The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty is already organizing its military in the capital.

The troops of the Beijing Camp were no longer controlled by Zhang Mao, but were actually controlled by the Ministry of War. Even their daily training was dispatched by the Ministry of War. This was definitely not a good thing for the civil officials. They would think that Zhang Zhou was abusing his power, and some people even made a fuss about it, but in the end no one paid any attention.

Not to mention that the emperor ignored them, even the mainstream voice in the court could not support them. Everyone knew that it was the best option to temporarily hand over the military and political affairs to Zhang Zhou.

After all, it was civil officials who were leading the troops. Since the Song Dynasty, it has been a consensus in the court that civil officials should lead the troops.

Fearing that Zhang Zhou would rebel, one also had to see whether Zhang Zhou was really keen on holding military power... No one who wanted to rebel had ever been seen. Not even a junior military general was seen, and no one was seen in the Ministry of War, let alone allowing Zhang Zhou to control the government and use it to threaten the safety of the royal family.

Using a fabricated story to attack Zhang Zhou would make one appear stupid. Even Liu Jian and Li Dongyang, Zhang Zhou's political enemies, would not use this matter to make a fuss.

An internal meeting was held in the hearing department that day.

Zhang Zhou naturally did not attend. After the meeting, Wang Qiong, a former leading figure in the Northwest, represented the Supreme Court to contact the cabinet. Wang Qiong and Li Dongyang sat down and talked for a long time.

What was mentioned was the matter of Tang Yin sending troops.

To sum it up, there is only one thing...

The Supreme Court currently does not support sending troops to help, the emperor has no intention of doing so, and the Ministry of War headed by Zhang Zhou has no intention of sending troops to help...

The result was that even the opposing forces in the cabinet believed that Tang Yin should be held responsible for his own actions of sending troops. Whether he could lead the troops back was determined by his own will, and the government at all levels of the Ming Dynasty had no obligation to rescue him.

……

……

Just in the days before the New Year, another thing was happening quietly.

The emperor ordered to go to Binhai City to relocate some of the family members of Duke Baoguo Zhu Hui back to Beijing, both as hostages and to resettle them. At the same time, Xie Qian, who had been punished to go to Binhai City for having offended someone, was ordered to return to Beijing.

But Xie Qian did not return to Beijing to work, he was just transferred from Binhai City to Xishan.

It is also possible that the emperor felt that Xie Qian had "progressed" and was not as stubborn as before. In addition, Binhai City might be difficult for Xie Qian to afford, so he let him go to a relatively lower-level place, namely Xishan in the suburbs of Beijing.

In this way, Xie Qian could get a small official position in Xishan and continue to make meritorious contributions while serving his sentence.

Although there is not much difference in essence, this means that Xie Qian has completed the first step of atonement. After some training in Xishan, he can probably retire and return home.

This time, Xie Qian returned to Beijing not only himself, but also his family, including his eldest son Xie Zheng and his entourage. However, since his second son Xie Pi had stayed in Beijing after passing the imperial examination, the transfer of Xie Qian back to Beijing would not have any impact on Xie Pi.

Because the matter was carried out in secret, even Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and other old friends of Xie Qian were unaware of the news.

Xie Qian didn't seem to plan to make this matter public. After all, it didn't mean that he was exonerated. He just changed his place to guard the border and make meritorious contributions. There was no need to make such a grand event.

Because Xie Qian was old and frail, he did not walk very fast from Binhai City back to Beijing. He did not need to travel with a large group, but he still sent the Jinyiwei to escort him along the way, or to say, to escort him. Xie Zheng returned to Beijing earlier.

In this matter of recalling the capital, although Xie Qian only held a low-ranking official position, Xie Zheng had been officially promoted to the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple.

This is the most crucial point.

Xie Qian illuminated his family by igniting himself. After returning to the court, Xie Zheng will inherit his old father's ambition, serve as an official in the court, and even have the opportunity to go further... After all, the position of Shaoqing of the Dali Temple is a full-time position, not a salaried one.

The first thing Xie Zheng did when he returned to Beijing was to visit Zhang Zhou at his home to thank him for his support.

But unfortunately, not everyone who wants to see Zhang Zhou can see him. It was not until the day after Xie Zheng returned to Beijing that he received the news and was asked to meet in a private setting in the evening. The location was chosen as the theater where Zhang Zhou usually went at night.

……

……

The theater was very quiet that night.

Because the New Year was approaching, Zhang Zhou also gave the people in the theater a holiday, allowing them to rest for a few days in preparation for the series of big plays at the beginning of the year. After all, that was the time when the people of the capital needed spiritual entertainment the most.

