The sixteenth day of the first month.

Early in the morning, the ministers gathered again, this was the first time that the ministers had the opportunity to see the emperor again after the hurried court meeting in the first year, and it was also a new opportunity to acupuncture in front of the emperor.

When Liu Jian and Li Dongyang met, they had been waiting for Tong Zhong to appear and talk to Tong Zhong to understand.

But on the side of the household, there is no figure of Tong Zhong, and Tong Zhong's illness this time is still not over, probably He Zhong also realized that he may become the target of public criticism, and he chose to avoid the first court meeting after the year.

Lu Wan, as the right attendant of the household, looks very beautiful, a group of people surround him, some seem to be talking to Lu Wan about the affairs of the household, but in the eyes of some people, this is a group of villains who are flies and dogs, and they are talking to Lu Wan, and they do not have the principle of being a Confucian minister......

The crowd did not enter the Fengtian Gate.

The emperor didn't come, and in the end it was just Chen Kuan who came: "Ministers, go back first." His Majesty still has a slight illness in his body, so he can only postpone the matter of the court first, and in a few days, when it is time to cultivate, His Majesty will come to the court. ”

The ministers looked at each other.

originally thought that Zhu Youji's body had healed, everything could be restored to the old system, and while Zhang Zhouren was not in the capital, they could make good use of this time to repair relations with the emperor.

Behold......

Lin Han walked over and asked, "Your Majesty, how is the dragon body?" Over there at the Tai Hospital...... What can be said? ”

Chen Kuan smiled and said, "Lin Butang, there are some things you shouldn't ask. Your Majesty has been recuperating recently, and there is no major illness, and I hope that all the ministers will not speculate. ”

……

……

The ministers dispersed.

Different officials have to go back to their respective yamen, and some of them gather together to say something, but basically they can't escape some trivial matters, and in this kind of public occasion, no one will talk about major matters.

Liu Jian and Li Dongyang went to the cabinet to be on duty, which was different from the path taken by everyone.

Cheng Minzheng went to the Hanlin Academy under the pretext of going to the Hanlin Academy early on, and he did not go with them.

"Next, Zhang Tingmian should be transferred back." Liu Jian said, "With him, at least no one in the government and the opposition will make waves." ”

Li Dongyang asked, "Is this to restrain those people in the upper listening office?" ”

After Liu Jian glanced at Li Dongyang, he naturally nodded.

Li Dongyang said: "The incident involving Yu Qiao a few years ago made the Shangting Office, which should not have shown his face in the court, become the target of public criticism for a while, and in the handling and decision of many things in the future, His Majesty is deliberately inclined to the Tingling, and it is also time to find a way to curb his monopoly on the court." But just letting the British Duke come back, I'm afraid it won't have much effect. ”

"Besides, you have a good plan?" Liu Jian frowned and asked.

Li Dongyang thought about it, but shook his head again, obviously trying to stifle the yamen trusted by the emperor, which was very difficult.

It's as if they haven't been able to take Zhang Zhou all the time.

Liu Jian looked into the distance and said, "Remember what I told you?" ”

"Which thing?" Li Dongyang didn't seem to know what Liu Jian was referring to for a while.

Liu Jian said: "Those who can check and balance Zhang Bingkuan, or only those generations of princes and nobles, from the road of impeachment, it is obviously no longer feasible, Zhang Bingkuan is different from ordinary ministers. ”

"That's right." Li Dongyang sighed, "The most important thing about Zhang Bingkuan is that he will do things for the imperial court, and sometimes his ability to do things is something that people have to pay attention to. However, this is also his shortcoming, at any time, people who can do things often end badly. ”

"What did you say?" Liu Jian looked over.

Li Dongyang smiled bitterly: "Just say it." Could it be that in this government and the opposition, isn't it the one who can do things, and it is easiest to offend people? Or as you said in the middle hall, those princes and nobles are the most intolerant of him. But how many people have the courage to compete with Zhang Bingkuan? A powerful minister who has won the trust of His Majesty, even if it sometimes seems to be without edges and corners, no one dares to touch them, and no one knows whether the edges and corners will be ...... to themselves."

Liu Jian was silent.

Li Dongyang said: "Even if we want Zhang Tingmian to come back, I am afraid that it is not easy, Zhang Tingmian is not sharp, and there are concerns of his descendants, I am afraid that after he comes back, he will be in cahoots with Zhang Bingkuan again." ”

Liu Jian continued to be silent.

"So, what I'm thinking is...... Do you want...... It's up to us to do this? Li Dongyang seems to have understood Liu Jian's intentions.

The two had previously discussed the path of "physical eradication".

