Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 628 The New Emperor's First Ascension

Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Luan and his son received Shen Lu together.

In the past, Zhang Luan received his brother-in-law alone, but now he intends to bring his son out. In fact, sometimes he just doesn't want to face Shen Lu's tricky questions.

"It's a good thing to come and see."

Shen Lu smiled and said, "Earlier, Minister Xu asked someone to submit a memorial to the emperor, discussing the posthumous title for the empress dowager, and it was approved by His Majesty in just one day. The ministers at the court also had no objection. Now His Majesty has handed this matter over to Minister Xu in person. It is not convenient for him to come to thank you in person, so he specially asked me to come here to express my gratitude to you."

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "He is working for the emperor, why should he thank me?"

Shen Lu was speechless for a moment.

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "I guess Uncle Shen meant that you feel honored for helping Uncle Xu get a chance to serve His Majesty."

Zhang Luan pursed his lips and said disdainfully: "Why are you being so vague? In fact, it's just to help him gain merit so that he can get promoted in the future?"

Shen Lu complained, "Laizhan, some things don't need to be said so directly. Although we all know that it is reasonable to posthumously honor the emperor's biological mother, there are rules for who should propose it and who is qualified to propose it. In fact, His Majesty hoped that you would propose it, but you gave up this credit, which is a manifestation of open-mindedness in itself."

"That's fine."

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "Is this matter so complicated? In fact, I didn't think so much. I just thought that Shi Yong had been in the Hanlin Academy for a long time and was proficient in etiquette and classics. He could use classics to persuade the ministers. The facts also proved this point, which means that I did not choose the wrong person... Oh, by the way, do you need my help?"

"That's not necessary."

Shen Lu said, "It's just that there is something... I heard that His Majesty is going to send people to escort food and grass to the northwest in the next two days, and to assist in military and political affairs. That's right, there are many nobles in the capital who want to strive for this rare opportunity to make meritorious contributions. I hope you can... recommend them to His Majesty!"

Zhang Luan looked a little strange when he heard the news. He looked at Shen Lu and asked, "Ruxue, what do you mean?"

Shen Lu was a little confused for a moment.

Shen Lu couldn't help but look at Zhang Yanling, as if asking, does your father like to pretend to be confused so much?
Zhang Yanling hurriedly explained: "Dad, Uncle Shen probably meant that there are many meritorious officials in the capital who want to fight for the qualification to lead troops to the northwest to make achievements. So they all want to recommend them to His Majesty through you and help them get this rare job."

"Is that what you mean?"

Zhang Luan asked.

Shen Lu thought about it, and although he felt that this was too straightforward, he still nodded: "That's right."

Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and shook his head, feeling that he really couldn't take care of his old father.

How politically uninformed are you?

When you proposed to the emperor to send someone to lead the army and escort food and fodder to Xuanda and the Sanbian areas, and let this group of troops to intimidate the foreign invaders, have you never thought that this is actually a rare opportunity to interfere in military power?
Whoever proposes the plan is responsible for recommending candidates.

Zhang Luan said: "But... I have told Your Majesty that I am only responsible for proposing this matter, and who will implement it will depend on the result of the court discussion.

"I don't want to get involved easily."

Shen Lu asked, "Laizhan, it's not that I have to get involved, it's just... don't you want to use this opportunity to build a good relationship with the officials in the capital and exchange what you have?"

"Ruxue, do you know that this is an abuse of power? How can I break the law knowingly?"

Zhang Luan spoke sternly and righteously.

Shen Lu said quickly: "But Lai Zhan, this matter was proposed by you... If you don't recommend someone, and an incompetent general leads the troops to the northwest, if something goes wrong, it will affect your reputation.

"Since you proposed this, you should be responsible for it to the end!"

"is it?"

Zhang Luan looked at Zhang Yanling with a surprised look on his face.

It seems to be saying, you are clearly trying to trick me!
Why didn’t you explain it to me clearly when you asked me to propose this plan?

So you wanted your father to get involved in military power?

Zhang Yanling was quite helpless.

Sure enough, most of the time, the cheap dad really needs his son by his side.

You said that you were just meeting your uncle, but you had to find an interpreter and aide to explain things to you and give you advice. How will you face the attacks from your ministers and even political enemies when you are on your own in the future?

You won't throw away your weapons and armor, will you?
Zhang Yanling said, "Actually, what my uncle said is correct. If the meritorious officials and generals who were responsible for escorting the grain and grass went to the northwest and failed to deter the bandits as my father had planned with Your Majesty, and instead lost the grain and grass, or even humiliated the Ming Dynasty, then you, my father who proposed the plan... would also be punished."

Zhang Luan's face fell, and he complained, "If I had known, I would not have suggested this to His Majesty... Then... who should we send?"

Shen Lu was a little confused for a moment and stared at Zhang Luan with wide eyes.

It seems to be questioning: You ask me? Who should I ask?

Am I not here to ask for your opinion?

Zhang Yanling knew that his father was becoming stubborn again and was complaining.

Zhang Yanling said: "The meritorious officials in the court today are all brave generals left by the previous emperor. For example, Zhu Yong, the Duke of Baoguo, was awarded the seal of a general eight times. He was invincible in every battle he conquered and was very famous.

"In fact, it doesn't matter who we send. The key is whether they can predict the direction of the bandits' invasion and make preparations in advance, and whether they can fight bravely and deal a heavy blow to the enemy when the bandits attack. Why don't you listen to your uncle's words first and see who wants you, father, to speak on their behalf?"

Zhang Luan frowned and said, "This is not right. Whoever asks your uncle to ask me to speak for him, I will use him. Isn't that... the work of a treacherous minister?"

