I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 161 Goldfish? Wrong, this is a water phoenix! Auspicious sign from heaven! (-word chapter)
Lin Shisan came out of the bottom cabin and followed Raul to his captain's room.

There is a nautical chart hanging in the captain's room, with routes and ports densely marked on it.

There is a compass and a level on the table.

Lin Shisan looked around, and suddenly his eyes lit up! He saw a huge porcelain fish tank beside the table, and there was a goldfish in the fish tank.

The goldfish's scales shone like phoenix feathers, and its tail fin was like a burning red flame. How could this be a goldfish? It looked like a phoenix swimming in the water.

Lin Shisan quickly said to Yasan, "Ask Lao Qianhu about the origin of this goldfish."

Raul did not expect that the entourage of the Ming military minister would be interested in the goldfish. He said: "This goldfish comes from Latin America. It is a hybrid of the local cichlid red manta ray and the purple live fish."

"We Sibanians call it the Blood Parrot. It brings us good luck when sailing."

Lin Shisan's visit to Tianjin this time, in addition to promoting maritime trade, also had another purpose, which was to fulfill his duty as an official and bring back some rare and interesting things to Yongshou Palace.

Outside the main hall of Yongshou Palace, there is a large porcelain tank called "Hundred Fish Tank". In the tank, there are more than a dozen rare goldfish.

When Emperor Jiajing was not governing the country or practicing Taoism, he liked to feed goldfish in the fish tank.

Lin Shisan said, "Master Lao, can you give this goldfish to the Great Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty as a tribute?"

After Yasan translated it, Raul was shocked: "Your Majesty the Emperor likes to raise goldfish? Then take them."

"Oh, by the way, the blood parrot is a rare and unique goldfish. It can survive in both sea water and fresh water."

After Yasan translated it, Lin Shisan nodded: "So it's like the Ming Dynasty's perch, which can survive in both seawater and freshwater. It's commonly known as 'two-living water fish'."

"But the name Blood Parrot is really unlucky and indecent. It would be better to change it to Water Phoenix."

After saying that, Lin Shisan turned to look at Yang Bo: "Yang Bu Tang. The Western Barbarians brought the auspicious water phoenix. The palace has caught fire many times before. Perhaps the water phoenix can suppress the evil fire in the palace."

"This water phoenix is a good omen bestowed by heaven, indicating that trade between the Ming Dynasty and the Western Barbarians will bring only benefits and no harm. Is that right?"

Yang Bo was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "You bunch of the emperor's close ministers always like to attribute everything to auspicious signs and God's will."

"But your auspicious words are good for the trade. Say what you like."

Lin Shisan instructed Yasan again: "Tell Raul that if he wants to sell the cargo on the ship to Ming Dynasty smoothly, he has to cooperate with me in telling a lie."

"When the Portuguese merchant fleet reached the South China Sea, it was hit by a violent storm and huge waves. The ship almost capsized. At this moment, a Buddha's light appeared in the sky, as if the Goddess Mazu of the South China Sea had appeared in the world."

"A phoenix flew from the front of Mazu into the sea. It circled around the fleet and kept it safe."

"When the storm died down, the phoenix disappeared. A sailor went down to the ship in a small boat to repair the planks and accidentally picked up the water phoenix."

Yang Bo was stunned as he listened to this: "It is said that Lin Shisan in Yongshou Palace is very eloquent and eloquent. This time I have seen it for myself."

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "Our Han family's gods appeared in the world and protected the Western Yi fleet. This shows that it is a good omen for the Ming Dynasty to trade with the Western Yi people."

"The clean officials in the Censorate, the Six Departments, and the Imperial Academy always like to use the excuse of the connection between heaven and man to cause trouble for the emperor."

"This time we will return the favor in their own way! God has given us this water phoenix to bless the Ming and Yi people to have a smooth trade this time."

"If anyone opposes this trade, they are going against the heavens. God will punish them with lightning!"

Yang Bo gave a thumbs up and said, "Great, great. I have been an official for decades, but I am still far inferior to you. You are really good at telling lies with passion."

"Okay. Interpreter, tell Captain Lao. Let's have a unified story."

"The firearms and goods of the Western Barbarians are already good. With this water phoenix, this will surely be accomplished."

Everyone got off the galleon and returned to the Tianjin Guard Commander's Office.

Lin Shisan brought back the Water Phoenix and exaggerated and made up stories, praising the Water Phoenix to the sky.

Li Chunfang was skeptical after hearing this: "Is it really that magical? This goldfish saved more than a dozen ships of the Western Yi people?"

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "Li Bu Tang, how can a mortal know what is happening in heaven? Lin Shisan is right. This goldfish is a rare auspicious sign. It is the blessing of the emperor's respect for heaven and love for the people. It also indicates that trade with the Western Barbarians is beneficial to our Ming Dynasty."

Lin Shisan said, "You two ministers are wrong! It is not a goldfish, but a water phoenix. It is definitely not an ordinary fish."

Yan Shifan understood immediately: "Ah, yes, yes, yes. My brother is right. This is the Water Phoenix, an auspicious beast bestowed by Mazu of the South China Sea."

