The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Li Rong didn't bother discussing court affairs with Zhang Zhou and hurried back to the palace.

After he left Cai Guogong's mansion and got into his carriage, Mu Bin helped him get into the carriage. Li Rong almost lost his footing on the carriage shaft and fell from it in a hurry. Fortunately, Mou Bin had the good sight and quick hands to catch him.

"Be careful, father-in-law. In fact, there is no need to be in such a hurry to return to the palace."

What Mu Bin means is that if the battle report can reach me, it will naturally reach His Majesty. Why do you need to go back to the palace in person to convey it?Nothing may happen to you if you go back.

Li Rong smiled and said with emotion: "Our health is failing, and it won't be long before we return to the palace to serve His Majesty. Who doesn't want to have a good future? Don't you think so?"

This is telling Mou Bin that he, Li Rong, may not be considered an old man, but he is determined to be the eunuch of the Chief of Ceremonies again.

Xiao Jing and others can report the war situation to the emperor and take advantage of the joy, but now I, Li Rong, just want to take everything on myself and make the emperor think that I am still useful. This will allow me to further control Xiao Jing. Replace it.

Li Rong got into the carriage, opened the curtain and glanced at the door of Cai Guogong's mansion. Zhang Zhou did not come out to see him off.

Li Rong said with emotion: "Today, our family still mentioned the prince's appointment in front of Cai Guogong. In fact, he had expected that I would come a long time ago and deliberately waited."

Mou Bin jumped on the carriage, drove away, and said casually: "The battle report from the northwest has just arrived, and Duke Cai Guo should not have known about it in advance. Besides, how can Duke Cai predict everything? There is no certainty when the father-in-law will pass by."

"Just say you are ignorant." Li Rong said, "Cai Guogong can even guess the thoughts of the Tatars, how can he not be sure of our thoughts? But there are some things that are not to be said carelessly. This matter of the human heart... …It’s most difficult to say, especially when it comes to things related to the Holy Will. You understand.”

Mu Bin understood instantly that in Li Rong's heart, Zhang Zhou had been deified.

What Li Rong mentioned is that Zhang Zhou must be trying to figure out the emperor's thoughts when doing things, but he should not talk nonsense about trying to figure out the emperor's will, otherwise Zhang Zhou will change from a capable minister to a sycophantic minister.

Since ancient times, few ministers who have relied on speculation to get things done have ended well.

……

……

Imperial Palace, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang had already gone to Kunning Palace to rest. After learning about the victory on the battlefield, he came back with his people.

In addition to Li Rong who came out of the palace to talk to Zhang Zhou, the other three eunuchs were also there. At the same time, the eunuch Zhang Yong, who was very popular in the military circles in recent years, was also there.

Zhang Yong was originally going to be sent to the Hetao area as a eunuch to supervise the army, but he was replaced by the emperor in the end. Perhaps Zhu Youtang felt that Zhang Yong, as the eunuch selected by Zhang Zhouhui's eyes, did not need to go with him. A group of old ministers hang out.

Zhang Yong had been working at the Inner Three Passes for a period of time, cooperating with Lu Wan to deal with the defense of the Inner Three Passes. This time he returned to Beijing with the person who delivered the good news, and it could be said that he was busy with the work non-stop.

"very good."

Zhu Youtang read the victory report in detail and was very happy, "Another great victory, this time it's finally decent. Mao Ren... is doing better and better."

In the previous two battles, two thousand people were beheaded. This time, more than 2000 people were beheaded in one battle. More importantly, the last remaining energy of the Tatars was taken away. The Tatars retreated in despair. This was the battle that sealed the victory.

Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Your Majesty, Consort Cui has become a famous general in the world after these two battles. In the future, the Ming Dynasty will have another brave general."

"You can't say that." Zhu Youtang said, "Without Bingkuan's advice, Mao Ren would not have performed like this. If it were anyone else, as long as they had courage, they would have achieved such achievements. Can he really do it? It can be used for great purposes, but it still needs to be checked.”

Xiao Jing originally wanted to flatter Cui Yuan and the emperor by the way. After all, it was the emperor who singled out Cui Yuan from so many people and sent him to the army.

But now the emperor doesn't seem to like being such a bole very much. Perhaps in Zhu Youtang's mind, Cui Yuan's, even his brother-in-law, is not as important as a hair on Zhang Zhou's body.

"It's the prince..."

While Zhu Youtang was excited, he suddenly thought that his son seemed to have predicted what happened before him by giving him a watch in the afternoon.

Things are a bit... too coincidental.

"Is Li Rong back?" Zhu Youtang asked.

Xiao Jing still didn't understand why the emperor suddenly asked about Li Rong's whereabouts. He didn't even know what Li Rong was doing now. He said: "Back to Your Majesty, he hasn't arrived yet."

