Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 827 It's hard to see each other again
That day, Zhang Yanling was busy at the drill ground and military factory outside the city for a long time. After returning, he went to visit Zhang Luan at the villa inside Chongwen Gate.

He was told that Zhang Luan had already left the city and returned to his secret hideout to have some fun... Although Zhang Yanling thought that this old man was careless and very indecent, he also knew that Zhang Luan had never had any great ambitions in history, and that he was the one who had forced Zhang Luan to his current position.

Perhaps what Zhang Luan most wanted to do was to be a carefree father-in-law of the emperor who could enjoy the present moment and had no desire to worry about court affairs.

Despite his helplessness, as a son, he could only let it go.

However, just to be on the safe side, Zhang Yanling went out of the city again to see Zhang Luan in person.

"Oh? How did you know I live here?"

Zhang Luan was surprised to see his son.

After all, last time, after he was injured, he moved directly back to the city to recuperate and did not send his son to his secret residence outside the city. How did he find him?
Zhang Yanling said, "Father, are you even hiding this place from me? If something happens to you again, will I not even know where to collect your body?"

"What's the word?"

Zhang Luan complained about his son, but he was actually a little embarrassed.

He could even guess that his son would attack his character and personality from the angle of "forgetting the pain once the wound has healed".

Zhang Yanling said to Qi Niang, who was standing beside him, "May I have a few words alone with my father?"

Qi Niang was taken aback, and quickly bowed in surprise: "This concubine is rude... This concubine will take her leave now."

After Qi Niang left, Zhang Yanling handed a confession to Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan held it in his hand, glanced at it casually, and then asked curiously, "What is this...?"

"This is the statement made by the person who previously attempted to assassinate you after interrogation."

Zhang Yanling said, "But don't worry, this person has only been sent back to Yingtian Prefecture for now. I don't care what her future holds! This is the fate she deserves."

Zhang Luan frowned and said with dissatisfaction, "The person who tried to assassinate me was let go so easily? If we are too lenient, won't it embolden future assassins?"

Zhang Yanling said, "With such an example in mind, are you afraid that someone will continue to harm you in the future? Let alone that you are just the emperor's father-in-law, even if it were the emperor himself, people would still not be polite if they wanted to take action against you!"

"What? A woman dares to assassinate the emperor?"

Zhang Luan sneered, "It's only because I'm merciful that I didn't tear her to pieces! Assassinating the emperor, whether successful or not, would result in being slowly sliced ​​to death and having one's entire family exterminated. Who would have such audacity?"

Zhang Yanling shrugged, meaning "Say whatever you want."

Zhang Luan couldn't help but glance at the contents of the confession again. His expression immediately became serious, and he became more and more alarmed as he read on. He asked, "Didn't she take revenge on your father because you confiscated her property?"

"What? You've noticed something?"

Zhang Yanling asked calmly.

Zhang Luan looked up at his youngest son and said, "Did they orchestrate this whole thing? Is there someone else behind it?"

Zhang Yanling said, "Yes, Father, you are unstoppable in the court. You don't seem to care much usually, but once you do, even the Grand Secretaries and Ministers have far less influence than you. You can do whatever you want. They even think that everything I do is controlled by you from behind the scenes. Do you think they can tolerate you?"

Zhang Luan said, "In that case, I shouldn't have lived outside the city... It's too dangerous... It seems I should move my home back into the city as soon as possible, preferably near the palace, so that those people won't dare to cause trouble."

"it's useless."

Zhang Yanling said, "No matter where you hide, they will find you and try to harm you. Besides, wasn't the assassination attempt here last time? Even such a secret place was known to others, and after that woman went back, there's no guarantee she wouldn't leak the news..."

"Then why are you releasing them?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luan became anxious. "You're deliberately putting your father in danger... As long as he's too afraid to come out, you can easily achieve your goal of making your father calm down and repent... So tell me, am I right?"

"No, that's not what I meant."

Zhang Yanling vehemently denied it, then sighed, "I've been busy training troops and manufacturing firearms lately, so busy that I don't have time to deal with these things. What I need to tell you, Father, is that I may have to go to Shanxi in a few days. When that happens, you will have to stay in the capital and find a way to protect yourself."

Zhang Luan frowned and said, "Why are you leaving again after only a few days back in the capital? Didn't Wang Weining just leave the capital?"

Zhang Yanling said, "He went to Yansui to prepare for war, while I went to Datong to open mines and set up factories to manufacture firearms locally... This time, a large number of merchants also went west with me. I want to strengthen the Northwest merchant settlements and increase the amount of farmland there in the shortest possible time."

"We've already changed the salt tax system, why are you still trying to establish merchant settlements?"

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "Didn't they say that we could directly exchange silver for salt permits in the capital? Will those merchants give in so easily?"

Zhang Yanling sighed, “The situation is different now. Before, when grain was distributed in China, they had to establish military farms in the Northwest to reduce expenses, but the results were not very good.”

