Chen Xi began to contact Folang Jiren to do business.

However, things don't look too smooth now. The Folang Jiren didn't have that courage to transport the silver that had been shipped to the Ming Dynasty's seashores. Now the coast of the Ming Dynasty has been completely occupied by the official army. Even the islands that were abandoned before have been stationed. Now, even the Danshui, Jilong, in the north of Dongfan Island, east of Fujian, and Shuangxikou, Fengshan and other places have opened garrisons to carry out reclamation activities.

The voices of support for Chenxi in the court have become increasingly heard, and some policies implemented by Chenxi have also begun to be implemented locally.

For example, the reform of the monopoly on salt and iron extended from Fujian, Guangdong, Huguang, Jianggan and the entire Ming Dynasty.

"...5 million taels, in addition to disaster relief, the rest is used to build river embankments, dredge river channels, and repair official roads across provinces across the country..."

After Chen Xi and the Ministry of Revenue jointly allocated 5 million taels of silver, Li Li reported the purpose of the silver to Chen Xi.

Li Li had no objection to most of the uses, but in the end he expressed his concern: "...a million taels of silver were called for by the inner palace, and the palace and the leopard house may be repaired, and it is also used to expand the palace in Xuanfu!"

Zhu Houzhao heard that there were five million taels of silver for spending, so he naturally would not miss such a good opportunity, so he immediately allocated one million taels of silver to the inner treasury.

Moreover, Zhu Houzhao never greets people in the court when doing things, and he doesn't even discuss with Chen Xi.

Chen Xidao: "What do you think about this, Brother Shiqi?"

Li Jue shook his head and said, "It would be best if you can change your mind, but the persuasion is not very meaningful. Zhihou, you might have such an idea if you didn't mention it to Your Majesty?"

Chen Xi sighed: "Many things are really not easy to deal with."

"hehe."

Li Jue shook his head and smiled bitterly, "This is also the concern of the officials in the court for a long time... Your Majesty is becoming more and more willing to do it now. If it is only one million taels of silver, the court can afford it, but it is afraid of setting a precedent!"

Chen Xi nodded and said, "I will mention this to Your Majesty when I enter the palace to meet the holy."

...

...

After Zhu Houzhao returned to the capital, she seemed to have begun to care about the affairs of the court, but in fact she was still in a state of not starting a court discussion, not seeing the court officials, and not listening to the affairs of the court.

In the past, only the eunuch who could communicate with Zhu Houzhao was the only eunuch in charge of the seal.

Now the people who can meet and report to Zhu Houzhao are the new cabinet Grand Secretary Chen Xi, in addition to the chief pen of the Lijian Supervisory Commission.

As a result, Zhu Houzhao set a precedent for meeting foreign ministers. In the past, Chen Xi had the opportunity to enter the palace, but it was not so frequent. In the past, Zhu Houzhao would not have calmed down to listen to Chen Xi's summary of the affairs of the court. Now he can finally listen to some.

When Chen Xi entered the palace to talk about things, he pointed out that Zhu Houzhao was calling one million taels of silver.

Zhu Houzhao frowned and said, "Sir, aren't we going to say it anymore? I need to spend money in some places, not waste it, but it is used on the blade! It's just a million taels of silver, at worst, you can earn some money back."

Chen Xidao: "Have you forgotten how much taxes are for the Ming Dynasty in the year?"

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "Do you think I have spent a lot of money? Then I heard from you, the cost will be reduced to 600,000 taels. Isn't it a problem?"

At this time, Zhu Houzhao suddenly became easier to talk to. Chen Xi came to talk to him. He really gave in. Although he did not cancel, his expenses dropped by 40%.

Chen Xi could only understand that after Zhu Houzhao was careful to calculate, he felt that 600,000 taels of silver could solve the problem, so he simply did not argue with Chen Xi on such a thing.

But Zhu Houzhao's "submission" did not make Chen Xi give up. He was about to argue. At this time, Zhang Yong next to him said: "Mr. Shen, Your Majesty's renovation of the palace and the expansion of the palace in Xuanfu are all for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty."

