Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 629 Please leave
Send Shen Lu away.

Zhang Luan returned and sat in his original seat. He pointed in the direction of the door and asked, "My son, what do you think your uncle Shen meant?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "My uncle really likes to be a broker. Can't you see that?"

"broker?"

Zhang Luan frowned and said, "You mean, he will act as my shadow outside from now on, and like to be my middleman when he has nothing to do, running errands and passing messages for others?"

Zhang Yanling said, "Speaking of which, your uncle has been an official in Beijing for much longer than you have, and he was from the Tongzhengshisi, which was the government office previously controlled by Li Zisheng. In the past few years, it was definitely a place in the capital where ghosts and gods could be communicated with."

Zhang Luan asked in surprise: "Hey, when I first arrived in the capital, why didn't I know that your uncle had such great abilities?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Do you really not know or are you pretending to be confused? If it weren't for Uncle Shen, would you have known a powerful figure like Li Zisheng? You wouldn't be unaware of the situation of our family at that time, right?"

"Ah, that's right."

Zhang Luan looked back at the past and couldn't help but sigh. He shook his head and said, "Speaking of which, during the Chinese New Year last year, your father was still thinking about your sister's selection as the Crown Princess. As a result, after a year, I have become the father-in-law of the emperor! Tsk tsk, the days go by so damn fast!"

Zhang Yanling asked, "So, Dad, have you let it go?"

"Son, do you think that I should recommend the Duke of Baoguo to your brother-in-law?"

Zhang Luan said, "I don't have much friendship with this Duke Baoguo. If I recommend him, firstly, he won't completely listen to me. Secondly...if his great reputation is all exaggerated, and he makes trouble in the northwest, he will put the blame on me in the end..."

Zhang Yanling said: "It doesn't necessarily have to be Zhu Yong. But Dad, I think a lot of people will talk to you privately these days."

Zhang Luan asked, "You mean, besides your uncle coming to me to negotiate, there is also someone who came to me to challenge me in person?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled slightly and said, "You just obtained the title of Queen Mother for my brother-in-law's biological mother, and also secured for her the right to be buried with the late emperor. Even though you are sitting at home doing nothing, anyone who can see the situation clearly knows how trusted you are now!
"Because the matter of sending people to escort the grain and grass to the northwest will be completely implemented before the New Year, I think you will be very busy today and tomorrow."

"is it?"

As soon as Zhang Luan finished speaking, Chang Shun's voice came from the door, "Master, Second Young Master, someone has come from the palace. It's Eunuch Chen from the Imperial Household Department. He said that the Empress Dowager wants you to enter the palace."

Zhang Luan pointed outside and asked, "My son, is this what you are talking about?"

Zhang Yanling said: "Leading troops to the northwest is just escorting food and grass, just a formality. Which nobleman doesn't want to complete an easy mission that can earn him meritorious service?
"This is the first major military operation since your majesty ascended the throne... Even those who think they are incompetent probably want to make themselves known to your majesty. Perhaps the Zhou family is also excited to see the prey."

……

……

Qingning Palace.

Zhang Luan was invited to meet Queen Mother Zhou and also brought her gifts. However, it seemed that Queen Mother Zhou had no interest in the things Zhang Luan brought. Instead, she took his hand affectionately and chatted with him aside.

In the past, Zhang Luan would have been rejected in various ways.

But after experiencing certain things, he seemed to have completely let it go. He was not too embarrassed when facing Queen Mother Zhou, and appeared generous and decent.

"Laizhan, I heard that there has been some unrest in your house recently. There are a lot of lunatics outside who have come to your house to make trouble. Has the problem been resolved?" Empress Dowager Zhou first expressed her concern about Zhang Luan's family affairs.

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "I don't know the specific situation, but I always feel wronged."

Queen Mother Zhou shook her head and sighed, "This won't do. If a group of common people can bully the emperor's family, where is the dignity of the court?
"I have to ask my grandson to help you punish those ignorant fellows!"

