The night passed in the blink of an eye, and in the early morning, when the sky was just white, I saw Zhang Juzheng waking up from his sleep in a daze.

After waking up, Zhang Juzheng subconsciously looked around, and everything around him seemed a little strange to him.

It wasn't until Zhang Juzheng's gaze glanced over Gao Gong, who was still lying on the table, sleeping soundly, that he suddenly remembered that it was his turn to be on duty with Gao Gong last night.

"It seems that there are no overly important war reports today!"

After Zhang Juzheng finished speaking, he got up from the seat, and then moved his limbs.

At this moment, there was a slight sound of footsteps from outside the cabinet, and then, I saw a eunuch in the imperial dining room followed by many small eunuchs.

At this time, those little eunuchs were holding many food boxes in their hands.

The eunuch of the imperial dining room made a complaint and then stepped into the cabinet.

Seeing that Zhang Juzheng had woken up, the eunuch in the imperial dining room breathed a sigh of relief.

Immediately, I saw him look in the direction where Zhang Juzheng was, leaned down, and said respectfully: "Elder Zhang Ge, Your Majesty asked us to send you and Elder Gao Ge to send morning food!" ”

When Zhang Juzheng heard this, his face was full of gratitude, and he immediately arched his hand to the eunuch in the imperial dining room, expressing his gratitude: "Well, I'm tired of my father-in-law!" ”

After that, I saw Zhang Juzheng coming not far away, and in front of Gao Gong, who was still asleep, he woke him up: "Gao Ge Lao, my father-in-law has come to send us a meal!" ”

After Gao Gong woke up, the whole person was a little sleepy-eyed, but he quickly came back to his senses and saluted respectfully to the eunuch in the imperial dining room: "My father-in-law made a special trip early in the morning!" ”

"Where, Gao Ge Lao Yan is serious, this is all within our family's business!"

After the eunuch in the imperial dining room finished speaking, he turned around and glanced at the little eunuchs behind him.

Seeing this, the little eunuchs behind them who were carrying food boxes immediately stepped forward and took out the steaming food from the food boxes in an orderly manner.

Soon, a variety of dishes with a variety of flavors and flavors were set on the table, exuding an enticing aroma.

Perhaps for the sake of the body, the dishes on the table were relatively light, and in addition to the dishes, there were a few eggs.

After doing this, I saw the eunuch in the imperial dining room, looking in the direction of Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, and bowed and saluted.

"The two pavilion elders use it slowly, after they finish the morning food, they only need to give an order, and someone will remove these meals!"

When Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng heard this, a look of gratitude appeared on their faces, they arched their hands, and then said, "I'm tired of my father-in-law!" ”

When the eunuch in the imperial dining room heard this, he only answered, and then left the cabinet with a silent step.

After the eunuch in the imperial dining room left, Gao Gong looked at the table full of delicacies, and said with emotion: "Your Majesty really has a heart, and you actually specially asked the imperial dining room to send us imperial food!" ”

When Zhang Juzheng heard Gao Gong's words, he nodded, and said in response: "Yes! ”

At this time, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but recall the previous scene, and after discussing the results, everyone went to the Qianqing Palace under the leadership of Yan Song, the first assistant of the cabinet.

And told the emperor what happened.

When the emperor learned of this news, he immediately felt a lot of emotion, and without the slightest hesitation, he agreed to everyone's request.

Not only that, but the emperor also specially instructed the imperial dining room to send morning food to the cabinet ministers on night every morning.

When Zhang Juzheng came back to his senses, Gao Gong had already sat down on the seat next to him, and he and Zhang Juzheng each served a bowl of thick porridge.

"Let's have something to eat!"

"Hmm."

After Zhang Juzheng responded, he took the thick porridge from Gao Gong's hand, and then picked up a piece of Liuxinju pickles with chopsticks and put it in his mouth to savor it.

After Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng finished eating the morning food, a little eunuch soon stepped forward and put the leftover meals into the food box.

……

After that, I saw the two of them sitting on chairs, and you talked and I chatted with each other.

I saw Zhang Juzheng picking up the teacup on the table, and after taking a sip, he took the lead in provoking the topic.

"Gao Ge Lao, I heard that the price of silk this year has dropped a lot compared to last year!"

"Yes, when the price of silk was the highest last year, a piece of silk could be sold for a high price of fifteen taels of silver, but this year, the same piece of silk could only be sold for nine taels of silver!"

Gao Gong paused for a moment when he said this, and then added: "Fortunately, the business of 500,000 pieces of silk that the imperial court negotiated with those Fanbang merchants last year was successfully completed!" ”

"Otherwise, according to this year's market, the imperial court may not be able to earn much silver!"

