Seeing Zhang Anshi's happy expression, I couldn't help but feel suspicious.
He calmed down and looked at Xia Xuan and the others.
He had an impression of Xia Xuan. This person... seemed to be Xia Yuanji's son.
So Zhu Di's eyes inadvertently glanced in the direction of Xia Yuanji.
Xia Yuanji immediately acted as if the matter had nothing to do with him, and his eyes fell elsewhere, as if to say: This has nothing to do with me.
But seeing many young military ministers crying in dismay.
Everyone's reactions were also mixed.
There are people like Zhang Anshi who are inexplicably happy and grinning from ear to ear.
There are also a few people with meaningful faces like Yang Rong.
Zhu Zhanji acted as if it had nothing to do with him. This was what Yang Xueshi had done, so he still cuddled up to Zhu Di affectionately, and his expression returned to calmness.
As for the scholar Yang who was pushed out...
Yang Pu, as the Shaoyin in charge of the Railway Department, was actually very calm.
He knew very well that these could not bring any lethality. This matter was the decision of the emperor and grandson Wei Guogong from beginning to end.
Even if he is now the scapegoat, it will not do any harm except giving him more weight in the eyes of the prince, the emperor's grandson, and Duke Wei.
Even if His Majesty gets angry because of this and directly orders him to be dismissed from his official position, it will not cause any harm. At worst, he can go back to his hometown to study for a few years and start a new campaign in the future.
Zhu Di walked up and down and said, "Young people are buying and selling fields. One is willing to fight and the other is willing to take it. Now how can we break our promise and get rich? Since it is a business, can there be a deed?"
After Xia Xuan and others heard this, their hearts dropped. Why don't you tell us about the law?
But now, they have no possibility of retreating, Xia Xuan and others can only say: "Although we have made a contract, it's just... just..."
"Just what?" Zhu Di stared at them, a little angry: "I just feel that I have suffered a loss and want to break the contract, so I went to make a fuss in front of the emperor! You are all loyal ministers and receive the favor of the country. An Neng
in this way?"
"Ten thousand deaths..."
Xia Xuan and others kowtowed.
Zhu Di said angrily: "Benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom and trust, the ancients said that people cannot stand without faith. I have placed high hopes on you by ordering you to serve the emperor and grandson, but you are like this, what do you want? The country's principles and disciplines are still more important.
No, will my personal integrity be gone as well?"
"You keep talking about persecution. This Bachelor Yang is a bachelor of Zhan Shifu, and your father and brother are also in the imperial class and have high authority. How can he coerce you? What a nonsense and wanton!"
Zhu Di was furious.
Although Xia Xuan and others had a plan, they did not expect this result.
After all, they were young and had little experience. Now that His Majesty was scolding them all, they were frightened out of their wits.
When Xia Yuanji, Jin Chun and others heard this, their hearts froze.
They didn't expect Zhu Di to be such a hooligan.
Originally, Yang Pu was brought out because he wanted to try his best to save the face of the East Palace and try not to provoke Zhang Anshi.
But who would have thought that His Majesty would actually make a fake show and make a fuss about Yang Pu directly.
How did Yang Pu persecute you? Why did Yang Pu persecute you?
This is pretending to be confused!
But unfortunately, at this time, there is nothing you can do against him.
Because His Majesty has started to hold up the banner of faith, standing on the moral high ground, insisting that you are doing fair business, and with the deed as guarantee, it is impossible to refund the money.
Xia Yuanji and others couldn't hold it any longer. When they saw Xia Xuan and others, they all responded with fright, shaking their heads inwardly.
Zhu Di said at this moment: "Xia Qing's family..."
Xia Yuanji hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I am here."
Zhu Di pointed at Xia Xuan and said, "Is this your son?"
Xia Yuanji said: "It's Quanzi."
Zhu Di said: "He keeps saying that someone forced him to take his family property. Do you, as a father, know about this?"
Xia Yuanji had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "Slightly... I know a thing or two."
Zhu Di said: "It is shocking that someone could be extorting money like this at the feet of the Emperor. What's more, the person who is extorting money is actually the Minister of Erhu. You are a minister of the country. If you know it, why don't you report it?"
Xia Yuanji's heart felt cold again.
