After the cabinet meeting, word quickly spread that Taichang Shaoqing Li Chunfang was personally appointed by His Majesty as the next Minister of Rites.
As soon as the news came out, countless officials of all sizes came to visit, fearing that they would be a step too late.
And Li Chunfang is indeed someone who has been immersed in official circles for many years, and can handle such situations with ease.
After politely sending away the last batch of visiting officials, Li Chunfang called the housekeeper at home and gave these instructions: "If anyone comes to visit in the future, just say that I am busy with work."
"Yes, sir." The steward responded and went down to get busy. His task was to register all the gifts sent by these officials and give them back to others in the future.
"My dear, this..." Li Chunfang's wife walked out of the room and couldn't help but be surprised when she looked at the gifts that almost filled the entire corridor.
"What's so strange about this? My husband is now the Minister of Rites. Things like this will happen in the future. You should pay more attention to this aspect in the future and don't randomly collect other people's things. Do you understand?"
"I understand, you don't know how worried I am about you these days. I can't sleep all night, just because I'm afraid of you..." Li Chunfang's wife said, tears streaming down her face.
"It's okay, it's all okay. My husband is now the Minister of Rites." Seeing this, Li Chunfang hugged his wife into his arms and comforted her softly.
…
Early morning, Yan Mansion.
Yan Song, as usual, was holding a bowl of thick porridge and drinking it slowly.
"Father, my child has already sent someone to bring a message to Yan Maoqing as you ordered."
"Well, you did a good job. Sit down and have something to eat." After Yan Song finished speaking, he pointed at the dishes on the table and said.
As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, a maid brought Yan Shifan a bowl of thick porridge.
"Father, I am still a little worried about Yan Maoqing. After all, you have issued a military order to His Majesty!" Yan Shifan said with a worried look on his face.
Yan Song sighed, put down the spoon, and said: "It doesn't matter, if Yan Maoqing can't collect enough salt tax, then there is no need to save his little life! There is no need for us to take action by then, His Majesty's Bian will take care of him."
"Well, in that case, the child is worrying too much." After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he picked up the bowl of thick porridge and started to drink it.
On the other hand, Yan Maoqing couldn't sleep all night. As soon as he closed his eyes, all kinds of bizarre dreams would appear in his mind. He even dreamed that he was visited by Jin Yiwei, who ransacked his home and exterminated his family. scene!
The sky outside gradually became brighter, and Yan Maoqing's anxious heart also found some comfort. Then he put on his official uniform under the service of the maid.
The first stop for Yan Maoqing to collect salt tax was Zhejiang, a prosperous place. The reason why he chose Zhejiang was to get a good fortune! Yan Maoqing believes that everything is difficult at the beginning. As long as the beginning goes well, all subsequent difficulties can be easily solved.
Yan Maoqing is well aware of the methods those officials may use. When it comes to greedy money and how to fool Shangguan, he, Yan Maoqing, has accumulated extremely rich experience in this regard! In other words, it is quite a bit like Guan Gong playing a big knife in front of him.
He, Yan Maoqing, is still very confident in this aspect!
…
Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion.
Soon, after Hu Zongxian received the news, he summoned everyone to the hall to discuss the next countermeasures.
Hu Zongxian sat at the top. After taking a sip of tea, he slowly said: "I have received news that Yan Maoqing's first stop for collecting salt tax this time is Zhejiang!"
"What? The first stop is Zhejiang?" Everyone in the hall was quite surprised after hearing the news about Hu Zongxian.
"It stands to reason that shouldn't it start from near the capital and then along the Grand Canal? How could it be..." Zheng Michang was quite puzzled by this and asked doubtfully.
"Alas, I don't know what Yan Maoqing is thinking!" Hu Zongxian sighed and said helplessly.
"Oh, by the way, are we in Zhejiang Province ready to pay the salt tax to the court?" Hu Zongxian was a little worried and confirmed with Zheng Michang again.
"Reporting to the Governor, the salt tax that Zhejiang needs to pay totals 1.26 million taels of silver. All of it is currently stored in the warehouse and heavily guarded day and night!" Zheng Michang reported in a deep voice.
"Well, don't let down your guard. You're right to be careful." After listening to Zheng Michang's report, Hu Zongxian breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yes, Lord Governor, I will definitely handle this matter without any mistakes!" Zheng Michang responded decisively.
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
The memorial sent by Hu Zongxian before was also successfully placed on Jiajing's desk.
After Jiajing read the contents of the memorial, he laughed loudly and said: "Okay!"
"Your Majesty, is there any good news?" Lu Fang, who was standing beside him, asked when he saw the emperor was so happy.
"There is indeed good news. Look, Hu Zongxian has obtained the hiding place of the Japanese pirate leader Wang Zhi. I hope the Ministry of War will send the navy to assist so that we can catch him all!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he handed the memorial in his hand to Lu Fang.
"Your Majesty, this is a blessing! In this way, the Japanese invasion along the southeastern coast will be greatly reduced." Lu Fang said respectfully after reading the contents of the memorial.
"Oh, by the way, how is Li Chunfang?" Jiajing quickly skipped the topic and asked Lu Fang instead.
"Your Majesty, since the news spread yesterday that you appointed him as the new Minister of Rites, Mr. Li's home has been full of guests! Officials of all sizes have come to visit. It is said that the gifts sent to him are almost overwhelming. The corridor at home is full of piles." Lu Fang responded after thinking for a moment.
"Haha, these people are really afraid of falling behind others." Jiajing commented with a sneer after listening to Lu Fang's report.
"Then how did Li Chunfang handle it?" Jiajing continued to ask.
"Your Majesty, Li Chunfang handles this matter very skillfully and is not unfamiliar at all! He tries his best to receive the officials who come to visit him regardless of their rank." Lu Fang carefully observed the expression on the emperor's face , replied respectfully.
"Your Majesty, there is also..."
"Okay, come here and call Zhang Juzheng over. I have something to tell him." Jiajing waved his hand, interrupting what Lu Fang wanted to say next.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will call Master Zhang right now." After Lu Fang said that, he bowed slightly to Jiajing and then left quickly.
Soon, Zhang Juzheng followed Lu Fang's footsteps and came to the Yangxin Hall.
As soon as he entered the door, Zhang Juzheng knelt down on the ground and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Zhang Juzheng, long live my emperor!"
"Get up." Jiajing looked at Zhang Juzheng who was kneeling on the ground and spoke calmly.
"Do you know why I came to you this time?" Jiajing said, taking the memorial handed over by Hu Zongxian in his hand.
"Your Majesty, I don't know, but I hope your Majesty will make it clear." Zhang Juzheng's tone became more respectful.
"Lü Fang, show it to him." Jiajing said and handed the memorial in his hand to Lu Fang.
"Yes, Your Majesty." After taking the memorial from Jiajing, Lu Fang came to Zhang Juzheng, leaned down and handed the memorial into his hand.
After Zhang Juzheng read the above content, he couldn't help but said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty wants me to..."
"That's right, I want your Ministry of War to dispatch naval forces to cooperate with Hu Zongxian's actions and wipe out all the Japanese pirates!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! I obey."
(End of chapter)
