Ning Tong couldn't help but look curious when she saw this strange man smiling.
Do I look so funny?
Why are there men so rude?
Seeing Ning Tong's frown, Zhang Zhou understood that this woman had a competitive spirit in her heart. The emperor regarded her as one of his own, because in the emperor's heart, Zhu Feng saved the little princess no matter what, and was called A high-quality young man from the Ming Dynasty who is "loyal, honest and kind".
Even if you, Ning Tong, are just Zhu Zhijie's ex-wife, the emperor will vaguely feel that you should be credited with being a good wife for what Zhu Feng did before.
"Come to meet this gentleman." Zhang Zhou said.
Ning Tong had never called Zhang Zhou sir once, and she would not do so when facing this man of unknown origin who smiled at her.
"I'm just here to talk to you about business matters. I'll leave after the conversation. What you want to talk about has nothing to do with me." Ning Tong looked very imposing.
"Ahem." Zhu Youtang coughed twice and said, "Bingkuan, what's the business?"
Zhang Zhou said: "That's right. The reconstruction of Piantou Pass requires the transfer of a batch of earth, stone and timber from the capital. It will be undertaken by the Dudu Mansion and Jingcang. It needs to be purchased from outside. It is a bidding matter, but there may be people who interfere with it. She I want to find someone to help with the campaign to ensure that the bidding can be carried out within a reasonable range.”
"Yeah." Zhu Youtang nodded.
Don't say that Zhang Zhou didn't admit that there was a private exchange. Even if he said that there was, Zhu Youtang wouldn't mind because of his protective mentality. Instead, he might strongly support it.
"What do you need? Money?" Zhu Youtang asked again.
Ning Tong was afraid that this person was trying to steal business from her, so she said, "We already have enough money to purchase wood and stone, but we also need the court to allocate the purchased money and grain in time."
Zhu Youtang felt a headache when he heard it.
He came over and whispered to Zhang Zhou: "You can discuss the details among yourselves. I have been out for a long time, and it is time to return to the palace. I should be able to communicate with the imperial grandmother now."
"I can do business now." Zhang Zhou was also smiling.
The monarch and his ministers seemed to have come to listen to a show just to deal with the Queen Mother Zhou.
Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Zhou with sympathetic eyes, then stood up and left with Xiao Jing and others, while Zhang Zhou accompanied them to the door.
…
…
The emperor returned to the palace and left, and Zhang Zhou returned to the theater.
Ning Tong had also gone downstairs and asked with a frown, "Who is that?"
Even Ning Tong also noticed that the identity and status of the person who came was not simple. There were so many followers coming in and out, and there were people who looked like eunuchs blocking him before... Various signs showed that the person might not only be rich, but also have power, otherwise Why should Zhang Zhou be treated so politely?
"You really know how to choose a time to come. Who told you I was here?" Zhang Zhou asked coldly.
This woman came to see him for nothing, just to gain connections and gain connections. When she was bumped into by the emperor, the Jin Yiwei thought that she was a prostitute, so it would have been cheaper if they didn't kill her on the spot.
Ning Tong said: "What do you think?"
Zhang Zhou lightly snorted: "It's Zhu Zhijie again, haven't you already reconciled? Why do you still ask him for help now when you have nothing to do? Why, do you still want to rekindle the old relationship?"
Ning Tong was so angry that she didn't answer.
Zhang Zhou immediately went to the backyard of the theater. Ning Tong chased after him a few steps. Sun Shangqi came in at this time and did not dare to stop Ning Tong strictly.
Sun Shangqi and others all knew who Ning Tong was. Even though this woman was no longer a marquise, she was not something he, a member of the Imperial Guard, could dare to offend.
"my business……"
"Wait for now, I have more important things to do here. Let's talk about it later."
While Zhang Zhou was speaking, he had already stepped into the backyard, where Zhang Ningbo Zhou Yu was already waiting, and behind Zhou Yu was a woman in a cloak.
This woman was no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, but there was a sense of vicissitudes in her deep eyes, as if she had seen through the changes in the world through decades of indifference, because there was no enthusiasm for life in her eyes. , no matter how beautiful this woman is, she cannot inspire any protective or possessive desire in Zhang Zhou's heart.
After Zhang Zhou looked at those eyes, he quickly looked back at Ning Tong... But seeing Ning Tong's eyes filled with anger and questioning, she refused to lower her head to avoid his look...
