My Brother-in-law is the Prince

  Chapter 108 Thanks to Your Majesty

  It was actually very embarrassing to encounter such a thing.

   After all, everyone wants face.

  The so-called see through but not tell through.

   It can be seen so clearly, and the incident has become like this, it just becomes everyone's heart to say whether to say it or not.

   and the others all dispersed, and even the Xiao Er wisely took the money and went to the back kitchen.

   Zhang Anshi looked at Zhu Di in embarrassment and said, "Why are you here, Your Majesty?"

  Zhu Di sullenly stared at Zhang Anshi and said, "Whether I will come or not, do I still need to report to you?"

   This is a typical phenomenon of becoming angry after breaking the defense. What else can Zhang Anshi say, so he can only say: "Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty is right."

  Zhu Di's face finally softened a little, and he said: "Your place...is not bad."

  Zhang Anshidao: "The minister is very ashamed. Since he was ordered to guard this place, he has devoted himself to worrying about this ferry every day. He is afraid that he will fail His Majesty's entrustment."

  Zhu Di nodded and said: "What happened to the explosion just now, what did you blow up again?"

This suddenly hit Zhang Anshi's sore spot, and Zhang Anshi said with an aggrieved face: "This...it's really hard to explain. Didn't I blow up half of Shen's Zhuangzi back then? I was thinking that such a big house might not be repairable, so I had no choice but to Resisting the pain, I taught others to blow up the other side. I saw my house turned into ashes with my own eyes. I felt very uncomfortable, and it was hard to let go..."

  Zhu Di laughed, he finally felt much better.

   "It's nothing, man, be more generous. Besides, didn't you earn a lot of money? Build a big uncle's mansion, and I will come and see it."

  Zhang Anshi immediately said: "Your Majesty, I don't plan to build a mansion."

  Zhu Di asked strangely: "Huh?"

  Zhang An Shidao: "I want to build a school, mainly because I deeply feel that many people want to study, but they can't find famous teachers."

   After a pause, he continued: "Furthermore, Confucius entrusted me with a dream. After thinking about it, I must always be worthy of his old man."

  Zhu Di twitched his face, just about to curse someone.

  Zhang Anshi lowered his voice and said again: "If this book is to be sold, it must be effective. If there are no role models, who will buy the book? Your Majesty, if you want to sell well, this school must be established!"

   "Really?" Zhu Di showed a meaningful expression.

Zhang Anshi hit the iron while it was hot: "Actually, I also hesitated. I am too worried about running a school. I have to take care of all aspects. It would be fine if I was still in the Guozi Academy. I only need to teach courses to others. It's a pity... To be hated by others, hey...it's hard to describe in words."

   What he said was very embarrassing, but there are two messages revealed here, one is to make money, and the other is to sell badly!

  At the beginning, Zhang Anshi did not make any mistakes, but because he was besieged by hundreds of officials, he resigned as a doctor.

  If the former is a lure, then the latter is enough to win Zhu Di's sympathy.

  Zhu Di sighed and said: "It's good for you to be self-motivated, and what I'm taking is your vigor, very good! By the way, Zhang Anshi, you can take some more silver for me."

  Zhang Anshi had nothing to say, he quickly took out the silver and offered it with both hands.

  Zhu Di got the silver, but handed it over to Yi Shiha: "Go, open a few houses."

  Yi Shiha was startled at first, then hurriedly nodded and left in a hurry.

   It was Zhang Anshi who was shocked and said: "What is your majesty's intention? This place is very rough, does your majesty still want to live here? What's more... the guards here, I'm afraid..."

   Zhu Di smiled and said: "I want to wait here for a day."

  Zhang Anshi was puzzled: "Wait...what are you waiting for?"

  Zhu Di said: "Stay on the sidelines and wait for the rabbit, and wait for others to throw themselves into the trap."

  When Zhu Di said this, he stopped laughing, showing a very serious look, and even began to speak politely.

