Chapter 633: Foolproof

Although Zhu Di had made several northern tours when he was in Nanjing in the past, the past was very different from the present after all, so countless people were staring at the attaché this time. When the list of the accompanying ministers of civil and military affairs was made public, people found that the people were almost the same as before, and there were not many new faces.

Among the nobles included Liu Sheng, Marquis of Anyuan, Xue Lu, Marquis of Yangwu, Meng Ying, Marquis of Baoding, Chen Mao, Marquis of Ningyang, Xu Heng of Xing'an, etc., and civil officials included Yang Rong, Jin Youzi, Guo Zi, Li Qing and others. Since the soldiers and others were all supported by food and grass for a month, and they only patrolled along the Great Wall instead of traveling far away, the pressure on the household department was much less. As for those who stayed in Beijing, in addition to the crown prince Zhu Gaochi and a number of civil officials, Zhu Yong, the Duke of Chengguo, sat in Beijing and was also in charge of the affairs of the military capital of the Chinese army.

Since August is the Shuntianfu Township Examination, the triennial competition, so many scholars have long gathered in Beijing to take the examination, and now the news of the northern tour came out, which immediately caused a heated discussion among these students. This time it was a northern tour rather than a northern expedition, and the number of people mobilized was limited, but there were still people in the restaurant who counted the treasury expenditures over the years, and they were swaying Fang Xuan.

Naturally, in these passionate voices, more people seize the limited time to inquire about the preferences and origins of the examiner, practice their calligraphy that is not proficient enough, or look at the Four Books and Five Classics over and over again, hoping to pass the exam in one fell swoop and win the opportunity to take the exam next year.

There is another guest in the Zhang family's compound in the past few days. Gu Bin had not easily asked for leave from the Metropolitan Procuratorate until recently, but because Yang Rong was too busy with the army to take care of him, he simply went here directly to find Zhang Zhen and Fang Jing to prepare for the exam together. Originally, those two people were just solving problems and making articles endlessly, but now they are arguing all day long, and the little free time they have is also used to practice calligraphy. Compared with Gu Bin and Fang Jing, Zhang Zhen and his wife helped to make some test papers, but there was no warmth in the hard work.

This day was the last night before the exam, and because he had to get up before dawn the next day to rush to the Gongyuan, Zhang Zhen returned to the room early, and as soon as he entered the room, he saw the huge three-story examination basket. He has been compared twice, and he is naturally no stranger to this thing, but in the past, it was his mother Feng's dots, but now he has changed to his wife, and he can't help but feel a little trance.

"It's all the things that the third sister-in-law and I discussed together. This is the four treasures of the study, this is the dry food dumplings made by home, this is rice, this is eggs, this is all kinds of rice cakes, which are not easy to spoil in autumn. Also, this is a special kettle, which is used to boil water to drink, thanks to the third brother who reminded you, otherwise you can only drink cold water at that time, wouldn't it be easy to get sick? Oops, I forgot to put the amulet, that is what I went to Daqingshou Temple to ask for a few days ago......"

Mourning and filial piety is the etiquette, so although she got married before, Zheng Fangfei has been newly married and Zhang Zhen for more than a year. At this time, Zhang Zhen listened to his wife keep muttering, and then remembered this for a while, and remembered that for a while, his face was red and very cute, and he couldn't help but step forward and grab her and kiss her gently. Seeing her stunned at a loss, he still didn't let go of his hand.

"I'm not the first person to end up, and you've prepared more than enough. What do I do with an iron pot with my craft, I have to make a paste no matter what I do! In this weather, it's good to prepare two more clothes, otherwise you won't be able to bring that big burden in. Fangfei, don't worry, I didn't make you beautiful when I got married, I will definitely pass the exam this time! ”

"Well, I must have passed the test!" Zheng Fangfei nodded coquettishly, then stood on tiptoe to straighten Zhang Zhen's collar, suddenly kissed the corner of his mouth lightly, and then jumped back with a smile, "I'm waiting for your good news at home!" ”

The couple played for a while, and then they realized that there were still girls in the house, and they hurriedly looked to the side, and when they found that the two big girls didn't know when they were gone, their faces became embarrassed. At this moment, a clear voice came from outside: "Young Master, Young Grandma, Third Young Master is here!" ”

Hearing Zhang Yuelai, Zhang Zhen couldn't help but instinctively swept over himself, and saw that there was no flaw, so he was a little more determined, and grabbed his wife who was going to hide in the back room: "The third brother must be here for tomorrow's exam, he will leave the day after tomorrow, so let's see him together." Besides, you've been preparing for the exam for so long, and if you dodge it now, who will he praise? ”

"What to praise whom?"

