Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 552 Recommendation
Zhang Yanling was actually very conflicted inside.

From the perspective of the future destiny of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youtang's use of Wang Shu was absolutely the most correct choice. This man served in the five dynasties of Yingzong, Daizong, Xianzong, Xiaozong and Wuzong, and had a long history in China and abroad for more than 40 years. He was upright, honest and consistent.

Together with Ma Wensheng and Liu Daxia, he was known as the "Three Gentlemen of Hongzhi" and assisted Zhu Youtang in achieving the "Hongzhi Restoration". History records that "during the first 20 years of Hongzhi, many upright officials filled the court and the professions were repaired. It was the most prosperous period, thanks to Shuli."

At that time, there was a rumor: Among the twelve ministries in the two capitals, there is only one Wang Shu.

Therefore, no matter from which perspective, allowing Wang Shu to return to the court is the most beneficial thing for the Ming Dynasty.

But from the perspective of the Zhang family's own development, Wang Shu's return would definitely be harmful rather than beneficial, because Wang Shu was relatively harsh and would often impeach powerful officials and favorites. Unlike Li Yu, Zhou Hongmo and others who were in power in the court, he really had the ability and skills to deal with foreign relatives.

This led to an embarrassing result...

If you want the country to prosper, you need such a person to cleanse the court of corruption, but the appearance of this person will endanger himself.

So, should we work for the greater good of the country and the nation, or just care about our own little details?

But he couldn't tell Zhang Luan clearly that if he completely blocked this person's way back to the court, it would be tantamount to cutting off the way for a generation of famous and capable officials to shine, which would be harmful to the future development of the Ming Dynasty.

But Zhang Yanling was also thinking at the same time.

Even if history proves that such a person has extraordinary abilities, it does not mean that he will definitely bring any substantial benefits to Chinese civilization.

On the contrary, the Zhang family's father and son, who seem to be out of touch, can bring profound reforms to China because of Zhang Yanling's vision and insight. In fact, from this point of view, anyone who prevents them from achieving great things is a historical sinner and will not be tolerated by the world.

Thinking in this way, it seems that there is nothing wrong with the fact that the court is full of people who curry favor with the powerful and are submissive.

At least it won't hinder Zhang Yanling's plan to revitalize the Ming Dynasty.

……

……

Although Zhang Yanling did not say it explicitly, Zhang Luan kept it in mind.

He said that he didn't mind and that he was willing to find a capable minister to revitalize the Ming Dynasty, but when he went out and got on the carriage back to the city, Zhang Luan began to have doubts in his heart.

I have worked so hard to climb up to my current position, and suddenly a powerful figure comes along, and it is very likely that in a short time I will be able to go from being the top civil official to a military hero of the Five Military Commandery, or even lose my position as an official in the future and can only collect a salary... Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?
No matter how capable Wang Shu is, can he really change the Ming Dynasty by himself?
Zhang Luan returned home with a lot on his mind. Before he even sat down, he was thinking about finding a place to have fun in the evening when a servant came to report that Huai En was here again.

He hurried out to greet him.

"Eunuch Huai, what are you doing...?"

Zhang Luan felt a little embarrassed when he saw Huai En, who looked pale and a little thin. He sighed, "Why don't you find someone to come and I'll pass on the message? Why do you have to make this trip? You must be exhausted..."

"Not tired! My body can still hold on!"

Huai En shook his head, then asked with a smile: "I heard that Mr. Zhang just went out of town?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan felt a little unhappy after hearing the other party's question.

I thought to myself, you even know where I go, you are really well-informed... It seems that it is necessary for Li Zisheng to arrange spies in front of his own house to complete the counter-surveillance.

Being an official in Beijing and being active in certain places regularly, it is really necessary to be on guard.

Huai En said, "I asked you before, regarding the selection of the Minister of Personnel, has Mr. Zhang made any plans?"

