"Brother Ming." Zhou Rui walked over to Ming Jingzhou, who was sorting books with his head down. "I heard that the kitchen prepared two new dishes today. Let's go and try them."
Ming Jingzhou looked at Zhou Rui with a smile: "Brother Zhou, you and I have known each other for many years, just speak frankly if you have anything to say."
Zhou Rui pulled Ming Jingzhou to a corner and said, "I know you may have some opinions about His Royal Highness Prince Chen, but if the emperor heard about your treatment of him in the Ministry of Rites, I'm afraid it would make him unhappy."
"Prince Chen is lazy and irritable. Copying things can temper his temper." Ming Jingzhou patted Zhou Rui on the shoulder and said, "Brother Zhou, don't worry. Even if His Majesty knew, he wouldn't be able to point out my mistakes."
Zhou Rui remained silent. On the surface, he couldn't point out any mistakes, but who didn't know that this was a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for others?
The emperor issued an edict to give your family two titles, not to let you treat other people's sons badly. I know that you Ming family members are very stubborn, but at this time, you don't have to be so stubborn.
"Master Ming, Master Zhou."
Zhou Rui turned around and saw Prince Chen coming in personally carrying two large food boxes, while the eunuch following behind him came empty-handed.
"Lord Ming, please enjoy your meal." Prince Chen placed one of the food boxes on the table with a slight smile on his face.
Ming Jingzhou recognized this food box as his own. He then looked at the food box in Prince Chen's hand, which was also his own.
Why is their food box in Prince Chen's hands?
Zhou Rui looked at this scene, and then saw Prince Chen smiling respectfully at Brother Ming, and his mood became a little complicated.
Prince Chen was indeed a bit overbearing in the past, but since he came to the Ministry of Rites, he has obediently done whatever Brother Ming asked him to do. I'm afraid he still doesn't know that Brother Ming is deliberately perfunctory with him.
Thinking of the increasingly better food in the Ministry of Rites, all the new tables, chairs, doors and windows, and the never-ending supply of high-quality charcoal, Zhou Rui looked at Prince Chen with a much warmer look.
In the past, I thought that Prince Chen was unmotivated, arrogant and rude. But after working with him, I found that this prince was not as abominable as the rumors said. As for his strengths, if I look carefully and patiently, I can still find one or two.
"Brother Ming, you and the prince can enjoy your meal slowly. I will take my leave first."
A son-in-law who remembers to bring meals to his future father-in-law should not be too bad.
When leaving, Zhou Rui considerately closed the door for the future father-in-law and son-in-law.
"Why does Your Highness have my food box?" Ming Jingzhou opened the food box and saw that it was filled with his favorite meals, and his brows relaxed.
"It was sent by Miss Ming." Prince Chen thought for a moment, sat down in Ming Jingzhou's room, and opened his lunch box.
Ming Jingzhou frowned again. His daughter came to deliver the meal, so why was it Prince Chen who went to get the lunch box?
Looking at the dishes in Prince Chen’s lunch box, they are different from his?
Seeing the dishes in the lunch box, Prince Chen was slightly surprised. These were the dishes he usually liked to eat. He and Ming Xiaozhu didn't eat at the same table very often, and he didn't expect that she would even remember which dishes he was interested in.
Does she value him so much?
When Ming Jingzhou put down his chopsticks, he saw that the Prince was still eating. He read a few pages of the book before waiting for the Prince to put down his chopsticks.
"Your Highness, please leave the food box with me. I will take it back when I am on duty today."
It's fine to eat his food, but you can't take the lunch box away. It costs two taels of silver to make this kind of lunch box.
"Hello, Master Lao Ming." The Prince washed and dressed himself under the care of his attendants. "The tax register that Master asked me to copy has been copied."
"The tax registers of various places are published by the six ministries. I am very pleased that Your Highness can take the time to copy them." Ming Jingzhou took a sip of the digestive tea. "But I am old and incompetent, and I can't even remember how much tax was collected in Liuzhou last year. Does Your Highness still remember?"
"Last year, Liuzhou Prefecture suffered from drought. My father could not bear to see the local people suffer, so he exempted 70% of taxes. The total tax for the whole year was only 235,000 guan. Rice, silk, and cloth were all affected."
After Emperor Longfeng ascended the throne, he worked diligently and loved his people. He did not like to overwork the people and waste money. It was not uncommon for the annual tax revenue of a state to exceed one million guan.
"Your Highness has a good memory." Ming Jingzhou nodded: "Your Majesty loves the people like his own children, and he cannot bear to see the people displaced, separated from their wives and children. The people of Dacheng are lucky to have such a wise ruler."
