The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

The preliminary exploration of the railway from Yongping Port to the capital has been completed, and the foundation laying ceremony will be held at the end of the year.

Construction will officially start in the spring of next year. In this winter, even if the temperature is still very low, some preliminary preparations will be completed. This section of the road is considered flat, but bridges still need to be built, and there is a certain altitude difference.

Zhang Zhou wanted to go to Yongping Mansion in person to complete some initial steps. On this day, he also went to the palace to say goodbye to Zhu Youtang.

"Bingkuan, I didn't expect you to leave so soon." Zhu Youtang was obviously a little reluctant to leave, and said with emotion, "You came back, but I didn't let you have any leisure time. You were seeing a doctor for me, and you were busy. Court affairs, you will have many things to do when you go to Yongping Mansion this time."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "This is what I should do."

Zhu Youtang smiled and sighed: "But you have to go over to celebrate Mao Ren and Zhijie. There is also a memorial sent back by Tang Yin from North Korea. Take a look and there is a preparation. If you need to mobilize troops or something, , you can dispatch the soldiers and horses of Jizhen and Liaodong at will..."

With that said, Zhu Youtang gestured to Chen Kuan behind him, and Chen Kuan then handed over Tang Yin's memorial to Zhang Zhou.

From Zhang Zhou's point of view, this "junior brother" from the same sect had not appeared in his field of vision for a long time. Tang Yin was not the kind of conscientious official in the first place. Every time he gave this old boy a problem, he would just put him aside and leave him alone. Zhou seems to be a way to gain experience.

When I opened the letter, I found out that Tang Yin's life in North Korea was not easy either.

He was clearly ordered to stir up the troubled waters, but North Korea respected the Ming Dynasty's envoys very much, especially the current king of North Korea, Li Yi, who regarded Tang Yin as his ancestor. Tang Yin didn't know what to do if he wanted to beat someone. Take action.

It's a bit like learning from Wu Ming.

So Tang Yin's strategy was to...ask the court to give him new instructions, or to return to the Ming Dynasty as soon as possible.

When he was the right minister of the Ministry of Industry, he was assigned to be the admiral of Yizhou Shanchang, but he was assigned as an envoy. He had been away for half a year, and it seemed that the court had forgotten about him, which made Tang Yin extremely anxious.

Is this being exiled?

Zhang Zhou said: "The war in the grasslands has come to an end, and the Ping Jurchens in Liaodong have also made considerable progress, but North Korea still stands still. This is disrespectful to the suzerain country. I believe that your Majesty should issue an edict to reprimand and impose some punishments."

"Haha." Zhu Youtang said with a smile, "I'll go by what you said, but after all, Tang Yin doesn't have many people in North Korea. If North Korea doesn't agree with it, I'm afraid it will bring trouble to him. Tang Yin is still your sect after all. "

Zhang Zhouyizheng said: "Just because he is a fellow disciple of the minister, we cannot relax our requirements on him. I think we should beat him more. Moreover, I think that there are many nobles and nobles in North Korea who are completely on the side of the Ming Dynasty." , If a little country leader who is only twelve or thirteen years old does not do well, it is not impossible to depose him at any time and replace him with a new one. "

"Okay." Zhu Youtang seemed to also like to attack these vassal states. In the past, he had no chance, or he couldn't care about it. Now that he has a rare opportunity, he, the co-owner of the world, still has to show his majesty and momentum.

"I will issue an order right now to ask Tang Yin to give some advice to the little North Korean leader. If possible, let him pay tribute again. You can also give some advice personally." Zhu Youtang said.

Zhang Zhou bowed his hands and said, "I accept your order."

……

……

When Zhang Zhou left the palace, he was directly accompanied by Chen Kuan, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony.

Chen Kuan was also very complimentary to Zhang Zhou. After he came out, he told how the emperor was so happy because he knew that he was going to enter the palace today... He also said that the emperor had originally planned to visit Yongping Mansion, but it was just because he was not completely sick. After he recovered, he gave up the idea.

"I have to bother Cai Guogong, which is equivalent to traveling on behalf of the emperor. Talented people like you are really indispensable everywhere. After you leave, things in the capital will be a headache." Chen Kuan's words seemed to have something else in mind. .

Zhang Zhou asked curiously: "What does Eunuch Chen mean by this? Is there anything that is troubling you?"

Chen Kuan pretended not to want to say anything. After being pressed by Zhang Zhou, he quietly said: "There are a lot of things, and they are backlogged at the end of the year, but the most difficult one is Mr. Xie Ge's case. Your Majesty drafted it. He will be sentenced to exile... and may also be sent to Yongping Mansion."

Zhang Zhou couldn't help but chuckle inwardly after hearing this.

I asked you to thank me for always going against me. Are you getting retribution now?
Don't you like to stand up for the cabinet? Now you will be regarded as a guilty minister, and you will even be sent to Yongping Prefecture to "guard the border". In fact, you are going to help me. Even if you want to return to your hometown to spend your remaining years, you have no chance. I ask you what you think in your heart?
Should the diaphragm respond? Any ideas?
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty has never said a word to me about such a major matter, so I can't add any opinions casually."

