Chapter 1110 Departing for the Frontier, Mother’s Marriage Promise
Since the palace banquet on Yuan Day, Zhou Chen has become famous in Tokyo. The poem he composed spread quickly, but it was the last picture of the banquet at Jiying Palace that really made Zhou Chen a god.
The on-site painting was completed within an hour. The painting was lifelike, uncanny workmanship, carving and chiseling. It was truly a miraculous skill. All the civil and military officials in the palace at that time praised it.
During the period after the New Year, many people came to the Hou Mansion to pay a visit, but they were all rejected by Zhou Chen. He was already preparing to leave the capital, and naturally he did not want to make friends with these people anymore.
He still knows the principle of doing things in a high profile and being a low-key person.
Palace banquets can help him build a reputation, but he doesn't want to make friends with others in private. If someone with no foresight tells him about it and forms a clique for personal gain, no matter whether it is true or false, trouble will be inevitable.
In the Chui Gong Hall, the officials were reviewing the memorials. As an emperor who was willing to delegate power, he actually did not have to deal with many affairs every day, but he still insisted on reviewing the memorials every day, and he often thought about some things for a long time.
Today's situation was a bit special. When he saw a memorial sent to him, he frowned.
In fact, it was not a big deal, just a letter of appointment from the frontier, but the names on it made the officials quite concerned.
Zhou Chen.
Although some time had passed, he was still deeply impressed by the name Zhou Chen, and Zhou Chen's picture of the Jiying Palace Banquet was still kept in his palace.
But the appointment above was actually about Zhou Chen, and it was Zhou Chen's appointment to go to the northwest frontier.
As the legitimate son of the Zhongjing Hou Mansion, Zhou Chen is naturally qualified to obtain the title of Yin Feng. It is not a big deal to obtain a military rank of seventh or eighth grade.
But the problem is that he has seen Zhou Chen's knowledge and talent. Such a talent, who has passed the exam for Jieyuan before, and coupled with the performance of the Yuanri court, as long as he takes part in the examination, he will be a proper first-class Jinshi.
When it came to the imperial examination, as long as he was not bad, he would be willing to appoint Zhou Chen as the beauty queen.
For such a young man with such talent as a prime minister and assistant, Zhou Yexiong actually asked him to join the army in the northwest frontier. Isn't this nonsense?
But if you think about it carefully, the sword dance performed by Zhou Chen that day shows that Zhou Chen's own martial arts skills are not bad, and he will definitely be fine as a general.
But how could a military general make full use of Zhou Chen's knowledge? He felt that Zhou Chen was more suitable for a civilian career.
He instinctively wanted to reject it, but after thinking about it for a while, he decided to leave it in without comment.
He didn't know why he cared so much about this matter. Maybe it was because Zhou Chen left such a deep impression on him that day that he was still thinking about it when he returned to Kunning Palace.
Queen Cao saw that Guan Jia was not thinking, so she asked out of curiosity, and Guan Jia didn't hide anything and told the truth.
Mrs. Cao suddenly smiled and said: "I know why Your Majesty is like this. It turns out that it is related to Sanlang of the Zhou family. This Zhoulang is indeed a genius. His painting of the banquet at the Ying Palace is really lifelike and has a wonderful painting. Your Majesty
It’s natural to cherish talents.”
Although she was not at Jiying Hall at that time, she heard about Jiying Hall's deeds afterwards and saw with her own eyes the painting collected by the official family. She was also amazed by Zhou Chen's talent.
"On Yuan Day, I also talked to the eldest lady of the Zhongjing Hou Mansion and learned that there are only two legitimate sons in their family. The eldest son is serving in the Hanlin Academy. If Zhou Lang enters the civil service again, their brothers will all
Now a civil servant."
The official's expression changed slightly. He had been the emperor for thirty years. Of course he was not stupid. When Cao said this, he immediately realized why Zhou Yexiong wanted Zhou Chenyinfeng to enlist in the army. It turned out to be because his eldest son was already a civil servant, so
I want Zhou Chen to follow the path of a military general.
If the eldest son does not do well in civil service in the future, Zhou Chen will also be in the army in the future, and the impact on the Zhongjing Hou Mansion will not be great.
In fact, among the nobles, there are many who do this like Zhou Yexiong. Many noble families of military generals have turned to civil service. Even the queen's natal family, the Cao family, which was the first military general family in the Song Dynasty, now has the majority.
People were transferred to civilian jobs.
"What a pity for Zhou Lang's talent."
Empress Cao said with a smile: "If Zhou Lang is really talented and learned, even if he is a military officer, he may not be unable to make contributions."
The official laughed and said, "What the Queen said makes sense. If that's the case, let him go."
There is no shortage of prodigy geniuses in the world, but Zhou Chen left such a deep impression on him that day that he kept thinking about it. But in the final analysis, it was his own business if Zhou Chen did not participate in the Spring Examination.
