The steward of the kitchen room said: "You ladies have said that you have to share your majesty's worries and solve your problems. How dare you say it's hard work? There are twelve hours in a day, and I have only been busy all morning. I still have enough energy to retreat. I feel deeply ashamed of the emperor."
Feng Mingda: "..."
Ah this.
Other prime ministers: "..."
Ah this.
It made us a little embarrassed!
What's going on with this uncomfortable feeling?
It seems that the connotation has been understood!
…
On this day, there were a lot of government affairs in the DPRK, and because of the discussion of annual gifts and important national affairs, Ying Zheng specially ordered to keep several ministers and assistants. After having a meal in the corridor in the afternoon, they went to the imperial study room to discuss matters.
In the middle of the discussion, the emperor's attendant came in from outside and asked respectfully in a voice that was deliberately lowered but could still be heard by people in the study: "Your Majesty, over there in the west pavilion, the ladies are still working hard in the afternoon. , can you send me cakes and tea as usual?"
The prime ministers heard that the emperor's tone contained three parts of surprise, three parts of admiration, and another four parts of almost touching joy: "You are so loyal to the emperor and the country, and share your worries for the superior, you are indeed my good assistant! Send me this matter in the future. No need to ask anymore, just quote it as an example!"
The chamberlain responded respectfully, bowed, and quietly exited.
Prime Ministers: "..."
Emmm.
Didn't hear, didn't hear.
Then I saw the emperor seemed to have just come back to his senses: "Where did you say just now?"
Zhongshu ordered Liu Xuan to cough lightly and continue: "Shannan Province was hit by a flood just two years ago, and the late emperor ordered a three-year tax reduction."
The emperor said "Oh" and continued to discuss the matter. It ended after half an hour: "It's past the duty hour today, and the remaining trivial matters..."
At this point, the emperor paused for a moment, as if hesitating. He didn't know whether to ask the prime ministers to work a little overtime to finish it today, or to throw it into tomorrow's schedule.
There is never a shortage of souls in the world, and the most common people in official circles are subordinates who can understand their superiors' intentions.
After Ying Zheng's words fell, Zhongshu ordered Wang Yue to take the initiative: "Why put off until tomorrow something that can be completed with a little effort? Tomorrow comes tomorrow, there are so many tomorrows!"
He looked around and said in an encouraging tone: "We worked a little harder and settled this matter today. What do you think?"
The rest of the prime ministers: "..."
Help, there are bad people among the crowd!
Ying Zheng pretended to refuse: "Ah? Isn't this bad?"
Wang Yue immediately said: "Share your worries for the king and be loyal to the country. What's wrong with that?"
Ying Zheng nodded half-heartedly: "Thank you for your hard work, let's do this."
The rest of the prime ministers: "..."
That's great.
Immediately call back the subordinates who had quickly dispersed after lunch.
All the leading figures from the three provinces are staying here to work overtime. You guys still want to go back and take a nap in peace?
Dreaming!
If you don't come, who will run the errands, deliver the message, and draw up the detailed charter?
In the officialdom, we may not all share the blessings, but we must share the hardships!
Officials from the three provinces went home and changed into regular clothes. Not long after, they received notices - to work overtime!
…
Officials who had been at the center for a long time were used to working only half a day a day, so when they were suddenly called back to work overtime, they didn't feel tired at all, but felt it was a bit novel.
It's so good, how do you call it overtime?
Only the leaders of the three provinces were worried - adding a half-day shift is a trivial matter, but if this becomes a regular system, it would be a big deal if the half-day shift becomes a full-day system!
Look again at Zhongshu Ling Wang Yuefeng walking between the three provinces, looking very enthusiastic——
Mu De, the rebel!
…
Due to overtime work, all the senior officials in the capital were unable to get off work in time today.
After Zhongshu ordered Wang Yue to return to his mansion, during dinner, his wife, Mrs. Pei, inevitably asked about the reason.
Wang Yue didn't hide anything from her and told the truth.
But before Mrs. Pei could say anything, her son Wang Sui was shocked: "Why would Aye do such a thankless thing? If he does this, wouldn't he offend his colleagues in the three provinces!"
Wang Yue sneered and slapped him on the head: "With your opinion, you still want to take the imperial examination? I advise you to carry your burden and travel for three years!"
Mrs. Pei also sighed and asked her son warmly: "Where is the imperial study room?"
Wang Suidao said: "This is the place where the emperor handles government affairs and discusses matters with his ministers."
Mrs. Pei asked again: "Are today's people weak and incompetent?"
Wang Sui lowered his voice: "Nowadays, I am bold and resolute, and my actions are sophisticated."
Mrs. Pei sighed and said, "In that case, why do you think it was an accident that the chamberlain went to ask questions when the prime ministers of the three provinces were present?"
Without the emperor's permission, which chamberlain would dare to come forward and interrupt when the emperor and the prime minister were discussing matters?
