Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1026: Falling Behind and Getting Beaten

Chapter 1026: Chapter 1026: Falling Behind and Getting Beaten

The Emperor naturally knew the arrangements of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren had left quite a reserve of silver, and this silver could not be touched, "I am aware."

Zhou Shuren looked up, You know, then why call for me?

The Emperor coughed, "Since last year, we have started building quite a number of ships, and I plan to phase out the first ones built. Would it be better to sell them to merchants within our own country, or to nearby countries that lack maritime power?"

He remembered that the country Zhou Shuren’s son had visited lacked even the capability to go to sea.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. The Emperor’s thinking is quite something, and I wonder if it’s sometimes influenced by me. The Emperor’s ideas are very advanced, "Are you not afraid that the maritime power of neighboring countries will increase and pose a threat to our nation?"

The Emperor chuckled, "Did you not say that pressure breeds motivation and danger brings progress?"

Zhou Shuren blinked, he had unwittingly said so much, "Indeed, I did say that."

The Emperor spoke cheerfully, "The Minister of Works says that foreign ships have provided much inspiration, and the Ministry of Works plans not to replicate these ships but to improve upon them based on this model."

Zhou Shuren didn’t understand the principles of shipbuilding, but he knew, cough cough, that our civilization of five thousand years is truly remarkable. With technological advancements, I believe they can be perfected even further. Foreigners don’t even have a hint of steam technology; should I suggest this to the Ministry of Works?

He quickly dismissed the idea, at least not for now.

The Emperor continued, "Your son brought back that fellow named Bahu, I know he wants to buy merchant ships, and he’s been spending large sums of silver in the capital, his country must not be lacking in silver."

Zhou Shuren looked up, oh, so you’ve had your sights on Bahu from the start, remembering his name so clearly now, "Yes, I heard it from Chang Yi."

The Emperor, "These merchant ships cannot compare with warships."

Zhou Shuren understood why the Emperor had called him, "The price cannot be cheap, nor can many be sold, and weapons must not be sold."

The Emperor, silent, he hadn’t lost his senses, "Only the warships."

He also wanted to buy foreign artillery. Last time, he sent men to secretly climb onto a ship and steal back projectiles. If the cannons weren’t so heavy, he’d want to bring one back. He didn’t adhere to the principle that ’a gentleman should avoid certain means.’ In the face of the nation, falling behind meant getting beaten, an idea from Zhou Shuren he found extremely reasonable.

Zhou Shuren truly didn’t know that the Emperor had not only sent people to steal the ship designs but also was deeply influenced by him!

Outside, Zhang Yang swaggered, while Yuguang watched Eunuch Liu, his face growing darker and darker. He had merely mentioned some actions of the Ning family, falsely accusing them of harboring wild ambitions, yet the Emperor had punished him after hearing it.

Zhang Yang felt like vomiting blood. It was difficult to catch anything on the Ning family, only now realizing how meticulous they were. He also resented the blow the Ning family had dealt his power, having worn down quite a few of his men these days.

How could he not resent them? The Ning family was cold towards him, from his grandfather on his mother’s side down to the clansmen of the Ning family; he had not managed to win over the Ning family, begrudging their unity and resenting their strikes against him.

Zhang Yang moved his ears, not knowing what his father and Zhou Shuren were discussing, occasionally hearing his father’s laughter.

The tea banquet at Zhou’s ended, and the guests took their leave one after another, with Zhulan personally seeing off Lady Tao and Lady Gao.

Once everyone had gone, Granny Song came over and said, "The two old ladies have already boarded the carriage to the villa."

Zhulan’s actions today were not hidden from Granny Song, who lived in the inner court; trying to hide them would be difficult, so she might as well be more open. She had just set up the mechanism; all she needed was to control it properly, leaving the rest to merely watch the play unfold.

In the Qiao family’s carriage, Lady Qiao had a stern face. She was originally puzzled by her daughter’s miscarriage and indeed discovered some issues, but she didn’t want to think too much about it.

Today, after hearing so much, her heart became unnerved, the doubts in her mind grew larger, and the questionable points she discovered kept being magnified. Her body was shaking; if it was the fifth prince’s arrangement, didn’t that mean the fifth prince really had trouble with his offspring, and her daughter was just a scapegoat pushed forward by the fifth prince.

The Qiao family had placed too many hopes on the fifth prince. Thinking about it made her shiver more; she had to talk to her husband about it today.

In the palace, Zhou Shuren had just left the government hall. He knew the emperor’s actions well and always hoped to see the emperor often. Being well-informed, his jealousy was justified. Now that he knew the emperor’s thoughts, he could also let Chang Yi prepare in advance.

Zhou Shuren left the government hall in a good mood; a wind began to blow, making him genuinely uncomfortable, as if the spring breeze was tormenting his bones.

Zhou Shuren stood in front of Marquis Yao; Yao Wenqi’s face was already pale beyond belief. Continuing like this, he surely wouldn’t avoid falling ill.

At that moment, Eunuch Liu came out, "The emperor decrees that Marquis Yao may rise and leave the palace."

Yao Wenqi shaky thanked him, and stood up stumbling; unfortunately, Zhou Shuren didn’t help him but instead stepped back.

Yao Wenqi fell back to the ground, and Zhou Shuren asked, "Marquis, are you all right?"

Yao Wenqi gritted his teeth, "I’m fine."

Zhou Shuren sneered inwardly. His daughter’s miscarriage still lingered in his memory. Equating Zhang Yang to Yao Wenqi in his mind wasn’t mistaken, "Marquis, let me help you."

Yao Wenqi had never been so embarrassed, especially in front of Zhou Shuren. His legs were numb, and the feeling of blood returning was particularly unpleasant, as if thousands of ants were biting him, "No need."

"If the Marquis insists not, then I shall leave first. Take your time sitting."

Zhou Shuren walked a few steps then paused, "Right, Marquis, your complexion doesn’t look good. You must remember to call the Imperial Physician. I remember both of Marquis’s wives died from illness. Ah, to think, the Marquis has lost two wives, tsk tsk."

He left the implication hanging in the air, and Eunuch Liu understood it.

Yao Wenqi glared angrily at Zhou Shuren, "What do you mean by that?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "What could I possibly mean? It must be the Marquis thinking too much. I believe one should live simply. I am still busy, unlike the Marquis who has free time. I will leave first."

Zhang Yang stood at the doorway, his eyes wide watching Zhou Shuren. What got into Zhou Shuren today, provoking Marquis Yao like this; look how angry it made the Marquis, as if he was about to vomit blood.

After Zhou Shuren spoke, he briskly turned and left. Without showing his claws, they truly thought they could still bully him, huh! The deaths of Yao Wenqi’s two wives were quite similar, it was just that the first wife died too long ago for people to connect it.

Zhou Shuren strolled leisurely out of the palace. Zhang Yang quickly caught up to him.

Zhang Yang, panting a bit from walking fast, paused for a moment outside the hall to catch his legs, then quickly caught up, "Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Shuren turned his head, looking at Zhang Yang, who smiled sincerely at him. His skin seemed to be getting thicker, and his acting skills had improved notably, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Zhang Yang caught his breath, "Mr. Zhou, among all the court officials, you are the first in the emperor’s heart. I greatly admire you, Mr."

Zhou Shuren stepped back, "Your Highness shouldn’t say such things. Each of the court officials has their own duties. I am the Vice Minister of Revenue. All departments are connected with the Ministry of Revenue, so the emperor meets with the Officials of the Ministry of Revenue more often."

He spoke of the entire Ministry of Revenue, careful not to mention his own name.