Zhang Zhou set off south.
First by car and then by boat, a team of more than 300 people traveled along the way. They said it was a return to their hometown to visit relatives, but it was also an honorable return to their hometown. His pomp could be called an imperial envoy going to the south of the Yangtze River.
Zhang Zhou had just left the capital, and he had only been walking along the canal for a few days. Everywhere he passed, there would be local officials who wanted to visit him. After all, Zhang Zhou's trip this time was relatively high-profile, unlike his previous trips to Xuanfu and Liaodong, which were low-key and OK, officials would know his southward journey a few days in advance, and they would just have to wait at the inns along the road and along the river.
There are also many people who come to give gifts.
But Zhang Zhou didn't seem to care about that on his way south. He didn't see the guests, didn't accept gifts, and didn't enjoy the scenery.
The only time he spent to kill boredom along the way was to get together with his female relatives, especially when taking a boat, which would be more convenient.
"Master, please make up for it."
Jiang Pingyu was very worried about Zhang Zhou's health. Now that her family was better off, Jiang Pingyu gave Zhang Zhou supplements on the boat without having to go to the inn, because Jiang Pingyu knew that her husband would have another half in the evening.
Zhang Zhou said: "Young and energetic, you don't need this. I'll take your advice, it's of no use."
Han Qing came out, pursed his lips and said with a smile: "It's useless that's important, right?"
"Qing'er, you understand me." Zhang Zhou said, "If it works, I can drink ten cups. The key is that it won't be used. I don't see any effect. Well, my goal is to reach Nanjing City. How many more people are going to be added to the family needs to be discussed and studied together."
"Master!" Liu Gui shouted at the top of his voice outside the cabin.
"What are you doing?" Zhang Zhou's temper has been getting worse in recent days, especially because he doesn't like others to disturb him.
Liu Gui muttered for a long time outside, but he couldn't hear clearly inside.
Jiang Pingyu asked: "Call someone in?"
"This is the women's cabin, why should I let him in? No matter what happens, as long as the sky is not falling, I won't care! Let Xia Zhi go over and tell him to get away!" Zhang Zhou stood up and stretched. The waist said, "I didn't sleep well last night, so I have to go back to catch up on my sleep. Mingshan didn't come out, right? Just in time. Keep an eye on the little ones, and I'll come out in an hour."
…
…
Zhang Zhou entered the cabin door.
Han Qing looked back at Jiang Pingyu and asked, "Madam, is the master encountering something troublesome?"
Jiang Pingyu said: "Don't ask too much, we are going back to Nanjing, what were we like when we came? We were so beautiful when we went back, why did we care about so many things?"
In fact, Jiang Pingyu also felt that her husband might have some depression, thinking that Zhang Zhou was unhappy because he was dismissed from his official position, so he could only focus on making a baby.
But Zhang Zhou was actually in a very good mood.
It's just that this journey... will take more than half a month at a time. This is still a conservative estimate. If the journey is slower, it may even take more than 20 days. Zhang Zhou will just feel bored.
…
…
It was not until the boat docked in the afternoon and Zhang Zhou arrived in front of the riverside post house that Liu Gui came over, followed by Tang Yin and Xu Jing.
Apparently Tang Yin had caught up with him on horseback along the way, and Liu Gui came to report the news.
It's really nothing important.
"Bohu, didn't I ask you to be the governor of the Bohai Sea? We are almost over Shandong, what are you doing here with me?" Zhang Zhou looked at Tang Yin with squinted eyes.
Several people did not go to the inn.
Because the people from Dongchang and Jinyiwei had to go in and check first to make sure that there were no "noisy people waiting" inside. It wasn't that Zhang Zhou was grand, but that Zhang Zhou had offended too many people. This time it made people think that he was being manipulated. Those who return home from duty must always be on guard against possible ambush or assassination on the road.
Tang Yin said: "To raise expenses for shipbuilding, we need to go to Nanjing."
"Are you looking for money?" Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "That will be very difficult for you."
As he spoke, he glanced at Xu Jing next to him. What he probably meant was that the young master Xu next to you has a very rich family background.
…
Inside the post house.
That night Tang Yin came to visit alone and mentioned some of the current progress of shipbuilding in Bohai. Except for the manpower assigned by the emperor to Tang Yin and the wood and iron that Zhang Zhou found for him, there was almost nothing left.
