On July 20, Zhang Zhou predicted that an earthquake would strike in Beijing the day before.

In the early dynasty, after everything was discussed, Zhu Youzhu specially rewarded Xu Qiong in the court, and allowed Xu Qiong's request to play Zhishi, and gave him a fortune to allow him to return to his hometown.

At the same time, according to the results of the previous court push, Lin Han was almost in the "expectation of the public", and succeeded to the position of the secretary of the Ministry of Rites on the spot, and it was not even delayed until the day after Xu Qiong stepped down.

"I have one more thing to say."

Before the dissolution of the court, Zhu Youzhu said earnestly, "Before Bingkuan leaves, the prophecy says that there will be a ground movement in the Japanese capital division......"

"Huh!?"

When the ministers present heard this, they were in an uproar.

Sure enough, there is a cat behind it, it turns out that the emperor and Zhang Zhou are waiting here, first take an inconspicuous hailstorm, the emperor sent Zhang Zhou to Nanjing, and when the people leave Beijing, there will be a ground movement, so that others will not be able to rely on Zhang Zhou's head.

It is no wonder that the emperor was so unhesitant when he went to Min Jue's edict before, in fact, it was to show that after Zhang Zhou left the Beijing Division, any disasters that occurred in the Beijing Division could not be related to Zhang Zhou.

And Min Jue is the one who doesn't follow the rules of the game.

So far, Min Jue has not yet come out of the edict.

Zhu Youzhu said: "I don't know when the land will move, so tonight you will be prepared." In this way, he will leave the day tomorrow, and at the same time make the matter public, so that the soldiers and the people will be prepared, so that no human or animal damage will be caused. ”

Liu Jian walked out and said: "Such a moving prophecy, the minister wants to ask His Majesty, is it credible?" ”

Zhu Youzhu didn't care at all about the suspicions of others, and said in an indifferent tone: "Whether it is credible or not, I can't tell, who knows if something that hasn't happened will definitely happen?" It's all up to the hearts of the people to decide. So be it. Retreat! ”

The meaning of the emperor.

Do you believe it or not, I put my words here, Zhang Bingkuan did say so, if you don't believe it, then stay in the house tomorrow, or find a dangerous wall to stand next to it, or face Zhang Zhou's prophecy, who cares?

……

……

The court meeting ended.

When everyone left the Fengtian Temple, they were getting together again, and this time there was a lot less discussion in shock.

Now the emperor belongs to the "showdown", and a three-month buffer period of "catastrophe" has been set, but it has not been a few days later, Zhang Zhou has just run out of the Beijing Division, and the Beijing Division is here to move!?

Who would have believed this in the past?

Yuan Shou said straightly: "Zhang Bingkuan is intimidating us and others, and I must not believe his nonsense." ”

Xu Qiong, as the secretary of the Zhishi, originally after the court discussion, no matter what the attitude of others had towards him, he should go up to say goodbye, but suddenly Zhang Zhou predicted the earthquake in Beijing, and he became an innocuous "little person" on the side.

Even Lin Han, the newly appointed secretary of the Ministry of Rites, was left out in the cold.

Xie Qian was a scene person after all, he walked over and talked to Xu Qiong and Lin Han for a few words, and then said as if he was emotional: "...... Now that I think about it, it is also a good thing to be able to return to my hometown to live in retirement, which is enviable. ”

When this sounds to outsiders, it is a bit "insincere".

If you are envious, you can also resign and return to your hometown, and no one will stop you.

Xu Qiong said: "Everyone, serve the imperial court, to this day, there are still many regrets that have not been completed, so please leave it to you." I will leave for my hometown in these two days, and you don't have to send it, I hope to see you again in my lifetime. ”

Only then did everyone say goodbye to Xu Qiong.

After Xu Qiong, Lin Han and the others left first, a group of people surrounded the three members of the cabinet and Tu Tu.

"At this time, if the earth moves tomorrow, what is good? Will His Majesty recall Zhang Bingkuan for this? Wasn't the previous effort in vain? The crowd chattered.

Tu Tu said righteously: "Let's not talk about whether this earth movement will really come, I don't believe it, can God always come according to Zhang Bingkuan's intentions?" So does he Zhang Bingkuan represent God? ”

Everyone looked at each other.

That's a bit of an exaggeration...... If Zhang Bingkuan didn't have the ability to reach the will of heaven, then why was he accurately hit again and again before?