Zhang Zhouxin said, This is still my taste.
At least this chick has a passion for life and doesn’t make me feel like I’m about to become a monk.
"Mr. Zhang, I brought it to you." Zhou Yu said with a smile.
The woman bowed slightly and saluted Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou nodded.
This woman was the woman that the Empress Dowager Zhou specially picked up from the Clothing Bureau. According to the Empress Dowager Zhou's previous description, this woman's sister had an "unknown past event" with Zhu Youtang. As for what the past event was, Zhang Zhou didn't need to know in detail, but since then, the family behind this woman has encountered a great accident, her family members have been separated, and both sisters were assigned to the Huanyi Bureau. The woman's sister had previously held a grudge in the Huanyi Bureau. In the end, the corpses were transported to an unknown location and discarded.
Originally, Empress Dowager Zhou disdained to use this kind of woman with "great bitterness and deep hatred".
But Queen Mother Zhou had no choice.
Empress Dowager Zhou knew that her grandson valued friendship, and it would be difficult for a random woman to pry open her grandson's locked heart, so she had to find another way and use some unconventional means.
"Let her learn the basic drama and change her eyes. She should have a warmth and a woman's gentleness. Her singing voice and stage posture are not very important..." Zhang Zhou told Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu smiled and said, "Where is that person placed?"
Zhang Zhou said: "You can do it here. I will teach you some specific singing styles later. The script asked the troupe to teach her more..."
For this woman to get close to Zhu Youtang, in addition to the basic singing, the more important thing is to make Zhu Youtang "see people and miss them" and make him "love the house and the night".
Create an environment and conditions for this woman to appear.
The rest also depends on how attached Zhu Youtang is to the past. If Zhu Youtang only regarded this woman as an ordinary actress, there would be no chance of success.
…
…
After a rough layout.
Zhou Yu took the woman away. Zhang Zhou didn't even ask her name, nor did he forcefully contact her with the historical "Zheng Wang's Demonic Words Case".
Then Zhang Zhoucai took Ning Tong upstairs and back to the previous box.
"Who was it just now?" Ning Tong asked.
"Uncle Chang Ning," Zhang Zhou said.
Ning Tong asked in confusion: "As a close relative and minister, why did Mr. Chang Ning want to meet you backstage at the theater? Where was that person in the first place?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Miss Ning, do you know that your arrival may have changed a lot of things? Do you have any plans to marry someone else?"
Ning Tong said angrily: "You know clearly what the Zhu family said about my marriage. Are you trying to amuse me by mentioning it like this?"
Zhang Zhou came forward and said with a smile: "If you really want to marry him, I believe that the Zhu family has no temper at all. You don't have to be my concubine, just change someone else... to be my concubine. Haha."
Ning Tong's arrival was indeed unexpected by Zhang Zhou.
Maybe there is some divine will?
However, it seemed that Zhu Youtang didn't have much interest in Ning Tong, also because Zhang Zhou was nearby and immediately explained that Ning Tong's identity was Zhu Zhijie's ex-wife.
Even if the emperor wanted to take a concubine, he wouldn't take a married woman, right?
"snort!"
Ning Tong felt that she was being amused by Zhang Zhou and didn't think deeply about it, so she snorted and dismissed it.
Zhang Zhou said: "I will pay attention to your affairs, but I dare not give you a guarantee. I am not completely sure."
Ning Tong said anxiously: "My dowry is all in it. You promised to help me, but you can't just sit back and watch."
"Wow!"
Zhang Zhou was also surprised by this, "Miss Ning, you can do it, but you have to fight against the odds?"
Ning Tong said: "The Chen family's sister is willing to give up all her family property to help me, and is even willing to share 30% of my profits. Why don't I show some sincerity? If someone treats me sincerely, I am willing to share the joys and sorrows with them."
This was probably because Zhu Feng didn't treat her sincerely, so she chose to jump ship halfway.
Zhang Zhou was speechless. This kind of woman... still lacked social polish. She might have been given money after being sold.
"Actually, knowing his integrity is quite good to you."
"Don't mention him!"
"Oh, then you go back and wait. There will be confirmation in the next two days."
Zhang Zhou didn't mean to say good things about Zhu Feng, it was still the same problem. Zhu Feng had protected Ning Tong quite well before, letting Ning Tong always be a flower in the greenhouse. The large greenhouse of Chengguo Gongfu itself can also block the dangers in the world. of.
