Preliminary exploration has been completed for the railway from the port of Yongpyeongfu to Gyeongshi, and the groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the end of the year.

Construction will begin in the spring of next year, and in this winter, even if the temperature is still very low, some preliminary preparations will be completed, and this section of the road is flat, but there are still bridges to be erected, and there is a certain difference in elevation.

Zhang Zhou wanted to go to Yongping Mansion in person to complete some of the initial steps, and on this day he also went to the palace to say goodbye to Zhu Youji.

"Bingkuan, I didn't expect you to leave again so soon." Zhu Youzhu was obviously a little reluctant, and said with emotion, "You came back, and I didn't let you be idle, and I was seeing a doctor again, and I was busy with court affairs, this time I went to Yongping Mansion, and your affairs will not be less." ”

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "This is what a minister should do." ”

Zhu Youzhu smiled and sighed: "But you also have to go over to Maoren and Zhijie to celebrate the festival, and there is also a note sent back by Tang Yin from North Korea, you can see, there is also a preparation." If you need to transfer troops or something, the soldiers and horses of Jizhen and Liaodong, you can dispatch them as you like......"

As he spoke, Zhu Youzhu gestured to Chen Kuan behind him, and Chen Kuan immediately handed over Tang Yin's recital to Zhang Zhou.

In Zhang Zhou's opinion, this fellow "junior brother" has not appeared in his field of vision for a long time, Tang Yin is not the kind of conscientious official, every time he gives this old boy a problem, he is put aside, in Zhang Zhou's opinion, it is also a way to practice.

opened the letter, but learned that Tang Yin's life in North Korea was not easy.

Obviously, he was ordered to muddy the waters, but the North Korean side has great respect for the envoys of the Ming Dynasty, especially now the king of North Korea, Li Yi, who simply treats Tang Yin as his ancestor, and Tang Yin doesn't know how to start if he wants to beat people.

It's a bit of a nameless sense.

So Tang Yin's strategy is...... Ask the court to give him new instructions, or he wants to return to Daming as soon as possible.

As a right attendant of the Ministry of Industry, he obviously said that he was the governor of Yizhou Mountain Factory, but he was arranged to be an envoy, and he went for half a year, as if the court had forgotten about him, which made Tang Yin extremely anxious.

Is this exiled?

Zhang Zhoudao: "The war in the grassland has come to an end, and the Liaodongping Jurchen has also made considerable progress, but the DPRK is still holding its troops, which is out of disrespect for the suzerain, and the minister thinks that His Majesty should issue an order to reprimand and make some punishments." ”

"Huh." Zhu Youzhu said with a smile, "Just according to what you said, but Tang Yin doesn't have many people in North Korea after all, if the North Korean side doesn't agree, I'm afraid it will bring him trouble." Tang Yin is still your fellow disciple after all. ”

Zhang Zhouyi said rhetorically: "You can't relax your requirements on him just because he is a fellow minister, and the minister thinks that he should be beaten even more." Moreover, Yichen believes that there are many nobles and nobles in North Korea, who are completely on the side of the Ming Dynasty, and it is not impossible for a small lord who is only twelve or thirteen years old to depose him at any time and replace him with a new one if he does not do well. ”

"Okay." Zhu Youzhi also seems to like to knock on these vassal states, he didn't have much chance before, or he couldn't take care of it, but now he has a rare opportunity, he, the co-lord of the world, still has to show his majesty and momentum.

"I'm going to give an order, let Tang Yin mention the small lord of North Korea, and if possible, let him pay tribute again, and you can personally mention it." Zhu Youzhu said.

Zhang Zhou bowed his hand and said, "The minister receives the order." ”

……

……

When Zhang Zhou left the palace, he was directly accompanied by Chen Kuan, the eunuch who held the seal of the celebrant and the eunuch.

Chen Kuan was also very flattering to Zhang Zhou, and after he came out, he was telling it, saying that today because he knew that he was going to enter the palace, how the emperor was happy...... He also said that the emperor had also planned to inspect Yongping Mansion, but it was only because his body had not completely recovered that he dispelled this idea.

"This is going to bother Cai Guogong, it is equivalent to traveling on behalf of the Son of Heaven, a capable person like you is really indispensable everywhere, after you leave, the things in the capital are also a headache." Chen Kuan's words seem to mean something else.

Zhang Zhou asked curiously, "What does Gonggong Chen mean by this?" Is there anything bothering? ”

Chen Kuan pretended not to say anything, and under Zhang Zhou's questioning, he said quietly: "There are a lot of things, and there is a backlog at the end of the year, but the most difficult thing is Xie Gelao's case." His Majesty's decision is to sentence an exile...... It may also be sent to Yongping Mansion. ”

Zhang Zhou couldn't help but laugh in his heart when he heard this.

Let you Xie Lao'er always go against me if you have nothing to do, and now you will be punished, right?

Don't you like to stand up for the cabinet? Now you have to be a guilty minister, and you even have to be sent to Yongping Mansion to "garrison", in fact, you are going to help me, even if you want to go back to your hometown to spend your old age in peace, you don't have a chance, just ask what do you think in your heart?

