The war in the northwest has temporarily subsided and entered a relatively relaxed war preparation period. Naturally, the ministers in the DPRK did not feel that Zhang Zhou could really conquer the grassland.
Due to the calm situation in the northwest recently, even the daily night watch of the cabinet has been cancelled.
After Li Dongyang had been on duty for several days, the court meeting was over. Liu Jian also brought news from the Supervisor of Ceremonies, telling Li Dongyang that he could go home and have a good rest for a few days.
"Bin Zhi, you should prepare your personal affairs in the past few days. Dongzhuang has been in Beijing these days. I heard that he has not been able to visit you several times. You should not be left in the cold."
Liu Jian seemed very concerned about Li Dongyang.
Because Zhu Youtang’s birthday is on the third day of July, which is the Longevity Festival. Whether it is envoys from foreign countries, vassal kings, nobles, or officials from various places, they will send people or come to Beijing in person to congratulate the emperor on his birthday. This year The Wanshou Festival was different from the past. The Ming Dynasty won successive victories in border battles, just when the emperor was in high spirits.
Coming to present gifts to the emperor at this time is mostly to take advantage of the opportunity to flatter him.
Dongzhuang is now the nickname of Kong Hongtai, the Duke of Yansheng. He is known as "Mr. Dongzhuang" and is close to Li Dongyang.
Of course, Kong Hongtai did not come to the capital alone this time. He also brought his nephew Kong Wenshao with him. The name of visiting Li Dongyang was to contact Li Dongyang, but in fact he just wanted to remind Li Dongyang... The engagement period between our two families has expired. Come on, we agreed that your daughter will get married in three years. Now that three years have passed, we should have finalized the marriage, right?
Li Dongyang stayed on night watch for several days in a row just to avoid Kong Hongtai.
As a result, Kong Hongtai was not able to visit him, so he actually asked Liu Jian for help in making peace. Only then did Liu Jian ask Li Dongyang to "prepare private matters."
It means that you can focus on marrying your daughter these days, and we will help you with the court affairs.
Of course Li Dongyang's face looked a little ugly.
The direct grandson of the eldest son of Confucius, the future heir to Duke Yansheng... This future son-in-law seems to have no choice in terms of birth and character, but the question is... what is the father-in-law? He rapes and kills, not just kills. Got one... Don't say that I, Mr. Li, am the prime minister of the dynasty, even if I were an ordinary person, I wouldn't care about this kind of marriage.
But the arrow is on the string... I can't drag it off anymore.
"knew."
Li Dongyang responded.
Of course Liu Jian also understands that Li Dongyang has opinions on this matter, but everything has been decided, and you, Li Dongyang, can only admit it. Besides, the Kong family is also the "loyal ministers and nobles" of the Ming Dynasty, and there is no question of insulting anyone.
As for your in-laws issue...
Isn't it precisely because the child's father has a bad character that he needs a marriage with you, the daughter of a great scholar's family, to demonstrate the legitimacy of his heir apparent?
This was to stabilize the scholars of the Ming Dynasty and to stabilize the imperial court.
As the saying goes, sacrifice the small self to fulfill the greater self, so just endure it.
…
…
Huo Si is still on his way to Beijing. Zhu Youtang has been in good spirits in the past few days. He goes to Wenhua Palace to see his son when he has nothing to do, and occasionally calls his son to Qianqing Palace.
There is only one purpose.
Examination.
Zhu Youtang also felt that by transferring Zhang Zhou to the northwest, he seemed to have neglected to teach his son. Since the famous teacher he invited could not go into battle, he, the father, could only take action himself.
"Father, when will you call Mr. Zhang back? I still miss him a little!"
During the school exam that day, Zhu Houzhao performed very poorly.
But Zhu Youtang didn't blame him, but when he was about to take his son to Kunning Palace for a family reunion dinner, Zhu Houzhao mentioned it to his father.
Zhu Youtang seemed to have the same idea as his son. He said: "It's good to respect teachers and Taoism."
Even Dai Yi and Xiao Jing, who were standing next to them, looked at it and thought, this is really a kind father and a filial son.
Both of them were fascinated by Zhang Bingkuan, and Zhang Bingkuan's level of convincing people was really extraordinary.
But who makes people capable?
Zhu Houzhao said: "If my father is like this, it will be inconvenient for Mr. Zhang to come back. You can just send my son to the northwest! If my son goes to the northwest, you should also study hard with him!"
"Nonsense!"
Zhu Youtang shouted angrily, instantly making the atmosphere in Qianqing Palace a little tense.
What was once a loving father and a filial son soon turned into the scene of a large-scale disaster where no relatives were recognized.
