Yan Shifan has been quite busy recently. On the one hand, he is trying to improve the steam engine drawings, and on the other hand, he has to prepare for the upcoming auction.
Due to Yan Song's previous instructions, Yan Shifan did not ask Luo Longwen and Yan Maoqing to help in the process of preparing for the auction. Instead, he appointed a group of officials who had recently entered the official position and were relatively honest.
In the early morning, when Yan Shifan came out of the room yawning, he bumped into the housekeeper.
The housekeeper did not expect such a coincidence. After being stunned for a moment, he immediately lowered his head and said respectfully.
"Mr. Xiao Ge, Mr. Yan Ge wants you to come over there!"
"Yeah, I know!"
After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he yawned again and walked straight to the room where Yan Song was staying without staying too long.
Immediately afterwards, Yan Shifan came to Yan Song's door, took a deep breath, and then pushed the door open and entered.
As soon as he entered the door, Yan Shifan looked at Yan Song and asked.
"Father, what do you want from me?"
After Yan Song heard this, he turned around and looked Yan Shifan up and down before asking.
"I called you here because it's not a big deal. I just wanted to ask you how the preparations for the auction are going?"
Seeing Yan Song mention this matter, Yan Shifan became excited. After sorting out the words in his mind, he complained to Yan Song: "Father, you don't know, my child has been..."
Before Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was interrupted impatiently by Yan Song: "Okay, let's get to the point!"
Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan had no choice but to swallow the words he had prepared back into his stomach and said respectfully: "Father, the preparations have been roughly completed. In another week at most, the auction can be officially held!"
After hearing Yan Shifan's words, Yan Song nodded slightly, turned his eyes away, and spoke words of encouragement.
"Well, good job!"
After listening to Yan Song's praise of himself, Yan Shifan seemed to suddenly remember, and then added: "By the way, father, after the child brought your words to Yan Maoqing, he immediately promised that he would follow your instructions Do what you want!"
"He said he would return all the money according to the previously agreed amount!"
Yan Song couldn't help but feel relieved after hearing this. After snorting coldly, he said in a deep voice.
"This Yan Maoqing is getting more and more courageous. I have to find an opportunity to give him a good beating one day!"
…
When the sedan that Yan Song and Yan Shifan were riding in stopped, Yan Shifan got off the sedan first and carefully helped Yan Song get out of the sedan.
Yan Shifan supported Yan Song and reminded him.
"Father, please slow down and look at your feet!"
Just as the father and son were walking towards the steps of the cabinet, the sedan chair Xu Jie was riding in also arrived.
After Xu Jie got off the sedan, he looked at Yan Song who was in need of Yan Shifan's support not far away, and couldn't help but feel a flash of joy in his heart.
"Yan Song, I'm younger than you, and my health is much better than yours. There's no way you can survive me!"
After that, Xu Jie suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart, and immediately took three steps and two steps at a time, keeping up with Yan Song and his son.
When the distance between the two sides was about three to five steps, Xu Jie stopped and said hello to Yan Song first: "I've met Mr. Yan Ge!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Song immediately turned around, looked up and down the steps with his cloudy eyes, and then responded slowly.
"Oh, it's Mr. Xu Ge!"
Seeing Yan Song's decrepit appearance, Xu Jie became more determined in his previous thoughts.
After that, Xu Jie took a few steps forward and walked side by side with Yan Song. The two sides were chatting, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Yan Shifan had already wisely stepped aside, lowered his head, followed the two of them closely, and responded from time to time.
In this way, the three people came to the cabinet and sat down in their respective positions. Soon after, Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong also came to the cabinet one after another.
Seeing that the five members of the cabinet had arrived, the subordinate staff immediately came in carrying memorials as tall as one person, and these memorials needed to be processed by the cabinet.
For the next period of time, the cabinet seemed extremely quiet, and the only sound left in the cabinet was the sound of paper turning.
Yan Shifan looked at the official document in his hand, his pupils suddenly shrank, and he spoke subconsciously.
"Hey, this is..."
Yan Shifan's voice seemed quite abrupt in the extremely quiet cabinet. Seeing this, everyone stopped reviewing the memorials and all focused on Yan Shifan.
Seeing this situation, Yan Song frowned slightly, and then gave instructions to Yan Shifan.
"Show it to me!"
