The rumors in Beijing about Zhang Yuan's envoy to North Korea were spread by Yao Zongwen, Han Jun and others at the instigation of domestic servants in the restaurant tea shop, and now they have been corrected under the vigorous clarification of Zhen Zidan and other Jinyiwei, for the Beijing Shishu, what they heard before was only hearsay after all, and now it is the envoy Jinyiwei himself who said it, which is naturally more credible, and Jinyiwei is more expert in creating public opinion, and Yao Zongwen and others obviously do not attach as much importance to public opinion in the market as Zhang Yuan.

On the afternoon of July 29th, the Hanshe Book Company engraved Zhang Yuan's signature Zhang Yuan's "Difficult to Walk - Ding Si Joseon Chronicles" has been sold in the major bookstores in the capital, Hanlin Academy bachelor Guo Shu wrote a preface to this book, before the rumors in Beijing are tantamount to advertising for this book, many Beijing officials have ordered servants to buy this book, Zhang Yuan personally sent the book to the door Wu Daonan, Zhang Wenda, Qian Longxi, Cheng Jiming, Xu Guangqi, Zuo Guangdou, Qi Shijiao, Wang Dazhi, Qi Chengjiao, Yang Lian and other more than ten people——

Zhang Yuan is not afraid of others ridiculing him to ask for the drill camp, when this world, there must be a plan to follow the power, and those who can make friends will never be clear and refuse, three days ago, he ordered Wuling, Sheba, Ma Kuoqi to carry him and the letters and gifts of the Korean envoy Yu Yan to Shangqiu, Henan to meet Yang Hao, according to the current situation, Nurhachi is very likely to invade Liaodong in advance, Liaodong is prepared for waste, it is impossible to save Fushun and Qinghe, what can be done is to avoid a complete rout in the battle of Salhu, Yang Hao will be the commander of the battle of Salhu, Although the situation has undergone some subtle changes due to him Zhang Yuan, as long as the Ming court decides to use troops against Houjin, Yang Hao, who is familiar with Liao affairs, will definitely be promoted, because Yang Hao and Fang Congzhe were both protégés of Zhao Zhigao, the first assistant of the cabinet 20 years ago, and commanded the War to Resist Japanese Aggression and Aid Korea 20 years ago. Of course, he is the best candidate for the manager. The rest of the people like Xiong Tingbi, Li Rubai and others do not have that qualification yet. So Zhang Yuan must exert his influence on Yang Hao, and now Yang Hao is still idle in the countryside of Shangqiu, it is a great opportunity for Zhang Yuan to show himself to Yang Hao, Zhang Yuan wrote a letter to Yang Hao, in which the prediction of the situation in Liaodong will soon be verified, which will give Yang Hao a deep impression on the mountain yet-

Sheba and Ma Kuoqi accompanied Wuling to Shangqiu and then returned to Sichuan Shizhu, and Zhang Yuan received a small survey card for the two of them in order to return to their hometown smoothly. At the same time, there was also a letter to Qin Liangyu, asking Qin Liangyu to pay attention to the movements of Yongning Xuanfu Si Hao Chongming, if the imperial court recruited Shizhu and Yongning native soldiers to go north to Liaodong to help in the war, then it would be even more necessary to beware of luxury Chongming, this time is not far away, maybe next year.

Although Zhang Yuan bears the weight of the family and the country, but also has to be leisurely and graceful when he is free, who said that the troubled times can not enjoy entertainment, busy and leisurely, on July 26, Zhang Yuan and his eldest brother Zhang Dai and his daughter swam ten seas. Autumn in Beijing is the best season of the year, neither hot nor cold. The sky is clear, gourd jujubes, crispy white pears, as well as grapes and chestnuts are ripe, the water of Shisha Sea is exceptionally clear and clean, sit on the cruise ship and listen to the song and eat pears, no less than the West Lake in July and a half.

