Zhang Zhou returned to the court, but did not appear in any public places, and did not even go to places such as the Ministry of War, the Governor's Mansion, and the Imperial Academy.
This caused a lot of discussion in the DPRK.
More importantly, the imperial court in the capital was still waiting for an answer on whether to send troops to assist the three guards of Duoyan. The emperor had previously said in front of the old minister that he wanted to ask Zhang Zhou's opinion. This matter was later leaked through some channels. This is all of concern.
As a result, Zhang Zhou came back... It was as if this incident had never happened. The emperor neither said that he would rush for help nor that he would not rush for help.
Before the morning meeting that day, a group of people gathered around Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng to get answers.
"Whether we want to send troops or not, we have to give an accurate signal, right?" Fu Han, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, asked the question on behalf of the officials present.
Liu Jian shook his head.
Probably the cabinet can do nothing about whether to send troops or not.
Xie Qian said jokingly: "Your Majesty intends to deploy troops in Liaodong, so he probably won't send troops, right?"
Qin Minyue, the right servant of the Ministry of Personnel, said: "We are all in Liaodong and have no intention of sending troops? What does Zhang Bingkuan mean by not showing up yet? Could it be that he has left the capital and gone to Liaodong?"
"No way?"
Xu Qiong, the Minister of Rites, disagreed with this.
When Zhang Zhou returned to the capital, he had already held so many official posts, and it seemed that all of them had real job vacancies. So just sent Zhang Zhou to Liaodong again?
Li Dongyang said: "You may think so. The Tatar may also have this idea. Without his voice at this time, don't you think the strange voice in the court is not harsh enough?"
"hiss……"
Someone in the crowd took a deep breath.
Li Dongyang obviously meant to ridicule the people present.
What? If Zhang Zhou didn't come out to take over so many of his official posts and call the shots in the court, would you feel uncomfortable without a competitor? You really need him to come out and stir up the water in the capital, then you will feel comfortable, right?
Xie Qian smiled and said: "I think you may mean that the unresolved issue is the most worrying thing. He has no experience as an official. Even if he enters the court, how many disturbances can he cause?"
Li Dongyang and Xie Qian, one is a red face and the other is a bad face, and they must be red and the white. Anyway, they use this method of fighting each other to maintain the independence of the cabinet.
Xu Qiong also smiled and said: "What Yu Qiao said is absolutely true."
Do we feel uncomfortable because Zhang Zhou didn’t take any action?
We obviously feel that Zhang Zhou should come out early. We have long wanted to have a good battle with him in the court on how to serve as an official and participate in decision-making.
Liu Jian said in a very cold tone: "If you have any thoughts on the use of troops in the north, you can ask me today. If you don't want to ask, I can ask it for you!"
This is the final word.
Some things always require exact answers. You ordinary ministers like to use lip service to put pressure on others, but don't want to go into battle yourself. As the chief assistant, you will not sit idly by.
…
…
Court.
What was discussed that day was still matters such as autumn grain collection and collection. When it came to the issue of border storage, we first went to the Ministry of Household Affairs to send a series of memorials. They all mentioned the need to balance the disaster situation in various places and increase and exempt as many local taxes as possible. .
Zhou Jingdao: "Droughts continue in the north, while floods occur in the south. Locust plagues often appear after droughts. If food is not stored in various places in the north in advance, when the disaster is severe, temporary financing for displaced people will be of no avail."
The emperor's intention was to transport the grain collected from various places directly to the northwest, skipping the storage in Beijing.
Nowadays, the imperial court's main intention is to protect people's livelihood. As for those militaristic strategies, especially those involving the pacification of the grassland within a few years... the civil servants in the court thought it was nonsense. They did not want to cooperate with the emperor's plans in the next few years. policy.
Zhu Youtang didn't seem to want to force this.
He didn't even bother to comment, and waved his hand to move on to the next topic.
Seeing that something was wrong, Liu Jian quickly brought up the questions he had prepared before and took the initiative to consult: "Your Majesty, the three guards of Duoyan were invaded by the little Tatar prince from the east. Please send troops from the imperial court. This matter has been delayed for half a month. Now, now The war situation in the north is uncertain, which may threaten the stability of Jiliao, so I ask Your Majesty to make a decision on this matter as soon as possible."
Liu Jian also learned to be smart.
They do not ask the emperor to discuss the matter publicly, but only ask the emperor to make a decision quickly. This means that if you love whomever you want, then make a decision quickly. If you don't want to send troops, let us give up.