"Yes, father!"
Yan Song was not too entangled in what Yan Shifan called him. After taking the official document from Yan Shifan's hand, he began to browse the contents.
And now, the official document in Yan Song's hand is exactly the one submitted by Yang Zongtai, the prefect of Quanzhou not long ago.
Yang Zongtai wrote in this official document that the officials in the newly established Maritime Trade Department of the imperial court were extremely domineering.
Not only did they not pay any attention to the daily maintenance of Quanzhou Port, but they also cleverly set up a name to collect additional fees from those merchants in addition to the part of the tax that had to be paid, which caused many complaints from these merchants.
Logically speaking, this official document submitted step by step by Yang Zongtai, the prefect of Quanzhou, should not have been delivered to the cabinet so quickly. Generally speaking, it would have to go through at least several more processes before this official document could be released. May be sent to Cabinet.
But everything has variables, and this official document passed through the hands of Tan Lun, the governor of Fujian.
Tan Lun is now the ultimate boss who combines various auras, such as a high-ranking official in the border areas, a backbone of the Qing Dynasty, and a favored minister deeply trusted by the emperor.
No one is willing to confront such a person. Therefore, the official document submitted by Yang Zongtai step by step not only encountered no difficulties on the way, but those officials gave it the green light all the way.
It is precisely because of this that the official document submitted step by step by Yang Zongtai was sent to the cabinet at an incredible speed.
Yan Song quickly browsed through the contents. He knew that if the emperor learned about this, he would be extremely angry.
Because nowadays, what the emperor values most is matters related to sea trade!
But now, something like this happened in the Maritime Trade Department in Quanzhou, and the emperor would definitely be furious.
"These guys are really impatient!"
Thinking of this, Yan Song sighed helplessly, and after looking at Gao Gong without any trace, he handed the official document in his hand to Xu Jie's hands.
"Hey, Mr. Xu Ge, take a look!"
Seeing this situation, Xu Jie couldn't help but have a look of solemnity on his face.
After Xu Jie took the official document from Yan Song's hand and read the contents from beginning to end, he sighed helplessly just like Yan Song before.
After that, Xu Jie handed the official document into Gao Gong's hand and said helplessly.
"See for yourself!"
Although Gao Gong was a little confused about this, judging from the reactions of Yan Song and Xu Jie, this matter should be related to him.
After that, Gao Gonghuai took the official document from Xu Jie's hand and read it carefully.
As soon as he read two lines, Gao Gong became furious. He subconsciously clenched the official document in his hand tightly, and then slammed the table. There was hatred that could not be concealed in his words.
"Damn it, these damn beasts, I will kill them one by one sooner or later!"
Gao Gong knew very well that as the Minister of Maritime Trade personally appointed by the emperor, he would never be able to escape his involvement!
Putting aside everything else, you will never get away with being scolded anyway, but being scolded is a small matter. If this incident affects your image in His Majesty's heart, then the gain will outweigh the loss.
When he thought of this, the look on Gao Gong's face became more and more gloomy. At this time, Gao Gong could not wait to come to the door with a knife and chop up all the officials who were acting recklessly!
Time passed slowly like this. After Gao Gong's mood calmed down, Zhang Juzheng stood up and suggested cautiously.
"Then what exactly is this official document..."
Before Zhang Juzheng could finish his words, he was categorically interrupted by Gao Gong: "Hand it, of course I have to hand it, after all, I am responsible for the whole thing, and I must give an explanation to Your Majesty!"
After saying that, Gao Gong called his subordinates and asked them to send the completed memorials, together with the official documents, to the Supervisor of Ceremonies.
After this, the cabinet returned to calm, and no one spoke.
But everyone present knew that this was the calm before the storm, which meant that it was going to be bad luck!
…
Forbidden City, room of the Supervisor of Ceremonies.
Since the last time, Feng Bao has often followed Huang Jin and learned humbly.
And Huang Jin did not hide his secrets. He imparted the experience he had accumulated over the years and the matters that need to be paid attention to in the process of criticizing celebrities without reservation.
It can be said that Feng Bao benefited a lot from Huang Jin's careful teaching.
At this moment, Huang Jin was holding a writing brush and criticizing the memorial sent from the cabinet, while Feng Bao was waiting quietly aside, observing carefully and not daring to make any sound.
