Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

During the Ming Dynasty, the way the princes managed their land was like a delicate painting, slowly unfolding in the long river of history. One way was for the princes to manage their own land. They were like the masters of the land, renting the land to tenants. The rent and taxes collected were like a trickle, flowing into the treasury of the princes' palaces, without having to pay them to the court. However, although the court exempted the princes from taxes, it did not forget the responsibilities of the tenants. Their taxes were like heavy shackles, tightly binding every inch of land. The collection of rent and taxes, whether it was the timing, amount or method, was all decided by the princes' palaces, just like the princes, generals and ministers, who held the power of life and death.

Another way is to have the government take over the land. The government acts as an intermediary, first renting the land from the people, and then transferring the rent and taxes to the royal palace. This land rent is as light as a feather. According to the "Da Ming Hui Dian", during the Chenghua and Hongzhi years, only three cents of silver were collected per mu of land; and during the Wanli period, it was further subdivided into three cents for upper fields, two cents for middle fields, and one and a half cents for lower fields, like a precise measurement, measuring the value of every inch of land.

Cheng Qinghua, an important official of the court, had a calm face and a wise look in his eyes. He slowly said to Lin Xiaofeng: "Although the land is not directly granted to the princes now, the court will still pay them rent and taxes in the name of the princes' clan salaries. This is actually not a big loss for the princes." His tone was calm, but with an unquestionable firmness.

Lin Xiaofeng, the young emperor, had a handsome face and a hint of doubt between his brows. He asked, "What do you mean? Even if they don't have fiefs, they can buy land if they have money, and there will still be chaos." There was a hint of confusion and worry in his tone.

Cheng Qinghua smiled, his smile was like the spring sunshine, warm and bright. "I just want them to buy land. When the money flows to the people, those bullying and market domination will be exposed. Isn't this a good opportunity for us to catch the vassal king?" His tone was full of confidence and wisdom.

"The rebellion of the princes cannot be resolved overnight. We must give them the opportunity to make mistakes. Once they make mistakes, Your Majesty can punish them with justification." Cheng Qinghua's words echoed in Lin Xiaofeng's heart like the sound of the bell of history. His words were full of a profound understanding of history and a wise foresight into the future.

"If you want to reduce the power of the vassal states, you have to reduce the power of those who are guilty, not generalize. The guilty ones should be punished, and the innocent ones should be left alone. If they do good things, they can also earn a good reputation for your majesty and stabilize the rule of the Ming Dynasty." Cheng Qinghua's words were like a spark of wisdom, lighting the light in Lin Xiaofeng's heart. His words were full of profound insights into human nature and unique insights into political wisdom.

"The same is true for the nobles! If we forcibly reduce the power of the vassal states and the nobles, the military rebellion during the reign of Emperor Jianwen will happen again. Once the army starts to riot, it will be bad for the court." Cheng Qinghua's words were like a long-lasting alarm bell, reminding Lin Xiaofeng to act cautiously. His words were full of deep reflections on history and deep worries about the future.

(In the 23rd year of the Wanli reign, Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun of the Ming Dynasty issued an edict to restore the reign title of Jianwen. This move was like an echo of history, making people recall that turbulent period again.)
Cheng Qinghua's words moistened Lin Xiaofeng's heart like a sweet rain. He thought, yes, it is enough to deprive the guilty princes, why bother touching the innocent ones? If they do good things, the people will attribute this to Your Majesty. It is even more forbidden to blatantly deprive the nobles of their power, otherwise the military officers will feel uncomfortable, and they will either work without effort or simply surrender to the enemy. Just like during the Jingnan Campaign, some powerful people in the Southern Army did this. Lin Xiaofeng did not want to follow Zhu Yunwen's old path. He hoped to find a wiser and more stable way to solve the problems of the princes and nobles.

Cheng Qinghua added: "Emperor Shizong Jiajing also used this method to reduce the power of the princes." His tone was full of respect for history and admiration for the wisdom of the sages. Lin Xiaofeng nodded and said nothing, but his heart was like a surging wave, with a myriad of thoughts. Emperor Jiajing abolished the most princes, some because they had no descendants, and some because of crimes. There is a deeper meaning hidden in Cheng Qinghua's words. There is always something wrong with the lack of descendants. The princes have large families and many wives and concubines, so how could they not have sons? It is easy to give birth, but it is difficult to raise them. There may be some conspiracy in the middle. Regardless of whether there is a conspiracy or not, Jiajing has achieved the goal of reducing the power of the princes. It's a pity that his descendants forgot this trick, and were instead controlled by the ministers and princes. Lin Xiaofeng thought to himself that he must learn from history and not let such a tragedy happen again.

When Cheng Qinghua was about to leave, it was almost dark. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, giving him a golden glow. Lin Xiaofeng even sent someone to escort him back home. This care and respect made Cheng Qinghua feel warm. With just this discussion, the fate of so many princes and royal families in the Ming Dynasty was quietly changed. This really fulfilled the old saying: A meeting is not about the number of people, but the essence. A simple conversation, but it breeds the great power to change history.

