On the night of March 17, Zhang Zhougang packed up his drawings in the study.
He went to bed early in the evening and even canceled the entertainment program before going to bed. He had to go to the palace early the next morning to wait for the release of the results and the announcement. Just as he was about to wash up, he was told that Xiao Jing was coming to the door.
"Eunuch Xiao, what are you doing?"
When Zhang Zhou saw the smile on Xiao Jing's face, he probably knew that Xiao Jing came with a happy event.
Xiao Jing cupped his hands and said with a smile: "First of all, congratulations, Zhang Gongsheng, the first place in the first class. The number one scholar on the gold list."
"Hoo, really?"
Zhang Zhou smiled.
Won the top prize?
That's okay. Hasn't it been a smooth journey since he started taking part in the imperial examination? The accumulation of knowledge in two lifetimes seems to be very important.
Therefore, there are no white diamonds in the pile of paper.
Xiao Jing said: "Today in the palace, your paper is the most highly regarded by the examiners, and you deserve the title of number one scholar."
Most admired...
Zhang Zhou thought for a while, and his handwriting could be recognized by Li Dongyang and Wang Hao as his former examiners. Could it be that the civil officials did not intend to suppress him and directly pushed him to the top position?
Aren't civil servants worried about the emergence of an uncontrollable alien around them in the future?
Or do they have the confidence to incorporate themselves?
Zhang Zhouxin said, it is not certain who will tame whom!
"Eunuch Xiao, you're not here just for this matter, are you?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.
"You can't hide anything from Mr. Zhang. Seeing how calm and composed you are, you should have figured it out a long time ago. Our visit is just the icing on the cake."
When told that Zhang Zhou won the first prize, Zhang Zhou just smiled politely.
In fact, Xiao Jing can also understand that regardless of whether Zhang Zhou has calculated this in advance or not, for Zhang Zhou, is there really a big difference between winning the number one prize and not?
Anyway, he entered the court as an official.
With the emperor as your great backer and a close relationship with the prince, what else do you have to worry about?
If Zhang Zhou relied on cleverness to win favor, that would be fine. There might be a day when he would fall out of favor. But Zhang Zhou gained today's favor by understanding God's will from above and directly attacking people's hearts. This kind of person is even feared by his enemies.
He was able to make a name for himself even when he was not in court, so does Zhang Zhou really care about his fame and fortune?
It seems like this stingy boy really cares.
But that should be just a superficial phenomenon, right?
"It's about the military situation in the northwest." Xiao Jing also explained his purpose.
The good news is only secondary, the focus is still on the military situation, and it is explained that it is "Northwest", not Liaodong.
"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded, "Eunuch Xiao, let's sit down and talk."
…
…
Zhang Zhou’s study.
Two more candles were lit, and Wang Mingshan stood at the door. Even Xiao Jing didn't mind her. Maybe he knew that she was Zhang Zhou's personal guard. Even if Wang Mingshan came from the Wang family, he was not worried that she would ventilate to outsiders.
Tell the truth.
"This is Ningxia, Shaanxi, Yansui and other places. Please take a look at the memorials for the last five or six days."
Xiao Jing took out several things, including memorials and direct battle reports.
The emperor showed it to Zhang Zhou, so Zhang Zhou didn't need to be polite, he picked it up and looked at it carefully.
Xiao Jing also provided a narration to explain: "Huosi suffered a huge defeat at Pianguan, the situation on the grassland was turbulent, and the little Tatar prince Batu Meng didn't seem to focus on the matter of annexing the Huosi Department.
Recently, Yulinwei and other places have often been harassed. Duke Cheng Guo has just arrived, but he is... stubborn and difficult to get out..."
Although it feels like there are wars on all sides now, the next war may happen in Liaodong.
But it seems that the northwest, apart from Yansui, which is the core of the three sides, is the center of gravity of the nine-sided defense.
Previously, the emperor insisted on sending Cheng Guogong Zhu Fu to Yansui to be the chief military officer, and he also experienced the consequences of "nepotism", because Zhu Fu... was indeed a fool. He did not dare to send troops when the enemy invaded the country.
Even if they attack occasionally, they always withdraw in a hurry.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Not to mention Duke Cheng, except for Wang Weining, no one in the Ming Dynasty seems to be able to change the situation around Yansui."
Does this mean that if Zhu Fu is replaced by someone else, the effect will be better?
Don't call Zhu Fu a fool. Even if he was brave and good at fighting, he could not change the habits accumulated by the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops for hundreds of years with his personal strength.
That's...shrinking.
But in the eyes of the emperor, this is like "the son is a hero, and I am a turtle bastard." I promoted you because I believed in your son, and in the end, this is how you, Zhu Fu, showed your abilities?
