Many things, what outsiders know is limited.
Only those who are in it, or have been immersed for many years, can know it clearly.
Old Eunuch Wu undoubtedly was this kind of person. He had the foresight to take on the task given by the Crown Prince, and won the favor of the Jiang Family's daughter. Before leaving, he did not forget to flatter, proving his own ability.
Not until the figure in her sight disappeared, did Jiang Sheng come to appreciate the taste.
But before she could happily share with her brothers, she heard Chang Yan talking with Xu Mo.
"This little eunuch is quite clever," Xu Mo said softly, "Not only did he react quickly, but he also knew to repay a peach with a plum."
"Coming without reciprocating is impolite. He is quite tactful. As long as he is not a pawn planted by Zhu Changyu and the Ju Family, he will be very useful," Chang Yan nodded slowly.
Jiang Sheng was dumbfounded.
She was still indulging in the fact that Eunuch Wu's identity needed to be cajoled, and she was proud of herself for being shrewd and being rewarded with a hairpin. But her two brothers were already looking at Eunuch Wu from another perspective, observing whether he was useful or not.
Indeed, people of different statuses see and gain completely different things.
"My little sister is also very smart today," Xu Mo noticed her slight loss and immediately praised her, "Even willing to give away the big golden hairpin."
The corners of Jiang Sheng's mouth twitched. She wanted to say it would be better not to praise her, but she also felt that she could afford such praise.
She put her hands on her hips, and even the most luxurious clothes could not stop the tea pot spirit from appearing. "You guys just need to know your little sister is awesome, don't spread it around, lest others compete with you for your sister."
Now even Chang Yan couldn't help it. The corners of his mouth curved up slightly, showing a joy completely different from before.
When a person was in the big hall alone, even the air was cold.
With elder and younger brothers and sisters, every breath was burning hot.
"Cough cough cough." Zheng Ruqian, who had fallen into contemplation, came to his senses. He walked pretentiously to Chang Yan and said, "Little Five is dressed very nicely today, making him look spirited and sharp. And this coronal piercing looks really good. This collar is so flat, and the hem of the robe is so casual."
"Second brother, just say what you want to say." Chang Yan couldn't help laughing.
Zheng Ruqian coughed twice more, and said mysteriously, "Since you asked second brother to speak directly, then second brother won't hide anything. Are you going to expand the East Palace?"
The East Palace was the residence of the Crown Prince. The last occupant was fourteen or fifteen years ago, so it was really hard on the eyes without renovation and repairs.
Chang Yan was still living in the palace in the West Third Court, and had not moved into the East Palace yet.
"The Ministry of Works is indeed working on it, but the urgent enthronement of the Crown Prince means the progress has not caught up," he answered honestly.
Zheng Ruqian's eyes spun around. Pointing at the ground, he asked, "Will they use this kind of brick for the East Palace too?"
Chang Yan had already guessed what his second elder brother wanted to do. Trying not to laugh, he nodded.
Zheng Ruqian's eyes spun again. "What if I transport superior golden bricks over, would the Ministry of Works consider buying them from me?"
The production of golden bricks was complex. Using the clay from the banks of the Yangtze River and firing at least six times. It also required specific weather conditions, and the damage rate was frightening--three out of five batches would be scrapped.
The value of the golden brick itself became increasingly precious against this backdrop.
In principle, the imperial court had the Ministry of Works specifically to manage the golden bricks, and could not buy them from private businesses. But the high scrap rate of golden bricks meant there was always a shortage in the treasury funds for this, often wasting thousands of taels of silver.
The imperial court had wanted to cut the expenditure on golden bricks before, replacing all palace halls including the harems, except for some major halls like Taihe Hall, with blue stone bricks.
But golden bricks were not immortal materials either, they would also decay and crack, and still needed replacement.
How could they let the scholars taking the final imperial examination in the prestigious Taihe Hall see a pitted and bumpy floor?
So golden bricks were still being produced, just reduced from tens of thousands annually to thousands.
But looking at the financial report from the Ministry of Works, they still had to spend at least a thousand taels of gold. And the scrapping rate was becoming higher and higher, to an absurd level.
It was rare for Zheng Ruqian to mention this. Chang Yan's eyes flickered slightly. He promised, "If second brother can reduce the scrapping rate to three successful bricks out of five, I will try to get the Ministry of Works to buy your bricks."
One to save money, one to earn money.
They immediately shook hands.
Was this the joy of having connections? Zheng Ruqian grinned.
Chang Yan also smiled, smiling at the prospect of eliminating the rotten worms in the Ministry of Works, and reducing the expenditure figures.
The entire hall was filled with joy, until the sun reached its peak. The personal guards outside reported in a low voice, "Your Highness, everyone is gathered and the enthronement ceremony can begin."
The enthronement ceremony for the Crown Prince of the Dayu Dynasty could be called complex.
One had to bow in many directions, leaving people dizzy and disoriented.
Fortunately they had rehearsed yesterday. Chang Yan put away his smile and resumed his dignified and aloof manner. After nodding at his elder and younger siblings, he took the lead and walked out of the hall.
He was still so young, just a slender fourteen year old boy, yet he had to bear half of the royal family and country.
Yet he was also so tall, his figure in the morning sun was determined and resolute, with unmatched firmness.
Zheng Ruqian tightened his fists. Jiang Sheng put down her arms akimbo. Together with Wen Zhiyun and Xu Mo, they watched Chang Yan's back silently.
"Fifth brother is so pitiful, he'll have to shoulder the entire Dayu Dynasty in the future," Jiang Sheng murmured.
"He should not have been confined to the deep palace," Xue Mo's eyes flashed with guilt.
"It's very depressing in the palace, suffocating," Wen Zhiyun finally revealed his feelings from before.
As a little medicine boy in the Imperial Medical Academy, he could leave if unhappy.
But as the Crown Prince of the Dayu Dynasty, he could no longer leave.
"Cheer up, at least we're all here," Zheng Ruqian clenched his fist. "Little Five won't be alone."
That's right, everyone was here.
No one knew who took the first step, but the others straightened their spines and walked forward seriously and bravely.
Just behind Chang Yan, not far away.
The road ahead was wide and undulating, scattered with countless obstacles. Sharp tools could appear at any time, filthy grime could fall at any time.
Walking alone, even someone as composed as Chang Yan couldn't help smiling when he sensed the vague figures behind him.
He walked with dignity, and saw the Fourth Prince Zhu Changheng in blue robes at the next intersection.
"Fifth younger brother, congratulations to you," the lame youth was a little stunned at first, but soon smiled and cupped his fist, "We'll be at Fengtian Hall soon, your fourth elder brother will accompany you there."
Chang Yan was a little surprised, his face unchanged, "Thank you, fourth elder brother."
The two staggered half a step and continued forward. After a few steps they saw Jiang Chengfeng waiting.
Then came Qi Huai, An Jun, Zhao Yuan, He Yunyao, Sun Xiaosheng, and most of the Crown Prince's staff.
They followed behind him, in a stance of support, sending him to the peak.
"Bow, the Crown Prince bows once..."
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