The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chen came in, and then the two women that Zhu Fu had brought in earlier also left their wine jugs and walked out.

Zhang Zhou looked at Chen and asked with narrowed eyes, "Sister-in-law, are you okay?"

Chen is different now. After all, she is Zhu Feng's wife. Of course, Zhang Zhou is very clear that this relationship is very awkward, because Zhu Feng is just a vase in the Chengguo Mansion. To Chen, she may not even be as good as a vase.

At least the vase is still there to look at, but what can the Zhu Feng do by just putting it there?

"I'm here to toast you at the order of the master of the house." As she said this, Chen picked up the wine pot herself, only to find that all the cups on the table were already filled with wine.

Zhang Zhou didn't even touch his chopsticks, let alone drink.

But Chen was also a person who had experienced all kinds of situations. After all, she was not from a scholarly family. As the daughter of Chen Rui, she was also the daughter of a general. It was alright that she appeared to be honest at ordinary times, but at this moment, she showed great momentum, picked up the glass of wine in front of Zhang Zhou and poured it on the ground.

Then she took the wine jug in one hand and the wine glass in the other, poured a glass of wine, and just when Zhang Zhou thought she was going to pass it to him, he saw Chen tilt her head back and drink the glass of wine.

She didn't even need to cover her mouth with her sleeves. Just the way she drank made Zhang Zhou feel that she was a "heroine".

Why didn't you see it before?

"Sister-in-law, this is..." Zhang Zhou smiled.

He could see that Chen came here in anger, probably in a dilemma of being unable to move forward or backward.

Chen said, "I was born into a military family and suffered misfortune since I was young. After I grew up, I was unable to fulfill my duties as a wife and a mother. I was lonely and helpless until my father sent me to a house in the city, saying that he would give it to you, Master Zhang, as a gift."

"Let's not talk about the past." Zhang Zhou smiled.

In the past, Zhang Zhou felt that he could handle various drinking parties with ease, but when facing this woman, Zhang Zhou didn't know why, but always felt that this woman was unusual.

It was probably because he couldn't drink today, and also because women have a natural advantage at the drinking table, which can also be considered a gender advantage.

Chen said again: "So I have been to the Zhang family and have been Zhang's wife for a few days."

"You can't say that." Zhang Zhou said, "When your father was alive, he mentioned that he wanted to send you here, but I also made it clear that this is impossible. People are people, not gifts. You are not at the mercy of your father. Similarly, I don't want to do the thing of robbing a woman."

Chen said, "After arriving at the Duke Cheng's Mansion, I thought I could live a peaceful life for a few days, but the situation now is worse than when I was at home."

Zhang Zhou pointed at the dishes on the table and said, "We've had enough wine, so we should eat something to fill our stomach."

What I mean is, you just had a drink, why are you acting drunk and acting crazy in front of me?

Do I want to listen to your nonsense here?

"Duke Chengguo's Mansion has a lot of things they want to entrust to you, my lord. They want to ask someone to do something for them, but they are afraid that it would be difficult to bring up the matter, so they asked me to do it." Chen said.

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "That's right, but in fact, your Duke, that is, your grandfather, has already told me about it. Isn't it that he just wants to go to the battlefield and win the battle?"

Chen said: "They have something that is hard to talk about, so let me bring it up. What did my father think of me before? What do they think of me now..."

Zhang Zhou almost wanted to interrupt Chen's words. He wanted to remind her, "Are you treating me as if I'm talking?"

Why don't your words make sense to me?
You are just talking about your own words. Can you please consider what I say first?

Chen looked at Zhang Zhou eagerly and said, "So, sir, you are not leaving today. Do you want to stay here?"

As he was speaking, Wang Mingshan came in with a sword in hand and blocked Chen who was trying to sit next to Zhang Zhou. At this time, Chen seemed to have discovered that Zhang Zhou's personal guard was a little different from ordinary people.

"Let me introduce you." Zhang Zhou pointed at Wang Mingshan with a smile, "She is the daughter of Wang Shi, the commander of the Imperial Guard. She is now my wife and a captain of the Imperial Guard. She has been following me since she was a deputy captain. Mingshan, don't get me wrong, she is just talking to me and she is not trying to harm me."

Wang Mingshan then took a few steps back, but did not leave. Instead, she looked at Chen with a burning gaze.

At least in Wang Mingshan's opinion, the woman in front of her had bad intentions.

Although Wang Mingshan didn't know much about the ways of the world, and she didn't want to understand, her intuition was very sharp. She seemed to have a rough idea of ​​what was good and evil and right and wrong whenever she looked at someone. Because she had a simple mind, she could see these kinds of things most accurately.

