Early morning, Yan Mansion.
At this moment, Yan Song was sitting at the desk, browsing the corresponding books, and preparing for the upcoming cabinet discussions.
While Yan Song was thinking hard, he heard a knock on the door.
Yan Song's thoughts were interrupted, and he had no choice but to put down the book in his hand and said in a deep voice.
"Come in!"
As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, Yan Shifan pushed open the door and walked in, his face full of respect.
"Father!"
"Um."
Seeing this situation, Yan Song just nodded, looked away from Yan Shifan, and responded in an unobservable manner.
Afterwards, Yan Shifan came to Yan Song and lowered his voice.
"Father, what you ordered me to do has been done. I have dealt with all those guys!"
After Yan Song heard this, he picked up the books on the table again and asked.
"Have you dealt with it from beginning to end? There are no clues left, right?"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately patted his chest and assured Yan Song.
"Father, don't worry, there won't be any trace left during the whole process."
After receiving Yan Shifan's assurance, Yan Song felt relieved and then warned.
"Be careful about everything, you can't make mistakes!"
After admonishing Yan Shifan, Yan Song immediately issued an order to expel the guests.
"Okay, it's time for cabinet discussions soon. I still have things to deal with. You can go out first."
"Yes, father!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Shifan immediately saluted Yan Song respectfully.
Just as Yan Shifan was about to walk out of the room, he suddenly turned around and reported to Yan Song.
"By the way, father, I have already investigated the memorandum you previously submitted to His Majesty."
"That day, the eunuch who was responsible for approving the red eunuch was Feng Bao, the eunuch of the East Factory!"
When Yan Song heard this, he couldn't help but frown and said silently to himself: "Feng Bao..."
Afterwards, Yan Song took back his thoughts and told Yan Songfan: "Well, I know about this matter. You can go down first!"
When Yan Shifan saw this, he stopped staying and immediately left Yan Song's room, closing the door behind him.
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
At this time, Jiajing was sitting on the dragon chair, waiting for Lu Fang's arrival. After a while, Lu Fang was seen entering the Nourishing Heart Hall with silent steps.
As soon as he entered the Yangxin Hall, Lu Fang knelt on the ground and saluted Jiajing respectfully.
"This slave has met Your Majesty!"
"Well, get up!"
Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair, raised his eyebrows when he saw Lu Fang arriving, and immediately gave instructions.
After Lu Fang got up from the ground, Jiajing asked Lu Fang: "How is the situation over there at Shen's house? Is everything okay?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she couldn't hide the smile on her face and immediately responded.
"Your Majesty, everything is well with the imperial concubine. She even asked her slave to bring you a message!"
When Jiajing heard this, his face was filled with curiosity and he immediately asked.
"Oh, what message did she ask you to bring me?"
When Lu Fang saw this, there was no trace of hesitation on her face, and she immediately repeated what Shen had told her to do.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine said she misses you. When can you go to Manlu Palace to stay for a while again?"
After hearing what Lu Fang narrated, Jiajing couldn't help but laugh and said slowly.
"Oh, I still owe her!"
"I plan to make Shen the queen after her baby is born. Lu Fang, what do you think?"
When Lu Fang heard this, her face was full of horror. Her brain shut down for a moment, and she didn't react for a while. It wasn't until Jiajing's call that she was brought back to reality.
"Lu Fang, what are you doing standing there? I'm asking you a question!"
After Lu Fang suddenly came to her senses and suppressed the excitement in her heart, she responded respectfully.
"This matter is entirely up to Your Majesty!"
When Jiajing heard this, he turned his attention to Lu Fang. After carefully looking at him up and down, he spoke.
"Let's go, it's time for cabinet discussions soon, come with me!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After Lu Fang responded, he immediately followed Jiajing's pace and headed towards the cabinet.
On the way to the cabinet, Lu Fang's mind was still echoing what Jiajing had said before.
"I plan to make Shen the queen after her baby is born!"
Thinking of this, Lu Fang couldn't help but clenched her fists and thought to herself.
"Mother, you must ensure that the child in your belly is born smoothly!"
…
At this moment, the atmosphere in the cabinet was quite dull, and no one spoke.
Everyone was very focused on reviewing the memorials in their hands. In the whole room, there was only the rustle of paper being turned.
Time passed like this minute by minute, and not long after, a high-pitched voice was heard.
"Your Majesty is here!"
After hearing this, everyone was at a loss and stopped reviewing the memorials in their hands. Then, led by Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, they all knelt on the ground, waiting for the emperor's arrival.
After a while, Jiajing was seen stepping into the cabinet, while Lu Fang followed Jiajing step by step.
"I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
Jiajing sat down in his seat, then withdrew his gaze and gave instructions quite casually.
"Well, everyone, get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After receiving Jiajing's permission, everyone slowly stood up from the ground and sat down in their respective seats.
Even though they had rehearsed it in their minds countless times before, when this moment actually arrived, everyone still couldn't help but feel nervous.
Even Yan Song's hands on the chair couldn't help trembling slightly.
Jiajing looked around before speaking.
"Now that everyone is here, let's officially start!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he turned his eyes to Lu Fang who was waiting on the side and nodded slightly. The latter quickly signaled, stepped forward and said in a deep voice.
"Today's cabinet meeting will discuss four main things!"
"The first thing is the unified payment of grain by the officials and gentry, the second thing is the shift of the strategic focus of the Ming Dynasty, the third thing is the many matters of maritime trade, and the fourth thing is related to the holidays of officials."
After Lu Fang finished speaking, after bowing respectfully to Jiajing, he came to his position and stood still.
Jiajing heard the words, nodded, and then knocked on the jade pan next to him. There was only a crisp sound of 'ding', and this cabinet meeting officially began!
Jiajing gently stroked the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, turned his eyes to Yan Song, and asked him.
"Mr. Yan Ge, how have you been thinking about it these days?"
Although Jiajing's tone was quite calm, Yan Song still felt a strong sense of crisis from it. After carefully considering his words, Yan Song responded carefully.
"Your Majesty, since I came back from you last time, I have thought about it carefully. I feel that if the policy of integrating government and gentry in paying grains can be thoroughly implemented, it will be of great benefit!"
When Yan Song said this, a look of embarrassment appeared on his face: "It's just that Your Majesty, I haven't thought of a way to carry out this policy yet!"
Seeing this, Xu Jie on the side couldn't help but cursed secretly in his heart.
"This Yan Song is really an old fox. He picked him out in just a few words."
"It's better for you, but I will be miserable next!"
The development of the matter did not exceed Xu Jie's expectations. After hearing Yan Song's answer, Jiajing nodded, then turned to Xu Jie and asked.
"Xu Jie, tell me, do you think so too?"
(End of chapter)
