After Feng Han recovered, Zhang Ning went to the temple to worship Buddha and came back, and then resumed his usual routine. The impression he left on everyone was still the same: there was no sign of being diligent and busy, but he could always be found at the official office when something happened.
The people who can enter and leave the inner study room at any time include several cabinet ministers and Ministry of Internal Affairs personnel. If these people have urgent matters, they can go directly to Zhang Ning. In addition, military attachés and generals will need to make an appointment at least one day in advance.
If people really have important matters and cannot see him, they can go to their superiors on their own. For example, a military general can see Zhu Heng, the Minister of War.
After this arrangement, Zhang Ning does not have to deal with various affairs on weekdays, but he does not have to worry about making mistakes, which is very appropriate.
Although he was ill for a few days during this period, his overall mood was very good. After Yang Shiqi arrived, he could win over the gentry from all over Huguang, and the situation of governing Huguang was foreseeable to be great. As long as he truly controlled the manpower, material resources and taxation of more than a dozen prefectures,
This will lay a solid foundation and all deployments will go smoothly.
However, this satisfactory situation did not last long. First, there was an incident in Nanzhili, east of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and then various signs emerged one after another. Zhang Ning could no longer sit back and relax.
Among the pile of letters from the newly established General Affairs Department of the government, there was a report from Wei Bin, the commander of the Yongding Camp. At that time, the main force of the Yongding Battalion was stationed in Huguang and the Jiangxi border. The battalion soldiers continuously intercepted "Xizao" at several passes.
They all claimed to be from Nanjing and were old friends of Zhu Heng, Minister of the Ministry of War. While Wei Bin wrote the letter at this time, he had already escorted the detailed work to Wuchang.
Within two days, several ministers met in the study room of the Cabinet Office for a small discussion. Zhu Heng publicly revealed that he had received secret letters from several old officials and friends in Nanjing. When he said it himself, he seemed very magnanimous... Of course, no one else
One would suspect that Zhu Heng would act as a wall between the King of Xiang and the King of Han. It would be somewhat believable if someone suggested that a certain official acted in two different ways between the imperial court and Huguang, but it would be completely unreasonable to say that officials in Huguang were colluding with the King of Han.
After hearing this, Zhang Ning immediately said: "The situation in Nanjing must be bad, and those people came to Zhu Butang to find a way out."
With one sentence, he completely dispelled Zhu Heng's concerns and expressed his belief that it was impossible for him to have an affair with the King of Han. None of the people present had any objections.
Zhu Heng nodded immediately, his movements were wider than usual, and then he said actively: "Last time, the prince mentioned that our scouts in South Zhili found that Caishiji was breached by the imperial court. Now the signs prove that this news is mostly true.
Caishiji has been the barrier of Jinling since ancient times. If this place is lost, the city of Nanjing will be in danger."
Zhang Ning turned to look at Yang Shiqi, who was silent, and asked him first: "What does Mr. Yang think we should do?"
Seeing this, Zhu Heng stepped aside temporarily and listened to what Yang Shiqi said. Yang Shiqi stroked his beard and said in deep thought: "Zhu Butang is in charge of military affairs. He should also know that there are few soldiers in Huguang. The road to Nanjing is high and the road is long. Let's go there."
No matter whether you want to rescue or not, I am afraid that you are too weak to do it. I think of one thing, the prince is in Huguang, Jiangxi is caught in the middle and there is no danger to defend, why not take it?"
Zhang Ning was stunned for a moment and said, "It's a long story."
Zhu Hengdao: "Before, we were short of troops, so we decided to stabilize the defense of the Yangtze River. Several mansions in Jiangxi were occupied by the King of Han, and we had always adopted the established strategy of allying with the King of Han to deal with the Xuande Dynasty, which had many soldiers and generals, so we have not started annexing it yet.
Heart."
"As Zhu Butang said." Zhang Ning said, "But now the situation has changed. If the King of Han cannot be saved, we can prepare in advance to persuade the garrison of the cities in the north of Jiangxi to surrender and annex Jiangxi first. This can not only expand the territory, but also benefit the lake.