You still have the nerve to hold me accountable? Your Majesty, don’t you know what happened?
But unfortunately, there are some things that cannot be put on the table.
Regarding this matter, everyone standing here has a clear mind, and everyone knows what happened. But unfortunately, they just can't talk about it, otherwise you will overturn the table.
Xia Yuanji hesitated and said: "Chen...chen..."
Zhu Di said angrily: "Is there something hidden in this? If so, how dare anyone dare to bully Xia Qing? This must be a shocking case. Even the Minister of Household Affairs has to evade and evade his words. This shows how bad it is.
What a situation."
Xia Yuanji was stunned: "Ah...this..."
Zhu Di said: "Xia Qing, it's okay to say nothing. Don't worry, I won't add any guilt."
Xia Yuanji smiled bitterly and said: "I don't understand the matter... I don't understand it clearly. It may be because I am messing around with others."
"Nonsense?" Zhu Di said: "Before, I just messed around with others, but now I'm even fooling around in front of the emperor. Why...isn't your son still weaned?"
Xia Yuanji was frightened, bowed down quickly, and said dejectedly: "I will die."
Zhu Di was now satisfied and said to himself... How can there be any reason to return the money he took out to you?
Do you really think you want to take advantage of me because of this?
At that moment, he held Zhu Zhanji's hand and said, "Your Majesty."
"My grandson is here." Zhu Zhanji looked innocent.
"What do you think about this kind of thing? If you were me, how should you deal with it?" Zhu Di said.
Zhu Zhanji said with a sincere face: "Grandpa Huang, Mr. Xia is the pillar of the country. He has always done things decently. It was just his son who made a mistake today. How can Grandpa Huang punish him?"
"As for his son Xia Xuan, he is a subordinate of his grandson. He made mistakes because of his lax governance and improper discipline. Therefore, if he committed a crime, then his grandson is also to blame. Your Majesty
Grandpa can punish his grandson if he wants. As for Xia Xuan and others, when the grandson is punished, he will go back and discipline him strictly."
These words are very appropriate.
After Zhu Di heard this, he was very happy. He stroked his beard and laughed and said: "My grandson is extremely benevolent and has the style of Lord Mengchang. In this case, then I will do as you say!"
"Xia Qing's family, and you... You are guilty of such an unpardonable offense against the emperor. I would have punished you well. If it hadn't been for my grandson's admonishment, I would never have spared you. Today, in the name of your grandson, I also think of you.
Once you commit the first offense, you won’t care about it anymore.”
Xia Yuanji: "..."
Zhu Zhanji said from the side: "Why don't you thank me quickly?"
Xia Yuanji's lips twitched quickly, but he could only say: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
Xia Xuan and others also lowered their heads and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
Xia Yuanji grimaced again and tried his best to squeeze out a smile: "Thank you very much for your kind words, your great kindness. I have nothing to repay you for. I can only ruin your life and brains, reimburse the country, and die."
Xia Xuan and others had no choice but to continue to thank Zhu Zhanji.
Zhu Zhanjile.
Zhang Anshi stood aside, dumbfounded.
Even as an accomplice, Zhang Anshi couldn't help but be shocked by the shamelessness of the grandfather and grandson.
After all, Zhang Anshi only scrapes other people's money.
But his nephew was so shameless that he had to thank others for taking money from him.
How terrifying!
Yang Rong also glanced at Zhu Zhanji strangely. He was quite shocked by Zhu Zhanji's performance today.
His Royal Highness, the grandson of the emperor, is so secretive at a young age, but I don’t know who he learned it from.
Yang Rong secretly glanced at Zhu Di and then at Zhang Anshi.
Jin Zhong's heart tightened, and then he breathed a long sigh of relief. Fortunately... I, Lao Jin, am poor and have no money!
It can be seen that poverty also has its benefits, at least there are no such worries.
This little episode was successfully resolved, so Zhu Di waved his sleeves, pulled Zhu Zhanji, and slowly entered the platform.
On this platform are steam trains waiting to depart.
Then, people from the Railway Department came forward to report.
Zhu Di nodded one by one. In fact, for Zhu Di, this kind of ceremony was just a formality. It was just a show and had no real content.
