Early the next morning.
As the Minister of the Ministry of War, Zhang Zhou appeared at the court meeting in Fengtian Palace together with "Xiong Da and Xiong Er" of the Ministry of War, namely the left minister Xiong Chong and the right minister Xiong Xiu.
Zhang Zhou appeared in front of everyone for the first time after returning to the court. Naturally, he attracted too much attention. A lot of people had commented on him before the court meeting, and they probably felt that he would not be quiet in the court in the future.
However, Zhang Zhou was always a Jinshi, and he still had ways and channels of communication with some Confucian officials. Moreover, the number of people who were enemies of him in the court was "fewer and fewer," and his attitude toward him became softer, or even neutral. Or the number of people leaning towards him is increasing.
The meeting begins.
Zhu Youtang first asked Xiao Jing to announce in public the appointment of Zhang Zhou as Minister of War. Because the matter had been discussed in advance in the court, he did not encounter any resistance.
"Bingkuan, please first report on the suppression of bandits on the ground in Shandong."
Zhu Youtang first wanted Zhang Zhou to "show his face" in front of others.
Zhang Zhou personally participated in too few wars. For example, Shandong Zhong Twelve and his group of bandits were able to be surrounded and suppressed by Zhang Zhou personally. It was simply a blessing that they had cultivated for eight lifetimes.
In addition, Prince Zhu Houzhao was involved in this war. Zhu Youtang knew that it was just an ordinary bandit suppression operation, so he would write a big book about it.
Zhang Zhou then explained the process of the battle to the emperor as Minister of War and deputy commander of the frontline bandit suppression: "... After the prince assessed the situation, he thought that the back mountain might be a way for the bandits to escape, so he personally led hundreds of troops to intercept the bandits. On the side of the road, when the bandits' carriages and horses passed by, they intercepted them with soldiers, and overturned them without bloodshed. The prince was brave and courageous. He wanted to go forward and fight the bandits in person, but I stopped him and prevented him from putting himself in danger."
If these words were presented in the form of a memorial, it might not matter.
But Zhang Zhou seemed to be telling a story, and when he told it in the court, the ministers almost cursed him on the spot.
Are you kidding me?
Even if you take the prince to exterminate the bandits, you actually let the prince go into battle himself?
According to what you mean, if you don't stop him, the prince is still going to fight the bandits, right?
Zhu Youtang said: "The prince has always been affected by the military and political affairs in the northwest. It is inevitable that he will have some childishness and fearlessness under the influence. I have also pointed him out many times and told him not to act out of emotion. Bingkuan, you are very obstructive. Well, we didn’t put him in danger, but he also took credit for planning this battle.”
All the ministers present were ashamed after hearing this.
Many people are thinking.
Your Majesty, can't you tell that Zhang Bingkuan is actually fooling you? What was planned by the prince himself was simply Zhang Bingkuan putting the credit on the prince. How much knowledge can a ten-year-old naughty kid have?
Anyone could figure out this idea, but it was hard to put it into words. Only Xie Qian, who liked to tease, came out and said with a smile: "Dong Cai Guo is really good at teaching the prince, but at this time, he puts the prince's strategy first?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Mr. . But don’t underestimate the prince. The prince’s knowledge in military affairs is often praised by people. Since the prince’s strategy is appropriate, why don’t I listen?”
The implication is that we are completely forced to fight.
The enemy was right in front of us, and we didn't fight head-on with Zhong Twelve's main force. We just went to pick up Zhong Twelve's lair, and then headed north without any hesitation in fighting.
Using the prince's strategy...it's just a matter of surrounding a stronghold. Do we still need to worry about whose strategy it is? If the result is victory, that's fine.
Xie Qian shrugged and was too lazy to say anything.
…
…
After talking about the suppression of bandits in Shandong, Zhu Youtang was in a good mood.
Originally, he wanted to criticize the prince for going south to Nanjing in the court, and even punish the Donggong lecturer. After all, it was the Donggong lecturer who failed to teach his son well.
However, because Zhang Zhou was one of the officials in the East Palace, the emperor seemed to have forgotten this matter, as if he had given permission for the prince to go out, even though the matter had been revealed.
privately...
Probably Zhu Youtang will still teach his son a lesson.
Li Rong then announced in public that the emperor had sent Zhang Zhou and Chen Kuan to cooperate in the elimination and replacement of soldiers in the Beijing camp.
As soon as this news came out, a depressing atmosphere was felt in the court, especially on the side of Xiban Wuxun, who could clearly feel great pressure.
