turmoil

Zhang Jingche thought behind closed doors for three days. On the evening of the third day, he ordered Han Xun, the deputy leader of Youyunwei, to send a secret letter to the Hall of Qinzheng. The next morning, he received the new emperor's call for an audience.

Zhang Jingche was summoned into the palace, and when he was crossing the long street, he bumped into a group of people from afar.The person in the head must have pale hair and a clear face. If you go back 30 years, you must be a romantic scholar, and it is Zhou Mao, the Duke of Pei.

Zhang Jingche stood still, turned slightly, and took the initiative to salute and say hello.

Since the new emperor came to the throne, the Pei Guogong's mansion has been like a fire cooking oil, and there are countless people who come and go.Zhou Mao has never paid attention to Jin Yiwei's ilk, but at this moment he rarely stopped, and greeted with a smile: "Commander Zhang? Are you entering the palace again so soon?"

These words sounded right at first glance, but after careful consideration, it was clear that they had heard about the turmoil in the Qinzheng Palace that day, and they were ridiculing and mocking around the bush.

Zhang Jingche just didn't know, lowered his eyes and smiled: "I'm on official business, and I have Duke Laopei to ask me."

Duke Pei Guo glanced at him, and said meaningfully: "I see Commander Zhang's complexion is not very good... The past two days have been windy and windy, and the weather has changed so fast, Commander Zhang still needs to take care of himself, don't rely on his health Don't take it seriously, you know, there are unpredictable things in the sky, no matter how proud a person is, there will be misfortunes and blessings."

Zhang Jingche smiled slightly, and responded implicitly: "The Lord's suggestion, I will keep it in my heart."

After all, he was in the palace right now, so Zhou Mao couldn't push him too much, so he said goodbye and left the palace when the point came.Zhang Jingche stood respectfully by the side of the road. Seeing him walking away, he followed the eunuch into the Palace of Qinzheng, and bowed down to salute: "I bow to Your Majesty."

Liu Yanzhao was flipping through the brochure he handed over. Hearing this, he raised his head and gave him a complicated look: "You have just recovered from a serious illness, don't be too polite, get up."

Zhang Jingche got up as he said, only to hear Liu Yanzhao ponder and say: "Your booklet said that you want to leave Beijing and go to Qilu?"

Zhang Jingche had been prepared for a long time, and said calmly at this time: "Exactly! Hasn't the emperor been worried about the annexation of Mintian by the aristocratic family? According to the information obtained by You Yunwei and Jin Yiwei, the most rampant annexation of Mintian is nothing more than a few families , Duke Pei's mansion is among them. If we can catch the mansion of Pei Guo this time, we don't expect to uproot it. It's just that there is always some deterrent force to knock the mountain and shake the tiger, and it can force him to spit out the meat he ate. , counts in one fell swoop."

Liu Yanzhao had a sullen face at first, but he couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "What do you spit out the meat you eat... What do you think of Mr. Pei Guo? You are so open-mouthed in front of me, it can be seen that you What kind of arrogance in private."

Zhang Jingche lowered his eyes slightly, as if he didn't hear Liu Yanzhao's joking but serious joke.

Liu Yanzhao paused for a moment, and changed into a worried expression: "But according to what you said, the aristocratic family's annexation of the people's land is becoming more and more rampant. Even if the Peiguo government is forced to return the good land, there is no guarantee that it will not be taken away by others."

Zhang Jingche had a plan in mind, and at this moment, he said with confidence: "Since this is the case, there is no need for Your Majesty to return the land to the people in a hurry. You can set up Huangzhuang in the Qilu area."

Liu Yanzhao was taken aback: "Huangzhuang?"

Zhang Jingche nodded: "His Majesty will personally send trustworthy people to serve as the stewards of Huangzhuang. The tenants can recruit local good people on the spot—as long as the wages are generous enough, I believe there are some displaced people who are willing to be called."

