Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 538 Motive
Huai En took the results of his discussion and went back to report to Zhu Youtang.

After hearing the process, Zhu Youtang asked in confusion: "Why? The two ministers do not agree to rebuild the Yellow River?"

Huai En explained: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, they are not against it, but they are concerned about the details of repairing the river, especially they are afraid that the court will spend so much manpower and material resources, but in the end there will be no results."

"Effectiveness?"

Zhu Youtang was still puzzled. "If the river course is repaired, the uncontrolled water of the Yellow River will have a new flow direction, temporarily eliminating the flood disaster and benefiting tens of thousands of people... The results are clearly in front of them, so why are they afraid of wasting money and manpower and doing nothing?"

Huai En spoke slowly and calmly, "Your Majesty, perhaps they are just worried about Zhang Guozhang and the matter he is handling. That's why they proposed to prove the feasibility of this matter in advance and whether it can be effective."

Zhu Youtang's face darkened, and he frowned and asked, "Are they doubting my father-in-law? Is that necessary? Why do I feel that this is a good thing..."

Wynn smiled bitterly.

You feel good and you fully trust your father-in-law because of your wife.

But few of those ministers have truly witnessed Zhang Guozhang's methods and skills. Don't they think that it is a waste of time and energy to let Zhang Luan, who is a scholar and has a low academic level, handle this matter? They just feel embarrassed to refuse you in person, so they propose to demonstrate the feasibility in advance?

Qin Chang asked respectfully, "Your Majesty, do you think you should report this matter to Zhang Guozhang?"

"Of course it is necessary."

After Zhu Youtang finished speaking, he suddenly felt that he might have made a hasty decision, and immediately looked at Huai En and asked, "What do you think, Huai Daban?"

Huai En nodded and said, "In my opinion, not only should we notify him, but we should also give him a heads-up in advance so that Zhang Guozhang can be prepared for all kinds of difficulties.

"At present, we are only facing the doubts of the two cabinet ministers. In the future, we will have to face the groundless speculations of the court officials, and even the suspicion and even criticism of the people of the world. If we give up and stop promoting the river engineering project just because we feel that we are being suspected, then..."

"My father-in-law shouldn't be affected by the outside world."

Zhu Youtang has full confidence in his father-in-law. "It is commendable that Lao Taishan can withstand such great pressure and come up with such a strategy. If he was a timid person, he would not take the initiative to take on so many things."

Huai En thought to himself, His Majesty really respects your father-in-law.

Not only do you believe in his ability, but you also trust his character?
This would seem that the little emperor was too blind, which was not a good tendency.

Zhu Youtang suddenly seemed to remember something and said with a smile: "My father-in-law said that Yanling was also involved in this matter, so let's hand it over to him and his son and let them know what to do next. Huai Daban, the next step depends on you."

"Your Majesty, if I can see the Yellow River become calm and peaceful during my lifetime, and if the river is diverted without a major disaster, I will die without regrets."

Huai En said with tears in his eyes.

Obviously, Huai En also felt that no matter whether Zhang Luan was reliable or not, at least the plan he proposed was based on the goal of stabilizing the Ming Dynasty, maintaining the emperor's rule, and the safety of the people, and even benefiting the future.

So there is no reason to deny this matter outright just because you have doubts.

Zhu Youtang also smiled and nodded: "Okay, let Huai Daban handle the matter, you go and make the arrangements."

"Take orders."

Huai En bowed and said respectfully.

……

……

When Huai'en and Qin Chang came out of the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youtang began to review memorials again, appearing to be meticulous.

Even Qin Chang felt that compared with the previous emperor, the new emperor was really... one in heaven and one in hell. Of course, the one in heaven was the current little emperor.

The elderly who have experienced several dynasties will be pleased with the welcome changes before their eyes.

"Eunuch Huai, if you don't want to face Father-in-law Zhang, why don't I go visit him on your behalf?" Qin Chang took the initiative to take on the task.

