Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 210 Dare to Take Charge of Anything

Qianqing Palace.

Liang Fang came to see the emperor calmly.

When he entered the hall, he saw two boxes on the dragon table in front of the emperor. He had no idea what was inside them, but he was shocked.

"This slave is here to meet Your Majesty."

Liang Fang stepped forward quickly and kowtowed.

"Get up."

Zhu Jianshen looked calm, but his tone sounded unusually cold.

If she could look up at this moment, Liang Fang would find that Emperor Chenghua's eyes were cold, filled with shame and anger after being deceived.

Liang Fang stood up, still with his head down, but he glanced at the prince and his servants standing aside with the corner of his eye, and felt a bit of hatred in his heart.

You are such a good prince. I framed you, but instead of accepting it obediently, you dared to resist?

This is simply unreasonable!
It is exactly the same as the behavioral logic of a certain emperor in later generations.

Zhu Jianshen noticed Liang Fang's little move, but said nothing. He asked, "I asked you about the tribute before, and mentioned the telescope. Do you remember it?"

Liang Fang cupped her hands and answered respectfully, "Of course I remember. I have sent people to Nanjing and Guangzhou to look for him. I estimate that there will be news back in the next few days. I will not let your majesty down!"

"Did you really find that thing?"

Zhu Jianshen raised his voice unconsciously and shouted, "I want to hear your truth. Think carefully before answering... You know I don't like being deceived."

Liang Fang was disappointed when he heard this, but he still managed to say, "Your Majesty, although I did not personally go to the people to collect these things, they were found by my subordinates with great effort and time...

"As for the telescope, the reason why I have been searching for this treasure for Your Majesty is that I know its function well, and I want to use it to spy on the enemy and command the generals in battle, so as to help our Ming Dynasty spread its power abroad. I will serve Your Majesty and the court with all my heart until my death!"

Speaking of this, Liang Fang almost burst into tears.

It seems like if you don’t believe what I say, I will smash my head against the wall and die in front of you.

Zhu Jianshen was almost amused by Liang Fang's performance and asked, "Look, what is this?"

As he spoke, Zhu Jianshen gestured to Qin Chang, who then opened a box on the desk.

Qin Chang took out a telescope from the box and walked in front of Liang Fang. Liang Fang was stunned when he saw it and fell to his knees with a plop.

"The prince gave me ten telescopes at once, and also presented me with a batch of soap. Speaking of soap, I plan to send it to the palace for daily use, and the telescopes are to be used in border military operations as you said... Liang Fang, do you know what it means to make a statement before the king and not speak nonsense?"

Although Zhu Jianshen's tone was still gentle, the threat was already obvious.

You bastard, I trust you. When you said this thing was presented by you, I believed it at that time.

He even sent people to the East Palace to reprimand the prince!
But within two days, the prince presented the things to you himself, but you still said you would go look for them?
I’m looking for you, you big head ghost!
Are you making a fool of me?

There is no king or father at all!
Your behavior is just like sitting in the audience watching my father and son perform a monkey show for you. It's so hateful and annoying!
"I...I don't know what's going on."

Liang Fang kowtowed continuously, "I am also very confused as to why this thing appeared here. I am damned... Perhaps the telescopes, soaps and other items in the previous tribute were not just those presented by the prince, but... a whole batch, but later... later..."

Liang Fang's mind was working rapidly.

Although I firmly believe that the prince is incapable of obtaining this thing, the reality now is that after offering the first batch, the prince continued to offer the second batch and took the opportunity to trick me...

He must have withheld some of the first batch of things and deliberately presented only a small portion, and then presented the rest to Your Majesty.

The prince is plotting against me!
Qin Chang smiled and said, "Eunuch Liang, you said these things are still part of the tribute you lost. What evidence do you have? It seems that last time you just said that there was such a batch of things, and His Majesty didn't even verify it in detail. Now the prince has presented a second batch of ten telescopes, but you say they are still yours... Without evidence, it is difficult to convince the public."

"This slave deserves to die, this slave deserves to die!"

Liang Fang did not argue.

He felt that the emperor would definitely believe him.

Even if Your Majesty had ten brains, would you believe that something like that could be obtained by someone as mediocre as the Crown Prince who lives deep in the palace?
It must be someone as capable as me who can get it for you.

