"Brother Ming." Zhou Rui walked over to Ming Jingzhou, who was sorting out his 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 way you treated him in the Ministry of Rites were to get to His Majesty's ears, I'm afraid it would make His Majesty 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 he was deliberately making things difficult for others?
The emperor even issued an edict to give your family two titles, not for you to treat other people's sons poorly. I know that you Ming family members are very stubborn, but at a time like this, 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 put one of the food boxes on the table with a slight smile on his face.
Ming Jingzhou recognized the food box as his own. Looking at the food box in Prince Chen's hand, it's his own.
Why is their family’s food box in the hands of Prince Chen?
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 domineering 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 trying to fool him.
Thinking of the increasingly better food in the Ministry of Rites, with all the new tables, chairs, doors and windows, and the never-ending supply of high-quality charcoal, Zhou Rui's eyes became much kinder when he looked at Prince Chen.
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 hateful as the rumors said. As for his good points, if I look carefully and patiently, I can 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 far behind.
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 dishes, 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 the Prince of Chen who went to get the food box?
Looking at the dishes in Prince Chen’s lunch box, they are different from his?
Seeing the dishes in the food box, Prince Chen was slightly stunned. These were the dishes he liked to eat on a daily basis. He didn't eat at the same table with Ming Xiaozhu very often, so he didn't expect that she even wrote down which dishes he was interested in.
Does she value him so much?
When Ming Jingzhou put down his chopsticks, he saw that Prince Chen was still eating. He read a few pages of a book before waiting for Prince Chen to put down his chopsticks.
"Your Highness, please leave the food box here. I will take it back when I am on duty today."
It’s okay to eat his food, but you can’t take the food box away with you. It would cost two taels of silver to custom-make this kind of lunch box.
"Thank you, Lord Ming." The Prince washed and dressed himself while being served by his attendants. "I have copied the tax book that Lord Ming asked me to copy."
"The tax books of various places are open to the public in 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 don'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 the taxes. The annual tax silver was only over 235,000 strings of silver. 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 waste people's money and labor, so it was not uncommon for the annual tax revenue of a state to exceed one million strings of cash.
"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 being displaced and 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 books of agricultural tools collected by the Ministry of Industry from the table: "Your Highness, this is a statistical book of iron agricultural tools in various states and counties. You can open it and take a look when you are bored."
"Thank you, Lord Ming." Prince Chen took the farm tool register and saw that Ming Jingzhou had no intention of paying attention to him, so he took the statistical book and walked out lazily.
Some officials passing by saw the register of agricultural iron tools in his hand and turned their heads 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 King 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 eldest among several brothers. When my father lost power, the ministers who supported him were dismissed and he was imprisoned in the palace. All the brothers and sisters were in a panic, but Yun Duqing was the only one who was so heartless that he kept pestering my father to play with him, completely unaware of the plight of the palace.
A child who is ignorant since childhood will not be very stable when he grows up. Yun Duqing was crowned king at a young age, and he acted recklessly. Even his teacher fainted from anger, and his father could not bear to blame him too much.
"The Ming and Sun families are both related to the royal family, but their sacred hearts are very different."
"The king and the second son are already married, and our princess's family has not been promoted because of the marriage." King Huai snorted coldly: "Yun Duqing is just a spoiled idiot, and the Ming family is unwilling to help him, so he is not to be feared. But Yun Yanze is the best at winning people's hearts and is quite famous in the court. He is the biggest concern for the king."
"Then we don't need 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 gloated, "I even suspect that the accident at the Royal Stables is related to the mother and son of the fourth son. Concubine Ning, that woman, appears to be gentle and considerate, well-educated and reasonable, but in fact she is a vicious woman."
He still remembers the time when he was ten years old and Zheng pushed a cat into the lotus pond. He watched it struggle to death before he let go and threw it aside.
With a mother like this, how could the King of Qi, who appears to be as gentle as jade, be kind?
"Your Majesty, the Emperor urgently summons you!" The voice of the attendant came from outside the door.
King Huai put down his wine glass and immediately stood up: "Prepare the horses."
King 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 stand beside the Minister of Justice.
"Boss, have you been drinking?" Emperor Longfeng frowned slightly when he smelled the alcohol on his eldest son.
"Father." King 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 your health, 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 Industry said, "But we must be careful that the cold wind continues to move south, so that the neighboring counties will not be affected by the snow."
"Your Majesty, I will immediately count the relief materials and send them to Youzhou." The Minister of Revenue hesitated for a moment and said, "The people are in a state of panic due to the disaster. In my humble opinion, I will select one person to go to Youzhou to help with the local disaster relief."
"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 it is up to Your Majesty to appoint them."
"Father, I have a candidate." King 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, recommending his father-in-law to take the credit for disaster relief. This good brother of his must have been drunk.
"Fourth brother, do you have a candidate in mind?" Emperor Longfeng looked at him.
