The soldiers and horses from the three towns of Xuanfu, Datong and Shanxi have all set off and returned to their respective towns, while the three generals have been staying in the capital. Although Wang Pu and Li Fuming have thanked the emperor for their kindness, they have to wait for Zhang Cheng to return together. Xuanda, so he lived in the mansion and never returned to his hometown. Xu
In fact, Emperor Chongzhen did not issue a ban on Zhang Cheng, but although he also named Zhang Cheng Yongning Bo, his attitude towards Zhang Cheng was slightly indifferent.
Zhang Cheng was naturally aware of this, so he stayed in the capital and was not in a hurry to return to Xuanfu. Even though his second wife Yang Liying had given birth and gave birth to a daughter for him, he could not take care of it for the time being.
When Zhang Cheng stayed in the capital, in addition to observing how Emperor Chongzhen would treat him, he also wanted to put on a show for Emperor Chongzhen, just like his day-to-day singing and dancing, criss-crossing cups and plates, his life of intoxication, and the day before yesterday outside the Meridian Gate. artificial.
Of course, his stay in Beijing had another meaning, which was to take the opportunity to make friends with some dignitaries in Beijing. For example, Chen Jiugao came to invite him several times, but Zhang Cheng didn't want to go out and make trouble until Emperor Chongzhen's attitude was not clear yet. That’s all.
In the past few years, he has made too many achievements, and it is quite suspected that his achievements have shaken the master. If it were not that the Ming Dynasty was still in chaos and war, and the country was in the midst of hiring people, I am afraid that Emperor Chongzhen would have already dismissed him from the post of leading the army. Okay, let's relax at home.
Although the Yongning Bo Mansion is a replica of the original "General Zhaoyong Mansion", after Emperor Chongzhen decided to make Zhang Cheng his uncle, he immediately expanded it, and its area was actually larger than the original three-in courtyard. More than double.
Although the area of Zhang Cheng's Earl's Mansion has doubled, it is still a three-in-one courtyard. After all, it is approaching the severe winter and it is not suitable to start construction. According to the plan, ground will be broken after the beginning of next spring to renovate and expand the Yongning Earl's Mansion. Xu
The Earl of Yongning's Mansion is located in Qingchengfang outside Dong'an Gate. After the expansion, it not only occupies a very large area, but also faces the street on three sides, making it very convenient to enter and exit. This shows how much Emperor Chongzhen loved Zhang Cheng.
Although the front door of the Earl's Mansion is always closed and is only opened occasionally when someone comes to visit or when an internal prison officer comes to deliver a message, the side and back doors are frequently visited by people every day.
Although most of the Xuanfu army and horses returned to Xuanzang Town, there were more than a thousand seriously injured soldiers who were not suitable for the long journey and were left by Zhang Cheng in the capital to recuperate. In order to protect their safety, and more importantly, to protect Zhang Cheng's safety, All the officers and men of the Huwei camp are stationed inside and outside the capital.
There are more than a hundred elite soldiers from the Tiger Guard Battalion living in the Earl of Yongning's Mansion. They go in and out every day to buy things through the side door, while the back door is mainly used by the servants of the manor.
Of course, the main entrance, side entrance, and back entrance of the Earl's Mansion are all guarded by soldiers from the Tiger Guard Battalion. Even in the streets and alleys outside each door, soldiers from the Tiger Guard Battalion in civilian clothes are constantly patrolling.
Chen Jiugao, Wang Pu, Li Fuming, Fu Yingchong and others had the most frequent contacts with Zhang Cheng. They came to have dinner with Zhang Cheng almost every other day. Especially Chen Jiugao and Fu Yingchong, in order to show that they had extensive contacts in Beijing, they often brought new people with them. A friend came to see Zhang Cheng.
Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng was a new generation of nobles in the Ming Dynasty's military circles. You should know that he was an earl based entirely on his military merits, and was not comparable to those relatives who were awarded titles based on their daughters marrying into the royal family. Xu
Not to mention that the military officials and generals inside and outside the capital were all proud to be friends with Zhang Cheng. Even the civil servants and high-ranking officials in Beijing no longer dared to look at Zhang Cheng out of the corner of their eyes at this moment.
