Snow was flying heavily, and thick snow covered the entire Jinling City. Both the inside and outside of the palace were a scene of pink makeup and jade.
In the Hall of Yangxin, the emperor was sitting on the dragon chair. He was accepting birthday gifts from his ministers and heirs with a spring breeze on his face. He was very happy when he looked at the rare treasures filled in the hall.
King Fu Zhu Zhiang had been patiently waiting for everyone to present the congratulatory gifts, and then ordered people to present the congratulatory gifts he had purchased, and respectfully reported: "Father, this is the sword and pen that I asked my uncle's family to find after a lot of effort.
Please ask Father to take a look at the paintings of the evil god."
When he heard that it was a painting by the Evil God of Knives and Pens, the emperor immediately became interested and hurriedly asked a few eunuchs to unfold the canvas. Looking at the vivid scenery in the painting, he kept nodding and praising: "It is really a masterpiece of the Evil God of Knives and Pens. It is so lifelike that it can be called
A masterpiece."
For a while, looking at the rest of He Li felt boring.
Seeing that his father, Longyan, was so happy, Zhu Zhiang pretended to sigh: "It's a pity that Mr. Daobi's work has been published for many years, and he has never been able to see his true appearance. It is useless for him to find a husband for his father."
.”
"Why should a hermit disturb other people's purity?"
The emperor waved his hand disapprovingly and said with a smile: "Prince Fu has paid great attention to find Mr. Daobi's paintings. I am very pleased."
King Yun Zhu Zhichun had already known about the Zhuo family in Jiangxia County, and he knew even more clearly that this painting was found by the Zhuo family and presented to King Fu.
However, he did not bother to step on King Fu at this time, lest his father would suspect that he was deliberately targeting his flesh and blood brothers.
Counting the time, he just wanted to watch a good show quietly.
So when he saw that a courtier wanted to tell the truth about the origin of this painting, he secretly winked at the courtier and stopped him.
"The Zhuo family has taken on a lot of hard work for the imperial court over the years. They have always worked hard and never complained. They have done every job well and have lived up to my trust."
While ordering people to put away the paintings, the emperor said with emotion: "Everyone is rushing to be an imperial merchant, but they are afraid of being an imperial merchant. They just think that I am too harsh and cannot get any profit from me. The Zhuo family is worthy of being a royal merchant."
The Qingliu family not only does not repay kindness with evil, but also remembers me."
Zhu Zhiang was filled with joy when he heard this. He glanced at King Yun proudly and said smugly: "It is their duty to be loyal to their father. How dare they think of personal gain."
"You can't say that."
The emperor waved his hand and said thoughtfully: "After all, we are merchants. How can we support our family business without any benefits? It just so happens that the fleet I am going to sea will leave port again after the New Year. You will send an order to the Shipping Department to stop all westbound voyages from next year.
All the goods to be purchased are handed over to the Zhuo family."
"On behalf of the Zhuo family, I would like to thank my father for his kindness."
Zhu Zhiang was so excited that he quickly kowtowed in thanks.
But as soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch ran in in a panic and handed a piece of paper to the emperor.
After the emperor saw it, his expression suddenly changed, and he threw the zhezi in front of Zhu Zhiang. He felt that he had been greatly deceived: "What a pure family, what a man who serves me faithfully."
The change happened so fast that Zhu Zhiang's heart tightened with fear. He looked at the folded piece of paper thrown on the ground in confusion, frowned and asked, "Father, why is this?"
The emperor was so angry that he overturned his desk and shouted sternly: "This Zhuo family is so bold that he dares to secretly mine iron mines without telling the court. Why doesn't he just rise up and take my country?"
King Yun, Zhu Zhichun, had been patient for a long time. Seeing that the time had finally arrived, he casually bent down, picked up the folding book on the ground and pretended to look at it. Then he looked meaningfully at King Fu, shook his head with a smile and said, "The imperial court strictly prohibits anyone from doing so."