After saying this, Yan Shifan looked at Jia Yingchun.

Jia Yingchun said: "Since the Western barbarians have powerful firearms and high-quality goods, and the auspicious water phoenix has descended, let's go back to the capital and ask the emperor whether to trade with them."

Yan Shifan nodded: "Yes. What do you think, Yang Bu Tang, Li Bu Tang, and Huang Gonggong?"

The three readily agreed.

At this moment, Zou Yinglong stood up and questioned: "What water phoenix? It's clearly just a goldfish with a strange appearance. How can there be so many auspicious signs in the world? How can there be so many divine wills?"

"You don't have words to say, but you have strange power and chaos!"

"Lin Shisan is a member of the Imperial Guards and a close official of the Western Garden, but he fabricated and stretched the story. This is a crime of deceiving the emperor. This is a crime of deceiving and cheating!"

"I, Zou Yinglong, will report him!"

All the doctors, assistant doctors and officials in the Ministry of Rites were in favor of banning the sea, and they all agreed.

"Lin Shisan's lies mislead the people. He should be brought to justice."

"A tiny goldfish dares to call himself a phoenix?"

Yan Shifan was the most protective person. Seeing his brother being scolded by this group of upright people, could he just sit there and do nothing?
However, Yan Shifan was well-read, the son of a cabinet minister, and a minister of a ministry, so he was always very elegant. He spoke in a loud voice: "Zou Yinglong, I will kill your mother!"

"You are a fellow Jinshi who ranked outside the top 100 in the third class and is acting as a lowly fifth-rank official. Why do you have the right to show off in front of us ministers?"

"Aren't you going to report Lin Shisan? Oh, I'm telling you, if you have the guts, report me and my dad too!"

Yang Bo quickly tried to smooth things over: "Young Lord, calm down."

Yang Bo turned to Zou Yinglong and said, "You just said that a man should not talk about strange things? If I remember correctly, the three main halls caught fire two years ago. The censors of your Censorate jointly submitted a memorial. They said that it was because the emperor was negligent in government affairs that the gods were angry."

"That's why God sent down the fire to warn the emperor."

"You also signed the memorial, right? Excuse me, is your rhetoric considered supernatural?"

"You, the censors, are allowed to say that the fire was God's will. But the Royal Guards are not allowed to say that the Water Phoenix was God's will? How can that be justified?"

Yang Bo's words left Zou Yinglong speechless.

Yan Shifan turned to look at Li Chunfang: "Li Bu Tang, you are well-known for your honesty. But shouldn't you also take good care of these subordinates?"

"The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites has not yet questioned the water phoenix. But the fish, shrimp, and turtles below are jumping out and spewing feces."

Li Chunfang felt a little embarrassed and could only say, "Ministry of Rites, keep quiet."

Everyone rushed back to the capital that day.

Inside the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Emperor Jiajing, supported by Lü Fang, walked to a small porcelain jar and looked at the water phoenix inside. Lin Shisan knelt behind the small porcelain jar.

Emperor Jiajing smiled and said, "Is this a good omen sent down from heaven? Lin Shisan, oh Lin Shisan, you are really good at making up stories."

Lin Shisan kowtowed: "I dare not deceive the emperor. I heard that the trade with the Portuguese fleet this time has met with great resistance from the court."

"Whenever something is beneficial to the country and the people, there are always some blind bastards who try to obstruct it."

"I think if we can make this matter have the word 'God's will', we can shut up those honest officials."

Emperor Jiajing nodded: "Yes. You have thought it through very carefully. And this water phoenix is indeed an extremely rare goldfish, and it is very pleasing."

"Come on, raise the water phoenix in the fish tank."

Lin Shisan then uncovered the red cloth on a lacquer tray beside him. On it were ten pocket watches.

Lin Shisan said, "Your Majesty, this is a delicate pocket watch presented by the Western Yi people. It works on the same principle as the Western Yi clock. But this one is even smaller and can be put into your arms."

Emperor Jiajing picked up the pocket watch and was greatly surprised: "How could the craftsmanship of the Western barbarians be so exquisite? Whether it is a clock or this thing, I think they are all derived from the sundial of our China."

"The Western barbarians were able to tell time without relying on the sun, which is truly ingenious."

Lin Shisan said, "Yang Butang of the Ministry of War said that if this item is used in the military, it will give generals more power during battles."

Emperor Jiajing nodded and said, "Give one to each of Yang Bo, the Minister of War, Hu Zongxian, the Governor-General of Zhejiang, Tan Lun, the Governor of Fujian, Lu Tong, the Commander-in-Chief of Zhejiang, Yu Dayou, the General-in-Chief of Zhejiang, and Tang Kekuan, the Deputy General-in-Chief. What was it?"

Lin Shisan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this thing is called a pocket watch."

At that time, Qi Jiguang was still a junior in the Ming army and had not yet made a name for himself in the southeast. Therefore, Emperor Jiajing only gave the title to veteran generals such as Lu, Yu, and Tang who had already been famous for a long time.

Emperor Jiajing nodded, and then asked: "Yang Bo and his men praised the Western Yi firearms to the sky. What do you think? Are they telling the truth?"