…………
As soon as the Lantern Festival passed, Zhou Chen had packed up and prepared to go to the border with the army.
His appointment has already been made. From the rank of seventh-grade Wu Sanguan Ling to Lieutenant, the specific position will not be decided until the border. However, Zhou Chen is not worried at all, because Zhou Yexiong has already taken care of it for him. At least once he reaches the border
You can lead a battalion of troops and serve as a general.
This is the advantage of having someone behind you. Even if the son of an ordinary nobleman joins the army, unless he has a background like a British Duke, it is absolutely difficult for an ordinary son of a marquis or count to receive such treatment as Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen himself is capable, and with the support of the Zhongjing Hou family, he will have no pressure.
Xixia is just a little brother. It’s hard to say whether we can fight. But if it does happen, he is sure of it.
On the day before leaving, Zhou Yexiong called Zhou Chen over, gave many instructions, told many things in the army, and told Zhou Chen who to contact if he had anything, who was on their side, etc.
Zhou Yexiong has been in the northwest border for more than ten years. Although he is not the supreme commander, he still has a deep foundation.
The Northern Song Dynasty had great restrictions on generals. The military power was divided into three parts. It was often difficult for the commander of an army to fully control the army, because generals belonged to generals and the army belonged to the army. There was no direct connection between the two. Many times when wars occurred, they were deployed temporarily.
A general who leads an unfamiliar army often creates a situation where the soldiers do not know the generals and the generals do not know the soldiers.
That is to say, only someone like Zhou Yexiong who has guarded the border for more than ten years can have a lot of foundation in the border army. If Zhou Chen is assigned to other borders, or is assigned to the capital's forbidden army, the face of the Zhongjing Hou Mansion may not be that good.
big.
When he was in Menghualu World, he was able to successfully rebel because he conquered the north, recaptured the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun, cultivated a large number of confidants, and firmly controlled the military power; if he had been in the capital, even if Tian
Despite his great ability, with the military structure of the Song Dynasty, it was absolutely impossible for him to successfully rebel.
"Saburo."
As soon as Zhou Chen came back from Zhou Yexiong's place, he saw Zhou Tong sitting in his courtyard.
"Brother."
Zhou Tong looked at Zhou Chen with a complex expression: "Sanlang, I can't help you. With your talent and learning, you could have..."
Zhou Chen smiled casually and interrupted Zhou Tong: "Brother, I know what you want to say, but you really don't have to blame yourself. I made this choice myself. I would rather see the world than stay in Tokyo as a civil servant."
When we visit the great rivers and mountains on the frontier, why don't we take Wu Gou and collect the fifty states in Guanshan? This is what a man should do and what I yearn for."
"So you don't have to think so much, you should think more about yourself. We are a noble marquis, and you are the eldest son. Naturally, you will be rejected by the civil servants. Your road is much more difficult than mine. Let me give you some advice.
, if you really can’t stand it, just choose a casual job, there is no need to make it difficult for yourself.”
This is all his sincere truth. He is not very optimistic about Zhou Tong's career. Civil servants are too prejudiced against nobles. In the Song Dynasty, military generals really could not defeat civil servants. The example of Zhao Kuangyin is in front of him.
The royal family is on guard against military generals. Do you still want to stand up and defeat the civil servants?
There is no way this is possible.
In fact, this situation is not limited to the Song Dynasty. As long as the world is not in trouble and the world is stable, scholar-officials are more respected than military generals and are more likely to serve as ministers. The status of scholar-officials is also higher than that of military generals.
Zhou Tong was quite helpless. He came to comfort Zhou Chen, but he didn't expect to be persuaded by Zhou Chen.
Finally, he patted Zhou Chen and said solemnly: "Sanlang, be careful, take care of yourself in everything, the Hou Mansion will always be your backing."
Zhou Chen grinned: "Maybe I will make great achievements in the frontier, be granted the title of marquis and become prime minister, and get the title of marquis before you."
"Then I'll wait for that day, and I'll give you whatever you want." Zhou Tong finally smiled.
The next day, when Zhou Chen was leaving, he could calmly handle it when saying goodbye to others, but when saying goodbye to his mother, Zhou Xu, he was very sad.
Zhou Xu didn't say much, but her red and swollen eyes showed how sad she had been these days.
"Sanlang, protect yourself."
"Mom, you too, take care of yourself."
"Don't worry about the Sheng family's marriage proposal. After you leave, my mother will leave for Yangzhou and will definitely help you get it done."
Zhou Chen felt heavy. At this time, he was still thinking about him.
"Mom, take care."
After saying that, he took the people away. Of course, he did not go alone. Zhou Yexiong arranged for him several elite soldiers and generals in the mansion. As for Shui Quan, the young man beside him, he did not take him with him.
Arriving at the troop gathering place, Zhou Chen was surprised that the man leading the troops to the border this time was actually the famous British Duke.
