The fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
The capital is still filled with the joy of the Lantern Festival, but the war in the northwest has begun.
The cabinet and the superior hearing office were operating at full capacity after the tenth day of the first lunar month. On this afternoon, the news that Zhang Zhou had left Zhangjiakou reached the cabinet.
"Three days..." Li Dongyang presented an urgent border report to Liu Jian, "He set out from the capital and took three days to get out of the pass. In terms of the speed of dispatching troops, he did not Not bad."
Liu Jian took it over and looked at it, then put the emergency report down.
On the other side, Wang Hao came over and wanted to take a look, but Li Dongyang held down the emergency report.
Cheng Minzheng is recuperating in the government and has not appeared in the cabinet since the end of the year and the beginning of the year. Now the cabinet has returned to the triangle state, but the relationship between the iron triangle has been broken, and Wang Hao cannot integrate into the relationship formed by Liu Jian and Li Dongyang in a power monopoly structure.
Liu Jiandao: "Zhang Bingkuan is bent on fighting the Tatars to the death."
The implication is that he is so anxious to bring three thousand soldiers and horses out of the grassland that he is a little anxious to reincarnate. mean.
After all, in everyone's opinion, three thousand soldiers and horses are not enough to achieve any major event. Even Tang Yin led seven or eight thousand soldiers and horses into the grassland. Now there is no way to retreat, and life and death are uncertain even with the soldiers and horses all the way. He just disappeared. You Zhang Zhou led 3,000 soldiers and horses just to try to turn the tide?
Wang Hao no longer insisted on reading the emergency report. He said: "I heard that Cai Guogong was the vanguard of this expedition. He brought many new weapons. One man can guard the gate and ten thousand men can't open it." I don’t know whether it’s true or not.”
Li Dongyang said: “Jizhi, do you think there will be such a weapon?”
Wang Hao said: “The powerful cannon has been used in the past few years. In the year, Yu Northwest really showed off his magical power."
"The Shenwei Cannon is good, but it may explode after being fired only a few times, which will affect the safety of soldiers, and it is too bulky to be transported easily. The garrison at the pass may still have a certain function. If you enter the grassland, how can the Tatars set a target for you?" Li Dongyang's implication was that he was very unfavorable about Zhang Zhou's new weapon.
Wang Hao sighed. He knew very well that the two heads of the cabinet were now determined to confront Zhang Zhou. It seemed that everything was irreversible.
It’s useless to say anything, Liu Jian and Li Dongyang will not accept his views.
Wang Hao said: "I hope everything goes well. The battle in the northwest can secure the grassland. A successful battle can also make the Ming Dynasty stable and peaceful for hundreds of years."
Li Dongyang smiled and said: " It's just a dream."
...
...
Wang Hao felt a little depressed.
He wanted to go to the Shangting Department to see what the opinions were there, but he knew that the main people in charge of the Shangting Department, including Zhang Zhou, Wang Qiong, and Cheng Minzheng, were not in the yamen. Wang Qiong He went on an expedition with the army, and the previous foreman of the Shangting Department, Lu Wan, was still leading troops to fight against bandits in the Central Plains.
This is itAs a result, he didn't have anyone close to him.
It seemed that the emperor was on his own expedition, with Zhang Zhou as the vanguard. Even the forces that Wang Hao could trust had disappeared in the capital. In desperation, he could only take advantage of the darkness to go to Cheng Min's government. On the pretext of visiting a doctor, he told Cheng Minzheng of his depression.
Cheng Minzheng's condition has gradually worsened recently and has reached the point where he cannot stay.
But Cheng Minzheng still dragged his illness and met Wang Hao in the room.
“People in the court refused to give in to each other due to partisanship. Some people had lost their minds. They did not care about the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty, and even ignored the safety of the king. Knowing that His Majesty went on an expedition or brought He didn't try to stop the chaos in the court, but instead gloated behind his back..."
Cheng Minzheng may have felt that he was a dying man, so he would speak out and criticize those in the court who he didn't like.
Wang Hao said in surprise: "It's not as bad as you said, Keqin, right?"
Cheng Minzheng waved his hand and said: "It's worse than it is."
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With these words, Wang Hao was silenced.
Cheng Minzheng said: "I have submitted to Your Majesty that I have resigned and returned to my hometown to take care of my old age. I also asked Your Majesty to select talents from the Hanlin Academy who can assist the government in the cabinet. I really have no shame to see Your Majesty again, and I have no desire to do so. "Wang Hao asked: "How is the condition?" "It can't be cured," Cheng Minzheng said, "It's God's will that the illness has reached this point. Force it. Even if God can extend my life, it will not change my inner depression. I have spent this life chasing the ups and downs of my career, and I hope you can look back."