The theater was also undergoing some renovations, but in Zhang Zhou's private room, nothing was affected.

A heater has been installed, which is also a recent addition. In addition, the insulation layer has been further improved inside and outside. Because Zhu Youtang also plans to come here to watch a play at the end of the year, Zhang Zhou must also tidy up the place before the New Year.

"Mr. Zhang." Xie Zheng entered the theater's private room, saw Zhang Zhou, and bowed respectfully.

Zhang Zhou stood up and led Xie Zheng to sit down.

Although Zhang Zhou had a hostile relationship with that group of old stubborn people, and even seemed to be incompatible with each other in the court, he had no prejudice against Xie Zheng.

On the contrary, these middle and lower-level officials were relatively respectful to Zhang Zhou, because this group of people would not regard Zhang Zhou as a mortal enemy.

Once officials use political achievements or merits to measure whether a person is capable of holding the position, Zhang Zhou will appear great and glorious. After all, in the eyes of the middle and lower class people, including the common people, Zhang Zhou has all the advantages except for his qualifications, and there is no such thing as him being unworthy of the position.

After the two sat down, Zhang Zhou was also very concerned and asked about Xie Qian's health first.

Xie Zheng said helplessly: "My father's health has not recovered since he fell seriously ill at the beginning of the year. It's really... Alas!"

Obviously, in Xie Zheng's view, his old father is just holding on to his health and fighting for his country and family. After all, last year's imprisonment and exile had a great impact on Xie Qian's psychology, and his body also collapsed.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty's intention is to let your father return to his hometown to spend his remaining years in peace after the beginning of next spring."

"Thank you for your help, Zhang Butang." Xie Zheng quickly stood up and thanked him, "Thanks to you, my father was able to hold on."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Don't you blame me? Many people think that I am the culprit for your father's misfortune."

Xie Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "It's not that easy to explain the affairs of the court. Even if there are disputes, it is definitely not your fault, Zhang Butang. Even my father often said that because of you, Zhang Butang, the court is now in power, border affairs are no longer a problem, and even the people can live a peaceful life for a few days."

Zhang Zhou burst out laughing.

I thought, will you, Xie Qian, ever find your conscience?
I thought you stubborn old guys would take your prejudice against me to your grave.

Xie Zhengdao: "After my father arrives in Beijing, it will be easier for me to support him in the future, and I may not need to return home."

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "It's actually quite good to stay in the capital." Xie Zheng said with some difficulty, "It's just that I just came back and don't have a place to stay."

It would have been better if he didn't say anything. Once he did, he talked about all the difficulties and hoped that Zhang Zhou could help him.

Zhang Zhou seemed to understand why Xie Zheng came to see him so respectfully, because Xie Zheng had no one else to turn to in the capital... Even Xie Qian's disciples and old friends would find it difficult to help Xie Qian at this time.

It was also because Xie Qian himself didn't want to do that. It would be bad to affect the careers of these people for no reason. Besides, there were not many people who were really willing to help them. Those who wanted to help were powerless. How could a group of officials who claimed to be clean have the financial basis to afford another family's accommodation and living expenses?
Zhang Zhou said: "There are vacant houses in the city and West Hill, and we will arrange for them."

"Thank you, Zhang Butang." Xie Zheng said with a grateful look on his face, "Also..."

Zhang Zhou asked curiously, "If you have anything else to say, just tell me."

Xie Zheng said with a sad face: "My daughter got sick on the way back to Beijing, and she has been bedridden since returning. I went to see a doctor, but he said it was difficult to treat. I heard that you, Zhang Butang, have a miracle doctor by your side, I wonder if you can..."

Zhang Zhou suddenly remembered that Xie Qian had a beloved granddaughter named Xie Junnu.

In history, Xie Qian's biography mentioned that he had written an epitaph for his little granddaughter, who died before reaching adulthood.

Zhang Zhou said, "I may not be able to cure diseases that are difficult for others to treat. So I'll ask the miracle doctor you mentioned to go and see him tonight."

"Thank you, Zhang Butang." Xie Zheng was even more grateful now.

……

……

After meeting Zhang Zhou, Xie Zheng hurried home.

Because of his daughter's illness, he has even had little time to go to the Dali Temple to perform his duties these past few days. Although he has been promoted, he cannot accept the loss of his beloved daughter.

Xie Junnu is like a treasure in the Xie family. As the eldest daughter of Xie Zheng and the eldest granddaughter of Xie Qian, Xie Junnu is well-behaved and obedient. She has always been the happy pill of the family. This time Xie Zheng took his family back to Beijing first, but his daughter fell ill. He was also afraid that Xie Qian would know the news and affect Xie Qian's health.

