Xie Ming

Chapter 458: Night at Wuying Palace (Part )
“Increase income? Or reduce expenditure?!”

"There have been countless discussions on ideas and measures, but when it comes to actual practice, they are of no use at all. Empty talk is a disservice to the country."

"Cough cough cough cough." He coughed continuously but was unwilling to stop.

"The Prime Minister of the Cabinet, and also the Minister of Revenue, Qiu Weizhen, said that he would definitely increase the tax on new soldiers!"

"The people below curse me, the gods are angry and the people are resentful of Hongguang, who is selling his own children to raise military rations!"

"How could I not know?"

"But I can't help it!"

"Cough cough."

"Ah, and there's Li Shichun, who talks about fighting corruption and reforming malpractices, saying that drastic measures are needed to cure a serious illness!"

"The words are very beautiful!"

"But what about the details?"

"The corruption investigation is pretentious and hesitant. The proposal to reform the rules for dismissal is just paper work!"

"It's just a theory, but there's no way to implement it!"

"Secretary General Ni Yuanlu is no different!"

"If you want to come up with an excuse, you can use the old examples as an example. The idea of ​​maritime trade is just a castle in the air. If you don't understand the current situation, how can I compare it with the subsequent studies?!"

"Let's talk about it."

"I just feel disappointed!"

Zhu Cilang spoke a lot, holding the teacup tightly in his hand, with sweat on his forehead, and he looked exhausted.

But he didn't care and continued to vent.
"Ah"

"Instead, the court officials all expressed their wish for me to select a queen and concubines, and to hold a grand selection of concubines to fill the palace!"

"They opened the door to convenience, used me as bait, and lured the wealthy and powerful in Jiangnan to donate money to the cause."

"I don't want to compromise on this basis."

"But what can we do?!"

"If you don't give the wealthy and powerful the right to participate in politics, you won't get any money!"

"Hahahaha." It was so ridiculous to laugh.

"Since we know that this method will cause endless troubles, and it is difficult to settle all the money we earn, this move is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst!"

"But I have to do it?!"

"If you don't do it, you won't be able to endure what's happening right now!"

"What am I?!"

"Ah? What on earth is that?!"

"Xiao Lang!"

"Have you ever seen a king as frustrated as me in this world?!"

When he got to the point where he felt extremely sad, Emperor Hongguang got angry and threw the tea bowl to the ground!

With a crisp sound!
The figure in the red robe also slipped off the couch in complete dejection!

Wang Zhixin pretended to step forward to help, but he just pushed him away!

With just the bit of strength he had left, he barely managed to move forward a step and sat down on the step opposite Xiao Lang.

Xiao and Wang, both in the hall, as well as three or five young eunuchs waiting in the hall, were all terrified when they saw what was happening. They bowed their heads and knelt down!
"emperor!"

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself!" Wang Zhixin choked up and started crying.

Xiao Jingchuan had never expected that the Hongguang Emperor would actually experience such a scene. Needless to say, he quickly came forward to apologize to show his sincerity.

"emperor."

"I did not understand the emperor's will before, and I even urged him to provide food."

"I, my humble servant deserves death!"

"I deserve to die!" Xiao expressed regret and made some statements to comfort himself.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang smiled weakly and slowly raised his arm to stop.

"no no"

"Xiao Lang!"

"I asked you to come back this time! Not to comfort me!"

"Hu——" He took a breath and continued to think.

"The four towns in northern Jiangnan are wasting even more money and money, and the industry is about to become too big to be eliminated!"

"The Jianghuai area has been causing trouble time and again!"

"I am not ignorant of these things!"

"They are of no use!"

"Needles can't be inserted, water can't be poured in"

"Humph!"

"It's all because of the collusion with the South Party figures in the court!" "You led the troops to establish the capital in Shandong, and the leaders of the four towns below are difficult to control and face difficulties. I know all this!"

"When you marched north, you almost used up all your resources, just to save face for me!"

"We are both good for this!"

"I understand!"