"Your Majesty is very dissatisfied with this. Now we clearly have the advantage over the Tatars in the Ming Dynasty's frontier. Why are we still so timid? Your Majesty would like to have Mr. Zhang attend the court meeting tomorrow to participate in the discussion of this matter.
"
Xiao Jing also made it clear.
Regardless of whether there is a grand ceremony tomorrow or not, the emperor wants to hear your explanation of the situation in Yansui.
Others... just stay where it's cool.
Even if the horse loses the picture, it won't work.
Zhang Zhou laughed and said: "In my opinion, the situation around Yansui is just a deliberate attempt by the Tatars to create tension. They don't even understand what the mighty gunpowder is, so how could they commit such large-scale violations? As for the harassment in Hetao and other places.
, are all just caused by the survival pressure of some tribes. Let's put it this way... I think the situation in Yansui, if we don't have better suggestions, I'm afraid I will disappoint His Majesty."
"you……"
When Xiao Jing heard this, he seemed to be even more disappointed than the emperor.
He knew very well that the emperor had such great expectations for the situation in the northwest now, all because of Zhang Zhou.
Now that Zhang Zhou is saying that there is no hope for the northwest, he means that we should focus on Liaodong.
"Besides, I am not a Jinshi now. If I am listed in the court class, I will only attract criticism from others. I have not even planned the situation in Liaodong well, and I really have no intention of extending the throne." Zhang Zhou sighed with emotion.
Xiao Jing said with regret on his face: "If that's the case, you can also write something and we can take it back to your Majesty. Don't get me wrong, our family is not trying to shirk responsibility, because your Majesty only believes in you.
Your Majesty can listen to what you said, but if we relay it... it may not work."
Zhang Zhou smiled, picked up the pen, and wrote some of his opinions on the paper as Xiao Jing requested.
In general.
Yansui, there is nothing I can do.
…
…
Liaodong, Ningyuan.
After nightfall, Zhu Feng, who had been busy all day, sat in the so-called Chinese army's tent and once again opened the letter given to him by his wife Ning Tong. This letter was handed to him by someone from the Chengguo Palace when he passed by the capital.
At that time, I just thought it was a family matter, but... Ning Tong proposed to make peace with him.
"Sir, Uncle Ping Jiang is here to visit."
Zhu Daqi came in to report to him.
Zhu Feng hadn't had dinner yet, and she was waiting for the meal to be prepared on the stove, but here Chen Rui came.
"Let him in."
Zhu Feng calmed down.
Chen Rui walked into the tent with a smile on his face. After a brief exchange of greetings, he said with emotion: "The command post should be given to you. You are the commander-in-chief. The military post should not be regarded as the headquarters of the commander-in-chief.
It’s inappropriate.”
Zhu Feng said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter where you raise the account."
For Zhu Feng, he just wanted to finish the war and return to the capital to be a carefree young boy. Whether it was the northwest or Liaodong, he didn't want to stay for a moment longer.
As for those face-saving projects... people like Ren Liang and Chen Rui were very concerned about it, but he had no idea at all.
"Eat?" Chen Rui asked with a smile.
Zhu Feng shook his head: "Uncle Ping Jiang, just tell me if you have something to do. I still have some private matters to deal with."
Chen Rui smiled and said: "You know your integrity, I didn't expect you to be so organized and orderly in arranging military affairs. You are really like a general. No wonder you can rise from the army. I also like talking to young people the most.
…”
It was just a compliment. From Zhu Feng's perspective, this guy probably had nothing to do with him and was just here to make fun of him.
"...Speaking of personal matters, I heard that you recently recognized a foster father? Who is he?"
The last question that came up from Chen Rui left the second monk Zhu Fengzhang confused.
Zhu Feng said: "A foster father? I never have one."
"Then why... well, it may be someone else spreading rumors." Of course Chen Rui wanted to ask, are you really the one who accepted Zhang Gongsheng as your adoptive father as the rumors said?
Since Zhu Feng denied it, how could he still have the nerve to continue asking?
Zhu Feng said impatiently: "Uncle Ping Jiang, do you have other things to do? I want to rest early after dinner."
Since you, Chen Rui, have nothing important to do, you should go back early. Are you sure you are not tired of coming here to fight?
Chen Rui smiled and said: "Speaking of personal matters, I would like to ask a few more questions. I heard that you previously married a wife from a military household in the Nanjing Local Guard Station. How is your relationship?"
Zhu Feng frowned slightly.
You, Chen Rui, have bad intentions.
Since you have asked about my marital status, do you know how my relationship with my wife is? I brought someone to Ningyuan...
