Chapter 143 Entering the Palace to Announce the Good News
Deng Qianqiu's eyes lit up when he saw it, and he asked, "Where did you dig them out from?"

The Taoist said proudly, "Of course! I have explored the area with my disciples and found gold, silver, copper, and many other minerals. This place is truly blessed by nature. How come no one has explored such a precious place before?"

Deng Qianqiu looked at the Taoist carefully and said, "I think you are quite professional."

The Taoist smiled and said, "No, no, thank you for your praise, it's just an unorthodox method."

Deng Qianqiu suddenly remembered something and couldn't help asking, "You're not also a tomb raider, are you?"

"Tomb Raider?" The Taoist looked suspicious.

Deng Qianqiu patiently explained: "It's the tomb robbers."

The Taoist's face suddenly changed: "Captain Deng, why do you say that... I am innocent. Ah... I understand, you are destroying the bridge after crossing it, you don't want to pay the money... Captain Deng, you should be conscientious."

Zhu Gang stood aside, his eyes lighting up.

As expected of his mentor! He was puzzled just now, it turns out... this is a case of thieves robbing thieves.

Deng Qianqiu smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing, don't be nervous or scared, I'm just curious and asking more questions. Come on, come on, pay him a reward and give him another 100 taels of silver. Oh, can you draw a map of the discovered mine?"

The Taoist then relaxed a little, took out a map from his arms and showed it to Deng Qianqiu immediately.

Deng Qianqiu opened the map, looked down at it, and couldn't help saying, "You must be a tomb raider..."

The Taoist's heart was lifted.

Deng Qianqiu asked, "If not, how could this map be so detailed? Hmm? You have great skills in drawing, where did you learn it from?"

The Taoist sighed, "Captain Deng, what do you want? I take money from people to help them get rid of disasters, but I won't let them bully me like this."

Deng Qianqiu smiled and said, "Don't be angry, I'm praising you."

Then he asked, "Have you ever encountered zombies when you robbed tombs?"

The Taoist said: "I usually steal... I don't rob tombs."

Deng Qianqiu raised his head and looked at him coldly, saying, "Don't try to quibble. If you dare to quibble again, this Qianhu Division is specifically designed to catch monsters like you."

The Taoist's calmness finally cracked, and he became fearful unconsciously, saying in fear and trepidation: "Captain Deng, didn't we agree that..."

Deng Qianqiu said with a straight face: "No matter what we say, it is not greater than the law. Our Daming is a place that abides by the law."

The Taoist was speechless. A Taoist like him was knowledgeable and experienced throughout his life, but he didn't expect to meet an even more ruthless character today.

People under the eaves have to bow their heads. The Taoist priest hurriedly said, "Please spare my life, Master."

Deng Qianqiu put his hands behind his back and said, "It's been less than a month, and you have explored these mines so clearly. It shows that you are very good at geography. In addition, let alone copper, iron, house, gold, and silver, you can also classify tin, lead and other mines. It seems that you are also very proficient in alchemy. In addition... the mountains and rivers in this map are so clearly marked, it seems that you are quite capable..."

The Taoist smiled bitterly: "I have been studying these unorthodox ways for forty years. I have been learning from my master since I was a child. After decades of study and contemplation, I naturally have some skills to make a living."

Deng Qianqiu said: "You stay here, stay. I will set up a small classroom here. You can teach some astronomy and geography, as well as the skills of drawing maps, and serve as an instructor for my Qianhu Division."

The Taoist was surprised, and then said: "I'm not saying... I'm not saying..."

Suddenly, the Taoist understood.

This is not a law at all, it is clearly a trap. First they suspect him of being a tomb robber to scare him, and then turn around and ask him to be an instructor. If he refuses to accept it, they will probably really have to enforce the law.

In addition, with this tight hoop, if he has a hidden trick, we can punish him later.

The Taoist couldn't help but be shocked. He didn't expect that the young man in front of him was so young, but he was so thoughtful, cruel and ruthless.

The Taoist said without hesitation: "If you don't abandon me, I will do my best to serve you."

Deng Qianqiu was very happy. He liked dealing with such a person who didn't talk too much, so he smiled and said, "Why don't you ask about the salary?"

The Taoist cursed in his heart, even if you ask me to pay you money, do I dare not agree?

Of course, this was not said out loud. The Taoist said respectfully, "It is a great honor to be able to serve Qian Hu. I know a little bit about physiognomy. Qian Hu can tell from a person's face that he is a wealthy and noble man. He will surely be a nobleman in the future! It is a blessing for me to meet such a noble man..."

Deng Qianqiu waved his hand: "Okay, okay, stop talking, don't give me that."

Zhu Gang was standing by and took out a small bamboo board for taking shorthand notes.

