Ping An Biography

When Fang left Zhili in the south, he went to Huangzhou Prefecture.Huangzhou Mansion is already the boundary of Huguang, and it is not far from the territory controlled by King Zhang Ning of Xiang to the area controlled by King Han.However, Huangzhou Mansion is not the destination yet, and the majority of Huguang is still under the control of the imperial court.

Zhu Heng kept a low profile all the way, and he could only obey the arrangements of the people who rescued him in everything in a foreign country.Huguang is indeed a place that makes him feel unfamiliar.Zhu Heng has only set foot in Huguang once in his life. It was many years ago when he was a young scholar and entered the gentry class, he traveled all over the world to increase his knowledge; Pass the Yueyang Tower in Yuezhou.

Looking back at those years, when I recited Fan Zhongyan's "worry about the world's worries first, and enjoy the world's joys" in Yueyang Tower, I was full of ambition, and the kind of mind that the sky will send a great mission to the people is vivid in my mind; People are very sad, if I can climb Yueyang Tower again, I am afraid that I only want to sing Du Fu's "There is no word for relatives and friends, old and sick have a lonely boat".Zhu Heng was very unwilling, but he couldn't control his state of mind at the moment.

A few days later, a group of people crossed Yiyang cautiously from Dongting Hunan Province. The Peach Blossom Fairy said that they had reached the territory controlled by the Suzaku Army, and everyone was finally relieved; Not so good.

Those who "stepped on the road" in front came back and said that Changde Mansion had soldiers coming to meet them, so their safety was completely guaranteed.Just as Zhu Heng and others rode their horses to a hillside, they suddenly heard a gunshot, and Zhu Heng's horse was also startled and ran a few steps.This place is still dozens of miles away from the city, could it be that there is an accident when we are approaching?

Suddenly, a whole row of cavalry appeared on the hillside raising the flag, and then a large group of cavalry appeared in a row. The purge looked spectacular for a while.In a short while, I saw a majestic young man wearing a gray cloth military uniform and a square scarf hat riding forward among the soldiers. Looking closely, who is it not Zhang Ning?

Zhang Ning yelled, galloped up on his horse, and immediately clasped his fists with joy on his face and said, "Brother Zhu, I have been waiting for you to come, and today we finally meet again."

Zhu Heng was both surprised and pleasantly surprised that the prince went out of the city dozens of miles to meet him in person. Regardless of other things, it depends on how he does it. This sincerity is already very sufficient.Zhu Heng hurriedly got off his horse, and then cupped his fists and bowed in obeisance: "Don't dare, how can I be treated so courteously by the prince?"

Zhang Ning jumped off his horse, looking lively; and looking at the cavalry around him, all of them held their heads high and their chests high, very energetic, which really made people feel at ease.Zhang Ning stepped forward to support Zhu Heng, "You are my Guan Zhongleyi, you deserve everything!" He pointed to the army behind him and said, "This is our team, sir, today's arrival will definitely make the Zhuque army even more powerful , in the future you and I will be able to contribute to the great cause together."

Zhu Heng hurriedly said: "It's a great honor for me not to abandon you today. I only hate my lack of talent and learning, and I dare not be arrogant."

Zhang Ning took his hand and patted Zhu Heng's shoulder directly, "Sir, you don't have to worry about anything." He looked back to the left and right and said, "Now that a strong enemy is on the side, the situation is difficult, and the fate of the Suzaku army depends on yiti. We can only survive if we help each other in the same boat; we can recruit talents from all over the world, which is the way to self-improvement, as the saying goes, "Heaven moves vigorously, and a gentleman strives for self-improvement". If someone does not understand the general situation and only cares about internal struggles, what use is this king using him? Brothers, have you forgotten my precepts?"

The cavalry general shouted: "Unity!" All the troops immediately shouted: "Glory!"

Although there were only about a thousand cavalry coming, the momentum was like thunder for a while. After the soldiers shouted, their emotions were high, and they raised their arms and cheered.Zhu Heng felt as if he had been welcomed the moment he arrived.

Zhu Heng's emotions were shaken, and it was difficult to keep calm. He said excitedly: "The prince treats me as a national scholar, and I will repay the king with a national scholar, and I will never lose!"

"I will remember what Mr. said today, let's talk about it when we go back to the city." Zhang Ning smiled and brushed his arm, his love for talent was beyond words.

The general accompanying the army shouted: "Salute to Zhu Butang!"

There was only a "wow" sound of neat armor rubbing|rubbing, and the soldiers of the whole army raised their left arms, palms down, and performed a special etiquette.There is no groveling attitude in saluting, just like a friend of a gentleman.What made Zhu Heng feel good even more was that all the soldiers were watching him while saluting, making him a figure that attracted the attention of all.

When entering the city, Zhang Ning first took Zhu Heng to the official office, and all the officials from the Senate and Changde Mansion came to greet him at the door.Zhang Ning introduced the important people to Zhu Heng one by one. There were too many people, and he couldn't remember them all for a while, so he bowed to the princes to show their acquaintance.Zhu Henggang came all the way from afar. He hadn't bathed and changed clothes for many days, and looked ashamed; but at this time, these external things were not important, and the bureaucrats in Changde still had a good attitude and respect.

