Chapter 440: Unexpected

Although the military department and the household department were most closely related to the Northern Expedition, but since the court had already decided on the top, even during the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15, all the officials of the two yamen were still busy with the matter of allocating military salaries. Compared to Gangnam, the population around Gyeonggi is much smaller, so self-sufficiency is still insufficient, let alone for military use. As a result, the final result of the joint discussion between the two ministries was that grain would be levied and distributed on the same day because of the huge cost of military rations. For a whole day, all the subordinate officials of the two yamen didn't even have the time to drink saliva, and they didn't have time to think about anything else. Fortunately, the two Shangshu who are in charge of the new ministry are still considerate, because today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Shen Zheng will disperse on time as usual.

Before he left the yamen of the military department, Zhang Yue saw an acquaintance standing under the flagpole over there, and hurriedly said hello to Wan Shijie beside him, signaling him to go first, and then walked straight forward. Since one is in the sixth department and the other is in the East Palace, they are very busy with each other, so he and Fang Ling have not been together for a long time, and after meeting at this time, he quipped: "I thought that you would have a comfortable life by His Royal Highness the Imperial Sun, and you would definitely be able to gain weight, why did you lose weight?" ”

"The old scholar of the East Palace has many rules, and countless pairs of eyes are staring at him all day long, and you will still have to lose weight if you are replaced."

Having said that, Fang Ling is actually very satisfied with his current situation. At least, since he entered the East Palace, the attitude of his father and brother in law has greatly improved towards him, and he even speaks with a little flattery on weekdays. He knows very well where his encounter came from, so although he has less contact with Zhang Yue now, he has never forgotten this friend.

After laughing a few words, Fang Ling lowered his voice and said: "In the past, Lord Liang Qianliang had taught His Royal Highness the Imperial Sun for many years, so Master Du was able to intercede for Lord Liang to save his life, and His Royal Highness was extremely grateful. So he asked me to tell you, it's not that he doesn't intercede for Bachelor Du, but after all, he is the grandson of the East Palace, and if he is too involved in these major matters, he will be disgusted by the emperor, so it is better to sit back and wait for the emperor to change his mind. He also said that you have the eldest son, he should have given some gifts, but it is not as convenient to be in Beijing as in Nanjing. Besides, last time he gave your daughter-in-law gold to add makeup, he has been taught a lesson by a few old pedants, and now it is not good to surpass, so he can only convey one sentence - continue to work hard, and the congratulatory gift will be made up to you next time. ”

Even Zhang Yue was still in a bit of a mood at this time, when he heard this, he couldn't help laughing, and he missed the time when he ghostwrote a letter for Zhu Zhanji in the Dezhou Palace that day. At that time, Zhu Zhanji dictated his transcripts, and there was often no one else next to him, and he spoke much more easily.

"You salute His Royal Highness the Emperor on my behalf, thank him for his kindness, he has helped me a lot." After saying this, he glanced at Fang Ling, and then said in a low voice, "By the way, you are more than a year older than me, and you don't plan to get married yet?" ”

"Don't mention it, I have entered the East Palace now, and the person who came to propose marriage almost broke through the threshold, and my father and brother almost had to choose a daughter-in-law according to the dowry, but I could only hint that His Royal Highness had other arrangements, and it was not easy for them to ask His Highness for verification, so it stopped. Otherwise, I doubt that if I can marry all three wives and four concubines, they will all arrange for me. In short, I'm not in a hurry, a manly man, start a business first and then start a family, I'm not as good as you, no one follows behind and wants to hold a grandson. ”

Since today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the two didn't mention anything about finding a place to get together, and they laughed and talked for a while before saying goodbye to each other. At this time, most of the officials had already gone home, not to mention the yamen of the Ministry of War, and even the gates of the yamen of other ministries were deserted. Zhang Yue, who was riding on a horse, thought that he had planned to go to Du's house for the Mid-Autumn Festival after accompanying his grandmother at home, and suddenly sighed deeply - he really wanted to take the Qiu family over for a reunion, but his mother-in-law refused, but fortunately, there is a little five over there now, otherwise if something like this happens, the Du family still doesn't know how deserted.

Since Hu Qi sent Zhang Yue to the court to inquire about the news, he has not come back yet, so he is followed by Zhao Hu and Xiang Long, who rushed over after retreating. It has been almost three years since the four brocade guard candidates in the past became his guards, because Hu Qiding was in front of everything, and the other three were often dull and silent, and they didn't even have a sense of existence when they weren't in use. The monthly money of the four people is paid from the private account of Zhang Yue in the third room, even Du Juan was shocked by this big expenditure when he started to manage the accounts, but Zhang Yue often felt that these four people did more and took less.

At this time, Zhang Yue was really looking for someone to talk to, so he ordered them to step forward and ask some questions casually. When mentioning his daughter-in-law, Zhao Hu smiled innocently: "At the beginning, we didn't have the money to marry a daughter-in-law, but now we have more money and are dazzled." The eldest brother said that the person next to the pillow must find an honest and reliable person, so as not to talk to the daughter-in-law outside when she is talking in her sleep. ”

"Lao Hu is really careful." Seeing that Xiang Long also nodded in agreement, Zhang Yue couldn't help but sigh, and then smiled, "If you really can't pick it out, let Ming'er ask Gao Quan to help you pay attention, after all, he often runs outside, and he knows the details of those people." Marrying a daughter-in-law is a lifelong thing, and you really can't be sloppy. ”

Zhao Hu and Xiang Long were already twenty-seven or eighteen, and when they heard this, they immediately agreed with a smile. Pulling gossip all the way into Wu'anhou Hutong, Zhang Yue suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves behind him, and when he turned his head, he saw Hu Qi rushing over at a gallop. When he got closer, he didn't have time to rein in his horse, but he landed on a galloping horse.