Liu Yanzhao's last bit of annoyance disappeared completely, and he said excitedly, "Go ahead!"

"The harvest of the Huangzhuang does not need to be included in the national treasury. We can build another treasury called the internal treasury," Zhang Jingche said. The treasury only obeys His Majesty's orders, and is free from exploitation by the court, and if there is a disaster in the future, if the treasury cannot allocate money and food, it can also be supported by the inner treasury."

This is not a panacea for all diseases, but it is the best solution Zhang Jingche can think of.Liu Yanzhao showed joy at first, and walked back and forth in the Qinzheng Hall twice, then frowned slightly, appearing to be full of worries: "In this way, there may be a lot of discussions in the court, and those speech officials are staring at me. The big hat of competing with the people for profit and disregarding the people's livelihood cannot escape."

Zhang Jingche smiled faintly: "The princes in the court are used to planning for a rainy day, and they are out of good intentions...Since they care so much about people's livelihood, your majesty may wish to list the funds that should be allocated after the disaster in the south of the Yangtze River, and bring them to the court, and invite those who have objections My lord, make up the total number—since you have a family and a country in your heart, you probably won’t refuse.”

Liu Yanzhao couldn't help laughing, thought about it, and finally burst out laughing: "You are the only one who can come up with such a bad idea!"

He patted Zhang Jingche's shoulder, the gloom between his brows disappeared, and finally said with emotion: "It's just that your body is just right, and you have to work hard for me. I really can't bear it."

Zhang Jingche resisted the urge to push him away, lowered his eyes and said, "It's a minister's duty to share the emperor's worries."

Liu Yanzhao looked at him, thinking of the confrontation that day, he felt embarrassed and uncomfortable.He still can't figure out whether Zhang Jingche's dedication is for himself or for someone in the harem.But he is a dignified commander of Jinyiwei, always carrying open and dark arrows on his shoulders that have nothing to do with him. Presumably there is always some friendship, right?

Thinking of this, Liu Yanzhao's expression became more relaxed, and he lifted Zhang Jingche's chin with his fingers, forcing him to raise his head.

This was a very frivolous and aggressive move. Zhang Jingche's eyelids twitched, and he managed to suppress the overwhelming hostility and murderous intent, only to hear Liu Yanzhao ask: "You asked yourself to leave Beijing, don't you want to take the opportunity to go?" Not coming back?"

Even if Zhang Jingche really had the idea of ​​fleeing the rivers and lakes, he would never admit it right now: "Your Majesty is overthinking, I have no such intention."

Liu Yanzhao looked at him carefully, but no matter what he couldn't see through this stunning skin, what he was thinking.After a moment of confrontation, the new emperor had no choice but to let go and sighed: "You speak respectfully, but I know that your temper is the most unruly... That day, even though I drank wine, you were also in a coma, but That's the real you, right?"

Zhang Jingche didn't say a word, just poked in place like a wooden sculpture made of clay.

Liu Yanzhao softened his tone more and more: "Don't think that I'm holding you back, I'm also thinking about you... You are capable, and you are also a talent for living among the people. It's better to stay in the court. As long as I have one day, there will always be your future. .”

Zhang Jingche's eyelashes trembled slightly, maybe Liu Yanzhao was thinking too much, he always felt that the curved corners of this person's eyes were almost mocking.

Liu Yanzhao recalled the tit-for-tat confrontation three days ago, and was a little embarrassed: "That day... I drank too much and said some nonsense, but I didn't mean it. You can just do your business with peace of mind. I will remember the credit and hard work of these years."

He spoke a long story, but Zhang Jingche didn't respond.In the end, the new emperor was a little discouraged, and said patiently: "By the way, what happened that night has been found out. Those letters were originally forged by the palace people around Concubine Shu... This person is bold and reckless, and has sinister intentions. Punishment Department."

Zhang Jingche suddenly raised his head: "How can such a small palace man have such courage? There must be someone behind him!"

