While the officials in the capital were still immersed in the news that His Majesty had abolished the craftsmanship system, soon, an even more important news came out.
"The Maritime Trade Department is actually going to officially auction the sea voyage certificate. The base price is 10,000, and there is no upper limit!"
As soon as the news came out, all the officials with some connections in the capital began to inquire about the matter! There are many officials in the imperial court who want to get a certificate to go to sea through connections.
"Have you heard? The Maritime Trade Department is about to release thirty sea voyage certificates! It is said that they will be sold in the form of an auction."
"I heard that the base price is ten thousand, with no upper limit! If we can get one, if nothing else, future generations will definitely have peace of mind."
"By the way, did the Maritime Trade Department give a specific time?"
"I didn't say that, but it looks like it will be soon."
…
After the cabinet meeting ended, everyone began to continue reviewing the memorial, and at the same time, the news of the upcoming auction by the Maritime Trade Department was also released.
"This news has caused a sensation in the capital!"
Xu Jie put the corrected memorial aside and said slowly.
"Yes, civil and military officials throughout the court are talking about this matter. I heard that some officials want to use the back door to get a sea voyage certificate."
After Yan Song listened to Xu Jie's words, he immediately smiled and agreed.
"Hmph, it's extremely difficult for them to come up with sea certificates! Even if they stay behind the scenes and let the gentry and landlords take action on their behalf, the result will be the same."
"Your Majesty will never allow this to happen!"
After listening to the conversation between the two, Gao Gong couldn't help but speak.
While several people were discussing, a clerk hurriedly walked in and handed a letter to Xu Jie.
Xu Jie opened the letter raft, and after browsing the contents, he frowned, then turned his eyes to everyone, and said helplessly.
"Just now, people from Dongchang took action!"
"What, so fast?"
Everyone was quite surprised after hearing the news.
After all, as soon as the front foot said, Your Majesty will not allow this to happen, the people from the back foot Dongchang came to the door. There is no doubt that this is a warning!
"Your Majesty is warning those behind you to put away your claws!"
At this moment, this is what everyone is thinking, and at the same time, they are even more in awe of the emperor.
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
"Your Majesty, I have completed the tasks you gave me earlier. Here is the specific list!"
Lu Fang came to Jiajing with silent steps and handed over the list in his hand.
"It's so fast!"
Jiajing couldn't help but have a look of surprise on his face when he saw that Lu Fang had done what he had ordered so quickly. He then took the list from Lu Fang's hand and browsed it carefully.
After a long time, Jiajing put down the list and said slowly.
"Well, you did a good job on Lu Fang! It's time to warn those guys."
"This slave is just following your orders, Your Majesty."
After receiving Jiajing's praise, Lu Fang quickly said modestly.
"Of course, those who have meritorious service should be rewarded. Part of the property of those officials will be put into the national treasury, and you can handle the rest by yourself."
Jiajing glanced at Lu Fang and ordered.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I obey your command!"
When Lu Fang saw Jiajing speaking, she quickly knelt on the ground and said respectfully.
"Well, get up."
Jiajing was very satisfied with Lu Fang's performance and nodded.
"By the way, I haven't been to the Shen family for a while. Lu Fang, please come with me later!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."
…
Soon, accompanied by Lu Fang and many eunuchs and maids, Jiajing embarked on the road to Ganlu Palace.
When Jiajing and his party arrived at Ganlu Palace, the eunuch waiting here saw what had happened and was about to report, but was interrupted by Jiajing.
"There is no need to report, so as not to disturb the imperial concubine's rest."
Jiajing turned his eyes to the visitor, then waved his hand and said so.
"As...as you command, Your Majesty!"
Seeing that the emperor had spoken, the eunuch quickly knelt on the ground and responded.
Perhaps because he was too nervous, he couldn't even speak properly, but when Lu Fang passed by him, she smiled and comforted softly: "It's okay, this is how we get here."
