The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 257

Seeing the strange man smiling, Ning Tong couldn't help being curious.

Do I look so funny?

Why are men so rude?

When Zhang Zhou saw Ning Tong frowning, he understood that this woman had a competitive heart again. The emperor regarded her as "one of his own", because in the emperor's mind, Zhu Feng saved the little princess no matter what, and was called The "loyal, straight and pure" high-quality young people of Ming Dynasty.

Even if you, Ning Tong, are only Zhu Zhijie's ex-wife, the emperor will vaguely feel that you should be credited as a good wife for what Zhu Feng did earlier.

"Come and meet this gentleman." Zhang Zhou said.

Ning Tong had never called Zhang Zhou Mr., and she would never call this man who was smiling at her from unknown origin.

"I'm here just to talk to you about business matters. I'll leave after the talk. What you want to talk about has nothing to do with me." Ning Tong looked very imposing.

"Ahem." Zhu Youtang coughed twice, "Bingkuan, what business?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "That's it. The reconstruction of Piantouguan requires a batch of earth, stone and timber from the capital to be undertaken by the Governor's Mansion and Jingcang. It needs to be purchased from outside. It is a matter of bidding, but there may be someone who hinders it. She I want to find someone to help me out, so as to ensure that the bidding can be carried out within a reasonable range.”

"En." Zhu Youtang nodded.

Don't say that Zhang Zhou didn't admit that there was a private relationship, even if he did, he wouldn't mind it with Zhu Youtang's mentality of protecting his shortcomings, and might support it vigorously.

"What do you need? Silver?" Zhu Youtang asked again.

Ning Tong was afraid that this person would compete with her for business, so she said: "We already have enough money to buy wood and stone, but we also need the imperial court to allocate the money and food purchased in time."

Zhu Youtang felt a headache when he heard it.

He leaned over and whispered to Zhang Zhou: "You can discuss the details yourself. I have been out for a long time, and I should go back to the palace. This meeting should be able to deal with the emperor's grandmother."

"The minister can also handle business." Zhang Zhou was also laughing.

The two monarchs and ministers seem to come to listen to a play, and they are all to deal with the Queen Mother Zhou.

Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Zhou with sympathetic eyes, then got up and left with Xiao Jing and others, while Zhang Zhou accompanied them to the door.

……

……

The emperor went back to the palace and left, so Zhang Zhou turned back to the theater garden.

Ning Tong had also gone downstairs, and asked with a frown, "Who is that?"

Even Ning Tong noticed that the identity and status of the person who came here was not simple. There were so many followers who came in and out, and someone who looked like a eunuch was blocking them... Various signs showed that the person might not only be rich, but also have power in his hands, otherwise As Zhang Zhou, why should he be treated so courteously?
"You really know when to come. Who told you I'm here?" Zhang Zhou asked coldly.

This woman, who came to see him for nothing, was just trying to get acquainted with her, and when the emperor bumped into her, Jin Yiwei thought she was a girl, and it would be cheap if she didn't kill her on the spot.

Ning Tong said, "What do you think?"

Zhang Zhou snorted softly: "It's Zhu Zhijie again, haven't you two already reconciled? Why do you go to ask him now that you have nothing to do? Why, do you still want to rekindle your old relationship?"

Ning Tong was furious and did not answer.

Zhang Zhou then went to the backyard of the opera garden, Ning Tong chased after a few steps, Sun Shangqi came in at this time, he did not dare to strictly stop Ning Tong.

Sun Shangqi and the others all knew who Ning Tong was. Even though this woman was no longer the Marquis, she was not something he, a Jinyiwei, dared to mess with.

"my business……"

"Wait first, I have more important things here. Let's talk about it later."

While Zhang Zhou was speaking, he had stepped into the backyard, and Changning Bo Zhou Yu was already waiting, and behind Zhou Yu was a woman in a cloak.

This woman is only sixteen or seventeen years old, but there is a sense of vicissitudes in her deep eyes, like the indifference that has seen through the coldness of the world after decades of changes, because there is no passion for life in her eyes No matter how beautiful this woman is, she can't arouse any protective or possessive desire in Zhang Zhou's heart.

After Zhang Zhou looked at those eyes, he quickly looked back at Ning Tong...but seeing that Ning Tong's eyes were full of anger and questioning, he refused to lower his head to avoid his gaze...

Zhang Zhouxin said, this is still my taste.

