Chapter 79: Zhao Changning, do you have any shame?

Zhou Min was confused by the looks coming from all directions. He was so angry that he fell backwards. He pointed a shaking finger at Zhao Changning, his eyes bloodshot. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Seeing the complicated expressions on everyone's faces, his old face suddenly flushed red, his heart heaving with anger, and his head felt dizzy. "Zhao Changning, do you have any shame? This is the court."

Only the court can put a stop to your stinky mouth. Anyway, everyone is shameless. Zhao Changning sneered in his heart and then sighed.

"Forget it, forget it. Lord Zhou, don't be angry. I won't say anything more. Please don't be angry."

It would have been fine if she hadn't said this, but as soon as she said it, the looks of the people around her changed.

Sun Zhidao looked at Zhou Min in shock, his beard twitching, as if he had already believed it.

Seeing her deliberately acting in such a suspicious manner, Zhou Min felt like scolding her, and her heart ached with anger.

He hurriedly explained, "There's nothing between her and me. She's just talking nonsense. Don't believe her..."

At her age, she still needs to maintain her dignity. He just didn't expect Zhao Changning to be so shameless and bold. She was not like a woman at all.

The court officials naturally would not mock him in person, nor would they believe Zhao Changning, but this matter was so incredible and happened so suddenly that everyone's faces inevitably showed some emotions, especially their eyes, which kept drifting between the two of them.

Zhou Min's eyes rolled back and he fainted from anger.

Zhao Changning felt extremely happy. As expected, if he gritted his teeth and lived like a man, the world would suddenly become much wider.

When she saw Zhou Min faint, she rushed over immediately and cried out in a tearful voice, "Lord, what's wrong with you? Don't scare me..."

The emperor sat on top, looking at Zhao Changning with misty eyes. Seeing her expression changing freely, he suddenly curled his lips and smiled.

A farce ended because of Zhou Min's coma.

After returning to the Qinzheng Hall, the emperor was reviewing memorials when he saw Zhao Changning walking around in the hall from the corner of his eye. He first changed the incense, then went to get a new set of tea sets and made him a cup of tea. Then he calmly took a book and sat down to read.

He couldn't hold it in, "You and Zhou Min, can't get over this?"

It was just a woman's retort, but wasn't Zhou Min's reaction too much? Now the incident has even reached the court meeting.

Zhao Changning said sternly, "How could that be, Your Majesty? Lord Zhou and I have no past or present grudges. There's nothing we can't get over."

"There's nothing he can't handle. You're going to make him faint from anger?" The emperor shook his head and then said, "This Zhou Min is the same. He used to be quite cautious, but the older he gets, the narrower his mind becomes."

He suddenly put down the red brush in his hand and said, "Do you think it's time for him to retire and return home? He fainted from anger, and it seems that his health is not good. Besides, I heard that he has a lot of problems at home."

It was the first time that Zhao Changning heard the emperor talk about the family affairs of his court officials, which was quite funny.

"What happened at his home?"

The emperor said indifferently, "You should know about his relationship with Zhou Hai, but his lineage probably didn't get much money. He was cautious and careful in the first half of his life, and he wasn't greedy. His only worry was that he had many children, and his descendants were also very prosperous."

Zhao Changning nodded, saying that it would cost a lot of money to raise children and marry a wife.

"I've heard about this too. I heard that his family only married off their daughters to wealthy families. Many people secretly laughed at him for selling his daughter and seeking wealth without mercy."

The granddaughter of a dignified elder was actually married off to the barbaric land of Yunnan. No matter how rich and noble she was, she would be despised by others. The most ridiculous thing was that one of the granddaughters who later divorced and returned home was also married off to Sichuan as a concubine, and it was heard that she also received a considerable betrothal gift.

However, it also indirectly proves that Zhou Min is indeed not greedy. Other ministers do not have such jokes, mainly because they do not have so many children.

Zhao Changning couldn't help but sigh when he thought of this.

No wonder he is so sensitive to people calling him greedy. Zhou Min probably feels very resentful. For so many years, everyone has been greedy, but he is laughed at for not being greedy. It is normal for him to be angry.

The emperor picked up the red pen and said with a smile, "Since you know it, why bother him?"

Zhao Changning handed the tea bowl over and pursed his lips as he said, "Your Majesty, you clearly know the reason. He didn't bother me, so why should I bother him?"

The emperor took the tea bowl, glanced at her, and smiled. "Don't embarrass him in the future. He is old and can't stand the jokes of us young people."

Zhao Changning nodded. At least Zhou Min was not greedy and would not harm others for money. It was just a pity for the girl in his family.

Forget it, Zhou Min’s future is over. There are so many girls in his family. Even if they marry into rich families, having a grandfather who is a minister can give them some deterrence. Otherwise, their lives will be even more miserable. Besides, the men in his family don’t hold high positions.

So who should I choose?

She decided to take a long-term view.

However, the story of the questioning in front of the bed eventually spread.