Wang Hao said. What are you looking back on?"
Cheng Minzheng smiled and said: "There is no point in fighting or not fighting. Like today's cabinet, the six ministries of the DPRK and the Central Government are all competing for the official position, and they are all competing for the length of time. It's called Shilin, but who is not doing it for himself?"
"Alas!" Wang Hao also sighed heavily.
Cheng Minzheng said: "But your good days are approaching."
"How do you say this?"
"As I guess, If Cai Guogong wins on the battlefield and can pacify the grassland, your majesty will definitely change his mind in the future, and the cabinet will be headed by you. When the time comes, you will still support the country." Cheng Minzheng said with a little more sparkle in his eyes, "With you. Your ability is enough."
Wang Hao said: "You want me to turn around, but you still want me to fight?"
Cheng Minzheng said with a smile: "There will be nothing for you to fight for. . I have already seen clearly that Bingkuan has no intention of competing for fame and wealth among the people in the court, or to retire after his achievements. He already has a title, so why bother to fight for a while in the court? ”
Wang Hao thought for a while and couldn’t help but nodded.
In the past, he would have felt that Zhang Zhou was a stumbling block to the future development of civil servants.
But now that I think about it, Zhang Zhou might really be able to retreat. If the emperor still wants to reuse Zhang Zhou, he will inevitably arrange a lot of things related to Zhang Zhou in the court, orIt refers to people who support Zhang Zhou's political views.
This group of people must also need a leader.
In the past, this person might have to be Lin Han or Cheng Minzheng, but as one of the two died and the other lost interest in government affairs, Wang Hao felt that in the future, the government and the public would really be in trouble. He needs to carry it alone.
"Let's go." Cheng Minzheng said, "I will take care of my health, and you will take care of your heart. Only after you have cultivated your mind and character, will you realize that there is nothing to pursue in the government and the public. Without anyone, the court can function." . I don’t know if I can see the peace of the north before I die. I really hope I can see that day.”
……
……
Zhu. Youtang and Zhang Zhou went on an expedition, and the capital attracted a lot of attention.
With the large-scale printing of newspapers, major court affairs are no longer secrets among the people. Any matter can stir up waves in the market, and the people are happy to talk about these things, and What is different from before is that the imperial court no longer has reservations about people's discussion of national affairs, but lets them do so.
Even if some words that are not conducive to the imperial court are said among the people, no one will blame them even if these words are known to officials and other officials.
Everyone seems to know that loyal advice is hard on the ears, both to people and to the court.
On this day, Li Zhaoxian attended two more cultural gatherings outside. As a "disciple of high-ranking cadres" who came back from Binhai City, Li Zhaoxian even gained Zhang Zhou's recognition and became a supporter of Zhang Zhou's school. He now held a high position in the new school, and many people met him wherever he went.
This also has something to do with him being the son of Mr. Ge.
A cabinet minister who was the most staunchly opposed to Zhang Zhou’s political views had a son who firmly supported Zhang Zhou’s academic thoughts. This also made people in the court feel that he was topical. Even Li Zhaoxian was the focus wherever he went. Others also want to learn some "advanced experience" from him and know how he "abandoned the darkness and turned to the light."
When he returned home, he found that his old father had come back early, and he specially asked the concierge to meet him in the study after he returned.
Li Zhaoxian originally wanted to discuss academic matters with his sister, but he had to go to the study after hearing this.
"What were you doing there during those days when you went to Binhai City?" Li Dongyang asked his son with his head covered.
Li Zhaoxian originally did not want to return to the capital, but Zhang Zhou was no longer in Binhai City, and the academic atmosphere there was not as strong as the capital, so he chose to return to the capital. After all, in the capital, his Identity and status can also bring more fans.
Li Zhaoxian said: "Having traveled far and wide, does my father want to interfere?"
Li Dongyang's face was indifferent.
He always knew that his son was rebellious, otherwise he would not have gotten sick in the first place.
Now that Li Zhaoxian has returned to the capital, he is willing to bring his wife and children back to see him. It is also a "gift" to Li Dongyang. If it were not for the sake of his grandson, Li Dongyang would even plan to marry his son. Cut off contact.
As for severing the relationship, he was reluctant to do so. After all, he only had one son.
Li Dongyang said coldly: "According to people in the house, you often mentioned some fallacies and heresies to others in Beijing."
