Jiajing Chengming

Chapter 327: Your Majesty’s good governance will bring blessings to the country and the people!
Huo Tao also nodded: "Of course I understand! The fact that the emperor has the heart to govern the country is a blessing for the people. How can we, as ministers, really force the emperor to sacrifice himself for the country?"

"That's right!"

At this time, Zhang Cong stood up, put his hands behind his back, and said to Huo Tao in the sunlight shining through the window:

"It can be said that Japan has a large silver mine, but after all, it was reported by the Jinyiwei spies stationed overseas, so it can't be taken seriously!"

"I'm afraid that the Jinyiwei will deliberately exaggerate or even make false reports in order to please the emperor, and then take the opportunity to drag the court into the civil strife of the foreign barbarians, wasting the court's money and grain."

Huo Tao nodded, then stood up and walked to Zhang Cong:
"You are right. Most of the Jinyiwei are crude warriors with little sense of shame. It is inevitable that people will be suspicious."

"So, when you go, you must conduct your inspection based on facts. You can't follow the emperor's close ministers! If you don't find a large silver mine, you must report the truth even if you know that this will displease the emperor!"

"If your majesty vents his anger on the Censor, or if any of your close ministers vent their anger on the Censor and slander the Censor, I will speak up for the Censor."

Zhang Cong turned around and looked at Huo Tao and gave him instructions.

Huo Tao cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Grand Marshal! I will conduct a thorough inspection. If there is something, then there is something. If there is nothing, then there is nothing! I will never joke with the country. Even if I am envied by the Imperial Guards, or even if I am blamed by His Majesty and die and my family is ruined, I will not hesitate!"

After hearing this, Zhang Cong also bowed to Huo Tao and said, "I didn't expect that the magistrate is such an upright person. You deserve my respect."

Huo Tao quickly supported Zhang Cong's arms and said, "Please don't do this! You and I are just fellow travelers who want to help the country."

Zhang Cong then sat back down and asked Huo Tao to sit next to him. After seeing his servant bring in new tea, he asked him to have some tea, and then said with a smile:
"Since Wei Xian said that we are of the same mind, I will also say a few words."

"Please speak frankly, Grand Master."

Huo Tao replied with a smile.

Zhang Cong suddenly asked solemnly: "I think Weixian must understand that no matter whether a large silver mine is discovered this time, no one wants the court to go to Japan for official trade activities, or even really interfere with the politics of other countries, forcing them to actively cooperate with the court to eliminate the possible large-scale Japanese invasion."

Huo Tao nodded solemnly after hearing this: "Of course I understand! My fellow countryman Mr. Liang has already explained it to me in his letter."

Huo Tao was from Nanhai, Guangdong, and was a fellow townsman of Liang Chu. During the Great Ceremony, he rebelled against his teacher Mao Cheng and stood on the side of the Great Ceremony because of Liang Chu's advice.

And he was willing to go to Donglai because Liang Chu strongly urged him.

It can be said that he had long been Liang Chu's man in the court, and would naturally follow Liang Chu's wishes.

Zhang Cong heard this and said, "Since Lord Liang has already told you, I won't say much. I just hope Weixian will be careful next time. Taking away someone's food will inevitably lead to life-threatening concerns!"

"Thank you for your reminder, I will be careful."

Huo Tao replied.

By then.

Zhu Houcong also summoned Zhang Tong, a Jinyiwei officer who was about to go to Japan, to the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Houcong looked at Zhang Tong, who was wearing a brocade flying fish suit, and said:

"Last time, when Liu Yinghuai murdered Doctor Zhou, you followed my instructions and dealt with those clean officials in the outer court who wanted to control me and make me a puppet, and you performed a great deed!"

"But because of this, they completely hate you!"

"In this way, no matter what you do next, they will keep an eye on you and hinder you. Therefore, it will be difficult for you to achieve success in the country. We have no choice but to let you go abroad to achieve success!"

"You have to understand that I am not exiling you."

When Zhu Houcong said this, he turned around and looked at Zhang Tong.