Tu Tu continued: "If he wants to build up his reputation with the calamity, he doesn't have to fake the previous hailstorm to others, who dares to say that the previous hailstorm was not deliberately attributed to him by His Majesty?" ”

Zhou Jing said: "That's what I said, but I'm afraid of ......"

"Even if there is real ground movement, does it have nothing to do with him? You have all been in the DPRK for many years, why are you still afraid of a young and vigorous offspring? Tu Tu looked very angry.

With Tu Tu coming out to "support the scene", the pressure on the three cabinet members was suddenly much less.

Xie Qian also smiled: "That's right, last year, there were many ground movements in various places, and I didn't see Zhang Bingkuan hit in advance every time." Rest assured, everyone. ”

Wang Shi, the secretary of Dali Temple, asked: "Is it possible that in the past, the ground movement in various places was only a small earthquake, and there were no casualties among the people, so Zhang Bingkuan felt that there was no need to report it?" ”

A group of people suddenly glared at Wang Shi.

Wang Shi suddenly felt that he couldn't hold his face.

Wang Shi's position in the court is a little embarrassing, he has been in the position of Dali Siqing for several years, originally the criminal department of Shangshu or Zuodu Yushi has his opportunity, but now he has not even been nominated, it seems that he wants to go further, only to the position of Nanjing Liubu Shangshu to develop......

Tu Tu said: "Then you mean to say that tomorrow's earth movement in Shuntianfu will be very serious?" ”

Wang Shi said helplessly: "It's just an assumption." ”

"There is no such assumption." Tu Tu said, "No one has ever been able to find out about the earth's movement in advance, let alone the earth's movement that happened at the feet of the Son of Heaven, so I don't believe ......it."

Hearing this, in fact, many people are already muttering in their hearts.

If this is the first time Zhang Bingkuan has said that there is an earthquake, we can completely treat him as nonsense, but the question is...... He's already hit it right and more than once...... This time it is also about his own vital interests, he will be so "wrong", saying that there is, but the result is not?

It can even be said that even if it really misses, it may be that Zhang Bingkuan deliberately missed, making the emperor lower his trust in him, and also getting the opportunity to live peacefully with us.

Otherwise, it would be hard to believe that he had made a mistake in his calculations.

"Let's go, don't worry about the disasters that haven't happened, they have all read the books of the sages, what's the point of saying these things in advance?" Liu Jian, as the first assistant, can be regarded as setting a tone.

Since we don't know if there will be an earthquake tomorrow, let's wait until tomorrow later.

Whether it happens or not, we must wait until the fact to discuss countermeasures, otherwise it will seem that we are worried about nothing.

Then everyone dispersed, and one by one they all said something almost like "Zhang Bingkuan is just talking about it to confuse the public", and no one seemed to believe that there would really be an earthquake in the coming day.

……

……

Inside the Qingning Palace.

Zhu Youzhu was greeting the Empress Dowager Zhou, and the Empress Dowager Zhou blamed her grandson for transferring Zhang Zhou from Jingshi to her face.

"Just because of some unwarranted criticism from the people in the court, I gave up a capable minister like Bingkuan, and the mourning family thinks that the emperor is too hasty." Empress Dowager Zhou said.

Zhu Youzhu explained: "Imperial grandmother, this is a discussion between Sun Er and Bingkuan, tomorrow there will be a movement in Beijing, which also reflects that the disaster of Jingshi has nothing to do with him, and he has an important task in Jiangnan now, and he will definitely be entrusted with important tasks when he returns." The position of the secretary of the military department will be reserved for him. ”

In front of the old lady, the grandson will not hide it.

Who said I was going to give up using him?

also made it clear that it was to prepare the seat of the military department secretary for him!

Empress Dowager Zhou was a little relieved when she heard this, and said, "Do you want to move the ground tomorrow?" Is the mourning family also moving out? ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "Bingkuan is saying that this time the ground movement will not be too serious, as long as the house is built strong enough, like the palaces and pavilions in various parts of the palace, as long as it is not in disrepair, it is no problem." So the imperial grandmother doesn't have to worry too much. ”

"That's good." Empress Dowager Zhou said, "But just in case of accidents, the mourning family should set up a tent outside tonight." ”

"This ......"

Zhu Youzhu felt that he seemed to have cheated the old lady.

