Chapter Forty-two: Transaction

  Han Zong walked into the main hall and found that Emperor Chongzhen was sitting on top with a expressionless face, only accompanied by Wang Chengen, the commander of the Eastern Depot.

  Is it going to be caught in the East Factory? It's unlikely, the East Factory hasn't been seen for two years.

  He thought as he walked closer, then knelt down on the ground: "Greetings to Your Majesty, may you live forever!"

  He was originally the chief assistant of the cabinet and did not need to kowtow so grandly, but because he had a guilty conscience, he unconsciously paid his respects.

  Chongzhen Emperor did not let him get up immediately, and he was also disgusted in his heart, and did not wait to see him. He only said: "Gong Lao, have you counted the losses of Jingdi?"

  Han Bang heard the Chongzhen Emperor call himself a Grand Minister, and knew that the situation was not as severe as he had imagined. However, the Chongzhen Emperor's question put him in a difficult position: "Your Majesty, the enemy has just retreated, and we are temporarily unable to make an estimate."

  "Wherever the bandits have passed, it is as if a swarm of locusts has swept through, leaving my people dead, their property plundered, and their homes destroyed. Don't even mention the distant regions, just listen to the refugees within the capital itself, whose wailing voices I can hear every day from deep within the palace." The voice of Emperor Chongzhen was icy cold.

  Han Qiu hung his head, and cold sweat began to appear on his forehead.

  "When the rebel first rose, the words of the old ministers who swore to dawn were still in my ears." The voice of Emperor Chongzhen slowly became higher and higher, echoing throughout the entire hall.

  "The old man strongly recommended Yuan Chonghuan, but what about your good student? You saw it all the other day!"

  "I am guilty!" Han's cold sweat had formed a small stream, flowing down his cheek, from his long beard. But he didn't dare to wipe it away. He bowed his head and replied.

  Chongzhen Emperor saw the look on Han Zhen's face and knew that the play was almost over. He changed his tone to a gentle one and said, "The old officials have been assisting me for two years now, without merit but with hard work. I am thinking of the past and will not forget it. You may retire."

  Hearing the emperor's tone soften, Han Yu's heart lightly let out a breath of relief and replied: "Your old minister thanks Your Majesty."

  Chongzhen Emperor said to Wang Chengen who was standing on one side: "Give the Grand Minister a seat."

  Han Yan slowly got up, secretly wiped the sweat, and sat half of his buttocks on the stool. He was also a person who had been floating in the official sea for decades, knowing that things would not be over like this, and there must be more to come.

  After Wei Zhongxian sat down, Emperor Chongzhen spoke again: "I think of the hardships of the cabinet elders, but some people will not understand. After defeating the bandits and restoring order in the capital, those with families and property in the area may impeach the relevant personnel, including the cabinet elders. At that time, if there are many impeachment cases, I will also be unable to protect the cabinet elders."

  When Chongzhen Emperor said this, Han Zhen was restless again, knowing that his own or family's fate was at the mercy of Chongzhen Emperor's thoughts. Those people mentioned by His Majesty, he had a number in mind, usually flattering himself, but once they affected their interests, they would come up and bite hard even if it cost them their lives.

  Han Wu stood up and bowed his head to Emperor Chongzhen, saying: "Please Your Majesty's wise decision."

  The Chongzhen Emperor did not respond to his words, but continued with his own topic: "Your Excellency should be sixty-seven this year, and there is still a lovely grandson at home?"

  The Chongzhen Emperor understood the emperor's meaning as soon as he heard these words. Forget it, staying in the court would only end up with family and death, it's better to retire now and return home, listening to the emperor's meaning, as long as I resign and don't do anything, returning to my hometown, should let me off easy.

  "Your Majesty, I am old and weak, my eyes are dim, I can no longer perform my current duties, I hope Your Majesty will allow me to retire and return home."

