Zhang Zhou would not give Ning Tong a chance to get involved in the mining business.
The cooperation model is different.
On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, it was almost ten days since Zhang Zhou returned to the capital. On this day, Zhu Feng arrived in the capital. Unlike in the past, Zhang Zhou ignored him when he returned to the capital. This time, Zhang Zhou went to greet him in person.
That day was also the day for Zhang Zhou to "post the Internet". According to the previous agreement with the emperor, it was enough to go to court every other day. Even if he went every other day, no one would bother him. Anyway, everyone knew that he, the Minister of War, was not an official. A person who was promoted by sitting in the office and asking questions about court affairs, in terms of qualifications... he may not be as good as an ordinary chief among the six ministries. He has become a famous minister of the Ming Dynasty within three years of taking the imperial examination.
"Brother Zhang."
Zhu Feng looked extremely excited when he saw Zhang Zhou.
Maybe it was because he had been "wronged" in Ningxia this time, and he was still uneasy on the way back. He was afraid of being reprimanded by the emperor and Zhang Zhou, and he was also thinking about how to apologize when he came back.
Now seeing Zhang Zhou come in person is like giving him a reassurance.
Zhang Zhou did not bring any colleagues with him, nor did he wear official uniforms, so he went out of the city to greet him in his private capacity.
After the two entered the city, Zhang Zhou did not rush to ask Zhu Feng to go to the Governor's Mansion to report on his work. Instead, he asked him to go to the nearby teahouse first. The two sat down and let Zhu Feng sort out the thoughts of Ningxia and his party.
"... When I arrived in Ningxia, I saw the Tatars burning, killing and looting everywhere. I was also worried that if all the troops and horses I led were destroyed, the Tatars would be in Ningxia's deserted land, so I To preserve our strength..."
Zhu Feng's words surprised Zhang Zhou.
Where did you Zhu Laoer learn these clichés and official dialects?
To be able to describe cowardice in such a beautiful and refined way, you damn sure live up to your talent.
Zhang Zhou said: "Zhijie, if you say that, you seem to have no sense of responsibility."
Zhu Feng lowered his head and said: "The situation is inferior to others, so I can only endure it. I fought hard with them twice at first, but the damage was a bit serious. I told the court truthfully. Those heavy divine cannons, that is, It seems to be working well, the Tatars won’t fight us head-on now, they come and go like the wind, but if they carry cannons, they can’t catch up.”
Zhang Zhou said: "You are right. If we fight according to the past method and compete with the Tatars in terms of cavalry speed, unless we can predict the enemy and block the enemy on certain routes first, we will not be able to fight this kind of pursuit battle." , there is no chance of winning. It will only bring us down."
Zhu Feng looked aggrieved and said, "But Uncle Xin Xin is fine."
snort!
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, can you compare with Wang Boan?
No matter what rank you are, even if you know that the cavalry speed on the grassland is not as fast as that of the Tatars, you still know how to judge the Tatars' retreat route, pick out the slow-moving tribesmen of the Tatar tribe to chase them, and then force the Tatars to fight decisively. This was a great victory.
what about you?
Everyone knows what your level is, Zhu Zhijie, and we don’t expect you to become a phoenix.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Zhijie, do you know why I wanted to use you in the first place?"
Zhu Feng said: "I know that I don't have much ability. It's because I met Brother Zhang early, and also... I can listen to orders, and I won't make my own decisions casually. Because I don't have that ability."
"It's good, you are self-aware." Zhang Zhou said, "Since you know your own strengths, you are not like Xin Xinbo, who is good at leading troops to march forward, and you are not suitable for taking risks, so why do you still force yourself?"
If you say this to others, it will definitely mean to curse them.
But Zhu Feng listened and found it useful.
As long as His Majesty and Brother Zhang don't have such high expectations of me, anyway, I'm just waiting to die. You see that I don't have much strength. If there is any major military situation in the future, don't let me go. I will be responsible for following you to do odd jobs. That's pretty good.
"Drink some tea, collect your thoughts, and go to meet the Holy Spirit. There is no need to hide what you should say and what not to say. Tell your Majesty what comes to mind. Regarding Ningxia's precautions and omissions, you will also explain everything you can think of... In this battle, you held back the main force of the little Tartar prince, which is considered a credit. Your Majesty will not punish you, but will reward you..."
…
…
Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng entered the palace to meet Zhu Youtang.
In the Qianqing Palace.
