The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

At the end of April, Zhu Fu attended a court meeting, where the emperor decided to appoint him as the commander-in-chief of Yansui, which was equivalent to asking him to cooperate with Tang Yin in the expedition.

At the same time, Zhu Feng's memorial requesting to go to the border for "experience" was also approved, and he was appointed as the deputy general of Yansui.

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that these were brothers fighting together to kill a tiger, and father and son fighting together in battle.

Many people even secretly complained that if they failed, both the Zhu father and son would be gone, and the lineage of Duke Cheng would be completely finished. Zhang Bingkuan was a ruthless guy who wanted to kill them all.

But Zhu Fu seemed very happy. After all, Zhang Zhou had promised that as long as his son followed him to the battlefield, he would receive the most meticulous "care".

Of course, this was just his wishful thinking. To help secretly meant that Zhu Fu believed that Zhang Zhou would be able to help him win from thousands of miles away... Of course, this also depended on whether Tang Yin would help him. Although Tang Yin was not very famous in the army, his past record was still very solid. Zhu Fu was obviously ready to curry favor with Tang Yin.

"Thank you, sir, for your support."

Zhang Zhou also attended the court meeting that day.

But in the court, he didn't say a word, as if it didn't matter whether he was there or not. After leaving the palace, Zhu Fuze found an opportunity to come forward and establish a relationship with him.

At this time, Zhang Zhou was still chatting with Lin Han. Hearing this, they both looked over at the same time.

Lin Han smiled and said, "Duke Chengguo, you are about to go to war. If you discuss matters with the Minister of War in private, I am afraid it will cause misunderstandings."

Lin Han was a cautious person. He thought Zhang Zhou should be more restrained. Since he was the Minister of War, he should not meet with so many military generals, lest people would accuse him of usurping military power.

Lin Han himself looked down on military honors, so this time he took the opportunity to show Zhu Fu his authority as the Minister of Personnel.

After all, Lin Han had just taken office, and now he was very influential in the court. After all, no matter whether they were pro-Zhang Zhou or traditional civil officials who were against Zhang Zhou, none of them regarded Lin Han as an enemy, and Lin Han could remain neutral in most things.

As for neutrality, when Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, Ma Wensheng and others had the upper hand, it was an unacceptable act of betrayal, and Lin Han was ostracized at that time.

But when the situation changes and Zhang Zhou's momentum is on the rise and even becomes dominant, neutrality becomes a valuable quality and a link between the traditional faction and the new faction, and Lin Han will be respected by more people.

Even Lin Han himself has gone through a different period of time. Now he can be said to be at the happiest moment of his life.

Zhu Fu smiled and said, "Master Lin, you are right. I am not about to go on a campaign yet, and I still have many military matters to attend to. I would like to ask Zhang Bu Tang for advice. He has given me a lot of advice, and he can be said to be a great benefactor in my life."

"Haha." Lin Han laughed, "At your age, is he still your benefactor?"

Zhu Fu said helplessly: "Although I am older, I have less experience. After all, I have only inherited the title for a few years. I still need to ask for advice from you two, who are so venerable and respected, on many matters."

Flattery never wears out, even though Zhu Fu's words sounded against his will, Lin Han still found them very useful.

As a traditional civil official, he cared a lot about his reputation. Even when he was the Minister of Rites, he was not well-received and was often just a bystander. But now that he is the Minister of Personnel and holds great power, he needs someone like Zhu Fu to flatter him, say nice things to him, and make him feel a little better.

Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty has asked Duke Cheng to lead the troops to go to war in the next two days. Are you ready?"

"Everything is ready." Zhu Fu said, "I don't intend to delay. Since we want to teach the Tatars a lesson, we should set out early. I will lead the troops to the battle before dark today. The number of soldiers is not large, but it is enough for the journey. After arriving in the northwest, I will consult the Ministry of War."

Lin Han said: "You are wrong. You should ask for instructions from the Northwest's pacification department. Isn't it a bit far to ask for instructions from the capital?"

As he said this, Lin Han looked at Zhang Zhou and asked with his eyes, "I wouldn't rashly say that it's completely wrong to ask for instructions from the capital. It depends on whether this is the intention of His Majesty or you. If so, then it's fine for him to do so."

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "Mr. Lin is right. You should listen more to Minister Tang's opinions. He has not been in office for long. It should be of great benefit if you assist him this time."

Zhu Fu said again: "Master Zhang, I have another favor to ask of you."

"Speak." Zhang Zhou said.

Zhu Fu said with a smug look on his face: "I heard that Pinglu Hou was previously stationed in the three border areas. I don't know whether he was the general of Ningxia or Yansui. If he can help me to send troops..."