  Chongzhen Emperor did not say good or bad, but asked Han Zhen: "The Minister of Rites, Wen Tianren, I don't know how the cabinet members view him. Is he qualified to enter the cabinet?"

  Han Bang understood the meaning of Emperor Chongzhen, which was to vacate his position and make way for Wen Tiren's entry into the cabinet. He then replied: "Your Majesty, I think Wen Tiren is a man of integrity and self-discipline, with quick wit and sharp thinking, he is indeed a talent of the country, and it would be more than enough for him to enter the cabinet."

  Chongzhen Emperor nodded, this Han Zhang is still sensible and not senile: "I also think so. After the Grand Minister returns, write a memorial, and present it to me at the early court tomorrow."

  Han Yan understood that this was the purpose of Emperor Chongzhen's summons today. Now that the transaction is complete, His Majesty is satisfied, and he has also put down a heart that had been lifted. It can be said to be a win-win situation. He resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown to enjoy his twilight years.

  After Wei Zhongxian left, Emperor Chongzhen sighed to Wang Chengen who was waiting beside him: "It's still good for Mr. Zhong, he can do what he wants without getting entangled with these people. But I'm not allowed to!"

  Wang Chengen hastily explained: "Your Majesty is the son of heaven, how can those ministers be compared with Your Majesty?"

  Chongzhen Emperor smiled and said nothing more, looking at the memorial.

  After Zhong Jinwei returned to the side hall, he saw Aqi and told her about what happened in the side hall. He emphasized how fearless he was in front of the emperor and the high-ranking officials, pointing out the scenery and making the audience admire him. Finally, he sighed: "It's a pity there isn't a goose feather fan."

  A Qi was a bit curious: "What's the use of a goose feather fan? It's December now, it's so cold outside, do you still need a fan?"

  "Zhuge Liang!"

  Aqi was speechless, and Zhong Jinwei's old habit had recurred. So, with her elegant eyes, she gave him a cold look. Since Zhong Jinwei was going to be conferred as a baron, Aqi was naturally delighted for him. However, Aqi remembered that the young master said he still needed to rewrite the memorial, so she turned around to fetch the writing materials.

  Zhong Jinwei took a look and remembered that there was still something important to do, so he went to the blackboard first, recalling while writing down the key points of military reform one by one. After filling in the gaps, when he felt that nothing had been missed, he said to Archie who had finished preparing: "Now I'll speak, you write."

  Akira nodded cleverly.

  Because of the preparation, this time's composition was written at once. Punctuation marks were all correct. In fact, the sentences in this composition are very simple and only use basic symbols such as commas, periods, and semicolons. Archie is also clever and naturally won't make mistakes.

  "Aji let Zhong Jinwei put away the memorial, then solemnly said to Zhong Jinwei: 'Young master, I have a few words to say to you.'"

  Zhong Jinwei saw Aqi being so serious, knowing that it must be something important, so he composed himself and seriously said to Aqi: "Alright! Just say what you have to say, I'm listening."

  Aqi was speechless, and the longer she was in contact with Zhong Jinwei, the higher her immunity became. Now this kind of talk would no longer make her blush.

  "Your Highness, you will be attending the early court session tomorrow. As for etiquette, I'll inform you of some beforehand, and later a specialized ceremonial officer will come to instruct you."

  It was this after all, no problem, Zhong Jinwei thought.

  "But what I want to tell you, sir, is that in my humble opinion, some of your words and actions seem quite strange to people nowadays. Living in the palace, although no one has taught me, I know a principle: the bird that sticks its head out gets killed first. You are too unusual, sir, so when interacting with outsiders, especially those with ulterior motives, it's best not to be too eccentric. I've kept these words hidden in my heart for a long time, and speaking them brings me relief, please don't take offense!"

  Zhong Jinwei listened and knew that Aqi was considering himself. This principle, he wasn't ignorant of it, but being in the midst of things, he had never taken it seriously.