Four eunuchs, Zhu Youtang and Si Lijian, were also there, as well as Yang Peng, who had just been promoted to the eunuch of the imperial horse eunuch. They all listened to Zhu Feng's "bragging".
It was said that he was asked to tell the truth, but Zhang Zhou still regulated what he said specifically. The general meaning was... where can you make face for Ming Dynasty? Where do you focus? As for those who embarrass Ming Dynasty... you just know it yourself, or Take it away in one stroke, but of course don't hide it, because no matter how hard you hide it, the emperor will still know about it.
"It's not easy for you to know the truth." After listening to Zhu Feng's story, Zhu Youtang smiled and comforted, "You only led a few thousand troops, but you have to deal with the 40,000 to 50,000 troops of the little Tatar prince. Even if There was a small loss in the battle, but overall you slowed down Batu Monk's return and created the foundation for the victory at Guanshan."
Zhu Feng was very moved after hearing this.
Almost burst into tears.
Your Majesty, you love me so much that you don't blame me for losing the fighter plane at this time, but praise me for my contribution to the overall situation... Wow, this is the most heart-warming thing I have heard in the world.
"Go back to the capital and assist the Ministry of War in running the Yanwu Hall, and also assist in completing the drill of the new artillery." Zhu Youtang instructed.
Zhu Feng said: "I would like to request an order to return to Nanjing to visit my relatives."
When Zhu Youtang heard this, he narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhu Feng. I gave you face and asked you to work hard. You actually want to give up your job?
"Your grandmother has always been in the capital, and your mother is also there. This time, only your father is responding to Tianfu's military affairs. If you want to visit your relatives, you don't have to go anywhere." Zhu Youtang seemed to have been prepared in advance.
When Zhu Feng heard this, he was dumbfounded. I didn't even have a chance to ask for leave?
"Moreover, your marriage should have been decided long ago. How can you make a decision when you don't even have any children?" Zhu Youtang said, "There were many famous families who heard that you were going to remarry, and they all wanted to marry you. Marriage, even Uncle Ping Jiang told me many times, mentioning your talents and your bravery..."
Zhu Fengxin said, is this me?
"I have already sent people to greet your grandmother and your parents-in-law, asking them to choose a match for you as early as possible. You have taken care of this recently!"
In order to tie Zhu Feng's heart, Zhu Youtang even became concerned about Zhu Feng's personal affairs.
Despite Zhu Feng's poor abilities, Zhu Youtang didn't have much expectations for this kid, but he also felt that this kid was still very pure in mind, at least he didn't have so many tricks. If Zhang Zhou wanted to hire someone, Zhu Feng would be the best choice. suitable.
Because Zhu Feng was deeply influenced by Zhang Zhou, it would not work for him to lead troops on the front line. However, if Zhu Feng were to teach students about artillery at the Yanwu Hall, Zhu Feng would be able to do it well. The only reason for Zhu Feng's exposure to new artillery He is the earliest and has experienced actual combat. Having actual combat experience is a bonus for him as the instructor of Yanwu Hall.
…
…
Zhu Feng was sent back and asked to rest at home first.
Zhu Youtang also dismissed Xiao Jing and other eunuchs, leaving only Zhang Zhou alone.
He walked out from behind the desk and wanted to go back to Xinuang Pavilion with Zhang Zhou.
"Bingkuan, I can see that Zhijie is actually not a good man in the use of troops, and he does not have much knowledge, and he is negligent and slack in running the army." Zhu Youtang said seriously.
The general meaning is that Zhu Feng's ability is average, mainly because he is not knowledgeable and does not have the courage of a scholar.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "How much ability does a military leader have?"
"hehe."
Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded.
There were so many honorable ministers in the court, but they had little knowledge. At best, they could not even pass the examination as a scholar, and their knowledge was average. However, with the help of their family's power, they could become important ministers of the Ming Dynasty. At critical moments, they could become important officials. I didn't expect them to achieve much.
Regardless of past wars or future wars, the Ming Dynasty will basically rely on generals with civil servant backgrounds.
"Bingkuan, how is the research on the new cannon going?" Zhu Youtang asked.
At this time, the two of them walked out of Qianqing Palace. It was still relatively cold outside. Zhu Youtang didn't bring any followers with him. He just stood in an open place with Zhang Zhou and was not in a hurry to go to Xinuang Pavilion.
Zhang Zhou said: "Back to Your Majesty, I have done very little research on artillery recently. In fact, I have been studying firecrackers. Now many exquisite parts can be manufactured in batches, and the assembled firecrackers have achieved great results in terms of accuracy and safety. To improve, the modules can also be refined and detailed.”