Chen Kuan's eyes were full of anticipation and he said: "Then Mr. Cai Guo, how do you think Mr. Xie Ge's case should be judged? Just treat it as a private discussion. Our family should not be involved in this case, but His Majesty is handling this matter. , there are also some hesitations. What we say is not pleasing to the ears. In fact, as long as you say something, whether Xie Ge always gives a heavy sentence or a light sentence, your majesty will accept it. We also want to follow your majesty and your wishes. ”

Zhang Zhouxin said, "You think I can't tell. You are trying to figure out the holy will. Do you want me to speak for Xie Qian?"
As colleagues, and they are all still ministers in the DPRK, we can't harm each other, right? You have to leave a good name for yourself, right?
After all, even if Xie Qian is not convicted, he will be sent back to his hometown. Logically speaking, the grudge between the two can be settled. He, Zhang Zhou, can speak for Xie Qian and earn good popularity.

But Zhang Zhou didn't think much about it.

"Eunuch Chen, I dare to ask, if it is not Mr. Xie Ge but someone else who does the same thing as Mr. Xie Ge, does it violate the king's law?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Chen Kuan was startled, then shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. Talking about official matters is not considered illegal."

Zhang Zhou said: "I'm talking about forming a party."

Chen Kuan took a breath, but nodded quickly and said: "It is natural that the law does not allow parties to agree with each other and oppose those who are different."

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "I think so too. If Mr. Xie Ge just submitted a memorial to impeach someone, even if it is biased, His Majesty may not delve into it. But if it involves the party's unity and opposition to differences, as Eunuch Chen said, Then this matter is serious. I am not in the Ministry of Punishment, nor in Dali Temple, so it is not easy for me to intervene. "

When Chen Kuan heard this, he understood that Zhang Zhou did not intend to intercede with Xie Qian, and even wanted to add insult to injury.

Although Chen Kuan had expected it, he still didn't expect Zhang Zhou to be so "determined".

Chen Kuandao: "Our family also heard that it seems that Mr. Liu Ge and Mr. Li Ge wanted to ease the relationship with the Ministry of War, and they also used Mr. Cheng Ge as a lobbyist..."

As soon as he said this, he was interrupted by Zhang Zhou reaching out.

"Eunuch Chen, don't mention these words. If you talk about some things in private, or even who is the lobbyist for whom, doesn't this mean that you are disregarding the laws of the court? Although I have only been in the court for a few years, I understand the rules. First of all, Bachelor Qiancheng has come here a few times, but all he discussed with me were state affairs, and even if he occasionally mentioned Mr. Xie Ge's case, it was only in moderation."

Zhang Zhou would not admit that there was any secret deal.

He didn't even plan to trade.

Liu Jian and Li Dongyang asked him to make any conditions?

We are already incompatible with each other, what conditions should I tell you?
Besides, was Xie Qian's matter the result of interference from others? What does it have to do with Zhang Zhou and me? It's reasonable for me not to come forward. It's up to the emperor to decide? Is it necessary for me to intercede, show my magnanimity, and make me suffer? Is that what you want to see?
A fool's dream.

Chen Kuan obviously wanted to help Xie Qian. He was the second lobbyist besides Cheng Minzheng, and based on his own status, he should be able to influence Zhang Zhou's tough attitude. He said: "Cai Guogong, we I would like to advise you, in the future, you will have to look up but not your head. It would be better if you don’t do things to perfection. The bachelors also have an attitude."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I happened to leave the capital, so I will ignore these matters. Maybe when I come back in the spring, everything will be over. There is no way. It is related to the disputes in the court. Although the old Xie Ge impeachment person It's not me, but I still want to avoid suspicion. It's too annoying, so I can only... find some peace and quiet." At this point, Zhang Zhou bowed his hands politely and said, "We've arrived at the palace gate. Eunuch Chen, you don't have to see me off. I'll do it myself. Just go out. See you again when you get a chance."

Chen Kuan also quickly returned the courtesy and said: "Just wait for the good news."

……

……

After Chen Kuan sent Zhang Zhou away, Chen Kuan's expression immediately became very angry.

He usually has to pretend to be a grandson in front of the emperor and Zhang Zhou, but he has a temper after all, and he is now the internal minister anyway, but he can't hold his head high in front of Zhang Zhou's strength, which makes him extremely depressed.

When Chen Kuan returned to the clerk's duty room, he was told by Wei Bin that Liu Wentai had been here. Only then did Chen Kuan remember that he had made an appointment with Liu Wentai to discuss dealing with Ning Tong.

"What?" Wei Bin didn't know what Chen Kuan wanted to say for Xie Qian.

Chen Kuan now seems to regard Wei Bin as a helper, but in fact, he still does not regard Wei Bin as one of his own completely. Xiao Jing skipped him when choosing his successor and Chen Kuan chose Wei Bin. This will also happen to Chen Kuan. Grudgeful.

