During the Hongzhi period, Dongchang and Jinyiwei have always been very low-key, and it can even be said that it is the worst session of existence since the Ming Dynasty.

But since Li Zhang was in charge, the factory guards began to run rampant, and Zhu Youzhu seemed to maintain a tacit attitude towards the expansion of the factory guard's power, and it seems that Zhu Youzhu also saw that if he wanted to make the ministers of the DPRK and the central government listen to him, he had to use some unconventional means, and the factory guard was the best weapon to make the civil officials obedient.

Severe winter.

Xie Qian was put on death row, and he no longer remained exempt from punishment, and the case about Xie Qian has changed from an inappropriate official to a disaster to the country and the people, and the next task of Dongchang and Jinyiwei is to make Xie Qian confess who is behind it.

On this day, Li Dongyang learned some news, and it was inconvenient to say in the next place, taking advantage of Liu Jiangang's arrival in the cabinet duty, he hurriedly walked over and said: "The Criminal Department sent someone to Beizhen Fusi to inquire about Yu Qiao's case in the past two days, and it was implied that Yu Qiao's situation was not very good, and he was afraid that he would not be able to hold it with his body. ”

Liu Jian asked, "What are you worried about?" ”

Li Dongyang was embarrassed to say.

In fact, what Li Dongyang was most worried about was naturally that Xie Qian couldn't endure the torture, and then broke out the matter that they wanted to go to the Yanguan, although the cabinet presided over the government affairs of the DPRK and the Central People's Republic of China, which had become a common practice in the Hongzhi Dynasty, but after all, the cabinet did not directly order the power of the six ministries.

In other words, the Cabinet now treats the authority of advisers as the authority of leaders, which leads to the expansion of their powers.

And the emperor seems to want to curb this expansion at the moment, if only one Xie Qian is arrested, it seems that this effect is far from being achieved.

Before the end of the year, Cui Yuan was going to lead the troops across the sea, and after a few days of training, most of the soldiers had adapted to sailing, just waiting to transport this group of men and horses across the sea to Liaodong.

Liu Jian shook his head and said: "No, but those people in the court will, for their sake and for themselves, they should also have some concerns." ”

"Zhongtang?" Li Dongyang asked.

This is to remind Li Dongyang that because of this incident, the group of people in the court will no longer dare to give direct advice as before, which is equivalent to saying that in the past, Wenchen treated the emperor as a soft persimmon and felt that it was too easy to bully, and no matter what happened in the future, the emperor would no longer be as easy to handle as before.

Zhang Zhou didn't want to explain too much.

Li Dongyang said: "Even if Your Majesty targets us, you will not look forward or backward. ”

Zhu Feng sighed: "I have heard it before, they are very concerned about Xie Ge Lao's affairs, after all, Xie Ge Lao has been in the court for so many years, and there are still many people who think that he is a pillar of the imperial court. Unfortunately, I can't help, and no one will listen to me. ”

Li Dongyang knew very well that he couldn't punish the sergeant doctor before, or he didn't go to the elders, but now the emperor seems to have broken this convention, and the talisman of their group of people has disappeared...... It was unacceptable for them to go to prison, but now it seems that it is all good to go to prison, and it is not pleasant to be punished and served in prison.

If this kind of thing is spread, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Zhu Feng said: "Xie Ge Lao? Isn't he too fu? How could it be ......"

Port.

Li Dongyang also knew that Liu Jian was just complaining for no reason.

"Brother Zhang, is there something going on in the capital?" Zhu Feng saw that Zhang Zhou was holding an official document that had just come from Jingshi, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

Zhang Zhou put down the official document and smiled: "It's Xie Ge Lao, he may be convicted of capital crimes, and he is in prison, so this year will probably be difficult." ”

……

……

"The sword is already hanging over our heads, Binzhi, now we are afraid that we will have to look ahead and backwards!" Liu Jian said.

Liu Jian didn't say much, just raised his hand to say that he didn't need Li Dongyang's help, and then he waved his hand with a little regret, as if he didn't want to mention it anymore.

Liu Jian said: "If Your Majesty has to stick this knife into you and me, you and I can't dodge, if there is no clear stream in the cabinet, then what is the difference between this court and a pool of stagnant water?" We are here, at least the traitors in the court still have some scruples, if we also retreat, then the Ming Dynasty ...... Or maybe it's really over! ”

Liu Jian stood up, it seemed that no one could stand steadily, and the whole person leaned back, but fortunately, Li Dongyang was close and stepped forward to support him.

After nightfall, Zhang Zhou finished dinner and was chatting with Zhu Feng.