Liu Jian waved his hand and said: "You and I are Wenru, don't think about those things, their internal struggles, how to do it, can be understood, but we do things by ourselves and abide by the rules." Otherwise, there is one less Zhang Bingkuan, and there are many people who are trusted by His Majesty now, such as Wang Qiong, Lu Wan and others, how should they deal with it at that time? ”

Li Dongyang said: "Also, with Zhang Bingkuan here, these people are still keeping to themselves." If Zhang Bingkuan is not there, it will be even more difficult to deter them. ”

Liu Jian said: "In the past, we let Zhang Bingkuan go, more because we mistakenly thought that he was fledgling, or that it was difficult for him to find allies and henchmen from the six departments of the DPRK and the Central Committee. But he never thought that he would select some talents from some inconspicuous officials to become his right-hand man. Now that he is full of wings, since we cannot confront him head-on, we should focus on cutting off his wings. ”

Li Dongyang nodded and said, "No matter how careful he is, he can't prevent others from being corrupt and perverting the law." A Liu Yu is the best embodiment, he wants to use this to deter the people around him, but he never thought that many people would be separated from him because of this...... Looks like it's time for some planning. ”

"Let's not talk about it yet."

Liu Jian said, "Find a way, find someone to explain Zhang Tingmian's hard work, and bring him back first, among those martial arts in the court, only Zhang Tingmian can compete with Zhang Bingkuan head-on." ”

"Hmm."

This time, Li Dongyang also agreed with Liu Jian's point of view, nodded and said, "Let's find someone." However, it is also necessary to let people inform Zhang Tingmian, and let him keep asking for it, Your Majesty will be lenient and benevolent, and may be considerate of him. ”

……

……

Port.

Late at night, Zhang Zhou wore a dress, sat at a table in a heated room, lit a candle to deal with the official documents at hand.

There are three types.

One is that the emperor sent it directly to him for advice...... It is equivalent to that he is the master of ceremonies and the minister of the cabinet, because the opinions he gives will basically be completely adopted by the emperor, and even the celebrant has no right to interfere.

The second type is the official document of the Ministry of War, which also involves the military affairs of Liaodong.

The third is the affairs of the port, it seems that the third thing is the smallest, but there are many aspects involved, and Zhang Zhou wants to be the home of a new type of city by himself.

In the dead of night.

Cui Ying carried the lantern and replaced the hot tea, Zhang Zhou raised his head and smiled at her, Cui Ying also sat down a little shyly, sat on the opposite side of Zhang Zhou's desk, replaced the tea, poured out the tea, and then helped Zhang Zhou hand over the official documents one by one, and then stacked them neatly.

It didn't seem to help much, but it would make Zhang Zhou's desk look neater.

"What time is it?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Cui Ying said: "It's ...... the third watch."

While talking, Cui Ying was still helping Zhang Zhou Yanmo, which was also her daily work.

The daughter of the boudoir, who had rested very early, became a night owl because she had been with Zhang Zhou for less than a month, and she seemed to have begun to adapt to the habit of sleeping in the middle of the night.

"I'm a little hungry, help me get some food." Zhang Zhoudao.

"Hmm."

Cui Ying got up.

At this time, she has a few more installments.

Because she is better at cooking, after all, Cui Ying is only Cui Yuan's half-sister, her childhood is not only experienced in poetry and songs, female red knitting, she also has to come into contact with a lot of daily chores.

Every time she helps Zhang Zhou prepare a supper, she will feel a sense of accomplishment.

After all, Zhang Zhou is outside, and he sleeps in the open a lot of times, and he doesn't have any pursuit of food or anything, and her existence has improved Zhang Zhou's food.

Even Zhang Zhou himself felt that because of Cui Ying, he didn't have any worries on the port side, even if it seemed that there were constant affairs every day, and he often had to stay up late to go out to inspect, but he still gained weight after a month.

As soon as people get a little fat, they are more suitable for a comfortable life, Zhang Zhou faintly feels that there is nothing wrong with staying in the port, and if he does not return to Beijing, he can just hide and relax.

……

……

In the middle of the night, Sun Shangqi knew that Zhang Zhou hadn't slept, so he still came over to be a disturber.

With the help of Cui Ying, Zhang Zhou sorted out his clothes, and went to the hall where he received guests with Wang Mingshan, who was also a night owl.

Sun Shangqi led the way and brought one person, who is Yang Peng, who is now beginning to have the ability to call for wind and rain in the court.

Yang Peng first said to Zhang Zhoushi: "Our family is going to leave for Beijing tomorrow, and I planned to resign early tomorrow morning, but I know that Mr. has not gone to bed yet, so I have to come to disturb first." Some things are better to explain clearly in advance, and you don't have to talk about things in front of people. ”

As he spoke, he glanced at Sun Shangqi, which probably meant that you were in the way here.

"Hmm." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Sun Shangqi was also very knowledgeable and retreated.