"It's not very good. I have prepared a letter and sent it to the capital. I have included a letter of reconciliation and sent it to the capital together."
Zhu Feng is a sincere person.
Since Ning Tong didn't want to continue being husband and wife with him, and he didn't want to hang on to him, he couldn't give Ning Tong a future in the first place. It would be good for friends to help and help each other more.
Zhu Feng was an open-minded person and would not harm Ning Tong for the sake of his own face.
"Ha...ahem, Zhijie, why is this?"
Chen Rui came here specifically to visit after hearing about this incident.
Since you, Zhu Zhijie, are not shy about it, then of course I will get to the bottom of it and achieve my goal.
Zhu Feng said: "My situation is different from that of ordinary people. I ask Uncle Ping Jiang to respect me and don't ask any more questions."
Chen Rui sighed: "Your Majesty and I are old friends. I don't want you to have the prestige of the Duke of the Kingdom, so how can I allow you to mess around? Not to mention reconciliation, even divorce is not allowed."
Zhu Feng shook his head and said, "I don't have to worry about my family affairs, so Uncle Ping Jiang doesn't have to worry about it."
"Haha." Chen Rui said with a smile, "You know your integrity, you see, now that you have won His Majesty's trust, you are still Uncle Anbian. Even if you didn't need to inherit your father's title in the past, you should do it for yourself now."
Isn’t it for the sake of inheriting the title?”
Zhu Feng rolled his eyes.
You, Uncle Ping Jiang, are really ignorant. You don't want to open any pot, right?
"I do have a little daughter, her age...is similar to yours..." Chen Rui actively promoted her.
Zhu Feng frowned and said, "My concubine is not married yet?"
Zhu Feng was puzzled. Even if you Chen Rui heard that I wanted to divorce my wife and came to mediate with me, you would still find someone of the right age. You came up and said there is someone about the same age as me... I am almost two years old.
Are you fifteen, okay? Are you sure a girl your age has never been married?
Chen Rui said: "She was married in the first few years, but unfortunately her husband's family was poor and his family was of average origin, so..."
"Uncle Ping Jiang, please respect my family affairs and stop talking about it."
Zhu Feng stood up and almost got angry at Chen Rui.
It was because he had a good temper, or maybe he felt a little inferior in front of Chen Rui, and wanted to rely on Chen Rui to use his experience to help him win the Ningyuan ambush battle, otherwise he would have turned against him long ago.
Chen Rui said in surprise: "You are a widower and she is a widow. Besides, in your case, you are just inheriting the incense, and she is still my legitimate daughter. Is there... no room for negotiation at all?"
Chen Rui was also a little angry.
Didn't I think of marrying you Zhu Zhijie only after I heard that you were going to divorce and even sent the letter of divorce?
From now on, I will be your father-in-law. As for you thinking that my daughter is not worthy of you...
I, Prince Jiang, have been in power for so many years. Has my status deteriorated or something? Who doesn’t know that your marriage to Zhu Zhijie is only in name only? Who is not worthy of whom?
"When our two families join forces, I will try my best to help you in military and political matters in the future. I also want to protect you!" Chen Rui was also afraid that the matter would break down directly, so he softened his tone and talked it over with Zhu Feng.
.
Zhu Feng was also quite speechless.
At this moment, a strange voice came from the door: "Hey, are you two talking about something?"
But it was Zhang Yanling who forced her way in despite Zhu Daqi's obstruction.
The so-called Chinese army tent is just a tent with curtains. As the deputy commander-in-chief, it is not difficult for Zhang Yanling to enter.
Zhu Daqi said: "Jian Changbo wants to advance, but his humble position cannot stop him."
"It doesn't matter." Zhu Feng didn't mind either.
A chief military officer and two deputy chief soldiers were all dispatched by the emperor in a hurry. In Zhu Feng's view, no one was in a better situation than the other.
Zhang Yanling said with a mocking look: "Whenever we discuss anything in the future, remember to bring me with you."
It means, stop discussing things in private, I followed you to Liaodong to make meritorious deeds together, so don’t think of leaving me alone.
"Uncle Pingjiang, Uncle Anbian, are you two here talking about matchmaking?" Zhang Yanling sat down and crossed his legs.
Chen Rui said: "Uncle Jianchang, what do you mean?"
"Tsk, tsk." Zhang Yanling said, "Uncle Pingjiang, others don't know, but I heard that in order to get the job of deputy commander-in-chief in Liaodong, you gave all your widowed daughters to Zhang Bingkuan as a maid. Why, you still have
Two widowed daughters, and one more for Anbian Bo?"
When Chen Rui heard this, he knew that Zhang Yanling was eavesdropping outside.