Zhu Houzhao argued: "What's wrong? Where can we learn without learning? Father, don't worry, with Mr. Zhang's ability, he can dispatch troops and generals while teaching his ministers, and the ministers can also learn some war and war skills from him." The matter of running a country can be said to be accomplished with one stone."
"Cough cough cough..."
Zhu Youtang was so angry that he choked on his saliva and coughed.
I always think that Bingkuan doesn't play by the rules, and now his son has begun to imitate him. He must not be my biological child!
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself." Dai Yi hurriedly persuaded.
Zhu Youtang stopped the eunuch who was coming to caress his back and said coldly: "Prince, you should focus on your studies now and stop thinking about those crooked things. I know what you are thinking about, such as running the army and using troops. Sometimes it is indeed what you should learn, and it is not a wrong way, but you have to wait until you become an adult to study it."
"As for Bingkuan, he is in the northwest and is busy with more than just using troops. He is planning my northwest strategy for the next ten or even decades. He is dedicating himself to the Ming Dynasty. As for you... don't think that I don't know you. What do you want to do!"
"Since ancient times, the crown prince has not been able to leave the capital easily. Unless you are old enough to decide the affairs of the court, I will never let you travel far!"
Zhu Youtang was still thinking, you brat, you can go far away if you want. I won't bother to care about you until your father gives you more brothers!
Zhu Houzhao was very angry after hearing this, and argued eagerly: "But my father, if he doesn't come back, I won't be able to learn anything! I need famous teachers, and those old-fashioned people in the Hanlin Academy are really intolerable..."
"enough!"
Zhu Youtang was angry every day, and also scorned his son every day, "You don't have to go to Kunning Palace today, just go back and study behind closed doors. You don't even have to go out of the East Palace these days! Before my birthday, if you cause trouble again, let's see what I do. Get rid of you!"
…
…
Zhu Youtang made this arrangement not only to allow his son to study with peace of mind, but also because he was worried that the vassal kings from all over the country who came to the capital to celebrate his birthday might have ulterior motives.
The emperor only has a son, but he is a little guilty in certain things and has a guilty conscience.
He was afraid that something might happen to his son accidentally, and the Ming Dynasty would not even have a crown prince, and it was not uncommon for a child to die these days.
"Watch the prince!"
Zhu Youtang also intentionally reminded Xiao Jing before going to Kunning Palace.
This means that with the help of Dongchang's power, the prince's daily life and behavior must be strictly restricted, and he must not be allowed to act recklessly.
"Yes." Xiao Jing responded hurriedly.
Zhu Youtang sighed: "It's a pity that Bingkuan is not here, and I don't know what will happen recently. I just feel uneasy if I don't ask clearly about some things."
Xiao Jing and Dai Yi were both thinking.
Your Majesty didn't say it yourself. If there is any big event in the future, ask Zhang Zhou. You also said that if there is a big event, he will definitely inform you in advance?
It seems that the person whose words don't count now is you, Your Majesty, right?
Xiao Jing seemed to remember something and reminded: "Your Majesty, it is said that Mr. Zhang is currently mining around Datong Town, but there is still a memorial on the way. Is it possible to remind your Majesty of something?"
Zhu Youtang shook his head: "Most of the time he submitted the memorial, it was for military affairs in the northwest. He also easily predicts secrets. The so-called secrets cannot be leaked. How can I force others to make things difficult?"
Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty, do you want the Qin Tian Jian to test it?"
"Um?"
Zhu Youtang frowned and looked at Xiao Jing, his eyes seemed to say, are you sick?
In the past, Qintian Monitoring was used for testing, and it was better than nothing.
But now there is obviously a guy who is as accurate as a prophet. You want me to listen to those nonsense detected by Qin Tianjian again? Is there any difference between me listening and not listening?
Dai Yi probably felt that he had made a mistake, so he quickly lowered his head and said nothing.
"In the future, more people from Qintian Prison will be allowed to study with Bingkuan. They are both Taoists, so why are they so different?" Zhu Youtang complained.
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang's side should not be regarded as Taoist, but as Immortal."
Dai Yi was startled at first, thinking, is there any essential difference between Taoism and Immortalism?
But when I think about it again, calling Zhang Zhou a half-immortal seems really lofty. Who can make Zhang Zhou hit the target every time? It’s as if his mouth has been blessed?
…
…
Li Dongyang Mansion.
Li Dongyang still met Kong Hongtai.
Originally, when Kong Hongtai sent the greeting card, he specifically stated that he would bring his nephew to meet him, but when Li Dongyang sent someone to invite him, he also specifically stated that he would only see Kong Hongtai, which probably meant... Even if Kong Wenshao is my son-in-law , I don’t want to see him either.
Only if you are my friend Dongzhuang, can I give you the face to meet you.
