Therefore, Zhu Youxiao would not accept Concubine Rong, even though she was said to be very beautiful and charming. Therefore, Zhu Youxiao wanted to keep the palace clean and tidy and never let Old Wei interfere.
Leading the East Factory and supervising all officials was an external matter, and Zhu Youxiao felt that Old Wei was quite diligent and competent. If he remained loyal, he would like to give Old Wei a good end.
Granting a mansion as a reward was also a form of reward for merit. Giving eunuchs titles all the time would inevitably cause complaints from the civil officials, and Zhu Youxiao was also helpless. Given his stinginess, giving an empty title would save money, right?
Old Wei stood up, half-bowed, and began to speak: "Your Majesty, this year has been blessed with favorable weather and good harvests, and everything is going smoothly. The Longevity Festival must be held with great pomp and dignity, to demonstrate Your Majesty's wisdom and bravery, and to highlight this peaceful and prosperous era."
As for the Wanshou Festival, Zhu Youxiao pursed his lips. It didn't matter whether it was held or not. The Liaodong pacification was unsuccessful, so it would be better to spend the money on the most effective means.
Seeing that the Emperor didn't interrupt, Old Wei continued, "For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor has never been stingy with his treasury, with his gold and silver. Even so, he couldn't afford to organize a celebration as grand as the Emperor's Birthday. Have those princes and nobles ever made generous contributions to the country and the court?"
That makes sense. This Ming Dynasty doesn't belong to me alone. Well, that's not right. This Ming Dynasty belongs to me. No one can take it away from me.
Zhu Youxiao blinked and waited for Lao Wei to continue.
Old Wei, with an expression filled with righteous indignation, said, "I would like to visit the homes of the nobles in the capital, as well as the princes in the various provinces. The East Depot can also send people to explain the righteousness of the cause and ask them to donate money to make this year's Wanshou Festival a grand and solemn celebration for all."
Donate and give, and explain the righteousness of it, but it is just forced collection of donations!
Zhu Youxiao stroked his forehead, feeling that this was a bad idea. If it was for national affairs, such as the Liaodong War, asking the powerful vassal kings to pay would not be a psychological burden. If pushed to the limit, he would even do what Cao family did.
But to offend the powerful princes just for his birthday was not worth the loss. It was not because he was afraid of them, but because Zhu Youxiao had a long-term plan and was not in a hurry.
Old Wei eagerly awaited the emperor's decision. This was something he was very familiar with! When raising funds to set up a bank, he had traveled to various provinces and squeezed 500,000 taels from that fat Prince Fu alone!
"How could I not know Wei Ban's loyalty?" Zhu Youxiao raised his eyelids and said gently, "Liaodong is still unpacified. Even if you have money, the Wanshou Festival is not the time for a grand celebration."
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao continued, "Well, let's keep it simple this year. For my own birthday, I think it's more comfortable and convenient to be with the harem."
Old Wei was a little disappointed, but the emperor's authority was growing day by day. Although his words were not harsh, what he had decided could not be changed.
"The emperor has done this for the Ming Dynasty - it's really..." Old Wei was so moved that he almost cried.
Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Wei Ban's appointment as the governor of the Eastern Depot has cleared my eyes and ears, and intimidated corrupt officials. This is a great achievement. If you continue to perform your duties faithfully, I will be able to rest assured in this imperial palace."
"Yes, yes." Old Wei bowed and said, "This servant is loyal and dedicated, and will do her best to ensure that His Majesty is at ease and does not have to worry about anything."
Zhu Youxiao nodded, picked up something on the table, and said, "This is a reward for Wei Ban, something brought from overseas by the Korean envoy."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Old Wei's knees were surprisingly flexible. He became shorter in an instant, so fast that the emperor blinked.
Old Wei left with a look of gratitude. The emperor also sighed at Old Wei's flexible knees and said it was a pity that he didn't practice some skills like skating.
The emperor stretched himself, stood up, and when he looked up, he saw Fan Xiaohui standing beside him with his head lowered.
Are you pretending to be honest? Do you think I have a seven-second memory and have forgotten the saying "God will repay you"?
"Xiaohui, have you figured out the answer?" The emperor's voice was not loud, but in Xiaohui's ears, it sounded a bit buzzing and echoing.
"Your Majesty..." Fan Xiaohui raised her face pitifully. Seeing that the emperor showed no sign of compromise, she said with a choking sound, "Heaven, it's a nice autumn with cool weather, right? It's a nice autumn with cool weather, you want to say it but you can't."
Zhu Youxiao was stunned. What a mess! He even forgot about "God will repay you for what you have done" and came up with "It's a nice autumn with cool weather".
Seeing the emperor's strange expression, Fan Xiaohui grinned and changed the subject, "Your Majesty, let me accompany you to see the Korean beauties. They are waiting anxiously!"
With a snort, Zhu Youxiao rolled his eyes and walked out of the hall, followed by Xiaohui, who looked sad.
……………………
After Prince Yangyang of Joseon ascended the throne, he immediately sent envoys to the Ming capital to request enthronement.
At that time, there was a lot of controversy in the court of the Ming Dynasty, and there was even a proposal to "proclaim the crime and punish it in order to strengthen the royal power."
Finally, based on Mao Wenlong's report, Yuan Keli's change of attitude, and the needs of the situation in Liaodong, it was finally decided to recognize Li Zong's succession to the throne.
However, although recognition was recognition, the envoys sent by Korea only brought back an imperial edict from the Ming court recognizing Yi Jong as the King of Korea. The Ming court did not send an envoy to Korea to hold the enthronement ceremony.
Including Zhu Youxiao, no one knew much about the situation in Korea, nor did they understand how urgent it was for Li Zong to be granted the title.
Without the recognition and enthronement of the Celestial Empire, Li Jong could not completely clear himself of the suspicion of usurping the throne, and his domestic opponents would not give up. Even if there were flaws in the procedures, it would not be convincing.
When the Ming imperial edict arrived in Korea, it immediately aroused confusion among its subjects. They thought, "Two hundred years of custom require that an envoy be sent to present the imperial edict and the imperial crown and robes. Yet, in this case, the enthronement ceremony is divided into two events. This is not only suspicious to a small nation, but also violates the rituals of the ancient emperors of the Celestial Empire."
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