Zhang Yanling went to Zhang Heling's house in the inner city and asked him to go to the party with him. Last time, Zhang Heling expressed dissatisfaction because he did not tell Zhang Heling and his young father-in-law about the party, so Zhang Yanling came to invite him specially.
Zhang Heling expressed his willingness to go. Although Zhang Heling did not think there would be any problem with the support of the Zhang family. The emperor was only in his thirties and had to be emperor for decades. His sister also had to be queen for decades. In fact, there was no need to be too
He was too worried. But he also thought what Zhang Yanling said before was reasonable. After all, the Zhang family could not make enemies everywhere, and it was still necessary to ease the relationship with the nobles.
The two brothers set out on horseback immediately, leaving Xuanwumen and arriving at the outer city, heading south to Zhengnanfang.
This Zhengnanfang is the southernmost folk square in the outer city of Beijing. The two altars of mountains and rivers and heaven and earth on both sides of the Yongdingmen gate are here. As the leader among the nobles, the new outer city of the British Government
It is located in the north between the two altars in Zhengnanfang.
According to folk rumors, the reason why the British government chose to build it next to the Altar of Mountains and Rivers and the Altar of Heaven and Earth was actually specially authorized by the emperor. These two altars were places where the Ming Dynasty worshiped Sanchuan, Heaven and Earth, so they needed an important minister to come.
To guard here, the British government is obviously the most suitable candidate.
The ancestor of the British Duke was Zhang Yu, the general who followed Zhu Di in Jingnan. Together with Zhu Neng, the ancestor of the Chengguo Duke, he was Zhu Di's right-hand man. After Emperor Jianwen ordered the reduction of vassals, Zhu Di decided to raise troops in Jingnan. It was Zhang Yu and Zhu Neng who led the army to capture
The Nine Gates of Peking firmly controlled the city of Beijing. Later, he followed Zhu Di through several battles.
During the Battle of Dongchang, Zhang Yu died on the battlefield to save Zhu Di, which made Zhu Di extremely sad. After the Jingnan Rebellion, after Zhu Di won the throne, he posthumously named Zhang Yu the King of Hejian. Zhang Yu's son Zhang Fu was soon named the British Duke.
Zhang Fu died in the Battle of Tumubao. Zhang Fu's son Zhang Mao was hereditary as the second generation British Duke. Many years ago, Zhang Mao had already been the governor of the regiment and camp, and all the twelve regiments and camps in the capital belonged to Zhang Mao.
Commander. This shows that the Ming Emperor trusted Zhang Mao. And this trust came from the performance of several generations of loyal ministers in the British government. Both Zhang Yu and Zhang Fu sacrificed their lives for the country. The British government is naturally the most loyal and loyal minister.
Trust was gained. The troops and horses of the Beijing camp were handed over to the British Duke, and there was no need to worry at all.
It can be seen that the British Duke is a leader among the nobles of the dynasty. Therefore, he is qualified for the important task of guarding the Temple of Heaven and Earth. This is the reason why the British Duke’s new residence is located in Zhengnanfang.
Of course, these are just some random rumors among the people, and they may be simply nonsense. In fact, the inner city is crowded, and the top noble families of the day have no choice but to build luxurious mansions in the outer city.
Maybe this is the real reason.
The host of this gathering was none other than Zhang Lun, the young prince of the British government, who was also the admiral of Tuanying Fenwu Camp.
The soldiers and horses of the Beijing Camp are divided into twelve regiments, namely the Four Military Camps, the Four Yong Camps and the Four Wei Camps. The Wu Camps are Fen, Yao, Lian and Xian. The Yong Camps are Dare, Guo, Effect and Gu.
The prestige camp is divided into four camps: establishing, extending, raising, and vibrating. All regimental admirals and mid-level and senior generals are served by nobles. The Beijing camp is the place of strength that the nobles have complete control over. This is their
Exclusive rights.
Although they are all regiment camps in name and are ranked in no particular order, they are actually different internally. The Wu camp comes first, and the Fenwu camp led by Zhang Lun is the first of the four Wu battalions.
This shows the status of the British government among the nobles.
The Yingbin Building where the party is located is a restaurant that is not famous, but the scenery is good. The restaurant is close to the north bank of Nanhu Lake in Zhengnanfang, with lush trees and beautiful scenery. Even in such a midsummer season, the place looks casual, quiet, cool and pleasant.
people.
Just like last time, when brothers Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling arrived, several young princes were already talking loudly upstairs. Seeing the two brothers arriving, the young princes were polite and stood up to salute. But when they saw Zhang Heling,
I came too, somewhat embarrassed.
"Dear young princes, I have called my brother here this time. The young princes will not mind. My brother has said that he also wants to resolve the old feud with them and get back on good terms. I was thinking
, since I said that our family of ancestral relatives should unite with Qi Lianzhi, I took it as a good example. So I invited him to come with me. Again, what kind of festival did my Zhang family have with all the young princes before?
If so, I will apologize on behalf of my brother."
Zhang Yanling's words broke the embarrassment. Did Zhang Heling not know his brother's painstaking efforts? Now that he was here, of course he couldn't disturb the situation or act like a chicken. So he saluted and greeted them one by one. But he felt a little uncomfortable when saluting Xu Yande.
Zhang Heling was really upset because Yan Ling's proposal to propose marriage was a bit unreasonable.
"Sit, sit. Sit down. I am the host today, and Shouning Hou is also here to support me, so he is naturally very happy. Let me explain, I, Zhang Lun, did not choose this small restaurant because I was trying to save money, but because it is quiet here.
