This move is quite ruthless. Who would disagree with a gold plaque written by the emperor himself? Then you can show off: My family has a gold plaque bestowed by the emperor himself, which will arouse countless envy and jealousy.
The expansion of the Yingde Monument went smoothly. The wealthy businessman Pu Shuibancheng also donated 1,000 taels of silver. He wanted to leave his name on the Yingde Monument.
Duan Xiaorong suddenly had an idea. It was definitely impossible to leave his name on the Yingde Monument. That was an honor that only loyal ministers and generals who had served the country wholeheartedly deserved.
But Duan Xiaorong agreed to erect a small donation monument with the donor's name engraved on it.
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves, and the wealthy merchants in Bianjing were all competing to donate. Their only goal was to have their names on the donation monument.
This is a big deal. From the construction to the completion of the Yingde Monument, the imperial court did not spend a penny and even received an extra 63,100 taels of silver.
When Duan Xiaorong told Zhao Huan the news, Zhao Huan burst into laughter. He had saved the court such a large sum of money. Duan Xiaorong was truly a talent, and the position of Minister of Revenue was a good choice.
"Cao Dongsheng, call Linghu Yunlong. I really want to go out of the palace for a walk." Zhao Huan held the teacup.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty. That Grand Secretary Zhang Han has requested to see Your Majesty several times, but I have always declined on the grounds that Your Majesty is busy with government affairs. How about Your Majesty meet him?" Cao Dongsheng bowed.
Zhao Huan put down his teacup, somewhat surprised: "Why don't you let him see me?"
Cao Dongsheng looked embarrassed: "Zhang Han is not here to see Your Majesty for official business, so I, this servant naturally has the right to refuse."
"It's not official business?" Zhao Huan was curious. "Then what's he doing? Is he henpecked and asking me to make a decision for him?"
Cao Dongsheng shook his head and smiled, "Your Majesty, since there is nothing else to do today, please ask him in person."
"Yes, pass it on."
Soon Zhang Han arrived at the Wende Hall and said, "Your Majesty, I, Grand Secretary Zhang Han, am honored to see you."
"Well, I heard that you want to see me. What's the matter?" Zhao Huan asked after taking a sip of tea.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Han knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, please save my daughter."
Zhao Huan was startled: "What happened to your daughter? Tell me and I will make the decision for you."
Zhang Han knelt down and said, "Ever since my daughter saw the Emperor, she has lost her appetite and has stayed indoors all day. I'm afraid she won't live long if this continues."
With a "Puff!" sound, the tea that had just reached Zhao Huan's mouth sprayed out.
"You, you mean your little daughter, that Zhang, Zhang Ruoxi. Did she get sick after seeing me and coming back?"
Zhang Han knelt down, not daring to look up: "I am ashamed."
Zhao Huan exclaimed, "Ha!" He knew Zhang Han's daughter was in love. A girl raised in seclusion, she'd never seen many young men in her life, and it was my handsome, elegant appearance that had driven her to a state of longing. Alas, being handsome was a helpless trait.
Little did she know that this was just Zhao Huan, the narcissist, flattering himself. Zhang Ruoxi was indeed attracted to Zhao Huan because she had never met many men, but what attracted Zhang Ruoxi was not Zhao Huan's appearance, but his courage in punishing corrupt officials.
"Well, Lord Zhang, I can't help you with this. Go back and tell your daughter that there are many heroic men in the world, and it's time for you to choose a suitable husband for your daughter."
After what happened with Concubine Mu, Zhao Huan was really scared and didn't want to take another concubine.
Zhang Han sighed: "Your Majesty, I have mentioned this matter to my daughter. She always shook her head and said nothing. Now she is bedridden and cannot eat or drink. I am afraid..." As he spoke, he wiped away his tears.
"I dare not hope for anything more than that. I only hope that my daughter can enter the palace and become a maid, so that I can serve Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan glanced at Cao Dongsheng awkwardly, then added, "Your daughter has been spoiled since she was little. How could she endure such rough and tiring work as a palace maid?"
"I beg for mercy, Your Majesty." Zhang Han kowtowed.
"Well, I, I'll go to your house first and take a look."
Zhang Han was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
"Daughter, daughter, His Majesty is coming to see you." As soon as Zhang Han returned home, he rushed to the boudoir and shouted.
Zhang Ruoxi's eyes lit up as she lay in bed. Zhang Han rushed into the room and said, "My daughter, great news! His Majesty said he will come to our house tomorrow. You should pack up quickly."
The maid hurriedly helped Zhang Ruoxi up. Zhang Ruoxi's face was pale, but her cheeks finally turned red. "Daddy, are you serious?"
Zhang Han nodded and said, "Dad, I just came back from the palace. Come on, help the young lady wash and change her clothes."
"Dad, I'm hungry."
Zhang Han was overjoyed and hurriedly urged the maid: "What are you waiting for? Go and prepare the meal!"
Not every beautiful woman is liked by men. Zhao Huan wanted women, and even his dreams were of beautiful girls. Zhang Ruoxi was quite pretty, but he had no interest in her.
If Zhang Han hadn't risked his reputation to ask for it, he would never have agreed. Zhao Huan then called Linghu Yunlong and took Cao Dongsheng to the Zhang residence.
This matter could not be made public, so Zhao Huan disguised himself and the three of them left the palace and headed towards Zhang's mansion.
"Jing'er, what do you think of my clothes?" Zhang Ruoxi dressed herself carefully in front of the bronze mirror.
"Okay, okay, Miss looks good in anything she wears." said the maid Jing'er.
Zhang Ruoxi's cheeks flushed, and she gently twirled her long hair across her chest. "What do you think I should say to His Majesty?"
"What else can I say? Just say you miss him."
Zhang Ruoxi was slightly angry: "Believe it or not, I will tear your mouth apart."
Jing'er stuck out her tongue, made a face, and giggled: "Miss, just tell him that you are grateful for saving the master last time, and then you can have something to talk about."
Zhang Ruoxi lowered her head shyly, with a smile on her lips, full of spring.
Zhao Huan had only seen this kind of thing in books, but he never expected to encounter it himself. When he arrived at Zhang's house, he was a little nervous, feeling like he was here for an affair.
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