"I want to thank you!" The emperor's eyes were moist, and Zhu Cilang acted as if he was expressing his heartfelt gratitude.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan seemed to be infected as well and looked up.

"emperor!"

"Your Majesty!" Both of them were filled with admiration and agreement.

Zhu Cilang also felt that the time had come, so he stopped procrastinating and testing the waters. He used up his last bit of energy to fight, stretched out his arms, sat up straight, and gave his orders loudly.

"Xiao Jingchuan listens!" Emperor Hongguang ordered.

Upon hearing this, Xiao was slightly startled, but without further argument, he quickly straightened his appearance and responded respectfully.

"Yes! I will be here!"

"At your command, His Majesty!" Xiao replied.

"it is good!"

"You have returned to Beijing with great achievements this time!"

"Tens of thousands of Jiannu cavalrymen invaded from the south, but you trapped them on the north bank of the Yellow River for more than a month, severely defeating the enemy!"

"Most of southeastern Shandong has been restored to the Ming Dynasty!"

"I want to confer the honor!"

"A great title is bestowed upon you!"

"Xiao Jingchuan, listen to this!"

"From now on, I grant you the title of loyal and devoted military official for the pacification of the country, the title of Zuo Zhuguo, the title of Ronglu Dafu, the title of Zuo Jun Dudufu, and the title of Jingguo Gong!"

"Hereditary succession!"

“Did you hear that clearly?!” Zhu Cilang’s words were powerful.

Upon hearing this, Xiao was startled and extremely surprised.

"Ah?! This... this..."

How could Xiao have imagined this? !
Earlier in Jinan, the message sent to Zhong was nothing more than a reminder for him to return to Beijing alone and be appointed prime minister and given a title of nobility.

Xiao Lang then thought about it and felt that he was worthy of the same rank as Liu Wenbing, and being promoted to a marquis was already a special promotion!

But no one expected that Emperor Hongguang would give the title to the Duke as soon as he made a move, and it would be hereditary!
How could he have expected such a favor?!
What's more, the title of "a loyal and devoted military official who fought bravely for the country and quelled the rebellion" in the first sentence, is an honor that only a few people have been able to receive since the founding of the Ming Dynasty by Emperor Taizu!
What qualifications does Xiao Jingchuan have?
Therefore, when Xiao Jingchuan was struck by Zhu Cilang's grace, he was speechless and dared not respond!

On the other hand, it was Emperor Hongguang, with a pale face and sweat on his forehead, but he was sitting firmly on the steps, with an expected expression!

"Xiao Lang!"

"You and I have brought Ni Yuanlu and others from the capital together. I have important positions for them in the court!"

"But let's wait and see over the next month!"

"The three elders, Ni, Li, and Lin, can only play a role in balancing the political situation!"

"Firstly, the number of officials from the capital who can go south is limited, and it is difficult for those who are in a foreign land to display their talents, and it is also difficult for all places to provide comprehensive support!"

"Secondly, when it comes to actual action, huh... it's hard to say!"

"I am trapped in this palace, with determination in my hands but unable to move forward!"

"There is really no one available!"

"It's different now, you, Xiao Lang, are back!"

"I finally have someone who is close to me and worth using!"

"I had actually discussed the Shandong matter with the cabinet before I received the imperial edict to march north!"

"At that time, Ni Yuanlu first proposed to go to the North for peace talks!"

"And the Southern Party, led by Qiu Weizhen, also echoed it!"

After Zhu Cilang had just issued the special decree, Xiao was in a daze and urgently mentioned Ni Yuanlu's request for peace in order to reduce Xiao's resistance to the minimum!
But when he heard that they wanted to seek peace with the Jian Nu, Xiao Jingchuan would act shocked and annoyed.

"what?!"

"Your Majesty." Xiao pretended to hear it for the first time.

"Ugh!"

"Xiao Lang!"

"Both factions in the court have this intention. Even if I insist on persisting, I'm afraid it won't last long!"

"I know you are unwilling, but...how can I be willing to do this?!"

"The court has no money!"

"This is the truth!"

(End of this chapter)