It was another day of the morning court attended by Zhang Zhou.

Not surprisingly, Tang Yin was targeted by the courtiers because he applied with the imperial court to increase the cost of shipbuilding...... If we can't deal with you Zhang Zhou, can't we start with the group of supporters around you?

The Hubu Shangshu Tong Zhong stated that the shipbuilding was a waste of money and labor: "Your Majesty, since Hainingwei shipbuilding, it has cost more than 300,000 taels of money on shipbuilding, and the timber and iron tools around Nanzhili have been transferred away, and the people have been requisitioned many times, and there are more than 10,000 people in Hainingwei who are serving in forced labor, so things that are not conducive to the people's livelihood should be stopped in time." net

He Zhong had obviously done his research beforehand.

As for the numbers he said...... It sounded very inaccurate to Zhang Zhou, because since the beginning of shipbuilding, the money spent has definitely been more than 500,000 taels.

It can support the largest seagoing shipyard in the Ming Dynasty, and feed so many people, and can even make artillery and firecrackers and provide them to various guards in the south of the Yangtze River.

Zhu Youzhu said: "How much money did the imperial court use for the shipbuilding of Hainingwei?"

Tong Zhong said: "Back to Your Majesty, because of the dispatch of money and grain, almost all of them have passed through the Nanjing Household Department, and they are still being verified, but it is expected to be equivalent to more than 300,000 taels of silver."

Zhu Youzhu was a little annoyed and said, "What I asked is, has the household department allocated money and grain in the past?"

"Yes." Tong Zhong also replied stiffly, "Since the beginning of the preparations, more than 3,000 taels of silver have been transferred, and many materials have been transferred from Nanjing, which is equivalent to 5,000 or 6,000 taels of silver. And ......."

"That's enough!"

Zhu Youzhu interrupted Tong Zhong's words and said sharply, "300,000 taels, but only a few thousand taels of silver were allocated by the imperial court, and the follow-up expenses were all provided by the salt works around Hainingwei, as well as the mining kilns in the north, and even the local gentry in Nanjing.

Tong Zhong said: "Now the shipyard has a big deficit, and it is already in a state of making ends meet, otherwise the governor of Bohai will not propose to the imperial court to increase the consumption."

Zhu Youzhu was silent for a while.

Southern shipbuilding, there is no profit in sight, and the Ming Dynasty made artillery and guns to equip ships, and then equipped the guards, and the guards would not exchange money and grain, which is equivalent to saying that Tang Yin just did an errand that only went out but did not enter.

Such a large shipyard relies on the salt field and Zhang Zhou's mine for blood transfusion, Tang Yin himself is not very good at raising money, food and materials, to put it bluntly, he is not a professional accountant, and he does not know how to create wealth and income, so that in the matter of "running a shipyard", Tang Yin feels that he is unable to support himself.

Xiao Jing walked out and said, "Your Majesty, at present, more than 300,000 taels have been spent in the shipyard, but they are only maintained with extra money and grain, such a large expense, it is also appropriate to encounter difficulties for a while, it is better to allocate another 100,000 taels of salt tax from the household department to support the operation of the shipyard."

Zhu Youzhu didn't answer.

The officials present were still a little surprised.

You, Xiao Jing, have betrayed, and actually speak for Tang Yin and his shipyard? Isn't this just talking to Zhang Zhou?

100,000 taels of silver...... Do you know how much the imperial court spent in the northwest? allocated a hundred thousand taels to the border town, and they all picked and searched, and now they actually spend the silver in a place where they can't see the income?

Tong Zhong said: "300,000 taels, if it is not used for shipbuilding, it can be used in various places in the northwest, and it will not be reported everywhere this year, and there is not enough money and food to be taken up until now, and there are many servants in the south, and the construction of the fortresses in various passes has also been slackened, and the impact of the river work is related to the well-being of the people in the south of the Yangtze River."

Zhu Youzhu still didn't know what to say for a while.

It's not that he doesn't want to refute Tong Zhong, it's that his mind is not on this right now...... In the matter of shipbuilding, apart from bringing back a batch of valuable trophies from the South Seas, it seems that there is nothing more recoupable in the matter.

Xie Qian walked out and said, "What Tong Shangshu said is reasonable, and it took 300,000 taels

, and used so much labor, isn't it now in the north to use troops? You should prioritize it. Cai Guogong doesn't know what to think?"