  Having known each other for so many days, Zhang Anshi can probably figure out some of his temper. Generally, if such a rough person suddenly stops swearing, something may happen.

  Zhang Anshi unconsciously felt uneasy, no way, no way, my three brothers committed another crime, right?

  Zhu Di was calm and relaxed, and said again: "Let Xiao Er serve tea."

  In a short time, the little one poured tea, and the little two said with apologetic expression: "Damn the little one just now, the little one..."

  Zhu Di shook his head, but said in a grand tone: "It's none of your business, we still understand the principle of paying for food. It's just that I didn't bring the money, and it was indeed my negligence."

  Zhang Anshi became more and more uneasy. He found that Zhu Di had become more polite, and he lost that passionate temperament.

  Speaking of which, Zhu Di was originally born as a prince. He was born in Yingtian. At that time, the great ancestor Zhu Yuanzhang had already occupied Nanjing City. It can be said that Zhu Di grew up in an environment that was absolutely superior to anyone in the world.

Logically speaking, those more elegant manners and conversations should have been cultivated by Zhu Di since he was a child, but in his bones, he seems to disdain these so-called elegance, hidden deep in his heart, seems to be from Taizu Gao The wildness passed down in the emperor's blood.

  But now, this kind of wildness has been deliberately restrained, which makes Zhang Anshi even more uneasy.

  Xiaoer didn't think so much, he only knew that the person in front of him was a nobleman, wasn't even Uncle Zhang being careful with him!

  Then Xiaoer said: "In the end, the villain has eyes but no eyes..."

  Zhu Di suddenly said: "Forget it, don't need to say more."

  Yao Guangxiao sat aside, smiled and said to Xiao Er: "You can just do your own work."

  Xiao Er was relieved now.

  Yao Guangxiao began to look at Zhang Anshi at this time. In fact, he has always been quite curious about Zhang Anshi. Of course, Zhang Anshi's identity is quite sensitive to Yao Guangxiao. After all, he is the wife and brother of the prince.

  Yao Guangxiao has always ignored Zhu Di's family affairs. Even if Zhu Di asked countless times who could be the prince, Yao Guangxiao would never have any preference for any of Zhu Di's sons.

  He will always have only one answer: His Majesty has his own divine order.

   It's not that he was overly cautious, but that Yao Guangxiao knew very well that Zhu Di had the vision to choose his heir. Whether he said it or not, he would never change the result, and if he said it... maybe he would leave something to talk about.

  At this time, he said to Zhang Anshi: "I heard that you dreamed of Confucius?"

  Zhang Anshi said without blinking: "I vaguely dreamed, and I can't remember many things clearly when I wake up."

  Yao Guangxiao said: "Have you ever dreamed of the Tathagata Buddha?"

   Zhang Anshi felt a little harsh when he heard this. Didn't you come to make trouble?

  Zhang Anshi then said: "I am a scholar, not a foreigner. I don't think about Buddha on weekdays. If I want to come to Buddha, I won't come to find me in my dream."

  Yao Guangxiao said with emotion: "The poor monk has practiced Buddhism for decades, but so far he has not seen the Buddha appear. Cheng Enbo was only in his teens, and he had the dream of Confucius. It is really enviable."

  Zhang Anshi was determined to ignore him, this guy was full of weird words.

  On that day, Zhu Di really lived here.

  The accommodation conditions in this inn are actually not good. After all, it was only a small ferry before, and there were no big merchants or officials from the capital. Everyone would rather walk a few steps to live in an inn in Nanjing.

  In the early morning of the next day, the voices of people became noisy again, and the snow became heavier, with flakes like goose feathers falling, covering the ground, and the outside of the inn was already covered in white.

  At this time, Yi Shiha hurried into Zhu Di's bedroom, and carefully helped Zhu Di change his clothes.

  Zhu Di said: "It seemed noisy downstairs just now, why?"

   "Many diners came, besides... besides..."

  Zhu Di calmly said: "What's the matter?"

   "Indeed, some local people came and heard...heard..."

