Rustle rustle...... Suddenly there was the sound of rain outside the window. Zhang Wen put down the book in his hand and pushed open the window to look at the rain curtain. In the past few years, there has been a severe drought in Jingshi, and the rain is obviously less than when Zhang Wen was a child, and when it rains, he can't help but want to take a look. Somehow, he suddenly remembered a couplet, and chanted softly: "The sound of the wind and rain, the sound of reading, the sound of reading is in my ears, and everything in the family and the country is concerned......

At this time, the maid who was waiting for the reading behind her said: "This couplet is really nice and easy to understand. ”

Zhang Wen turned around and shook his head and said, "This couplet is not easy to understand, don't remember it and read it outside." ”

The maid looked at Zhang in confusion and asked, "Why?" ”

Why? Because this couplet was written by Gu Xiancheng, the leader of the Donglin Party, and now that the Donglin Party has been clearly defined as a chaotic party by the imperial court, I am afraid that there will be trouble if I read the couplet written by its founder.

The Ming Empire has deep roots, and its decline and fall occurred slowly over the course of several decades. When Gu Xiancheng and others founded Donglin Academy, they probably didn't want to turn it into a tool for party struggle, nor did they expect that the party would fight for power and profit later. They are purely sober people, who saw the decline of the empire and wanted to save it, but it backfired, and the development of history did not necessarily follow the will of the people.

In the sound of the rain, Zhang Wen lowered his head and pondered, now that he is also involved in a henchman of the academy called Su Hanghe, what will happen in the future? What joke will history play again?

He was confused, confused and lonely, a kind of spiritual loneliness, as if he was the only one walking on those thorny roads.

At this moment, there was a sudden rush of footsteps in the quiet courtyard, and after a while, Xuan Yue appeared at the door, her head and clothes had been soaked by the rain, it seemed that there was something urgent, so she didn't even bother with an umbrella. Zhang asked hurriedly, "What's wrong?" ”

Xuan Yue arched her hand and said: "The eunuch Wang Gonggong asked to see him, and Cao An has already welcomed him to the living room to entertain him, and asked his subordinates to notify the owner immediately." ”

"Wang Tiqian!" Zhang Wen was indeed taken aback, this guy didn't shy away at all, why did he come to my house in person? Zhang asked hurriedly, "Is it a decree?" ”

Xuan Yue thought for a moment and said, "The prince is wearing regular clothes. ”

Zhang Wen immediately turned back to the maid and said, "Take out my gray cloth robe." ”

He changed his clothes and hurried out of the door, only to hear the maid shouting from behind, "Wait, sir, bring the umbrella." Zhang Wen turned around and took the oil-paper umbrella.

Xuan Yue said: "The subordinates make umbrellas for the owner. ”

Zhang Wen glanced at the rain on Xuanyue's body and said, "Come closer, fight together." ”

They walked out of the inner courtyard, and Zhang Wen walked straight along the eaves to the living room. I saw Wang Tiqian sitting on a chair on the side drinking tea, while Cao An was standing. Wang Tiqian has a long figure and a delicate face, so at a glance, he is really a little elegant.

As soon as Zhang Wen entered the house, his originally unsmiling face immediately bloomed with a warm and sincere smile, and this expression alone was a kind of skill, just a sincere smile, which immediately made the guests feel the hospitality and warmth of the host.

"Oh, Maharaja, why did you come in person. Xiaguan was supposed to greet the prince at the gate, but it was raining today, and Cao An, the housekeeper of Xiaguan, was afraid that you would always stand outside and get cold, so he had to welcome you to the hall to drink a cup of hot tea first. As soon as the lower officials heard that the prince was coming, they hurried over, you see, the clothes haven't been changed yet, wearing home cloth clothes, rude, rude. ”

Wang Tiqian heard such heart-warming words, although he knew that it was a kind word, but in his heart he couldn't help but be very warm and useful, and his mood suddenly improved a little, and he actually stood up from the chair, gave Zhang Wen an arch, and said with a smile: "Lord Zhang is too polite, we are also acquaintances, casually, casually." ”

