The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Imperial Palace, Chang'an Palace.

Ning Tong went to the palace to pay homage to Concubine Xian, and the two finally had the opportunity to meet after several months apart. After Ning Tong sat down, Concubine Xian still seemed very reserved. Apparently, while the emperor was recovering from illness, Empress Zhang did not take kindly to her. The so-called "sister", even if she didn't say bad words, didn't give her much good looks.

"I wonder if your noble body has been feeling unwell lately? The daughter of the common people can diagnose and treat you."

Ning Tong is very competitive. The more she is ostracized, the more she wants to prove her superb medical skills.

Concubine Xian shook her head and said with a bit of timidity in her eyes: "You should never enter the palace casually in the future. There have been a lot of new faces in this palace recently, and we don't know what will happen in the future."

Ning Tong was very curious. Isn't it normal for there to be new faces in this palace?
Anyway, in her opinion, the people she saw were different every time she entered the palace.

But she obviously couldn't understand the vigilance a woman in the palace would have to deal with minor changes in the situation around her.

Although Concubine Xian’s sister did not die directly at the hands of Empress Zhang, it was actually no different from being killed by Empress Zhang. Both of the sisters had encountered the poisonous hands of power, so they naturally knew what it meant for the empress to be in the Sixth Palace. , that seems to be an existence that can really take human life lightly.

"I still have some things here, take them with you when you go out." Concubine Xian obviously did all this for Ning Tong's good. She didn't want this woman who had been kind to her to suffer, so she just disappeared if she could. Remember to give some gifts when you meet.

Ning Tong said: "People's women don't come here for this. It's better to leave it to the nobles."

Concubine Xian shook her head and said: "There is no need in the palace, and there is no need to take care of it. I hope it can be helpful to you. If the prince and I get sick, I hope you can provide some help, but if it is not a serious problem, you still don't have to do anything." It’s time to enter the palace, so be careful.”

Ning Tong obviously didn't understand what Concubine Xian's advice meant.

She also felt that this was probably because Concubine Xian didn't need her anymore, but if she didn't need her, why would she offer help?

"Xianfei, the Queen has just sent an order to invite you to come and have a meal." Just as he was saying this, a female official came in and made a report.

Concubine Xian seemed a little scared, but she still quickly gave Ning Tong a friendly look. Ning Tong got up and didn't even understand what was going on.

"Go now, sister of the Ning family, I will have someone take you out of the palace." Concubine Xian is much younger than Ning Tong, so she was very polite this time and called Ning Tong her sister.

I also want to tell Ning Tong that I have not forgotten your kindness. The only person I can trust in the palace is actually you, but the situation forces you to stop being stubborn.

Just when Ning Tong wanted to ask a few more questions, a young palace maid came over, and a serving eunuch came over to make a gesture of invitation.

It means that you have been ordered to be kicked out by Concubine Xian, so get out of here with the things given to you!
Ning Tong looked at the unkind eyes of these people and seemed to understand what Concubine Xian meant by "new faces". These people would truthfully tell the Queen the situation here, and the Queen would invite Concubine Xian to dinner. It is also very possible that the queen did not want Concubine Xian to meet her and deliberately found a reason.

That is to say, from the moment she entered the palace, everything may have been watched by the queen.

……

……

Inside Kunning Palace.

Empress Zhang really had no intention of going to have dinner with Concubine Xian. She just called people over as an excuse and then sent them back casually later.

And Queen Zhang was meeting her younger brother Zhang Heling.

Zhang Heling was very proud at this time, because Zhu Youtang had just ordered him to coordinate the affairs of the Beijing camp. It seemed that he was no longer just an honorable official in charge of the affairs of the Beijing camp, but the commander-in-chief of the entire Beijing camp. When talking to his sister, It seems that they all have a bit more heroism and look down on the world.

"How's the matter you were asked to do?" Queen Zhang didn't like her brother's tone very much, so she asked in a cold tone.

Zhang Heling then put on a smile on his face and said: "Queen, why are you anxious? I heard my brother tell you, I have seen this Heavenly Master before, and it really looks like an immortal, like Cai Guogong. The scholar's appearance is completely different, that's what he really calls a master!"

Zhang Heling was about to brag about Zhang Xuanqing, the current Taoist priest of the Zhengyi sect, but Empress Zhang glared at him and he continued his story obediently.

"He said that for things like giving birth to children, you can only ask God. As for regulating the body, it seems to have no effect. It is God who allows you to have children, so you will have them. If God thinks you don't have one, no matter how you improve, it will not work. It’s all in vain,” Zhang Heling said eloquently.

Queen Zhang hurriedly said: "Then how can you ask God?"

"This……"

Zhang Heling said, "Probably just build another Taoist temple and conduct some rituals such as sacrifices and fasting. I don't know the details. I may need to ask more."

Queen Zhang seemed to be murmuring a little.

Zhang Heling asked: "Sister, are we asking ghosts and gods instead of the real master? Shouldn't you and your brother-in-law work together on this kind of thing?"

