Although Zhu Houzhao was angry that Chen Xi did not approve his plan to build a palace in cities along the canal, he did not force it, and did not ask Jiang Bin and others to go to the people to "sponsor" him or even sell the imperial objects and titles in the palace for money. This matter came to an end.

In Xiao Jing's view, this shows that the emperor knew the general situation and knew that the Ming Dynasty's treasury consumed a huge amount, and that it was possible that after launching a huge maritime expedition next year, he gave up the huge plan to build a palace, which was actually done by the wise king.

The ministers in the court were relieved when they learned about this, especially Li Liu, the Minister of Works. Because the Palace of Practice not only costs huge amounts of money, it also makes the Ministry of Works lose everything and cannot do anything well.

Of course, the most important thing is that Li Liu doesn't want to cause trouble.

Chen Xi's tough attitude in this matter has basically won the recognition of the government and the public. Many people think that Chen Xi will have conflicts with the emperor and cause disgust, but they did not expect that there was no conflict between the king and his subjects, which also disappointed those with ulterior motives.

"If there is some kindness, the court can always settle down." When Li Ju met with Yang Yiqing, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he was very proud of Chen Xi's praise.

Perhaps Li Ju felt that Yang Yiqing and Wang Qiong had some disapproval of Chen Xi's way of governing, so he took the opportunity to say good things for Chen Xi.

Yang Yiqing nodded and praised: "There is less expenses for building palaces along the canal, and the Ministry of Works this year's budget is much lower than usual."

Li Li smiled and said, "The premise is that there is no need to add the nine-sided fee."

"right."

Yang Yiqing took out the list and analyzed in detail, "The northwest expenses this year are a little more than in previous years, mainly related to the fact that Dayan Khan is trying to reunify the Tatar tribes. Recently, there have been traces of rafts on the front line of the Great Wall from time to time... However, because Shangshu Chen beat the Tatars to the pain, the green and strong people were almost broken, and the grassland cannot become a confidant of the Ming Dynasty within 10 or 20 years."

Li Wu sighed: "If His Majesty hadn't gone to the northwest personally, he wouldn't have used so much money... If he repaired this way, he would only need to knock and repair it in the next few decades, which would be a one-time solution."

Yang Yiqing did not deny Li Li's statement.

At the end of the Battle of Grassland, the Ming Dynasty court pushed its influence to the areas south of Langshan, Yinshan and Daqingshan. In name, all Tatar tribes were led by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty basically controlled the grassland economy by purchasing horses, cattle, sheep, and wool from the grassland. Especially the wool that no one wanted before became the target of Ming merchants' purchases, and was transported back to the pass to the south, wool and wool cloth were woven in the wool mill, and made into sweaters, and sold to all parts of the Ming Dynasty.

As the economic strength increases, the grassland tribes also have money to buy food, salt and tea, especially iron tools. With the popularity of firearms, there is no need to ban the sale. Moreover, the steel factory of the Chamber of Commerce controlled by Chenxi produces a large amount of pig iron every year and needs to be sold. Therefore, they flow into the grassland by iron pots, shovels, shovels, etc., and these tribes generally melted them to build weapons and armor. When facing Dayan Khan, who showed his fangs, they actually had the strength to resist.

Unfortunately, the Ming Dynasty had long given up Dongsheng, Yunchuan, Zhenlu, Guanshan and other guards. At this time, it would take huge investment to rebuild the acropolis. Moreover, without outstanding leading talents, setting up a military town in the heart of the grassland will lead to practical difficulties such as supply difficulties and lack of good at mobile warfare. Therefore, Chen Xi's proposal to reopen the acropolis was not approved by Zhu Houzhao, and the Ming Dynasty actually defended the front line of the Great Wall.

Previously, the Ming Dynasty had not repaired the city walls and passes in Sanbian and Xuanda. This time it was considered to make up for the previous homework. Zhu Houzhao's permanent residence in Xuanfu was not completely ineffective, at least many unresolved matters have been implemented.

Li Li said again: "The cost is so huge. If someone gets a full bag, you always need to be careful."

"oh?"

Yang Yiqing looked at Li Li, thinking that Li Li was reminding him that there were borers in the northwest.

The three-sided governor is Hu Lian, who was a confidant promoted by Chen Xi himself. He should not lose his links at this critical moment.

“No big problem.”

Yang Yiqing commented, "This time, the construction of the city is built, with His Majesty in the northwest and Eunuch Xiao, how could something happen? If the Ministry of Works is worried, it will send people to patrol the various places."