As for whether, as Li Dongyang predicted, half of the troops would be sent out to scare Batu Monk away and the two sides end amicably, then we accept it.
Zhu Youtang said: "When did I say that I would send troops to assist the three guards of Duoyan, who have never behaved like kings and abide by the etiquette of monarchs and ministers? You will not forget the two incidents of their two border attacks at the beginning of the year, right?"
That means...not sending troops?
The ministers present thought about it.
It doesn’t fit Zhang Zhou’s character.
Liu Jian asked for instructions again: "Nowadays, there are many changes in Liaodong, from the governor of the capital to the censor, to the garrison officer, to the chief military officer, to the staff general, etc. If the Tatar invaders invade the border at this time, I am afraid it will cause discord among the generals. I invite you We will postpone the discussion on the replacement of the censor of the Liaodong capital, as well as the chief military officer and the garrison officer."
This is testing the emperor's attitude.
If the emperor insists on changing at this time, it means that he wants to take action in Liaodong, and Zhang Zhou is likely to be arranged to go to Liaodong.
If the emperor also said that this matter could be postponed, it would mean that the emperor was not very concerned about Liaodong affairs.
Zhu Youtang said: "Hasn't the candidate for governor of Liaodong been selected among the three people? I asked Bingkuan for his opinion. He believed that among the three people, Lu Wan, the censor of Shaanxi Province, was the most suitable. The middle officer is initially determined to be Zhang Yong, who has made great achievements in the battles such as Pianguan. As for the general military officer of Zhenliao... I will think about it again."
"His Majesty……"
Of course Liu Jian would object.
Especially when it comes to the candidates who the emperor clearly stated were decided by Zhang Zhou, can the minister accept it?
Except for Qin Hong and the governors under him on three sides who are not Zhang Zhou's people, almost everything from Xuanda to Ji Liao is single-handedly taken care of by Zhang Zhou's forces. Although many people don't know where this Lu Wan comes from. But they feel that the more unknown a person is, the more likely he is from Zhang Zhou.
When something goes wrong, there must be a monster.
Zhu Youtang asked: "Do you have a better understanding of the current situation in Liaodong? Do you have a prediction of the Tatar's next move, or do you have a deep understanding of the dispatch of troops and defense?" If anyone really has a good opinion, I can adopt it."
The implication is that you are not as good as Zhang Zhou in military affairs, so why are you still opposing the people recommended by Zhang Zhou?
Just a very simple matter, can you make an accurate judgment on whether Batu Munch can annex the Duoyan Sanwei? If not, just shut up.
Liu Jiandao: "Your Majesty, does Zhang Zhou, the left minister of the Ministry of War, also want to participate in the layout of Liaodong's military affairs?"
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "Isn't Bingkuan in the capital?"
"Then he..." Liu Jian just said.
Wait for the emperor to take the next step for him.
Zhu Youtang said: "I have just learned that Bingkuan fell ill after returning to the capital due to fatigue from the journey. He is not yet able to attend court meetings. Let him rest for a few days."
sick?
The first thought of most of the ministers present was that this guy could actually get sick?
Doesn’t he claim to be a semi-immortal? Now that you're sick, you don't dare to call yourself a half-immortal anymore, right?
But looking at the emperor's expression, it seemed that he was not nervous at all when it came to Zhang Zhou's illness, as if the emperor was helping Zhang Zhou lie.
But after the emperor gave the answer, the ministers could not say anything else, unless they continued to insist... We suspect that Zhang Bingkuan is pretending to be ill, and we ask your Majesty to investigate carefully... This is causing trouble for ourselves.
…
…
After the meeting.
When the ministers left the palace, they were in a good mood.
"I never thought that Zhang Bingkuan would still be ill? But he said he was not made of iron? I thought he could fly into the sky and escape from the earth, and was proficient in the art of ghosts and gods!"
When others say this, it does not mean that they really believe it, but they use it to entertain Zhang Zhou.
Probably just wanted to pull Zhang Zhou down from the altar.
Zhou Jing deliberately kept his voice low and asked Ma Wensheng on the side: "Has he never been to the Ministry of War since he returned to Beijing?"
Ma Wensheng shook his head.
Needless to say, the ministers returned to the matter they suspected when they entered the palace. Zhang Zhou suddenly disappeared. Is it possible that he was involved in Liaodong's plan? Did Zhang Zhou secretly send troops again?