How could Liu Yanzhao ignore what he could think of?It's just that when he saw Zhang Jingche wholeheartedly protecting Concubine Shu, he felt uneasy, and his tone naturally cooled down: "This is a matter of the harem, so don't worry about Zhang Qing. Although you and Concubine Shu are from the same hometown, she is now my wife. Concubine, the two of you usually have to avoid suspicion."

Zhang Jingche had already made up his mind to go, and didn't bother to care about the unpredictable attitude of the new emperor, so he saluted meticulously, turned around and retreated.

He originally planned to go to the Fusi of Jinyiwei North Town, but at the gate of the palace, he bumped into a little eunuch who lowered his head and quietly stuffed a note into Zhang Jingche's sleeve.

Zhang Jingche picked up the note, and after a second thought, he didn't go to Beizhen Fusi, and went back to his residence directly.After entering the study room, he closed the doors and windows, opened the note and read it, with a mocking and condensed smile on his face.

"Sure enough, it's Jiaolan Palace," he thought expressionlessly, "I just wanted to teach Pei Guogong a lesson, but now it seems that I can't be soft, I have to hit seven inches straight."

The eunuch who delivered the note didn't often show his face in front of his master, but Zhang Jingche recognized him. He was originally the person he arranged next to Zhang Jingsu. Thanks to him, You Yunwei was able to steal Zhang Jingsu out of the palace without any trace.But after that time, Zhang Jingsu became suspicious and refused to let the little eunuch serve him personally, and then sent him away altogether.Zhang Jingche knew that this was Zhang Jingsu's intention to draw a clear line with him. He had no choice but to arrange people into the Jiaolan Palace as an extra layer of insurance.

Now it seems that this idle pen that is better than nothing is not completely useless.

Zhang Jingche decided to leave Beijing in three days. Yang Fan originally disagreed with his decision.It's not because of anything else, but because the surname Zhang was injured first and then fell ill. His vitality was already severely damaged, and it was too late to rest. How could there be any reason to be busy?But just after the matter of Changchun Palace, the relationship between Zhang Jingche and the new emperor is delicate, Yang Fan weighed it over and over again, and still thinks that it is better for him to leave Beijing to avoid the limelight.

"I've had a chat with Boss Zong. Although he has a weird temper, he's decent, and he should be trustworthy." Yang Fan picked up his chopsticks and picked and picked them on the plate. Fang, besides You Yunwei, I will lend you ten more personal soldiers, and you will take them with you."

Zhang Jingche was looking at the secret report presented by You Yunwei, and he didn't lift his head when he heard the words: "No... just after the incident in the Changchun Palace, the emperor is taboo about colluding with the harem in private. If you know that you have lent the soldiers of the Houfu What would I think? You Yunwei was created by me, everyone is well-trained, and it is enough to take them with you."

Yang Fan looked at him meaningfully: "I'm so surprised, how did you train You Yunwei and his group with your body that can't be lifted by your shoulders or hands? It's not much worse than the generals of the Hou family... ...When will you also give me a training session for your Lord Hou?"

Zhang Jingche finally raised his head and squinted at him, half happy, half angry, "Why is it my family? Lord Hou has a name and surname, when did he become my family?"

Yang Fan was straightforward: "You and I have both worshiped under the Master Wang's school. Seriously, I have to call you brother...Since you are my own brother, what are you doing so clearly? There is no chance!"

Zhang Jingche took advantage of Hou Dingbian's thick skin and spread out the bamboo fracture fan to slap himself.

Just kidding, this trip out of Beijing, the more Yang Fan thought about it, the more worried he became, and at the end he had a whimsical idea: "Why don't I just disguise myself as You Yunwei and go with you? With me here, it doesn't matter whether Mr. Pei Guo is still there or not." Don't let anyone else think about you..."

Zhang Jingche was afraid of Ding Bianhou and thought of his ability to go out: "This is leaving the capital to investigate the case. Are you going to visit the mountains and rivers? It just so happens that I have something to worry about when I leave Beijing this time, so I will entrust it to you." Lord Hou."

