Emperor Chongzhen's face was gloomy and he picked up the account book handed over by Zhou Xian for a long time. Finally, he sighed and walked slowly off the dragon chaise. Seeing that although Zhou Xian said he had confessed his guilt, he looked like he was right. He said in a low voice: "Get up! You don't have the slightest way of admitting your mistakes, you are clearly asking me for credit."

Zhou Xian stood up silently, stood aside without saying anything.

"Lu Xiangsheng once reported that in my Ming Dynasty, civil officials love money, and military generals cherish their lives. You are a destruction of thieves and don't want life, gathering and dispersing without being greedy for money. Although you violate the laws of the court, the money you get is either used to train troops or to scoop the people. And you also take the initiative to tell me your own faults. If I even blame a minister like you, then I will be a real fool. Let's just let this go! It's only for you, I, the king and the minister."

Zhou Xian bowed slightly and said, "Thank you for your unjust sin. But what I want to say, if Your Majesty allows me to open a maritime ban in Laizhou and order me to control the salt farm in Laizhou, I promise that not only can I pay 400,000 taels of silver to the court every year, but also that the task of raiding the coast of Liaodong will be borne by me, and that the court will not be paid one tael of silver for the court. If you are tired but have no merits at that time, please ask Your Majesty to kill Zhou Xian to show the generals."

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the young man who was under twenty years old in front of him, and he suddenly felt a little ashamed. The other party's eyes were firm and spiritual, without any fear. He looked so familiar, just like himself who had just entered the throne in the past. However, the light of extraordinary confidence had long dissipated in his eyes, but the other party was always maintaining it. He suddenly felt a special feeling of gratitude. In this messy world, there were still some people who could rely on him.

If he could revive the Ming Dynasty, would anyone write in future history books that Emperor Chongzhen knew talents with a keen eye and gradually promoted a juren to Tanhua, while the latter tried his best to help him revive the Ming Dynasty. Thinking of this, some hope came to his heart. "If this is true, you can try it. But Zhou Xian, are you really so confident?"

Zhou Xian respectfully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, national affairs are in such danger. Some things must be done by someone. Too much hesitation will only lose the opportunity. Besides, I am not completely aimless. Through these two times, I am confident that I can take a boat to the Liaodong coast. The only drawback is that there are not enough ships in Laizhou at present, and I need to ask Your Majesty for one person. In this way, whether it is to aid Songshan or raid Liaodong, I will have a higher chance of success."

Emperor Chongzhen looked up and looked at Zhou Xian strangely, "Is there such a person around me? Who is it?"

"Shen Tingyang, the doctor of the Ministry of Revenue, knows how to build ships and knows how to travel by sea, so he will definitely be able to help a lot."

Emperor Chongzhen's ever-serious face squeezed a smile and said, "You are the governor of Laizhou and ask me for a head of the Ministry of Revenue. Is this a little too much appetite? But that's right. If you are asked to do such a big thing, this position should be mentioned. Hong Chengchou praised you very much, and Chen Xinjia strongly recommended you. I will agree! From now on, you will govern Denglai as the right censor! I will give you full power to the military and political power of Denglai."

Zhou Xian frowned, but did not give him a thank you at first, but instead seemed a little uneasy. The position was promoted too quickly, and in a few months, he was promoted from prefect to governor. He shot the first bird. In this case, a little mistake would be infinitely magnified by others, resulting in unimaginable consequences. But in this way, it would be much more convenient to do anything.

Emperor Chongzhen saw that Zhou Xian was not too excited and said in confusion: "What, you don't seem to be very happy?"

Zhou Xian shook his head gently and said, "Your Majesty, no. I just feel that the responsibility on my shoulders is heavier. I am worried that I will not do well and I will be entrusted by Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongzhen chuckled softly, and only then did he realize that the other party was under twenty years old. As usual, he was still a child. He waved gently and said, "Zhou Xian, come with me."

Zhou Xian walked forward with Emperor Chongzhen and saw a paper web on the table. It was written on it, which was the poem written by Zhou Xian after he broke through the horse and got off the tiger. It turned out that Emperor Chongzhen was writing this just now! The only difference is that Emperor Chongzhen wrote a poem titled "Male Conferred Marquis" in front of the poem. The name is very vulgar, but the words he wrote are very good, with dragons and phoenixes dancing, with a bit of Zhang Xu's cursive style.

Emperor Chongzhen looked up at Zhou Xian, who grinned and flattered, "Your Majesty, your writing is so good."

Emperor Chongzhen also smiled and said, "Your poem is good, you are a marquis of three thousand miles away, and you really express your feelings."

Zhou Xian said with awkward expression: "At that time, the bandits were defeated, and he was on a whim. He just made one casually, Your Majesty, don't take it seriously."

"No matter how I look at it, it doesn't seem to be on a whim! Look at the last sentence, 'Smile, Penglai's thousands of sails are coming, and someone will destroy the chiefs from now on', how similar is it to what you asked me today to raid the captains by sea!"

Zhou Xian smiled, not admitting or denying it.

Seeing Zhou Xian silently, Emperor Chongzhen smiled faintly and said, "You have been in the palace for nearly five years and are half of my juniors. If I have anything to say, I will say it to you. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there will be fewer people who will be granted marquis. But I am willing to give you this promise. As long as you make great contributions in the future, I will satisfy your wishes, and it is not impossible to be granted a marquis. But the premise is that you must help me to eliminate the Eastern Captains and quell the riots. Do you have this confidence?"

Zhou Xian's face was slightly stunned. Seeing Emperor Chongzhen's serious expression, he didn't look like he was joking, he suddenly became happy. The last king was really no one available, so he made such a promise to himself. In this situation at the end of the Ming Dynasty, Zhou Xian had some ideas on how to save it, but it was difficult to do it in the end. Moreover, this was not something that could be accomplished by one person at all. But looking at the expectations in Emperor Chongzhen's eyes, he had to bow slightly and said, "My subordinates will do their best."

Emperor Chongzhen saw that Zhou Xian was not talking too much, and said that he would definitely do something, and he was not surprised. He knew Zhou Xian and knew that the latter would not make promises easily. Since he said that he would do his best, it would definitely do so. He nodded slightly and asked, "Do you have anything else that I need to do except let Shen Tingyang go with you to Denglai?"
Chapter completed!