Li Liu smiled and said, "Of course, the Ministry of Works will consider sending someone to supervise, but it is better to discuss with Zhihou first. He should have a good idea in this regard."

According to Li Wu's meaning, some things cannot be decided by us. Regardless of whether you are willing to obey Chen Xi's orders, such things must be based on his opinions. After all, Chen Xi is a supervisor and has the power to regulate the overall situation.

After all, Yang Yiqing was not promoted by Chen Xi himself. For a practical practitioner like him who has his own name in history, he has his own way of doing things, so he still has some resistance to Chen Xi. However, after Li Jue reminded him, Yang Yiqing nodded and expressed his acceptance.

Yang Yiqing understood that if the court wants to maintain stability, it needs to be united. Even if Chen Xi is more radical in some matters, it is now possible to follow Chen Xi's horse leader. Others can only retain their opinions and must be highly consistent with Chen Xi.

...

...

In February, the weather in Beijing warms up.

According to Chen Xi's plan, the court prepared to install electric lights on the main streets of the capital, which was also the instructions given by Zhu Houzhao before the northern hunting.

This matter is not that expensive. The Ministry of Works has taken out 50,000 taels of silver, and Chen Xi also transferred some workers from Xincheng who have participated in the laying of the line. The final cost of the entire project will not exceed 100,000 taels of silver, but it can make the capital city brighter at night.

The biggest problem actually comes from power generation. After all, there is no condition for hydropower generation in Beijing, and it is more about burning coal to drive steam engines to generate electricity.

"Mr. Shen, the imperial court is organizing the transportation of coal from Datong Prefecture. Wanggong Factory has opened an area to build a power plant. Many wooden poles have been built in the city, and the people have stopped and watched..."

Zheng Qian is responsible for this matter.

This time, Zhu Houzhao went to Xuanfu, but Su Tong and Zheng Qian did not accompany him. The two were transferred from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Works by Chen Xi to help him solve some problems.

Although Zheng Qian and Su Tong did not participate in the laying of Xincheng circuits, they at least knew what was going on. The workers transferred from Chen Xi from the south also knew that these two were the former heads and vice presidents of Xincheng courts. They respected them more, which made things go very smoothly.

"Don't be too anxious."

Chenxi Road, "Coal must be continuously transported. In addition to power generation, it can also be used to make honeycomb coal for people to cook and keep warm. It is estimated that before summer comes, people in the capital will see street lights and their night life will become rich and colorful."

Of course, Zheng Qian understood that what Chen Xi is doing now is not understood by most people in the court.

The conservatives in the court were extremely repulsive of new things. Chen Xi made a few electric lights according to the emperor's will, and it was said that it was a bad feng shui dragon vein in the capital. A group of people even spread rumors outside that Chen Xi and Westerners colluded with each other to harm the Ming Dynasty. Some people even compared Chen Xi with traitors.

Chen Xi disdains these doubts, and he also knows that many people in the court are waiting to see his jokes. Chen Xi will do his own thing to promote his ideal reform, and electric lights are also an important part of it.

"In addition to adding lightning rods to each palace, the palace also needs to be transformed."

Chen Xi finally reminded, "The wires are sent from Xihua Gate to the palace, reminding eunuchs and palace maids not to get close to the wires casually. As for the Daming Gate... it is not used for the time being, the project volume is too large. It's better to wait until the first phase of the project is completed to see the effect."

Chenxi did not advance blindly. The capital city wanted to use electric lights to bring light to the night. However, in the early stage, the Ganqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace, Kunning Palace, Wenhua Palace, and Wenyuan Pavilion of the capital city were pilot projects, and other temples were not within the scope of planned construction.

Because Chen Xi didn't know the extent to which the people in the capital were accepting new things, and the electric lights did not have the conditions to enter the homes of ordinary people at this time, because transformers and other technologies were still too backward, forcibly opening up the stall may bring a series of problems.

Of course, in Shen Xi's view, these problems can be solved, but they will take time.

Anyway, Zhu Houzhao is not in the capital now, so he will pilot it on a small scale to see the reaction. If the people in the capital are praised by him and the technology is gradually improved, then the "Phase II" project will be started.

In Shen Xi's vision, the second phase of the project can basically ensure that the streets of the capital are illuminated, but the power generation required will increase dramatically. At that time, the capital may have to build a "power plant" in the east, west, south and north of the city.

As for the third phase of the project to illuminate thousands of households in the entire capital, it is just an idea.