But now that Ning Tong has to show off her strength and come out on her own, she has to face many things by herself.
"We have to bid tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Are you asking me to go back and wait at this time?" Ning Tong was very anxious.
"What else? You want me to tell the Ministry of Industry that this business must be handed over to me? Don't worry, neither you nor the woman behind you will suffer losses, but in terms of specific implementation... shouldn't it be too much? Do you want to act arbitrarily? Since you are begging me, you'd better follow what I say! Otherwise, please ask someone else!"
Zhang Zhou also adopted the attitude of "if you like it, do it, if you don't, get out".
You are begging me to do something, and what else do you want me to promise?
Besides, who said I was here to help you two bitches? You don’t know how to weigh your own weight?
…
…
Zhang Zhou sent Ning Tong away, and then asked people to call Zhu Feng.
"Zhijie, you are really going to cause trouble for me. You know that I am greeting His Majesty today, but you actually let your ex-wife come to make trouble with me? Do you want to send her to the palace to become the imperial concubine?"
Zhang Zhou asked coldly.
"ah?"
Zhu Feng was so frightened after hearing this, "She...she...is really here? I...I just told her two days ago...I can't find you recently, I only saw you here... "
"I came here to do business. Do you think I came to the theater for fun?"
Zhang Zhouxin said that he was really defeated by this strange couple.
To say that the most suitable couple is you two.
You can't be husband and wife, but you can still be sisters. If you stay under the same roof and harm each other, why do you have to cause trouble for others?
"Your Majesty has met Tong'er? Your Majesty... what did you say?" Zhu Feng knew that his ex-wife might be favored by the emperor, and he was still very disappointed.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty didn't say anything. What do you expect His Majesty to say?"
Zhu Feng thought so too.
I've only met once, what can I say?
The emperor wouldn't just snatch someone into the palace to be his concubine, would he?
"Brother Zhang, it was my fault. If she bothers me again in the future, I will definitely not talk about you...even if you kill me!" Zhu Feng vowed.
Zhang Zhou sighed.
In fact, he also understood that Zhu Feng had very soft ears.
Once faced with a powerful woman, such as Ning Tong, or Lin Yi, who had been aggressively asking him for help, Zhu Feng didn't know what to choose, and it seemed as if he, Zhu Feng, couldn't walk around after seeing a woman.
But in fact, this is all caused by Zhu Feng's tendency to seek abuse.
Zhu Feng looked up at Zhang Zhou and said: "Brother Zhang, I really think it's good for Tong'er to follow you. If you let her enter the palace... it will harm her! You must not let her enter the palace."
"Okay, don't talk about useless things." Zhang Zhou said, "Are you not short of money recently?"
"Huh?" Zhu Feng looked confused.
Zhang Zhou said: "There is a bidding for the business of rebuilding Pianguan Guancheng. You can ask the Hui merchants to take it and ask them to bid lower. Use good wood, stone and masonry. In short, don't let the nobles or nobles of the current capital. Is it okay if someone else takes over the business?"
Zhu Feng nodded: "No problem. But...don't you want to help Tong'er?"
Zhang Zhou asked: "You want her to enter the palace, right?"
"No... I didn't mean that!" Zhu Feng quickly denied.
"Then listen to me!" Zhang Zhou said sternly.
Zhu Feng was still confused. He couldn't figure out how finding someone to snatch the business that Chen's daughter and Ning Tong were bidding for had anything to do with Ning Tong's entry into the palace.
But what happened today, he felt, might have ruined Zhang Zhou's plan. Now Zhang Zhou was angry again. With his character of being a doormat, he would of course obey whatever Zhang Zhou said, so he wouldn't be that stupid. Then think about the reason behind this.
…
…
Two days later, it was bidding day.
The bid documents from all parties have been submitted. While Zhang Zhou was not participating, he had to teach the prince that day.
What he taught Zhu Houzhao that day was "New Book of Tang".
The traditional Four Books and Five Classics are now mostly taught by the Donggong Lecturer. Zhang Zhou also fully considered his relationship with Wang Hao, the foreman of the Donggong Lecturer, and felt that he did not need to overwhelm other people's errands.
Moreover, what the emperor valued about him was not how good he was at speaking about the Four Books and Five Classics, but more because he could speak something different.
