Zhang Anshi couldn't help but be surprised after hearing what Na Sheren said.
He frowned, looking thoughtful.
However, Hu Guang saw something fishy and couldn't help but said: "Counting the days, it's time for the fleet from the Western Ocean to come back. Why, Your Highness, is there anything fishy?"
Zhang Anshi said in confusion: "It's... hard to say."
Zhang Anshi is really hard to say.
In his expectation, it stands to reason that the return of the fleet at this time would be about the same.
Only... he also arranged a special mission. According to Zhang Anshi's estimation, from the siege to the end, there is a saying that it is not difficult to siege the city, but even if it is 50,000 pigs, you will not be able to catch them so quickly.
It has to be over.
The ending designed by Zhang Anshi is not just as simple as arresting people, it involves very complicated things.
For example, when Li Zicheng entered the capital, how to take out the wealth of the dignitaries, this... is a big question.
But in fact, Li Zicheng's efficiency was not very high. His method of copying wages took a lot of time, and... the results were not obvious.
You must know that they are dealing with smart people, and wealth... is their lifeblood. How to plunder them all is not only a technical job, but also long-lasting.
Therefore, in Zhang Anshi's conception, this time would take at least half a year.
After spending more than half a year in Venice, when the search was almost done, we set off back.
The real return period for the fleet should be in the spring of next year.
But now, he came back more than four months early, which was enough to make Zhang Anshi start to worry.
"That's all, Mr. Hu, there are some things that it's better you don't know. There are some things that would be harmful to you if you knew more about them."
Hu Guang: "..."
Zhang Anshi said: "Hurry up and meet the driver. Your Majesty is probably impatient to wait."
At that moment, everyone in Wenyuan Pavilion straightened their clothes and rushed to Wen Tower.
This literary building has almost become Zhu Di's living place now.
Zhu Di loved the name of this literary house. He said that what he lacked would be supplemented, just like the eunuch loved being whipped.
In fact, although Zhu Di did not write or write, he implemented these words throughout. Even after his death, the posthumous title given to him by his descendants was Emperor Wen.
At this time, Zhu Di was in good spirits. Poverty was like adrenaline, which suddenly made Zhu Di nervous.
During these days, he routinely inquired about various expenditures of internal funds, and thought about how to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Even the look in the eyes of the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs seemed strange.
It's a hair-raising feeling. Those tiger eyes suddenly fall on you meaningfully, and then ask you pleasantly what you ate today, how many sons you have now, and so on.
And in the end, he always changes the topic and says out of nowhere: "Okay, okay, okay. Seeing that your family is prospering, I feel relieved."
These sudden words always make people feel frightened and break into cold sweat.
In the blink of an eye, Zhu Di became more and more simple, and even stopped cutting new clothes, which made people feel that the situation was serious.
In the past, ministers were caught in a battle of ideas over the quality of the New Deal and the old system, and they became red-faced over it.
But now, everyone has tacitly agreed not to fight.
Because these people expected that it might be more expensive to anger His Majesty in the future.
At this time, Zhu Di gently stroked the document and sighed.
At this time, the ministers had not yet come to see him, so he raised his head and said in disbelief: "Zheng He is not easy, he is not young anymore. He has made several voyages to the Western Ocean, going further and further away, but there is no end to the horizon.
.Almost half of his life was spent on that arduous ocean. I really feel sorry for him."
Yi Shiha couldn't help but feel something. These eunuchs who surrounded Zhu Di were often used by Zhu Di according to their specialties. Now... not only Zheng He is old, but Yi Shiha is also old, and his energy
It's getting worse and worse.
Yi Shiha said: "Eunuch Zheng is the same as the slaves. Although the slaves were born and raised by their parents, once they entered the palace, their fate with their parents was over. From now on, they are His Majesty's people. They will do their best.
Sharing your Majesty's worries, other toil and pains are nothing."
Zhu Di nodded: "It's time for the soldiers to be rewarded when they return this time. In the past, relying on treasures, they could bring back a lot of wealth. Most of them will eventually be distributed to the tens of thousands sent to sea.