He spoke solemnly, and Yang Fan also restrained his playfulness: "Say it."

Zhang Jingche played with the folding fan, and said for a long time: "Master Hou probably knows about the turmoil in the Changchun Palace. Someone has tampered with it, and it is most likely related to the Jiaolan Palace..."

Yang Fan understood, and before he finished speaking, he interjected: "After this incident, the Empress Dowager will sort out the inside and outside of the Changchun Palace, and others will not be able to interfere easily. When you are not in Beijing, I will also pay attention to the movement of Duke Peiguo's mansion." , if there is anything, I will ask You Yunwei, who is staying in the capital, to deliver a letter."

Zhang Jingche closed the folding fan, tapped him on the shoulder, and made a "thank you" gesture.

Three days later, the commander of Jin Yiwei left Beijing in secret. This trip was light and simple, and he only brought ten Youyunwei with him.On the day of leaving Beijing, Yang Fan didn't go to see him off, but sat alone in Dingbianhou's mansion drinking.

In the morning, Zhuo Jiusi came over to have dinner, and caught sight of Dingbianhou sitting in the courtyard.The two of them got used to each other in private, Vice-General Zhuo stepped forward without a trace, snatched the wine glass from Dingbianhou, drank it himself, and said with emotion: "Why are you drinking in the middle of the day, what's bothering you?" ? Say it, and brothers can also give you advice."

Yang Fan gave him a sad look, but said nothing.

Zhuo Jiusi has known him for so long, and he has never seen this kid live like this, like a hard-working little daughter-in-law who has been abandoned from beginning to end.He couldn't help being curious in his heart, and moved forward desperately: "What's the matter? Could it be kicked by a girl you like?"

Yang Fan: "..."

This person is worthy of being his bad friend since he was a child. Except for the word "girl", everything else is basically right.

Zhuo Jiusi observed the words and expressions, and wondered: "No way, you were really kicked? Which girl is so short-sighted, tell my brother, I will vent my anger for you!"

Yang Fan was serious: "It's not a girl."

Zhuo Jiusi: "..."

Lieutenant Zhuo was silent for a while, with an unbelievably confused expression on his face: "You you you...you say it again?"

Yang Fan gestured at him, Zhuo Jiusi leaned his head over, and heard him whisper something in his ear, his face turned pale, red, and green, as if the palette had been overturned, needless to say, the colors were colorful.

At the end, he squeezed out a sentence like a toothache: "This matter... who else knows?"

Yang Fan shook his head sincerely: "It's gone... I'll tell you when you're a brother, don't spread the word."

Zhuo Jiusi got up and took a look, and saw that the yard was quiet, and the generals were guarding the porch, so he grabbed Yang Fan's neck and choked him tightly: "Are you going to die? Speak up if you want to die, Lao Tzu Let me fulfill you, don't bring down your century-old reputation of the Dingbianhou Mansion! If you get to the spring, the coffin of the old Marquis will not be able to hold it down!"

Yang Fan was so strangled that he couldn't breathe, he used a method of grabbing his hand, and broke free lightly and cleverly: "Who wants to die? I'm serious! Although he is not a girl...but his face, which girl can compare to it?"

Zhuo Jiusi was speechless, and it took him a while to use the expression of eating a fly, and hummed like a mosquito: "Marshal...you really decided? You are the only son of the old Hou, if you...determine the side But the inheritance will be extinct!"

Yang Fan didn't take it seriously: "Anyway, the Liu family has always been displeased with the Dingbianhou Mansion, and there will be no future after all. It has eliminated the troubles of today's confidantes, so that others will not worry about it!"

Zhuo Jiusi knew this was the truth, but the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became: "But...why does it have to be him? Apart from other things, it's just his relationship with the present...how do you explain to the present?"

This time, Yang Fan didn't say a word, and the profile of his face was stretched into a straight line like a knife.