Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 700: Singing the opposite tune under the banner

Zhang Yanling and Qi Niang returned to the villa.

After giving his cheap father another infusion, Zhang Yanling dragged his tired body away.

After seeing her young master off, Qi Niang hurried to see Zhang Luan.

But he found that Zhang Luan was able to sit up and eat, and he looked much more energetic than during the day.

"That kid's medicine is really effective. After just two sessions of intravenous drip, I already feel a little stronger." When Zhang Luan said this, he felt dizzy and couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed, so he closed his eyes immediately.

Qi Niang said, "Master, please don't worry... The Second Young Master said that you need to rest for your illness."

But I was thinking in my heart, who is the doctor between you and your son?

Your son's medical skills are inherited from you, but why don't you prescribe the medicine yourself, but instead your son gives you the medicine?
Zhang Luan waved his hands, no longer having the strength to speak. He pointed at the maid serving him and motioned her to continue feeding him.

Qi Niang said, "Butler Pang has been here before."

"What about people?"

Zhang Luan asked weakly.

"After meeting the Second Young Master, he has left."

Qi Niang said, "The second young master has accepted the gift list and asked me to keep it properly. The things will be delivered to where they should be tonight."

"Hurry up and bring me the gift list... Hey, I've finally got it."

Zhang Luan's spirits lifted, and his face flushed a little.

He forced himself to take the thin gift list from Qi Niang, but unfortunately the candlelight in the room was not very bright, and Zhang Luan could not see clearly what was written on the list.

Qi Niang introduced: "The people involved in the gift list are all in the opera troupe and have been placed in the nearest theater. The second young master said that the theater was opened by our Zhang family."

"Fuck, you robbed my people?"

Zhang Luan said angrily, "That kid, he used my people to make money for him?"

"Did the master and the young master separate?"

Qi Niang asked in surprise.

"No, but I can't control his money. Bring my letter tomorrow and go get the person. You know what to do, right? First check who is here, who should be brought over, and who should not be brought..."

At this point, Zhang Luan felt dizzy again. He suddenly realized that he was ill. Even if he wanted to do something, he was unable to do it. He said angrily, "Well, let's talk about it after I recover. I'd better stay in the theater... Oh, what bad luck..."

……

……

At the same time, after taking the medicine prescribed by Zhang Yanling, Zhu Youtang's condition improved rapidly. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be able to attend court tomorrow.

That afternoon, Huai'en went personally to inform people in the court, especially went to the Ministry of War and found the Minister of War Yu Zijun, and told him that the emperor did not want to hear about the issue of replacing Li Zisheng at the court meeting.

"…Your Majesty has great trust in this man."

When Huai En said this, there was a faint smile on his face.

"Lord Li has lived up to expectations and made great military achievements. As for the Tatar invasion, how to stop and defend it will be handed over to the officers at Piantou Pass to handle. No one in the court needs to say anything."

Yu Zijun said, "I am ill and will not be able to attend court tomorrow. I am afraid I will have to find someone else to take care of these instructions. Alas, I have failed your expectations, Eunuch Huai."

Yu Zijun said in an apologetic tone.

What's the matter? You guys can get sick, but I, an old man, can't get sick?

Sorry, we are all patients!
And as long as I return home, I will take care of him for three to five days. Even if I ask the imperial physician to come to check my health, he must say that I am sick.

Huai En asked: "Then... Mr. Yu has no objection to the defense of Piantou Pass?"

Yu Zijun smiled politely, "What can an old man like me say? Eunuch Huai, I agree with one point, that is, to leave the war to the people in charge... Is it unrealistic to plan a war thousands of miles away in Beijing? We still have to discuss the matter objectively."

"Oh."

Huai En nodded and said, "Then there is one thing that I have to mention."

Yu Zijun waved his hand: "Please speak."

Huai En said: "If Li Zisheng returns to the court and joins the Ministry of War as your deputy, I wonder what you will think then?"

"Cough cough!"

Yu Zijun coughed twice, then asked, "Has His Majesty expressed this intention?" Huai En said, "His Majesty has not mentioned it yet, but as long as he is willing, someone will bring it up... I believe you also know who recommended Li Zisheng to go to the northwest."

In a few words, Huai'en shifted the conflict to Zhang Luan.

Yu Zijun frowned and said, "I heard that Zhang Guozhang has been recuperating at home recently? Is he so sick that he doesn't even leave his house?"

"Yes."

