Chapter 71 Reward
The wheels started rolling, and soon they arrived at the palace gate.
Even in the night, the majestic vermilion palace gate still stands prominently.
Tall and solemn, the door is carved with exquisite patterns and designs, which appear and disappear in the dim moonlight.
The sternness that came over them made Ji Hean shiver.
Looking at the fear and anxiety in Ji Hean's eyes, Ji Zheng couldn't help but curse in his heart, what a damn feudal society.
He reached out and held Ji Hean's hand and gave him a soothing look.
After thinking for a while, Ji Zheng said to Xiao Ming who had just dismounted, "General Xiao, my wife is timid and may be inappropriate when meeting His Majesty. Why not let my wife wait here?"
Xiao Ming looked at Ji Hean, who was huddled beside Ji Zheng, with an uneasy look on his face. He hesitated for a moment and then nodded, "Okay."
Anyway, he just asked Ji Zheng to explain to His Majesty what the fireworks were.
Ji Zheng breathed a sigh of relief after getting the permission. Ji Hean was a timid person, and he was a pure ancient commoner. He must have been very nervous when he suddenly met the emperor. People are prone to make mistakes when they are nervous. If the emperor held him accountable for misconduct in the palace, he would be wrongly accused.
"He'an, just wait for me here." Ji Zheng squeezed Ji He'an's shaking hands, "It's really okay, I believe you, Alang."
Ji Hean looked up at Ji Zheng, who looked calm, and felt a little more relaxed. He nodded and said, "I will be good."
Ji Zheng patted his hands, combed his hair, then turned around and followed Xiao Ming into the palace gate.
Seeing Ji Zheng's back disappear into the heavy and solemn palace gate, Ji Hean turned around and climbed into the carriage.
As soon as Ji Zheng entered the palace gate, he was searched by two soldiers to see if he had any dangerous items.
The guy searched so thoroughly that Ji Zheng even took off his shoes for inspection.
Of course, Xiao Ming, who was following him, was also searched, and his sword and armor were taken off.
After the two men finished the examination, a young eunuch took them to where Emperor Ren was.
Every few meters on the road, you can see a group of patrolling soldiers. The closer you get to the study, the more soldiers there are stationed there.
After walking around for about two incense sticks of time, I finally arrived at Yu's study.
At the door of Yu's study, Ji Zheng was searched again, still from head to toe, bit by bit, until it was confirmed that Ji Zheng did not have any dangerous items on him, and then Ji Zheng was allowed to enter.
As you step inside, you'll be overwhelmed by a sense of solemnity.
In the study, the air was filled with sandalwood incense and the place was completely silent.
The young eunuch who led Ji Zheng walked with his head down and his back bent the whole time. His cautious look made Ji Zheng dare not look around, and he also imitated him and walked without looking to the side.
"Your Majesty, Lord Ji has arrived." The young eunuch said this respectfully, then turned and walked to the side, standing there with his head lowered like a wooden man, not moving at all.
Glancing at the bright yellow on the desk above, Ji Zheng saluted, "Your Majesty, I, Ji Zheng, pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health and live long."
Looking at Ji Zheng kneeling below, Emperor Ren slowly closed the memorial in his hand. Although his voice was casual, it was dignified: "Stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ji Zheng stood up, raised his head slightly and looked upwards. Then he not only saw the Emperor, but also saw Lu Yan standing in the corner not far from the Emperor.
Tsk, still working at this hour, Ji Zheng suddenly felt that his job was actually not that bad.
"Were you responsible for the commotion outside the city today?" Emperor Ren asked.
"yes."
"You invented a firework that looked very similar to gunpowder to please your husband?"
"Yes, your majesty."
After Ji Zheng finished speaking, there was silence. Emperor Ren tapped his fingers lightly on the table, staring at Ji Zheng, not knowing what he was thinking.
Under the emperor's gaze, Ji Zheng was more or less nervous.
Time passed slowly, and Emperor Ren spoke again, "Do you know that the fireworks you developed are very similar to gunpowder?"
Ji Zheng knew, but he didn't say, "I don't know."
"How did you know this recipe?" Emperor Ren asked again.
After a while, Ji Zheng started to lie, "Once, the saltpeter I bought for medicine accidentally fell into the charcoal fire. At that time, my husband was very fond of the iron flower during the Spring Festival. The explosion caused by the saltpeter falling into the charcoal fire was somewhat similar to the scene presented by the iron flower, so I thought about whether I could create another kind of 'iron flower'."
"And then you created it?" Emperor Ren asked, his eyes thoughtful.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ji Zheng admitted frankly.
There was silence in the hall again. Ji Zheng felt uneasy and didn't know whether the emperor believed what he said.
After a long while, Emperor Ren spoke again:
"Are there any fireworks left?"
There was just one can left, and Ji Zheng quickly replied, "There's one more."
"Can I take a look?"
"Of course you can." Ji Zheng replied. After all, you are the boss, so you have to do it even if you can't. "But this thing needs to be displayed in a more open place."
Emperor Ren nodded faintly, turned around and gave a look to the eunuch who was waiting beside him.
When the eunuch received the order, he immediately went out to instruct the other eunuchs and guards, presumably to prepare an empty place in advance.
"Ji Qing is quite smart."