Of course, it is just a flower display, but it is like a sacrifice. If Zhu Di is present, it will be of great significance.
This is a huge encouragement to those involved in the railway construction, and it is also a trend for the people all over the world.
If His Majesty is so supportive, then... this railway should be reliable.
More than an hour later, Zhu Di arrived at the waiting room. The place was empty, and all the ministers were waiting outside obediently.
Zhu Di hugged Zhu Zhanji affectionately, but called Zhang Anshi to him.
In front of outsiders, he smiled brightly at Zhang Anshi, but in private, his face dropped.
He scolded with a sullen face: "Don't defraud people of money anymore! You two are also the emperor's grandson and the duke of the country after all. Even if you want to make money, you won't go to the extent of squeezing people like Xia Yuanji clean."
. If things go on like this, he has no money and is still in charge of the household department. How can he not be greedy for money? What is the difference between doing this and selling his official position during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty? "
Zhang Anshi only said: "Yes, yes, yes..."
Zhu Di stared at him and said, "How much money do you owe now?"
Zhang Anshi said: "The number of public bonds issued has reached six million taels..."
Zhu Di immediately raised his eyebrows and said, "Just for this railway?"
Zhang Anshi quickly corrected him: "Your Majesty, there are many railways, three are under construction and two are planned."
"The cost is too high." Zhu Di said with a heartbroken look on his face: "It's a good idea to return this thing, but..."
He shook his head, but he did not say what he said after all. Instead, he touched Zhu Zhanji's head and said, "Tomorrow, the East Palace will reward Xia Xuan and others with some property. Each of them will be given one hundred taels..."
Zhu Zhanji said: "I understand what Grandpa Huang means. Grandpa Huang is afraid that they will not have enough to eat."
Zhu Di smiled and continued: "I heard that they are now in debt, right?"
Zhu Zhanji said seriously: "I have given them a very low interest rate, and they only repay one hundred taels of silver per month. Then Xia Xuan borrowed more than 10,000 taels, and only paid back one hundred taels of silver per month for ten years."
Zhu Di: "..."
To be honest, Zhu Di was speechless for a moment after hearing these words.
Zhang Anshi said from the sidelines: "Your Majesty... I think... there is no need to reward him. If he were to reward him, it would seem like the East Palace had done something wrong."
Zhu Di stared: "Isn't it?"
Zhang Anshi had to admire Xia Yuanji at this time.
If Xia Xuan and others dared to cause trouble, it must have been under the instruction of Xia Yuanji and others. Perhaps they were not making trouble for money at all.
I guess you know you can't get the money back. This money has passed through the hands of the Zhu family, and you still want to give it back?
But after such a commotion, Xia Yuanji figured out Zhu Di's temperament. His Majesty feels guilty now. As long as he grasps this mentality, even if Xia Xuan makes trouble today, there will be arrangements in the future.
Zhang Anshi smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, they did not suffer any loss when they bought our land."
Zhu Di looked at Zhang Anshi and said, "Don't say such things in private. Five hundred taels of silver, do you really think I don't know the price of land?"
Zhang Anshi said: "I have more than 10,000 acres of land in Taiping Mansion. Now... I have just sold more than 3,000 acres..."
Just as he was talking, Yi Shiha came in a hurry and said: "Your Majesty, the time has come."
Zhu Di nodded, took a deep look at Zhang Anshi, shook his head and sighed: "Use your life well, focus on making money and less on spending money."
…………
After the necessary ceremony was completed, Zhu Di did not stay much longer.
He led all the ministers and drove back in a grand manner.
Qixia suddenly returned to its original state.
As Zhu Di arrived at Daming Gate, the ministers naturally dispersed and went back to the government offices to do their work.
The military ministers of the young army all had their heads drooped, like eggplants beaten by frost.
The money was not refunded, and he was even scolded.
But His Majesty's words are decided, and everyone has nothing to do.
When Xia Xuan was on duty, he came out of the East Palace together with Jin Dazhou.
The two of them were brothers in distress, so they complained all the way that if they had known this, they would not have reported the matter in front of the emperor. Now, stealing a chicken will end up losing a lot of rice.
Jin Dazhou's family has a lot of money and a lot of land to buy.
The more land you buy, the more you can borrow.
