After more than a month of long journey, Zhang Yanling and his party arrived in the capital on the tenth day of November.
On the way after the attack, Zhang Yanling no longer dared to take it lightly. He made his identity known all the way and sought escort from local guards.
The original plan was to pass by Suzhou, meet Tang Yin, and take a look at his two paintings. But considering that it was a detour and unwilling to make extraneous matters, I gave up.
But the three-month period has not come yet, so I can ask him for it later. Besides, asking him to paint again was just a means to encourage him to stand up again. It doesn't matter whether he wants the painting or not. In later generations, Tang Bohu said
Paintings were certainly valuable, but that was hundreds of years later. At this time, Tang Yin, a painting was probably not worth much money.
However, I stayed in Nanjing for two days, because Zhu Fu, the governor of the Nanjing Central Military Governor's Mansion, Cheng Guogong, was leading the army in Nanjing. Zhu Fu was Zhu Lin's father and an important figure in the Ming Dynasty Xungui Group.
When our own people learned that Zhang Yanling had arrived in Nanjing, they naturally received him warmly.
In addition, Wang Hua, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing, was also grateful for Zhang Yanling's kindness in rescuing his son Wang Shouren. Knowing that Wang Shouren and Zhang Yanling were already good friends, he warmly invited him. Zhang Yanling could not refuse the invitation, so he stayed in Nanjing for two days and participated in several events.
A banquet.
Zhang Yanling is still very concerned about Wang Shouren's current situation. It has been more than two years since Wang Shouren was demoted to Longchang Station in Guizhou as a messenger, and Zhang Yanling wants to know his current situation.
"How is Brother Shouren doing? I haven't corresponded with him for a long time. I don't know how he is doing now. Shibo, please tell me something." Zhang Yanling asked at the banquet at Wang Hua's home.
Wang Hua sighed when he heard Zhang Yanling's question.
"Hey, don't mention it, I'm afraid I'm going crazy. I'm worried to death." Wang Hua mentioned his son Wang Shouren, drank a glass of bitter wine, and frowned.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly asked: "How do you say this?"
Wang Hua immediately got up and went to the inner hall, took the letter Wang Shouren wrote to him and showed it to Zhang Yanling.
Zhang Yanling was shocked when he saw it.
"The way of the sage is that our nature is self-sufficient. It is a mistake to look to it for reasons of things."
"There is no reason outside the heart, and there is nothing outside the heart. You can know things by studying them, and you can know the world by studying your heart. The heart is the reason."
"Seeking truth from the outside is the reason why knowledge and practice are two things. Seeking truth from my heart is the teaching of the Holy Sect that combines knowledge and practice."
The contents written in this letter were all Wang Shouren’s insights, and they were quite systematic. Zhang Yanling realized that Wang Shouren’s Longchang enlightenment had probably been successful. In the past three years, in the remote place of Longchang, he
Finally, he was reborn and became a great master of psychology.
Wang Hua was deeply worried and told Zhang Yanling: "Look at what is written in this letter. It doesn't even recognize the principle of studying things to achieve knowledge, saying that everything lies in the heart. Isn't this nonsense? What is the unity of knowledge and action?
What is in the heart is the truth. Hey, isn't this a delusion? Mr. Zhang, I really don't know what he is thinking. He wants to be a saint while urinating. If he comes up with these absurd theories and speaks them out, he is not harming others or himself.
What?"
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly and thought: Sure enough, even Wang Shouren's father didn't agree with it, and he didn't even know that his son had already embarked on the road to sainthood.
"The Marquis also thinks it's ridiculous, doesn't he? What's even more ridiculous is that he also opened a school in Longchang and recruited scholars from nearby to sell his fallacious theories. He actually became a teacher and taught students. This is not
Are you misleading me?
? This is not the way to go. I plan to wait until his three-year term as a post minister expires, and then I will find ways to transfer him to Nanjing as an official even if I show off my old face. If this goes on, I am afraid something will happen."
Wang Hua sighed.
Zhang Yanling looked at this worried old father and didn't know what to say.