"What are you talking about?" Queen Zhang looked very unhappy.

How dare you, as a younger brother, dare to ask questions about the matters between me and the emperor?
Zhang Heling smiled and said: "It really doesn't work. Is there another Zhang Tianshi? There are rumors outside now that Cai Guogong is the orthodox successor of Taoism, and Longhushan is a fake. I heard that he is still the same as before. It’s related to the case. I don’t know whether it’s true or not.”

Regarding the succession process of Zhang Xuanqing, it involves the grievances of the previous generation. The previous generation of Celestial Master Zhang Yuanji was deprived of the title of Celestial Master because of his crimes.

"Yuan Ji was fierce and stubborn. He even arbitrarily used chariots and utensils, and was good at making books. He took away the children of good families and forced them to take their property. He put his family in jail and killed more than forty people, including three in the family. After hearing about the incident, Xianzong Angry, Zhu Yuanji went to the capital and met with hundreds of officials to discuss his death. "

Although Zhang Yuanji was later pardoned and demoted to a commoner, "Yuanji was in the system for two years, he was saved from death by his fate, he was given a hundred sticks, he sent the Suzhou army, and he was demoted to a commoner". The inheritance of Zhengyi also appeared for several years. There is no such thing as a heavenly master.

Finally, Zhang Xuanqing succeeded to the throne because of his inheritance status in the clan.

There is no record in history whether Zhang Xuanqing is Zhang Yuanji's son, or he may be from the same clan. Many people think that he is Zhang Yuanji's cousin. However, because of the vague definition when he succeeded to the throne, many people think that Zhang Xuanqing is Zhang Yuanji's son. Zhang Xuanqing is not an orthodox heavenly master.

Originally, Zhang Zhou had never planned to join the Zhengyi Dao in Longhu Mountain, but he couldn't resist the fact that his surname was Zhang. Coupled with his miraculous Taoist abilities, the public opinion that Zhang Zhou was the orthodox successor of the Zhengyi Dao became more and more intense. .

Empress Zhang said faintly: "The Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain certainly has real abilities. Before the prince was born, he performed a ritual to pray for heirs, and who knew it would be effective. I have to give it a try this time. ”

Zhang Heling smiled and said: "Sister, I'm asking you, what kind of rituals are really useful? There are rumors outside that this nephew is not... ahem, pretend I didn't say that. "Originally, he wanted to spread some outside gossip, but when his sister glared at him, he immediately took it back.

"I will go and tell His Majesty that what you have to do is to ask him for a clear strategy. Now that the personnel are not available, we can only turn to the heavens and ghosts for help. Otherwise, what else can we do? Now that we have a virtuous concubine, maybe in the future There will be other women coming into the palace, even if it’s for your own future, I’ll keep a close eye on you!”

Empress Zhang will now use the fate of the Zhang family to try to get her brother to pay attention and step up.

Zhang Heling patted his chest and said: "Sister, don't worry, for your sake, my brother must be duty-bound. Who said we are a family?"

……

……

Zhang Heling received many more rewards from the palace and returned home happily.

But before he could enter the house, he was informed that the second child was waiting for him at home again. He quickly asked people to transport the things brought out of the palace through the back door, so as not to be seen by his younger brother who asked him to share half...

"Second brother, what are you doing? Are you here just like your own family? You can enter even if the master's house is not at the door? Didn't you know that this house is full of women and children?"

When Zhang Heling saw his younger brother, he became furious.

Zhang Yanling said with disdain: "What's wrong with women and children? Why didn't you say there are still old and weak people? Who among us brothers is following whom? What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours. Don't think I don't know what you're doing. Go to the palace and get a lot of money, right?"

Zhang Heling said: "If you can, you can go."

Zhang Yanling pushed the tea bowl aside and said disdainfully: "Three melons and two jujubes are not unusual. You and I are in charge of the capital camp now, and there are so many people coming to curry favor. It's time to buy at the beginning of the year, and the oil and water are still there." Isn't it like gold falling from the sky? Even if you want to rob my sister, you have no chance."

Zhang Heling scolded: "You brat, you have the nerve to say that I have no future? If you have a future, you should make some money yourself! Asking for bribes is unfair, so what kind of skill do you have?"

"Okay, brother, I'm just here to tell you that I recently looked for that old boy Zhang Yong, but I couldn't find anyone else, and I couldn't get the matter of purchasing from the Beijing camp. Can you help me? I got the money. , you don’t want to leave it alone, right?”

Zhang Yanling also "does not go to the Three Treasures Palace for anything". He comes here just for the benefits that he may get.

Seeing that his younger brother no longer asked about the reward he received from the palace, Zhang Heling lowered his guard, sat down and said, "I haven't seen anyone, but I heard that the Ministry of War still has the final say on this matter, that is, Zhang Bingkuan."

"What? Or him?" Zhang Yanling was naturally unhappy after hearing this.

