Zhang Cong listened to You Zhi's talk and immediately realized that this was really a free benefit.
Marquis Jinglu's favor is not so easy to earn.
In addition, his character was not good, so he became even more interested.
This benefit was secondary. He actually saw the emperor's helplessness towards Wang Hao being the leader.
This is somewhat interesting.
After returning to the mansion, he specially ordered someone to find out whether the third son of the Jingluhou Mansion was morally upright.
The servant reported back, "Young Master Zhou is the youngest son of the family, and he must have been favored since childhood. I heard that he is indeed a bit squeamish, and now that the Holy Chong of Jinglu Marquis is in full swing, he is acting a little more arrogantly."
Zhang Cong asked: "Did you really rob someone else's land?"
"Master, I don't understand." The servant said with some complacency, "Some people just like the brave and courageous disciples in the capital."
"How to say?"
"Providing some farm property and maidservants, and getting close to him, and taking advantage of his face-saving characteristics will always come in handy. Therefore, even if Young Master Zhou doesn't grab the property of the Zhou family, it will increase in a few years."
"Then how can there be talk of grabbing land?"
"If you don't have an explanation for the land you got for free, isn't it just a robbery?"
Zhang Cong was annoyed by this and scolded: "Just tell me whether you robbed me or not?"
The servant trembled and said, "Enemies fight and rob each other."
"So much nonsense. Tomorrow you take some money, find the owner of the land that was robbed, and make up for his losses. Do you understand?"
"Yes! The villain understands!"
"Don't be too smart!"
Zhang Cong was also impatient. After scolding the person away in a few words, he was ready to see Zhou Shangwen.
The emperor did not allow him to tell him directly that the matter had been told by the emperor.
In fact, it was not to give Zhou Shangwen the illusion that the emperor would not touch him no matter what, lest he become arrogant due to his favor.
The emperor's actions are impeccable. From this perspective, Zhou Shangwen is not as stable as Mount Tai. Otherwise, why would the emperor keep this last line?
This is actually a very meaningful action.
…
…
The capital seems to be still the same, a majestic city and a royal palace.
Zhou Shangwen had returned from a great victory, and he felt more confident on his way to the palace.
He rarely met the emperor and only exchanged letters, but there was trust between them. In every battle he fought, the emperor let go of his hands, and insisted on not changing even if the court had objections.
In fact, what the civil servants said about his big tail is nonsense.
Not to mention loyalty to the emperor, nor to the lives of the whole family living in Beijing.
He was promoted from a hereditary petty official with the emperor's trust to today's Jingruhou. It can be said that he has achieved fame and glory, and his ancestors have been honored. Why would he do something that is extremely risky and has an extremely low success rate?
Moreover, the civil servants did not care about the facts and logic at all. Although the soldiers obeyed his orders, everyone received a salary from the court, and most of them were promoted to positions. They did not enjoy a good life, so they followed him in rebellion?
This is simply political interests at work.
"I, the General of Zhengxi and the Marquis of Jinglu, Zhou Shangwen, are here to see Your Majesty! Long live my emperor!"
Zhu Houzhao said with a smile, "Jingluhou, you asked me to wait! Please get up quickly!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Come and give me a seat."
Zhou Shangwen has just turned forty in the new year. He has a lush beard and not much gray hair. Because he has been practicing martial arts since he was a child, he has a rough atmosphere, which is exactly the age when a military commander is at his peak.
After all, those who are too young do not have enough experience, and sometimes it is not easy to control their subordinates. If they are older, they will not be able to mount a horse and kill the enemy.
"Marquis Jinglu, you never mentioned it in your memorial, but I am always concerned about you. The sword has no eyes on the battlefield. You were not injured at all, right?"
A warm current flowed through Zhou Shangwen's heart, "Your majesty should not worry about this lowly minister's lowly body. This minister owes you great blessings to the emperor. At most, it's only a few superficial wounds, nothing serious."
"Oh," Zhu Houzhao felt relieved.
Zhou Shangwen in history was so fierce that he was still killing enemies on the battlefield when he was seventy years old.
But his life has been changed. At different times and in different battles, it is possible to be injured. And with the medical conditions at this time, once injured, it is easy to leave the root cause of the disease and shorten his life.
This is a bit hard to accept. In the middle of the dynasty, it is still not easy to find a famous future.
"As long as you're fine. Where is Yang Yiqing? How about he get there?"
Zhou Shangwen said: "Yang Butang always thinks about His Majesty. He always told his ministers that he was a capital offender, but it was the Emperor's mercy that spared his life."