"Young master, it's not good! Master Fang...... Fang Shangshu hanged himself in the Lingji Palace! ”

Hearing this sentence in a low voice, Zhao Hu and Xiang Long were not so alert after all, and their faces were still a little dazed, but Zhang Yue felt that five thunders hit the top in an instant. Fang Bin has been his boss for more than a year, although he must report that he has a narrow mind, but to say that he is astute is first-class, at least the military department is well organized under his cooking. This time, even if it angered the emperor and dismissed the official, then it was just enough to stay in the Lingji Palace honestly, how could he commit suicide?

Even though he knew the source of the news, he still asked in disbelief: "Is the news reliable?" ”

"When Lord Yuan led people over, I also followed far behind, and by the way, I also took a turn outside the Lingji Palace. Dongchang's fan arrived earlier than Jinyiwei, and this news should be absolutely correct. Hu Qi himself was also surprised, and hurriedly added, "I came back from there at three o'clock and saw someone carrying out the body covered with a white cloth. It is said that when Fang Shangshu went to Lingji Palace early this morning, his face was full of frustration, and he locked himself in the quiet room in the afternoon, and by the time the miscellaneous Taoist realized that something was wrong, the person had been dead for a long time. ”

Even if it was still unbelievable, Hu Qi said it so concretely and realistically, Zhang Yue really had to believe it. The fact that Fang Bin died is secondary, and what matters is what kind of impact his death can have on this event. Zhu Di should not have had the intention of killing him, but now that he hanged himself inexplicably, will the emperor be angry again, or will he look at the death of the former minister of humerus and no longer care about yesterday's events?

"Lao Hu, I still have to ask you for this matter. You take Zhao Hu with you, try to pay attention to the latest news, and remind Lord Yuan that it doesn't seem normal for Dongchang to suddenly move so fast this time. This happened suddenly, and a bad one will set off a big storm. If there is any message, you can ask Zhao Hu to come back and report the news, and I will inform you at the second gate, no matter how late it is, no matter which of you comes back, come to see me immediately. ”

Seeing that Hu Qi would leave with Zhao Hu as soon as he agreed, Zhang Yue couldn't help but take a deep breath. When Fang Bin was alive, no one dared to question his words in the military department, but this death was afraid that it would cause an uproar. Such a smart and deep old minister should know that he can't get rid of the word fear of crime when he hangs himself, how can he be so ignorant and reckless?

Since this is still the news of strict lockdown, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was held at home this night, and Zhang Yue was still reluctant to accept joy even though he was depressed in a thousand ways. Gu Shi was thoughtful, and saw through Zhang Yue's thoughts, so he used the excuse that Jingguan was still young and needed to be taken care of, so Zhang Yue and Du Juan withdrew first, and then ordered Bai Fang to choose a few bowls of vegetables and send them to Lingxi Amber and Autumn Marks.

And Zhang Yue sent Bai Fang and a few mothers-in-law to go first, and while he and Du Juan were left behind, he informed Fang Bin about hanging himself in Lingji Palace. Finding Du Juan frozen in place, he hurriedly grabbed her body, but heard something unexpected.

"Xiao Wu also came to see me in the afternoon, she said that she went to Lingji Palace to make incense today, and happened to meet the county lord at the door, and then saw Fang Shangshu in Lingji Palace, and the county lord saw that he was not right and reminded him two sentences, so that he should not be discouraged because of a momentary setback. Since Fang Shangshu has been a minister of the imperial court for more than ten years, he can't even bear this bit of torture, how could he suddenly hang himself! ”

"You said that the county lord and Xiao Wu have been to Lingji Palace today, and they have also seen Lord Fang?"

After receiving Du Juan's careful explanation, Zhang Yue suddenly felt a fog in front of him. There was at least one bright moon and a lantern on the dark night road, but this time it was a dark cloud with no clues. He and Du Juan supported each other back to their own house, drank another hot tea, and then he gradually calmed down, and then asked Du Juan about going to the British Mansion today.

"I showed the article to the eldest uncle, and the eldest aunt agreed without saying a word. In the morning, it was Father-in-law Zhang who came to reward him, so the eldest aunt took me to meet him in Ruiqing Hall and gave him your strip Chen. Gonggong Zhang accepted it, saying that he would try to show it to the emperor after he went back. Du Juan instructed Lingxi to bring Jingguan to breastfeed, and then said thoughtfully, "Gonggong Zhang also mentioned that the heads of the twenty-four yamen, the twelve eunuchs, the four divisions, and the eighth bureau, were all staring at the vacancy of the eunuchs, but they didn't know that the emperor's favorite person was Gonggong Zheng. ”

People overseas Zheng He has no involvement with any forces, and it is the most suitable to balance the power of eunuchs in the palace, and sure enough, Zhu Di is also suspicious of his henchmen and eunuchs after the previous incident. Anyway, Zhu Di's temperament is already suspicious enough, and being suspicious and suspicious is just that. As soon as Fang Bin died today, the East Factory dispatched so quickly, I am afraid that another person is preparing to climb up.