My uncle is Zhu Di

Chapter 158 Xia Yuanji admits defeat

Xia Yuanji was outside Xu's house early in the morning, waiting for Xu Qin. He didn't dare to come late, for fear that Xu Qin would be out and there would be no way to discuss the matter. So, he had to come early.

Xu Huizu didn’t know what exactly happened, nor did he know about the rumors outside yesterday. He went to the construction site yesterday afternoon, so he had no idea about what was happening outside.

Because it was too early, Xu Huizu could only invite him in first.

After Xia Yuanji was led to the living room, he bowed to Xu Huizu and said, "Congratulations, Duke Wei!"

Xu Huizu immediately returned the greeting and said, "Don't make the mistake. I am not the Duke of Wei. But why did Minister Xia come here so early?"

Xia Yuanji continued to bow and said, "The imperial edict to restore the title will arrive today. The Duke of Wei still belongs to Master Xu. However, I came here so early to discuss some things with Master Xu. I wonder if the Duke of Wei has heard of the rumors outside yesterday?"

Xu Huizu immediately raised his hand to stop him and said, "Don't call me Duke of Wei. I am not one now. If I call you that, it might bring trouble to you and me. But I don't know about the rumors you mentioned. Please explain it clearly!"

Xia Yuanji thought for a moment and thought that he might need to discuss this matter with Xu Huizu to see if he could get Xu Huizu to agree. In this way, it might be easier to convince Xu Qin.

So he bowed and said to Xia Yuanji: "Yesterday, there were rumors outside that Xu Qin was going to be conferred the title of Earl of Haozhou. Therefore, many ministers opposed it, and many ministers also wrote letters to oppose it. However, in the evening, there was news that Your Majesty might publish the Daming Daily.

The so-called Ming Daily is to publicize the policies of the Ming Dynasty and the specific affairs of the Ming Dynasty. However, we are opposed to this. It is wise not to open it. Once it is opened, it will be more difficult to govern our Ming Dynasty in the future.

We know that the Ming Daily was probably proposed by Xu Qin, so I came here today to discuss it with Xu Qin. We don't object to Xu Qin's title, but Xu Qin should not mention the Ming Daily anymore. What do you think, Master Xu?"

When Xu Huizu heard this, he knew what was going on. Those civil officials would definitely oppose the Ming Daily. However, Xu Qin had already told Zhu Di about this before, and it would be useless for them to oppose it now. So he stroked his beard and said, "Regardless of whether Shakyabao agrees or not, the key lies with Your Majesty. If Your Majesty knows about this, then what's the point of Shakyabao not mentioning it?

Besides, if Your Majesty insists on letting Sakyabao do this, do you think Sakyabao dares not to do it? You are also a minister, do you have the courage?
Also, yesterday you opposed Sakya Bao's title of Earl, and today you came to make a deal with Sakya Bao because of the Daming Daily incident. In this way, we do not see the sincerity of your civil officials.

In the past, you civil officials have made several small moves against our family, and we, the Xu family, did not bother with you. But this time, you were the first to take action. Now you regret it, but isn’t it a little too late?

I, Xu Huizu, am now confined at home, but isn’t it too much for you to bully me like this?
Regarding the cotton incident, and the incident before that, you spread rumors that our family had connections with Zhu Yunwen. You are spreading rumors like this and are trying to kill our Xu family. Minister Xia, do you think it is fair for you to do this?
If it weren't for Shakyabao's quick wit, he might have been dealt with by you.

Therefore, our Xu family has no interest in your current proposal. Whether the Ming Dynasty newspaper will be published depends on your Majesty, not on Shakyabao. The title is also up to your Majesty, not you. "Xu Huizu sat there, staring at Xia Yuanji and said with great dissatisfaction.

"We were indeed wrong in this matter. However, we will give you a satisfactory answer to this matter. But now we still hope that Xu Qin will not bring up the matter of the Daming Daily. This matter has a great impact on us." Xia Yuanji looked at Xu Huizu and said in embarrassment. Now they had no choice.

"Well, but, can you talk to Sakyabao? But you civil officials are a bit too much. I remember that my Sakyabao went to you and hoped to discuss the cotton issue, but you ignored him. Every time you have trouble, you come to Sakyabao and hope that Sakyabao will agree. When our Sakyabao has trouble, he comes to you, but you say no.

So we despise your behavior." Xu Huizu said coldly while sitting there.

When Xia Yuanji heard what Xu Huizu said, he felt a little embarrassed.

"Okay, then please go to the side room and rest first and wait for Sakya Bao. I will also send someone to notify Sakya Bao. Once Sakya Bao wakes up, let him come to see you. After all, it would be inappropriate not to see you since you come so early." Xu Huizu stood up and said, and Xia Yuanji also stood up.

The servants of the Xu Mansion also came over and led Xia Yuanji to the next room. They also knew that Xu Qin could not get up so early.

Xia Yuanji waited for almost an hour before Xu Qin woke up. It was Mu Feng who told him that Xia Yuanji had arrived.

