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Zhang Cong was unwilling to succumb to Zhu Hao.
Zhu Hao was younger than his son. With his pride and political sensitivity, he wanted to find an opportunity to push Zhu Hao down. This was entirely because he knew that the biggest obstacle on his way to promotion was Zhu Hao, so he had to worry about Xi Shu and Tang Yin.
People like Huang Zan and even Fei Hong are meaningless.
But now Zhang Zuo came to warn him on behalf of the emperor, and he could only listen first.
In early February, he took the train to Xishan for the first time to see Zhu Hao. It was nominally to talk about the next step of negotiating the etiquette, but in fact it was to find Zhu Hao to convince him.
"Brother Bingyong, are you okay?"
Zhu Hao invited Zhang Cong to the laboratory next to the honeycomb briquette factory, where new casting experiments were being carried out. Steel-making furnaces were built on the surrounding plains. In order to cast more metal parts, Zhu Hao intended to develop in the direction of alloys and technology research and development.
He is very willing to invest in it.
Zhang Cong had no interest in any of this, but he still pretended to admire him and said with emotion: "Mr. Zhu, you have really done a lot of practical things for the imperial court in Xishan."
Zhu Hao smiled.
Is it true that you, Zhang Bingyong, are lying?
Previously, I wanted to use various opportunities to criticize me. At first I felt that the traditionalists would regard me as an undercover agent and a traitor, and wanted to use Yang Shen, Xia Yan and others to attack me. After that failed, they wanted to use Yang Yiqing and others to antagonize me.
Now that you are coming to your door to compliment me, do you think I will feel that you are sincere and will be sincere to you in the future?
"By the way, Mr. Tang has also been in Xishan recently. His physical condition is not very good. Let's have a meal with him tonight." Zhu Hao said, "Brother Bingyong, aren't you in a hurry to go back?"
"Uh...I'm not leaving."
Zhang Cong thought for a while. He didn't want to spend the night in Xishan, but he remembered Zhang Zuo's words. It would be best to establish a close relationship with Zhu Hao. It would be okay to stay for a day or even have a meal with Tang Yin.
Zhu Hao continued to lead Zhang Cong to the laboratory, talking non-stop, like an engineer who seldom saw people and always wanted to say a few words after meeting a friend: "...Mr. Tang's condition has become worse recently.
It's heavy, but there is no need to avoid talking about the illness in front of him. He is an easy-going person and knows that his end is approaching, so he doesn't mind others making fun of such things."
Zhang Cong thought to himself, does he mind if you joke?
Let me tell you...can he give me a good look?
"By the way, brother Bingyong, I haven't asked you why you came to Xishan yet?"
Zhu Hao suddenly remembered something, turned around and asked.
Zhang Cong was startled and quickly collected his thoughts: "It's for discussion of etiquette. Your Majesty wants to give the emperor a temple title. These matters... need to be discussed first. I am also responsible for this in the Hanlin Academy and seldom interfere with other matters."
"
Another important reason why Zhang Cong was unwilling to give in was that Zhang Cong did not get the power he wanted to have.
Even if some people are fawning over him now, they are not afraid of him. He wants to take the power of the government into his hands step by step, and his latest goal is to take charge of the Hanlin Academy.
Since Zhang Zuo asked him to reconcile with Zhu Hao, he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to get some benefits back. He couldn't just beg you with shame and you just put on a condescending posture in front of me, right? Now Jia Yong's entry into the cabinet seems to be on the line, right?
Why don't you give me the errand of Jia Yong in charge of the Hanlin Academy? I don't mind even taking it into my hands, Zhan Shifu.
Zhu Hao said: "I haven't been back to the Hanlin Academy for a long time, and I don't know what the situation is now. Oh, by the way, is the former Zhang Tixue still there?"
"Um?"
Zhang Cong was startled.
Then I thought of Zhang Bangqi.
When he first entered the court, he regarded Zhang Bangqi as a potential rival for a period of time. He felt that this was a powerful figure whom the emperor had known since he was young. Moreover, because of Zhang Bangqi's outstanding talent and rigorous scholarship, some people once speculated that he was an aide hidden behind the emperor's back.
.
But as time went by, Zhang Bangqi had always been just a Hanlin scholar, and did not receive more respect from the emperor. Even recently, Zhang Cong had not seen Zhang Bangqi going to the Hanlin Academy, so he did not take this person to heart.
But now that he heard this name from Zhu Hao... Zhang Cong had to be more vigilant.
How could Zhu Hao be so smart and talk about an unrelated person in front of him for no reason?
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Zhang Tixue was my examiner when I was a candidate. Although he is not my teacher, he can still be regarded as my teacher. I am just concerned about whether his recent condition is okay."
Zhang Cong said: "I haven't seen Zhang Shidu recently."
"Oh." Zhu Hao nodded.
The two continued to walk forward, and Zhang Cong couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Zhu, do you think that Zhang Shidu should be allowed to go further and make a difference in the Hanlin Academy?"
Zhu Hao smiled and shook his head: "No, Zhang Tixue has always been indifferent to fame and wealth. This is very similar to Mr. Tang, but he was born as a Jinshi and was an official in the court. His Majesty mentioned before that he planned to serve as the right minister of the Ministry of Rites
, it just so happens that I can relax a little bit."
Right Minister of Rites...
Zhang Cong heard some signs. It seemed that Zhu Hao planned to leave his errand to Zhang Bangqi.