Chen Xi was a little surprised: "Does Your Majesty want to visit Xuan Mansion?"

"I'm just planning to do this."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "I am ready to go to Xuanfu in another month and go with the queen. After that, I may not come back for about half a year. At that time, the affairs of the capital will be handed over to the teacher for handling!"

I don’t know if I don’t say it, I’m shocked when I say it.

Chen Xi was speechless about Zhu Houzhao's sudden decision. It seemed that he would hand over the power of the government to Chen Xi. Chen Xi could implement his reform measures drastically, but Zhu Houzhao's departure in this way meant that this absurd emperor had to give up all his responsibilities and do whatever he wanted.

In the past, even if Chen Xi wanted to interfere, he would not be able to do so. The problem was that Chen Xi was an absolute minister in the court and could not sit idly by and watch such a thing happen.

Chen Xidao: "What is the purpose of Your Majesty's trip?"

Zhu Houzhao was determined: "It seems that the weather is getting hot. The summer in Xuanfu is very cool and the scenery is beautiful. I will go to take the summer heat and enjoy the cool air. At the same time, I will urge the Northwest military and political affairs... I am going to lead Wang Shouren, the Minister of the Ministry of War, to go with me. Didn't the gentleman say before that Wang Shouren is the best candidate for the three-sided governor?"

Chen Xi did not answer because he had indeed proposed to replace Wang Shouren as the governor of the Three-Border.

Chen Xidao: "Your Majesty goes to the northwest, what should I do if the court is doing?"

Zhu Houzhao laughed and said, "I stayed in the capital, and the matter should be left to the people below to deal with it. It is better to let me walk around and see. I am still young and the old saying goes well. Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles. Even if I haven't read thousands of books now, I have traveled thousands of miles, and the effect is the same... I am preparing for better governance of the country in the future."

"As for the affairs of the court, I think it's enough to have a gentleman here, and I don't need to work hard."

Zhang Yong smiled and said, "Mr. Shen, Your Majesty really trusts you."

Chen Xidao: "Your Majesty still has no imperial heir and his foundation is not solid. If something happens to the local area, I am afraid that the government and the people will fall into great turmoil and danger."

Zhu Houzhao curled his lips: "Sir, don't exaggerate. I don't think that those princes and nobles dare to rebel. First, there were King Anhua and Liu Jin, and then King Ning, who dared to do anything randomly?"

When Chen Xi faced such a little emperor, he found that he was powerless and no matter what kind of persuasion he seemed to be ineffective.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "This matter is decided. I will prepare in the next two days. The magistrate's superior, the China Legal Commission, will make a decision for me. Mr. Chen's opinion is the best opinion. By the way, I am also planning to promote a eunuch in charge of the seal of the quasi-lexis, but I haven't thought about it yet and will announce this matter in a few days."

Zhang Yong next to him had a faint look of anticipation on his face, as if he felt that he was promoted to the eunuch of the Sili Supervisor, and no one could compete with him. He was almost about to celebrate his promotion.

Chen Xi knew that Zhu Houzhao had other plans in his heart, but Chen Xi could only sigh and stop answering.

...

...

Chen Xi and Zhang Yong left the Ganqing Palace together.

Zhang Yong was going to Silijian, but the two of them only walked together for a while.

Zhang Yong smiled and said, "Thanks to you, Lord Shen, this time, I will definitely not forget your promotion after my family is promoted."

Chen Xidao: "Eunuch Zhang has ensured that this time, the seal of the ceremonial supervisor is already in his pocket?"

Zhang Yong was a little surprised: "Will there be some troubles? Eunuch Li and Eunuch Guo have made it clear that they will not argue with our family, or is it that Lord Shen, what information, have you learned from His Majesty?"

Chen Xi shook his head and continued to walk forward, "Your Majesty has never talked to me about the election of the eunuch in charge of the Sili Supervisor."

"oh."

Zhang Yong vaguely felt something was wrong.

