Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 554: Selfless Zhang Guozhang

Zhang Luan and Wang Shu had no personal relationship, and they had not even had any contact before. Neither of them would be greatly implicated by the other's actions, so the possibility of one party asking for favors from the other was almost zero.

So in this case, Zhang Luan's recommendation of Wang Shu could only be due to official reasons and there could not be any personal feelings.

This puts Zhang Luan in a very mysterious position, making it appear that he does not consider his personal interests at all in personnel issues, but only considers the overall situation of the court.

Qin Chang immediately understood why Huai'en had such a high opinion of Zhang Luan. All the evidence pointed to the fact that Zhang Luan recommended Wang Shu for the sake of Ming Dynasty's officialdom.

Because there's really no better explanation than this.

"Eunuch Huai, Wang Shu is an extremely stubborn person. He will never change his mind once he has made up his mind. I don't know how this will affect us, but as for Zhang Guozhang... can he be nice to his relatives? Doesn't Zhang Guozhang consider that recommending this person will cause trouble for himself?"

When Qin Chang said this, he looked nervous.

Huai En asked with a smile: "I think you are worried that Wang Shu will cause you trouble after arriving in the capital, so you asked this on purpose, right?"

"No, no, absolutely not. How can he, an outsider, interfere with the affairs of the inner court? I work in the Imperial Household Department. As long as I don't take the initiative to interfere in the affairs of the court, I will never have any disputes with it... Why should I worry about him?"

Qin Chang flatly denied it.

Huai En said: "Hey! Actually, I've been thinking about this issue too... I've been thinking about it, but I can't figure out what practical benefits Zhang Guozhang has from recommending this person, but he just brought it up without hesitation... I wonder if this matter has anything to do with the attitude of his son Zhang Yanling?"

"Ah!? You mean the second son of Zhang Guozhang's house? The ten-year-old kid?" Qin Chang asked in surprise.

"Yes, it's him... Do you know this person?"

Huai En glanced at Qin Chang and asked meaningfully.

"Ahem, I used to go to Zhang's house often, so I naturally know him."

Qin Chang seemed a little embarrassed, and seemed to think that as a eunuch in the Imperial Household Department, it would be shameful for him to contact and communicate with a young child in the Zhang Mansion.

Huai En ordered: "Tell me about it."

"All right!"

Qin Chang nodded and said, "At the beginning of the year, when the late emperor was seriously ill, I went to Zhang's house many times to communicate and had some interactions with him. As for this child, he looks ordinary, but he is very smart. Zhang Guozhang has many things that he cannot decide on the spot, so he will discuss with his youngest son.

"Later, I heard that this kid would be involved in any major event of the Zhang family. Even his sister... our queen's trip to Beijing to select a concubine was planned by him behind the scenes."

Huai En asked curiously: "Where did you hear this?"

"It was spread by Kunning Palace. I didn't publicize it."

Qin Chang replied cautiously, "Even your majesty's plan to have the queen preside over weaving was rumored to be planned by little uncle Zhang.

"But... it's understandable that Mr. Zhang II has some wisdom, but at his age, I'm afraid he can't even figure out who the ministers are, so how can he recommend talented people to the court?
"Especially Wang Shu is too loyal by nature, and would rather break than bend. Once he sees someone he doesn't like, he will catch him and pursue him relentlessly. If he takes the position of the official in the Ministry of Personnel, it will definitely be a heavy blow to the power of the foreign relatives...

"So, no matter how you look at it, it makes no sense for Zhang Guozhang and the Second Young Master to recommend Wang Shu as the Minister of Personnel, right?"

"But the problem is that it really happened, and I saw it with my own eyes."

When Huai En said this, he frowned slightly and sighed, "When I met Zhang Guozhang for the first time today, I mentioned the matter to him, but he seemed to be very evasive and did not make any statement. But when I met him for the second time, he directly recommended Wang Shu, and later added Geng Yu.

"From what I can guess, he had thought about whether to recommend Wang Shu a long time ago, but he was still unsure, so he discussed it with his son, and then..."

"He originally didn't want to recommend it, but after some discussion he decided to recommend it. So he... compromised to a certain extent?"

Qin Chang asked in surprise. Huai En shook his head.

Obviously, no matter what Zhang Luan had experienced today, he would not know even if he investigated in detail.

The main thing is that we don’t know what the specific content of the conversation between Zhang Luan and his son was after they met.

Huai En looked solemn, and after a long while his brows relaxed. He said decisively: "It is actually the best choice to let Wang Jie'an return to the court to serve as the Minister of Personnel at this time. Only someone like him who is impartial, selfless and mature can stabilize the court and the people's hearts at this critical moment, and ensure a smooth transition of power.

"After all, after the Minister of Personnel is replaced, there will be some major changes in the six ministries. What is most needed is stability in the government."

Qin Chang drooped his face and said helplessly: "It's not a very good thing for us, but the situation is not too bad, is that what you mean?"

"How good can it be, and how bad can it be?"

Huai En looked very calm. "But Zhang Guozhang really has a unique vision. The moment he proposed Wang Shu, I realized that even though I thought I knew him well enough before, I still underestimated him. This person's insights and mind are far beyond what ordinary people can compare to, and he is really selfless and never thinks about himself."

"Zhang Guozhang's character is certainly trustworthy!"

Tan Chang smiled and said, "If he really cares about himself, he can directly recommend Xu Qiong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, or simply recommend himself... With the favor and care of Your Majesty, even if no one is mentioned, it is possible that he will take over the position of Minister of Personnel."

Huai En nodded slightly and said, "Maybe he knows that he is not famous enough, or maybe he has never thought about seeking personal gain for himself... When the cabinet was vacant before, did he fight for himself? Even when His Majesty almost explicitly stated it..."

"No."

Qin Chang said admiringly, "Not only that, he kept pushing it away... You said he was retreating to advance, but it's not right. If he had a little ambition and foresight, why would he still be with the declining Li Zisheng at this time? This is an act that damages his reputation...

"Sometimes I wonder, doesn't he avoid it? Even if he doesn't pay attention, doesn't his smart son remind him?"

Huai En sighed and said, "Doesn't this just show that he has no desire to fight for power and profit, but just follows his heart... He is naturally loyal to His Majesty, and is also loyal to his friends. For example, once Zhang Guozhang regards Li Zisheng as a friend, he will let go of all his concerns and protect him with all his strength... This person is very difficult to figure out!"

Qin Chang said: "Then...Eunuch Huai, will our Imperial Household Department really fully support Wang Shu and not consider others?"

Tan Chang thought the situation was settled, but Huai En shook his head unexpectedly at this time: "Everything still needs to wait until the court to decide... But since Your Majesty attaches unusual importance to Zhang Guozhang's opinion, we might as well pay more attention to this person. If no one recommends him at the court meeting, we can nominate someone ourselves."

……

……

Zhang Mansion.

Shen Lu ran to see Zhang Luan again, and the two sat in the flower hall drinking tea.

Shen Lu smiled and said, "Laizhan, do you have any idea of ​​taking a concubine? I have a few good marriages here, and I want to recommend them to you."

"Pah, what nonsense are you talking about?"

When Zhang Luan heard this, the tea in his mouth sprayed out.

"What's so strange about this?"

Shen Lu said nonchalantly, "You have more than one wife, and you are not very old. How can an official of your rank have many wives and concubines? Moreover, do you think they want to send their daughters to your house as concubines because they really respect you? Isn't it just to establish a friendship with you and for the sake of their tribe?"

Zhang Luan waved his hands and shook his head, "No, no, I'm old and frail, and my body can't handle it. Let's not talk about this."

(End of this chapter)