Chen Xi gave Qian Ning an ultimatum and then left the inn, asking Qian Ning to consider the next step.

Chen Xi knew Qian Ning's character very well. If Qian Ning found that he was not allowed to join him, he would definitely choose to stand on the position of Empress Dowager Zhang and deal with the Shen family with Gao Feng, Yang Tinghe and others. What he said to Qian Ning in the end was more like a reminder that the conspiracy of the Zhang family was not a secret, and he had already prepared to deal with it. If Qian Ning went there, it was purely for him to seek death.

In this way, Qian Ning would think about whether to listen to Chen Xi for the time being or choose to be a neutral faction. The worst case is to join the Zhang family and oppose Chen Xi.

If he only opposed the civil and military officials in the court, Qian Ning might have the confidence, but if he opposed Chen Xi, he would feel guilty, which is because Qian Ning could roughly understand the situation inside and outside the capital and know what Chen Xi's current status in the court.

Chen Xi returned to the yamen and wanted to draw a batch of machine tool drawings, but at this time he couldn't calm down and his mind was full of things in the capital.

Tang Yin came to visit at this time, and asked curiously as soon as he met, "Shangshu Chen, I heard that someone is coming to you today, I don't know who it is?"

"Channing."

Chen Xi did not avoid it and said directly, "Commander of the Jinyiwei, you should have heard of this person."

When he heard that it was the commander of the Jinyiwei, Tang Yin couldn't help but take a breath.

For middle and lower-level officials in the court, the Jinyiwei is definitely a taboo. After all, this is a unique spy system in the Ming Dynasty. It is notorious and only obeys the emperor. In Tang Yin's opinion, the Jinyiwei has the power to take action first and then report any case, but these are basically hearsay.

Tang Yin said: "What did he do here? You seem to have submitted a memorial with Duke Wei and Eunuch Zhang to impeach him, so he dares to come?"

Chen Xi held a quill in his hand and wrote and painted on paper. Because there were some books blocking it on the desk, Tang Yin didn't know what Chen Xi was writing.

Chen Xi said carelessly: "What are Qian Ning's concerns? He knows that I will not touch him... His Majesty is about to go south. In his opinion, Jiang Bin, Xu Tai and others have replaced his status. If he doesn't do anything or asks for help, he will completely lose power in front of His Majesty... What do you think he has the purpose of coming?"

Tang Yin suddenly realized: "It turns out that he is here to defect to the adults."

"Um."

Chen Xi nodded slightly, "Brother Bohu thinks how should I treat him?"

Tang Yin thought for a while and shook his head, "The commander of the Jinyiwei has always been his close confidants. No matter how powerful Secretary Chen has, it seems that he cannot directly control him. He came to join him and showed that he encountered great difficulties. First, Secretary Chen had a joint interview with him before, which made him feel dangerous. Second, just as Secretary Chen said, someone wanted to take his place, but such people... may be available, but they cannot be used very much, because it is too dangerous, and he has a complicated relationship with the eunuch party."

Chen Xi nodded again: "You have come to the point. He is a villain. If he is just corrupt or abused the law or has deviations when standing in the team, it is not completely unavailable. But he himself is a slander who harms the country and the people. How could I take him under such a person? And as my identity, I have no right to win him over."

Tang Yin thought about it, nodded silently, and agreed with Chen Xi's statement.

Chen Xi looked at Tang Yin again: "Brother Bo Hu is here tonight?"

Tang Yin smiled: "The new ship launches... The results of the trial sailing in the past two days have come out. The hull is very stable and has excellent wave resistance during sailing. Especially the new sailing is adopted, which can use the wind to move forward even when facing the wind... However, as General Manager Le, it is only a brief trial sail now, and the ship's continuous navigation ability is still favorable and further observation is needed... However, as it seems that the new ship has met or even exceeded expectations. Due to the advanced water-blocking technology, even if water leakage is leaked in the bottom of the ship, it will be remedied, and there will be no overturning conditions."

"Um."

Chen Xi nodded, "Since the first sea ship's trial results are good, we will prepare for subsequent ship trials. In the next two months, we will strive to launch a new ship every 20 days and build ten sea ships within half a year... Nanjing Longjiang Shipyard is probably about the same progress. In the first half of next year, we will have twenty warships and be able to fight against Japanese pirates. This battle does not seem to be delayed for too long."

...

...

Chen Xi adopted a cold treatment method for Qianning's arrival.

The choice was handed over to Qian Ning. After careful consideration, he did not choose to leave the next day. Instead, he went to the government office to meet Chen Xi and expressed that he would do his best to welcome the sage and leave the new city.

As for the sincerity that I would have when I came to visit this time, even Qian Ning couldn't figure it out, and Chen Xi didn't want to delve into it.

Shen Xi thought that if Qian Ning could return to the right path, he would not have to rush to get rid of this person. If Qian Ning continued to do whatever he wanted, then this person would be like Jiang Bin and Xu Tai, and would be eliminated by him. But now he doesn't plan to be too impatient, because the biggest problem is the emperor's trust in these people, and Chen Xi must maintain a relatively harmonious relationship with the emperor.