Soldiers, they are risking their own lives in the voyage, how can they not be rewarded?"
"If this year..." Zhu Di considered, showing doubts.
Yi Shiha said: "How about giving less? In that case, where is the internal money..."
Zhu Di hesitated for a moment, then said with a cold face: "What are you talking about? Your mother has her head in her belt. Who dares to miss their reward in the whole world? I don't have the ability to do it. I am a desperado."
If you take food from your mouth, I think you are so powerful that you are blinded and do not know how high the sky is."
Yi Shiha said hurriedly: "Yes, I will die forever."
Zhu Di sighed and said: "Reward those who deserve it. If there is some surplus left... clear it and see how much you can save."
Yishiha quickly said yes.
At this time, a eunuch came in a hurry: "Your Majesty, Wenyuan Pavilion and the eight ministers are here. In addition, the Duke of Qi is also here to see you."
Zhu Di looked at Yisheha with a puzzled look on his face and said, "Isn't Duke Qi sick?"
"Yes." Yishiha said: "He is in poor health. The old injuries on the battlefield never healed. Now he has to go to medical school almost every now and then... But..."
Speaking of this, Yishiha lowered his voice and continued: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Duke Qi's son also went to the West. I am afraid he also heard the news and came here... to meet him."
After Zhu Di heard this, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Is it that kid who doesn't look very smart when you look at it horizontally or vertically, Qiu Song?"
Yishiha listened to Zhu Di's words and suppressed a smile: "Your Majesty always talked about him back then."
"As we get older, these people... these guys like Zhu Yong, Zhang Fu, Zhang Fu..." Zhu Di shook his head.
When Zhang Anshi and others arrived, they saw Qiu Fu also limping in, but he seemed quite energetic.
Zhu Di looked at the ministers and said with a smile: "There is an urgent message from the Shipping Department of Quanzhou City, saying that the fleet has passed the sea of Quanzhou. As time passes, by this time, it should be... that the fleet has almost arrived at Songjiangkou.
Yes. I have ordered a fast horse early in the morning to inquire about the express delivery stores along the way. If the fleet arrives at Songjiangkou, I should also send a fast horse to the capital. I expect... there will be news today or tomorrow."
All the ministers said one after another: "Your Majesty is wise."
Zhu Di waved his hand and then said: "Where is the sage? Look, as long as I don't want your money, or when you stare at my internal money, you always say that I am sage. In the past few years,
When the internal funds are abundant, when is the empty treasury not found on my head? In the end, I can only get the word "sage". The so-called "paying lip service but not telling the truth" should probably be like this."
No one expected that His Majesty would turn to this topic while talking.
So for a moment, everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Zhang Anshi is the most guilty here, because he is really rich... But money cannot be created by the emperor like this. The deficit of internal funds cannot be solved by one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand taels of silver.
So Zhang Anshi bowed his head and remained silent very wisely.
When Zhu Di saw that the ministers were speechless, he smiled and said: "Forget it, I don't bother to care about it. This time... when the fleet comes back, as usual, we should reward the soldiers. This matter... is the top priority.
The edict must be drafted. In addition, I thought that Zheng He's hard work and merits should be expressed, otherwise... it would not make sense. This matter is left to the imperial council for discussion. If no result can be reached, I will not agree.
"
All the ministers responded submissively.
At this time, even Hu Guang became much more well-behaved.
Zhu Di looked at Qiu Fu with a smile and said, "Qiu Qing's family is not in good health and needs to take a good rest."
Qiu Fu said: "Old minister is no longer useful. Fortunately, the dog still has some uses. I can go to the sea to share your majesty's worries. I am very happy. But... the father and son are separated, and I can't help but miss them. There is no news in the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Come, I said I don't care about you, this is against human ethics."
Zhu Di laughed: "Yes, loyalty and filial piety require both, and it's time for you and your father to get together."
Just as he was talking, a eunuch from the General Affairs Department suddenly came in a hurry and said: "Your Majesty... there is news."
Zhu Di suddenly became energetic and looked at the eunuch.
