Chapter 371: Minister of Industry
Qin Chi has asked for leave and is at home, refusing visitors.
The reason for asking for leave was that his wife and children were frightened, so he stayed at home to comfort them. In fact, Qin Chi used the time off to order people to find the hiding place of the former crown prince and Mr. Yan. The other party attacked his wife and children again, which really touched Qin Chi's bottom line.
He even used Li Huarong to deliver the so-called suicide note written by Yang Ge Lao to the desk of Emperor Mingcheng, and had someone put the former crown prince in a bad light in front of Emperor Mingcheng and make him feel miserable.
"Where did you get this letter from?"
Emperor Mingcheng asked Li Huarong.
Li Huarong said truthfully: "I don't know who handed it to me. Someone handed it directly to the gatekeeper. When I asked the gatekeeper who gave it to me, he couldn't explain clearly. He just said it was a little beggar."
Emperor Ming Cheng did not ask any more questions, and it is not known whether he believed it or not.
Li Huarong added: "I cannot tell whether it is true or not. I can only see that it is somewhat similar to Yang Zhengkai's handwriting. It is impossible to tell whether it is true or not."
“He wrote it.”
After decades of serving as an emperor and his subjects, Emperor Ming Cheng was familiar with the handwriting. He put the letter down and asked another question, "Yesterday, Qin Qi'an's wife and children were attacked by bandits. So he asked for leave today, saying that he wanted to stay at home to comfort his wife and children?"
Li Huarong raised his head and glanced quickly at Emperor Mingcheng.
Although he didn't seem angry, he was still alert.
Li Huarong said with sympathy: "Qin Shaoqing is probably afraid. Your Majesty, think about it. He himself has been assassinated many times, and now he and his wife and children are also being maliciously retaliated against."
Emperor Mingcheng's face darkened, "Can Li Ailiao guess who is taking revenge on him?"
"I don't know. I think Qin Shaoqing may have ruined someone's good deeds or offended someone, which is why people are so eager to get rid of him." Li Huarong said in a calm tone, and in the middle of his speech he looked up at Emperor Mingcheng.
The timing of this glance is very important.
It seemed to be saying that Qin Chi was being targeted everywhere because he was implicated by Emperor Ming Cheng.
This was implicitly telling Emperor Mingcheng.
Qin Chi had a grudge against the former crown prince, which was why he was maliciously retaliated against. This also indirectly put Emperor Ming Cheng at ease.
At the same time, he reminded Emperor Ming Cheng that Qin Chi was a minister he personally promoted, which inevitably affected the interests of some people. Under his nose, to promote a minister, and to be unacceptable, and even his life was not guaranteed, this was undoubtedly a slap in the face of Emperor Ming Cheng.
Emperor Mingcheng sent Li Huarong away in annoyance.
He picked up Yang Ge Lao's suicide note and read it.
"Jixiang, do you think this letter may be related to Qin Qian'an?" Emperor Mingcheng suddenly spoke.
Jixiang's heart skipped a beat and he lowered his head even lower, "I don't know."
Emperor Mingcheng then said, "His wife came to the capital last night, and the letter arrived on my desk today. The timing is too coincidental. Others may not know, but I know the identity of his wife. However, he is willing not to take such a great credit for himself, but can I trust such a person?"
A person who gave up the interests that should belong to him was either a fool or had bigger ambitions. Qin Qi'an was able to get the sixth place in the imperial examination, so he was obviously a smart person, and one of the smartest people.
"I don't understand this matter. I only know that those who can share your majesty's worries are good people, and I hate those who cause trouble for your majesty." Jixiang said this in a flattering manner.
This made Emperor Mingcheng laugh out loud.
As it concerned Song Jin's background, it was naturally investigated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Emperor Chengdi of the Ming Dynasty also knew clearly that he had donated tens of thousands of stones of grain to the Northwest Army not long ago.
