The Court of Diplomatic Receptions Has Been In Disrepair For Years

Zhang Shi's eyes immediately flashed with surprise, which he quickly concealed.

Looking at Chen Hong seriously, he said, "Have you looked carefully? This is no small matter! Our trade agreements with Northern Rong do include iron ore, but there are strict restrictions because we fear Northern Rong becoming too powerful! If Fang Zheng truly conspired with Northern Rong, that would be collaborating with foreign enemies! That's treason!"

Chen Hong lowered his head and hurriedly flipped through the pages several times, his face full of conflicted emotions. "There's no mistake! Definitely no mistake!"

Zhang Shi breathed a sigh of relief and slowly clasped his hands behind his back. "I never expected... this person could be so greedy! Fortunately we discovered this early, otherwise who knows what great disaster it might have caused in the future!"

Chen Hong shook his head and put down the booklet in his hands, reorganizing and packing the boxes properly.

Looking at Zhang Shi with a serious expression, he said, "Minister Zhang, I think drawing conclusions about this matter now would be too hasty."

"Looking at the account books just now, this Paba is meticulous to the extreme. How could he carelessly leave behind so many items?"

"Moreover, it contains Khan Wutu's edict and his personal belongings. There might be deception involved. What if this is a scheme to sow discord?"

Zhang Shi nodded. "Correct, what you say makes sense."

"But... did Paba personally inspect the delegation's goods when they were leaving?"

"No, it was someone else who inspected them. Paba was in the courtyard talking with people at the time."

As Zhang Shi spoke, he began pacing around the room. Just as he was about to speak, there was suddenly a knock at the door.

The voice of a minor official came from outside: "Master Chen! People from the Northern Rong delegation have arrived! They've come to retrieve the items they left behind!"

"Invite them in!" After speaking, Chen Hong and the other man pushed open the door and walked out.

When they reached the courtyard, a member of the Northern Rong delegation was waiting anxiously in place.

Seeing Chen Hong, he immediately called out loudly, "Master Chen, our delegation left some goods behind. We've come specially to retrieve them."

The two men carefully observed the Northern Rong envoy's expression.

He indeed looked extremely anxious, covered in sweat... his nervousness was evident.

Chen Hong and Zhang Shi exchanged glances, then looked at the envoy and said, "Where are they? How could you be so careless? Let's go take a look."

The envoy bowed again and quickly ran toward the guesthouse interior, with the two men following closely behind.

Returning to the dim little room, the envoy suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Chen Hong with a smile. "Thank you, Master Chen. These are the items."

Chen Hong observed his expression and smiled. "Ah! No need to be polite. This is also a failing of the Court of Diplomatic Receptions. We should have checked and notified you early. Have you prepared carriages and horses for the return journey? If not, this official can send people to help you prepare."

"Thank you, sir! We've prepared them!"

After another round of bustle, all the goods were finally transported away completely.

Chen Hong and Zhang Shi stood outside the courtyard, watching the delegation's carriages and horses depart.

"I think... this matter doesn't seem to be false. Regardless, we should report to His Majesty early."

"Correct... this matter is of great importance. Master Chen, why don't I report this matter to His Majesty? You needn't trouble yourself."

Chen Hong stared at Zhang Shi, constantly weighing things in his mind.

It looks like he wants revenge against Fang Zheng! What if you embellish things in your memorial? Then you'll have to drag me in as a witness.

No good will come of this, and I'll still get into trouble. No way! I can't let him get involved!

"No need! Since this matter occurred at the Court of Diplomatic Receptions, I think it's more appropriate for this subordinate to memorialize His Majesty." Chen Hong responded blandly.

Won't cooperate? Zhang Shi slowly frowned.

"The delegation actually left behind an entire room of goods. Is the guesthouse layout too poor? I just noticed the lighting in that room was really bad."

"Using it to receive foreign delegations seems somewhat disrespectful. Even for storing goods, everything should be done perfectly."

"?!"

Chen Hong's eyes rolled as he complained, "Yes! Our Court of Diplomatic Receptions has been in disrepair for years, so we can only show disrespect to foreign guests."