"Haha." Lin Han couldn't help but laugh out loud when he heard this.

The general meaning of that is to make fun of Zhu Fu.

You are really a genius, you are greedy and you can't chew enough. You are the general of Yansui, look at your ability, and you let your son, the famous Anbian Hou, be your general, and you want to transfer Ma Yi, who is in the limelight recently, to be your deputy... Zhu Zhijie is your son, you are his father, he will listen to you, why should Ma Yi make wedding dresses for you?
Zhang Zhou sighed, "This is not an easy task. Logically speaking, with you and your son here in Yansui, the momentum alone is enough, while places like Ningxia need experienced generals to guard them. A general with military merits like Pinglu Hou should be placed in a more useful position."

"so……"

Zhu Fu had a worried look on his face.

Obviously he lacks confidence and hopes Zhang Zhou can give him more confidence.

He was not at all reassured with just Zhu Feng as his deputy, because he felt that his son was just a vase. As a father, he would always feel that his son was incompetent. After all, he knew his son well, and he did not think that Zhu Feng had any military talent.

But it’s different for Ma Yi’s family…other people’s children are just awesome, so why can’t I just dislike my own?

Zhang Zhou said: "In terms of strength, your son is not inferior to Pinglu Hou. If he also comes to Yansui, I'm afraid there will be some overlap in positions."

Lin Han also smiled and said, "That's right, the Northwest is a very large territory, and there are many talents that can be cultivated, but there are only a few who can deter the Tatars. If all of them are transferred to you, what about others?"

These words were obviously ridiculing.

"Yes, yes." Zhu Fu didn't dare to get angry.

Zhang Zhou changed the subject and said, "However, if the three borders want to launch a war against the grassland, of course this war will be initiated by Tang Yin, who is in charge of the military affairs of the three borders. If he really wants to do this, then everything will be coordinated by him. Perhaps the troops from Ningxia and other places will also be dispatched to cooperate with you in the battle. At that time, it is not impossible for you to be the commander-in-chief and Pinglu Hou to be the deputy commander-in-chief."

When Zhu Fu heard this, he burst into tears of gratitude and said, "Thank you very much, sir. Thank you very much, sir."

……

……

After Zhu Fu got Zhang Zhou's hint, he was overjoyed.

If he really had Ma Yi as his deputy, in his opinion, it would be a sure thing for him to win military merit in this war in the northwest.

Because he doesn't need to go into battle, all depends on Ma Yi, and as his superior, he can sign his name and even take the credit for himself... As the saying goes, it's a waste not to take advantage of subordinates, but how to make a long-famous general become your subordinate depends entirely on relationships.

Zhu Fu returned home and hurried to see the old lady Zhu Hu. He was told that Zhu Hu was still offering sacrifices to the ancestors, so he followed her to offer sacrifices. Zhu Hu seemed very cautious. After all, this time the Zhu family father and son went to the war together, except for the useless Zhu Lin who had to stay at home to guard the family business to prevent no one from inheriting the title after his father and brother died... The remaining problems were for Zhu Fu and Zhu Feng, father and son, to solve.

"May our ancestors bless us, and may my son be victorious and protect the Zhu family's bright future."

Zhu Hu said this while burning incense herself.

Zhu Fu also went over to burn incense.

Afterwards, Zhu Fucai helped the old lady to the back hall and told her about Zhang Zhou's suggestion that he might let Ma Yi become his own.

Zhu Hu asked, "What else did he promise? When he came to your house, you asked me to entertain him well. Why did he leave after staying for less than an hour? Did you really entertain him well?"

Zhu Fu said: "In fact, I have only been here for half an hour."

"Nonsense." Zhu Hu said, "Don't let him dig a hole for you to jump into."

"No...no way?" Zhu Fu seemed unconfident.

Zhu Hu said coldly, "My original hope was to have you go to Jizhou or Liaodong. Jizhou would send troops to attack the three guards of Duoyan at most, while Liaodong is currently fighting the Jurchens, so it would be easier to gain military merit. Even the two youngsters of the Duke of Changguo have gone to Liaodong to gain military merit, which shows that it is not difficult there."

Zhu Fu said: "But the three borders are the places that need famous generals the most."

"Are you a famous general?" Zhu Hu retorted.

Zhu Fu was so upset that he dared not say a word.

Zhu Hu probably felt that her words were too harsh, and her son was about to go to war, so it would not be good to undermine his confidence.