Zhang Zhou had given him the blueprints. In fact, if he wanted to build a wooden ship, he did not need Zhang Zhou to provide the blueprints, unless he wanted to build an ocean-going ship. The shipbuilding technology of the Ming Dynasty was actually very advanced, and there was no big problem in traveling across the ocean.
Otherwise, Zheng He would not have made his voyages to the West.
There are shipbuilding blueprints, but the atlas and other things left by Zheng He were "destroyed". It is generally believed that Liu Daxia did it, but Zhang Zhou has never actually verified this.
Because of his appearance, Liu Daxia is still idle at home and has not been reactivated by the imperial court.
"Sent people in advance to greet the gentry in Suzhou, Yangzhou and other places and ask them to start it. It is also in line with His Majesty's will. Part of the income from going to sea can be given back to those who funded the shipbuilding. Only in this way can we receive gifts and gifts from others. Donate.”
Tang Yin also worked hard to collect money.
However, with Zhang Zhou's efforts, the emperor finally gave a "policy".
The shipbuilding this time was nominally for Jinghai, but in fact everyone knew privately that the emperor had the intention to restart the voyage to the West. However, the court was very wary of the cost of the voyage, so it was left to the private sector to raise funds.
Even the ministers are not too opposed to this. As long as the court does not provide money, you can build ships as you like. Anyway, the ships built belong to the court, and the income from going to sea can also be given back to those who "invested" in shipbuilding... with private funds. If wealth can be used to build a ship, if it can be done... of course the ministers don't think it can be done.
Tang Yin is doing something that in the eyes of others is unparalleled.
If it weren't for the difficulty of collecting money, Tang Yin wouldn't have made a special trip to Jiangnan, and he would have been too embarrassed to come to see Zhang Zhou. In fact, he just wanted to use Zhang Zhou's reputation to help him mobilize the gentry in Jiangnan.
"Bohu, let's not talk about shipbuilding for now. I have something to ask you." Zhang Zhou said.
"Please speak." Even if Tang Yin is not directly under Zhang Zhou's command, he still respects Zhang Zhou like a superior.
Just think of it as showing filial piety to your senior brother.
Zhang Zhou asked: "Among the famous Confucian noble families in Jiangxi, there are Lou family, Fei family, etc., who are famous. How much do you know?"
Tang Yin shook his head and said, "I know very little about Jiangxi's affairs."
This reflects a problem... Tang Yin currently has no contact or involvement with people in Jiangxi... If there is really any involvement, it will be more than ten years later in history.
"Senior brother mentioned Jiangxi gentry, I wonder why? There are so many vassal royal families in Jiangxi. There are almost all vassals in the counties along the river. Could it be senior brother..." When Tang Yin said this, he found Zhang Zhou looking at him. There was something wrong with his eyes, and he immediately stopped talking to me.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Bohu, it seems you have made progress."
Tang Yin was ashamed.
Although I am obviously older than Zhang Zhou, why do I feel like the elder is lecturing the younger every time I hear Zhang Zhou speak? It even means that I am teaching my son a lesson?
"You don't really think that I went to Jiangnan to visit relatives, do you? If nothing else happens, the day after tomorrow... there will be an earthquake in the capital... You see how timely I left, so that I can avoid such a big disaster Yes..." Zhang Zhou seemed to be showing off.
Upon hearing this, Tang Yin suddenly stood up and said, "The day after tomorrow? An earthquake in the capital?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Otherwise, what would I do if I left the capital? Being idle is just a cover. Of course, it is a bit far away for me to directly find some panacea or some immortal herb that prolongs life. Why do you think His Majesty supports your shipbuilding so much? He even plans to send people to sea, but in fact, His Majesty has always had the dream of immortality."
"I know." Tang Yin's heart was still filled with waves.
There will be an earthquake in the capital the day after tomorrow...an earthquake...an earthquake...
So scary...scared...
Who are these people? Does he know where the earthquake is? Why didn't he teach me this awesome skill?
Tang Yin suddenly thought of something and asked with an eager face: "Brother, this old man should be...also along the river...could it be in Jianggan? When you go south this time, do you want to visit his old man in person? Or even invite him to come?" Capital?"
It turns out that Tang Yin came here for the money.
Now Tang Yin seems to also feel that there is no money but no money... talk about money and don't talk about it?
It’s better to quickly settle the matter of my apprenticeship.
Zhang Zhou said: "Bohu, you don't believe me?"