Zhu Youtang asked: "Why not artillery?"
Zhang Zhou sighed: "Your Majesty, no matter how powerful the artillery is, its effectiveness in actual combat will be increasingly reduced, and it will not be as good as firecrackers. Your Majesty, imagine if every soldier had a firecracker that could change the projectiles at any time. Every time it was replaced, In just one breath, wouldn’t all the crossbows and swords on the battlefield be replaced?”
"Yes." Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "The Tatars come and go like the wind on horseback. If you carry artillery to fight them, they will avoid the battle, which is very inconvenient. In the future, it will definitely no longer be the enemy attacking and we defending. , it just happened to change.”
Speaking of this, Zhu Youtang asked with some expectation: "Then Bingkuan, when I go on a personal expedition in the future, should I focus on artillery or firecrackers?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, when we go to the grassland, the more important thing is to see the right time. What will be the priority then also depends on the preparations of the Tatars. I believe that in the next few years, we must try our best to instigate internal unrest in the Tatars." , so that it will be divided internally and have no intention of disturbing the outside world, so as to ensure that Ming’s preparations for war can proceed smoothly.”
"Um."
Zhu Youtang obviously does not have a clearer outlook for the future.
It was rare that Zhang Zhou now had to worry about this matter for him. He was no longer in the mode of directly recruiting troops and going out for battle. He could also consider tactics and even think about which issue of guns and artillery was more important.
Zhu Youtang said: "Everything depends on you."
The implication is that you will be in charge of the Ministry of War of the Ming Dynasty in the next few years, and you will be responsible for the affairs of the Governor's Mansion.
In this way, you can handle the matter of dispatching troops, dispatching generals and commanding troops. It will help me completely eradicate the hidden dangers in the grassland and make me an emperor for the ages.
Under this premise, you can just go ahead and do it.
…
…
On the eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhang Zhou's family finally arrived in the capital.
On this day, when the family returned to the mansion, they first saw the plaque "Cai Guogong's Mansion" hanging on the door. They all felt it was very fresh. After they unloaded everything from the car and horses and carried it inside.
Zhang Zhou then returned home.
"Master." Jiang Pingyu brought the female family members over to greet Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "The journey has been hard. The trip south has been a big toll for our family, but after returning to Beijing this time, there should be no more moving and other matters. Even if I may go out on business in the future, you will stay in the capital." That’s it.”
The layout of the courtyard remains unchanged, and each female family member has her own courtyard.
It had even been tidied up very well before, leaving it intact. The women could move in on the same day, and they would feel very comfortable with it.
But Lin Yi was very shy in front of Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou had long known about Lin Yi's meeting with Li Jue in Dongchang Mansion, and he immediately called Lin Yi aside.
"Master, I told Miss Li that those words were not written by me." Lin Yi explained the situation to Zhang Zhou seriously.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "What does it matter who wrote it? If I say you wrote it, then you wrote it... Just like the three poems of the prince, what do you think?"
Lin Yi said: "I have guessed that the prince's poems were also written by the master. Probably only the master has such talent."
In the past, Lin Yi was like a female gentleman in front of Zhang Zhou. She always liked to use some dogma to embarrass Zhang Zhou.
But after marrying into the family, she fully felt that she could not compare with Zhang Zhou in terms of talent, and then she became depressed, and her inferiority complex gradually developed.
Zhang Zhou said: "You are too sincere. This girl wants to be your friend, but you are a bit unkind. It's just a few poems. What does it matter who wrote them? Do you think I am my husband? Do you need those poems to accumulate some reputation for yourself?"
Lin Yi thought for a while and said seriously: "I am already married as a woman, so I don't need a name outside of my body."
"hehe."
Zhang Zhou felt that Lin Yi was quite open-minded.
A famous talented woman from the capital of the Ming Dynasty, many people used to think that "flowers are stuck in cow dung". How many people hated Zhang Zhou for seizing the love of others, and even took a talented woman like Lin Yi from a famous family as a concubine. It was simply " "worse than animals" behavior.
However, as Zhang Zhou established his reputation as a literary master at the Nanjing Literary Fair, such rumors decreased a lot, but they still could not stop many people from secretly slandering him.
To put it bluntly, it is envy, jealousy and hatred.
"Have a good rest. I won't come here to bother you in the past two days. I am now the Minister of the Ministry of War and I am very busy." Zhang Zhou sighed with emotion. "As the Minister, you may not have many opportunities to see me. I can’t take care of my family anymore.”