Huai En said, "I heard that he is seriously ill, but the people from the Imperial Hospital have not visited him, so we don't know if it is true or not. Zhang Guozhang is good at Qi Huang's art, and he can be said to be a famous doctor who is rare in the world."

When Yu Zijun heard this, he was very puzzled.

I said Zhang Laizhan was sick, and you said he could heal himself?
Is this a reminder that I can't take it lightly?

But the thing is, there has never been any overt conflict between Zhang Laizhan and me. You can't treat Zhang Laizhan as a political enemy just because of your speculation, right?

"At the court meeting tomorrow, someone will definitely talk endlessly about the use of troops at Pianguan."

Huai En said, "Mr. Yu must be present, so that the court officials can explain their doubts in person. Your Majesty hopes to get the support of the Ministry of War at this time."

Yu Zijun said: "The Ministry of War has no objection to your majesty's arrangement. Didn't you say that this was a decision made after your majesty discussed it with the cabinet ministers and the Imperial Household Department?"

From what Yu Zijun said, I don't think the emperor is stubborn and self-willed. He made the decision after consulting with you, and it does not involve violating the rules of the court.

As for whether I, Yu, was involved, I don’t really care. Who told me to announce to the public that I was sick and needed to rest well?

Huai En smiled and said, "Mr. Yu has no objection to this, but some people may not. Just like the Ministry of War, everyone can't be of one mind, right?"

The words were not said very thoroughly.

But Yu Zijun was immediately enlightened.

This is to remind Yu Zijun that although you don't want to have a direct conflict with the emperor on the issue of deploying troops in the northwest, you can't stop some of your subordinates from having ulterior motives, especially the two assistant ministers...

Yu Zijun seemed to understand something and said, "No wonder Eunuch Huai came to the Ministry of War alone to greet His Majesty before he came to court. It turns out that it was because of this.

"Please rest assured, Eunuch Huai. The Ministry of War will not make trouble out of nothing. Even if they have objections, they have to wait until the Tatars withdraw their troops and everything is settled."

"Makes sense."

Huai En said approvingly, "It's as if from the beginning, no one thought things would develop to the point where they are today. Looking to the future, who knows what the outcome will be?

"On the contrary, the order in Yansui, Pianguan and Datong should not be thrown into chaos by the sudden intervention of one or two people. Mr. Yu is knowledgeable about military affairs and strategies. He should know the principle of steady progress and should not take shortcuts. There should not be people who are eager to advance without considering long-term interests. What do you think?"

Yu Zijun now completely understood Huai En's intention.

It seemed that he was asking Yu Zijun to speak for the emperor in the morning court the next day and strongly support Li Zisheng in performing his duties as the governor of Shanxi.

In essence, it was a reminder to Yu Zijun that the military affairs in the northwest still had to be controlled by the Ministry of War, and that he had to find calm, introverted and experienced old ministers to take on the post of governor, and not to employ opportunistic people like Li Zisheng.

"Eunuch Huai has far-reaching intentions."

Yu Zijun smiled when he heard that.

But in my heart I was thinking that your position was too dangerous.

Judging from your attitude, it seems that you are deliberately singing a different tune from the emperor under the banner of caring about the Ming Dynasty.

Although your opposition is not very obvious, once you have evil intentions, how can you be a good advisor to the emperor?

But thinking that you, Huai En, will not live long, your specific stance doesn’t seem to be that important anymore.

Huai En said: "We still have to go to other government offices... Using troops in the northwest involves the dispatch of money and grain, which is another hassle.

"The winter money and food we previously raised for the military garrisons in the northwest was only enough to ensure a smooth transition. Now that we have to fight a war, we can't get food and supplies to the areas west of Pianguan. I don't know how to fill that huge hole."

Yu Zijun stood up to see him off and asked, "Eunuch Huai, are you going to the Ministry of Revenue to ask?"

Huai En smiled and said, "This is what I thought. Instead of going to the Ministry of Revenue, it is better to go directly to ask Minister Zhang and pay a visit to his house. Who said that the court is short of money and food now, and the war can only rely on the people to raise funds?"

After hearing this, Yu Zijun immediately felt that Huai En was setting a trap for Zhang Luan.

It seems like he is deliberately trying to argue.

Since you, Zhang Luanli, want to fight such a battle, I have to let you know how expensive daily necessities are, and how difficult it is to be the head of a family.

Don’t you like to stand out?
The military expenses of Lizi Province and its surrounding areas of Piantou Pass will be borne by you. It depends on whether your previous method of raising money and food from the public is really effective.

(End of this chapter)