The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Inside Kunning Palace.

Empress Zhang was lying on the bed. She was not very ill, but in order to seduce Zhu Youtang, she pretended to be seriously ill. This was one of her tricks.

This trick worked very well before, but since Zhu Youtang got a new favorite, these tricks seemed a bit clumsy. This time it took a long time for Zhu Youtang to come to check on her condition. Queen Zhang had already been there for two or three days. I didn’t see my husband, but it was very different from the previous days when we met three or four times a day and were inseparable at night.

"Didn't the imperial doctor come to see you?" Zhu Youtang asked, sitting on the chair next to the couch.

Empress Zhang said: "People from the Taiyuan Hospital came here and gave me a prescription, but they didn't get any better."

Zhu Youtang asked again: "Didn't the daughter of the Ning family come over? The female family member in the palace is sick, and I asked her to pay more attention to it. Queen, you can't hide your illness and avoid medical treatment."

Because Ning Tong had a close relationship with Concubine Xian, Empress Zhang had a grudge against it, and Zhu Youtang also knew this, so she asked Empress Zhang to relax and ask Ning Tong to come over for diagnosis and treatment if she was sick.

Empress Zhang was a little angry and said: "Ms. Ning has been here, but she can't come up with a plan after consultation. She has never learned medical skills for a few days, and even the imperial doctor can't diagnose and treat her well. What can she do?"

Between words, Queen Zhang was very dissatisfied with Ning Tong.

Zhu Youtang said: "Speaking of which, the daughter of the Ning family is only a substitute when Bingkuan is not in Beijing. In addition, it is inconvenient for Bingkuan to come for consultations with the female family members in the palace. If she can study more, Time may also make a difference in the palace.”

Empress Zhang asked: "I try my best to take care of myself, but I've been very upset recently, and I always have random thoughts when I can't see Your Majesty."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang was not hard-hearted after all. Seeing that his wife was so "dependent" on him, he felt a little pity. He nodded and said, "Let Bingkuan come and see you later."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Even if Empress Zhang resisted Ning Tong and the imperial doctor, she knew that Zhang Zhou would probably tell that she was pretending to be ill, but she still had to accept it because the emperor was willing to bring Zhang Zhou, a "busy man", to treat her. , which can be regarded as a sign that her husband loves her the most.

After all, even Concubine Xian only asked Ning Tong to come and see her when she was sick, and her treatment seemed to be much higher than that of Concubine Xian.

"Mother, I'm back." At this moment, Zhu Xiurong jumped in from outside.

He was still holding food in his hand. When he came in and saw Zhu Youtang there, Zhu Xiurong hurriedly hid the food behind his back and said, "My son, I would like to pay my respects to my father."

Zhu Youtang frowned and said, "Didn't I already tell you to eat more and eat less late at night? You just don't listen! Look how thin you are now?"

Based on Zhu Youtang's life experience since he was a child, he has never had the opportunity to eat snacks. For him, eating is a very happy thing.

"I know." Zhu Xiurong admitted her mistake obediently.

"How are your studies lately? Have you made any progress?" Zhu Youtang asked.

Zhu Xiurong raised his head and glanced at Queen Zhang, as if he was still wondering why his mother was so sick that she needed to be bedridden. Obviously, when I came here in the morning, her mother was still fine.

Queen Zhang said: "Girls can't learn much, so Your Majesty, it's better not to embarrass her."

"No." Zhu Youtang seemed to be very insistent on educating his daughter. "As a princess, in addition to learning the necessary Four Books and Five Classics and basic knowledge, you also need to use it to understand things. For a daughter of the royal family, , there is no saying that a woman's lack of talent is a virtue. Just like Yongkang, she is becoming more and more willful now because she was not good at studies before. "

After all, Zhu Youtang has the limitations of the times.

From his point of view, Yongkang was so unreasonable because he didn't study hard. As for the more detailed reasons, Zhu Youtang didn't bother to pay attention to it.

Empress Zhang said to her daughter: "Xiurong, did you hear that? Your father asked you to study hard. You must study hard with your husband in the future."

Zhu Xiurong said: "Father, why can the emperor have so many gentlemen to teach him, but not his son?"

It means that I don’t accept the preference for one over the other.

Zhu Youtang said: "Didn't I ask the lecturer from the East Palace to teach you? You are not young anymore. In addition to reading, you should first learn the Four Books. If you have deeper knowledge, I will find someone to teach you. That’s it, I want to talk to your mother about something, so please step aside first.”

"Oh."

Zhu Xiurong saluted and was about to leave, still holding onto his food in his hand.