At this time, he said with a bitter look on his face: "No matter what, your family only pays back a hundred taels of silver a month. My family is in a miserable situation. It's a hundred and eighty taels a month. The cash at home has been exhausted. I have to rely on my father."
With my salary and some income from my family to support me, if something happens in the middle, it will be over."
Xia Xuan said listlessly: "Are you worse off than me? My father said that my family was in trouble and asked me to find a way to get some money from my mother-in-law's house, but I couldn't speak. My father was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue after all, so how could I be so ignorant?
...He can't just..."
The two of them talked to each other, looking frustrated.
But at this moment, someone suddenly greeted them: "Two military masters..."
But on the side of the road, a man in common clothes greeted me with a smile.
Xia Xuan looked up and saw that this person was obviously a businessman.
Merchants are very discerning. They are limited to wearing clothes of a few colors and cannot wear silk. However, they have money. Although they cannot wear silk, they often choose fabrics of excellent quality.
Xia Xuan was too lazy to pay attention. The dignified Xia family would never deal with merchants.
But this man came to the two of them excitedly, bowed and said: "Aren't you two military masters serving as errands in the young army? Haha... you are so polite."
Xia Xuan and Jin Dazhou looked at each other, but they were quite wary.
The merchant smiled and said: "I am a merchant from Qixia... My surname is Chen, my given name is Rong..."
Upon hearing the word Qixia, Xia Xuan suddenly became furious and coldly uttered two words: "Get out of here."
"Master Jun, don't be angry..." The merchant did not back down immediately, and said with a sweet smile: "I heard that there are many people here in Youjun... who have purchased a lot of land in Qixia and other stations, haha... Xiao...
The information is limited, and some rumors may not be accurate. If there is any mistake, please forgive me, Master..."
Xia Xuan's eyes were filled with fire. In their opinion, if Qixia was joined by merchants, she would most likely be Zhang Anshi's lackey.
Although everyone scolds Yang Pu, all fools know that behind the scenes of the emperor's grandson is the famous Duke Wei. That guy has made everyone suffer.
Xia Xuan had an angry look on his face, Jin Dazhou was the son of Jin Chun, the Minister of Punishment, and he was a bit more awe-inspiring than the weak Xia Xuan. He shouted: "What land, what Qixia? I don't hear about these things, don't block the way.
"
This businessman named Chen Rong, like brown sugar, refused to give in at all. Adhering to the principle of not hitting the smiling person, he started to smile.
Because he knew that the two people in front of him must be members of the Young Army, and judging from their posture, their status among the Young Army was probably not low.
Otherwise, no warrior in the capital would dare to be so arrogant on the street.
After all, the water in Beijing is very deep.
Looks like you found the right person.
So he continued to smile and said: "Actually, the villain is here to buy... some land."
Jin Dazhou said with a cold face: "I want to buy land, what kind of land?"
"Of course it's the place near the station..."
At this moment, both Xia Xuan and Jin Dazhou were a little confused.
The two looked at each other.
Xia Xuan then said: "Do you want to buy it?"
The merchant hurriedly said: "Yes, yes, if the two military masters are there, we might as well have a good talk."
Xia Xuan said: "Yes, there are some."
"How many?" The merchant suddenly became energetic.
Xia Xuan said: "Not much, just dozens of acres. I have dozens of acres, and he also has dozens of acres... But... the price of this land is too low. We won't sell it. We don't have... thirty taels of silver..."
Thirty taels of silver...
The merchant was trembling all over.
Businessman Chen Rong started to get excited, his face lit up, and then... his whole blood boiled: "Thirty-two acres?"
Thirty taels of silver, for Xia Xuan, is already the high point of land prices.
You know, ordinary land is only twelve or eighty taels.
Chen Rong only felt dizzy, but soon, he suddenly calmed down. He knew very well that some advantages cannot be taken advantage of. Those who can hold military positions in the young army are not fuel-efficient, and the families behind them are all
High position and authority.
Today you took thirty taels of silver per acre and took advantage of it. Tomorrow he comes to his senses and won't kill you.
So he took a deep breath and tried his best to calmly say: "Thirty taels, you two military masters, please don't laugh. I'll just give you a price. Six hundred taels per acre. Is this price... fair?"