Zhang Zhouyi traveled and arrived outside the Xuanfu Town Government Office on May 27th.
After hearing the news, Ma Zhongxi, the governor of Xuanfu, took people out of the city to greet him in advance. At the same time, he summoned thousands of officials, soldiers and civilians in the city to come out to greet him. Zhang Zhou was riding on his horse and saw this scene from a distance, and he couldn't help but frown secretly.
Zhang Heling looked up at the city gate and said with a sarcastic expression, "This guy named Ma looks like he's on the right track."
Behind Zhang Zhou on the left and right sides were the newly-appointed The chief military officer, Baoguo Gong Zhu Hui, and the deputy commander-in-chief, Zhang Heling, and the other deputy commander-in-chief, Ma Yi, hid in the army and did not dare to show their faces.
After hearing this, people around him understood what Zhang Heling meant. The so-called "high way" means being able to curry favor with others.
Xuanfu is different from other state capitals. It is a military fortress. There are no prefectures and counties in the Ming Dynasty. Originally, the chief military officer was the head here, but after the governor was established, the governor was the highest. Sir, of course Zhang Zhou is the general secretary of Xuanda, and his official position is above that of the governor.
Ma Zhongxi, as the former chief official in the city, came out to welcome his new boss, and also mobilized the military and civilians to welcome him. He seemed to be quite capable.
"The visitor is not a good person"
Zhu Hui has been in the officialdom for a long time and has heard about Ma Zhongxi's character. Naturally, he does not believe what Ma Zhongxi will do to welcome Zhang Zhou. Formation battle.
"Haha." Zhang Zhou was just laughing.
At the gate of the city, Zhang Zhouxing dismounted, but saw a civil servant in his fifties, dressed in official uniform, with an upright look on his face that was very difficult to get along with, walking towards him.
"I'm next to Zhang Zhou." Zhang Zhou greeted him first.
The other party also reported his name, it was Ma Zhongxi, and then the current generals of Xuanfu Town also came to report their names one by one.
Except for Ma Zhongxi who gave Zhang Zhou a slap in the face, the rest of the people were still very polite to Zhang Zhou.
"Zhang Zhou, I heard that you met Ma Yi, a fugitive from Xuanfu Town, on the way here. Can you hand him over so that I can deal with him strictly?"
In After the ceremony, Ma Zhongxi immediately asked Zhang Zhou for help.
Ma Yi went to "go to" Zhang Zhou. Zhang Zhou neither escorted the people to the capital nor handed them over to him, nor even greeted him. In his opinion, it was obvious that Zhang Zhou was going to protect Ma Yi. instrument.
In this case, he is an enemy, so there is no need to show mercy.
When Zhang Heling heard this, he sneered and said, "Call Shangguan by his name. It turns out that some Confucian officials are so ignorant of the rules."
Obviously Zhang Heling has never been able to follow the wind. Interesting things, told through his mouth, have no other effect except fanning the flames.
Perhaps in his opinion, he is afraid that things are too small and not lively enough.
After what he said, the two sides were really at war with each other.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "What do you mean, Commander Ma has been convicted?"
"Although he has not been convicted, the evidence is conclusive. He embezzled food and wages, exploited people, privately recruited soldiers, and used public weapons. For personal use, Zhang even had bad deeds of taking credit and concealing it., you are a Jinshi, so you should understand the rules of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom. Those who are guilty must be punished strictly. If you cover up, it is equivalent to being an accomplice."
Ma Zhongxi looked rebellious and directly fired at Zhang Zhou.
As soon as these words came out, everyone around him was embarrassed.
Not only Zhang Zhou had never seen such a person, but also everyone present had never seen him.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, Ma Zhongxi is a mad dog, right?
But based on Zhang Zhou’s understanding of Ma Zhongxi in history, his past experiences and what he has done, he can probably understand Why can this person be so "hateful of evil", or can be said to be ignorant?
Ma Zhongxi's father, Ma Wei, was once the chief historian of the Tang Dynasty. He offended the Tang Dynasty by his direct advice and was imprisoned. He was escorted to the capital for questioning, including the Ma family.
Only Ma Zhongxi was not detained at that time because he was young.
After that, Ma Zhongxi worked for his father and family at a young age. First, he interceded with the censor and asked his family to release him, and then he went to the capital to redress his father's grievances at the request of his mother.
His childhood experience made him develop this character.
< p>Looks honest and upright, but if you don't know how to be flexible in the officialdom, you will suffer disaster. During the Liu Liu and Liu Qi uprisings in the Zhengde period, Ma Zhongxi believed that the rebels were born because of the officials' extortionate expropriation, so he went so far as to use wine and food to propitiate the rebels. As expected, Jun Ye felt grateful that he was an upright official and did not plunder his hometown. The final result was that after suppressing the rebellion, Ma Zhongxi was considered an accomplice of the rebels and died unjustly in prison.Zhang Zhou felt sad in his heart I'm thinking about it.
