The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhu Fu set out for Yansui in mid-April. After more than twenty days on the road, he finally arrived in Yansui.

With the arrival of Zhu Fu, Zhu Feng and his party, Tang Yin's three-border general system had all its personnel complete. According to the court's requirements, the next step was for Tang Yin to plan a series of military deployment plans and ensure the stability of the border before the autumn grain harvest.

Although this was not the first time Tang Yin led troops, this time was very stressful for him.

At this time, Zhang Zhou in Beijing was very leisurely. Although he was basically in the capital, he only went out for a walk in the Western Hills occasionally. He did not have to attend court every day. Basically, he attended court once every five days. He rarely expressed his opinions in court, but it seemed that he was the focus of attention every time.

One day in late May, the weather was very hot. Zhang Zhou had just come out of the laboratory when he saw two people, one big and one small, standing in the yard.

Zhu Houzhao looked arrogant and was looking at Zhang Zhou with fierce eyes, as if he was showing off his power.

Standing behind Zhu Houzhao was Liu Jin, who had just returned to Beijing not long ago...

As far as Zhang Zhou knows, Liu Jin has not returned to the palace to serve. He is now left in the Beijing camp. Probably only when Zhu Houzhao leaves the palace will the old and young have the opportunity to meet.

"Greetings to Mr. Zhang." Zhu Houzhao said he was paying his respects, but the expression on his face seemed to imply another meaning.

Don’t you want to break up with me?

And you still say you won’t let me leave the palace?
Humph, let’s see who is closer to my father, the emperor. I can leave the palace whenever I want, what can you do to me?

"Greetings, sir." Liu Jin also hurriedly bowed with a smile.

Zhu Houzhao was somewhat dissatisfied with Liu Jin's words. He waved his hand and said, "You go wait outside first. You drive the carriage for me on my way back to the palace. Then you can tell me about your glorious deeds."

"Yes."

Liu Jin naturally felt a little regretful.

After returning to the capital, Liu Jin hadn't had the chance to visit Zhang Zhou. If the prince hadn't taken the opportunity to visit Zhang Zhou when he left the palace, and brought him along, he wouldn't have had the chance to set foot in this courtyard. But now he wasn't even given the chance to say a word up close...

He seemed to feel that there must be some rift between Zhang Zhou and this naughty kid.

He couldn't say exactly what it was.

Zhang Zhou pointed to a stone bench nearby and said, "If you want to sit down, sit down. But be careful when you come here. Any cannon or gunpowder may blow you to pieces."

Zhu Houzhao was still looking into the laboratory, obviously wanting to go in and find out what was going on. After hearing what Zhang Zhou said, he turned around, touched his nose and said, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child? I would believe such scare words?"

Although he said he didn't believe it, he decided to give up the idea of ​​going in to take a look for the time being.

"Hmph." Zhu Houzhao sat there, crossed his legs and said, "It's not like I haven't been here before. Your place is really new, and it's different every time I come. What, do you want to report to my father and tell him that I left the palace without permission? Sorry, it was my father who asked me to leave the palace this time. Let me tell you this, it's impossible for you to confine me, and it's useless even if you tell my father."

There was no expression on Zhang Zhou's face, but he sat down on a stone bench nearby.

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Did I ask you to sit down?"

Zhang Zhou also ignored Zhu Houzhao, as if he treated Zhu Houzhao as invisible.

Zhu Houzhao immediately felt frustrated and said, "Mr. Zhang, you have at least been my teacher for a few days. Logically, I should respect you, but whether you are worthy of respect from others is another matter."

"Really?" Zhang Zhou said, "The Crown Prince doesn't intend to treat me as a teacher, so it's up to you, Crown Prince. I have no interest in this anyway. I have already declined to teach you in the East Palace, and I have also made it clear that I will basically not teach you in the East Palace anymore."

"I knew long ago that you were determined to cut off all ties with me. Who do you think you are now? Do you think you can be arrogant just because you are favored by my father? Let me tell you! I am the crown prince, and maybe I will be the emperor in the future. Do you believe that I will make you suffer when the time comes?"

Zhu Houzhao made verbal threats, but it was of no use.

Even Zhu Houzhao himself knew how powerless these words were, because they did not threaten Zhang Zhou's vital interests at all.

"I advise the prince to be careful with his words. When a person clearly expresses his dissatisfaction with another person, or even has the intention to destroy him, how can he make the other person be sincere to you? Perhaps..."