Zhu Jianshen's tone surprisingly became calmer, and he nodded and said, "Okay, Liang Fang, since you said this batch of stuff is yours, then I want another batch. Can you give it to me? These ten plus the previous one are definitely not enough for the soldiers on the front line. The more the better."

When Liang Fang heard this, she felt that she finally had a chance to turn the tide.

I thought what Wei Xing said made sense.

If it's something that even the prince is capable of finding, why would I be afraid that I can't get it back?
If you, the prince, have channels in this regard, then I must have them too, and only more than you!

Liang Fang hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I will definitely be able to collect another batch and bring them back to live up to your grace."

Then, after being severely reprimanded by Emperor Chenghua, Liang Fang was sent back to prepare tribute.

Zhu Youtang was kept by Zhu Jianshen to have dinner together...

This can be regarded as Zhu Youtang's most glorious moment in recent times. Not only did he receive praise from his old father, but he also had the opportunity to chat with his father at the dinner table.

Of course, the meal was still the same table that Zhu Jianshen and Concubine Shao and her son had eaten at before.

"Prince, you said that the telescope was made of materials obtained from Huangshan Mountain, or that it was discovered by merchants from Huizhou. How did you get in touch with the merchants from Huizhou?"

It was obvious that Zhu Jianshen did not simply want to invite his son to have a meal.

He himself also had a lot of things he couldn't figure out.

Just like Liang Fang's inexplicable self-confidence, even his father, the emperor, did not believe that his son would be so powerful that he could get good things that others could not get.

Zhu Youtang looked at Tan Ji who was standing beside him as if asking for help, and said, "It was Tan's wife who helped me get it."

"is it?"

Zhu Jianshen glared at Tan Ji.

Qin Ji hurriedly stepped forward and said respectfully: "Your Majesty... Huizhou merchants have always had guild halls in the capital. They also have a sense of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. It was also by chance that they sent the things to this old slave's house."

"Ah."

Zhu Jianshen did not seem to accept this argument.

Qin Chang interjected, "If it is true as the prince said, Huangshan mica is very rare in the world, and only one piece appears every few hundred or thousand years, then it will not be so easy for Eunuch Liang to make a batch of telescopes by some means."

Zhu Jianshen glared at Tan Chang.

It seems to be saying, this is the trap I set for Liang Fang, do I need you to remind me?
Zhu Jianshen asked in a cold voice: "What else did the Huizhou merchant say? Tell me everything!"

Qin Ji said respectfully: "They did clearly point out that only some broken fragments of the Huangshan mica remain, and at most a few pieces of low quality can be made."

Zhu Jianshen pointed at Tan Chang and said, "Then go inform Liang Fang and ask him to present me with ten pairs of telescopes, just like the crown prince. If that fails, let him take the blame himself."

Qin Chang asked cautiously: "Then... Your Majesty, how long is the appropriate time?"

"One month."

Zhu Jianshen said, "It would only take a few days to send someone to Huangshan from the capital. I think a month would be enough for him to prepare. Also, was the soap also made by the merchants from Huizhou?"

Tan Ji continued to answer for the prince: "Yes."

Zhu Jianshen asked, "What does the soap say?"

Tan Ji said: "There is no clear statement about the soap, but it seems that it can be produced in large quantities. If it is feasible... they may offer more."

"Good."

Zhu Jianshen praised, "Although soap is only used daily, it is really effective. I have tried it myself and it has an excellent cleaning effect. What's more rare is that after washing, the whole body is filled with fragrance, which is extremely comfortable."

Qin Ji smiled and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, the scent of the soap sent this time is different from the previous batch. It is said to be carefully blended with the essence of various flowers."

Zhu Jianshen nodded and said, "Then let them pay more tribute, so that all the palaces and halls can use it."

"Yes."

Tan Ji responded quickly.

Zhu Jianshen then looked at his son and said, "Prince, I misunderstood you before. I thought you were taking credit for other people's work and trying to show your worth to others. I never thought you would be successful."

Zhu Youtang quickly stood up and bowed, "I am willing to share your worries."

"Yes. Even though I misunderstood you, you still managed to keep your mind clear and do things calmly. That's good." Zhu Jianshen said, "How about this, Qin Ji, remember that in a few days, let the prince take charge of the affairs in Wenhua Palace."

