After this matter is finalized, it can be said that this cabinet meeting has officially come to an end.
Jiajing then inquired about the construction progress of the navy and the volunteer school specially opened for craftsmen. After confirming the implementation status, he took Lu Fang and left the cabinet.
"Your Majesty, walk slowly!"
Immediately afterwards, everyone, led by Yan Song, bowed respectfully towards Jiajing's leaving figure.
After the emperor was no longer visible, everyone felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief.
There is no other reason. The oppressive feeling given by the emperor to everyone was too strong!
Under the circumstances at that time, as long as one sentence was not said correctly, what awaited everyone was the consequences of confiscating their homes and annihilating their clans.
"What do you want to do about the matter that His Majesty ordered earlier?"
Xu Jie asked after looking around for a week.
"What else can we do? Just follow His Majesty's instructions!"
"Or do you want to see Jin Yiwei appear at your door?"
Yan Song naturally understood what Xu Jie was referring to, raised his eyebrows, and responded.
Everyone present fell into silence after listening to Yan Song's words!
There is no doubt that what Yan Song said is indeed true. If this matter cannot be handled well, His Majesty may really send Jinyi guards to the door.
"Oh, let's take care of the things in front of us first!"
"Let's write an announcement later and announce all the measures we discussed earlier!"
"In addition, the Maritime Trade Department can also release the news in advance, saying that the auction will be held in the near future, so as to heat up the atmosphere in advance and sell it at a higher price then!"
After Xu Jie finished speaking, he immediately asked everyone for their opinions.
"Well, I'm fine with that."
"I don't have any objection either."
"Me too."
Soon, everyone present agreed with Xu Jie's proposal and began to get busy.
…
On the other side, on the way back to Yangxin Hall, Lu Fang followed Jiajing step by step and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, since your last visit to the Arms Department, the research and development of new cannons there has been going quite smoothly!"
"As a result, even the power and range of the fire gun have been greatly improved."
After hearing what Lu Fang said, Jiajing also smiled and said slowly.
"That's natural. If the Arms Department, with the help of black gunpowder, has not been able to make a corresponding breakthrough, I should consider replacing it!"
"You suddenly mentioned this to me, tell me what's going on."
Jiajing stopped, then turned his gaze to Lu Fang and asked.
Seeing that the emperor had seen through her little thoughts, Lu Fang immediately responded sheepishly.
"Your Majesty, it's like this. Last time, many students from the Imperial College wanted to hear what you said in the book Science after hearing about your deeds!"
"For this reason, I asked someone to come to this slave. I couldn't refuse. Just now..."
Jiajing took in the expression on Lu Fang's face, waved his hand with an indifferent expression, and then spoke.
"I thought it was a big deal. Since I am giving lectures to the students of the Imperial College, I agreed!"
"When I have some free time, I will go there in person."
Seeing that the emperor agreed to his request so readily, Lu Fang felt flattered and quickly knelt down on the ground and said respectfully.
"I will take the place of those students from the Imperial College. Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Get up, it's just a small thing! If the officials in the capital also want to come and listen, please agree to it."
Jiajing helped Lu Fang up from the ground and then gave instructions.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I know this!"
…
After the cabinet compiled the measures discussed at the previous cabinet meeting, they were quickly announced, which naturally aroused heated discussions among court officials.
"What? We must implement a salt and iron monopoly system, abolish the salt industry, and bring all lucrative industries such as salt sales under the control of the state!"
After an official saw clearly what was on the notice, his eyes widened with shock on his face.
"This...isn't this competing with the people for profit?"
An official next to him, after briefly browsing the above content, immediately joined the discussion, looking indignant.
"As you can see, the imperial court will also officially abolish the salt introduction system and replace the salt introduction with maritime trade certificates."
"After completing fifty tasks assigned by the imperial court, I was able to receive a complete maritime trade certificate from the Sea Trade Department!"
"This... this, isn't this a monkey trick? It takes fifty times to get a sea trade certificate."
The official from before couldn't help but be surprised when he saw this.
At this moment, Li Chunfang passed by. When the officials who had gathered in front of the announcement saw this, they quickly stepped forward and got close to him.
"I've met Master Shangshu!"
"No need, what are you looking at?"
Li Chunfang waved her hand to indicate that everyone did not need to salute him, then turned her attention to the announcement and asked.
"Master Shangshu, you don't know something! At present, the imperial court not only wants to abolish the salt introduction system, but also replace it with sea trade certificates."
The official who was aggrieved before stood up and explained to Li Chunfang.
"Replacing it with a sea trade certificate is a great thing!"
"Do you know how many taels of silver a sea trade certificate is worth in the capital right now?"
Li Chunfang lowered her voice when she saw no one around.
"I will tell you secretly that a sea trade certificate is worth this amount now!"
After Li Chunfang finished speaking, she gestured to everyone.
"What? Four hundred thousand taels!"
One of the officials couldn't help but exclaimed after seeing the numbers drawn by Li Chunfang.
"Shh, keep your voice down!"
The companion on the side saw this and quickly admonished.
"That's right, a sea trade certificate is now worth 400,000 taels. You only need to perform and complete fifty tasks assigned by the court to get 400,000 taels!"
"Calculate for yourselves whether this deal is a good deal or not. Let me tell you, this condition is too loose. It should be raised to a hundred times!"
After Li Chunfang finished speaking, she left the place with her hands behind her back, leaving only a group of officials who were still in the dark and confused.
"Master Shangshu is indeed a top scholar, and he looks at problems at a higher level than us!"
"Come on, Master Shangshu is not here right now. You should let him hear your flattery."
…
That night, Yan Song and others investigated all the ins and outs of the matter! It was compiled into a corresponding report and submitted to Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, here is the truth investigated by Mr. Yan Ge and others!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he raised the memorial in his hand high above his head and said respectfully.
"Forget it, I won't read the results of the investigation. How much stolen money did they recover in total?"
Jiajing waved his hand and had no intention of taking the memorial from Lu Fang.
Because he knew very well that the person who was pushed out was just a scapegoat! Therefore, there is no need to read the compiled report.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Yan Ge and the others have recovered a total of 4,280,000 taels of stolen silver!"
"Right now, all the people have been sent and put into the national treasury."
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he put away the memorial in his hand and responded respectfully.
"Assuming they know what's going on, go and ask all the Jin Yiwei to withdraw!"
After hearing this, Jiajing turned his gaze to Lu Fang and immediately gave instructions.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do it now."
After Lu Fang finished speaking, she quickly left the Yangxin Hall.
(End of chapter)