Although some of them still regard themselves as noble, they just complain to each other in private. In terms of face, they dare not disrespect Zhang Cheng, Uncle Yongning!
On this day, Chen Jiugao introduced to Zhang Cheng the commander of the Jinyiwei and the governor-general Luo Yangxing, as well as the Jinyiwei commander Li Ruolian, Nanzhen Fusi Town Fushi Yang Xueguang, and North Town Fusi Town Fushi Wu Bangfu.
In the past few days, Chen Jiugao and Fu Yingchong had performed vigorously, but most of the people they made friends with in the capital were dandies with noble backgrounds, military men in the capital camp, and officials who served in the Jinyiwei.
Just like the day before yesterday, Fu Yingchong introduced several chief and deputy commanders of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division to Zhang Cheng, while Yu Shangyou introduced two city patrol censors to Zhang Cheng, as well as the right deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Zhang Xin , Engineering Department left to Li Qing and other officials.
In fact, these were secretly arranged by Zhang Cheng. Even though the Wucheng Military and Horse Department were only some sixth- and seventh-grade petty officials, they were equivalent to integrating the functions of public security, fire protection, urban management, market supervision and other departments in later generations. The sixth grade yamen.
Don't look at the fact that because of their small official positions, they have more things to do and less money. In the capital where high-ranking officials are everywhere, they are basically marginal yamen that take the blame. Moreover, above them, there are eight patrol censors, Jinyiwei, and Dongchang. of containment. Xu
However, the Wucheng Military and Horse Division is in charge of public security, robbery, household registration, disaster relief, gatekeeping, surveying, tax collection and other miscellaneous matters in the capital. It is the yamen that knows the most about the capital's markets and the conditions of the people at the bottom.
Moreover, there is another very special thing about the Military and Horse Division of the Five Cities. The Military and Horse Division was originally supposed to be a military commander, but because the civil servants in the capital wanted to control the power of public security in the capital, they suddenly turned it into a situation where they chose to appoint candidates or Jinshi to appoint them. .
In order to establish his own power in the Military and Horse Division, Zhang Chengcai especially asked the two city patrol censors recommended to him by Yu Shangyou, as well as the right deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Zhang Xin.
Whoever he intends to make friends with will be given hints to Chen Jiugao and Fu Yingchong for introductions. Yu Shangyou has become Zhang Cheng's spokesperson in the capital. There is no need to hint to him, he can just give direct orders.
During today's banquet, Luo Yangxing, Li Ruolian and other Jinyiwei officials all spoke highly of Zhang Cheng. Although they had many disputes and conflicts internally due to their own interests, they still gave people a very harmonious impression. .
Everyone naturally respected Zhang Cheng, and Chen Jiugao was even more talkative during the dinner. He started from the time when he first met Zhang Cheng when he aided in the suppression of Henan Province. Of course, the focus was still on the aid of the Liao war slaves.
Although Luo Yangxing had been a high-ranking Jinyiwei official for generations, was quite powerful in the capital, and had the trust of Emperor Chongzhen, he had never had any experience in real battlefield fighting. Xu
In Chen Jiugao's vivid narration, he, like everyone else, was completely immersed in it, and there was more admiration in his eyes when he looked at Zhang Cheng.
In fact, Chen Jiugao told them the story of the Battle of Liaodong a few days ago. Although everyone was full of praise for him, they still had some doubts in their hearts.
But today at the Earl of Yongning's Mansion, with Zhang Cheng beside him, he occasionally gave an understatement of confirmation, which immediately dispelled some doubts in their hearts.
However, Zhang Cheng did not want to have a deep friendship with Luo Yangxing and others during this banquet. The principle he believed in was that everything should not be done too hastily, otherwise it would be counterproductive.