You said you were an official as long as you were an official, but you didn't even understand your position, but you had the nerve to accuse others
"Oh. "Zhang Zhouxiao looked at the surrounding soldiers and civilians and said with emotion, "It's rare to see so many local officials, gentry and people come out to greet me. I am new to officialdom and have done nothing in local governance. I feel ashamed to be worthy of it." ”
Ma Zhongxi looked coldly at Zhang Zhou.
Probably he was saying, are you shameless? Can’t you see that I found someone to greet you just to give you a favor in front of others? You actually think it's an honor to ask you to hand over the person.
Ma Zhongxi emphasized, "Zhang, I'm asking you for the criminal.
Zhu Hui came over to smooth things over and said, "Zhang Zhitai has just arrived, we can't wait until he enters the city to talk about it."
Ma Zhongxi said, "The right and wrong are right and wrong. How can we tolerate so many people present? They are all here." Waiting for the court to uphold justice, Zhang, are you going to go against God's will?"
I'll rub it
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, these days I am the only one who talks about God's will, you bad old man How dare you use God's will to pressure me
Zhang Zhou said, "Speaking of God's will, as I walked along the way, the drought around Xuan Mansion was severe. Even if the land was not thousands of miles away, I think the crops along the way were almost dead."
Ma Zhongxi sneered and said, "It is precisely because there are parents and officials who do not care about the emperor's favor, do not obey the laws of heaven, harm the country and the people, and abuse the people, so that they are punished by God."
Zhang Zhouxin said, what he wants is youThis sentence.
Zhang Zhou said, "I have just arrived, and I have nothing to give to the people. However, I have learned a little bit of Taoist skills. In two days, I will open an altar outside Xuan Mansion to pray for rain. It is better to wait and pray. After the rain, let’s talk about God’s will again”
“You”
Ma Zhongxi glared at Zhang Zhou.
Obviously, he had already decided to break up with Zhang Zhou after he learned that Zhang Zhou had accepted Ma Yi.
In history, Ma Zhongxi served as governor of Xuanfu for three years and returned to his fields in the twelfth year of Hongzhi. Obviously, he had made preparations for retirement, so he would not give Zhang Zhou any face.
I don’t plan to be in the officialdom anymore. I still need to look at the expressions of you, an emperor, and my former ministers.
You can show off your power in the capital, and even use your sharp tongue in the court. , competing with ministers and ministers.
But when you come to Ma, I won’t show you any mercy
Otherwise, Ma, wouldn’t I be ashamed of my official reputation?
When Zhu Hui heard Zhang Zhou's proposal, he deliberately expressed surprise and said loudly, "Mr. Zhang is an immortal master of the Ming Dynasty. His immortality and Taoism are unparalleled. The immortal master is willing to pray for rain for the people of Xuanfu. How magnanimous he is." It must be a good story."
When Lian Guogong flattered Zhang Zhou, he could do so without blushing and his heart would not beat, and he could speak the small words smoothly.
This made Ma Zhongxi grit his teeth even more.
Zhang Zhou also smiled and announced to the onlookers, "Everyone, I will open an altar here the day after tomorrow to pray for rain. I hope you will also come together to testify that I am here under the emperor's order." Come, in addition to going out to scare Di Yi, you also have the responsibility to appease the army and civilians and educate the people. Please come back, fellow villagers."
Zhang Zhou ignored Ma Zhongxi.
When dealing with the onlookers, Zhang Zhou seemed to be very experienced. He was not stage frightened at all. Instead, he seemed to have gone deep into the grassroots, and actually walked over to get close to ordinary people.
The common people have never seen such an official who is so close to the people. They come out to watch the excitement. Any requests for people, witnesses, or punishments from God are all Ma Zhongxi’s personal words, or so to speak. It was Ma Zhongxi who wanted to incite the people to put pressure on Zhang Zhou.
But a group of ordinary people who have never even read a book, how can they understand those things?
On the contrary, they are Zhang Zhou's close people, and Zhang Zhou's reputation as a god has been passed down. Make them feel more friendly.
"Mr. Zhang, can praying for rain make it rain?"
Some people among the people were already asking loudly.
Zhang Zhou said, "My dear fellow, you asked a very good question. I can only say that I have tried my best. If God really refuses to rain because of corrupt officials in the place, there is nothing I can do. It all depends on man-made things." ”
“It must rain, otherwise the food will be confiscated this year”
“Yes, yes”
The people are responding and.
In their view, catching corrupt officials is a trivial matter, so that their land can be abundant.Production is more important than anything else.