The eunuch hurriedly said: "There are fast horses from Songjiangkou, rushing to the capital. It is Liu Yi, the deputy general who went to sea with Eunuch Zheng. They just arrived at Songjiangkou last night. Eunuch Zheng was not in good health, so he hurriedly ordered the deputy general to get off the ship and hurry up.
The horse travels day and night..."
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Zhu Di even stood up and started pacing back and forth.
He frowned, a solemn look on his face.
Zhu Di had seen many turbulent people like this, and when he heard about this, he immediately noticed something fishy.
He walked a few steps, and then said slowly: "It was a tiring journey, and when we arrived at Songjiang, the soldiers were already exhausted. Even if there is any news, just ask the express shop at Songjiangkou Village to send someone to report it quickly.
Why do you need to ask the deputy general to travel to the capital day and night?"
Ministers: "..."
Zhu Di added: "And it came so fast. After traveling on the boat for so many days, I was very weak, but I had to travel all night, day and night. How...what happened?"
Zhu Di asked what everyone was thinking, and all the ministers stared at the eunuch.
The eunuch said: "Slave...servant..."
Zhu Di was obviously in a hurry at this time and said sternly: "Go and invite Liu Yi quickly and ask him to come see you. No..."
Zhu Di paused and then said: "Prepare the carriages and horses, and use the comfortable carriages and horses presented by Zhang Anshi to carry Liu Yi into the palace. Over at the Meridian Gate... no..."
Zhu Di suddenly said again: "If you take the Meridian Gate, you will inevitably have to take a detour, open the Daming Gate, and take a car from the Daming Gate to the palace. In the car, prepare some tea and food. The food should not be dry and hard, but can be melted in the mouth."
This formation frightened the eunuch so much that he rolled to the ground.
Zhu Di waited restlessly and became more and more impatient.
Something unexpected happened, which gave him a bad premonition.
And Qi Guogong Qiu Fu's expression was extremely bad.
He seemed uneasy. He had been in poor health in the past few years. Now he was dragging his sick leg. His heart was anxious and his body was in some pain. But until he received accurate news, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and wait here.
Zhu Di noticed Qiu Fu at this time and said: "Give me a seat for Qiu Qing's family."
But Qiu Fu said: "Your Majesty, there is no need, I... just stand."
When Zhu Di heard what he said, he seemed to understand Qiu Fu's mood.
Who can sit still at this time?
More than an hour later, when everyone was anxious, a car stopped directly outside the Wen Building.
The eunuchs called several times from under the car, but the people in the car did not move.
Someone opened the car door and found that the deputy general Liu Yi had fallen asleep in the car. He had not touched a bite of the food in the car.
With great difficulty, someone gently pulled Liu Yi's breeches to wake him up.
Liu Yi woke up in a daze, then remembered something and hurriedly got out of the car.
Speaking of which... he was just a lieutenant, but he accomplished the feat of riding in the palace, something that countless princes and princes were not blessed to enjoy.
But now...Liu Yi obviously has no intention of taking this into consideration.
Immediately, he walked into the palace and bowed directly to Zhu Di: "I am humble..."
Before he could continue, Zhu Di took the lead and said, "How is Mr. Zheng doing?"
Liu Yidao: "Well done, Mr. Zheng."
Zhu Di raised his eyebrows and then said: "Where is Qiu Song? Why didn't Qiu Song come to Beijing quickly? He is young and energetic, how can he teach you to come?"
Liu Yi said truthfully: "Your Majesty, General Qiu has not come back."
As soon as this statement came out...
Qiu Fu's face turned pale, his whole body was shaking, and he almost fainted.
Zhang Anshi felt as if his head was going to explode when he was among the crowd, and his whole body became light and airy.
How is this possible?
Ironclad ship versus wooden ship.
Three thousand model battalion captains, well-equipped soldiers, faced off against a group of medieval warriors.
The advantage is mine!
How could it be possible to lose?
Zhang Anshi's heart was completely confused. Thinking of his brother, he felt extremely uncomfortable.
When Zhu Di saw this, his face dropped, his brows furrowed deeper, he winked at a eunuch who was waiting nearby, pointed at Qiu Fu and said, "Help him."
