Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 715: Noble Aspirations
After Qin Chang met with Li Zisheng, he was filled with emotion.

So much so that when Zhu Yongjin came into the hall and saluted him, he was still in a daze.

"Father-in-law?"

Zhu Yong called out again respectfully.

Qin Chang came back to his senses and asked, "Duke Baoguo, let me ask you, what is the difference between Eunuch Huai during the Chenghua period and now?"

Zhu Yong was confused by the question. He thought for a while before asking cautiously, "What do you mean, father-in-law?"

Qin Chang said: "Eunuch Huai is recognized as the most capable person in the Imperial Household Department. Why was it that during the Chenghua Dynasty, when Liang Fang, Wan An and others were in power, the late emperor was willing to listen to his opinions and entrust him with important tasks, but now... it is no longer possible?"

"What you said..."

Zhu Yong felt a little embarrassed and thought to himself, what's wrong with you?

How could you ask such a stupid question?
And your question is very sensitive and not something that ordinary people can answer.

Tan Chang added: "We treat you as one of our own, so we ask you this question. Just tell us what you are saying!"

"Thank you for your appreciation, sir."

Zhu Yong understood immediately.

Qin Chang may have begun to reflect on the past.

After all, it has long been no secret that Huai'en is seriously ill and will not live long. He will retire soon, and in all likelihood, one of Tan Chang and Tan Ji will succeed Huai'en.

Tan Chang must learn from experience and lessons in order to have a chance to defeat Tan Ji, who comes from the Eastern Palace and has a closer relationship with the emperor.

And asking so directly now was a gesture of goodwill to Zhu Yong... After all, Li Zisheng was just a temporary official and had been sent to perform his duties elsewhere, while he had previously been transferred to be the general of Ningxia, and Qin Chang was the garrison eunuch, and now they were staying in Shanxi together and were still colleagues.

In the Ming Dynasty, the garrison eunuchs and the local generals basically belonged to the decision-making and executive levels. In name, the two were at the same level, but in fact, Tan Chang's status was far above Zhu Yong.

Qin Chang treated him as his confidant and began to raise some issues that could not be discussed in public.

Zhu Yong replied respectfully: "In my opinion, Eunuch Huai has not lost the emperor's favor."

Qin Chang frowned and asked, "Why do our ideas differ so much from yours?"

Zhu Yong added: "The emperor's favor has not been lost, but because there are ministers who are more capable of being used, when the emperor solicits opinions, he will choose to accept advice from all sides and make selections from them.

"I am not referring to Zhang Guozhang alone. I am also referring to Xu Gelao, Wang Shangshu, and others in the court. They are all capable ministers with farsightedness and foresight."

Qin Chang nodded slightly, as if he understood something, and sighed, "So, the reason why the late emperor relied so much on Eunuch Huai during the Chenghua period was more because the court was incompetent, forcing the late emperor to listen to Eunuch Huai's opinions. Is that what you mean?"

Zhu Yong said: "I just said it casually, please don't take it to heart."

Qin Chang sighed and shook his head: "Then... what does Lord Baoguo think of Li Zhongcheng's ability?"

"he?"

This question stumped Zhu Yong for a moment.

If the two of them were in the capital, and Qin Chang asked him this question when he visited him at his home, he could still make a reluctant comment.

But right now...

Although Li Zisheng had been transferred elsewhere, he had always been his direct superior for some time. In the Ming Dynasty, it was taboo for subordinates to rashly evaluate the gains and losses of their superiors.

Of course, Qin Chang's evaluation of Huai'en's gains and losses was also an offense.

But Qin Chang still did this, which shows that he is full of hostility towards Huai En...

After all, Qin Chang used to be Huai En's boss, and later Huai En took over Qin Chang's head. On the surface, the two got along harmoniously, but in fact they were secretly competing with each other. They had competed countless times, but it was a pity that Qin Chang lost.

But he, Zhu Yong, has no qualifications to compete with Li Zisheng, or it can be said that the two are not on the same track at all, so it is not easy for him, Zhu Yong, to casually comment on someone whom he cannot surpass.

Tan Chang said, "Sir, what are you avoiding?"

Zhu Yong sighed, "You are really embarrassing me, eunuch... In my opinion, Li Zhongcheng is very good at socializing with people, and he manages the court very well. He may not have much ability, but he is a smart man."

"well said."

Qin Chang nodded and asked, "So what do you think of Zhang Guozhang?"

"I am not qualified to comment."

Zhu Yong said bluntly.