Zhang Yanling immediately responded: "Father, if you find someone who doesn't listen to your orders and goes against your wishes in every way to lead the army, will the effect be better? Letting my uncle to speak on your behalf at least shows that he is counting on you and has the confidence to win."

"Is this the main reason why you didn't let me recommend candidates to your brother-in-law right away? Let others know that I have the authority to recommend people, and then those ambitious generals who want to make achievements will use their connections to speak to me? It's like actively approaching me...

"But, if I clearly know their intentions and still want to employ them, then I... would be no different from a traitor..." Zhang Luan became a little emotional when he said this.

Shen Lu was speechless as he listened.

When you and your son quarrel, can you please pay attention to the situation?

I'm still sitting next to him.

You two are discussing this openly...

I heard such treasonous words!

Wait, this plan was not proposed by you, but was part of your son's plan in advance?
You really... make me look at you in a new light!

Your courage to admit in front of others that you are not as good as your son... is also worthy of the world's "admiration"!

You really don't care about your own face.

"Ahem, come on, do you want to hear who has something to say?"

Shen Lu asked tentatively.

Zhang Luan glared at his youngest son and asked, "Just tell me, kid, whether I want to hear it or not."

Zhang Yanling knew that his old father was being stubborn again, so he immediately said, "Listen, why don't you listen? Only a fool wouldn't listen!" Then he turned to look at Shen Lu and made a gesture of invitation, "Please tell me, uncle."

Shen Lu said quickly, "In fact, the one who is most enthusiastic about this is the Duke of Baoguo. Since the new emperor ascended the throne, the Five Military Commandery has been involved in the affairs of the Beijing Camp. His Majesty has focused on promoting the highly respected Duke of Yingguo. As for the Duke of Baoguo, he was promoted by the late emperor from Earl of Funing to Marquis and Duke. The label is too heavy, so he has been... alienated."

Zhang Luan still asked in a tone of argument: "Can the Duke of Baoguo really do it?"

Shen Lu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "You can suspect anyone, but there's really no need to suspect Duke Baoguo. During the Chenghua period, Duke Baoguo accompanied the Minister of Control and the Chief Censor to lead troops to fight many times. He achieved brilliant results on the southern, northwest, and northeastern fronts, and was considered brave and good at fighting. Especially when he followed Wang Weining to the grasslands before, he had outstanding military exploits."

"Wang Weining?"

Zhang Luan was slightly moved when he heard this, and he said in a lost voice, "But the former Weining Earl Wang Yue? I heard that he is very capable. He attacked Weining Sea by surprise and fought against Black Stone Cliff. He is very famous... By the way, why didn't Your Majesty re-employ this person when the new emperor ascended the throne?"

Shen Lu smiled and said, "Look, even Lai Zhan knows that Wang Yue is very capable... It's a pity that his situation is completely different from the others who were fired."

"What's the difference?"

Zhang Luan asked.

Shen Lu seemed very embarrassed and deliberately glanced at his little nephew, as if to say, Nephew Yanling, don’t you teach your father any lessons?

You're really making a fool of yourself in front of me. How dare you ask me such a simple question?

Zhang Yanling said, "Dad, I think what my uncle meant is that although Wang Shu and others were not used by the late emperor, at least they were retired and returned to their hometowns, so there would not be so many obstacles to their re-employment. But Wang Yue was convicted by the late emperor after all. It seems to go against your majesty's reputation of filial piety to rashly use the late emperor's criminal minister now."

Zhang Luan suddenly realized, "Oh, so Wang Yue is the one who is guilty. Alas! Speaking of which, our Zhang family also suffered from this. Back then, your uncle..."

"Dad, let's not talk about the Zhang family's past."

Zhang Yanling knew that his old father was lamenting the past when his uncle Zhang Qi committed a crime while serving as the governor of Liaodong and was exiled back to his hometown, where he died of depression.

But now the Zhang family is more prosperous than before, and it seems that there is no need for the old father to empathize with anyone.

Shen Lu asked, "Laizhan, do you think the Duke of Baoguo is okay?"

“Is this… okay?”

Zhang Luan looked at his son expectantly.

This left Shen Lu speechless.

Has my brother-in-law become so shameless?

You actually let your son make the decision right in front of me?

You really don't treat me as an outsider!

You want me to know such a confidential matter?

Zhang Yanling said quickly, "Dad, I shouldn't give advice on this matter right away. Why don't we wait until Uncle leaves and then discuss it privately, or make some choices and let Uncle come back to see if there are any other people who would like to recommend themselves to you, okay?"

Zhang Luan asked curiously, "Recommend yourself to me? If that's the case, why not just go to His Majesty and volunteer in the court? Wouldn't it be better? What's the point of asking me?"

Shen Lu smiled and said, "Actually, I think what my nephew said makes some sense. You two can discuss it privately. It's getting late now. I'm going back home first. Goodbye, goodbye!"

Shen Lu was knowledgeable and stood up immediately.

If I don't leave now, do I have to stay at your house for the New Year?

"Are you leaving now?"

Zhang Luan seemed to be trying to persuade him to stay, but he had already stood up, as if he wanted to see him off.

Shen Lu said, "That's right. My family has been busy buying New Year's goods these days... This year's Spring Festival is not going to be very good. Officials in Beijing haven't received their salaries for many months. They have to rely on their family's wealth to survive."

"It's all Liang Fang's fault for draining the court's coffers!" Zhang Luan said bitterly, "Don't worry, I will find a way to help my colleagues in the court have a good New Year!"

Shen Lu thought to himself, "Oh my god", you, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, really take yourself seriously!
Which official expects you to lead us to a good life?

Do I have to rely on you for my salary in the future?
(End of this chapter)