"I know he feels a little aggrieved, but sometimes I have to think about everything. Just like you, you were about to make a contribution in Xinjiang, but you asked me to be transferred back. In the future, you are afraid that you will be responsible for the destruction of the Yarkand Khanate. It’s impossible to catch it.”
"I don't dare. This attack on the Turpan Khanate was commanded by me, but it relied on the emperor's trust and the officers and men's orders. My contribution is insignificant."
The emperor walked down and walked up to him, "You are a military general, so why don't you imitate those civil servants who dropped their school bags? Can you beat them?"
These words were a bit funny, and Zhou Shangwen couldn't help laughing, "I know I was wrong."
Zhu Houzhao's lips curved, "As for me, I still like to deal with generals. I mount my horse to kill the enemy and dismount my horse to eat meat. I go straight and forward without thinking too much. If you win the battle, I will reward you as a high official. What a simple thing?"
Zhou Shangwen was convinced, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense."
"Tell me, what exactly happened to the Yarkand Khanate?"
"Yes. The Yarkand Khanate was established by a man named Said. He and Mansur of the Turpan Khanate were brothers. They fled because of the fight for the Khanate. After several twists and turns, another one was established. Khanate.”
"No wonder, such a person must have a strong mind after going through many hardships."
"What your Majesty said is true. I believe that it is also because the king is like this, so they are determined not to surrender to the Ming Dynasty. Instead, in the name of avenging their brother, they recruit the tribes and herdsmen of the Turpan Khanate everywhere to enhance their own strength."
"They must think that the Western Regions are too far away from the Ming Dynasty. Even if they offend a few words, there will be no consequences. The Ming Dynasty has never attacked such a place." Zhu Houzhao crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows and said: "But they attacked Wrong wishful thinking. Gaochang Kingdom is the hometown of the Han and Tang Dynasties. In fact, there is no hometown without the hometown. I will conquer the land of the Yarkand Khanate. After decades or hundreds of years, it will become the hometown of the Han and Tang Dynasties. .”
Zhou Shangwen was slightly startled. Isn't this what a 'stinking gangster' said?
But it was difficult for him to say this kind of thing, so he could only say "uh" and then remain silent.
"But you should put aside the matters in Xinjiang for now. I have called you back to Beijing this time. Since you are back, you should have a good rest. In a few days, I will convene the ministers to discuss the Ming Dynasty's border strategy. You are a general and have guarded the border. , have been on the battlefield, there are some situations that only you know."
Zhou Shangwen was still somewhat perceptive, and he immediately said: "Your Majesty has orders, so I can naturally say a few words, but I would like to ask for your Majesty's will."
That is to say, what do you, the emperor, mean? Whatever you mean, I will tell you.
Zhu Houzhao was also a little convinced.
Zhou Shangwen was innocent, "His Majesty said that military commanders... must be direct."
Zhu Houzhao: "..."
"Okay. My meaning is simple. I don't want to receive any more notices about people plundering my borders and taking my people captive. I want to get rid of them all. Some people may say that I am lavish and squandering my national power, but When you are an emperor, you always have to make some contributions to future generations. I don’t believe the roundabout words from the literati’s mouth. I believe that future generations are also full of blood, even if I have done something wrong.”
As he spoke, Zhu Houzhao sighed, "The Ming Dynasty has been around for a hundred years. We can't just leave the sentimental and sad farewells from ancient times, but we must also have something to do with the war and iron horses. This can be passed down to future generations so that they can have multiple sources of their ambitions."
This was what He Wuren wanted. Zhou Shangwen clenched his fist and said, "I understand!"
"Well, I have already discussed this matter with the cabinet, so you can only prepare it. Also, have you read "Historical Records"?"
"My lord, I haven't read it."
"It doesn't matter, I'm just telling you. The civil servants will mention the four words "justice and truth", and the implication is that there is no reason for Ming Dynasty to hit others. Whenever someone asks you, don't be stunned and just say that you obey me. You can say to them " A passage from "Historical Records"."
"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
"The original words are as follows: In the thirty-fifth year, Chu attacked Sui. That's right. Sui said: I am not guilty.
Chu said: I am a barbarian. "
Zhou Shangwen continued to ask: "I don't know what it means?"
Zhu Houzhao did not explain, but waved his hand, "Ask Xie Pi or Jing Yang."
In fact, Xie Pi and Jing Yang are also more "unspeakable".
It was Jing Yang who said it later. He whispered it at the door. After he finished speaking, Zhou Shangwen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Why did he really act like a gangster?
(End of chapter)
