"See Your Majesty." Zhang Fan entered the imperial study and saluted to Longqing.

"The Qing family's injuries haven't healed yet, hurry up." Long Qing hurriedly said.

"Your Majesty Xie cares." Zhang Fan said. stood up, and there were not only Long Qing and Feng Bao in today's imperial study, but the three ministers in the cabinet who knew him were there, and there was also a Zhang Fan who had seen it in his own mourning hall, but he didn't know it, and he was older than he always looked at Zhang Juzheng, and his appearance was very strange, that is, he was a high arch.

Sure enough, Gao Gong saw Zhang Fan looking at himself, and said with a smile: "The old man is Gao Gong, I am commensurate with your teacher Master Zhang as brothers, so I will sell you an old man and call you a good nephew." ”

No matter what contradictions Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng have, now that people are smiling at each other, Zhang Fan can't refute his face, and said very respectfully: "Junior Zhang Fan, I have seen Lord Shoufu." ”

A few people saw the ceremony, and Long Qing spoke: "Zhang Qingjia, how is the injury on the body?" ”

"Thanks to Your Majesty Hongfu, Weichen's injuries are almost better." Zhang Fan said, "Weichen suffered all skin injuries, and he didn't hurt his muscles and bones, so he would be fine for a few more days." ”

"That's good, if it's convenient for you, I'll go and see Jun'er later." Long Qing said, "Jun'er is very sad to hear the news of your death. Yesterday, I saw you come back alive, but I sent someone into the palace to see you. ”

"Wechen is ashamed, let His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince worry." Zhang Fan said that he was not contrived, but he was really moved.

Gao Gong saw this scene on the side, and couldn't help but secretly remember it in his heart, after all, the relationship between Zhang Fan and Zhu Yijun is so good, but it is necessary to pay attention.

"That's all for gossip." Long Qing began to get into the topic and said, "There are some things to ask about calling you into the palace today. ”

"Please also ask Your Majesty to inquire. The minister must know everything, and he will say everything. Zhang Fan said that he had actually guessed what Longqing and the cabinet ministers were going to ask him.

"This time I sent an envoy to Tatar, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites were able to return safely, and I heard that it was all due to the fact that you moved me to lead a large army to escort it." Long Qing said, "Then I was very disappointed to hear the news of your death, and I didn't elaborate. Now that you're back, I guess I'll be able to get the news. Tell me, what promises did you make to me? ”

"On that day, Your Majesty made a secret decree to let Weichen discuss with me whether there is a way to make peace for a long time." Zhang Fan said that at the moment, the conversation and promise with me were said without concealment.

After listening to Zhang Fan's words, everyone fell silent. After a while, Gao Gong spoke: "You mean, those nobles in the Tartars are dissatisfied with me to lead them? ”

"It's not so much dissatisfaction as dissatisfaction." Zhang Fan said, "After all, I started by relying on my own power, so why don't other people want to taste the taste of being 'sweat'!" ”

Li Chunfang also said on the side: "I waited until the past to know that the Tartars were not in harmony, but I didn't expect that the infighting between them would be so fierce. Speaking of this, Li Chunfang also looked at the high arch intentionally or unintentionally.

Long Qing understood what he meant, Gao Gong was now vigorously attacking his political enemies in the court, but he had already made plans in his heart, and continued to ask: "Since this is the case, there is nothing wrong with it. However, why did Zhang Qing's family go back to find me instead of looking for those who were against my answer? ”

"Wechen also did this after careful consideration." Zhang Fan explained, "First, the situation at that time was very dangerous and urgent, and I was also in a difficult situation, so it was easier to find him to join forces. Second, those Tartar nobles were indeed more powerful than Alta after uniting, but neither of them was convinced of anyone, and it was difficult to negotiate with them without a leader. Thirdly, and most importantly, the reason why those Tartar nobles disobey me is because I don't want to fight with our Celestial Empire, and those nobles covet the land of our Celestial Empire all the time. ”

"Weichen thinks Zhang Fan is right." Zhang Juzheng said, "At that time, the situation was indeed dangerous, but Zhang Fan was also very smart and knew how to unite the weak. ”

These people are familiar with Zhang Juzheng and know that he will not excuse Zhang Fan just because he is his disciple. Moreover, Zhang Fan's actions were indeed beneficial to the imperial court.

