the Ministry of Rites, and I will order the Grand Master and Crown Prince Grand Master of England to announce it. Mao, host the banquet at the Ministry of Rites."
"According to the order."
Zhang Mao came out to take orders.
It has long been a rule that the head of the martial arts presides over the honor banquet. In the past three years of Hongzhi's reign, Zhang Mao hosted the honor banquet on the day after the palace examination results were released in the third, sixth and ninth years of Hongzhi.
In the past, Zhang Mao would have thought it was just routine at most, but this time it was different. Among the Jinshi, there was Zhang Zhou, who was unique. Perhaps Zhang Zhou's status in the emperor's mind was higher than that of old guys like them. This Enrong Banquet Being able to host it will give yourself a lot of face.
…
…
The story ends.
Zhu Youtang originally wanted to call Zhang Zhou to the Palace of Qianqing for a talk, but Dai Yi reminded him that now that Zhang Zhou had just become a Jinshi, it was better to wait for the completion of a series of activities of the new Jinshi, and then give Zhang Zhou the position of editor of the Hanlin Academy History Museum After that, Zhang Zhou was transferred to the palace.
Zhu Youtang temporarily resisted the urge to discuss affairs with Zhang Zhou.
All the new scholars, led by officials from the Ministry of Rites, left the left gate of Chang'an.
As soon as they came out, everyone started to congratulate each other.
The higher the ranking, the more courtesy they will receive from others. As the number one scholar, Zhang Zhou was surrounded by as many people as on the day after the imperial examination.
"Mr. Zhang."
Before he could say a few words, someone suddenly stopped Zhang Zhou.
When he turned around, he saw Xiao Jing coming over with a smile on his face.
The other Jinshi had no experience in dealing with Zhongguan, so they all stepped aside but did not go far. They all wanted to know who this Zhongguan was and why he came to Zhang Zhou.
"Eunuch Xiao."
"Mr. Zhang, you don't have to be polite. We are here to remind you a few words. Originally, these words should have been told to you by someone from the Ministry of Etiquette."
Xiao Jing looked very enthusiastic.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, you know you shouldn't come here to remind me, but you come here anyway. This is not helping me gain face, but causing me trouble.
Is it possible to know that all the Jinshi in the same field will treat me as an alien?
Xiao Jing disagreed and said with a smile: "Tomorrow is the 19th day of the honor banquet. On the 20th day, you will be given crowns, belts and treasure banknotes. On the 22nd day, you need to express your gratitude to all the new scholars. Then, you will visit the Confucian Temple to perform the dish release ceremony. Your Majesty also Officials will be given."
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Eunuch Xiao is too worried. I know all these things. Besides, it's not my fault alone."
"Oh, Mr. Zhang, aren't you afraid that you won't be able to handle some things as you have just become a Jinshi? If you need our help, just ask."
Xiao Jing just finished speaking.
However, I saw Wu Xun, the civil servants who had previously participated in the court meeting, also come out of the palace gate. These people had high status. As soon as they came out, they got into their own carriages, sedan chairs, etc. and left. They would not accept the visits of ordinary Jinshi.
But some people still came towards the Jinshi.
The leader was Zhang Mao, who had just been ordered to host the Enrong Banquet.
"Haha, Bingkuan, congratulations."
Zhang Mao, like Xiao Jing, did not shy away from the presence of so many new scholars. He showed an air of familiarity with Zhang Zhou and walked all the way to Zhang Zhou's side, shouting.
Zhang Zhou could only go with Zhang Mao to see the ceremony.
"Eunuch Xiao, do you...have any orders?" Zhang Mao looked at Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing said with a smile: "After Mr. Zhang is admitted to the imperial examination, he will naturally have to be busy. The British father-in-law should not cause more trouble for him."
"That is, that is." Zhang Mao was thinking.
Are you the one causing trouble for this kid? If I say hello to my nephew Bingkuan, is it in your way?
Zhang Mao said: "Bingkuan, I see you are not prepared for this. Why don't I lend you a horse and let you ride on it and walk around East Chang'an Street. The scenery is beautiful. What do you think?"
"Haha, no need."
Zhang Zhou was ashamed.
During the Ming Dynasty, there was no tradition of the No. 1 scholar parading through the streets, or in other words, it was not an imperial examination project at all.
Zhang Mao is unique.
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, have you, Old Man Zhang, watched too many Nanxi operas?
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "What the British public said is very true. Mr. Zhang is the number one scholar in high school. How can he not make a name for himself? But he doesn't know how to tell the people around the capital."
"Two of you, I have just received the title of Jinshi. There are a lot of entertainment events in the house. There is an honor banquet tomorrow. Can you please go back and make some preparations?"
Zhang Zhou means.
Whether I am the number one scholar or not is my own business. There is no need for you two to worry about me, and there is no need to be courteous to me.
(End of chapter)