"I think that Mr. He from the Ministry of Personnel and Mr. Zhang from the Ministry of War can both shoulder this important task."
King Huai glanced at King Qi. Didn't he know that He Yu and Zhang Yinglian were King Qi's running dogs?
"What do you think, my dear ministers?"
Several ministers had different opinions on the selection of the imperial envoy for disaster relief. Emperor Longfeng held the teacup and let them quarrel, 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 pillar of the palace and yawned.
"Du Qing." Seeing Prince Chen's bored look, Emperor Longfeng asked, "Do you have a suitable candidate?"
The six ministers and several other princes turned their heads to look at Prince Chen with very strange expressions. Instead of asking the prince to recommend capable ministers, it is better to ask him which 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 thinks..." The Prince recalled the essay paper for the first-class Jinshi that Ming Jingzhou asked him to look at. The question Wu Mian answered seemed to be related to disaster relief and people's livelihood, and his words were meaningful 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. Lord Wu Mian, as the Minister of Works, should be quite knowledgeable about civil engineering and construction projects. Why don't we let Wu Mian go?" Prince Chen stood up straight, as if the lazy person just now was not him.
The King of Qi looked at the King of Huai with a smile. Yun Duqing actually helped the boss?
When King Huai heard Yun Duqing speaking for him, he was completely 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 provide disaster relief this time." Emperor Longfeng raised his hand to call the guards: "Summon Wu Mian to the palace immediately."
Li En looked 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 coincidence that Prince Chen recommended Wu Mian at this moment, or was it because he understood his abilities?
Seeing Prince Chen leaning lazily 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 work was discussed, all the ministers and princes left the main hall, except for Prince Chen, who was kept by the Emperor.
The King of Qi smiled faintly and glanced at the King of Huai: "Big brother cares for the younger brother, even the fifth brother has a deep brotherly love for you."
Being hit by the black pot that fell from the sky, King Huai: “…”
How would he know what Yun Duqing was crazy about?
"Haha, as the eldest brother, it is my duty to take care of my younger brother." King Huai smiled and said, "My feelings for 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 has always been kind to his brothers." The King of Qi bowed and said, "Goodbye."
"Goodbye, I won't see you off." King Huai bowed in return with a fake smile. What he hated most was Yun Yanze's hypocritical look.
King Qi calmly got into the carriage, the smile on his face disappeared: "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 books of agricultural tools and ironware in the prefectures and counties, which made his forehead bulge.
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 Jiuju'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 bring the snacks in front of him to Prince Chen. "It's a rare day for you to recommend someone. 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 piece of dessert 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 do things well. If he offends me in the future, I will still not give him face."
Emperor Longfeng was stunned for a moment, then he smiled: "You are very clear about gratitude and resentment."
"Youth has always been so understanding of justice." Prince Chen waved his hand generously: "Father, there is no need to praise your son."
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 essays?" 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 emotional in his heart, 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 have been angered by Du Qing to the point of blushing is too great to be counted on one hand. Now Ming Jingzhou was able to make him understand the ministers in the court, and I don’t know how much effort he had put in.
"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: "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 a very good fortune for his son, but he also chose a father-in-law with outstanding abilities.
"Stop the carriage." Through the carriage curtains, the King of 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, are you going upstairs to have some tea?"
"Yes." He walked into the teahouse, and the waiter greeted him warmly: "Dear guest, please go upstairs."
He glanced upstairs and walked up.
Zhou Xiao brought Jiuzhu out today to introduce her to some close friends. Their families were all loyal subjects to His Majesty, and they had maintained a good relationship with her over the years, so when Jiuzhu appeared, they quickly accepted her.
The people of Dacheng are open-minded and the separation between men and women is not serious. It is also common for women to work outside to make a living.
Jiuzhu and several other daughters of wealthy families sat around the tea table, separated from the 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 serve as 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 practicing martial arts early are not as good as having a daughter marry the son of a favorite concubine. Who wouldn't envy the 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'll make them shut up right away."
Jiuzhu pulled Miss Chen's sleeve and said, "Sister, there is no need to argue with them. It is useless for these people to be envious. They can't raise a good daughter like me."
Miss Chen: “…”
Is this the point?
She glanced at Jiuzhu. What did this slightly proud 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 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 discussions outside, he stood up, pushed open the screen, and prepared to speak up to stop them.
"Where are these ugly dogs and cats that keep barking here?" The Prince, wearing a flamboyant red robe embroidered with gold patterns, walked in with his attendants and guards with swords. He kicked the 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 didn't even dare to make a sound.
He raised his hand, and the guards behind him drew their swords, the blades flashing with a menacing cold light.
"Come on, keep calling out so I can listen carefully." The Prince sat down on the chair and stretched out his hand, and the attendant hurriedly brought him a cup of tea.
The room was completely silent.
"Why don't you call?" Prince Chen took a sip of tea and smiled lazily: "Continue."
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