"With the implementation of the salt tax reform, what I plan to do is not to restore the old system, but to adopt a new commercial bill system, which will require merchants to settle in the northwest to obtain tax reductions and exemptions from the court."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Luan asked blankly.

"This means that salt certificates can be purchased directly with silver in the future, but for any business they engage in, whether it is dealing in official salt or tea, or trading in coal, silk, cloth, or even glass, they can obtain commercial certificates by paying taxes in the Northwest, thus significantly reducing their tax burden!"

Zhang Yanling explained in detail, "In other words, those big merchants need to establish military farms in the Northwest to maximize their profits. Moreover, more mines will be opened in the Northwest in the future, and they will need to recruit miners from all over the country to complete production in the Northwest, which requires a large amount of food."

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "I didn't quite understand, but you've got a lot of tricks up your sleeve..."

Zhang Yanling said, "So this time, I've come to say goodbye to you, Father."

"You, you..."

Zhang Luan smiled wryly, "The kids are really grown up, you can't keep them here no matter what! By the way, how long are you going to stay in the Northwest?"

"Six months? Or maybe a year."

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "The next time we meet will likely be on my elder brother's wedding day, or I might not have time to come back for his wedding. I will only return to the capital after the imperial army has completely pacified the grasslands."

Zhang Luan asked, "Then... what are your plans to do about your brother-in-law?"

Zhang Yanling said with a relaxed expression, "If anything happens, I will communicate with my brother-in-law through letters. And if I encounter any trouble, I can also seek your help."

“Father, you should resume the demeanor of a high-ranking official and attend court more often… Now that Wang Yue has gone to the Northwest, you are the only Left Vice Minister of War, and the important military and political affairs of the court are waiting for you to manage.”

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "Hasn't your uncle Xu Qiong already joined the cabinet? Although he hasn't been granted the title of Grand Secretary yet, it is said that His Majesty intends to entrust him with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. In the future, the Minister of Personnel may also be his man! In that case, I would like to take a few days off to relax."

Zhang Yanling nodded: "Then I won't force you... If you need anything, please talk to your brother-in-law for me, is that alright now?"

"If needed, of course."

Zhang Luan asked with a curious look, "You're not pressuring your father anymore, hoping he'll make something of himself?"

Zhang Yanling shook his head and sighed: "I really regret it. Father, you are too lazy and are simply not suited to be a powerful minister. You always procrastinate when things happen, but that's just your nature. What can I say? Your ambition in your career is far inferior to that of Li Zisheng, which makes those who rely on you feel disheartened..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking." Zhang Luan waved his hand impatiently, "We're on completely different paths, so don't lecture me! But if you need anything, just tell me anytime, and I'll find a way to help you!"

"Then the son bid farewell to his father with tea instead of wine."

Zhang Yanling picked up the teacup and offered a toast from afar, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

……

……

Zhang Yanling left.

Zhang Luan sat there, looking lost and dejected.

Qi Niang walked in from outside, followed by Liu Shi, who had just returned to the courtyard. Liu Shi was carrying a basin of hot water with the smell of medicine, and was about to come over to wash Zhang Luan's feet.

Now, Liu Shi is no different from a menial servant in this courtyard, and because she once offended Qi Niang, she won't receive any preferential treatment...

Even her whole family was just trying to make a living, to live a peaceful life, so as not to be displaced or die from illness, hunger, or exhaustion.

"Master, what did the second young master say to you?"

Qi Niang was unwilling to be a frog in a well. She wanted to have some presence in front of the Zhang family father and son, and even more so, she wanted to become Zhang Luan's mouthpiece so that she would have the opportunity to get involved in politics.

At least Pang Qing showed Zhang Luan great respect in order to gain the opportunity to communicate with her.

Zhang Luan said with a mournful face, "The child is leaving again! I really can't keep him."

Madam Qi nodded and said, "The second young master is off on important business, sir, you needn't worry. By the way, it's getting cold, and sir, you've always had cold feet. Since the banquet is about to start, let's arrange for you to warm your feet first..."

"Why bother with medicine? The smell is too strong." Zhang Luan seemed very impatient. "Now that I'm gone, it seems like I'm all alone in the capital."

Qi Niang said, "Doesn't the master still have family?"

“They have a different perspective from me. They talk about trivial and unimportant things all day long, and it’s hard to even say a word to them.”

Zhang Luan said, "After spending these years with my son, my horizons have broadened, and I no longer want to be a narrow-minded, ignorant person. To be honest, I really want to live a life where I can talk and laugh with learned scholars and have no dealings with uncultured people."

Qi Niang thought to herself, "Your pursuit is quite unique."

Zhang Luan hastily slipped on his boots, stood up, and said, "Alright, bring me a few books. I want to read tonight and broaden my horizons. Otherwise, my son might look down on me next time I see him!"

