Fengtian Hall, great court meeting!
All the civil and military officials in Beijing, including ministers and nobles, gathered here.
All civil and military officials were arranged in order and arranged neatly.
Although the scene was solemn and solemn, the officials could not help but whisper.
Today is the day when Zheng He went to the West to return to the imperial court.
Everyone knows that Zheng He’s first two voyages to the West not only cost a lot of money, but also gained almost nothing.
This is like the emperor spending a lot of money and food resources of the Ming Dynasty to support Zheng He’s voyage, but it was almost in vain.
Even those overseas foreign countries would pay tribute, but these tributes were all foreign products, and the only valuable ones were spices. Other tributes could only be placed in the treasury and palace as mascots.
In addition, in line with the ‘thick and thin’ tribute system formulated by Taizu, the Ming Dynasty would return ten times the rewards to these envoys.
All this time spent was money and food from the treasury.
Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Household Affairs, strongly opposed Zheng He’s voyages out of consideration for people’s livelihood.
However, the emperor was resolute, so he could only hold his nose and struggle to raise money, hoping that Zheng He could bring back some valuable goods.
Now, it’s time to test the harvest.
If Zheng He still gained almost nothing like the previous two times, it can only prove that the Western Ocean is a bottomless pit!
Even if Xia Yuanji is killed in the court today, he will still oppose Zheng He’s further voyages to the West!
The next moment the sound of whips sounded, and all the officials stood in awe, and filed in amidst the sound of ritual music, and entered the Fengtian main hall.
After receiving the gift and thanking him, Zhu Di was sitting on the dragon chair at some point.
In Fengtian Hall, hundreds of officials stood at attention.
Zhu Di gave Little Nose a look, and the latter immediately shouted in a high voice, ‘Xuanzheng Envoy, Chief Military Officer Zheng He, deputy envoys Wang Jinghong and Wu Xuan, come to the Hajj to see————’
coming!
All the officials looked along, including Zhu Gaoxu.
After all, that was Zheng He!
The first eunuch of the Ming Dynasty who was famous throughout the ages. He captured kings and enemies, built many extraordinary feats, made seven voyages to the West, and captured the leader of thieves three times. He was so powerful overseas that he could be called a great man of navigation!
Everyone saw three people walking towards them. The leader was a tall man with a tough and resolute face. He was the eunuch Zheng He.
The two people behind him were white-faced, beardless, and dark-skinned. He was the deputy envoy Wang Jinghong, who was also a well-known eunuch.
The other person is tall and tall, with a slightly mature appearance. This person is Wu Xuan, the deputy envoy and the general of the Yangtze River Navy.
However, this Wu Xuan was an insidious and despicable villain, and he was also a confidant of Zhu Gaoxu, the King of Han. It was because of the recommendation of the King of Han that he successfully entered Zheng He’s fleet, became the deputy envoy, and took the second highest position.
‘Your Majesty Zheng He (Wang Jinghong and Wu Xuan) bows to the Emperor, long live the Emperor!’
Upon seeing this, Zhu Di stood up quickly and walked down the stairs.
‘Get flat!’
‘Thank you, Your Majesty!’
Zhu Di walked closer, looked at the three people in front of him, and felt a little sad when he saw their dark and dry skin.
‘I’m so happy to see you guys back, so happy!’
Zheng He calmed down his emotions, and then said loudly, ‘Your Majesty, I will go to sea this time and follow the sea chart to patrol thirty-seven overseas countries such as Java, Guri, etc., and communicate with the kings of all countries.’ There are more than a hundred chiefs in total, and the emperor’s grace has been spread all over the world, and all overseas countries are grateful for His Majesty’s kindness!”
‘A total of fifty-six countries sent envoys when they returned, bringing with them unique treasures. Even the king himself came to our country on the ship with the Ming Dynasty, and came to pay tribute to your majesty. He is willing to stay with our country forever. Make friends and share eternal peace!’
After hearing this, all civil and military officials in the court were instantly moved.
Many courtiers who were not good at nourishing qi were even a little panicked, with a faint look of panic on their faces.
This is tribute from all directions, and all nations are coming to pay homage!
Zhu Di couldn’t help but smile on his face, ‘Okay, Zheng He, thank you for your hard work.’