After the eunuch left, Emperor Ren said this in a neutral tone. Ji Zheng didn't know whether it was a compliment or sarcasm.
But no matter what it was, Ji Zheng could only answer, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise."
"Has Ji Qing reached adulthood?"
"Your Majesty, there is still one year left."
Emperor Ren nodded, and another eunuch brought him a cup of tea. After taking a sip, he asked, "Do you have any children?"
“Not yet.”
Emperor Ren's question reminded Ji Zheng of the crown prince, and he sighed in his heart, as expected, they were father and son, both liked to check the household registration.
"Ji Qing is young, don't be anxious." Emperor Ren said this in a comforting tone.
Ji Zheng rolled his eyes in his heart. How did you know I was anxious? But he still smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty is right."
The two chatted about other unimportant topics. Not long after, the eunuch who had left came back. After leaning over to say a few words to Emperor Ren, Emperor Ren stood up and said to Ji Zheng, "Ji Qing, let's go."
Ji Zheng stood aside and waited for Emperor Ren to leave first before following him.
Soon a group of people came to a relatively empty place.
Xiao Ming handed over his remaining can of fireworks and said, "Here."
Ji Zheng took it, turned around and said to Emperor Ren: "Your Majesty, this thing makes a loud noise."
The implication is that you should be prepared and not be scared.
Emperor Ren nodded.
Ji Zheng walked to a place farther away from Emperor Ren, opened the can, and took out the fuse inside.
He picked up a tinderbox beside him, lit the fuse, and then quickly ran to the side.
In an instant, the fireworks rushed into the sky like shooting stars, emitting brilliant and colorful lights.
This scene shocked everyone present. Emperor Ren stared at the fireworks in the sky with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He nodded slightly, showing satisfaction, and said to Ji Zheng: "This firework is indeed unique, Ji Qing is really talented."
Ji Zheng quickly knelt down to thank him, "Your Majesty, thank you for your compliment. It was just an accident."
Emperor Ren had a smile on his face and personally helped Ji Zheng up. "Miao is right. I know what is going on. Ji, why should you belittle yourself?"
After that, without waiting for Ji Zheng to speak, he continued:
"As the saying goes, happiness is better shared than happiness alone. It would be better to make more of these ingenious and exquisite things so that the other envoys can see them at the celebration in a few days."
The implication is that he wants to show off in front of other envoys.
"Your Majesty is right." Ji Zheng replied with a folded hand, "I will present the production method to you when I return today."
"This thing was developed by Ji Qing. It should be rewarded according to the law. Is there anything Ji Qing would like?" Emperor Ren spoke in a gentle tone with a faint smile on his face. It seemed that he was in a good mood.
How could Ji Zheng dare to take the initiative to ask for it? "As an official of the Great Jin Dynasty, this is what I should do. It is enough to get a word of praise from Your Majesty."
This flattery was so sincere that Emperor Ren's already good mood became even better.
"You can't say that. Since you have made contributions, you deserve a reward." Emperor Ren paused for a moment and then continued, "How about this, Ji Qing just came to the capital, and I'm sure you are a little short of money. I won't waste it, so how about rewarding you with 100 taels of gold?"
Hearing this, Ji Zheng was overjoyed. The emperor had finally done a good thing. He immediately kowtowed to express his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity and health."
However, before he could be happy for long, Emperor Ren spoke again, "Ji Qing is smart, why don't you take charge of the research and development of gunpowder? If you do a good job, I will reward you greatly. If you don't do a good job..."
Emperor Ren paused for a moment, and without saying anything about the consequences, he smiled and said, "I think Ji Qing will be able to do a good job and will make the military of Dajin even more powerful."
Hearing the threat from Emperor Ren, Ji Zheng smiled and said, "I will do my best."
Coming out of the palace, looking at Ji Zheng's gloomy face, Xiao Ming thought for a moment and encouraged him, "You can definitely do it."
“.....” If you can’t speak, please don’t speak.
Ji Zheng replied with a fake smile: "Thanks to General Xiao for his trust."
Sensing that Ji Zheng was in a bad mood, Xiao Ming stopped talking, and the two separated after leaving the palace.
Seeing Ji Zheng coming out safe and sound, Ji Hean breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and waved at Ji Zheng.
Seeing Ji Hean, Ji Zheng's depression immediately dissipated and he ran towards them.
"How is it?" Ji Hean asked.
Ji Zheng jumped on the carriage and said, "It's okay. I even got a reward."
I briefly told Ji and An what had happened, of course only the good parts.
After saying that, he leaned towards Ji Hean and sighed, "I will be busy in the future."
Ji Hean felt distressed, "Thank you for your hard work, Alang."
Seeing Ji Hean's wrinkled eyebrows, Ji Zheng leaned forward and kissed him. Thinking of the money the emperor had given him, he played with Ji Hean's little hand and said, "Tomorrow we'll be fine. I'll take you shopping. We'll have money now."
Unexpectedly, Ji Zheng changed the topic so quickly. Ji Hean was stunned for a moment, then said: "But I already have a lot of things."
Ji Zheng clicked his tongue, bent his fingers and tapped Ji Hean's forehead, saying, "If I don't spend my money on you, then where should I spend it?"
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