Chapter 448 Determined to innovate

Early the next morning.

As the Minister of the Ministry of War, Zhang Zhou appeared at the court meeting in Fengtian Palace together with "Xiong Da and Xiong Er" of the Ministry of War, namely the left minister Xiong Chong and the right minister Xiong Xiu.

Zhang Zhou appeared in front of everyone for the first time after returning to the court. Naturally, he attracted too much attention. A lot of people had commented on him before the court meeting, and they probably felt that he should be in the court in the future. It's unlikely to stop.

But Zhang Zhou was always a Jinshi, and he still had ways and channels of communication with some Confucian officials. Moreover, there were "fewer and fewer" enemies in the court, and his attitude toward him was There are more and more people turning to moderation, even choosing neutrality or leaning towards him.

The meeting begins.

Zhu Youtang first asked Xiao Jing to announce in public the appointment of Zhang Zhou as Minister of War. Because the matter had been discussed in advance in the court, he did not encounter any resistance.

"Bingkuan, please first report the suppression of bandits on the ground in Shandong."

Zhu Youtang first wanted Zhang Zhou to "show his face" in front of others.

Zhang Zhou personally participated in too few wars. For example, if Zhong Twelve and his group of bandits from Shandong could be surrounded and suppressed by Zhang Zhou himself, it would be a blessing that they had cultivated for eight lifetimes.

In addition, Prince Zhu Houzhao was involved in this war. Zhu Youtang knew that it was just an ordinary bandit suppression operation, so he would write a big book about it.

Zhang Zhou immediately explained the process of the battle to the emperor as the Minister of War and the deputy commander of the frontline bandit suppression. "After the prince assessed the situation, he believed that the back mountain might be a way for the bandits to escape, so he personally led the troops." Hundreds of people stopped by the road, and when the bandits' carriages and horses passed by, they intercepted them with soldiers, and overthrew them without bloodshed. The prince was brave and courageous. He wanted to go forward and fight with the bandits in person, but the minister stopped him and prevented him from putting himself in danger. ."

If this was presented in the form of a memorial, it might not matter.

But Zhang Zhou seemed to be telling a story, and when he told it in the court, the ministers almost cursed him on the spot.

What a joke

Even if you take the prince to exterminate the bandits, you actually let the prince go into battle himself

Listen to your kid, if you don’t stop me , The prince is still planning to fight the bandits, right?

Zhu Youtang said, "The prince has always been affected by the military and political affairs in the northwest, and it is inevitable that he will have some childishness and fearlessness under his influence. I have also done this many times I gave him some advice and told him not to act on his own initiative. Bingkuan, you did a good job of preventing him from being in danger, but he also took credit for planning this battle."

The ministers felt ashamed after hearing this.

Many people are thinking.

Your Majesty, can’t you hear that Zhang Bingkuan is actually fooling you about the plan of the prince himself? It’s just Zhang Bingkuan who is just putting the credit on the prince. How much knowledge can a ten-year-old naughty kid have?< /p>

Anyone can understand this idea, but it is difficult to say it. Only Xie Qian, who likes to tease, came out and said with a smile, "Cai Guogong is really good at teaching the prince. At this time, he, take the prince’s strategy first”

Zhang Zhou said, “Mr. , at this time the prince and I went north, but we were also forced to do nothing. Don't underestimate the prince, the prince's knowledge in military affairs is often praised by people. Since the prince's strategy is appropriate, why don't I listen?"

The implication is that we are completely forced to fight.

The enemy was right in front of us, and we didn’t fight head-on with Zhong Twelve’s main force. We just went to capture Zhong Twelve’s lair, and then headed north without any hesitation.

It's just the prince's strategy to surround the stronghold. Do you still need to worry about whose strategy the result is?

Xie Qian shrugged and didn't bother to say anything.

Originally, he wanted to criticize the prince's move to Nanjing in the court, and even tell the East Palace. The official also punished him. After all, it was the official of the East Palace who failed to teach his son well.

However, because Zhang Zhou was a member of the official of the East Palace, the emperor seemed to have forgotten this matter. It seemed that the prince had permission to go out. Even if this matter was revealed in this way, Zhu Youtang would probably teach his son a lesson. >Li Rong then sent Zhang Zhou and Chen Kuan to the emperor to coordinate the elimination and replacement of soldiers in the Beijing camp, and announced it in public.

