The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 299

Huoshai withdrew his troops, and the emperor also issued an order to reward the three armies. Although the details have not yet been finalized, the entire army seems to be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Wang Shouren went to Datong to take up the post of governor of Datong, and the celebration banquet in Yanghe's mouth was served first.

Originally Zhang Zhou wanted to stop it, meaning that the war would continue without mentioning any celebrations, but Zhu Hui came to Zhang Zhou in person, meaning that it was so detrimental to the cultivation of morale in the army, and he was afraid that Huozhai would attack Xuanfu when the troops were empty. Hui, the chief soldier of Xuanfu, also wanted to lead his troops back.

Unspoken.

It was both a celebration wine and a farewell wine, so Zhang Zhou let them go.

After all, these soldiers are not the kind who know how to be introverted, and they have to build up morale, and Zhang Zhou doesn't want to give people the impression of a rigid and cruel official.

Zhang Zhou also went to the banquet in person, but he came out of the wine tank after drinking a few cups. He had just walked out a few steps, and Zhang Heling trotted all the way to catch up with him.

"Mr. Zhang?"

Seeing Zhang Heling's wretched face, Zhang Zhou wanted to greet him with an old fist.

Although the Zhang family brothers are not bad in appearance, but because their usual demeanor is reflected in their expressions, the arrogance and treachery that comes with them are unconsciously shown on their faces. owed a beating.

"Marquis Shou Ning, what are you going to do if you don't drink in there?" Zhang Zhou continued to walk forward without deliberately waiting for Zhang Heling.

Zhang Heling said: "I heard from Lao Zhu that Mr. Zhang is not planning to go back to Xuanfu with us? As the head of Xuanda, it is right to go back to Xuanfu, and there are many people doing business in Xuanfu, and grain merchants from all over the country will In the past, let's see if we can... develop and prosper together?"

Still developed with you at this time?

"A few silver coins, is it really worth it to have military merit?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"Military merit is good, but so what if you become the Duke of the state? Others don't understand, I think Mr. Zhang should understand that if we are close to His Majesty, even if we are just ordinary people, others will nod and bow when they see it, but even if it is Duke, and even those kings outside, don’t still act according to our face?”

When Zhang Heling said this, he was quite proud.

Zhang Zhou seems to know why the Zhang family brothers are so arrogant and domineering, because they think that with the emperor behind them, they can be fearless.

The truth is such a truth, but have you ever thought that there will be no hundred-day red flowers?The emperor also has a day of death.

After your eldest nephew ascended the throne, the status of the two of you brothers has actually begun to decline. When your brother-in-law and eldest nephew belch... your good days will come to an end?
Zhang Zhoudao: "Convincing people with power is just to make people fear, not to make people respect. The world will change sooner or later. I would like to advise Shou Ninghou, it is better to accumulate more virtue and convince people with virtue."

"Accumulate virtue?" Zhang Heling wrinkled his face when he heard it, "Mr. Zhang means that I have no virtue?"

"Marquis Shou Ning, have you done those immoral things before?" Zhang Zhou said bluntly.

"you!"

Zhang Heling wanted to have a good discussion with Zhang Zhou about doing business, but Zhang Zhou sprayed it on his face before he even said a word. It felt like... just like eating a stomach full of earthworms. His stomach twisted because of Zhang Zhou's words.

Zhang Zhou said with a calm face: "We are all our own people, so put it bluntly, don't take offense."

"Hmph." Zhang Heling snorted twice.

If someone else had said this, he would have let that person know what would happen if he said it, but if Zhang Zhou said it... he would be a bit grumpy.

"Mr. Zhang, you don't want to expose your shortcomings by swearing. You say that I am immoral, but you are not much better, right? Anyone who offended you, such as Li Guang, died immediately. Who is better than the other?" Of course Zhang Heling was not angry, but he It can't happen either.

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "You're right, we are all the same, but you have to be careful when doing things. You are making trouble with a group of ordinary people, and the officials in the court regard you as a traitor and derogate you to death. But if If you change your target and target those civil servants in the imperial court, they will get angry and scold you, and you can still go anywhere without worrying about being poked in the back."

"What?"

Zhang Heling's head is not enough.

Zhang Zhoudao: "What I mean is, if you want to make money, you go to make money from big merchants and make money. Just like me, have you seen who I exploited?"

"Uh?"