"Can you replace me or something? Or kill me!"

Zhu Houzhao was very vengeful.

It had been more than two months since he last met Zhang Zhou in the palace. Whenever he thought of it, he gnashed his teeth in hatred, as if that was the greatest humiliation he had ever suffered in his life.

Zhang Zhou said: "The Jinyiwei came to tell me earlier that you can stay here for an hour. If you don't leave after this time, or if the prince leaves the protection of the Jinyiwei and is found, he will be forcibly escorted back to the palace."

"I'll just sit here for an hour, what can you do to me?" Zhu Houzhao looked very heroic, as if he was the only one who could defeat Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou stood up and turned to walk directly towards the laboratory.

Zhu Houzhao asked: "Why, are you scared?"

Zhang Zhou said casually, "Today is the day for fireworks. You can do whatever you want. It's best if you sit here for a day, provided you have the ability."

"What kind of fireworks?"

Zhu Houzhao opened his eyes wide, looking as if he was asking a question without any shame.

Zhang Zhou didn't answer him and had already entered the laboratory.

Zhu Houzhao now felt somewhat awkward sitting there. He clearly wanted to show off in front of Zhang Zhou, but was tricked by Zhang Zhou instead. Moreover, he did not understand what Zhang Zhou said about setting off fireworks at all.

Just at this moment, Liu Gui came over, followed by people serving tea and water.

"Deputy Captain Liu, I know you. Do you know that I am the crown prince?" Zhu Houzhao said.

Liu Gui nodded and bowed quickly, saying, "I pay my respects to the Crown Prince."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "You are quite perceptive. You know that I just arrived and want to drink tea. I am thirsty. Wait, is there something wrong with the water?"

"Ah?" Liu Gui was stunned.

He was still wondering, what could be wrong with this water?
When he realized that the prince was worried that the water was poisoned, he was still quite frightened.

"I don't think he dares to do anything to me. Besides, if he's joking, how can he take it seriously?" Zhu Houzhao said, took a sip of tea, and asked Liu Gui, "Deputy Captain Liu, you've done a good job in the Jinyiwei. Seeing how successful you are now, how come you have a chance to be promoted recently?"

Liu Gui was so excited.

Being a Jinyiwei was already impressive enough. Now even the prince knew who I was. Didn't that mean I had a bright future and could even plan for my offspring? "I just do things for you, errands, and I don't have the chance to make achievements on the battlefield," Liu Gui said.

Zhu Houzhao said: "This is about the man surnamed Zhang. Is he jealous of talented people?"

"No, no, no, that's absolutely not the case." Liu Gui felt ashamed.

Are you still jealous of the virtuous and capable? Who are you jealous of? Me?
Why don’t I know what other useful abilities I have that can be compared with that Duke Cai, or even surpass him?

Not to mention exceeding, even getting close is unrealistic.

Zhu Houzhao said with a smile, "Why are you so weak? I was just joking with you. Come here, I have something to ask you. Zhang said earlier that they were going to set off fireworks today. What does that mean? Are there any festival performances today?"

Zhu Houzhao was in his rebellious teenage period at this time, but his love of excitement had never changed. If there really was a fireworks show and a large number of people, then his old father's excuse of limiting him to one hour before returning would be nonsense.

Anyway, he wants to have fun before leaving.

As for him pretending to be a good boy in front of his old father, that seems to be a thing of the past.

I am allowed to leave the palace, and I still need to follow you everywhere? This is the way the sky is high and the birds fly freely!

Liu Gui was puzzled and said, "Setting off fireworks? Your Highness, please forgive my ignorance. I don't know what this means. But I don't think there are any new shops opening around here recently, or anyone having a happy event. As for why they set off fireworks, I can only ask Duke Cai."

"Why should I ask you if I can ask him?" Zhu Houzhao's face changed faster than turning the pages of a book. He glared at Liu Gui and said, "Just tell me, what were you planning to do today? If you tell me clearly, I will know, right?"

Liu Gui said, "I heard that there is new gunpowder to be tested outside the city today. Could it be that this is what you are talking about?"

"That's about right. Setting off fireworks is just testing gunpowder, right? Take me there quickly."

Zhu Houzhao was a little bit reckless. He also knew that Liu Gui had a certain status and he might not be carefully checked when entering and leaving the palace. So he could use Liu Gui's power to help him escape from the capital and play.

Liu Gui said, "I dare not. You want to leave the city. This is a serious matter. Even if I have a hundred heads, I am afraid it would not be enough to chop off."