Canton line defense provides strategic depth."
Yang Shiqi, Zhu Heng, and Zheng Qia who were present all had no objections. Zhang Ning immediately asked: "Who should be sent to capture Jiangxi? Can you recommend someone?"
After hearing this, everyone was pondering. Zheng Qia turned around to look at Zhu Heng, but Zhu Heng had no intention of recommending himself... Last time he went to Jiujiang City to face the Shenji Battalion and was almost defeated. Now he seems to be reluctant to come forward. Nowadays, what can be done within the Xiangwang Group?
There are only a few people who are responsible for the job, but the Yao family, father and son, and Zhou Mengxiong all have important responsibilities, so it is difficult to decide on the candidate at the moment.
At this moment, Yang Shiqi said: "This is a big matter. King Xiang should think about it and discuss it several times. There is no need to make a hasty decision."
Zhang Ning took advantage of the situation and agreed: "That's good."
Yang Shiqi added: "I have two more things to say. The first thing is that the King of Xiang always lives in the Palace of Chu, but his office is in the Cabinet Office. He often passes through the streets and alleys on the way, and the bad guys have the opportunity to cause trouble. I would like to ask you to move the Cabinet to the palace."
North gate of Chu Palace."
If you live and work in the same place, you won't have to go out and move around when you stay there. But Zhang Ning also heard about something. Last year, the imperial court offered a reward of ten thousand taels of gold and the title of a prince for his own head.
This kind of thing is really something that cannot be done carelessly. He did not hesitate much and immediately said: "As Yang Gong said, it can be done today."
Yang Shiqi then paid his respects: "Although the veteran is in charge of the cabinet, he is new to Huguang and is not familiar with the military affairs of Huguang. He needs to look through the files stored in the official office. I want the new left minister of the Ministry of War, Yu Qian, to come often to assist. Is it appropriate?"
Zhang Ning thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Since I have given Princess Yang a cabinet, I should not keep you out of both the old and new government affairs. It is reasonable for Princess Yang to invite you."
He suddenly noticed that Yang Shiqi mentioned Yu Qian at this time, and he had a guess in his mind: Could it be that Yang Shiqi wanted to recommend Yu Qian to take charge of Jiangxi affairs?
…
In Youshi, all the officials came down from the cabinet office. As soon as Zhu Heng returned to his residence and got off the sedan, his steward Hou Dahu came up and handed a greeting card to his hand.
This Hou Dahu was Zhu Heng's old housekeeper. After Zhu Heng ran away from Nanjing, everyone in the house dispersed. Only Hou Dahu later traveled thousands of miles to Huguang. He was so loyal that Zhu Heng allowed him to do many things.
attended.
As Zhu Heng walked to the inner chamber, he flipped through the greeting cards. After he secured his official position in Huguang, more and more guests wanted to see him. There were officials who wanted to find connections, as well as gentry and merchants who wanted to do business.
Or people who want to meet someone they know are not surprising. Most of them he doesn't care about at all, a few directly report it to Hou Dahu, and only some acquaintances actually make appointments.
He flipped through the pages carelessly, but suddenly his hand stopped. There was a greeting card in front of him that read: Nanjing Wang Bin.
Just at this moment, Hou Dahu on the side said softly: "This person is indeed Wang Bin, whom I know well in the officialdom of Nanjing. In the morning, he sent a greeting card. The old slave immediately asked someone to keep an eye on him and took a look with his own eyes.
, it is indeed him."
When Zhu Heng heard this, he couldn't help but think: If Hou Dahu just took a look in secret, would he be so concerned about following him and reminding him? It is very likely that Hou Dahu had already seen it before, and received some benefits, and only took money from others.
He is conscientious in his work. However, Zhu Heng did not point it out. Since this kind of bad rule is not illegal, there is no need to control his subordinates too strictly. As the saying goes, if the water is clear, there will be no fish. Being too rigid is unpopular.
