Chapter 535: The Great Gift
Zhang Anshi couldn’t help but be surprised when he heard that sherpa’s words.
He frowned, looking thoughtful.
Hu Guang, however, saw something fishy and couldn’t help but say, “Counting the days, this fleet of ships that went down to the West Ocean should be back. Why, Your Highness, is there something fishy?”
Zhang Anshi said in a puzzled manner, “This …… is not good to say.”
Zhang Anshi is really bad at talking.
In his expectations, it was logical that the return of the flotilla would actually be about right at this time.
The only …… thing is that he has also arranged a special mission. According to Zhang Anshi s estimation, from the siege to the end, there is a saying that it is not difficult to siege the city, but even if it is 50,000 pigs, you can t catch it so quickly.
The ending designed by Zhang Anshi is not just a simple matter of arresting someone, there are very complicated things involved here.
For example, when Li Zicheng killed the capital, how to take out the wealth of those dignitaries, which …… is a university question.
But in fact, Li Zicheng s efficiency is not high, his that torture pay this set, spent many hours, and …… the results are not obvious.
You know, they deal with can be smart people, and the wealth …… is the lifeblood of people, how to scavenge all, this is not only technical work, but also protracted.
Therefore, Zhang Anshi envisioned this time, which would take at least half a year.
Most of the year, when Venice is pretty much scoured, then set sail for home.
And the period in which the fleet would actually return would be at the beginning of the coming spring.
But now, it came back more than four months early, which was enough to make Zhang Anshi start to worry.
“That’s just it, Hu Gong, there are some things that you’d better not know, there are some things that knowing more would be harmful to you.”
Hu Guang: “……”
Zhang Anshi said, “Hurry up and meet the Emperor, His Majesty is only too anxious to wait.”
At that moment, Wen Yuan Pavilion up and down, each straightened their clothes and crowns, and then rushed to the Wen Building.
This Wen Lou, now almost became Zhu Di’s starting place.
Zhu Di love the name of this cultural building, the so-called lack of what make up for what, as if the eunuch loves to eat whip is the same reason.
In fact, although Zhu Di does not dance, is the text of the implementation of the end, even after his death, his descendants gave him a posthumous title, but also the emperor of the text.
At this time, Zhu, the spirit is not bad, poverty is like adrenaline, all of a sudden let Zhu branching out.
During these days, he routinely had to inquire about the various expenditures of the internal coffers every day, and pondered daily on how to open up resources and cut down on expenses, and even the way he looked at the civil and military ministers now seemed to be strange.
It was a hair-raising feeling, that pair of tiger’s eyes suddenly dropping meaningfully on your body, then asking you kindly what you’d eaten today, how many sons you had now, that sort of thing.
And ultimately, also always be able to turn the tables, inexplicably come to a sentence: “Good, good, good, see the Secretary’s day is flourishing, I will also be relieved.”
These sudden words always make one’s heart flutter and a cold sweat breaks out.
Turning eyes and see Zhu Di more and more simple up, even traditionally to cut new clothes also stopped, more people feel that the situation is serious.
In the past, ministers were also caught up in the battle of ideas, fighting over whether the new regime was good or bad versus the old one, and getting red in the face over it.
But nowadays, it’s amazing that everyone has tacitly agreed not to fight.
Because these man-savants anticipate that it might be more costly to piss off His Majesty later on.
At this time, Zhu Di gently stroked the case and let out a sigh from his mouth.
At this time, the ministers have not yet had an audience, he raised his head to also lost ha: “Zheng He is not easy ah, he is not young, a few times in the Western Ocean, go further and further, but the sky, but there is no end. A lifetime of strength, almost a large part of that arduous ocean, I really feel sorry for him.”
Also lost Ha can not help but feel something, these around Zhu Di around the eunuchs, often are Zhu Di according to their specialties with up, now …… not only is Zheng He old, he also lost Ha has been dying, the energy more and more unhelpful.
Also lost ha said: “Zheng Gonggong and slave girl the same, slave girls although is father and mother born and raised, but since into the palace, will be with father and mother’s fate is over, from now on is his majesty’s people, since is to do their best for his majesty to share the worry, the other hard work and hard work, count for nothing.”
Zhu Di nodded: “The soldiers returned this time, it is the reward a two, in the past, relying on the treasure, but also can bring back a lot of goods, most of which, after all, should be given to the tens of thousands of soldiers out to sea, they are to take their own lives in the West, how can not reward?”