It was also because Xie Qian and the others saw that Zhang Zhou had not spoken, standing aside as if he had nothing to do, so they came out to bring Zhang Zhou into the battle.

Zhang Zhoudao: "What Tong Butang and Xie Ge Lao mean is to build ships in Jinghai, and it is not related to the well-being of the Ming Dynasty, right? I've heard that the number of pirates in the southeast has increased in recent years, and even pirates from the West have appeared, entrenched on the islands, and if they can be destroyed, these islands have a lot of resources."

Xie Qian smiled and replied, "It's just a few islands with no people, what can they bring? You don't think that these pirates can sustain the cost of hundreds of thousands of taels of shipbuilding every year, do you?"

Zhang Zhou said calmly, "Who knows?"

Xie Qian frowned when he heard this.

Counting on the accumulation of shipbuilding on some uninhabited islands...... It sounds a bit absurd, but his rebuttal is actually not very strong, even if some things seem to be "reasonable", but Zhang Zhou used an inconspicuous salt farm to maintain a shipyard with such a huge expense.

Who knows what else he will do?

Tong Zhong said to Zhang Zhou, "Then Cai Guogong means that he is in favor of increasing the cost of shipbuilding? Now that it is the time for the north to use troops, Cai Guogong, as the secretary of the military department, it is best not to interfere in the affairs of the manual department and the household department."

quarreling in the court, this can be regarded as a traditional entertainment project of Ming officials.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Didn't you apply for it with the household department? I don't have any opinion, if Xie Ge doesn't ask, maybe I won't say it?"

After speaking, Zhang Zhou retreated indifferently to the ministers.

Seeing that there was a bit of an argument for the sake of shipbuilding, Liu Jian came out and said, "Your Majesty, as for the shipbuilding matter in Jiangnan, it should be postponed for the first time, and this matter can be discussed in the long run."

didn't say yes, didn't say disagree, anyway, it dragged on until Tang Yin's side couldn't support it at all, and finally dragged this matter to Huang.

As a courtier of the Ming Dynasty, if he didn't even have this means, Liu Jian, the first minister, would be in vain.

Zhu Youzhu looked at Zhang Zhou first, and saw that Zhang Zhou was so calm and relaxed, as if he felt that Zhang Zhou had already become a bamboo in his chest, and he really didn't have the heart to pay too much attention to the matter of shipbuilding now, so he waved his hand and said, "This matter is as Liu Ge Lao said, and it will be discussed in the long run."

At the end of the court discussion, Zhang Zhou went to the listening office, but as soon as he arrived, Li Rong came to pass a message, saying that he was invited to go to the Qianqing Palace.

Zhang Zhouben still had to say a few more words to Wang Qiong, so he first explained to Wang Qiong and turned back, and then followed Li Rong to Qianqing Palace.

Li Rong said: "Your Majesty is not very enthusiastic about shipbuilding, if Mr. Zhang is to ask His Majesty about this, he must first evaluate the outcome of this matter. Of course, if the gentleman speaks, His Majesty will definitely do his best to fight for you."

Li Rong is a smart man, and he is reminding Zhang Zhou that shipbuilding should not be a top priority at the moment.

Let's get the northwest done first.

But after all, the emperor is on Zhang Zhou's side, as long as Zhang Zhou has the heart to continue shipbuilding, then Zhu Youji will definitely be on Zhang Zhou's side.

Zhang Zhou smiled: "The matter of shipbuilding, don't worry."

"Huh." Li Rong smiled.

He was also pondering, what is Zhang Zhou's position on this matter, it stands to reason that the matter of opening a shipyard, and even the establishment of a Bohai Governor, was proposed by Zhang Zhou, and the emperor also did it, and now that he has spent so much silver, he can't give up halfway, right?

But Li Rong only said what he had to say, and then he was silent and went to the Qianqing Palace with Zhang Yiyi.

saw that in addition to Zhu Youji, only Xiao Jing was waiting.

"Bingkuan, come and see, there is a new battle report, it was played by Yang Yiqing, the governor of Ningxia, he played with me before sending troops, saying that he would fight to the death with the Tatars no matter what, which is regarded as a military order he set for me."

Zhu Youzhu was originally very worried that all parties would shirk the blame for not fighting, but he didn't know that Yang Yiqing had played a game to the emperor before entering Shigou City, showing his determination to become benevolent if he did not succeed.