Moving the capital camp is equivalent to disturbing the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. The stability of the capital's garrison also involves all aspects. After all, most of the Ming Dynasty's ministers serve in the capital camp, which is equivalent to disturbing the interests of the Ming Dynasty ministers... There are too many things involved. In the past, it was not that the Ming Dynasty did not want to reform. In the end, it was not until the Zhengde period that the initial reform was completed, or it was prompted by external factors such as the Central Plains rebellion.
To put it bluntly, everyone knows that there are many disadvantages, but they dare not take action.
"I accept your order." Zhang Zhou finally walked out, looking high-spirited and determined.
Xiong Xiu, the right minister of the Ministry of War, came out and said: "Your Majesty, the matters such as the military training of the soldiers in the third camp in Beijing are related to the welfare of tens of thousands of soldiers and the people. A single move can affect the whole body. Please think twice before making a decision."
It was not other people who came out to oppose, but Zhang Zhou's subordinates who came out, which seemed like a fire in the backyard of the Ministry of War Yamen.
Zhu Youtang said: "Just because you are involved, do you have to be sick without medical treatment? Since the early years of Chenghua, Jingying has been a stagnant water. In previous years, the Governor's Office and the Ministry of War conducted detailed investigations on redundant officials, and every time It’s time to let it go. Now that the Ming Dynasty’s border affairs are determined to make progress, if there is stagnant water under my feet, how can I safely hand over the garrison of Gyeonggi to their hands? Lord British!"
Zhang Mao stood there, still shaking his head and listening to the excitement.
Suddenly being called by the emperor, he opened his eyes and walked forward slowly, saying with an old look: "I'm here, my old minister."
Zhu Youtang said sternly: "What is your opinion on this matter?"
Zhang Mao turned around and glanced at Zhang Zhou, and then said: "The veteran also believes that there are many shortcomings in the capital camp, which are just caused by the long years, so that the accumulated disadvantages are difficult to eliminate. The veteran is bound to get rid of the bad government, but now the veteran He is already old and faint, and I am afraid that it will be difficult for him to shoulder this responsibility."
If it had been anyone else, if he had complained like this in front of the emperor, he would have been disgusted by the emperor and even kicked him out of the court.
But Zhang Mao had the confidence to complain like this.
He even used this to show that he didn't want to wade into troubled waters, to get rid of bad government, etc., and let Zhang Bingkuan go on his own. He didn't want me, Old Man Zhang, to offend so many people for this.
"You are old and you are indeed unable to do many things." Zhu Youtang said, "But you have to contribute to this. Your son Zhang Rui has always been famous in the army. You have told me many times before. If you want him to have more experience in the military, take this opportunity to let him work with Bingkuan to carry out this matter! Do you have any questions? "
"ah?"
When Zhang Mao heard this, he asked, "What is this?"
I didn’t go there myself, so let my son Zhang Rui go? That kid...
"Your Majesty, Quanzi's condition is just right..." Zhang Mao meant, if I can't go, my son can't go either.
Zhu Youtang said: "Bingkuan has long cured your son's soft foot disease. I saw his performance during the selection of palace guards. Do you think I am blind? That's it. Got it!"
As soon as these words came out, not only the civil servants, but also many people in Wu Xun were snickering.
He was clearly laughing at Old Man Zhang who stole the chicken but failed to lose the rice.
I wanted to stay away from the matter and watch the fire from the other side, but ended up bringing my son in. You, old man Zhang, came in person or you still had the reputation to support it. The honorable ministers, generals and soldiers below did not dare to mess with you, but if your son rushed up, I am afraid that Do you have to shed your skin even if you don't die?
Xie Qian came out again and said: "Your Majesty, since this matter is of great importance, should we first check it out with the Ministry of War and the Governor's Mansion? After the spring comes and the flowers bloom, we can then draw up a plan for elimination and replacement?"
This also shows that the cabinet is not opposed to reform.
I just think it should be done step by step. If the people in the Beijing camp are pushed too hard, it will easily lead to mutiny and the like, which would be bad.
Zhu Youtang said: "I just want to eliminate the old, weak, redundant and a group of people who are not worthy of their name in the capital camp, so why bother to spend so much effort? Or do you think that this matter should be done in a relaxed manner? Is it difficult for him to accomplish?”
Xie Qian glanced sideways at Zhang Zhou and said: "Cai Guogong has just taken over the Ministry of War, and now it is the new year. Many things should be advanced slowly."