When she saw her father looking over at him with a somewhat serious look, she could only reluctantly hand the snacks to the female officer beside her, and left with a sigh of relief.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be too harsh on Xiurong." Empress Zhang felt a little sorry for her daughter.

A loving mother often loses her children. Empress Zhang's attitude towards Zhu Houzhao and Zhu Xiurong was basically the same. They were both indulgent and pampering. She did not deliberately teach her children.

It is precisely because of her "strongness" that Zhu Youtang was insufficient in taking care of Zhu Hou.

Of course, after having Zhang Zhou, the situation has greatly improved. In addition to Zhang Zhou being able to be half of Zhu Houzhao's old father, Zhu Youtang also has more confidence. Finally, he no longer needs to be wary of his wife's reaction and treats Zhu Houzhao with strict requirements in everything.

Even so, Zhu Houzhao's temperament was difficult to restrain.

Zhu Youtang said: "The prince is naughty. I don't believe that any of the children will be different from me. Only by restraining oneself and returning to etiquette can we achieve success in the future. I have the same requirements for them. The prince should be like this, and the princess should be like this."

……

……

Ningxia Town.

Yang Yiqing led his troops back to the town. Along with his troops, there were also two groups of people from Li Wei and Zheng Ying. At this time, both Li Wei and Zheng Ying wanted to clear their relationship with Zhu Hui, so they did not He did not obey Zhu Hui's military orders, but chose to listen to the orders of Yang Yiqing and Qin Hong behind him.

Cui Yuan himself was not a military leader. After arriving in Ningxia Town, he had no official duties to do.

After resting for a day, he wandered around the town and bought some things to take back as gifts for his wife, relatives and friends.

He still came with a certain intention of visiting.

When he came back from the market in the afternoon, Xu Shen, the general who had followed him and made meritorious deeds, had been waiting for him. When he saw him, he hurriedly greeted him and said excitedly: "Cui Prince Consort, I have been ordered to transfer Yulin Guards as a guerrilla general. I am waiting for you to come back." I bid you farewell and leave early tomorrow morning."

Xu Shen was originally a Baihu official who served both as deputy Qianhu and as a garrison in wartime. He usually only led 100 troops. If necessary, two more Baihu troops would be transferred to him, but this was absolutely not the case. To the point where it can lead 1000 people.

This time he was directly promoted to guerrilla general. However, guerrilla general is not a permanent position and is a temporary position just like the general officer.

Guerrilla generals basically have to be above the level of a guard commander to be able to take on the role. However, Xu Shen only made a single contribution during the war. He directly skipped the post of deputy qianhu and was promoted to a guard commander. This is already It was a leapfrog promotion, but he went directly to the Yulin Guards station in Yansui Town to serve as a general next to Qin Hong. This status improvement was obvious.

Xu Shen seemed to know very well who he relied on for his promotion, so he came to say goodbye to Cui Yuan and also to show his courtesy.

Cui Yuandao: "Congratulations then."

Xu Shen also had some excitement on his face. After talking to Cui Yuan, he soon talked about Cui Yuan's military rewards.

Cui Yuan sighed: "Still waiting for the notice from the court, I don't know why you are so quick."

Xu Shen said: "I heard that Uncle Xiangcheng told Beizhi that it was Qin Lao Tang who personally named him and transferred Beizhi to Yulin Guards. The specific military merit rewards are probably still being determined by the imperial court. The war has just ended. According to past practice, It is normal to wait for three or four months for military merit to arrive. It has only been less than ten days now, Prince Consort Cui, you don’t have to worry, considering your humble position, you can at least be promoted to the title of Marquis and get the title."

"I don't dare to think about it." Cui Yuan was ashamed.

I didn't wait for anything to happen, but I had the courage to call for everyone to rush forward before the battle. Even on the battlefield, I didn't encounter any decent danger, and I didn't go to fight the Tatars myself, so I was sealed. A title that I never dared to think about in the first half of my life?

forget it.

No matter how big your head is, what big hat you wear, if you don’t have that delusion, you won’t be disappointed.

Xu Shen said again: "Uncle Xiangcheng wants to see you, why don't you despise your position and lead you to see him?"

"Ah."

Cui Yuan thought that Li Er wanted to see him for some important business. After putting down the things he bought, he went out with Xu Shen to the military camp in the east of the city.

……

……

After Cui Yuan saw Li Hao, Xu Shen hurriedly said goodbye.

Li Ao even dismissed all his followers, called Cui Yuan into the inner hall, and showed Cui Yuan several local memorials.

"What... does this mean?" Cui Yuan didn't understand.

