Cui Yuan is going back to Beijing.
When I come back, I will serve in the Beijing camp, and I can even directly get the title promised by the previous emperor. The title of Jingshanbo is almost within reach.
Princess Yongkang naturally knew that it was not easy to get her husband's title. In addition to relying on her brother's help, she also relied on Zhang Zhou's "support", so Yongkang couldn't help but play matchmaker to Zhang Zhou. He insisted on sending his sister-in-law to Zhang Zhou.
On this day, Yongkang entered the palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhou.
Empress Dowager Zhou has been feeling unwell for the past two days, so Yongkang came here to visit her.
"It's outrageous. You're not your own sister. Why do you put so much thought into other people's affairs? If Bingkuan is capable, what does it have to do with the Cui family?"
Old After the wife knew Yongkang's intentions, her tone was a bit reproachful.
Yongkang said, "Empress Dowager, why don't you help your grandson? The married granddaughter also has to think about her husband's family. Besides, even if the grandson wants to marry his own sister, what will happen to him?" Opportunity? There is no suitable one in the Zhou family of the Empress Dowager."
The "poor" Empress Dowager Zhou glanced at her granddaughter, but she did not get angry.
Yongkang said with a smile, "Speaking of which, Cai Guogong is really trusted by the emperor. All military affairs in the capital are subject to Cai Guogong. Sometimes I can't even ask the emperor for help. It's better to get through the relationship with Cai Guogong."
Empress Dowager Zhou said, "You mentioned this matter to your imperial brother."
"Yongkang said. "Brother Huang promised to tell Duke Cai about this matter, but then nothing happened. Maybe Duke Cai was not too fond of my husband's sister. No one has seen her, but she is a well-known person. She is very young and beautiful, and he is not happy to come into his house and become his concubine."
"Ahem, marriage is a major matter, and you can't force it," Queen Mother Zhou said. .
Yongkang said with a smile, "Who said that a strong and twisted melon must not be sweet? We princesses, when we get married, none of us are blindly married, and in the end, no one complains that our life is boring. , On the contrary, among the wealthy ladies among the people, I heard that there are not a few who have unhappy marriages."
The Queen Mother Zhou glanced over and said, "So you came to tell the Ai family to help you with the matchmaking. "
Yongkang walked over, took the old lady's arm affectionately and said, "Grandmother, you are always good at what you say. Even the emperor listens to you, let alone Cai Guogong. If the marriage , that would be fine just by arranging Mao Ren to the capital camp and confirming the title. The imperial brother had said before that Mao Ren’s meritorious service was enough to be knighted, but up to now it was just a talk, he could wait. "I'm very worried."
Empress Dowager Zhou said, "It is not appropriate for a consort to be ennobled. If your family is ennobled, how will your sister and sister feel?"
After all, Yongkang has both an older sister and a younger sister.
Her husband has become "prosperous", but her sister and her sister's prince-in-law are still mediocre and have no chance to stand out.
These princes-in-law are basically the same in terms of character. They are all low-key figures who are not showy or show off. With the intention of Empress Dowager Zhou, you only highlight your family. Is it because you value the prince-in-law? In matters, shouldn't a bowl of water be treated equally?
"Brother, the emperor can give them a chance. Who asked Mao Ren to perform first? Since he has military merit, if he doesn't give a reward, oh, is it possible? He said that being a prince-in-law can make an exception if he has military merit. Ordinary people can be knighted, but not here as a prince-in-law."
Yongkang is a bit chattering.
If I don’t give you a title, I’m going to make a fuss. First, I’ll make a fuss with you, old lady. Later, I might even want to make a fuss with the emperor.
Anyway, as the eldest princess, I have a unique advantage. While the emperor brother is still alive, of course I have to fight hard. After another generation, who will remember me, the eldest princess of Yongkang
"Let's wait until Mao Ren comes back. The Ai family will continue to worship Buddha. If you have nothing to do, go back first. You can pay your respects to your imperial brother and ask him what he means."
Empress Dowager Zhou's implication was, don't bother me, go and bother your brother.
Yongkang said, "My grandma and grandson also want to go, but the emperor doesn't give me a chance. Recently, I can't even treat Cai Guogong to a meal. The emperor and Cai Guogong are both very busy."
"Just call him Bingkuan." Empress Dowager Zhou said, "We are all our own people. If you have the ability, just go to Bingkuan and show more courtesy. Bingkuan is also a person who takes softness but not hardness. The so-called stretching out his hand does not strike. Smiley man. Your brother wants Maoren to work with Bingkuan, so you have to keep your temper. "
"Grandma Huang"
< p>"Your Highness, the eldest princess, please come this way."Jiang Lu was already waiting to see off the guests with a smile.