After listening to Gao Gong's words, Zhang Juzheng also felt the same way, nodded, and said in response: "Yes, maybe when the time comes, you may have to let the imperial court come forward and buy the excess raw silk in the hands of those mulberry farmers!" ”

When Zhang Juzheng said this, as if he suddenly remembered something, he added: "The trade agreement negotiated between my Ming Dynasty and the Kingdom of Spain last year can just come in handy. ”

"According to the agreement, I need to transport no less than sixteen ships of silk, tea, porcelain and other luxury goods to the Kingdom of Spain every year."

"If the time comes, the imperial court will come forward and buy the surplus raw silk in the hands of those mulberry farmers at the market price, so that the mulberry farmers will not only be able to recover their costs, but also the imperial court will be able to earn more silver."

Just as Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were chatting about this matter, there was a rush of footsteps from outside the cabinet.

After a while, I saw a Xu official take an eager step and quickly entered the cabinet.

After entering the cabinet, the official did not dare to slack off in the slightest, and immediately looked in the direction where Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were, leaned down, and reported in a deep voice: "Old Yuge, this is a battle report sent urgently from the front line for eight hundred miles!" ”

After the official finished speaking, he carefully took out the battle report from his sleeve and held it high above his head.

After learning the news, Zhang Juzheng's face was full of eagerness that could not be concealed.

Immediately, I saw him get up from his seat suddenly, look in the direction where the official was, and command in a deep voice: "Quick, take it!" ”

"Yes, Elder Zhang Ge!"

After the official responded, he immediately stepped forward and respectfully handed over the battle report in his hand to Zhang Juzheng, the secretary of the military department.

After receiving the battle report from the hand of the official, I saw Zhang Juzheng wave his hand and commanded: "Okay, this is nothing for you, you can go down!" ”

Seeing that the task of his trip was successfully completed, the face of the official was full of relief, and after bowing to Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng respectively, the official left the cabinet.

After the official left, I saw that Zhang Juzheng couldn't wait to open it, and then browsed the content on it with great concentration, only to see that it was written.

"Your Majesty, in the recent battle with Altan Khan, our army won a great victory, destroying a total of 31,692 enemies, capturing 8,653 war horses, all kinds of swords and armor, and countless others!"

"Another 3,632 enemy soldiers were captured, and in addition to that, a high-ranking enemy general named Buren was killed!"

"In this battle, our army suffered all kinds of casualties, totaling 5,326 people, in this battle, Zhaoyi General Qi Jiguang, Huaiyuan General Yu Dayou, and Chengguo Duke Zhu Xizhong have all made great contributions......

After Zhang Juzheng finished reading the contents of this battle report, his breathing suddenly became short.

Seeing this, Gao Gong on the side couldn't hold back the curiosity in his heart, looked in the direction where Zhang Juzheng was, and asked eagerly: "What, is it a victory or a defeat?" ”

When Zhang Juzheng heard this, he nodded, and in front of handing over the battle report in his hand to Gao Gong, he said peacefully: "Victory, and a big victory!" ”

After Gao Gong learned the news, his face was full of excitement that he couldn't hide, and immediately, he saw him take the battle report from Zhang Juzheng's hand and read the content on it word by word.

"Thirty-one thousand six hundred and ninety-two enemies were annihilated, and horses were captured...... Okay, okay, haha! ”

"It seems that for so many days, we haven't waited in vain!"

After reading the contents of the battle report, I saw Gao Gong caressing his beard, turning to face Zhang Juzheng, and said with emotion.

Zhang Juzheng was also quite emotional about this, and then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he slapped his thigh suddenly, and then proposed: "Gao Ge Lao, without further ado, we have to quickly inform Your Majesty of the news!" ”

When Gao Gong heard this, he also reacted suddenly, and said in a harmonious voice: "That's right, let's go to Qianqing Palace to meet Your Majesty!" ”

Gao Gong knew very well in his heart that he and Zhang Juzheng could take this opportunity to brush up on the emperor's favorability.

After that, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng did not hesitate at all, and immediately rushed to the Qianqing Palace.

Soon after Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng left the cabinet, Yan Song, Yan Shifan, father and son were late.

Looking at the empty cabinet in front of him, Yan Shifan's face couldn't help but show a look of doubt, and after looking around, he said to himself: "Hey, what about Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng?" ”

……

On the other side, the Forbidden City, outside the Qianqing Palace.

At this time, looking at the Qianqing Palace close at hand, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng's faces were full of expectation.

