Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 826 Plan
After bidding farewell to Pang Qing, Zhang Yanling went to the palace to see Zhu Youcheng.

The brother-in-law and brother-in-law hadn't seen each other for several months and missed each other very much. They hadn't even gone to Kunning Palace to see their sister yet, but Zhu Youcheng was already planning to throw a welcome banquet for Zhang Yanling.

“Brother-in-law, I’d like to go see my little nephew first—no, I should call him the Crown Prince,” Zhang Yanling said.

Zhu Youcheng laughed: "Don't call him Crown Prince, it's too formal. Just call him by his name, Houzhao from now on... Speaking of which, you're the one who gave him that name."

Zhang Yanling quickly replied, "Ah... I was just speaking casually. How could I dare to name the Crown Prince so casually? What would happen if the court officials found out?"

"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter."

Zhu Youcheng waved his hand dismissively, "Let the court officials say what they want. If I have to comment on anything, I'll admit defeat... Why bother with them? Speaking of which, your sister always talks about you. Although she mostly complains, I can tell that she misses you very much."

"Then I'll go see her now."

Zhang Yanling stood up and wanted to leave.

Zhu Youcheng grabbed the hem of Zhang Yanling's clothes to stop him, saying, "Don't rush, let's talk about something else first... Recently, the Northwest has been quite unsettled. In addition to the internal turmoil in the grasslands and the fighting between various tribes, there are also people who want to get back at the defeat at the beginning of the year. They frequently harass our border areas, and the strategic passes of the Great Wall have been repeatedly beaconed."

"Didn't we say before that we would establish a trilateral system? This matter has been dragging on for a long time. I'm thinking, should we implement it quickly to reassure people?"

"That's it..."

Zhang Yanling pondered for a moment and said, "If conditions permit, we can indeed choose to fight a damn battle at the end of this year or the beginning of next year."

Zhu Youcheng's eyes lit up, and he asked, "What are the chances of victory?"

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "As long as our new firearms are put to use, and with a famous general like Wang Weining in charge, we should be able to win against the grassland tribes."

"it is good."

Zhu Youcheng slapped his thigh and said happily, "Then let's go see your sister now... Don't go back tonight, I'm going to have a long talk with you."

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded, but in his heart he thought, "As expected, a man like you with only one wife must have a very bland nightlife."

Seeing your brother-in-law, you actually think of having a long, heart-to-heart talk with me, a late-night chat? But the problem is, even if you want to talk, I'm not really interested in spending time with you.

……

……

Inside Kunning Palace.

Another family dinner was set up.

Half a month later, Empress Zhang was able to get out of bed and eat, but she still appeared unusually cautious and took great care to keep warm.

However, because the heating in Kunning Palace had been turned on early on, the room was very warm.

“The palace servants said it’s best not to go anywhere for the next two months, to avoid the wind, and not to damage your health,” Zhang Yu said. “I don’t know if what they said makes sense.”

Zhang Yanling shook his head and said, "I can't explain it either."

Zhang Yu glared at her younger brother and questioned, "Aren't you supposed to be the most knowledgeable in medicine? How could you not know the principles of postpartum care?"

Zhang Yanling thought to herself, "The postpartum period is really a mysterious thing. Some people say it works, while others scoff at it. There are many countries and ethnic groups in the world that don't even have the concept of postpartum confinement... For example, Americans in later generations often spend a short postpartum period in the hospital before they can drive to work as usual and even go swimming."

American doctors don't have the concept of postpartum confinement. After delivery, mothers are repeatedly advised to use ice packs to relieve pain and reduce swelling in the lower abdomen, and are encouraged to move around immediately after childbirth—usually, doctors will ask mothers to get out of bed and move around within two hours of the baby's birth to promote physical recovery and wound healing. Mothers who have vaginal deliveries can be discharged home after just two days and then do whatever they want.

Perhaps because ancient Chinese believed that childbirth was an extremely taxing and detrimental experience for women, wealthy families, especially those where women didn't have to work in the fields, would let new mothers rest for a period of time. Over time, this became a custom, and this is probably the origin of the postpartum period.

Postpartum illnesses and the like are basically within the scope of traditional Chinese medicine, which Western medicine does not recognize.

Although Zhang Yanling is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, she believes that many postpartum illnesses may be psychological, and different people may have different recuperation problems due to their different constitutions.

But if you really ask him to systematically explain this to his sister, he can't explain it clearly.

Zhang Yanling could only say, "Sister, can we stop worrying about these trivial matters? I've looked at your recipe, and there's nothing wrong with it. All we need to do next is follow the instructions of the imperial physician and the midwife... Some things exist for a reason. Whether they're useful or not, we can just follow them. At least it'll be a comfort to our hearts, right?"

"Alright, let's chat about something happy, you and your brother... I think my little nephew is very healthy, chubby, his hair has grown out in just a few days, his eyes are bright and sparkling, his voice is loud and clear, he has a very keen sense of smell, he will look over at the slightest sound, his hands and feet are strong and powerful, he is really... smart and cute!"