  Zhu Di was extraordinarily calm today, he didn’t curse anyone, and his voice was still calm: “But it doesn’t matter, no matter what you say, I will forgive you.”

  Yi Shiha then boldly said: "They said that they heard that Cheng Enbo's eldest brother was here, and they didn't respect them, so they brought some food."

  Zhu Di's face twitched immediately, and he almost couldn't hold back the desire to scold someone. After all, he took a deep breath and said, "Oh, I see."

   Waiting for Yi Shiha to comb Zhu Di's hair, Zhu Di said: "Then why not go down and have a look."

   After finishing speaking, Zhu Di took Yi Shiha downstairs. There were already many diners downstairs, but on the other side, there were also many people who were placed by the waiter next to the back kitchen. These people were all dressed in short clothes.

  Seeing Zhu Di coming down, the waiter pointed at them, and all these people stepped forward to salute.

  Zhu Di looked at them blankly, and saw someone carrying an egg, someone carrying a chicken, and someone even driving a sheep.

  The sheep looked a little anxious, and seemed to have an ominous premonition, bleating non-stop.

The leading one looked like an old man, his face was full of red, he saluted again, and then said: "Last night when I heard about the benefactor's arrival, I thought about it, the benefactor and uncle have kindness for us to rebuild, and the younger ones sent some things to us. I hope that my benefactor will not dislike it. My surname is Song, and my single name is Lian..."

  Zhu Di looked at it, and seeing the sincerity of these people, he just sneered in his heart.

  Hmph, that Zhang An Shi is such a thief that he sent someone to play me.

   I really think I can't see through this flattery?

Thinking of this, Zhu Di didn't show any good looks, and said coldly: "I don't have any friendship with that Zhang An Shi, don't get me wrong, I'm staying here temporarily, so don't bother me, just bring something with you." move."

   What a smart person Zhu Di is, once he guesses the other party's intentions, how can he show shame to you.

   Song Lian and the people who came with him looked at each other in blank dismay.

   Mistake?

  Why did Song Shisan say that he has nose and eyes?

   It seems that I may have made a mistake, Song Shisan, that idiot.

So Song Lian changed his face in an instant, leaning on his crutches and said: "So that's the case, and if this is the case, then we worshiped the wrong temple, but you are so ignorant, the old man is an old man anyway, I will talk to you nicely Speaking, you actually respond like this, come, come, come, let's go, don't care about this man, Cheng Enbo said, we should make money with peace."

   After saying that, the crowd actually dispersed in a rush, and the sheep refused to leave, and was dragged by people, as if it was about to go to the execution ground, bleating non-stop.

  After Zhu Di heard it, he was slightly taken aback. When the other party rolled his eyes, Zhu Di knew that this might not have been arranged by Zhang Anshi. If the other party really knew his identity, how dare he talk to him like this?

  Then they... actually came here spontaneously?

  Zhu Di lowered his head and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

  Yi Shiha stood aside, and said in a very low voice: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

  Zhu Di was in a trance, and came back to his senses: "What's the matter?"

   "Your Majesty, it's time for breakfast."

"understood."

  The waiter specially found a very quiet place for Zhu Di, and Zhu Di sat down, drinking tea casually.

   "When does Your Majesty plan to drive?" Yi Shiha's voice was very soft.

  Zhu Di said indifferently: "Don't worry, these days, there must be a result."

   After finishing speaking, Zhu Di looked up at Yao Guangxiao who was sitting across from him.

  Yao Guangxiao sighed: "Amitabha, Amitabha..."

  Zhu Di raised his eyebrows and said, "What scriptures will the monk recite in the morning?"

  Yao Guangxiao said: "The monks have compassion in mind, and they recite the sutras for others."

  ...

  In Wenyuan Pavilion.

  A scholar is hastily entering the public room of the Grand Scholars.

  This Wenyuan Pavilion has now become the center of the Ming Dynasty, but the Wenyuan Pavilion is small, and there are several academicians and more than a dozen scholars working in it. Even on weekdays, ministers, ministers, and academicians from various ministries would come.

