Since the previous batch of candidate officials completed their work report, they quickly came to take up their respective positions. After a period of adjustment, the entire Jiangxi has gradually got on the right track.
In the government office, Hu Zongxian was bidding farewell to Cao Shunhe.
"Now that the current situation in Jiangxi has been completely stabilized, it is time for me to return to Zhejiang."
When Cao Shunhe heard Hu Zongxian's words, his face showed a little surprise, and then he stayed.
"I have been busy with official duties these days, and I haven't had time to thank you yet."
"If you hadn't personally led the army here, I don't know how much suffering the people of Jiangxi would have suffered!"
"Why don't you leave tomorrow? I will host a banquet for you all tonight as a token of my gratitude."
After hearing what Cao Shunhe said, Hu Zongxian couldn't help but soften his attitude and nodded.
"In that case, let's set off early tomorrow morning."
"Also, the person you need to thank is not me, but His Majesty!"
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Cao Shunhe and added another sentence.
"Yes, yes, look at my mouth. Whenever I get excited, I can easily say the wrong thing."
When Cao Shunhe saw that Hu Zongxian agreed to his request, he was quite excited and said.
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
The gentle breeze blew by, making people feel more comfortable, and a group of forbidden troops patrolled outside the Yangxin Hall from time to time.
At this moment, Lu Fang was followed by two young eunuchs. The purpose of his trip was to inform His Majesty of the news he had just received.
Along the way, there were many busy eunuchs and maids. Some of them were holding brooms and sweeping the dust on the ground, while others were responsible for pruning branches.
But no matter how busy they were, when they saw Lu Fang coming, they unconsciously put down their work temporarily and bowed respectfully.
"Eunuch Lu."
Lu Fang smiled back at those who saluted him one by one, and stopped from time to time to say a few words of praise.
Those who were lucky enough to be praised by Lu Fang, the eunuch in charge of rituals, all showed a flattered expression on their faces, and gradually began to fantasize.
Fantasy content includes, but is not limited to, gaining appreciation, promotion and wealth, being slapped in the face, being promoted quickly, being replaced, etc.
What these people don't know is that a few casual compliments have almost become instinctive for Lu Fang.
When Lu Fang brought the two young eunuchs to the door of Yangxin Hall, he took a deep breath and then entered it with silent steps.
As soon as Lu Fang entered the Yangxin Hall, she knelt on the ground and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, Jin Yiwei has sent the fifty million taels of silver confiscated by Hu Zongxian from the salt merchants to the capital via the Grand Canal."
"In addition, according to the statement of Liu Mi, the governor of the town, Hu Zongxian also handed over an additional map."
"It is said that they were confiscated from the homes of those salt merchants."
Lu Fang's words quickly attracted Jiajing's attention, and Jiajing put down the book in his hand, raised his eyebrows, and asked.
"Oh, what map? Show it to me."
"Slave, you obey!"
After Lu Fang responded, he immediately came to Jiajing's side and unfolded the map on the desk.
"Your Majesty, look, this map has many mineral resources and the locations of salt wells marked on it."
"It's marked with copper ore, iron ore, and silver ore!"
"And none of the above are controlled by the imperial court."
After Lu Fang finished the introduction, he stepped aside and waited for the emperor's order.
"Hmph, these worms not only sell private salt, but also dare to attack mineral resources!"
"It would be too easy for them to kill them so easily."
When Jiajing said this, there was a look of regret on his face that could not be concealed.
"Oh, that's all. I'll just be merciful and send them all on their way!"
After Jiajing finished browsing all the marked locations on the map, he closed the map and immediately gave instructions.
"Also, Lu Fang, take this map down! Notify the local government that all the mineral resources marked on it will belong to the imperial court."
"If anyone dares to do something secretly behind this, just kill him."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!"
After Lu Fang responded, she prepared to leave the Yangxin Hall.
"Wait a minute, I have one more thing for you to do."
"Your Majesty, just ask!"
When Lu Fang saw this, she quickly stopped, turned around and said respectfully.
"You go to the cabinet later and call Yan Song and Xu Jie over."
"I have something to discuss with them!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do it now!"
After Lu Fang responded, she walked out of the Yangxin Hall.
…
In the cabinet, several people are reviewing today's memorial.
"By the way, the imperial court ordered the abolition of the salt introduction system, which made the salt merchants quite dissatisfied!"
Xu Jie put aside the finished memorial in his hand, turned his gaze to Yan Song, and then spoke.
"Hmph, Your Majesty used the sea voyage certificate to replace the original Yanyin, which is an advantage for them!"
"It's just that these salt merchants don't appreciate it. They actually dare to have any opinions on this."
Yan Song glanced at Xu Jie and responded.
"Yeah, these salt merchants are too disrespectful."
"Do you know how many thousand taels of silver a sea voyage certificate is worth now?"
"At least 600,000 taels, and it's the kind that has a price but no market."
Seeing this, Gao Gong on the side also interjected.
Not surprisingly, Gao Gong received Xu Jie's death gaze, but no one present noticed it.
"Right now, a certificate to go to sea is worth 600,000 taels of silver! Only after completing fifty tasks assigned by the court can you get a complete certificate to go to sea."
"That is to say, every time you complete a task, you will be rewarded with twelve thousand taels!"
"With such generous treatment, how dare these salt merchants have any objections to it?"
"Let me tell you, Your Majesty is still too merciful. You should increase it to a hundred times."
Yan Shifan on the side saw the heated discussion and immediately joined in.
Just when Xu Jie was about to retort, he heard a burst of urgent footsteps coming from outside.
A subordinate official hurriedly entered the cabinet and reported to several people.
"Sir, Eunuch Lu is waiting outside!"
"What, let him in quickly!"
Yan Song on the side saw this and quickly gave the order.
Immediately after everyone present looked at each other, they had a rough guess in their hearts.
"It must be His Majesty who sent Lu Fang here to inform you of the specific matters."
The former subordinate official quickly left the room after receiving the order, and then welcomed Lu Fang into the cabinet with great respect.
"I have met Eunuch Lu."
Immediately afterwards, under the leadership of Yan Song, several people bowed respectfully to Lu Fang.
"You don't have to be polite. Our family is here to convey His Majesty's orders."
Lu Fang waved her hand, indicating that everyone should not be so cautious.
"May I ask Eunuch Lu, is there anything your Majesty needs to tell us to do?"
At this moment, Xu Jie stood up and asked Lu Fang.
"Our family is not sure. His Majesty just said that Mr. Yan Ge and Mr. Xu Ge should go to the Yangxin Hall and discuss anything with you."
"You two, please!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he immediately turned his eyes to Yan Song and Xu Jie and made a gesture of invitation.
(End of chapter)