After this, Chen no longer dared to get close to Zhang Zhou, but sat opposite Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou said: "I understand what your husband's family means. If you ask for something from someone, you must be polite. However, given my relationship with Zhijie, it is impossible for me to sit idly by. But there are many things that I cannot decide."

This sounds very perfunctory.

Because Zhang Zhou had no intention of helping Zhu Fu.

The emperor wanted to take action against the old heroes in order to pave the way for him, but he sabotaged them to help the old heroes. Isn't that going against the emperor's wishes and destroying his own place?

Besides, the emperor wanted to strike against the old meritorious officials, but that didn't mean to make them lose their power completely. People like Zhu Hui brought it upon themselves, and people like Zhang Mao, although Zhang Mao is no longer in charge, the Zhang family still has Zhang Rui.

Even if Zhu Fu's military power fell into others' hands, the Zhu family at least still had Zhu Feng.

From this point of view, Zhu Youtang is fair in his work. Although it seems that he is suppressing the old heroes, he is actually helping them complete the update and iteration earlier.

In Zhu Youtang's view, it was not unfair to anyone to let a group of young people who admired Zhang Zhou more and were less concerned about the conspiracies in the court come to power, have higher spirits and be able to charge into battle on the battlefield.

But for those old heroes, they couldn't accept it, because every parent would feel that if they didn't pave the way for their children, then they would be doomed, and the family would be doomed.

Chen said, "Sir, I have a few more words to say to you. Is it convenient?"

After saying that, Chen looked at Wang Mingshan, meaning that no one else could eavesdrop.

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said, "If you have something to say, just tell me. It's not convenient here. When I entered this mansion, I didn't feel a warm welcome, but calculations everywhere. If you want to enter the inner courtyard, tell your father-in-law that I don't like your family's way of entertaining guests. Originally, sitting down to drink tea and wine was all about friendship, but now I feel that it's all about... hehe."

Zhang Zhou was too embarrassed to say the word "adultery".

Chen stood up and looked into the inner room first.

The curtain had been drawn, and the tables and shelves inside were still the same. She then turned her gaze to Zhang Zhou.

She said, "Sir, you are here today. If you don't make some promises, I am afraid that I will not be able to report back to you. I will not talk about the demands of the Chen family anymore. Now I just want to ask you for a favor on behalf of the Chengguo Mansion. Please... show some mercy to the Chengguo Mansion."

Zhang Zhou asked curiously, "How do you mean by mercy?" "Since the establishment of the Duke of Chengguo's Mansion, it has never had to beg others to gain a foothold in the court like it does today. Nowadays, there are very few dukes and marquises in the court who can gain a foothold in the court, unless they join your sect. You have offended many people by doing this. Maybe you are not afraid because you have the support of His Majesty and so many good people around you, but for those... people who sincerely work for you, they will be worried."

When Chen spoke, he seemed neither humble nor arrogant, as if he was negotiating with Zhang Zhou.

There was a hint of sadness in his tone, but it also seemed like an accusation against Zhang Zhou.

look at you……

What has happened to the world of meritorious officials in our Ming Dynasty?

Those who follow you will prosper, and those who go against you will perish.

You bring so many people with you when you go out, and it is obvious that you are afraid of retribution. But even so, can the safety of those around you be guaranteed?

"You are right." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "But you are wrong about one thing. There are not many people in the court who are helping me. If there are, it must be a misunderstanding, because everyone is working for the court. And I am also working for the court now."

Chen Shi seemed to have not heard Zhang Zhou's words and continued her own topic: "If you don't listen, then I will die here with my sword drawn."

"..."

This time Zhang Zhou was speechless.

really……

This woman is not ordinary. She threatened him with death. If it were someone else, hearing this would be like hearing a joke.

Who are you threatening with death?

But Zhang Zhou is a civilized man. If someone comes to him and asks him to do something for him, and he says he will die if he doesn't do it, he will still have some regrets if he really dies.

This is a bit like moral kidnapping.

But based on Zhang Zhou's understanding of Chen... this woman's life experience was quite rich and colorful. Her old father was away from home all year round, and she had to take charge of the family early on. Later, she married someone and soon became a widow. When she returned home, her old father gave her to Zhang Zhou as a gift. After it was returned, she was married to Zhu Feng and then she became a vase.

