Chapter 1026 Falling Behind and Being Beaten

The emperor naturally knew the arrangement of the Ministry of Revenue. Zhou Shuren had left a lot of reserve silver, which could not be touched. "I know."

Zhou Shuren raised his eyes and asked, "Do you know what you want me to do?"

The emperor coughed and said, "We started building a lot of ships last year. I plan to scrap the first ones. Do you think it's better to sell them to merchants in our country or to some nearby countries that don't have naval power?"

What he remembered was that the country that Zhou Shuren's son went to didn't even have the ability to go to sea.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. The emperor's ideas were good. He didn't know if it was because of his influence from time to time. The emperor's ideas were very advanced. "Isn't the emperor afraid that the maritime power of neighboring countries will increase and pose a threat to our country?"

The emperor sneered, "Didn't you say that pressure brings motivation, and danger brings progress?"

Zhou Shuren blinked his eyes. He had said so much without realizing it. "I did say that."

The emperor said happily: "The Minister of Works said that foreign ships have given them a lot of inspiration. The Ministry of Works' idea is not to restore the original ship, but to improve it on this basis."

Zhou Shuren didn't understand the principles of shipbuilding, but he knew that, ahem, 5,000 years of civilization was really amazing. He believed that the technology could be improved, and it would be improved to be more perfect. There was no sign of steam abroad yet, so he wondered if he should talk to the Ministry of Industry about it?

I quickly gave up the idea, at least not now.

The emperor continued, "The man your son brought back is called Bahu. I know he wants to buy merchant ships. He also spends a lot of money in the capital. This country should not be short of money."

Zhou Shuren raised his eyes. Oh, you have been planning on Bahu for a long time. Now you remember his name so clearly. "Yes, I heard Changyi say so."

Your Majesty, "This merchant ship is nothing compared to a warship."

Zhou Shuren understood why the emperor had called him here. "The price can't be cheap, and we can't sell too much. And weapons can't be sold."

The emperor was speechless. He was not crazy. "Only sell ships."

He also wanted to buy foreign artillery. Last time, he sent people to secretly climb onto the ship and steal the shells. If the artillery was not too heavy, he would have wanted to bring back one. There is nothing a gentleman cannot do. In front of the country, those who lag behind will be beaten. This is what Zhou Shuren said, and he thinks it is very reasonable.

Zhou Shuren really didn't know that the Emperor not only sent someone to leak the ship drawings, but also didn't know that he had such a profound influence on the Emperor!

Outside, Zhang Yang was staggering, his eyes fixed on Eunuch Liu who was looking at him, his face getting darker and darker. He just mentioned some of the Ning family's actions and falsely accused them of having evil ambitions, but his father punished him after hearing it.

Zhang Yang felt like vomiting blood in his heart. It was not easy to find any handle on the Ning family. He only now realized how strict the Ning family was. He secretly hated the Ning family for attacking his power. He had lost a lot of people in recent days.

How could he not hate them? The Ning family was very cold to him, from his grandfather to the other members of the Ning clan. He wanted to pull the Ning family together but failed. He was jealous of the unity of the Ning family and secretly hated the Ning family for attacking him.

Zhang Yang pricked up his ears. He didn't know what his father and Zhou Shuren were talking about, but he could hear his father laughing from time to time.

The Zhou family's tea party ended, and people said goodbye one after another. Zhulan personally saw Tao and Gao off.

After everyone left, Mrs. Song came over and said, "The two maids have already boarded the carriage and are heading to the manor."

Zhulan did not hide her actions today from Mrs. Song. She was in the backyard and it was difficult to hide it, so she might as well be generous. She was just the instigator and she just had to find the right measure. For the rest, she just had to watch the show.

In the Qiao family's carriage, Lord Qiao's wife had a gloomy face. She had always suspected that her daughter had a miscarriage, and she actually found some problems, but she didn't want to think too much about it.

After hearing so much today, she became panicked. The doubts in her heart grew bigger and bigger. The suspicious points she found were constantly magnified and her body was shaking. If it was arranged by the Fifth Prince, then it meant that the Fifth Prince really had difficulty in having offspring and her daughter was just a shield put forward by the Fifth Prince.

The Qi family has placed too much trust in the Fifth Prince. I shuddered at the thought. No, I have to talk to my husband today.

In the palace, Zhou Shuren left the Zheng Hall. He knew what the emperor was doing. He hoped to see the emperor often. He was really well-informed. It was reasonable for him to be envied. Now that he knew the emperor's thoughts, Chang Yi could prepare in advance.

Zhou Shuren left the Zhengdian hall in a good mood. The wind started to blow, making people feel really uncomfortable. The spring breeze made his bones uncomfortable.

Zhou Shuren stood in front of Lord Yao. Yao Wenqi's face had turned extremely pale. If he continued to be tortured like this, he would definitely get sick.

At this time, Eunuch Liu came out and said, "The emperor has ordered that Lord Yao can leave the palace."

Xie En, whose body was swaying from Yao Wenqi's, staggered to his feet, but Zhou Shuren did not help him up, but took a step back instead.

Yao Wenqi sat down on the ground again. Zhou Shuren asked, "Master Hou, are you okay?"

Yao Wenqi gritted his teeth and said, "It's okay."

Zhou Shuren sneered in his heart. He had always remembered that his daughter was pregnant this time. Zhang Yang was equal to Yao Wenqi. There was nothing wrong with thinking this way. "My Lord, I will help you."

Yao Wenqi had never been so ferocious before, especially in front of Zhou Shuren. His legs were numb, and the blood recovery felt particularly bad, as if thousands of ants were biting him. "No need."

"Since you don't need it, I will leave first. Please sit down slowly."

Zhou Shuren took two steps and then stopped. "Oh, the Marquis doesn't look well, but remember to call the imperial physician. I remember that both of the Marquis' wives died of illness. So, the Marquis has lost two wives, tsk tsk."

You have to experience the meaning behind this yourself. Eunuch Liu has experienced it.

Yao Wenqi glared at Zhou Shuren, "What do you mean?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "I don't mean anything by that. You must be overthinking it. I think it's better for this person to live a simple life. I'm still busy, and I can't wait for you to be free and go first."

Zhang Yang stood at the door, staring at Zhou Shuren with wide eyes. What was wrong with Zhou Shuren today that he was so rude to Lord Yao? Look how angry Lord Yao was, he looked like he was going to vomit blood.

Zhou Shuren turned around and left quickly after he finished speaking. If he didn't show his claws, who would think he was easy to bully? Ha, the deaths of Yao Wenqi's two wives were almost the same, it was just that the first wife died too long ago and no one had much contact with her.

Zhou Shuren walked slowly out of the palace, and Zhang Yang soon caught up with him.

Zhang Yang was walking so fast that he was a little out of breath. He slowed down for a while outside the palace, then quickly caught up with him, "Master Zhou."

Zhou Shuren tilted his head and looked at Zhang Yang who was smiling at him. Zhang Yang was getting thicker and thicker, and his acting skills were improving. He smiled at him sincerely, "I have met Your Highness."

Zhang Yang breathed a sigh of relief, "Sir Zhou, of all the civil and military officials in the court, you are number one in my father's heart. I admire you very much."

Zhou Shuren took a step back and said, "Your Highness, you must not say that. Civil and military officials all have their own duties. I am the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. All ministries are related to the Ministry of Revenue. That is why the Emperor would often see officials from the Ministry of Revenue."

He was talking about the entire Ministry of Revenue and did not mention his own name.

(End of this chapter)