"Everything is like you

As expected, I didn't think that this Yang Qing family was so responsible, it was much better than Baoguo Gong."

Zhu Youji was very happy.

Zhang Zhou said: "If the local soldiers and horses in Ningxia can lead this battle, the rest of the troops must be on the road. But it still needs help, after all, Ningxia reported to the imperial court before, saying that in the battle of Huamachi, cannonballs and heavenly gunpowder were consumed a lot, and they need to be replenished."

Zhu Youzhu said, "This will not affect the development of the battle situation, right?"

Originally, he was still rejoicing, but now the emperor is a little worried.

"Your Majesty need not worry." Zhang Zhoudao, "The narrow road met because of a brave word, and the Tatars themselves were not high in morale after experiencing the defeat in the Battle of Huamachi. There is no reason why you can't win this battle."

"That's good, that's good." Zhu Youzhu felt that Zhang Zhou could pinch and calculate.

Since Zhang Zhou said that he would win, he believed it.

Zhu Youzhu said, "Bingkuan, the matter of shipbuilding...... I didn't say much today, because it seems that you have your own plan, and if you tell me, even if those courtiers don't agree, I will issue an order to allocate money and food."

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that now that the fleet of the Ming Dynasty has crossed the sea to the east, I believe that if everything goes well, it will not take more than two months for the fleet to come back." When they bring back what the ministers want, the courtiers will believe that they will change their positions."

"Is that so?" Zhu Youzhu asked with a smile.

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "As for the cost is too big, the minister also thinks that this is the case, but the bulk of the shipbuilding has passed, and the minister's opinion is to stop the ships currently being built first, after all, the matter of Jinghai can be postponed first." The people who serve can return to their hometowns first, or even transfer Tang Yin back to Beijing first."

"Huh?" Zhu Youzhu was slightly surprised.

Not to mention Zhu Youji, even Li Rong and Xiao Jing on the side didn't understand.

It's okay for you to wait for the outcome, but just stop it now...... What is this diagram?

Zhang Zhou said: "The minister's meaning, in this matter, you can first follow the courtier's wishes, and wait for the fleet to go to sea to come back, or when piracy begins to run rampant, the minister of the court and the central government will naturally propose that this matter be reopened, as for the output of the salt works, the minister thinks that it can be stored first, and then used when it is reopened."

Who said that I, Zhang, must do it against those ministers?

Now you don't think it's necessary, when you look back and find out the true fragrance, you will be cheeky and ask the emperor to start over, and when the time comes, it will cost you as much money as you want.

Do you really think everything is required of you?

Zhu Youzhu thought about it, and then seemed to understand the trick, and he said, "Also, when the coal kiln and iron kiln were opened, the ministers of the court and the central government also had a lot of opposition, but now if I ask Bingkuan to stop these mines, they won't be in a hurry with me. They are still too utilitarian, they only see the pay, they don't see the return, and they are short-sighted."

Xiao Jing on the side was very happy to hear it.

Fortunately, he said a few words for Zhang Zhou and Tang Yin before, although he was also reluctant, and even contributed to the conflict between Zhang Zhou and the minister.

But now it has a positive effect, at least it makes the emperor feel that he is a "loyal minister" and has one heart.

Imperial Palace, inside Qingning Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhou sat on her rocking chair, the rocking chair was modified, or specially "customized" from Zhang Zhou's side, it was when Empress Dowager Zhou was enjoying herself, but there was an "uninteresting" woman next to her who kept complaining, so that she never got tired of it.

「…… The Empress Dowager can be the master, and others follow the army, just follow the qualifications, but when you get to my family, let me go out to take the lead, if this is a three-long and two-short, do you want me to remarry?"

The person who came was Princess Yongkang.

She heard that Zhu Hui sent her own horse to the front line of Shigou City, and knew that this matter was very dangerous, so she specially came to the Empress Dowager Zhou to complain.

Empress Dowager Zhou closed her eyes and said absent-mindedly, "It's not good to go to the front line? No one else can go if they want to."

Princess Yongkang said, "I heard that there are two people in the Empress Dowager's family who accompanied the army, but they were sent to the front line together?"

"Huh?"

Empress Dowager Zhou was stunned, then opened her eyes and looked at Jiang Lu on the side, the meaning is obvious, you tell me.

