Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 59 Betting!

After Grain Rain, spring begins in the northern part of the country.

At that time, the sun was shining brightly in Beijing, flowers were in full bloom, birds were singing, and green willows were swaying in the warm spring breeze, turning into thousands of silk ribbons.

As the results of the imperial examination were announced, the whole city of Beijing became more and more festive.

After passing the imperial examination, these candidates would be considered to have their names on the gold list.

Therefore, some candidates have begun calling their friends to go out for outings during the spring.

Zhang Yunxiu was also on the list.

He got up very early this morning and heard Zhang Fu rushing in to deliver news.

A total of more than 300 candidates were admitted to this imperial examination, and he was on the list, ranking 137th.

Zhang Yunxiu was extremely satisfied with this result. As long as he could make the list, it would be a great thing.

After a quick meal, Zhang Yun straightened his clothes and went to sit in the pavilion in the courtyard. Zhang Fu followed closely behind him.

As soon as the two of them sat down, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't wait to ask, "Have you made any progress on the requisitioning of ships and renting merchant ships?"

Zhang Fu hesitated for a moment and whispered back, "They are all small boats. The largest one is only six feet long and two feet wide. There are big ones among the government ships, but I don't dare to ask about the small ones."

"Why?!"

"To use official ships to go out to sea, we need the emperor's order. Even if they want to help, they can't."

Zhang Yunxiu understood the reason, stood up, stared at Zhang Fu and said: "Well, you go and make contact first, I will go to ask the emperor for an order. And the craftsmen have to get moving, let them go to Tianjin first, and build as many as they can."

"Yes." Zhang Fu nodded in agreement.

Then, Zhang Yunxiu explained some details and went straight to the palace.

Arriving at the Qianqing Palace with familiarity, Zhang Yunxiu reported to the eunuch guarding the gate, and was then taken to the eastern warm room to wait.

He was a frequent visitor here and was not afraid of strangers. Seeing that the emperor had not arrived yet, he started chatting with the eunuch on duty: "Eunuch Huang, how is the emperor feeling these days?"

The eunuch with the tooth brand grinned and said with his hands covering his mouth: "It's fine, every day, his face is as happy as a flower."

That's good.

Zhang Yunxiu breathed a sigh of relief and chatted with Eunuch Huang about wild cotton and other family matters.

Although this ivory brand official was of noble status, he did not dare to neglect Zhang Yunxiu in the slightest, and even cooperated with him with a bit of fawning attitude.

The two talked for more than a quarter of an hour when footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall, and an urgent, shrill voice came into the hall.

Zhang Yunxiu knew that it was Emperor Wanli who had arrived.

"I have met your Majesty."

"No need to be polite. No need to be polite!" Emperor Wanli waved his hands impatiently, walked to the imperial couch without stopping, and sat down, while motioning Zhang Yunxiu to sit in front of him.

The two looked at each other, and Zhang Yunxiu got straight to the point and said, "Your Majesty, I came here this time to ask you for an order to requisition ocean-going ships from Jiangnan for my use at sea."

"Is that it?" Emperor Wanli pursed his lips and asked Zhang Yunxiu with a sidelong glance.

"We also built a shipyard in Tianjin and rebuilt the treasure ship."

"anything else?"

"What else?" Zhang Yunxiu was stunned, and slowly raised his head to look at Emperor Wanli, hoping to find the answer from his face.

"Humph, you are such a good man, Zhang Yunxiu!" The Wanli Emperor's face changed slightly, and he frowned and shouted excitedly, "I thought you were a loyal minister, but now it seems that you are not!"

"I know my crime." Zhang Yunxiu was frightened.

"Oh? Then tell me, where did you go wrong?" Emperor Wanli regained his usual warmth and asked jokingly. "I think it's almost the 15th day since I last came to see Your Majesty." Zhang Yunxiu chose his words carefully, half testing and half serious.

"It's good that you know!"

Emperor Wanli sat up from his embroidered couch, pointed at the eunuchs in the palace and cursed, "Tell me, I am alone in this deep palace, and these dogs are more rigid than each other. How can I have any fun?"

After being scolded, all the eunuchs prostrated themselves on the ground, repeatedly saying “I admit my guilt”.

"Doesn't the Emperor have Concubine De by his side? How can you say there is no fun at all?" Zhang Yunxiu replied with a smile.

Speaking of Consort De, Emperor Wanli's expression softened slightly. He fixed his eyes, looked at Zhang Yunxiu and asked, "Tell me, I have ordered the requisition of ships. How much money can you help me make in a year?"

"At least this number." Zhang Yunxiu said, holding up two fingers.

"Two hundred thousand taels?" Emperor Wanli asked curiously.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Okay, then it will be 200,000. If it doesn't reach 200,000, you have to make it up to me no matter what method you use, otherwise I will punish you for deceiving the emperor." Emperor Wanli waved his hand and said with a beaming eyebrow.

Zhang Yunxiu had no way to refute and could only agree with a bitter face.

Without waiting for Zhang Yunxiu to speak, Emperor Wanli became playful and ordered, "Take me out of the palace now. I left the palace once in December last year, and it has been four months since then."

"Doesn't the Emperor's palace also have two commercial streets?"

Zhang Yunxiu asked carefully.

"How can it be the same?" Emperor Wanli rolled his eyes at Zhang Yunxiu and snorted, "The eunuchs and maids in the palace all recognized me. When I left, they all became quails. It's so boring."

“I’m afraid it’s not possible recently.”

"Why?" asked Emperor Wanli.

"I have to go back and prepare for the palace examination." Zhang Yunxiu answered with a stiff upper lip.

"Knowledge can't be acquired overnight." Emperor Wanli waved his hands, frowned, stared at Zhang Yunxiu and said, "If you don't take me out, I will put you last."

"If you take me out, I might even give you some sweet treats."

At the end, Emperor Wanli raised his little finger and said something temptingly.

Zhang Yunxiu knew what the emperor meant. He smiled knowingly and nodded in agreement.

The two of them were planning a good trip when Wei Qing finally arrived. Emperor Wanli frowned and asked, "You old dog, why are you in such a hurry? Are you in a hurry to be reincarnated?"

Wei Qing shook her head, took two deep breaths, and panted, "Your Majesty, Princess Yongning sent someone to ask me when you will take her to fly a kite."

Oops.

I almost forgot about this little girl.

Emperor Wanli looked flustered, and after thinking for a moment, he said to Zhang Yunxiu, "Put aside the matter of leaving the palace for now. You accompany me to Huangji Gate first."

"I dare not." Zhang Yunxiu was startled and quickly refused, "According to etiquette, outsiders are not allowed to come into contact with the women in the palace. Princess Yongning is a princess, and I am just an ordinary man. I dare not go with her."

Princess Yongning was the fourth daughter of Emperor Muzong and the same-mother sister of Emperor Wanli.

"Are you afraid sometimes? My sister is not a man-eating tiger, you don't need to worry so much." Emperor Wanli smiled and waved his hand, saying nonchalantly.

"I dare not do that. Your Majesty, please take back your order."

"Once I have spoken, how can I take it back? Just come with me!" Emperor Wanli said, dragging Zhang Yunxiu away.

(End of this chapter)