Jiang Lu next to him said: "The Empress Dowager, now that she has just gone to a little summer, there are a lot of mosquitoes, if you go out of the palace, I am afraid that it will be night...... Not very easy to guard against. ”

"That's better than stepping on the palace and crushing people!" Empress Dowager Zhou said, "In the past, when there was Li Guang, I was always afraid that because he would anger the heavens, some natural and man-made disasters would happen, but now with Bingkuan, he can inform him in advance of any natural and man-made disasters...... Can this be the same? So Emperor, you still have to have a discerning eye to know who is available and who is not. ”

"Yes, my grandson has been taught." Zhu Youzhu hurriedly said.

"By the way, emperor, when will your concubine outside the palace give birth?" Empress Dowager Zhou asked.

"It's been these two days." Zhu Youzhu said, "In fact, it has exceeded the expected time to give birth, and I have sent someone to take care of it at all times." ”

Empress Dowager Zhou said with a smile: "If the sky is spinning and the earth is shaking, you can add an heir to yourself, and the mourning family feels that this is the grace given to you by God, and the meaning is extraordinary." ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "Imperial grandmother, give birth to a son when the earth moves...... Is it really good? ”

The emperor felt that the old lady was "looking for trouble".

If a son was born on the day of the earthquake, wouldn't others regard this son as a "disaster star"? But the old lady had to say that this was grace, and it probably meant to say bad things in a good direction.

Empress Dowager Zhou sighed: "Anyway, I hope it is an imperial heir, if it is a little princess...... There are always some imperfections, you have to bring people into the palace, and then ask the mourning family to say goodbye, and the mourning family can also help you keep her. ”

This is clearly hinting to his grandson that you, the imperial concubine, have moved to the palace, and your safety is not very guaranteed, because you have a jealous wife.

"Yes." Zhu Youzhu answered.

Empress Dowager Zhou said: "I heard that the two Zhang families have returned to Beijing in the past two days?" ”

"I'm back, and I'm going to enter the palace together to see the queen today." Zhu Youzhu said, "Grandson doesn't plan to see them!" They have not made much contribution in the northwest and Liaodong, and even if they do, it is also the result of Bingkuan's help. I have no intention of giving them a title. ”

"Merit is still rewarded, but it can't be too reused, you should know what they look like. Hurry up and bring Bingkuan back, the mourning family didn't see him for a while, and he was still panicking, Bingkuan is very good at doing things...... The mourning family still wants him to help with something. ”

"If there is anything wrong with the imperial grandmother, it is the same to tell the grandson."

"Nope." Empress Dowager Zhou said, "There are some things that he has to do." ”

……

……

Zhu Youzhi left Qingning Palace.

Jiang Lu looked at the Empress Dowager Zhou's indifferent and leisurely expression, and asked, "Empress Dowager, if you have any business, the slave maid can also help you do it." ”

"In addition to wanting to have more great-grandchildren, what other thoughts does the mourning family have?" Empress Dowager Zhou said.

"Then you ......"

"You want to ask, what does the mourning family want to do with Zhang Bingkuan? The mourning family doesn't need him to do anything, the mourning family just wants the emperor to think more about what is behind this. Empress Dowager Zhou had an old fox's smile on her face.

Jiang Lu said: "The slave doesn't understand. ”

Empress Dowager Zhou got up and said: "You don't need to understand, Zhang Bingkuan's task has actually been almost completed, if the emperor's trust in him exceeds those ministers, then there will be no peace in the court in the future, and the mourning family is actually dividing their monarchs and ministers, don't you understand?" ”

"Huh?" Jiang Lu felt that he had asked what he shouldn't have asked, and he also knew things that he shouldn't know.

Empress Dowager Zhou said: "But Zhang Bingkuan's use of troops is a must, in the future, he will be placed in the northwest general system or something, let him guard the frontier, and there will be no conflict with the ministers of the DPRK and China, after ten or twenty years, he will level the grassland, and when he comes back, he will not be so close to His Majesty, and he will be just an ordinary courtier." Hehe. At that time, the mourning family was no longer there, and after the mourning family entered the ground, the mourning family couldn't control the direction of the Ming Dynasty. ”

……

……

Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling went to Kunning Palace to meet their sister, but they didn't see Zhu Youji, and they didn't get the reward they wanted.

The two looked unhappy and walked outside the palace.

"Second brother, tell me, let's do so much, my Changguo Gong, your Jianchang Marquis, has not landed yet, has Your Majesty forgotten about the two of us?" Zhang Heling looked at his younger brother who was walking with his head bored.

Zhang Yanling said: "I just want to spend a few days in the capital to have a peaceful birthday. ”

Zhang Heling scolded: "Uncompetitive cub, didn't my sister say, let us check the woman outside the palace?" In the future, our sister will not be the only hostess of the palace, in case our eldest nephew has some accidents, it will be the people over there who will gain power in the future. ”

Zhang Yanling yawned and was about to say something, but the yawn just opened his mouth, and then stopped abruptly, almost staying there.

