Not two days after Zhang Zhou entered the palace to "see a doctor" for the emperor and his wife, feedback from the palace came.
And it was Zhu Youtang’s personal feedback.
On this day, Zhang Zhou was sitting at home, and Zhu Youtang came to the door in person. When Zhang Zhou got the message and saw Zhu Youtang at the door, he was a little unbelievable. It seemed that Zhu Youtang himself He seems to have recovered from his illness.
"Your Majesty, you should rest more, why do you want to leave the palace?" Zhang Zhou stepped forward, saluted first, and then said in a doctor's tone.
Zhu Youtang's face was red and he looked a little energetic. He smiled and said, "My health is much better. You said I should walk more. It's rare for me to leave the palace, and I don't have anywhere else to go." Go, I just came to you. Speaking of which, I haven’t even seen the place where you live. I don’t know if you can get used to it.”
This can be regarded as the emperor’s home visit to the minister’s home.
Zhang Zhou was also thinking, as an emperor, you are still claiming to be ill and cannot go to court. If those ministers find out that you are recuperating and still come to me, they will think that I am a sycophant. To lead you astray, the rumors may not be so unpleasant.
Zhang Zhou welcomed Zhu Youtang into the door.
Along with Zhu Youtang, in addition to Li Rong, there was also Jin Yiwei commander Mou Bin and others. Even though Zhang Zhou already felt that his yard was very spacious, when this group of people came in, he felt a little crowded. .
Zhang Zhou invited Zhu Youtang to his main hall.
After the emperor and his ministers sat down, Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Bingkuan, your medical skills are indeed superb. Not only me, but also the queen's illness was cured without medicine. I won't accept it even if you don't accept it."
Zhang Zhouyi knew after hearing this that Empress Zhang would no longer continue to pretend to be ill, and Zhu Youtang and his wife seemed to have reached a "reconciliation" in some aspects.
Zhang Zhou said, "I did not prescribe medicine to the queen, but just chatted with the queen for a few words."
"I know." Zhu Youtang seemed to be a little interested when he said this. Yes, he immediately waved his hands and said, "You all go out first. I have something to do with my condition and I want to talk to Bingkuan alone."
"Yes."
Li Rong responded. Then, he asked Mou Bin to go out.
He was still wondering in his heart, what illness did His Majesty and the Queen have, and they actually avoided people and said it was an unspeakable secret
When only Zhu Youtang and Zhang were left in the main hall Zhou, Zhu Youtang, like a naughty boy, actually moved a chair towards Zhang Zhou. Just when Zhang Zhou was about to get up and help him, Zhu Youtang reached out to block him, and then Zhu Youtang sat down. On the chair I moved.
"Bingkuan, although I don't know what you said to the queen, the queen has been a little different these past two days." Zhu Youtang whispered.
Zhang Zhou probably knew that this was a private matter between the couple, and as a minister he should not interfere. Although Zhu Youtang regarded him as a friend, he should not confide everything to his friends.
Maybe
This emperor is still too easy to be influenced by others. The people who controlled his thoughts in the past were Empress Zhang andA civil servant of the Manchu Dynasty, but now he has become Zhang Zhou without realizing it.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, there are some things that you don't need to mention to me."
"I won't be happy if you don't tell me how to do it." Zhu Youtang looked very indifferent. He looked like this and said with a smile, "The queen has not only had a lot of contact with Concubine Xian in the past two days, but also sewed clothes for Hou Xuan herself. Last night, Concubine Xian was even left in Kunning Palace. Haha, Bingkuan, you are really awesome Help me solve the troublesome housework."
Zhang Zhou couldn't bear it.
As an emperor, do you know what you are talking about to your ministers?
As a king, how to get along with your queen and concubines has nothing to do with me, a minister. , don’t always push all your official and private matters onto me, as if you won’t be able to behave yourself without me.
Zhang Zhou smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, I just used myself as an example and mentioned a few words to the queen. Only when the backyard is peaceful can I be willing to do things outside."
"Okay. Bingkuan, you don't need to explain." Zhu Youtang said with a proud face, "I actually wanted to ease the matter in the inner palace before, but you know, this kind of thing is really worth a thousand words to others, maybe. It is precisely because you are a doctor who can cure all diseases in the queen's mind that she will accept your proposal. If it were me, it would be useless."