"No, no thanks!"

Zhang Luan declined immediately. "Thank you for your concern, aunt. This matter has basically come to an end. The court has already dealt with it. But I don't want to ask too much, lest people accuse me of using my relationship with Your Majesty to seek personal gain."

Queen Mother Zhou couldn't help but smile when she heard this, and she rebuked him, "Although you are a minister, you are still different from those court officials. We are family. We don't need this relationship at all, so why bother?"

When Zhang Luan heard this, he thought to himself, could it be that what my son said was right?
Could it be that Empress Dowager Zhou also wanted to recommend her people to "seek personal gain" and asked me to help them stand out in the Five Military Commandery and be responsible for escorting grain and fodder to the northwest this time?
"Have a banquet."

Queen Mother Zhou waved her hand and greeted loudly, then turned to Zhang Luan and asked kindly, "Laizhan, I only have vegetarian food here, you don't have any dietary restrictions, right?"

"No."

Zhang Luan shook his head.

"it is good!"

Queen Mother Zhou smiled slightly and said, "That's right. This is not your first time dining here. If you really want to, you must let me know in advance... Let's talk about it during the meal."

"well."

Zhang Luan responded quickly.

……

……

the other side.

In the Qianqing Palace, Huai'en and Tan Ji met the emperor together.

Huai En took out two self-recommendation memorials from the Duke of Yingguo and the Duke of Baoguo, requesting the emperor to allow them to lead troops to the northwest to deter foreign vassals and even completely quell border troubles.

Zhu Youtang looked unhappy and asked, "This matter has not been made public. Where did they hear about it?"

Huai En said: "Now the news has spread widely in the court. It is also my fault. I accidentally mentioned this matter when I contacted the cabinet, and maybe that is why people in the court knew about it."

Zhu Youtang asked in surprise: "It's just escorting the transportation of grain to Xuanda and Sanbian. It's a trivial achievement. Why would a dignified Duke recommend himself?" In Zhu Youtang's view, whoever I send can complete the task.

You took the initiative to apply for this job and seemed very serious. Is there some trick going on?
Huai En said seriously, "Your Majesty, this is the first time since you ascended the throne that you intend to use troops in the northwest, and you are sending generals from the capital to lead the troops. The previous emperor had many trusted civil officials and military generals, so it is not surprising that they want to show off in front of you."

"I want to show..."

When Zhu Youtang heard this, he couldn't help but ponder.

Huai En said: "This is a major event in the court, for the sake of national security, but there will always be people who start from their own perspective and hope to establish their prestige in the court through this."

The people referred to here are obviously not Zhang Mao and Zhu Yong who volunteered.

It was Zhang Luan.

It’s just that Huai’en expressed it in a rather subtle way, and as a result, even Zhu Youtang didn’t understand the meaning behind it.

Zhu Youtang asked, "Do you think I should accept their request and choose one of them to lead the troops to the northwest?"

Huai En said, "Your Majesty, since the reign of Emperor Renzong and Emperor Xuanzong, especially since Emperor Yingzong, leading troops has become the job of civil officials, and military officers follow the orders of civil officials. So... in my opinion, the plan now should be to first decide whether to send troops, then decide on civil officials to lead the troops, and finally decide which military officer will command."

"Oh."

Zhu Youtang asked, "Do you think this trip can be carried out?"

“We should indeed send troops.”

Huai En nodded and said, "Minister Zhang's concerns are correct. The northwest is not peaceful now, and disasters have occurred everywhere. It is almost the first year after the change of the reign, and the emperor's grace needs to be demonstrated.

"So, it is only natural for Your Majesty to send troops from the capital to escort food, grass, cloth, etc. to the northwest, to show favor to the soldiers, and to help them suppress the ambitions of the Tatars."

Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded: "Huai Daban, it seems that you agree with your father-in-law's approach."

Huai En said: "If what Zhang Guozhang proposed is correct, why should I object?"