After only Zhang Zhou and Yang Peng were left in the hall, Yang Peng said: "Our family can be promoted by His Majesty, and to today's position, Grandpa, you have also helped a lot. ”

Zhang Zhou said: "In this regard, Yang Gonggong does not have to discuss with me. ”

"It's not right not to discuss." Yang Peng said, "Grandpa, you should know that under the care of Li Zhang and Li Gonggong, the East Factory has become more and more arrogant, and it is a little different from the first few years. Insolence is good at arrogance, which can shock people's hearts. His Majesty wants to make Dongchang rein in this time, and even Jinyiwei must restrain it. ”

"Hmm." Zhang Zhou nodded again, agreeing with this point of view.

"But many people in the DPRK and China eat hard and not soft, just with a gentle strategy, I am afraid that it will be difficult to win the hearts of the people, so our family's intentions cannot be merciful after going back...... But where it should be hard, where it should be soft, I still need a little guidance from you, this is not here, but also a place to contact......"

Yang Peng said this with a smile.

In fact, he was reminding Zhang Zhou that he Yang Peng could help with things in the future, as long as Zhang Zhou didn't like it, Yang Peng could directly make him feel bad.

I don't decide for myself which things need to be dealt with by forceful means, and I ask for your opinion, which is equivalent to saying where you are pointing and where I fight.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Gonggong Yang, it's a little inappropriate for you to ask me so directly, right?" ”

Yang Peng smiled: "Who is our family, you should know it." Our family is by no means the kind of ungrateful person, and our family knows the rules very well, and all matters in the court, involving Dongchang and Jinyiwei, must have nothing to do with you. ”

Zhang Zhoudeng felt that Yang Peng's means were much higher than Li Zhang's.

This is also why Yang Peng was able to mess around under traitors like Li Guang, and later he was able to jump to his side, and even gain the trust of the emperor.

It's not that he can stutter, but he will see the wind and rudder, but also because he "stresses principles", to put it bluntly, he is a qualified watchdog, he does not have a strong desire to express himself like Li Zhang, but he will do things carefully, and he also knows how to do things with money.

is also a villain, Yang Peng can be said to be unique.

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "If you really need help, you have to worry about Gonggong Yang." ”

Of course, Zhang Zhou doesn't need to do anything, so he directly asks Yang Peng to do something, but many things indirectly depend on Yang Peng.

For example, when someone in the DPRK and China participated in his impeachment, Yang Peng secretly helped him, which is equivalent to saying that he can suppress some public opinion without him Zhang Zhou coming forward, and the people will also spread his Zhang Zhou's capable side...... At least when he was still powerful in the court, he would not be attacked by so many people.

Because Dongchang and Jinyiwei are on his side, they can lead public opinion astray.

Of course, if he Zhang Zhou really falls, what public opinion is not something that he Zhang Zhou or the people of the factory guard can control, and in the end it is the Wenchen who holds the pen in his hand that defines his loyalty.

Yang Peng said with a smile: "Before we leave, there is one more thing I want to ask for Mr.'s opinion." ”

"Please." Zhang Zhoudao.

"Li Zhang, Father-in-law's side...... I don't know if you're ...... Do you trust it? Yang Peng smiled and said a question.

This question, let Zhang Zhou think about it, and he will vaguely feel a chill coming.

Yang Peng wants to attack Li Zhang?

With Yang Peng's consciousness, he naturally understood that when the emperor used Li Zhang, he could be said to have complete trust in Li Zhang...... Now sending Li Zhang to the three sides on an errand does not mean that Li Zhang has completely lost the trust of the emperor, but more of a protection.

Yang Peng was very afraid that after Li Zhang returned to the court in the future, he would suppress him Yang Peng again.

Therefore, in order to protect himself, Yang Peng can only strike first.

This is also related to Li Zhang's usual work and not leaving people a way to live...... Li Zhang's ruthlessness made Yang Peng feel very jealous.

There was no frontal conflict before, because Yang Peng belonged to a person who had lost power, and Li Zhang's foundation was unstable, plus he Zhang Zhou protected him Yang Peng, Li Zhang didn't dare to mess around.

But if you want to say that when Li Zhang makes a comeback, by then, the contradiction between Li Zhang and Yang Peng will definitely become public.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Gonggong Li is doing things for His Majesty, what does it matter if I trust it or not?" ”

"Oh."

Yang Peng wanted to ponder this sentence, whether Zhang Zhou wanted to protect Li Zhang.

Zhang Zhou got up and said: "Gonggong Yang, be careful on the way back to Beijing, you are now in a high position, I am afraid that someone will covet your position." And the recent events in the government and the opposition...... It's hard to predict, even I can't say it well, and if I don't do anything properly, I will make enemies. ”

Yang Peng smiled: "Sir, don't worry, our family will be careful." Our family also wants to do more things for Mr. and do our part for His Majesty and the Ming Dynasty. (End of chapter)