Sure enough, Chen Xi said: "If Your Majesty intends to be promoted from the three ceremonial supervisors, there is no need to deliberately avoid following me. Maybe Your Majesty has other plans."

When Zhang Yong heard this, he became anxious and said, "Mr. Shen, you must not help... It's time for you to come, and Zhang San and Li Si will be used as a palm print... If Zhang Yuansan enters the palace, then our family... might as well kill him."

Chen Xi looked at Zhang Yong, shook his head and said, "Even if Your Majesty has other plans, it will not be Zhang Yuan."

"Who is that?" Zhang Yong looked at Chen Xi, his eyes as if he was saying, others may not know about this, but you, Shen Zhihou, must be very clear about this.

Even if the emperor has never told you, with your insight and your control over affairs in the court, you should know who is now in power.

Unfortunately, Chen Xi shook his head helplessly: "Your Majesty has a deep thought on this matter and has not revealed any clues. Eunuch Zhang wants to know about this matter, but he should actually ask Mr. Ruo."

"He doesn't know either." Zhang Yong said confidently.

Chen Xidao: "That can only be said that Your Majesty may unexpectedly appoint someone who no one can imagine. Perhaps even Eunuch Zhang may not evaluate this matter for a foreign minister like me."

"Mr. Shen, don't leave, Mr. Shen..."

When Zhang Yong saw Chen Xi go straight away, he hurriedly chased after him.

Chen Xi kept walking and said, "Don't force this matter for now. Even if someone takes office, it won't take too long. Eunuch Zhang doesn't have to worry about his status at all."

...

...

After Zhang Yong got some "verbal storm" from Chenxi, he immediately went back to discuss with Xiao Tiaozi.

Xiao Guozi asked nervously: "Sir Shen really said that?"

"What, do you think our family can still lie to you?" Zhang Yong looked at Xiao Tiaozi in a panic, "Didn't your father-in-law know anything? He hasn't mentioned it to our family?"

Xiao Zhuozi looked unfair: "Why do we hide the matter of eunuchs in charge of seals? Your Majesty has never mentioned it at all, how can we know about it?"

Zhang Yong said: "So Lord Shen is right. If Your Majesty intends to choose from the three of us, it will not be so obscure. The more you don't say it, the more you will have problems."

Xiao Guozi seemed very annoyed: "Zhang Yuan has fallen, it's not our turn to go on stage. Who is more respectful than us? Press him down first!"

Zhang Yong suddenly realized something and widened his eyes and said, "Does Your Majesty want to transfer Gao Feng back?"

"ah?"

Xiao Zhuozi said in surprise, "Are you crazy? That old guy has mediocre qualifications. Why does Your Majesty use him?"

Zhang Yong said: "He is the Empress Dowager's man, and now His Majesty wants to create a clever balance in the court. Who do you think can limit Lord Shen now? He has to ask Zhang's close confidants to take action!"

"It makes some sense." Xiao Twist frowned.

Zhang Yong wondered: "No, no, hurry up and find a way to find out the matter. If Gao Feng is really up, we won't be too worried. After all, this old guy doesn't have much ability, and I don't know how many days he will live. But if Ma Yongcheng and Gu Da are used by a few, it will be really hard to deal with!"

...

...

There was endless debate in the court about the candidates for the eunuchs in charge of the seal of the Sili Supervisor.

It is related to the stability of the dynasty in the future. The empress dowager firmly supports Gao Feng's return to the dynasty, or simply let Li Xing take power.

Zhang Yong naturally also actively strived for it. Gu Dayong, Ma Yongcheng, Li Rong and others were not willing to be outdone. They walked around and were determined to win this position.

Originally, he would look for Chen Xi when he had anything to do in the court, but no one looked for him when competing for the eunuch in charge of the Seli Supervisor. It was because everyone knew that Shen Xi was now a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and the emperor might restrict Chen Xi's power by appointing the eunuch in charge of the Seli Supervisor. They did not want to be demoted, and even Zhang Yong dared not be too close to Chen Xi.
To be continued...