"Hmph, don't they even know who gave birth to them?"

Zhang Yu spoke of this with a proud expression.

This brings us to the fact that Zhu Youcheng and his wife were extremely compatible in terms of personality and physical condition. They did not have hemolytic disease due to blood type, and at least three of their children did not die before the age of one, nor did any of them suffer from neonatal diseases such as hemolytic jaundice.

You have to understand, in this era, this kind of disease is truly a matter of fate.

Although both children died young, it was mainly due to the backward medical standards of that era. Common illnesses such as colds, tetanus, and smallpox could be fatal, preventing the children from growing up.

But with Zhang Yanling around, at least the couple could receive a lot of guidance in the medical field... Zhang Yanling felt that perhaps he, a professional in traditional Chinese medicine, had come to ancient times to use some modern medical knowledge to help the Zhu family prosper and ensure that Zhu Youcheng's lineage could continue smoothly.

"Yanling, the Empress Dowager just sent someone to say that if you have time, you should go to Qingning Palace to see her... She really wants to see you," Zhu Youcheng changed the subject.

Zhang Yanling exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? We have to see the Empress Dowager again? I... I feel so much pressure!"

Zhu Youcheng smiled and said, "Don't feel pressured. Your grandmother is very kind and gentle, and she is very good to your father... Why don't you go and see her?"

Zhang Yanling thought to himself, why do those old bastards always have their eyes on the Zhang family?

As far as I know, Empress Dowager Zhou was known in history for being cunning and calculating. She always planned everything like an old fox. What purpose could she possibly have in meeting me?
Could it be that you're lusting after my youthful body?

She probably knows that I am now deeply trusted by the emperor and wants to use me to secure benefits for her family.
"Alright, let's eat in peace first, we'll talk about the rest later."

Zhang Yu also seemed to disapprove of his younger brother going to see Empress Dowager Zhou.

She is a woman without a mother-in-law.

Since Empress Dowager Ji had already passed away, Zhu Youcheng had no biological mother. Although he had a legal mother and a legal grandmother, their relationship with the emperor was not very close. The only pressure he could feel from his husband's maternal family came mainly from Empress Dowager Zhou. Perhaps it was a woman's innate hostility towards her husband's family that caused Zhang Yu to gradually become wary of Empress Dowager Zhou, no longer as humble and cautious as when she first entered the palace out of caution and fear.

Now that she has given birth to a child, who has been named the crown prince, and her husband dotes on and spoils her so much... It is said that the favor from her emperor husband is her greatest asset in standing up to her in-laws.

……

……

Zhang Yanling eventually went to Qingning Palace to see Empress Dowager Zhou after dinner.

It was just a casual chat.

Empress Dowager Zhou was intentionally or unintentionally steer the conversation toward the New Army. Her intention was very clear: to have Zhang Yanling cultivate more members of the Zhou family. It was as if the New Army was specially prepared to train relatives of the empress and sycophants, and anyone could be placed in it. It was also as if anyone who entered the army could gain military merit and become a pillar of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Yanling stayed with Empress Dowager Zhou for about half an hour before returning to Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youcheng had Li Rong bring over a lot of battle reports about the Northwest from the Directorate of Ceremonial. Most of them were reports from the past few months, but there were also secret reports from the local areas that had not been submitted to the capital but were discovered and recorded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and sent to the emperor. All of them were organized and sent to Zhang Yanling for review.

Zhu Youcheng already knew the contents of the document, but he simply waited quietly by the side without disturbing his brother-in-law as he flipped through the documents.

Li Rong couldn't wait any longer and took the initiative to start the conversation: "Your Majesty, the power struggle within the Tatars is now reaching a fever pitch. I've heard that several Tatar tribes in the east and west are fighting fiercely over whether or not to establish the position of Jinong, as well as the position of Grand Tutor."

"The position of the Tatar prince Batumongke is still relatively stable, but because of the defeat at the beginning of the year, he is temporarily in a situation where he is surrounded by enemies."

Zhu Youcheng said, "Batumonke is also young and impetuous. He originally wanted to catch us off guard in order to build up his reputation, but he didn't expect to run into bad luck."

“Yanling, do you think it’s necessary to recall Li Zisheng? This guy has some luck. In the previous battle, he actually hit Batu Mongke’s central army in one fell swoop. The Tatar prince was suspicious and had no choice but to come to the capital to pay tribute. If Li Zisheng were to take up his post in the Northwest, it would at least make some of the grassland tribes fear him.”

Zhang Yanling looked up and asked in confusion, "Isn't Minister Li still repairing the Yellow River in Southern Zhili? At the current pace, the Yellow River diversion project can be completed before the spring floods next year."

"Oh? Isn't the time a bit too rushed?"

Zhu Youcheng stared in astonishment, "The original three-year period was already reduced to two years, and now it's going to be shortened to one year. Isn't that... a bit inappropriate?"

Zhang Yanling said, "If it can't be fixed, brother-in-law, just go find Li Zisheng to cause trouble. Don't be polite to me and my father."

