At the same time, secret reports also reached the capital.
The Yuxi Palace was the first to receive the reports, totaling two: one from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Qi, and another from Tan Lun. After reading them three times, Lü Fang immediately entered the palace to report to Jiajing.
As the sun set, in the afterglow that resembled blood, Lü Fang's heart kept clenching—
Zhu Mo was too powerful!
Could the Great Ming Dynasty have produced such a pillar of strength? Would things be much easier in the future? Should this good news be told to the Emperor, or should he let the Emperor see it himself?
Ten days to raise twelve million taels was enough for military supplies, disaster relief, and even some for repairing the Wanshou Palace...
Zhu Qi's secret report stated that Zhu Mo and the Chief Eunuch Yang Jin had signed a guarantee, and then merchants had flooded in like madmen.
Lü Fang didn't quite understand the key points, thinking that since Yang Jin was on their side, it meant the Directorate of Ceremonial had given Zhu Mo the greatest assistance, which the Emperor would surely be pleased to hear.
He had thought of many things along the way, but upon entering the palace gates, he didn't know how to begin.
At this moment,
Jiajing, having taken his pills, closed his eyes to rest for a while, then spoke:
"What? Is there trouble in Jiangnan again...?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, yes, yes, it's good news..."
"Oh...?"
"Your Majesty, Zhu Mo is simply divine! In these past ten to fifteen days, he has actually raised twelve million taels of silver! Now, there are more than enough funds for the anti-Japanese military supplies, disaster relief, and the money for the Directorate of Weaving to buy silk..."
"..."
Jiajing was stunned for a moment, then fell silent.
Lü Fang immediately felt a little panicked, quickly presenting the secret report, and also handing over a copy of the personal guarantee signed by Zhu Mo and the Directorate of Weaving.
Jiajing said nothing, throwing each page away as he read. When he saw the twelve million taels, his fingers trembled slightly, and his lips almost curved into a smile, but it quickly froze, his expression returning to solemnity.
"Your Majesty, this...?"
Jiajing still said nothing. Holding the guarantee in his hand, he walked three circles along the Bagua diagram on the floor with his eyes closed, finally stopping at the Xun position.
Lü Fang was immediately terrified—
According to custom, this meant the Emperor had encountered a difficult problem! Whenever he faced a difficult issue, the Emperor would tread the Bagua on the ground, and this time it was the Xun trigram, which meant something was about to happen?
He had never been able to fathom the Emperor's thoughts, but at this moment, he vaguely guessed something—the Emperor was still holding the guarantee!
Did this mean the Directorate of Weaving should not have been involved? Was this a reproof of Zhu Mo? But when he saw the amount of money earlier, he had been ecstatic.
And, and that's your illegitimate son, isn't it? Shouldn't you be happy that he accomplished such a magnificent feat? Why the worry?
Was it necessary? Or had he misspoken?
At times like these, Lü Fang knew very well—he absolutely must not bring it up again! He could only wait, wait for the Emperor to give explicit or implicit instructions.
But as with previous incidents, Jiajing indicated nothing until the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), continuing his meditation, pacing, and taking medicine...
At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM),
Lü Fang had to leave dejectedly, carrying a huge question in his heart—
Was Zhu Mo right or wrong?
Was the Emperor worried about something?
...
In fact,
Jiajing was truly ecstatic at first.
This Zhu Mo, this kid, he really had talent!
Twelve million taels...
In twenty years, had the Yan family father and son ever managed to get so much? The most they ever got was perhaps a little over four million, right? This showed that Zhu Mo was stronger than them. It had only been two months in Jiangnan, and regardless of anything else, they had received a large sum of money.
Just now, he had almost burst out laughing. This son was too promising! Too unexpected!
In the two hundred years of the Great Ming, such talent had never appeared! And he, he was actually my lost son; could there be anything more comforting in the world?
But after all, he was an Emperor who had been at the helm for nearly forty years. As his eyes swept over the guarantee, a thought arose in his mind—
Zhu Mo is in danger!
His son was truly about to face some storms...
Previously,
When writing Qing Ci poems, they said he deceived the Emperor, but that was nothing!
When He Maocai was killed, they said he issued a false imperial decree. Although it was something, it wasn't a major issue after all; a word from him would cover it up?
But this time,
He involved the Directorate of Weaving. Would those corrupt officials let him off?
Absolutely not!
They must be brewing a fierce counterattack.
...
At this very moment,
The Yan Shisong residence, deep in the night, was indeed unusually noisy.
Yan Shifan was so angry he stomped his feet, smashing two tea cups, still unable to suppress his rage. He cursed, "Good for you, you scoundrel Zheng Bichang! And all those good-for-nothings I promoted! Do they take my words as mere advice? They can't even stop a brat. What use are they? If I don't kill a few of these bastards, how can I vent my anger!"
Yan Song still lay with his eyes closed, but an impatient look appeared on his face. He snorted lightly through his nose and turned his head to lie on his side.
Gao Hanwen, who had recently been greatly appreciated by Yan Song, had been thinking about Zhu Mo's actions for several days. He now said in a low voice, "Young Chancellor, that Zhu Mo also has a loophole..."
Oh?
Yan Shifan glared, "What loophole?"
"Young Chancellor, Zhu Mo did indeed raise ten million taels of silver within ten days, but that money has to be repaid... He said that after three years, it would either be returned, or converted into shares of the official money house. However, no matter how capable he is, he cannot withstand such a large sum of money... Young Chancellor, that's ten million taels, and the interest over three years alone is over two million taels! How can he repay it?"
Luo Longwen also chimed in, "Exactly! And there are military supplies too! Hu Zongxian and Qi Jiguang will also need a considerable amount, at least two million taels. This is using the principal!"
Mmm...
Yan Song opened his eyes at this moment and slowly said, "I told you to learn more from Moqing. Be calm when facing major events... Look, the solution has appeared... Yes, you are right. Zhu Mo is enjoying using this money now, but in three years, it will erupt into a huge disaster! Three years is very short... It passes in the blink of an eye...
Think about how to approach it, and make him fail. This matter must not be done. For the sake of the Great Ming for generations to come, it absolutely must not!"
When Yan Song, who rarely spoke directly, said this, everyone was instantly awed.
Gao Hanwen's mind was quick. He blurted out immediately, "Esteemed Minister, Young Chancellor, I believe we can submit a separate memorial to the Emperor, stating that Zhu Mo has indeed raised a huge sum in a short period, but the consequences are endless. We can say, we can say..."
Yan Shifan immediately became angry and said, "If you have any brilliant ideas, just say them quickly! Don't hold back!"
Gao Hanwen was taken aback for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Let's say those merchants are after the assets of the Directorate of Weaving! They are waiting for Zhu Mo to be unable to repay the debt after three years, and then they will use the Directorate of Weaving's looms, shops, and cargo ships to settle the debt!"
Hiss!
Everyone felt a chill down their spines, and a cold air permeated the space!
How venomous!
This Gao Hanwen, who looked so refined, could actually come up with such a vicious idea!