"But there's no other way! After all, the national treasury is tight..."

"No matter how hard things get! We can't let foreign guests suffer!" Zhang Shi declared loudly. "Otherwise, where would the dignity of our Great Jing be? Next year then, next spring, the Ministry of Revenue will allocate one hundred thousand taels to the Court of Diplomatic Receptions for renovations. What do you think?"

Chen Hong nodded repeatedly, overjoyed inside. "Good! Excellent! Then this subordinate thanks Minister Zhang!"

"The Northern Rong delegation just left, and this subordinate still needs to organize the documents below. I'm really too busy."

"The matter of Fang Zheng... I'll trouble Minister Zhang to report it to His Majesty on this subordinate's behalf."

"This is only proper, no need to be polite." Zhang Shi smiled slightly. "Then you get busy first. This official will take his leave."

"Ah, take care. This subordinate will see you off..."

Inside King Wu's mansion.

Zhang Shi sat calmly in his chair, sipping tea.

"Your Majesty, that's basically how things are. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

King Wu sat in the main seat, fanning himself with a fan in his hand. After a long while, he slowly spoke, "This king thinks... there might be deception involved."

Zhang Shi looked at King Wu and asked, "How can you tell?"

"Sixty thousand taels... too little." King Wu smiled contemptuously.

Paba's methods were passable, but his vision was too shallow.

Sixty thousand taels? Back then, this king placed hundreds of thousands of taels before Fang Zheng, and he didn't even blink!

Sixty thousand taels as a favor fee - who is he looking down on?

"But... the profits from iron ore and iron tools far exceed this amount! Perhaps Fang Zheng was looking at future benefits?" Zhang Shi asked in return.

King Wu nodded. "Correct... what you say also makes sense, but such matters involve too much risk. There are many ways to make money. Fang Zheng is already wealthy enough - what reason would he have to take such risks?"

"In my opinion, it's nothing more than that Paba's scheme to sow discord."

Zhang Shi nodded slightly. "Your Majesty is wise. Should I report this matter to His Majesty? Fang Zheng enjoys increasing imperial favor. Rather than trying to win him over, Your Majesty might prefer to suppress him."

King Wu was silent for a moment. "This king has the same intention. Have you heard the recent rumors among the people that the textile factory was established by the Fifth Princess?"

"I've heard this, but in reality it's Fang Zheng behind it. I don't understand why this matter became associated with the Princess."

King Wu sneered. "Fang Zheng once treated the Princess for illness, and after the textile factory was established, he frequently entered the rear palace at night. This king suspects they have an affair!"

"This matter... Imperial Brother certainly knows, but since he hasn't stopped it, he probably tacitly approves. If Imperial Brother grants a marriage, it will be troublesome to win him over later."

His Majesty wants to marry the Princess to Fang Zheng?

Zhang Shi looked shocked, though what shocked him wasn't this matter.

"Your Majesty still has people planted in the palace?"

King Wu waved his hand. "Just a eunuch, an old associate. Not much use."

Zhang Shi immediately felt relieved.

Seeing this, King Wu sneered. "What? Regretting following this king? If you regret it, feel free to tell Imperial Brother, but don't forget where your Zhang family's two million taels of silver comes from each year..."

Zhang Shi swallowed hard and gritted his teeth. "This minister has no regrets, but this minister wants to know if Your Majesty intends to..."

King Wu shook his head. "The time isn't right yet, still far from it! Imperial Brother holds things very tightly... money alone is far from enough."

"Rest assured, without absolute certainty, this king won't do anything."

Zhang Shi's worried heart dropped a notch. "These past two days, His Majesty sent people to the Ministry of Revenue to examine the salt administration account books from various regions, but everything was normal. There won't be any problems."

"Mm, understood."

"Then... impeaching Fang Zheng..."

King Wu suddenly smiled contemptuously. "This king doesn't believe it. Do you think Imperial Brother will believe it?"

"Trying to suppress Fang Zheng with just this is far from enough. Handle this matter yourself - this king won't get involved!"

"However, you could go ask Old Yan..."