Daming Yinghua

Chapter 452: Open Repair and Secret Crossing

Winter month, the snow has cleared.

A young eunuch working in the Hanlin Academy stared at the figure standing under the wintersweet tree in front of him, rubbing his hands and stamping his feet, trying his best to control his impatience.

Qian Qianyi of the Donglin School is really annoying. He said he was compiling the "Veritable Records" for the late emperor, but in fact, he was not a conscientious historian. He was as cunning as a loach and always liked to find excuses to wander around in the Forbidden City where foreign officials were allowed to appear.

For example, in such a cold day, when you see the wintersweet tree, you won't move your steps. It is said that scholars are so happy to see the wintersweet that they must stop and appreciate it carefully.

The young eunuch thought: What's the point of seeing plum blossoms or not? He just wants to try his luck and see the emperor, right? It's the same as those concubines in the deep palace who are eager to be favored.

The young eunuch who was waiting in the cold complained for a long time. Qian Qianyi seemed to be unable to bear the northwest wind and said in a deep voice: "Let's go to the National History Museum."

The young eunuch suddenly bowed behind Qian Qianyi and said respectfully, "Eunuch Cao, Minister Zheng."

Qian Qianyi turned around and saw clearly that it was Cao Huachun and Zheng Haizhu.

Cao Huachun had been in charge of the Imperial Household Department for more than a year, and he came from the Inner Study, so Qian Qianyi did not feel that he had lost face when he greeted him.

But Zheng Haizhu came from an independent background and her official rank was one level higher, which made Qian Qianyi feel very uncomfortable.

He bowed lightly to Cao Huachun and waited for Zheng Haizhu to greet him.

Unexpectedly, the woman had a cold face and threw a sentence to Cao Huachun, "No need to see me off, eunuch," and then angrily walked away to Donghua Gate, as if Qian Zhongyun, the Youchunfang, did not exist.

Qian Qianyi stared at the woman's receding back, his expression changing from shock to anger.

Cao Huachun was sure to find something to worry about, so he explained in a soothing tone, "Don't be surprised, Qian Zhongyun. Zheng Siqing had a few arguments with His Majesty. She wasn't trying to pick on you."

Qian Qianyi's heart moved.

"Eunuch Cao, I won't ask any more questions."

"Well, well, Qian Zhongyun is still magnanimous. In fact, all the ministers, whether they are focusing on border affairs or etiquette, are all thinking about His Majesty. Different paths lead to the same destination. As long as we have loyal ministers like you, the Ming Dynasty will not suffer any loss."

Cao Huachun acted like a peacemaker and walked side by side with Qian Qianyi for a while before bowing and saying goodbye.

"How can it not be directed at you? Haha, after all you are our Donglin disciple." In the evening of that day, Zhao Nanxing was at home and heard Qian Qianyi, who came to discuss his career prospects, talking about Zheng Haizhu's rudeness. He immediately put on a proud look and gave her some advice.

After listening to a few words, Qian Qianyi finally understood the reason.

This year, the State Affairs Temple was newly opened, and Zheng, the new official, took office. He was determined to do something drastic, and in fact he was really lucky. He first fought a war in Ningbo and then confiscated the property of others, not only getting 300,000 taels of silver, but also dethroning Zhu Changxun in Luoyang, replacing his son with the King of Fu, and sending one million taels of silver to the capital.

The emperor was very pleased and instructed the Ministry of Rites to submit a memorial, stating that, first, the construction of the three main halls must not be neglected, and second, the crown prince's wedding should be similar to that of Prince Lu.

Zhao Nanxing was worried that he, the Minister of Rites, had no chance to show off for a while, so he quickly put down the "Four Evils Theory" in his hand, which was fabricating the crimes of the leaders of the Qi and Chu parties, and wrote several memorials with quotations from classics, stating that the three major palaces and the prince's wedding were the face of the country, and suggested that the Ministry of Works ask the Ministry of Revenue for 600,000 taels. "Mu Zhai, Zheng got the silver from the two places, but it was not easy for her to take it openly, so she instigated the emperor to start a border conflict, and sent the silver to Liaodong as military pay, and then took the benefits from the Liao generals she had known for a long time. Now that I have spoken, half of the silver has been lost in her wishful thinking. Tell me, how can she not hate you, who is also from Donglin? She is not a well-educated scholar, and she has always been accustomed to not caring about decency, so she directly showed an evil attitude."