Zhang Tong kowtowed and said, "I understand, but I am afraid that I will not see the emperor again for a year or so after I leave."

When Zhang Tong said this, his eyes turned red.

Before he came of age, he was a captain beside Zhu Houcong, so naturally he had a deep personal relationship with Zhu Houcong.

Zhu Houcong was also a little reluctant after hearing this, so he just pretended to be calm and said:

"It's only been a year or so since we last met. Don't be like a woman. Just do good things outside. It's better than seeing each other every day!"

"Besides, if you do more things that benefit the country and the people, I can give those civil officials a slap in the face, so that they won't complain every day that I take too good care of you, the former guards of the Prince Xing's Palace, that I am partial to personal interests, and that I incite the military officers to complain about my partiality."

"But if I don't rely on you, who else can I rely on?"

Zhu Houcong asked another question, and Zhang Tong felt a lump in his throat.

"It is precisely because we can only rely on you that even if we have to go on a tour to the East, you have to go. If you let others go, I'm afraid they will only get news that the East is barren, has no mines or land, and is not strong enough to rule!"

After Zhu Houcong said this, Zhang Tong also replied again: "I understand! Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will be your eyes and ears. If anyone talks nonsense, I will expose it truthfully!"

Zhu Houcong nodded and smiled, "That's good. Next time, be careful and beware of someone who doesn't want you to go to Japan."

"I understand!"

Zhang Tong was very moved after hearing this.

He knew that the emperor cared about him, otherwise he would not have asked him to be careful.

Let’s talk.

Ever since the murder of Imperial Physician Zhou was solved, Zhang Tong has been living in seclusion. He did not even attend court meetings. Instead, he took sick leave and has been teaching people at home, while also reading and practicing martial arts.

Because he knew that his behavior would definitely make many clean-minded bureaucrats hate him.

So, he simply hid himself.

Only now, because Zhang Tong had been staying at home for a long time and felt bored and no longer worried about retaliation from the outside court, he submitted a new report, saying that he had recovered and asked the emperor to give him another job.

Zhu Houcong then let him take charge of the matter.

After meeting the emperor, Zhang Tong selected some men from the Jinyiwei and went to Japan with him.

Five days later, he met Huo Tao outside Chaoyang Gate.

Huo Tao still bowed when he saw him.

As a civil servant of the ritual-advocating faction, Huo Tao did not advocate controlling imperial power or manipulating the emperor. Therefore, he was not disgusted by Zhang Tong's behavior. However, like most civil servants, he naturally believed that the personal ethics of the Jinyiwei were inferior to those of himself, and he had contempt for the Jinyiwei. However, this was not directed at Zhang Tong alone.

Therefore, Huo Tao naturally maintained basic courtesy towards Zhang Tong on the surface.

"The magistrate is from Lingnan and has been to Donglai. He is very familiar with the maritime affairs. When we go to the East Ocean, please give us your guidance."

Zhang Tong was also quite polite to Huo Tao, so he also bowed and started talking.

"Zhang Tong!"

But just as Zhang Tong finished speaking, he heard someone calling him.

Zhang Tong turned around and looked.

Suddenly.

Zhang Tong saw three men with dark faces and cold hearts appear on the deck of an official ship on the Tonghui River opposite, holding lit muskets and pointing them at him.

Boom!

Soon.

A burst of gunfire rang out.

Zhang Tong was hit by a bullet on the spot, and a bloody hole appeared on his chest.

Afterwards, Zhang Tong fell to the ground.

"Tishuai!"

Huo Tao also looked towards the official ship opposite in astonishment, only to see thick smoke rising from the ship, as if it was on fire.

"Damn it! There really is someone who wants to harm me!"

Just at this moment, a strong man walked out of another official ship that was transporting iron materials southward, jumped directly onto the shore, and walked towards Huo Tao.

"Zhang Tishuai?"

Huo Tao was shocked when he saw Zhang Tong appearing before him again. Then he looked at Zhang Tong on the ground again and asked, "Why are there two of you?"

(End of this chapter)