"No need." Zhu Youtang said, "Any abscess that breaks out needs to be eradicated at once. The slower it is, the more likely it will be that the abscess cannot be squeezed out completely. I have confidence in Bingkuan."
Xie Qian turned around and glanced at Li Dongyang, probably hoping that Li Dongyang, the wise man, would come out to object.
This reflects the "big picture" of the cabinet.
He didn't seem to object much and just proposed to slow down, but Xie Qian could see that the emperor wanted to use Zhang Zhou's reforms to let Zhang Zhou firmly control the capital camp and the Ministry of War.
While eliminating redundancies, Zhang Zhou will inevitably promote a group of new talents, and even dispatch many cronies from all over the nine borders to the capital camp. By then, the military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty will be almost controlled by Zhang Zhou. After Zhang Zhou succeeds, it will be difficult to object.
But both Liu Jian and Li Dongyang chose to remain silent when faced with such issues.
It can be understood by looking at it, but can the general direction change?
…
…
The reform of the Beijing camp was completed, and then Zhu Youtang mentioned the household registration statistics of the Ming Dynasty.
According to the tradition of the Ming Dynasty, every few years, the number of households, population, and acres of land in the Ming Dynasty will be counted, and the exact year is the statistical year.
According to historical statistics before the end of the 13th year of Hongzhi's reign, "...that year, there were 1,422,519 households in the world and a population of 5,858,937. There are 8,269,981 hectares of fields..."
In other words, by the 13th year of Hongzhi's reign in the Ming Dynasty, the population had exceeded 50 million.
This was before sweet potatoes and corn officially entered China...and Zhang Zhou's purpose was to introduce these two crops to China. As for potatoes...this kind of crop is difficult to be widely planted in areas with poor land, just like it would be a few hundred years later. , basically for ordinary people, the poor eat sweet potatoes, and those with slightly better conditions eat wowotou... These two coarse grains almost last throughout a person's dietary life, and potatoes are still a luxury for most families.
Because the statistical results of each province that year have not yet been fully reported, and because of Zhang Zhou's existence, the population of the Ming Dynasty has actually increased compared to the statistical figures.
Zhang Zhou was also unable to make a perfect summary based on the knowledge he knew from history.
to be honest.
The butterfly effect he created has caused a lot of historical knowledge to no longer be absolutely authoritative. Nowadays, there are only matters related to natural disasters, which will probably develop according to historical records.
Now let Zhang Zhou speculate on when the Tatars will conquer the border... That is no different from nonsense.
In terms of personnel matters, everything went astray due to the expansion of Zhang Zhou's influence.
…
…
The meeting ended.
Zhang Zhou, as the Minister of War, naturally had people come to congratulate him, and even the first one to come to congratulate him was Xie Qian, who had had a verbal dispute with Zhang Zhou before.
Xie Qian smiled and said: "Bingkuan, from now on, when the court is together, you must work hard for the court."
Zhang Zhouxin said, is this an expectation without any nutrition? Or is your particularly eloquent Xie Yuqiao so clumsy that he has nothing to say?
Just as he was talking, Li Rong walked in and said to Zhang Zhou: "Zhang Butang, His Majesty has just given instructions, saying that you have just returned to Beijing recently and there are many matters involving the Ordnance Factory, Wang Gong Factory, etc., which need your personal supervision. As for the matter of paying ginseng to the imperial court, we can avoid it if possible."
"No ginseng?" Xie Qian frowned when he heard this.
For officials of the Ming Dynasty, generally those who are old and have physical illnesses can be exempted from attending court if the emperor is considerate.
For someone as young and energetic as Zhang Zhou, he looks very energetic at first glance. He doesn't look like an old man who can't go to court every day...
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."
Li Rong smiled brightly and said: "If you want to express your gratitude, you might as well go with our family to Xinuan Pavilion. Your Majesty is already waiting for you at Xinuan Pavilion. In addition, Your Majesty has a decree, and the listening office will officially take action today."
Li Dongyang came over and asked: "Isn't it true that the person who will succeed in the Shangting Department has not been decided yet?"
"Zhang Budang made the decision a long time ago." Li Rong reminded.
That's roughly what it means.
It doesn't matter whether others are members of the Shangting Department. What Your Majesty wants is for Zhang Shangshu to be in the Shangting Department. He can take charge of a yamen by himself.
Don't you like to find a group of useless people to help him, don't you mean to weaken Shang Ting's position in the government?
That's okay too.
If Zhang Zhou's men were incompetent, the emperor would just listen to his opinion alone.