Then he said: "Liu Qing, please continue."
"General Qiu..." Liu Yi then added: "He is still in Europe. Since he conquered Venice, he needs to send people to stay behind, so he has not come back this time."
Zhu Di: "..."
The painful expression on Qiu Fu's face suddenly stopped, and he felt his heart hurt.
This time, the sudden pain in my heart and chest no longer hurt.
Zhang Anshi almost jumped up at this time, glared, and shouted: "Didn't you tell me earlier that Venice was captured?"
Liu Yi was startled, but he still said honestly: "Yes, now it is called Fubo City..."
The ministers were disdainful. What's the big deal if this mere small city thousands of miles away is conquered?
This barbaric land... is not the West after all, and cannot be garrisoned. It is just tasteless, tasteless to eat, and a pity to abandon.
Zhang Anshi breathed a sigh of relief, and then said ecstatically: "I have told you, I have told people, as long as this kid Qiu Song takes action, he will definitely succeed, haha... Now he can make a great contribution."
Zhu Di said with a straight face: "Okay, don't make any noise here."
Zhu Di's heart was like a mirror. There was so much territory in the world. How could it be considered a great achievement to capture a city? If this was considered a great achievement, then those clan members were conquering cities and territories one by one in the West. Wouldn't everyone have a great merit?
Zhang Anshi immediately said obediently: "Oh." Then he shut up.
Zhu Di looked at Liu Yida again: "The fleet is not too damaged, right?"
Liu Yidao: "We lost a few ships, but... we relied on His Majesty's grace and we did not suffer any major losses."
Zhu Di said: "Why did Zheng Qing's family teach you to come all night to report the news this time?"
Liu Yidao: "Eunuch Zheng has an explanation. Because the goods carried on this return voyage are really valuable, after the berthing, all the soldiers and sailors are not allowed to disembark, and people on the dock are not allowed to board the ship at will. However, they are humble and must come first."
Report to your Majesty, please order an army and horses to be deployed. After sealing the dock, Eunuch Zheng and the officers and men will disembark and rest."
Zhu Di: "..."
Zheng He was not qualified to mobilize troops and horses.
In fact, no one dared to mobilize troops easily without the emperor's will.
Zheng He was an extremely cautious person, apparently because he was afraid of accidents, and the soldiers on the ship were extremely exhausted. It was obviously impossible for them to guard the dock anymore. They had to have an elite force to protect the dock before they could get off the ship.
.
Zhu Di couldn't help but said: "What kind of precious treasure needs such a big fanfare, but also needs to be so cautious?"
Liu Yidao: "Your Majesty, they are all real money..."
Zhu Di: "..."
Liu Yi continued: "It was after General Qiu conquered Venice and other city-states that he plundered... No, it was brought by the local gentry and businessmen."
Zhu Di: "..."
Seeing that Zhu Di did not move, Liu Yi did not dare to continue talking.
Zhang Anshi was anxious beside him and couldn't help but said: "How many are there?"
Liu Yi smiled bitterly and said: "This...can't be calculated, there are too many. When Eunuch Zheng returned, he actually wanted to do some calculations. Unfortunately, there were only a few people on board who were proficient in arithmetic, and these hundreds of ships could all be loaded.
Full of...so...so..."
"This fleet...is all loaded with gold and silver?" Zhu Di's eyes suddenly opened, and he was dumbfounded and said: "Only a few cities? Can you rob...can you offer so much?"
Liu Yi said in embarrassment: "This... Your Majesty... I don't know how to answer this humble question."
However, Zhu Di suddenly became more energetic in an instant, and there seemed to be light in his eyes.
Then he raised his voice and said: "Tune... Now call the people. Order the Jinyi Guards and the model camp stationed in Qixia to dispatch quickly to provide the dock where our garrison fleet is parked. No one is allowed to enter or leave. Send people... send people there."
...There are so many ships...how much gold and silver is this? Zhang Qing's family...have you ever heard of such a lot of gold and silver?"
Zhang Anshi smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty, I really want to see something."
Zhu Di waved his hand: "Then Zhang Qing goes there in person, so hurry up."