The first thing Zhang Zhou did when he entered the palace was not to discuss any major family and state affairs with Zhu Youji, but to go to Zhu Youzhi for medical treatment first.

On the sickbed, Zhu Youzhu was like a withered tree, he was already weak, and he looked even haggard when he was sick, he opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Zhou, and he didn't even seem to have the strength to speak, but his expression was a little solid, and it seemed that only when Zhang Zhou was there, he could feel at ease.

"Zhang Qingjia, how is Your Majesty's illness?"

On the side, Empress Zhang was also visiting her husband's condition.

Recently, the emperor did not go to Kunning Palace, saying that he did not want to bring the sick to his wife and children, but in fact, Zhu Youzhi also had some meaning of not treating Empress Zhang as a family, and he still hoped to be reunited with his family at a critical time, but Concubine Xian came to visit several times, but Empress Zhang was not allowed to come once until Zhang Zhou came back.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty needs to recuperate, and you should recuperate." ”

Zhu Youzhu finally exhaled, and when his wife was there, he pretended not to be able to speak, so he dispelled it first.

But his voice was still not loud: "Bingkuan, you don't have to be reluctant, I don't have to act against the sky, I can do whatever I want." ”

It seems that the person who cares the most about his body is him Zhu Youzhu himself, who seems to be very considerate of others every time, trying to put himself in a very low status, but he seems to forget that he is a king.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty doesn't need to worry, the minister will find a way to help you recuperate." Queen, you can rest assured. ”

Empress Zhang said with a smile: "Your Majesty, when Bingkuan is still there, can people be down-to-earth, and if he says a word, it is really more effective than those imperial doctors saying a hundred words." Your Majesty, you can recuperate with peace of mind, and the concubines will come to visit whenever they have time. ”

"Hmm." Zhu Youzhu waved his hand and said, "Let's go back first, tell the prince, don't worry too much about me." I'm just recuperating for a few days. ”

"The concubine retired."

……

……

Wait for Empress Zhang to leave.

Here, Zhu Youji's spirit has also improved a lot, he stretched out his hand and motioned for Chen Kuan to help him up, and smiled at Zhang Zhou, the meaning could not be more obvious, and his physical condition did not seem to be so bad.

As for why Zhu Youzhu wanted to show that situation in front of Empress Zhang, this requires Zhang Zhou to figure it out.

"Bingkuan, I've thought about it, this time when you come back, I will first promote you to the secretary of the ministry. Then I'll give you more important errands. "Zhu Youzhu broke the news when he came up.

Chen Kuan on the side was cautious, as if he regretted that he should not be by his side, and he could hear such exciting news.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I'm afraid it's difficult for the minister. ”

"Don't say that, I think you can do it. After the beginning of spring next year, I plan to send troops to the grassland, and I will take the expedition in person...... I'm afraid that this body and bones can't afford to wait. Zhu Youji's words carried a sadness.

It seems that he knows very well that he will not live long.

Ben is still young and strong, but because Zhu Youji's physical foundation is too poor, even Zhu Youzhu knows how weak he is, and he also knows how different he is from that ordinary person.

"After the beginning of spring, I can't wait......" Zhu Youzhu seemed desperate to calm the grassland in one fell swoop while he could still move.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, even if it is a personal expedition, you should plan in detail." If His Majesty really intends to do so, the minister can only follow the order. ”

Since the emperor has this meaning, Zhang Zhou can only "sacrifice his life to accompany the gentleman".

"Okay, okay." Zhu Youzhu said, "Bingkuan, I've been thinking a lot about it lately, and I feel that something is wrong, and then I figured it out, every time I send troops to the grassland, I want to retreat after the fight, which is absolutely impossible, unless I send troops to wipe them out in one fell swoop." The grassland is vast, and they will find any place and send troops many times, but they will still avoid head-on engagements. Since they don't dare to engage head-on now, why wait? took advantage of these two years to give things a set. ”

Chen Kuan reminded: "Your Majesty, take care of the dragon body. ”

It was also seen that Zhu Youzhu was too excited, and his voice was raised an octave when he spoke, just looking at this appearance, he didn't look like a sick person.

Zhang Zhoudao: "What Your Majesty said is extremely true, at present, in terms of military strength, the Ming Dynasty has formed an absolute suppression of the grassland, to say that the preparation is insufficient, that is, more artillery has not been cast, equipped with more firearms, but to give the Tatars a few more years to prepare, they may also have opportunities, such as being discovered by them to crack the method and so on." On the contrary, it is better to send troops to fight against the Tatars when they are in chaos. ”

"Okay, only I see the same as you, those ministers, every time persuade me, let me not think about the army, what to say about raising the people, what to say about recuperation...... How could they know the pain of being kings? Am I for myself? The four seas are leveled, that is just an ideal, first of all, let the Tartars be completely wiped out. ”

Zhu Youzhu seems to have found a confidant.

even got out of bed, sat down on the mat, drank tea, and wanted to talk to Zhang Zhou Bingzhu at night.