The British Duke is considered to be the top nobleman in the imperial court today. In this imperial court with few good generals, he can be regarded as a general with excellent strategy and martial arts.
It's just that the British prince has always served in the western suburbs camp, but this time he was sent to the northwest. I don't know if it is because Zhou Yexiong was injured and returned to Beijing, or if the officials have other considerations.
The army set off, and Zhou Chen started his military career in the world of Zhifou.
He was sighing in his heart. In the past, he always thought of traveling back to ancient times, becoming a landlord, enjoying a wealthy life, and not being as tired as in modern times.
However, after traveling through ancient times several times, he seemed to be constantly dealing with battlefields. He did not enjoy much of the expensive, leisurely and comfortable life he imagined.
Because there was no fighting, the army did not move very fast. It took more than ten days before it arrived at the northwest border.
When Zhou Chen arrived at the frontier, Zhou Xu, who set out from Tokyo, also arrived safely in Yangzhou City.
Mrs. Zhou Xu did not delay. She first sent someone to the Sheng Mansion, and then she drove slowly in a carriage. Because she arrived in the afternoon, Sheng Hong was not at home at this time.
In Wei Ruixuan, Mrs. Wang was educating her daughter Ru Lan. The little girl was naughty again today and broke the tableware, which made her very angry.
"Madam, madam, the concierge has sent word that there is a distinguished person outside the door who has sent a greeting card."
Mrs. Wang looked surprised: "Someone is sending a greeting card? The Lantern Festival has just passed, who would send a greeting card?"
If you are an acquaintance, you don’t need to send a greeting card at all, just let someone inform you. Sending a greeting card means formality.
Mrs. Wang took the greeting card and when she saw it, she suddenly screamed, frightening the mother Liu who was serving her so much.
"Madam, what's wrong with you?"
Wang Ruofu pointed to the greeting card with slightly trembling hands: "Quick, Mother Liu, help me to Shou'an Hall. No, you first have someone go and notify the officials. Just say that the eldest lady of Marquis Zhongjing's Mansion has come to Yangzhou. She will be there soon."
Go to Sheng Mansion and ask him to come back quickly, while I go to Shou'an Hall."
Liu's mother looked shocked: "The eldest lady of the Marquis Zhongjing's residence? She is the mother of Young Master Zhou. Why did she pay a sudden visit?"
Wang Ruofu: "How do I know? I guess it's for the sake of the old lady. Don't talk about it. I'll be here soon. You need to arrange for someone to notify the officials first."
"Yes, madam."
Liu's mother hurriedly went to find someone, but Wang Ruofu didn't bother to teach Rulan a lesson and ran to Shou'antang. He looked panicked as if he had encountered something big.
Wang Ruofu came to Shou'an Hall and started shouting before anyone could see him.
"Mother, mother."
When Old Mrs. Sheng saw Wang Ruofu running in in a panic, she snorted with dissatisfaction: "You are the eldest lady in the house, look at what you look like now? How can you still be the mistress of the house?"
style?"
Wang Ruofu reflexively retorted: "What kind of mistress am I?"
Old Mrs. Sheng put the teacup on the table angrily, very dissatisfied.
Hua Lan hurried to her mother's side and whispered, "Mom, what are you talking about?"
Then he excused his mother: "Grandma, my mother is not like this usually. Something must have happened."
Wang Ruofu came to his senses and nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes, mother, something big really happened. The lady from Marquis Zhongjing's residence sent a greeting card. Take a look."
With that said, he stepped forward and handed the greeting card to Mrs. Sheng, whose expression changed drastically.
Mrs. Sheng took the invitation and read it over. She was not as surprised as when she heard about Zhou Chen's visit before. After putting down the invitation, she frowned, as if she was thinking about something.
After a moment, she suddenly raised her head.
"Hua'er, go and change your clothes. Remember, it should be formal. Madam, go and help her dress up and put on accessories. Pay attention to the propriety. Don't be too flashy, but don't be casual either."
Wang Ruofu looked confused: "Mother, the eldest lady of Marquis Zhongjing is here to visit. What do you want Hua Lan to dress up for?"
Old Mrs. Sheng stomped her feet angrily, and said in an angry tone: "You are the eldest lady in the house, think about it when things happen. If Hui Niang just visits me, won't she be able to come again when the spring is warm? Come here now.
, it means that she is not just for me, an old lady. Forget it, I can’t explain it to you, so go quickly.”
Wang Ruofu still didn't react, but Sheng Hualan made a bold guess, her face suddenly turned red, and she hurriedly pulled her still confused mother away.
"Mom, stop talking, let's go first."
Old Mrs. Sheng looked at their backs and sighed helplessly. If she wasn't sure, she really wouldn't believe that people as smart and witty as Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Wang could give birth to a fool like Mrs. Wang.