Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 630 Unexpected
Zhang Luan had lunch at Empress Dowager Zhou's place, did some things unknown to outsiders, and then came out of Qingning Palace leisurely.

As a result, before he could walk towards the Donghua Gate, the nearest exit from the palace, he was stopped by Huai En who was waiting there.

"Eunuch Huai?"

Zhang Luan rubbed his eyes, seeming a little bit unable to believe his eyes.

Huai En came over to greet him.

Then Huai En asked with concern: "Why does the father-in-law look so haggard? Could it be that you have been so busy with state affairs recently that you didn't have enough time to rest?"

Zhang Luan yawned and said, "I am a little sleepy. Didn't I eat a little too much for lunch? I also took a nap in the outer hall of Qingning Palace. Maybe I caught a cold. I want to go back home to recuperate."

Huai En smiled and said, "Isn't Zhang Guozhang busy with official duties recently?"

"What are you busy with?"

Zhang Luan tightened his clothes and said, "The government offices were very quiet before the New Year. Besides, I haven't been to the Ministry of Revenue for a long time because I have been raising money and grain. I haven't been to the Hanyuan for a long time. How can I be busy... By the way, Eunuch Huai, do you have anything to do?"

Huai En said: "Your Majesty invites you."

"Ugh!"

Zhang Luan sighed softly, looking very reluctant.

I'm waiting to go home and rest, and you're here to urge me to come over on behalf of my son-in-law, the emperor? Is there anything that can't be discussed after I go home and take a nap?
Don’t you know that for a lazy person, sleeping is the top priority?

It's just that I have a good temper, otherwise I would definitely scold you if I got into a bad mood.

……

……

Zhang Luan followed Huai'en to the Qianqing Palace.

Huai En tried several times on the way, but Zhang Luan behind him seemed not to hear him and remained silent.

When Huai En looked back, he found that our father-in-law was walking with his eyes closed.

Huai En called softly: "Zhang Guozhang?"

Zhang Luan suddenly opened his eyes as if startled into awakening, looked around and asked, "What's going on?"

Huai En's mind raced, and he immediately said, "It seems that you are really exhausted... I have to remind you that His Majesty may ask you later whether you are willing to lead the troops to the northwest in person."

“No, no!”

Zhang Luan said honestly, "I have no experience in leading troops, and I have never been to the northwest. I am not familiar with the mountains and rivers, so I am really not qualified for this task... If it was just this matter, there would be no need to call me here..."

"There is something else. I heard that the first batch of 200,000 shi of grain has been raised, but the court still needs a second batch..."

“Everything will have to wait until after the New Year.”

Zhang Luan yawned again, and then continued, "But I heard that the second batch of money and grain was not sent to the northwest, but to Ji and Liao? My ability is limited, and I am not a hen that lays eggs. I can't conjure up food out of thin air! It's really difficult for me!"

Huai En was speechless facing this father-in-law who liked to act like a grandson in front of others.

Of course, Huai En didn't bother to care whether the other party was shirking responsibility or expressing his true feelings.

"Cough cough cough..."

Wynn covered his mouth and coughed violently.

Zhang Luan said with concern: "Eunuch Huai, you have a lung disease, you should have rested more... Your Majesty is the same, why send Eunuch Tan to the northwest at this time? If he stays in the capital, he can help you a little."

After Huai En's breathing calmed down a little, he looked at Zhang Luan with a slightly puzzled look.

He was also thinking about it.

Is the father-in-law in front of him pretending to be unaware that Qin Chang had plotted against him and was demoted by the emperor? Or is he really able to be tolerant and let bygones be bygones?

"I'll have to trouble the father-in-law to help diagnose the disease."

Huai En said gratefully, "Since I took your medicine, my condition has indeed improved a lot."

Zhang Luan sighed, "You still need to rest more, this is the way to cure the disease."

Huai En said: "If I can do more for the court before I die, I will die without regrets."

…………

The two of them arrived at the Qianqing Palace and met the emperor together. At this time, Tan Ji was not serving by his side.

After Zhu Youtang asked Zhang Luan to sit down, he immediately noticed that his father-in-law looked sick and unhappy, so he asked curiously, "Is your father-in-law sick?"

Zhang Luan explained: "I'm not seriously ill. I just took a nap in Qingning Palace after eating and drinking. I might have caught a cold. I plan to drink some ginger soup when I get back and rest for a day. I should be able to recover."