"Hey, this is..."
Huang Jin said, and immediately pulled out an official document from the memorial sent by the cabinet.
Then, when Huang Jin turned his attention to the official document, his pupils suddenly shrank, and the expression on his face was no longer as calm as before, and instantly became serious.
Feng Bao, who was on the side, naturally noticed something strange about Huang Jin. After fighting between heaven and man for a long time, he finally plucked up the courage and asked softly: "Eunuch Huang, what happened?"
At this moment, Huang Jin was not in the mood to explain the reason for Feng Bao. He just handed the official document to Feng Bao and said.
"See for yourself!"
"Yes, Eunuch Huang!"
After Feng Bao responded respectfully, he immediately took the official document from Huang Jin's hand. After he finished browsing the contents, there was a look of shock on his face that could not be concealed.
Feng Bao knew very well that the official document in his hand was a time bomb that could detonate at any time!
Because this involves the Maritime Trade Department, which was just established by the imperial court, and now, His Majesty attaches great importance to maritime trade.
If this official document is handed over intact, His Majesty will definitely be very angry about it, and it may not even affect Chi Yu.
Nowadays, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Yan Shifan are in charge of the Maritime Trade Department, and the relationship between them is even greater!
After that, Feng Bao mustered up the courage and asked Huang Jin about the next response: "Then... Eunuch Huang, how should we deal with this official document?"
Huang Jin smiled when he heard this. He did not answer Feng Bao's question directly, but instead asked.
"Feng Bao, do you think this official document should be submitted to His Majesty like this?"
After hearing what Huang Jin said, Feng Bao thought about it for a long time, took a deep breath, and said solemnly: "Eunuch Huang, I feel that this official document should be submitted to His Majesty intact!"
After hearing Feng Bao's answer, Huang Jin looked at Feng Bao with a hint of approval, nodded, and then spoke.
"Well, that's good. It's great that you can realize this!"
When Huang Jin said this, he suddenly changed the subject and then warned.
"Feng Bao, you have to remember that we are His Majesty's eyes."
"What it should be is what it should be. There is no room for falsehood in the middle. Do you understand?"
When Feng Bao heard this, he looked like he had benefited a lot and said respectfully.
"Thank you, Eunuch Huang, for clarifying my doubts!"
After Huang Jin finished speaking, he looked away from Feng Bao, his face was full of sadness, and he sighed.
"It's just that this matter is really difficult to handle!"
Hearing this, Feng Bao looked at the official document in his hand, and then looked at Huang Jin.
Immediately, Feng Bao gritted his teeth and suggested to Huang Jin as if he had made up his mind.
"Eunuch Huang, why don't you let me deliver this official document to His Majesty?"
When Huang Jin heard this, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. After looking Feng Bao up and down, he withdrew his gaze and said with a smile: "How can such a thing be done to you, the descendants?" What about birth?"
When Huang Jin said this, he sighed helplessly and gave instructions to Feng Bao.
"Forget it, I'd better go there in person, and it's up to you to approve the remaining memorials!"
Feng Bao heard the undoubted meaning contained in Huang Jin's words, and without any hesitation, he bowed and responded.
"Yes, Eunuch Huang!"
After that, Huang Jin did not stay too much in the Supervisor's Room. Instead, after taking the official document from Feng Bao, he went straight to the Qianqing Palace.
…
In the Qianqing Palace, Jiajing was listening to Lu Fang's report.
"Your Majesty, I have already found the person you asked me to find!"
When Jiajing heard this, he looked away from Lu Fang and asked with interest.
"Oh, who is it?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately responded without thinking: "Your Majesty, the candidate I have found is Tang Shunzhi, who is currently serving under Hai Rui!"
When Lu Fang said this, he immediately added: "It is said that this Tang Shunzhi is extremely good at arithmetic!"
After listening to Lu Fang's introduction, Jiajing agreed to the candidate without much thought and then gave instructions.
"Forget it, just him, let this Tang Shunzhi come to see me when the time comes!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately buried her head deeply and responded respectfully.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
At this moment, there was a burst of hurried footsteps from outside the Qianqing Palace, and the guiding eunuch hurried in and reported respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Chief Eunuch Bingbi Huang Jin is outside. ask to see!"
(End of chapter)