Not even seeing his future son-in-law, Li Dongyang was actually reminding Kong Hongtai that if there is anything convenient to do when meeting, just say it, and if it is not convenient...such as marriage, don't mention it if you can.
After Kong Hongtai arrived at Li's Mansion, he was indeed very knowledgeable.
This man has a bold personality, and he is a contemporary Yan Shenggong with an outstanding status in the literary world. In addition, he is humorous and sociable. He has a good staff in the capital. Every time he comes to the capital, there are a lot of people meeting him, and there are many People will invite him over to show their identity.
Look, even members of Duke Yansheng’s family have come to live in my house. My house has a very high lintel, right?
But Kong Hongtai’s biggest regret is that he never had a son in this life.
Kong Hongtai has always regarded his eldest brother's eldest son, Kong Wenshao, as his own.
Kong Hongtai was fifty years old, but he still looked very humble when standing in front of Li Dongyang. After the two sat down, Kong Hongtai also mentioned the purpose of his coming to the capital...not mentioning his nephew's marriage, but mentioning his eldest brother Kong Hongxu. The matter of restoring the crest.
Historically, in the eleventh year of Hongzhi's reign, Kong Hongxu petitioned the local government in Shandong to restore the crown and belt, and Zhu Youtang approved it.
However, due to the impact of Zhang Zhou's appearance, this matter did not take place in the middle of last year, so that Kong Hongtai had to take advantage of this trip to come to Beijing to talk to his elder brother.
Without the crown and belt restored, he was still guilty. Kong Hongtai saw that his health was getting worse day by day. In order for his nephew to legally inherit the title in the future, even if he felt that his eldest brother was guilty, he had to do it for the entire Kong family. Something.
Li Dongyang said: "This matter should not be brought up by you. You should ask the local vassals, governors, etc., or ask the censor to report to the capital. It is best to find someone you have good relations with, so as not to cause trouble."
In fact, Li Dongyang now also wants Kong Hongxu to restore his crown.
Even if the father-in-law is no longer a thing, but the marriage contract has been concluded, in terms of face, I still hope that the father-in-law can be spared, so that I can have a little face.
This is also the reason why Kong Hongtai came to see him. It probably means that you, Li Dongyang, don’t want your daughter to pass by with her father-in-law still a sinner, right?
Kong Hongtai wondered: "I have looked for it before, but recently there have been too many incidents in the capital. Local officials rarely dare to speak out easily. How about you help to clear things up?"
If you can find someone to intercede, why do you want to find you, Li Dongyang?
Precisely because of the rise of Zhang Zhou in the court, the status of Yanguan is not as good as before. Now local officials are beginning to act according to the wind. The point is that the emperor has not shown any goodwill to the Kong family in the past two years. Local officials have not shown any goodwill to the Kong family.
Ask them to judge the situation wisely and protect themselves... I have no choice but to ask you to come forward and find someone to help negotiate peace.
"Um."
Li Dongyang nodded.
He would not refuse in this matter.
The two continued to talk. Kong Hongtai talked about the good news in Weininghai and knew that Zhang Zhou had a special status in the court. He only mentioned congratulations to the Ming Dynasty and did not mention Zhang Zhou.
After the courtesy visit, Li Dongyang originally wanted to stay with Kong Hongtai for dinner, but Kong Hongtai also knew enough to leave first.
Because until now, Kong Hongtai had not said a word about his nephew's marriage, he was a little embarrassed. When seeing off the guests, he took the initiative and said: "Recently, my daughter has been studying women's studies, and she also specially invited people
Come back and teach her, she is still young now, so she might as well postpone the marriage for another year."
It means that the engagement will not be fulfilled this year, and I will stay with my daughter for another year, and we will talk about it next year.
Kong Hongtai smiled and said: "What Bin Zhi said is absolutely true. The children are still young, so it won't be too late to get married in a year."
This is a polite word.
Li Dongyang's daughter is already sixteen years old, and Kong Wenshao is also seventeen years old. In this year, it is the most appropriate age to get married, but Li Dongyang insists on waiting... It is a bit unreasonable.
But who made Li Dongyang suffer great grievances in this marriage?
Now Kong Hongtai still has to worry about fighting for his eldest brother's crown, so naturally he won't fight for it forcefully.
Anyway, the engagement has been made, it's not her, it's her, the marriage is not over.
Even you, Li Dongyang, can't create any problems with what the emperor has approved!
…
…
Li Dongyang was in a bad mood after sending Kong Hongtai away.
But he saw his son Li Zhaoxian appearing in front of him as if taking a stroll. At this time, Li Zhaoxian was probably about to go out, but he was stopped by Li Dongyang.
"Father, aren't you meeting Yan Shenggong?" Li Zhaoxian was still puzzled.