"A country exists only when there are people, and agriculture is the foundation of a country." Ming Jingzhou picked up several thick volumes of agricultural tool catalogs collected by the Ministry of Industry from the table: "Your Highness, this is a statistical catalog of iron tools and agricultural tools in each state and county. You can open it and take a look when you are free."
"Thank you, Lord Ming." Prince Chen took the farm tools and started making the list. Seeing that Ming Jingzhou had no intention of paying attention to him, he lazily walked out of the door with the statistical booklet.
An official passing by saw the agricultural iron register in his hand and turned his head away, pretending not to see it.
As long as they didn't see it, they wouldn't know that Ming Jingzhou was deliberately trying to fool Prince Chen.
"Ming Jingzhou was really perfunctory towards Yun Duqing. The two titles that my father gave to the Ming family were given in vain." Prince Huai picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it all. "So what if my father is partial to me? How can the ministers tolerate his absurd behavior?"
He is the oldest among his brothers. When his father lost power, the ministers who supported him were dismissed and his father was imprisoned in the palace. All the brothers and sisters were in a state of panic, but Yun Duqing was the only one who was so heartless that he kept pestering his father to play with him, completely unaware of the plight of the palace.
A child who is ignorant from childhood will not be very stable when he grows up. Yun Duqing was crowned king at a young age and acted recklessly, even his teacher was so angry that he fainted, and his father could not bear to blame him too much.
"Both the Ming and Sun families were married into the royal family, but their hearts were very different."
"The prince and the second son are already married, and our princess's family has not been promoted to a higher rank because of the marriage." Prince Huai snorted coldly: "Yun Duqing is just a spoiled idiot, and the Ming family is unwilling to help him, so there is no need to worry. But Yun Yanze is the best at manipulating people's hearts and minds, and he is quite famous in the court. He is the biggest concern for the prince."
"Then we don't have to worry about King Chen for now?"
"What's there to worry about? Just let him copy books in the Ministry of Rites." Prince Huai said gloatingly, "I even suspect that the accident at the Royal Stables was related to the mother and son of the fourth son. Concubine Ning, that woman, appears to be gentle and considerate, well-educated and well-mannered, but in fact she is a woman with a treacherous heart."
He still remembers the moment when, when he was ten years old, Zheng pushed the cat into the lotus pond and watched it struggle to death before letting go and throwing the cat aside.
With a mother like this, how kind can the King of Qi, who appears to be as gentle as jade, be?
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has urgently summoned you!" The voice of the attendant came from outside the door.
Prince Huai put down his wine glass and immediately stood up: "Prepare the horses."
Prince Huai hurried into the palace and found that the six ministers and several other brothers were there. He glanced at Prince Qi who was standing with the Minister of Revenue, then looked at Prince Chen who was standing with the Minister of Rites, and walked over to the Minister of Justice and stood still.
"Boss, have you been drinking?" Emperor Longfeng frowned slightly when he smelled the alcohol on his eldest son.
"Father." Prince Huai quickly apologized: "Please calm down, Father. The Ministry of Justice is closed today, so I had a few drinks in the mansion."
"Drinking alcohol is harmful to the body, so don't drink too much." Emperor Longfeng turned his attention to the six ministers: "Urgent report from Youzhou. Youzhou has suffered a snowstorm that has not been seen in decades. My dear ministers, please discuss a disaster relief process."
"Youzhou is only a few hundred kilometers away from the capital. If we hurry, we can reach Youzhou in a few days." The Minister of Works said, "But we must be careful not to let the cold weather continue to move south, so that the neighboring counties will not be affected by the snow."
"Your Majesty, I will now count the relief materials and send them to Youzhou immediately." The Minister of Revenue hesitated for a moment and said, "It is inevitable that the people are in a state of panic after the disaster. In my humble opinion, I will select one person to go to Youzhou to help with the relief work there."
"Your Excellency's words make sense." Emperor Longfeng nodded. "Do you have a suitable candidate?"
The Minister of Revenue bowed and said: "There are many capable officials in the court, but they are appointed by Your Majesty."
"Father, I have an idea for a candidate." Prince Huai was drunk and said, "Wu Mian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, is very suitable."
The King of Qi sneered in his heart, pushing his father-in-law to take credit for disaster relief. This good brother of his must have been drunk.
"Fourth brother, do you have a candidate in mind?" Emperor Long Feng looked at him.
"I think that Mr. He from the Ministry of Personnel and Mr. Zhang from the Ministry of War can both take on this important task."
Prince Huai glanced at Prince Qi. Didn't he know that He Yu and Zhang Yinglian were Prince Qi's running dogs?
"What do you think, my dear ministers?"