Mu Jingyan and his daughter Mu Zhenzhen, as well as the little nephew Zhang Mingqian got together for a few days, on the 27th of the day received the military department survey card, and Hong Ji, Hong Xin returned to Yulin to return to Juniper, Zhang Yuan of course also prepared a gift for Juniper and wrote a letter for Mu Jingyan to take, Wang Zongyue resigned Zhang Yuan to return to Shanxi Taigu hometown, early next year Wang Zongyue will come to Beijing again, he has promised to follow Zhang Yuan around, these years Wang Zongyue went south and north to get acquainted with the three religions and nine streams, but in the eyes of the official gentry with status and status, Wang Zongyue is a martial artist in the rivers and lakes, It is inevitable that there is a sense of contempt, but here in Zhang Yuan, Wang Zongyue felt respect, and Zhang Yuan really treated him as a teacher.

Shen Yu recommended Wen Tiren as the speaker of the East Palace Day and Han Jun's impeachment of Zhang Yuan's recital was not approved after being sent to the celebrant supervisor, and Zhang Yuan's ten-day vacation has passed, starting from the first day of August to the Zhan Shifu to sit in the court, Zhang Yuan is now the right Chunfang of the Zhan Shifu and the right Zanshan, although the praise of the Zhan Shifu is the same as the revision of the Hanlin Academy, but from the Hanlin Academy to the Zhan Shifu is an accumulation of qualifications, and it is the only way for young officials to be promoted. How many people have to survive for six or seven years or even more than ten years in the Hanlin Academy, but Zhang Yuan only took one and a half years, and this is the advantage of being an envoy to North Korea-

When Qian Longxi saw Zhang Yuan, he greeted him a few words, and said: "Ciqing Palace has passed down the decree in the morning, the crown prince is going to summon you in the Wenhua Palace, and the internal officials of the East Palace are still waiting, Zhang Zanshan hurry up." ”

Zhan Shifu is not far from the Wenhua Palace, Zhang Yuan followed the eunuch Han Benyong of the East Palace to the Wenhua Palace, the door of the palace has been opened, there are several internal officials in the palace, see Zhang Yuan, hurry to report the news, not long after, the crown prince Zhu Changluo arrived, the emperor's grandson Zhu Youxiao also came, not seen for half a year, Zhu You's principal was a little taller, his face was not as pale as before, and he nodded and smiled at Zhang Yuan behind his father Zhu Changluo.

Zhu Changluo asked Zhang Yuan about the envoy to North Korea, Zhang Yuan chose to say it, Zhu Changluo hesitated for a moment, and said: "This palace heard that some foreign ministers are quite critical of the affairs of the Korean state anyway, thinking that it is the following offense, the crown is reversed, and even a great rebellion, Zhang Zanshan is suitable to envoy to the other country, why not stop such rebellious behavior and add fuel to the fire?" ”

The atmosphere in the Wenhua Hall suddenly became tense, although the tone of the crown prince Zhu Changluo's question was not very severe, but the question was very sharp, the impeachment of Zhang Yuan by the imperial historian Han Jun in the recital was basically these, attacking Zhang Yuan shook the foundation of Confucian etiquette and morality, Zhang Yuan must give an explanation that satisfies the crown prince in person, otherwise the position of the official of the East Palace is afraid that it will be difficult to protect.

Of course, Zhang Yuan was prepared, bowed down and said: "Your Royal Highness, when Gwanghaejun was the second son of the Joseon throne, it was not in line with the national etiquette, and the ministers of my Ming Rites Department also had a lot of criticisms about this, and refused to be canonized on the grounds of 'inheriting the righteousness of the unification, the eldest and youngest, and it is not appropriate to be arrogant', but later considering that Gwanghaejun's position in Korea has been stable, and the Jianzhou Jurchen is becoming stronger and stronger, the slave chief Nurha is unruly, and in order to consolidate the northeast frontier, he was canonized, but Gwanghaejun was in a coma after ascending the throne, and he abandoned his mother, slaughtered his brother and killed his brother, The people's resentment was boiling, and because I had a grudge against the Ming Dynasty for refusing to canonize him as the king, I actually colluded with the slave chieftain, and the slave chief sent his subordinate think tank Nalambakshi to conspire against Gwanghae against my Daming, and the ministers, with the help of the loyal and righteous people of the Korean state, saw their conspiracy and captured Nalan Bakshi. After returning to China, he was handed over to Jinyiwei for interrogation. Commander Luo will definitely report the truth to the palace. As for saying that Ayayangjun set things right, it was because of the instructions of Concubine Renmu of North Korea, and the minister was just at the right time, but he was slandered like this, and the minister couldn't help but sigh——"