“The words of this year ……” Zhu Di deliberated, revealing doubts.
Yilungha said, “How about, just giving less? In that case, the internal money side ……”
Zhu Di hesitated a little, and then it was cold-faced: “What is this word, into your mother, people are head don’t in the waistband of the pants, under the sky, who dares to lessen their reward, I also do not have this ability, from the mouth of the outlaws to take food, I see you ah, is the profit makes you dizzy, I do not know the sky and the sky and the earth.”
Yiluoha hurriedly said, “Yes, slave girl ten thousand deaths.”
Zhu Di sighed: “The reward is rewarded. The rest if there is still some surplus …… clear, see how much can be saved.”
Yishakha hastened to say yes.
At this time, a eunuch hurriedly came: “Your Majesty, the Wen Yuan Pavilion and the eight ministers have all come. On top of that, there is also the Duke of Qi who has come for an audience.”
Zhu Di then looked at Yiluoha with a puzzled expression, “Isn’t the Duke of Qi sick?”
“Yes.” Also lost ha said, “He is not good body, when the old injury in the sand field is always not good, now almost every three days, have to run medical school …… but ……”
Said here, also lost ha lowered his voice, then said: “Your Majesty you forget? Ki State Duke’s son also went down to the Western Ocean, I’m afraid is also heard the news, then busy is to …… see the driving.”
When Zhu Di heard it, he raised his eyebrows and edged, “Is that the kid who looks horizontally and vertically, not too smart, Qiu Song?”
Yiluoha, listening to Zhu Di’s words, stifled a laugh and said, “His Majesty used to read about him a lot back then.”
“Older, some of these people …… what Zhu Yong ah, Zhang auxiliary, Zhang yoking these boys ……” Zhu shook his head.
When Zhang Anshi and the others came, they saw this Qiu Fu limping in as well, but he appeared quite refreshed.
Zhu Di looked to the ministers, smiled and said: “Quanzhou City Hublot Division side, sent a rush, said the fleet has been over the Quanzhou sea, pinch the day, this time, should …… this fleet is also almost to the mouth of the Songjiang. I Qing has long been ordered to fast horse, along the way to ask this way to the urgent delivery store, if the fleet arrived at the mouth of Songjiang, should also send a fast horse to the capital, material to …… today, or tomorrow, there is news.”
The ministers said, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Zhu Di waved his hand, then said: “Where there is what holy Ming it? I see which, you as long as I do not want your silver, or you stare at the time of my internal money, always say I am wise. A few years ago, when there is plenty of money, which time the treasury is empty, not to find my head? In the end, I only got a word of wisdom, the so-called mouth favor and heart is not real, probably should be so.”
No one expected how His Majesty’s talk turned to this.
So for a moment, everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Here head, Zhang Anshi is the most vain, because he really has money …… can have money can not be made by the emperor like this ah, the deficit of the internal money, is not 100,000 200,000 silver can be solved.
That’s why Zhang Anshi had the good sense to keep his head down.
Zhu Di saw the ministers dumbfounded, then smiled and said: “Strike that, I am also lazy to calculate, this …… flotilla back, as usual, or should be rewarded the generals. This matter …… is the top priority, the imperial edict to be prepared. In addition, I think, Zheng and hard work, it should also be expressed, or …… it can not be said. This matter, to the court to discuss, discuss the results to, I do not agree.”
The ministers responded coyly.
At this time, even Hu Guang actually became much better behaved.
Zhu Di, on the other hand, looked at Qiu Fu with a smile on his face and said, “Secretary Qiu is not well, so he should recuperate.”
Qiu Fu then said, “The old minister is no longer useful, fortunately, the dog son still has some use, can go down to the sea for His Majesty to share the worry, the old minister is pleased. Just …… father and son parted, can not help but miss, this spring, summer, fall and winter, four seasons have not been news to, the old minister said not miss, this is contrary to human nature.”
Zhu Di laughed, “Yes, loyalty and filial piety require two things, and it’s time for your father and son to get together.”
Just talking, suddenly a eunuch of the General Secretary came hurriedly and said, “Your Majesty …… has news.”
Zhu Di instantly came to his senses and looked at this eunuch.