Lin Xiaofeng was busy with two things these two days: one was to deal with the memorials sent from Nanjing, many of which were impeachments of Li Banghua. They said he was tyrannical, disrespectful, corrupt, and so on. Most of these memorials were written by the censors. The censors made a living by talking, and they could become someone else's gun if they were not careful. Lin Xiaofeng replied to each one, saying that he knew and would discuss it after Li Banghua returned to Beijing. He also wrote down the names of those impeached for later use. He knew the power of the censors and the complex political struggles behind these memorials. But he was more clear about his goals and responsibilities, which was to lay a solid foundation for the future of the Ming Dynasty.

The second is to find someone who can stand up and advocate the reform of the princes and clan officials. Now that the policy has been decided, someone has to stand up and speak. But Lin Xiaofeng, who kept his distance from the court officials, did not want them to take the lead. He understood the concerns and worries of the court officials and understood their positions and choices. But he knew better what he needed, that is, someone who could bravely stand up and advocate reform, someone who could fight for the future of the Ming Dynasty. After thinking about it, he finally found a suitable candidate, that is, King Zhao. Although King Zhao was young, he had extraordinary courage and wisdom. He dared to face difficulties, dared to challenge authority, and dared to fight for the future of the Ming Dynasty. Lin Xiaofeng believed that he would be able to become his right-hand man on the road of reform.

In early October, Lin Xiaofeng finished his official duties, stretched his back, and asked Guo Tianyang: "Has it been more than a year since the King of Zhao and the King of Zhou came to the capital to seek refuge?" There was a hint of concern and inquiry in his tone. Guo Tianyang replied: "Yes, it has been more than a year." Lin Xiaofeng nodded, and a warm current surged in his heart. He thought, they came from such a far place as Daming Prefecture with an orphan and a widow, and I haven't visited them in person. This is not in accordance with etiquette. So he decided to go to comfort them in person, and invited the King of Zhou and his son, the Duke of Ying and his wife, and the cabinet's second assistant, Minister Fan and his wife. He also prepared two gifts, one for the King of Zhao and the other for the King of Zhou, to express his care and respect.

Lin Xiaofeng had really put a lot of thought into the list of people who were traveling with him this time. There were men, women, young and old, nobles and ministers, and he was very thoughtful, for fear that the atmosphere would be awkward. Guo Tianyang wanted to go, but Lin Xiaofeng called him back: "You can ask the queen to go too. She stays in the deep palace all day and has rarely seen the outside world. This time is a good opportunity for her to see the changes in the capital." Lin Xiaofeng's words were full of love and consideration for the queen, and also made Guo Tianyang feel the emperor's warmth and humanity.

As soon as the news spread, people inside and outside the imperial city became busy. In particular, the Jinyiwei and Yongweiying were busy investigating the route and setting up sentries to ensure the safety and smoothness of the trip. Two days passed in the blink of an eye. On the morning of the trip, the queen deliberately changed into a dress that she didn't usually wear: red sleeves, a red long skirt, a red skirt, and a dragon and phoenix pearl crown. She was like a lady dressed in a gorgeous dress, dignified and elegant, which made Lin Xiaofeng's eyes light up. He thought to himself that today's trip would be very smooth and pleasant.

Lin Xiaofeng walked gently to Queen Zhou's side, his steps were steady and gentle, as if every step was stepping on Queen Zhou's heartstrings. He stretched out his hand and gently held her right hand, which was a delicate and warm hand, just like her character, gentle yet tough.

Queen Zhou lowered her head in shame, her cheeks flushed, like peach blossoms dotted with morning dew, so beautiful that it made people feel pity. Her eyes were shining with shyness and expectation, as if at this moment, she was no longer the queen who ruled the country, but an ordinary woman who expected her husband's care.

Just when Queen Zhou thought Lin Xiaofeng was going to say something intimate, he whispered, "Queen, how is the father-in-law doing recently?" This question made Queen Zhou's heart tremble slightly, and a sense of loss came over her. She originally thought that Lin Xiaofeng came to care about her, but she didn't expect him to mention his father. A trace of barely perceptible sadness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

In addition, Lin Xiaofeng had been staying at Concubine Yuan's place for the past half month and had not returned to Kunning Palace. Empress Zhou felt mixed emotions. She felt that she had fallen out of favor, but then she thought again, it was not Lin Xiaofeng's fault. The emperor needed to balance the harem to avoid any gaps that would cause unrest in the harem. This was her duty as the empress, and it was also her unavoidable fate.

This time, Lin Xiaofeng took Queen Zhou out of the palace specifically to dispel her doubts and enhance their relationship. Queen Zhou held Lin Xiaofeng's hand tightly, unwilling to let go, as if she was afraid that if she let go, this rare intimacy would slip away. She whispered, "My father wrote to say that thanks to Your Majesty, our family's business has been very prosperous recently." There was a hint of gratitude and expectation in her voice, hoping that Lin Xiaofeng could feel her heart.

