When Emperor Ling heard this, he laughed and sighed in his heart that Zhu Kui was cunning. However, he understood the purpose of such an eye-catching move. He thought that if Zhu Kui offered it in private and solemnly in court, what kind of reward would he get?
There will be a big difference, but in the court meeting and in front of all the ministers, this behavior will definitely attract everyone's attention and win him a lot of reputation, which has one more benefit.
However, these did not conflict with him, Liu Hong. Liu Hong just wanted to make money from the new paper. In other aspects, he also wanted to issue an imperial edict, telling Zhu Kui not to reveal the secret method and let the imperial court enjoy it exclusively.
Speaking of which, the news about Luoyang's new paper has long been spread in the city. Most of the celebrities and ministers have received books donated by Zhu Kui. Of course, these gifts are a small amount of Confucian classics printed in the books shipped by Wang Zhong and Gao Yi.
Part, the part printed as a novel, Zhu Kui is for special sales and is not suitable for gift giving.
The beauty of the new paper naturally attracted the attention of many interested people. Some wealthy businessmen in Gyeonggi tried to purchase the secret recipe through Wang Zhong, but were rejected one by one. And the powerful princes all focused on the main issue of the Yellow Turban reward. To know how to pacify
In the Yellow Turban's imperial army, many disciples from aristocratic families have been placed among them to gain credit. Now is the time to go through the ranks and divide the accounts through games.
For a moment, I couldn't pay attention to the new paper that suddenly appeared, thinking that Zhu Kui would donate it all to the emperor so quickly. Now, looking back, there was no reason anymore.
Ling Emperor Liu Hong spread out a long piece of white paper, with detailed records of the entire papermaking densely written on the front. He smiled with satisfaction, rolled it up and put it away, then pulled out another piece of white paper and held it upside down to show it to the ministers in the court.
"My dear friends, let's take a look at this smooth, fine white paper. This is another major change in paper since Marquis Cai. What do you think of this achievement?"
Situ Yuan Wei said: "Your Majesty, the minister Zhu Kui has done a good job in presenting the paper, and he will be given a thousand catties of gold."
Taiwei Yang Ci shook his head and said: "Papers are used to record the saint's teachings and spread them, so how can we reward them with money?"
Yuan Shu hated Zhu Kui, and even the Yuan family did not have a good look at Zhu Kui. However, the Taiwei Yang Ci, who was over 10 years old, came to rectify Zhu Kui's name with a cough. He was an upright minister and a loyal person in the Han Dynasty.
All ideas are viewed from the perspective of the Han Dynasty.
Compared with Yuan Wei, who is also the third prince, the latter's family's selfishness is far more important than loyalty.
"Your Majesty, the first emperors of the Western Han Dynasty had rules to follow. Since Cai Lun used paper to ennoble the marquis, he will follow suit this time." Zhang Rang, the official at the center, glanced at Zhu Kui and suddenly said.
"Okay, my father is right!" Emperor Ling had the idea of making him a marquis, so he quickly said: "In that case, this paper will be called Zhuhouzhi, and if Zhu Kui presents the white paper with merit, he will be awarded the title of Marquis of Tingting.
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"I remember that Zhu Aiqing was born on the bank of the Yangtze River, so he was called Yangzi Hou. A pavilion of land was set aside as a food town along the river in Moling County."
Naturally, Emperor Ling Liu Hong couldn't remember how many pavilions there were in his world, but he still remembered Zhu Kui's place of origin and its approximate geographical location. The Yangtze River was actually the ancient name for the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
Yuan Feng, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Wei were dumbfounded when they heard this, and secretly marveled at how the Han Ling Emperor suddenly became so generous. Zhang Rang actually spoke for him. They secretly became even more jealous, and suddenly felt that he was destined to be the emperor.
He has turned to the eunuchs, and will make a big show of it when he gets back.
"I thank God for his grace!"
After Zhu Kui thanked him, Emperor Ling announced his resignation. After coming out of Deyang Palace, he saw Yuan Feng and others yelling at him. Many ministers looked at him with unkind eyes and left with a cold snort. Only Zhu Jun stopped to greet him.
"I've met Mr. Zhu!"
"Huai Ming, Mr. Yuan and the others suspect that you are colluding with the eunuchs. What do you think?" Zhu Jun has always looked at Zhu Kui, and he can be said to be among the party members, so he wants to ask to get to the bottom of it...
"Zhu Gong Mingjian is all a trick of the eunuchs. In fact, Kui offended Yuan Feng's son Yuan Shu some time ago. The whole city knows about it. I think Zhang Rang must have used this to provoke and frame Kui." Zhu Kui shook his head and defended. .
"Oh, Mr. Yuan mentioned that a businessman named Wang Qian once visited Zhang Rang late at night. I know about Wang Qian. I saw him entering and leaving your military camp earlier."
Zhu Kui was shocked, but he had forgotten that this was Luoyang. It was difficult for any actions to escape the eyes of the Yuan family. There must be spies in Zhangrang's house.
He must not admit it. This was his first thought. He pretended to be surprised and said: "How could this happen? I am dissatisfied with Mr. Zhu. Wang Qian is from the Wang family merchants in Jiangdong. His owner became friends with me, and he made him a friend along the way." Qian worked for me, he was not my subordinate, but he was in contact with the eunuch even though he didn't want to. Kui really didn't know about it. If you don't believe me, you can go to Moling to check. The next day I will send a letter to the Wang Family Trading Company to ask about this matter."
It can be said that Zhu Kui has everything in Moling, so he dares to say anything to investigate casually, and he also believes that these party members will investigate easily, but after entering Moling, everything is not up to them to investigate. So does the emperor.