Li Tao said: "Cui Prince Consort has made great achievements, so there is no need to worry about being held accountable afterwards. However, many people in the army are in danger now. His Majesty just sent troops into Hetao, and there were five groups of troops, including Ningxia, Guyuan, Shaanxi, etc. There are at least a dozen soldiers and horses in the area, with nearly a hundred thousand soldiers and horses mixed together, but the number of soldiers and horses fighting against the Tatars is less than [-]. If you don't get credit, you are afraid of being guilty. "

Cui Yuan was still curious and asked: "Isn't this battle won?"

Li Ao sighed: "It's just because we won the battle that we were afraid of being liquidated. Needless to say, Baoguo Gong, his people are now trying to find a backer to get out of trouble. People in the local area are also moving around, and Prince Consort Cui has not been seen recently. Who came to pay homage?"

Cui Yuan thought for a while and shook his head.

After he arrived in Ningxia Town, he just rested and wandered around, and no one really came to talk to him. "Maybe..." Cui Yuan considered the words, "I don't usually serve in the army. They may think that there is no use in looking for me."

Li Tao said: "It's very useful. I just learned the news that your Majesty directly takes Cai Guogong as the leader at court and uses the Ministry of War to rectify the military defense and other matters in the border towns. Cui Prince Consort has a close relationship with Cai Guogong. You will be the leader of the army in the future." The selection of candidates and the military and political affairs of the three sides and other places will most likely fall on your shoulders. One sentence you say is more effective than ten or a hundred words spoken by others."

"what?"

Cui Yuan was surprised.

Am I so important now?

I haven't even figured out my own military merit yet, and you actually think I can help others?

Li Ao laughed and said, "Besides the memorial to impeach Duke Baoguo, Prince Consort Cui has never participated in any other memorials, right?"

"Yeah." Cui Yuan nodded.

"Then it's time to report the situation in the northwest to His Majesty, so that His Majesty and the Ministry of War know the current situation. Even if some people have not faced the Tatars directly on the battlefield, This does not mean that it must be caused by neglecting military aircraft, the specific circumstances still need to be distinguished clearly."

"Uncle Xiangcheng means..."

"My intention is that I would like to learn more from Prince Consort Cui in the future. Even if I stay in the northwest and continue to lead the army, it would be great."

When Cui Yuan heard this, he understood it no matter how stupid he was.

No one else has approached him to discuss matters, but Li Na is the one who shamelessly approaches him.

Cui Yuan asked bluntly: "Uncle Xiangcheng, I want to ask you, are you also afraid that after this battle, the imperial court will hold you accountable?"

"I...didn't I fight with Prince Consort Cui? I haven't slept a wink in the past few days. I didn't dare to neglect the affairs of the army for a moment. I sent nearly half of the troops across the Yellow River. They were all given to Prince Consort Cui, but you can't... Aren't we working in division of labor? I am leading the troops on the south bank, and you are on the north bank..."

Li Hao tried his best to defend himself, but was almost a little incoherent.

Cui Yuandao: "I understand."

When Li Er saw Cui Yuan's unhurried look, he was annoyed and said to himself, "Do you understand that it's useless?"
I ask you to write a memorial and write down my merits, will you do it?
"But I'm really not familiar with Cai Guogong, but I only met Wang Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue... a few times. He also gave me books for me to study on my own..." Cui Yuan was about to talk about his family history when he suddenly realized Li Erzheng looked at him with unkind eyes and could only sigh, "Then I will report it to the court and state what I see as best I can. Uncle Xiangcheng, don't worry, I believe that your majesty will understand everything clearly and your military exploits will not be missed." "

"Yes Yes."

Li Hao was responding with his mouth and thinking in his heart.

It's okay for Your Majesty to turn a blind eye, but he is afraid of knowing the truth. If he really cares about it, except for you, Cui Yuan and Yang Yiqing, all the other generals will suffer together in this battle.

……

……

Beijing, inside the theater.

It was already May and the weather was getting hotter. Zhang Zhou sat at the window, feeling the night breeze and watching people carrying drinks inside.

The good show on the stage has not started yet, and Zhang Zhou doesn't care. After all, he has choreographed the show himself and already knows the content. Just watching other people's performances is fun, but not as intense as ordinary audiences.

"Brother Zhang."

On that day, Zhang Zhou held a banquet to entertain guests, and Zhu Feng was the first to arrive.

He was also wondering why Zhang Zhou would take the initiative to invite a banquet. He thought he was the only one invited. When he went upstairs and saw a pile of wine jars, he quickly asked, "Are you going to drink all this wine tonight?"

Zhang Zhou said: "No, this was given to me as a gift from someone else. You also know the person, Princess Yongkang."