  I will definitely deal with many people in the future, although I am not very willing to deal with them. Now these officials are not good at doing things, but they are excellent at talking, even if Emperor Chongzhen protects me, it is possible that they can make me die by speaking.

  Zhong Jinwei thought of this and sincerely said to Aqi: "Thank you, Aqi. I will definitely pay attention in the future."

  He felt like he had eaten honey, sweet and warm in his heart.

  The next day, at dawn, the early court session began. The cabinet ministers, the six boards and the directors of the Supervisory Office led the procession in order.

  Except for Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang and Chengzu Zhu Di, other emperors either did not attend the morning court or made it a mere formality. Later, it became customary to limit the morning court to handling only five matters.

  On this day, Emperor Chongzhen announced as soon as he ascended the throne: "The person who saved my life earlier has now awakened. I deeply appreciate his sacrifice to save me, so I intend to issue a special edict to grant him the title of Viscount, hereditary, with an annual salary of 3,600 stones, following the rank of loyal and diligent Viscount Wang Guangyang. Do any of you ministers have any objections?

  What, the legendary person has woken up? Although the ministers present were all Confucian scholars who emphasized not to be swayed by strange powers or gods and were not deceived by rumors from outside, gossip was unavoidable. The imperial court suddenly erupted in a buzz of whispers that took a long time to settle down.

  The officials of the Honglu Temple, who were in charge of maintaining order in the imperial court, felt that this was really too much and stepped forward to stop it.

  The Supervising Secretary Yuan Hongxun stepped forward and memorialized: "Your Majesty, I don't know what this person's background is, but be cautious."

  "This man is a descendant of the Song Dynasty who has been drifting overseas. He missed his hometown and came back to take a look. On the way, he met Wen Tiren, the Minister of Rites, who recommended him to me because of his broad vision and extraordinary words. When I summoned him, it happened that he saved my life at the cost of his own. This matter can be testified by Minister Wen."

  The certificate of Wēn Tǐ Rén's coordination with the team is indeed so.

  Yuan Hongxun stopped talking as soon as he heard that Emperor Chongzhen didn't say it was a sudden appearance in mid-air. Originally, if Emperor Chongzhen had said so, he was prepared to speak again, saying "Your Majesty, don't be confused, where is such a thing in the world? If you have the ability, let him show up in mid-air again."

  Cheng Ji, a cabinet minister, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, although this man has rendered meritorious service in saving Your Majesty's life, I think the reward is too generous. The imperial title is a public trust, and traditionally it has only been conferred upon those with military achievements or imperial relatives. I think it would be inappropriate to confer a dukedom on him."

  These ministers, they want to stir up trouble over everything and can't bear to see others do better. Emperor Chongzhen was a bit angry in his heart, but he didn't show it, only saying in a deep voice: "Do you think my life is not worth even a baron's position?"

  This remark, Cheng Ji's life would not dare to accept. He glanced at the Prime Minister Han Yu with his eyes, but he didn't move, just like a mud Bodhisattva in a temple, which was really strange today. Had to answer again: "I don't mean that, it's just that the country is having a hard time, and the rewards are too generous, the court can't afford it."

  This is still a personal matter, but it's clear that he can't just be left unsealed. Not to mention the matter of saving his life, just looking at how much Zhong Jinwei has helped him, it's worth making him an earl. Look at other dukes and marquises, which one is useful? They're all just parasites who take their salaries without doing anything.

  Several other cabinet ministers also came forward to support Cheng Ji's life. Both sides went back and forth in negotiations, finally each taking a step back, and agreed that Feng Zhong would be made Marquess of Zhongxing, not hereditary, with an annual salary of 1,100 stones.

  Next, let Zhong Jinwei ascend to the throne and listen to the edict. The civil and military officials were all curious, wondering what this legendary person looked like. Some people hadn't even heard Zhong Jinwei's footsteps before they stretched their necks to look outside the palace.