Long Qing was thinking about this, and Gao Gong said on the side: "Your Majesty, in fact, this is a good plan. ”

"Oh? Gao Aiqing and I will talk about it in detail. Long Qing said.

"If our court secretly supports Alta in subjugating those Tartar nobles, then I will thank my court, so that the disturbance on the frontier can be quickly quelled. Weichen estimated that there would be at least thirty years of peace. Gao Gong said.

"This is indeed very likely, but if this is just a trick of Alda, once we help him to quell the civil strife, and he gains the power of the Tartars, and comes to attack our dynasty again, will we not be in trouble for ourselves?" Long Qing was still a little worried.

"Your Majesty, this will not happen." Zhang Fan said, "Lord Shoufu also said just now, I am only secretly helping me to quell the chaos, but not to help me sweep away the power of those nobles. If we break the contract, we can immediately release the news that I want to ask for help, and then those unwilling Tartar nobles will definitely not be listening to my command, and a greater disaster within the Tartars will immediately set off. ”

After listening to Zhang Fan's explanation, everyone suddenly became enlightened, not that they couldn't think of it, but that they didn't know so much about Tatar.

"In that case, the matter is settled." Long Qing said, "But are we going to send someone to inform me of it?" ”

"Your Majesty, this matter doesn't have to be so troublesome." Gao Gong said, "Wechen heard that Jinyiwei and the secret agents of Dongchang are already on the Tartar side, we just need to let them walk the news that Zhang Fan is still alive to the territory of Tartar, I believe that I will send someone to come when I hear it." ”

Everyone thought that it was indeed the case. After the matter was decided, everyone had to discuss the identity of Zhang Fan. thought that Zhang Fan was dead, but those titles were added to Zhang Fan without any scruples, and now that Zhang Fan is still alive, he has to change it.

"Your Majesty, Weichen thinks......" Guo Pu, who had not spoken, spoke, "Lord Zhang has made a great contribution this time, he not only rescued the envoys of the imperial court, but also avoided a major war between our dynasty and the Tartars, and if the agreement with me is completed, it can ensure the stability of northern Xinjiang for decades." Except for one of these titles, which is now held by Lord Zhang Juzheng, these titles cannot be assigned to the two, but the other Lord Zhang is well-deserved. ”

Long Qing listened to his words, but frowned: "Then what should I do, I gave Zhang Aiqing the title of loyal and brave uncle, and added the title of prince and prince, although it is a first-class position, but there is no practice, can Zhang Aiqing retire to the government at such a young age and retire to the old age?" ”

Speaking of this, everyone present laughed, but Zhang Fan was a little embarrassed.

"According to the minister's opinion, Master Zhang has been a fellow of the Jinyi Guard, although it has not been for a long time, it is inconvenient to go to the court again." Gao Gong said.

Other people understand his words, Jinyi Wei supervises hundreds of officials, and Zhang Fan has a good relationship with Feng Bao, who is now in charge of Dongchang, if Zhang Fan is allowed to go to the court with those courtiers, it will definitely be strange.

"What does Aiqing mean?" Long Qing asked.

"Actually, this matter has something to do with Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo." Gao Gong said, "Guogong talked to Weichen a few days ago, and Guogong said that although his body is still quite tough, he has passed the well-known year, and he is approaching the sixtieth birthday, and he is a little powerless to lead the Jinyi Guard. ”

Gao Gong didn't say any more, but everyone present understood what he meant. But everyone couldn't help but speculate that Zhu Xizhong was not bad, but he didn't have any contradiction with Gao Gong, could it really be that Zhu Xizhong himself mentioned this matter?

Long Qing's words solved everyone's doubts: "This matter Cheng Guogong also told me, I thought it was just his joke at the time, but now I think it is true." ”

Zhang Fan didn't speak, he kept thinking about something else in his heart. I remember when I first met Zhu Xizhong, I felt that he was just a middle-aged man who was not confused, but he didn't expect that he was already in his fifties. The ancients had a saying: "People are rare in seventy years." Although Zhu Xizhong, who is close to the age of sixtieth, has a very good impression of the powerful profession of Jinyi Wei Dudu, he gradually feels that the years are unforgiving and wants to retire.