"Father said it wrong." Li Zhaoxian said, "It's not some fallacy, it's the science of mind. Nowadays, many people are learning it and studying it. Even among young scholars, they think Da Nai is a wise saying. It is much more advanced than Neo-Confucianism. Many people are willing to learn it, but they have no idea. I want to promote the imperial examination and let more people know about it." Li Dongyang said angrily: "Then do you know who created it?"
"I know, it's Cai Guogong." Li Zhaoxian said, "Or Mr. Zhang."
Li Dongyang almost wanted to hit someone.
This son seemed to be deliberately challenging him. He knew clearly that he didn't like to hear these words, but he insisted on contradicting him face to face.
And there were no servants from the mansion nearby, so there was no way to persuade the father and son to calm down and give each other a step down.
Li Zhaoxian said: "Father, I know that you look down on me, so when I come back this time, it is just a formality, and then I will move out. Now there is a subsidy plan for scholars in Binhai City. As long as a scholar is willing to serve Binhai City and has a certain level of strength, he can receive a subsidy. No matter where he is, even if he is at sea, he can get his money back through procedures."
" What do you mean?" Li Dongyang frowned.
Li Zhaoxian shook his head and said: "Now I can survive without relying on your prestige. I am also grateful to my father for his tolerance over the years."
Li Dongyang was a little dumbfounded after hearing this. .
Before, he thought that his son was a typical incompetent person who relied entirely on his family to survive. Although his family had income from fields and other income, Li Zhaoxian did not have it after all. But now Li Zhaoxian can actually rely on some talent subsidy plan. If you can survive on your own, isn't this...a slap in the face?
The only way to control your son is now ineffective?
Li Zhaoxian said: "By the way, father, my little sister has also come back with me recently. You should have seen her today, right? After I come back, knowing that you love her, I will let her come back more often." ."
"What do you mean?" Li Dongyang is really going to hit someone now.
Even if your son is unfilial, can you abduct your sister now?
Li Zhaoxian said calmly: "My little sister has also participated in the subsidy plan. This plan does not distinguish between men, women, old and young. Now my sister is determined to learn medical skills, and she has already learned medical skills in Binhai City. And my sister is in She is quite talented in textiles and other matters, and her sister plans to enter the capital's workshop as a female instructor to teach the world the techniques of textiles."
"Ahem..."
Li Dongyang was so angry that he coughed.
As if Li Zhaoxian didn’t know his father’s state of mind, he continued to add fuel to the fire: “Father, you have always taught us that we must serve the country and the people. This is also the same concept as Xinxue. I and Little sisters are allI am doing things for the prosperity of the world, and I do not violate the family motto and ancestral precepts. Although I am disrespectful to my father, as long as it is for the welfare of the common people, I hope my father can understand. "
Li Dongyang said angrily: "You evil son, do you know what you are talking about? Your sister is not married yet! "
Li Zhaoxian said: "From the time my father arranged for my younger sister to betrothed, and then to the time he canceled her engagement, do you think my younger sister can still get married now? My little sister is not old now, and she is young and energetic. We are willing to do something for the people of Ming Dynasty, and we hope that our father can understand. This does not affect the father's choice of a good match for his sister... Of course, the marriage is decided by you, the father, and the sister herself has no way to object, but please do not harm her for the sake of your sister's filial piety. "
"How did I harm her? Li Dongyang asked.
Li Zhaoxian shook his head and said: "My father has already harmed her once and made her the laughing stock of ladies. Does my father still think he can laugh at the future?" What we do now is nothing more than for the court and the people. Father, there are some things you should think about on your own. I’m going to say goodbye first! ”
……
……
Far away in the Pacific Ocean.
Liu Jin stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the vast sea in front of him , the whole person fell into deep thought.
"Father, there is still more than a month of flight, you'd better... rest in the cabin first. "A guard nearby reminded me.
Liu Jin said: "The wind is strong and the waves are strong. We have heard this a hundred times. Aren't you annoyed? "
The guard stood there and said nothing.
"Are we afraid of sinking such a big ship? Our family originally cared for Cai Guogong, but Cai Guogong asked our family to come here and go through hardships. Whether our family can go back...it's up to two people. This sea... is really a ghost land. What's in front? ”
Liu Jin suddenly pointed into the distance.
After these days of sailing, the only thing Liu Jin wants to do is to put his feet on the ground and live like a human being. .
“It seems like...an island. "
"Hurry...get to the island quickly! No matter what there is, even if it's a venomous snake, get him on board! "
Liu Jin almost cried with joy, "Our family knows that this place is still far away from the destination, but our family just wants to...find a place to stop." Our family is tired of traveling across the ocean and wants to go home. "Recent transcoding has been serious, which makes us more motivated and updates faster. Please use your little hands to exit the reading mode. Thank you