Seeing Zhu Kui's sworn guarantee, Zhu Jun had an awe-inspiring expression and agreed in his heart. Zhu Kui was his main supporter. Naturally, he did not want to be strangers to him in the future. He hoped that people from Jiangzuo could also stand in the court and have more seats in the future. , Zhu Jun is more optimistic about Zhu Kui than Sun Jian. He understands that the latter is only a general and is no more capable of writing than the former. The most important thing is that he has learned that Zhu Kui is a disciple of Zhang Jian, a famous scholar in Jiangxia. If he is born like this, he will be great in the future. There is a chance to enter the center of the court.
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In the official history, Liu Bei's performance was not outstanding. I wonder if Zhu Kui's arrival made Zhu Jun shine a little bit more than Huangfu Song. This made Huangfu Song start to focus on exploring talents among the people, while Liu, Guan, and Zhang were all remembered. , otherwise, if there is no one in the three-person court, who will fight for the position of Pingyuan Prime Minister for him.
"Congratulations, eldest brother, for being appointed as the head of a county." After hearing the news, the two brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also smiled, and together with Liu Bei, they received the letter of appointment and printed it with Pingyuan.
After hearing this, Liu Bei patted his sleeves and thanked his two sworn brothers seriously: "Thank you to my two sworn brothers for helping me these days, so that I can be prepared for today."
"No!" The two of them hurriedly supported him, and Guan Yu said: "The three of us are sworn brothers. We share weal and woe. Why would the eldest brother say such polite words?"
"Yun Chang, will Yide accompany you to the plain?" Liu Bei asked.
"This is natural. Wherever brother goes, I will follow you to the death." Zhang Fei shouted loudly, seeming to be dissatisfied with Liu Bei asking such a question.
"Well, I will take office tomorrow after I pay my respects to the teacher."
Unlike the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang, who were in a happy mood, Yuan Feng and Yuan Shaoyi returned home.
Yuan Shu, who was walking out with him, saw that his brother and father had unwavering expressions, so he stepped forward and asked, "Father, why are you and your brother so unhappy? What happened in the morning?"
Although the two brothers Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao were rumored to be at odds with each other, they behaved like elder brothers and younger brothers at home.
The three of them sat down in the hall, Yuan Feng took a sip of water, and then said: "The good Zhu Huaiming, it is true that he has colluded with the eunuchs. Previously, at the general's house, the princes and Zhang Rang discussed the reward, and the eunuch was thrown out by your majesty. He personally appointed the captain of the city gate, and his merits were due to Zhu Jun and Huang Fusong. He spent all his time buying and selling strange and skillful arts, offering the art of papermaking, and the eunuch immediately promoted him as a marquis. It is really shameful. "
"What? Marquis? Did your majesty agree?" Yuan Shu shouted dissatisfied. But he was even more curious. The Taiwei's house had already removed Zhu Kui's name from the credit book, so how come who nominated him again? Going up.
"Your Majesty did not listen to the words of the princes, so he agreed to this request. These people surround your Majesty every day, offering flattering words and disrupting the government." Yuan Feng said angrily...
Yuan Shao was also dissatisfied with this, but unlike Yuan Shu, it was because of a small personal grudge. After repeated secret investigations, he found that the man from the General's Mansion had promised to kill Zhang Rang in front of He Jin, and he was sentenced to death. A capital crime. Later, the Ling Emperor hastily pardoned everyone, arousing his suspicion.
"I think Zhang Rang's escape last time had something to do with him." Yuan Shao said with murderous intent in his eyes, "Since he is not of the same mind as me, then let the matter be known to the rest of the eunuchs."
"Brother's words are reasonable. He just wants to tell the world's scholars about Zhu Kui's eunuch behavior." Yuan Shu had a look of jealousy on his face.
"Then we will spread the word in Taiyuan University." Yuan Feng said.
When Zhu Kui returned home, he immediately told Shu Shu'er about his appointment as a marquis, and then spread the news throughout the mansion.
In the evening, we invited Xi Zhicai, Chen Gong, Hua Xin and other acquaintances to celebrate grandly.
During the banquet, Hua Xin heard from the Yuan family early on about his collusion with eunuchs, but he asked him face to face.
Zhu Kui's expression did not change after hearing this, but he was very angry in his heart. He didn't want to think that since Yuan Shu's enmity, these four generations and three male clans have often stained their reputation.
But it took another good explanation to clear up Hua Xin's doubts.
After the banquet, Zhu Kui personally saw the two off. Outside the house, Zhu Kui quietly watched the two disappear on the street, staring at them.
Whether he colluded with the eunuchs, he felt that he had no collusion, only some connections, and he had never done anything for the eunuchs.
After all, Zhu Kui learned the art of power, while the two of them were Confucian scholars and learned the art of governing the country.
In fact, where there is no real conflict between the two, it will depend on how current events change in the future.
"Why haven't you come back yet? What are you doing standing here?" Shu Shu'er's voice came from behind him. "It's late autumn and I don't wear many clothes. I don't know if I drank too much. It's naturally hot, but I'm also susceptible to wind and cold."
She gently put the light shirt in her hand on him, held his left arm with both hands, leaned on his shoulder, and asked softly: "Brother Zhu, I miss my father."
Zhu Kui turned his head and looked into the other person's eyes intently, full of tenderness, and smiled drunkenly.
"Okay Shu Shu'er, I will ask for leave from the emperor later and go home. I will arrange your marriage to Ying'er first."
"Where did you go? I didn't say this, I just missed my father."
He tightened his grip and laughed: "If you are shy, you will be shy at this time. Seeing how carefree you are usually, okay, let's go in."