Chapter 217 The Widow and the Widow

Author: Silent

Chapter 217 The Widow and the Widow

On the night of March 17, Zhang Zhougang packed up his drawings in the study.

He went to bed early in the evening and even canceled the entertainment program before going to bed. He had to go to the palace early the next morning to wait for the release of the results and the announcement. Just as he was about to wash up, he was told that Xiao Jing was coming to the door.

"Eunuch Xiao, what are you doing?"

When Zhang Zhou saw the smile on Xiao Jing's face, he probably knew that Xiao Jing came with a happy event.

Xiao Jing cupped his hands and said with a smile: "First of all, congratulations, Zhang Gongsheng, the first place in the first class. The number one scholar on the gold list."

"Hoo, really?"

Zhang Zhou smiled.

Won the top prize?

That's okay. Hasn't it been a smooth journey since he started taking part in the imperial examination? The accumulation of knowledge in two lifetimes seems to be very important.

Therefore, there are no white diamonds in the pile of paper.

Xiao Jing said: "Today in the palace, your paper is the most highly regarded by the examiners, and you deserve the title of number one scholar."

Most admired...

Zhang Zhou thought for a while, and his handwriting could be recognized by Li Dongyang and Wang Hao as his former examiners. Could it be that the civil officials did not intend to suppress him and directly pushed him to the top position?

Aren't civil servants worried about the emergence of an uncontrollable alien around them in the future?

Or do they have the confidence to incorporate themselves?

Zhang Zhouxin said, it is not certain who will tame whom!

"Eunuch Xiao, you're not here just for this matter, are you?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.

"You can't hide anything from Mr. Zhang. Seeing how calm and composed you are, you should have figured it out a long time ago. Our visit is just the icing on the cake."

When told that Zhang Zhou won the first prize, Zhang Zhou just smiled politely.

In fact, Xiao Jing can also understand that regardless of whether Zhang Zhou has calculated this in advance or not, for Zhang Zhou, is there really a big difference between winning the number one prize and not?

Anyway, he entered the court as an official.

With the emperor as your great backer and a close relationship with the prince, what else do you have to worry about?

If Zhang Zhou relied on cleverness to win favor, that would be fine. There might be a day when he would fall out of favor. But Zhang Zhou gained today's favor by understanding God's will from above and directly attacking people's hearts. This kind of person is even feared by his enemies.

He was able to make a name for himself even when he was not in court, so does Zhang Zhou really care about his fame and fortune?

It seems like this stingy boy really cares.

But that should be just a superficial phenomenon, right?

"It's about the military situation in the northwest." Xiao Jing also explained his purpose.

The good news is only secondary, the focus is still on the military situation, and it is explained that it is "Northwest", not Liaodong.

"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded, "Eunuch Xiao, let's sit down and talk."

…

…

Zhang Zhou’s study.

Two more candles were lit, and Wang Mingshan stood at the door. Even Xiao Jing didn't mind her. Maybe he knew that she was Zhang Zhou's personal guard. Even if Wang Mingshan came from the Wang family, he was not worried that she would ventilate to outsiders.

Tell the truth.

"This is Ningxia, Shaanxi, Yansui and other places. Please take a look at the memorials for the last five or six days."

Xiao Jing took out several things, including memorials and direct battle reports.

The emperor showed it to Zhang Zhou, so Zhang Zhou didn't need to be polite, he picked it up and looked at it carefully.

Xiao Jing also provided a narration to explain: "Huosi suffered a huge defeat at Pianguan, the situation on the grassland was turbulent, and the little Tatar prince Batu Meng didn't seem to focus on the matter of annexing the Huosi Department.

Recently, Yulinwei and other places have often been harassed. Duke Cheng Guo has just arrived, but he is... stubborn and difficult to get out..."

Although it feels like there are wars on all sides now, the next war may happen in Liaodong.

But it seems that the northwest, apart from Yansui, which is the core of the three sides, is the center of gravity of the nine-sided defense.

Previously, the emperor insisted on sending Cheng Guogong Zhu Fu to Yansui to be the chief military officer, and he also experienced the consequences of "nepotism", because Zhu Fu... was indeed a fool. He did not dare to send troops when the enemy invaded the country.

