Traveling through ancient times, the empress insisted on having a child with me

The next morning.

Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City.

early morning.

The court meetings of Dasheng are divided into grand court meetings and regular court meetings. The grand court meetings are held on the first and fifteenth day of every month, and all officials in the capital must participate. Today is just a regular court meeting, and only officials above the fifth rank are eligible to participate.

The most important issue at the court meeting was naturally the flood in Jiangzhou Prefecture. As usual, Lu Xi asked a lot of questions, but all the civil and military officials in the court remained silent. Occasionally, there were a few who spoke, but they all spoke clichés, and some even put the blame on the Minister of Revenue.

After a quarrel, Lu Xi directly announced the resignation of the court, and all the ministers felt relieved. The treasury was empty, and disaster relief was a thankless job. Whoever dared to take on this task, if the disaster relief was ineffective and provoked a civil uprising, would not only lose the hat, but the head.

After the court was adjourned, there was a small court meeting, also known as the noon court, when the emperor would summon several ministers related to the matter under discussion to the Qianqing Palace to continue the discussion.

This time, Lu Xi summoned quite a few people, including the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works, the left and right prime ministers of the Secretariat, and several cabinet ministers.

These people are basically the backbone of the Great Sheng Dynasty at present. After discussion, these important ministers still could not come up with any good ideas. As the saying goes, a good cook cannot cook without rice. They can do nothing about the empty treasury.

Lu Xi, who usually does not show his emotions, is now frowning. As his mind races, he suddenly thinks of what Ling Chuan said yesterday, and tentatively says it out.

Several ministers looked at each other in confusion. After a moment, they split into two factions. One faction thought that this method was feasible, while the other faction felt that this move was not upright and violated the teachings of the saints.

The so-called cabinet ministers of the Dasheng Dynasty were actually a faction of aristocratic families, representing the aristocratic families of Dasheng. Two of the seven cabinet ministers were from Jiangnan, and one of them, whose surname was Tan, was a native of Jiangzhou Prefecture. Their opposition was entirely based on the standpoint of the aristocratic families.

In addition to the aristocratic faction, there are other factions in the court. For example, Shi Qian, the right prime minister, who represents the noble faction, expressed a different opinion: "It's already this time, why bother with the teachings of the saints? More than 300,000 disaster victims are in danger. If they start to cause trouble, the whole country will be in chaos. I would like to ask, which minister will lead the troops to quell the rebellion?"

Several ministers were speechless. Shi Qian turned to Lu Xi and said, "Your Majesty, I think this plan should be taken a step further. The top three donors should be selected and given plaques for their residences to show their honor and favor."

Then, Zuo Xiang An Changqing also stepped forward and said, "I think this method is feasible, although it is a little... but in an emergency, it is nothing compared to the lives of 300,000 disaster victims. In comparison, the grain merchants in Jiangzhou Prefecture hoarding grain is putting the people in dire straits. They are making a fortune by taking advantage of this national crisis, which is an unforgivable crime."

An Changqing is a veteran minister who has served three dynasties. There are only a few officials in the court who have more seniority than him. After hearing these words, the elders dared not say a word and even lowered their heads.

When Lu Xi heard An Changqing talking about hoarding, he remembered what Ling Chuan said yesterday, so he asked again: "Minister An, do you know what shorting grain prices means?"

The ministers in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment again. They had never heard of this word before. Why did His Majesty come up with so many new words today?

An Changqing shook his head: "I have never heard of it."

Lu Xi thought for a moment and said, "Hoarding and profiting from grain is actually controlling grain prices. If Jiangzhou Prefecture has more grain than those grain merchants, can it gain... pricing power and thus stabilize grain prices?"

Another new word.

All the ministers pricked up their ears, afraid of missing something. An Changqing nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right. This pricing power is an apt description. As long as the people are not short of food, hoarding will only be in vain."

"Then, my dear ministers, do you have any way to obtain this pricing power?"

There was another silence. Everyone understood the truth, but without food, how could they compete for pricing power?

Lu Xi sighed. She also knew that this was not that easy. If she hadn't drugged Ling Chuan yesterday, or if she had given him fewer glasses of wine, maybe he would have told her the method of shorting grain prices before he had the attack.

When her thoughts drifted to this point, Lu Xi couldn't help but think of Ling Chuan, who had made love with her last night, and her cheeks couldn't help but blush.

When she felt her face getting hot, she couldn't help but frown and said quickly: "Since all of you have no objection, then let's do it. I'm tired, so please leave."

After the ministers left, Lu Xi thought that Ling Chuan's idea was a bit harmful, but it was approved by the left and right prime ministers, which showed that this man did have some talent.

However, when investigating Ling Chuan's identity before, he was said to be a well-known nerd. Now it seems that this nerd is not a nerd after all.

How could a nerd come up with such a dirty trick?

By the way, he also talked about eugenics and good parenting.

"Wei Dongxian, call Dr. Wen."

An old eunuch in the palace was slightly startled: "Is your Majesty ill?"

Lu Xi frowned: "I am fine, just summon me."

After Doctor Wen arrived, Lu Xi directly asked Wei Dongxian to leave.

"Doctor Wen."

"The minister is here."

"Let me ask you, if a man and a woman have sex, and the man is ill and takes medicine, and the woman becomes pregnant, will the fetus in her belly be affected?"

Upon hearing this question, Doctor Wen was stunned. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Your Majesty, the baby's bones and blood come from both parents, so if the father is ill, the son will suffer. According to medical records, some diseases will be inherited by children."

Lu Xi frowned and asked again: "If the man is fine but takes the medicine, will it harm the children?"

Doctor Wen was dumbfounded, thinking why would he need medicine if he was not sick, but he still replied respectfully: "As the saying goes, medicine is three parts poison. If you need to conceive, it is best not to use medicine."

Lu Xi raised his eyebrows. Surprisingly, what Ling Chuan said was right. He was a nerd, but he knew all this.

Doctor Wen was watching Lu Xi's uncertain face, and his heart was like a raging storm. His Majesty is not married yet, but he is asking about pregnancy and childbirth. Could it be that His Majesty is pregnant?

Or maybe the matter your majesty is asking about is related to the late emperor? The late emperor also gave birth to a prince after a long illness and taking medicine.

Either of these is a huge matter. Thinking of this, Doctor Wen broke out in a cold sweat. How could he be qualified to know such a private matter?

Fortunately, Lu Xi said calmly: "Thank you, Doctor Wen, for clearing up my doubts. You may leave now."

Doctor Wen immediately breathed a sigh of relief, but Lu Xi's next words made his heart beat up his throat again.

"If a third person knows what happened just now, I will kill all your clans."

"I dare not, I dare not."

Originally, Lu Xi had many questions to ask, but it was not appropriate to ask Doctor Wen. After thinking it over, he decided to ask Ling Chuan, as he seemed to know something about medicine.

Also, what exactly did that nerd mean by shorting grain prices?

Lu Xi's face turned serious: "The ninth day."

In a corner nearby, a female guard stepped out and bowed to Lu Xi: "Your Majesty."

"Prepare the car and go to Taoyuan in San Tiao Xiang."