"He still respects Lord Zhang. Lord Zhang might as well advise him on my behalf. His heretical theories will sooner or later be criticized and may even cause trouble," Wang Hua said.
Zhang Yanling smiled and nodded, and said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, Shibo, my dear caretaker knows it very well. The words written in this letter are well-organized, and although the principles stated are different from those of Cheng and Zhu, they are not too outrageous.
.It’s just a different angle
Just looking at the world. It has not reached the point of being obsessed. Just imagine that Zhuang Zhou dreamed of butterflies. Doesn’t it sound ridiculous? But later generations talked about it and admired it. If Shi Bo could calm down and understand what Brother Shou said, he would
I know the truth is contained in it.”
Wang Hua was stunned, and after a while he said: "I finally know why Shouren has made you a confidant. You don't think his words and actions are ridiculous. I really have nothing to say."
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "Shibo, aren't you just worried that he will miss his future? When I return to Beijing this time, I will see if I can think of a way to help my dear friend. With his talents, he has to settle down in Longchang as a messenger.
, isn’t it a waste of natural resources? I have to help with this matter no matter what.”
Wang Hua was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.
Cheng Guogong Zhu Fu actively helped and deployed two Yangtze River navy warships to escort Zhang Yanling and his party northward.
God was kind enough to show that the canal had not yet frozen over. They arrived at Tianjin Haihe Ferry and disembarked from the boat and switched to land route. The group arrived in the capital smoothly.
Before entering the city, Zhang Yanling arranged for Chen Shiyi to send three Franco machine guns and a batch of artillery shells directly to Xishan Manor. He escorted another three Franco machine guns and a batch of valuable materials into the capital.
Because the family members had been notified, everyone in the Zhang family had already been waiting at home. A table of wine and food was prepared. It was cooled, heated, heated and cooled, but Zhang Yanling did not come back.
Only when Huang Si, who was waiting at the city gate, rushed back to report the situation, did all the wives and concubines know that as soon as the Marquis entered the capital, he was summoned to the palace by the emperor.
Xu Wanyi, Tan Ruqing and other wives and concubines were all wondering, what was so urgent? Lord Marquis came back after a long journey, but in the end, he was not even allowed to go back home, and was directly called to the palace. This is too unkind.
.
Everyone felt a hint of uneasiness in their hearts.
After Zhang Yanling indeed entered the city from Yongding Gate, Zhu Houzhao sent Zhang Yonglai directly to announce his entry into the palace. Zhang Yanling did not even have time to send the accompanying Fo Lang machine gun to the Ministry of War.
However, Zhang Yanling was actually mentally prepared. Shortly after the attack, Zhang Yanling ordered his bodyguard Qingqi Kuaima to send a memorial back to Beijing, reporting all the things he had done in Guangdong. At the same time, he also sent Li Siming, Wan Fengnian and other prisoners to the capital.
The news of being attacked and killed by bandits on the way was also reported.
Zhang Yanling knew that the matter had reached this point, so it was better to report it directly and be more sincere in order to avoid arousing Zhu Houzhao's suspicion. He reported it as soon as possible, and related relevant matters and some confessions from previous interrogations, collected from the people in Guangzhou Prefecture.
The oral confession and other matters should also be handed over to Zhu Houzhao. This is the wisest approach.
Now that all the witnesses are gone, the most fearful thing is that someone will characterize the matter as framed by those officials. They will regard their deaths as murder and silence. That is the most fatal thing. If you just accuse yourself of violating the rules,
If you act beyond the scope of your authority, thank God.
Zhang Yanling did not intend to tell Xu Guangzuo, Zhang Mao and the others about these things. It would not necessarily be a good thing if they gathered everyone's strength to excuse themselves. Zhang Yanling knew Zhu Houzhao too well. Previously, Liu Jian, Xie Qian and others from the outer court were trying to besiege.
You coerced him and angered him. You must not arouse his rebellious psychology, and you must not let him feel that you are also coercing him with the nobles.
