Daming: Apocalypse of Longevity

Chapter 121 Zhang Guoji was granted the title of Marquis

"Why would they object? They don't have to pay for this, and I've already said that the money needed will come from my own funds, and I won't even have to touch the money in the imperial treasury..." Zhu Tianqi was half-sent. The son suddenly came to his senses and understood the meaning of Xu Guangqi's words.

The gentry and wealthy families I just mentioned who exploited and oppressed the people, after all, aren't they just the people in the court and their lackeys?Now that the imperial court is carrying out tax reform and implementing new tax laws, it has already cut off many of their financial avenues. Now I am going to cut off even their last financial avenue of making money by collecting grain at low prices. Only if they are willing to cooperate with me Weird!

Although Zhu Tianqi is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he has little prestige to this day. The ministers in the court are all obedient to him. Except for a few close ministers, he can hardly command anyone. If it were not for Xu Guangqi and Sun Chengzong With their capable confidants, ministers and imperial guards, he could hardly accomplish anything.

Now that there is a cabinet, I am even more restrained in doing things. If this matter is discussed on the bright side, I will definitely not be able to defeat the ministers in the court in the end. So after thinking twice, Zhu Tianqi finally said: "Xu Aiqing , it’s better not to let the cabinet discuss this matter, and don’t do it in the name of the imperial court!”

Xu Guangqi knew the emperor's difficulties. When he heard this, he naturally thought of Zhu Tianqi's plan, and saluted and agreed: "I understand!"

Zhu Tianqi planned to work differently this time, find a spokesperson for the court, and change his vest to purchase grain in a private name. In this way, the civil servants in the court would not be able to find him.

With their own people going down to collect grain at a low price, if these gentry and wealthy families dare to lower the purchase price again, I am afraid that no common people will sell them grain. If they want to receive grain, they have to increase the purchase price!

Of course, in this way, the conflicts that were originally focused on him have shifted. The hundreds of officials in the court and the gentry and wealthy people below them will naturally hate the "spokesperson" they have found to oppose them, so What I have to do is to give this "spokesperson" enough power so that he can protect himself!
As for the candidate for this spokesperson, Zhu Tianqi had already thought about it. It was Zhang Guoji, the Taikang Bo who was about to return. Therefore, Zhu Tianqi had been looking forward to the stars and the moon in the past few days. Finally, ten days later, Zhang Guoji was brought back and transported. The last batch of sand boats of Annan Rice entered Beijing.

Although Zhang Guoji was far away from his hometown and stayed in Annan for half a year, his life was quite comfortable. During this period of time he lived in Wujiazhuang, Wu Sanchai naturally served him delicious food and didn't dare to have any trouble. Therefore, when he returned to Beijing this time, Zhu Tianqi unexpectedly discovered that Zhang Guoji had gained weight than before, and his complexion was also very good.

After Zhu Tianqi heard that Zhang Guoji had returned to the capital, he ceremoniously received him in the Huangji Palace in front of hundreds of officials.

Zhang Guoji first bowed and bowed, and then reported to Zhu Tianqi the specific circumstances of the trip to Annan in public. Although Zhu Tianqi had already known these circumstances through the secret letter of Jin Yiwei and Zhang Guoji's memorial, the officials did not know these things. , and you have to let them listen carefully.

Zhang Guoji's trip to Annan was already full of difficulties. It was not easy for Zhang Guoji to overcome all difficulties and help the imperial court purchase nearly 200 million shi of rice in Annan and transport all the rice back to Beijing. Not to mention that Zhang Guoji took the initiative to stay in Annan to guard the grain and rice. , and persisted until the last moment when all the rice had been transported before agreeing to return to Beijing with the ship.

You know, Annan is currently at war. Staying alone in Annan at this time is risking your life. Therefore, Zhang Guoji is admirable in terms of ability and courage.

After Zhang Guoji finished speaking, Zhu Tianqi glanced at the expressions of the officials in the palace and said: "Uncle Zhang Guoji went into danger alone and traveled across the ocean to Annan to purchase rice for the Ming Dynasty. He was brave and resourceful. The purchased rice totaled 170 million shi and was all shipped back to the capital. It was the Annan rice that allowed the Shaanxi Chief Envoy to survive the disaster. It can be said that Zhang Guoji solved the urgent need of the court. He made such a big decision. Of course, there is no reason not to reward Zhang Guoji for his contribution. I want to make Taikang Bo Zhang Guoji the Taikang Marquis. I wonder if you, my dear friends, have any objections?"

Zhang Guoji is the queen's biological father and the emperor's father-in-law. Who doesn't know this?The emperor wants to give his father-in-law a promotion, so who would be so ignorant as to stand up and oppose it?Moreover, the reward for Zhang Guoji this time is also justified. Based on Zhang Guoji's great contribution to the court just now, he is well-deserved to be granted the title of Marquis!

Therefore, Qian Qianyi immediately took the lead and saluted: "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang has made such great contributions to the court and deserves a reward. I dare not have the slightest objection!"

As soon as Qian Qianyi took the lead, the ministers behind him naturally followed suit and expressed their opinions: "I second the proposal!"

Zhu Tianqi nodded slightly and said: "Since everyone has no objections, I will make the decision today. I will make Zhang Guoji the Marquis of Taikang and give him a python robe and jade belt!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoji hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude: "My lord Zhang Guoji, I would like to thank you for your kindness. Long live my emperor!"

Zhu Tianqi, however, was not in a hurry to get Zhang Guoji up, but continued: "Also, considering that Marquis Taikang is good at organizing and transporting grain, from now on the imperial court will be in charge of the preparation and transportation of grain and grass, Marquis Taikang. I will give you this gift." Shang Fang's sword, anyone who dares to obstruct and interfere with your food collection and transportation, you can kill first and play later!"

As soon as these words came out, all the officials in the palace were immediately shocked. Even Zhang Guoji was surprised. He didn't know what the emperor meant by this. However, he naturally couldn't show his timidity at this time, so he immediately kowtowed and thanked the king. Yuan Bao holds Shang Fang's sword.

After resigning from the imperial court, Zhu Tianqi invited Zhang Guoji to a banquet at the Qianqing Palace. He also brought the queen Zhang Yan to the Qianqing Palace to greet Zhang Guoji and have a reunion dinner together as a family. After all, during the Chinese New Year, Zhang Guoji was all Couldn't come back.

As for Zhu Tianqi's award to Zhang Guoji just now, all the officials in the court discussed and speculated one after another, but for a while, everyone couldn't think of the emperor's intention for this move, even Qian Qianyi and Qian Longxi couldn't guess it.

The conclusion they finally came to after discussion was that either the emperor was excited for a moment and felt that granting the title of Marquis to Zhang Guoji was not enough, so he rewarded him with a Shangfang Sword as a token of his gratitude. As for what he said later, there is no need to pay too much attention to it. Maybe It's totally a scene.

After all, there are several important ministers in this court who have been rewarded with the Shang Fang Sword. Although it is said that this thing can be used to kill first and then show off, no one has dared to do it. At most, it is used to scare people. To put it bluntly, This thing is just a symbol of being favored by the emperor.

(End of this chapter)