The conversation between the emperor and his ministers in the Qianqing Palace should have been kept secret, after all, leaking the forbidden words has always been a serious crime. However, it was different when it came to an emperor who did not follow the usual path. At the emperor's instruction, the news of sending a large number of official ships on a long voyage spread like wildfire, which immediately caused a sensation in the capital.
Then, another piece of news shocked everyone. It was obvious that such a large-scale voyage would cost money, food and manpower, but the emperor actually claimed that he would not use the national treasury, but would use a fleet that had been established since Emperor Taizu and formally formed during the reign of Emperor Taizong, and now had 18 ships, as well as all the crew members to complete the task.
The fleet was a secret kept by the royal family in the past. High-ranking officials in the court had heard of it vaguely, but low-ranking officials knew nothing about it. Among the people, there were only some people who talked about it in secret, but most of them would be invited to the government office for tea, so it became a tacit secret over time. Therefore, facing this huge move, no one knew how many people were talking about it.
Not only ordinary people, but even the children of high-ranking officials started gossiping. Especially Lu Sanlang, who was very interested in making money, beat his chest and stamped his feet, thinking that the cultural industry he was so proud of was nothing compared to the business acumen of Taizu and Taizong.
Of course, he was beaten by Zhu Ying the next moment - can the capital be compared, can the status be compared? Since neither can be compared, then don't envy the two's preparations for a rainy day, let alone marvel at the courage of the current emperor. But those who want to make achievements should think about whether they have the courage to risk being buried in the belly of a fish and seek a job in this fleet that has now been transformed from private to public.
With the deliberate spread of Fatty Lu, Zhu Ying's words quickly spread from one person to another and became a well-known secret. No one knew how many people were secretly calculating and thinking about it.
Although some of the children of officials are well-fed and happy all day long, there are also some who are not good at either literature or martial arts but think they lack opportunities. Some are even more ambitious but their families have never taken them seriously. They feel that being trapped behind high walls is worse than death, so they plan to try their luck.
On this day, Duke of Chu Zhang Rui went to the Qianqing Palace and was ordered to set up the Maritime Affairs Department. At the same time, he understood the emperor's hint and knew that he should be prepared to take over the post of Minister of War from Duke of Zhao Zhu Jing at any time. This showed that the emperor was not optimistic about the situation of the old lady. Although he and Duke of Zhao Zhu Jing did have a grudge, he still had some respect for the old lady.
Therefore, when he left the palace, he did not feel happy about the misfortune, but felt heavy in his heart. Everyone dies since ancient times. Even heroes and heroes will still be buried in the earth when they die. For example, Emperor Taizu, such a great hero, did not know where he was buried when he was old. It is no wonder that the current emperor, who always admired Emperor Taizu, would make such a choice.
As he was thinking, he couldn't help being a little absent-minded when he left the palace. When he heard something wrong and looked up, he found that there was a huge crowd of people in front of him.
Even though he didn't think anyone was so audacious as to surround him, the Duke of Chu, in public, Zhang Rui still frowned slightly, and then took two steps forward instead of retreating. Because he saw a familiar figure among them, that was his nephew, Zhang Wuji, the son of Xiangyang Earl Zhang Qiong, who was extremely big!