"I still have a lot to improve, and I may not be able to handle government affairs. But I will definitely study harder and live up to my father's expectations."

Zhu Youtang was very clear that he was not qualified to fight for power. The emperor's request for him to go to the Wenhua Palace to attend court was probably just a deliberate test, so he politely declined first and then said he would accept all arrangements.

"Well, let's eat first. Today's food is a little cold, so eat quickly... If you have free time these two days, you might as well come over more often. I'll just test your knowledge."...

……

A dinner that was like the Hongmen Banquet did not last long.

When Zhu Youtang brought Qin Ji and Jiang Cong back to Duanjing Hall, he sat down on the stool in front of the desk as if relieved, and then reached out to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead.

"Prince."

Seeing this, Qin Ji quickly handed over the dry cloth.

Jiang Cong also turned around and wanted to go out of the hall to ask someone to bring in hot water for the prince to wash his face.

"No, I'm fine now."

Zhu Youtang has been very independent since he was young and is unwilling to trouble people around him for trivial matters.

Jiang Cong could only stand there obediently and wait for the prince's instructions.

After a while, when he calmed down, Zhu Youtang said with emotion: "My dear, I'm glad you are here. The telescope issue has come to an end for now. I was really afraid that Liang Fang would confront me in the palace... If he said a few more words, I might not be able to bear the huge pressure and collapse."

Qin Ji comforted him, "Prince, it's okay. Everything is over."

Jiang Cong asked: "Eunuch Tan said that these things were obtained from merchants in Huizhou. Aren't you afraid that these merchants may conceal something and actually make more?"

Hearing this, Zhu Youtang couldn't help but become nervous and hurriedly looked at Qin Ji, because this was also something he was worried about.

Qin Ji was very firm: "No, since I said there are no extras, there will be no new goods on the market. In fact...even the merchants in Huizhou can't do it."

Jiang Cong understood immediately after hearing this, and asked in surprise: "Eunuch Qin, you don't mean to say that the thing has nothing to do with Huizhou merchants? You are..."

"I'm not lying to you. I'm telling the truth. This is indeed related to the Huizhou merchants. The reason they can't do it is because the Huizhou merchants only play a supporting role, not a leading role."

Qin Ji is very confident in the Zhang family.

Because Zhang Yanling had clearly told him that no one else could make this thing. Since the Zhang family had done their best to help the prince, how could they talk nonsense about such a thing?

Zhu Youtang seemed to remember something and said, "My wife said that someone was secretly helping me... Did the person who helped me say that?"

"Ah."

Tan Ji nodded firmly.

Jiang Cong was very curious at this time.

Who on earth put in so much effort?

Zhu Youtang said, "This afternoon, before class, Mr. Xie asked me about the tribute. I said I didn't know much and asked you everything, so Mr. Xie didn't say anything else."

Jiang Cong said, "Someone gave gifts to Xie Hanlin and his men earlier. Eunuch Tan discovered the clues and promptly took them back and handed them over to His Majesty, finally saving the situation. It is reasonable for Xie Hanlin and his men to ask about the situation. Eunuch Tan, those lecturers in the Eastern Palace should all be grateful to you for resolving the disaster for them."

Qin Ji quickly waved his hands: "I dare not take credit for this matter. It was all the result of someone's secret help. Jiang Cong, there are some things that you can't tell others even if you die. Do you understand?"

"It's natural."

Jiang Cong quickly made his position clear.

……

……

Liang Fang's private residence.

After leaving the palace, Liang Fang returned home in a carriage.

Wei Xing had already arrived at his house and was waiting.

"Eunuch Liang, what are you doing..."

When Wei Xing saw Liang Fang, he discovered that she was soaked all over.

It was February and the weather was still very cold. Liang Fang looked like she had just been fished out of the water. Her head and face were covered in sweat. One can imagine how uncomfortable the cold wind was for her. It also shows how miserable Liang Fang was.

Liang Fang held onto the back of the chair and sat down, her voice still trembling: "What a ghost... What a ghost."

Wei Xing asked: "Your Majesty, what is going on..."

