first minister

Chapter 184 Judgement
"and many more."

The great eunuch Gao Yi was about to go out to make arrangements when he heard a call from Emperor Chongning, so he immediately stopped and turned around, waiting respectfully.

"Tell him, I came to him just to ask him about the precious mirror."

Gao Yi's heart shuddered, and he responded respectfully.

"This father-in-law. Do you know why His Majesty called me?"

In the Cao Mansion, Cao Deli hurried out and asked cautiously and fearfully.

Jin Zhong, who came to summon him, lowered his eyelids slightly, as if he didn't hear it.

Cao Deli quickly slipped out a bank note from his sleeve and put it into Jin Zhong's hand.

The facial features on Jin Zhong's face seemed to come to life suddenly, and he smiled vividly and kindly immediately, "Lord Cao, His Majesty called you on the New Year's Day just for the precious mirror."

Cao Deli was startled, recalling the events of last night, coupled with the background of Concubine Xia Jingyun, he said quickly: "Dare to ask Eunuch, but what did Concubine De concubine say to Your Majesty?"

The facial features on Jin Zhong's face died again.

Cao Deli sensiblely took out another bank note.

Jin Zhong looked stern, and said with great emotion: "Master Cao, what are you doing, what do you think of our family, go to the palace quickly."

Cao Deli understood, the other party didn't dare to answer this question, so he didn't force it, and followed Jin Zhong towards the palace.

As the chief supervisor, because of his duties, he had to enter and exit the palace much more often than ordinary third-rank officials and even some second-rank officials, but it was rare for him to be as nervous as today.

Reselling those used in the palace on weekdays, although rich in oil and water, has become a routine, and His Majesty knows the way of it, and he dare not go too far.

Thinking of the exciting wealth and the amount of money he could pocket, his heart was filled with enthusiasm, and he secretly made up his mind that he must take this thing into his own hands.

He forcibly collected his mind, and began to think about how to persuade His Majesty to reject Concubine De's pillow talk, and let Xia Jingyun obediently hand over the secret recipe.

"Sir Cao Deli, I greet Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live!"

"Be flat."

Emperor Chongning's voice was a bit lofty and indifferent, making people want to pay homage involuntarily, "Is there anything to be gained from the matter of the mirror?"

Cao Deli hastily said: "This humble minister is incompetent, this method is quite complicated, it has failed His Majesty's expectations, and failed to solve His Majesty's urgent needs, Your Majesty, please come down!"

"There is no need to commit crimes. Such an exquisite thing is unheard of, and it is normal for you to be unable to do it."

Emperor Chongning paused, "Then let's put this matter aside."

Cao Deli hurriedly shouted: "Your Majesty, I have a way to solve this problem!"

"Say."

"This thing is not made by nature, but man-made. Since it is man-made, there is a method. As far as I know, this method was created by Mrs. Xia Jingyun, the younger brother of Concubine De. Since he is blessed by the emperor, he should think of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and solve His Majesty's problems. You might as well ask him to present this method and give him some compensation. It seems that anyone who is loyal to His Majesty will not refuse this matter."

Cao Deli was quite proud of his words. Once this hat was removed, Xia Jingyun might lose all his previous income.

Sure enough, His Majesty didn't seem to think about any compensation, and asked the follow-up directly, "What happens after you get the secret recipe? How will you proceed?"

Cao Deli was excited, "Returning to Your Majesty, I have already made a plan in my mind. If I can obtain the production method, there will be tens of pieces of transparent glass in the prison. If we speed up the training of skilled craftsmen and fully open several glass workshops, the monthly production will be nearly a hundred pieces, and this number can be expanded rapidly. I am confident that by the middle of next year, the monthly production of glass will be over a thousand pieces."

"You directly said how much money you expect to bring me next year?"

Cao Deli opened his mouth and said: "Your Majesty, according to my calculations, next year, the supervisor will be able to produce nearly 10 pieces of glass, and nearly 5 precious mirrors. They will be sold at a higher price than bronze mirrors, and they will be sold all over the world. According to ten taels of silver per side, there will be an income of [-] taels of silver. Eliminating labor and transportation losses, etc., it will be able to contribute nearly [-] taels of silver to His Majesty's income a year!"