Chen Xi doesn't really want to be a cold-faced judge.

The issue of slander ministers around the emperor has always been a product of the feudal autocratic era. It is not to say that killing a few can ensure that the emperor no longer favors villains.

As if he sent Su Tong, Zheng Qian and others to Zhu Houzhao, Chen Xi's purpose was to guide the emperor in a benign model, rather than killing him with one blow.

At least Su Tong and Zheng Qian have read the books of sages. Even if they are greedy for fun, they still have the charm of Confucians. Moreover, according to Chen Xi's long-term observation, Su Tong and Zheng Qian are nonsense in small matters but not confused in big matters. The two are proficient in food, drink, and entertainment, but they will not harm the country and the people.

Chen Xi felt that he could guide Su Tong and Zheng Qian.

"They didn't follow him to the new city, maybe they were worried." Chen Xi suddenly thought of her two old friends Su Tong and Zheng Qian, and felt a little regretful.

Zhu Houzhao had arranged for the two to follow Chen Xi to make a fuss about military achievements, but Chen Xi did not let the two follow the army, and the relationship between the two sides deteriorated rapidly. However, Su Tong and Zheng Qian still had a habit and slowly arrived in Nanjing. Judging from Chen Xi's information, the two stayed at the official post by the Qinhuai River waiting for the emperor to arrive. It seemed that the two had known that the emperor was going to tour the south long ago and did not rush to return to Beijing.

Of course, it is also possible that the two were waiting for Chen Xi to re-sell the olive branch.

...

...

Zhu Houzhao is about to go south and the preparations are carried out in an orderly manner.

Zhang Yuan thought he was doing things properly, and every time he reported things in front of Zhu Houzhao, he always kept asking for credit for himself.

"...According to His Majesty's orders, the carriage and ships have been prepared. The old slave also sent people to say hello to the local government in advance and asked them to help when His Majesty goes south. The fleet and the convoy will be escorted by the Beijing camp soldiers and horses. The prince-in-law Cui will be dispatched throughout the journey. He will accompany His Majesty to the south..."

Zhang Yuan has been very close to Cui Yuan recently, which is related to Princess Yongkang's desire to take advantage of her husband's opportunity to enter the court. Princess Yongkang was unable to cooperate with Empress Dowager Zhang's faction, so she sent generous gifts to Zhang Yuan in the name of the princess's mansion. In this way, Cui Yuan and Zhang Yuan's relationship became closer.

This is also related to the fact that the emperor needs someone to be responsible for security work when he goes south.

Zhang Yuan knew that after Jiang Bin and Xu Tai came back, the emperor would definitely hand over the errand to the two of them. He could only try his best to get control of the peripheral guards.

Whoever can be responsible for Zhu Houzhao's daily security work will have more opportunities to meet the emperor and take the initiative in court affairs.

Zhu Houzhao heard Zhang Yuan talk for a long time but didn't hear the question he wanted to know. She frowned and asked, "What should I do if the prince consort does? Didn't he let him stay in the capital? He left. If something goes wrong in the capital, who should bear the responsibility?"

Zhang Yuan was stunned, then shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Your Majesty, aren't there any six masters in the capital affairs? Besides... If Your Majesty thinks someone needs to be in charge, I am willing to stay in the capital."

Zhu Houzhao narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhang Yuan, and asked mockingly: "Eunuch Zhang, you are very capable. You don't want to say that you are here to be the governor this time, right? Tsk tsk, you have such ambitions... But don't even think about it. You have to accompany me this time when I go south and don't disobey!"

“Yes, yes.”

Zhang Yuan did have the intention to stay in the capital to preside over the situation, but after weighing the pros and cons, it was actually nothing wrong with the emperor going south. Going or not going would have little impact on him. Zhang Yuan said, "In addition, Fengluan has been prepared for the Empress, and there are special arrangements for the rest along the way..."

Zhu Houzhao was a little satisfied when she heard that Zhang Yuan had created good conditions for Shen Yier to go south: "Anyway, you can do something more."

Zhang Yuan said again: "However, this time, the funds are insufficient. Lao Nu tried to contact the people from the Ministry of Revenue, but the Ministry of Revenue has been delaying."

"It's these guys who make trouble again!"

Zhu Houzhao was furious when she heard this, and said with a blushing face, "Why do they have to make trouble for anything I do? Am I a soft persimmon? Go and ask them for money, don't come back if you don't take out a million taels."

"Your Majesty, how is this possible..."

When Zhang Yuan heard this, he wanted to use the emperor's power to put pressure on Yang Yiqing, Xie Qian and others, but Zhu Houzhao directly asked him to ask for one million taels of silver. He felt that this was almost impossible to complete.

Zhu Houzhao said: "If you do something, you will be able to stop it. For me, a million taels of silver is still a small amount. Of course, it will cost me to go south. I want to build a few big ships in Jiangnan. I hope to go back to Beijing directly by boat from the sea. You can do this matter. If they don't give it to me, I will take my sage."