Lin Xiaofeng stared at Queen Zhou's face, his eyes were deep and gentle, as if he could see through her thoughts. He asked: "When did the Queen learn to report good news but not bad news?" Queen Zhou was stunned at first, then relieved. She knew that in this capital city, the Jinyiwei were everywhere, and nothing could be hidden from Lin Xiaofeng. A trace of helplessness and bitterness flashed in her eyes, but she still whispered: "My father mentioned in the letter that the government along the canal set up checkpoints and levied heavy taxes on merchants. Even with official documents from the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works, they were still forcibly levied." At this point, Queen Zhou was afraid that Lin Xiaofeng would stand up for her father, and hurriedly explained: "Father is just complaining, Your Majesty, don't worry."

However, Lin Xiaofeng did not think so. He knew very well that the shipping fees did not go into the national treasury or into the hands of the emperor, but were intercepted by local officials. The money was not used for corruption and private use, but was deposited in the government's small treasury, waiting for the opportunity for secondary distribution. He was furious. These officials collected money from merchants under the banner of the emperor and the government, but in the end, even the emperor could not get a penny! He secretly vowed that he would never tolerate such behavior to continue.

He whispered to Queen Zhou: "I allow them to be greedy, but they must give me a share of the money they get!" There was an unquestionable firmness and determination in his voice. When Queen Zhou heard this, she mistakenly thought that Lin Xiaofeng was going to stand up for his father, and she was terrified. There was a flash of panic and worry in her eyes, as if she was afraid that this incident would bring unnecessary trouble to her and Lin Xiaofeng.

Seeing this, Lin Xiaofeng took Empress Zhou's hand and walked out of the palace, saying seriously: "The Queen must remember that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. I have my own ideas." There was a hint of irresistible majesty and determination in his voice. Empress Zhou hesitated to speak, but finally nodded. She understood what Lin Xiaofeng meant, and she also knew that she could not interfere in the affairs of the court. A hint of helplessness and loss flashed in her eyes, but she still firmly supported Lin Xiaofeng.

As they walked and talked, they unknowingly came to the store "Zhou Shang" under the name of Queen Zhou. This is a magnificent building with carved beams and painted buildings, and it is magnificent and magnificent, showing the noble status and position of Queen Zhou. Lin Xiaofeng suggested going in for a look, and Queen Zhou readily agreed. They walked into the store together, which was full of everything, including all kinds of rare and exotic objects, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, soaps, fine salt and tea. Although the price of fine salt has dropped a lot, it is still a luxury for ordinary people. Lin Xiaofeng and Queen Zhou selected many good things in the store, and their eyes were shining with excitement and joy, as if at this moment, they were just ordinary couples enjoying the fun of shopping.

When I left the shop, the people were already gathered outside. They all wanted to see Queen Zhou. Queen Zhou was not only beautiful, but also had the bearing of a mother of the country. Her appearance amazed the people present, and they all knelt down to pay tribute. Their eyes were full of awe and worship, as if Queen Zhou was the goddess in their hearts.

Lin Xiaofeng and Queen Zhou slowly left the store under the escort of the guards. Their steps were steady and calm, as if they could face any difficulties and challenges together. Not long after the guards of the store left, the people rushed in impatiently. They asked the emperor and the queen what good things they had just bought and what they wanted. Their eyes were shining with curiosity and expectation, as if at this moment, they also wanted to experience the life of the emperor and the queen.

This day's trip deepened the relationship between Lin Xiaofeng and Queen Zhou. They understood and supported each other and faced the challenges of the harem and the court together. Their eyes were shining with determination and trust, as if no matter what difficulties and challenges they would encounter in the future, they would be able to work together to overcome them and create a beautiful future for themselves.

Seeing the store full of guests, the shopkeeper was so happy. Business was slow recently, and he was worried and couldn't sleep day and night, and his hair was almost white. Unexpectedly, the emperor's arrival directly broke the door threshold, and the store suddenly became lively and bustling. The shopkeeper's fat face was full of smiles, his eyes narrowed into slits, and the corners of his mouth were almost stretched to his ears.

The shopkeeper shouted loudly, without hiding anything, his voice full of pride and joy: "Your Majesty has bought a lot of good things today, including several antiques, as well as soap, fine salt and tea! These are all treasures in our store!" As he spoke, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, and was very busy.

Before he finished speaking, a young girl said shyly, "Give me two bars of soap!" Her voice was soft and shy, as if she was afraid of being heard. A dark-skinned man shouted in a rough voice, "One pound of fine salt, one ounce of tea, hurry up!" His voice was loud and rapid, and he seemed a little impatient. Someone next to him joked with him, "Hey, you, a rough man, also need fine salt? Wild boars also use fine bran? Coarse salt is enough!" This caused a burst of laughter from the people around him.

The big man got angry when he heard this, and rolled up his sleeves to fight. The muscles on his face were twisted together, and he looked extremely fierce. At this time, a little girl advised softly: "If you want to fight, go outside, don't smash the treasures in the store here, can you afford to pay for it?" Her voice was crisp and childish, but it carried an unquestionable power. The store was suddenly filled with people, as lively as the New Year.