Zhang Wen stepped forward to support Wang Tiqian and said, "Prince, please sit down...... Hey, this tea is still steaming, our Cao An is still quite good at doing things, and the prince is warm. ”

Wang Tiqian sat down half-pushed and half-sat on the spot, put down the teacup, and said with a smile in his eyes: "The old man took the liberty of visiting Master Zhang today to ask Zhang Wen about the beauty of the twist and turn the day before yesterday. ”

"This ......" Zhang Wen's mind was running rapidly, and the information from the Xuanyi Guardian showed that this Wang Tiqian and Wei Zhongxian had become estranged, and Wei Zhongxian also had hostility towards himself, and the so-called common enemy could be friends, and this Wang Tiqian was now on the same path as himself.

However, Zhang Wen kept in mind the two words that his father taught him: prudence and independence. Do not be careless in anything, especially those who are officials! This matter is not as simple as friends and enemies, Zhang Wen also thought of the emperor, the emperor wants to overthrow Wei, because Wei Zhongxian's internal and external collusion is too large, so if he colludes with Wang Tiqian inside and outside, will there be any adverse effects?

The time was too short, and Zhang Wen didn't bother to think about it carefully, so he had to start with some insignificant nonsense: "The skyrocketing price of rice in Jingshi was originally just a rumor in the market. However, Xia Guan analyzed the situation and believed that there was indeed a great possibility that Jianyu would make a detour to Mongolia and plunder the Beijing Division. There are two advantages to this Jianyu: one is that Liaodong is vast and sparsely populated, and Jianyu can plunder people and animals to increase strength; The second is that you can occupy a strong advantage in momentum, so that my Ming is in a passive situation. I wonder what the prince thinks? ”

Wang Tiqian nodded and said, "The old man and Master Zhang see the same thing. ”

"After the battle of Salhu, I lost the Ming Dynasty continuously. Hundreds of thousands of elites, with great losses in troops. The western Liaoning corridor, Shanhaiguan, and Jiliao must be heavily defended to prevent the construction of captives from advancing step by step; Under the lack of troops, the border wall in the north of the Jingshi bordering Mongolia stretched for thousands of miles, which could not be effectively resisted. In this case, if you want to block the enemy outside the pass, it is not enough to rely on passive defense alone, you must take the initiative to attack, on the Liaodong Peninsula, with the Zhoushi Island as a base, operating in the vast area of southern Liaoning, and directly threatening the rear of Jianyu, so that it can be restrained. ”

Wang Tiqian nodded thoughtfully, and suddenly his expression froze: "Lord Zhang's subtlety is limited to this, and there are no other tricks?" ”

Zhang Wen met Wang Tiqian's gaze, and saw him looking at him with a bright look, his eyes were full of expectation. Obviously, it is impossible for Zhang Wen to hide this move from Wang Tiqian's eyes!

In fact, Zhang Wen's chess is a clear chess, that is, Yangmou, it is not that people can't know, as soon as this move comes out, many people can see it, and whether they can take the move is another matter. Compared with conspiracy, the fierceness lies here, how others want to go, tell you clearly, but he can't catch it without any strength, he can only watch. If you can't parry, that kind of despair and shame is really slowly torturing the soul of the opponent.

And Wang Tiqian naturally understood it, his eyes were full of expectation, looking forward to saying it from Zhang Wen's mouth.

Zhang Wen hesitated for a moment, anyway, there is no one else here, it is better to say it with heart-to-heart...... The benefits of cooperating with Wang Tiqian are too great! Wei Zhongxian is a tough opponent after all, his toughness lies in the strength of the force, if Zhang Wen does not go all out, he is likely to die a miserable death.

Zhang Wen is not only a cautious person, but also a decisive person, if only cautious is indecisive. After a short period of weighing, Zhang Wen said quietly: "Of course it's more than that. If it is only military affairs, I have now handed over the military power of the governor of Zhejiang, and this kind of matter has nothing to do with me. ”

Wang Tiqian's facial expression suddenly relaxed, his eyes flashed, Zhang Wen knew that he was very excited, but Wang Tiqian was also a person with a city government, except for his eyes, he couldn't see any other excited exposure, he said lightly: "Please Lord Zhang continue." ”

Zhang Wen pinched his throat and coughed lightly, in fact, he and Wang Tiqian were not very familiar, and because of Wang Tiqian's important position in the inner court, Zhang Wen was indeed a little nervous and careful.