At this moment, I saw that the guiding eunuch who had gone in to inform him before walked quietly and came to Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, lowered his head, and said respectfully: "Elder Zhang Ge, Elder Gao Ge, you can go in, Your Majesty is waiting for you inside!" ”

Gao Gong Zhang Juzheng heard this, and hurriedly looked in the direction where the guide led the eunuch, arched his hand, and expressed his gratitude: "Well, I'm tired of my father-in-law!" ”

When the guide eunuch heard this, his face was full of a warm smile, he waved his hand, and said in response: "The two pavilion elders don't have to be polite, this is all within our family's business, hurry up and get in, don't let Your Majesty wait in a hurry!" ”

After that, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng did not hesitate at all, and immediately climbed the stairs and stepped on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, I saw Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng kneeling on the ground with a 'plop', looking at Jiajing who was sitting on the dragon chair at the moment, and said respectfully: "Weichen knocks on Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" ”

"Well, you two get up!"

When Jiajing heard this, after looking Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng up and down, he nodded and commanded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After getting Jiajing's consent, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng slowly got up from the ground.

Immediately, I saw Jiajing supporting his chin with one hand, looking in the direction where Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were, and asked, "You two, come here early in the morning, do you have anything important to report to me?" ”

Facing Jiajing's gaze, I saw Zhang Juzheng forcibly suppressing the excitement in his heart, carefully taking out the battle report sent from the front line from his sleeve, and holding it high above his head, and reported in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, here is the 800-mile urgent battle report sent from the front, the front line has won a big victory, and more than 30,000 enemies have been annihilated!" ”

Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, heard Zhang Juzheng's words, and without waiting for Jiajing's instructions, he immediately stepped forward, took the battle report from Zhang Juzheng's hand, and handed it to Jiajing.

"Your Majesty!"

"Hmm."

After answering, I saw Jiajing take the battle report from Lu Fang's hand, browse the content on it, and see that it was written.

"Your Majesty, in the recent battle with Altan Khan, our army won a great victory, destroying a total of 31,692 enemies, capturing 8,653 war horses, all kinds of swords and armor, and countless others!"

"Another 3,632 enemy soldiers were captured, and in addition to that, a high-ranking enemy general named Buren was killed!"

"In this battle, our army suffered all kinds of casualties, totaling 5,326 people, in this battle, Zhaoyi General Qi Jiguang, Huaiyuan General Yu Dayou, and Chengguo Duke Zhu Xizhong have all made great contributions......

When Jiajing was in the war report, he saw the words that Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, had made great contributions in this battle.

His face was full of relief that he couldn't hide, clenched his fists, and said to himself silently: "Okay, good, Cheng Guogong really lived up to my trust!" ”

In Jiajing's view, he completely relied on this credit to silence the mouths of those ministers in the DPRK and China.

Then step by step, step by step, the long-dormant clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty were sent into the court to balance the group of civil officials.

Immediately, I saw Jiajing gather his mind, look in the direction where Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were, and his face was full of a warm smile: "Well, I see Aiqing's dedication, I want to reward you two well!" ”

When the words fell, I saw Jiajing turn around, look in the direction where Lu Fang was, and commanded: "Lu Fang, you go to my inner palace immediately and pick out two things!" ”

When Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, heard this, he immediately lowered his head and replied respectfully: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

Just as Lu Fang was about to step away, he saw Gao Gong look sincerely frightened, stood up, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty...... Your Majesty, worrying about the king is the duty of a courtier, you don't have to ......"

Jiajing took in the expression on Gao Gong's face, waved his hand, and interrupted Gao Gong's words: "Okay, there is no need to say it again, having said that, but the reward should still be rewarded!" ”

When the words fell, I saw Jiajing nodding to Lu Fang, and when Lu Fang saw this, after bowing his head slightly to Jiajing, he left the Qianqing Palace.

After Lu Fang left the Qianqing Palace, he saw Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng looking at each other, full of gratitude, leaning down, and saying in unison.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

In the eyes of Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, this is not just a simple reward, but represents the emperor's recognition and favor for them.

"After you come down, you have to offer the gift from Your Majesty!"

At this time, this is the common idea in the hearts of Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng.

……

Then, I saw Jiajing gently rubbing the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, looked in the direction of Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, raised his eyebrows, and asked with interest: "By the way, what do you think of the recent morning food sent from the imperial dining room?" ”

Gao Gong on the side heard Jiajing's words, and after thinking for a while, he stood up and said in response: "Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that the food sent by the imperial dining room is quite rich, and it is full of color, flavor and flavor, but the taste is too light, not in line with Weichen's taste!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, he felt the same way, nodded, and then said: "Yes, the imperial dining room has always been like this!" ”

Anyone can see that the emperor is in a good mood at this time, and Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng will naturally not let go of this opportunity to enhance their relationship with the emperor.