Not only Jifang, but Shunan Trading Company is also under investigation.
It's easy to tell that Shunan Trading Company is related to the military.
Because most of the caravans formed by Shunan were retired soldiers, including the workshops built by Shunan, which mostly employed disabled soldiers and their families in the army.
The owner behind Shun'an Commercial Bank is said to be a Huizhou merchant, who mainly deals in the four treasures of the study and has formed more than a dozen caravans to travel around the country. According to the investigation by the Jinyiwei, Shun'an Commercial Bank is backed by the Northwest Army and the Prince Rui's Mansion stands behind it.
Emperor Ming Cheng once suspected that Qin Chi was the boss behind Shun'an.
Later, when he thought of the establishment of Shunan Commercial Bank, Qin Chi was only about ten years old at that time, Emperor Ming Cheng no longer had any doubts. Besides, he had seen what Qin Chi had done since he entered the court as an official.
"Jixiang, come and grind ink for me. I cannot let my meritorious officials feel disappointed."
When Emperor Mingcheng said this, there was an extremely deep look in his eyes.
That afternoon, an imperial edict arrived at the Qin family in Cuihua Hutong.
The Qin family hurriedly set up the incense table, bathed, and burned incense. The whole family came to the front courtyard to receive the decree.
The person who came to convey the imperial edict was Eunuch Jixiang.
Jixiang saw with his own eyes that the imperial edict was written by Emperor Cheng of Ming Dynasty himself. After it was stamped with the seal of heaven, he was asked to announce the edict immediately.
With a solemn expression, he slowly opened the imperial edict and read aloud: "The emperor decrees!"
"I believe that the way to achieve peace is to select virtuous people to assist the country. Qin Qi'an, the Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple, is both talented and virtuous, has a clean and strict conduct, and has made achievements in his various posts. I am very pleased with him."
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"I am promoting you to the position of Minister of Works to demonstrate your ability. You should be more loyal to the country and do not let me down. During your tenure as Minister of Works, you should work hard to govern the country, build water conservancy projects, develop agriculture, and consolidate the foundation of the country. I hope you will work hard..."
"You can take up the post immediately without further delay."
"So ordered!"
When the last person dropped out, the whole place fell silent.
After a long time, Qin Chi came back to his senses first. He quickly thanked the emperor for his grace, shouted "Long live the emperor", and then raised his hands above his head to take the imperial edict from Jixiang's hand. In addition, there was also the official residence deed specially awarded by the emperor. After all, if you are promoted to a higher position, you must have a place to live.
Jixiang helped Qin Chi up and said with a smile, "Master Qin, congratulations."
"Thank you, father-in-law."
Qin Chi secretly took the purse that Song Jin stuffed into his hand, and then, under the pretext of shaking hands, put it into Jixiang's palm.
I feel at ease taking this money.
After Jixiang received the silver, he hurriedly left with his men, saying that he had other things to do in the palace.
Song Jin took the imperial edict, looked at it, and handed it back to Qin Chi.
The imperial edict needs to be placed in the ancestral hall for worship, but since there is a big house, the first thing to do is to move. In fact, after returning from Huizhou this time, Song Jin also discovered that the current house is not big enough to live in.
"Brother, this is an imperial decree, an imperial decree!"
Sanlang's face flushed with excitement, his eyes brightened surprisingly, he stared at the imperial edict and was a little incoherent, "I, Sanlang, saw the imperial edict with my own eyes today, no no, I even received it, uh uh, no no, it was my elder brother who received the imperial edict, and I accompanied him to receive it, I have also made something of myself, hahahaha."
The boy danced with joy.
Qin Chi directly stuffed the imperial edict into his arms, "Here, let me give you another touch, to enjoy the blessing of His Majesty."
"Really? Can I?"
Sanlang held the imperial edict and dared not move.
He held the imperial edict in the same posture Qin Chi asked him to hold, as if moving any more would be disrespectful to the edict.