"What do you mean, my words, someone will listen?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"Hmm." Zhu Feng nodded very seriously and said, "As long as Brother Zhang says something, it is better than anyone else, even Brother Cui said so." He didn't want to go to Liaodong himself, but as long as you said it, he had to comply. In fact, I'm the same, if my family asks me to do something, I usually won't do it, but if Brother Zhang asks me to do it, I am obliged. ”

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Don't put a high hat on me, in the matter of Xie Ge Lao, His Majesty has always hoped that I can avoid suspicion, no one has ever asked my opinion about Tingju, I have to take the initiative to intercede, it seems that I have sold Xie Ge Lao's face, but it will not play a role in alleviating the contradiction, but it will make people think that I am acting coy." I think I'm a victor and laugh at them. ”

Zhu Feng said: "Sometimes the people in the court do things that are indeed unreasonable. ”

"It's good to know." Zhang Zhou said, "Cui Yuma will leave tomorrow, go and send it, I won't go." ”

"Hmm."

Zhu Feng's eyes suddenly hesitated, as if he was unwilling to leave.

"What, anything else?" Zhang Zhou's previous meaning was actually an eviction order.

Zhu Feng said with a look of embarrassment: "Brother Zhang, that's the case, I sent a letter to Jingshi before, and it has been sent for more than half a month, it was for Tong'er, but she didn't reply to me, and I don't know what she is doing now, do you know?" ”

"Where do I know where to go?" Zhang Zhou smiled, "What, are you still worried?" Don't forget, you have a lady now. ”

Zhu Feng lowered her head in shame and said, "She asked me for help before, saying that life was not easy in the capital, and she hoped to come through me...... Find you. This time I also told her that I would meet you soon, and that I was going to come here with you, and I sent someone to help deliver the letter or something, but so far there has been no news. ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "It may be delayed by something, or she doesn't need your help." ”

Zhu Feng nodded and said: "If this is the case, I really can't ask for it, I am afraid that something will happen to her, she is a woman, in a place as complicated as Jingshi, her family can't help, and the only ones who can rely on you and me are you...... No, it's only you, Brother Zhang. ”

This sounds flawed, but Zhang Zhou will not argue anything with Zhu Feng.

"Brother Zhang, I mean, you better have accepted her earlier." Zhu Feng said, "I know that you are affectionate and righteous, and now you are friends with her at most, but as long as you accept her, you will help her get out of the sea of suffering, I also think that she is not suitable for a woman to come out and show her face, and it is also when she was in Nanjing before, she was exposed to this aspect of things, and she can't take it back." Only you can make her pay attention. ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "Zhijie, why did you suddenly tell me this?" ”

Zhu Feng smiled and said: "Because even my grandmother said that unless she left the door of the Chengguo Mansion and could go directly to your mansion, she agreed to leave at the beginning." Now if you don't accept her, I can't even explain to my grandmother, and if I go back, my grandmother asks, and I can only prevaricate. ”

"Your grandmother is still telling you this?" Zhang Zhou frowned.

Zhu Feng smiled innocently and said: "Yes, in fact, what grandmother means, is because she knows that after Tong'er leaves the mansion, she has nowhere to go and can only enter your door, so she will be an adult." These are the words of my grandmother, I just paraphrased. Equivalent...... Alas! There are some things that don't sound good, so I won't say them. ”

In fact, Zhu Feng didn't say it, Zhang Zhou probably understood.

Ning Tong is equivalent to a "gift" given to him by the Chengguo Mansion, originally the Chengguo Mansion thought that Ning Tong had an affair with him Zhang Zhou, and because Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng were friends, he was embarrassed to take advantage of others, so he would have the rhetoric of "adult beauty" and drive Ning Tong out, just when Ning Tong was homeless and went to Zhang Zhou's side.

Chengguo Mansion has become a good person, and Zhang Zhou will also be more supportive of Zhu Feng.

After all, everyone knows what Zhu Feng's temperament is, and they also know that there is no real relationship between Zhu Feng and Ning Tong.

Zhang Zhoudao: "If you want to sacrifice your reputation as a prince just for the beauty of adults, then I will really become a sinner." I also told her that she is not only fighting the people of the Tai Hospital, but also not only the conflict of interests, but also the dispute of the court. She is a virtuous concubine, and no matter how detailed the relationship with the queen is, it is also very troublesome.

Zhu Feng nodded with a serious face and said, "That's exactly what I'm worried about." ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "Then I'll go back and ask someone to see if she really has something to delay." ”

"Then I'll be relieved." Zhu Feng was very happy, got up and saluted, "Brother Zhang, I will say goodbye first, and tomorrow after I send Brother Cui away, I will come to drink with you again." ”

After speaking, Zhu Feng didn't wait for Zhang Zhou to object, and almost trotted all the way away.

