The banquet is over.
Zhu Youtang ordered Zhu Houzhao to study, while he had some simple conversations with Zhang Zhou and prepared to send Zhang Zhou out of the palace.
Zhu Youtang said to his son's teacher as if he were a father, "The prince seems to be a martial artist, and even I have to look at the opinions he occasionally makes."
Zhang Zhou said, "Then Your Majesty, if the prince becomes a martial artist in the future, what choice should your Majesty make?"
As a person who has experienced history, Zhang Zhou is using historical allusions to seek the opinions of a father who is still unclear about his future prospects.
"I have been weak since I was a child, and all I have learned from officials is benevolence, filial piety, and etiquette. I have never even been on horseback, let alone accomplished martial arts and expanded territory."
" I use civil servants to govern the country. In fact, I also hope that the prince will be both civil and military, but I will not overdo it, because I know that the kings who have been martial since ancient times will either conquer the world and be famous for a long time, or they will be labeled as being militaristic and will be infamy for eternity. , My wish is enough to protect the territory of the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Youtang said this sincerely, and he seemed to regard Zhang Zhou as a close friend before he said this.
Next to them, Dai Yi and Xiao Jing lowered their heads and pretended to be deaf as much as possible.
Because these words, just hearing them, are a kind of transgression.
Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "I understand."
Zhu Youtang seemed to feel that this topic was a bit heavy, and said with a smile, "Bingkuan, you predicted that this time There will be cheating during the test, do you still think so?"
Zhang Zhou said, "After the second show came out, there were rumors of cheating, and the finger was pointed at Bachelor Cheng."
"It's true that Cheng Minzheng has been absent from the government for many years. He returned to the court less than a year ago. I originally wanted to use him as a cabinet minister to reserve talents. It coincided with the National Examination and the war in the northwest. You can also see that , the three ministers in the cabinet are stretched thin, but now it seems that I did something bad with good intentions and acted too hastily."
Zhu Youtang felt a little regretful.
It goes against his original intention to think highly of Cheng Minzheng.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Your Majesty, we are not sure yet, or I may be unfounded."
"I was too stubborn before and insisted on letting him be the examiner. If this exam In the end, if he can get through it safely, I am not in a hurry to promote him and let him hide his talents and bide his time in the Hanlin Academy for a few more years."
The emperor probably did not have enough confidence in using Cheng Minzheng.
Now that the proposal has not been started, the emperor has made up his mind to let go of Cheng Minzheng who is important to him.
It can be regarded as a kind of protection for Cheng Minzheng.
Zhang Zhou had to rush out of the palace before dark and go to Gongyuan to take the third examination of policy questions.
Although the exam will not open until the next morning, the entrance gate will be closed during the last shift. Candidates must enter, otherwise the door will not be opened to greet the candidates early the next morning.
That night Zhu Youtang took the prescription given by Zhang Zhou and slept peacefully in the back hall of Qianqing Palace for a few days.He didn't even get a good rest. Zhu Youtang went to bed just after the first watch.
However, Empress Zhang had not seen her husband for a few days, and that day she heard that her husband had gone to see the prince. She thought that her husband was busy with court affairs, so she came to Qianqing Palace to meet him in person. After some tenderness, Xiao Jing informed him that the emperor had gone to bed.
"Going to bed so early"
Queen Zhang was a little dissatisfied.
She felt that her husband was deliberately avoiding her and did not want to see her.
After Zhang Yanling was imprisoned, the couple quarreled and the cold war continued. Queen Zhang felt that her husband's heart was no longer on her side.
Xiao Jing had a confused look on his face, "Your Majesty has been overworked for the military deployment in the northwest recently. He just took the medicine today and went to bed early. There may be reports about the war tomorrow, so he will have a busy day."
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"Who has your Majesty seen?"
Queen Zhang was afraid that her husband would be deceived by some "little goblin".
Even though Xiao Jing didn't want to say it, he still told the truth, "I met Zhang Gongsheng. I asked about important military matters."
"Your Majesty has time to meet with Zhang Bingkuan and even meet with me. Don't you have time?" Queen Zhang was angry, but she generally knew that what her husband was talking about when he saw Zhang Zhou was state affairs.
If her husband wants to talk to her, she will make a huge fuss if it involves Zhang Yanling.
What does she know about state affairs?
"In the past few days, besides Zhang Bingkuan, who else has your Majesty seen?"
"There are Mr. Liu Ge and Xie Ge "Lao, Ma Butang and the others"
"The Empress Dowager did not find any maids to come, and nothing happened to attend the bed." Empress Zhang was afraid that the old lady was playing dirty tricks, so she took advantage of the couple's quarrel and went to the emperor's side. Stuff women.
Xiao Jing was so frightened that he lost his mind and said hurriedly, "Never."
After hearing this, Queen Zhang's expression improved slightly. Before leaving, she said, "Your Majesty, wake up and tell him I have been here before, and besides, I have always kept the door open for him, so he can come over at any time."
"Yes."
After Xiao Jing answered, he lowered his head and waited for Zhang. Only after the queen walked away did she dare to raise her head and take a look.
Dai Yi came out of the nearby palace and asked, "What is the Queen's mission?"
Xiao Jing almost repeated everything.
Dai Yi sighed, "Your Majesty listened to Mr. Zhang's words and took Mr. Zhang's medicine. I was finally able to sleep well. The battle report is expected to come early tomorrow morning. How can we think of anything else?" Let's divide the work. I'll be on duty until midnight, and you and Chen Kuan will come after midnight and get started quickly."
