Chapter 352 The Great Reward Prepared by the Old Taoist Priest
The Western Garden of the capital.

In the Wanshou Palace.

Huang Jinzheng was directing the eunuchs in the palace to clean the entire Wanshou Palace from inside to outside.

After all, the end of the year is approaching.

Although these cleaning tasks have to be done every day on weekdays, the thorough cleaning before the end of the year is an ancient traditional custom that even the royal family is not immune to.

At least the spring cleaning before the end of the year has some meaning.

Sweep away the old year and welcome the new year.

People in the Central Plains never get tired of expressing such beautiful wishes.

On the inner hall platform, Jiajing was being served by Lu Fang and had just finished today's morning lessons.

Looking at the eunuchs busying around inside and outside, a smile appeared on Jiajing's face.

"Year after year, year after year."

"In a few days, it will be the 42nd year of the Jiajing reign."

The emperor had a smile on his face and seemed to be in a very good mood.

Lu Fang smiled and said, "This year, the court is going smoothly, and the master is in a much better mood than in the past few years. After the New Year, our Ming Dynasty will definitely be better!"

Jiajing still had a smile on his face: "The hard days have passed, the good days have passed, good days have passed, good days have passed, bad days have passed, as long as things get better day by day, that is a blessing."

Lu Fang said immediately: "The future will definitely be good!"

Jiajing burst into laughter.

He suddenly looked at Lu Fang and said with a smile: "I heard that Yan Shaoting is going to be a father?"

Lu Fang immediately understood, and replied softly, "It was Li Shizhen who worked in the Imperial Hospital who diagnosed the pulse. It was very accurate and there would be no mistakes. Lord Yan even issued a special order for this."

"Oh?"

Jiajing showed a curious look on his face: "What orders did Yan Song issue?"

Lü Fang smiled and said, "The elder has spoken at the Yan family. Now everyone in the Yan family must obey Lu Gaoming. Even Yan's guests are not allowed to stay overnight in the house, and he is not allowed to take concubines or have a concubine."

Jiajing raised his eyebrows, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Then this kid will have to hold it in for a whole year. I didn't expect Yan Song to value this first great-grandson so much."

Jiajing knew the rules of wealthy families.

Not to mention that he was the emperor, the royal family had detailed regulations on such matters.

It is truly rare that Yan Song could actually issue an order not allowing Yan Shaoting to take a concubine or a maid, and from now on, Yan Shaoting is not allowed to return to his room to spend the night.

Lu Fang nodded and said with a sigh, "I've heard people say in the past that the old man always talked about wanting to have four generations living together as soon as possible. Now that Lu Gaoming is pregnant, the old man must take good care of her and hope that everything goes well in this reincarnation."

Jiajing nodded, this made sense.

He is also a grandfather, so he can naturally empathize with such things.

Especially since it was difficult for the royal family to have heirs, he actually paid more attention to it than Yan Song.

He immediately said, "Then we can't be stingy. Since this is the first great-grandson of the Yan family, shouldn't we show some respect to him?"

Lu Fang immediately looked up at the emperor.

I saw Jiajing sitting on the platform, clapping his hands on his knees, thinking deeply.

Lu Fang's heart moved.

It seems that the emperor also attaches great importance to the fact that the eldest grandson's wife of the Yan family is finally pregnant.

But it's normal.

After all, Lu Gaoming is Lu Bing's daughter.

Since she is the daughter of Lu Bing and the eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Yan family, the emperor naturally values ​​her more.

Soon.

Jiajing said, "Prepare the decree in the next two days. After New Year's Eve, go to the Yan residence and pass it on on the first day of the first lunar month."

Lu Fang immediately bowed, his heart pounding.

The emperor is going to give the Yan family a great favor on the first day of the new year!

Jiajing continued, "Prepare two imperial edicts. If he is a man, he will be granted the title of General Wulue, the title of Flying Cavalry Commander, and the title of a Thousand Households Officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Lu Fang was shocked.

This is truly a blessing from heaven.

Which official in the court can receive such a gift when his wife is pregnant and the child is not yet born?

Although the title of General Wulue is not prominent, he is already a genuine fifth-rank military official. The Flying Cavalry Captain is also a genuine fifth-rank military honor. As for the Thousand Household Officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it goes without saying, it is a fifth-rank official position!

It can be said that this unborn baby of the Yan family started receiving salary from the imperial court while still in his mother’s womb!
There is no other family in the country that can enjoy such a gift.

But it was obvious that the emperor meant to prepare two edicts.

That is the meaning if a girl is born.

really.

Without waiting for Lu Fang to ask.

Jiajing smiled and said, "If it's a girl, she will be granted the title of Xianxianzhu, and all the necessary ceremonies will be provided by the palace. The treasury will prepare gold and silver items every year, and they will be used as dowry on the day of her marriage!"

At this moment.

Lu Fang was the one who was truly dumbfounded.

I kept wondering if there was something wrong with my ears.

He opened his eyes wide, with deep hesitation in his eyes, and looked at the emperor on the platform.

County Princess!
Although this word is a little unfamiliar, it is a title that can only be bestowed upon the daughters of a royal family.

The title of county princess can only be obtained by the daughter of a prince of a royal family.

According to what the emperor said at this moment, as long as Lu Wenyan gives birth to a girl, although she will have the Yan family surname, she will also be recorded in the yellow book and jade book of the clan office!
Not to mention what the emperor said later.

All rituals are paid for by the palace, which means that if the baby is a girl, the royal family will raise her.

As for the last part, gold and silver items were left from the treasury every year as the girl's dowry in the future.

In the entire Ming Dynasty, no one, not even the princesses of the Zhu family, could receive such a reward!
Just when Lu Fang was shocked that the emperor could actually give such a huge reward to the Yan family's newly conceived, unborn baby.

Jiajing smiled and explained, "Last time, I approved Yan Shaoting's proposal to start the system of recommending students to be officials. When he went to Changping to convey the imperial edict, didn't he spread the word that Prince Yu regarded him as a younger brother? In this case, his child is naturally considered my granddaughter."

Lu Fang had a dry smile on his face.

Although the emperor said this in a joke.

But the emperor mentioned what Prince Yu said in public in Changping, and it was obvious that the emperor took it to heart.

As long as this decree is issued on the first day of the Lunar New Year after the beginning of the year, those who are interested in the court will naturally understand its meaning.

Lu Fang couldn't help but smile and said, "Master, what if the first baby is a boy and a girl?"

He was just following Jiajing's joke.

But unexpectedly, Jiajing immediately frowned.

He clapped his hands on his thighs and said seriously: "If Yan Shaoting really has such a blessing, then send the two edicts over together!"

Got it!
Lu Fang smiled silently and lowered his head. It seemed that the emperor was really in a good mood today. Such a generous reward, if this baby was really a boy and a girl, who knows what the court would say after the decree was delivered.

At this moment.

Huang Jin also took the time to come over.

"Master, the weather outside is nice today. Do you want to go out for a walk?"

Although it hasn't snowed in the past two days.

But a few days ago, there were several snowfalls in the capital, and the court was less superstitious about such astronomical phenomena.

The weather has cleared up in the past two days and the temperature has returned to normal.

It's a good day for sightseeing.

Moreover, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory also said that there will be a heavy snowfall in the capital at the end of December, which would perfectly fit the meaning of auspicious snow heralding a good harvest.

Good year!
This is what everyone is thinking about at the moment.

Jiajing was indeed in a good mood today, and he immediately waved his hand and said, "After breakfast, let's go out for a walk."

A silly smile appeared on Huang Jin's face.

After agreeing to this matter, he went to make arrangements.

The atmosphere in Wanshou Palace was harmonious and full of joy.

And outside the Wanshou Palace.

Outside of Beijing.

Changping Public Security Office.

Yan Shaoting was overwhelmed for a moment.

The New Year is just around the corner. Originally, he just needed to summarize the few things he was responsible for, and then submit all the data he had at hand to the imperial summary meeting before the New Year. Then his work for the year would be completed.

Moreover, he was very confident that his performance in the 41st year of Jiajing would definitely be the best in the court.

Just looking at the silk business done in the two places in the southeast this year, the old Taoist priest’s words about calling himself the God of Wealth of the Ming Dynasty are not empty talk.

The subsequent wealth and goods worth 7 million taels were also delivered by Bai Fugui and his gang of foreign merchants through the Foreign Trading Company a few days ago, and the wealth and goods were also transferred from the Foreign Trading Company to the Ministry of Revenue.

When the money and goods arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, they were actually in Yan Shaoting's hands.

In addition to part of it being used to offset the court's expenses this year, part of it was distributed as salaries before the end of the year, and the rest was transferred to the military supply account to be used for military preparations after the beginning of the year.

The accounts are clear and all are under the control of Yan Shaoting.

As for the revenue of the seven maritime customs offices in the southeastern coast this year, although it has not yet arrived in Beijing, it is on the way.

The account was a bit complicated, but Xu Wenbi personally led people to escort it back to Beijing. Yan Shaoting only needed to sort out the accounts, and then the two parties could compare them and settle the account clearly.

After these things are done.

It's no big deal for him.

But what Yan Shaoting did not expect was that just as the year was coming to an end, Changping, where problems should not and were least likely to occur, actually happened.

In the Public Security Bureau office.

Yan Shaoting, the director of the Public Security Department, rarely sat in the main seat in the court.

In front of him were Xu Wei, Zhou Yunyi, Xiao Junpeng and others.

Xu Wei whispered, "After our dynasty was founded, we have been quite cautious about places like Dongguanzhuang. At the beginning of the dynasty, when the Earl of Chengyi explored the destiny of the world, many places were dispersed. At that time, Dongguanzhuang was divided into two parts. The east side of the village was under the jurisdiction of Huairou County, and the west side was under the jurisdiction of Changping."

Zhou Yunyi immediately added: "It's just because Dongguanzhuang has a great background, and the whole manor is made up of the Yang family. Their ancestors are all from the same lineage. Even though the court divided it into two, the manor is very united. Except for the finances and taxes that are assigned to the two places according to the court rules, they are usually the same place, so..."

After saying this, a trace of nervousness emerged on Zhou Yunyi's face, and he carefully raised his head to look at Yan Shaoting who was sitting in the court.

Yan Shaoting frowned and said, "So, this Dongguanzhuang has become a no-man's land?"

Zhou Yunyi nodded.

At the side, Xiao Junpeng, now the chief clerk of the Public Security Department, clapped his hands together.

"That's not it!"

"My guest, you don't know. Our Public Security Department originally planned to transform Dongguanzhuang according to our Changping method, but those people from the Yang family didn't listen!"

"They...they also said they didn't know what the Public Security Bureau was. They were all honest citizens of the Ming Dynasty. When the imperial court wanted to collect taxes and impose labor service, they just followed the orders. The rest was none of their business."

Yan Shaoting looked at him immediately.

This Xiao Junpeng is also considered a capable person.

Although it was me who brought him from Tonghui River Wharf to the Public Security Bureau.

But he did not give any more gifts, and after Xiao Junpeng entered the Public Security Bureau, he started as a clerk at the lowest level.

He rose to the position of Chief Clerk of the Public Security Department step by step relying entirely on his own abilities.

Now, the entire Public Security Department is under the control of Xu Wei, the Chief Secretary, except for himself who seldom comes here. Zhou Yunyi has no official position in the Public Security Department, so Xiao Junpeng is considered the third in command of the Department.

Yan Shaoting immediately looked at Xu Wei.

Xu Wei immediately bowed his head and said, "I didn't make good arrangements for this matter, so the entire Changping was left with only this Dongguan Manor that has not been completely renovated until today. If the guests want to punish me, then punish me."

Yan Shaoting was not in a hurry to speak, but glanced at Xiao Junpeng.

Who is Xiao Junpeng?

He originally came from the Tonghui River Wharf, a crowded place with people coming and going, and he is usually very good at observing people's words and expressions.

Xiao Junpeng immediately said, "Guest, actually, Secretary Xu was not wrong in this matter. The fault lies with Dongguan Village. The rules you set before required the people to accept the methods of our Public Security Department, but Dongguan Village has always refused to accept them. Secretary Xu often went to persuade them, but they were like donkeys and just wouldn't listen. We can't just let the militia team go there and force them to change, right..."

Yan Shaoting smiled. The Public Security Bureau really needed someone like Xiao Junpeng.

He smiled and said, "Since this is the case, then Mr. Xu is certainly not at fault, so there is no need to punish him."

Xu Wei still bowed his hands and said, "Thank you for your forgiveness. I will still personally monitor the matter of Dongguanzhuang in the future and try my best to complete the transformation as soon as possible."

Yan Shaoting waved his hand.

"Let's not talk about the renovation for now. Since the people of Dongguanzhuang themselves are unwilling to do so, it means that we haven't done our job well enough. The people of Dongguanzhuang feel that the renovation is not as good as their current life."

After deciding on the renovation of Dongguanzhuang.

Yan Shaoting immediately changed the subject and said, "What matters now is that Dongguanzhuang and that... Zen temple..."

Xiao Junpeng immediately said, "Nanlu Zen Temple."

"Yes!" Yan Shaoting smiled and glanced at Xiao Junpeng: "It is this Nanlu Zen Temple. How come there is a rift between it and Dongguanzhuang?"

Xiao Junpeng glanced at Xu Wei in front of him.

After getting the other party's eye signal and approval, he sighed and stamped his feet.

He said, "My guests may not know that the story of Dongguanzhuang and Nanlu Zen Temple is very complicated and has a long history!"

Yan Shaoting immediately raised his eyebrows: "Oh? Is it so magical?"

Xiao Junpeng nodded heavily.

"That's not it!"

"If we want to count it, this matter has to start from the Song Dynasty!"

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(End of this chapter)