Zheng He choked up and said, ‘Your Majesty is overly complimentary. This time I went on a mission to the West. I also opened trade and exchanged products with overseas countries. The things I brought from China were even more popular. The people of the vassal country actively bartered for goods.’ …”
Hearing this, Zhu Di’s heart finally returned to his stomach, and the smile on his face became stronger.
And Xia Yuanji’s old face finally showed a smile.
What a pity, Master Zheng finally got the idea!
The Ming Dynasty is so poor that it is almost impossible to untie the pot. If you don’t come back with any money, I, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, will have no choice but to die!
Zheng He added, ‘This time I brought back a total of 821 kinds of overseas products such as pearls, coral, gold foil, frankincense, pepper, ambergris, etc., and shipped 125 ships…’
While he was talking, palace officials brought these rare treasures into the court and presented them to the emperor and officials.
Countless treasures came into view, including pearls as big as goose eggs, huge ivory, and corals half as tall as a man. It was so overwhelming to see.
Each of these treasures is a priceless rare treasure in the Ming Dynasty.
Even the wise and mighty Emperor Yongle was dumbfounded at this moment.
After all, Zhu Di was a man who had seen the world, but he was still a little shocked in front of such rare treasures.
Xia Yuanji could no longer describe being happy at this moment, but was ecstatic.
In his eyes, these priceless treasures are just piles of gold and silver!
The empty and lonely treasury is finally about to be replenished.
‘In addition, I also brought back many kinds of strange birds and animals, including giant elephants, five lions, ten strange birds, hundreds of flowers and trees, and countless flowers and trees…’
After hearing this, Zhu Di smiled from ear to ear, but Xia Yuanji was not happy at all. Instead of bringing back these strange birds and animals, it would be better to bring back more spices.
After all, spices can be sold for money, and these exotic birds and animals can only be used to enrich the palace.
‘These treasures were brought back by me to present to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long and healthy life!’
‘Okay, okay, okay!’ Zhu Di cheered repeatedly, looking at these rare treasures carefully, but secretly murmuring in his heart.
Zheng He actually got such rare treasures at his fingertips on the sea. It seems that the wealth in the West is really as the second brother said, and the wealth on the sea is endless!
When he thought of this, Zhu Di looked at Zheng He with a smile.
Zheng He was stunned and didn’t understand what the emperor meant.
The two of them were staring at each other, and the atmosphere was awkward for a moment.
‘Zheng He, are there any more？’ Zhu Di asked with a smile.
Zheng He’？？？’
What does it mean？
Isn’t this enough？
The ministers were also a little dumbfounded when they heard this, feeling that the emperor was too greedy.
These rare treasures are enough to equal the tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty for one year!
Xia Yuanji coughed twice and reminded Zhu Di to pay attention to his image.
How did he know that Zhu Laosi was thinking about the three divine seeds with astonishing yields per acre that Zhu Gaoxu mentioned!
Seeing that Zheng He was a little embarrassed, Zhu Di also knew not to rush.
Although he was unwilling to do so, today was a happy day for him, Zhu Di, so he didn’t care about it.
He walked up the steps slowly and laughed, ‘It can be seen that the universe is vast, the seas are boundless, and there are all kinds of wonders in the world!’
‘In my opinion, what is more precious than these rare treasures in front of me is the goodwill of overseas countries and the friendly hearts of all peoples in the world. You have made a good start for me to build friendship with all countries! ‘
Seeing this, Zheng He took the opportunity to remind him, ‘Your Majesty, the envoys from all nations are still waiting outside the palace to see you!’
Zhu Di nodded with a smile and then sat back on the dragon chair.
Little Sniffy understood and shouted sharply, ‘Announcement of the visit of envoys from various countries————’
‘The Sultan of Malacca, Parameswara, has met His Majesty, and may His Majesty’s glory…’
‘The prince of Majapahit, Vikaramavahana, has met His Majesty…’
‘It is rare that the Sultan of Sumatra has ever seen His Majesty…’
‘The Orphan Country…’
‘Sulu Country…’
‘The Inca Country…’
Lord of the country, prince, prince, minister, chief…
A famous envoy walked into the hall, bringing his country’s dazzling rare treasures as tribute, and showed his most sincere awe to Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty.
Today is destined to be famous forever!