Lin Shisan replied, "Your Majesty, everything the ministers have said is true. The Western barbarians' cannons are powerful and light. If these 3,000 cannons and 150 guns can be assigned to the Ming army, the Ming army's combat power will be greatly enhanced."

"And what the young minister said is right. The Ministry of Works and the Imperial Guards are full of skilled craftsmen who are good at counterfeiting. After buying this batch of cannons and guns, the military craftsmen will be able to counterfeit ten times the number of firearms."

Emperor Jiajing nodded and said, "Let the cabinet draft the bill. Just do as the Western barbarians said, and exchange these firearms for 500,000 taels of silk, tea and other goods."

"The rest of the goods will be bought at a price based on their quality."

"I want to meet the Western Barbarian envoy."

Lu Fang reminded: "Your Majesty, Sibania is not a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. I think the court officials will say it is against the ancestral system."

Emperor Jiajing frowned.

Lin Shisan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so nosy. What is the ancestral system? The rules set by the previous emperors are the ancestral system, and what they did is also the ancestral system."

"Emperor Wuzong summoned the Portuguese envoy Pilaizi in the 16th year of Zhengde. This is the ancestral rule!"

"So there is an ancestral rule for the emperor to receive envoys from non-vassal states."

Emperor Jiajing was delighted: "Lin Shisan, I really underestimated you. I thought you were just smart and capable, and very lucky. I didn't expect you to know history!"

"You are right. Since the last emperor summoned the Portuguese envoy, it would not be against the ancestral rules if I summon him again."

"Lin Shisan, you did a great job on this mission."

"Since you came to Xiyuan to work, you have done everything well. It's a pity that you are not a scholar, otherwise I would really like to respect you."

Lin Shisan's eyes seemed to have diabetes insipidus again, tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty, I am ashamed to say so. I only serve you with sincerity and try my best in everything."

Emperor Jiajing smiled and said, "Forget it. You go down first."

Lu Fang accompanied Lin Shisan out of the Yongshou Palace Hall.

Lu Fang said, "You have shown off in front of the Emperor again. You are really good at making up stories about the Water Phoenix. But you have touched the Emperor's heart with your lies."

As the two were talking, they suddenly saw seven or eight eunuchs gathered in front of the fish tank, whispering to each other with anxious looks on their faces.

Lv Fang and Lin Shisan walked over quickly. Lv Fang asked, "What's wrong?"

A eunuch named Wang Xi said, "Grandfather, please take a quick look. The water phoenix that was just put in, it, it..."

Lu Fang and Lin Shisan took a quick look. They saw that the tank was full of dead fish! There were originally 17 goldfish in the tank. 16 of them had floated up and died, and the tank was full of fish blood.

The water phoenix attacked the last goldfish like a vicious dragon, biting the goldfish's gills and tearing it apart, until the last goldfish met its demise.

Lu Fang and Lin Shisan were stunned.

As an aside, as ancient people, we naturally did not know that there was a term called "species invasion" in later generations.

The Water Phoenix is a hybrid of the South American aggressive fish species manta ray and the purple live fish, and is naturally bloodthirsty.

It bit all the goldfish in the tank to death, not for eating, but simply to dominate the tank.

After all the goldfish were bitten to death by it, it swam happily in the fish tank like a victorious general, as if it was patrolling its territory.

Lu Fang asked, "Thirteen, you say this evil fish is a good omen?"

Lin Shisan broke out in a cold sweat: "I haven't kept it with other fish before. I didn't know it was so bloodthirsty and murderous."

Lu Fang ordered seven or eight eunuchs: "Listen, everyone, no one is allowed to spread this matter. Fish out all the fish carcasses and replace them with a new batch of goldfish."

Lin Shisan said: "I will go to the goldfish room and personally select a dozen fish with sturdy bodies."

He almost ran to the goldfish room, took out a dozen big goldfish, and put them into the fish tank.

A bloodbath broke out in the fish tank again! The water phoenix rushed left and right like a dragon, biting the goldfish's gills.

Soon, more than a dozen newly replaced big goldfish also passed away.

Lu Fang was at a loss for a moment: "What should I do?"

Lin Shisan was also at a loss: "My nephew doesn't know what to do either."

At the same time, outside the palace, in the courtyard of Zou Yinglong's house.

Zou Yinglong was writing a memorial to accuse Lin Shisan of lying about auspicious signs and secretly communicating with the Western Barbarians.

Zou Yinglong is not a bad person by nature, just a little stubborn and conservative.

Xu Jie's third son Xu Ying sat beside him and drank tea: "Brother Zou. My father told you not to act rashly."

"Lin Shisan brought back a so-called auspicious sign, but you insisted that it was not an auspicious sign. If you submit such a memorial, you will suffer a great loss."

Zou Yinglong asked, "Are we just going to sit back and watch Lin Shisan's lies deceive the people? Are we just going to sit back and watch the Ming Dynasty trade with the barbarians?"

Xu Ying smiled and said, "I'll give you four words: 'Wait for the right time and act'."

(End of this chapter)