Zhu Houzhao first agreed, and then said that he would make a long-term plan. This made Zhang Yuan realize something repeatedly.

Zhang Yuan said: "Did Your Majesty have any doubts about the purpose of Shangshu Chen's construction of the new city? If Your Majesty is not at ease, you can send someone to supervise it."

Zhu Houzhao said angrily: "It's just a new acropolis building at the estuary of the Yangtze River. What's wrong with me? But if I really want to build a city, I might have to stay in Jiangnan for a long time. Wouldn't I not have been able to see him for a long time? I shouldn't have sent him to fight against Japanese pirates. It took me more than half a year to go on a war. This time, I'll probably take two or three years to return to Beijing to build the city..."

Originally, Zhang Yuan considered that Zhu Houzhao might be suspicious of Chen Xi, so he said that the matter of building a city could be discussed again. After hearing this, he felt that Zhu Houzhao's favor for Chen Xi was so unparalleled, and thought to himself: "It just so happened that Shen Zhihou wanted to build a city and not return to the capital. Why not let my eldest nephew fulfill his choice? If he wanted to build a city, he would keep building it there. It would be best if he didn't come back in his life."

Thinking of this, Zhang Yuan became more determined and must let Chen Xi stay in Jiangnan. He immediately said: "Your Majesty is not upset. Even if Chen Shangshu is in the south, you can't travel to Jiangnan occasionally, or recall Shangshu Chen to the capital to report his duties? These are not a problem."

Zhu Houzhao thought about it, and although she was still in doubt, she nodded slightly: "You have some reason. It just so happened that I was so bored in the capital. I went back to go to Jiangnan with the queen, so I could enjoy the wonderful scenery along the way... I haven't been to Jiangnan for many years."

“Yes, yes.”

Zhang Yuan responded, but wondered in his heart... He knew that the emperor was talking about the only queen Chen Xi's sister Chen Yier, that is, Queen Chen. He really couldn't figure out why the emperor favored Queen Chen so much now?

Zhu Houzhao said: "Then let's do the construction of a new city as Chen Shangshu said, and it's all agreed."

Zhu Houzhao thought that he could go to Jiangnan to visit, so he had no opinions on the construction of the city in Chenxi and did not need to go back and discuss it.

Zhang Yuan reminded: "Your Majesty, Secretary Chen mentioned in his memorial that the families of the soldiers who went to the expedition should be sent to Jiangnan. Look at this matter..."

Originally, Zhu Houzhao was about to get up and leave, and after hearing this, he sat back again. After thinking carefully, he thoughtfully said: "The soldiers who went to war could not bring their families. This was the rule in the Ming Dynasty. However, I thought that the time spent to combat the Japanese pirates this time was too long. I had to build a city first, then build a shipyard, and finally build a ship, plus combat preparations and training, etc.... If it is not completed in three years or two years, then send the relatives of the front-line soldiers to Jiangnan."

Zhang Yuan said: "Your Majesty, I wonder if the family members are sent over, or... part?"

Zhu Houzhao said angrily: "You still have to ask me about this kind of thing? Of course, it is a close relative of blood. For example, parents, wives and children, do you also have to take care of your seventh aunt and eighth aunt? But don't worry about these for the time being, first build a city and build a ship. Before the place where you live is settled, just send their families to sleep in the wilderness?"

"Your Majesty is thoughtful." Zhang Yuan flattered.

Zhu Houzhao looked stern, and a hint of pride appeared in his little eyes: "Although I am not as talented as Shangshu Chen, I am a master of great disciples after all. Can't I even think about this basic thing? First, I will approve the matter of building a city. As for the location and cost... I will discuss with the Ministry of Revenue as appropriate. Shangshu Chen means to earn the cost of building a city through overseas trade, but this kind of thing must always be allocated by the court..."

Zhang Yuan asked again: "Which name is yourselves money?"

Zhu Houzhao stood up, and did not intend to stop again this time. Before leaving, she said, "In the name of building an palace!"

...

...

Zhu Houzhao was determined to build a new city. It seemed that in his eyes it was no longer an ordinary city, but a palace in Jiangnan. It was a place where he could go to have fun and play in the world at any time.

Zhu Houzhao was very relieved when Chen Xi took care of him, and didn't even explain the specific details to Zhang Yuan. It seemed that as long as he ordered anything, Chen Xi could understand his request and completely help him take care of everything, without the effort of him, the emperor.

Without using your brain or spending energy, you can add a fun place in Jiangnan. Except for Chen Xi who stayed in Jiangnan for a long time, he was a little unhappy, everything else Zhu Houzhao was willing to accept.

After Zhang Yuan understood Zhu Houzhao's meaning, he hurried back to prepare Zhu Ci. As soon as he left the gate of the Ganqing Palace, he saw the eunuch Li Xing, the eunuch who was holding the pen in the Sili Supervisor, rushing to the side after seeing him: "Eunuch Zhang, Lord Xie wants to see you."

"Thank you?" Zhang Yuan asked with a frown.

Li Xing nodded: "It's Master Xie."