After the emperor and his entourage finished shopping, they rode westward in a royal carriage, with solemn guards and majestic manners along the way. They stopped in front of a large house on the west side of the imperial city. This house used to be the residence of Duke Cheng, and it was very imposing. But now it was quiet and looked a bit desolate. It turned out that the King Zhao of the Ming Dynasty lived here. Seeing that he had no place to live when he came to Beijing, Lin Xiaofeng let him settle here first. The King Zhou's family also lived not far away, so the two families could be considered to have someone to take care of them.

When the ministers saw the princes, they were like cats. They didn't even have time to hide, let alone visit them. So the surroundings were very deserted, and there was not even a single person to be seen. The King of Zhao and his wife came out to greet the emperor and his entourage. The King of Zhou, his wife, the Duke of Ying and his wife, and the Cheng Qinghua couple also arrived. Everyone saluted the emperor respectfully. Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite. I know how much you have suffered over the years." His voice was gentle and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

The Princess Dowager of Zhao stepped forward and said in a steady voice: "The vassal king should have lived and died with his fiefdom. He is still alive now, all thanks to your majesty's grace." This sounded like a sign of weakness, but also like a show of loyalty. The Princess Dowager of Zhou also echoed a few words, her words full of awe and gratitude for the emperor. Lin Xiaofeng knew clearly in his heart that everyone would say these polite words, but their true thoughts were hidden in their stomachs.

After a few polite words, everyone went into the house. The men drank tea and chatted in the front, discussing national affairs and palace trivia; the women went to the back to exchange gifts, chat about family matters and gossip. When Queen Zhou went behind the screen, Lin Xiaofeng began to feel nervous. He had assigned a task to the Queen before leaving, and he wondered if she could complete it successfully.

When they arrived at the back hall, Queen Zhou gave gifts to the concubines of the two kings Zhao and Zhou, and the two concubines returned the gifts. After a few exchanges, everyone became familiar with each other. In the back hall, five female relatives sat together, including Queen Zhou, the concubine of King Zhao, the concubine of King Zhou, Wang, the wife of Cheng Qinghua, and Li, the wife of Duke Ying Zhang Shize. Under Wang's lead, everyone started chatting. They talked about everything from family matters to gossip about ministers, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

As they chatted, Queen Zhou suddenly sighed and said, "Your Majesty always says that the palace is expensive and asked me to find ways to save money. But there are so many people waiting for meals in the palace, how can I just save money?" Her voice was full of helplessness and worry. Wang smiled and didn't respond, but used her eyes to signal her to continue. In fact, before she came, Cheng Qinghua asked her to secretly help Queen Zhou find out the attitudes of the two princes, Zhao and Zhou, towards the reform of the vassal prince Zonglu.

Although the harem was not allowed to interfere in politics, the two princes of Zhao and Zhou were still young and could not make decisions. The concubines had the final say in family affairs. It was not convenient for Lin Xiaofeng to talk to the female relatives directly about this, and Cheng Qinghua had no choice but to let Queen Zhou bring up this matter in the name of visiting. If he could get the support of the two concubines, Lin Xiaofeng could join the prince of Zhao in writing a petition to reform the princes' clan salaries. As for Li, she was just a foil and witness.

When Concubine Zhou heard this, she was stunned. She didn't expect that Queen Zhou would suddenly bring up this topic. She was stunned for a moment before she said, "Queen, you are joking. It is natural that the palace has a lot of expenses." There was a bit of embarrassment and uneasiness in her voice. Concubine Zhao blinked and asked tentatively, "Queen, can you tell me in detail?" There was a gleam of curiosity and inquiry in her eyes.

"What can't be said?" Queen Zhou sighed and said, "The expenses for each person in the palace may not seem much, but when added up with so many people, it becomes a huge number. In addition to the concubines of the Wanli, Taichang and Tianqi dynasties, there are also eunuchs, palace maids, and guards. All of them need food, clothing, and horses. Take the war horses in the Yongwei Camp, for example. They also cost money to raise." As she spoke, she frowned, looking extremely worried.

"One tael of silver per person may not seem like much, but for so many people, it adds up to tens of thousands of taels. It's really worrying!" Queen Zhou sighed as she spoke, her voice full of helplessness and anxiety. The Dowager Concubine Zhao's eyelids trembled slightly when she heard this. Although she felt that Queen Zhou had something else in mind, she hadn't figured it out yet. So she pretended to suggest, "If there's really no other way, let's lay off some people." There was a hint of tentativeness and caution in her voice.

"That won't do!" Empress Zhou said in embarrassment, "How can we move the concubines of the Wanli, Taichang, and Tianqi dynasties? They are all your Majesty's elders, and they are of a much higher generation." Her voice was full of firmness and unquestionable strength. Everyone nodded in agreement, and no one dared to raise any objections.

"And those eunuchs cannot be moved. They are all great contributors to the defense of the capital! Especially when the Yongwei Battalion went out to fight, they made great contributions in defending the city and were very kind to the harem." Queen Zhou continued, her voice filled with gratitude and admiration for the eunuchs.

"We can't cut any more palace maids. There aren't enough of them. If we cut more, there won't be anyone to do the work." Empress Zhou sighed again, her voice full of helplessness and worry. Everyone nodded in agreement, and no one dared to suggest cutting the number of palace maids.