Soon, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng pulled Jiajing to chat.

As they chatted, they inadvertently mentioned the fall in silk prices.

"Last year, a fine piece of silk could be sold for fifteen taels of silver, but this year it can only be sold for nine taels of silver."

"When the price of silk soared last year, even the price of raw silk soared all the way, and at the highest time, a pound of raw silk was worth three taels of silver!"

"Many mulberry farmers have made a lot of money by selling raw silk, and the people see that it is profitable, so they have sold their property and joined the ranks of planting mulberry seedlings, and this year, the price of silk has fallen, and most of the people who plant mulberry seedlings cannot recover the cost."

"At that time, if someone takes this opportunity to hoard Juqi, it will lead to a sharp rise in food prices, and Weichen is worried that it may cause turmoil, you know, mulberry seedlings can't be eaten!"

After listening to Zhang Juzheng's narration, the expression on Jiajing's face gradually became solemn.

After thinking about it for a while, I saw Jiajing look in the direction where Zhang Juzheng was, and confirmed to him: "What Aiqing means is that in order to avoid turmoil, the imperial court will come forward and buy raw silk from those mulberry farmers at the market price?" ”

Seeing that Jiajing heard the meaning of his words, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Immediately, I saw him nodding, leaning down, and respectfully responding: "Your Majesty Shengming, that's what Weichen meant!" ”

"The imperial court purchased the excess raw silk in the hands of the mulberry farmers at the market price, which not only solved the urgent needs of those mulberry farmers, but also reduced costs and increased profits on the side of the Weaving Bureau!"

Hearing this, Jiajing nodded after a moment of silence, and commanded: "Well, I'm right!" ”

At this moment, I saw Lu Fang enter the Qianqing Palace with silent steps, and behind him, there were two little eunuchs holding brocade boxes in their arms.

"The slave has seen Your Majesty!"

"Hmm."

Hearing this, Jiajing glanced at Lu Fang, glanced over Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng's bodies respectively, and then ordered: "Look at the reward I have given you!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng heard this, they forcibly suppressed the excitement in their hearts, and immediately stepped forward to carefully take the brocade box from the hands of the two little eunuchs and opened it.

After Zhang Juzheng opened the brocade box, what caught his eye was a brush made of cyan jade, this jade pen was exquisite, and the jade used was also very fine and warm, and the pen was full of reliefs, and the high arch was jade Ruyi.

The jade Ruyi on the high arch side, the overall shape is Ganoderma lucidum shape, the handle is curved, made of gold, jade, agate and other materials, and the process of relief, hollowing, inlay and so on is adopted, which looks quite luxurious.

The moment he saw Yu Ruyi, Gao Gong's eyes were full of amazement, and he immediately planned to place it in the most conspicuous place in his home for worship.

Jiajing took in the expressions on Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng's faces, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "What do you think of Aiqing?" ”

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, I saw Gao Gong take the first step forward, his face was full of gratitude, and he responded respectfully: "Thank you for your grace, Weichen is willing to go to the soup for Your Majesty, and never give up!" ”

When Zhang Juzheng on the side heard this, he also stood up and responded in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Weichen is the same!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, he withdrew his gaze from Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, nodded, and said slowly: "If you like it, take it well!" ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

When Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng heard this, their expressions immediately turned grim, and they responded in a deep voice.

Then, I saw Jiajing pick up the teacup on the table, take a sip, pretend to be inadvertent, look in the direction where Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were, and said with a concerned face.

"I feel that you Aiqing have been working too hard lately, and in order to bring the battle report sent from the front line to me as soon as possible, I even did not hesitate to let the two cabinet ministers be on duty in the cabinet at night."

"I'm wondering if I should create a temporary agency to send the military intelligence from the front to me, so that it can also lighten the burden on you, don't you think?"

After Jiajing finished speaking, he glanced over Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng's bodies respectively, quietly waiting for their response.

When Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng heard Jiajing's words, their faces were full of embarrassment, and they said hesitantly: "Your Majesty...... Your Majesty, this ...... This ......"

Jiajing didn't seem to care about this, just waved his hand and commanded: "Okay, I still have things to deal with next, you go down and think about it first, and then give me an answer when you think clearly!" ”

Seeing that the emperor said this, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng were embarrassed to speak out again, so they had to nod their heads.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Weichen will retire!"

"Hmm."

After that, I saw Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng bowing to Jiajing, and then holding the brocade box in their arms, they turned around and left the Qianqing Palace.

After Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng left the Qianqing Palace, they saw Jiajing retract his gaze, lowered his eyes, looked at the ground casually, and said to himself silently: "Military Aircraft Department......"

(End of chapter)