After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

After returning to the palace, the Hongzhi Emperor became increasingly uneasy.

According to Yang Shen, business profits are very high, but what about the money in the national treasury?

He's the kind of person who's destined to worry and work hard; he can't sleep when he has something on his mind.

So, in the middle of the night, he put on his clothes and ran to the Imperial Study, asking Xiao Jing to find last year's memorials, especially those concerning taxes in various regions.

Xiao Jing is quite old; he had just fallen asleep when he was woken up again.

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was brightly lit, and they searched high and low all night, finally finding a few books.

After reviewing the documents, the Hongzhi Emperor frowned and asked, "These prefectures have silk businesses that span the entire country, so why do they only collect such a small amount of tax annually?"

Xiao Jingkun's tears streamed down his face, but he dared not show it. He forced a smile and said, "This old servant is not very clear about business matters. Your Majesty, why don't you summon the officials of the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow and ask them in detail?"

The Hongzhi Emperor glanced at him sideways and said with displeasure, "The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs doesn't know how to manage accounts. My money is missing, and you can't even see it?"

Xiao Jing suddenly felt wide awake, knelt down with a thud, and bowed his head, saying, "This old servant deserves to die ten thousand times!"

The Hongzhi Emperor waved his hand dismissively: "Get up! Don't be in deep trouble!"

Xiao Jing was covered in sweat, but dared not move, not even daring to breathe.

The Hongzhi Emperor then said, "First, find out for me the situation around the capital!"

"This old servant will arrange it immediately!"

Xiao Jing carefully bowed and withdrew, returning to the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Before dawn, the guards, both big and small, set out to gather information in the streets and alleys.

The Eastern Depot was an intelligence agency with undercover agents in the city, and it quickly obtained a large amount of intelligence.

After sorting through the intelligence, Xiao Jing found a time when he wasn't too busy and presented it to the Hongzhi Emperor.

After reviewing the information, the Hongzhi Emperor was quite satisfied: "Not bad. They managed to gather so much intelligence in just three days. It seems the Eastern Depot isn't beyond redemption yet."

Xiao Jing finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The Eastern Depot is His Majesty's eyes and ears, and we have never dared to slack off."

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at it for a while longer, then frowned again and said, "The profits of these shops do not match the commercial taxes reported by Shuntian Prefecture."

Xiao Jing said, "This old servant has already investigated. The owners behind these merchants are almost all powerful and influential gentry. According to ancestral rules, they can be exempted from a portion of commercial taxes. Therefore, there is indeed a discrepancy between the actual tax revenue and the book profits. His Majesty asked this old servant a few days ago why the commercial taxes in those prefectures in Jiangnan were not high, and this is probably the reason as well."

The Hongzhi Emperor looked very grim.

They've already brought out the ancestral rules, what else can we say!

Casually picking up a piece of intelligence, he asked, "What does 'the Duke of Cheng's secret assets' mean?"

Xiao Jing hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, there have been some rumors circulating these past few days that the Duke of Cheng's mansion has some businesses, and they're quite large. As for what exactly they are, this old servant is truly ashamed to say that I haven't been able to find out yet."

The Hongzhi Emperor put down the intelligence report, his brow furrowing slightly: "The Duke of Cheng is not short of money, so why does he still engage in business?"

Xiao Jing cautiously replied, "This old servant dares to guess that it might be because the imperial court has a tax exemption policy for nobles..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Hongzhi Emperor's face darkened.

"Tax exemption policy?"

He scoffed, "The imperial court gives him so much salary every year, and he still wants to take advantage of the court!"

Xiao Jing dared not reply and stood with his head down.

The Hongzhi Emperor stood up and paced a few steps in the imperial study, growing increasingly angry as he spoke: "These kinds of people have received the emperor's favor for generations, yet they're always thinking of taking advantage! If everyone in the world were like this, how could the national treasury possibly collect silver? Would the Ming Dynasty have any future?"

Xiao Jing quickly advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Not all the powerful and influential people in the capital are like this. Take the Marquis of Shouning, for example; he has been quite quiet lately. It is said that he rarely goes out and keeps a very low profile."

The Hongzhi Emperor paused, somewhat surprised: "Oh? Marquis of Shouning?"

He thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, it seems like no one has impeached him recently."

It should be noted that Zhang Heling, the former Marquis of Shouning, relied on his status as the emperor's brother-in-law to do nothing of importance every day, and often bullied men and women. He was impeached every now and then, and the Hongzhi Emperor had a lot of headaches because of this.

Xiao Jing smiled and said, "It's all thanks to His Majesty's excellent education; the Marquis of Shouning has really changed a lot."

The Hongzhi Emperor stroked his beard, a look of satisfaction on his face.

It seems that Marquis Shouning has finally become sensible and lived up to his teachings.

He sat back down at his desk, when suddenly something occurred to him: "The winter solstice is approaching; who will be in charge of the sacrificial rites this year?"

Xiao Jing thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, according to custom, the Duke of Yingguo will still be the second offerer, and the Duke of Chengguo, Zhu Fu, will be the second offerer."