When a big shot like Yan Shenggong comes to your door, you say a few words and then drive him away? This doesn't seem to be the way of hospitality you usually admire, right?
Li Dongyang said: "Where are you going?"
Li Zhaoxian smiled and said: "Meeting up with friends, we went out to drink a few glasses of wine and discuss poetry. By the way, father, today the talented daughter of the Lin family who is well-known in the capital came to the house to give lectures on women's studies to her sister. I originally wanted to pay her a visit.
, but it’s really a pity that it’s inconvenient.”
"Are you recovered from your illness?"
Li Dongyang looked very unhappy.
His son's personality is not very pleasing to him, but he can't help it. He only has one son alive now, and he is still infected with an incurable disease. As a father, he has to be strict if he wants to be strict.
As for the "talented girl of the Lin family" mentioned by Li Zhaoxian, it was naturally Lin Yi who was invited back by Li Dongyang to teach his daughter about to be married about women's studies, female filial piety and other popular science knowledge.
Although Lin Yi is a commoner and does not have a high status in the marriage market, Lin Yi is a well-known figure in the field of women's education.
The reason is that Lin Yi is the daughter of Lin Han, the Jiuzijian Jiujiu of the Imperial Academy, the highest university in the dynasty. In addition, Lin Yi was well-known in the capital for her poetry. Not everyone who wants to invite Lin Yi home to teach their daughter about women's studies can do so. It's all because of his reputation as a great bachelor that the Lin family would let Lin Yi come.
Li Zhaoxian did not argue with his father. He smiled and said: "Father, my son's illness has improved a lot, and he has been paying more attention to family affairs recently. I hope you won't dwell on it too much. I will go out first, and you will go and do your work first." "
"This... ugh!"
Li Dongyang felt a little helpless when faced with this son who seemed very dashing and unrestrained.
But there is only Miaomiao in the family.
His hope of inheriting the incense also fell entirely on this son.
This still requires coaxing.
…
…
In the palace.
Zhu Youtang had just finished lunch with Queen Zhang. Originally, Zhu Youtang had planned to stay in Kunning Palace and take a nap. It was a hot summer day, which was perfect for a nap in the afternoon, but Xiao Jing came to Kunning Palace excitedly to find her.
"His Majesty……"
Xiao Jing's face looked as if there was some great joy.
Zhu Youtang first glanced at his wife, who looked slightly disappointed, and asked, "Is there a war situation in the northwest?"
"Your Majesty, it's not that Mr. Zhang is here with a memorial concerning the future affairs of the DPRK." Xiao Jing said happily.
"call!"
Zhu Youtang's clothes seemed to be carrying the wind, and he almost jumped out of his chair.
Empress Zhang rolled her eyes at Xiao Jing and said, "If you have anything to do, just bring it up and tell me."
This means, don't steal my husband away, and don't fool people with official business.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Queen, many of the things Bingkuan mentioned are not convenient to explain in the inner curtain. They are all state affairs. I will come over early tonight, so I won't accompany you for now! Tell Xiurong, I’m busy with court affairs now!”
Without even having time to say goodbye to his daughter, Zhu Youtang happily went out with Xiao Jing to the Qianqing Palace.
…
…
In front of Zhu Youtang was Zhang Zhou's memorial.
In the eyes of the four ceremonial eunuchs, Zhu Youtang looked like a groom who was about to lift off the bride's red hijab. He looked excited, but also seemed to be a little nervous, fearing what kind of monsters were under the red hijab... ...That look of anticipation, excitement, and vague worry allowed Dai Yi and the others to fully appreciate Zhang Zhou's PUA abilities.
"Bingkuan is really a roundworm in my belly. He knew what I wanted, so he brought it to me right now." Zhu Youtang smiled.
Then Zhu Youtang personally opened Zhang Zhou's less formal memorial.
Because the memorial was folded, the first fold contained four words: "Hui Lu Disaster".
That is fire.
Zhu Youtang's heart thumped and he asked: "Which palace in this palace is going to have a disaster?"
Xiao Jing and others were startled. We didn't dare to watch this kind of secret performance. Where would we know where to go?
When Zhu Youtang opened the second fold, there were detailed instructions on it. Xiao Jing and others looked over and saw that although the words on it were densely packed, the first few words that stood out still explained the location... "Xuansheng Temple Disaster" .
In other words, the fire may have started in the Confucian Temple.
As for whether it was the Confucian Temple in the capital, or the Confucian Temple in Queli, that is, Qufu, what Zhang Zhou was talking about later, involving the causes and consequences, etc., because there were too many words, the emperor did not let them read it, so they didn't know for a while.
After Zhu Youtang finished reading, he waved his hand and said, "It is said that Mr. Li Ge is here to see you!"