However, what Zhang Yanling did not expect was that Zhang Yanling did not meet Zhu Houzhao alone after entering the palace. Zhu Houzhao knew that Zhang Yanling was returning to the capital this morning, so he had summoned everyone from the inner and outer court, as well as Xu Guangzuo, Zhang Lun, Zhang Mao and others to enter the palace to wait.
Therefore, after Zhang Yanling entered the Imperial Study Room, all the eyes inside looked at her, which shocked Zhang Yanling. At the same time, Zhang Yanling also understood that a criticism meeting had been arranged and was waiting for her.
"Your Majesty, Zhang Yanling, is here to see you, Your Majesty." Zhang Yanling knelt down and saluted loudly amid the angry, blaming, or gloating eyes of everyone.
Zhu Houzhao was sitting behind the Dragon Case. His eyes sparkled when he saw Zhang Yanling coming in, but he soon frowned.
"Is the Marquis Jianchang back?" Zhu Houzhao asked.
"I'm back," Zhang Yanling said.
Zhu Houzhao shouted coldly: "Marquis Jianchang, you are too bold. Who gave you the courage to do these things in Guangdong? Do you still have me in your eyes? Are there any court rules?"
Zhang Yanling hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I made a mistake, and I know I was wrong."
Zhu Houzhao said coldly: "What's the use of admitting your mistake now? The Guangdong and Guangxi Provincial Secretary Zuo Bu Zheng Envoy, the Guangdong Supervisory Secretary and the Supervisory Envoy, the Guangdong Dusi Du Commander, the Qian Shi, the Guangzhou Prefect, and the Tongzhi. These are all local officials.
You take an important official of the imperial court as you wish? And you also said that he was robbed by Wuyi Mountain bandits? His life and death are unknown, and even his body is gone. Marquis Jianchang, do you know that you have committed a serious crime?"
Zhang Yanling heard the heavy breathing of the officials behind him, which was the excitement of a beast about to become bloodthirsty.
"Your Majesty, I have written a memorial about what happened. Has the Emperor read the memorial?" Zhang Yanling said.
Zhu Houzhao said: "I saw it, but what's the use? Those are all your words. How can I believe you? Furthermore, even if what you said is true, why didn't this matter be reported to the court? It's up to you to decide on your own
Advocate and go beyond the rules? What do you think of the imperial court?"
Zhang Yanling sighed and said: "Your Majesty, I did not want to go beyond the rules, but the situation was urgent at that time. The local officials in Guangdong colluded with the Francois, treated the people as insignificant, and allowed the Francois troops to station in Tuen Mun.
The French ship landed on the island two years ago, but they did not report it until the beginning of this year. This was an act of concealment and deception. They colluded with local merchants and smuggled food into the island.
In order to make huge profits, they even turned a blind eye to the behavior of the soldiers of the Franco Kingdom selling local young people and killing our Ming women. I found out about these things, how can I remain indifferent. Therefore, I am so talented
I decided to resolutely take action and capture them. I admit that I have exceeded the rules, but I have no choice. I can't just watch these people collude with Fanyi and do whatever they want and ignore it."
"Where is the evidence? Mr. Zhang, this is not something you can just say. How can you prove your one-sided statement? Where did Li Siming and the others go in Wanfengnian? What kind of bandits? Where did the bandits come from? They don't know.
He is missing. Could it be that the Marquis wants to die without any evidence, so whatever you say will be whatever you say." A sinister voice came from behind, it was the voice of Liu Jin who couldn't hold back.
"Yes, where is the evidence? Did you kill Li Siming and the others? But why did the bandits rob them? What did the bandits do to rob them? Do you think I am easy to deceive?" Zhu Houzhao also asked loudly.
Zhang Yanling frowned and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, how could I do such a thing? Who does your Majesty regard me as? If your Majesty thinks that I am deceiving you, what is the meaning of my excuse? Your Majesty will directly convict and punish me. That's it. I don't say anything anymore. The emperor can do whatever he wants. He can be dismissed, demoted, or imprisoned, no matter what."
"What is your attitude?" Zhu Houzhao was furious.
"That's it, Zhang Yanling, are you rebelling against heaven? What is your attitude? Are you going against the court? Are you being angry with the emperor?" Liu Jin also screamed.