Naturally, the men had nothing nice to say, all of which were dirty talk based on hearsay. Fortunately, they didn't say anything to Zhao Changning, but female officials such as Song Huan and Zhou Miao heard it all.

The two girls expressed disdain for this and scolded the old guys.

Yun Hui and the others also heard a lot, especially those who spread the story of their aunt and Zhou Min. They told it with details and details, almost saying that they saw it with their own eyes while hiding under someone's bed.

She was so angry that she ran to her aunt crying and wiping her tears.

Zhao Changning was having a rare moment to practice calligraphy. Seeing her tears welling up in her eyes, he couldn't help but sigh, "What's wrong? Did someone steal your rouge and powder?"

"What time is it, Auntie?" Yun Hui stamped her feet in anger. "You don't even know how much those people outside are gossiping about you are."

Zhao Changning laughed. "It's just idle talk. If you take it seriously, it's not worth it. And you're crying? You've been with me for so long, but you haven't learned anything."

Yunsheng has calmed down a lot now and can even comfort people, "Yunhui, don't worry, this gossip won't spread for long."

Yun Hui sighed when she saw that the two of them were not worried at all.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Changning comforted her, "As a woman living among men, we shouldn't be bound by men's ideas. We need to be more ruthless, more competitive, and more aggressive than them. Look at those men with three wives and four concubines, with all sorts of women around. But do they gossip about them? Not only that, but they even gossip about them as some kind of romantic genius."

Yun Hui was stunned. "But, but we are women. Isn't reputation the most important thing for women?"

Zhao Changning laughed again, "No, Yunhui, the most important thing for a woman is not her reputation, but..."

She wanted to say that it was the power, money, and status in her hands, but not fame. However, looking at Yun Hui's confused eyes, she shook her head.

Even if gossip is flying everywhere, it will not be brought to her face, and no one dares to bring it to her face. This is the benefit of power, and it is obvious.

Yunsheng watched Yunhui go out, still a little worried, "Aunt, do you really not need to worry about it?"

Zhao Changning shook his head and said calmly, "I can't control it. Those rabble aren't afraid of me, but the power I hold. I can't take it too seriously unless they make a scene in front of me. As for the rumors, they will eventually dissipate."

The benefits are also obvious. At least no one has said anything bad about her recently. In the eyes of those people, she has really begun to appear and they have begun to feel wary of her.

Zhou Min hid when he saw her, like a mouse seeing a cat.

Soon, the rumors quietly dissipated because the matter of the selection was mentioned by the Empress, and the Emperor agreed and handed it over to the Empress to handle.

This matter was considered a big event in the harem. From the moment the emperor agreed, the harem became busy.

The female officials who have been selected through layers of selection over the years have finally had a place to display their talents. This is a good opportunity for them to gain experience.

Zhao Changning didn't care about the emperor's choice of woman. She had been thinking recently about who in the cabinet should be dragged into the water.

Only when the cabinet is in chaos or even gone will she have a chance to come to the fore.

In October, Yujing was already cold and the New Year was approaching.

Coincidentally, at this time, the provincial governor of Zhejiang returned to Beijing to report on his work. Since he was still in charge of the weaving bureau, the emperor naturally attached great importance to him.

Zhao Changning and he were considered friends, so after Zhou Mi's report, he personally escorted him out of the Qinzheng Hall.

She smiled and said, "I hope you are well, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Mi looked at Zhao Changning again. He was a little different from when they first met. He was not as thin and his skin was much whiter. Perhaps because he was no longer anxious, he looked elegant and refined, especially his bright eyes, which made one forget the world.

He wearily bowed, "Nüshu Ling is so proud of your success. Congratulations on your departure to the sea."

Zhao Changning exchanged a few pleasantries with him, then asked with concern, "Did anything happen to you? Sir Zhou, if there's anything I can help you with, please let me know."

Zhou Mi sighed, "I really have something I want to ask Nv Shu Ling for help."

"Oh?" Zhao Changning said quickly, "Please go ahead."

Zhou Mi hesitated and spoke only after seeing that there was no one around.

"The Secretary knows that I've been a poor governor. Although I'm in charge of Zhejiang's civil affairs, finances, land, household registration, and grain, Zhejiang is a very treacherous place. Later, when the Hu Party got into trouble, I was given the responsibility of managing the Textile Bureau. This job is really killing me."

Zhao Changning knew that the affairs of the Weaving Bureau were complicated and Hu Gou'er had fallen into trouble with them, so when Kaiyuan opened up, he was unwilling to get involved in the matter.

Zhou Mi sighed repeatedly, unable to express his endless suffering.

"There are so many lawsuits in the Weaving Bureau that I can't even count them all. The relationships are so complicated and tangled, and there are so many hands involved, and none of them can reach the top of the government. I'm really exhausted from dealing with them. So, Nv Shu Ling, I'd like to ask you for a favor today."

Zhao Changning said solemnly, "Master Zhou, please speak."