Speaking of this, Zhang Yuan's tone was generous and a little pathetic, and continued: "Thinking about the Han class, it surpassed the envoy Shanshan, and at that time, Shanshan had a Xiongnu envoy. Ban Chao led 36 people into the city to kill the Xiongnu envoys, forcing the king of Shanshan to express his willingness to belong to the Han Dynasty, and the rest of the Western Regions countries had disloyal Han people, Ban Chao or destroyed his country, or supported the new monarch, which greatly dealt a blow to the Xiongnu's power in the Western Regions. If Ban Chao is unfortunate enough to be born today, will he be condemned for great rebellion and rebellion as soon as he returns to China? ”

After Zhang Yuan finished explaining, the Wenhua Hall was silent, and Wang An, the eunuch of the head of the East Palace, who was standing behind the crown prince, nodded secretly. Zhang Yuan is really talented, and this explanation is perfect. Zhang Yuan said that Guanghaijun was not right, and he immediately hit the heart of the crown prince, although King Fu has been in Luoyang, but the threat still exists, the fall of Guanghaijun and Zhu Changluo's final victory in the battle for the national capital are not secretly coincided, based on this alone, the crown prince Zhu Changluo has to support Zhang Yuan, not to mention that Zhang Yuan's self-defense with Ban Chao as an example is quite powerful-

Thinking of this, Wang An and Zhong Benhua glanced at each other, both of them smiled slightly, Zhang Yuan really has the qualifications of an auxiliary minister, and what an auxiliary minister must have is the ability to deal with the emperor, no matter how flowery the article is written on weekdays, it is better to cut into the emperor's heart in person.

Sure enough, the crown prince Zhu Changluo said with a pleasant face: "Zhang Zanshan don't want to be troubled by those gossips, this palace has understood your loyalty and patriotism." ”

Zhang Yuan knelt down and said: "Your Highness, the diary of Weichen's envoy to North Korea has been engraved and printed, and the minister has taken advantage of this envoy to inspect and record the military and political frontiers of Liaodong, Jianzhou, and North Korea, and dare to present it to His Highness." ”

Zhu Changluo said: "Very good, present it." ”

Zhang Yuan immediately presented a volume of "Difficult to Walk - Ding Si's Chronicles of North Korea" with the fragrance of ink from his arms, and Wang An came to take it.

Zhu Changluo said to Wang An: "Spread the message to the Zhan Mansion and the Hanlin Academy, and re-open the pavilion tomorrow." He also said: "Wang Companion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, the gifts for all gentlemen should be sent early, and Zhang Zanshan's gifts should be richer, which can be regarded as making up for the Dragon Boat Festival." ”

Wang An responded: "Yes, the slave and maid will do it immediately." ”

Zhu Changluo thought about the fact that it was difficult to reward Zhang Yuan's merits and loyalty for the two rituals, but he was not able to promote Zhang Yuan, so he said: "Mr. Zhang has good knowledge and moral character, and the palace is very respectful. ”

Lecturing to Zhu Changluo is equivalent to Zhu Changluo's teacher, which shows that once Zhu Changluo ascends the throne, Zhang Yuan will be reused, with Zhang Yuan's qualifications, this is a great honor, Zhong Benhua is secretly happy for Zhang Yuan, but Zhang Yuan politely refused: "Your Highness, the minister is only twenty years old this year, neither knowledge nor prestige is enough to take on this important task, the emperor's eldest grandson is young and intelligent, and the minister can teach the emperor's eldest grandson how many can be competent." ”