"That's a good idea." Long Qing thought for a while and said, "Chengguo Gong, he is indeed old. Although Zhang Aiqing is young, she is also loyal to me, and she is careful. Tomorrow, I will call Cheng Guogong to ask him what he means. ”

Zhang Fan really didn't expect that he would become the leader of the Ming Dynasty spies, or the famous or notorious Jinyi Governor. The matter was settled, and everyone withdrew. Longqing left Zhang Fan behind, and even Feng Bao was driven out.

There were only two people in the imperial study, and Long Qing said to Zhang Fan: "Aiqing, you are loyal to the court and me, and I am indeed very relieved to hand over the Jinyi Guard to you." ”

Zhang Fan hurriedly expressed his loyalty: "Thank Your Majesty for your love, and the ministers will be loyal to the emperor and the court, rather than living up to the expectations of the saints." ”

Long Qing smiled and waved his hand, and said, "Not only do I want you to be loyal to me and the imperial court, but you have to promise me that you will assist Jun'er well in the future." ”

Zhang Fan paused, did not say anything like "The emperor is blessed with Qitian, long live", but knelt in front of Longqing and said respectfully: "Weichen obeys the order." ”

Long Qing was very satisfied with his performance, and after letting Zhang Fan get up, he mysteriously beckoned him to his side, and whispered: "What I asked you to do this time, Aiqing did a good job, and actually got a thousand catties of Cistanche." "It turned out that it was yesterday, the caravan to Tatar came back, including those things that Zhang Fan collected for Longqing, Longqing saw that there were more than 1,000 catties, and couldn't help but be very satisfied.

Zhang Fan listened to his words, and felt a little helpless in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face, but said: "Your Majesty's orders, Weichen should do his best." ”

"You've done a good job." Long Qing said with great satisfaction, "I guess Aiqing also knows what the medicinal herbs I want you to find are for." You've done a good job of this, and I can't reward you with anything on the surface. ”

"Your Majesty doesn't have to be like this, it is the duty of a courtier to solve problems for Your Majesty." Zhang Fan hurriedly said.

"The more Aiqing says this, the more I want to reward you. Well......" After thinking about it, Long Qing said, "You added the crown prince and the prince at such a young age, but it is difficult to appreciate." In this case, you will stay at home these days with the intention of recuperating from your wounds, and when it is March, I will give you the post of envoy and go to the land south of the Yangtze River to check the taxes there for me. Since the opening of the sea ban, the taxes in the south of the Yangtze River are abundant, but there are more and more people who are corrupt and pervert the law. The officials you confiscated for embezzlement will hand over 30% of the tax and silver to the treasury, and 30% will go to my inner treasury, and the remaining 40% will be kept. ”

Now Zhang Fan was a little shocked, he had heard of Longqing's extravagance, but he didn't know that it had reached this level! Now that the Ming Dynasty has opened the sea ban, overseas silver is pouring in like a tide, and it is normal for officials in the south of the Yangtze River to be corrupt. Even if Zhang Fan doesn't know how big the amount is, he can guess an approximate amount of tax silver! Aren't you afraid of piling up your house with silver nuggets!

With palpitations, Zhang Fan hurriedly said: "Thank you for Your Majesty's reward, but this is a little inappropriate!" ”

"What's wrong!" Long Qing said with an angry face, "This world belongs to me, and I can give my things to whomever I want, not to mention that these are greedy silver." Does Aiqing want to resist the decree? ”

"Wechen doesn't dare." Zhang Fan immediately knelt down and said.

"Hmm." Long Qing nodded with satisfaction and said: "That's good, if you do things for me but there is no reward, who will work for me in the future!" What's more, in this way, I don't have to worry about Aiqing being confused by the small favors of those who bribed people! ”

Zhang Fan smiled bitterly in his heart, but he could only receive the order and thanks: "Weichen obeys the order." ”