Compared with their status in the court, the brothers were not afraid of anyone, but they could not defeat Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Heling said: "This matter cannot be rushed. If you have something to do now, you should hurry up and take care of it!"

"What's the matter?" Zhang Yanling asked, "How much money can I get?"

"Yinzi Yinzi, you know how to make money. If you don't have money, you won't do it?" Zhang Heling was a little angry.

"Hey, that's not the case. If you don't give me money, you can give me gold. We are all common people. How can we pretend to be arrogant and arrogant? Brother, do you dare to say that you don't care about gold, silver and jewelry? Tell me, what's the matter? It's best if you can hug it at home. That kind of thing, if you have to pay for it, don't talk about it." Zhang Yanling flicked his sleeves, held the back of his head with both hands, and raised his legs.

Only then did Zhang Heling tell Empress Zhang that she wanted to find Zhang Xuanqing.

"Sister said that we must use the power of the heavenly master to give birth to a prince, a dragon heir. We can arrange the scene and other things. We may even build a Taoist temple in Longhu Mountain. When the time comes... you and I, brothers, should Do you know how to do it?" Zhang Heling said calmly.

Zhang Yanling's face lit up with joy, and she said with a smile: "Of course I know, cultivating a Taoist temple is similar to cultivating a family temple. Anyway, it's just a matter of making money. But even... I'm afraid you won't be able to earn much, right?"

Zhang Heling said: "It's better to have hope than no hope. It's already the end of the year. What's your progress now? You said you went to the capital camp. Who listens to you now? I've actually seen that Zhang Tianshi. Look. It sounds quite bluffing, so it’s best to let him fight with the other guy named Zhang and let’s watch the excitement.”

"Fight? What do you mean? Even if he is a heavenly master, is he qualified to fight with that Zhang? He has eaten the heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard, so he is scared to death, right?" Zhang Yanling looked disdainful.

Zhang Heling said angrily: "There can only be one Celestial Master in the Ming Dynasty, either this one named Zhang or that one named Zhang. No matter which one surnamed Zhang you care about, the two of them cannot coexist. This is what Brother Wei thinks, If that person named Zhang knew what kind of rituals this person named Zhang was doing in the capital and was so presumptuous, he would definitely teach this person named Zhang a lesson, and then he would ask us for help..."

"Brother, this one with the surname of Zhang and that one with the surname of Zhang have confused me. Can you tell me clearly?" Zhang Yanling found that she didn't have enough brain power.

Zhang Heling scolded: "You don't want to open your eyes, you don't want me to say anything! Just let Zhang Bingkuan teach Zhang Xuanqing a lesson, so that Zhang Xuanqing will ask us for help if he is afraid. In the future, will there be any Taoist temple or anything in Longhu Mountain?" We can take care of everything, even things like fasting, spending money, etc."

Zhang Yanling suddenly realized: "Brother, you are so clever. It turns out you are doing this to make money. I thought you were not smart and wanted to go against Zhang Bingkuan."

"What do you mean my brain is not working well?" Zhang Heling said, "I think your brain is not working well. That man surnamed Zhang is not aggressive. If you don't make trouble, he will chop you up with some thunder. Then he said You are damned!"

"Okay, big brother, you just know how to scare me. Tell me quickly, what is the detailed plan?" Zhang Yanling rubbed his nose and asked hurriedly.

Zhang Heling said with a conceited look on his face: "The mountain man has his own clever plan."

"Bah!" Zhang Yanling said, "Brother, let me advise you, those who practice Taoism are all human beings. You think you are very capable, so don't be tricked by others without knowing it."

"roll!"

Zhang Heling shouted loudly. Seeing that his younger brother really stood up to leave, he took two steps forward to stop him and said coldly, "Hurry up and find him. The man named Zhang is also a dragon who has never seen his head and tail. Who knows which Taoist temple he is in?" Damn it, you haven’t visited me in the past few days.”

Zhang Yanling said: "I'm looking for someone? Why don't you go find someone?"

Zhang Heling said: "Is it me who makes money alone, or our family together? If you want to make money, why don't you contribute? Also, let me tell you, there are many industries in Longhu Mountain, how many fields are there? Hundreds and thousands of hectares, and the mountains are high and the emperor is far away. If you take it, no one else will know. It is a benefit for nothing! You have to let the man named Zhang treat our family as a living god. If he doesn't ask for it, what's the point? Why do you want him to hand over the fat? If you have no brains, don’t get involved as soon as possible!”

"I'm in, I'm in." Zhang Yanling said, "Brother, I'll help you find someone, and you can help me find Zhang Yong. Both of us are trying to make a fortune, what do you think?"

Zhang Heling then let go of his hand and said: "Then I will help you look for it. The worst thing is that I ask my sister to find someone to tell her. No matter how domineering Zhang is, how dare he not give the queen face? During the Chinese New Year this year, our two families are here to give gifts. There are more people than usual!" (End of Chapter)