Teaching history books is something Zhu Youtang specially arranged for Zhang Zhou to do. After all, Zhu Houzhao has now completed the basic coursework in the Four Books and Five Classics. In about half a year, he can try to write simple articles. Now it is more It is necessary to enrich Zhu Houzhao's historical and cultural knowledge and allow him to develop both political integrity and talent.
"Master Zhang, Eunuch Xiao is here. Your Majesty invites you to come to Qianqing Palace for a talk." Zhang Zhou was telling Zhu Houzhao so enthusiastically that there was no quarrel between the teacher and the student. They were discussing the pros and cons of the Anshi Rebellion. when.
Here Liu Jin came over and informed Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou said: "Prince, you should review it by yourself first. I have to go to see His Majesty first."
Zhu Houzhao said: "We are getting to the key point. I also want to discuss with you how to defeat them if I were leading the troops to fight An Lushan. Why are you so disappointed?"
Zhang Zhou said angrily: "If you have any objections, bring them to your Majesty's attention! Do you want me to resist the decree?"
"Well……"
Zhu Houzhao thought the same thing.
This was because his father wanted to summon Zhang Zhou, and there was no way he could push this aside.
"Then come back quickly. I'll do some research on my own first. Who is that... bring me the map of Guanzhong. I want to study it carefully..."
…
…
Zhang Zhou also discovered that Zhu Houzhao was more enthusiastic about military affairs than any other cultural knowledge.
I used to think that this kid was too playful, but now it seems that Zhu Houzhao inherited many of his talents in this area from his seemingly frail father.
Zhang Zhou and Xiao Jing walked to Qianqing Palace together.
"Mr. Zhang, I won't hide it from you. You already know it. The news just came from Pianguan. It's... a funeral report!"
"Both Ma Shangshu and Mr. Liu Ge of the Ministry of War are here. I just learned about this matter and your Majesty summoned them."
"Externally, no one knows this news."
Xiao Jing had privately revealed the biggest "secret" of the current imperial court. The so-called "announcement of mourning" was obviously not an ordinary person.
That can only be Wang Yue.
As expected, Old Man Wang still did not return to the capital. Time is not forgiving. After hearing this, Zhang Zhou still felt a sense of sadness in his heart.
"Sir, are you okay?"
Seeing Zhang Zhou's expression of emotion, Xiao Jing couldn't help but ask.
Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "If last year, I didn't give him the medicine and he died in the northwest, I wouldn't be so emotional. After getting to know him, after all... he is still no match for destiny."
Xiao Jing said: "You don't have to blame yourself. Marquis Weining's fate is determined by heaven. You have helped him extend his life. More importantly, you have helped him fulfill his last wish before his death. It is said that Marquis Weining still has a suicide note and is on his way to the capital. On the way, in addition to the ones for His Majesty, there are also some for you... He has a soul in heaven, and he will also thank you for everything you have done for the Wang family."
"well!"
Zhang Zhou couldn't help but sigh.
In the past, Wang Yue and I were friends of interest at most.
But now, he and Wang Mingshan are de facto husband and wife. Wang Mingshan's grandfather, Zhang Zhou, is also regarded as family, and he doesn't have many emotional ties in this world.
Thinking about the compliments that Old Man Wang usually gave him, they were just embellishments. What was more important was that Wang Yue and he conspired together to complete the battle at Piantou Pass, and then they both "appreciated" Zhu Feng. Even if they didn't know each other for long, But we can also talk to each other, which is probably the saying "heroes cherish heroes".
Thinking of this, Zhang Zhou suddenly smiled like a self-deprecater.
Compared with Wang Weining, who is he?
"Mr. Zhang, with the departure of Marquis Weining, the situation in the northwest has changed drastically, but he said that the Tatars should stop fighting in Pianguan and Ningyuan, but now only Liaodong is stable, and the northwest is still uneasy. If the Tatars know about it at this time ……well!"
Xiao Jing was a little worried.
This also explains the emperor's purpose of summoning him, Liu Jian, and Ma Wensheng.
Zhang Mao and other honorable ministers were not summoned, which means that the emperor wanted to discuss today to avoid Wu Xun, so he could only discuss who should go to the northwest to replace Wang Yue, so as to play the role of a needle in the sea.
Zhang Zhou said: "The changes in the situation in the northwest are due to changes in the pattern of the grassland, and are also directly related to the severe drought in the grassland in the past year. Let's talk about it after meeting with His Majesty."
(End of chapter)