"She...brings you wine?"

Zhu Feng was also surprised.

What number of ways is this?
Even if you, the eldest princess of Yongkang, want to reconcile with Zhang Zhou and prepare to give gifts and wine... this is too insincere, right?How much is this worth?Wouldn't it be more practical to give gold, silver and jewelry?

"People will be here soon. You go down and help me receive them." Zhang Zhou said.

"She... came in person?" Zhu Feng was even more surprised.

Zhang Zhou didn't answer.

Liu Gui came in with a wine jar and said: "Sir, the princess's car has been parked outside. Look..."

"I'll come." Zhu Fenggang was ordered to greet Princess Yongkang, and after hearing this, he took the initiative to invite her.

After Zhang Zhou waved his hand, Zhu Feng followed Liu Gui downstairs to greet the people.

……

……

When Princess Yongkang entered the private room of the theater, she was dressed in rich brocade clothes, but she frowned, obviously dissatisfied with the place where Zhang Zhou received her.

Normally, meetings of the royal family's level would be in private courtyards or pavilions, not in public places. And for someone with the status of the eldest princess, naturally she could not meet with Ning Tong. Frequent in and out of market places.

Yongkang is a person who pays great attention to status and ostentation.

"Brother Zhang, Her Royal Highness the eldest princess is here." Seeing that Zhang Zhou didn't even get up to greet him, Zhu Feng hurriedly reminded him.

Zhang Zhou then turned his gaze away, still sitting there, and said with a smile: "The eldest princess is here in person, please take a seat."

If an ordinary person dared to be so rude to her, Yongkang would have had an attack a long time ago, but she knew that this attack was meaningless this time. After all, she was now being polite to others. Even if it was not easy to ask for help, it would tear the scene apart. , I am afraid that my imperial brother will not give me face first.

You wait!

Yongkang seemed to have secretly made up his mind that he could not suffer the loss of being dumb.

"Your Highness, please take a seat." Zhu Feng even moved a chair to Yongkang himself, appearing very attentive.

"Zhijie, you also sit down." Zhang Zhou said.

"No... no need." Zhu Feng looked at the scene. It probably smelled like the gunpowder of negotiations before the two armies fought, and he felt a little embarrassed next to him.

Zhang Zhou said: "If you don't want to sit down, just go out and help me meet someone."

"Who?" Zhu Feng asked.

"We'll find out when we get there." Zhang Zhou waved his hand. Zhu Feng thought Zhang Zhou was looking for an excuse for him to avoid temporarily, and then went downstairs.

Waiting for someone to leave.

Yongkang said coldly: "Cai Guogong is really good at putting on airs. He sent people to ask for help several times, but it was in vain. Are you sure that I will come to apologize in person? The fact that I mentioned you to the Empress Dowager before was just based on evidence. To be honest, I didn’t mean to be specific, you don’t hold grudges, do you?”

"Oh, no, how could I hold a grudge? I still feel guilty about the gift from the eldest princess. I should have been the one to deliver the gift," Zhang Zhou said.

When Yongkang saw Zhang Zhou's politeness, his aura naturally increased a little: "This drink was bought as a gift. You are a capable person in front of the emperor, so you deserve it."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I have always turned away gifts from others, but I will not refuse this gift from the eldest princess, because I happen to be the one who appreciates what is in the cup. Your Majesty told me to give it to Prince Consort Cui. Arrange a position, and I propose that he stay in Ningxia and come back after three years."

"What did you say?"

Only then did Yongkang realize that Zhang Zhou was hiding a knife behind his smile.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty did not comment on this, and also mentioned the matter of Prince Consort Cui being knighted. In His Majesty's opinion, Prince Consort Cui may or may not be knighted for his military achievements. It all depends on who he is competing with."

"Who are you competing with?" Yongkang's momentum disappeared instantly.

The momentum was like a rainbow before, but now the momentum... is like the end of a powerful crossbow.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Of course, compared with the previous military merit cases, if compared with the military merits of Anbianhou and Weininghou, it is not too much."

"Then make him a marquis!" Yongkang said quickly.

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "But compared with Uncle Xinjian, it is far inferior. Your Majesty wants to set the threshold for knighthood in the future. Uncle Xinjian won the title for his military exploits and killed at least thousands of enemies. If you want to win a knighthood in the future, even if you are inferior, you should be similar."

"you……"

Yongkang almost jumped up on the spot, and his lungs were about to explode.

It's not enough to kill two thousand enemies, but nearly ten thousand?Five times the military merit?Is this causing a problem?It’s just making fun of people! (End of chapter)