"No, I have been with my senior brother for so long and I have learned a lot, but I still need to learn more skills to assist in the government." Tang Yin became thick-skinned now.
He used to look down on Zhang Zhou and felt that Zhang Zhou only accepted him as his junior disciple because he deliberately tricked him.
Then I worked with Zhang Zhou, and every time I had complaints in my heart, I just did errands and did odd jobs, and I didn't see any chance.
But after he went on two missions to North Korea, he realized that this senior brother still had great supernatural powers. Even if he could force me, who had no ambition and was just waiting to die, to become the "Father of the Founding of North Korea", then I really If I want to learn from my mentor, why don’t I soar into the sky?
Therefore, Tang Yin's recognition of his master is unprecedentedly high.
Zhang Zhou sighed and said, "Don't think about the matter of worshiping your mentor for now. I'll tell you whether this mentor... will pay you back is another matter."
"What?" Tang Yin was shocked.
Zhang Zhou said: "There are only two of us in our sect. Apart from you, it's me. If you insist on thinking that there is a mentor above us, that's up to you. But if nothing else happens, you will never see a mentor except me in this life." There is someone else in the door...if there is one, they must be cheating."
Tang Yin opened his mouth and said: "But...but I heard that there are actually people in Jiangnan who claim to be from the same sect as my senior brother...could they be..."
"Magic! Liar!" Zhang Zhou made his conclusion without hesitation.
I made up the sect, but there are actually people who want to invest in it? Isn't it because he sees that I am very capable and wants to find a strong "backer" for myself?
Perhaps these swindlers feel that they will never meet the right person in this life, and they did not think about the consequences when they deceived. Not only did the people buy it, but even the local officials regarded them as people with magical powers to curry favor with them. So he flattered Zhang Zhou.
Previously, the emperor had decreed that local authorities were not allowed to report the affairs of alchemists, and the government was not allowed to receive alchemists.
But the emperor couldn't stand it and believed it himself. Naturally, he followed the example and followed the example. The people below also formed a situation where repeated prohibitions were repeated.
Tang Yin sat there, unable to recall his thoughts for a long time.
Zhang Zhou said: "Bohu, it's better not to go south with me. I may have to meet people from the Kong family in the next two days, and they still come to me about Kong Hongxu. If you are here, it will be bad for your reputation."
"Yes." Tang Yin looked disappointed. He was still worried about the fact that his school had no master.
My life was simply cheated by Zhang Zhou.
Just when he recognized his master and was about to have a big fight with his master and brother, he was told that his master was just a cover... What if this happened when he didn't believe in his master?
Why do you have to give me a wake-up call when I am sinking? This senior brother... is so evil-minded!
Deliberately hitting people!
…
…
Zhang Zhou continued to go south, going very fast.
It seems as if he is eager to travel thousands of miles a day, and as if there is some kind of plague god in the capital.
Among the capital, the most lively residence recently is the residence of Qintian Supervisor Zheng Wu Hao. Although he himself admitted in court that Zhang Zhou told him about the last hailstorm, some people still feel that that It was Wu Hao who, under the emperor's pressure, had to give Zhang Zhou the credit for warning of the disaster.
Now everyone in the capital is "looking forward" to the disaster. Of course, the emperor and a few people are looking forward to it, but most ministers are looking forward to it.
When it comes to things that are beyond the reach of manpower, Wu Hao, as the Qintian Supervisor of the Ming Dynasty, was originally engaged in astronomical and calendar work, so he became the focus of others' attention.
But he...
There really isn't much that can be done about it.
But on July 19, Zhu Youtang summoned him to Qianqing Palace.
When Wu Hao saw the emperor, he was too embarrassed to even raise his head. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "See your majesty."
Zhu Youtang said: "Wu Qing's family, the previous matter has embarrassed you, but now there is another important matter, and it is time for me to prepare the people of the capital."
At this time, Xiao Jing, Chen Kuan and Wei Bin were listening with their hearts in their throats.
Coming so soon?
Early warning... In other words, this disaster may affect people's daily lives and is a major event related to the stability of the capital...
No wonder...
The Duke of Lai State ran away that day without saying a word. It is said that he has already escaped from Beizhili.
Wu Hao said: "I have not speculated that there has been any disaster recently. It involves changes in the astrology. I have sorted it out and asked your Majesty to take a look at it."
"No need." Zhu Youtang said, "I don't know how Bingkuan calculated it. Probably... he didn't use celestial phenomena or a compass, or he just got a warning from the sky and just counted with his fingers... Haha. "
Having said this, Zhu Youtang actually smiled happily.