Qin Chang was a little surprised: "You can give fair comments on Eunuch Huai and Li Zhongcheng, but you are speechless when it comes to Zhang Guozhang?
"Or do you think that you may have to rely on Zhang Guozhang in the future, and don't want to discuss it secretly, so as to avoid bad reputation from spreading and giving people excuses to talk about it?"

Zhu Yong explained with a wry smile: "Don't misunderstand, sir. I am just not qualified to give an evaluation. Although Zhang Guozhang appears to be extremely capable, he gives the impression that he is... not interested in court affairs. He rarely interacts with people in the court. I heard that recently, he was ill and has not been to the court since the New Year."

Tan Chang said: "Duke Baoguo is in the northwest, so he is well-informed."

"I only heard it from others and have no way to verify it. But from this point of view, I dare not make any rash judgments about Zhang Guozhang's character, as a humble person like me."

Zhu Yong said, "After all, a summer insect cannot talk about ice."

Qin Chang frowned and said, "Hearing what the Duke of Baoguo said, that Zhang Guozhang is really an otherworldly expert... Could it be that serving in the court has humiliated him? Should we find a Taoist temple or a monastery to worship him directly and wait for him to become an immortal or a Buddha?"

Zhu Yong heard the dissatisfaction in Qin Chang's words and dared not to say anything.

Then he realized that it might be because he had given too high an evaluation of Zhang Luan that made Qin Chang angry.

But Zhu Yong was thinking: You, Eunuch Qin, have now ended up running to the northwest to deliver quilts, military uniforms and cloth. If it weren't for the assistance of that father-in-law Zhang and the support of Li Zisheng, which allowed you to gain military merit, your political career might have come to an end.

He still has a chance to return to the court, and even a chance to compete with Qin Ji for the position of the chief of the Imperial Household Department. How dare he complain to Zhang Guozhang?
Or maybe you feel that Zhang Guozhang doesn't treat you as his own, and you're resentful and think that people with different ideologies cannot work together?
Zhu Yong said, "Eunuch Tan, then...are we still holding a farewell banquet today?"

At the moment, Zhu Yong no longer wanted to discuss with Qin Chang the right and wrong of the powerful officials in the court, because in Zhu Yong's opinion, it would never be his turn as a meritorious official to discuss.

The Ming Dynasty's meritorious officials were more of executors of specific military policies, and no emperor would regard them as his absolute confidants.

Qin Chang waved his hand and said, "Li Zhongcheng said that he would leave for Juyongguan tomorrow morning. We should cut down on the red tape in the officialdom if possible, and we should not use this as an excuse to welcome and send him off. In other words, what Li Zhongcheng is pursuing now is no longer just the trivial matters at hand, but he has higher political ambitions."

After listening to this, Zhu Yong instantly understood what Qin Chang was feeling.

Even a corrupt and evil minister like Li Zisheng has begun to pursue noble goals. Eunuch Qin has also begun to reflect on his past and is ready to face life again?
Zhu Yong said, "Eunuch, after Li Zhongcheng arrives at Juyongguan, is it possible that he will be transferred back to the capital for a new post?"

Qin Chang looked at Zhu Yong and asked, "Do you want him to go back, or do you want him to continue to serve in the Northwest?"

"I hope he can be transferred to supervise the river works." Zhu Yong said.

Qin Chang said: "You are quite direct. I thought you would avoid answering. Yes, he went to repair the river and promote the diversion of the river to avoid the risk of dam collapse. This can both calm people's hearts and not humiliate him. It is the best choice. Why must he squeeze his way to the northwest? He is very ambitious."

……

……

Beijing.

Zhang Luan's condition relapsed. Just when he was getting better, he was bedridden again.

But this time he didn't seem to be too worried, and just kept urging his son to increase the dosage of his medicine.

"The effect was very good in the first few days, why have I been groggy again in the past two days? I need to rest for at least six or seven hours a day. It seems that as soon as I open my eyes, I fall asleep again."

Zhang Luan said in a daze.

Zhang Yanling explained: "It may be a reaction to the medication."

Zhang Luan said with a bitter face: "My son, what kind of medicine are you using? Is it a knockout drug?"

Zhang Yanling rebuked him angrily, "Dad, you can't blame me for not getting well. Who told you to come here to rest? I told you to come here to rest in order to recover from your illness, not to have fun among the flowers every day. Tell me, did you forget the pain after your wounds healed in the past few days and fool around with women again?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan felt a little embarrassed.

If the father and son were face to face, he would definitely not discuss this issue with his son.