Zhang Yue happened to come in from outside the door and heard this half of the words, and immediately opened his mouth to ask, and when he saw the couple standing hand in hand, he couldn't help but smile: "It seems that I came at the wrong time, so I'll just say a few words and leave in a blink of an eye." ”

Glimpsing Zheng Fangfei breaking free of Zhang Zhen's hand like lightning, and curtling his knees to say hello, Zhang Yue nodded, glanced at the exam basket on the table again, and then moved the burden behind him to the front.

"I've told you everything else before, so there's nothing more to ask. I have taken care of the affairs of the Gongyuan room for the three of you, and I will definitely not be assigned to the kind of place where the rain leaks and the light is not good, and no one will dare to give you any black-hearted candles. But there are often strong winds in the capital in autumn and winter, and one side of the room is open after all, so I prepared more paperweights for these two parties. It's not a valuable thing, and it doesn't feel bad if it's smashed, so it's just right to take the test. In addition, there is a tarpaulin here, not for you to mend the canopy, but to hang it in front of you to keep out the rain when it rains. ”

Zhang Zhen has participated in the township test, but Henan is different from Shuntianfu after all, so seeing Zhang Yue taking out several simple and practical things from his baggage as if he was playing tricks, he didn't know that this must have been specially inquired, and he immediately thanked him again and again, and then thought of Gu Bin and Fang Jing. Before he could ask, Zhang Yue smiled and nodded again.

"Little Seventh Brother and Xiao Fang I just gave exactly the same thing, one of them is a relative, the other is a guest, so they have to take care of it first. Little four, take the exam well, don't be too stressed, the exam is not only about ability, but also luck and will. Stretching out his hands and pressing Zhang Zhen's shoulders, Zhang Yue couldn't help but be silent for a moment, and then opened his mouth and commanded, "I don't worry about your Shuntianfu Township test, but I have to tell you another thing." ”

"Third brother, what's the matter?"

Zhang Yue looked around, although there were no outsiders except Zheng Fangfei, he was still a little uneasy, so he beckoned his younger brother and sister to come over, whispered to her to watch outside, and then pulled Zhang Zhen to the empty inner room. After a long silence, he lowered his voice.

"Although this northern tour was decided by the emperor, there may be no accidents, after all, once there is a change, it will shock the world. You stay in the capital with your eldest brother and second brother, and your safety is safe, but you must pay attention to the movements of all parties. The eldest brother and the second brother are both scheming people, but I know you still think about it. No matter what happens, don't act rashly. If you occasionally learn something that others don't know, discuss it with your third sister-in-law, or go to your aunt, do you understand? ”

After many years of studying, and staying in Guozijian for so many years, Zhang Zhen understood the meaning of Zhang Yue's words, and his face suddenly turned pale. It took him a long time before he swallowed hard and nodded heavily. Seeing Zhang Yue stretch out his hand, he was stunned for a moment and then held it, and then said categorically: "Third brother, don't worry, there is me at home!" ”

With this commitment, Zhang Yue naturally let go. Not to mention the rest, Zhang Zhen, this little guy is still extremely smart and clever, once something happens, he will definitely not be as impulsive as Zhang Chao and Zhang Zhen, not to mention that it is the son-in-law of Wu'an Hou Zheng Heng, and the family next door can also come in handy at a critical moment. Zhu Yong, the Duke of Chengguo, has already reminded Mrs. Wang that he has woken up, and Jin Yiwei is firmly staring at the movement in Shandong, if this can still make any mess, then it is the will of God!

On the morning of the opening of the test in Shuntianfu Township, the gate of the Gongyuan was very lively, even if the officials passing by the Gongyuan saw this scene, they all thought of the scene when they walked on the single-plank bridge with thousands of troops and horses without exception. It's just that when they entered the imperial city through the Chongwenmen Street and through the left gate of Chang'an, the slightest emotional throbbing disappeared completely.

This day is also the day when the emperor sent an edict to the north of the Heavenly Gate. As a result, this night has become a sleepless night for more people. Zhang Yue confessed to Zhang Zhen the night before, and then confessed to Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi very much, and stayed at Du's house with Du Juan that day. His father-in-law and mentor stayed with Yang Shiqi to stay in Beijing this time, and the responsibility is not heavy.

"The emperor ordered you to accompany you and didn't mean anything else, Daning was abandoned by the emperor's order, and now it is also taken back by the emperor's order, you must remember this, your suggestion is just an opportunity."