……

……

Qianqing Palace.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to give a lecture to Zhu Youcheng, Xu Pu, after the lecture, used the pretext of discussing state affairs to earnestly request Zhu Youcheng to abandon future military plans in the Northwest.

From the perspective of the civil officials, this was a very necessary matter, and efforts should be made to curb the emperor's desire for militarism.

"...Your Majesty, the Tatars are currently embroiled in internal strife. The court should remain neutral and observe from the sidelines. Perhaps we can take advantage of their incessant warfare to cultivate certain factions and incite prolonged infighting. At this time, any invasion of the grasslands would only unite the Tatars in their hatred of the enemy and reunite their morale..."

Xu Pu was truly earnest and patient in his advice.

Xu Pu even found it hard to understand how such a weak and incompetent boy in the Eastern Palace could have such great ambition and aspirations after ascending the throne.

They actually had the audacity to flatten the grassland?

Zhu Youcheng said, "Mr. Xu, wasn't pacifying the grassland tribes and completely annihilating the Tatars always the wish of the Ming Dynasty's ancestors? I am merely trying to fulfill the late emperor's last wish."

Xu Pu thought to himself, "Stop bringing up your deceased father."

Your father never said he wanted to flatten the grasslands. At most, during his reign, he fought some battles in the north, but these were mostly defensive in nature, and their main purpose was to strike at the Tatars, weaken their strength, and prevent them from looking south, rather than completely annihilating them.

Xu Pu said, "Even if we conquer the Tatars, new tribes will still emerge on the grasslands. Since ancient times, the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Khitan, Jurchen and even the Tatars have multiplied in the northern desert. The attitude of the Central Plains dynasties towards the grasslands has always been suppression, not complete conquest. If we can maintain the status quo and prevent them from daring to invade the south, that would be the best outcome."

"I don't think so."

Zhu Youcheng seemed adamant, shaking his head and saying, "If we have the chance to wipe them out, we shouldn't give them a chance to breathe. Since ancient times, whether it's the legend of sealing the wolf's lair or the expeditions of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong to the northern deserts, in my heart, they are all sacred things. If I have the opportunity, I would definitely like to establish the achievement of pacifying the grasslands, rather than letting those vermin jump around on the borders of my Great Ming Dynasty every day, disgusting people at any time."

Xu Pu was speechless for a moment.

It's like watching a child grow up with your own eyes, who has a strange obsession that leaves him speechless.

Zhu Youcheng said, "Now that Yanling has manufactured new firearms, the military strength of the Ming Dynasty has been elevated to a new level, and it is the time to effectively suppress the grasslands."

"Only by taking advantage of this critical moment, when the threat posed by the Tatars to the Ming Dynasty is still in its previous form, can we catch them off guard."

Xu Pu frowned and said, "But we have no legitimate reason to attack."

"The Central Plains dynasties' power extended to the four barbarian tribes without any reason."

Zhu Youcheng said, "Just like at the beginning of the year when they dared to lead troops to invade our border, did they need any reason? We asked them to pay tribute and gave them the opportunity to open border markets, but they didn't know what was good for them and continued to cause trouble on the border. They even entered the Hetao region without permission. When have they ever given the court any face?"

Xu Pu was taken aback by Zhu Youcheng's resolute attitude and remained silent for a moment.

Zhu Youcheng took out a military plan: "Mr. Xu, when you have time, please go back and study it and see if this plan is feasible! This is a strategy for pacifying the barbarians that was submitted by Wang Yue, the General Commander of the Three Borders and the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. He has now gone to Yansui to take up his post. If it is feasible, we will take six months to two years to prepare and then send troops."

Qin Chang then forwarded a copy of the memorial to Xu Pu.

Xu Pu felt a sense of familiarity as soon as he held it in his hand. He had seen this thing before and thought that Wang Yue was just daydreaming.

But now the emperor seems to really take Wang Yue's ideals seriously and is even preparing to put them into practice?
Xu Pu said, "Wang Yue's determination to go to the grasslands is entirely for personal fame and fortune, not for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty should not believe him."

"Regardless of the purpose."

Zhu Youcheng shook his head and said, "If he has the ability to pacify the grasslands, then let him do it. If he fails, I will punish him, the plan will be shelved, and I will never mention this matter again unless the opportunity arises."

The emperor seems to have compromised.

Whether Wang Yue's eagerness to pacify the grasslands stemmed from his own desire for a title or from the need to consolidate the Ming Dynasty's rule, the emperor wanted to give Wang Yue a chance to prove himself.

As for what role Zhang Yanling played in this matter... it seems irrelevant now, since Wang Yue is the one leading the charge, and outsiders will point the finger at this former Earl of Weining.

Just as Zhang Luan had previously charged into battle for his son, the person now acting as a shield for Zhang Yanling is none other than Wang Yue, a fellow hailed as the unparalleled general of our time.

Whether it works or not depends entirely on Wang Yue!

(End of this chapter)