"Gonggong Wei is now the eunuch with the highest position in the inner court; As we all know, Gu Ge, the first assistant of the cabinet, is always a person of Father-in-law Wei, and Master Cui, the secretary of the Ministry of War, is also a person of Father-in-law Wei. Now that the lower officials have put forward a warning and written to explain the solution, if they don't do it, and the officials and people of the capital will suffer misery, then ......"

In fact, Zhang Wen didn't say two things, one is that he was inspired by Xiong Tingbi, and at this time, he agreed with Xiong Tingbi's opinion, which is equivalent to forming an alliance with Xiong Tingbi; Second, when recommending candidates, they can also win over a senior general, Liu Ling, and his local forces. This move is indeed a bird with one stone! Zhang Wen concealed two points because there was no need to tell Wang Tiqian about these two points.

"Pap ......" Wang Tiqian slapped unhurriedly.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! It's a great move. Another point, even if they really want to implement your suggestion, it will be difficult and almost impossible to complete, this trick seems to have eaten Wei Zhongxian to death! Master Zhang, the old man thought that you would only fight, but it turns out that you are more prosperous in terms of government strategy! ”

Zhang asked, in fact, I am just a politician.

Real soldiers will not participate in political dumping, they have faith, loyalty, with the most sincere love for the country and the nation, throwing their heads and spilling blood, bloody battlefield, with the horse leather shroud died on the battlefield for the country to be proud of loyalty! But Zhang Wen is not such a person, but Zhang Wen knows that there are many such people in Daming, but there are such open-minded and capable generals, and I don't know how many are left.

Wang Tiqian calmly praised Zhang Wen, and suddenly his words changed, and Ling Ran said, "But has Lord Zhang thought about how the opponent will deal with it?" ”

Zhang Wen frowned and pondered.

Wang Tiqian said: "Wei Zhongxian definitely can't think of any way, but there are other people around him, Gu Bingyi is not a good stubble!" Master Zhang said, what tricks will Gu Bingyao use? ”

Zhang Wen couldn't help but stand up, paced a few steps repeatedly, and suddenly sighed, widened his eyes and said, "They will push me to the top!" Throw the hot potato into my hands! ”

Because Zhang Wen was so engrossed in thinking just now, he even forgot about the subordinate and directly called himself me.

Wang Tiqian nodded coldly: "Gu Bingyi will definitely think of this method, it is hard to say whether Wei Zhongxian will agree, but if they do this, how will Lord Zhang deal with it?" ”

A fine sweat broke out on Zhang Wen's forehead, if he really did this, such as directly borrowing the merits of Fujian to promote himself to the secretary of the military department, and he would be fully responsible for this matter, then ...... If you make a slight mistake, when the nobles of Jingshi Xun are full of anger and hatred, it is really a pleasure to pinch yourself to death!

People's hearts, Zhang Wen thinks it is a very mysterious thing, sometimes it has to be believed, sometimes it is ridiculous!

Wang Tiqian sighed and said: "Today, the old man visited in person, and the biggest purpose is here, remind Master Zhang that you have to think of a good move." It's a big move, and it's not a small risk. ”

At this time, Zhang Wen sincerely bowed his hand and said: "Thank you to the prince, the kindness of the prince's words this time, the lower official should keep it in mind." ”

Wang Tiqian shook his hand, stood up and said, "The old man should go." ”

Zhang Wen hurriedly handed the oil-paper umbrella he had used just now to Wang Tiqian, and said: "There are a few steps before getting into the car, there is no road without tiles, and now the rain is heavier, so don't get drenched with it." ”

Wang Tiqian nodded thoughtfully with a smile on his face, and lowered his head with a thoughtful look, as if he was thinking about whether Zhang asked if there was a pun in the sentence just now.