Because he saw a "ill-intentioned" person, standing not far away, looking at them with a smile.

"I'll go." Zhang Heling said, "This kid really can't stand the chatter." ”

It was Zhu Houzhao.

"Two uncles, are you okay? I went to the frontier to fight, and I was able to come back alive? Strange, strange. Zhu Houzhao smiled like a spring breeze and took the initiative to greet him.

Despite what was said...... It's not so good.

Zhang Heling said: "Prince, what are you doing?" My brother has come to the palace to see your mother, why do you stand in the way here? ”

"Don't be nervous, this palace is not here to ask you for silver, besides, you don't owe this palace silver, do you?"

Zhu Houzhao came over, at this time he was half a head taller than last year, and he came over and took an uncle's hand in one hand, and was about to pull it in the direction of Wenhua Palace.

Zhang Yanling shouted: "What does the prince want to do? ”

"I didn't eat you again!" Zhu Houzhao suddenly became a little angry, "It's just that there are some interesting things for you to see, and I haven't had a chance to leave the palace recently, I heard that the two uncles are back, and the palace misses it too, so I just want to study the military situation with you?" Anything else to share with you? ”

"Phew!"

Zhang Heling shook off his nephew's hand first.

At this time, when I looked at Zhu Houzhao's eyes again, I found that there was a bit of shame and hatred in those eyes.

There is a big sense of "you two brothers, this is a toast, don't eat and drink".

Zhang Heling said with a smile on his face: "What's interesting about the prince, let's find Mr. Zhang, it is Lai Guogong, he has great ability, we can't do it." ”

Zhu Houzhao said: "Can I find him, but also you?" He went to Nanjing! I want to go to this palace too, do you two deserve to cooperate? ”

“……”

The brothers glanced at each other, and then they knew why the eldest nephew was so enthusiastic.

Originally, he wanted to take advantage of their honesty, or stupidity, to help them get out of the palace, and even left Beijing to go to Nanjing to defect to Zhang Zhou.

"Look at the way you guys, it's not very cooperative. The palace also heard that before leaving, Zhang said that there will be a ground movement tomorrow, and the palace has built a room for you, and you will be arranged to live in it from tonight to tomorrow, if after tomorrow passes, you have not been stoned to death, then the palace will let you go! Zhu Houzhao made a threat.

"What?" When Zhang Yanling heard this, he jumped up on the spot.

And with such a threat?

Looking at Zhu Houzhao again, several eunuchs in the East Palace had already stood in unison, even if there were no palace guards, but if there were seven or eight people, three or four people could catch one, they could be arrested to the East Palace.

Zhang Heling hurriedly said: "Prince, what are you going to do?" If you have something to say, it's good to say. ”

As he spoke, he was ready to slip away in the search place.

Zhang Yanling said on the side: "Big brother, what are you afraid of?" I don't believe this kid dares to mess around! My brother-in-law will not let him go! ”

"Still unconscious? Go up and get the people gone! ”

Zhu Houzhao gave an order, and the eunuchs of the East Palace rushed forward first, and there were more than a dozen people who were not very old, and they chased the Zhang brothers everywhere.

The two of them were obviously not physically strong, and they were soon caught by a group of small eunuchs who usually worked and pressed to the ground.

Zhu Houzhao walked over and said with a smile: "That's it, please go to the East Palace and show you good things, you don't go." It's up to you now. ”

"Prince, what are you going to do?" Zhang Heling asked with a sad face.

"Ahh Come! Zhang Yanling was yelling.

Zhu Houzhao shouted: "Shut his mouth!" ”

Then he realized that there was no gag cloth and the preparation was not sufficient, then he took off his shoes, took off his socks, and handed them to Liu Jin, and then Liu Jin knew what to do......

"One is not enough." Liu Jin said.

"Don't you have it yourself?" Zhu Houzhao said angrily.

Liu Jin was dumbfounded.

Your socks are ok as gags, my ...... Unless I don't want to get along with the Zhang brothers in the future.

Zhu Houzhao angrily took off his other sock and threw it to Liu Jin, and then the brothers were carried by a group of little eunuchs.

"It's been a fruitful day."

Zhu Houzhao took his group of eunuchs in the East Palace, carrying two "trophies", and went in the direction of the East Palace.

(End of chapter)