   Therefore, the three bachelors can only shrink into one public house right now.

   "Mr. Xie, Mr. Hu, Mr. Yang." The who came in a hurry saluted.

   Xie Jin raised his head: "Has Your Majesty not summoned yet?"

   "I have inquired, Your Majesty...was not in the palace last night." Sheren replied respectfully.

   Xie Jin was shocked, and his brows were deeply frowned. This is definitely beyond the ordinary.

  Although the current emperor is heroic and occasionally goes out of the palace, everyone should not have seen it.

  But it is very rare for people not to return to the palace overnight.

  So Xie Jin said: "Where do you know?"

   "I have asked, Shengjia is currently at Qixia Ferry. The people of Jinyiwei have heard the news, and the Tiqi have already set off..."

   After Xie Jin listened, his eyes flickered. He looked at Yang Rong and Hu Guang: "Second Lord, what is Your Majesty going to Qixia Ferry for?"

  Hu Guang smiled wryly: "Your Majesty is wise and has deep meaning."

  Yang Rong pondered for a moment, then said: "It should be because of Zhang Anshi."

  Xie Jin's complexion was even more ugly.

He didn't like Zhang Anshi from the beginning, or in other words, as a scholar, he has always been disgusted with his relatives and ministers. dark times for people.

   For Xie Jin, this is a lesson from history.

   What's more, deep in Xie Jin's heart, there is still a secret mind.

  His Royal Highness the Prince, in fact, Xie Jin has already figured it out. As a **** princeling, Xie Jin is almost the well-known right-hand man of the Prince.

  His plan can at least ensure that he will be an extremely human minister in the two dynasties. When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, he will be under one person and above tens of thousands.

   It is precisely because of this that he finds relatives like Zhang Anshi particularly annoying. The more tolerant the prince is to this wife and brother, the more uncomfortable Xie Jin will feel.

   Xie Jin said: "This time...it's really too strange, but...Your Majesty can't throw it back to the palace today, how to deal with this major national event?"

  Yang Rong and Hu Guang felt that there was something in Xie Jin's words, and said, "What do you think, Mr. Xie?"

   Xie Jin said without hesitation: "I'll go meet you later."

  He sighed: "Your Majesty is away, it is inevitable that the government and the public will be surprised, not to mention that when Sheng Jia is away, it is inevitable that someone will take the opportunity to harass the people."

  Yang Rong and Hu Guanglue thought for a while, and they also felt that it made sense, so they nodded to each other, and then they were ready to leave.

  Since a decision was made, the group of people sat in sedan chairs and headed for Qixia Ferry all the way.

   Xie Jin insisted on taking the land route instead of the water route. In fact, he also had his own thoughts.

  Although the water route was fast, it did not give His Majesty the time to predict it in advance, which seemed hasty. However, if you take the land route slowly, both sides have a preparation, and if there is any news along the way, they can pass it on at any time.

   Waiting to see the Qixia Ferry in the distance, but saw a group of dark people, stopped not far from the Qixia Ferry.

  As soon as they saw Xie Jin and his party coming, someone stepped forward and shouted: "Your Majesty Zhou Kang, magistrate of Shangyuan County, has seen you."

   I heard that it was the county magistrate of Shangyuan County, and Xie Jin didn't care much about it. There was a huge disparity in their identities. Even the county magistrate of Jing County seemed inconspicuous in front of Xie Jin.

But at this time, Xie Jin was not clear about the situation here, and after all, he got out of the sedan chair, but saw a man with a winged hat and a handsome appearance surrounded by all the officials and gentry, and he bowed to him again at this time salute.

   Xie Jin folded his hands behind his back, with a calm look: "What are you waiting for here?"

  Zhou Kang said respectfully: "The lower official heard that the holy driver came to Qixia, so he led the assistant officials and the local gentry people to meet him here, and prepared some offerings..."