The old lady has spoken and asked you to leave quickly, why can’t you understand?
Yongkang stood up and said, "It’s not easy for Mao Ren to have such a relationship with me. If I don’t even If you help him move around, no one will really care about his future. Grandma Huang, you must be considerate of this grandson-in-law."
"This Yongkang family has a capable husband. , and started to be arrogant."
After her granddaughter left, Queen Mother Zhou was not in a good mood.
This is because I saw that my grandson-in-law has become prosperous, and I hate myself for not having such a talented person in the Zhou family. Obviously, I have more unique conditions. There are also people in the Zhou family who follow Zhang Zhou and have a chance. Performance on the battlefield, but the results were unsatisfactory.
Jiang Lu smiled and said, "Mother, maybe it's the smoke coming out of the Cui family's ancestral tomb."
Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Can't it be smoked from the Zhou family's ancestral tomb?" When Bingkuan entered the palace again, I also came to him. I wanted to ask him if he had any good ideas. Who said that only children from other families can be successful, but not children from the Zhou family?"
Jiang Ludao "In recent times, On that day, Cai Guogong often came to the palace."
"Then you go to the emperor and tell the Ai family that they can come and see if they have time. , if this goes away, who will remember Zhou?I asked the emperor to leave some treats for him."
When Jiang Lu heard this, he immediately felt very familiar.
Yongkang came over just now, didn't he also tell the old lady to ask the old lady to give some treats? Clear up the relationship and make the emperor and Zhang Zhou pay more attention to Cui Yuan
The emotional old lady's own problem has not been solved yet, so why should I help you, Princess Yongkang
Jiang Lu was also thinking about it Thinking about it, it seems that the current focus on who can be more familiar with Cai Guogong and get more favors has formed a kind of resource. They are all trying to curry favor with even members of the royal family. Now instead of currying favor with the emperor, they are currying favor with Cai Guogong< /p>
After sending Zhang Mao away, Zhu Youtang would go out of the palace to Yanwu Hall for several days to discuss military matters with Zhang Zhou.
It seems that Zhu Youtang is also very fond of it. I like this feeling of going in and out of the palace to find freedom.
On this day, Zhu Youtang also asked Zhu Feng and Lu Wan to come together and hold a banquet in the Yanwu Hall. Of course, the banquet was on the table. The protagonist is still Zhang Zhou
The four monarchs and ministers are facing a table of food, with eight dishes and one soup. For an emperor like Zhu Youtang, who is famous for his frugality, the food on the table is too much. It's already a bit luxurious, but for Zhu Feng and Lu Wan, this is an ordinary home-cooked meal, even a little shabby.
"Bingkuan, let's talk about my brother-in-law, Yongkang. Our prince-in-law is coming back soon, and you don’t seem to be very familiar with him. I’ll ask someone to bring him a message. When he comes back, he will come to Yanwu Hall first to help you. You can arrange an errand for him. ”
Zhu Youtang doesn’t need his sister or grandmother to greet him. He will still miss his little brother-in-law.
Cui Yuanbie can’t do it, at least when he is the prince-in-law. In terms of work, he was conscientious and had not caused any trouble to Zhu Youtang before. In addition, he was a strict wife, which made Zhu Youtang somewhat fond of him. This was also related to Cui Yuan's free and uninhibited character.
Zhang Zhou looked at Lu Wan and then said, "Coming here as a tutor should be more than enough.
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "I don't think he can do it. He can't even talk about military affairs on paper. I have reviewed his process of obtaining military honors. In fact, he has an upright temperament and no twists and turns." He only focuses on leading troops into the army, which is not very capable. Let him be the instructor, what can he tell the students of the Yanwu Hall?"
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Your Majesty, just his character alone, Isn’t it enough to tell students about the benefits of doing so, to lead by example, and even to set yourself as a role model?"
"Oh, haha, is that so?"
< p>Zhu Youtang also laughed when he heard this.As a teacher, you don’t need to teach students the art of war, but just talk about how to lead troops forward without thinking.
It sounds very funny. It’s unreliable, but it’s true when you think about it.
It seems that the most lacking quality of Ming soldiers is fearlessness.
Zhang Zhou said, “The mistakes made by Baoguo Gong before were not due to lack of action. Are you aware of the uprightness of Prince Consort Cui? Your Majesty, if you feel that he is not suitable for teaching, you can come back as a student first and study hard.It's just that I may not have much time to impart knowledge to him, because I actually don't know much about the art of war.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Bingkuan, you have always been so outspoken." I agree with your statement. To be a teacher, you don’t need to have much ability. It’s enough if you can maintain a normal mind and have the courage to speak. He just told the generals below about his courage and moral integrity, and that was enough. ”
“Hmm”
Zhu Feng was sitting aside in a daze.