This night.
Zhu Youtang slept peacefully, almost until dawn.
After getting up, Zhu Youtang was still very happy and did not feel anxious at all because the northwest battle report did not come.
"Tell the ministers at Meridian Gate to let them go to the Wenhua Hall and ask the dining room to prepare some breakfast for them. Also tell them that today's court meeting may last until very late, and I will not I'll go there in a hurry. I'll go after Chen hour."
Zhu Youtang listened to Zhang Zhou.If so, there will be a battle report this morning.
Then don’t have morning and afternoon dynasties, just tie them together.
Having had a good rest, it’s time to take a rest. When the battle report is almost here, take the battle report with you, or wait with the minister.
"Your Majesty, what about you?"
Dai Yi had just gotten up and was a little sleepy at this time, so he asked.
Zhu Youtang said, "I'm going to pay my respects to the imperial grandmother first. I haven't been there for the past few days."
Dai Yida said, "Your Majesty, the queen also came yesterday."
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"Queen, I don't have time to see her these days, let's talk about it later."
With that said, Zhu Youtang asked the eunuch to come over and tidy him up before going to Kun. Ning Palace.
Dai Yi reminded, "The Empress Dowager may not have gotten up yet."
"No, the Imperial Grandmother gets up very early every day. When I was young, I and the Imperial Grandmother It was the imperial grandmother who urged me to get up and study."
When Zhu Youtang mentioned this, there was still a deep affection on his face.
Wenhua Hall.
Although it was a court meeting that day, it was moved to the Wenhua Hall, mainly because this is the place where the emperor usually gives banquets to ministers.
The prince will not come to the Wenhua Palace to study that day, but the emperor will arrive later and wait with them for the report of the Northwest War and make some discussions before and after.
As soon as the ministers arrived, the desk was prepared in the palace, and breakfast began to be served.
The breakfast in the palace is not too special. It is just rice porridge, vegetables and the like. It can be slightly meaty, and eggs and other things are also added to ensure that these ministers have the strength to finish the morning. of the court meeting.
"Mr. Liu Ge, it stands to reason that we should come to a conclusion today."
Min Gui, the imperial censor of Zuodu, went over with several famous officials and said to Liu Jian in a tone that seemed to be asking for instructions. .
Liu Jian nodded.
Xie Qian on the side said, "Everyone, what are the expected results?"
This was ridiculed.
Min Gui certainly couldn’t say that he expected Wang Yue to lose, but he didn’t think it was a good thing for Wang Yue to win.
Forget it for others, he, Min Gui, had previously accused Wang Yue of using military force incorrectly, not only using harsh words, but also becoming enemies with Wang Yue. If Wang Yue achieved a great victory, then he would be embarrassed.
So from Min Gui's point of view, Wang Yue can win, but it is best to win miserably. It is also a good result for the Tatars to withdraw after the looting is over. In short, Wang Yue cannot be comfortable.
Xu Qiong, who was eating in the front row, turned around and said, "Everyone, to put it bluntly, even if Wang Weining wins, if His Majesty's expectations are not met, I'm afraid Wang Weining will still have to bear the responsibility. Yesterday, many emergency reports came in, saying that due to Wang Weining's withdrawal of troops, a lot of food, livestock, weapons and equipment were lost."
Xu Qiong was actually reminding them. Min Gui.
No need to be too pessimistic.
Even if Wang Yue wins, we can still do itAttack him from another angle, saying that he used a humiliating way to achieve a victory, regardless of the interests of the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops, the expenses of the court, and even the life and death of the people
It's a shame.
Who wouldn’t
Before breakfast was finished, Xiao Jing came in a hurry and said he was looking for Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng.
Then the two of them were called out by Xiao Jing for a face-to-face interview under the eyes of everyone, and then Xiao Jing left again.
When Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng returned to Wenhua Hall, the eunuch was already clearing away the dishes on the table.
Everyone also stood up and gathered around.
"There is no result yet, but it has been learned that Wang Weining made a briefing before the war started, stating that he would lead a surprise attack on Pianguan with 3,000 cavalry on the night of February 13th, and stated that he would be in Pianguan. There is an ambush of a thousand soldiers and horses," Liu Jian said.
Xie Qian said, "What kind of tactics is this? How many troops are stationed in the Tatar city?"
Liu Jian sighed, "It's still unclear, but it is estimated to be at least tens of thousands."
After listening Liu Jian's words started a discussion in the room.
We all knew before that Wang Yue led his troops and civilians to withdraw from Piantou Pass, but it was not clear whether he was going to continue to lure the enemy deeper and encircle them, or whether he was going to lead his troops back and kill them.
It’s clear now.
Wang Yue’s plan was to lead three thousand cavalry and turn back while the Tatars were not yet firmly established in the pass.
“Three thousand, that’s a little less,” Zhou Jing, the Minister of Revenue, questioned with a wry smile.
Xu Guandao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, "A thousand ambush troops were left in the city, but they wanted to take advantage of Di Yi's unpreparedness and set fire to the city to disrupt the morale of Di Yi's army."
The tactics Xu Guan could think of were: The only solution was to set fire to the city and drive the Tatars out of the fortress.
But only a thousand people can do anything
Liu Jian did not answer.
Ma Wensheng on the side said, "I have asked Eunuch Xiao about this matter. Eunuch Xiao kept it secret, but I guess there are other arrangements." Please remember to bookmark, the latest and fastest website to read for free without anti-theft