Chapter 83: Drinking with the general, comforting life
There is an inn called Tongchun Building in Xila Hutong outside Dong'an Gate of the Imperial City. You can eat and drink in the front and people can live in the backyard.
In a private seat facing the street on the second floor of the restaurant in front, Zhang Cheng was having a banquet with the imperial censor Yu Shangyou and other imperial officials. Zhang Cheng was of the highest rank at this table, but he was not arrogant.
Pinjingguan also respected him very much.
"These adults are all very knowledgeable. Zhang Cheng is really envious of them."
Zhang Cheng drank some wine and started talking unscrupulously due to the drunkenness. He continued to say:
"If according to our decision, Mr. Wang knows the military affairs and knows the battle formation, he can definitely be appointed as the director of the Ministry of War. Mr. Ma Jiazhi, according to me, should be transferred back to the Ministry of Rites."
Yu Shangyou saw the signs and hurriedly added: "What General Zhang said is exactly what I feel. It's a pity that although these gentlemen are full of knowledge and strategies, they have no way to serve the country."
The expressions on the faces of the people at the table were a little gloomy. This is indeed the case in the imperial court. No matter how capable you are, without the support of your master, fellow countrymen, the same year, etc., it will be difficult to get ahead.
period.
Wei Zhice saw that the heat was almost over, so he raised his glass to toast, and persuaded Zhang Cheng: "General, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. Today, I have met several adults, and I cherish your talents and strategies. Why don't you take the opportunity to meet with your Majesty to pay homage to him?"
The current emperor and Mr. Yangge recommend several adults."
Everyone in the banquet heard the words, their eyes shone brightly, and they immediately became energetic, but they didn't know how to speak. After all, the character and face of a scholar are clearly visible and cannot be exceeded.
Under everyone's expectant eyes, Zhang Cheng picked up the wine glass, but he didn't want to toast, as if something made him hesitant, he looked like he was contemplating, but no one dared to disturb him.
"Snapped!"
Suddenly, Zhang Cheng placed the wine glass heavily on the wine table, stood up and said loudly: "Well, I feel like old friends with all of you sir today, and I really feel sorry for you.
I really can't bear to see such a great talent, full of knowledge and strategy, buried like this. Don't worry, everyone. When my Majesty sees the Holy One, I will definitely recommend all your talents to the King. Even if the Holy One blames Zhang Cheng for this, it is completely
I can’t care anymore.”
Yuan Pengnian, the head of the Ministry of Rites, said at this time: "Today I can see General Zhang Cheng in person, who has made all the Eastern captives frightened. It is a great comfort to be able to share a table and drink with General Zhang, the pillar of the country.
How dare you ask the general, a hero who ranks first among the three armies, to work so hard for us? If it delays the general's future, how can we and others feel at ease?"
Zhang Cheng picked up the wine glass again, glanced at everyone in the banquet majestically, and said loudly: "You are all talented people in the country, and you are very loyal and patriotic. How can you stay under others for a long time, and your official position is not obvious? How can you show your talents?
.
I, Zhang Cheng, recommend talents to the country, how can I consider the personal safety and gain? Everyone, when I see you, you will definitely risk your life to recommend talents to the country in front of your Majesty and Mr. Ge. Come, have this glass of wine, Zhang Cheng
Sirs."
After he finished speaking, he raised his glass high. Everyone at the table, either inspired by this or excited by the thought of their own future, stood up, and the seven wine glasses met together in the air.
Although during the Ming Dynasty, it was strictly forbidden for officials in the capital to associate with foreign officials and generals, but that was only stipulated in the early days of the country. In today's Ming Dynasty, there are still some officials in the capital who do not associate with foreign officials and generals.
For everyone in the banquet today, they are extremely happy to be able to curry favor with Zhang Cheng, a young general who is at the top of the court and has military strength in the local area.
…………
Zhang Cheng and the censor Yu Shangyou had a banquet that didn't end until late. Everyone at the banquet admired Zhang Cheng very much and talked happily. After the banquet, they made an appointment to wait for Zhang Cheng to leave the capital.
Sincere farewell.
Wei Zhice went downstairs to see Yu Shangyou and others off. When he returned upstairs, Zhang Cheng was already leaning on the railing outside the private seat and looking out at the market. He walked up to him and said, "General, let's rest first."
"Well, let's go stay in the backyard first, and you can go to Mr. Ge's house." Zhang Cheng said.
The two of them walked down the stairs. Wei Zhice was also very familiar with Tongchun Tower, so he didn't ask Wang Zhaozheng to come over to greet him. He just led the way for Zhang Cheng.
When they came to the backyard, it was a different world. It was an independent small courtyard. Although it was connected to the restaurant through a corridor, it also had a side door that could directly enter the street, and you could enter and exit without going through the restaurant.
There are several old willows hanging low in the courtyard, and there is a small pond. Opposite is another small courtyard. Wei Zhice introduced: "General, there are only four small courtyards like this behind here, and the rest will live behind the restaurant."
In the inn."
"Yes, it is indeed much quieter here." Zhang Cheng was very satisfied.
Once upon a time, he was just a low-level officer fighting on the battlefield, but now, he is a general commanding nearly ten thousand troops and horses, and having bought such an estate, Zhang Cheng actually felt a little elated.
In front of him is a two-story small independent building. Wei Zhice introduced that there are more than ten rooms here. If it is full, it can accommodate forty or fifty people. However, now it is only used by Zhang Cheng and his group, and two rooms can be used to receive guests.
.
The two entered the small building and ran up to the second floor. Wei Zhice asked quietly: "General, do you really want to speak to the few adults just now in front of the emperor?"
Zhang Cheng walked up the stairs slowly and said without even looking back: "Haha, how can such a trivial matter be worthy of me speaking in front of the emperor? I would like to advise you to bring some money and go to various government offices these days.
These people are all Jinshi and already have some experience. They just need a favor. You just need to take the general's name card, prepare a few generous gifts, and go to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Etiquette.
By the way, who is that Liang Yu? He's the one from the Pingren Division."
Zhang Cheng stood up, turned around and said to Wei Zhice: "Move him, too. We think this person is suitable for serving in the General Affairs Department. Isn't he just an errand boy? Just like us, the waiter at Tongchun Tower, why?"
use?
In Liang Yuming's family, I am still a censor. He may be useful in the future. Let's move him to the General Affairs Department first. In this way, we will have the Censorship Station, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the General Affairs Department.
Friends.
If you go to Beijing to do business in the future, you won’t be lonely anymore, right?”
Wei Zhice shook his head and said: "These people just meet the general, otherwise they don't know when they will be able to get ahead."
"Come, general, this room is prepared for you. Outside the window is the inner courtyard, which is quieter. There is a tea room outside, where you can read a book and drink tea."
Zhang Cheng followed Wei Zhice into the room, went to the window and opened the carved window. A warm breeze blew by, and he felt a slight feeling of alcohol rising in his chest. He pressed his hands on the edge of the window and looked out at the green willows and ponds.