At least this chick has a passion for life that doesn't make me feel like I'm about to become a monk.

"Mr. Zhang, someone brought it to you." Zhou Yu said with a smile.

The woman bowed slightly to salute Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou nodded.

This woman is the one specially picked up by the Empress Dowager Zhou from the Huanyi Bureau. According to what the Empress Dowager Zhou described earlier, this woman's sister had an "unknown past" with Zhu Youtang. As for what the past was, Zhang Zhou doesn't need to know in detail, but since then, the family behind the woman has encountered great accidents, relatives have been displaced, and both sisters have been assigned to the clothing bureau, and the woman's older sister had previously held grudges in the clothing bureau. In the end, the corpses were transported to unknown places for disposal.

Originally, the Empress Dowager Zhou disdained to use this kind of woman with "bitterness and deep hatred".

But the Empress Dowager Zhou had no choice.

The Empress Dowager Zhou knew that her grandson valued friendship, so it would be very difficult for a random woman to pry open her grandson's locked heart, so she had to find another way and use some unconventional means.

"Tell her to learn all the basic opera codes, and change her eyes. There must be warmth and a woman's gentleness. Singing and stage appearance are not very important..." Zhang Zhou gave Zhou Yu a general order.

Zhou Yu smiled and said, "Where is that person placed?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "You can do it here. I will teach some specific singing styles later, and the playbook will let the troupe teach her more..."

With this woman approaching Zhu Youtang, in addition to the basic singing, it is more to make Zhu Youtang "see people and think about others" and let him "love the house and black".

Create an environment and conditions for this woman to appear.

The rest depends on how attached Zhu Youtang is to the past. If Zhu Youtang only regards this woman as an ordinary actor, then there is no possibility of success.

……

……

After a rough layout.

Zhou Yu took the woman away, but Zhang Zhou didn't even ask the woman's name, nor did he try to forcefully contact the historical "Zheng Wang Yaoyan case".

Then Zhang Zhou took Ning Tong upstairs and returned to the previous box.

"Who was it just now?" Ning Tong asked.

"Uncle Chang Ning." Zhang Zhou said.

Ning Tong was puzzled and said: "Uncle Chang Ning, as a foreign relative and minister, why did he meet you in the backstage of the theater? Who was that person in the first place?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "Miss Ning, do you know that your arrival may have changed a lot of things? Do you plan to marry someone else?"

Ning Tong said angrily: "You know what the Zhu family said about my marriage, are you trying to amuse me by mentioning this?"

Zhang Zhou leaned forward and said with a smile: "If you really want to marry him, I believe the Zhu family has no temper at all. You don't need to be my concubine, but just change someone... to be a concubine. Hehe."

Ning Tong's arrival was indeed unexpected by Zhang Zhou.

Maybe it's God's will?
But it seems that Zhu Youtang didn't have much interest in Ning Tong, and it was also because Zhang Zhou was by his side, and he immediately explained that Ning Tong was Zhu Zhijie's ex-wife.

Even if the emperor wanted to accept a concubine, he wouldn't accept a married woman, right?

"Humph!"

Ning Tong felt that she was being entertained by Zhang Zhou, and didn't think about it deeply, so she let out a soft snort.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I will pay attention to your affairs, but I dare not give you a guarantee. I am not fully sure."

Ning Tong said anxiously: "All my dowry is included in it. If you promise to help me, you can't stand by and watch."

"Wow!"

Zhang Zhou was also very surprised by this, "Miss Ning, can you, do you want to fight to the death?"

Ning Tong said: "Sister Chen is willing to help me with all the family property, even willing to share [-]% of my profits, why don't I show some sincerity? If someone treats me sincerely, I am willing to share joys and sorrows with them."

This is probably because the special Zhu Feng didn't treat her sincerely, so she chose to jump off the ship halfway.

Zhang Zhou was quite speechless. This kind of woman... still lacks social refinement. If she is sold, she might be paid back.

"Actually, knowing him is pretty good to you."

"Don't mention him!"

"Oh, then go back and wait. There will be a confirmation letter in two days."

Zhang Zhou didn't mean to say good things about Zhu Feng, it's still the same problem, Zhu Feng protected Ning Tong quite well before, making Ning Tong a flower in the greenhouse, and the big greenhouse of the Duke's Mansion itself can also block the dangers in the world of.

