So, any filial piety period and any agreement are just a cover for refusal. The real reason is that Zhu Yi does not want to get involved in such a mess.
The Duke of Chengguo and the Duke of England, as the leaders of the two major forces among the nobles, actually cannot deal with each other.
This is not only a matter of friendship between the two governments, but also involves the issue of the connection of interests of their respective factions. Although the Chengguo Palace has declined, the relationship between the two governments has not changed.
What's more, as Zhu Yi said, Jiao Jing and others just came to the door a few days ago and wanted to ask the Chengguo government for help regarding Zhang Fu's matter, but Zhu Yi refused.
As a result, not two days later, Zhang Shi came to the door in person and wanted to marry the two houses. The purpose of this was too obvious.
In addition, once the two governments get married, how should the Chengguo government handle itself based on the current position of the British government in the court?
Furthermore, when the death of Duke Cheng Guo had not yet been decided, the British government had been wooing the nobles of Duke Cheng's family. Zhu Yi was not unaware of this matter.
Now that Zhang Shi has proposed marriage, who knows that he doesn’t have other intentions?
If these many issues are not clarified, the marriage will never be completed.
Looking at Zhu Yi's slightly resistant expression, Zhang Xi was not surprised.
If Zhu Yi agreed as soon as he proposed marriage, then he would be greatly disappointed.
Because that means that Zhu Yi doesn't understand the current situation at all.
Whether it is an exchange of interests or a connection, it must be established when the information status of both parties is equal.
Otherwise, as the cooperation between the two parties becomes closer and closer, the rift will become more and more serious.
The more resolute Zhu Yi's attitude is at this time, indicating that he has a clear understanding of the various problems that will be encountered in getting married.
This is a good thing and a bad thing.
Fortunately, Zhu Yi is indeed as good as the third brother said. As for the disadvantage, it will take a lot of effort to convince him.
After pondering for a moment and thinking about Zhang Fu’s instructions to him in prison, Zhang Fu decided to go straight in and said.
“Since the young master has said this, I will also say it frankly and sincerely. Both of our houses are honorable ministers of Jingnan. My father Zhang Yu and our noble ancestor Zhu Neng have a life-long friendship on the battlefield.”
"When it comes to the generation of my brother and Duke Cheng, my brother is still fighting on the battlefield, fighting in the north and south. Duke Cheng guards the capital, pays respect to the clear stream, and inherits the civil and military family. Although we have friendship with the older generation, each has his own ambitions, and unavoidable conflicts arise.
Divide it up."
Zhu Yi’s expression moved slightly, but he didn’t speak.
This is said euphemistically. During the Jingnan War in the early years, the two families did have a life-long friendship.
However, with the stabilization of the status and the passing of the older generation, a group of political forces, led by the two public houses, gradually formed, which inevitably led to conflicts in the struggle for power.
This is the fundamental reason why the two governments are gradually becoming estranged.
In fact, among the nobles in the capital, the group of generals and nobles headed by Duke Dingguo rarely had any sense of presence in the court.
Most of the time, the Chengguo government and the British government were fighting with each other.
Moreover, this kind of struggle often changes following the change of throne.
Emperor Taizong went on several northern expeditions in his later years, relying heavily on the British government, and Zhang Fu was in the limelight for a while.
Therefore, after His Majesty Xuanzong ascended the throne, he used the Chengguo Palace to quell the rebellion of the Han Dynasty. When the Chengguo Palace was at its peak, it once held great power in the capital, and all officials were allowed to report to the Taibao, border and military affairs.
But even so, when Xuanzong was on his deathbed, he ordered the British Duke Zhang Fu to be the auxiliary minister and the Grand Master to re-take command of the Five Army Commandery Office.
To put it bluntly, it’s just a matter of balance.
So in fact, the alienation between the two governments was not only due to objective conflicts in the struggle for power, but also a tacit agreement to cater to the imperial power.
Zhu Yong made this very clear to Zhu Yi a long time ago.
I believe that Zhang Fu had already made it clear to Zhang Fu.
So, since Zhang Shi has met Zhang Fu, he should also know this.
But he still came to propose marriage, naturally because...
“Little Master, times have changed!”
Zhang Xi sighed heavily and said.
“Although your family and I have grown apart a lot over the years, the friendship between my father and our ancestors still exists. After all, they are from the same family. They were veterans of His Majesty Taizong’s residence.”
"In the battle of Tumu, Duke Cheng and his brother were both killed in the battle, and the noble ministers suffered heavy losses. Although your family and I are in different situations, they are not much different. On the contrary, it is Duke Feng and others, taking advantage of the power of today's emperor, to press forward step by step.
.”
“Look at the five military governors’ offices and the capital camp, the governors and regimental commanders currently in office are either from Feng Guogong, or from Yang Hong and Fan Guang’s generation.”
As he spoke, Zhang Xi looked up at Zhu Yi and said meaningfully.
“Young Master, I know that you once wanted to take advantage of the draft to send a girl from the Wang family to the palace as a concubine. However, the current court is no longer the period of Yongle Renxuan, but the Jingtai period!”
Zhu Yi lowered his head so that his face could not be seen clearly.
But only he knows that if he hadn't made a choice in advance, he might really be moved by these words.
Zhang Shi’s meaning is very clear, times have changed.
From Yongle to Zhengtong, it is the stage for them, the Jingnan nobles, the Chengguo Dukefu and the British Dukefu. After you sing, I will appear on the stage, firmly controlling the Fifth Army Governor's Palace and the Beijing Camp.
Because of this, the two governments have neither the will nor the basis for union.
But it’s different now.
The Battle of Tumu dealt a heavy blow to these orthodox nobles in power.
The title of the British Duke still exists, but most of the available nobles under his command have died in the war, leaving only a few young people in their teens and twenties who have neither the qualifications nor the ability to hold the title.
The losses in Chengguo Duke's Mansion were slightly lighter. There were a few senior nobles still alive, but not many.
More importantly, Zhu Yong was defeated in the battle at Yao'erling, and the Chengguo government itself could not protect itself.
The situation on both sides is not much better.
On the contrary, at this time, the nobles of the descending generals, who had been left out in the cold and were not even taken with them when going on expeditions, have become the most powerful noble force.
Even the emperor valued Feng Guogong and his gang.
If we talk about the Yongle era to the Orthodox era, it was all about the confrontation between the British government and the Chengguo government.
So during the Jingtai era, this situation had turned into a confrontation between the Fengguo government, which took advantage of the situation, and the remaining two governments that suffered heavy blows in the Battle of Tumu.
In fact, if Zhu Yi had not received the emperor's instructions in advance, Hu Hui had not given him constant reminders.
So as far as the current situation is concerned, the power of the Duke of Chengguo has been greatly reduced, and the Duke of Feng has risen strongly. It is not acceptable to send women into the palace.
Under the superposition of various conditions, he wanted to continue to maintain the status and power of the Duke of Chengguo, or even go a step further and obtain the power to inherit the title of Duke of Chengguo from the imperial court.
Then joining forces with the British government can be said to be the best choice.
That’s why Zhang Xian said, time has changed and the world has changed.
It’s time for the two governments to move from struggle to unity.
Zhu Yi took a long breath, and when he raised his head again, his expression was completely different from before. After pondering for a moment, he spoke.
"What Shibo said is reasonable. The third master is in prison now, and we are both honorable men. If necessary, my nephew can try his best to help."
"However, the marriage is related to the future of the two houses. During this period, the British government is in the court... forgive my nephew, it is a bit too active."