Zhang Yanling's information channels, or the intelligence under the palace system, are much stronger than the two of them.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Feng frowned and looked at Chen Rui and said, "Uncle Ping Jiang, is this so?"
"this……"
Chen Rui couldn't help but explain, "I just made a joke when I was drunk. I can't do it accurately. Besides, even if someone takes it seriously, I will ask your Majesty to cancel the matter after this battle."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "You have been married to the daughter of a dead man, so being a concubine is just fine. Uncle An Bian despises it, but I don't despise it. Just be my concubine. Isn't it the same with the marriage between our two families?"
I won’t humiliate you, right?”
"ah?"
Chen Rui originally thought that Zhang Yanling was just here to amuse himself.
Only then did I know.
It turns out that Zhang Yanling was also interested in his newly widowed daughter.
With Chen Rui's status, it is naturally not allowed for his legitimate daughter to be used as a concubine...but there are exceptions. For example, he directly said that he would give his daughter to Zhang Zhou as a servant girl.
Anyway, my daughter has already been married once. Unless she marries someone whose status is far inferior to hers, she will get married through a matchmaker.
Otherwise... we can only count on Zhu Feng who just reconciled with his wife...
This is also the reason why Chen Rui shamelessly came to play matchmaking as soon as he heard that Zhu Feng wanted to divorce.
Not only can he marry his daughter to an upstart of comparable status, he can win over Zhu Feng and achieve the purpose of political marriage.
It is simply the best home for his Chen Rui's daughter.
As for whether Zhu Feng is a masculine person or a womanizer...who cares, this is not within the scope of Chen's consideration.
"Uncle Jianchang, my daughter is mediocre in appearance and doesn't like being a concubine." Chen Rui declined.
Zhang Yanling said with a sarcastic smile: "My Zhang family has such a high status in the government. Are you still not happy to take in your ruined daughter? I really shame you! I will give you a few more days to think about it. If you don't
You know, if you ask me for help from now on, I won’t give you face! Let’s go!”
After saying that, Zhang Yanling walked away with a arrogant look.
…
…
As soon as Zhang Yanling left, Chen Rui looked embarrassed.
Zhang Yanling knew that he sent his daughter out drunk, and he was a bit embarrassed.
He also wanted to explain to Zhu Feng, but Zhu Feng said: "If Uncle Ping Jiang really wants to marry someone, why not ask Uncle Jianchang?"
Chen Rui said: "Don't you know how famous the Zhang family is in the court? That... harmed my daughter."
Zhu Feng gave him a blank look.
Why are you pretending to be a kind father? You gave your daughter to Brother Zhang as a servant girl, so you didn't harm your daughter?
What you say is a drunken joke, but if you say it out loud, there is no reason to take it back.
"Zhijie, don't you hope that someone can give you some advice in the future? Your Zhu family and I, the Chen family, are well matched." Chen Rui continued.
Zhu Feng suddenly thought of something and muttered: "Chen family?"
Chen Rui frowned.
What do you call that, kid?
It's not the Chen family, is it the Wang family or the Li family?
"Uncle Ping Jiang, when did your daughter...become a widow?" Zhu Feng suddenly asked with uncharacteristic interest.
Chen Rui was a little uncomfortable with the change in Zhu Feng's attitude, and said impatiently: "Last year, she and her deceased husband spent less time together and separated more. In the past two or three years, they have not seen each other, so they have no heirs. This is also to blame Wang Weining and Helan Shan
In the first battle, he achieved great results, but he made my daughter a widow!"
"oh."
Zhu Feng nodded and stopped asking.
Chen Rui asked: "Why do you ask about this?"
Zhu Feng said: "Brother Zhang, also known as Mr. Zhang, once asked me if I knew a girl from the Chen family, and later he said that he was destined to me..."
"Really?" Chen Rui said in surprise, "Look, even Mr. Zhang is trying to bring your family together."
Zhu Feng shook his head: "When he said this, it was too early, and he should have nothing to do with your Chen family."
"Well……"
Chen Rui's face was full of embarrassment.
Zhu Feng said: "Uncle Ping Jiang, the reconciliation between my wife and I is just a matter of writing a letter and sending it to the capital. The details will be decided after I return to the capital. You don't have to talk to me about it. Marriage is a major matter, and parents order a matchmaker.
As I said, even if you really have this intention, go and talk to my father, and please concentrate on military affairs. Don't mess up the whole story."
"Ahem."
Chen Rui felt like he was being choked back by Zhu Feng.
I am thinking in my heart, my daughter who is as beautiful as a flower, even if she was once as beautiful as a flower, marrying you will not humiliate you at all, how can you still be so picky?
You deserve to die!
If I marry you, I might as well give it to Zhang Bingkuan as a servant girl!