The term "Ya Xian" refers to the second chief officiant in large-scale sacrificial ceremonies, second only to the emperor.

After all, there is only one emperor, and sacrifices must be made to heaven, the state, ancestors, and so on. It is impossible to do everything. At this time, the assistant minister is needed to step forward and preside over the activities on behalf of the emperor.

As the name suggests, the offering of sacrifices is to the deities who are assigned to or secondary to the sacrifices.

Emperor Hongzhi pondered for a moment, then waved his hand: "Let's change it this year. Let the Duke of Yingguo preside over the sacrificial ceremony in Nanjing, and in Beijing, the Duke of Chengguo will be the second offerer, and the Marquis of Shouning will be the second offerer."

Xiao Jing was taken aback, and cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, shouldn't we... discuss this decision with the Ministry of Rites?"

The Hongzhi Emperor looked up at him and said, "Go and inform the Ministry of Rites that I have considered that the ceremony in Nanjing has always been presided over by the Earl of Wujing, which is not grand enough, so let the Duke of Yingguo go instead!"

Xiao Jing understood; this arrangement meant that they were preparing to appoint the Marquis of Shouning.

He bowed and replied, "This old servant obeys the decree."

The Hongzhi Emperor picked up the intelligence report again, glanced at it, and said calmly, "Summon the Duke of Cheng and the Marquis of Shouning to the palace!"

Xiao Jing accepted the order, left the imperial study, and sent someone to deliver the decree.

Outside the Meridian Gate, the sedan chair of Duke Zhu Fu of Cheng was brought down.

He was over sixty years old this year, and his body was still quite healthy, but his legs were a little weak. When he got out of the sedan chair, he held onto the sedan chair pole to slow down before he could stand up. Then he saw several people walking towards him.

The first person was Marquis Guo Liang of Wuding, followed by Earl Li Jin of Xiangcheng, and several military officers, all familiar faces from the capital garrison, who appeared to have just finished some business.

"Oh, Duke Cheng!"

Guo Liang cupped his hands in greeting from afar and said loudly, "Why did you come in person on such a cold day?"

Zhu Fu straightened his clothes and laughed, "His Majesty summoned me, how could I not come? You lot are all quite presentable."

The military officers all stepped forward to pay their respects. Guo Liang took two steps closer, a playful smile on his face, and lowered his voice, saying, "Old Duke, I heard your business has been doing quite well lately?"

Zhu Fu was taken aback and stopped in his tracks: "What kind of business?"

Guo Liang winked and smiled meaningfully: "Brother, that's not fair! We've been friends for so many years, and you're secretly making money without helping your brothers?"

Zhu Fu frowned: "Don't talk nonsense. When did I secretly make money?"

"Tsk tsk, you still won't admit it?"

Guo Liang turned to look at Li Jin: "Lord Xiangcheng, listen to this guy, he's really stubborn!"

Li Jin chuckled and chimed in, "Yes, old Duke, it's all over the place. They say your business is booming lately, and it's all family. Can you give us a heads-up?"

Zhu Fu's face had flushed red, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. He waved his hands repeatedly, "What's this about admitting or denying? If it's not true, it's not true! I don't lack money, why would I need to do business?"

What he said is true.

The Duke of Cheng's mansion has no shortage of grain and farmland every year, so there is really no need for him to show his face in public and do business like a merchant.

Guo Liang chuckled and patted Zhu Fu's arm: "You're not short of money, that's perfect! I'm currently renovating my house and I'm a bit tight on cash. Can you lend me some?"

Zhu Fu choked, then glared at him and said, "Why are you asking me for money to repair your house?"

"You've made a fortune!"

Guo Liang, with a matter-of-fact expression, continued, "What's wrong with lending a little money? You're not short of cash!"

Zhu Fu's mustache stood on end: "Stop messing around! I have serious business to attend to, I'm not going to waste time talking nonsense with you!"

After saying that, he broke free and headed towards the palace.

Unexpectedly, Li Jin stepped aside to block him, smiling as he said, "Old Duke, could you lend me some too?"

Zhu Fu was truly enraged this time: "Why are you getting involved! Does the Marquis of Xiangcheng need money? Get out of here, get out of here!"

After saying that, he ignored the others and strode into the palace, his steps much more agile than when he got out of the sedan chair.

Watching the departing figure, Guo Liang remarked, "That old guy, he gets stingier and stingier with age!"

Li Jin chimed in, "Judging from his mysterious demeanor, the rumors circulating are probably true. It seems that the Duke of Cheng has indeed made quite a bit of money recently."

Guo Liang turned to look at him: "Why do you need to borrow money from him? Are you short of money too?"

Li Jin said, "I don't lack money. My husband, Da Chun, is also in business and has made a lot of money. I'm just afraid he'll ask me for money, so I'm striking first."

Guo Liang hurriedly said, "Really? My nephew is so capable now? Lend me five hundred taels!"

Li Jin's expression changed, and she said, "Oh dear, my stomach is suddenly hurting terribly, goodbye!"