As soon as the news came out, there was an immediate feeling in the court. There is a depressing atmosphere, especially on the side of Xiban Wuxun, who clearly feels great pressure.

To disturb the capital camp is equivalent to disturbing the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. The stability of the capital garrison is also affected. In all aspects, after all, most of the ministers of the Ming Dynasty served in the Beijing camp. This also meant that the interests of the ministers of the Ming Dynasty were involved in too many things. In the past, the Ming Dynasty did not want to reform, and it was not until the Zhengde period that the initial reforms were completed. , or it was caused by external factors such as the Central Plains Rebellion.

To put it bluntly, we all know that there are many disadvantages, but we dare not move.

"I accept the order. "Zhang Zhou came out at the end, looking high-spirited and resolute.

Xiong Xiu, the right minister of the Ministry of War, came out and said, "Your Majesty, the matters such as the reform of the soldiers in the third camp in Beijing are related to the welfare of tens of thousands of soldiers and the people. , a single move can affect the whole body, your majesty, please think twice before making a decision. "

It's not that others came out to oppose, but Zhang Zhou's subordinates came out, which seemed like a fire in the backyard of the Ministry of War Yamen.

Zhu Youtang said, "Just because there is involvement, there must be something." Since the early years of Chenghua, Jingying has been a stagnant water. In previous years, the Governor's Office and the Ministry of War conducted detailed investigations into redundant officials, but every time they failed to resolve the issue. Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty's border affairs are aggressive. If there is stagnant water under my feet, how can I safely hand over the garrison of Gyeonggi into their hands? "The British Lord"

Zhang Mao stood there, originally shaking his head and listening. Lively.

Suddenly being called by the emperor, he opened his eyes and walked forward slowly, with an old look on his face and said, "I'm here, my old minister."

Zhu Youtang said sternly, "What do you think about this matter?" Insights"

Zhang Mao turned around and glanced at Zhang Zhou, and then said, "Veterans also believe that there are many shortcomings in the capital camp, which are just caused by years of development, so that the accumulated shortcomings are difficult to eliminate. As for the elimination of bad governance, It is my duty to do this, but I am too old and feeble to shoulder this responsibility."

If anyone else had complained like this in front of the emperor, he would have been disgusted by him, and he would have even directly killed him. Sweep the floor out of the court.

But Zhang Mao had the confidence to complain like this.

He even used this to show that he didn't want to wade into troubled waters, get rid of bad government or anything like that, and let Zhang Bingkuan go on his own. He didn't want me, Old Man Zhang, to offend so many people for this.

"You are old and you are indeed unable to do many things." Zhu Youtang said, "But you have to contribute to this. Your son Zhang Rui has always been famous in the military. , you have told me many times before that if you want him to have more experience in the military, then take this opportunity to let him carry out this matter with Bingkuan. Do you have any problems?"

"Ah"< /p>

When Zhang Mao heard this, what was this?

I didn’t do it myself, but let my son Zhang Rui fuck that boy

“Your Majesty, Quanzi’s condition is just right.” What Zhang Mao means is, if I don’t go, my son can’t go either.

Zhu Youtang said, "Your son's soft foot disease has been cured by Bingkuan a long time ago. I saw his performance during the selection of the palace guards. Do you think that I can't see him?" Are you going to be blind?"

As soon as these words came out, not only the civil servants, but also many people in Wu Xun were snickering.

Obviously laughing at Old Man Zhang for stealing the chicken but losing the rice.

I wanted to stay away and watch the fire from the other side, but ended up getting my son involved. You, old man Zhang, may have done it yourself or you still have the reputation to support it. The ministers, generals and soldiers below do not dare to do anything to you, but if If your son rushes up, he may have to shed his skin even if he doesn't die

Xie Qian came out again and said, "Your Majesty, since this matter is of great importance, should we first investigate it with the Ministry of War and the Governor's Mansion in the coming year? After spring comes, we will draw up plans for elimination and replacement."

This also shows that the cabinet is not opposed to reform.

I just think it should be done step by step. If the people in the Beijing camp are pushed too hard, it will easily lead to mutiny, etc., that would be bad.

Zhu Youtang said, "I just want to eliminate the old, weak, redundant and a group of people who are not worthy of their name in the capital camp. Why bother to go to such great lengths to say that you think this matter should be left alone?" Bing Kuan does it, but it is difficult for him to complete it."