Zhu Youtang said: "From what I understand, you, Otomo, are very cautious in your actions. For things like sending troops, it is very likely that you do not agree with it in your heart, but you said it just to agree with me...Okay, go on."

Huai En keenly felt that the gap between himself and the little emperor was growing wider and wider.

When it comes to his relationship with the emperor, Huai'en knows that he cannot rival the emperor's father-in-law.

Huai En said again: "We have to send people to transport food and grass to the northwest. It is reasonable to send more escorts in special years. But what we need to do now is to minimize the expenses of the soldiers who escort food and grass to the northwest. Otherwise... this first batch of 200,000 shi of food will face heavy losses before it is distributed to the soldiers. It's really..."

"I understand."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "To reduce transportation losses, we must appropriately reduce the number of troops sent to the northwest."

"Yes."

Huai En first affirmed, and then said, "But to ensure that the Tatars can be deterred, and the troops cannot be too few, we need experienced old officials to complete everything. Therefore, when it comes to the civil officials who go to the northwest to govern the army, we must select an official who is responsible and capable."

Zhu Youtang said: "I know this too. Then, who should we send?"

Huai En asked: "Your Majesty, isn't the most suitable candidate always there?"

Zhu Youtang thought for a moment, looked back at Huai En, and asked, "Are you talking about my father-in-law himself?"

"I do intend to recommend Zhang Guozhang, but the specific person to go can only be decided after the court discussion." Huai En bowed.

Zhu Youtang frowned and shook his head, saying, "I have never thought of letting my father-in-law go to the northwest by himself... Can his body handle it?
"Besides, my father-in-law has never led troops before. Will the soldiers be convinced? No, no, we should take the long view... By the way, didn't my father-in-law say that he would consider the candidates after he returned? Wouldn't it be better to wait for my father-in-law to recommend someone himself?"

Huai En reminded: "Your Majesty, Zhang Guozhang has already entered the palace."

"I know."

Zhu Youtang said, "My wife told me before that my father-in-law was going to see the Empress Dowager. It was the Empress Dowager who wanted to meet my father-in-law before the New Year... You know what, they have a very close relationship. My father-in-law is both my elder and the Empress Dowager's junior, so it's very good to be close to each other."

Huai En asked, "Then Your Majesty, please put yourself in her shoes. Would the Empress Dowager ask Zhang Guozhang to find someone familiar to complete the task of leading the troops in the northwest?"

Zhu Youtang looked calm, "No way? The Empress Dowager never cares about these things. Of course, even if it really happens, I will agree. The Zhou family has a lot of experience in the Governor's Office. Even if they really want to lead the army to the northwest, it is because the Empress Dowager hopes that the Zhou family can help the court. Why should I discourage her enthusiasm?"

Qin Ji, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but laugh secretly after hearing this.

You, Eunuch Huai, want to take this opportunity to sow discord between His Majesty, Father-in-law Zhang, and even the Empress Dowager. Aren't your intentions too sinister?

Don’t you know that our Majesty has always been a sincere person and would never think the worst of others?

Does this count as stealing a chicken but losing the rice?

Huai En said: "But the problem is... since we want to reduce the number of soldiers and complete the task reasonably, we must rely on capable and responsible people to go. Sometimes, those who have no actual experience in leading troops will only cause trouble."

Zhu Youtang asked: "My father-in-law has no actual experience in leading troops, why do you think he can do it?"

Huai En said seriously, "Because the father-in-law has prestige in the court, I heard that some people even secretly asked him to speak to His Majesty. This is enough to show that if the father-in-law really led the army to the northwest, the officers below would be completely convinced of him. After all, this matter was proposed by the father-in-law from the beginning."

"Oh."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Then let's do this. After my father-in-law has finished talking to the Empress Dowager, I will ask him to come over and ask for his opinion. Daban, have someone keep an eye on Qingning Palace. As soon as my father-in-law comes out, ask him to come over."

"Yes."

Huai En saluted respectfully, with a smile on his face, as if everything was under his control.

(End of this chapter)