Zhou Jing looked around at the people present and said, "It's time to send someone to investigate."
Li Dongyang was about to part ways with these officials who were leaving the palace. Hearing this, he dropped a sentence: "Save worry and do more things. Your Majesty won't ask. What's the point of us asking him if he is sick? Do you think it's because of one person?" And delayed the affairs of the DPRK? Does it really have such a big impact on you if he is in the DPRK? "
Of course it has an impact. We have knots in our hearts and feel uncomfortable doing anything we do.
They thought so in their hearts, but these people couldn't say it with their mouths.
Zhou Jing smiled and said: "If you don't ask, don't ask. Sooner or later there will be an answer, right? It's just that the affairs of the Ministry of War will be more arduous, and one less Zhang Bingkuan... it really won't have any impact on us. Let's go!"
…
…
Zhang Zhou was indeed not pretending to be ill.
He was indeed not in good health. He caught a little cold due to the rush on his way back to the capital. He might have been infected by Zhu Youtang when he met Zhu Youtang.
In short, he is not a half-immortal. He has already made it clear to the emperor that he can only calculate some things in terms of days. In addition, he claims that he is ill, but it will have a certain impact on the situation in Tatar and Liaodong. , which will make outsiders speculate on what next move he might have...
The main reason is that the surprise attack on Weininghai had a great impact on the situation in the grassland.
A surprise attack on Weininghai completely defeated the arrogant fire screen on the grassland, and even Dayan Khan's plan to deal with the Mongolian right wing came to nothing.
This time he claimed to be ill and spread the news to the outside world. Even if Dayan Khan would not cancel his plan to annex Duoyan Sanwei because of this, he would probably be trembling after hearing about it. Is Zhang Zhou really sick? Pretending to be sick, or Zhang Zhou arranged some sensational plan... Not to mention Dayan Khan, even the three guards of Duoyan would probably drink a pot.
Who knows if Zhang Zhou would give the emperor advice and take advantage of the Ming Dynasty?
Zhang Zhou spent the past few days recuperating from illness.
The second is to prepare to marry Lin Yi.
The third is to discuss with the emperor who should be the commander-in-chief of Liaodong... But the emperor's favorite candidate, or the person Zhang Zhou wanted the emperor to choose, was the very obscure Shouning Marquis Zhang Heling.
For no other reason than Zhang Zhou's plan for the future military of the Ming Dynasty, there will be nothing happening in Liaodong in the short term.
And transferring Zhang Heling to Liaodong was more about cutting off the wings around Queen Zhang. As long as Queen Zhang didn't have these two brothers to help her, this woman would be like a bird without wings in the palace, unable to flutter even if she wanted to.
Zhang Zhou went to see Lin Han that day.
The place he saw was a mansion that the emperor was about to give to Lin Han. The place was not big, just a courtyard with a back courtyard, but it was an property that many officials could not get into even if they were officials in the capital for half their lives. The emperor once The reward should be given to Lin Han mainly because of his upcoming in-law relationship with Zhang Zhou.
Love the house and the bird.
Zhang Zhou accompanied Lin Han to see the new courtyard, and Xiao Jing accompanied him. Xiao Jing was nominally the one who rewarded the courtyard on behalf of the emperor.
When he arrived at the place, he looked around and found that Lin Han was naturally satisfied with the environment here.
"What do you think, Mr. Lin?" Xiao Jing asked with a smile.
Lin Han was satisfied in his heart, but he couldn't say it clearly, especially since he knew that he didn't earn it by his own ability, but rather that he got it because of his future son-in-law. He still felt prickly in his heart. He said: "I live in the official department. The official office is very good."
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "You can still live there, but with so many family members, it is inconvenient to live together. You see, it is also close to the public house. You usually only need to walk a few hundred steps to come and go. You can even save money on hiring a sedan chair. In such a big place, there is no problem at all for a family of twenty or so."
"Alas!" Lin Han sighed.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "If Mr. Lin is not satisfied, let Eunuch Xiao help you choose again."
Lin Han rolled his eyes at Zhang Zhou and asked, "Don't you understand the rules?" How can the emperor be picky when he rewards us?
"Eunuch Xiao, why don't you let me talk to Mr. Lin and step aside for a while?" Zhang Zhou said.
"Well……"
Not to mention Xiao Jing's discomfort, even Lin Han felt that Zhang Zhou's request was excessive.