"But……"

Zhang Yuan said worriedly, "Those adults in the court do not support you from your Majesty, you will leave the capital."

Zhu Houzhao said angrily: "They have never supported me in my work. This is also a time to test your ability to do things. I don't have time to chat with you, so go to work!"

...

...

Zhang Yuan was very frustrated. He thought he could get some benefits from the emperor and at least get some praise, but he was criticized by Zhu Houzhao and sent him to complete an errand that seemed difficult to complete.

Go to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for one million taels of silver.

"Your Majesty probably knows that the Ministry of Revenue has money now, and he made a lot of money in business with Folang Jiren. Since you have money, Your Majesty naturally hopes to go south to glory and asks for so much money. But even if Yang Yingning is willing to surrender, the old guy Xie Yuqiao would not be able to let go. If the imperial edict is easy, why would he have such a headache every time?"

Zhang Yuangang thought he could relax for two days, after all, the matter of going south was ready, and he could only wait for the emperor to order to set off.

But now he feels that it is difficult to raise tens of thousands of taels of silver, let alone one million taels of silver.

Zhang Yuan did not avoid it and immediately went to see Xie Qian because he knew that the Ministry of Revenue wanted to give money to Xie Qian. He went to Xie Qian's courtyard and Xie Qian went out to greet him. The two of them exchanged greetings and entered the main hall. After sitting down, Xie Qian asked his servants to retreat and closed the doors and windows.

"What is the purpose of Eunuch Zhang coming? You might as well say it directly."

Xie Qian seemed to have known that Zhang Yuan would come for a long time, and he spoke directly.

This made Zhang Yuan feel a little passive when talking about things. "Gei, you also know that Your Majesty is about to set off to travel south and understand the people's conditions along the way. The chaos in the Central Plains has just ended. Your Majesty wants to personally appease the victims, then go to Nanjing Xiaoling to worship Taizu, and finally go to the new city built by Duke Chen to see..."

When Zhang Yuan spoke, he carefully observed Xie Qian's reaction, but Xie Qian's face was calm and he almost didn't give Zhang Yuan any chance to observe his expression.

After Zhang Yuan finished speaking, Xie Qian nodded: "I know this."

Zhang Yuan said: "Your Majesty went south and the funds have been raising. The inner treasury has already taken out 50,000 taels of silver, but it is just a drop in the bucket. After all, Your Majesty is not going out in a misfortune this time, so there should be some pomp."

Xie Qian narrowed his eyes and looked deep: "Eunuch Zhang is asking me for money?"

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Gei Xie is quick and easy, that's right. Your Majesty ordered to prepare silver as an emergency, and it would be better to make the more money. The surplus could be used to help Shangshu Shen build a ship... So I first withdraw one million taels of silver from the Ministry of Revenue..."

Xie Qian's expression was normal, but after hearing the last number, Xie Qian's expression became cold instantly.

Zhang Yuan instantly noticed that Xie Qian's face changed, and he said with a tough bullet: "One million taels of silver should be fine, right?"

Xie Qian said: "One million taels of silver... This is equivalent to the financial income of the Ming Dynasty for half a year. His Majesty will destroy the treasury's half a year of investment in the treasury after a southern tour. Don't you think you are joking?"

Xie Qian started to look out of his face, and Zhang Yuan was not willing to be outdone, and retorted: "Why are you just laughing? Xie Ge Lao, no one knows, our family knows very well. Even if the Ministry of Revenue takes out one million taels of silver, even ten million taels of silver can be taken out. When he built the ship, His Majesty asked Yang Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, he personally admitted it."

"This is one time and another."

Xie Qian showed a non-violent and non-cooperating attitude, held his head high, and looked disdainful.

Zhang Yuan sneered: "Now, I'm afraid more than that time... In just over half a year, the court could spend 10 million taels of silver? Our family is in charge of the Lexicon and has never seen any memorial mentioning a huge amount of expenses."

Xie Qian said: "Who said there was no? The Ministry of War is now building a city in Nanzhili, and it costs millions of taels a year..."

"Who are you cheating?"

When Zhang Yuan heard this, he stood up and said angrily, "Gei Ge, our family discusses things with you with kindness. Don't fool people... You don't know that the silver that Your Majesty allocated to Shangshu Chen was 2 million taels, but the court deducted nearly one million taels of silver. Only normal military expenses and part of the shipbuilding expenses were allocated, and the rest were still on the books of the Ministry of Revenue... Our family has not mentioned this to Your Majesty yet. If Your Majesty knew, how would you explain to Your Majesty?"

Xie Qian was originally fearless. He felt that the emperor had long known that the Ministry of Revenue had deducted the cost of shipbuilding and city construction in Shenxi, and thought that the reason why the emperor did not put too much pressure was because Zhu Houzhao believed that he was in the wrong and adopted a compromise attitude.
To be continued...