But now that Ning Tong insisted on being brave enough to come out on her own, she had to face many things by herself.

"Bidding will be held tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and you still ask me to go back and wait?" Ning Tong was very anxious.

"What else? Tell me to tell the Ministry of Industry that this business has to be handed over to me? Don't worry, whether it's you or the woman behind you, you won't lose money, but in terms of specific implementation... don't you want too much money?" Arbitrary? Since you are begging me, it is best to follow what I say! Otherwise, please be smart!"

Zhang Zhou also took the attitude of "if you like to do it, if you don't like it, get out".

You begged me to do something, and you still want me to promise something?
Besides, who said that I am here to help you two girls?Don't you know how much you weigh yourself?

……

……

Zhang Zhou sent Ning Tong away, and then asked someone to call Zhu Feng.

"Zhijie, you will really cause trouble for me. You know that I am greeting His Majesty today, but you actually let your ex-wife come and make trouble with me? Do you want to send her to the palace to become a concubine?"

Zhang Zhou asked coldly.

"what?"

Zhu Feng was so frightened after hearing this, "She... she... really came? I... I just told her two days ago... I haven't been able to find you recently, I only saw you coming here... "

"I'm here for business. You think I'm here for fun?"

Zhang Zhouxin said that he was really defeated by this wonderful couple.

If you want to say that the most suitable couple is the two of you.

You can't be a husband and wife, but you can also be sisters. You stay under the same roof and harm each other. Why do you have to make trouble for others?
"Has Your Majesty met Tong'er? Your Majesty...how did you say it?" Zhu Feng knew that his ex-wife might be favored by the emperor, but he was still very disappointed.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty didn't say anything, what do you expect His Majesty to say?"

Zhu Feng thought so too.

I just met once, what can I say?
The emperor wouldn't just snatch someone into the palace to become a concubine, right?

"Brother Zhang, I was wrong. If she comes to bother me in the future, I will definitely not talk about you... If you kill me, I won't say anything!" Zhu Feng vowed.

Zhang Zhou sighed.

Zhu Feng, in fact, he also understood that his ears are very soft.

Once faced with a strong woman, such as Ning Tong, or Lin Yi who had been aggressively asking for his help in the past, Zhu Feng didn't know how to choose, it seemed that Zhu Feng couldn't walk when he saw a woman.

But in fact, this is all caused by Zhu Feng's tendency to seek abuse.

Zhu Feng looked up at Zhang Zhou and said, "Brother Zhang, I really think it's good for Tong'er to follow you. If you let her enter the palace... it will harm her! You must not let her enter the palace either."

"Okay, don't talk about those useless things." Zhang Zhou said, "Aren't you short of money recently?"

"Huh?" Zhu Feng was confused.

Zhang Zhoudao: "There is a business bidding for the reconstruction of the partial pass. You can go to Huizhou merchants to pick it up and ask them to bid lower. The wood, stone and bricks are all good. In short, don't let the nobles or the current capital It’s okay for someone else to take the business, right?”

Zhu Feng nodded: "No problem. But...don't you want to help Tong'er?"

Zhang Zhou asked: "You want her to enter the palace, right?"

"No... I didn't mean that!" Zhu Feng quickly denied.

"Then listen to me!" Zhang Zhou snapped.

Zhu Feng was still confused, he couldn't figure out how to find someone to snatch the business that Chen's daughter and Ning Tong were bidding for, and what was the connection with Ning Tong's entry into the palace.

But what happened today, he felt that Zhang Zhou's plan might have been ruined, and now Zhang Zhou was angry again. With his character of being a doormat, of course he would obey what Zhang Zhou said, so he didn't have that brain. Think about the reason behind this.

……

……

Two days later, it was the day of bidding.

Bids from all parties have been submitted. During Zhang Zhou's absence, he was going to teach the prince that day.

What he told Zhu Houzhao that day was "New Book of Tang".

The traditional Four Books and Five Classics are now mostly taught by the lecturer in the East Palace. Zhang Zhou also fully considered his relationship with Wang Jia, the foreman of the lecturer in the East Palace, and felt that there was no need for him to overwhelm the host and take other people's errands.

Moreover, what the emperor valued about him was not because he was so good at speaking the Four Books and Five Classics, but because he could say something different.