"Alas! I am too impatient. I should ask someone to go find Bingkuan tomorrow. If the prince knows that I not only don't believe him, but also want to blame him, that would be a bit...unkind." Zhu You Zang felt a little regretful.

Xiao Jing was confused, what are you talking about?Does this have anything to do with the prince?

Just as he was talking, a young eunuch came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Li is outside asking for an audience."

"Let him in."

Zhu Youtang quickly called Li Rong into the Qianqing Palace.

When Li Rong came back, he saw several colleagues there, but he didn't think anything of it and walked up to greet Zhu Youtang.

"What did Bingkuan say?" Zhu Youtang asked with eager eyes.

Li Rong said with a smile: "After Cai Guogong learned about the purpose of the servant's going, he only said that what the prince said was reasonable, and also said that it was unwise for the Tatars to cross the river north, or that they were trapped animals and still fighting. Just as he was talking, the good news came, which was also a coincidence. "

"Ha ha."

Zhu Youtang smiled wryly.

Xiao Jing said: "Could it be that Cai Guogong would win this battle early in the morning?"

"Do you still need to say this?" Zhu Youtang rolled his eyes at Xiao Jing and said to Li Rong, "Send someone to see if the prince is asleep. Regardless of whether he is asleep or not, call him over. Regarding the good news, tomorrow Let’s talk about it in the morning.”

Li Rong hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty, do you want to inform Duke Cai Guo of entering the palace tomorrow morning?"

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "It doesn't matter if Bingkuan is here or not. I said everything I needed to say last time. Don't those in the court know Bingkuan's abilities and achievements? Don't bother him."

All the battles that established the victory were won. It seemed that Zhu Youtang didn't mind that Zhang Zhoushen did not participate in the court meeting.

I wanted Zhang Zhou to enter the palace before because I wanted to discuss with Zhang Zhou the direction of the next war. Now that we have won, there is no need to discuss it. Anyway, let Zhang Zhou make it clear about rectifying military affairs and let Zhang Zhou enjoy it behind the scenes. The same goes for glory.

Anyway, the days are long, and Zhang Zhou doesn't seem to be in a hurry to show his face in front of others.

Whenever there was good news, Zhang Zhou stood behind him, which only made the ministers in the court feel even more depressed.

……

……

Before Zhu Houzhao had any rest that night, he was told to go see his father.

It was Li Rong who came to invite him personally.

"Has your father changed his gender? He usually goes to bed early at this time. He also told me that going to bed early and getting up early is good for health. He also said that someone reminded him. Why didn't he obey it today?"

Zhu Houzhao was very angry.

Even if he doesn't sleep at night, he still has fun, either listening to stories or looking for interesting things.

Most people have to rest after nightfall because of poor lighting conditions, but Zhu Houzhao is not worried about this. In addition, he has slept alone since he was a child. Without parental control, it is impossible for him to go to bed early.

Li Rong quickly said: "It's about the prince's previous appearance."

"What's wrong? I didn't write well, and my father wants to scold me? You won't say that I'm not doing my job properly, right?" Zhu Houzhao frowned.

Li Rong thought to himself, hey, what you said is really right.

Before the good news came, your father really thought so, but now... Li Rong said with a smile: "That's it. The good news came earlier, and the prince said that the Tatars were blocked when crossing the Yellow River. Now Winning a great victory against the Ming Dynasty."

"Oh, you won? I'm just saying, is it that easy for the Tatars to not run away when they are defeated but still want to reap the benefits? Since they have won, why do you still call me?" Zhu Houzhao looked proud.

Liu Jin originally looked nervous, but when he heard this, he smiled and said, "It'll be good if you win."

Li Rong glared at him, as if blaming him.

Why does this guy named Liu talk so much?What does this have to do with him?Do you think that after a few days of training at Yanwu Hall, you will be able to go to heaven?

What Li Rong didn't know was that Liu Jin had proposed Zhu Houzhao's appearance, and it was related to Liu Jin's vital interests.

Now that he has won, Liu Jin has made a contribution to the prince's side, so of course he will be excited.

Li Rong said: "Your Majesty has an order, but I don't dare to ask. It's not too late. Your Majesty is still waiting. Please pack up your Majesty and go with me."

"Well." Zhu Houzhao said with a look of displeasure, "This father really doesn't know how to understand his son. Forget it, I don't have the same experience as him. Lead the way."

These words made Li Rong blush again.

……

……

Inside the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Houzhao came to meet him. After greeting his father first, he stood there and looked at Zhu Youtang as he read the memorials.

"Uh-huh."

In case his father didn't hear what he said before, he deliberately cleared his throat as a reminder.

But Zhu Youtang still ignored him and let Zhu Houzhao continue to stand.

