The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

"Master Zhang, I haven't seen you for more than a month!" Huang Taiji spoke to Zhang Fan very enthusiastically, "I would like to say hello to him on behalf of my father, how are you injured?"

"Thanks to Xie Tuhan's concern, I have already healed." Zhang Fan also said politely.

Huang Taiji led the envoys to come to Beijing on behalf of Ida. Originally, Zhang Fan is already the commander of Jinyiwei, so it is not his turn to receive him.But Huang Taiji made it very clear that he wanted to see Zhang Fan, and only now did they have a conversation.

Now that the imperial court has confirmed the matter of tribute and mutual market, and Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, the two chief and second assistants, are all supportive of this decision, other people will no longer refute it.The most important thing now is for both parties to come up with acceptable opinions.Zhang Fan got Long Qing's order to talk to Huang Taiji, while the court was discussing other matters.The most important of these is to strengthen military defenses in case of unexpected events.

"Father Khan still has some matters in the clan, so he can't come in person." Huang Taiji said, "But Father Khan gave me the right to discuss trade with your dynasty."

"Since that's the case, it would be great." Zhang Fan said, "But I'm no longer an official of the Ministry of Rites. Wait for me to invite Master Shangshu to come with me." After speaking, Zhang Fan was about to turn around, but Huang Taiji held him back.

"Master Zhang..." Huang Taiji looked at the other people in the room with some embarrassment.

Zhang Fan only said that he wanted to discuss some matters with him alone, and waved away those present.As Zhang Fan's personal bodyguard, Wang Meng also went out, but he didn't stay away, and kept guarding the door.

Seeing Zhang Fan and himself in the room, Huang Taiji relaxed, but still whispered: "I don't know what the agreement between Mr. Zhang and my father..."

Zhang Fan had already guessed what he was going to say, and this matter was now considered an open secret in the court, and anyone with some skills could hear or guess some of it.Zhang Fan sat down, picked up the cup and took a sip of tea in Huang Taiji's anxious eyes, and then said: "Taiji doesn't have to worry, this matter was discussed with His Majesty and several cabinet ministers when I just came back." We discussed it and agreed to it.”

Huang Taiji wanted to breathe a sigh of relief after hearing his words, but Zhang Fan's "but" made him nervous.

"However..." Zhang Fan looked at him and said, "My Majesty also said that I have been hostile to your country for many years, and it would be inappropriate for me to send troops to help you."

"That's that." Huang Taiji hurriedly responded, "However, how does the emperor of Guichao plan to help my father Khan to quell the civil strife in the clan?"

"Soldiers cannot be dispatched." Zhang Fan said, "But these generals in my court are very idle, and the exchange market will be reopened. If Tuhan needs anything, feel free to ask."

Although the Ming court did not send troops to help, Ida has been operating in Tatar for many years after all.Zhang Fan is now in charge of the Jinyiwei, and the spies in Tatar territory told him that the soldiers in his clan are not much different from those under the nobles.What's more, there are many conflicts among those people. If there is a fight, those nobles will be thankful for not stabbing each other in the back.There is another layer of meaning in this, no matter who wins in the end, it is best to end up with both losers, then the court can be considered at ease.

Huang Taiji is not stupid, of course he understands the meaning of Zhang Fan's words, but now it is too late to repent.Not to mention that my father Khan had an agreement with Zhang Fan, I even started a war with two of them for Zhang Fan.After Alda returned to the tribe that day, he first declared war on the tribes of Sanvir and Bayans who attacked Zhang Fan and others that day.The population of these two tribes is not large, and they will be sent out by those nobles to attack Ming envoys, because these two people are not very popular with others.When I answered the army crusade, there was no one to help.But although the two of them could not get help from others, after all, they were members of the aristocratic circles in Tatar who refused to accept Alta. Now that those people saw Alta and started to attack, there is no reason for them to be unprepared.

"That's fine." Huang Taiji thought for a long time, and said, "But this matter is of great importance and should not be hasty. After I discuss it with Father Khan, I will discuss it with Gui Chao."

Now that he got an affirmative answer, Huang Taiji felt relieved, and began to discuss mutual trading with Zhang Juzheng, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites and others.Zhang Fan didn't ask any more questions, he wanted to go home quickly, his mother Zhao told him yesterday that he had something to discuss with him.

