Chapter 120: 100,000 Strings of Cash
But just when Zhu Chong was thinking about how to ask Old Zhu for a reward.
A large group of people rushed in from outside the Baochao Tizhusi, knelt down in front of Zhu, and shouted "Long live Zhu".
Zhu Chong took a closer look and saw that they were all wearing purple robes and python costumes. He knew at a glance that they were all high-ranking officials in the court.
As expected, Zhu Chong soon learned from Zhang Quan beside him that the middle-aged man standing in front of him was the prime minister Hu Weiyong.
To be honest, Zhu Chong had actually seen these people when he first traveled through time and was exiled, but at that time he didn't pay any attention to these individuals at all. Today was the first time he officially met these bigwigs of the Ming Dynasty.
But thinking about it carefully, Zhu Chong became less interested in these people. Why did he need to know them? He was not the crown prince, and he would not accept the title even if he was given one. He did not want to compete with these old coins.
Look at the people in front of him. Hu Weiyong will die in a few years, and Xu Da will only live for six or seven years at most. He doesn't want to get involved with a group of dying people.
But Zhu Chong didn't want to deal with this group of people, and some people just didn't know what was good for them.
When Hu Weiyong and others learned about the cement, Zhu Yuanzhang asked Hu how to reward Zhu Chong. Hu Weiyong's words made Zhu Chong furious.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the rewards given to the Baochao Tizhusi should follow the previous dynasty's system. Those who offer advice and meritorious service to the court are rewarded with 50 to 50 strings of cash. Since Your Majesty believes that cement is of great use to our dynasty, a reward of 50 strings of cash should be given."
Old Zhu listened to Hu Weiyong's suggestions and nodded frequently, while Zhu Chong's eyes suddenly turned cold.
Fifty strings of cash, are you giving money to a beggar? Hu Weiyong, if you can't speak, then don't speak. No wonder you died so quickly!
"Okay, then..." Old Zhu was about to speak when he was interrupted by Zhu Chong.
"Prime Minister Hu is really generous. He doesn't even have ten strings of cash, but it's such a big deal." Zhu Chong sneered and interrupted regardless.
"The entire Baochao Administration worked tirelessly day and night on this cement, expending countless manpower and resources. And in your eyes, this cement is only worth fifty strings of cash?"
"Let me tell you, this little money isn't even enough to cover the materials consumed in the trial production of cement!"
"Your Majesty, if you insist on using fifty strings of cash and taking away the painstaking efforts of the craftsmen of the Imperial Banknote Administration, then I dare say you should just ignore this cement."
When everyone heard Zhu Chong's words, they were all shocked, and the harmonious atmosphere was instantly destroyed.
Everyone in the Baochao Tizhusi's head buzzed, and their eyes were full of disbelief. They knew that Zhu Chong was the son of Old Zhu, but they didn't expect Zhu Chong to be so tough in front of his father!
Hu Weiyong and others also looked at Zhu Chong in astonishment. They knew Zhu Chong's character well, but it was the first time they saw Zhu Chong being so tough with the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty.
However, Hu Weiyong was cunning and it was not his turn to speak first at this time. His suggestions had already been made, so it was not his turn to be held accountable. It all depended on how Zhu Yuanzhang made the decision.
The other officials at the scene all had an expression of waiting to watch the show. Anyone who was so tough with Zhu would probably face Zhu's wrath next, even if it was his own son!
But to everyone's surprise, Old Zhu was not angry. Instead, he smiled playfully and patted Zhu Chong's shoulder.
"Your temper has improved since you arrived at the Baochao Tizhusi, almost catching up with mine. Well, tell me, since I said I want to reward you, then just open your mouth. I want to see what price you are going to sell me for this cement!"
In Zhu Yuanzhang's opinion, fifty strings of cash was indeed a bit low, but his psychological price was no more than five hundred strings of cash. He would feel bad if it were any more. Even if the cement was very good, the court had no money now, so he was reluctant to spend a lot of money to reward Zhu Yuanzhang.
In fact, to be honest, if it wasn't in front of so many people, Old Zhu had no intention of rewarding Zhu Chong at all.
Your child made something and asked for money from adults? You won’t get any money, a slap in the face is more appropriate!
If it weren't for the fact that Zhu Chong had been doing a good job recently and had solved a big problem for him with the cement issue today, Old Zhu would definitely have had a serious say with him.
After hearing what Zhu Yuanzhang said, everyone present was shocked again, and everyone couldn't help but look at Zhu Chong deeply.
This was the first time that anyone had seen someone plucking hair from Old Zhu, even if the other person was Old Zhu's closest relative.
But let's ask, in the entire Ming Dynasty, among so many princes, who dared to do what Zhu Chong did, threatening Zhu and his ministers in front of him, and asking him for rewards? Zhu Chong was truly the first one!
Seeing Old Zhu's statement, Zhu Chong didn't hesitate to say anything. "Your Majesty, you know that the Crown Prince previously lent me money to purchase and develop the coal mine, and it cost me 100,000 strings of treasure notes."
"The benefits of cement far exceed countless treasures, so I don't ask Your Majesty for much. Just one hundred thousand strings of cash, and the cement will be yours!"
Zhu Chong said that the 100,000 strings of cash was definitely not an extortion against Zhu. In his opinion, it was simply a gift to Zhu at a bargain price.
Cement has so many uses in daily life. As long as Zhu Yuanzhang uses it properly, reusable things like cement are definitely more valuable than coal, so 100,000 strings of cash are not expensive at all.
But Zhu Chong forgot that he was a time traveler and was used to thinking about things with a time traveler's mindset.
There is nothing wrong with him doing this on a daily basis. After all, his status is there, His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin of the Ming Dynasty. Apart from the Crown Prince, the Queen and Zhu Yuanzhang, who else can control him?
But in the eyes of everyone, his behavior at this moment seemed a bit like asking for trouble.
Especially important officials in the court such as Hu Weiyong and Xu Da, they almost laughed out loud when they heard that Zhu Chong asked Zhu Yuanzhang for 100,000 strings of cash.
As expected, when Old Zhu heard Zhu Chong offer a price of 100,000 strings of cash, his eyes changed when he looked at Zhu Chong.
If this hadn't happened in public, Old Zhu would have slapped Zhu Chong. His gaze towards Zhu Chong suddenly turned cold, "Wow, you're really arrogant! What did you just say? Did you borrow money from the Crown Prince before? One hundred thousand strings of cash?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Whether it's mining or developing cement, these kinds of tasks are thankless, but the results are great achievements that will benefit future generations. The true value of either one is far greater than a hundred thousand strings of cash. What do you think?"
When Old Zhu heard what Zhu Chong said, the sneer in his eyes became even more intense. "Well, one hundred thousand strings of cash. After Zhu Tiju came to the Baochao Tiju Division, he really spoke and acted very differently from before. He always started with one hundred thousand strings of cash. I like this habit!"
Finally realizing that there was something wrong with Old Zhu's tone, Zhu Chong glanced at Old Zhu and felt a pang in his heart.
You're such a stingy bastard! You're the emperor, and the prince gave you 100,000 strings of cash, and you didn't even blink. Now you're being asked to spend 100,000 strings of cash on cement, and you're being so reluctant! And it looks like you're even planning a fight with me! Don't be so shameless!
Zhu Chong was madly criticizing Old Zhu in his heart, but his body was honest and trembling as he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang behind his back.
He knew that if he didn't give Lao Zhu something to make him realize that cement was worth more than 100,000 strings of cash, he would have no chance of saving face today!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
