The first thing Zhang Zhou did when he entered the palace was not to discuss any important family and national affairs with Zhu Youtang, but to diagnose Zhu Youtang first.
On the sickbed, Zhu Youtang looked haggard. He was already weak, and he looked even more haggard due to his illness. He opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Zhou. He seemed to have no strength to speak, but There was a certain calmness in his expression, and it seemed that he could only feel at ease when Zhang Zhou was around.
"Zhang Qing's family, how is your Majesty's illness?"
On the side, Queen Zhang was also checking on her husband's condition.
The emperor did not go to Kunning Palace recently, saying that he did not want to bring the sick to his wife and children. However, in fact, Zhu Youtang also had some intentions of not treating Queen Zhang as a family member. At the critical moment, he still hoped to be with her. The family was reunited, but Concubine Xian came to visit several times, but Empress Zhang was not allowed to visit even once, until Zhang Zhou came back.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty needs to be recuperated and should rest."
Zhu Youtang finally exhaled and gave up his previous intention of pretending not to be able to speak when his wife was around.
But his voice was still low, "Bingkuan, you don't have to force me, I don't have to go against the will of God, I will do whatever I want."
It seems that he doesn't care about his body the most. , it was Zhu Youtang himself, who seemed to be very considerate of others every time, trying to put himself in a very low status, but always seemed to forget that he was a king.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. I will find a way to help you. Queen, you can rest assured."
Queen Zhang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Bingkuan is still here. Time can make people feel at ease. One word from him is more effective than a hundred words from those imperial doctors. Your Majesty, please take care of me. I will come to visit you when you have free time."
"Yes." Youtang waved his hands and said, "Go back first and tell the prince that you don't need to worry too much about me. I just need to recuperate for a few days."
"I retire."
Wait for Queen Zhang to leave.
Here Zhu Youtang was in much better spirits. He stretched out his hand to signal Chen Kuan to help him up, and smiled at Zhang Zhou. The meaning was obvious. His physical condition did not seem to be that bad. .
As for why Zhu Youtang behaved like that in front of Queen Zhang, Zhang Zhou needs to figure it out.
"Bingkuan, I have thought about it. When you come back this time, I will first promote you to be the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Then I will give you a more important job." Zhu Youtang came up and broke the news.
Chen Kuan on the side was cautious, as if he regretted that he should be there to hear such explosive news.
Zhang Zhou said, "I'm afraid it's hard for me to do the job."
"Don't say that, I think you can do it. After the spring of next year, I plan to send troops to the grassland. If I want to conquer it personally, I'm afraid This body and bones cannot afford to wait." There was a sense of sadness in Zhu Youtang's words.
It seems that he knows very well that he will not live long.
He was still young and strong, but because Zhu Youtang’s physical foundation was so poor, even Zhu Youtang knew how weak he was.Xu, he also knows how different he is from that ordinary person.
"I can't wait until spring begins." Zhu Youtang seemed eager to pacify the grassland in one fell swoop while he could still move.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, even if it is a personal expedition, you should plan it in detail. If your Majesty really intends this, I can only obey the orders."
Since the emperor has this intention, then Zhang Zhou could only "lay down his life to accompany the gentleman".
"Okay, okay." Zhu Youtang said, "Bingkuan, I have been thinking a lot recently and I feel that something is wrong. Later I figured it out. Every time I send troops to the grassland, I want to finish the battle. It is absolutely impossible to retreat, unless we send out troops to wipe them out in one fell swoop. The grassland is vast, and no matter how many times they send troops, they will still avoid direct confrontation. After the war, why wait any longer? Just take advantage of these two years to decide the matter."
Chen Kuan reminded, "Your Majesty, take care of the dragon body."
I also saw that Zhu Youtang was too excited, and his voice raised an octave when he spoke. Just by looking at it, he didn't look like a sick person.
Zhang Zhou said, "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. In terms of military strength, the Ming Dynasty has absolutely suppressed the grassland. To say that it is insufficiently prepared, that is, it has not cast more artillery and equipped with more firecrackers. But if we give the Tatars a few more years to prepare, they may have an opportunity to take advantage of it, such as finding a way to crack it. It would be better if the Tatars were in chaos and sent troops to fight. "< /p>
"Okay, I am the only one who sees the same thing as you. Those ministers always persuade me not to think about war. They talk about supporting the people and recuperating. How do they know that they are kings? I am suffering for myself. Peace in the world is just an ideal. First, the Tatars must be completely wiped out."
Zhu Youtang seemed to have found a confidant.
