The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 589

"His Majesty."

Zhou Chu entered the imperial study and bowed.

"Weighing instruments, this is a memorial from the Ministry of Revenue detailing the cost calculations. Take a look."

As he spoke, Jiajing handed the memorial to Zhou Chu.

Zhou Chu opened the document and looked at it. This time, the price quote was quite honest, basically in accordance with the price range given by Zhou Chu. For example, Zhou Chu said that the price of railway sleepers was 70% to 80%, so the officials of the Ministry of Revenue took a middle number, a little over 70% but less than 80%.

The prices for other materials were basically the same.

"The price is about the same this time. This price can make it profitable for the princes and other contractors in various places. If it is not profitable, no one will be willing to do it."

Zhou Chu said.

"How could the Ministry of Revenue's two quotes differ so greatly?"

Jiajing looked at Zhou Chu, somewhat puzzled.

In fact, Jiajing knew the reason for this. Zhang Cong's visit to Zhou Chu at the Zhou residence could not be hidden from Jiajing's eyes and ears, after all, the five eunuchs in the Zhou residence were not just for show.

However, Jiajing did not want Zhou Chu to feel that he was being monitored all the time. Although both of them knew this, they had to leave room for maneuver in their words, otherwise it would seem aggressive.

"Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue came to see me yesterday, and I gave him a good talking-to."

Zhou Chu naturally had no need to hide anything about Zhang Cong.

"As expected of you, Hengqi. Your reprimand has saved the court nearly 40% of its expenses, which is a considerable sum."

Jiajing said happily.

"Your Majesty is too kind. Even without my words, the Ministry of Revenue would have gradually lowered the price. It just required a lot of trial and error. Now that Your Majesty's imperial power is so great, the officials in the Ministry of Revenue would not dare to have any ulterior motives. I was just adding icing on the cake."

Zhou Chu said modestly.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing was even more delighted.

"Weighing Instrument, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Jiajing looked at Zhou Chu and sighed.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Zhou Chu said.

"At your age, you've reached the point where you should be thinking about marriage. You know my cousin Lin Yao, and you should be quite familiar with her. She's deeply in love with you. Over the years, she's come to me many times because of you, and I've always turned her down. But now, I really don't know how to turn her down."

Jiajing looked at Zhou Chu and said in a serious tone.

Zhou Chu fell silent upon hearing this.

Zhou Chu knew very well that the emperor hoped he could marry Lin Yao. After all, Lin Yao was a county princess, which meant she was practically royalty. If he married Lin Yao, he would be even closer to the royal family.

This reminded Zhou Chu of Shang Yang from the pre-Qin period, who, in order to gain the support of the Qin royal family for his reforms, ultimately had to abandon his confidante and marry a princess of the Qin royal family.

"But in the past two years, Yun Jin and I have been through thick and thin together, especially in Tibet. The situation in Tibet has been turbulent and unpredictable. Those people are capable of anything when they go crazy. Several times I was almost in dire straits, and it was Yun Jin and Shen Lian Dazhu who saved me."

Zhou Chu looked at Jiajing and said.

"I know that Yun Jin has long been deeply in love with you. I am not one to separate lovers. You can marry both of them."

Jiajing made the suggestion.

"But if you marry both, who will be considered the legal wife?"

Zhou Chu found it difficult.

If Yun Jin were to become the principal wife, Lin Yao, as the county princess, would absolutely not be allowed to be a concubine. However, if Lin Yao were to become the principal wife, Zhou Chu would also find it unacceptable.

"That's simple. Just make them both your principal wives. I'll issue an imperial edict to make an exception for you."

Jiajing waved his hand and said.

In this world, nothing is greater than the emperor's edict. If Jiajing were to issue a special edict for Zhou Chu, and the cabinet were to draft and approve it, then no one in the world would say anything.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to consider this carefully. Yun Jin is only fifteen years old now, there is no rush."

Zhou Chu said.