   Xie Jin sighed: "Wouldn't this disturb the people again? The emperor has always been on tour, and there are all offerings along the way..."

  He shook his head, but didn't go any further.

   But obviously, people like Zhou Kang can understand what Xie Gong means. As scholars, in Confucian values, scholars think that it is very inappropriate for the emperor to enter and leave the palace rashly.

  Historically, those stupid and tyrants like to go on tour the most. A wise monarch should be in the deep palace, worrying about state affairs every day, selecting capable ministers, and patrolling the four directions on behalf of the emperor.

   Of course, these words, a scholar leader like Xie Jin, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion can say, but Zhou Kang is not qualified, so Zhou Kang is silent at this time.

   Xie Jin said again: "Since you are going to meet your driver, why are you here again?"

  Zhou Kang said: "Not far ahead is the range of Qixia. Now Shangyuan County, which is ruled by the lower officials, has nothing to do with Qixia."

  Xie Jin immediately understood what Zhou Kang meant. It is strictly forbidden for magistrates to cross borders. It seems inappropriate for you to take the county officials and gentry with you to what happened in other people's fields.

  The safest way is to wait here at the county boundary. When the emperor drives back to the palace, he will greet him here, show his face in front of the emperor, and make a good impression.

   Xie Jin said: "Accordingly, this Qixia Ferry is also the county territory of Shangyuan County. Your Majesty is close at hand. How can you hesitate to go forward?"

  After Zhou Kang listened, he saluted and said authentically: "It's the lower officials who are confused."

   Xie Jin said again: "Has your Majesty's actions been confirmed?"

  Zhou Kangdao: "I have ordered someone to spy on it, and I am going to an inn in the market."

   Xie Jin listened, nodded and said: "That's very good, you will follow me to serve you."

   After finishing speaking, he turned to look at the bearer: "The holy driver is right in front of him, I'll go on foot later, so as not to be rude."

  Everyone obeyed orders, and Hu Guang and Yang Rong got out of their sedan chairs and walked.

So Xie Jin took the lead, Hu Guang and Yang Rong walked side by side, Zhou Kang followed suit, and the others were naturally farther away. ?”

   "Yesterday there were gangsters who killed a kind gentry in the county. His death was extremely tragic and cruel."

   Xie Jin frowned: "Shangyuan County is at the foot of the emperor, so there is such a thing?"

  So Zhou Kang hurriedly said: "It is the negligence of the subordinate officials, please forgive me..."

   Xie Jin interrupted him here, but said: "I heard that An Shi is here at the ferry, and he is doing whatever he wants?"

  Zhou Kang looked very helpless, and said: "Hey... it's hard to say a word."

  Everything was kept silent, and Xie Jin seemed to understand it in his heart.

  In these days, there are many memorials to impeach Zhang Anshi. Xie Jin did not deliberately suppress these memorials, but deliberately placed them on top of other memorials.

  When a group of people entered the market, the monks and common people here were at a loss, and the guards from Shangyuan County went to clear the way first.

   Immediately, on the deserted and muddy road, Xie Jin and others walked outside the inn, and they all bowed down. Xie Jin took the lead in saying: "Your Excellency, Xie Jin, I am here to **** you, and greet you with respect."

  Everyone sang in succession.

  With such a loud noise, Zhu Di was still drinking tea calmly in the inn.

  He cocked his feet, looking like he didn't recognize his relatives.

  Xiao Er was so frightened that his legs went limp, and then he crawled back to the back kitchen.

  Yao Guangxiao seemed to be in a trance, motionless.

   Zhang Anshi was talking to Zhu Di carefully, but when he heard this movement, Zhang Anshi stopped talking.

  Yi Shiha carefully looked at Zhu Di's face.

  Zhu Di remained silent, as if ignoring this, and continued to say to Zhang Anshi: "You continue to say, how will the second edition of the printed second edition of the provincial examinations be distributed?"