Chen Kuan said: "It's okay, it's just that Duke Cai is leaving Beijing."

"Are you leaving again? What's going on this time?" Wei Bin asked hurriedly.

The news came so suddenly, Wei Bin could not even imagine what Zhang Zhou could do out of the capital now. A minister of the Ministry of War did not stay in the capital all the time, nor went to the northwest to guard the border, nor led troops to fight. He just ran back and forth, how could he do that? Are there many things waiting for Zhang Zhou to go out to Beijing to do?

Chen Kuan waved his hand and said: "This is a secret of the court and cannot be disclosed to outsiders."

Wei Bin also heard that he didn't regard him as one of his own.

Chen Kuandao said: "The backlog of memorials needs to be reviewed before the year ends. Your Majesty may have to review them again, pick out the less important ones, and send them out first."

"Pick...the unimportant ones?" Wei Bin didn't seem to understand for a moment.

In the past, the emperor picked the important ones for reading, but now he picks the unimportant ones and executes them first? It seems that Mr. Chen is also very uneasy about his duties as the Chief Ceremony Supervisor. He is probably afraid that the emperor will seize their leverage and use it as an excuse.

Chen Kuan looked impatient and said: "Don't you understand this? If you can suppress it, it means that His Majesty attaches great importance to it. Do you think that in our position, we can make the decision in everything? Now there are not only people from the cabinet who are watching There are even people from the auditorium watching, let alone...that Mr. Cai Guogong! We were considered first-rate before, but how do you think we are now? "

Wei Bin hurriedly said in a submissive tone: "Yes, calm down and do it now. Recently, it is also time to find more people from the study room to help, otherwise the errands will not be completed."

Chen Kuandao said: "It's your business to ask for help. The Chief of Liturg's Study Room is something you can rely on. You don't have to discuss everything with our family. In fact, even if our family leaves, who will take over this matter?" It’s not up to our family to decide.”

"This……"

Wei Bin heard that Chen Kuan had been provoked by someone. He was like a hedgehog with thorns all over his body, biting almost anyone he saw.

Wei Bin could only be sensible and stop interfering and watched Chen Kuan leave.

……

……

Too inside the hospital.

Chen Kuan went inside on the pretext of asking about Queen Mother Zhou's prescription. Without looking for anyone else, he looked for Liu Wentai, the court judge on duty. The two of them went inside, and Liu Wentai personally served the tea.

"Father, what's going on? There's been no news for several days. I heard that no one was sent to Dongchang. Is this okay?" Liu Wentai was very nervous.

Suppressing Ning Tong, although from Chen Kuan's point of view, was to cater to Queen Zhang, in fact, the people whose interests were most directly linked were the people from Taiyuan Hospital.

Chen Kuan said while sipping the tea: "The tea is too hard."

"What?" Liu Wentai didn't understand for a moment.

Chen Kuan said: "It may be that the water is too hard. How do you make tea with this kind of water?"

Liu Wentai said hurriedly: "I'll go and change the tea now."

"No need, we are not here to drink tea." Chen Kuan put down the tea bowl and said with a menacing attitude, "Do you think the people in Dongchang don't need to avoid suspicion? Cai Guogong is in the capital now, and that Ning Ning official , our family has asked her to be the former wife of Marquis Anbian, but in fact, she is also the confidante of Duke Cai. "

"A confidante? Are you kidding me? The wife of Marquis Anbian who has been kicked out of the house is actually the confidante of Duke Cai Guo?"

Liu Wentai wanted to laugh when he heard it, and almost didn't laugh out loud.

In his opinion, it was true that Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng wore the same pair of trousers, but Ning Tong was not just Zhu Feng's concubine. She was once Zhu Feng's wife. How could she be a confidante?

Chen Kuan said coldly: "Whether it is true or not, how can our family have time to find out clearly? I just want to tell you, if Mr. Cai Guo is in Beijing, who do you think would dare to offend that female official Ning? But Mr. Cai may have to do it tomorrow. If you leave Beijing, you may not be able to come back for a month or two. "

"Are you leaving again?" Liu Wentai was also a little confused for a moment.

Chen Kuan said: "How much effort has your Imperial Hospital contributed to the recent recovery of His Majesty's dragon body?"

"I didn't make much effort. Isn't it all in charge of Duke Cai?" Liu Wentai also felt aggrieved.

They dared to take action against Ning Tong, but they couldn't afford to offend Zhang Zhou.

Chen Kuan said coldly: "Don't be too anxious about things, not to mention that this matter can easily fall into the hands of Cai Guogong. If you still want to eat and breathe with your head on your neck, hold back first. Otherwise..."

Liu Wentai said: "It's not that serious, right?"

Chen Kuandao said: "Li Zhang has been on new errands recently, or if he leaves Beijing this time, he will go with him! When he leaves, Dongchang may change hands. By then, Taiyuan Hospital will do some personnel work, and someone will be able to do it." See it!" (End of chapter)