The emperor sent the Duke of Dongchang to come, but you actually asked a powerful man to avoid it? Are you really drifting?
"Okay. Okay." After a brief hesitation, Xiao Jing wisely left space for the two of them.
…
…
"Bingkuan, I'm afraid you are being unkind by doing this. Eunuch Xiao has a great reputation in both the government and the public. Even the cabinet ministers have to give him some face." Lin Han lectured Zhang Zhou as a teacher.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, you, Mr. Lin, are addicted to being an old professor.
How do I get along with the eunuchs in the palace? That's my business. How can I get along with you?
Zhang Zhou asked with a smile: "Well, Minister Lin, you might as well guess, is there anything I can tell you that Eunuch Xiao must avoid?"
"It's... hard to say." Lin Han's face was wrinkled, but he seemed to be deep in thought.
Zhang Zhou said: "Mr. Lin said it doesn't matter."
Lin Han frowned and said: "Bingkuan, the rumors about you in the government and the public are getting more and more intense now. There are so many right and wrongs. You need to come out and face them. Even if you show your face to the Ministry of War, it will dispel a lot of doubts." .Isn’t this what you want to tell me?”
Zhang Zhou shook his head seriously: "That's not true. When it comes to official business, there is no need for me to ask Eunuch Xiao to avoid it. After all, he represents His Majesty. I just want to talk to Mr. Lin about private matters and the wedding date with my daughter-in-law. Your Majesty urged , it’s best...faster.”
Lin Han was suddenly not used to Zhang Zhou's speaking style.
He also wanted to ask, is it necessary to avoid Xiao Jing when it comes to marriage? Doesn't he represent the emperor? So what if you let him know?
Zhang Zhou still looked cheerful and said with a smile: "Servant Lin, do you know what Eunuch Xiao is most concerned about recently?"
Lin Han stopped guessing this time and simply shook his head to express his ignorance.
Zhang Zhou said: "Recently, Eunuch Dai, the chief minister of ceremony, will be arranged by His Majesty to live with his salary. The seat of the chief minister is empty, and several people below are vying for it. Do you know why I sometimes don't want to get too close to him, right?"
"Oh?" Lin Han frowned.
"Do you know why, Mr. Lin, you still need to come down to see the things in the yard today, and why there is such an embarrassing... trio today?" Zhang Zhou continued to ask.
"Please make it clear once and for all." Lin Han said impatiently.
As a teacher, I hate being asked to answer riddles the most. I am obviously the one doing the preaching. Why do I, an old guy, need you to teach here now?
Zhang Zhou actually didn't mean to say this, because he himself... was in this business in his previous life.
To put it bluntly, he talks a lot and likes to influence other people's thoughts in his own way. These are common problems among teachers.
"Because Eunuch Xiao not only wants to get the position of Chief Superintendent of Ceremonies, but also wants to keep the position of Admiral Dongchang in the hands of someone he relies on." Zhang Zhou said, "He wants to take the opportunity to talk to me."
"Who? I'm asking, who does he want to be the admiral of Dongchang?" Lin Han also became interested.
In the past, I was just a teaching staff, and when I was an official in the government, I had no chance to get in touch with the core people. Now I say a few words to this future son-in-law, and I instantly feel that I am so powerful that I can find out even the most confidential things in the government.
Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head: "I don't know. Where can I find out the direct descendants of these internal officials?"
Lin Han frowned again.
He felt that Zhang Zhou was following him in circles.
Zhang Zhou said: "I will not let Eunuch Xiao get his wish, because from my perspective, I don't want to see him rise. I want to see others check and balance him."
"You..." Lin Han said, "Where do you get your confidence? Do you even dare to ask more about the affairs of a lieutenant?"
Zhang Zhou shook his head seriously: "Because I know that the relationship between me and the emperor and ministers in the court can still be balanced even if there are small grievances. It all depends on your majesty's trust in me, and... because of Eunuch Dai. The leading lieutenant-general is fawning over me and making excuses. But if Eunuch Xiao is allowed to take the position, he will not be satisfied with just being my right-hand man."
Lin Han said: "So, you regard him as an enemy?"
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "You can also say that, because in his eyes, the future of the Ming Dynasty does not lie with me, but with Liu Ge and the others. This is also something I must guard against in the future. What about military affairs, Tatar, Liaodong, the Three Borders... ...Annei, that is, based on the government and the opposition, is more important than anything else."
(End of chapter)