Ning Tong was summoned immediately. Zhang Zhou did not ask her to come to the theater directly, but asked her to go and treat Xie Junnu, or at least to see what the condition of Xie Junnu was.

When Ning Tong came back, it was already very late, and Zhang Zhou was still writing and drawing in the theater, with only Wang Mingshan left by his side.

After Ning Tong arrived, Zhang Zhou let Wang Mingshan go to rest first.

Ning Tong came over, her face a little haggard, and said, "Miss Xie's condition is not good. She has fallen into a coma. Her family said that it was caused by a cold, which has been lingering for a long time. When she was about to return to Beijing, her body was better, but after the bumpy road and the fatigue of the journey, she..."

Zhang Zhou said: "Pneumonia caused by upper respiratory tract infection?"

"I don't quite understand what the master said." Ning Tong is not a miracle doctor after all.

Even Xie Zheng knew that the real person with supernatural powers was Zhang Zhou, but Xie Zheng didn't have the nerve to ask Zhang Zhou to go back and treat his daughter...

I really gave you face. Even the emperor didn't do that unscrupulously when he asked Zhang Zhou to treat his illness. Now your family has the nerve to ask Zhang Zhou to treat her? And she's just a little girl? Before, it was just Xie Qian at most.

Ning Tong said: "The condition is actually very similar to that of Elder Xie in the middle of the year."

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "Then it might not be bacterial, but viral."

"..." Ning Tong was even more confused after hearing this.

Zhang Zhou said: "Originally, I cannot interfere with people's life and death. If I affect some things, it will also bring about many other changes."

"Then Master..."

Ning Tong said, "Why not use the medicine that we gave to Elder Xie on her? That girl looks cute, and I've met her before. She's a smart kid. It would be a shame if she died like this."

After all, Ning Tong had come into contact with the Xie family when she was in Binhai City, and Xie Junnu respected her very much and even called her "Ms. Female".

Seeing that her beloved disciple Xie Junnu might lose his life because of this, Ning Tong felt very reluctant.

"Do you think I have this ability?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Ning Tong shook her head and said, "I don't know, but I do know that if there is anyone in the world who can save her, it must be you, Master."

Zhang Zhou said: "According to what you said, her condition is more serious than that of Lord Xie. Even the injection of Chaihu is ineffective, unless..."

Ning Tong asked in confusion: "Master, do you have any other solution? Then...then why don't you save her?"

Zhang Zhou sighed, "Actually, there is a medicine that I have been developing. This medicine was originally intended for use when going to the grasslands, especially for the injured and sick. However, I have not been able to figure out the specific manufacturing process. I have been developing it recently, but... it may not be effective for her."

"Master, please help her." Ning Tong said.

Zhang Zhou sighed.

The medicine he was talking about was naturally the penicillin that every time traveler longed to be able to produce.

In ancient times, it was feasible to produce penicillin, but the methods and techniques used were very complicated in terms of technology. Generally speaking, it was necessary to rely on moldy oranges and other things to find the original material of penicillin, and then use a mixture of taro and rice starch as a culture dish to cultivate this mold in large quantities.

Then use agar as a culture dish and pour rapeseed oil on it for separation and purification.

Penicillin is a water-soluble substance but insoluble in acid. It must be filtered first, then the impurities are dissolved by acetic acid, and then it is filtered and purified through silk cloth for the final filtration. In theory, it is possible to obtain penicillin of a certain concentration.

The traditional purification process is very complicated, but the purity of the penicillin obtained is very low, and it is easy to make a mistake in one step and make the whole effort in vain.

The process is not complicated for Zhang Zhou. With his current financial, human and material resources, he can do it, but it is much more complicated than extracting some traditional Chinese herbal antibiotics, and it has not been officially successful yet.

"It's not easy to cultivate mold in winter. I originally planned to wait until spring, before the army sets out. Now it seems... I can work hard on it in the next few days."

Zhang Zhou said, "I'll give you some injections of Bupleurum chinense and Houttuynia cordata tonight. You can take it back and give it to her first. I hope she can hold on until the day when the new medicine is made. This is her fate. I'm not sure I can change it. It depends on her own destiny."

Zhang Zhou also didn't expect that the person he was trying to save by making penicillin was actually Xie Qian's granddaughter?
The magic medicine was originally intended for the three armies, and it might not even be produced before the army set out. Now he was asked to accomplish something that was almost impossible...

Fortunately, the cultivation of Penicillium has been ongoing, and everything depends on whether the results can be obtained. (End of this chapter)