The Zhuo family, who are deeply favored by the emperor for privately opening iron mines, dare to commit such a treasonous act. I am worried that such a big thing is not something that just a mere Zhuo family can handle."
As soon as this was said, someone else presented the fold that had been prepared in advance.
The Minister of Industry reported the truth: "Your Majesty, the Zhuo family has no royal laws. Zhuo Fan bullied men and women, harmed innocent people, and tried to pretend to be crazy and stupid to escape legal sanctions. The head of the third room of the Zhuo family even
His Highness Prince Ning doesn’t take it seriously. I heard that he almost got into a fight over the painting presented by Prince Fu today and paid 100,000 gold for it. If the Zhuo family is said to be a Qingliu family, I really can’t believe it.”
"Father, I don't know, but someone must want to accuse the Zhuo family. Father, please don't listen to slander."
King Fu refused to admit his fault and argued vigorously.
"You don't know?"
Emperor Long Yan was furious: "You have always been close to the Zhuo family. How could the Zhuo family dare to act so boldly without your support?"
"Father is wronged."
Zhu Zhiang argued with reason: "My son is always in the capital and doesn't know what is going on in Jiangxia City."
He silently raised his eyes and looked at King Yun, who simply muddied the water: "Besides, the vassal status of Wuchang Prefecture was recommended by the old master. If the Zhuo family really dared to have anything to do with his son, he should have reported it to his father.
The emperor."
The emperor thought about it carefully and found that Grand Master Xue had always been partial to Prince Yun and would not help Prince Fu deceive his subordinates. He thought there must be something fishy in this.
It's just that the Zhuo family dared to secretly open iron mines without telling the court. This is no small matter.
He looked around at the courtiers and heirs in the palace with a gloomy expression. After pondering for a long time, he suddenly gave a sharp instruction: "I have given you a verbal order to order Huguang Inspector Ye Chenggui to concurrently serve as the Inspector and Censor, and make every effort to thoroughly investigate the salt and iron affairs of Huguang Province.
The matter of Zhuo Jia’s private iron ore mining must be brought to light, and all officials involved in this matter, no matter how big or small, must be severely punished.”
After finishing his words, he left in a hurry with his sleeves rolled up.
King Fu and King Yun led the courtiers out of the Yangxin Palace. After the ministers dispersed, King Yun glanced at King Fu with a cold gaze and said with an evil smile: "King Fu is really a good calculator, but do you really think that muddying the water will calm things down?"
?This Ye Chengguan is not a good person, I am afraid no one can stop him from what he wants to investigate."
"Brother Prince Yun, there is no need to be complacent. Does the emperor think that Ye Chengguan can be used by you?"
King Fu also sneered sinisterly: "As far as I know, he is now investigating the matter of the person named Qian Yingying, and the child of the Hua family has already been in his hands. You said that if Qian Yingying is so eager to have her child?"
I accidentally got caught in the net, can I stop Ye Chengwei with the prestige of the chief minister?"
King Yun clenched his fist secretly, ignored his provocation, and left in a hurry and angrily.
When they arrived at De's house, they heard from the housekeeper that Princess Zhengning had come to pay her respects.
When the two met, King Yun didn't know what the wife of the Governor's Mansion was here for, so he asked in a lukewarm tone: "The princess is so elegant and cheerful, what gust of wind blew my cousin to my palace?"
Zhu Zhengning was a straight man and did not mince words. He said bluntly: "Of course my little sister is here to help the emperor."
"Oh, help me?"
Prince Yun sneered and shook his head: "The princess is really good at joking. Who knows that Governor Luo is very loyal to Prince Fu? The princess has always been close to Prince Fu. She said she was helping the king. I'm afraid you don't believe it yourself, right?"
Zhu Zhengning smiled calmly: "Of course, it's also to help myself."
After hearing this, King Yun Zhu Zhichun became interested, his attitude immediately changed, and he said kindly: "Princess, please take a seat."
After that, he hurriedly sent someone to watch the tea.