After a long time, when Zhu Houzhao wanted to find a place to rest on his own, Zhu Youtang raised his head and looked at him.

Zhu Houzhao immediately straightened his back and pretended to be serious.

"Prince, have your studies been going smoothly recently?" Zhu Youtang asked.

"Not nutritious." Zhu Houzhao muttered in a low voice, curled his lips, and then replied loudly, "Returning to my father, my son has been successful in his studies recently and has endured hardships and hard work. Even my husband praised my son for his recent progress in studying hard. I am not proud, I want to study harder and live up to the expectations of my father and mother."

"Hmph!" Zhu Youtang snorted, "Which of your gentlemen praised you for your progress?"

"what?"

Zhu Houzhao was startled.

This father-in-law goes straight to the weak point of a person's body.

"Yes, just..." Zhu Houzhao was still thinking about which gentleman was easier to bully, saying that he would not refute even if he was asked by his father when he praised him.

Zhu Youtang said angrily: "I have seen your assessment results today. It is clear that you have memorized things before, but there are many mistakes. How dare you say that you have made progress?"

Zhu Houzhao fainted as soon as he heard this.

Emotions are not to praise me for my knowledge, but to expose my shortcomings.

"Father, as the saying goes by reviewing the past and learning the new, I have been busy learning new knowledge recently and have no time to review the past, so I am not slacking off. When I take the exam again, I can just take a few days to review." Zhu Houzhao followed. All children in the world will make excuses for their poor performance.

Zhu Youtang said: "That's it, you still have the nerve to tell me that you want to go out to the palace?"

"Uh……"

Zhu Houzhao frowned, his small nose and eyes almost wrinkled together.

Emotions are the big plan that hinders my leaving the palace.

The father is indeed cunning and insidious. Let me show you first. Let's talk about my academic performance. Why don't you say that I am knowledgeable in the military?
"If you don't work hard, I will make you face the wall again and lock you up to study hard." Zhu Youtang said.

"It's okay." Zhu Houzhao was not afraid at all, and even said with some joy, "As long as Mr. Zhang Zhouzhang comes to the palace and studies with his son, it doesn't matter if he is detained for a few more days."

"what?"

Zhu Youtang didn't expect his son to say such a thing suddenly.

Zhu Houzhao said: "I haven't seen him recently, but I know that he will not be too busy, because he always likes to take a break from the busy work. What I think is that since he is so idle, it is better to let him teach me." Knowledge. Father, think about it...the war is over, we can't let him idle, otherwise will our salary be in vain?"

"Bullshit!"

Zhu Youtang was annoyed and said sternly, "Do you think Bingkuan is the teacher I brought back for you? Also, do you respect teachers so much? Who taught you this?"

Zhu Houzhao hesitated and did not answer.

Li Rong, who was standing next to him, quickly persuaded him: "Your Majesty, please calm down."

Zhu Youtang said: "This prince, I originally thought he had made progress. I also wanted to have the opportunity in the future to let him practice in the court and have more contact with the affairs of the Ming Dynasty. Now it seems that I have overthought it."

"No, Father, I can do it. Let me try it!" Zhu Houzhao's eyes widened when he heard this.

"Really?" Zhu Youtang sneered and lowered his head again, as if he wanted to continue reviewing the memorial.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Father, are you kidding me? I am still a child in your eyes. Are you willing to... let me get involved in court affairs?"

Zhu Youtang didn't answer, or even raised his head.

Even Li Rong was a little confused.

After all, the prince is still young and seems not yet old enough to be involved in court affairs.

The palace of Qianqing became quiet. After a long time, Zhu Youtang suddenly said: "Did Bingkuan ever remind you about Ningxia's military situation?"

"No." Zhu Houzhao answered simply, "He didn't even say anything. I just wrote down my thoughts. If my father doesn't believe me, you can ask."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Your knowledge in this area is quite good. It's not in vain for Bingkuan to cultivate you."

Zhu Houzhao said hurriedly: "Father, this is not a famous teacher who has taught me anything. He has never taught me anything. I really figured this out myself. Don't say it is his credit."

"Huh!" Zhu Youtang said, "Without Bingkuan's advice, what do you know? You're not humble anymore! You don't have to go back to the East Palace today. I'll find a place nearby for you to stay. You can go to court with me tomorrow morning. .”

"what?"

"Ah, what the hell, I won't let you go to court, I just want you to listen from behind, listen more and learn more. My hard work is not in vain."

Zhu Houzhao was thinking after hearing this, whether I am in vain for this or that, who am I living for?
Upcoming?

It's nothing new. What's the big deal? Are you going to be a corner guy again?

"My son, I accept the order." Zhu Houzhao said with an indifferent expression, cupping his hands. (End of chapter)