Seeing Lu Fang, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, comforting him, the visitor suddenly fell into a kind of ecstasy. He didn't say much and just kowtowed.
After Lu Fang said that, she never looked back.
Soon, the group entered the Manna Palace after passing through a long corridor.
Perhaps because spring has just arrived, the flowers and plants planted in the palace are growing very luxuriantly, and some unknown flowers have even grown stamens. If you smell it carefully, a refreshing fragrance penetrates the nose, which is refreshing and refreshing.
And when the personal maid of the imperial concubine Shen brought hot water out of the room as usual, she suddenly spotted Jiajing and his party.
His face was full of surprise, and he immediately put down the golden basin in his hand and rushed into the room of the imperial concubine Shen as quickly as possible.
After entering Shen's room, he quickly said breathlessly: "Your Majesty, your Majesty is here!"
"What? Your Majesty is here! Why is there no corresponding notification?"
After the imperial concubine Shen learned the news from her personal maid, she was also quite surprised and asked immediately.
"My dear, I don't know either! The first priority is to sort out your appearance as soon as possible."
When the maid saw this, her face was full of anxiety and she said this.
"Yes, that's right! Please help me see, is there anything unreasonable?"
After being reminded by the personal maid, Shen quickly reacted, and then asked the maid to take out the bronze mirror and began to compare it carefully.
"Ah, the hairpin is crooked! My hair is messed up, and my dress is wrinkled! How can I see His Majesty like this?"
After Shen saw his current image in the bronze mirror, he couldn't help but panic.
Just when he wanted to ask the maid beside him to straighten the hairpin on his head, the door of the room was pushed open and Jiajing walked in.
Seeing this, Mrs. Shen quickly bowed slightly and said, "I have seen your Majesty!"
"Really, didn't I tell you before? You don't need to bow when you see me in the future."
Jiajing had a look of blame on his face and said slowly.
"I was just nervous for a moment and just forgot about it. Please forgive me!"
When Shen saw this, her face turned crimson, and she immediately bit her lips and defended herself.
The maid on the side quietly left the room without knowing when, and closed the door of the room with her.
"Why, don't you invite me to sit down?"
Jiajing raised his eyebrows and said.
"Your Majesty, please take a seat. I will make tea for you right now!"
After Jiajing's reminder, Shen finally realized what she was doing, and then pulled Jiajing to sit down beside him.
"Don't worry yet."
After Jiajing finished speaking, he gently straightened the hairpin on Shen's head, and then looked directly into Shen's eyes.
Shen was a little embarrassed to be seen by Jiajing, her face turned red, and she quickly looked away.
"By the way, since I haven't been here these days, what have you been busy with? Are you doing embroidery again?"
When Jiajing saw this, he chuckled and picked up the topic.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment while I show you the embroidery I have completed in recent days for your Majesty to see!"
Seeing Jiajing mention a topic that she was interested in, Shen's eyes began to light up and she became excited. She rummaged for a long time and found a few pieces of embroidery.
"Your Majesty, do you think they look alike?"
After Shen laid out all the embroidery, her face was full of pride.
"Well, it does look very similar! Especially that bird, it's so lifelike."
After Jiajing carefully read Shen's works, he was quite amazed, and then felt a little guilty in his heart.
I saw Jiajing taking Shen into his arms and comforting him softly: "I have wronged you in recent days!"
"No, as the emperor and the father of millions of people in our Ming Dynasty, your majesty should naturally put state affairs first! This grievance of my concubine is nothing."
Mrs. Shen snuggled into Jiajing's arms and said this with a blushing face.
"I heard that Your Majesty recently abolished the craftsmanship system and gave freedom to those craftsmen. They must be very grateful to Your Majesty at this moment, right? Your Majesty, I think you are really a good emperor who cares about the people!"
Shen then turned her gaze to Jiajing, and when she said this, her eyes were full of admiration.
"Am I a good emperor? Maybe."
Jiajing chuckled and then responded.
(End of chapter)