Although Zhang Heling didn't like to hear this kind of talk, he would still prick up his ears when Zhang Zhou talked about making money.

"You know how I earn my money?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"I know, you opened a mine, and my brother-in-law asked you to open it yourself. You also smelt iron and make those glazed things... You are very good." Zhang Heling didn't look down on Zhang Zhou at first, but now he also envies Zhang Zhou for making money. Way.

It's really possible to make a lot of money without those methods of fighting and killing.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Recently, I want to open mines around Datong Town, but I lack a little partner. Do you want to do it?"

"Go ahead." Zhang Heling said cheerfully, "Where are you going to grab a few mines? If you talk, I'll find someone. I know you want to maintain your image as an upright official. Don't worry, I'll help you with those shameful things." You solve it."

Zhang Heling is still very "on the road".

In order to make money, it can be described as unscrupulous. He probably thinks that if Zhang Zhou wants to open a mine, it is better to rob the mine, so he is going to help Zhang Zhou as a thug, snatch other people's mines back, and operate it himself. In his opinion, it is the most direct and The easiest way.

Zhang Zhoudao: "That's not necessary. I will open the mine myself. Fengshui, I can open it wherever I want."

"It's amazing, how can there be a mine?" Zhang Heling's eyes widened when he heard it.

There are many things that Zhang Zhou dissatisfies with, but there is one thing he has to obey, that is, Zhang Zhou can reasonably use the "knowledge" he has learned to make a fortune.

Of course, he has never seen those so-called celestial masters go out to open mines before. He thought about it, if he knows Fengshui and knows how to find mines, he can indeed make a lot of money. If others don't do it... then he can only say this person Feng Shui is a lie.

Zhang Zhou pointed to his feet.

"Here?" Zhang Heling was speechless, "You don't want me to dig out Yanghekou, do you?"

"No, what I mean is that there are mines everywhere in Datong, but in terms of mining, you will encounter some small troubles. Oh, if you wait for me to find the mines for you, can you find people? And open the mines Get up, share dividends, and taxes to His Majesty, taxes to the army..."

"Okay, okay, just tell me how much you want, and just open the mine for me."

When Zhang Heling heard it, it was a huge profit.

Even if you collect taxes from me, then I'm still a white wolf with empty hands. How much money can it cost to find someone to open a mine?
"Okay, Marquis Shouning, you don't have to go back to Xuanfu with Duke Baoguo for the time being, but stay in Datong and help me open the mine together, okay?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"Look at what you said, Mr. Zhang, who are we talking to? We said we were on errands, but we actually made our fortune in the Northwest. Who gave us the emperor's favor? Where can we go?" Zhang Heling looked excited.

Originally, it was Huixuan Mansion's means of bullying and dominating the market to make a fortune.

But when he heard that he could make a fortune from mining, he was of course more enthusiastic.

"Go back and drink. I'll make it clear to you later." Zhang Zhou smiled and didn't explain too much to Zhang Heling.

……

……

Zhang Zhou returned to his residence, and then called Tang Yin.

Tang Yin wanted to stay by his side for the time being and help him open the mine together. At the same time, Zhang Zhou also informed Tang Yin about letting Zhang Heling come out as a cover for opening the mine.

"Open the mine, what if he doesn't pay taxes? Also, these foreign relatives and ministers are big worms, I'm afraid they will cause a lot of things, Zhang Zhitai's doing it... makes people understand."

Tang Yin probably understands that Zhang Zhou doesn't want to rush to the front line of mining, and someone needs to come out as a shield, and Zhang Heling is very suitable.

But Tang Yin felt that using the Zhang brothers would definitely do more harm than good.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Bohu, do you know what it means to bully the weak and fear the hard?"

"Who?" Tang Yin asked.

"The local government, as well as the local gentry and common people, do you think this is a place under the foot of the emperor like Xishan? If you talk about opening a mine, you can open the mine with a word? Do you know how many coal mines are opened by the gentry around Datong?"

Zhang Zhou just reminded Tang Yin that Datong was far away from the capital.

If you don’t use an unreasonable person like Zhang Heling as a front cover, if you open a mine casually, the local gentry and common people will definitely make trouble, and there will be something about "competing with the people for profit", and the official censor will complain every day Participate in impeachment.