"There must be no less guards, not even one less!" Queen Zhou emphasized again, her voice full of determination and unquestionable strength. Everyone nodded in agreement, and no one dared to raise any objections. Queen Zhou sighed again and stopped talking. Her eyes flashed with worry and helplessness, as if she was worried about the expenses of the palace.

Queen Dowager Zhou and Li didn't know what to say, so they could only sigh. They were thinking about Queen Zhou's words, trying to get some clues from them. However, Queen Zhou's words made them feel even more confused and uneasy.

At this time, amid the sighs of everyone, Wang said slowly: "Queen, I have an idea!" Her voice was soft and firm, as if she had found a solution to the problem.

"What's the idea?" Queen Zhou asked quickly, her eyes brightening with anticipation and curiosity, as if she saw hope of solving the problem.

"Reduce the salaries!" Wang said cautiously, "Reduce one tael of silver to eight cents, and then reduce eight cents to six cents. This way, the palace's expenses will be reduced." There was some tentativeness and caution in her voice, as if she was afraid that her suggestion would be rejected.

"No!" Queen Zhou still shook her head. "The monthly salary in the palace is fixed and cannot be changed at will. Moreover, the palace maids and eunuchs are accustomed to their current life. Once the salary is reduced, they will probably cause trouble." Her voice was full of firmness and unquestionable strength, as if she had made the final decision.

"It's fine to talk about it in private, but if we all start to quarrel, it will be a big deal!" After saying that, Queen Zhou also looked at the Princess Dowager of Zhao. Her eyes flashed with deep meaning and expectation, as if she hoped that the Princess Dowager of Zhao could understand what she meant.

This glance made Concubine Zhao completely understand what Empress Zhou meant. She pondered for a while and suddenly realized: "The palace" refers to the Ming Dynasty and the court, and "Empress Zhou" represents Lin Xiaofeng. "Large expenses" actually refers to the heavy burden of the princes and clan salaries, and "abolishing" implies abolishing the prince system. "Reducing salaries" means reducing the princes and clan salaries. As for how to reduce and how much to reduce, although Lin Xiaofeng did not say, Concubine Zhao believed that he already had an idea in his mind.

After figuring this out, Princess Dowager Zhao began to wonder: Why did Lin Xiaofeng ask Queen Zhou to tell her in advance? She was full of doubts and uneasiness, as if she saw a huge conspiracy quietly unfolding. However, she could not stop the conspiracy and could only wait silently for the development of the situation.

In the front hall, everyone sat together, sipping tea and chatting, the atmosphere was quite lively. The flickering candlelight in the hall illuminated everyone's face, making it look particularly warm. The landscape paintings hanging on the wall seemed to come alive with the laughter of the crowd.

"Your Highness Prince Zhao," a servant came in quietly with his head down and said softly, "Prince Zhao's Concubine Dowager asks you to come over."

Prince Zhao Zhu Chang turned around and looked at Lin Xiaofeng, who was smiling and sipping tea, with a hint of depth in his eyes. He nodded slightly, indicating that Prince Zhao could go first. Prince Zhao then stood up, saluted Lin Xiaofeng, and then followed the servant out of the front hall.

They did not go to the back hall, but instead went around to a quiet little garden. The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the stone path in the garden, which seemed particularly cold and cool. The Queen Mother of King Zhao was standing there alone, with her eyes closed, as if she was thinking about something. Her figure seemed particularly lonely under the moonlight.

"Mother, are you looking for me?" Prince Zhao walked quickly to the Queen Mother and asked softly.

The concubine did not answer immediately, but glanced at the servant in the distance with the corner of her eye. The servant was quite clever and quietly retreated when he saw this. He retreated to the corner of the garden, looked around, and when he saw that no one was paying attention, he quietly slipped to the corner of the wall and pricked up his ears to listen.

At this time, the Toffee's voice became stern: "What were you talking about in the front hall?"

King Zhao thought for a moment and replied, "Just drink tea and chat."

"What did you talk about?" the concubine asked, with a hint of unquestionable majesty in her tone.

"Speaking of the chaos caused by the Jiannu, Li Zicheng, and the Xianze bandits, I mentioned them briefly." King Zhao's voice was a little low, and it was obvious that he was not relaxed about this topic.

The concubine got angry when she heard this, her eyes widened and she scolded: "Didn't I tell you not to talk about state affairs? Why are you so disobedient!"

Prince Zhao looked aggrieved: "It's not that I want to talk about it, it's Cheng Qinghua who forced me to talk about it."

"He's talking about his own things, why don't you pretend you didn't hear it?" The toffee became even angrier, her tone full of blame.

King Zhao felt even more aggrieved, pouting his lips, his eyes reddened: "I really didn't listen at first, but every time he finished speaking, he would ask me what I thought. I can't pretend to be deaf and dumb in front of His Majesty and the Duke of England, right?"

The concubine gnashed her teeth and said, "How dare Cheng Qinghua, this old fox, bully us orphans and widows!" After that, she asked, "What did you answer?"

"I say that both the Jiannu and the bandits should be eliminated!" There was a hint of firmness in King Zhao's voice.