Zhang Yuan sneered: "I really know how to choose... If our family expected it would be good, he said that Shen Zhihou planned to build a city in Jiangnan. However, Your Majesty has already explained this matter, and it is not something that we can interfere with as a slave."

Li Xing asked in surprise: "Does the imperial court want to build a new city? Where?"

Zhang Yuan did not answer Li Xing's question, but asked: "I wonder where the old man Xie Pavilion is? Should I wait in the cabinet, or..."

Li Xing said: "Just outside the Ganqing Gate, but I heard that I went to your private residence outside the imperial city first, but I didn't see anyone here... Did you go and see me?"

Zhang Yuan shook his sleeves and said, "Of course I have to see you. This is a major event that concerns the stability of the court. Is our family a kind of inhumane person? But it's not outside the Qing Dynasty, but in the Silijian! Our family first goes from Yuehua Gate and Jingyi Gate to the palm print room. You can go to see Xie Yuqiao later and speak tactfully, let's do everything for you!"

...

...

Zhang Yuan met Xie Qian in the seal room of the Sili Supervisor. This is Zhang Yuan’s own place. Xie Qian came here and seemed very unruly. If someone knew that if he was impeached by the emperor, he might be punished by the emperor.

However, there is no place to be afraid of for Xie Qian. He has even been to the inner palace of the palace several times, let alone to the Sili Supervisor's printing room. He has also been there before, but this time he has something to ask about Zhang Yuan, so he can't show too tough attitude, so he waited outside the Ganqing Gate, otherwise he would have come long ago.

"What order does Master Xie have? Just say it right."

Zhang Yuan was very polite to Xie Qian, but he was just polite to show his face. After a simple greeting, Zhang Yuan asked with a smile.

Xie Qian took out the original report from Chen Xi from his arms and submitted it to Zhang Yuan: "Eunuch Zhang, take a look?"

Zhang Yuan said: "Is this..."

Xie Qian patiently explained: "The Minister of War Shen, also known as Duke Shen, proposed to the court to build new cities along the coast, build ships in the city, and train troops and train them. Even weapons were built on their own in this city, which was like a country in the country."

"Is there such a thing?"

Zhang Yuan pretended to be astonished, looked at Xie Qian and asked, "Gei Master Xie, this city construction is a big deal. No one has made such a request for many years. Where can the money be allocated?"

Xie Qian seemed to have found a soulmate and nodded: "I am worried about the insufficient treasury."

Zhang Yuan changed the subject: "But I think it took too long for Lord Shen to quell the rebellion in Jiangnan. I heard that what I want to build is large sea boats, not ordinary docks that can be parked. Even if you build a ship in a coastal area, you still need to protect it. Build a city to protect the shipyard and craftsmen... It is also a good way."

When Xie Qian heard this, he thought to himself: "Maybe Zhang Yuan deliberately asked questions to make things difficult because I refused to make any promises and bribes to him."

Xie Qian said, "Where can't we build a ship? No matter how big the big ship is, is it more than ten meters deep? So what if there is one? There is no acropolis on the coast for him to station troops, why do we need to build it separately? Where did the imperial court get the money for him to build the city?"

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "This is reasonable, but Master Xie shouldn't tell us that our family is not very clear about this. If you can directly speak to Your Majesty..."

Xie Qian's eyes had a gleam and he asked eagerly, "Can Eunuch Zhang help me spread it?"

Zhang Yuan shook his head directly: "You may have mentioned this to Your Majesty before, but now... it must not be. Our family does not deceive Mr. Xie. When Lord Shen made a memorial, he deliberately made a memorial in two copies, one of which is in your hands, and the other one has reached the heavenly listening."

"this……"

Xie Qian realized that he had taken action slowly, and there was a hint of helplessness on his face, but he still held hope and asked, "How did Your Majesty approve it?"

Zhang Yuan spit out two words: "Yes."

This answer made Xie Qian particularly angry and said angrily: "Your Majesty has already agreed. Why did Eunuch Zhang still seem to be completely unaware of this matter after seeing Eunuch Zhang?"

Zhang Yuan sneered in his heart, but he still maintained a minimum politeness in his face: "Our family suddenly saw Mr. Xie. What Mr. Xie said at the beginning was all confused. Our family didn't understand it for a while. Could it be that it would be impossible to give some time to let our family react?"

How could Xie Qian not know that Zhang Yuan was teasing him? But he had no choice, mainly because he had no channels to speak with the emperor, and the right to speak was in Zhang Yuan's hands.

Xie Qian said in his heart: "A little bit of tolerance will cause trouble for the big plan, and he cannot be as knowledgeable as this eunuch."

Zhang Yuan said again: "Besides, Shangshu Shen submitted a memorial and did not pass by our family. Our family learned the situation from Your Majesty. Now the Silijian has only received the imperial edict from Your Majesty, and is completely following Your Majesty's instructions. As for changing Your Majesty's decision... Please forgive our family for being powerless. Xie Ge Lao, please go back."

Speaking of this, Zhang Yuan was quite proud and thought to himself: "I was considering gains and losses before. Now it seems that this will not only allow my eldest nephew to stay in Jiangnan for a long time, not cause trouble for our family, but also disrupt Old Man Xie's plan. It can be said that he will kill more than one shot. What else can I think about? I must let my eldest nephew stay in Jiangnan to live!"