"Then do you believe that I will chop off your head first?" Zhu Houzhao saw that the man in front of him was a coward, so he threatened him directly with death.

That should probably work.

But who would have thought that Liu Gui was still very "principled"? He said, "I appreciate the Crown Prince's kindness, but the Crown Prince cannot directly entrust his orders to me right now. I will only obey Duke Cai now."

"Are you a minister of the court, or a retainer of Zhang?" Zhu Houzhao was furious.

Liu Gui said: "All of them, all of them."

"What did you say? Come back here! You are unfaithful, unjust, unkind and unfilial. If you don't believe me, I will make you a living example and tie you up for people to see."

……

……

Zhu Houzhao felt really bored sitting in the yard. When he thought that he had to return home in more than half an hour, it felt like he was going back to prison.

Finally he couldn't help but walk into the laboratory.

When he went in, he found that there were not many things inside. Zhang Zhou was sitting on a chair at the side reading a book. There were people discussing something with Zhang Zhou, but with the arrival of the prince, the others withdrew, as if intending to create a reasonable space for the two to talk.

Zhu Houzhao said: "It is absolutely impossible for me to apologize to you. If you admit your mistake to me now, I can still forgive you."

Even if Zhang Zhou heard it, he would pretend not to hear it. The prince in front of him did not have the demeanor of the master of the Eastern Palace, and he did not have the qualifications to decide life and death, so Zhang Zhou was not worried at all that this kid would do something wrong.

"What are these? They're so yellow. Didn't you say we were going to set off fireworks? Where are the fireworks? I want to see them."

Zhu Houzhao almost shouted.

Liu Jin hurried over and took a look inside the laboratory before saying, "Your Highness, His Majesty has sent someone to urge you to return to the palace. I estimate that you will have to return to the palace in half an hour."

Zhang Zhou said: "If you don't know whether a kind of gunpowder is strong or stable, the best way is to transport it outside the city, find an open place to light a sky lantern, let it explode in the air, and see the effect and power. Then make improvements."

"I know." Zhu Houzhao said, "Do you think I'm an idiot? Oh, there's one more thing I want to tell you. Father told me about the Shangtingchu. I heard that they're going to set up a military council on this basis? When there's a war in the northwest, they're going to find some people to serve as advisors? Sorry, father has agreed. As long as there's no problem with the recent exams, I can stay in this newly established military council. He also said that he'll let me be an advisor. Basically, I'll be on an equal footing with you."

Zhang Zhou squinted and looked over.

This kid doesn't seem to have any self-awareness at all.

However, Zhu Youtang consulted him about Zhu Houzhao's decision to become a military adviser. It was he who mentioned to Zhu Youtang that the prince had some talent in military affairs and also liked research, and that the prince was very interested in this. He thought that he could use his interest to cultivate Zhu Houzhao's interest in military and cultural areas and achieve progress.

Zhang Zhou said: "Congratulations then."

Zhu Houzhao said proudly, "Don't treat me like a child. I am almost an adult now. Even my father thinks I have grown up. You haven't told me where the gunpowder test is. Since you want to set off fireworks, I can go over and take a look. Isn't that a great honor to you?"

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said, "It has been completed. The detailed report on data and observations will probably be sorted out today."

"Ah? It's over? What else do you have to say?" Zhu Houzhao was immediately dissatisfied.

I feel like I was fooled by Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou said: "If you leave the palace and come to my place, I can give you two gifts."

"What gift?" Zhu Houzhao asked excitedly.

Zhang Zhou pointed to a box next to him and said, "The things are inside. One is a train model with micro-power. This train model can move. It uses a clockwork. As for the other one, you can study it carefully when you go back to see if it can be used in an actual battlefield."

"What is it? Just pack it in the box?" Zhu Houzhao frowned.

What Zhang Zhou wanted to give Zhu Houzhao were a train model and a hot air balloon model, both of which could be considered toys.

But it is something that can play a big role both on and off the battlefield in the future.

Zhang Zhou said: "When I teach students, I don't like to tell them everything. I need them to go back and observe and study on their own. Aren't you a military advisor? Or are you appointed by the emperor? If you can't make suggestions and offer advice, then what kind of advisor are you? Your advisor status can be replaced at any time. If you don't want to be replaced, you must first study carefully, and second, think divergently... In short, you have to do better than others, then you are qualified to stay in the advisory office." (End of this chapter)