The system has to be used even if it is pulled

These officials were all confused. What was going on? For the entire afternoon, these officials stared blankly at the extra 900,000 taels on the table.

Emperor Kang Zheng, who received the report from Dai Quan in the palace, was beaming with joy. He asked Dai Quan to draft the edict quickly and began to write it hastily.

At the grand court meeting the next day, the officials below looked at Emperor Kang Zheng who was overjoyed, and were confused. As Dai Quan slowly read out the imperial edict, everyone understood what was going on.

Just by paying back the money, Jia Zheng was promoted from a deputy minister of the Ministry of Works to a doctor of the Ministry of Works, Jia She, who was idle at home, was appointed as a groom in the Zhanshi Palace, Shi Guangzhu, the first-class son of the Duke of Shan Guo's mansion, was appointed as a third-rank guerrilla general of the Firearm Battalion, and many descendants of the founding heroes were more or less commended and arranged.

The faces of Zhiyuan Gongxun turned green. So this was the truth. They all looked at Chen Guogong Liu Hui standing in the front row with mixed feelings, while Liu Hui's face was full of bitterness. Who could have thought that the emperor and the disabled man of the Jia family would play this trick.

You know what, this trick also tempted many civil servants who owed money. Although the amount they owed was not large, only a few thousand taels at most, it was a good opportunity to catch the emperor's eye.

As a result, as soon as the court meeting was over, countless civil servants ran home.

"Hmph, these sour scholars are running pretty fast now." Xue Cheng, Marquis of Yong'an, said sourly.

None of the Zhiyuan heroes said anything, but in the clan house, many of them saw each other. Although they all had their heads covered, they were all familiar figures.

Finally, Liu Hui could no longer sit still. Everyone else had paid back, including his subordinates. Duke of Chen Liu Hui and Duke of Hu Zhao Yi had no choice but to go to the clan house to pay back the money with a stern face.

In less than five days, more than 2.3 million taels of silver were received in repayment. Emperor Kang Zheng was so happy that he almost couldn't sleep because he had the money for the war.

Soon, a large army of wealthy people was raised and countless supplies were sent to the northwest. Emperor Kangzheng focused his attention on the winter flood and the new policy, especially the salt tax, the land tax, and the tax payment by officials and gentry in the Jiangnan region.

The Southern Pacification Office was very busy, firstly because there were too many southern families and their power was too strong. Secondly, the Cao Gang was very powerful in Jiangnan. As the Imperial Censor of Salt, Lin Ruhai encountered several assassination attempts.

However, Emperor Kang Zheng did not make any other gesture except sending more people to protect Lin Ruhai. This was the most ungrateful monarch possible.

Zhao Yuanlang was not in a position to interfere in the affairs of Jiangnan, mainly because of the Zhen family. As a large family on good terms with the Jia family, Zhao Yuanlang always had to take his family's thoughts into consideration.

But after all, Emperor Kang Zheng was watching Zhao Yuanlang shouting slogans loudly every day, and if something really happened, he would just hand it over to His Majesty to deal with it.

After Zhao Yuanlang successfully produced the new sea salt at the Changlu Salt Field, he proposed to Emperor Kang Zheng to expand the Changlu Salt Field and suppress the Cao Gang. Emperor Kang Zheng was very happy looking at the white sea salt. This was a good thing that would benefit the country and the people, as it had good quality and high output. The Changlu Salt Field alone could meet half of the country's salt demand.

But there was only one problem, which was about Zhao Yuanlang's reward. Zhao Yuanlang's merits were great, and it was more than enough to be awarded the title of Duke. However, Zhao Yuanlang was still too young, and other officials would certainly not agree. So Emperor Kangzheng ordered that Zhao Yuanlang's third-class rank of General Cheng'en be promoted by two levels, becoming a first-class General Shenwei.

Because the Empress was unwell, Emperor Kangzheng promoted Yuanchun to the position of Shangshu of Fengzao Palace and gave her the title of Xian De Fei, allowing her to temporarily take over the management of the harem on behalf of the Empress. She was the most popular person at the time.

Fengzao Palace is magnificent and golden. After walking along the green brick, golden tile and red walls and passing through Longfu Gate, you will reach Fengzao Palace (Fengzao Palace is a name made up by Mr. Cao).

The palace was full of eunuchs and maids, and they were all surprised to see Zhao Yuanlang's hunched body, and countless eyes were fixed on Zhao Yuanlang. Because there were few outsiders in the harem, they looked at him with scrutiny and doubt, which made Zhao Yuanlang feel very uncomfortable.

But they did not ask any questions because it was Dai Quan who was leading Zhao Yuanlang in front.

Soon, Zhao Yuanlang saw Ma Donglin, the Minister of the Imperial Guard, who was leading dozens of guards. The two nodded to each other in a friendly manner, and Zhao Yuanlang walked into the palace under the guidance of Dai Quan.

"Your Majesty, I am Jia Mu."

Standing in the hall with his hands behind his back, looking at the peacock, bamboo and stone painting in the hall, Emperor Kang Zheng nodded, turned around and said, his tone was different from before, and he said with a hint of gentleness: "Come in with me."

When the palace maid opened the curtain, Zhao Yuanlang saw Jia Yuanchun, wearing a crown with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix and a light yellow phoenix robe, busy directing the palace maids to place fruits and snacks.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Jia Yuanchun hurriedly bowed.

Emperor Kang Zheng nodded, motioned Yuanchun to get up, then sat cross-legged and motioned Zhao Yuanlang to sit on a chair not far away.

"I have no other intention. I want you to meet each other and then go back to your old mistress of the Jia Mansion to say hello. Let her feel at ease and avoid her thinking that I have treated her precious granddaughter harshly."

"Your Majesty, you are joking. It is Concubine Xian De's luck to serve Your Majesty. My Jia family is very lucky."

"Alright, stop saying these polite words, and don't use the same tricks to deal with me in the harem. Concubine Jia, please step down first. I will give you some time to talk to your uncle later."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yuanchun then glanced at Zhao Yuanlang hurriedly, and walked to the back hall with a smile on her face as if she had seen her relatives.

"The new salt production method benefits the country and the people. You should be made a duke, but you also know that this is impossible."

"Yes, I know."

"Is there any resentment?"

"I have no grudges. To be honest, I have never taken a fancy to these titles. I also know that Yuanchun was named the Virtuous Consort because of my achievements, but Fengzao Palace Minister, Your Majesty, please forgive me for being blunt, but Yuanchun is not suitable. She is too strong-willed. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy."

"Hmph, you are really brave. You dare to say such words. You even want to interfere in the affairs of my harem." Emperor Kang Zheng snorted coldly and looked at Zhao Yuanlang unhappily.

"The only good thing about me is that I am straightforward and say what I think."

Emperor Kang Zheng was now interested and looked at Zhao Yuanlang with interest: "Then tell me, what do you think of me?"

Zhao Yuanlang didn't even think about it: "Your Majesty, do you really want me to tell the truth?"

"explain."

"Since ancient times, there has been no ruler as diligent as Your Majesty. Your Majesty is strict and clear, you are honest in your duties, you have a clear system of government, you have a sufficient treasury, you are at peace, you follow the rules and hold people accountable, you have a clean treasury, and your officials are all law-abiding. Your administration is the best in our dynasty. The retired emperor was the Wu Emperor of our dynasty for his great military exploits, and Your Majesty should be the Xuan Emperor of our dynasty."

"Hahahaha! I didn't expect that I think so highly of you. As a reward, tell me, what reward do you want?" Emperor Kang Zheng laughed heartily.

"I have no desire for anything. Official positions and titles are just external things. I am more interested in medicine and martial arts."

Zhao Yuanlang's words made Emperor Kang Zheng look at him with a different eye. Emperor Kang Zheng looked at Zhao Yuanlang's hunched body and left arm, sighed, and thought for a while: "Pass on my order to copy all the medical skills of the palace and the Imperial Hospital and send them to Ning Mansion."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You're welcome. This doesn't count as a reward. What reward do you want?"

Zhao Yuanlang pondered for a while, and finally said: "Xian De Fei has been in the palace for many years, and her family misses her very much. I hope Your Majesty will allow Xian De Fei to visit her family."

Emperor Kang Zheng smiled, nodded and said, "That's no problem, Dai Quan, you are fully responsible, pick a good day."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

..........