"Yang Rongjin Youzi accompanied him three times, and each time he was a counselor in military affairs, and the soldiers have become accustomed to them relaying the holy decree, that is to say, at some point, their influence in the army is even greater than that of the leading soldiers!"

"Although the eunuchs of the inner court are headed by the eunuch, the eunuch Hou Xian has not returned, Liu Yongcheng, Zheng and Wang Jinghong and others have all stayed in Beijing. At the critical moment, the attitude of these servants may be more important than that of the nobles. ”

"The British Duke is your uncle, and he is the main general who guards Daning. This time, the emperor brought 30,000 elites with him, and there must be people who are afraid of his 20,000 army. The British Duke is a wise man, but if he is confused in case of a critical moment, you must remember to remind him not to fight for merit. He is already a hereditary prince of Lu Mi 3,000 stones, and his rise is almost gone, and all that remains is his name. ”

Du Zhen has always been cold-faced, even if he reminds Zhang Yue on weekdays, he only stops with a few words, and has never said so much like tonight, so he was afraid of that kind of tone of breaking gold and cutting jade, Zhang Yue actually asked rhetorically for a long time: "Father-in-law, if you look at it, if you go to Daning this time, will you encounter Tatar troops to attack and disturb?" ”

"Daning is just a destination, the emperor will initially be cruising in the Sai, if there is no military intelligence, he will lead the army to Daning, the so-called building of the city is just talk, 30,000 troops to build a city in Daning, isn't it a joke? In fact, if it weren't for the annihilation of Qiu Fu's entire army at the beginning, with the emperor's personality, the first few times would not have been a 300,000-strong army marching in formation, it must have been a large army directly charging into battle, or looking for the main force of the Tartars for a decisive battle...... It is possible for Tatars to send troops, so you should be careful. I won't talk about that, but I'm telling you this for one reason. ”

Du Zhen's always plain face showed a mocking smile: "Once a son of heaven and a courtier, although you are trusted by the emperor, although you are from a famous family, you are not a key person. At a critical juncture, don't accidentally become someone's pawn! ”

Zhang Yue was stunned for a moment, and then bowed solemnly: "I understand, thank you father-in-law for your advice." It's just that you should be careful in Beijing, after all, the emperor is a good bone that has been boiled for many years, and the first three northern expeditions had their own hardships and dangers, and in the end they all came back safely, but the people who stayed in Beijing sometimes added guilt for some reason. Even if it is not a day like Mr. Tozato, it is really frightening. You have been in and out of the Jinyi Guard prison twice, and even if your mother-in-law is strong, she can't help but come again. ”

Since Zhu Di re-established the Jinyi Guard, if the ministers are guilty, they are almost always under the Jinyi Guard, and the Criminal Department of Dali Temple has never had the right to interfere, and it is directly decided by Emperor Chrysostom. Therefore, I only saw officials of all walks of life going in and out of the prison, ranging from dozens to hundreds of people every year. Du Zhen only met in the Hanlin Academy a few days ago because of the fire in the three halls of Shangshuyan who was imprisoned, and now Li Shimian, who had just been released, was deeply affected by his gray hair, and when he heard Zhang Yue's words, he nodded himself.

"I've been in prison twice, and I told myself about it, but now I just have to be careful. In those two times, you have thought of countless ways to go to heaven and earth, and this time if you are sent to some dangerous place because of me, not to mention your mother-in-law, even Wan'er will have to blame me as a father. This kind of thing can be one or the other, and you can rest assured, there will never be a third time. ”

On this day, it was the 14th of August, and the round moon exuded a bright light, and the starry sky sprinkled a large amount of starlight, reflecting it unusually brightly in all directions. Zhang Yue walked out of Du Zhen's study, and when he was about to arrive at his and Du Juan's residence, he suddenly heard a murmuring sound in the door of the courtyard next to him. Curiously, he stepped forward to take a look, and saw a man standing in the clearing with his back to him, looking up at the moon. Recognizing that it was Xiao Wu, he didn't alarm her, but just stopped for a moment.

"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, but why is this Mid-Autumn Festival one in the east and one in the west...... Moon, you must bless Brother Wan with peace and security...... Well, by the way, I also bless my brother-in-law with safety, anyway, my sister will definitely beg you like this......"

Hearing these two words by the way, Zhang Yue, who was dumbfounded, simply stopped alarming her and continued to move forward. His trip is no better than the Eternal Festival, among thousands of troops, if there is no major accident, then it should be foolproof.