But he now knew very well that he should not treat the boy in front of him as a junior who was ignorant of the world, but should treat him as the attending physician.

If he keeps his illness secret and avoids seeing a doctor, he will be very close to death.

"I didn't indulge myself too much, it's just..."

Zhang Luan wanted to defend himself, but he swallowed the words back. Zhang Yanling hung up the IV for him, sat aside, and said, "The Tatar envoy has passed Daomaguan Pass and will arrive in the capital in two days. I will go to greet him with Eunuch Tan."

"Okay."

Zhang Luan closed his eyes, as if he was enjoying the process of the drip, with an intoxicated expression on his face.

Zhang Yanling frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Luan said: "It's nothing, I just feel that this thing is slowly blending into my blood, and I feel very solid."

Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes at him and said, "No matter how good the medicine is, if you use it too much, you will develop drug resistance. It works best the first time, but the effect will gradually decrease in the future."

"Then change the medicine."

Zhang Luan said disapprovingly.

"Do you really think I'm a god? When you are seriously ill, even if the Golden Immortal comes, he will be powerless." Zhang Yanling said, "Dad, you really don't care. Which is more important, your life or enjoying yourself?"

Zhang Luan said: "I just didn't expect that my father would suffer a relapse after just a few indulgences. This is too effective!"

Zhang Yanling said, "Well, I'll have someone clean up the original house. It's where you once kept your mistress. Now... it's been empty. You can live there, and I'll have Chang Shun find a few people to serve you and take care of your daily life."

"What?"

Zhang Luan suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes full of grievance.

"no solution anymore."

Zhang Yanling said helplessly, "I thought you would be able to calm down and take care of yourself for the sake of your life, but you didn't control yourself at all, causing your illness to relapse repeatedly. If you continue to act recklessly like this, it is very likely that nothing can be done about it."

Zhang Luan asked, "Didn't you say you were fine?"

Zhang Yanling said: "General colds will develop into pneumonia after a while. If pneumonia is not cured for a long time, after ten days or half a month, it will form... Forget it, after all, you are already at risk now."

"what?"

Zhang Luan looked terrified.

Zhang Yanling thought, it turns out that we have to rely on intimidation.

Just saying some nonsense to comfort...

You old man just won't repent!
……

……

The Tatar envoys will soon arrive in the capital.

In the Qianqing Palace, Huai En was making his last effort to try to dissuade the emperor from launching the military exercise plan.

At this time, Huai En's official retirement date was very close.

Even the Silijian had made preparations for the absence of Huai En. Many affairs were taken over by Li Rong, Xiao Jing, Dai Yi and others. In recent days, Huai En only appeared in the daily meetings of the Silijian as a consultant.

"… Your Majesty, if we show our true military appearance to the Tatars, they will surely be alert and on guard. Moreover, the Tatars are not well educated and cannot submit to the Ming Dynasty with peace of mind. They will surely try every means to steal our military secrets. Such military exercises will put Your Majesty in danger…"

Wynn opposed the military exercise for two main reasons.

One is that if they expose their military strength to the enemy too early, it will be easy for the enemy to obtain intelligence and use it to respond.

This means that the possibility of a sudden attack is lost, and the Confucian officials of the Ming Dynasty value moderation and conservatism. They must "follow the procedures" and cannot engage in any military intimidation.

Furthermore, Huai En opposed the emperor leaving the palace. After all, no one could control what happened outside the palace.

It would be best for the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to stay inside the palace gates, as if something would happen if he left the palace. He should treat the palace as a cage throughout his life; as long as he doesn't go out, the danger outside won't be able to find him.

Zhu Youtang did not insist too much and continued to reason with Huai En, "But... Huai Daban, wouldn't it be better if we could show our strength as soon as possible and let the Tatars retreat? I told you before, and you didn't insist on opposing it..."

According to Zhu Youtang's opinion, we cannot go back on our word.

Although you said it was inappropriate to do so before, you didn't try to stop it as hard as you did today.

Now that everything is ready, you object. Do you want to embarrass me, the emperor?

Zhu Youtang looked at Tan Ji who was standing beside him and asked, "My dear, how are the preparations for the military exercise going?"

Tan Ji said, "Your Majesty, led by Duke Ying, 3,000 troops have been sent to conduct concentrated training at the parade ground outside the city. Proper arrangements have been made for artillery and muskets. Jinyiwei has also been dispatched to assist."

Zhu Youtang said: "Doing this will cost a lot of money, right?"