This is especially true when your coal mine produces more coal than others, making people jealous.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I opened the iron mine, and I chose a place outside the pass. No one has ever opened an iron mine in that place. But if you talk about opening a coal mine in Datong, it is tantamount to grabbing food at the mouth of a tiger..."

"How can the mouth of the common people be the mouth of a tiger?" Tang Yin naturally considered the issue from the standpoint of a Confucian who loves the common people.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "I'm not talking about the common people. The common people of Ming Dynasty live by farming and don't care whether the government opens mines, but they are afraid that the local gentry and dignitaries will make trouble in the name of the common people. They can't beat them or scold them. The mainstay of local stability is the real invisible 'tiger'."

"This……"

Tang Yin suddenly felt that he had been taught a lesson again.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "As a civil servant like me, I still have to worry about confronting the local gentry, but the Marquis of Shouning is not afraid. Of course I won't let him make any big trouble... ..."

"As for what you said about Bohu, you don't have to worry about him being monopolized after making a profit. I'll just share some of the money with him. Do you think I really let him take charge of the mining? He can stay for a long time. In Datong? Or leave me, where can he find the coal mine? How to mine coal efficiently, how to ensure the long-term operation of the coal mine... Hehe, which of these can he do alone?"

Tang Yin was surprised and said: "Then isn't he... Zhang's pawn?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "I don't use him as a pawn, should I let him manipulate us? He used to have this ability, but now, we have to see how the situation is."

"Yep."

Tang Yin understood immediately.

In the past, Zhang Heling was protected by the emperor, which was an existence that the court could not afford to offend, but now the person who is really untouchable is Zhang Zhoucai, and even the Zhang brothers have to stand aside.

"He does the dirty work, I'm only in charge of planning, I take the lion's share of the profits, and he takes care of the bad reputation. I run the Northwest for the court. What's wrong?"

Zhang Zhou spread his hands.

Roughly speaking, I am Daming's loyal minister, and I am not in charge of everything for personal gain. Just ask you Tang, am I great?

Tang Yin pondered for a while.

Opening mines is indeed an empty-handed wolf, but the problem is...you have to be able to find mines, otherwise just looking for mines and opening mines will cost a lot of labor. reason for maintaining.

One is that it is easy to be controlled by the rich and powerful, and the imperial court can't even get a fraction, and the other is the issue of mine quality and mining efficiency.

Now all this is being gradually resolved by Zhang Zhou.

……

……

Yan Sui.

Reports about the Battle of Weininghai had reached Yansui for a few days.

One day when the news came, Uncle Pingjiang Chen Rui was drinking heavily every day, complaining about himself while drinking his hot wine, and thinking of sending troops to the grassland to have a decisive battle with Dayan Khan, but this day Qin Hong called him In the past, he was informed that Dayan Khan's troops had withdrawn from Hetao.

"...A lot of cavalry were sent to investigate around Aoer Dusi, but there is no sign of Tatar activity. It seems that it is also relying on the aftermath of the Weining Sea battle."

Qin Hong was very happy about this.

When it comes to running the Northwest, Zhang Zhou thinks he is already awesome, but Qin Hong thinks he is even better.

You, Zhang Bingkuan, know how to play business?I, Lao Qin, let you know what it means to be an expert in management. If I build a city fortress, it will definitely be built for hundreds of thousands of miles.

So Qin Hong didn't have much interest in sending troops or anything. He could build chariots, which was also a hobby.

He can also be regarded as a traditional literati, and what he wants is to let the soldiers and civilians in the Northwest live and work in peace and contentment.

When Zhang Zhou created the external environment with a battle in the Weining Sea, he should show off his strengths and show the Northwest military and civilians what an "operating maniac" is.

Zhang Yanling, who was standing next to him, asked, "What does Qin make Taiwan mean? Let's stop fighting?"

Not only Zhang Yanling, but also Chen Rui and a group of generals, as well as local civil servants and military officials all wanted to know what Qin Hong wanted to do.

Qin Hong said: "The Tatars have withdrawn for hundreds of miles, and there are no Tatar cavalry in Hetao. If we want to fight, do we have to send troops for more than a thousand miles? This is not the purpose of the old man coming to the three sides."

Hearing this, most of the generals present felt relieved.

After all, most of the people who came to the meeting were people who had established roots in Yansui for a long time. They didn't have much desire to gain military merits, but there were good news in Xuanda and Liaodong one after another, and they should have been the front line against the Tatars. The three sides have been quiet all the time... It still makes people feel a little bit lost.

