The emperor saw that Mu Nanjin was still silent, so he spoke again: "Mu Nanjin, you are still reluctant to thank me because you think your position is too low? Then I will promote you again..."
When Mu Nanjin heard him mention the word "sheng", he quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty..."
The emperor knew that she wanted to refuse the promotion and quickly gave a look to the left prime minister.
The left prime minister understood, stepped forward quickly, and shouted louder than Mu Nanjin's voice: "Your Majesty——"
【Oh, finally someone stood up and opposed it. 】
Mu Nanjin said nothing more and waited for Zuo Xiang to continue.
The left prime minister said, "Your Majesty, I think that a reward of 10,000 taels of gold is too little."
[Yes, yes, yes, this really hits the nail on the head.]
[What a good left-hand minister, he understands me, he understands me too well. 】
[As expected of a man with tracheitis, he is considerate of women. 】
All the officials tried hard to hold back their laughter.
The corner of the left prime minister's mouth twitched, and he continued, "After all, the Duke's Mansion needs to be renovated, and we need to hire servants, guards, etc. There will be a lot of expenses here, and 10,000 taels of gold is not enough."
The emperor nodded and said, "Then how much gold should be awarded according to the left prime minister's suggestion?"
"three……"
Before the Left Prime Minister could finish his words, the ears of all the officials exploded.
【Three million taels of gold——】
The emperor and officials: "..."
The national treasury now has 30 million taels of silver, but not 3 million taels of gold.
Only when all the gold mines are dug out can we afford to pay her such a large amount of gold.
The left prime minister then said, "30,000 taels of gold."
[Only 30,000 taels of gold, that's too little, not much different from 10,000 taels of gold.]
The right prime minister came out and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."
The emperor said, "You speak."
"I think 30,000 taels of gold is still too little. When Lord Mu is promoted to the Duke of Zhenguo, in addition to what the Left Prime Minister said, Lord Mu will have to find someone to make all kinds of luxurious dresses and jewelry that suit her status. In addition, she will have to help the servants make uniform clothes, and buy carriages and horses, etc. All of these cost money. Otherwise, she will be laughed at as the poorest Duke. How can our great contributor become a joke to others? Your Majesty, am I right?"
emperor:"……"
Poor? How could Mu Nanjin be poor? She is the richest person in the entire Daqian Kingdom now.
Who dares to say she is poor?
[The Right Prime Minister said it well, applause!!]
The emperor was very upset: "Then how much do you think the Right Prime Minister should reward me?"
The Right Prime Minister said: "A reward of 100,000 taels of gold."
[One hundred thousand taels of gold is still acceptable. ]
The other ministers immediately echoed: "Master Mu is a great contributor and should be rewarded with the highest courtesy."
The emperor said straightforwardly: "Just as the right prime minister said, I will reward you with 100,000 taels of gold."
The Minister of Rites winked at Lord Zhou.
There was a flash of doubt in Lord Zhou's eyes, and he asked silently, "What's wrong?"
The Minister of Rites said unhappily, "You are familiar with Lord Mu, why don't you bring her along to express your gratitude as well?"
Why isn't there anyone as smart as Captain Liu in their Ministry of Rites?
“…”
Lord Zhou quickly stepped forward, grabbed Mu Nanjin's sleeve and knelt down: "Thank you, Lord, for your grace. Long live the emperor."
Mu Nanjin also said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
[One hundred thousand taels is one hundred thousand taels, it's better than nothing. ]
The emperor stood up quickly, as if afraid that she would regret it: "Dismiss the court."
Eunuch Yuan also shouted, "Dismiss the court."
All officials bid farewell: "Farewell, Your Majesty."
When the emperor walked out of the Taijin Palace, all the officials gathered in front of Mu Nanjin and said, "Congratulations, Duke of Zhenguo. Congratulations, Duke of Zhenguo."
"Now the Duke of Zhenguo is the highest female official and a role model for women."
Mu Nanjin was a little stunned: "That..."
[Didn't I just accept a reward of 100,000 taels? How did I become the Duke of Zhenguo? ]
[Which link went wrong? ]
[By the way, why didn't the officials object and came to congratulate me one after another? ]
【them……】
"Zhen Gongguo, I have important matters to attend to so I won't chat with you. Remember to host a banquet and treat me to a drink."
"Duke Zhenguo, I also have to go back to the ministry to work. I'll congratulate you here first and then have a few drinks at the banquet."
They fled one by one as if they were being chased, and finally Mu Nanjin was the only one left in Taijin Palace.
"this……"
Mu Nanjin looked at the empty hall and murmured, "It dispersed too quickly."
The officials who had already run out of the square outside the palace whispered: "It is estimated that throughout the ages, Mu Nanjin..."
"And my name is Mu Nanjin."
"Well, what I meant is that the Duke of Zhenguo was the first official who was deceived and pushed into the position."
"That's right. Who doesn't want to be promoted? She has more money than a position. She would rather have money than a position."
"If she could sell the position, she would definitely sell it to someone else."
"She's coming out of the temple, let's go."
All the officials quickened their pace and left. Mu Nanjin looked at the officials who were running away and raised his eyebrows.
She turned and walked towards the imperial study, but was stopped by a eunuch: "Duke Zhenguo."
Mu Nanjin asked: "What's the matter?"
"I am Eunuch Li, who works under Eunuch Yuan. I am here to take you to a place on the orders of the Emperor."
Eunuch Li made a gesture of invitation.
"Where?"
Eunuch Li smiled mysteriously: "Keep it secret for now."
Mu Nanjin: “…”
Eunuch Li took Mu Nanjin out of the palace and got into a very luxurious carriage.
After driving out of the imperial city and entering the inner city, it drove for about another cup of tea before stopping.
Eunuch Li, who was sitting outside, lifted the curtain of the carriage and said with a smile, "Duke Zhenguo, we are here."
Mu Nanjin stepped out of the car and saw the majestic mansion at a glance. On the plaque hanging at the gate were the words "Duke's Mansion".
Eunuch Li said, "Duke Zhenguo, this is the Duke's Mansion that the Emperor has bestowed upon you."
Then, the servants standing at the gate said in unison: "Welcome back, Duke."
Mu Nanjin couldn't help asking, "Is this because I don't want to be the Duke of Zhenguo?"
Eunuch Li said solemnly, "Once the emperor has spoken, he will not take it back. Duke, please don't make things difficult for the emperor. By the way, the emperor has said that you can do whatever you want in the future as before, as long as you don't damage the country's prestige and don't betray the Great Qian Kingdom. Everything else is up to you."
Mu Nanjin was surprised: "Really?"
If she doesn't want to go to court, then she doesn't have to go to court. If she doesn't want to work, then she doesn't have to work? "How can the emperor's words be false?"
Eunuch Li was very envious of Mu Nanjin.
In the Daqian Kingdom, no one except the Empress Dowager can enjoy this honor.
Mu Nanjin suddenly fell in love with the title of Duke of Zhenguo.
Seeing her frown relax, Eunuch Li smiled and made a gesture of invitation: "Duke, please come in."
Mu Nanjin walked into the Duke's Mansion and said, "Didn't they say that the Duke's Mansion has not been renovated?"
The mansion before me looked like a newly built building, so new that it couldn’t be newer.
Eunuch Li said with a smile: "We have only cleaned it and have not renovated it. Your Excellency can move in at any time. Your Excellency, please see..."
He raised his hand and pointed forward. In the courtyard, a group of people were waiting for Mu Nanjin.
[Seeking monthly tickets, seeking monthly tickets]
——Thanks to D0razz and Dong Lin for the reward, muah