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "Eunuch Huai, I just went out of town for a while, and you came to ask me again. Do you think I can figure it out after going out of town?" "Hehe."

Huai En smiled and said, "Hasn't your son been out of the city these days and hasn't returned to the city?"

"what?"

After hearing this answer, Zhang Luan felt a chill down his spine.

He was wondering what this old man Huai En meant.
Is he threatening me?
He wouldn't be thinking that if I don't help him with advice and suggest a candidate for the Minister of Personnel, he will do something bad to my son?
and many more.

Is it such a big deal for him?
Huai En was also very curious about why Zhang Luan's face was so uncertain. After paying a little attention, he couldn't help but frowned and patiently explained: "Mr. Zhang, don't get me wrong. Didn't your son recently develop a new loom and want the palace to organize people to concentrate on weaving? His Majesty arranged for me to bring people to cooperate and make preparations in advance. It was also the people I sent who reported back that you had just met your son... just after meeting with me..."

Zhang Luan was surprised and said, "Oh, so my son has become so important?"

Huai En smiled and said, "Although little Uncle Zhang is young, he is very capable. Even His Majesty often mentions him and praises him endlessly. He said that when he was still the crown prince, he occasionally went out of the palace to do business. Every time, it was Uncle Zhang who gave instructions behind his back. His insight is really good. His sister... that is, the Queen Mother, also often mentioned that it was Uncle Zhang who came forward to plan, which influenced your family's later visit to the capital."

"Ah? She even said that?"

Zhang Luan felt unhappy when he heard this.

It seems that my daughter has not remembered the kindness of her father at all. All day long, she praises her younger brother instead of her father in front of her husband?
You said she should praise him, just praise him in private, but she also let Huai En know about it?
Where can I put my old face?
Huai En asked relentlessly: "So, have you asked Uncle Zhang for his opinion on this matter?"

Zhang Luan did not answer the question directly, but asked: "Eunuch Huai, what do you think of Wang Shu's conduct?"

"Wang Shu!?"

When Huai En heard the name, he couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Zhang Luan said, "Yes, I heard that he was reinstated by the court and reappointed? In Nanjing, the capital, right? I also heard that he has basically never served in the capital since he started to serve."

Huai En nodded and said, "That's right. Although this person has been working in Nanjing, the capital, his ability is praised by both the government and the public. He can be said to be the most loyal and righteous person in the world. But maybe some people are really incompatible with certain environments, so he has never come to the capital to serve as an official. Logically speaking, his reputation and qualifications are enough..."

"Enough for what?"

Zhang Luan asked with a blink of his eyes.

Huai En smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang, aren't you talking about the candidate for the new Minister of Personnel? Didn't you recommend Wang Shu just now?"

"Of course not... I was just asking casually."

Zhang Luan flatly denied it.

I'm just asking what you think of this person. Who said I'm going to recommend Wang Shu?

My son has already said that if Wang Shu enters the court, he will definitely be the strongest opponent in my life, and I basically cannot defeat this guy, so how can I let him enter the core so easily?
Huai En laughed dumbly, shook his head first, and then said helplessly: "I asked you about the candidate for the Minister of Personnel, and you happened to mention Wang Shu's name, but insisted that it was not related to this matter... Are you deliberately not willing to take the initiative to recommend, just to remind me, so that I can remember such a person?"

Zhang Luan said with emotion: "Eunuch Huai, to be honest, I don't know Wang Shu, let alone know much about him. My knowledge of him is basically from hearsay... Others say he is good, but whether he is really good or just seeking fame, I have no idea, so how can I recommend him?"

Wynn thought about it.

It seemed difficult to figure out Zhang Luan's direction for a while.

He thought to himself that Zhang Guozhang was indeed unfathomable.

If an ordinary person said this, he would definitely be regarded as pedantic and crazy. These words sounded like they were no different from the gossip of the common people, but why did these slightly stupid words coming out of his mouth seem so extraordinary?
What's wrong?
(End of this chapter)