Huai En smiled and said, "How can I trouble you? Besides, river construction will benefit future generations, who would not want to step forward? Besides, the relationship between Zhang Guozhang and I has always been very good." "Oh, isn't it because I'm afraid that you will be embarrassed? There are always many gaps between the eunuchs and the outsiders... After you returned to the court this time, there were many villains in the court who slandered you behind your back. I was also afraid that you would have concerns, especially I was afraid that Zhang Guozhang would think that we don't trust him." Qin Chang said with emotion.

Huai En listened with a smile.

No matter he was the eunuch in charge of the imperial seal or the eunuch in charge of the imperial writing, no matter his rank was above or below Tan Chang, he could always maintain a similar attitude in front of Tan Chang.

He did not take advantage of his power to bully Qin Chang, nor did he get too close to him, and he clearly distinguished between public and private matters.

Qin Chang continued, "Tell me, is Zhang Guozhang really interested in repairing the river? The two ministers obviously don't agree with the court launching a major engineering project at this time."

Huai En sighed, "Didn't you see that even Xu Ge Lao, who had a prejudice against Zhang Guozhang, was clearly opposed to the waste of money and manpower to repair the river, but he also knew that this was the last wish of the late emperor, and that the purpose of your majesty and Zhang Guozhang was for the common people, so he did not oppose it too fiercely, but only proposed to verify its feasibility?"

"That is to say..."

"Eunuch Tan, in fact, everyone knows that repairing the river is a great thing. As long as it can be successful, it will be the best thing for the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world. Even if it takes a lot of trouble and even troubles the court, as long as this matter can be accomplished, we are willing to accept it."

"Not necessarily?"

Tan Chang said with a wry smile.

Huai En smiled and said, "If someone is bent on party struggles, and because he opposes the monopoly of power by his relatives, he denies everything they do, and has a preconceived opinion based on his position, then what is the meaning of such a person staying in the court? Is it just to create trouble for the things that the court is promoting and make the court restless?"

Qin Chang asked in surprise: "Hearing what you said, it seems that the two ministers seem to be very calm and not petty people who care about every little thing."

"Ha ha……"

There was a faint smile on Huai En's face.

It seems to be saying.

I just said that Xu Pu was a very special person. On the one hand, he opposed the monopoly of power by external relatives, but on the other hand, he opened a back door and agreed to further discuss this matter.

As for Liu Ji... he didn't stand on Zhang Luan's side at all. He was the kind of person I mentioned who opposed because of his position, but knew that it was the emperor's will and did not dare to oppose openly... a mediocre villain who was not even flirting with the idea of ​​opposing!

Huai En thought to himself, it's not that I have to promote those Eastern Palace lecturers, or the so-called traditional civil servants, it's just that there are people like Liu Ji in the court who are muddle-headed and do nothing. In contrast, the traditional civil servants are still very principled at least sometimes.

As for Zhang Luan...

Who can really understand it?
There was no legitimate reason to support him or oppose him, at least in the eyes of the little emperor.

"Eunuch Huai, why do you think Zhang Guozhang took on the responsibility of repairing the river? Logically speaking, this is not his business and will only cause trouble for himself. Why does he have to step forward?"

Qin Chang looked puzzled.

Huai En thought, wasn't it me who pushed for this? Zhang Luan just couldn't resist and was forced to bear it. On the surface, he remained calm and shook his head: "If it were an ordinary person, he could use common sense to guess that it was for fame or profit. But Zhang Guozhang... He is too complicated. Until now, I feel that he does things more casually, and it seems that everything is not for the so-called justice."

"If it wasn't for the greater good, why would he get involved in the affairs of Jinxiu River?"

Qin Chang was surprised by Huai En's remarks and looked confused.

Huai En smiled and said, "Yes, I do think he is not doing this for the greater good, but just to help his daughter and son-in-law. Driven by friendship and in order to help his family, he will not take it to heart even if he is criticized. Oh, by the way, he may also want to help his friend, that is... Li Zisheng."

"hehe."

Tan Chang couldn't help but laugh.

How could a high-ranking official at the level of vice minister or scholar in the court do things so casually? He did not do it for the court or for his own fame and fortune, but simply to help his family and friends?

Even I don’t think of Zhang Laizhan in this way.

Qin Chang thought to himself, your view on Zhang Laizhan, Huai'en, is truly unique!

(End of this chapter)