"That's more like it." The dowager's expression eased a little, but still showed a trace of worry. She knew that in the capital, saying the wrong thing could lead to death. Then, the dowager asked, "Did you mention the matter of the royal family and the princes?"

King Zhao shook his head: "No."

"Not a single word?" the concubine asked worriedly.

"Indeed not!" King Zhao answered with certainty.

"That's good." The Toffee nodded, "Don't worry about it. If anyone asks, just tell me."

King Zhao was stunned for a moment and asked, "Mother, what do you mean?"

"Nothing else, you have to ask His Majesty something when you go back." The concubine's expression became serious, as if there was something important to explain.

"What's the matter?" asked King Zhao.

"Find a chance to ask His Majesty when the royal salaries owed to our vassal kings will be paid?" the concubine said, with a hint of anticipation and anxiety in her tone.

"This... I'm afraid it's not a good idea. Your Majesty is allowing us to seek refuge in the capital, which is already a great blessing. If we ask for clan salary at this time, wouldn't it be..." King Zhao hesitated and didn't dare to speak easily.

"Whether it's good or not, you have to ask!" Toffee's voice was firm, as if this was a very important matter.

"Yes." King Zhao bowed deeply and said goodbye to his mother, but his heart was full of confusion and uneasiness. He didn't know whether such a request was reasonable, and he didn't know how His Majesty would respond.

The servant had quietly slipped away long ago, so no one noticed his abnormality. He returned to the front hall, pretending nothing had happened, and continued to work with the other servants.

King Zhao returned to the front hall and after chatting for a few words, he took the opportunity to ask Lin Xiaofeng: "Your Majesty, I have a question, I don't know if I should ask it?"

Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand, signaling him to go ahead. There was a hint of gentleness in his eyes, as if he didn't mind King Zhao's question.

Under the gaze of everyone, King Zhao swallowed his saliva and finally mustered up the courage to say: "Your Majesty... I dare to ask, when can the royal salaries owed to our vassal kings be paid out? We are almost unable to make ends meet!" There was a hint of trembling and anticipation in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Cheng Qinghua in pretended surprise and said, "Minister Fan, the imperial court actually still owes the princes royal salaries?" There was a hint of blame and dissatisfaction in his tone.

Although Cheng Qinghua was unwilling to admit it in his heart, he still said, "Yes, Your Majesty...but..." He kept muttering in his heart, not knowing how to explain this embarrassing situation.

Lin Xiaofeng scolded: "What's wrong with the cabinet? They even dare to delay the payment of royal salaries to the princes! Check it out immediately and pay it out as soon as possible!" There was a hint of majesty and unquestionableness in his voice.

Cheng Qinghua wanted to push it to the Ministry of Rites, but suddenly remembered that he was also the minister of two ministries, so he couldn't push it away. He rolled his eyes, stood up and bowed to Lin Xiaofeng and King Zhao to apologize: "Because of the rebellion of bandits, the number of princes in various places is difficult to verify, so the clan salary has been temporarily suspended. The Ministry of Rites has ordered all places to check quickly, and once the facts are clear, it will be issued immediately." There was a hint of sincerity and apology in his tone.

Lin Xiaofeng was obviously not satisfied with this answer: "Let's not talk about other princes for now. Prince Zhao's whole family is in the capital. Just send two officials to check it out! Send someone to check it out immediately, and then report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and let Guo Tianyang approve the distribution." There was a hint of unquestionable majesty in his voice.

"I obey your order." Cheng Qinghua agreed respectfully. Although he felt somewhat dissatisfied and helpless, he knew that this was the will of His Majesty and he had to obey.

After chatting for a while, Lin Xiaofeng led everyone away. After he left, Princess Dowager Zhao looked at his back and smiled helplessly. She knew that in the capital, Lin Xiaofeng could do whatever he wanted, and who could stop him? Although she was a little worried and uneasy, she also knew that this was a fact that could not be changed.

Half a month later, the Prince of Zhao and the Concubine Dowager jointly petitioned to reduce the clan salary of the vassal kings to reduce the burden on the court. Although the amount of reduction was not large, it was of great significance. Because the Ming Dynasty was named Zhu, and Zhu himself took the initiative to propose a reduction in salary, its influence was greater than the bandits attacking the city. After the news came out, the people of the capital were stunned. They didn't expect that Lin Xiaofeng's first knife would actually hit his own people.

How could the princes of various places sit still after hearing the news? They jointly wrote to the emperor to accuse the king of Zhao of violating the ancestral system and opposing the reduction of salary. They also sent people to spread rumors among the people of the capital, implying that the king of Zhao did so under the coercion of Lin Xiaofeng. As a result, Lin Xiaofeng became the target of public criticism and was placed at the cusp of the storm. He faced unprecedented pressure and challenges, but he did not retreat or fear. He knew that his decision was correct, and he knew that only by persisting could he win more support and trust.

"Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei have already found those who spread rumors and caused trouble. They are just waiting for your word to arrest them immediately." Guo Tianyang reported the latest progress of the Jinyiwei to Lin Xiaofeng. There was a hint of urgency in his tone, as if he couldn't wait to bring those rumormongers to justice.