Diaphragm should not? Is there a trick?

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty hasn't mentioned half of this important matter to me, and I can't add opinions casually." ”

Chen Kuan's eyes said with some expectation: "Then Cai Guogong, what do you think of the verdict of Xie Gelao's case?" It's a private discussion. This case should not have been interfered by our family, but His Majesty also hesitated in dealing with this matter, and our family did not listen to what we said, in fact, as long as you say a word, Xie Ge will always give a heavy sentence or a light sentence, Your Majesty will accept it. Our family also wants to follow the ...... Your Majesty and your meaning. ”

Zhang Zhouxin said, you and I can't see it, you are using the banner of figuring out the holy will, do you want me to speak for Xie Qian?

As colleagues, and they are all ministers of the DPRK and China, they will not harm each other, right? You have to keep a good name for yourself, right?

After all, even if Xie Qian is not convicted, he will be sent back to his hometown, and it stands to reason that the grievances between the two can be settled, and he, Zhang Zhou, can speak for Xie Qian and earn a good popularity.

But Zhang Zhou didn't think much of it.

"Gonggong Chen, dare to ask, if it wasn't Xie Ge Lao, but someone else, who did the same thing as Xie Ge Lao, did he violate the royal law?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Chen Kuan was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "It's hard to say, the matter of the official is not a crime or not." ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "I'm talking about forming a party. ”

Chen Kuan took a cool breath, but he still nodded quickly: "The party is the same and the party is different, which is naturally intolerable by the law. ”

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "I think so too, if Xie Ge Lao is just playing someone to impeach, even if it is biased, Your Majesty may not delve into it, but if it involves the same party as Gonggong Chen said, then this matter will be a big deal." When it comes to the royal law, I am not in the Criminal Department, nor in Dali Temple, so it is naturally difficult to ask. ”

As soon as Chen Kuan heard this, he understood that Zhang Zhou didn't plan to intercede with Xie Qian, and even wanted to fall into the ground.

Although Chen Kuan had expected it, he still didn't expect Zhang Zhou to be so "decisive".

Chen Kuan said: "Our family also heard that it seems that Liu Ge Lao and Li Ge Lao deliberately wanted to ease relations with the Ministry of War, and they also asked Cheng Ge Lao to be a lobbyist......

As soon as he said this, he was interrupted by Zhang Zhou's outstretched hand.

"Gonggong Chen, if you talk about some things in private, or even who is a lobbyist for whom, isn't this a matter of ignoring the law of the court? Although I have not been in the court for a few years, I understand the rules, Master Cheng has been here a few times before, but what I discussed with me is all state affairs, even if I occasionally mention Xie Gelao's case, it is all in moderation. ”

Zhang Zhou will not admit that there is any deal in secret.

Even he didn't plan to trade.

Liu Jian and Li Dongyang let him open conditions casually?

It's already incompatible, what conditions do I have to tell you?

Besides, is Xie Qian's matter the result of others' interference? What does it have to do with me Zhang Zhou? If I don't come forward, it's reasonable, it depends on how the emperor decides? Do you want me to come forward to intercede, to show my magnanimity, and to make me suffer, is what you want to see?

Pipe dream.

Chen Kuan obviously wanted to help Xie Qian, he was the second lobbyist in addition to Cheng Minzheng, and with his own identity, he should be able to pry Zhang Zhou's tough attitude, he said: "Cai Guogong, our family advises you, in the future, you will still look up and see you in the court, and it is better not to do things desperately." Several university scholars also have attitudes. ”

Zhang Zhou smiled: "I just left Jingshi, so I will ignore these things." Maybe when I come back from the beginning of spring, the matter will be over, there is no way, it is related to the dispute between the court and the country, although the person who participated in the impeachment of Xie Ge is not me, but I still have to avoid suspicion. It's too much of an eyesore to ...... Find some peace. ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhou bowed his hand politely, "The palace gate has arrived, Gonggong Chen, you don't have to send it, I'll just go out by myself." When I return to Beijing, I will have the opportunity to see you again. ”

Chen Kuan also hurriedly returned the salute and said, "Wait for the good news." ”

……

……

When Chen Kuan sent Zhang Zhou away, Chen Kuan's face immediately became very annoyed.

usually pretends to be a grandson in front of the emperor and Zhang Zhou, but after all, he has a temper, and he is also the current internal minister, but he can't raise his head in front of Zhang Zhou's strength, which makes him extremely depressed.

When Chen Kuan returned to the duty room of the celebrant supervisor, he was told by Wei Bin that Liu Wentai had come, and Chen Kuan remembered that he had made an appointment with Liu Wentai to discuss dealing with Ning Tong.

"What?" Wei Bin didn't know what Chen Kuan wanted to say about Xie Qian.

Chen Kuan now seems to regard Wei Bin as a helper, but in fact, he still doesn't regard Wei Bin as his own person through and through, Xiao Jing skipped him first when choosing a successor, Chen Kuan chose Wei Bin, and Chen Kuan will also hold a grudge against him.