This time, just by staying in Beijing, you can establish contact with these people. As for friendship, firstly, it depends on financial transactions, and secondly, it depends on your own strength.
With his current qualifications, his status as Earl of Yongning has been handed over to him, and he is the chief military officer of Xuanfu Town. He also has tens of thousands of elite soldiers under his command. In today's Ming Dynasty, bandits are rampant, and there are even Tartars peeking in. Under such circumstances, Zhang Cheng has undoubtedly become one of the few truly powerful figures in the Ming Dynasty.
With this capital in hand, Zhang Cheng was not only unscrupulous in the Ming Dynasty, he was at least a presence that could not be underestimated in the civil and military circles of the Ming Dynasty. Although he had not yet reached the point where he could do whatever he wanted, if he really wanted to do something, he would look at the entire There are not many people in Ming Dynasty who can stop it. Xu
The atmosphere of the banquet was very harmonious. Although Zhang Cheng was an earl, he did not have the airs of an earl in front of Luo Yangxing, Li Ruolian and others. He was eating and drinking like brothers.
This made Luo Yangxing and others feel extremely comfortable, and their favorable impression of Zhang Cheng immediately increased. When everyone was drinking and drinking, they naturally boasted to each other. Everyone looked very good-looking, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Just as he was drinking heavily, Chen Jiugao suddenly whispered to Zhang Cheng: "Uncle, Governor Zuo is the father of the most beloved imperial concubine of the emperor today. I don't know how convenient it is to invite my uncle to visit the house in three days."
Zhang Cheng was not very familiar with these relatives in Beijing. After all, in the Ming Dynasty, the presence of the royal relatives and relatives was too low. In the eyes of Zhang Cheng, who only looked at strength and utilization value, they were almost transparent existences.
Chen Jiugao saw that Zhang Cheng failed to understand for a moment, so he had to remind him: "When I was in Ningyuan, my brother told me that the noble families in Beijing mostly raised singers, and all of them were excellent in sex and art, and they were as beautiful as flowers. It seems like clouds are coming out of Xiu, and the orioles are chirping..."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but gesture next to Zhang Cheng and continued: "That waist and figure are rare to see outside..."
Only then did Zhang Cheng remember that at Wu Sangui's house in Ningyuan City that day, Zhang Ruoqi had mentioned that the relatives of nobles in the capital kept many singers, and entertained them constantly every day, in order to make friends with court officials and ministers for future needs. Xu
At that time, Chen Jiugao boasted that he had witnessed the performance of the concubine's father, Tian Hongyu, at his home. His vivid description really aroused the interest of Zhang Cheng and Wu Sangui, and even reminded Zhang Cheng that Wu Sangui seemed to be waiting here. The great beauty Chen Yuanyuan met on the occasion.
Now that he heard what Chen Jiugao said, he immediately replied casually: "There should be nothing else."
"Then let's settle this, so that Governor Zuo won't have to wait too long!"
Chen Jiugao was already very familiar with Zhang Cheng. When he learned that Zhang Cheng had no other arrangements, he immediately made a decision for him.
Luo Yangxing, who was on the other side of Zhang Cheng, also heard the content of their conversation clearly at this time, and couldn't help but added: "The singer in Governor Tian's mansion is indeed very good, and I was also fortunate enough to be invited to the banquet. It's really fascinating." Hard to return.”
He then said with unfinished meaning: "But when it comes to singers, she is the most lovable in Jiading Bo's house."
"The singers in the houses of Marquis Funing and Uncle Xin Cheng are also good..." Xu
As Chen Jiugao said this, he exchanged meaningful glances with Luo Yangxing. The two of them looked at each other and laughed. However, in front of Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng, they did not dare to be too unrestrained. In an instant, they toasted to Zhang Cheng with a flattering smile. Tell him the stories of the singers in various noble houses.
…………
On the second day after Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng had a banquet with Chen Jiugao, the commander-in-chief of the Beijing camp, Luo Yangxing, the commander of Jinyiwei, and others, he received a summons from Chen Xinjia, the Minister of the Ministry of War, asking him to go to the Yamen of the Ministry of War immediately.
