In ancient times, there were no bulldozers, excavators, and no booms. The engineering was entirely dependent on manpower. At most, it was simple primitive tools, such as pulleys and trolleys. However, the wisdom of the ancients was not to be underestimated, especially woodworking. The craftsmanship was really amazing. From pillars and beams to stools and coffee tables, it did not use a nail, but it was strong and durable.

After sending the Tatar envoy Chilu Buhua away, Xu Jin became his wealthy idle again. His daily job was to go around the construction site opposite the mansion to understand the progress of the project. His greatest interest was to watch carpenters work, which was a great eye-opener these days.

However, the disadvantage of pure manual work is also very obvious, that is, the efficiency is too low. Xu Jin estimated that the Marquis of Wuding will be renovated, at least to the end of next year. Not to mention anything else, the Lotus Lake that Princess Yongfu asked to dig will take the first half of a year, because digging a cryptanalys is a major project.

It is now the winter month of the fifth year of Jiajing, and the Chinese New Year is about to be celebrated in just one month, and the temperature is even colder. However, today's sunshine is very good. Jiajing and Xu Jin, dressed in casual clothes, were wandering in the Marquis' Mansion of Wuding, while hundreds of workers nearby were busy busy.

The house was built for Princess Yongfu, and was supervised by Duke Jingguo himself. In addition, the wages were 20% higher than those on the market, so the workers naturally worked hard and tried to dig the Lotus Lake before the New Year.

The big boss Jiajing inspected the construction site, and then fully affirmed the work of the contractor Xu Jin, and generously paid extra meals for the workers out of his own pocket.

After the boss of Jiajing added meals to the workers, he went to the Jingguo Mansion opposite to add meals to himself. Xie Xiaowan prepared spicy mutton offals and various hearty dishes.

Jiajing was like a starving ghost reincarnated, and he had a very happy meal. After the meal, Xu Jin and the king and minister of Jiajing wandered around in the yard and chatted. At present, the national strength of the Ming Dynasty was booming and the four realms were pacified. Only a small civil rebellion occurred in Guangxi, so Jiajing's life is very comfortable at present.

"Xu Qing, what is the total budget for the project?" Jiajing asked with a toothpick.

"I'm afraid I'm going to ask for 30,000 taels of silver. Lord Qin only granted 5,000 taels of silver for me, and the remaining 25,000 taels must be asked for you, the emperor." Xu Jin said.

Jiajing immediately gave a thumbs up and said with an exaggerated expression: "Tsk tsk, Xu Qing, you are still powerful, you can convince Qin Jin, this iron rooster to allocate 5,000 taels of silver. It's amazing. I asked him to allocate some silver to repair Jingren Palace a few days ago. This bastard refused to do anything, and even advised me to be frugal and manage the family. I was so angry that I almost wanted to remove him."

Xu Jin said with a funny look: "As the Minister of Revenue, all departments across the country have asked him for money. Naturally, they have to be petty and live within their means. This country is yours. If the money in the treasury is used well and the right one can be used, the country will be stable and stable. If you squander randomly and the military pay cannot be paid out, it will be a fundamental thing. Therefore, the stricter the control of Lord Qin, the more stingy the treasury, the more abundant the treasury will be. This is extremely beneficial to the country and the emperor."

Jiajing nodded and said, "This is the reason, but I am still unhappy. It is obviously my money, but I can't use it. What's the reason?"

"Don't the emperor still have an inner treasury? As far as I know, the emperor has saved a lot of private money in the past two years. The tariffs, salt and silver profits of the Ming Dynasty are all included in the inner treasury. In addition, the imperial houses, carriages, crawler industries, glass businesses, etc. in various places, the emperor's annual income is probably quite considerable." Xu Jin said with his finger.

Jiajing smiled and raised a finger smugly, then looked around like a thief, and then whispered: "I made almost one million taels of silver last year."

Xu Jin said intimately that although the carriage and horse carriage are very profitable now, the big part of Jiajing's income is probably still salt tax. He is shameless. As the emperor, he is actually competing for profit with the people. Your uncle, I despise you!

Jiajing said sneakily: "Shh, Xu Qing must not tell me the story, otherwise those acid spies should be clamoring again. Qin Jin's iron chicken probably won't give me a penny in the future. Don't show your eyes on wealth, and don't show your eyes!"

Xu Jin rubbed his chin and said, "Your Majesty, I just seemed to have a wrong budget. The project costs at least 50,000 taels of silver, which means you have to give me 45,000 taels."

"What? Get out of your turtle big duck egg, want to blacken my silver, dream." Jiajing glanced at Xu Jin with contempt and said, "I only give 20,000 taels. Add the 5,000 taels Qin Jin has submission to be 25,000 taels, and you can give the remaining 5,000 taels yourself."

Xu Jin couldn't help but turn black: "Your Majesty, this is unreasonable. Why should I pay 5,000 taels of silver?"

"Why? Just because I gave the house in Yongfujian, I still paid 20,000 taels of silver. In the end, you guys are not cheap!" Jiajing thought to himself, but he said, "Sister Xiaowan is also Yongfu's sister. As your brother-in-law, can't you contribute 5,000 taels of house in Yongfujian?"