Zhu Changluo heard Zhang Yuan say this, and it was right to think about it, he was nearly twenty years older than Zhang Yuan, and it was indeed a little inappropriate for Zhang Yuan to be his lecturer, although Han Yue had the saying that "there is no noble or cheap, no long and no less, the Tao exists, and the teacher exists", but the officials obviously will not understand Zhang Yuan with "The Teacher Says", and will only criticize Zhang Yuan for being arrogant and arrogant, which will cause trouble for Zhang Yuan -

Zhu Changluo looked at the young and heroic Zhang Yuan, and said in his heart: "Zhang Yuan is a pillar of the pillar, so leave it to my son and school." Motioning to Zhu Youxiao to come over, he took his son's hand and said, "Wu'er should listen to Mr. Zhang's teachings, humbly ask for advice, and don't be naughty." ”

Zhu Youxiao said happily: "Yes, I respect Mr. Zhang very much, Mr. Zhang lectures very well, and his character is better. ”

Zhu Youxiao has been worried that Zhang Yuan will be prevented from continuing to be his teacher by traitors in the past few days, so he naturally wants to praise Zhang Yuan.

……

At the beginning of the year, when Zhang Yuan asked to send an envoy to North Korea, Yao Zongwen and others secretly rejoiced, they all thought that the envoy was a chore, and wished that Zhang Yuan would leave the capital to go to North Korea, and now he woke up to Zhang Yuan's benefit, it seems that Zhang Yuan did not intend to contend with them in the Wanli Dynasty, but pinned his hopes on the crown prince Zhu Changluo, Zhan Shifu is the affairs of the East Palace, once the East Palace is enthroned, Zhang Yuan will naturally soar, in this regard, Yao Zongwen, Zhou Yongchun, Han Jun and other leaders of the three parties are extremely jealous, Emperor Wanli is fifty-five years old this year, This is considered a high life expectancy among the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, who generally do not have a long lifespan, but presumably there are not a few years to live, Zhang Yuan is only twenty years old this year, and Yao, Zhou and others are forty or fifty years old. After the new monarch ascended the throne, he was afraid that he would not be able to fight Zhang Yuan. Now Zhang Yuan is equivalent to the hope of the Donglin people in the court. Therefore, Zhang Yuan must be expelled from the capital in these two years and firmly control the government, so that even after the new monarch ascends the throne, he will not be able to shake the power of the three parties, but Han Jun's impeachment of Zhang Yuan has not been approved, and Zhang Yuan has entered the Zhan Mansion in a grand manner-

After the dismissal on the evening of the first day of August, Yao Zongwen and Han Jun had a secret conversation in the same car, and Yao Zongwen said: "Brother Jingyu's report has not been approved yet, Zhang Yuan will still enter the palace tomorrow to speak." It really doesn't make sense. ”

Han Jun said: "The saint was annoyed by the Jingcha in the past few months, and now the official impeachment is not in the middle of the stay, because Ding Si Jingcha has ended, so it is not easy to expel Zhang Yuan from the capital this year, Zhang Yuan is extremely cunning, it has only been ten days since he returned to Beijing, and the diary of the envoy has been published and engraved into a book. ”

Yao Zongwen sneered: "If you have to find out his flaws, who is impatient to read his diary, I bought that book yesterday evening." Haven't had time to peruse it. ”

Han Jun said: "Knowing that the other and knowing the confidant are invincible in a hundred battles, I read it overnight." Zhang Yuan's self-defense is very powerful, and it can be called impeccable. His voice turned low and asked, "What happened to that Ruan Dacheng, if Ruan Dacheng can point out that Zhang Yuan's diary is not true, it will be a heavy blow to Zhang Yuan." ”

Yao Zongwen said: "Ruan Dacheng is a bold gentleman, he is the backbone of the Han Society, and Zhang Yuan has always had a friendship, if he suddenly defects, he can't wipe his own face, and he is afraid of being ridiculed as a rude, righteous and shameful, but a few days ago he visited me, and his words had the intention of alienating the Han Society, but he couldn't do it for a while, this person could only fan the flames, and asked him to be the vanguard against Zhang Yuan, he didn't dare. ”