"Then... Huai Daban should let his father-in-law go back and rest earlier." Zhu Youtang glanced at Huai En and said in a critical tone, "Daban, sometimes you still have to adapt to circumstances."

Huai En said quickly: "I failed to realize your majesty's concern for the father-in-law. I shouldn't have invited the father-in-law here at this time. Please forgive me, your majesty and the father-in-law!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply.

Zhang Luan quickly said, "It's okay, it's okay, Huai Daban, there's no need to blame yourself so much."

After saying that, he looked at Zhu Youtang and said, "Since we are here, let's make the best of it. Since we are here, let's talk business... Is there anything important that Your Majesty can tell you?"

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "My father-in-law said before that he would carefully consider the selection of the commander to escort the money and grain to the northwest after returning. I wonder if there is a solution?"

Huai En on the side squinted and looked over.

Because he had already laid the groundwork in advance, no matter who Zhang Luan recommended now, it would be tantamount to falling into his trap.

It can be said that these people got the opportunity to be recommended by Zhang Luan by bribing Zhang Luan.

otherwise……

You, Zhang Luan, have only been in the court for one year, and you have never really witnessed the ability of those meritorious officials to lead troops. Why do you think those people are capable of escorting money and grain?
Regardless of what the emperor thinks, at least the ministers in the court will feel that although you, Zhang Luan, seem to be indifferent to worldly affairs, you will still recommend many people you think are closer to you because of some personal relationships and interests.

If this isn’t usurping power, what is?
Zhang Luan shook his head helplessly: "I really don't know who to recommend."

This answer surprised even Zhu Youtang, who immediately asked, "Is there really no candidate?"

Zhang Luan explained: "In my opinion, anyone can do it, and no one can do it. This time, the task seems not to be heavy, just escorting grain to the northwest, but in fact it is to bear the heavy responsibility of resisting foreign barbarians. It seems to be just defending the border, but if the Tatars attack, in addition to fighting them, it is likely that you will have to lead troops to launch a counterattack and go deep into the barren grassland. Such a heavy burden, no one will be able to cope with it."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang nodded with relief, obviously thinking that Zhang Luan was right.

Who said this was just a simple military mission?

I'm sorry, at least in my opinion as the emperor, this war is my first military debut after ascending the throne, and I must not be careless.

Huai En cursed Zhang Luan in his heart for not holding back and not leaving any evidence. He immediately questioned, "Zhang Guozhang, you said you would consider the candidate after you returned. How come an entire night has passed and you still don't have a suitable candidate?
"The late emperor was as accomplished in civil and military affairs as Taizu and Chengzu, and he was almost always victorious in foreign wars. There are many brave generals in the court. You should at least recommend one or two of them so that you can use them as an opening point when discussing them at the court meeting."

Zhang Luan asked back, "Eunuch Huai, you said that I clearly didn't have a candidate in mind, but I insisted on recommending one to Your Majesty. Isn't this irresponsible and even deceiving the emperor?"

Huai En got angry when he heard this.

I've laid so much groundwork and was fully prepared for the upright officials in the court to attack you for nepotism, but you didn't recommend anyone?

Zhu Youtang asked, "Father-in-law, when the Empress Dowager called you over earlier, didn't she mention this matter?"

"mentioned."

Zhang Luan admitted very honestly, "The Empress Dowager said that if we really want to send someone to the northwest to lead the army, we must choose a meritorious official who is highly respected and can definitely win. I said, yes, if we are a little careless, it will be a bad start. It will be the Hongzhi era soon, and we must get off to a good start!"

Huai En smiled bitterly and said, "My father-in-law said so...it's really straightforward."

Zhang Luan said, "I am not well educated, so when the Empress Dowager asks me, I must tell her the truth."

Zhu Youtang asked, "Didn't the Empress Dowager ask you to recommend someone from the Zhou family?"

"Yes, I have."

Zhang Luan said, "It's just that the Empress Dowager hopes that the Zhou family's nephews can make achievements in the Governor's Office, but she didn't say that they should lead troops to fight on the northwest front... As a meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty, you should live and die with the country. It's best to do things within your ability, otherwise you will hurt others and yourself. What do you think, Eunuch Huai?"

"hehe."

Huai En smiled bitterly.

Huai En himself was also wondering, is the old lady in Qingning Palace so easy to talk to?

They specifically called you over and even mentioned military and political matters, but they didn't ask you to help the Zhou family get an official position?
How does this contradict my perception of the old lady?
(End of this chapter)