Very well, I have fully booked this restaurant today, and also invited the famous singers and dancers from Ming Yufang to perform singing and dancing. The wine I drank today was wine from the Western Regions, and I spent a lot of money on it. I can explain this in advance,
I don’t want you to say that I, Zhang Lun, am stingy. These expenses are quite a lot." Zhang Lun greeted everyone enthusiastically and said with a smile.
Zhu Lin laughed and said: "Look at you like that, we are afraid that we don't know how much money you have spent. Aren't you just talking about the shabby hospitality I received at Jiqinglou last time? The last time I was thanking the Marquis of Jianchang, so naturally we can't make too much of a fuss.
.Wouldn’t it be disrespectful to invite some geishas to sing songs? Next time it’s my turn to be the host, I will make it lively, isn’t that right?”
Zhang Lun laughed and said: "You are called a guilty conscience. I don't want to point it out, but you said it yourself. We were gathering together, and you made it so shabby, which really looked stingy. It's okay if you know you were wrong. You will have to worry about it later.
Supplement it. After all, you are also from the Duke’s family, the future Duke Cheng. You don’t have any pomp, but it won’t work.”
Zhu Lin laughed loudly while scolding. Everyone in the audience burst into laughter. The young masters of these kinship families always love comparison and extravagance. They are familiar with each other, so they speak very directly. Zhang Lun said that
These words hinted that Zhu Lin's last party was not grand enough and he did not invite a singer or dancer to entertain him. How could Zhu Lin not hear it, but he didn't care much.
"I'm really looking forward to the time when the host in Jianchang will invite us to have a party." Zhang Lun refused to let Zhang Yanling go and said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling said: "I regret attending the gathering with you now. How can I, a young prince of Jianchang, compare with future father-in-laws like you? My little family cannot withstand the trouble."
"Tch! The Marquis of Jianchang really knows how to cry for poverty. You are very good at making money. We have all heard about that." Zhang Lun said.
Zhang Yanling asked in surprise: "What's the matter? What's the secret to making money?"
"Oh, Lord Jianchang, please stop pretending. We don't have any intentions, so why pretend we don't know? We all know about the fact that you extorted 10,000 taels of silver from the Zhou family. You can
You are really capable, you can extort money from the Zhou family, that's amazing. Who doesn't know that Qing Yunhou and his brother are famous misers who can only get in but not get out?" Zhang Lun said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling was surprised. It turned out that this incident had actually spread among the noble circles. This was not good. He had said before that the nobles and relatives should unite as one. In the blink of an eye, the Zhou family was troubled.
A pen of money, this will definitely make several young gentlemen feel that they are extremely hypocritical.
"So that's what happened. Then I have to explain it to you. I didn't blackmail them for the ten thousand taels of silver. They funded the construction of the dam in my Xishan Manor with me to solve the problem of floods and droughts. Then
The dam cost 20,000 taels of silver to build, so the Zhou family paid half of it." Zhang Yanling explained hurriedly.
"Jianchang Hou, there is no need to explain. We also know about the dam you built, and we also know about that bastard boy Zhou Ying from the Zhou family who came to make trouble in your village. You took the opportunity to kill him in the Zhou family, which is very satisfying.
We have long disliked the Zhou family. The two old guys Zhou Shou and Zhou Yu are just relying on their old age to show off their old age. That fellow Zhou Ying also regards himself as a figure, showing off all day long and showing off everywhere. You did it.
We don't have the slightest objection to him, but we want to praise you. We brothers and sisters must unite, but not everyone has to be brought in. There is no need to be friends with people like the Zhou family." Xu Yande said solemnly.
.
Zhu Lin also nodded and said with a smile: "Isn't that right? Although the two princes of your Zhang family were domineering and arrogant before, they also have your capital. Who is his Zhou family? It is all relying on the blessing of the old queen mother. The emperor was hindered by the
The Zhou family no longer knew who they were. This time, Jianchang Hou, you did a good job, but you were a bit ruthless. You blackmailed ten thousand taels in one go. The Zhou family will definitely retaliate.
Chang Hou, I’m afraid you have to be careful.”
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and was speechless. It seemed that explanations were useless. These people were well-informed and must have known the cause and effect of the matter. They must also know that the dam did not cost more than 20,000 taels of silver. In fact, he was
Having blackmailed the Zhou family, any more explanations would seem untrue.
"I didn't mean to cause trouble for them. It was Zhou Ying who provoked me first, and I didn't provoke him. He came to my Xishan Manor and injured my people, and the evil man complained first, dragging the old queen to complain about me.
"That's why I gave him a sum of money. Guys, please don't tell anyone about this matter. We can just talk about it in private. It would be bad if the matter gets too big. I don't want the emperor to know about it." Zhang Yanling laughed.
road.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty already knew this." Zhang Heling said suddenly.
"Ah? Does the emperor know about this?" Zhang Yanling asked hurriedly: "What did the emperor say?"
Zhang Heling curled his lips and said: "You have been focusing on your dam recently, and you don't know what's going on outside? You have extorted a lot of money from the Zhou family. How can the Zhou family be willing to suffer a loss? In the blink of an eye, the Queen Mother invited the emperor to cry.
The emperor had no choice but to summon Zhou Shou to appease him. Zhou Shou took the opportunity to ask the emperor to allow him to purchase the so-called 400 hectares of wasteland in Baodi County, and the emperor agreed to him. However, it was not 400 hectares of wasteland.
That's four hundred hectares of fertile land. Hehe, you extorted ten thousand taels from me, and they got tens of thousands of acres of fertile land as compensation. What's there to be happy about? I met Zhou Shou that day, and Zhou Shou proudly told me, "
I sent a message to you, saying that I was grateful for your gift. I was afraid that you would be annoyed, so I didn’t tell you."
"Ah?" This time not only Zhang Yanling was surprised, but Zhang Lun, Zhu Lin, Xu Yande and others were also shocked.