Before the emperor decided on the members of the Shangting Department, he directly asked Li Ronglai to announce that the Shangting Department was open for business. This was tantamount to turning the ministers against him... and making them realize that the emperor's so-called Shangting Department was only for Zhang. This was set up by Zhou Zhou to force the civil servants to arrange capable people in the Shangting Department to check and balance Zhang Zhou.
Instead of finding a group of incompetent people to hold you back.
"It's time to go thank you." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "I'd like to ask Eunuch Li to lead the way."
"please!"
Originally, Lin Han, Shen Lu and others had not come over to congratulate Zhang Zhou, but Zhang Zhou was already called away by Li Rong.
And he went to the inner court alone to meet the saint, so his treatment was obviously higher than that of the chief minister of the cabinet.
Even a minister can see that the structure of the court is completely different from before.
…
…
Xinuang Pavilion next to Qianqing Palace.
At this time, Concubine Xian and her son had moved out of this place, and it became Zhu Youtang's usual office. In the cold winter, Zhu Youtang probably didn't want to go out when he entered it.
After the monarch and his ministers have seen each other.
Zhu Youtang said: "Bingkuan, I know that I should go out more often, but it is too cold today. There was a snowfall yesterday, and there were petitions for relief to the victims all over the capital. It is said that there was trouble somewhere in the Central Plains last year. During the drought, some people gathered around the capital, but I am helpless against natural and man-made disasters..."
No matter how good the year is, there will be disasters and there will be disaster victims.
In these days, everything depends on the weather for food, and the people rely too heavily on the weather. It is useless to rely solely on the government's relief.
In other words, the intentions of the upper echelons of the imperial court were good, and no emperor wanted to poach himself. However, not all disasters would be reported truthfully, and not every grain of food would be distributed to the victims.
This leads to a gap in information and communication between the upper and lower levels.
"I asked various parts of the palace to collect thousands of taels of silver to buy some winter clothes and distribute them to the victims outside the capital. In addition, porridge restaurants have been opened around the capital recently. I hope that this winter, no one will suffer because of If they lose their lives due to poverty and displacement, they will be able to return to their hometown safely in the coming year.”
Zhu Youtang embodied the generosity of a benevolent king.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I don't know much about disaster relief, so I can't help you with your worries."
"You don't need to rely on you for everything. If you are needed for something as small as disaster relief, then aren't you too busy?" Zhu Youtang smiled.
Judging from Zhu Youtang's expression, it also showed that the situation of the refugees around the capital was actually the best it had ever been.
When people in the Central Plains suffer from disasters, they usually gather around the capital first, because Shuntian Mansion is the closest place for communication between the emperor and the people. Everything that happens is also the easiest to reach the emperor's ears through some channels... Timeliness in disaster relief Sex is also the best.
"Bingkuan, let me show you something good."
Zhu Youtang pulled Zhang Zhou to his desk in Xinuang Pavilion.
Then he opened a wooden box, and inside was a pile of things that looked like official documents.
"Your Majesty, this is..."
Zhang Zhou didn't understand Zhu Youtang's strange interest.
Zhu Youtang said: "These are the magic formulas that I found from everywhere, but I don't understand them very well. Please give me the details..."
Zhang Zhouyi understood it immediately.
In fact, Zhu Youtang still tended to treat him, a benevolent minister, as an alchemist in his heart.
In other words, Zhu Youtang's dream of immortality was almost entirely pinned on Zhang Bingkuan.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, if ordinary herbs in this world can make people live forever, then it is estimated that there will be immortal people in this world already. Your Majesty should not put too much energy on this aspect."
It is also necessary to dismantle the platform.
"I don't seek immortality, but I seek to prolong life, and seek to strengthen my body. Isn't it beyond human nature?"
Zhu Youtang said, "I also know that you should not ask for gods' fairy grass, but I have also read many classics and learned that since ancient times, there are still many old people over a hundred years old. I will take a step back, even if it allows me to strengthen my body After fifteen years of physical fitness, I can see the plain grassland in person, and I am very satisfied. Bingkuan, do you have any good ideas?"
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Your Majesty, I am afraid that you will not be able to make up for it."
Zhu Youtang waved his hands and said: "Don't be afraid. My health is much better now than in the past few years. Even if you give me some strong medicine, I can still stand it! If I am a sick person all the year round, it is really not as good as Fengfenghuohuo to live a good few years!" Bingkuan, if you have any good remedies, feel free to use them, I can bear it!"
(End of chapter)