Zhang Anshi quickly said: "It's simple. These days, I have been cleaning up the booksellers in various provinces, and I plan to find agents in each province. If the agents of each province want to ask for books from us, they must obey our regulations and let them They put up huge margins."

   "Security deposit?" Zhu Di looked at Zhang Anshi in surprise, obviously never thought of it.

"Of course, if they don't have a large amount of money mortgaged here, if they do something that doesn't comply with the regulations, how can they be punished? The distribution of the goods must be early, and the time for the actual sale of the goods must be ensured in the hospital. Ten days and a half months before the test, in this way... it is ensured that someone will copy and resell the Stereotyped Pen Talk. Everyone has reached the most critical moment. Of course, they hope to get the Stereotyped Pen Talk immediately, and start to join the review immediately. Time is running out. A day of delay is a day lost."

  Zhu Di nodded: "That's the truth."

Zhang Anshi said again: "But the shipment needs to be transported. This time must be grasped. In some remote places, it may be two or three months earlier, and the books will be escorted. To prevent private demolition, you must have an agent, the agent must take a large sum of money as collateral, all the books must be sealed in packages, and they must be sealed with wax to ensure that no one will tear them open, and you must ensure that all state capitals in the world will be sold on the same day!"

"If it is discovered that the agent in any province dares to demolish without permission, or if he is lax in guarding against it, he will teach someone to get the book in advance. Once he finds out, all his deposits will be confiscated immediately. Not only that, but also other punishment methods must be agreed. In short, it is to Teach him to lose his fortune, let him gain more than he loses, and these people can become trusted partners in the future."

  Zhu Di said: "Are they willing to make this agreement and accept these harsh conditions?"

Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Your Majesty, I don't know. This book is extremely expensive and very popular. It is simply a lucrative business. Which bookseller can get this agency right? I dare not say that it will be invaluable, but at least lie down. Worry-free clothing and food can be guaranteed, such an easy business, who would not want to do it?"

  Zhu Di listened, then nodded and said: "It also makes sense."

  Zhang Anshi said again: "With an agent, it means that you can control the channels to all the state capitals in the world."

   "Channel?" Zhu Di was puzzled, this is obviously another new word for him.

"It's as if the imperial court needs to set up government offices in provinces and state capitals in order to govern the world. This is actually the same reason for selling books. Booksellers who have obtained agents must be able to rely on this agent to do large-scale local sales. , Their bookstores in various states and counties in the province must also have a hot business, which is equivalent to opening up distribution channels!"

   "In this way, if we sell other books in the future, we can also use these channels to underwrite."

  Zhu Di suddenly realized, and said in amazement: "It means... besides these stereotyped pen talks, do you want to do other business?"

  Zhang Anshidao: "I have this idea, but such things need His Majesty's permission."

  Zhu Di was thoughtful: "Let's discuss this matter later."

  ...

   Outside the inn.

   Xie Jin and others knelt down in the white snow, snow flakes hit them, they shivered from the cold, and their faces turned blue from the cold.

   Xie Jin only felt sore in his knees, and he could only blame the uneven road outside the inn. At this moment, he was surprised to see that there was no movement inside.

  Taking a deep breath, Xie Jin said again: "The minister Xie Jin respectfully asks Sheng An."

   But still no reply.

   Xie Jin became more and more suspicious. In the past, he felt that he was sure of the palace and the court. After all, although he was still young, he had also figured out some of the emperor's temper.

  But today is…unusual.

  At this time, Zhu Di was frowning, as if he was thinking about Zhang Anshi's channel problem, and turned a deaf ear to the outside world.

  He glanced sideways at Yao Guangxiao, saw that Yao Guangxiao was still in meditation, and said, "Monk Yao, what do you think?"

  Yao Guangxiao said: "Amitabha, the poor monk only practices Buddhism, and doesn't ask about things outside."

  Zhu Di said: "I originally wanted to add some sesame oil money to your temple."

  Yao Guangxiao said: "If your Majesty gives alms, it will be a great merit. Amitabha, good, good."