This feeling...
It felt like someone had fooled me and counted money for me.
This is the idea of Xiao Jing and others.
They are thinking, Your Majesty, Zhang Bingkuan has never told you how he calculated it. He always does it in a perfunctory way, saying something like "gazing at the sky at night", something that is specious but not perfunctory... Are you not angry?
Zhu Youtang took advantage of his interest and smiled: "The day after tomorrow, Bingkuan didn't say when, there will be an earthquake in the capital."
"Your Majesty!" When Wu Hao heard this, he had already gotten up, and then he knelt down with a "pop".
He just said that he hadn't calculated anything, but the emperor told him that an earthquake was coming the day after tomorrow... Wouldn't this allow people to live?
This shows that the position of Qintian Supervisor can really be given up.
In addition to Wu Hao, Xiao Jing and the other eunuchs next to him were also filled with turmoil in their hearts.
They also seemed to understand why the ministers had already discussed that they should be prepared for man-made disasters and so on, and also agreed not to admit any natural disasters as much as possible... But who would have thought that it was an earthquake... As soon as this thing came out, How do you guard against it?
If it is thunder and lightning, as long as there is no fire, the person involved can completely say that it did not happen. If we did not see it, it means it did not happen.
Even if there is a violent storm, we do not recognize it as a disaster.
But the earthquake... the whole ground is shaking, and everyone can feel it... If you tell the emperor that we have not heard of any disaster, the emperor will not be nagging, and just go to prison.
Isn't this an open mouth to deceive the emperor?
Zhu Youtang said: "I don't blame anyone. Bingkuan told me that the so-called divine punishment is just a coincidence, and the earthquake in the capital was not caused by anyone. It is just a simple law of nature."
Xiao Jing glanced towards the emperor.
It’s so biased.
His Majesty said the words "natural laws", and Zhang Zhou was really good at changing the subject.
"The so-called rumors about disasters are just unfounded associations of ignorant people in the market, and there are also people who have ulterior motives to frame the situation." Zhu Youtang said.
Xiao Jing reminded: "Your Majesty, the fire in Qingning Palace before..."
This was to remind the emperor that Zhang Zhou used that fire to kill Li Guang.
Why didn't Zhang Zhou mention that it was a natural law when he said that there was some black air hanging over the palace?
Zhu Youtang looked displeased and said, "Why did Li Guang commit suicide? Do you really have no idea?"
"I know this. It's because he was corrupt and perverted the law." Xiao Jing quickly changed his mind.
yes.
Zhang Zhou did not directly associate the fire with Li Guang's head at that time, but outsiders insisted on such association, but Li Guang was so frightened by Zhang Zhou's words "white rice and yellow rice" that he committed suicide. Wrong?
Can white rice and yellow rice...
This sounds like corruption and perversion of the law, rather than some kind of divine will or punishment.
Zhu Youtang said: "I have asked people to print the Di newspaper, and it will be distributed around the capital in the next two days. The scope of this earthquake is not yet certain. Bingkuan said that this earthquake is not serious, but it is not There will always be houses collapsing, especially the residences of people outside the city... Governments at all levels must be prepared to prepare for disasters."
Wu Hao knelt there, not daring to take orders for a moment.
Was this said to me?
Are you asking me to go out and notify you of an earthquake? Or let me prevent disasters?
Are these two things directly related to me?
It’s not like I calculated the earthquake. Disaster prevention... I am the supervisor of Qin Tian. What contribution can I make to disaster prevention and relief?
"Wu Qing's family, Bingkuan actually has a high opinion of you. You are proficient in astrology and calendar, and you have even improved the armillary sphere. You are an expert. Bingkuan said that he is not as good as you in this aspect. I hope you can learn from each other in the future. You make progress together, instead of competing with each other, let alone comparing and criticizing." Zhu Youtang said.
When Wu Hao heard this before, he must have felt that it was a great insult to himself.
But after experiencing so many things, Wu Hao felt that... the emperor and Zhang Zhou were sincerely helping him.
He was so incompetent...Zhang Zhou actually said that there was something worth learning from him? The point is... His Majesty also believes it.
So touched.
"I will definitely try my best. But I am not very capable..."
"It doesn't matter, just do your best. Talents like Bingkuan only come across once in a thousand years. There is no need to compare with him..."
(End of chapter)
