Chapter 385: Minister Wang surrenders
The officials who disliked Mr. Wen secretly exclaimed in their hearts: "That's great."
This old guy finally got humiliated today.
Emperor Mingcheng was also pleased and said immediately: "Minister Qin is right. Let the Jinyiwei investigate this matter."
He immediately ordered the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate.
Lord Wen looked very unhappy.
Minister Zhang looked pale.
He left in a hurry after the court session ended, not caring what others thought of him and even forgetting the proper etiquette.
When Lord Wen passed by Qin Chi, he snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves and left.
Qin Chi looked puzzled.
Having just become the Minister of Works, he already had a lot of things to do and did not want to have a conflict with a cabinet minister, but he was not afraid if the other party insisted on making things difficult for him.
Xia Wei walked over and said with a straight face, "Qin Qian'an, I thought we were somewhat close, but you didn't even invite me for a drink when your family was celebrating. You're really not a nice person."
"It's rare that Lord Xia thinks highly of me, so I'll give you water and wine, plenty! I'll have someone send the invitation to your house later." Qin Chi immediately made amends.
Qin Chi and Xia Wei walked out side by side.
The officials who were paying attention to the two of them were wondering, when did Xia Wei become friends with Qin Chi? In the past, Xia Wei and Qin Chi would occasionally talk to each other, but the number of times was limited. When Qin Chi offended Elder Wen today, Xia Wei chose to stand with Qin Chi and talk, and even walked out of the hall together, which meant something different.
Xia Wei looked at the sky and said, "Qian An, do you know that Minister Zhang wanted to move up and had contacted Elder Wen earlier?"
"Thank you, Lord Xia." Qin Chi suddenly realized. No wonder Lord Wen spoke for Minister Zhang. The reason was actually here.
"Hey, don't call me sir. I call you Qi'an and you can just call me Zong Yu." Xia Wei said in a rare friendly manner.
Zong Yu is Xia Wei's courtesy name.
Having reached his status, not many people usually call him by his name.
Qin Chi took the opportunity to bow and said, "Brother Zong Yu, I am honored to meet you."
"Haha, not bad, not bad."
Xia Wei's depressed mood of being pressed for money in the hall disappeared, and he chatted with Qin Chi as they walked out.
Just walked for a while.
The two heard someone calling Qin Chi from behind.
"Minister Qin, please stay!"
Those who come in a hurry are auspicious.
Qin Chi and Xia Wei stopped almost at the same time.
Qin Chi took a step forward, bowed to Jixiang and said politely: "Eunuch Jixiang, I wonder why you called me?"
"It is His Majesty who wishes to see you."
Jixiang answered with a slight bow.
Qin Chi then turned sideways and looked at Xia Wei.
Xia Wei hurriedly said, "Go quickly, we'll talk again when we have time, don't keep His Majesty waiting for too long."
"Brother Zong Yu, take care." Qin Chi bowed.
Xia Wei also raised his hand, turned around and strode out.
Qin Chi followed Jixiang to the main hall where Emperor Mingcheng was. Along the way, he met a few palace servants passing by in a hurry, and occasionally saw patrolling guards walking in deserted places.
Qin Chi said, "I haven't congratulated Eunuch Jixiang on becoming the Chief of the Imperial Household Department yet."
"You're too polite, Minister Qin." Jixiang's attitude remained respectful.
Qin Chi pretended to chat casually and asked, "I wonder what your majesty wants to talk to me about this time?"
"I guess it has something to do with the memorial from Huai'an."
Jixiang was not just giving a suggestion, but a clear reminder. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty seems to be in a good mood. Minister Qin does not need to be too nervous."
After hearing this, Qin Chi felt relieved and thanked Jixiang again.
Just as Jixiang reminded.
Emperor Mingcheng was in a good mood, and he asked Qin Chi to come over to ask about Jifang. He did not hide the fact that he knew that the boss behind Jifang was Songjin. It was a very ordinary inquiry, but Qin Chi found out something complicated.
Under the calmness, Qin Chi was fully alert.
Emperor Mingcheng invited Qin Chi to stay and have dinner with him.
Qin Chi naturally did not refuse.
Not only Qin Chi was accompanying them, but the emperor's eldest grandson also came, and the three of them had dinner together.
When they were almost done eating, Emperor Mingcheng suddenly asked, "Qian'an, Jifang's donation has made a great contribution. Why didn't you keep it for yourself, but gave it to the prefect of Huai'an?"
"Your Majesty, Jifang is not my property."
There is no wrong version in the 1619 book forum!
Qin Chi said calmly, "Let's not talk about the fact that my wife made the donation on impulse. She didn't want to become famous through this. As a husband, I naturally have to respect her wishes. Besides, a man will never lack opportunities to make contributions. I also have dignity, and I don't want to be accused of being a gigolo in the future."
"puff--"
Helian Mian, who was standing by, just took a sip of tea and spat it out.
As expected, he lost his composure after hearing Qin Chi's last words. He quickly apologized to Emperor Mingcheng. Another palace maid came forward to clean up the mess and gave him a wet handkerchief, asking him to wipe it.
Emperor Mingcheng was serious at first, but suddenly he burst into laughter, "So it seems that the prefect of Huai'an got a great bargain."
"That's right." Qin Chi responded.
Emperor Mingcheng asked again: "How is it in the Ministry of Works? It has been seven or eight days since you took office. Are you getting used to it?"
"Fortunately, my colleagues are very kind. I am currently sorting out the affairs of the Ministry of Industry and am still getting familiar with them. I haven't gotten the hang of it yet, but I think I'll be able to do it soon." Qin Chi said steadily.
It seems like it really needs to be fast.
Emperor Cheng of the Ming Dynasty naturally knew that he was being left out in the Ministry of Works.
The two assistant ministers had never been to the Ministry of Works before today, so Qin Chi was just having fun. But Emperor Ming Cheng asked him this, so Qin Chi could only go along with what he said.
Helian Mian is the one who knows the inside story.
After hearing the conversation between the two, I almost believed it. However, after careful consideration, I found that there was something behind it.
What Qin Chi called "soon" was probably really soon.
Today, the two assistant ministers came to the grand court meeting. Normally, they should go to the Ministry of Works to handle affairs. They can't go back to their homes to recuperate. If they do so, it would be almost like they are openly breaking off relations with Qin Chi.
After having dinner with Emperor Mingcheng.
Qin Chi took his leave and went to the Ministry of Works at a leisurely pace.
When he entered the Shangshu's office, he saw Minister Wang waiting, but no Minister Zhang was there. Thinking back to Minister Zhang's hasty departure, Qin Chi thought that he probably had no intention of working now and had to rush home to deal with a pile of things.
Minister Zhang probably doesn’t know.
Qin Chi had already arranged people to keep an eye on him. Whether the Zhang family had any connection with the former crown prince's forces was just his guess, and he had not yet obtained any definite evidence.
"Your humble servant greets Lord Qin."
Minister Wang stepped forward to greet him with a very respectful attitude.
Qin Chi did not respond immediately. He walked past Minister Wang to the desk, then slowly walked around the desk and sat on the chair. Minister Wang bowed and turned around as Qin Chi walked.
Until the end, he still faced Qin Chi.
Qin Chi understood that this guy probably recognized the reality. "Don't be polite, Lord Wang. We are colleagues from now on. I still need to rely on you in many areas."
"Don't say that, sir. I will do my best to assist you." This was a statement made by Minister Wang, who was a man who could bend and stretch.
(End of this chapter)