In fact, Zhang Wen was just talking about rain.

Zhang Wen personally sent Wang Tiqian out, and then suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly said: "The prince, please stay." ”

Wang Tiqian turned his head to look at Zhang and asked, "Does Lord Zhang have anything else to say?" ”

Zhang Wen pinched the words and whispered cautiously: "If the prince is free, he can take care of the queen's mother, how can the lower officials have a relationship with the queen's mother." ”

Wang Tiqian was stunned, and immediately understood what Zhang Wen meant, laughed, and arched his hand: "This time, the old man has to thank Master Zhang." ”

Zhang Wen smiled and continued to send Wang Tiqian out.

Don't look at the fact that there are many Wei Zhongxian people in the palace now, the queen is young and has little power, but there is one thing that cannot be changed: the queen is the wife of the current emperor and a relative; And Wei Zhongxian is just a minion. Zhu Youxiao has an advantage, he is very good to his relatives, his wife, his younger brother, no one should think about moving them when Zhu Youxiao is the emperor.

Wang Tiqian got into the carriage, left Zhang Wen's mansion, and went to Shamao Hutong, where Wang Tiqian's house was located. The great eunuchs basically have their own houses outside the palace, and when they accompany them in the palace to finish their work, they can return to their own place and rest their body and mind...... You can also enjoy it with peace of mind. Wang Tiqian is clean and self-conscious in the palace, he has no palace maids to eat, but there is a woman he likes at home. This woman's name is Yu Qinxin, she was originally a luthier in the Qinglou, and she has a hand in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.

She loves Wang Tiqian very much, although Wang Tiqian is a eunuch, but she is completely overwhelmed by Wang Tiqian's extremely elegant demeanor and talent.

She said that the men acted on the spot, no matter how much silver they were willing to spend or how sweet they were willing to say, but they were just for a night of joy, but they looked down on her in their hearts, and even if there were dignitaries and nobles who were willing to spend money to ransom her as a concubine, they only took a fancy to her complexion and spent money for long-term fun. When one day she gets old, they will think she is dirty, she is from a bad background, and she is ......

And Wang Tiqian doesn't need to inherit the lineage, but he is willing to spend a lot of money to redeem her, she thinks that Wang Tiqian loves her. And Wang Tiqian is really good to her, and his feelings are very single-minded.

When Wang Tiqian returned home, he asked first: "What is Qin Xin doing?" ”

"Back to the old man, the Qinxin girl is practicing the piano in the inner house, and the old slave hears the sound of the piano outside, which is a little messier than usual, it must be that the master is not there, and the Qinxin girl can't concentrate."

The person who spoke was Wang Tiqian's big butler, with a rich body, a round face, and a eunuch, and his head was gray, but he was not as good as Wang Tiqian's skin, and his face was full of wrinkles. is such an old slave, but he has a very inappropriate name: Qin Xiaobao.

Wang Tiqian listened to what Qin Xiaobao said, smiled, stretched out his finger and pointed at his forehead, and said with a smile: "You really know the piano." ”

Qin Xiaobao said with a smile: "The old slave doesn't have the talent of the master, the old slave doesn't know the piano, but I listen to it every day, and I seem to understand a little bit, hey, the sound of the piano can reveal its thoughts!" ”

Wang Tiqian said with a smile as he walked inside: "Give you some color, you really want to open a dyeing workshop." Wang Tiqian suddenly stopped, looked left and right, and asked in a low voice: "Who are the people around the queen mother who she can rely on, have you paid attention to it on weekdays?" ”

Qin Xiaobao thought for a while and said, "Yang Xuanzhi seems to be the closest to the queen's mother, and they are together almost every day. ”

Wang Tiqian frowned and said, "Yang Xuanzhi? Oh, the old man remembered, wasn't she a member of the Holy Lady? ”

The Holy Lady is the Hakka family, and the Hakka family is Wei Zhongxian's "counterproduct". Yang Xuanzhi and the queen are close, completely because of Zhang Wen's relationship.