I even got off the bed, sat down on the floor, drank tea, and wanted to talk to Zhang Zhou Bingzhu at night.
The content of the conversation was how to solve the grassland problem in the next few months.
Chen Kuan waited on him for a long time, and then he was sent back to the Li Supervisory Room by Zhu Youtang to review the memorial.
When Chen Kuan returned to the Supervisor of Ceremonies, he saw that Wei Bin was busy dealing with many official duties. He was surprised to see Chen Kuan coming over.
"Didn't you say that Cai Guogong returned to Beijing today?" Wei Bin asked.
Chen Kuandao said, "It is precisely because he came back that we have nothing to do with him. Your Majesty will talk to Cai Guogong about how you feel about the grassland being leveled within half a year."
"I dare not think about it." Wei Bin said, "Speaking of which, our family doesn't have a few days left here, so we don't dare to make unreasonable suggestions."
Since Xiao Jing was captured by the emperor, Wei Bin's position has been very embarrassing. Xiao Jing originally wanted to cultivate Wei Bin as his successor, but the emperor still followed the original order and let Chen Kuan take the position.
This makes Wei Bin unable to advance or retreat. He cannot even be called Chen Kuan.A completely good person.
Chen Kuandao said, "The wars in various places in the northwest were all in vain. Although nothing was lost, the prestige of the Ming Dynasty was still wiped out a lot, especially the people in the DPRK's view of the border wars. The expectations are high, and this time it is known that Cai Guogong is not omnipotent."
Wei Bin said with a wry smile, "Cai Guogong did not personally lead the troops into the grassland, and the Tatars did not dare to fight. We have a head-on confrontation, and our military prestige has not been compromised. Didn’t we say that the British side also won?"
Chen Kuan said with disdain, "With his little achievements, he has the nerve to mention them."
"Haha." Wei Bin continued to smile bitterly.
"Those people in the court thought that if Cai Guogong made any mistake, they would have the opportunity to take advantage of it. Now they realize that it is all empty talk. Your Majesty wants to use Cai Guogong as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. You must not Let the matter be leaked."
"This is true"
"Our family is still trying to trick you because His Majesty said it himself. There are also rumors that Cai Guogong will join the cabinet. , you wouldn’t know about it today, right?”
This made Wei Bin not sure how to respond.
Chen Kuandao: "There are people in the court who want to impeach Duke Cai Guo, so they come back to impeach him because of the futility of the battle. Your Majesty may have expected this, so he tried his best to push Cai Guogong to the official position." From the position of Minister, everyone in the world is told that no one can touch Duke Cai." Wei Bin nodded and said, "It makes sense. If you really win, there is no need for your Majesty to be so anxious."
Chen Kuan looked up at Wei Bin and said, "Do you know what to do?"
"Please give me some advice, Eunuch Chen." Wei Bin showed a humble attitude.
"Recently, there are always people talking about Nanjing's military affairs. Even if His Majesty is not in court, a box of memorials related to Nanjing's military affairs can be piled up. Why would they bring up Nanjing's military affairs here? It's unclear. The military affairs in Nanjing are in chaos and need someone capable to take charge."
"You mean Cai Guogong"
"Yes." Chen Kuan nodded, "Someone wants to do this, you. I can't support you openly, but it's easy for you to help me secretly. It's not suitable for our family."
Wei Bin. I know that if I still want to stay in the Bureau of Ceremonies and remain in the hub of power, I must make a "sacrifice".
In this way, even if the emperor pursues the case later, Wei Bin will be the one to take the blame. However, since Wei Bin was about to withdraw from the court, he seems to be able to be more free now.
"Tonight, you will study the memorials related to Nanjing's military affairs in detail. In the next few days, His Majesty will let the court summarize the gains and losses of the Northern Expedition, and then discuss Nanjing's military affairs. You don’t need to mention anything to His Majesty, you even just need to put some pressure on the Ministry of War and let Cai Guogong do it yourself, you understand.”
You can’t be forceful.
Go directly to impeach Zhang Zhou. This will happen, but the purpose is not to bring down Zhang Zhou.
But give it to Zhang ZhouPutting pressure on Zhang Zhou, he was so embarrassed that he proposed to go to Nanjing. The emperor would only agree to something Zhang Zhou proposed on his own initiative.
Wei Bin said in surprise, "Eunuch Chen, didn't you say that your Majesty will personally conquer the grassland after the spring begins?"
Chen Kuandao said, "Such a big thing can be realized just by your Majesty's words." There are so many kings who want to rule personally, and there are a few successful sages such as Taizu and Taizong of various dynasties. They are very cautious when it comes to personal conquests. Your Majesty is just thinking about it at the moment. You will calm down later. Or if some conditions do not allow it, His Majesty will take back this idea."