Zhang Cheng had just dressed up, but when he was about to go out, he bumped into Eunuch Bingbi, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, and Wang Chengen, the Supervisor of the Yongwei Camp, who came to deliver the order.
It turned out that after Wang Chengen returned to Beijing from supervising the army in Liaodong, he was appointed as the eunuch of the Yongweiying camp, and his previous position as the eunuch of the Dongchang was replaced by Qi Benzheng, another eunuch of the ceremonial department, Bingbi.
Zhang Cheng hurriedly welcomed him into the house to rest for a while, and ordered people to quickly prepare the incense table and offerings. Wang Chengen and Zhang Cheng had a lot of contact when they were in Liaodong, and they were no longer strangers.
Moreover, he himself admired Zhang Cheng very much. The two chatted for a while. The incense table in the lobby had been arranged. After Zhang Chengfang came over to ask for his instructions, he led the two to the lobby. Xu
Wang Chengen walked to the incense table with square steps and sang loudly: "The emperor has spoken, and Uncle Yongning will receive the order!"
Zhang Cheng hurriedly stepped forward, knelt down, kowtowed, and sang: "Your Majesty Yong Ning Bo Zhang Cheng has accepted the order."
Wang Cheng'en stared at Zhang Cheng and imitated the tone of Emperor Chongzhen and said: "Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng is loyal and diligent in the king's affairs. He is brave and courageous. He is good at caring for the soldiers. He led the army to aid the Liao Dynasty and defeated the enemy. He was not defeated. He made the Tartars know that I was powerful and raised Yang. The Ming Dynasty is more powerful than the Liaozuo, which really comforts my heart!
I deeply feel the hard work of Uncle Yongning for years of fighting. I originally wanted to stay in the capital for a while, but the national situation is very difficult and bandits are raging in Zhongzhou. I still need Uncle Yongning to work hard for the country. "
When Wang Chengen said this, he couldn't help but raise his voice and continued: "Special order, Uncle Yongning will leave Beijing today and return to Xuanfu to take up his post. After everything is handed over, he will immediately lead the army south to assist Henan Province, wipe out the bandits, and destroy the bandits. To protect the country and the people, if you have special merits, you will not hesitate to reward them!"
Wang Chengen finally finished reciting Emperor Chongzhen's oral edict, and he lowered his voice and said to Zhang Cheng: "Uncle Yongning, thank you."
Zhang Cheng hurriedly knelt down to accept the order and thanked him, and then welcomed Wang Chengen to sit in the side room for a while. Zhang Chengfang quickly prepared tea for the two of them. Knowing that they must have something to say, he quietly left outside. Waiting. Xu
"It's Zhang Cheng's fault that the prince comes to visit the palace. In fact, the prince only needs to call and Zhang Cheng goes to the palace to receive the order." Zhang Cheng said very humbly.
Wang Chengen replied with a smile: "The emperor's instructions are for our family to come to Uncle Yongning's mansion to teach the story personally. How can we teach Uncle Yongning to run into the palace instead?"
He took a sip of the fragrant tea and said slightly mysteriously: "There is one more thing I would like to teach Uncle Yongning."
Before Zhang Cheng could express anything, Wang Chengen immediately said: "Your Majesty also sent a supervisor to Yong Ning Bo. It is estimated that after the Shangyuan Festival, he will set off from Beijing to Xuan Mansion. Yong Ning Bo You have to prepare early.”
Although Zhang Cheng was slightly surprised by this, he was not surprised. If Emperor Chongzhen did not send supervisory troops to the Xuan Mansion, he would feel uneasy.
But following Wang Chengen's words, he also asked: "I don't know which father-in-law is going to Xuanfu for official business. Can the prince tell me?"
"It doesn't matter. You will know about it soon anyway. This is not a secret about our family." Xu Xu
He looked at Zhang Cheng and said softly: "It's Bian Yongqing from the Royal Horse Supervisor!"