Even if they attack occasionally, they always withdraw in a hurry.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Not to mention Duke Cheng, except for Wang Weining, no one in the Ming Dynasty seems to be able to change the situation around Yansui."

Does this mean that if Zhu Fu is replaced by someone else, the effect will be better?

Don't call Zhu Fu a fool. Even if he was brave and good at fighting, he could not change the habits accumulated by the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops for hundreds of years with his personal strength.

That's...shrinking.

But in the eyes of the emperor, this is like "the son is a hero, and I am a turtle bastard." I promoted you because I believed in your son, and in the end, this is how you, Zhu Fu, showed your abilities?

"Your Majesty is very dissatisfied with this. Now we clearly have the advantage over the Tatars in the Ming Dynasty's frontier. Why are we still so timid? Your Majesty would like to have Mr. Zhang attend the court meeting tomorrow to participate in the discussion of this matter.

"

Xiao Jing also made it clear.

Regardless of whether there is a grand ceremony tomorrow or not, the emperor wants to hear your explanation of the situation in Yansui.

Others... just stay where it's cool.

Even if the horse loses the picture, it won't work.

Zhang Zhou laughed and said: "In my opinion, the situation around Yansui is just a deliberate attempt by the Tatars to create tension. They don't even understand what the mighty gunpowder is, so how could they commit such large-scale violations? As for the harassment in Hetao and other places.

, are all just caused by the survival pressure of some tribes. Let's put it this way... I think the situation in Yansui, if we don't have better suggestions, I'm afraid I will disappoint His Majesty."

"you……"

When Xiao Jing heard this, he seemed to be even more disappointed than the emperor.

He knew very well that the emperor had such great expectations for the situation in the northwest now, all because of Zhang Zhou.

Now that Zhang Zhou is saying that there is no hope for the northwest, he means that we should focus on Liaodong.

"Besides, I am not a Jinshi now. If I am listed in the court class, I will only attract criticism from others. I have not even planned the situation in Liaodong well, and I really have no intention of extending the throne." Zhang Zhou sighed with emotion.

Xiao Jing said with regret on his face: "If that's the case, you can also write something and we can take it back to your Majesty. Don't get me wrong, our family is not trying to shirk responsibility, because your Majesty only believes in you.

Your Majesty can listen to what you said, but if we relay it... it may not work."

Zhang Zhou smiled, picked up the pen, and wrote some of his opinions on the paper as Xiao Jing requested.

In general.

Yansui, there is nothing I can do.

…

…

Liaodong, Ningyuan.

After nightfall, Zhu Feng, who had been busy all day, sat in the so-called Chinese army's tent and once again opened the letter given to him by his wife Ning Tong. This letter was handed to him by someone from the Chengguo Palace when he passed by the capital.

At that time, I just thought it was a family matter, but... Ning Tong proposed to make peace with him.

"Sir, Uncle Ping Jiang is here to visit."

Zhu Daqi came in to report to him.

Zhu Feng hadn't had dinner yet, and she was waiting for the meal to be prepared on the stove, but here Chen Rui came.

"Let him in."

Zhu Feng calmed down.

Chen Rui walked into the tent with a smile on his face. After a brief exchange of greetings, he said with emotion: "The command post should be given to you. You are the commander-in-chief. The military post should not be regarded as the headquarters of the commander-in-chief.

It’s inappropriate.”

Zhu Feng said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter where you raise the account."

For Zhu Feng, he just wanted to finish the war and return to the capital to be a carefree young boy. Whether it was the northwest or Liaodong, he didn't want to stay for a moment longer.

As for those face-saving projects... people like Ren Liang and Chen Rui were very concerned about it, but he had no idea at all.

"Eat?" Chen Rui asked with a smile.

Zhu Feng shook his head: "Uncle Ping Jiang, just tell me if you have something to do. I still have some private matters to deal with."

Chen Rui smiled and said: "You know your integrity, I didn't expect you to be so organized and orderly in arranging military affairs. You are really like a general. No wonder you can rise from the army. I also like talking to young people the most.

…”
To be continued...