  Zhu Di said: "What a good one, good one."

  He seemed to have finally settled down, and suddenly said: "Come in and talk!"

  The sound shook the rubble, so it was meant for Xie Jin and others outside.

  Xie Jin and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.

   Immediately Xie Jin, Hu Guang, and Yang Rong came in, saluted and said: "I have seen Your Majesty."

  Zhu Di stared at them, and said indifferently: "You are not in Wenyuan Pavilion, why are you here?"

  Xie Jin said: "I heard that His Majesty is here..."

  Zhu Di interrupted him: "Where is Shengjia, do you want to go there too?"

  Xie Jindao: "The monarch and his ministers are one body, and the ministers serve His Majesty, as it should be."

  Zhu Di closed his eyes slightly, and turned to say: "Magistrate of Shangyuan County...do you know this person?"

  Xie Jindao: "The magistrate of Shangyuan County, Zhou Kang, is serving you outside the inn."

  Zhu Di said: "I heard you say that his official voice is very good?"

  In an instant, Xie Jin seemed to hear something wrong: "This is what the officials said."

  Zhu Di said: "I ask you what impression you have of him?"

   Xie Jin pondered for a moment, and said: "This person has never made any mistakes since he took office. The governance of Jing County is especially difficult. I think...he should have his strengths."

  Zhu Di said: "Since he is outside, let him come in and talk."

  Yi Shiha was listening, and tiptoed out, and soon, Zhou Kang followed Yi Shiha in full of excitement.

  Zhou Kang is only a county magistrate after all, if not for today, he might never have the opportunity to face the saint for the rest of his life, so he is extremely excited, only thinking that as long as he plays well today, he may have the hope of making great progress in the future.

  So he bowed down, prostrated himself on the ground, arched his buttocks high: "Chen Zhou Kang has seen His Majesty."

"look up."

  Zhou Kang had to look up, and then his eyes crossed with Zhu Di.

  Perhaps Zhu Di's gaze was too sharp, which made him start to dodge.

  Zhu Di said: "I heard that your official voice is very good?"

Zhou Kang was overjoyed and choked with sobs and said: "I... I have been loved by the court, appointed officials, and governed the people. I have read poetry and books since I was a child. I know that I have little talent, but I also know the principles of sages. In the future, work conscientiously, as if walking on thin ice, and dare not live up to the grace of God, so I have to do my best to make up for my weakness with diligence."

   Zhou Kang felt that this response was quite decent. If he was too modest, he would give the impression that he did not live up to his name.

   But if he accepts the emperor's praise, he will inevitably be too proud.

  Zhu Di looked at him with weird eyes, and then said: "You don't have to be humble. No one in the court or in the field knows that you love the people like a son."

  Zhou Kang felt his heart was about to jump out, loving the people like a child is the highest evaluation of the local parent officials!

  He tremblingly said: "I... I am ashamed."

  Zhu Di said: "You don't have to be ashamed, I'm here to ask you, this year's severe cold, the imperial court allocated firewood in Shangyuan County and money and food to help the poor people, how is it going?"

  Zhou Kang immediately said: "All have been allocated, a total of 829 dans of firewood, and 1,300 shi rice, have been distributed exactly."

  Zhu Di said again: "So... how is the embankment repaired this year?"

  Zhou Kang immediately said: "This year Songjiang and Suzhou are flooded, and I am deeply afraid of the harm caused by the floods. This year, additional corvees have been imposed and three embankments have been repaired."

  Zhu Di said: "I have read the memorial. This year, 7,000 strong men were conscripted. It's just that the strong men have worked hard. Has the imperial court provided them with food and accommodation?"

  Zhou Kangdao: "I also know the suffering of the people very well, and I attach great importance to it. All the strong men are given rice seven taels a day, and a piece of warm clothing."

  Zhu Di said with emotion: "If this is the case, the people of Shangyuan County will be blessed."

  Zhou Kangdao: "It's all thanks to His Majesty's blessing."

  (end of this chapter)