Xu Jin was speechless, and Jiajing said in a slight manner when he saw this: "It's settled."

Xu Jin smiled bitterly and said, "Why do I think the emperor is more ironic than Lord Qin? And he is shameless."

Jiajing was not angry either and laughed and said, "I haven't learned from you, Xu Qing..."

Jiajing suddenly stopped and looked at Xu Jin with a strange expression. He suddenly thought that according to his logic just now, should Yongfu marry Xu Jin be called his brother-in-law or his husband? If he married Zhier, would he call Xu Jin's brother-in-law or his brother-in-law?

Xu Jin knew Jiajing's stupid way of the moment, touched his face for no reason and teased: "Why is the emperor staring at me? Is it because I am jealous of me more handsome than you?"

Jiajing made a dry retching expression and changed the topic: "Does Xu Qing think Dalaison will agree to your conditions?"

Xu Jin shook his head and said indifferently: "It is unlikely that even if Dalai Suen agreed, his tribal lord would not agree. It would be too difficult for them to vomit if they ate it."

Jiajing frowned and said, "Then why did Xu Qing still put such conditions?"

"It's normal to pay the price by opening the sky and pay back the money by landing!" Xu Jin shrugged and said, "If Taurus agreed to one of these three conditions, it means that he really can't resist it. At that time, I can consider sending troops in the Ming Dynasty. After all, Altan's threat is even greater."

Jiajing thought for a moment and nodded, "It makes sense. Xu Qing thinks Dalaison can hold on for a long time?"

Xu Jin shook his head and said, "I don't know. Let's wait until the New Year is over. No need to hurry. Now is a good time for my Ming Dynasty to recuperate. War is a very expensive thing. If the national treasury is empty, Lord Qin should be anxious again."

Jiajing's eyes flashed: "I think it's time for Xu Qing to use the chess pieces that he set up outside the border. My promise is still valid. As long as she makes great contributions, I will not blame him, but it is impossible to restore his true identity."

Xu Jin nodded solemnly and said, "I have thanked the emperor for his grace on behalf of Xin'er. I believe Xin'er doesn't care about this identity."

Jiajing sneered and suddenly said a little annoyed: "Xu Qing, I think you have too many women. If you don't have my permission in the future, you are not allowed to pick up girls. Otherwise, I will consider appointing you as the eunuch in charge of the seal of the Sili Supervisor."

The word "picking up girls" was naturally learned from Xu Jin.

Xu Jin almost fell head-on and said embarrassedly: "Your Majesty, I am really not interested in this position."

"It's best if you don't have any interest!" Jiajing shook his sleeves, held his head up and his chest and walked with his feet. He thought to himself, my brother-in-law is not that easy to be, there are already so many women. If he continues to soak, where will my own sister be?

After walking a few steps, Jiajing suddenly woke up another thing and stopped walking: "By the way, the Minister of History Fang Xianfu suggested to transfer Yu Dayou back. I considered the importance of the Strait of Malacca, so I did not agree. However, I have heard a report recently. The mother of Yu Dayou, Yang, passed away. If Yu Dayou is not dismissed, it is really unreasonable. What does Xu Qing think?"

Xu Jin's original intention was that the throne of the Protectorate's Office was five years. After all, the journey was long, and it took half a year to go back and forth. If he had to change it every three years, he had to leave before he could sit still, so he would not have time to do it. However, Yu Dayou's mother passed away. If he did not let him come back to filial piety, it would be contrary to human ethics.

"Now that Malacca City has stabilized, there are many sources of transfer from Yu Dayou to return, but the person who takes over must have enough ability." Xu Jin pondered for a moment before answering.

Jiajing nodded and said, "Does Xu Qing have a suitable candidate?"

Xu Jin shook his head: "I have no suitable candidate to recommend, and the emperor can order the cabinet to recommend it."

Just kidding, Xu Jin delegated power just to avoid suspicion, and Yu Dayou came from his command. The reason why he was recommended to replace him now is probably to weaken his influence in the army. At this time, even if he had a suitable candidate, he could not recommend it to the emperor, so as not to attract suspicion!

Jiajing said disappointedly: "Okay!"

The king and his minister chatted in the yard for a while, then went back to the study to study the Tatar map for half an hour. Jiajing then left Xu's mansion and returned to the palace.

Three days later, the results of the court promulgation came out. Chen Yu, the Marquis of Taining, will replace the position of Nanyang Protectorate, and recall the former Protectorate Yu Dayou, and make other arrangements for the position.

When Xu Jin learned that the delay was Chen Yu, Hou of Taining, he couldn't help but shake his head. This person was just a fool, even Qiu Luan was much stronger than him. However, at present, the Ming Dynasty's navy is unprecedentedly powerful, and Westerners dare not start a war easily. In addition, the Ming Dynasty has opened a sea trade now, and Westerners will make money and will be at least 10 or 8 years old. As long as Chen Yu does not commit suicide, there should be no problem in guarding Malacca City.
Chapter completed!