"Hehe." Zhu Youcheng shook his head and smiled bitterly. "That's not what I meant. I'm just worried that it will cause hardship for the people on both sides of the strait. Acting too hastily may not be a good thing."

Zhang Yanling shook his head and sighed: "But... Father said before that a major flood in the Yellow River basin next year may be unavoidable. If no changes are made, millions of people will be affected. The situation is much worse than the current large-scale mobilization to dig the river channel and build the river embankment."

"On the contrary, if the new river channel can be repaired and the Huai River flows into the sea, then the Yellow River can be diverted on the existing basis. At that time, even if there is a major flood, we will not be afraid. The two streams will flow eastward together, and the water level will drop by at least several meters. This will avert a major flood. Then the new river channel can be reinforced, and the old river channel can be discarded at any time."

"I see."

Zhu Youcheng said, "What Yanling means is that next spring, it may not be necessary to repair all the waterways. After all, next year's major flood will be caused by diverting floodwaters through both the old and new waterways. In this way, even if the dikes of the new waterways are not built too high, there will be no fear of flooding. Is that what you mean?"

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "Actually, brother-in-law, the Yellow River is quite different from other rivers. It silts up heavily, which means that the riverbanks didn't need to be built too high initially. But every few years, the dams will probably have to be raised, since the sediment will gradually raise the water level."

Zhu Youcheng asked in surprise, "So you mean the newly repaired Yellow River channel has a very strong flood discharge capacity, and all that's needed is to repair and raise the dikes every few years? Is that what you mean?"

"Correct."

Zhang Yanling nodded heavily, “That’s why the Yellow River’s course can be changed with only one or two million taels of silver… Otherwise, if it had been built at the same height as the old riverbed from the beginning, I don’t know how much silver it would have cost.”

Zhu Youcheng smiled brightly and said, "Hearing what you said, I feel much more at ease. If that's the case, the new channel of the Yellow River can really be repaired by next spring... In that case, the people of the Central Plains can truly have a peaceful year."

Li Rong, standing nearby, quickly flattered, "At that time, the people will all praise Your Majesty's wisdom, and the people will live in peace and prosperity, with the country at peace. Just thinking about it... for the next hundred or even several hundred years, the Yellow River will be stable, and the people of the Central Plains in future generations will be grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence, as if Your Majesty were a living Buddha to every household."

Zhu Youcheng glanced gratefully at Zhang Yanling, then raised his head and said, "I have only recently ascended the throne and have not yet accomplished anything. I do not need future generations to thank me..."

"I would be content if I could save the people of this world from a catastrophe akin to a living hell. Oh, by the way, Yanling, what kind of people will be needed for the expedition to the Northwest?"

Zhang Yanling thought for a moment and said, "We still need to arrange the position of the Three-Border Commander first. Now that Vice Minister Wang has made some achievements in the court and has gained recognition from both the court and the public, it should be smoother than directly arranging him for the position of the Three-Border Commander. Why don't you put this matter into practice soon, brother-in-law?"

"Huh? We're sending Wang Yue to the Northwest now?"

Zhu Youcheng asked with concern, "And what about you?"

"I... can reorganize the new army first before we talk about it."

Zhang Yanling patiently explained, "When I returned this time, I had already completed the debugging of the machine tools that could be mass-produced. In the future, the production of musket parts will be systematic and large-scale, and we can even mass-produce percussion caps and bullets. In the future, we will be able to manufacture more sophisticated muskets. In this way, the replacement of equipment for the entire new army will no longer be a problem!"

……

……

Two days later.

Wang Yue was officially appointed by the imperial court as the commander-in-chief of military affairs in the three border regions and immediately took office in the northwest.

His temporary post remains that of Vice Minister of War (Left) and concurrently Right Censor-in-Chief, a lateral move, one rank below the Minister. Therefore, if Wang Yue fails to achieve any merit this time, he will no longer be Vice Minister of War upon his return and can simply retire to his hometown.

If you are given a chance but fail to live up to it, what is the point of the court keeping you around?

Therefore, Wang Yue was very clear about his mission, which was to actively prepare for war in the Northwest. Since the imperial court did not send new troops to accompany him, he understood that it was only to prepare for war, not to start a war directly.

But whether he would lead his troops into the grasslands prematurely once the wild horse breaks free is another matter entirely.

At least Wang Yue wanted to make some moves in the Donghetao region, deterring the Tatars from encroaching on this area, and to establish defensive fortifications there to support the upcoming campaign to advance into the grasslands.

After returning to the capital, Zhang Yanling continued to instruct the training of the new army while also mass-producing firearms in his own military factory. He could manufacture more than 300 new standard muskets and two cannons in a single day.

At the same time, Zhang Yanling also opened military factories in Datong and Yansui.

It doesn't mean handing over the production line entirely to Wang Yue, but rather distributing production in a decentralized manner. After all, the areas around Datong and Yulin will also produce a large amount of coal, which, together with the iron ore produced in Lingqiu and Wutai in Shanxi and Yudongzi in Shaanxi, will better operate the military industry enterprises and take the military reserves in the Northwest to a new level.

(End of this chapter)