"I would like to ask the female secretary to help transport silk cloth and porcelain out to sea. Longquan porcelain is not inferior to Jingdezhen's white porcelain and celadon." Zhou Mi said with a frown.

"The weaving bureau has a lot of bad debts, and it's hard to check them. I can only try my best to fill the holes, but the money is hard to come by. In the past, we were oppressed by Japanese pirates, and those products could only be shipped north, and the profit was not enough. Now, if I can go out to sea with your porcelain, I won't be so tight on money. In the final analysis, I just want to make money by using the names of the Nvshuling and the Shibosi."

"Zhejiang's tax revenue has always been among the highest in Dayong." Zhao Changning asked in surprise, "From your report just now, it seems the Weaving Bureau's revenue this year is quite good. Why is it so difficult?"

When Zhou Mi heard her say this, a look of deep annoyance appeared on his face. There was no arrogance of an official in his eyes, but instead exhaustion.

"Don't think the income of a female secretary is good. In fact, it has already been borrowed. The silk and satin in the weaving bureau all rely on the people to raise silkworms and plant mulberry trees, which all require land. Mingxuan and Hu Gou'er have been fighting all the time, just to prevent those people from taking away the land, mulberry trees, and silk. Mingxuan even did not hesitate to..."

He paused, then continued, "It's a pity that he was recalled to observe mourning. Without him to control them, how could the people protect their land? That year was already a drought, and the mulberry fields were almost completely snatched away by those people. No matter how much silk the weaving bureau sold, it was still working for those landowners and raw silk merchants. These alone took 50% of the profits, and 30% went to the court..."

Zhao Changning frowned. "You're saying that the Zhejiang Weaving Bureau is just a shell, its very existence completely occupied by those landowners and raw silk merchants?"

Zhou Mi breathed a sigh of relief. Mingxuan was right when he said she was smart. He really hit the nail on the head.

"Yes, the Weaving Bureau has long been defunct in name only. Those people desperately enclosed land and occupied mulberry fields. The people of Zhejiang are suffering terribly. Many people have lost their land and can only become tenant farmers, working for the landowners. Year-round, they can hardly even afford to eat and wear clothes..."

He shook his head slightly and smiled bitterly, "No wonder Mingxuan was so distraught when he left, saying Zhejiang was doomed. It really was. Fortunately, he got out of this hell."

Zhao Changning had also heard about the land enclosure incident, but he didn't expect it to be so serious now. Thinking that Mingxuan almost lost his life because of this and was forced to leave the officialdom, he must be very upset and disappointed.

"Those who enclosed the land are so bold! Aren't they afraid of causing trouble in front of the emperor?"

Zhou Mi's square face was full of despair and sarcasm, and there were tears in his eyes.

"I didn't even dare to mention my position to the Emperor. Do you think this matter can reach the emperor's ears? It's too complicated. One move can affect the whole body. Nvshu Ling, I'm telling you all this today because Mingxuan treats you as his own. Anyway, you know about our brotherhood. I'm only saying this to you. Please don't tell anyone. I have no choice. I'm really feeling anxious..."

Zhao Changning nodded, "Don't worry, I will keep my mouth shut."

She added, "Could you please tell me who is grabbing land in Zhejiang? Who owns the most land?"

Zhou Mi looked at her in shock, "Does the Nüshu Ling really want to know?"

She seemed to be able to guess the hidden hope in Zhao Changning's heart.

Zhou Mi saw Zhao Changning making mouth shapes and nodded silently.

A sneer curled up on Zhao Changning's lips. "He's the only one with such ability. He's connected to the entire Dayong officialdom. Zhejiang has almost become his family's private property. He's truly amazing..."

Zhou Mi was about to speak when he was suddenly interrupted by Zhao Changning.

"Lord Zhou, are you here to see the Emperor?" Zhao Changning winked at Zhou Mi, telling him to hurry up. He turned and smiled as he went to greet Zhou Min. "Lord Zhou, would you like a sedan chair to carry you? The wind is so strong today. I'd love to see you don't get burned, or the Emperor will blame me."

When Zhou Min saw Zhao Changning, he was so scared that he stepped back and fled.

"No, no, stay away from me."

Although Zhou Mi was surprised by Zhou Min's reaction, he knew it was not a good idea to stay any longer, so as to avoid being gossiped about and implicating Zhao Changning.

He took the opportunity to salute Zhou Min and hurried away.

Zhao Changning found it funny to see Zhou Min so frightened. It seemed that men were sometimes quite sensitive about their reputation.

This feeling is actually not bad.

People really have to live shamelessly.

"Lord Zhou, the Emperor is busy right now. You'll have to wait for your lecture. Can I have a chat with you?"

Zhou Min walked quickly, glaring angrily, "Zhao Changning, what do you want?"

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The author has something to say: Lord Zhou: Help me, someone is making up a yellow rumor about me, for my peanuts [burst crying][burst crying][burst crying] I am so angry that I fainted [scared]