Today, her husband's family even asked her to come out as a lobbyist. Of course, being a lobbyist is not just talking. They must have given instructions in secret. As long as Zhang Zhou can help Zhu Fu gain the rightful position in the army, or win a battle, even if she is killed, the Chengguo Mansion will not feel sorry.

The Chengguo Mansion had already given Zhang Zhou a wife of Marquis Anbian, and now they would not be stingy with a second one.

Anyway, considering Zhu Feng's personality, why not marry her again?

It's just that Zhang Zhou feels sorry for Zhu Feng, such a heartless person. Although from Zhu Feng's perspective, maybe it's really nothing, but he was used by the family like this. Even Zhu Feng's nominal wife was so indignant, but Zhu Feng himself didn't seem to care.

Zhang Zhou's face turned cold and he said, "Go back and tell your father-in-law that he must have Zhijie to assist him on the battlefield this time. Without him, he won't be able to win this battle. It's not that Zhu Zhijie is so capable, but that he knows etiquette, righteousness, and honor."

"I don't understand." Chen said.

"You don't need to listen, just take my words to the next level." Zhang Zhou said, "Also, I have an agreement with Yang Gong, the commander of the East Factory, that if I don't leave within half an hour, he will bring people to my house, so I must leave today and cannot delay. Unless this mansion intends to encounter something bad because of this."

When Chen heard this, her eyes lit up.

That feeling is...why didn't you say so earlier?
Originally I could let you go, but now you'd better not leave. It would be better to let the emperor think that the Chengguo Mansion is up to no good and make this mansion a haunted place.

From Chen's small reaction, Zhang Zhou knew what kind of mental changes this woman had experienced in recent years... Now this woman is almost going crazy.

This also shows that not everyone can cope with the same difficulties, just like Ning Tong almost became mentally twisted in the end, and the new wife of Marquis Anbian was completely defeated by the shamelessness of the Zhu family and was on the verge of collapse.

Zhang Zhou stood up. He did not plan to wait for Zhu Fu to come back. He said to Chen: "I am leaving first. No one from the mansion needs to see me off. By the way, tell your father-in-law for me that the two girls are good. As for you... live a good life with Zhijie. Some things are not going well, but as long as you do your best, don't calculate so many gains and losses. Your brother's succession to the title will probably be at the end of this year or the beginning of next year. No one has denied your family, so everything will remain the same. There is no need to ask about it anymore."

Before, Zhang Zhou had no intention of telling the truth to Chen.

Seeing that the woman was almost driven crazy by torture, he really couldn't bear it.

That’s basically it. There’s no need to keep people in suspense.

And Chen's immediate reaction was... He had already been prepared to throw the jar into the air, so how come suddenly... things seemed to light up?

Except that Zhang Zhou said that as long as her husband follows her father-in-law into battle, he can get help and even win the battle… Although this is not entirely in the interests of her husband’s family, it is still acceptable after all.

Then, regarding the inheritance of the title by my brother from the Chen family, can we also get corresponding promises?

This glass of wine... isn't much, does that mean you are drunk?

Why does what is happening before my eyes seem so unreal?
……

……

Zhang Zhou did not give Chen a chance to say more, and immediately led his men to the gate of Duke Chengguo's mansion.

After arriving at the door, Yang Peng just happened to bring people here, and there was a burst of hurried footsteps behind them. It was Zhu Fu who heard that Zhang Zhou was about to leave, and hurriedly came out to chase him... It’s not that he had bad intentions, but that he felt that he had not greeted him well and did not fulfill the old man’s instructions.

"Sir, don't go." Zhu Fugang chased to the door, and when he saw Yang Peng arriving with a group of Jinyiwei, he was stunned for a moment.

The man stood still and could not move.

Yang Peng smiled and said, "I heard that Mr. Zhang came to visit Duke Cheng's mansion. I just happened to have something to tell Mr. Zhang. I hope I didn't disturb you two from drinking and talking."

Zhu Fu could hear two meanings from this passage.

First, Yang Peng knew a lot about Zhang Zhou's presence, and Yang Peng came with a mission, which was to ensure Zhang Zhou's safety, and also to ensure that Zhang Zhou would not be transferred to Pansi Cave or controlled by the Zhu family...

Zhu Fu said: "I have never seen such a great honor. Eunuch Yang has come to visit us. I am sorry that I failed to come to greet you."

"I don't deserve it." Yang Peng said with a smile, "It seems that the matter has been discussed. Why not... change the place to talk about it?"

"No, no need." Zhu Fu said.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Duke Cheng, you misunderstood. Eunuch Yang wanted to talk to me somewhere else. You can go back first. I'll come visit you another day." (End of this chapter)