At the end of the 19th year of Wanli, the cold winter is coming.

All the civil and military officials of the court were concerned about the trouble caused by the canal transportation strike.

At this time, a change that is now inconspicuous is happening quietly.

There was an unknown private house in Beijing, and two carts were parked at the door of the private house. There were two palace servants and more than a dozen officials on the left and right.

The Mei brothers in the private house were waiting here for the emperor to summon him. Their guests were surrounded by their entourage.

Mei Tang and Mei Kan both wore very simple clothes, wearing square scarves and scribes' shirts. This scribes' shirt was not a silk shirt, because the ancestral system that Taizuye defined was that merchants were not allowed to wear silk shirts.

However, both brothers have the reputation of being a student, so they dress up as scholars.

For this time, the two brothers had prepared for a long time before, and they had to grasp the details of their clothes, not to mention what Jun Qianlu said to him for a while.

However, for others, the matter of facing the saint was set hastily yesterday. At that time, the palace knew about the Ministry of Rites, and the Minister of Rites Lin Yanchao immediately sent a chief officer and an official from the Honglu Temple to teach the etiquette of facing the two brothers.

The head of the Ministry of Rites was Chen Yinglong, a Shuji scholar in the 14th year of Wanli.

Chen Yinglong was a fellow townsman of Lin Yanchao. In the 14th year of Wanli, he was appointed as the Hanlin Academy and was appointed as the chief officer of the Ministry of Rites. After Lin Yanchao returned to Beijing to serve as the Minister of Rites, he transferred him from other departments to the head of the Ministry of Rites as the chief officer, which also meant to support his confidants.

Now Chen Yinglong is no longer the boy who was stage frightened when he met the exam.

Chen Yinglong was in the Hanlin Academy and the six departments had experienced such confidential yamen for many years, and he had become more and more calm.

At present, as Lin Yanchao's own person, he sent to guide the Mei brothers into the palace, and he also wanted to ensure that the extremely important meeting of the saint did not make any mistakes this time, so as not to waste Lin Yanchao's efforts for more than half a year.

Chen Yinglong was extremely meticulous in his work, and he mentioned all aspects of the face to the Mei brothers. He also told the officials of the Honglu Temple to take care of the Mei brothers more at that time.

Now Chen Yinglong returned to the house and saw the Mei brothers, and said in a low voice: "The cart has arrived outside the mansion. When you meet the saint, the eldest son is better and you can say a few more words. As for the second son, you must be clearer in pronunciation, so as not to bother the emperor."

Mei Tang nodded and said, "Thank you, Director Chen, for your advice."

"As for the two palace ladies who were led outside the gate, they were all confidants of Eunuch Chen, who were smart and capable. After entering the Qianqing Gate, if you have anything to do and you can ask them for anything, they will make arrangements."

Mei Tang and Mei Kan looked at each other and immediately said, "We know."

"There are also rules after entering the palace. Both father-in-law will repeat. After entering the Qianqing Gate, you will first go to the southern warm pavilion of the Qianqing Palace to wait. The fireman will put a chair for you, but remember not to sit. That is the etiquette that only ministers have. Of course, there is no need to see the reward. Eunuch Chen will do it for you."

Chen Yinglong continued to tell the two of them that they should know and know.

Both the Mei brothers listened carefully. For the emperor, it was just a skill to meet each other, but for the subjects, things had to go through so much preparation and preparation, and they would not make any mistakes.

Of course, Lin Yanchao and Chen Ju have put a lot of effort into laying the groundwork for them. Many things are ahead of them, and even if an emergency occurs, there are various solutions to deal with them.

The two brothers also understood that Lin Yanchao and Chen Ju have their current status and can gain the trust of the emperor. In fact, these skills and preparations come from these inconspicuous places. This made them feel a little more confident about Lin Yanchao.

"Mr. Chen, it's time to enter the palace." A palace servant came in to report to Chen Yinglong.

Chen Yinglong nodded, thinking in his heart what else to explain to the Mei brothers.

But Mei Kan smiled and said, "Okay, thank you, Master Chen, and you may not remember it if you continue."

Chen Yinglong was stunned when he heard this, and then smiled and said, "Yes, Chen is too trivial. Then Chen..."

Mei Tang immediately bowed and said, "Mr. Chen and Da Zong Bo are grateful for the kindness of our brothers. Let's look at our luck."

Chen Yinglong nodded. The demeanor of the Mei brothers is indeed extraordinary.

The two brothers immediately walked out of the house and went to carry a cart.

The Qingke's followers all came out to see him off. In their eyes, the host went to see the saint and would definitely have great wealth in the future.

But at this moment, Mei Kan was a little uneasy. He remembered the confession of his father when he entered the capital. This time he entered the palace to meet the saint was equivalent to putting the Mei family's financial and material resources in front of the court. This was really a big risk.

From then on, what will be waiting for their Mei family?

He couldn't help but feel uncertain about his future, but he also knew that he had not returned to the arrow when he was in front of him. At this moment, he could only continue to walk on the road.

The two of them got on a cart and rolled along with the wheels, heading straight towards the capital.

At this moment, in the Qianqing Palace.

The emperor was eating grapes tribute from the Western Regions and drinking fine wine.

Zhang Cheng presented the gift list to the emperor when the Mei brothers met with him this time.

The emperor glanced at the gift list and said to Zhang Cheng: "Last time a businessman named Wu from Huizhou offered me 200,000 silver. I gave them two official positions in Guanglu Temple to their Wu family. This time the Mei family contributed another 200,000 taels of silver. Could it be that the two brothers also thought of me to find something that was really lacking?"

Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "Long Live is the supreme emperor. All the people in the world are your subjects. The Mei family asks for seeing each other and offers money. This is the loyalty of the Mei family, just like the filial piety of the Son of Man. As for what Long Live wants to reward them, it depends on Long Live's mood."

The emperor smiled and said, "Then just treat them as spending 200,000 taels of silver to meet me. I heard that merchants want to meet officials, such as Lin Yanchao, you have to pack at least 200 taels of silver, and you have to meet the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet at least 300 taels of silver. When you see me, you can pay 200,000 taels of silver, which is really worthy of gold. Zhang Fan, are you right?"

Zhang Cheng laughed dryly and looked at Chen Ju beside him for some reason.

At this time, Chen Ju made a comment: "Long live is the supreme emperor of the nine fives. All under the world are the king's land, and Long live is rich in all the world. How could only see the 200,000 silver in your eyes? Today's gift is just to remember the loyalty and filial heart of the subjects below."

Zhang Cheng sighed silently. The emperor clearly made an exception to meet him because of the 200,000 taels. But for the sake of face, he had to say that the emperor was really...

The emperor smiled and said, "That's right, I'm just joking. You don't have to look at the things on the gift list, just put them in the inner treasury."

Chen Ju said: "Your Majesty, although the rest of the items on this ritual list are precious, it is not surprising, but there is one thing that can make His Majesty happy."

"Oh? What?"

Chen Ju said: "Please keep the official in charge."

After saying that, Chen Ju signaled, several eunuchs placed a heavy object in the main hall of the Ganqing Palace.

"Your Majesty, this is a thing of Taixi. When the clock is on, it will be heard when it is time!" Chen Ju explained to the emperor.

"oh?"

The emperor has always liked strange goods, and Chen Ju also liked him.

The emperor came to the Taixi Bell to look at it for a while, and then said, "The Taixi Bell is made of brass. If you don't talk about anything else, just talk about this craftsmanship and craftsmanship."

Zhang Cheng and Chen Ju saw the emperor's anger and knew that he was very satisfied with this.

The emperor said, "Okay, if all the merchants in the world are willing to pay 200,000 taels of silver to meet me, I will be relaxed, why do you have any whip method? Why do you have to worry about the military supplies in Liaodong? Why can't you sleep all night because of the cabin transportation?"

"I hope that all the emperor and businessmen have the loyalty of the Mei family and the Wu family."

Zhang Cheng and Chen Ju don’t know what to say.

At this time, it was reported that the Mei brothers had been waiting outside the palace for a long time, and the people from the left and right palace immediately pulled the curtains in the Ganqing Palace.

After the emperor fell off his horse, he developed foot disease. Over the years, his body became more and more fat, making the foot disease worse and making it more difficult to walk. So now, except for the ministers who are very close to him, the emperor usually does not see outsiders.

So even if the Mei brothers paid the money, the emperor would only meet them behind the curtain. After the Mei brothers entered the hall, they would perform three kneeling and five kneeling ceremony, and then kneel down and bow to the side.

When ministers see the emperor, the emperor usually speaks calmly.

But as the last of the four people, merchants are not qualified to stand up and face the king.

The two brothers of the Mei family were nervous, but after seeing the curtains, the emperor said, "Where are you?"

Mei Tang replied: "Report to Your Majesty, Caomin Mei Tang and Minmin's younger brother Mei Kan are people from Yangzhou. They were given a visit by Your Majesty and were frightened."

The emperor said, "I have lived in the palace for a long time and I have long wanted to summon a few Guizhou leaders to ask about the people's sentiments. It just so happens that you are from Yangzhou. Can the territory of Yangzhou be peaceful?"

"I ask the emperor to be prosperous and prosperous. Today, the people of Yangzhou will receive the kindness of His Majesty and live in peace and prosperity. The localities will be prosperous." Mei Tang's words were arranged before, and they were answered according to the script.

The emperor said behind the curtain: "I feel so relieved when I hear you say this. The country's taxes and salt goods are half the salt in the world, and the two Huaihe Rivers are half the salt. Your Mei family and Wu family are all salt merchants in Yangzhou, no wonder they have a lot of wealth..."

When Zhang Cheng and Chen Ju heard what the emperor said, his heart was tight.

Mei Tang said: "Your Majesty, although Caomin's family is a businessman, they like to read Confucianism and admire Confucius and Mencius's ways. But despite this, they are just businessmen who like to study. One day, Caomin and Min met Lin Yanchao, the current Minister of Rites...."

Hearing Lin Yanchao's name, the emperor behind the curtain couldn't help but listen carefully.

But when Mei Tang saw Mei Tang, he said, "That day he knew the righteousness of Caomin and his younger brother. Caomin still remembers his words. He said that the officials and businessmen in this dynasty did not contact each other, and officials should not care about business affairs, and those who are in business should not raise national affairs. This is a disease of the country. If the merchants really have the intention to benefit the country and the people, then the court will treat the merchants well when they raise national affairs."

The emperor's expression stretched out after the curtain, and thought to himself, Lin Yanchao was doing his best for the country. Fortunately, I didn't listen to Xu Guo's one-sided words at the beginning.

When the emperor thought of this, although he had a good impression of the Mei brothers, he was not so trustworthy.

PS will be updated tomorrow.
Chapter completed!