When Zhang Zhou arrived at the altar on the outskirts of the city, many people in the city came to watch the excitement, regardless of their errands at hand.
It can be said that there are huge crowds of people outside the city.
Everyone wants to know how the Heavenly Master prays for rain.
But Zhang Zhou was not in a hurry and ran to Zhang Heling to find a shady place to sit, drinking tea and chatting and laughing with the people around him.
Tang Yin was called over to communicate with Ma Zhongxi for a few words. Ma Zhongxi might have looked down on Tang Yin, but the problem was that he couldn't just let himself be betrayed like everyone else, so he called Tang Yin over with a cold face to ask what was going on.
"Zhang Zhitai, Ma Zhongcheng asked me to come over and ask, when...will it start?"
Tang Yin became the microphone.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Look at the sky, it doesn't look like it's going to rain? I have to wait for the clouds to come before I can ask God for rain, right?"
"Haha, brilliant and insightful!"
After hearing this, Zhang Heling suddenly felt that these words were so kind.
When praying for rain, wait for the clouds to come first. It is best to wait until the dark clouds gather before praying for rain.
Tang Yin looked embarrassed and looked at Zhang Zhou, meaning, do you want me to reply to Ma Zhongxi and the local officials like this?
Zhang Zhou said: "If anyone is in a hurry, you can go back to the city first and come back after the clouds rise. I will complete the rain praying ceremony before noon!"
…
…
Tang Yin felt that Zhang Zhou was abnormal, but he could only tell Ma Zhongxi what Zhang Zhou said.
The subordinate officials around Ma Zhongxi did not think Zhang Zhou was very disgusting, and some even said: "This new platform maker is not like those magicians who like to make sensational stories."
The implication is that Zhang Zhou's method of praying for rain sounds more "scientific".
Ma Zhongxi glared over.
Seeing that the other party was born in the local area, I expected that although he was still on his side now, he would defect to Zhang Zhou, the highest local official, and probably knew that Ma Zhongxi would not be able to stay in Xuanfu for long, and he was already incomplete. Speak on his side.
"Lord Zhongcheng, you'd better go back first. Just leave this place to the humble ministers and others. I'll let you know if anything happens."
The people Ma Zhongxi brought with him all turned to him.
Ma Zhongxi also saw that Zhang Zhou was deliberately teasing him, so he stopped joining in the fun outside the city and got up to take a carriage back to the city.
"Old Ma, are you leaving now?"
Zhang Zhou greeted Ma Zhongxi from afar.
Ma Zhongxi ignored Zhang Zhou, got into the carriage, and then returned to the city amidst the pointing fingers of the onlookers.
…
…
Before noon, the sky over Xuanfu City began to gather clouds.
Although Zhang Zhou only sat under the altar for a long time, when he came on stage, the surrounding soldiers and civilians still burst into unparalleled cheers.
That feeling is probably... real people are really different from magic sticks.
Look at this person. He has great supernatural powers. He never pretends to be a ghost. He says that he wants to pray for rain on a certain day. After he comes, he sits under the altar. When the rain is almost coming, he just says hello directly. God’s will is revealed and the rain will fall. Greetings from the ground!
Just asking have you ever seen such a miracle?
Zhang Zhou pretended to make a confession on the altar, and even danced with a wooden sword on the spot. When he came down, he was out of breath.
After enjoying Zhang Zhou's wonderful "dance", the citizens were already rushing home. Perhaps they all saw that the rain would fall at any time, and if they didn't leave, they might be soaked in water.
"That's great." Zhang Heling and others hurried over to greet Zhang Zhou after he got off the altar.
For them, it was truly a glimpse into what great supernatural powers were.
Tang Yin asked: "When will the rain come?"
Zhang Zhou smiled. This guy obviously hadn't put himself in the right position yet. At this time, he actually asked when the rain would come? It's already like this, why do you still think the rain won't come?
Even if you can't get off, your posture is sufficient, and the most important thing is that people's hearts have been greatly harvested.
"Back to the city, on the way back to the city, I will share the joys and sorrows with the people in the city, and welcome the rain and dew from God together..."
Zhang Zhou's words made Tang Yin ashamed.
Tang Yin, a former opponent and now a senior brother, always thought Zhang Zhou was a lunatic, but even a lunatic could call down the rain on you, leaving the upright and quick-tempered Ma Zhongxi at his wits' end.
Tang Yin is also thinking in his mind, it seems that my previous wild and unruly attitude is still too reserved. I must reach the level of my senior brother before I can manage things with wildness and ease. If not...then I should keep a low profile.
Even if I am not as wild and uninhibited as others, do I have any other choice besides keeping my tail between my legs?