Ma Zhongxi felt even more angry when he saw Zhang Zhou turning against his guests and inciting the people before him, muttering "short-sighted"
This was because he hated the people for being manipulated by Zhang Zhou Sweet words deceive.
You people, this official is making the decision for you and wants to investigate and deal with corrupt officials. You are actually deceived by this person just to make it rain. Besides, it will rain when he says it will rain. Who does Yu think he is?
Originally, the competition between old and new officials at the city gate had to come to a conclusion.
But because Ma Zhongxi mentioned God’s will and Zhang Zhou mentioned praying for rain, the matter came to an end temporarily. Also because Ma Yi followed Zhang Zhou into the city, which meant that Ma Yi did not escape. Ma Zhongxi also felt that Zhang Zhou If he refuses to surrender, he can just report Zhang Zhou to the court for harboring criminals. There is no need to fight Zhang Zhou to death.
The official is bigger than him, so what else can he do if he doesn’t come?
You can’t send someone to rob him
Ma Yi is the commander-in-chief himself The official has a high status in the city. If he really wants to use violence, he is not sure who will suffer. It is not impossible to cause a mutiny in the army.
The soldiers and civilians entered the city.
Zhang Zhou was also alive. When he entered the city, he did not ride a horse, a sedan, or a carriage. Instead, he walked instead. He even shook hands with the onlookers along the way.
"Dear fellow villagers, I am the newly appointed General Secretary of Xuanda, and all surrounding affairs are under my control. If you have any grievances, you can come to me and I will redress your grievances. I will be at the gate of the city the day after tomorrow. Set up an altar to pray for rain. Come and witness it."
Zhang Zhou seemed to be afraid that the people on the way could not hear clearly, so he kept repeating himself.
He also took out a "megaphone" made of a simple paper tube and shouted loudly to the people along the way.
Not only did he say it himself, but he also asked his personal followers, Jinyiwei Qianhu Sun Shangqi and others to come and tell him. He did a well-publicized trick as soon as he arrived.
Only then did Ma Zhongxi know who was the expert at inciting people's emotions.
I also saw what it means to fully mobilize the power of public opinion.
"Ma Zhongcheng, do you think it will rain the day after tomorrow?"
When the officials around Ma Zhongxi saw this scene, they even began to have doubts about life.
The newcomer Zhang Zhou is so famous. He said he would pray for rain the day after tomorrow. If he was not sure, he could be so sure and tell the people in the city. But if the rain really comes after Zhang Zhou prays for it, Doesn't that mean that God's will is on Zhang Zhou's side?
Ma Zhongxi stood at the city gate without intending to follow him in. Hearing this, he glanced sideways at the official.
The subordinate officials were dejected and did not dare to say anything.
A military general next to him said, "But I don't know how this Zhang Zhitai is compared to the previous Minister Liu. I heard that he can use troops like a god."
Ma Zhongxi was the first. I knew for the first time that Zhang Zhou had a very high status in the hearts of the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty's frontier army.
The "big shots" who came to the Xuanfu before were from the Ministry of Household Affairs in the tenth year of Hongzhi two years ago.Liu Daxia, the Zuo Shilang and Liu Daxia who came to Xuanfu to manage military pay. At that time, Liu Daxia had left a good official reputation in Xuanfu. But after all, Liu Daxia did not come to Xuanfu to fight. Now the imperial court has sent a general secretary of Xuanfu, and all the troops have Everyone seemed to want to follow Zhang Zhou into a big fight.
The anticipation in the eyes of the soldiers gave Ma Zhongxi a headache and anger just looking at them.
After all, since Yu Zijun in the 21st year of Chenghua, the imperial court has not established the Xuanda General System for more than ten years, let alone used the Xuanda General System to prepare for sending troops to suppress traps.
"Mr. Zhang, you are so powerful. With Ma Zhongcheng's aggressive look, I thought that today would not end well and that I could not even enter the city."
After Zhang Zhou entered the city, he checked in first In the post house.
Zhang Lun followed Zhang Zhou like a follower and admired Zhang Zhou very much.
There is no governor's palace in the city. Zhang Zhou will live in the governor's office later. Now Zhang Zhou and Ma Zhongxi are very unhappy, but it does not affect Zhang Zhou's sending people to let Ma Zhongxi open the courtyard.
Zhang Zhoubai glanced at him and said, "The general administration and the governor are not on good terms. From now on, we will have to manage affairs under the same roof. Do you think it is a good thing? Have you settled down?"
" They said there was no place for me to live in the General Military Mansion."
Zhang Lun felt aggrieved.
He was brought here to study with Zhang Zhou, and he did not hold any military position. Naturally, the General Military Mansion could not arrange it.
Zhang Zhou said, "Then go find a room downstairs to live in. From now on, you can run errands for me. I won't embarrass you too much."