Xie Qian was expelled from the guest order, but he didn't want to stay for a long time. He stood up and said, "Your Majesty responded so easily, it is clearly a matter of setting the Ming Dynasty's rules and regulations on nothing. I will submit a memorial and ask Your Majesty to take it back."

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Then our family will first wish you success."

Xie Qian looked at Zhang Yuan with confusion: "Don't Eunuch Zhang want to object to this matter?"

Zhang Yuan shook his head: "This is what His Majesty ordered to do. It has not been through our hands. Where can we have the right to speak? Our family is just a slave to do things, why should we oppose it?"

...

...

Xie Qian had seen Zhang Yuan and felt anger in his heart.

Although the court is basically under his control now, he seems powerless when it comes to the emperor's disagreement and involves Shen Xi, which makes him very uncomfortable.

When he returned to the courtyard, he wrote another memorial. This was his second memorial in one day, which was to try to pass his words to the emperor and let Zhu Houzhao know the disadvantages of building a city in the south.

The work he had not yet completed, so the guest came in and reported: "Master, the old man from the palace is waiting for him to see him."

Xie Qian's original plan was indeed a process of seeing Xiao Guozi, but after meeting Zhang Yuan, he felt that talking directly with the method of speaking out would definitely annoy the emperor and increase the conflict between the emperor and the cabinet ministers. It would be better to take the relatively gentle way of submitting memorials and admonitions, but he did not expect that Xiao Guozi would come to see him on his own initiative.

"Come on your behalf."

Xie Qian was discharged from the hospital to greet him. After seeing Xiao Tiaozi, he actually took the initiative to greet him.

Xiao Tuozi was very accurate in his positioning and still showed respect when he met Xie Qian. The two entered the main hall one by one and the other, and exchanged a brief greeting. Xiao Tuozi explained his purpose: "Geor Xie must have heard that Lord Shen is going to build a new city in the south? Previously, Eunuch Zhang, the Chief Secretary for Literature, went to meet with this matter. Your Majesty has approved the construction of the city and asked all departments of the court to cooperate."

Xie Qian asked, "Did Eunuch Zhang take the initiative to ask His Majesty?"

Xiao Guozi nodded affirmatively: "When Your Majesty was in doubt, Eunuch Zhang took the initiative to help Shangshu Shen. Maybe Shangshu Shen had already greeted Eunuch Zhang in advance."

As this happened, Xie Qian became more and more annoyed. Thinking of the attitude Zhang Yuan had shown in front of him that "I am just a matter of doing things, everything is up to Your Majesty" that Xie Qian looked very ugly.

Xiao Taozi asked eagerly: "I wonder what Master Xie thinks about this?"

When Xie Qian and Xiao Tiaozi looked at each other, he suddenly found that Xiao Tiaozi was also a bad person, as if he was using him, or he wanted to use him.

But from a certain perspective, Xiao Tiaozi is indeed his most worthy alliance candidate.

Xie Qian said: "I will advise Your Majesty and oppose the construction of a new city. This move will not only waste people and cause money, but will also bring unstable factors to the stability of the southeast coast."

Xiao Guozi thought for a while, lowered his head slightly and said, "The villain also thinks so. He doesn't understand the great truth very well, but he knows the pros and cons of the matter of Shen Shangshu's proposal to build a city. If Shen Shangshu stayed in the south for a long time and there was no one in charge of government affairs in the court, wouldn't it be a big mess? In addition, how could Your Majesty let a talent like Shen Shangshu do the rough work of building a building? Even if Shen Shangshu has no intention of being a disobedient, how would the owner of this city be handled in the court in the future?"

Xie Qian frowned: "Has Shen Zhihou ever said he wanted to be the master of the city?"

Xiao Guozi quickly shook his head and denied: "It was not mentioned that it was the villain who thought so. The villain also thought about the Ming Dynasty. If there is something wrong with what he said, please don't be surprised."

Xie Qian said in his heart: "This little kid comes to me and says Zhihou's bad things, which is considered to be courageous. Everyone knows that the relationship between Zhihou is not as simple as it seems. How can he dare to guarantee that I will not support Zhihou in this matter? How did he predict it in advance?"

Xie Qian understood that Xiao Tuozi had an aide behind him, but who gave Xiao Tuozi the advice to him and asked him to come to him on his own initiative was also a confusing thing about Xie Qian.

Xiao Tiaozi said, "Master Xie, why not like this, please write a memorial and give it to the villain to send it to His Majesty? If you leave from the Sili Supervisor, I am afraid that Eunuch Zhang will suppress you."

Such suggestions made Xie Qian even more embarrassed.

Xie Qian had suffered the loss of making a private statement before.

Only Chen Xi in the world can report to the emperor directly without going through Zhang Yuan. This is also what Zhang Yuan is afraid of Chen Xi. As for Xie Qian, as the chief minister of the cabinet, he still has to do it even though he knows that he is so unruly, which is equivalent to a real demographic, and the emperor may even use it to punish him.
To be continued...