Qian Qianyi smiled faintly at Zhao Nanxing: "Mr. Zhao, how could Qian compare himself to such a common merchant woman in terms of official etiquette. However, Wen Ru is currently serving as the governor of Liaodong..."

"Wen Ru" is Yang Lian's courtesy name.

After Qian Qianyi left Jiangnan and came to Beijing, he determined, with his self-proclaimed experience and keen observation, that Zou Yuanbiao and Zhao Nanxing of the Donglin School in Beijing seemed to be at odds with each other, and Zuo Guangdou, who led the Censorate, also gradually missed the Donglin School's regular literary gatherings at Heting Tower.

Qian Qianyi did not want to see any cracks within Donglin.

He also hoped that if Donglin's influence continued to grow, he would be able to get promoted to an official in a ministry faster, and not linger in the position of Chunfang official for too long.

When Zhao Nanxing heard Qian Qianyi mention Yang Lian, he naturally understood his intention. After a moment's consideration, he spoke with a serious tone, "Zheng recommended Wen Ru to be the governor of Liaodong. His intention was very malicious. He probably wanted him to get caught in the discord between the Liaodong generals and the imperial court, so that both sides would suffer. As expected, you have heard that in Kaiyuan and Tieling, Li Chengliang's old subordinates were rioting for money. Li Chengliang's son Li Rubai couldn't suppress it. Wen Ru went to suppress it personally, but it's still unknown how it went. After our Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial, Zuo Guangdou and Zuo Zongxian came to ask me privately. It would be embarrassing for Wen Ru to intercept the silver that was originally to be sent to him. Mu Zhai, I have no choice."

When Qian Qianyi heard this, his mind raced faster than a wheel.

He played dumb first and put Yang Lian out, just to test Zhao Nanxing's background so as to know how to get along with the leader of his faction in the future.

Now I understand that in order to please the emperor, not to mention the pawns, even a "chariot" like Yang Lian can be thrown aside.

Qian Qianyi was moved and sighed softly, "Mr. Zhao has been planning for Donglin for a long time and has devoted all his energy to it. It's a pity that those who hold different opinions in the sect cannot understand Mr. Zhao's difficulties. That's right, if Yang Wenru made any mistakes in handling the Liaodong riots, it was not the fault of the Ministry of Rites who followed the routine and reported it, but the fault of Zheng and the arrogant generals over there who teamed up to punish him."

Zhao Nanxing was very satisfied with what he heard.

The talented Qian is not only a good writer, but also smarter than Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou.

Zhao Nanxing then personally poured tea for Qian Qianyi, his tone was unskillful, and it was all sincere: "Gentlemen like us enter the government, dedicated to the country and the people, and drive out the scoundrels. Even if we are misunderstood by our fellow students, what should we be afraid of? Fortunately, Mu Zhai understands me. If I can make the emperor gradually understand my intentions, I will enter the cabinet, and who else can be the Minister of Rites but you?"

This is exactly what Qian Qianyi was waiting for.

After all, that woman from the Zheng family did not pass the imperial examination, so her understanding of the ways of being a minister and an official could never compare to theirs.

Since she is not a concubine, she should not act like a spoiled child in front of the emperor, otherwise, she will suffer.

That evening, on the other side of the capital, in Zheng Zhilong's house, Zheng Haizhu, who was described by Zhao and Qian as "a petty person", was staring at the nautical chart on the table under the bright glass lamp.

Zheng Zhilong pointed at the Pi Island near Chongjin and Dongjiang Town in North Korea and said, "Sister, my team, Yilong's team, and Yang Tiansheng's navy sent by Brother Yan will depart from Chongming. After replenishing fresh water and food at General Mao's private port, we can go north to Chongjin. We don't have to go through Dengzhou to avoid being detected by the Tartar spies there."

Zheng Haizhu nodded and continued to discuss with Zheng Zhilong: "Yesterday I asked Hong Chengchou to go south to meet Qi Jin on the pretext of an official mission. General Qi's soldiers will also have to take your ship and avoid the land route and go by sea to disembark at Mao Wenlong's place."