Talking about history books is also something that Zhu Youtang specially arranged for Zhang Zhou to do. After all, Zhu Houzhao has completed his basic homework in the Four Books and Five Classics. In about half a year, he can try to write simple articles. It is necessary to enrich Zhu Houzhao's historical and cultural knowledge and let him develop in terms of both ability and political integrity.

"Master Zhang, Eunuch Xiao is here, and said that Your Majesty invites you to the Qianqing Palace to have a talk." Zhang Zhou was talking to Zhu Houzhao in full swing, and even the two teachers and students did not have any quarrels between the monarch and the students or the teachers and students. They were discussing the gains and losses of the Anshi Rebellion there. when.

Here Liu Jin came over and informed Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Prince, you should study on your own first, and I have to meet His Majesty first."

Zhu Houzhao said: "We are now talking about the key point. I would like to discuss with you. If I were to lead the troops to fight against Anlu Mountain, how would I defeat them? Why are you so disappointed?"

Zhang Zhou said unhappily: "If you have any opinions, bring them to His Majesty! Do you want me to resist the order?"

"Uh……"

Zhu Houzhao thought so too.

It was his father who wanted to call Zhang Zhou over, and there was no way to push it away.

"Then you come back quickly, I'll study it myself first, who... bring me the map of Guanzhong, I need to study it carefully..."

……

……

Zhang Zhou also discovered that Zhu Houzhao's enthusiasm for military affairs surpassed all other cultural knowledge.

I used to think that this kid was playful, but now it seems that Zhu Houzhao's talent in this area is actually inherited from his weak-looking father.

Zhang Zhou and Xiao Jing went to Qianqing Palace together.

"Mr. Zhang, I won't hide it from you. You know it in your heart. The news just came from Pianguan. It's... a funeral report!"

"Both Ma Shangshu and Elder Liu Ge of the Ministry of War are here. I just learned about this matter, and His Majesty summoned them."

"For the outside world, no one knows the news."

Xiao Jing was the first to privately leak the biggest "secret" of the current imperial court. The so-called "reporting of funerals" is obviously not for ordinary people.

That can only be Wang Yue.

Sure enough, old man Wang still did not return to the capital, and the years are not forgiving. After hearing the words, Zhang Zhou still felt a sense of sadness in his heart.

"Sir, are you all right?"

Seeing Zhang Zhou's expression of emotion, Xiao Jing couldn't help asking.

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said, "If I didn't give him the medicine last year, and he died in the northwest, I wouldn't be so emotional. After getting to know him once, after all... I still can't match the destiny."

Xiao Jingdao: "You don't have to blame yourself, Marquis Weining's fate is fixed for a few days, you have helped him prolong his life, and more importantly, you helped him fulfill his last wish before he died. It is said that Marquis Weining still has a suicide note and is going to the capital On the way to deliver, besides His Majesty, there are also some for you...he has a spirit in heaven, and he will also thank you for everything you have done to the Wang family."

"Ugh!"

Zhang Zhou couldn't help sighing.

In the past, the relationship between Wang Yue and Wang Yue was at most a friend of interests.

But now, he and Wang Mingshan are de facto husband and wife, and Wang Mingshan's grandfather, Zhang Zhou, is also considered a family member, and he doesn't have much emotional ties in this world.

Thinking about old man Wang's usual compliments to him, that's just embellishment, what's more, Wang Yue and him conspired to complete the Battle of Piantouguan, and then they "appreciated" Zhu Feng together, even if they didn't meet each other for long, But it can also be heart-to-heart, which is probably "heroes cherish heroes".

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhou suddenly laughed at himself.

Compared with Wang Weining, what is he worth?

"Mr. Zhang, when Marquis Weining left, the situation in the northwest changed drastically, but he said that the Tatars should stop fighting in Pianguan and Ningyuan, but now only Liaodong is stable, and all parts of the northwest are still uneasy. If the Tatars find out at this time ……well!"

Xiao Jing was a little worried.

This also explains the purpose of the emperor summoning him, Liu Jian, and Ma Wensheng.

Zhang Mao and other honored ministers were not summoned, which means that what the emperor wants to discuss today is to avoid Wu Xun, so it can only be discussed who will go to the northwest to replace Wang Yue, so as to play the role of Ding Haishenzhen.

Zhang Zhoudao: "The change in the situation in the northwest is due to the change in the pattern of the grassland, and it is also directly related to the severe drought in the grassland in the past year. Let's talk about it after meeting His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)