This eunuch busy said: “There has been the Songjiang mouth of the fast horse, ran to the capital, is with Duke Zheng down to the sea vice general Liu Yi. They arrived at the mouth of the Songjiang River last night, Zheng Gonggong’s body is not good, they ordered the vice general to get off the boat, the fast horse day and night …….”
When these words came out, suddenly the atmosphere was tense.
Zhu even stood up and started pacing back and forth.
He frowned up, a look of concentration on his face.
Zhu Di such a person who has seen a lot of big waves, as soon as he heard about this, he immediately detected something fishy.
He walked a few steps, and then slowly said, “This way the boat and cart, arrived in Songjiang, the generals are already tired, even if there is any news, directly let the Songjiang mouth of the water fortress side of the urgent delivery store to send people fast horse report can be, why need to let the vice generals day and night to the capital to come?”
Crowd: “……”
Zhu Di added: “And also come so fast, in the boat line so many hours, weak, but to all night fast, day and night, how …… in the end what happened?”
Zhu Di asked what was on everyone’s mind, so the ministers all stared at the eunuch in unison.
This eunuch said, “Slave girl …… slave girl ……”
Zhu Di’s mood at this time is obviously more urgent, said sternly: “Quickly go to invite this Liu Yi, tell him to come to see the driver. Not ……”
Zhu Di paused, then said, “Prepare a good car and horse, with Zhang Anshi offered that comfortable car and horse, this Liu Yizhao into the palace to come, the noon gate side …… not ……”
Zhu Di suddenly added: “Going to the noon gate, it is not inevitable to make a detour, open the Daming Gate, from the Daming Gate to take the car into the palace, this car, prepare some tea and food, food should not be dry and hard, to be able to melt in the mouth.”
The gesture scared the eunuch enough, so the eunuch rolled and crawled.
Zhu fidgeted and waited, getting more and more impatient.
Something went very wrong and taught him to have a bad feeling about it.
And Duke Qiu Fu of Qi Guo’s face had been as bad as it could be.
He looked uneasy, the body is not good for the past few years, and now dragging the sick leg, his heart is both anxious, and his body can not help but feel some pain, but before receiving accurate information, he also had to bite his teeth to endure to wait here.
Zhu Di did notice Qiu Fu at this time and said, “Give Minister Qiu a seat.”
Qiu Fu, however, said, “Your Majesty, there is no need, I …… stand well.”
Hearing him say this, Zhu Di seemed to be able to understand Qufu’s mood.
Who can sit still at this point
More than an hour later, just when everyone was already anxious and uneasy, a car drove, actually parked directly outside the Wenlou.
The eunuchs called under the car several times in succession, and the people in the car did not move
Someone opened the door of the car, only to realize that Vice General Liu Yi had fallen asleep in the car long ago, and the food in the car, he hadn’t touched a single bite.
It was with great difficulty that someone gently tugged on Liu Yi’s breeches and woke him up.
Liu Yi then woke up in a daze, and then remembered something and got out of the car in a panic.
To say …… that he is a deputy general in the district, but he has accomplished the achievement of sitting in the car in the palace, which is unknown how many princes and county kings are also not blessed to enjoy.
But now …… Liu Yi obviously does not have the heart to take these into account.
At that moment, he quickly stepped into the hall, and directly bowed down to Zhu Di, saying, “I am …… humble.”
Not waiting for him to say further, Zhu Di head but said, “Zheng Gonggong well?”
Liu Yi said, “Eunuch Zheng is well.”
Zhu Di raised an eyebrow, then said, “Where is Qiu Song? Why is not Qiu Song fast horse into the capital, he is young and vigorous, how to teach you to come?”
Liu Yi truthfully said, “Your Majesty, General Qiu did not return.”
This statement was made ……
Qiu Fu’s face went straight to white, and his entire body staggered, almost fainting.
Zhang Anshi in the crowd, actually also feel that the brain to explode general, the whole person floating up.
How is this …… possible?
Ironclads versus wooden ships.
Three thousand model battalion lieutenants, with good soldiers and food, against a bunch of medieval martial artists.
The advantage is mine!
How can you lose?
Zhang Anshi’s heart, completely messed up, thinking of his own brother, his heart is even more difficult to the extreme.
Seeing this, Zhu Di’s face had pulled down, and his frown deepened as he winked at a eunuch accompanying him on the side, pointing at Qiu Fu and saying, “Assist him.”