"No." Zhang Lun scratched his head. "My grandfather asked me to do this."
"It's good to know. I'll leave it to you to build the platform for praying for rain, bring a few people with you, and create momentum along the way. You can also tell them that you are He's a British prince."
"That's not necessary."
Zhang Lun thought to himself.
If you have a big face, you are not afraid of being embarrassed, but if I have a small face, I should take it easy.
Ma Zhongxi was not angry.
After returning home, he was not polite. He even wrote a memorial to impeach Zhang Zhou and sent it to the capital on horseback. He felt that he wanted to fight Zhang Zhou to the end.
From the Xuan Mansion to the capital, it didn’t take a day or a night to reach the capital.
The next morning, the memorial was placed on Zhu Youtang's desk in Qianqing Palace.
"Haha."
After watching Ma Zhongxi's performance, Zhu Youtang was not angry at all, but smiled happily.
"Have the Ministry of Cabinet read it?" Zhu Youtang asked.
"I have never closed the door to the cabinet." Dai Yi replied.
This kind of border report is usually notified to the emperor first and handled by the emperor himself. It often does not require the cabinet to draw up opinions. If it really needs to be drawn up by the cabinet, the emperor will have someone send it to the cabinet. of.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "I actually want to know the reaction of those courtiers when they see this thing. Bingkuan's work is really unexpected."
Dai Yi was a little hesitant. He said, "Mr. Zhang doesn't seem to be too worried about taking Ma Yi in."It's appropriate and easy to put into practice. "
"What's the matter?" Zhu Youtang said, "Ma Yi's crime can only be determined by the Three Laws Division. Besides, it is the responsibility of the censor to inspect matters in the northwest. When will it be the governor's turn to become a military general? Wouldn’t the conviction have laid the foundation for discord among the generals in the border areas?"
"Yes. ”
Only then did Dai Yi know that although the emperor had previously given Ma Zhongxi the authority to investigate the case, he did not support Ma Zhongxi’s approach of investigating the former chief military officer.
One was among the civilian officials First, one is the head of the generals.
When you civilian officials investigate and deal with the generals, who knows if there is any suspicion of public revenge caused by the power struggle, or the suspicion of abolishing the public for private purposes?
Zhu Youtangyi With a serious face, he said, "Is Bingkuan returning to protect Ma Yi? He is just maintaining justice in the northwest army. If the generals in the army can be investigated and punished by the governor at any time, then wouldn't everyone in the northwest be in danger? Even if Ma Yi really has something The crime can still be forgiven as long as it does not involve the stability of the army. ”
Dai Yi and other eunuchs smiled bitterly in their hearts after hearing this.
Is this the emperor’s desire to protect the interests of the northwest generals?
If Zhang Zhou hadn’t taken control of the horse If Yi is taken in, I guess the emperor will not sit back and watch the corruption of the northwest generals. It is better to say that as long as Bingkuan needs it, I can accept it.
"This rain should be able to fall. Right?" Zhu Youtang suddenly asked a question that Dai Yi and others could not answer.
Dai Yi asked, "Your Majesty, if you ask about praying for rain, Mr. Zhang has already said that he did not. Such ability. ”
“If he said no, then he didn’t, maybe because he didn’t want to take credit.” When Zhu Youtang asked, he and several eunuchs naturally thought of the time when the emperor and his ministers went to worship the sky and pray for rain together, just pretending in front of others. In the past.
Zhu Youtang made a lot of money that time.
Xiao Jing said with certainty, "Mr. Zhang's words about praying for rain were probably not lies. The gentleman knew that it would rain in Xuanfu that day. After all, Mr. Zhang also said that he could only be sure of what was going to happen recently by being on the spot. ”
“Not really. "Zhu Youtang continued to smile, "He said that there was going to be an earthquake so far away from Jianchangwei, but he didn't mention it directly. When he left this time, he didn't even ask him to do more divination. It's a pity to come. "
Xiao Jing wanted to say something more, but Dai Yi glared at him and blocked Xiao Jing's mouth.
Dai Yi himself said, "Then, Your Majesty, do you want to issue an order? , let Mr. Zhang figure it out."
"No need, if there is something big, I believe Bingkuan will tell me in advance. If he doesn't tell me, it means he doesn't, or it's not very serious. If it's important, then there's no need to ask him to gain insight into the secrets every time. ”
Zhu Youtang seems to understand Zhang Zhou very well.
Probably he also wants to "slowly flow".
If there is nothing wrong, let Zhang Zhou peep into the secret of heaven. If you burp early, you will have no way to find someone to ask about the secret in the future.
Keep Zhang Zhou and ask him again when big things happen.
No trouble ZhangZhou, the emperor would feel that he was benevolent and righteous and would not bother Bingkuan with anything. Please remember to bookmark, the latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft