King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

"This, this, this"

"Second brother, where did you get these things?"

After reading the letter that Zhu Gaoxu casually threw to him, Zhu Gaochi could no longer sit still. He suddenly stood up from his chair, looked over with a look of horror, and spoke anxiously with a trembling voice.

"He he he..."

"How dare they do such a thing? Aren't they afraid of losing their heads if something goes wrong?"

"How daring!"

Then, Zhu Gaochi's face became extremely gloomy and his expression suddenly became solemn.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu glanced at him with disdain, and sneered with a slightly raised corner of his mouth, saying:
"Losing heads?"

"Why did he lose his head?"

“Why would others be afraid?”

"Did someone else do something wrong? Was there any material used that didn't meet the regulations?"

"no!"

“Everything is material to spec, everything is according to procedure.”

"Even if something really happened, and the imperial court investigates, what can they do to others?"

"Others are just middlemen who make a profit from the price difference. Their crimes are not punishable by death."

"What can you do?"

"Didn't someone else get it done?"

Zhu Gaochi: "!!!!!!"

That's what I said.

It seems to make sense.

Judging from the information in the documents I have, there seems to be no problem.

It seems that there is really no problem with these officials from the Ministry of Industry.

The materials are of the same quality and there is no cutting of corners.

If something really happens, you really won’t be able to find anyone else to blame.

but……

Wait until you see the letter, which records one by one the profits that the officials of the Ministry of Works have gained from various projects.

Zhu Gaochi always felt extremely unhappy and felt a blockage in his chest.

I have to admit that these people from the Ministry of Industry are really ruthless.

The means of making money through corruption are really unique.

All materials were matched and purchased according to the specifications required by the court.

It's such a rigorous thing, such an attitude towards work.

This still allowed these people to find loopholes to exploit.

The materials were consistent, but the officials from the Ministry of Works did not cut corners.

But he also made a lot of money from one thing after another.

As for how to make money?

Isn’t this method simple?

What is the most lacking thing in the entire Ming Dynasty nowadays?
Without a doubt, the most abundant thing is cheap labor.

Give money...

And do not delay any arrears.

Who wouldn't want to do this kind of work? Who wouldn't want to do it?
It is precisely because of this premise that these people have found a way to make money without anyone noticing.

Hire cheap labor and receive full payment from the court.

You can imagine how profitable this price difference is.

Not only did he fulfill the court's requirements and goals, but he also took the opportunity to make a fortune.

As for those cheap labor and the bosses behind the scenes, do they have any other thoughts?
Give me a break.

No matter how insignificant the Ministry of Works is, it is still one of the six ministries of the Ming Dynasty!
If you don't want to do it, there are plenty of people who will do it.

Dare to play tricks on others, or have other ideas that you shouldn't have.

Looking for death?
Do you really think that people in the Ministry of Industry are all vegetarians?

You either don't answer it, or you do.

Hmmmm…

If you dare to have any other thoughts, you may not even know how you died.

As for those businessmen, do they know the real purchase price of Ming Dynasty?
Need I say more?

How many businessmen who can succeed in troubled times can be simple?

Without a doubt, not at all.

Even if they have complaints and dissatisfaction in their hearts, do they dare to resist?

Looking for death!
The Ministry of Industry will not directly destroy it completely.

It was also recorded in the memorials that the Ministry of Works had caused discord among some businessmen because of this incident, and they attempted to oppose the Ministry of Works.

But those who had such thoughts were all easily subdued.

Some people were thrown into prison for this, while others, under such high pressure, gritted their teeth and admitted it directly.

Don't dare to look at him.

After a brief pause, Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi's face flashed with a hint of coldness, and asked:

"In that case, what objection do you have to taking these things out, Lao Er?"

"Do you think Old Man Song will give in?"

"Others have a clear conscience, they did not actually take anything, the court's affairs are handled well, and there are no mistakes."

"How can you blame others for this?"

After hearing such naive words, Zhu Gaoxu looked aside as if he was looking at a fool. The prince who was talking to himself was filled with endless complaints in his heart.

Please!
Is this still nothing?
So what exactly is considered a problem?

Zhu Gaoxu was too lazy to explain and turned to look at the leader of the Mohist School and said respectfully:
"Come on, come on..."

"Gongxing, please explain the problem here to our prince."

Gong Xing, who was suddenly called, was stunned for a moment. He subconsciously looked at Zhu Gaoxu, then at the prince not far away, his face filled with endless embarrassment.

For a moment I didn't know how to answer this question.

Answer it!
Isn't this a slap in the face of the prince?

Don’t answer!

Isn't this another case of not giving face to Prince Han?

Gong Xing was stunned for a moment, not knowing whether to say anything or not.

This is definitely a fatal question!

If he had not seen Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince talking before, and could sense from their expressions that they approved of him, Gong Xing would have almost suspected that these two had deliberately teamed up to trick him.

Thinking of this, Gong Xing couldn't help but look at Zhu Gaoxu with resentment, and then looked at Zhu Gaochi awkwardly.

"Tell me about it..."

"It's okay. If the boss has any opinions, I'll take care of it for you. No one will do anything to you."

"Now is the time to show your abilities."

"Don't be silly and pretend to be ignorant when you know the truth."

Zhu Gaoxu was certainly not a fool. He could figure out what Gongxing was worried about just by using his toes, and he immediately gave him confidence in a loud voice.

Zhu Gaochi, who was standing by, nodded without comment, expressing his agreement.

Seeing that two big shots, whom he couldn't afford to offend, both nodded in agreement, Gong Xing knew that he had no choice but to speak up.

Then, he hesitated for a moment, with an awkward smile on his face, and said:

"His Royal Highness."

"You have fallen into a misunderstanding in this matter, a misunderstanding that is most likely to occur to a person."

"Yes."

"It is undeniable that the Ministry of Industry has handled everything very properly." "There are no errors in the materials and there are no problems with the construction time."

"But this money... after all belongs to the court, not to anyone else."

"The Ministry of Industry has corresponding cheapness and corresponding ways and methods to save costs."

"They did not report this to the court, nor did they return the money to the national treasury after the project was completed."

“This is the most serious problem.”

"To put it nicely, it's called taking it for oneself. To put it bluntly, or more seriously, their behavior is also deceiving the emperor and serving the court."

"According to the current Ming Dynasty laws, this action will result in the extermination of the family and execution."

This is said.

It was like a loud thunder that exploded in Zhu Gaochi's mind.

He was so shocked that he subconsciously slapped his thigh hard.

Yes!

Although money is saved, where does it come from?

Naturally it came from the imperial court.

If you use the court's money to do court affairs, the remaining money should naturally belong to the court, not to individuals.

However, these individuals did not hand over a single cent of the money. Instead, they pocketed all of it in various ways.

He deceived the imperial court and cheated the common people.

Behavior cannot be bad.

At this moment, he finally understood why Zhu Gaoxu looked at him so kindly.

I have to admit it.

What Gongxing said is true and there is not a single mistake in it.

On this matter, his thinking had indeed fallen into a misunderstanding that he shouldn't have.

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but smile awkwardly, but he didn't act pretentiously anymore and admitted openly:
"Ha ha……"

"That's true. We are indeed in the wrong mindset."

Say it.

He turned to look at Zhu Gaoxu and said in a deep voice: "Then what are you going to do?"

"Call Song Li over now?"

In response, Zhu Gaoxu nodded without commenting, and agreed: "It is better to do it sooner rather than later."

"Since you have no objection, the two of us brothers have already made a plan. This matter also requires Song Li's cooperation. Naturally, we have to take down this old guy, and he will cooperate in the court."

"Moreover…"

Zhu Gaoxu paused, then smiled slightly with a sly smile on his face, and continued:
"Of course we can't be bad guys, so we two brothers will do it all."

"During this period of time, we two brothers have been bad guys so many times."

"Shouldn't we let some people take the blame for us?"

"With this old guy leading the charge, the chief officer suggested that we reconcile and agree to it. What else can others say?"

"What do you say?"

This is a good question.

What a nonsense!
What good could he say?

Don't be a bad guy, if someone else is a bad guy, take the lead.

If he has any opinions, please give him both hands in support.

In response, Zhu Gaochi nodded with great satisfaction, gave him a thumbs-up, and said with a grin:

"It's so high! Second brother, it's really high!"

"As expected of you, this sinister person, you are a master at using others as a gun."

“It’s a little shameful, but I like it.”

"Ha ha…"

"Just do as you say."

Get a definite answer.

Zhu Gaoxu was too lazy to bother with such sarcastic ridicule, and instead shouted at the door:
"Somebody come!"

"Tell the Minister of Works, Song Li, to come see me immediately."

The servant who was standing quietly outside the courtyard came out quickly after hearing the order, bowed slightly and said, "Yes, I will do it right away."

After that, without any hesitation, he strode away to do his business.

Da da da……

Not long after.

A burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the originally quiet courtyard, and then Song Li walked in from outside the courtyard. Seeing Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu in the field, he did not dare to hesitate at all and bowed quickly:

"This old minister pays respect to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Han."

While speaking, Song Li couldn't help but murmur in his heart, wondering about the strange face standing aside in the courtyard whom he had never seen before, that is, who Gong Xing was, and how he could appear here and be received by both the Crown Prince and the King of Han.

of course
While he was thinking, Zhu Gaoxu directly pointed out Gong Xing's identity and introduced him to Song Li: "This is Gong Xing, the current master of the Mohist school. Old Song! You two should get to know each other. You will be colleagues in the future. I hope you can work together to improve the military strength and construction of the Ming Dynasty."

This statement came out.

Song Li was so shocked that he stood there in a daze. He didn't understand for a moment. What was going on? Would they be colleagues from now on?
Or a Mohist Ruler?
Not
What is this intended to do?
Want to seize power?
Or…

Thinking of this, Song Li pondered for a moment, then slowly raised his head and looked over, saying:
"My lord, what does this mean?"

"The Ministry of Industry... all positions are now filled..."

For Song Li, no matter what the reason is, there is nothing wrong in refusing first.

Zhu Gaoxu's inexplicable behavior, coupled with his unquestionable tone, undoubtedly meant nothing good.

Zhu Gaoxu seemed to have expected this answer. The corners of his mouth could not help but slightly raise, and a cold smile appeared on his face. He said:
"Are all positions filled?"

"Ha ha……"

"Is it important?"

"Don't worry, I won't hide it from you in the future. Not only that, there will be many vacancies."

Song Li: “????”

Such unscrupulous words were like thunder exploding in Song Li's mind.

What do you mean?
What the hell?
What do you want to do?
The light cough made Song Li smell a signal of conspiracy and threat, and it also made him feel a little frightened.

This is the rhythm of a major reshuffle in the Ministry of Industry.

No!

The Ministry of Works is one of the six ministries, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a small country within a country.

Naturally, this is the situation that Song Li least wants to see.

"My lord, what does this mean?"

"The Ministry of Works is involved in all the construction of the Ming Dynasty court and the manufacture of various equipment."

"Such an action would affect the entire body and would most likely cause unnecessary unrest."

"My lord, think twice!"

Although the words seemed to be correct, they were all for the sake of the court.

But everyone is not a fool, and they can naturally hear the warning and threat in Song Li's words.

In response to this, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi looked at each other, and their faces couldn't help but darken.

After a brief moment of silence, Zhu Gaoxu half-closed his eyes and stared at Song Li, who was very close to him, for a long time. He sneered and pointed at the memorial on the stone table that had not been put away. He slammed it heavily with a "bang" and stood up from the chair suddenly, saying angrily:
"Song Li, you are so brave."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Okay!"

"This really broadens my horizons. I thought you, Song Li, were a good guy, but I didn't expect you to be so courageous."

"But I like it. I like to see you being so unruly."

"I hope you can still be like this later."

"Take a good look at it yourself. Don't think we know nothing."

(End of this chapter)