Wang Sui was surprised: "It's my intention now..."
Mrs. Pei deliberately asked her son: "There are less than ten concubines today, and there are so many vacant palaces in the harem. Isn't it possible to find an open space to do things with the concubines? Why did you single out the West Pavilion, which is closest to the three provinces?"
Wang Sui suddenly understood: "Your Majesty has long decided to change the half-day system to a full-day system."
"Yes," Wang Yue said with emotion: "Today's temperament determines that one thing must be done. In this case, why don't I just go with the flow? It makes Your Majesty think that I am knowledgeable and the most considerate. As for the opinions of my colleagues, view……"
He sneered and said, "What do I have to do with my colleagues if I eat from the Tian family? If the prime ministers of the three provinces are the same, it won't take long for us to clean up and the whole family can go down to have dinner with your great-grandfather!"
Wang Sui: "..."
Wang Yue snorted, looked at him and said, "Do you still think you are reckless?"
Wang Sui could only shake his head.
"I won't take the exam this year," he said. "I won't take the exam for Enke this year."
People in the officialdom have dirty hearts, I'm afraid!
…
Central officials of this dynasty have always worked only half a day, but this does not mean that there will be no one in the three provinces in the afternoon. There will be people on duty in each department in the afternoon and evening, taking turns to participate in the duty.
After working overtime in the afternoon, the prime minister on duty in the evening was Shangshu Zuopu She Dong Changshi.
Then he was shocked to find that Xige was still working overtime! ! !
Hey, that’s enough! ! !
From the liver at midnight to the willow branches above the moon, don't you take a moment to take a breath? !
Liver for seven hours a day, what kind of cow and horse is this? ! ! !
Get out of here, everyone! ! !
Dong Chang was on duty and was exhausted. On the second day, he met other colleagues and shared what he had seen last night with a look on his face.
Except for Zhongshu Ling Wang Yue, the rest of the prime ministers are...emmm.
Ying Zheng pretended to be nonchalant, and when he went to court again, he specifically commended the fathers and brothers of several outstanding concubines, praising them for "worrying about the emperor's worries, relieving the emperor's worries, forgetting about home for the sake of the country, and forgetting selfishness for the sake of public service." .
Concubine Shu’s uncle Feng Mingda: “…”
Ding Jieyu’s father Yong Dingbo: “…”
The rest: "..."
The faces of all the ministers who secretly guessed what the emperor wanted to do turned green.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Li Yuanda couldn't help but said, "Isn't this just rolled up?"
"You forgot," Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and said teasingly: "The concubines are still secretly complaining about Mao Cairen."
Zhu Yuanzhang was particularly regretful: "These people are too lazy after all. Our officials in the Ming Dynasty are not like this..."
Li Yuanda: "I think it is difficult for this world to have the poem 'steal half a day's leisure' in this world."
"Alas," Liu Che sighed quietly and composed a poem for the concubines on the spot.
"You stand on the bridge and look at the scenery, and the people watching the scenery are watching you upstairs."
"Mao Cairen crushed your bright moon, and you broke the windows of the courtiers."
Chapter 18
Before going to bed every night, Ying Zheng would take a quarter of an hour to see what was discovered in the West Pavilion today and what the progress of each of the concubines was. After several days in a row, he found that Mao Cairen's performance was particularly outstanding.
I called the chambermaid on duty and found out that she was the earliest to go and the last to leave every day. She was not very smart, but she was very diligent.
Ying Zheng is a little different from Zhu Yuanzhang.
Both of them hope that the people under their command can be better than the donkeys in the production team, preferably around the clock, but Ying Zheng has one wonderful advantage, that is, he is willing to pay for the title.
Lao Zhu's money was all strung on his ribs, so don't even think about giving him a coin. Relatively speaking, Ying Zheng was much more generous.
He immediately made a decision and gave Mao a pair of jade bis and a hundred taels of gold. He promoted Mao Cairen to the rank of beauty on the grounds that she was diligent and loyal to the emperor. In addition, all palaces had rewards. He also ordered that from the next month, the monthly salary of each palace would be doubled. To reward their efforts.
Ying Zheng doesn't take the position of a beauty seriously. As for a hundred taels of gold, a horse bone is worth a thousand gold, but it's only a mere hundred taels. How valuable is it to win people's hearts?
He also sent people to the West Pavilion to pass on oral instructions: "From now on, the West Pavilion will be open at the fifth watch, and will rest at noon at noon (four o'clock in the afternoon). The ten-day holiday will be the same as that of the three provinces. I know very well that you all love your concubine and care for the country, and I will never forget it. I want you to be tired of your spirit and sleepy on yourself.”
Zhu Yuanzhang still had some unfinished thoughts: "Don't let them continue to have sex? How long has it been? They have learned a lot at work, accumulated a lot of experience, and gained a lot..."
Li Yuanda: "Lao Zhu, please be a human being_(:з"∠)_"