The chief eunuch Gao Yi silently closed his eyes.

Emperor Chongning remained calm, "How long can this thing be sold?"

"I have been in charge of the general prison for nearly half a year, and I already know everything about the general prison. If such a thing is made by nature, it is a priceless treasure, but if it is man-made, it is shocking at first glance. But as time goes by, the world is used to it, and it is only an ordinary expense. Therefore, it can only be compared with the bronze mirror. The benefit of the bronze mirror is how much this thing is worth. In my humble opinion, it is not uncommon to get 20 taels of profit before this thing is known all over the world."

After he finished speaking, he still felt that it was not enough, so he added another sentence, "And this amount must be managed by the minister and the general supervisor. If it is someone else, it is difficult to succeed in obtaining 10 taels of profit."

Emperor Chongning sighed sincerely, "I never thought that such a thing, in the hands of you and the general prisoner, could have such huge benefits!"

Cao Deli was overjoyed, "The abilities of this humble minister are all for His Majesty's use. How dare you spare no effort to share His Majesty's worries!"

"Thanks for your hard work."

Emperor Chongning looked at him and nodded in relief, "Go on, go back and spend a good New Year with your family. Don't tell outsiders about this."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will save you! I will resign!"

When Cao Deli left happily, Emperor Chongning chuckled, picked up a book, and read it silently.
-
At this time, Xia Jingyun was sitting in Changle Palace, staring at a kid.

"What's your name?"

"Oriental white."

"how old are you?"

"Six years old."

"Are you a boy or a girl?"

The little boy rolled his eyes, "Are you a fool?"

Xia Jingyun:.
"Hey, don't be rude to Uncle!"

Concubine De came over with a smile, called Dongfang Bai by her nickname, and reprimanded in feigned anger.

The little boy swung his short legs and rushed towards Concubine De, wrapped his arms around each leg, and plunged into Concubine De's legs, as if returning to his mother's house, calling for Concubine Mu indistinctly.

Concubine De picked him up, then sat down, put him on her lap, pointed to Xia Jingyun and said to her son, "Hey, this is my concubine's younger brother, and also your uncle, you have to treat uncle like you treat concubine mother, do you understand?"

The little boy glanced at Xia Jingyun, without saying a word, turned around and put his arms around Concubine De's neck, and buried his face in her chest.

Concubine De looked at Xia Jingyun apologetically, Xia Jingyun smiled, "The child is still young, and it is not so easy to accept a stranger when we just met, sister, take your time."

Concubine De said: "Don't worry, I will definitely explain to him what I have to say in detail. I happened to teach him since he was a child, let him know who is reliable and who should be grateful, and he can't be that white-eyed wolf."

Xia Jingyun smiled and said: "With my sister here, I have never worried about these things. And in the future, I will definitely be a man of great talent, heroism, and understanding, so I don't need my sister to worry too much."

Concubine De shook her head slightly, "That's what you said, this child, hey"

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Concubine De waved her hand, "It's okay, sister is not playing hard to get, she's really okay, but I'm just a little worried about his education."

Xia Jingyun breathed a sigh of relief, "Kids, take your time, master and elder sister are so intelligent and smart, with precepts and deeds, it will definitely not be bad if you think about it."

Concubine De nodded, "I hope so."

Xia Jingyun didn't say much, and after talking with Concubine De's mother and son for a while, he took his leave and left.

As for things like taming children, don't be in a hurry.

When walking towards the outside of the palace, Xia Jingyun thought silently, if he had listed the conditions like that, and Emperor Chongning couldn't let go, then the plan of this mirror could only come to naught.

If you want to do something next time, you have to hide it, so that no one can find out, otherwise you will still be so passive.

Just as he was thinking, an anxious shout came from behind, "Master Xia, Mr. Xia, please stay!"

Xia Jingyun turned around and saw that Jin Zhong was running towards him out of breath, gasping for breath, and said, "Young Master Xia, Your Majesty has a call.".
Xia Jingyun's eyes lit up immediately.

(End of this chapter)