Jiang Lu said: "Back to the Empress Dowager and the eldest princess, that's the case, the two ...... of the Zhou family Although they are all with the army, they are all responsible for leading the troops outside the training, and I heard that this time they are still with the rear army, responsible for spying on the enemy, but in the position of vanguard officer, they have not won it."

When Yongkang heard it, did he still have to fight for the errand of sending him to death?

If they all fight for it, then why didn't Zhu Hui take the Chinese army with him? Let someone else get on?

Jiang Lu glanced at the Empress Dowager Zhou and added: "I heard that there are two ways to lead the troops as the vanguard this time, Cui Yuma followed the road of Xiangcheng Bo, but they are all elite soldiers, Xiangcheng Bo used to be a trusted general of Weining Hou, and this time he also has a good chance to make contributions."

"Son, do you hear me? Mouren, he'll be fine." Empress Dowager Zhou said, "They are all relatives of the emperor and the country, but they are just going through the motions with the army, how can they be put in danger?"

Yongkang said: "But Sun Chen heard that Zhang Lun, the grandson of the British Duke, also went out with the army, but he was seriously injured, and he has sent a letter back to Beijing, saying that he has been given a place to recuperate, and if he is not careful, he will not even be able to save his life."

"Who told you this? The grandson of the British public...... How old are you?" Empress Dowager Zhou was a little angry and said, "They are the family of lords, and they are responsible for protecting the family and defending the country, can they be compared with the imperial relatives of the Ming Dynasty?" What do you think?"

Jiang Lu whispered: "Back to the Empress Dowager, the eldest grandson of the British Duke is not very old, and I heard that they are not married yet, so they may be ...... Fourteen or fifteen years old."

Empress Dowager Zhou frowned and said, "It's only fourteen or fifteen, so brave? He lives up to the glory of his ancestors."

"The Empress Dowager!" Yongkang was originally in a hurry, and he was also anxious, "Your grandson-in-law, now that he is being sent to the front line to take risks, you don't care? Or do you just care about your own nephew, and you don't care about it here?"

Empress Dowager Zhou is usually spicy, and her temper is actually much better when she gets old, but when she hears this, she is still very unhappy.

You junior, dare to accuse the old man?

Empress Dowager Zhou said coldly, "How can the mourning family take care of it? Do you want to call people back? Is it in time? Yongkang, you're too disagreeable! You also know that it is useless to say anything here now, you are still messing around, are you too used to you? It's because you want your horses to come out to fight for military merit, look at your sister, your sister, why don't they ask for this? Now that your brother has given you a chance, you have a suspicion that he is being asked to lead the troops on the front line? Is it fun to fight wars? Can military exploits be readily available at your fingertips?"

Yongkang looked very aggrieved and said, "Empress Dowager, Sun Chen just hopes that he will not be harmed. Sun Chen also knew that in fact, he didn't have much ability, that is, during the previous assessment, he was mentioned by the Wang Shilang, so that he was among the best in the assessment, and some people looked down on him, and Sun Chen also heard that his popularity in the army was not very good, so he was sent to ...... Woo, Sun Chen just hopes that he can come back safely, and military merits and nothing matter."

Empress Dowager Zhou snorted lightly: "At this time, I think he and his wife are deeply in love? What did you do earlier? The one who complains the most about your husband is you! Restless, unlike Deqing, do you think she knows how much she knows three from four virtues? And you?"

Speaking of which, Empress Dowager Zhou didn't want to say more, especially when she saw Yongkang, who had always been rude and willful, wiping her tears in front of her, for an old man like her who "eats fasting and recites Buddha", she is a little unbearable.

"What is Your Majesty doing? Didn't you come to say hello?" Empress Dowager Zhou asked.

Jiang Lu said: "Your Majesty is meeting guests in the Qianqing Palace, it seems to be ...... Cai Guogong, I saw Li Rong and Li Gonggong bring people to invite them before, and I guess I have arrived."

"Bingkuan? The mourning family hasn't seen him for many days! Call them along! The mourning family misses them a lot. Yongkang, if Your Majesty comes, you lean on the side, don't cry and cry, what kind of system will it be? What's there, the mourning family asks for you, with your brother in charge, our royal people can't suffer losses in the army, and it's a big deal not to let him join the army in the future!"

When Zhu Youzhu was summoned by the Empress Dowager Zhou, he was also very confused.

Although he is the most filial person, and the Empress Dowager Zhou is his only remaining blood elder in the world, he does not necessarily go over every day to say goodbye, and occasionally when the court is busy, the Empress Dowager Zhou can also understand

, and every time he puts state affairs first.