Several ministers had different opinions on the selection of disaster relief officials. Emperor Longfeng held a teacup in his hand and let them argue, and did not forget to order all departments to prepare disaster relief supplies and send them to Youzhou immediately.
Prince Chen listened to the quarrel among these people, leaned lazily against the palace pillar and yawned.
"Du Qing." Seeing Prince Chen looking bored, Emperor Longfeng asked, "Do you have a suitable candidate?"
The six ministers and several other princes turned their heads to look at the Prince of Chen, their expressions were very interesting. Instead of asking the Prince of Chen to recommend a capable minister, it would be better to ask him what kind of crickets are the best at fighting.
Emperor Longfeng seemed to have no idea how others viewed Prince Chen and still looked at his son with expectant eyes.
"Your son thought..." The Prince recalled the essay paper of the first-class Jinshi that Ming Jingzhou showed him. The question that Wu Mian answered seemed to be related to disaster relief and people's livelihood. Moreover, his words were substantial and not general. Even someone like him who was uneducated thought that the answer was very good.
"The snowstorm is too severe, and many houses must have collapsed. As the Minister of Works, Lord Wu Mian should be quite familiar with civil engineering and construction projects. Why don't we let Wu Mian go?" Prince Chen stood up straight, as if the person who was lazy just now was not him.
Prince Qi looked at Prince Huai with a smile. Yun Duqing actually helped the boss?
When Prince Huai heard Yun Duqing speaking for him, he was also confused. Even if Yun Duqing was a fool, he should know that Wu Mian was his father-in-law. Why did he speak for him?
"Okay, since Du Qing also agrees with the boss's proposal, then Wu Mian will go to rescue the people this time." Emperor Longfeng raised his hand and called for the guards: "Summon Wu Mian to the palace immediately."
Li En glanced at Prince Chen standing next to him with complicated eyes. He and Wu Mian were classmates, and he was well aware of Wu Mian's abilities. Among the candidates proposed by the princes, Wu Mian was indeed the most suitable candidate.
Was it a mistake that the Prince recommended Wu Mian at this moment, or did he understand his ability?
Seeing Prince Chen lazily leaning against the pillar again, Li En withdrew his gaze.
Blame him for thinking too much, it's all just a coincidence.
After the disaster relief matters were discussed, all the ministers and princes left the main hall, except for Prince Chen, who was kept by the Emperor.
King Qi smiled faintly and glanced at King Huai: "Big brother cares about younger brothers, even the fifth brother has a deep brotherly love for you."
Being hit by the black pot that fell from the sky, Prince Huai: “…”
How could he know what Yun Duqing was crazy about?
"Haha, as the eldest brother, it is my duty to take care of my younger brother." Prince Huai smiled and said, "My feelings towards you and my fifth brother are the same."
No matter which brother it is, in his heart, they are all annoying. What difference does it make?
"Brother, you have always been kind to your brothers." King Qi bowed and said, "I'm leaving."
"Goodbye, I won't see you off." Prince Huai bowed in return with a fake smile. What he hated most was Yun Yanze's hypocritical look.
The Prince of Qi calmly got into the carriage, the smile on his face disappearing: "Go check what Yun Liuan and Yun Duqing have been doing recently."
There is no legitimate son in the palace, and Yun Liuan is the eldest. If Yun Duqing, who is favored by his father, turns to support the eldest son, the situation will be greatly unfavorable to him.
"Father, you kept me here because you have something to ask?" Prince Chen yawned twice while sitting on the chair. Last night, he was looking through the county farm tools and ironware manuals, which made his forehead swell.
But he didn't dare not to read it. What if Ming Jingzhou asked him questions about it and he couldn't answer them? How would he have the nerve to show off his abilities in front of Ming Xiaozhu in the future?
"Go to bed early tonight." Seeing that he was yawning, Emperor Longfeng asked the palace maid to bring him some refreshing tea. "You are so young, how can you be so listless?"
"I have my father's heroic appearance and my mother's beautiful face. Even if I am listless, I am still good-looking and lovable."
Emperor Longfeng was amused by his shamelessness: "Who do you want to please?"
Of course it’s Ming Xiaozhu.
Ming Jiuzhu's fair and tender face subconsciously appeared in Prince Chen's mind.
He coughed dryly and said, "To please you and my mother."
Emperor Longfeng smiled helplessly. He asked Liu Zhongbao to pass the snacks in front of him to Prince Chen. "It's a rare opportunity for you to recommend someone today. Why did you choose Wu Mian? I remember that you didn't have a good relationship with the boss in the past. Why did you give the opportunity to make merit to his father-in-law?"