What Zhang Zhou said was basically the norm for middle- and upper-level officials in the Ming Dynasty.
When an official reaches the level of minister, the focus of his life is basically no longer on his family. Even if he meets his family occasionally, he will never care about family affairs.
But Zhang Zhou became a minister at such a young age, and those who became ministers at the age of sixty or seventy are naturally different.
"Sir, Miss Li's family said that I should go back and teach her again. Can I go?" Lin Yi asked.
Zhang Zhou shrugged and said: "This is your freedom. You don't need to ask me. Of course, I think you don't need to worry about those few taels of repair. Recently, I have made a lot of money in my business. Each person in my family is given a thousand taels of pocket money." , save some money, I don’t know when the next pocket money will be.”
Lin Yi quickly waved his hand and said: "There are too many, I can't spend them all."
"It's okay, you can buy a house or land, it's up to you." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "At the same time, we have to prepare for the next generation. Work hard, classmate Lin."
…
…
The big question is.
After Zhang Zhou came to this world, his efficiency in farming was very low. Even Zhang Zhou himself didn't understand what was going on.
Only Wang Mingshan's land sprouted and gave birth to a son, which made him realize that he could still do it.
But it's just possible... I'm usually too distracted and don't concentrate on doing this well.
Zhang Zhou felt that since he wanted to supplement Zhu Youtang, why not "practice" on himself first?
I felt regretful in my heart that I couldn't personally follow the ship to the Southeast Asia, or even to the New World of America, otherwise... I could get all the good things back. Who said there is no "magic medicine" for strengthening muscles and bones in this world? Of course, all of this is based on a relative basis. The key lies in... consolidating one's foundation and cultivating one's strength over many years.
When the Zhang family's female relatives returned to the capital, the biggest change for Zhang Zhou was that Wang Mingshan was able to follow up again.
Wang Mingshan could stay with him before, but the people he came into contact with were local officials and military generals, and the women around him also needed protection. In addition, Zhang Zhou didn't want Wang Mingshan to leave his newborn child for too long.
Now that I'm back in the capital, I no longer have such worries.
Wang Mingshan's first change was that the uniform of Jin Yiwei deputy Qianhu was directly replaced by Qianhu's uniform.
As a result, Zhang Zhou now has two Jinyiwei Qianhu, Wang Mingshan and Liu Gui. As for the previous Jinyiwei Qianhu, Sun Shangqi, he has been transferred to work outside and has not yet returned to the capital to be with Zhang Zhou.
at the same time.
In Nanjing, the father and son of the Zhang family, Zhang Ye and Zhang Ping, finally returned to Nanjing after a long journey.
The first thing the two of them did when they arrived in Nanjing was to live in another country, which was tantamount to a complete break with the tigress at home.
"Son, do you think this place chosen by father is okay?"
Zhang Ye stood in front of his new house in Jinyiwei Qianhu. In fact, the house was rented by Yin Wuxiong of Yingtian Mansion to Zhang Zhou to give Zhang Ye face. The rent was just a little less, and it was even advanced from Zhang Ye's salary.
Zhang Ping said: "Dad, are we really not going back to see mother?"
"Why do you want to see that woman after you have bullied your father for half your life? You want her to go back by herself. Anyway, between your father and your mother, you can only choose one!"
Zhang Ye also got angry.
In the past, I had no ability and was forced to be a strict wife. Now that I have finally become prosperous, I still have to look after the tigress in the family to do things?
As soon as I moved into the new house here, a "matchmaker" came to my door.
"Master Zhang, right? I've heard about him for a long time. It's said that you want to take a concubine into your house. Why don't you come to your door and pick girls from several families for you to choose from?" The matchmaker was very considerate.
She is said to be a matchmaker, but in her words she sounds more like an old bustard.
Zhang Ye said with a proud look on his face: "You know who I am, right?"
The matchmaker said: "You are a member of Qianhu Jinyiwei, and you are also Cai Guogong's biological brother. You are so famous that everyone in Nanjing knows about it."
"It's good to understand. I only want people from good families, and I have to meet them in person before I can accept them. By the way, let my son take a look at any young ladies from rich families, and get them a daughter-in-law..."
"Oh, Mr. Zhang, you are so powerful. You are so strong. Do you want to get married with your son? You have found the right person in Lao Nu's family. There is no one else in Lao Nu's family. There are many girls. They are all yellow-flowered girls from good families. You Just take a look..."
Zhang Ye on the side was dumbfounded.
Why does this sound more and more wrong?
(End of chapter)
