It's not scary to travel through a book, you can change your fate as a cannon fodder by yoursel

The crops here are growing well, and the results of the autumn examination are out. Tian Runze ranked third in the provincial examination, and Ouyang Hua actually made the list at the bottom of the list.

Many people may struggle all their lives but still fail to pass the imperial examination, but the two of them became juren just after they came of age, which is a great event that should be celebrated.

Gifts are indispensable for a happy occasion. Weng Xiaoxiao gave Ouyang Hua a toy warship of a new design, while Tian Runze was more practical and only gave sixty taels of silver.

After the Double Ninth Festival, the two of them went to Beijing together.

Ouyang Huaneng was overjoyed to pass the imperial examination, but he didn't even dare to think about becoming a Jinshi. He just took the opportunity to go out and have some fun.

Tian Runze's future lies on the road to imperial examinations. The good ranking makes him full of confidence and high spirits, and he no longer cares about the marriage arranged by his family.

......

"Minister Cui, what does the Ministry of War think of General Yang's request?"

Cui Ming stood out from the line, still pondering the emperor's intentions in his mind. It was reasonable to ask the Ministry of War about military matters, but he always felt that the emperor had hidden meanings.

The battle report from the Northwest has not arrived yet!

"General Yang has driven out the barbarians and enhanced the prestige of our Qin Empire, and his contribution is great. However, the army has been fighting for a long time and is exhausted. It would be safer to rest before heading to the northwest. Moreover, it is not a small matter to allocate 100,000 Mobei troops, and we have to choose a suitable person to take over."

The emperor nodded. This reason was very plausible and there was no flaw at all!

"Hasn't there been any war reports from the northwest yet?"

Your Majesty knows better than anyone whether there is any or not! Even if there is no war report, you have the eyes and ears of the Jinyiwei, and you are more informed than anyone else. But these words can only be criticized in the heart, and none of the smart people standing in the court will say it, and no one dares to speak their mind.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has not yet received the Northwest War Report."

It is an indisputable fact that the old marquis is no match for King Tuo. The northwest battlefield needs Yang Shuo to rush in for support. However, the three generals of the Yang family are now in the army, which is too many!

After pondering for a moment, the emperor slowly spoke: "General Yang is willing to go to the northwest regardless of his own safety. His request has been approved. However, many matters must be arranged before the troops are transferred. The Ministry of War should draw up a charter, and military affairs should be handled urgently."

"I obey your order." Cui Ming stood up and returned to the queue.

"My dear ministers, do you have anything else to report?"

"Your Highness, I have something to report."

The emperor looked up at the Minister of Revenue and asked impatiently, "Lord Chu, what's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, this summer, floods in the south of the Yangtze River affected fourteen counties in three provinces. The autumn crops in these areas were almost completely destroyed. This year's tax collection is difficult, and it is estimated that it can only reach half of previous years."

The person in charge of money told me that the income was reduced, which was not pleasant news at all. "Your Ministry of Revenue should draw up a proposal. No matter how we raise funds, the military supplies in the northwest cannot be short of money."

Chu Jin prostrated himself on the ground, "Your Majesty, I have calculated it many times. No matter how we deploy it, we are still short of 500,000 taels. Without this 500,000 taels, we cannot even guarantee cotton clothes for the soldiers in the northwest."

A surge of evil fire suddenly arose in the emperor, and he slammed the imperial desk hard.

The king was showing off his power, and it was all because of the incompetence of his ministers. All the ministers knelt down behind Chu Jin and apologized in unison.

Can you be punished by asking for forgiveness? Of course not!

At no time can we allow our loyal ministers to become alienated from us, especially now.

During the reign of the late emperor, the country was peaceful and the people were safe. Since he ascended the throne, he has followed the rules and worked diligently. He dare not say that he is a wise ruler, but he has never done anything arbitrary.

In addition to being diligent, he also wanted to make a difference, but the reduction of the feudal lords was blocked, his brothers rebelled, and this year there were disasters one after another, and the treasury was empty. Sitting in this supreme position is like walking on thin ice, like facing the abyss, and there is not a single day that is comfortable.

But he is the orthodox one, the emperor appointed by heaven.

What is the traitor King Tuo! A bastard dares to compete with him, and he will not even be allowed to enter the imperial mausoleum after his death.

He reached out and touched the seal on the imperial desk, looked around, and then slowly said, "Everyone, get up. The renovation of the Royal Xiangguo Temple will be suspended, and the expenses of the harem will be reduced by half. Except for major festivals, all kinds of banquets in the palace will be suspended. These expenses will be cut directly and no need to be allocated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

"Your Majesty, have mercy."

"Your Majesty is virtuous."

kindness?

Virtuous?

I cut back on spending, and you have to bleed too.

"I have done my best. The rest depends on you to figure out a solution."

"I am stupid and dull, Your Majesty, please show me a clear way." In the end, the task of raising money still fell on him. The miscellaneous money the emperor mentioned could only amount to tens of thousands of taels after saving. What should he do with the remaining gap?

You can't offend all your colleagues just for work.

To wear this official uniform, even if it means offending someone, you need an imperial decree to do it! At this moment, he envied the old minister who was about to retire and return home. Originally, he should have taken responsibility for this matter, but he avoided it because of his poor health.

If he wants to take over the position of Shangshu smoothly, he must do this job well, at least to satisfy the emperor.

"Go back and draft a proposal first, and I will approve it. Now let's adjourn the court." After the emperor said this, he stood up and left.

All the ministers stood up and looked at Chu Jin, who was still kneeling on the ground, with a little sympathy, but they had no intention of stopping.

......

The green mountains in the distance are still lush and green, but the tops of the mountains have been dyed a faint red by the autumn frost, which is poetic and picturesque.

The farms in Maoxian also planted late rice, and the only products produced were some chickens and ducks raised on the tea mountains. Pigs and sheep could not be slaughtered until the end of the year. The income was not huge and was barely enough to make ends meet.

The lotus pods have been harvested and are still being dried in the sun; the lotus leaves can be harvested at any time, and both the fresh and dried leaves have been sold for some money; the lotus root nodes will not be harvested until October.

"There are no idle people on the farm, and no one has starved to death due to disasters. It's all thanks to the good fortune of the boss." Han Dong complimented sincerely.

When the flood came, Han Dong effectively organized the villagers to evacuate and cooperated well with Zhou Zheng. He contributed to the peace of Zhuangzi.

Weng Xiaoxiao was very satisfied with his performance. "How is the old man?"

"My father is in good health, but he is old after all. He sprained his back when he was fleeing, and now he has difficulty walking."

Weng Xiaoxiao nodded, "It's not easy for the elderly, take good care of them. The farm work depends on you, make sure you harvest every grain of rice."

The village here is relatively independent and far away from the surrounding villagers. As long as there is food, there is no need to worry about being targeted, and it is safe.

Han Dong cupped his hands and said, "Yes, we dare not waste any of these life-saving food."

"Have you explored the market for lotus roots?"

Zhou Zheng stepped forward and said, "We sent someone to the county town to ask, and only two or three big restaurants will accept it."

"Got it. I'll ask Pei Jun to keep an eye on the sales in Yangzhou."

Hungry and cold, the winter of famine is not easy! Hard times are still ahead.