"That Zhang Zhitai is currently regulating the military affairs in the Northwest, and I will also be under his regulation in the future." Qin Hong did not hide it.

In his opinion, Zhang Zhou commanded and planned the second surprise attack on Weininghai, and defeated the fire. Zhang Zhou is qualified to take charge of military affairs in the Northwest. Anyway, he will rarely see each other in the future. On the three sides, it is nothing more than being regulated during wartime, and dealing with daily military affairs and people's livelihood in peacetime, without interfering with each other.

Qin Hong continued: "Zhang Zhitai sent a letter to the old man, saying that in the next few years, 30 mu of fertile land will be opened up in the land of Xuanda. , the fertile fields to be developed in the three sides can only be more than this, and cannot be less than this.”

Chen Rui said: "Mr. Qin is in control, shall we focus on... the use of troops first?"

Chen Rui was in a hurry.

I was still waiting to win battles with you and become famous all over the world, but in the end, how many fertile fields did you two compete for?Do you still want to make this the top priority in the next few years?

Have you considered my position, Mr. Chen?

Qin Hong looked at Chen Rui, and said with regret, "Uncle Pingjiang is not in the Xuanfu, so it is a pity that he failed to assist Zhang Zhitai to win this battle."

"..."

Chen Rui thought to himself, expose me? !
"But the current situation is like this. The Tatars dare not invade, and our Ming Dynasty is short of troops and food and cannot completely pacify the grasslands, so we can only hide our strengths and bide our time. But you don't have to worry, Uncle Pingjiang, there will be a chance sooner or later."

Qin Hong also comforted Chen Rui.

Chen Rui was already scolding in his heart.

It's fine to mock me, but you still want to fool me now?Make me a fool?
Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Then can I go back to the capital?"

Qin Hong said: "The imperial court has not issued such a decree, and whether there will be war in the future depends on Zhang Zhitai's arrangements. I have no right to decide whether to send troops. Everyone, please go back."

……

……

Chen Rui returned to the General Military Mansion. After sitting down, there was a stove in front of him, and then he kicked the stove over.

"Old Chen, what is this?"

Zhang Yanling ran in and made fun of Chen Rui all the way, "The heat in summer is so hot, even if you enjoy drinking hot wine, you won't be able to light the stove at any time, it's easy to be out of breath."

Chen Rui glared at Zhang Yanling.

My heart said that I was not so hot that I was angry, but I was angry with you first.

"You want to fight, and I want to go back to the capital." Zhang Yanling said, "What's so good about this Northwest? I can see that even if we want to fight, we will have to rely on Zhang Bingkuan in the future. It can disgust people to death."

Chen Rui sat there without saying a word.

Two soldiers came in outside to help clean up the charcoal basin and charcoal.

Not to mention the personal soldiers, there was also a look of disgust on their faces.

Chen Rui said: "What are you doing here?"

"I'm about to ask His Majesty to go back to the capital. I don't want to tell you, Old Chen... the marriage we mentioned before... Didn't you get in touch with Zhu Zhijie? My side..."

Zhang Yanling felt that if he wanted to propose to return to the capital, he would be able to wait for the transfer order in minutes.

He did not forget to marry Chen Rui.

Chen Rui said: "Little girl is blessed, besides, she has long followed that Zongxian Zhang."

Zhang Yanling curled her lips and said, "Stop making trouble. It's not rare for you to give away your daughter, but I don't dislike it. We are different from them... Do you think Zhang Bingkuan trusts us? He would rather use a Jinshi of the same year, with Xuan The people in the government are not willing to use you or me, and you should know how he is. Let's discuss and discuss it, and we will join hands to deal with him in the future..."

"you?"

Chen Rui frowned and looked at Zhang Yanling, wondering what was wrong with this kid today?
Want to make an enemy of Zhang Bingkuan?
Who gave you the courage?

Besides, didn't you respect Zhang Bingkuan before?
Zhang Yanling said: "I can see that after half a year, I have been tossed by him a lot, but I didn't get anything. Let's see how I deal with him after I go back! He is not in the capital, so I will go to His Majesty to file a complaint. Are you sure... Don't you need me as your strong support?"

Chen Rui originally looked down on Zhang Yanling, but after hearing this, he was obviously tempted.

(End of this chapter)