Wei Binxin said, you really understand the emperor.
The emperor was so interested in taking it back as soon as he said it would be taken back
"Time waits for no one." Chen Kuandao said, "If it is decided that Cai Guogong will move to the Ministry of Personnel, he will do it if he wants to. It’s too late. I’ll be busy with you these days.”
Zhang Zhou and Zhu Youtang have been talking about the second watch.
At this moment, Zhu Youtang's body could no longer hold up and he went back to rest early. Zhang Zhou, under the guidance of Li Zhang, went to the Wenhua Hall to rest, saying that he would need more time in the future. Asking Zhang Zhou to meet the prince was not asking Zhang Zhou to attend class. Zhu Youtang wanted Zhang Zhou to have a routine communication with Zhu Houzhao, the teacher and student.
Probably the father wants his son to know that your husband is still your husband. If there is no father to discipline you, your husband will give you a good lesson.
"Sir, our family has just received some news. I don't know whether to tell it or not." Li Zhang did not hold up a lantern, but led the way, smiling as if he wanted to tell Zhang Zhou the good news.
Zhang Zhou said, "Tell me."
Li Zhang smiled and said, "There seems to be news from Jizhou, saying that Jingshanbo and Anbianhou have news, and they have discovered The traces of the Tatars seem to be a Tatar camp with ten thousand households, hiding in a valley. I heard that troops were sent in. This was five or six days ago."
"Oh. "Zhang Zhou nodded, "That is to say, we don't know the outcome of the battle yet."
"It's true that we don't know yet, but I think this battle is a sure win. Jingshanbo and Anbianhou are lucky generals. , wherever they go, they will have adventures. Ordinary people would not think that they are the ones who can stabilize the country. Only with you, sir."
Before Li Zhang finished speaking, he was Zhang Zhou stretched out his hand to interrupt.
Zhang Zhou said, "Eunuch Li, for the uncertain news, it is better to wait until it is confirmed before speaking, in case the result is not satisfactory."
"Yes, yes."
Li Zhang had always followed Zhang Zhouyan's advice, but now that he knew Cui Yuan and Zhu Feng might have won another battle, he didn't dare to make a mistake.
Li Zhang said, "People outside are saying that this time the troops in the north are just a waste of money. They don't know your majesty."
Zhang Zhou didn't want to answer.
Now Li Zhang is clearly flattering and flattering him.
The structure within the Li Jian is also about to change. After two years of stability, the old minister of the imperial court has, another batch has to be replaced. At this time, Zhang Zhou's sneeze seems to make the court tremble, but some civil servants don't want to listen to him, thinking that he has no influence.
But Li Zhang is a sober-minded and smart man. If Li Zhang wants to keep his status as the admiral of the Dongchang eunuch, he must stand on Zhang Zhou's team and follow Zhang Zhou's lead.
"In addition, our family also heard that the British Duke seems to be slacking off, and someone is preparing to impeach him for delaying the military plane." Li Zhang was "showing his loyalty." .
If you know that the dispute between Zhang Zhou and Zhang Mao is old and new, then be a favor and let someone deal with Zhang Mao.
It is best to wipe out the British government just like Baoguo Duke, so that you, Cai Guogong, have no rivals in the court, and let you know how capable I, the Duke of Dongchangchang, am.
Zhang Zhou said, "The British Lord is not involved in the specific war. It is not easy to participate in the impeachment. Besides, with his reputation in the court, many people will speak for him. I don’t think the British public has anything to lose from this matter.”
“That’s not necessarily the case”
Li Zhang had a bit of a smirk on his face.
It seems that there is a way.
As a "civilized man", Zhang Zhou would generally not play tricks on Zhang Mao, but Li Zhang was different. He was not a civilized man. He knew that the emperor also planned to give Zhang Maoteng's position to Zhang Zhou. How can he behave well when he is doing it?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Eunuch Li, when you say this, it makes me feel a bit wrong, as if you are using a public weapon for private use."
" How could this happen?" Li Zhang said, "Everything is done according to the rules."
"Okay, I hope you won't break the rules." Zhang Zhou nodded in satisfaction, "I am the most important person. Everyone has a face when it comes to things, and I don’t want to break up with anyone. You really don’t need to tell me what Eunuch Li does. After all, you and I are just colleagues. I also hope that Eunuch Li can share your Majesty’s worries and solve problems for the court. "Please remember to bookmark this chapter when you finish it. The latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft