Chapter 68 The God of Wealth of the Ming Dynasty
When Yan Shaoting received the summons from Lu Fang personally.

Hu Zongxian was already in the front hall of Yuxi Palace and walked to the Taoist platform in the back hall.

Yang Jinshui was still kneeling on the ground.

He was a eunuch and the emperor's household slave, different from Hu Zongxian and the court officials.

Jiajing looked at Hu Zongxian, who had a dark complexion and a tired look.

I felt a rare sense of pity in my heart.

But Jiajing still asked in a cold voice: "Yang Jinshui said that the Xin'an River dike was blown up by Hangzhou prefect Ma Ningyuan and his men. You are the governor of Zhejiang and the governor of Zhejiang, and a giant in the southeast of my Ming Dynasty. Hu Zongxian, tell me, did Ma Ningyuan instruct him to blow up the dike behind the scenes?"

Hu Zongxian bowed and slowly knelt down.

This action made Jiajing frown slightly.

Hu Zongxian said, "Your Majesty trusted me and ordered me to shoulder the responsibility of the southeast, but now the Xin'an River has been damaged and flooded, and I have failed to fulfill my responsibility.

I was in the governor's office of Zhejiang Province. Upon receiving the news, I immediately arrested the Hangzhou prefect Ma Ningyuan and other criminal officials. After inquiring about the reasons, I used my power as the governor of Zhejiang Province to execute Ma Ningyuan and other criminal officials in order to calm the anger of the people and pacify the local area.

Your Majesty asked me if there was anyone behind Ma Ningyuan's actions. I don't know for now, but now that Your Majesty has handed this matter and the implementation of national policies in the southeast to Yan Shidu for strict investigation, I am willing to assist Yan Shidu in investigating this matter and present it to Your Majesty despite my guilt.

Didn't Hu Zongxian know why his student Ma Ningyuan was stupid enough to blow up the Xin'an River dike?

He is very clear.

But Hu Zongxian knew better that since Yan Shaoting had said last night that he would help him return to Beijing and join the cabinet, the credit for this matter should be given to the young Minister Yan.

Jiajing's eyes moved and a fleeting smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Then he continued to ask in a deep voice: "Yang Jinshui said that even if we plant mulberry trees this year, it will take until next year to produce enough mulberry leaves to raise silkworms. Is that true?"

Seeing that the emperor no longer asked about the culprit behind the destruction of the Xin'an River dike.

Hu Zongxian nodded and said, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. Previously, when I was in Zhejiang, I received the imperial decree and wrote to the cabinet hoping to implement the national policy step by step."

Jiajing's eyes darkened: "Why didn't the cabinet tell me about this?"

After asking, Jiajing also reacted.

At the beginning of the year, the court was in huge deficit and the cabinet had finally come up with a solution, so how could they possibly explain the matter clearly?

However, Zhang Juzheng had been in Suzhou Prefecture for such a long time, but he had never reported this matter to the emperor, which was quite bold.

Jiajing took note of this matter in his heart, and when he thought about the fact that Suzhou and Songjiang prefectures had concealed their land holdings, he couldn't help but feel resentful towards certain people.

At this moment.

Lu Fang had also brought Yan Shaoting into the main hall of Yuxi Palace.

After Lu Fang's report, Yan Shaoting walked into the back hall for the first time and stood in front of the Taoist priest's platform.

"Your Majesty, I am Yan Shaoting."

"May your majesty be blessed with good health and may you cultivate the good fortune."

Jiajing, who was originally a little angry, couldn't help but laugh when he heard Yan Shaoting speak like this for the first time.

He sat on the platform, leaning against a stool, waving his finger at Yan Shaoting, and said to Lu Fang with a sidelong glance: "Look, this kid can flatter now."

Lv Fang also smiled and echoed, "Master Yan is filial. I wish the master can achieve enlightenment soon."

Jiajing looked at Yan Shaoting with a smile: "He is so filial."

The master and servant were joking like this.

However, Hu Zongxian and Yang Jinshui, who were at the scene, were shocked.

What was said was not a big deal, nor was it anything else.

But who in the court could make the emperor joke like this?

Yang Jinshui, who was kneeling on the ground, couldn't help but glance at Yan Shaoting, feeling extremely confused.

How on earth did Yan Shaoting make his master so happy?

Hu Zongxian gradually understood and believed why Yan Shaoting hinted last night that he could help him enter the cabinet. This person can no longer be described as simple in the emperor's heart.

Everyone knows what the emperor's intention is.

Yan Shaoting just stood there with his body bowed, a kind look on his face.

Jiajing coughed lightly and asked, "The Xin'an River dike in Zhejiang was destroyed. Who else do you think was involved besides Ma Ningyuan?"

Hu Zongxian was a little confused, and he did not ask about changing rice to mulberry, but asked about this matter first.

Yan Shaoting pretended to think for a moment before he spoke: "Since Your Majesty has appointed me to handle the affairs of the two southeastern regions, I have sent letters to the two regions to investigate the matter and dispatched Jinyiwei Zhu Qi to the two regions in person.

Although I have not received a reply yet, I think that the destruction of the Xin'an River levee could not have been done by Hangzhou prefect Ma Ningyuan alone in collusion with prefecture and county officials. "

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Jiajing's eyes.

He also didn't believe that the matter was limited to Ma Ningyuan's level.

But he still doesn't know who is involved in the Zhejiang incident and what stage it has reached.

What if someone in the palace is involved?

As Jiajing thought about it, he couldn't help but glance at Yang Jinshui and Lu Fang.

Yan Shaoting continued, "I suspect that Zheng Michang, the governor of Zhejiang Province, and He Maocai, the provincial governor, may have been involved. These two are two of the three chief officials of Zhejiang Province. If Ma Ningyuan had not instructed them to blow up the Xin'an River embankment, he would never have done it privately.

Ma Ningyuan is only the prefect of a prefecture, and he has no ability to do things behind the backs of two government offices and under the watchful eyes of countless people. "

Jiajing nodded: "Do you think the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau and Zhejiang Maritime Customs were also involved?"

When asked this question, Yan Shaoting still hadn't spoken.

Yang Jinshui, who was kneeling on the ground, felt a tremor in his heart.

Yan Shaoting said without hesitation: "I suspect Zheng Michang and He Maocai because they have the ability and intention to do this. As for the others, I believe that when Jinyiwei Zhu Qi arrives in the southeast, he will be able to find out the truth."

Yan Shaoting naturally did not want to get too involved in matters involving the inner court.

This is the Taoist priest's family matter. If he talks too much about it, he will only offend the eunuchs in the inner court.

But with the solid evidence, the Taoist priest will take action without Yan Shaoting saying anything.

Jiajing was also very satisfied with Yan Shaoting's calm answer.

He finally changed the subject and said, "Earlier, Hu Zongxian and Yang Jinshui both said that even if we complete the planting of mulberry trees in the southeast this year, we will have to wait until next year to grow enough mulberry leaves to raise silkworms and increase silk production.

Why didn't you mention it at the beginning? If so, how can the court increase taxes and make up for the deficit this year?"

Finally we come to this question.

Yan Shaoting, who had been prepared, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He said, "Your Majesty knows that I have been dealing with the Spanish merchant Bo Fugui recently. When Your Majesty entrusted the Southeast mission to Zhang Gelao, I was worried that the foreign merchants were cunning, so I discussed it with Bo Fugui in Beijing.

If Lord Zhang is unable to raise the price to sell to foreign merchants in the southeast, I will recommend Bai Fugui to complete this deal with our dynasty.

Even though 500,000 rolls of silk cannot be woven until next year, I have already discussed it with Bai Fugui.

This year, Bai Fugui is willing to pay three million taels of silver as a deposit to monopolize our dynasty's foreign trade of 500,000 pieces of silk."

this moment.

Even Jiajing, who already knew that Yan Shaoting had dealings with Spanish merchants, was shocked and full of surprise.

Is this my beloved Lord?

No.

This is the God of Wealth of the Ming Dynasty!
Jiajing blurted out: "That person is actually willing to... take out three million taels of silver as a deposit in advance?"

…………

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Continue to update three more times! Gentlemen, please read diligently~
(End of this chapter)