Chapter 513

But must Zhu Youjian listen to them completely?

No interest!

His thoughts now focus entirely on when to send troops and when to pacify Japan.

As for everything else, it is unimportant!

The national treasury lacks no money, and the people's hunger problem is temporarily solved.

Naturally, he considers other matters more.

After discovering that a few people jumping out to speak up were useless, the rest saw that the Emperor was determined, and the rewards had become a settled fact.

It quieted down quickly, and no one else stepped forward.

Afterwards, Wang Chengen announced the end of court!

News of the reward given to Zheng Zhilong spread quickly.

Even while at home, Su Qiao knew about it immediately.

The news naturally reached his ears through the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Moreover, after court adjourned, Zheng Zhilong, upon returning home, immediately sent Zheng Sen over, calling for Su Qiao to attend a banquet.

The relationship between Su Fu and Zheng Fu stands right there.

Zheng Zhilong jumped six ranks at once and even became the Earl of Huaiyi; it can be called a great joy.

Since Zheng Sen came to invite, Su Qiao did not refuse.

He took Liu Rushi and went to the banquet.

Just as they reached the gate, Su Qiao and the others saw Zheng Zhilong, his face glowing with red, welcoming them at the entrance.

Su Qiao nodded inwardly; this Zheng Zhilong is a smart man.

By all rights, Zheng Zhilong is now a Fourth Rank, Senior Grade Earl, having jumped six ranks to become the Vice Prefect of the Naval Regional Military Commissioner.

Regardless, Su Qiao is no longer an Imperial Envoy; he has returned to being a commoner.

The status and position of the two should have undergone an absolute reversal.

Yet look at Zheng Zhilong; he shows not a trace of arrogance, but instead maintains a low posture at the gate to welcome them, just as before.

This proves the Zheng family is smart and has not gotten carried away.

"Oh my, the Earl of Huaiyi personally welcomes us; I am truly overwhelmed with honor," Su Qiao said with a half-joking bow.

Zheng Zhilong heard this and said bitterly, "What words are these? What relationship do our two families share? Besides, Younger Brother, though you are a commoner, your ability is far stronger than most First Rank officials in court. It is simply that Younger Brother does not like it; otherwise, Your Majesty would have bestowed rewards long ago."

Zheng Zhilong heard this and said with a bitter smile: "What kind of talk is that? What is the relationship between our two families? Besides, worthy brother, do not think you are merely a commoner; your abilities are far superior to most first-rank officials in the court. It is simply that worthy brother does not desire them; otherwise, Your Majesty would have bestowed rewards long ago."

On the way, Zheng Zhilong detailed to Su Qiao what had happened at the morning court session.

When he heard that several officials opposed such heavy rewards.

Su Qiao smiled faintly and comforted Zheng Zhilong, saying, "Do not mind them; those people are just envious, it is useless. Moreover, Brother Zheng must have some channels and news, right?"

"I do not know what Younger Brother refers to..."

Zheng Zhilong was stunned by the question.

"The Navy!"

"This... I have heard some rumors. Could it be true?"

Zheng Zhilong naturally had his own intelligence; he is not stupid and would certainly establish his own channels.

It is just that his efficiency in gathering news is slower, and the accuracy is quite lacking; at best, it is news passed back after twisting through several turns.

"It is close enough. If Your Majesty has this idea, then the Navy is of paramount importance; it is possible Brother Zheng will return to his old trade!"

Su Qiao said this with feigned mystery.

Zheng Zhilong asked no more; fortunately, Zheng Zhilong was also clear-headed. The fact that Su Qiao mentioned this to him was already a favor.

Not saying the rest was also for his own good.

If he can prepare early in his heart, he will have confidence!

So at the banquet that followed, Zheng Zhilong toasted Su Qiao with several cups in a row.

367, I want to change it!

For the time following, Su Qiao stayed at home and did not meddle in other matters.

In his own words, since he could finally rest, he must play well.

For example, taking Liu Rushi to fish, to gather inspiration, or to a tea house to listen to storytellers.

It can be said he was very relaxed.

Even when Zheng Sen came to find him, he was sent back home.

However, just as Su Qiao wondered when Zhu Youjian would prepare to formally strike against Japan.

Zhu Youjian finally spoke in court for the second time about striking against Japan.

As before, there were still many who opposed it.

Although this time fewer people opposed.

But opposition was still abundant.

However, this time Zhu Youjian was well prepared; in court, he directly stated he would send a state letter to Japan and ordered someone to bring out the Juan Sect, throwing it in the main hall for the court officials to see.

It can be said Zhu Youjian deliberately feigned rage in court, catching many off guard.

Especially the evidence gathered regarding the various Japanese vassal states having treacherous intentions.

This left many opponents speechless.

Of course, another part of the people were purely worried about affecting the reputation of Great Ming and the danger of surrounding vassal states becoming uneasy, which might trigger other events.

Of course, there were also those who were purely worried about damaging the Great Ming's reputation, and that the danger of alarming the surrounding vassal states would trigger other events.

Had he not discussed it with Su Qiao, Zhu Youjian might have been stumped by the court officials right there.

Now, with Su Qiao's hint about nurturing bandits to increase one's own importance, none of it was a problem anymore!

Sure enough, Zhu Youjian hinted, "Alas, the Japanese pirates are in Japan; our Great Ming has it hard too. The Great Ming has pirates we cannot eradicate!"

The officials in the great hall immediately grasped the implied meaning of Zhu Youjian's words.

Immediately, a great uproar erupted!

"Your Majesty, our Great Ming has always been the Celestial Empire, a nation of rites, governing the world with the Way of the Benevolent King. How can we commit such sinister and cunning acts of a petty man?"

A young censor from the Censorate, his head heated, stepped forward.

He spoke with an air of lofty righteousness.

Little did he know that the moment he stepped out, Zhu Youjian had already sentenced him to death in his heart.

Moreover, his words about "sinister and cunning acts of a petty man."

made Zhu Youjian feel even more furious in his heart.

Although the method was proposed by Su Qiao, Zhu Youjian had admired and rejoiced at the time, immediately intending to approve and decide to use this method.

By saying this, wasn't he including himself in the insult?

Then he recalled Su Qiao's earlier warning: there were too many pedantic people in the court, and they were of no use at all.

Zhu Youjian felt that what Su Qiao said made a lot of sense.

Like this pedantic censor before him, he was of no use at all.

As for integrity and supervising the hundred officials, there were far too many other officials who could replace this young censor.

Zhu Youjian looked coldly at this censor and said, "How is it sinister and cunning acts of a petty man? Having pirates within Ming territory is quite normal; as long as they do not enter the Great Ming, isn't that enough?"

"Uh..."

Zhu Youjian's act of playing dumb left the young censor standing there, stunned.

The other officials in the court, watching this scene, could not help but sneer aloud.

Still too young!

Acting rashly and carelessly; isn't this just ruining his own future?

Nor did anyone offer a kind reminder or anything.

Zhu Youjian had no intention of paying him any attention either. "Very well, regarding the issue of Great Ming pirates, I will discuss it with several Grand Councilors later. Let us speak of other matters."

No sooner had the words left his lips than the Minister of Rites stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the imperial examinations were delayed for quite some time previously due to Li Zicheng's rebellion and the Tatars invading the borders. Should we reopen the special examination this time?"

"Hmm, what you say is most correct. The imperial examinations are of utmost importance and must be reopened. However, I intend to make some changes this time!"

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian's eyes lit up.

Although he had replaced a large batch of officials in the court, there were still some who did not meet his expectations.