The content of the conversation was how to solve the grassland problem in the next few months.

……

……

Chen Kuan waited by the side for a long time, and then was sent back to the duty room of the celebrant by Zhu Youzhi to review the recital.

When Chen Kuan returned to the celebrant supervisor, he was surprised to see that Wei Bin was busy dealing with a lot of official business.

"It's not that ...... Cai Guogong returned to Beijing today? Wei Bin asked.

Chen Kuan said: "It's because he came back that there is nothing to do with us." His Majesty wants to talk to Cai Guogong about the grassland in half a year...... How do you feel? ”

“…… I don't dare to think about it. Wei Bin said, "Speaking of which, our family doesn't have a few days left here, so we don't dare to make any more presumptuous discussions." ”

Since Xiao Jing was taken by the emperor, Wei Bin's position was very embarrassing, originally Xiao Jing wanted to cultivate him Wei Bin as his successor, but the emperor still followed the original order and let Chen Kuan take the throne.

This made Wei Bin unable to advance or retreat, even Chen Kuan here, he could not be called a completely good person.

Chen Kuan said: "This war in the northwest has been in vain, although there is no loss, but the prestige of the Ming Dynasty has been swept a lot, especially the Korean and Chinese people have deep expectations for the border war, this time it can be regarded as letting people know that Cai Guogong is not omnipotent." ”

Wei Bin smiled bitterly: "Cai Guogong did not personally lead the troops into the grassland, and the Tartars did not dare to confront us head-on...... Did the British side still win? ”

Chen Kuan said with a disdainful face: "Just his merits, are you embarrassed to mention it?" ”

"Huh." Wei Bin continued to smile wryly.

"Those people in the court originally thought that if Cai Guogong made a slight mistake, they would have a chance to take advantage of it, but now they know that it was all empty talk. His Majesty wants Cai Guogong to be the secretary of the ministry...... Don't let this out. ”

"This ...... True? ”

"We still want to trick you? It is the words of His Majesty himself. In addition, there are rumors that Cai Guogong will enter the cabinet, and you won't know about it today, right? ”

This made Wei Bin not know how to respond.

Chen Kuan said: "There are already people in the DPRK who want to participate in the impeachment of Cai Guogong, so they returned to participate in the impeachment after the futility of this war. His Majesty may have expected this, so he tried his best to push Cai Guogong to the position of the secretary of the ministry, and also told the world that no one could move this Cai Guogong. ”

Wei Bin nodded and said, "It makes sense, if you really win, Your Majesty doesn't need to be in such a hurry." ”

Chen Kuan looked up at Wei Bin and said, "Do you know what to do?" ”

"Please also ask Gonggong Chen for your advice." Wei Bin showed a humble attitude.

"Recently, there are always people talking about Nanjing's military affairs, even if His Majesty is not in the court, the notes related to Nanjing's military affairs can be piled up in a box, why do they mention Nanjing's military affairs here? Unclear hints, Nanjing's military affairs are chaotic, and a capable person is needed to be in charge? ”

"You mean...... Cai Guogong? ”

"Hmm." Chen Kuan nodded and said, "If someone wants to do this, you and I can't support it openly, but it's easy to help each other secretly." I need you to come forward, and our family is not suitable. ”

"Understood."

Wei Bin knew that if he still wanted to stay in the celebrant and stay in the power hub, he would have to make a "sacrifice".

In this way, even if the emperor investigates it, it will be up to him Wei Bin to bear the black pot, but he Wei Bin is about to withdraw from the court, which seems to be able to be more liberal.

"Tonight, you will study the relevant military affairs of Nanjing in detail, and your majesty will ask the imperial court to summarize the gains and losses of the battle of the Northern Expedition in the next few days, and then talk about the military affairs of Nanjing...... There is no need to mention anything to His Majesty, and even only need to put some pressure on the military department and let Cai Guogong ...... on his own Do you understand? ”

Can't come hard.

Go directly to impeach Zhang Zhou, there will be this matter, but the purpose is not to bring Zhang Zhou down.

Instead, he wanted to put pressure on Zhang Zhou, so that Zhang Zhou couldn't save face, and offered to go to Nanjing, and only if Zhang Zhou took the initiative to put forward something, the emperor would agree.