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, the emperor is so useless in front of his wife." "Dignity"?
If that doesn't work, just issue the decree directly. You were pretty good at snubbing the queen before, weren't you? It wasn't because of your snub that the queen would not be so nervous that she would pretend to be sick to win over you. I don't have sympathy for you, and you won't accept my opinion.
"I rarely come out. Bingkuan, you can take me around, including the Yanwu Hall and the school grounds. There is no need to show it off or let me see it." Looking at your recent achievements in improving Shenji Camp's firearms, I'm not here to check on you. I just want to know how the military's firearms are progressing and what the chances of winning against the Tatars are in the future. I suddenly feel very high-spirited and want to lead my troops on a personal expedition. "
Zhu Youtang changed his previous decadent demeanor, and when he said this, he also gave Zhang Zhou a feeling that he was not lying.
It may have solved the troubles in the inner court and made the emperor feel the pride of being a man.
After the woman’s troubles are solved, the next step is to show off her ambitions and think about how to fight for her. Maybe men have some unrealistic ideals in the end.
"Your Majesty has an order, and I must obey it. Please give me some time to clean up before walking with Your Majesty."
"Don't be so formal, please obey me." There’s no need to change, I’m just in casual clothes, no need to be solemn and solemn, just walk around.” Zhu Youtang said and already started to pull Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou was also a little helpless.
Perhaps after this treatment, Zhu Youtang trusted and relied more on him. After all, he even came to him to deal with matters between husband and wife. This was beyond the relationship between monarch and minister and friend. Zhu Youtang Youtang not only regarded him as a doctor who could cure all diseases, but also as a doctor who could cure all kinds of diseases.It became a tree hole where you could express your unhappiness
Zhang Zhou even felt that he might really take the emperor into a ditch.
Those ministers may have some sense in being cautious.
But who can you blame for not being prepared?
Zhang Zhou took Zhu Youtang to check the existing armaments of the Ming Dynasty capital.
As an emperor, he said that he did not check the actions of his ministers, but Zhang Zhou also knew that if he had not achieved any results recently, he would never be able to communicate with the emperor. After all, he did not usually go to court. Even though he holds the title of lecturer in the East Palace, he rarely goes to teach the prince, and he almost never gets involved in the governor's mansion.
If you don’t produce some decent results like this, even if you don’t have to criticize it from civil servants, the emperor will probably think that you, Zhang Bingkuan, are usually too idle
I trust you, I have to give you work too.
So, this time Zhang Zhou can be considered as finding a reasonable reason for not having any contact with the court.
Inside the Ordnance Factory.
Zhang Zhou took Zhu Youtang to inspect the rows of artillery in the warehouse. There were more than 60 heavy artillery pieces alone. Including multi-purpose artillery pieces and light artillery pieces, there were between six and seven hundred pieces. Zhu Youtang was extremely rare. After getting up there, he went up and touched the cannon regardless of whether it was dirty. It gave the impression that this emperor was not so gentle to anyone.
"Bingkuan, why didn't you have time to send so many to the northwest?" Zhu Youtang seemed to have discovered a treasure. After walking around, he remembered that the biggest contributor to this matter was still behind him. Follow him on his inspection.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, these are all used for the defense of the capital. This is only part of them. A large number have been sent to the city head and other places to strengthen the city's defense."
Zhu Youtang exclaimed, "Is there so much? Maybe the capital can't use it. Why not transport more to the northwest?" Zhang Zhou replied, "Your Majesty, these were only built in the past two months. Even if To be sent to the northwest, most of them are built in Datong, Xuanfu, etc., and then transported directly to the northwest. These batches are basically made from Xishan, and the artillery made from Yongpingfu is basically used in Liaodong, Ji, etc. State and other places."
"Okay, okay. You make the arrangements."
Zhu Youtang originally wanted to give some advice on Zhang Zhou's artillery layout, but maybe Realizing that he didn't know much about it, and seeing that Zhang Zhou was confident, he let go and left the matter to Zhang Zhou.
Just as he was talking, Li Rong walked in from the outside and said, "Your Majesty, I went to check the firecrackers next door. There are tens of thousands of them."
"Are there so many?" Zhu Youtang asked, "Are they all new?"
Li Rong smiled and said, "Yes."