"Wu Mian is the Minister of Works. I have read his disaster relief policy and it is well written. Of course he is suitable." Prince Chen picked up a snack and threw it into his mouth: "My relationship with my elder brother is not good. It is a small matter between us brothers. What does it have to do with the people? Wu Mian is your subject. He just needs to listen to you and get things done. If he offends me in the future, I will still not give him face."
Emperor Longfeng was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "You are very clear about gratitude and resentment."
"Youth has always been so understanding of justice." Prince Chen waved his hand magnanimously: "Father, there is no need to praise you."
Emperor Longfeng thought carefully, when did he praise him?
"Wu Mian was a Jinshi in the Xian De period, and you have even read his policy papers?" Emperor Longfeng didn't know when his son had become so diligent.
"I hadn't read it before. After I went to the Ministry of Rites, Lord Ming asked me to familiarize myself with the affairs of the Ministry of Rites, so I read some relevant documents." Prince Chen sighed, "Father, you don't know that I have been dreaming about Lord Ming asking me questions recently."
Emperor Longfeng nodded, feeling deeply moved, thinking that Ming Jingzhou was indeed worthy of his name, as he could even suppress a temper like Du Qing.
From childhood to adulthood, the number of gentlemen who were angered by Du Qing could not be counted on one hand. Now Ming Jingzhou was able to let him understand the ministers in the court, and I don’t know how much effort he had spent.
"Ming Jingzhou is loyal to the emperor and loves the people. He is both virtuous and talented. If you study hard under him, you will learn a lot of useful things." Emperor Longfeng patted his son's shoulder and said, "He is your future father-in-law and will definitely not harm you."
He was truly an emperor with a discerning eye. Not only did he choose a princess with an extremely good fortune for his son, but he also picked a father-in-law with outstanding abilities.
"Stop." Through the car curtain, King Qi saw the girl in the pink dress and the woman in the blue dress walking into the teahouse together, and asked the coachman to stop the carriage.
"Your Highness?" The attendant brought a stool over. "Your Highness, do you want to go upstairs to have some tea?"
"Yes." He walked into the teahouse, and the waiter greeted him warmly: "Please come upstairs, distinguished guest."
He glanced upstairs and walked up.
Zhou Xiao brought Jiuzhu out today to introduce her to a few close friends. All of them were loyal ministers to His Majesty, and they had a good relationship over the years, so when Jiuzhu appeared, they quickly accepted her.
The customs of Dacheng people are open-minded, and the separation between men and women is not strict. It is common for women to work outside to make a living.
Jiuzhu and several other young ladies sat around the tea table, separated from other guests by a screen, talking about interesting and strange things in the capital, with laughter all around.
"It doesn't matter if you have a son or a daughter. It's not as good as having a daughter to be a concubine and win a title for the family."
When everyone heard this, Zhou Xiao and the others stopped laughing and frowned.
"Brother, you are right. Studying hard and getting up early to practice martial arts are not as good as having a daughter marry the son of a concubine. Who wouldn't envy the Mu Ming family for raising a good daughter?"
"A teahouse is not a place for such talk. I think these two people are spreading rumors on purpose." Miss Chen was straightforward. She stood up and said, "Don't be afraid, Sister Ming. I will make them shut up now."
Jiuzhu grabbed Miss Chen's sleeve and said, "Sister, there is no need to argue with them. It is useless for these people to be jealous. They can't raise a good daughter like me."
Miss Chen: “…”
Is this the point?
She glanced at Jiuzhu. What did that slightly arrogant look mean?
"If my father had not passed the imperial examination and won the first place, how could I have made an engagement with the Prince of Chen?" Jiuzhu said seriously: "It can be seen that studying hard is the most important thing."
"If you don't study hard, you will end up like those two people outside, knowing nothing but daring to say anything."
The little sisters: "..."
Studying hard is indeed important, but Minister Ming may not really want you to marry Prince Chen.
When the King of Qi heard the talk outside, he stood up, pushed aside the screen, and prepared to speak out to stop it.
"Where are these ugly dogs and cats barking here?" The Prince, wearing a red robe with gold embroidery, walked in with his attendants and sword-wielding guards. He kicked a chair at his feet, and the chair flew out and hit one of them.
The person who was hit was so frightened that his face turned pale and he dared not even make a sound.
He raised his hand, and the guard behind him drew his sword, the blade flashing with a menacing cold light.
"Come on, call out a few more times so I can listen carefully." The Prince sat down on the chair and stretched out his hand. The attendant hurriedly brought him a cup of tea.
The whole room was quiet.
"Why don't you call me?" Prince Chen took a sip of tea and smiled lazily: "Go on."
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