……

……

As soon as Zhu Feng left, Zhang Zhouben had to inspect the nearby construction site to see the progress of the night's work.

In particular, the construction of the railway station on the port side has begun, and preparations for the production of railroad tracks have begun, which he needs to check personally...... But before he could set off, Sun Shangqi came in and whispered in his ear: "...... Mrs. Baoguo asked someone to send a message, saying that she wanted to see you, and the person was already outside the back door of the hotel. ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "What does she want to do?" ”

Sun Shangqi said: "It seems to be for the sake of Bao Guogong, recently she may have known that Bao Guo Gong was also sent here." If the grandfather sees that she is inconvenient, just let the humble post pass on a message. But ......"

"But what?" Zhang Zhou said, "If you have something to say, just say it." ”

"Grandpa actually doesn't need to avoid suspicion, now many criminals have been sent here, and here is Grandpa, you are in charge, speaking of which, they are all slaves who do things for you, you see everyone is normal, and no one will spread it out." Sun Shangqi was still there and seriously analyzing.

Zhang Zhoubai glanced at him and said: "It's just a Baoguo lady, and there are still gossips, thinking that I am a British duke?" Or does someone think I have other intentions? You, you. ”

Sun Shangqi smiled ashamedly and said: "It's a humiliation and faux pas, so can you see it?" ”

"See you." Zhang Zhou said, "Among the families of the local criminals, she has the highest status, so I should appease her first, so that she can go back to convey His Majesty's intentions." ”

"Yes."

……

……

Not long after Sun Shangqi left, he brought Mrs. Baoguo to appear in front of Zhang Zhou.

This is the second time the two have met, and the difference is that this time Mrs. Baoguo looks more haggard and aging, before the Baoguo Mansion has just been raided, Mrs. Baoguo still has a little wealth and grace, but only a few months later, as she has experienced a lot of hard work, the wrinkles and signs of aging that she should have in her original age are almost all revealed.

It is difficult for a woman in her forties to maintain her youth.

"The concubine asks for peace to the grandfather."

Mrs. Baoguo is also interested, and kneels down first when they meet.

Zhang Zhoudao: "What is this? Madame up. ”

Zhang Zhouduan sat there, and there was no need to get up to greet him, and he was indifferent, but it would make the woman in pain feel that this was a normal etiquette and humility, and it would reduce the psychological burden.

Mrs. Baoguo was used by the emperor to suppress Zhang Mao, even if she arrived at the port, she didn't do too much work, at most she worked as a helper in the kitchen, and even commanded others to do things, and there was a son and daughter-in-law by her side to help, which was a special treatment given by the emperor.

"If there's something, just say it." Zhang Zhou saw that the people had already stood up, and he couldn't help but say.

Sun Shangqi on the side was still staring at this woman carefully, and he was afraid that her sudden outburst would be unfavorable to Zhang Zhou.

Mrs. Baoguo said: "The concubine knows that the husband was transferred from the border pass to the coastal place, just within this city fortress, the concubine wants to visit, and I hope that the grandfather can understand the hard work of our family, after all, our Zhu family has also shed blood for Daming, we want to ...... A family reunion. ”

Zhang Zhou asked Sun Shangqi on the side: "Is Zhu Hui here?" ”

Sun Shangqi said: "Just transferred." ”

"Hmm." Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "It's okay to meet each other, but if you want to reunite as a family, it will take a while for now." Especially if your children and family are scattered everywhere now, it is not easy to get together. ”

Mrs. Baoguo hurriedly said: "Isn't it okay to have a grandfather come forward?" We don't want to be exempt from sin, we just want to be reunited as a family. The husband and concubine are willing to do things for the court, and they really shouldn't put up with the separation of the family, not to mention ......"

Sun Shangqi interrupted her and said, "Hugh has to make a time!" ”

Immediately, Mrs. Baoguo didn't dare to say anything.

Zhang Zhou asked: "Baoguo Mansion, how many people are in the city now?" ”

Sun Shangqi said: "There are more than 40 family members who have been assigned before, and there are nearly 30 people in the city at present, if you count the domestic servants, etc., there will be even more." But those people couldn't trace the whereabouts. ”

"Remove those who have agreed to reunite with you before, and now at most in the city, you will be allowed to meet every once in a while." Zhang Zhou said, "If you want to really reunite as a family, you have to do more." Working here, in addition to getting paid, there will also be some additional rewards, only if you accumulate more, you can redeem yourself as a commoner, and then no one will be able to interfere with your freedom. ”

Mrs. Baoguo said: "The concubine doesn't understand. ”

"Someone will make you understand." Zhang Zhou said, "Sun Yanshi, you explain the point system to her." If you do a good job, you can be promoted here in the future, even if you are reinstated, it may not be impossible. ”