Xie Qian glanced sideways at Zhang Zhou and said, "Cai Guogong has just taken over the Ministry of War, and now it is the new year, so many things should be advanced slowly. "

"No need." Zhu Youtang said, "Any abscess needs to be eradicated at once. The slower it is, the more likely it is that it will not be squeezed out completely. I am sorry for you. Kuan is confident."

Xie Qian returned.He glanced at Li Dongyang, probably wanting Li Dongyang, the wise man, to come out and object.

This reflects the "big picture" of the cabinet.

It seemed that he didn’t object much and just proposed to slow down, but Xie Qian could see that the emperor wanted to use Zhang Zhou’s reforms to let Zhang Zhou firmly control the capital camp and the Ministry of War.

While eliminating redundancies, Zhang Zhou will inevitably promote a group of new talents, and even dispatch many cronies from all over the nine sides to the capital camp. By then, the military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty will be almost Being controlled by Zhang Zhou, it will be difficult to oppose Zhang Zhou after he succeeds.

But both Liu Jian and Li Dongyang chose to remain silent when faced with such issues.

It can be understood by looking at it, but can the general direction change?

After the reform of the Beijing camp was completed, Zhu Youtang mentioned the household registration statistics of the Ming Dynasty.

According to the tradition of the Ming Dynasty, every few years, the number of households, population, number of acres of land, etc. in the Ming Dynasty will be counted, and the exact year is the statistical year.

According to historical statistics before the end of the 13th year of Hongzhi's reign, "that year, there were 1,422,519 households in the world and a population of 5,858,900" Thirty-seven households, 8,269,981 hectares of land"

In other words, by the thirteenth year of Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty, the population had exceeded 50 million.

This was before sweet potatoes and corn officially entered China. Zhang Zhou’s purpose was to introduce these two crops to China. As for potatoes, crops such as potatoes are difficult to be widely planted in areas with poor land, just like several crops. A hundred years later, basically for ordinary people, those who are poor will eat sweet potatoes, and those who are in slightly better conditions will eat wowotou. These two coarse grains will last almost throughout a person's diet. Potatoes are still a luxury for most families.

Because the statistical results of each province that year have not yet been fully reported, and because of Zhang Zhou's existence, the population of the Ming Dynasty has actually increased compared to the statistical figures.

Zhang Zhou could not make a perfect summary based on the knowledge he knew from history.

To put it bluntly.

The butterfly effect he created has made a lot of historical knowledge no longer absolutely authoritative. Nowadays, there are only matters related to natural disasters, which will probably develop according to historical records.

Now it is no different for Zhang Zhou to speculate on when the Tatars will conquer the border.

In terms of personnel matters, everything went astray due to the expansion of Zhang Zhou's influence.

The meeting ended.

As the Minister of War, Zhang Zhou naturally had people coming to congratulate him. Even the first person to come to congratulate him was Xie Qian, who had had a verbal dispute with Zhang Zhou before.

Xie Qian smiled and said, "Bingkuan, from now on, when we live together in court, you must work hard for the court."

Zhang Zhouxin said, is this an expectation without any nutrition? Your eloquent Xie Yuqiao is so clumsy that he has nothing to say

Just as he was talking, Li Rong walked in and said to Zhang Zhou, "Zhang Butang, your Majesty has just orderedCome, I say that you have just returned to Beijing recently, and there are many matters involved in the Ordnance Factory, Wang Gong Factory, etc., which still need your personal supervision. As for the matter of attending the court, I can avoid it if possible. ”

“Exemption from imperial ginseng.”

For someone as young and vigorous as Zhang Zhou, he looks very energetic at first glance, and he doesn’t look like an old man who can’t go to court every day.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.

Li Rong smiled and said, "If you want to thank me, you might as well go with our family to Xinuang Pavilion. His Majesty is already waiting at Xinuan Pavilion." In addition, His Majesty has an edict, and the Shangqing Office will formally implement it today. "

Li Dongyang came over and asked, "Isn't it that the person who will be selected as the worthy candidate for Shangting Department hasn't been decided yet?"

"Zhang Butang has already decided." "Li Rong reminded.

The general meaning is.

It doesn't matter whether others are members of the Shangting Department. What His Majesty wants is for this Zhang Shangshu to be in the Shangting Department. He is responsible for a government office by himself.

Don’t you like to find a group of useless people to help him? Don’t you mean to weaken Shang Ting’s position in the government?

That’s okay. .

If Zhang Zhou’s subordinates are incompetent, the emperor can just listen to his opinion.