...

...

In February, there were not many affairs in the capital, and the Jiangnan case was still pending.

Dali Temple has submitted several memorials, requesting the emperor to close the case as soon as possible. Zhu Houzhao deliberately delayed it until February 15th, when Zhu Houzhao suddenly sent Li Xing back. On the one hand, he was to inquire about the situation in the capital to see if he had escaped control, and on the other hand, he was to explain to Chen Xi about how Duke Wei and Wei Bin should deal with it.

"Mr. Shen, I'm here again. This time, Your Majesty asked you to settle the case directly."

When Li Xing saw Chen Xi in the study of the Duke's Mansion, he smiled and submitted Zhu Houzhao's "secret letter" and explained carefully, "Your Majesty does not want to kill the descendants of the founding heroes, so Duke Wei should not be sentenced to the extreme and the title is not easy to deprive him of the title, but he must not be punished without punishment. As for Duke Wei, as you said, he will be punished to guard the imperial tomb."

Li Xing was very proud. This time he was not here to ask Chen Xi for business, but more like an emperor's envoy. He taught Chen Xi how to do things, and his attitude was much more arrogant than before.

Chen Xidao: "For the crimes committed by Duke of Wei, I have nothing to say about several times... However, since Your Majesty does not want to slaughter the meritorious officials, then he can only send them back to his original circle of ban?"

“Neither this.”

Li Xing smiled and said, "If you should punish me, you should punish me. Your Majesty means... If it really doesn't work, go to guard the border with the three sides. As a martial honor, do something that martial honors should do. What do you think?"

Chen Xi narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Xing: "Your Majesty didn't mention this."

Li Xing leaned over and said, "This is what Your Majesty said when he was talking about the words of his subordinates. Don't worry, you will definitely not be making up. How many subordinates dare to talk nonsense in front of you?"

Chen Xi nodded: "Since that's the case, I will judge the case as appropriate according to Your Majesty's instructions. I think this case will end within half a month."

"yes."

Li Xing suddenly thought of something and reminded him, "Mr. Shen, don't expand the case, especially those people bitten by Duke Wei and Duke Wei... Your Majesty does not want to be too involved."

Chen Xidao: "This is also your Majesty's instructions?"

"No...but Your Majesty vaguely expressed this meaning." Li Xing said.

Chen Xi smiled and nodded: "I understand. The case should be handled as low-key as possible, and do not expand the influence, and do not involve irrelevant people."

Li Xing said happily: "That's what it means. If you have something to do, don't bother me. You should rest first and say goodbye." After that, he left excitedly.

Chen Xi guessed that Li Xing should have gone to meet the Zhang family and might come to the palace to meet the Queen Mother Zhang later, and explained the "good news" to the Zhang family, which was very meaningful to seek credit.

Chen Xi walked to the door and called Zhu Hong up and went to the Ministry of Justice together.

"Master, didn't you go to Dali Temple?" Zhu Hong asked.

Chen Xi said calmly: "This time it is a major case of the Ministry of Justice, of course we have to arrest people in the name of the Ministry of Justice."

...

...

Zhang Zilin, the Minister of Justice, didn't know what happened, but he heard that Chen Xi was coming with people.

It was not an ordinary visit, but more like coming to do business, which surprised Zhang Zilin.

"What is Chen Shangshu doing?"

Zhang Zilin came out of the lobby and looked at Chen Xi, who was wearing a scorching official robe and had a serious face. Some worries were revealed in his eyes.

Chen Xidao: "I am here to do some tolerances by the emperor, so Secretary Zhang can provide some assistance."

Zhang Zilin looked distressed: "Is there any order from Your Majesty?"

Chen Xi shook his head, but took out the secret letter given to him by Zhu Houzhao, "This is what Your Majesty mean."

When Zhang Zilin took it over and looked at it, he knew it was Zhu Houzhao's handwriting... This thing is more effective than an imperial edict, because the imperial edict may not be written by the emperor himself.

Zhang Zilin said: "What's wrong with Shangshu Chen? Just send someone to the Ministry of Justice to say hello. Why should I come here in person?"

Chen Xi smiled and said, "Since it's an imperial destiny, it's better to do it yourself. The Ministry of Justice sent someone to take back the brothers Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, the foreign relatives."

"this……"

Zhang Zilin was dumbfounded. He knew very well how much shock this would cause in the court, but he bowed and bowed, "I'll arrange for someone to accompany Mr. Chen."

...
To be continued...