In Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Zhang was considering Zhu Houzhao's wedding. The emperor was fifteen this year, and next year, he would hold his adult ceremony.
Empress Dowager Zhang wanted to bring her niece Zhang Xuan to the palace. It would be best if she could become the Empress.
However, this was very difficult. The first to oppose it would definitely be the cabinet and the Wenchen Group.
After all, if Zhang Xuan became the Empress, then the Zhang Clan would have two Empresses, and all three of them would be conferred the title of Marquis!
Such a powerful consort would definitely trigger a boycott from the cabinet…
Just as Empress Dowager Zhang was considering the selection, Bai Muxue followed behind Ouyang Jing 'er and entered Cining Palace.
"Greetings, Empress Dowager…"
"Get up."
"Yes…"
Bai Muxue stood up and stood there, not daring to raise her head.
" Hmm, this girl is quite dignified and beautiful. It seems that it's time to hold a selection for His Majesty. Since you're lucky enough to enter Yangxin Palace Hall, it's your fortune. You should be given a status and be able to serve the Emperor…"
The Empress Dowager hoped that the Emperor would give birth to a few more dragon heirs.
The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with this little palace maid's innocence…
Then I'll make you a lady…
The concubines of Ming Dynasty were divided into different levels.
The Empress!
Twelve Concubines!
Nine Concubines!
Below the nine concubines were Zhaoyi, Jieyu, Beauty, Talented, Xuanshi, Lady…
The rank of a lady was the lowest, but she could still get close to the emperor.
"From now on, you will live in Chuxiu Palace."
Bai Muxue's eyes widened, unable to believe her ears. Xiahou Jing 'er tugged at her sleeve, and Bai Muxue suddenly woke up and said,""Thank you Empress Dowager Qian Sui! Thank you Empress Dowager Qiansui!"
……
In Yangxin Palace, Zhu Houzhao was handling government affairs. He did not know that he already had a consort under his name. However, this consort had only conferred the title of a lady. It was still far from the nine concubines and twelve concubines!
The Minister of Works, Li Sui, was listening to the emperor's teachings!
Sometimes, he found it hard to imagine that Tian Zi was really a youth. Was he really just a youth?
Even the Prime Minister Liu Jian and the old fox Li Dongyang would not have Tian Zi's schemes!
"Great Ming's firearms are so severely damaged, how can we improve them? This is the priority of your Ministry of Works!”
Li Sui's heart trembled when he heard the emperor's words.
"This…Your Majesty, due to the excessive use of firearms, there is a great deal of wear and tear.”
"Plus…"
Without waiting for Li Sui to finish, Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said,"I didn't summon you here today to tell you these things to listen to your explanation.”
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Li Sui said in fear.”
Zhu Houzhao slowly stood up and said with his hands behind his back,"Zhen has flipped through the cannons and handguns produced by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works and discovered that most of them are still using the firearms used during the Yongle era!”
"In other words, the Ministry of Works has been making no progress all these years!”
Zhu Houzhao's words were very serious, and Li Sui naturally understood the Emperor's meaning.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It's my duty."
Zhu Houzhao glanced at Li Sui who was kneeling on the ground and continued,"Back then, Emperor Yongle sent troops to attack the Tartars and Wala many times. With the help of the red cannon in his hands, he greatly displayed the might of the Ming Dynasty!”
"Based on what? What did you rely on?"
"It is important for everyone to work together, but without these advanced firearms, how many soldiers would be buried in the grasslands?”
"If there comes a day when the foreign races invade, they will also be holding the great country's weapons. At that time, will Great Ming still be able to use the crouching tiger cannon and the red cannon to stop them?”
"Can I?"
Under the Emperor's questioning, Li Sui's heart was deeply moved.
Why did the Ming Empire look down on the world? Other than being rich and powerful, it also had to have powerful weapons as its foundation.
Without these, how could they resist the enemy?
"Your Majesty's words, Li Sui will always remember them.”Li Tong lowered his head and replied firmly.
Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao revealed a satisfied expression and nodded."Whether it's the cannons or the handguns, they need to undergo a series of improvements and transformations!”
"Since we are prepared to do it, then let's go all out and take a gamble.”
Zhu Houzhao picked up a blueprint from the table and handed it to Li Sui.
When Li Tong saw what was drawn on the blueprint, his expression changed.
"This…this is…"
Zhu Houzhao didn't explain much to Li Sui and said with a serious expression,""This item is of great importance. If it falls into the hands of others, I will kill you!”
Li Sui immediately knelt in front of Zhu Houzhao and said firmly,"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will definitely take good care of this item.”
Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly.”
"You can go to the Ministry of Revenue to get as much silver as you need!”
"Yes."
Li Sui cupped his hands and bowed before slowly leaving Yangxin Hall.
After Li Sui left the Forbidden City, he immediately returned to the carriage and urged the coachman to drive the horse to the mansion.
Along the way, Li Sui urged the coachman more than ten times.
Only after Li Sui returned to his residence did he feel a little more at ease.
However! It was just a little.
Madam Li had never seen her husband in such a hurry when she saw Li Sui return.
Just as he was about to ask, Li Sui had already locked himself in the study.
In the study room.
Li Sui carefully unfolded the blueprint on the table.
On the Xuan paper, there was a drawing of the weapon given by the current emperor.
Li Sui didn't know where the Emperor had gotten the blueprint, but he could tell at a glance that the blueprint weapon was extraordinary.
If such a firearm was developed, the Ming Empire would be able to regain its former glory.
No! It was even more brilliant than before, dazzling at the top of the world!
All night, Li Sui locked himself in his study, crying and laughing at times.
For the entire night, Li Sui was so excited that he couldn't sleep.
He knew that Great Ming was about to welcome a wise ruler and sage!
Because of Emperor Zheng De, this Great Ming would undergo a tremendous change.
Although Li Tong knew that he was not talented, he still had the heart to serve the country. He was willing to be a pillar of the Ming Dynasty, a servant of the Emperor!
For the entire night, Li Sui was thinking about how to complete the task that the Emperor had given him.
Now, the Emperor had already given him such authority.
Good job, reward!
If he didn't do it well, he would lose his head!
……
Inside Yangxin Hall.
The Minister of Works had just left when a eunuch entered the palace to report," Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has invited you to Cining Palace to discuss something important…"
"I understand."
After Zhu Houzhao put away the memorial, he got up and left Yangxin Hall, heading to Ci Ning Palace…
However, the Empress Dowager had something to discuss.
It seemed very important…
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