This time, he actually took the initiative to call, which made Zhu Youzhu feel ...... Nothing good.

"Your Majesty, the minister will go back first." Zhang Zhou naturally wanted to go back early.

Seeing the ladies in the palace is not a good thing for him, especially the Empress Dowager Zhou is still so shrewd and cunning, she can use some tricks or something on him every time, even if she was an ally with the Empress Dowager Zhou in the matter of the emperor's concubine, Zhang Zhou also felt that this kind of united front could not be maintained.

Zhu Youzhu said, "Bingkuan, didn't you listen? The imperial grandmother also asked you to come with you, and you still have to listen to her old man's words."

Zhu Youzhi himself was also a little stunned, at this time, of course, he took Zhang Zhou with him.

If the old lady wants to make trouble, maybe she can let Zhang Zhou top it in front.

"Go too." Zhu Youzhu looked at Xiao Jing and Li Rong on the side, meaning that one is counted as one, isn't it Qingning Palace? It's not that far away, what's wrong with me going over for a walk? At the critical time, you all have to come out to play a round for me and speak for me.

After all, when you are an emperor, there are still some things that are inconvenient to say, and when you say them from your mouth, the old lady may be able to understand it better!

It is better to say a thousand words to yourself than to say a word to others.

Qingning Palace.

Zhang Zhou came in with Zhu Youji, but saw that the Empress Dowager Zhou had already sat back in her normal chair, and there was a woman standing next to her, this woman Zhang Zhou had seen from afar before, it was Cui Yuan's wife, Princess Yongkang.

But neither Zhu Youzhu nor Empress Dowager Zhou let Zhang Zhou and Princess Yongkang introduce each other.

After all, Princess Yongkang was also married, so it stands to reason that she shouldn't appear on the occasion of meeting foreign ministers, and it seems that today's protagonist is not her.

"Imperial grandmother, what's the matter with you, your grandson has been busy with military affairs recently, and the affairs in the northwest have made your grandson anxious, and you need to let Bingkuan share it many times." Zhu Youzhu said.

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "How's it going now?"

Xiao Jing was about to come out to grab the talk, but Zhu Youzhu raised his hand to interrupt, meaning that it was a braggadocio matter, and I would just come.

"That's right, *** from the side of Huamachi, Bingkuan calculated their conspiracy early in the morning, let the governor of Ningxia lead the troops to intercept in Huamachi, and then cut off its back road, this battle killed at least more than 1,000 people in Diyi, and won nearly 1,000 heads. The Tatars are now in turmoil." Zhu Youzhu said.

"Then *** is going to lose? How many of them are there?" Empress Dowager Zhou is still good at grasping key points.

"There are more than 30,000 soldiers and horses in Tatar, most of whom are descendants of the little Tatar prince Batu Munk, which can be regarded as brave." Zhu Youzhu replied.

Empress Dowager Zhou didn't seem to be very satisfied, "Thirty thousand only killed more than a thousand, how much impact did it have on them? How to fight in the future? Mourning Jiaming said it, he should have driven *** out as soon as possible, instead of fighting in his own backyard, harming his own people!"

"Uh-huh." Zhu Youzhu cleared his throat, seemingly agreeing, but in fact, it meant that I would not say anything about the rest.

Empress Dowager Zhou said: "Actually, this is the case, Yongkang said that her concubine was squeezed out by the Baoguo Gong and went to be a pioneer officer, and she was in danger, she came to the mourning family to complain, and the mourning family didn't know what was going on, so they could only ask you to understand."

Zhu Youzhu glared at him and said, "Yongkang, there is a big event in the court, why don't you come to bother the imperial grandmother?" Disturb the peace of the Imperial Grandmother?"

Yongkang said: "Your Majesty, my sister just doesn't want to be a widow, I think Cui Yuan was sent to the battlefield by you, you always have to send him back, right?"

"Will you be outside, let me go a little bit? How Bao Guogong arranges, that's his business! I can't interfere!" Zhu Youzhu was also annoyed.

Feelings are you messing with behind your back?

I thought the old lady was so big, this kind of thing...... What if there is one less brother-in-law? That's loyalty to the country!

Yongkang looked at Zhang Zhou, and said with a little anger in his eyes: "I'm afraid that someone has ulterior motives and is jealous of Cui Yuan's talent."