After all, the emperor didn’t move his chopsticks and just broke them, so he could only Sitting aside and listening.
At this point, I suddenly realized that this matter was actually related to me.
It seemed that the emperor was still praising himself.
Lu Wan said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I believe that in the past few years, those who have made great achievements on the battlefield are mostly people with upright character as Cai Guogong said. As long as they are fearless, they can lead troops to the front. Anyone who has fought before can reap the fruits of victory, all because the weapons and equipment of our soldiers have been greatly improved. What the Tatars fear most are the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who are not afraid of death. ”
“Well said. Zhu Youtang also expressed full affirmation of Lu Wan's opinion, "Come on, come on, pour some wine, and I'll have a few drinks with you." "
While pouring the wine, Li Zhang quickly reminded him, "Your Majesty, the dragon body is more important." ”
“It doesn’t matter if you drink a few drinks, Bingkuan, that’s right.” Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Zhou.
It means that my health doctor is still there. , what’s the matter with you being a eunuch?
Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded, “Yes. ”
What else can I say?
But it’s really not a big deal to have a few drinks. After all, what Zhu Youtang suffers from is not a cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, and the drinking these days is not a big deal. The degree is indeed not that good.
"One more thing, Bingkuan"
After drinking a few drinks, Zhu Youtang seemed to be even more talkative, smiling and saying, "Recently, there are many people in the court who want to marry you. I am still thinking about how to marry you. Haha, the prince is not young now, and you have a daughter. I have also thought about it. If in the future, They laughed and pretended that I didn’t say I would pour two more glasses. ”
As an emperor, when it comes to things between children, he seems very abrupt and a little embarrassed.
This can make Zhu Feng and Lu Wan on the side I was shocked.
The emperor is going to mediate with the prince.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty is right, the child is still young, so there is no need to worry. And it's a little against the rules. ”
When the Ming Dynasty prince accepted a concubine, he was very particular about etiquette. He had to choose a suitable concubine from ordinary people’s families. But like Zhu Youtang, who directly wanted to marry a minister, it was still an obvious destruction of the marriage of a powerful minister.
Zhu Youtang said as if he was proud of the spring breeze, "I think it's good. Even if it is settled verbally first, it doesn't mean that the prince is too naughty, but I won't say it anymore." Now, drink and drink. ”
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, you really shouldn't drink anymore. Just try it briefly."
"Okay, I'll listen to you." Zhu Youtang put down his glass and said, "By the way, I'll listen to you." Kuan, when is the next time we go to sea? It is said that a ship will be sent out from the Bohai Sea, right? If I have free time, I would like to go on a patrol and go to the Bohai Sea. I have always wanted to see what the sea looks like. Just because of other people's descriptions, I want to ask the soldiers on the voyage to say goodbye."
Zhang Zhou said, "If your majesty is willing to go on a tour, you can take it to the court to discuss it with your officials."
Zhu said. Youtang waved his hands and said, "Tell them, they will definitely disagree. I have only taken a few steps out of the capital, so there is no need to start a big fight. In fact, it is okay to go out for a walk incognito.
I have been a little nervous in the palace recently. "It's boring."
Zhang Zhouxin said he had noticed it a long time ago.
Otherwise, as an emperor, why are you always running outside the palace recently?
When the emperor starts to have the idea of flying his ideals, he will not be a serious emperor. Your son will be in the future. What I have to do is just inherit your "legacy". In fact, you two father and son are very similar in nature. It's just that your experiences and encounters in the first half of your life have prevented you from having the opportunity to let yourself go.
Zhu Feng asked, "Didn't I go to sea once? Is there any point in going to sea again?"
Lu Wan quickly gave Zhu Feng a wink, meaning why did you speak regardless of the occasion?
Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "You know, you may not know something. That overseas place is really full of treasures. Maybe if you go to sea again, you can get back millions of taels of silver alone." We will send more ships and more soldiers out next time. I have also thought that if anyone in the governor's mansion is willing to lead troops, I will let you go first."
Zhu Feng was immediately worried when he heard this. , quickly looked to Zhang Zhou for help.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, the current overseas land is just a group of foreigners. They do not have the strength to directly oppose my Ming army. It will be the same no matter who you send. As for Anbian Hou, he may have more An important task."
"Yes, yes." Zhu Youtang smiled, "Just stay in Beijing and be at your disposal at any time.