Perhaps realizing that he had stolen Zhang Zhou's limelight, Li Rong hurriedly He looked at Zhang Zhou with a smile and said, "I think Cai Guogong has already made arrangements for this batch of firearms."
Zhu Youtang said, "It hasn't been long before I have accumulated so many firearms. I don't even remember the imperial court." How many coins have been allocated for this, right?"
Li Rongdao "Go back to Your Majesty., indeed it was never allocated, it was all raised by Cai Guogong from various places. ”
“Bingkuan. Zhu Youtang looked touched and looked at Zhang Zhoudao eagerly, "I don't know how to explain this matter. I am really lucky to have you in Ming Dynasty." You alone support the court. "
"Your Majesty is serious. I am just doing my best. After this year, coal, iron and other products will be produced in various places. Coupled with the expansion of production capacity, that is, the efficiency of manufacturing, this year's production The number of guns already exceeds the previous two years combined, and this is only May. ”
“Yes, there are so many made. If so many artillery fire, haha. "
"Your Majesty, we are also rushing to make cannonballs. The biggest problem at the moment is the lack of some materials. ”
“Then we still have to continue to explore.” Bingkuan, have you figured out where there are minerals for making cannonballs?"
Zhu Youtang heard that there were few cannonballs, so where would that be?
There are only artillery, row after row, It would be nonsense if there were no cannon shells by then, so Zhu Youtang immediately went to discuss making cannon shells with Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou said, “We are already stepping up mining. ”
Zhu Youtang slapped his forehead and said, “Look, since I have you, I am still worried that you will be able to do these things well.” How nice. Hahaha"
At the end, Zhu Youtang was even a little incoherent.
The emperor came in person. In addition to inspecting the manufacture and storage of artillery, he would also meet with the ordnance factory and Some of the officials and generals in charge of the capital camp were a kind of encouragement to them.
In Zhang Zhou's opinion, Zhu Youtang also had a purpose.
Who said Zhu was doing this. Youtang does things as he pleases
At this time, he was investigating Zhu Hui and the old Xun faction. The morale of the army was low, and some people in the Beijing camp were feeling insecure. After all, Zhu Hui was in Beijing. They have been in the camp for many years and have many old troops. These people are also afraid of being held accountable by the emperor. The main purpose of the emperor's visit this time is to appease people's hearts.
So in addition to the necessary visits, the emperor's attitude towards his ministers is also very important. It is very important that Zhu Youtang directly expressed his trust in the officers and generals in the Beijing camp when he met with them.
At the same time, he also gave rewards to some people who worked hard, even if they had no actual merits. Promotion rewards will be given as appropriate.
This can be regarded as a shot in the arm for the Ming Dynasty's almost solidified army. After all, without military merit, ordinary soldiers will not be able to survive in one generation, not even several generations. Fa changed his military position.
And now the emperor gave them the opportunity to follow Zhang Zhou to do something special, and they wanted money and status.
"Your Majesty, Beijing. Everyone in the camp is grateful for your kindness. After they retired, they still asked the slaves if they wanted to write a letter together to express their gratitude. "After Li Rong sent out some of the generals and officials he had met with, he came back and said to Zhu Youtang.
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "There is no need for those vain people. Let them do their jobs well, which is better than anything else. important. ”
Li Rong smiled"Yes."
"Bingkuan." Zhu Youtang turned his attention to Zhang Zhou after less than three words, "How come you haven't seen Zhijie recently? You said before that he was doing something for the family." He wanted to get another chance to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield, but he was not allowed to go to Liaodong. What is he doing now?"
Zhang Zhou said, "In the past few days, Anbian Hou followed Lu Wan, the resigned governor of Neisan Pass, to Xishan. The inspection was firstly for coal mining and smelting, and secondly, it was to prepare some walls around Xishan to prevent future foreign invasion and give them the opportunity to seize Xishan’s resources.”
“Yes. It is necessary. It seems that Zhijie can also do these daily official duties, which is good."
Zhu Youtang regarded Zhu Feng as a younger brother or a junior.
Seeing Zhu Feng making progress and starting to work on the daily government and military affairs of the Ming Dynasty, he seemed very pleased to be the elder brother.
"By the way, Bingkuan, recently Xinjian Bo also reported from Datong that the construction of the fortress in Maoerzhuang has come to an end, and at the same time, patrols in Weininghai and other places have become more frequent. I was thinking, Where should we fight the next war?"