Ever since Mrs. Zhao moved into this new home, she immediately became idle.The family had enough food and money, and Zhang Fan was appreciated by Long Qing, so he was rewarded from time to time.She doesn't need to do needlework, and the cook prepares three meals a day, and the maids serve them.In addition, Zhang Fan is proud of his spring breeze now, he has a wife, and there are two girls who want to marry into the Zhang family.Mrs. Zhao, who is not yet 40 years old, looks even more energetic now, even the wrinkles on her face have disappeared, and her gray hair is also black and beautiful. A beautiful woman in her early teens.

The news of Zhang Fan's death a few days ago really frightened her a lot. Now that everything has settled down, Mrs. Zhao heard that her son has been promoted.The commander of Jin Yiwei made her wonder what she was doing. Although the crown prince and Taifu were an incomparably noble title in the eyes of those courtiers, in Zhao's eyes, it was natural for her son to teach the crown prince to read.However, the title of Uncle Zhongyong caught her heart. Ever since she knew about it, she has been thinking about something.Except for Xiangmei, the girl who has been by Zhao's side all the time, everyone in the Zhang family knew something about it.Now, Mrs. Zhao can't hide anymore and wants to tell her son.

"Mother, you said you have something to discuss with the child, what is it?" Zhang Fan returned home and went to his mother's room.

"You...Fan'er, it's been a while since you and Ru Xue got married." Mrs. Zhao looked at Zhang Fan and said for a long time, "When are you going to give birth to a descendant for the Zhang family?"

Hearing his mother's words, Zhang Fan was a little puzzled, and couldn't help thinking: "Could it be that mother wants to have a grandson?" As the saying goes, "There are three unfilial acts, and having no offspring is the greatest." Zhang Fan didn't understand.He and Ru Xue just got married not long ago, although he felt that Ru Xue was not good enough now, and it might be too early to have a baby, but Zhang Fan couldn't avoid it when he had sex with her.Now that Mrs. Zhao mentioned it again, Zhang Fan thought she was in a hurry.

After thinking about it, Zhang Fan said, "Mother wants to hug her grandson, don't worry about it, Ru Xue and I will work hard."

After hearing what he said, Mrs. Zhao couldn't help laughing and scolding: "Stinky boy, talking to mother is so indecent." But turning her face darkened again, she said: "Mother has something, I want... I want to discuss it with Fan'er."

Zhang Fan became even more puzzled: "Mother, just tell me if you have anything to say."

"It's about Yangzhou." Zhao said.

Zhang Fan immediately remembered it. If Mrs. Zhao didn't mention this matter, he would have forgotten it. Now that his mother mentioned it, Zhang Fan immediately asked: "But mother wants the child to go back and recognize his ancestors?"

Mrs. Zhao nodded and said: "Your grandfather said back then that if no one in the Zhang family became an official, they would not return to Yangzhou. The reason for this should be told to you now."

Zhang Fan didn't make a sound, and listened intently.

"Your grandfather was a child of a large family in Yangzhou." Zhao began to tell, "Yangzhou has been rich in jade since ancient times. I heard from your grandfather that the Zhang family made a fortune from the jade business. In your grandfather's generation, the Zhang family's business has become even more prosperous. It’s getting bigger and bigger. But since ancient times, businessmen have been chasing profit, no matter how much money the family has, they can’t get on the table. Your great-grandfather has always hoped that someone in the family can enter the official career, so that the Zhang family can shine.

"Your grandfather had two brothers in his generation. Your grandfather was younger, named Yuanlin, and you also had a grandfather named Zhang Yuanshan. Your great-grandfather beat Xiaobian to let them both read and practice calligraphy. Your grandfather and brother are also smart. Very well, both of them were selected as scholars at such a young age. It’s just that when they are old, someone will inherit the great fortune of the Zhang family, but both brothers want to take the exam. When your grandfather told me about this, he also blamed himself for being young and energetic , somehow came up with evil thoughts, but the day before the rural examination that year, he drugged your grandfather's meal and wanted to go to the rural examination alone. This is also the first time your grandfather has done such evil things, and it is not serious. , after being checked by the doctor, he said that your grandfather is unable to give birth. Fortunately, your grandfather is a brother, and has already married and had a child, but your grandfather is afraid that your great-grandfather will blame him, and at the same time, he also feels that he has done something wrong. Yan Zai stayed in the Zhang family, and then escaped to Anhua alone. Thinking of your grandfather, who worked hard all his life, and never dared to make a wrong step, but it was also for his own redemption."