Xu Qin could only send someone to bring Xia Yuanji over.

Xia Yuanji arrived at Xu Qin's courtyard living room. It was still a familiar scene, Xu Qin was eating breakfast.

"I say, why do you civil officials always ask you to come over? You and I are not that familiar with each other. You are a minister, why do you come to my house for no reason? People who don't know me would think I am a high-ranking official!" Xu Qin said to Xia Yuanji with a smile.

Xia Yuanji smiled bitterly after hearing this, knowing that Xu Qin was mocking him, but as Xu Qin said, he could only come by himself now. If someone else came, Xu Qin might not meet them. "Tell me, is it about the Daming Daily? I admit that I let it out, and I don't need to tell you the reason, right?" Xu Qin said to Xia Yuanji with a smile.

Xia Yuanji smiled, shook his head and said, "This matter can only be regarded as a rumor. If His Majesty asks, can you just say you don't know?"

"What are the benefits? Who will resolve His Majesty's anger?" Xu Qin asked Xia Yuanji upon hearing this.

"This!" Xia Yuanji didn't know how to answer when he heard it.

"Do you want to send me to the imperial prison? If His Majesty asks me, I won't be able to answer? Then His Majesty will get angry and punish me. Not only will you be able to watch the fun, but you will also be able to add insult to injury. Minister Xia, you are not sincere. This is not how things should be discussed. Why don't you follow any rules?" Xu Qin said to Xia Yuanji with a smile.

"No, we will stop His Majesty from taking you to the Imperial Prison." Xia Yuanji said immediately.

"Can you guarantee it?" Xu Qin asked Xia Yuanji.

Xia Yuanji was stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile. Who could guarantee that Zhu Di would not inform the civil officials in advance when arresting someone?

"Then how do we stop it?" Xu Qin asked with a sneer.

"Mr. Xu, we will not stop you from being conferred the title of Earl, but we hope that you will not provide any specific operational details regarding the Ming Daily. What do you think, Mr. Xu? In this regard, we will open up the supply of silk to Mr. Xu, and we will not impose any restrictions on Mr. Xu's workshop in the future.

Of course, our civil officials will not impeach Master Xu. We will not be enemies with Master Xu. You can have conflicts with individual civil officials, but we will not unite to attack you. Please rest assured that we do not want to be enemies with you. "Xia Yuanji looked at Xu Qin helplessly and said.

"You surrender already. Before, I told you that I don't want to be your enemy, but you ignored me. Now, isn't it a little too late? Okay, the Ming Daily is not your biggest concern. You have another thing to worry about." Xu Qin said to Xia Yuanji with a smile.

Xia Yuanji looked at Xu Qin in fear. There was one more thing? Could it be? Xia Yuanji didn't dare to think about it.

"I went to the palace yesterday. You know, His Majesty may want to restore our family's title. I guess you know that too. Do you know why?" Xu Qin said to Xia Yuanji with a smile.

"Going out to sea for trade?" Xia Yuanji asked Xu Qin.

Xu Qin nodded, smiled and said: "The court will set up a separate trade bureau, and I will be the person in charge. In the future, 20% of the trade bureau will belong to the Five Military Governors' Office, 20% will belong to the children of the nobles, and the remaining 60% will belong to the inner treasury. Therefore, the trade bureau will have a military background in the future.

In addition, the Trade Bureau will have two naval forces under its command that will go out to sea with the ships. Once they encounter a country that is unfavorable to our Ming merchant ships, our Ming navy will land and flatten that country.

Therefore, your plan to stop the Weaving Bureau from conducting overseas trade has been shattered.

The reason why I was conferred the title of Earl is because I can let my Ming Dynasty's navy control overseas enclaves, which can bring benefits to my Ming Dynasty. But I'm sorry if you try to stop me.

So before you tried to stop me, why didn't you try to find out what I, Xu Qin, had said to His Majesty?
Also, don't blame me for proposing to establish a trade bureau. I had no choice. Your Majesty summoned me and asked me about this matter. What do you think I should do? Under the pressure of Your Majesty's might, I was trembling, so I told him everything."

After hearing Xu Qin's words, Xia Yuanji looked at Xu Qin in amazement. He really didn't expect that Xu Qin would propose such a plan when he met Zhu Di yesterday.

"So what are you opposing now? The Trade Bureau or the Ming Daily? Or do you want to oppose both? Do you have the strength to do so?" Xu Qin asked Xia Yuanji with a smile.

Xia Yuanji sighed at this moment, and then said with emotion: "Master Xu, we really underestimated you. You are so good at arithmetic, so naturally you are also very skilled in calculations. We are in trouble this time, but Xu Qin, your suggestion to His Majesty may not be a good thing for you."

When Xu Qin heard this, he looked at Xia Yuanji, wanting to hear what Xia Yuanji had to say about why it was not a good thing.
"In fact, we also hope that the Ming Dynasty will be strong, but if your majesty is too strong, it may not be a good thing for us ministers, whether they are civil officials or military generals. Now, you have made your majesty's imperial power even stronger!"

(End of this chapter)