Han Jun said: "The slave chieftains of Jianzhou have been repeatedly frustrated by Zhang Yuan, and there will be an invasion of Liaodong, and at that time, we will wait for the impeachment of Zhang Yuan to cause the border trouble in Liaodong, which will make Zhang Yuan difficult to refute. ”

Yao Zongwen said: "Zhang Yuan has repeatedly told people about the threat of the slave chieftains of Jianzhou, but don't really be convinced by his words, Liaodong will become a big disaster for my Ming Dynasty." ”

Han Jun said: "How can Jiannu threaten the safety of the Ming Dynasty, it is nothing more than robbing some cattle and sheep population in the border area, the population of Jianzhou is only 100,000, and the population of my Ming Dynasty is 10,000, how can Jianzhou compete with my Daming, the disease of sores and ringworm, what is there to worry about, Zhang Yuan is eager to say that the threat of Jiannu is alarmist, and he wants to relieve the plight of the Donglin people in the court." ”

……

In the middle of last month, Nurhachi received an urgent report from his eldest son Daishan on the south bank of the Huerha River, and learned that there was a coup d'état in Korea, and the envoy Nalan Baksh sent by him was captured, and the remnants were killed. Huerhan died at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain in the east of Lianshan City, and Nurhachi was furious and had sores on his mouth and tongue, and led his troops to rush back to Hetuara in the starry night-

On the main hall of the council, Dai Shan, Amin, Mang Gurtai, Huang Taiji Zhubeile, and ministers led civil and military officials to stand in four rows and eight corners, Nuerhachi's face was gloomy, and his voice was hoarse: "Minister Zhubeile, from today onwards, I can no longer live in such a peaceful life, I have decided that my Dajin will go to war against the Ming Dynasty!" ”

Nurhachi made this decision not because of the revenge impulse caused by the capture of Nalan Baksh and the death of Hul Khan, he had premeditated, and now the Jurchen tribes of the East China Sea in the rear of Jianzhou have been leveled, and the Mongolian Korqin tribe in the west is related to him, although Lin Dan Khan of the Chahar tribe, the largest tribe in Mongolia, still looks down on him Nurhachi, but Lin Dan Khan's influence in the Mongolian tribes has been greatly affected since he believed in the Red Religion, and Lin Dan Khan is also against the Ming Dynasty, so there is nothing to fear-

Although the Zhubeile and the ministers knew Nurhachi's ambitions, but at this time, when they heard Nurhachi solemnly announce that they were going to fight with the Ming Dynasty, everyone was shocked, and the Eight Banners Army was invincible and invincible between the white mountains and black waters, but there was no large-scale head-on battle with the Ming Dynasty army, and Li Chengliang's brutal suppression of the Jurchen tribes was still a nightmare for the Jurchens-

Nurhachi glanced at the expressions of the courtiers, knowing everyone's concerns, so he said to Huang Taiji: "Let Sibeile tell you about the reality of the Southern Dynasty and the border of Liaodong. ”

The eight-character eyebrows and red-faced Huang Taiji who had appeared in Beijing City took a step forward, and talked about what he had seen and heard in Liaodong and Beijing City in the past year, focusing on the corruption of Ming Dynasty officials and military discipline, and cited the situation of the Eight Banners pretending to be horse thieves and fighting with the Liaodong defenders for several years, and the Liaodong Ming soldiers were simply vulnerable, as for the previous defeat of Huer Khan on Phoenix Mountain, it was because the Ming envoy Zhang Yuan had 120 elite Jinyi guards, and 300 musketeers in Lianshan Pass, and Huer Khan's department was less than 30 horsemen, hastily encountered ten times the enemy, and killed and wounded nearly 100 Jinyi guards and musketeers of the Southern Dynasty......

Huang Taiji exaggerated the strength of Zhang Yuan's envoy in order to boost the confidence of the ministers of Zhu Beile to start a war with the Ming Dynasty.

—————————————————— (To be continued.) )