Deng Qianqiu nodded at Zhu Gang and said, "Don't remember it. This thing is useless. Take him to go through the formalities. For the time being, give him a minor job as a trial secretary."

Zhu Gang said with a smile: "Okay, okay. Oh, what's the Taoist's name?"

The Taoist said, "Yu Zhen."

Deng Qianqiu said angrily: "Real name!"

The Taoist's expression was a little unnatural, but under Deng Qianqiu's stare, he still said shamefully: "Liu Ah Ba."

Deng Qianqiu glanced at the Taoist priest and said nothing.

After the Taoist was taken away by Zhu Gang, Deng Qianqiu finally released himself. His stern face suddenly changed and he looked at the map happily.

It seems... I guessed right. "Hahaha..."

After being happy for a while, he suddenly stopped laughing.

wrong.

Deng Qianqiu thought about it, but still felt uneasy, so he hurried into the palace.

……

Zhu Yuanzhang was in the inner garden. Empress Ma was about to give birth, so unless it was something important, he would stay in the bedroom obediently.

At this time, an eunuch came and said, "Your Majesty, Deng Qianqiu, the captain of Chunhe Palace, wants to see you."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and asked, "Is there anything important?"

"My slave doesn't know either."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "Call them here, call them here."

The eunuch was stunned, but still nodded: "As you wish."

This is the inner courtyard, which is even more strictly guarded. When Deng Qianqiu entered, he was almost surrounded by three eunuchs.

As for Deng Qianqiu, he was also very careful and tried his best not to look around.

When they arrived at a bedroom, the eunuch went to report that Zhu Yuanzhang was talking to Empress Ma, so he said, "Come in."

Deng Qianqiu went in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Madam, it's strange to say, I've met a lot of people these days, and I always feel they are weird."

Empress Ma said to the eunuch beside her, "Pour him some tea."

The eunuch understood and hurried to pour tea.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright, looking serious: "What's strange?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "These days, I don't know why, but I find that the people around me are well versed in the ways of the world, and their words are more beautiful than their singing."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's because you are a thousand households, and people have to look at your eyes. You have seen this kind of people many times, so you will get used to it. But... the more they are like this, the more careful you should be! If you really believe their lies, you will not know your own limitations, and then disaster will come."

Deng Qianqiu said solemnly, "Your Majesty's teachings have benefited me a lot. They really awakened me from my dream. I was flattered by them for a few days and felt so ecstatic that I almost forgot my last name. Your Majesty, on the other hand, is the emperor, and there are so many people like you around you. Your Majesty can still be so clear-headed. Not only do I admire you, but I am also scared to death. In the future, I must reflect on myself and always remember your Majesty's teachings."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and glanced at Empress Ma beside him.

Queen Ma just smiled and said nothing.

Zhu Yuanzhang got straight to the point and asked, "What brings you here?"

"Your Majesty, do you still remember... the land that Lord Hu gave me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "Since the land is a gift to you, I have already asked you to accept it. Just accept it with peace of mind."

Deng Qianqiu was silent for a moment before he said, "Your Majesty, a large amount of minerals have been discovered here, including gold, silver, copper, iron, tin..."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyebrows kept twitching. He looked at Deng Qianqiu in disbelief and said, "It's actually a blessed land?"

Deng Qianqiu smiled bitterly and said, "That's right. I just learned about it. I have been thinking hard and feel that it is not appropriate for such a precious land to be in my hands. After careful consideration, I hope to present this land to Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang had an idea, but quickly suppressed his inner desire.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Since this land is yours, why do you need to offer it to me? Don't worry, no one can take this land away from you. If you are still worried, I will issue an order."

Deng Qianqiu said sincerely, "Your Majesty is so kind to me. I am deeply grateful..."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Deng Qianqiu and said, "Why do I feel that your coming here is not so simple? Why, do you want to play tricks on me?"

Deng Qianqiu hurriedly shook his head and said, "No, no, no, I just confirmed it. Once I have confirmed whether I can fully dispose of this piece of land, then... I can do something."

Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised and asked, "Now that it has been confirmed, tell me what you want to do?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "I have thought it through. It is better to share happiness with others than to enjoy it alone. I have decided to open up all the mineral resources. No, I will recruit merchants to come into the mountains to mine and grant them the mining rights for 30 years."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes suddenly opened wide and he stood up.

Zhu Yuanzhang regretted it if he had known that this guy was going to give the mine away.

"Are you out of your mind?" Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but said angrily: "Come here, call the imperial physician to take a look at Lord Deng's family..."

Deng Qianqiu hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I am not sick."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with a look of disappointment and said, "You don't want the gold and silver you have? You're giving away all this good gold and silver? If I were your father, I would have you, the prodigal son, beaten to death right here."

Deng Qianqiu really wanted to say, but you are not.

Well, I finally held back.

(End of this chapter)