Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 676: Unpredictable Secrets

Huai En attacked Li Zisheng but was not annoyed. When he returned to the duty room of Silijian, he seemed very relaxed and even gave instructions to Xiao Jing and Li Rong on how to do things.

Li Rong has been very diligent recently and rushes to do everything in order to be promoted to a higher position in the future.

Although Li Rong is only the fourth in command of the Imperial Household Department at the moment, because Tan Chang has been transferred out, Huai En is seriously ill and about to die, and Tan Ji is also very old... Li Rong is almost universally recognized as the future leader of the Imperial Household Department.

If one wants to become the helmsman, he must keep up with the footsteps of his superiors. Specifically, he must gain the trust of Huai En in the Imperial Household Department. Only in this way can Huai En designate him as the successor and give him more opportunities to work and gain experience.

When Huai En returned to his seat, Qin Ji came forward and asked in a low voice: "I don't know how to refute the ministers' impeachment of Zhang Guozhang's memorial, and what tone to use... I wonder what you think, Eunuch Huai?"

Huai En smiled and asked, "Didn't His Majesty let you, Hou Fang, be in charge of this matter?"

Tan Ji said: "I need to hear your opinion."

"Inappropriate, inappropriate."

Huai En shook his head and said, "You have also seen that His Majesty is very protective of the personal relationships related to Zhang Guozhang. Although His Majesty did not say it before in the Qianqing Palace, I can see that His Majesty is already a little dissatisfied with me. Alas, His Majesty's attitude is not sure whether it is right or wrong. I hope nothing will go wrong in the future."

Qin Ji was thinking, are you hinting at something by saying this?
Do you mean to say that even I was involved in this “personal relationship” because of Your Majesty’s love for Zhang Guozhang and his affection for his family?
Qin Ji asked seriously, "Should the wording of the reply be milder? Or should we just put the matter on hold and wait until the outcome of the Northwest War is known?"

Huai En asked, "Is there a war in the northwest? How come I don't know about it?"

"Uh?"

Qin Ji was stunned at first, then smiled bitterly. Now he understood everything and could only nod helplessly, "Yes, the northwest has been peaceful so far."

Huai En smiled with satisfaction: "There is nothing in the world, only mediocre people worry about it. Now I am worried that some people will make things up in order to report to His Majesty. You said that from the Chenghua period to the present, there have been border issues in the northwest every year, but which one has really threatened the safety and survival of the Ming Dynasty? Oh! Forget it, there are too many things happening recently, let's not think about these things for now..."

Tan Ji could only agree: "There are indeed a lot of things to do in the court right now."

"Ah."

Huai En nodded in approval, "These things are one by one, which one is not important? Just take the drought in Northern Zhili as an example. It has snowed heavily since last winter, and now there is no rain at all. The land is about to crack... If it is still like this after the spring, I am afraid that Your Majesty will be criticized."

Qin Ji became anxious when he heard this.

In this era, whenever there were changes in celestial phenomena or abnormal climate, someone would be found to take the blame. If it didn't rain for a long time and affected agricultural farming, the blame would be placed on the emperor.

Whether it is the emperor's responsibility or not is not important. The main thing is that the people really think so, and then the emperor will most likely issue an edict of self-blame.

Huai En smiled and said, "Hou Fang, have you been to Zhang Guozhang's house often recently? Have you ever mentioned this to him?"

"This……"

Qin Ji frowned and asked, "Is it necessary to ask Zhang Guozhang even about this matter?"

Huai En said with a smile: "Zhang Guozhang knows astronomy and geography. If you don't ask him about military affairs, you should ask him about the Imperial Observatory, right? For the welfare of the people of the Ming Dynasty and for the reputation of the emperor, isn't it reasonable to let him predict the secrets of the sky?"

Qin Ji seemed helpless and sighed, "Okay, I'll definitely ask him when I have time."

……

……

The victory news from the border would not reach the capital for a while.

Therefore, there was no sign of improvement in Zhang Luan's reputation in the court. Instead, he was branded as a scourge to the country and the people because of his interference in the military affairs of the nine borders.

When Qin Ji went to visit the patient, he learned from the doorman that Zhang Luan was bedridden.