Zhang Ning said in public: "Zhu Butang is the Secretary of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, and he is the chief minister in charge of Jiangfang. The 30 elites of the imperial court's Beijing camp have been unable to cross the river for a long time, and Zhu Butang's contribution is indisputable."

After hearing this, everyone expressed their respect and admiration.

Of course, everyone's attitude is not mainly because of these things, but... I am afraid that no one dares to underestimate anyone in Changde Mansion who claps shoulders with the actual ruler Xiang Wang and sits on an equal footing.

Then Zhang Ning bid farewell to the officials, and took Zhu Heng and his son to a mansion on Fuqian Street.Zhu Heng looked up and saw a plaque hanging on it, which read: Zhu Mansion.There is also a wooden sign on the side of the door: the mansion of the Senate President of the Senate Department of the Ming Empire.

Zhu Heng looked back at Zhang Ning, only to see him smiling without saying a word.Zhu Heng quickly understood that this was a residence specially prepared for him, and even the plaque had been made in advance.He moved and said: "The prince is at the beginning of his business. He doesn't need to spend money for ordinary people. It is enough for the ministers to live in the back of the government office."

Zhang Ning shook his head and said: "Although Mr. is a minister, he is also a man of honor. A man of honor should have pomp and prestige. Look at the guards, your guards, guards of honor, everything is available. Today's Mr., just use the blade, today's king I will appoint you as the chairman of the Senate, and you will worship in public another day."

Zhu Heng hurriedly thanked him, but he still didn't quite know what kind of official this post called Senate President was.

Zhang Ning seemed to see what he was thinking, and then explained: "The three provinces under the Zhongshu sect in the Tang Dynasty, and the two privy offices of the Zhongshu in the Song Dynasty, our Senate Department is equivalent to this kind of organization within the government. It manages everything, mainly military affairs. ; just because our military and political scale is not large, there is no need to create a bloated organization, so we use a Senate instead."

Having said this, Zhu Heng already understood that this Senate Department is the center of power, and the real power is going to harm the Yamen.If the forces controlled by the Suzaku Army can be called an empire, then Zhu Heng is almost like worshiping Prime Minister.

After a while, Zhang Ning touched his palm, and a sergeant brought a copper plate covered with a red cloth.Zhang Ning opened it and said with a smile: "300 taels of gold, just like the new officials in the court have to receive official uniforms and hats and settling allowances when they take office, this king also has to pay Mr. Zhu settling allowances. Although it is a bit vulgar, please ask Zhu Don't refuse, sir."

Real gold and silver can only be talked about by some talented people who recite the wind and the moon, but this thing is really real.Zhu Heng was stunned for a moment, then readily accepted, and asked his son to catch him and thank him; he is also a straightforward person, and he dared to take advantage of it, so he was ready to show some ability to accept it.

Zhu Heng, who was just like a bereaved dog not long ago, was filled with emotion in his heart when he received this kindness.He thought to himself: If you know this, why are you still wandering around in Nanjing for so long?It's time to come here and join Zhang Ning. Even if nothing happens in the end, I feel at ease in this situation!

Surrounded by their subordinates, the two entered Zhu Heng's new home, and found a hall to sit in.Zhang Ning naturally sat on the top seat, while Zhu Heng and the accompanying officials and generals sat on the side.

As soon as Zhu Heng sat down, he asked in a casual tone: "Before this, who is the chairman of the Senate?"

Zhang Ning chuckled, and said: "The chairman of the Senate is Xu Guangchen. I often call him Lao Xu. He is a follower of me in the early years, and he is a bit old."

When Zhang Ning appointed Lao Xu as an important member of the central government, he mainly valued that Lao Xu was a reliable confidant.But when it comes to ability, Lao Xu is reliable in doing some specific things, Yu Dalue really has no cultivation; he was only a middle-level general in his early years, he had no experience in coordinating the overall situation, and he had been away from the officialdom for many years, what can he do when he is in chaos? as?As for the other people under Zhang Ning, there are almost no real great talents, and no one is really available; so since Zhang Ning raised his troops, all strategic plans were made by him personally, and it is not easy for the Senate to implement them. I still need Zhang Ning to ask for a solution.

But Zhu Heng is different. He has been a professional bureaucrat since his debut. He is not only proficient in file files and administrative operation rules, but also has experience in climbing to high officials. Ning felt that this person was quite knowledgeable and thoughtful.One is that in Le'an, so many people were helpless, and only Zhu Heng could see the King of Han; the correct strategy of going south; the other is the civil war in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The King of Han defended the river in a completely passive situation, and Zhu Heng must be credited , although the Yangtze River is a natural danger, it is dead and people are alive. If the defense of the river is not strong, it will not be able to defend it. From ancient times to the present, the dynasties on the south bank of the Yangtze River, the capital, have never been able to keep their country by relying on natural danger; The third is Zhu Heng's recent proposal to the King of Han, advocating learning tactics from the Zhuque Army, which is "completely inferior to the King of Han's army", which is also a manifestation of vision.

Many people are after the fact. It is true that not everyone can see the situation as quickly as Zhu Heng.

So now Zhang Ning is very optimistic about Zhu Heng, thinking that he is a talent who combines tradition and pioneering spirit... A courtyard, 300 taels of gold, although the sincerity expressed is very sufficient, but for a person of Zhu Heng's level , In fact, Zhang Ning's cost is very low. In Nanjing, the wealthy and wealthy capital, 300 taels is nothing in officialdom.