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head gently, a deep light flashing in his eyes: "No hurry, don't touch them yet." His tone was calm and firm, as if everything was under his control.

"But they spread rumors that Your Majesty forced Prince Zhao to reduce his salary..." Guo Tianyang was a little indignant, obviously dissatisfied with the remarks of those rumormongers.

"Don't act rashly!" Lin Xiaofeng's tone became more resolute. He knew very well that in this war of public opinion, it was crucial to remain calm and composed. "I have my own plans."

Facing the attacks from the princes, Lin Xiaofeng was calm and unaffected. He sat beside the dragon table leisurely, as if he was not involved in the matter, quietly observing everything. His eyes revealed a deep wisdom, as if everything was within his expectations.

"As for this propaganda war, I'm not afraid of anyone." He chuckled and turned to ask Guo Tianyang: "How many issues of our 'Lin Xiaofeng's Seventeen Years Report' have been published?"

"Your Majesty, it's already the 42nd issue." Guo Tianyang replied respectfully.

"Okay, in the 43rd issue, we will reserve a page for the Duke of England to personally clarify that he did not coerce King Zhao. Then spread the news that I have suppressed the proposal from the Ministry of Rites to reduce the salaries of the princes and did not approve it." Lin Xiaofeng's tone revealed a confident look.

Guo Tianyang looked puzzled, obviously not understanding why Lin Xiaofeng did this. He couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, if you do this, won't it arouse greater opposition from the princes?"

Lin Xiaofeng sneered, with a cunning look in his eyes: "No problem, I just want the princes to mistakenly think that I value public opinion." His tone revealed a kind of confidence in planning and strategizing, as if everything was under his control.

Leaving the memorial unapproved was to create doubt. What was the doubt? Doubt about whether the princes' salaries would really be cut. When the princes heard this, they thought that the war of public opinion had worked, and they would fight even harder with words. But they forgot that the purpose of this war of public opinion was not for the public opinion itself, but to confuse the opponent!

Who is the opponent? The opponent of the princes is naturally Lin Xiaofeng; and Lin Xiaofeng's opponent is also the princes. In this invisible contest, they test each other, speculate on each other, and try to find the flaws of the other party.

The princes thought they had a sure win, so they stepped up their offensive, hoping to make Lin Xiaofeng give up his plan to cut his salary. They wrote letters, spread rumors, and tried to put Lin Xiaofeng at the center of public opinion.

However, what they didn't know was that Lin Xiaofeng's real purpose was not this. Reducing the princes' salaries was just a cover, in fact, it was to buy time for the Jinyiwei to thoroughly investigate the princes' crimes. He deliberately indulged public opinion, so that the princes' attention was focused on the capital, thus relaxing their precautions against themselves. In this way, the Jinyiwei had ample time and opportunity to thoroughly investigate the princes' details.

Lin Xiaofeng's plan was careful and clever. He knew that time was the most precious resource in this contest. Therefore, he deliberately delayed time, making the princes think that he was hesitating. In fact, he was using this time to lay a net and wait for the princes to fall into his trap.

As soon as the 43rd issue of "Lin Xiaofeng's Seventeen Years" was published, the common people in the capital were discussing the royal dispute with great interest. Although they did not understand the complex political struggle behind the dispute, they were happy to see the excitement and disputes in the royal family.

"Have you seen the new imperial gazette? The Duke of England personally testified that Your Majesty did not coerce the King of Zhao." An ordinary citizen said excitedly.

"But some people say that King Zhao was indeed coerced. Who do you believe?" asked another ordinary citizen.

"I believe in the Duke of Ying! He was the first one to come forward and pay the back taxes. His character is impeccable." The first citizen said firmly.

"What about you? Who do you believe?" the person next to him asked again.

"I don't believe it, I'm just watching for fun!" the man said with a chuckle.

Although this matter had little to do with the common people, they just loved to watch the excitement of the royal family. They discussed and speculated on the outcome of this dispute, as if they had become part of this historical drama.

Amid the discussions of the common people, Lin Xiaofeng carefully selected dozens of Jinyiwei masters, secretly left Beijing, and went to various places to thoroughly investigate the illegal property of the princes. These Jinyiwei masters were the elites of the elites handpicked by Lin Xiaofeng. They were loyal, reliable, and resourceful, and were the best candidates to carry out this task.

This matter was extremely confidential, so not many people were sent out. But Lin Xiaofeng was not worried about not completing the task, because he gave plenty of time. He knew the difficulty and complexity of this task, so he was not in a hurry to succeed. He believed that as long as he was given enough time and opportunity, the Jinyiwei would be able to find out the crimes of the princes.

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-November, and the capital was covered with heavy snow again. Snow flakes fluttered down, dressing the entire capital in silver and making it look particularly charming. Some were happy, while others were sad. For different people, this heavy snow had different meanings.

Lin Xiaofeng was overjoyed. He stood in front of the window, looking at the falling snow outside, his heart filled with joy and expectation. He knew that this heavy snow was a good omen for the Ming Dynasty, foreshadowing a good harvest and hope for the coming year. As for the poor people, although the heavy snow brought them severe cold and difficulties, Lin Xiaofeng believed that as long as they united as one and worked together, they would be able to overcome this difficulty.