Qin Ji came to Zhang Luan's bedside and looked at his haggard face. He was deeply moved: "Mr. Zhang worked hard for the country and fell ill at his desk. He is truly a pillar of the country."

Zhang Luan thought, I, the patient, don't even feel anything, why are you so moved here?
I'm obviously pretending to have a serious illness, can't you see that?

Or did you see through it and are deliberately saying something sarcastic to provoke me?
"It's all within our scope."

Zhang Luan said modestly, "I can't compare to Eunuch Huai, nor to you, Eunuch Tan. I just want to recover from my illness as soon as possible and do something for the court and His Majesty."

Qin Ji said: "Sir, there is something I must tell you, please forgive me."

"Oh? Is it because someone in the court impeached me? You don't need to tell me, I know everything." Zhang Luan said righteously, "Being criticized does not affect my heart to serve the country." Tan Ji quickly said, "It's not because of this matter, but because of the drought in the north this year."

"what!?"

Zhang Luan asked, "Is this related to the management of the Yellow River?"

"It doesn't matter... Why do you think so?"

Qin Ji was also confused. Why did you suddenly talk about river management?
Zhang Luan nodded and said, "I am also worried about the drought this spring, but there is nothing I can do. After all, I am not a god, and I cannot control the God of Thunder and the Goddess of Lightning, as well as the Dragon Kings of the Seas... Let me calculate it later."

"For your trouble."

Qin Ji said, "Isn't this right? The palace has woven a lot of cloth, but now..."

"Why, are you worried about sales?"

Zhang Luan asked curiously.

"That... I'm not worried, but... I don't know how to meet the ever-increasing demand for raw materials."

Qin Ji explained, and then asked, "Is your son at home? Your Majesty wants to ask where we can buy cotton and linen and other raw materials? Many spinning machines and looms are empty now, but we don't have enough raw materials."

Zhang Luan suddenly realized, "From what you said, it seems that the palace can't continue weaving because of the shortage of materials?"

Qin Ji said helplessly: "There are many people in the palace who can be used for weaving. At present, the spinning machines and looms are too efficient, and there are surplus hands."

Zhang Luan became jealous after hearing this and thought, if this business was mine, how much money would I make in a year?

My son is very honest. Why would he give such a profitable business to his brother-in-law for free?
"Mr. Zhang, where is your son?"

Tan Ji asked again.

"He's not at home, and I don't know where he went."

Zhang Luan said, "If you are not in a hurry, I will tell him when he comes back."

"well."

Naturally, Qin Ji didn't dare to force it.

I was thinking, you two are the bosses in your family, isn't it okay for me to listen to you?

……

……

When Zhang Yanling came back, the lights were already on and Zhang Luan was ready to go out.

"Dad, when Eunuch Qin came to visit, you just lay there like a corpse, looking like you were dying, and then in the blink of an eye you jumped up and went out to have fun? If people knew about this, would you still have the face you deserve?"

Zhang Yanling teased.

Zhang Luan pursed his lips: "Do you really think Qin Ji is a fool? He is a smart man! I bet he has already figured out that I am pretending to be sick today... No, I am pretending to be seriously ill. That's why he flattered me so much... By the way, my son, you must keep the drought this spring in mind. Calculate when it will rain?"

Zhang Yanling frowned and asked, "Dad, what do you mean by this?"

Zhang Luan smiled wickedly: "This is what I think... I don't think there will be any good results in the northwest. If you can see through the secrets of heaven and tell me when it will rain, I will pretend to be a ghost and go to the Temple of Heaven to pray for rain. Then... everyone will think I am a heavenly master?"

Zhang Yanling said unhappily, "I'm sorry, Dad, I don't know when it will rain."

"Ah, you don't even know when it will rain? Who are you kidding?" Zhang Luan said dissatisfiedly, "Can't you figure out this kind of trivial matter by just counting on your fingers?"

Zhang Yanling said, "As far as I know, the drought in the spring of this year will not last long. Maybe it will rain in two days. However, there will be a drought this autumn. If you ask me when it will rain, I can help you calculate it."

Zhang Luan glared and said, "You can calculate the drought in autumn, but you don't know about the spring drought that is just around the corner? Why don't I believe you? I think you are just not sincere in helping me."

(End of this chapter)