Liang Fang raised her hand and said, "Shut up, don't criticize His Majesty! It was the Crown Prince... He really found the telescope and presented ten of them at once. His Majesty summoned me for this reason and scolded me, saying that if I couldn't find the same thing, my life would be over."

"Ah? No... it can't be that serious, right?" Wei Xing became nervous upon hearing this. "Your Majesty has favored you so much in the past, how could he be so ruthless?"

"Snapped!"

Liang Fang slapped the armrest of the chair, sighed to the sky, and then said sadly: "That was in the past! When Madam Wan was here, if I did something that didn't meet His Majesty's expectations or made His Majesty unhappy, as long as Madam Wan said a few words, the matter would be resolved! But what about now? People are gone, and His Majesty can no longer let me do whatever I want like before."

Liang Fang became more and more sad as she spoke. Her voice became hoarse and broke without her noticing.

Wei Xing said with a bitter face: "Then...why don't we quickly notify Guangzhou or Nanjing...the question is who presented that thing?"

Liang Fang shook her head and said, "We now suspect that the item was not a tribute sent from the local area to the capital from the very beginning."

"Ah? This... How is this possible? Prince... Does the prince have that ability?"

There was a hint of fear in Wei Xing's eyes.

Because Liang Fang said that if he couldn't get a batch of telescopes, his life might be in danger, and Wei Xing's situation would not be much better than Liang Fang's.

Now they say it was not tribute from the local area. Doesn't that mean they don't know where the tribute came from?
It's completely blind.

"Master, someone has come to the palace. It seems to be Eunuch Wei, the commander of the Eastern Depot."

A servant from the Liang residence came into the room to report.

"Why is Wei Tai here?"

When Liang Fang heard that Wei Tai was coming, she couldn't help but feel inexplicably nervous.

Logically speaking, as a eunuch in the Imperial Stables, he was one of the two major factions in the palace and he could have ignored Wei Tai. But Wei Tai was in charge of the East Depot after all. What if he was arresting someone on behalf of the emperor?

Wei Xing shrank his neck and said, "I'll get out of the way first."

"Let's go and see him together! It's already this late, do you still want to stay out of this? We didn't do all this just for ourselves. If His Majesty hadn't said that the Crown Prince would hold us responsible for draining the royal family's treasured gold, would we have felt bad for the Crown Prince?"

Liang Fang became angrier as she spoke, and she glared at Wei Xing with fierce eyes, revealing a murderous look.

Wei Xing smiled bitterly and said, "Okay, I'll go with you to meet the guests! Let's see what Wei Tai is going to do!"

……

……

Wei Tai was invited into the Liang Mansion.

Before, Liang Fang didn't even take Qin Chang seriously, but now when he sees Wei Tai, he has to be careful when dealing with him.

Because Liang Fang was really scared.

The biggest characteristic of eunuchs is that they curry favor with the powerful, and they also know how to change their attitude according to the situation.

"Eunuch Tan asked me to deliver a message. His Majesty reiterated that you must produce ten pairs of telescopes within one month, otherwise you will be severely punished."

Wei Tai took on a businesslike attitude and continued, "At the same time, Eunuch Tan also asked me to tell Eunuch Liang not to think about Nanjing and Guangzhou. The thing was found by the prince. It is said to be made of Huangshan mica, which is the essence of the sun and the moon. It takes hundreds of years to produce one piece. It must be a treasure of the immortals."

"Hundreds of years?"

Wei Xing beside him exclaimed in surprise.

“It’s a whole piece of raw material.”

Wei Tai said, "Don't speculate. The item was brought back by the Eastern Palace attendant Tan Ji. It seems that he got it from a merchant from Huizhou. The Huangshan mica has been completely consumed... If everything is as Tan Ji said, at most we can use the scraps to make a few telescopes, that's all."

"Tan Ji!?"

Liang Fang gritted her teeth when she heard this.

After making so many calculations, he still ended up suffering a huge loss at the hands of this insignificant old eunuch.

Wei Tai said: "How can Eunuch Liang be so careless? He really dares to take on everything! The telescope is related to the march and battle on the northwest front. No matter how much attention is paid to it, it is not excessive...

"Oh, and there's also soap. That seems easier to buy. If you can't get a telescope, maybe you can bring some soap back... Hehe. Then the Minister of Internal Affairs might even say a few good words for you."

(End of this chapter)