Wei Bin was surprised: "Gonggong Chen, didn't you say that Your Majesty will be after the beginning of spring...... Pro-conquest of the grasslands? ”

Chen Kuan said: "This kind of big thing, just Your Majesty can say it?" Since ancient times, there have been so many kings who want to be pro-government, how many have succeeded? Shengming, like the Taizu and Taizong of various dynasties, is cautious and cautious in the matter of encountering pro-conquest, His Majesty is just thinking about it at the moment, and he will calm down when he turns around...... Or if some conditions do not allow it, His Majesty will withdraw this idea. ”

Wei Binxin said, you really know the emperor.

The emperor is so interested, does he say that he will take it back?

"Time waits for no one." Chen Kuan said, "If the matter of Cai Guogong's relocation of the Ministry of Shangshu is decided, it will be too late to do it." These days, I'm going to be busy with you. ”

……

……

Zhang Zhou and Zhu Youzhu kept talking about the second watch.

Zhu Youji's body could no longer hold on, so he went back to rest early, while Zhang Zhou went to the Wenhua Hall to rest under the guidance of Li Zhang, saying that he would let Zhang Zhou meet with the prince in the coming day, not to let Zhang Zhou go to class, Zhu Youzhu meant to let Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao have a routine communication between the teachers and students.

Probably because the father wants his son to know that your husband is always your husband, and if there is no father to discipline you, your husband will also remind you well.

"Sir, we just got some news, I don't know whether to talk about it or not." Li Zhang didn't hold up the lantern, but led the way in front, smiling, as if he wanted to give Zhang Zhou good news.

Zhang Zhou said: "Let's talk about it." ”

Li Zhang said with a smile: "There seems to be news from Jizhou, saying that Jingshanbo and Anbianhou have already found news, they have found traces of the Tatars, it seems that they are still a camp of 10,000 households in Tatars, hiding in a valley, I heard that troops have been sent in, this was all five or six days ago." ”

"Oh." Zhang Zhou nodded, "You mean, I don't know the results yet?" ”

"I really don't know yet, but I guess this battle can be said to be nine out of ten. To say that Jingshan Bo and An Bianhou can be described as lucky generals, wherever they go, they can have adventures, and ordinary people will not think that they are talents who set the country and ...... country, only if you are here, sir."

Before Li Zhang could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Zhang Zhou's outstretched hand.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Gonggong Li, uncertain news, let's wait until it is confirmed, what if the result is not satisfactory?" ”

"Yes, yes."

Li Zhang was originally obedient to Zhang Zhouyan, but now that he knew that Cui Yuan and Zhu Feng might have won the battle again, he didn't dare to make a mistake.

Li Zhang said: "Everyone outside is saying that this time the northern army is smashing the pot and selling iron for nothing, and they don't know your prestige." ”

Zhang Zhou didn't want to answer.

Now Li Zhang is clearly complimenting and scolding him.

The pattern in the ceremonial prison will also change, and the old Shangshu of the court will have to replace another batch after two years of stability, at this time, he Zhang Zhou sneezed, which seemed to make the court tremble, but some Wenchen didn't want to listen to him, thinking that he had no influence.

But Li Zhang, who is a sober-minded smart person, Li Zhang still wants to keep his identity as the eunuch of the East Factory, so he has to stand on Zhang Zhou's team and take Zhang Zhou's horse as the leader.

"In addition, our family also heard that the British duke is ...... It seems that there is some slackness, and some people are ready to impeach him for delaying the military plane. Li Zhang is "showing loyalty".

Knowing that the dispute between you Zhang Zhou and Zhang Mao belongs to the old and the new, then be a favor and let people deal with Zhang Mao.

It's best to put the British Mansion like the Baoguo Mansion, and flatten it at one time, so that you have no opponent in the court, and let you know how capable I am as the Dongchang Factory.

Zhang Zhoudao: "The British Duke is not involved in the slack military aircraft of the specific war, and if you want to participate in the impeachment, I'm afraid it's not an easy thing, right?" Besides, with his prestige in the court, many people will speak for him, and I don't think the British can lose anything by this. ”

"Not necessarily......"

Li Zhang had a wicked smile on his face.

It seems that there is a way to do it a long time ago.

As a "civilized person", Zhang Zhou generally does not play some conspiracy tricks on Zhang Mao, but Li Zhang is different, he is not a Sven person, when he knows that the emperor also intends to let Zhang Mao vacate the position for Zhang Zhou, can he behave well?

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Father-in-law Li, you say this, it makes me feel a little delusional, as if you want to use the public weapon for private use." ”

"How can this be?" Li Zhang said, "Everything is done according to the rules. ”

"Okay, I hope you don't break the rules." Zhang Zhou nodded to express his satisfaction, "I'm the person who pays the most attention to the scene, everyone wants face, I don't want to tear my face with anyone." Grandpa Li really doesn't need to tell me what to do...... After all, you and I are just working together, and I also hope that Gonggong Li can share more worries for His Majesty and solve problems for the imperial court. (End of chapter)