Zhu Hu sighed, "The girl in Zhijie's room came over and told me about the meeting with Duke Cai. In fact, Bingkuan really wanted to help us. He didn't even stand idly by when it came to the Chen family. After all, Pingjiang Bo... was very respectful to him."

"hehe."

Zhu Fu himself didn't have much ability, but when he heard my mother mention Chen Rui, he felt a little disdainful.

It is said that scholars look down on each other, and the same is true in the circle of martial artists.

Zhu Hu said, "But Bingkuan also said before he left that the two maids you sent over to toast are not bad. So, send them over."

"Ah? Mom, what are you doing..." Zhu Fu was shocked when he heard it.

Zhu Hu said coldly: "Why, you are not happy?"

Zhu Fu said, "Mother, please calm down. Duke Cai never accepts gifts from others. Even if Zhijie is asked to deliver the gift, it will be useless. If we send the gift so rashly, will he accept it? It's better not to do it."

"I see you are just distressed." Zhu Hu said, "The girl in your room complained to me a few days ago, saying that you haven't been nice to her for several years. As husband and wife, you have always been in harmony but not in harmony. You are still thinking about the outside world every day. Is this the material for great things? His Majesty lets you go out to gain experience, which is also giving you an opportunity."

Zhu Fu said with a dark face: "Wasn't it the same before?"

Zhu Hu snorted coldly, "That was when your father was still alive. In the six years since you inherited the title, what have you done to bring honor to your family? Now the court is undergoing a period of change, and we must step on the right direction."

Zhu Fu said: "If the wind changes direction when we look back, there will be no hope for us to turn around."

"You are wrong." Zhu Hu said, "No matter how the wind changes, as long as we follow the will of the royal family, it will always be right. We should follow the direction of the emperor's wind. This is called following the wind."

“You won’t have to turn around then, will you?” Zhu Fu was obviously reluctant.

The main reason is that my mother asked him to send those two women away.

Zhu Hu said angrily, "Why are there so many excuses? You can just turn your head and hurt your waist? Aren't people in our family of meritorious officials always like this? Not to mention the ministers in power now, even if it is... Never mind, just do as I tell you."

Originally, Zhu Hu wanted to say that even if the emperor changed, we have our own way of being a fence-sitter. For example, from Yingzong to Jingdi and then to Yingzong, even if we have to go around in circles, our family can still do it with ease.

Zhu Fu said, "Mother, how about this? We should send the person, but not to the residence of Duke Cai. After all, he won't accept him even if we send him there. Just like the Earl of Pingjiang did, find a house to keep the person outside, and if Wei'er wins a battle in the northwest, send the key there..."

Zhu Hu frowned and said, "Are you giving gifts to ask for help, or to express gratitude? If you don't give them benefits, will they help you wholeheartedly? You are too soft-hearted to take from others. I have never heard of giving gifts after the event. What's wrong? You just can't bear to give it?"

"This this……"

Of course Zhu Fu was reluctant to do so.

At this moment, the voice of Zhu Feng's "right-hand man" Zhu Daqi came from outside: "Sir, the carriage is ready and we can set off at any time. If we don't leave now, we won't be able to reach the military camp before noon."

"Got it." Zhu Fu responded.

As he said this he was about to get up and leave.

Zhu Hu said: "If you keep making excuses, don't blame me for not only sending the two girls over after you leave."

"Don't, mother." Zhu Fu said hurriedly, "Isn't it okay for me to listen to you? I will send someone to the house right away, and have someone send the key to Duke Cai tomorrow. This is also to avoid being conspicuous. As for me... it's better to wait until I leave, so that I can be at peace with myself."

Zhu Hu looked at her son, who was laughing bitterly, and said, "You are useless. You only bully the weak and fear the strong. In Nanjing, people say you are arrogant and domineering, but in the capital, you are almost like a grandson."

"Yes, I also want to go back to Nanjing." Zhu Fu couldn't help but recall his happy time in Nanjing.

That's really...

The emperor is far away and the mountains are high. You can do whatever you want, and others will flatter you. You can also cover the sky with one hand.

But after arriving in the capital, as the saying goes, how glorious he was in the beginning, how miserable he is now. He seemed to understand the feelings of those who tried to curry favor with him.

Zhu Hu said: "Even if something happens to you, Zhijie can't be in trouble. I still think that we can't let two people get into trouble at the same time, so even when we send troops, it's best to ask General Tang to let you and Zhijie split up into two groups, so that if something happens..."

"Mother, you should still hope for your son." Zhu Fu said helplessly, "It has only been a few years since I inherited the title. I am still young and you still need me to take care of you in your old age." (End of this chapter)