Then he added, “Liu Qing, go on.”
“General Qiu ……” Liu Yi only then added: “also town in Europe it, since the breakthrough of Venice, need to send people to stay, so this time did not come back.”
Chu: “……”
The pained expression on Churchford’s face snapped, and he would have felt pain in his heart.
This time, the heartbeat suddenly stopped hurting again.
Zhang Anshi almost jumped up at this time, his eyes glared and exclaimed, “You didn’t say earlier that Venice had been attacked?”
Liu Yi was startled, but still honestly said, “Yes, nowadays, it’s called Fubo City …….”
The ministers were disdainful in their hearts, what’s the big deal about breaching this small city in a district 10,000 miles away?
After all, the barbaric land …… is also not the Western Ocean, and it can t be stationed, but it is just a chicken rib, tasteless and tasteless, and it is a pity to abandon it.
Zhang Anshi the whole person breathed a sigh of relief, then ecstatic: “I said earlier, I said earlier to people, Qiu Song this kid, as long as he went out, quasi is a success, haha …… this time he can make a big achievement.”
Zhu Di, on the other hand, said with a stern face, “Alright, don’t croak here.”
Zhu Di heart like a mirror, the world so much territory, the capture of a city, counting what great work, if this is also counted as great work, then those who are relatives, one by one in the Western conquest of the city, not everyone has a great work of the sky?
Zhang Anshi immediately obediently said, “Oh.” Then he shut up and did not say anything.
Zhu Di looked at Liu Yi again and said, “The fleet, there wasn’t much damage, was there?”
Liu Yi said, “Lost a few ships, but …… relying on His Majesty’s favor, did not suffer major losses.”
Zhu Di said, “Why did Secretary Zheng teach you to report all night this time?”
Liu Yi said: “Zheng Gonggong has explained, because this time back to the voyage, the goods carried are really valuable, so after mooring, all the generals and sailors are not allowed to get off the ship, the people on the pier, also not allowed to arbitrarily boarding the ship, but the order of my humble servant, the first to come on fire to report to His Majesty’s decree, to allocate an army, blockade the pier, Zheng Gonggong and all the generals, and then get off the ship to rest. ”
Chu: “……”
Zheng He is not qualified to transfer military horses.
In fact, no one dared to deploy troops easily without the Emperor’s decree.
And Zheng He was an extremely cautious man, apparently because of the fear of accidents, and the generals on the ship, already exhausted to the extreme, apparently it was no longer possible for them to guard the pier, there had to be an elite army, to protect the pier, so that they could get off the ship.
Zhu Di could not help but say, “Valuable …… what treasures, need to be such a fanfare, but also …… have to be so …… cautious to act? ”
Liu Yi said, “Your Majesty, it’s all real money ……”
Chu: “……”
Liu Yi continued, “It was General Qiu who looted …… no, it was the local gentry and merchants who offered it after he broke Venice and other city states.”
Chu: “……”
Seeing that Zhu didn’t move, this Liu Yi didn’t dare to say anything further.
Zhang Anshi was in a hurry and couldn’t help but say, “How many?”
Liu Yi laughed bitterly, “This …… can not be counted, there are too many, Zheng Gonggong in the return voyage, in fact, also want to properly clear a bit, but unfortunately, the ship is proficient in arithmetic is limited, and this hundred or so ships, are loaded with full …… So …… so ……”
“This flotilla …… is loaded with gold and silver?” Zhu Di tiger eyes violently a sheet, shocked jaws, said, “Just a few state cities? Can rob …… can offer this much?”
Liu Yi said with difficulty, “This …… your majesty …… this humble servant does not know where to start answering.”
Zhu, however, in a moment, the sudden spirit of a hundred times up, his eyes seem to have a light.
Then raised the tone of voice: “transfer …… this on the transfer of people, order the brocade guards, as well as the model battalion stationed in Qixia, fire out, to me garrison fleet moored dock, no one is allowed to go in and out, send people …… to send people to …… so many ships …… How much gold and silver must this be? Secretary Zhang …… have you ever heard of this much gold and silver?”
Zhang Anshi smiled faintly and said, “Your Majesty, I’m actually very eager to meet you.”
Zhu Di waved his hand, “Then Zhang Qing go personally, and be quick.”
“Ah ……” Zhang Anshi froze, too stunned to speak.