Zhang Fan listened silently, feeling a little helpless.He had never met his grandfather, but he really didn't expect his grandfather to be so... fierce when he was young!With a hot mind, you can do anything.But these are all things in the past, Zhang Fan still needs to know why his mother said these things to him.

Mrs. Zhao continued: "Your grandfather set the family rule that the Zhang family would not return to Yangzhou if they were not officials. You have completed it now. But your grandfather still has an explanation when he is dying. If your uncle has no heirs, you will have children in the future. You want to adopt a son to the Zhang family. If your uncle has an heir, let’s let this matter go."

Zhang Fan was a little stunned, repaying his favor?Atonement?Maybe both, maybe not.Today's Zhang Fan is really unwilling, but this is his grandfather's order, and he has no way to refuse.

"Mother, that child..." Zhang Fan didn't know what to say.

"My mother knows that Fan'er doesn't want to." Zhao Shi said, with tears in his eyes, "Who wants to give his own flesh and blood, grandchildren to others!"

Zhang Fan was not unwilling, after all, he had seen a lot of strange things in his previous life, and it was nothing. He was mainly afraid that his mother would be sad, so he hurriedly comforted him: "Mother, don't cry, it won't be pretty anymore."

Mrs. Zhao heard what he said, and she who was crying suddenly laughed, looked at her son and said, "Is there anyone who persuades your mother like this? Tell your daughter-in-law that. That Yingyue girl was caught by your mouth." You should be cheated back, sure enough, there is no good thing for a man when he grows up, especially you scholars, who are full of glib words, and you can actually deceive girls."

"Didn't you see your mother crying!" Zhang Fan said with some embarrassment, "This is actually my grandfather's legacy, Fan'er should obey it, at worst, Ru Xue and I will give mother a few more grandchildren. It’s just that although the child is married now, he has no heirs, and my uncle Zhang Yufang doesn’t know if he has any descendants.”

"Mother didn't mention this to you when she heard that you were going to Jiangnan." Mrs. Zhao stopped her tears and said helplessly, "Mother didn't want to tell you about this at first, but now she hides it in her heart." Can't stop."

"Mother, don't worry, everything will be known when the child goes to Yangzhou." Zhang Fan comforted.

At night, Zhang Fan and Ru Xue were preparing to rest.A month ago, because of Zhang Fan's injury, Ru Xue didn't do Zhou Gong's affairs with him, probably because she was worried about her husband's health.Now that Zhang Fan has recovered, Ru Xue wanted to have a good life tonight to make him happy, but she was shy but also excited.It's just that he noticed that his husband was looking unhappy, so he couldn't help asking: "Sir, what's the matter, is there anything bothering you?"

Hearing his wife's questioning, Zhang Fan felt that this matter could not be concealed after all, so he told her what his mother had told him.Ru Xue was also a little sad when she heard this. After all, she was married to Zhang Fan, and it was her duty to continue the bloodline for the descendants of the Zhang family.

Zhang Fan felt that his beloved wife was unhappy, so he hugged her from behind, rubbed his cheek against her ear, and said, "Xue'er, my husband knows that you don't want to, but this is the wish of our ancestors, and it is also the old man who wants to pay it back for him." debt."

Feeling the consolation of her lover, Ru Xue eased the depression in her heart a little, and said, "Sir, how can Ru Xue not know, but, after all, she is a little bit reluctant."

Seeing that his beloved wife was sad, Zhang Fan couldn't help persuading him: "Don't worry about Xueer, the situation in my uncle's family is not clear yet. If we have a man, it can be regarded as finding a good home for our future daughter."

After hearing what he said, Ru Xue calmed down a little.Feeling the caress of her husband, the lust in her heart gradually grew, and she turned her head to look at him with affection.

When Zhang Fan saw it, he didn't delay any longer. He hugged his lovely wife to the bed and said, "The most urgent thing is that my husband and I should work together to give birth to more fat boys. This will really bother my wife."

When Ru Xue heard this, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she buried her face in the quilt.Zhang Fan laughed out loud, stopped talking, turned over and got on the beauty couch, the room was naturally full of spring tide again.