Zhu Youtang then seemed to be urging him to "put pressure" on Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou said, "Everywhere is preparing for military supplies. It may take some time."
Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Don't think that I am putting pressure on you. In fact, I am Thinking about it this way, the reputation of the little Tatar prince in the grassland will definitely plummet due to this new defeat, and there are wolves everywhere on the grassland. If I can take the opportunity to add fire to them, it will definitely fall into civil strife. So I have recently. I am also very concerned about the reports to the court from all over the grassland."
As he said that, he glanced at Li Rong, meaning that I don't know the details, so you can tell me.
Li Rong added, "That's right. Before the Battle of Ningxia was over, Huo Si had already reported to the court, asking for an order to coordinate sending troops to fight side by side with the Ming army. However, it took nearly a month for the report to be transmitted. When we arrived at the capital, we were delayed, but we could see that Huo Si had good intentions. In addition, Tumut and other tribal leaders also sent messages to the Ming Dynasty, asking them to negotiate with the Ming Dynasty and agree on the recent tribute." >
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty wants to use the power of these small tribes to disrupt the situation on the grassland."
"Yes." Zhu Youtang said, "Originally, I had intended to use the power of these small tribes to They will be swallowed up first, but now it seems that using barbarians to control barbarians is a good choice.”
“But Your Majesty, these foreign barbarians should not be unclear. The purpose of Ming Dynasty is to completely wipe out the grassland, and they will also. They will be destroyed or conquered. The ambition of this group of people may not be credible. Especially if they rely on them to fight against the little Tatar prince, they will probably be perfunctory with the court. It may also be some of the methods used by the grassland people to paralyze the Ming Dynasty. "
Zhang Zhou did not want to unite with the small tribes on the grassland.
Unnecessary.
The Ming Dynasty’s military power has gradually begun to reach its peak. If we rely on this group of small tribes to fight against Batu Monk, it will give these small tribes a chance to develop. After all,Unexpectedly, the Ming Dynasty wanted to give them benefits if they wanted to win over them. Even if they didn't give them firearms, they would at least open up trade and so on. < /p>
When the Ming Dynasty really comes to conquer the grassland in the future, these small tribes will most likely join Batu Monk's camp.
Zhu Youtang said, "Bingkuan is saying that there is no need to raise tigers to cause trouble."
"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded.
Li Rong said next to him, "But in the current situation, the border troops will no longer send troops in a short time. Why not instigate civil strife on the grassland? Mr. Cai Guogong, I am not questioning you, but this does not seem to be in line with the art of war." ”
Whether it is the people in power or the generals below, the Ming Dynasty seems to be more superstitious about the so-called art of war, especially the art of war left by the ancient gods of war.
The so-called art of war basically follows the "deceitful" route, that is, using people's hearts and minds to maximize one's own advantage.
But according to Zhang Zhou’s thinking, the art of war is not important at all, or it is just a auxiliary role. The most important thing is to be stronger and rely on the crushing weapons of the times to complete the attack on the grassland. Conquer, otherwise use military tactics and other deceptions to win, I'm afraid the forces on the grassland will still be dissatisfied and will still resurrect.
Zhu Youtang said, "Na Bingkuan, when the little Tatar prince is so weak, we really don't do anything. This battle in Ningxia seems to have won, but the Tatars can also be considered... We have basically retreated, but I am still very worried."
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, based on what I see, we might as well treat Datong as a border town and send troops to the outside in the name of patrol. During the raid, the Tatar tribes were driven northward and occupied as much fertile grassland as possible on the Ming border to weaken the strength of the grassland."
"That's good."< /p>
What Zhu Youtang probably wanted was to demonstrate his military power and pave the way for Pingping Grassland in the future.
If you don’t fight for a day, the emperor will feel uncomfortable all over.
In the past, we were forced to fight, but now we have to take the initiative.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, this war should not be expanded. It should be stopped in moderation, but someone must coordinate and coordinate."
"Let Qin Hong do it." Zhu Youtang said, " He asked me to resign many times. I want to use him well again before he retires, and I don’t want people to think that I don’t trust him enough.” Please remember to bookmark it, the latest and fastest website without anti-theft and free reading