Chen Kuan said: "It's okay, it's just that Cai Guogong is leaving Beijing." ”

"Leaving again? What's the name this time? Wei Bin hurriedly asked.

The news came very suddenly, Wei Bin couldn't even think of what Zhang Zhou could do when he went out of Beijing now, a military department secretary, who didn't stay in Beijing all the time, didn't go to the northwest to guard the border, and didn't lead troops to fight, just ran back and forth, what so many things were waiting for Zhang Zhou to go out of Beijing to do?

Chen Kuan waved his hand and said: "This is a secret of the DPRK and China, and it cannot be said to outsiders. ”

Wei Bin also heard that he didn't treat him as his own.

Chen Kuan said: "Before the year, we will review all the backlog of notes, and Your Majesty may have to review it again, and pick out the less important ones, and send them down first." ”

"Pick...... Not important? Wei Bin didn't seem to understand for a while.

In the past, they used to pick the key points for the emperor to read, but now they are picking the unimportant ones to implement first? It seems that this Gonggong Chen is also very uneasy about the duties of the celebrant supervisor, probably because he is afraid that the emperor will seize their handle and use the topic to play.

Chen Kuan looked impatient and said, "Don't you understand this?" If you can suppress it, it means that Your Majesty attaches great importance to it, do you think that if you are on our son, you can call the shots everywhere? Now there are not only people from the cabinet who are staring, but even people from the listening office, not to mention ...... That Cai Guogong! In the past, we were considered first-class, but now we are a few streams, can you carry it? ”

Wei Bin hurriedly said in a bowed tone: "Yes, yes, you dissipate your anger, just do it." Recently, I should have found a few more people from the reading room to come over and help, otherwise the errand would not be completed. ”

Chen Kuan said: "Who to call to help, that's your business, the master of ceremonies and supervisors can rely on the reading room, you don't have to discuss everything with our family, in fact, even if our family leaves, who will take over, this matter is not up to our family." ”

"This ......"

Wei Bin heard that Chen Kuan was provoked by someone, like a hedgehog with thorns all over his body, and he almost bit someone when he saw it.

Wei Bin could only be very interested and no longer asked, and watched Chen Kuan leave.

……

……

Inside the hospital.

In the name of coming to inquire about the prescription of the Empress Dowager Zhou, Chen Kuan went inside, and did not find anyone else, so he found Liu Wentai, the court judge on duty, and the two went inside, and Liu Wentai personally served the tea.

"Father-in-law, what's going on? For a few days, there was no news, and I heard that there was no one sent to the East Factory, can this work? "Liu Wentai was nervous.

suppressed Ning Tong, although from Chen Kuan's point of view, it was to cater to Queen Zhang, but in fact, the most direct interests were linked to the people of Tai Hospital.

Chen Kuan said while tasting tea: "The tea is too hard. ”

"What?" Liu Wentai didn't understand for a while.

Chen Kuan said: "It may also be that the water is too hard. How do you make tea with this water? ”

Liu Wentai hurriedly said: "Let's go and change the tea." ”

"No, we're not here for tea." Chen Kuan put down the tea bowl and said with an imposing attitude, "Do you think that the people in Dongchang don't need to avoid suspicion?" Cai Guogong is now in Beijing, that female official Ning, our family has asked people to inquire about it, and she is called Anbianhou's former wife, but in fact, she is also Cai Guogong's confidante. ”

"Confidante? You're not joking, are you? An Bianhou's wife, who has been swept away, is actually Cai Guogong's confidante? ”

Liu Wentai wanted to laugh when he heard it, but he almost didn't laugh out loud.

In his opinion, it is true that Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng are wearing a pair of pants, but Ning Tong is not just Zhu Feng's concubine, but she was Zhu Feng's wife, how can she be a confidant?

Chen Kuan said coldly: "Is it true or not, how can our family have the time to find out?" This is to tell you, if Cai Guogong is in Beijing, who do you think would dare to offend that female official Ning casually? However, Cai Guogong may be leaving Beijing tomorrow, and it is likely that he will not be able to return for a month or two. ”

"Leaving again?" Liu Wentai was also a little stunned for a while.

Chen Kuan said: "Recently, Your Majesty's dragon body has recovered, how much effort has you made in the hospital?" ”

"I didn't make much effort, isn't it all Cai Guogong in charge?" Liu Wentai was also very aggrieved.

On Ning Tong's side, they dared to make a move, but Zhang Zhou's side was something they couldn't afford to provoke.

Chen Kuan said coldly: "You can't be too anxious, not to mention that this matter is easy to fall into the hands of Cai Guogong, if you still want to keep the head on your neck to eat and gasp, just hold back first." Otherwise......"

Liu Wentai said: "It's not that serious, right? ”

Chen Kuan said: "Li Zhang has a new errand recently, or if he goes out of Beijing this time, he will go with him!" When he leaves, the East Factory may change hands, and at that time, the hospital will do some personnel, and someone will be able to see it! (End of chapter)