clang--
Since the first ray of sunlight in the early morning illuminated the glazed tiles, the sound of the morning bell echoed throughout the deep palace behind the red walls.
In the Sanyang Hall, the curl of sandalwood in the kirin furnace with gold-patterned beasts makes the birds and beasts carved on the red beams come alive.
In front of the dragon table, Jingtai heard the bell and opened his eyes under the crown. With a look of majesty and a hint of sleepiness, he saw the clearly distinguished people in human clothing, and the civil and military officials below.
"A mysterious eye suddenly appeared in the North Sea, so deep that one could not see the bottom. Many ships that had left the North Sea disappeared near it, but reappeared in the East Sea."
"The Buddhist country in the Western Regions has sent an envoy, hoping to set up a temple in the Imperial Capital to preach."
"Food shortage in southern Xinjiang..."
The eunuch wearing a black gauze hat and a bright red dragon robe read out aloud each important event, all of which concerned the nine heavens and ten earths, and the country and the people.
He had almost finished talking, and then asked at the end:
"My Lords, are there any rules?"
The voice echoed in the quiet hall.
The court officials all looked at their noses, and their noses at their hearts, without saying a word.
For major events like these, it is not appropriate to express opinions in the court. When discussing politics in the court, one usually takes the issues that have already resulted from the various parties and observes the attitudes and trends of the officials.
In simple terms, the court is not a place where business is done, but a place where power is exchanged.
After a long silence, Emperor Jingtai said:
"Since this is the case, there is no point in retiring from the court."
"I have something I would like to report to your majesty."
At this time, the Minister of Rites Song Baiyue stepped out and bowed, saying:
"The Hidden Dragon Conference has just ended. I think we can hold another grand event before entering Tianren City. One is to reward the Hidden Dragons, and the other is to have fun with the people."
All the officials and nobles in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering what the Minister of Rites meant by suddenly making this strange suggestion.
Unable to determine his intentions, the court remained silent.
Several officials objected:
"Holding another celebration will only waste time and money."
"Your Highness has failed, what's the point of holding a celebration?"
"Well, wood oil is the only thing that's necessary."
Another celebration is being held for no apparent reason. Let’s not talk about other things for now. Anyway, we have to go back to work.
Who would be willing to join a class without any benefit?
But Minister Song smiled and said:
"The celebration I'm talking about is the Hundred Flowers Festival, which invites the most beautiful women on the Hundred Flowers List to come to Beijing to perform, such as playing a piece of music, singing a song, etc...."
There was a sound of gasps among the civil and military officials.
Those who were pretending to be asleep stopped pretending to be asleep, those who were daydreaming stopped daydreaming, the old and frail people straightened up, and even the scholars in the Imperial College looked slightly solemn.
"Hey, I've said that Old Song has managed the Ministry of Rites to great success, so he must have some ability. I think this proposal is good!"
"Since ancient times, there have been talented men and beautiful women. There is the Hidden Dragon Conference, and there are more Hundred Flowers Festivals. It is reasonable and polite, and it benefits the country and the people!"
"Yes, this just shows that our Dayu is thriving and prosperous!"
"Okay, okay, when I think of this scene, I feel inspired to write poetry. As the saying goes... I am just a little bit more youthful, and one section is better than six!"
"So wet, so wet..."
The court suddenly became lively, and everyone was united as one.
Emperor Jingtai had never seen such a scene since he ascended the throne.
In the past, it was common for ministers to quarrel in the court and end up fighting each other until they were bruised and battered.
But not everyone was enthusiastic.
The Minister of Revenue strode out:
"I object!"
"Um?"
All the officials looked at him unfriendly, ready to scold him. A few military commanders who were not good at speaking rolled up their sleeves, ready to let this old guy see the truth.
"The national treasury is empty, Yanglong Temple spends a huge amount every year, and now they want to hold a flower festival. Where will the money come from?"
"I don't want to spoil your fun, but now all the debts have been put to good use."
"Should we use the money for Yanglong Temple, the money for Beifeng to build large ships, or the money for the military pay in Nanjiang?"
The Minister of Finance, who was in charge of finance, threw the problem away.
Then he looked at Prince Zhennan.
Prince Zhennan nodded slightly and said, "Military and national affairs should not be taken lightly, and military pay should not be touched."
There is no need for people from the royal family to speak.
Beifeng...the ships have been built, are we going to dismantle them all and sell them off?
At this time, the Minister of Rites seemed to have already found a solution and said:
"How about this, we can ask wealthy businessmen to sponsor us and let them pay for our grand event."
"By then they will have gained fame and we won't have to pay, isn't that the best of both worlds?"
"Hey, Minister Song, you're really a genius!"
So all the civil and military officials in the court passed it unanimously.
Emperor Jingtai had no reason to refuse, so he picked up the Eight Desolations and Six Directions Seal and stamped it.
On the same day, an announcement was made to the world, summoning the women on the Hundred Flowers List to come to the capital, and sincerely recruiting sponsors with generous conditions.
For a time, all the richest people in the world flocked to it.
After all, working for the court can give you an official position without real power.
Don't underestimate the power of this condition.
From now on, no matter what the matter is, as long as it is labeled as "working for the court", it will be legitimate and authorized by the imperial power.
Wait till summer comes.
In the imperial capital, a special "bidding meeting" has been launched. The officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue preside over the meeting. All the people gathered there are wealthy businessmen who can make money.
People from the four major trading companies have all arrived.
Among them was Hengtong Trading Company, and the person who came was an old acquaintance, Sun Gui.
There is also the Qingmu Society, which is famous for selling medicinal materials. Among every three pills in the world, one is made by them, and their representative is a master of alchemy.
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