"Mr. Wang did a good job as an official under the king of Han, so why did he suddenly come to Wuchang in person?" Zhu Heng said coldly.
Hou Dahu said: "I heard that the situation in Nanjing is tight. He may have taken a fancy to the situation and taken precautions."
Zhu Heng took two steps, then turned around and said: "During the Warring States Period, there was a eunuch named Miao Xian. He made the mistake of fleeing to the Kingdom of Yan. He thought that the King of Yan would take him in. The reason was that I had never met the King of Yan before the King of Yan.
The king privately held his minister's hand and said, "I would like to make friends. Knowing this, I want to go." His guest Lin Xiangru advised him: King Yan wanted to make friends before just because Miao Xian was a favorite of King Zhao. Once he escapes from Zhao,
The reason for friendship no longer exists... Now if the king of Han is destroyed, what use will those criminal officials have to us?"
Hou Dahu did not force him to persuade him, so he had no choice but to follow the master's words: "No, last year the Han Palace sent someone to threaten him, asking the prince (Prince Xiang) to send him back for punishment. I don't know who in the Han Palace came up with this idea.
, Anyway, this matter must have been done because no one in the palace objected. These people used to be upright and left no escape route, but now they think of escape paths."
"But...if I remember correctly, Wang Shishun, the commander-in-chief of the Jiujiang City garrison, should be a relative of Wang Bin." Zhu Heng said thoughtfully.
Hou Dahu said hurriedly: "Yes, that's him."
Zhu Heng said: "This is understandable. Go and settle him down immediately. Don't wander around the city. If he is caught as a spy and sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Prison, it will be unnecessary trouble..."
After Zhu Heng said that, he remembered Zhang Ning's words of trust in him during the day. He felt that there was nothing to avoid about this matter, so he changed his words and said: "I will take you directly to the house to settle down. Later I will change clothes and go to see people."
After hearing this, Hou Dahu took the order and went to do it.
In the evening, Zhu Heng put on his regular clothes and went to the living room to meet the guests. As soon as he entered the door, he saw a man in his thirties who was pacing and fidgeting. It was Wang Bin, whom Zhu Heng had known before. But he was still sitting next to him.
There was a young woman sitting next to her, and when she saw someone coming in, she quickly stood up.
Zhu Heng said loudly: "Oh, Brother Wang Xian!"
Wang Bin's face was filled with joy. He took two steps forward and suddenly knelt down and said, "I can see Master Zhu, I can see you..."
"No, please get up quickly." Zhu Heng hurriedly went to help him, "I heard from the servants in the house that the wise brother came to Wuchang. I didn't believe it at first. I really didn't expect it... Why did you come here suddenly?"
Wang Bin said: "It's a long story. In short, it's really difficult to be a person in Nanjing now..."
"Easy to say, easy to say. I'm going to order people to prepare a table of wine and food for you to take care of you. Let's talk slowly at the table." Zhu Heng said with enthusiasm, then turned to look at the woman, "This is
?”
"Oh!" Wang Bin said hurriedly, "Mr. Li, the humble wife. My first wife passed away due to illness a few years ago. My wife, who just renewed their relationship, has always been respectful and affectionate to us, so I couldn't bear to leave her in Nanjing, so I brought her to Nanjing."
Huguang is here. If Mr. Zhu ignores the past grievances, I would like to ask you to take care of my wife. I can go to Jiujiang to persuade my uncle Wang Shishun to surrender..."
"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious." Zhu Heng persuaded him kindly, thinking that Wang Bin still had the same temper, and would rush to put forward any conditions when he was embarrassed.
Sure enough, he completely ignored Zhu Heng's dissuasion and continued: "Master Zhu has a lot of money. If there is anything I can't say I'm sorry for before, please forgive me."
…
(I was sick a few days ago and was in poor condition, so I stopped updating for some reason. Xifeng feels sorry for himself and has updated at least twice in the past few days. I hope I can make up for one or two.)