The emperor directly asked Li Rong to come before he decided on the members of the Shangting Department. The announcement that the Shangting Department was open for business was tantamount to turning all the ministers on their head and making them realize that the emperor's so-called Shangting Department was only set up for Zhang Zhou alone. This was to force the civil servants to arrange capable people in the Shangting Department. People, go and check Zhang Zhou.

Rather than find a group of incompetent people to hold you back.

"It's time to thank him. Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I'd like to trouble Eunuch Li to lead the way." ”

“Please”

Before Lin Han, Shen Lu and others came over to congratulate Zhang Zhou, Zhang Zhou was already called away by Li Rong. .

And if you go to the inner court alone to meet the Holy Spirit, your treatment is obviously higher than that of the chief minister of the cabinet.

Every minister can see that the structure of the court is completely different from before. It's different.

Xinuan Pavilion next to Qianqing Palace

At this time, Concubine Xian and her son had moved out, and it became Zhu Youtang's usual office. Zhu Youtang probably didn't want to go out when he entered.

After the emperor and his ministers met, Zhu Youtang said, "Bingkuan, I know that I should go out more." , but it’s too cold today. There was a snowfall yesterday, and there were petitions all over the capital to help the victims. It is said that there was a drought in some places in the Central Plains last year, and people gathered around the capital. I am helpless against natural and man-made disasters. ”

No matter how good the year is, there will be disasters and there will be disaster victims.

In these days, everything depends on the weather for food. The people rely too heavily on the weather and timing. The relief provided by the imperial court is useless.

In other words, the intentions of the upper echelons of the imperial court are good.The emperor wanted to poach himself, but not all disasters would be reported truthfully, and not every grain of food would be distributed to the victims.

This will lead to a gap in information and communication between the upper and lower levels.

“I asked various parts of the palace to collect thousands of taels of silver to buy some winter clothes and distribute them to the victims outside the capital. In addition, porridge restaurants have been opened around the capital recently. I hope that this winter, there will be no No matter how many people lose their lives due to poverty and displacement, they will all be able to return to their hometown safely in the coming year."

Zhu Youtang reflects the generosity of a benevolent king.

Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, I don't know much about disaster relief, so I can't share your worries."

"You don't have to rely on you for everything. If you are needed for something as small as disaster relief, then , then you are too busy," Zhu Youtang said with a smile.

Judging from Zhu Youtang’s expression, it was also reflected that the situation of the refugees around the capital was actually the best it had ever been.

When people in the Central Plains suffer from disasters, they usually gather around the capital first, because Shuntian Mansion is the closest place for communication between the emperor and the people. Everything that happens is also the easiest to reach the emperor’s ears through some channels. It is also the most timely in terms of disaster relief.

"Bingkuan, let me show you something good."

Zhu Youtang pulled Zhang Zhou to his desk in Xinuang Pavilion.

Immediately opened a wooden box, and inside was a pile of things that looked like official documents.

"Your Majesty, this is"

Zhang Zhou didn't understand Zhu Youtang's strange interest.

Zhu Youtang said, "These are the prescriptions and prescriptions that I found from everywhere, but I don't understand them very well. Please give them a detailed look."

Zhang Zhouyi understood them after listening to them.

In fact, Zhu Youtang still tends to treat him, a benevolent minister, as an alchemist.

In other words, Zhu Youtang’s dream of immortality was almost entirely pinned on Zhang Bingkuan.

Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, if ordinary herbs in this world can make people live forever, then it is estimated that there will be immortal people in this world already. Your Majesty should not put too much energy on this aspect. That’s right.”

It is necessary to dismantle the situation.

"I don't seek longevity, I seek longevity, and it's not beyond human common sense to seek physical fitness."

Zhu Youtang said, "I also know that I shouldn't seek it. Yu Shenming Xiancao, but I have also read a lot of classics and learned that since ancient times, there are still many elderly people over a hundred years old. I will take a step back, even if I have to strengthen my body for fifteen years, I can see Ping in person. I am also satisfied with the grassland. Bingkuan, what are your suggestions?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am afraid that you will not be able to help me."

Zhu Youtang waved his hand and said. Don't be afraid, my body is much better now than in the past few years. Even if you give me some strong medicine, I can still stand it. If I am a sick person all the year round, it is really not as good as Fengfenghuohuo to live a good few years. Bingkuan, do you have any good prescriptions? If you use it, I can bear it." Please remember to bookmark the latest website.The fastest and free reading without anti-theft