…
…
When Zhang Zhou returned to the city, the rain had already fallen.
Zhang Zhou knew that this rain would last for at least three or four hours until it caused flash floods and blocked the roads. Otherwise, the fire sieve in history would not have been hindered by this rain and retreated in a hurry.
But this was basically the only heavy rain in Xuanfu that year, because the drought in Xuanfu was still there that year, and it was unrealistic to rely on this rain alone to solve the problem...
It doesn't matter whether it rains or not in the future. Zhang Zhou knows that praying for rain is not within his ability. He is a time traveler who knows the weather forecast. As long as this rain can help him win the hearts of the people.
Since we want to win the hearts and minds of the people...
Then you have to do a good job and enter the city in a carriage or official sedan, but it has no such effect at all.
Then you need to... have fun with the people, get off the carriage, and hold an umbrella by yourself... There is no need to get wet in the rain to show how stupid you are. Even if you walk around the city with an umbrella, others will think of him as a fool. An upright and good official who loves the people like his own son.
Then Zhang Zhou came on stage.
It does depend on acting. Everything Zhang Zhou has done before has always been utilitarian. If he really wants to bring something to the people of this era, it is best to make technological changes through technological transformation, especially firearms. etc., to stabilize the Ming Dynasty's frontiers, increase farmland, and reform the bad governance in the northwest...
As for coming out to comfort the people on a rainy day...you have to be crazy to think that this is beneficial to the people.
Whether he comes to perform or not will not affect whether the rain will fall, nor will it affect any current situation.
The most he can do is make the people think he is awesome, and that's all he needs to do anyway.
…
…
"Master Qingtian."
Zhang Zhou was performing, and the people he saw holding umbrellas or wearing raincoats and rain gear along the way were also performing.
People who truly appreciate Zhang Zhou Ende will not say so many complimentary nonsense.
But Zhang Zhou also needs knowledgeable people in the crowd.
"I haven't done enough. After this rain, I have to work hard at farming... Who can give me a condolence gift?"
Zhang Zhou's condolences to the people this time were also well-known. He wanted to send condolences to the families in the city who had a special occasion, and at the same time he also visited those lonely elderly people over eighty years old to show the benevolence of the court.
Because Zhang Zhou no longer just wanted to win official status for himself, but also offered certain benefits. In addition, the rain was nominally prayed by Zhang Zhou, so that wherever Zhang Zhou went, the people walked away spontaneously. Come out and watch.
"Everyone, I am in charge of the border fortress and will fight bloody battles with the barbarians. I hope that the soldiers and the people will be united!"
"Let's all disperse!"
Zhang Zhou was very busy that day.
It was my first time as a local official to make such a big commotion. Not to mention that the soldiers and civilians in the city had never seen it, even those who were officials had never heard of it.
…
…
Ma Zhongxi was in the governor's official residence, and people in the yard were already packing things. He was about to move to make room for Zhang Zhou.
He stood on the porch, looking at the rain outside, with an annoyed look on his face.
"Ma Zhongcheng, His Majesty's decree has been approved. Will you... go over and have a look, or will it be delivered to you?" the subordinate officer asked Ma Zhongxi cautiously.
Ma Zhongxi said coldly: "Your Majesty has not transferred Ma Yi's case to the judicial department, is that right?"
The official said: "Yes. The oracle said that when Zhang Zhitai first arrived, everything was focused on stability. What's more, running the army was more important than anything else. Even if there was to be accountability, it would have to wait until the situation in the northwest stabilized. In addition... His Majesty also said something …”
Ma Zhongxi said with a look of astonishment: "I am investigating and punishing wrongdoers. How can I still ignore right and wrong in the court?"
"This, this, this..." The subordinate officer was also confused.
Are you blaming the court or the emperor?
"Even if His Majesty intends to protect and indulge, so many ministers in the government and the public turn a blind eye? How long will the Ming Dynasty's imperial policy be corrupted? Why is there any need to serve such a court?"
Ma Zhongxi was also angry.
There was a bit of indifference when speaking.
"Ma Zhongcheng, please calm down." The official said he felt the same, but he was thinking about it in his heart.
Are you blind and can't see the rain outside? You should talk about God's will first. Because Ma Yi and other generals imposed excessive levies, which caused a drought in the past two years, Zhang Zhitai immediately asked you for rain to let you know what God's will is.
Even if you don't accept it, you have to endure it first. Who said that even God is on his side now?
Your mere dejection shows that everyone in the government and the public is a traitor, saying that people are not on the side of justice... The problem is that the emperor did not say that he would not handle Ma Yi's case afterwards, but postponed it because the overall situation was more important.
Do you still want to object?
After all, Ma Yi is also the former commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu. You investigate and deal with him... It means that when the new commander comes, he will organize the army first, and in about half a year, he will eliminate all the hidden dangers when Ma Yi was the commander-in-chief, and then send out troops, right? ?
It's clear that you are causing trouble for the new trilateral president, so why can't they give you a decisive blow?
Moreover, this way of establishing authority is so unique, it can win over both the military and the people.
This is called incompetent rage.
…
…
Ma Zhongxi resented it and did not read the emperor's reply to his petition. He prepared to write his resignation when he returned.
The court is not in compliance with my wishes, so I give up my job!
The court is dark, I can't afford to offend you, why can't I hide from you?
"Ma Zhongcheng, Zhang Zhitai invites you to come over. He said that there is a major military situation to discuss." Just as Ma Zhongxi was halfway through writing his resignation, someone came to send a message and asked Ma Zhongxi to come over.
Ma Zhongxi said angrily: "If you want to discuss it, come on your own, this is the government office!"
The people next to him hurriedly reminded: "Ma Zhongcheng, the first level of officialdom is overwhelming. Besides, he is famous, so don't confront him head-on at this time."
"Just say that I am ill!"
Ma Zhongxi has made preparations. From now on, he will not have any contact with Zhang Zhou until he leaves office. He will not meet this mysterious guy who doesn't know whether he is a Taoist priest or a civil servant.
The disciple said: "Lord Zhongcheng, Zhang Zhitai was afraid that you would be unwell, so he specially invited a doctor to come and follow the Jin Yiwei. He said that it involves sending troops in the next few days, so you can't go!"
"What?"
Ma Zhongxi was completely annoyed.
That Zhang Bingkuan, was he even sure that I wanted to hide from him because I was sick? That means he knows that doing this will make me angry and put both parties at risk, so he still wants to punish me, right?
Does he know what it means to respect elders and younger ones?
Even if his official position is higher than mine, I was the one who caused trouble for him first, and the reason is on my side... Yes, I am not wrong at all!
It's all Zhang Bingkuan's fault! Who asked him to protect the guilty minister Ma Yi? If he didn't, why would he be so tense today?
"Ma Zhongcheng, the Jin Yiwei outside also said that if you don't go, you will be breaking the law, neglecting your duties, or..."
Ma Zhongxi was so angry that he dropped his pen on the ground.
In fact, the surrounding officials didn't understand it very well.
In the past two years, the governor of Xuanfu has been quite normal, and he got along well with the former Liu Daxia and Liu Shilang. Why is he so out of character today?
…
…
When the governor's Yamen officials felt that Ma Zhongxi was unreasonable, a group of people were laughing and talking about Ma Zhongxi's gaffe that day in the temporary meeting hall of the post house, which was the corridor on the first floor.
Among them, Zhang Heling is the most successful.
As for Zhu Hui and a group of generals from the Beijing camp who followed him, they were also very proud, while Ma Yi smiled cautiously.
As for Zhang Lun and Tang Yin, the people brought by Zhang Zhou, they seemed extremely cautious.
"Zhang Zhitai, Eunuch Cao is here."
Just as he was talking, the local snake factions in the city had begun to gather here. It was Cao Shun, the eunuch guarding the Xuanfu who had been hiding from him two days ago when he knew that Zhang Zhou had a conflict with Ma Zhongxi.
The emperor sent Zhang Zhou to Xuanfu. Cao Shun had no duty to supervise Zhang Zhou. The superiors even clearly told him to do as he was told. This probably meant... You, Cao Shun, can guard Xuanfu and control and supervise the people in the city. Officials and citizens, but Zhang Zhou is on top of your system, so don't cause trouble.
Because Zhang Zhou's scope of duties was not within Xuanfu, theoretically the eunuchs guarding Xuanfu, Datong and Pianguan were not on the same level as him.
Cao Shun did not come to see Zhang Zhou until the dispute between Zhang Zhou and Ma Zhongxi came to a certain conclusion.
"Eunuch Cao."
"Mr. Zhang, you're welcome. What you did in the capital made someone's ears go numb when he heard it. You are a great sage, a great talent, and a great genius. Don't be as knowledgeable as someone who is so ignorant."
"We will continue to cooperate sincerely in the future. If Eunuch Cao says this, won't he get away with it?"
Cao Shun originally thought that Zhang Zhou, like Li Guang, Wang Zhi and other favored sycophants, was very hard to talk and liked to show off his face wherever he went.
After all, as soon as Zhang Zhou came to Xuanfu, he got involved with Ma Zhongxi.
He didn't expect Zhang Zhou to be so easy to talk to.
When Cao Shun saw Ma Yi was there, he quickly raised his hands and said, "Commander Ma, what happened before... was all because of Ma Zhongcheng's insistence on his own way. Our family has no other choice. Please forgive me..."
Ma Yi was also very worried when she saw Cao Shun.
The three major systems in the city, Ma Zhongxi, the leader of the civil servants, and Cao Shun, the guarding eunuch, all joined forces to attack him. He was forced to flee to Juyongguan, where he inquired about Zhang Zhou's whereabouts and went to visit him. At that time, he was desperate. He knew that if Zhang Zhou Zhou didn't take him in, so he had no choice but to go back to collect his guilt.
Now that Cao Shun is on his side, Ma Zhongxi is just a one-man show and can't dance anymore.
Cao Shun said: "His Majesty's decree has been issued, and the matter of commanding you has been handed over to Mr. Zhang."
When Ma Yi heard this, he knelt down to Zhang Zhou and kowtowed: "Mr. Zhang, please clear the general's innocence."
"Are you innocent?" Zhang Zhou asked the question in public, surprising everyone present.
Ma Yi was stunned.
The way of asking this question... is really direct.
Zhang Zhou said: "Don't blame the governor of Xuanfu for causing trouble for you. As far as I know, you haven't done anything good locally in the past few years. Don't keep the soldiers you recruited privately, and hand them over." , as for whether you have committed acts of corruption and perversion of the law before, you must explain yourself and pay whatever amount you have gained illegally. I am purely for the stability of the situation in the northwest. Don't think that I ignore the law and want to protect you!"
Ma Yi was so manipulated that she couldn't handle it anymore.
"Commander Ma?" Cao Shun suddenly felt much better after hearing this.
Or these civil servants know how to play.
Others give you a stick first and then give you sweet dates, but Zhang Zhou gives you sweet dates first and then gives you a stick.
Cao Shunben was also worried that Zhang Zhou and Ma Zhongxi thought that Ma Yi's matter was causing disharmony, and that he, the guarding eunuch, would eventually get involved and suffer disaster.
Now he can see that it seems that the relationship between Zhang Zhou and Ma Zhongxi is just a small fight, and the interests of the civil servants are one and the same.
Zhu Hui said: "Didn't you hear what Mr. Zhang said? Mr. Zhang is protecting you! But you don't want to embarrass Mr. Zhang. Whether you will be held accountable afterwards depends on whether you can redeem yourself and make meritorious service!"
"Haha." Zhang Heling smiled proudly.
They were both deputy commander-in-chief. Zhang Heling suddenly felt that he had been able to hold Ma Yi down steadily, and he suddenly felt very comfortable.
"Yes Yes."
Ma Yi felt relieved at this moment.
Feelings: The powerful man in front of the emperor is not trying to hold me accountable, but he is just saying nice things to show that he is fair and just.
Scared me.
"Then why hasn't Lao Ma come yet? We agreed to discuss the military situation, why don't we send someone to urge him?" When Zhang Zhou said this, his eyes were on Cao Shun.
Meaning, there you go!
Just as Cao Shun was about to agree, word came from outside: "Ma Zhongcheng's chariot has arrived."
"Okay, everyone who has nothing to do with it should leave first. I will discuss a major matter of sending troops soon. I will clean up the inside and outside of the post house. If what happened today is leaked, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
…
…
Cleaning was done inside and outside the post house.
There were no more than twelve people who had the authority to participate in this internal meeting, and they were mainly people brought by Zhang Zhou. The number of original generals, eunuchs, etc. in Xuanfu was very small.
Ma Zhongxi arrived with a dark face. When he saw that the impromptu meeting was held in the corridor and there was a topographic map hanging on the door of the next room, he walked over with a dark face and did not say hello to anyone present.
He didn't say hello and no one paid any attention to him.
Now almost everyone acts based on Zhang Zhou's face.
If when Zhang Zhou first came, many people were still undecided, but now they are all determined... It is not easy for Zhang Zhou and Ma Zhongxi to defeat local snakes.
Zhang Zhou, this powerful dragon, can suppress local snakes as much as he wants.
Not convinced?
I will give you the whole providence of God, and even the people will be able to obey you.
"Not much to say." Zhang Zhou said, "You must know the purpose of my coming here, which is to practice artillery and mine. But I made some calculations and figured out where the women, children and livestock in the rear area of Mengoljin Department are currently. This is what you commonly call the Fire Sieve Tribe, or the Manguan Anger Tribe, where their headquarters is. I am going to send a group of cavalry to detour behind the enemy's rear and attack them! Do you have any objections?"
"ah?"
Even Zhu Hui, Zhang Heling and others who were with Zhang Zhou were stunned when they heard this.
(End of chapter)