"That... won't happen."

Tan Ji explained, "This is just daily training for the Beijing Camp. According to the opinion of the little uncle, we don't need to deliberately show off the military might, but just show some daily training on the parade ground. As for the new firearms, they are all manufactured in existing workshops... Most of them are completed in Wanggongchang and other places, and the craftsmen used are all affiliated with the Ministry of Works..."

Perhaps Zhang Yanling had already anticipated that when the time came, there would be people who would oppose it, and the closer it got to happening, the louder the opposition would be.

Therefore, Zhang Yanling did not need the court to pay for military expenses, and he personally arranged the military exercises.

But all this is based on close cooperation with the military.

Fortunately, Duke Baoguo Zhu Yong has made some achievements in the northwest, and another major leader of the Beijing camp, Duke Yingguo Zhang Mao, is now afraid that Zhu Yong will snatch away his title of the top meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty. Knowing that he has the opportunity to demonstrate the troops in front of the emperor and gain the support of Zhang Luan, the top official of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Mao, under the leadership of Qin Ji, can be said to have tried his best to cooperate.

Of course, in the final analysis, it was nothing more than pulling out a portion of the soldiers from the Beijing Camp who were on conscription to do some formality work… Even if there was no military parade, these people would be pulled to build Taoist temples, palaces, attics, and the like. Anyway, the Beijing Camp of the Ming Dynasty did not keep idle people.

These soldiers in the Beijing camp, especially those without power or influence, have no daily training all year round, and the occasional military training is just a formality.

Most of the time they were assigned by the court to do masonry or lifting work... Even the craftsmen who made firearms were mostly from the Beijing barracks, and they were not even artisan households, but ordinary military households.

The world is not conducive to the survival of military households, so these military households have to master a skill in order to survive in these so-called peaceful years.

Zhu Youtang looked at Huai En again and asked, "Does Huai Daban think that this incident... is just nonsense?"

Huai En said: "I always think that we should be cautious. Anything that does not develop according to the routine must have its hidden dangers."

The implication is that we should be conservative.

We cannot do something eccentric, like suddenly performing a military parade in front of foreigners or flexing our muscles. That is completely unnecessary.

Huai En added: "Even if this military exercise did not cost much money, in the eyes of the people, the court is spending money for no reason and failing to take into account people's livelihood, which will cause a lot of criticism from the world. The court officials have already complained about this, and before the military exercise begins, the voices of opposition will definitely be higher."

Even though I didn't object much before and only jumped out now, you still think I'm overreacting.

When you see that group of civil officials coming to you one after another to oppose you, and each one speaks more harshly than the other, and they try to persuade you with righteousness, making you feel like a tyrant... then you will feel how gentle my persuasion is now.

Zhu Youtang thought for a moment, and suddenly said, "Huai Daban, the military exercise is now entirely in your hands."

Huai En was startled.

Then he understood the emperor's little thoughts.

You, Huai'en, are a staunch opponent. Since you think this is not feasible, then let you do it.

You personally supervise what is feasible and what is not feasible, and you are the one who identifies what really cannot be done. Doesn't this achieve the purpose of supervision and improvement?
Zhu Youtang said, "Yanling is still young, and there are many rules that he doesn't understand. In fact, this matter should be handed over to the Duke of Ying. My dear, I originally wanted my husband to do this, but even he said that he doesn't have the energy to do it, so why not let you do it?"

"But slave..."

Wynn obviously didn't want to get involved.

It was a military exercise, and it was made to look like an actual combat operation.

I just want to object to it and let Your Majesty know how unreliable this matter is.

No one wants to deal with this kind of thing.

Look, even Tan Ji, who usually claims to be a good guy, is making excuses, saying that he is not capable enough? Am I, a terminally ill person, more energetic than you?

Zhu Youtang said with emotion: "Huai Daban, consider this as my last request for your help... I know you are seriously ill, and after this incident, you can rest in peace. But you cannot leave the capital for the time being. If there is anything, I will still come to ask for your advice."

People can leave the court, but cannot leave Beijing.

In this way, if something big happens and someone is needed to stabilize the situation, you will still be used.

Huai En was very angry, thinking that the little emperor seemed docile but stubborn. However, he could only hold back his anger and said, "Your Majesty, if you find that the military exercise cannot be carried out, can you stop it?"

Zhu Youtang looked indifferent: "Huai Daiban, you can do whatever you want. If you really want to stop, then stop. Anyway... it doesn't matter whether it's there or not, right?"

(End of this chapter)