As the second most powerful figure in the Ming Dynasty after the emperor, Zhu Hao is very effective in speaking. In Zhang Cong's opinion, if Zhu Hao chooses Zhang Bangqi to be the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, the emperor will most likely agree, and by then... a mediocre person.
Wuqi Zhang Bangqi will become his direct competitor.
"Master Zhu, several castings are ready. Could you please give me the dimensions?"
While he was talking, Zhu Hao had already entered the innermost part.
Just like a blacksmith shop, a group of craftsmen are making new screws in it. Many things need to be produced systematically and quality must be ensured. Various technologies need to be improved. Zhu Hao is not satisfied with the quality of many castings used in the previous production of trains.
Always seeking improvement.
In addition to improving steelmaking technology, it is also necessary to improve the accuracy and toughness of castings.
Zhu Hao said: "You just need to get stuck a few more times. This is Bachelor Zhang of the Hanlin Academy. Come and meet me."
"I've met Mr. Zhang."
In front of him was a group of dark craftsmen who seemed to be doing manual labor. Zhang Cong frowned subconsciously when he saw these people. It was obvious that he did not regard himself as being on the same level as these people. He looked down upon them at all.
These are the people who do the dirty work.
…
…
Zhu Hao continued to work, while Zhang Cong stood not far away and watched.
Zhang Cong never expected that Zhu Hao, as a powerful figure in the Ming Dynasty, would be able to do everything himself. He waited for more than an hour before Zhu Hao finished what he was doing, and the two of them left the laboratory together.
Before waiting for the post house, he saw Tang Yin helping his beloved wife out of the sedan chair.
Tang Yin raised his head and saw the two of them. He motioned to the maid to help his pregnant wife in first, and then came over to greet him.
"Bingyong? Why are you here?"
Tang Yin was somewhat surprised by Zhang Cong's arrival.
Apart from anything else, Tang Yin was quite accurate in his judgment of people. In Tang Yin's eyes, Zhang Cong was the kind of person who was eager for quick success and quick gains, and was not a practical talent. Zhang Cong's coming to Xishan must be to achieve some political purpose.
"Tang Ge Lao."
Zhang Cong hurriedly saluted Tang Yin.
Tang Yin smiled and waved his hand: "We are all acquaintances, why should we be polite? Respect, are you very free today?"
Zhu Hao said: "No, I am also very busy today. Don't I have time to receive Brother Bingyong? I didn't know in advance that he was coming. Otherwise, Mr. Tang, could you help me receive him?"
"No time!"
Tang Yin's answer was very simple, and then he thought that it was a bit rude, and quickly explained to Zhang Cong, "Bingyong, don't get me wrong, what I mean is... you are here to see Jingdao, so keep an eye on him. You talk about yourselves. I
Here...ahem, I'm not in good health. I can't do anything to worry about."
Zhang Cong looked embarrassed: "Tang Ge, you are so polite. I don't need anyone else to receive you."
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Mr. Tang, we have a banquet tonight. You must come. It can be regarded as a blessing for brother Bingyong... He came to me to discuss etiquette matters. Oh, by the way, I haven't done it yet.
Brother Bingyong arranged a place to stay..."
"No need, I'll find it myself."
"How can this be done? Come here and help make arrangements for Academician Zhang."
…
…
Zhang Cong went to settle down first. According to him, he would stay in Xishan for two days.
Tang Yin called Zhu Hao to his room in the post house.
"Jingdao, what do you think? Isn't he an opponent? Why did he come to your door? Is he trying to show weakness to you, trying to paralyze you and make you relax your vigilance against him?"
Tang Yin didn't understand very much.
Only he knew that the unruly wildness in Zhang Cong's heart was deliberately inspired by Zhu Hao.
It is equivalent to saying that Zhu Hao has cultivated a rival for himself.
Now that his opponent was actively showing weakness, Tang Yin naturally wanted to find Zhu Hao for entertainment, making Zhu Hao feel that there was something wrong with his plan.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Do you think he will be willing to go back after this trip? He probably hates me even more."
"Hate to the core? No, no!"
Tang Yin shook his head, "Doesn't he have any gratitude at all? It was you who selected him from the crowd. There are so many new scholars. Whoever you choose is not the same? Alas! In fact, sometimes I find it strange that you choose one to go to the top.
If a Jinshi is in his early years, even if he knows that he needs to do something to realize his political ambitions after entering the imperial court, should you also consider whether his temperament is suitable?"
Zhu Hao spread his hands: "It's very suitable."
Tang Yin was speechless again.
While he was talking, the sound of Zhang Cong arguing with the staff of the posthouse was heard outside. In other words, Zhang Cong was there to lecture the people in the posthouse for their poor reception of him.
Although Xishan has become the most dazzling town around the capital and its economic strength has improved, it almost never receives officials from the DPRK and China, and all the staff in the post are not regular employees. Who knows what standards should be used to receive a Hanlin bachelor?
In their view, all officials are the same, just serve them carefully.
Little did they know that Zhang Cong had very high requirements for his daily life outside the home, and he would scold him if he did not go his way.
"Did you see that?"
Tang Yin frowned and reminded Zhu Hao again.
This Cong is not a fuel-efficient lamp. Unlike you and me, we can be kind to ordinary people, and we are not so arrogant in dealing with others.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "If he was a humble and polite gentleman, I wouldn't choose him yet. I will tell you the reasons for choosing him later."