In the afternoon, Guo Tianyang hurried into the Qianqing Palace holding official documents: "Your Majesty! Good news from the Ministry of Works! The test of the iron mold cast cannon was successful!" His tone was full of excitement and joy, as if he had become a part of this great achievement.

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, he suddenly jumped up from the warm couch and asked with shining eyes, "Where is the cannon?" His tone revealed an impatient urgency, as if he couldn't wait to see this new cannon with his own eyes.

"It's in the Ministry of Works!" Guo Tianyang replied excitedly.

"Go to the Ministry of Works!" Lin Xiaofeng couldn't wait to see this new type of artillery with his own eyes. As he spoke, he walked quickly out the door. Guo Tianyang quickly ordered the external supervisor to prepare the carriage, and at the same time went forward to help Lin Xiaofeng change his clothes.

The Ministry of Industry was not far from the imperial city, so Lin Xiaofeng simply abandoned his sedan chair and walked all the way through the thick snow. He was extremely excited, as if he couldn't wait to see the new artillery. Shi Shouhong led the guard team and followed closely behind him, carefully protecting Lin Xiaofeng's safety as if he were facing a great enemy.

When they arrived at the Ministry of Works, Cheng Qinghua, the Minister of Works, and other officials were already waiting outside the door. When they saw Lin Xiaofeng coming, they immediately went forward to greet him. Lin Xiaofeng smiled and nodded, and then accompanied by Cheng Qinghua, he went to the backyard.

There was a huge military tent in the courtyard, with more than a dozen people standing outside. When they saw Lin Xiaofeng coming, they immediately bowed and greeted him respectfully. Lin Xiaofeng nodded slightly, then walked quickly into the military tent.

As soon as he entered the tent, a wave of heat hit him. He saw a medium-sized cannon quietly placed in the center of the tent. The cannon was about four feet and five inches long, with a diameter of about one and a half inches. The black muzzle emitted bursts of cold air. Lin Xiaofeng saw the difference of this cannon at a glance. Its shape was more delicate and its lines were smoother. It was obviously a carefully crafted cannon.

Cheng Qinghua stepped forward and introduced: "Your Majesty, this method of casting cannons with iron molds seems simple, but it is actually extremely difficult. The most difficult part is that the iron mold easily sticks when it comes into contact with molten iron, causing the cast cannon to become an iron rod that is completely unusable. The craftsmen of the Ministry of Works spent a year and a half and more than 30,000 taels of silver to finally overcome this problem." While he was praising his achievements, he did not forget to mention the consumption of silver. After all, 30,000 taels is not a small amount.

"Good! Very good!" Lin Xiaofeng nodded repeatedly to express his appreciation. "This month, the Ministry of Works' performance silver will be paid out in full!" His words revealed an appreciation and affirmation for the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, as well as an expectation and confidence in the enhancement of the Ming Dynasty's military strength.

Hearing this, the officials and craftsmen of the Ministry of Works showed sincere joy on their faces. This joy came from the recognition of His Majesty and the realization of self-worth. They knew that they had contributed to the improvement of the military strength of the Ming Dynasty, and they were proud and proud to be a part of this great era.

"The problem of the iron mold and the molten iron sticking together must be kept secret." Lin Xiaofeng reminded him. He knew the strategic significance of this technology and the importance of keeping it secret. If this technology was mastered by the enemy, the military strength of the Ming Dynasty would be seriously threatened.

Iron mold casting of cannons has great strategic significance for the Ming Dynasty. If only a thousand cannons could be cast each year before, then with the iron mold, the number of cannons that can be cast each year by the same craftsmen will be greatly increased, and the cost will be greatly reduced. Cannons will no longer be a luxury, but a weapon that can be equipped on a large scale. This will greatly enhance the military strength of the Ming Dynasty and provide a more solid guarantee for safeguarding national security and territorial integrity.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Only Jiao Xu and Fang Yizhi know this method." Cheng Qinghua put his left hand on Jiao Xu's shoulder and pointed to a middle-aged scholar behind Lin Xiaofeng with his right hand. The scholar was wearing a blue robe, with a thin face and a medium build. He had an extraordinary temperament. He was Fang Yizhi, a famous figure in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.

"I, Fang Yizhi, the examiner of the Hanlin Academy, pay my respects to Your Majesty!" Fang Yizhi bowed and saluted. His voice was clear and powerful, revealing the demeanor and temperament of a scholar.

Lin Xiaofeng was slightly stunned. He didn't expect to meet Fang Yizhi, a scientist from the Ming Dynasty, here. He had heard of Fang Yizhi's talent and achievements, and today he saw that he was indeed worthy of his reputation. He looked at Fang Yizhi carefully, and secretly admired in his heart: This scientist from the Ming Dynasty is really a rare talent!

"Fang Yizhi." Lin Xiaofeng called softly. There was a hint of intimacy and respect in his voice, as if he was calling an old friend he hadn't seen for a long time.

"I am here!" (End of this chapter)