I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

"The 100,000 troops under the command of the Prince of Liang are undoubtedly a threat to the imperial court. I want to weaken his military power. Do you have any good ideas?"

Chen Qingyun was quite worried about this matter today. The government affairs she had to deal with on a daily basis already made her physically and mentally exhausted.

"Your Majesty, we must not weaken the military power of Prince Liang now."

Jiang Zuo said.

"Why?"

Chen Qingyun was puzzled.

Jiang Zuo said: "If we want to reduce the military power at this time, it will arouse the suspicion of the Fourteenth Prince and even cause a mutiny. I suggest that we should continue to send troops to the northwest, but we need to send a capable person to suppress the limelight of the Prince of Liang."

"I have thought about this, but I am afraid that the people I send will not be able to suppress King Liang." Chen Qingyun said.

Before this, Chen Qingyun had already sent Thousand Cavalry Division to monitor King Liang and observe changes in the situation in the northwest at any time.

"So your majesty must send someone who has prestige, ability, and the ability to convince the public."

Jiang Zuo suggested.

"so?"

Chen Qingyun said, and then her eyes couldn't help but stay on Jiang Zuo.

Jiang Zuo quickly said in a declining tone: "Your Majesty, why are you looking at me? I am not recommending myself, please don't misunderstand me."

Chen Qingyun said: "Of course it won't be you."

After all, Jiang Zuo had just returned to the capital a few days ago, and Chen Qingyun was reluctant to let him leave. Moreover, the court now had many government affairs to deal with, and still needed Jiang Zuo's assistance.

"Your Majesty, why don't you let me go?"

Chen Xiu volunteered.

Firstly, Chen Xiu was the elder brother of the King of Liang and was superior to him in terms of seniority. Secondly, Chen Xiu had just been one of the generals who had led the southern expedition to destroy the State of Chen and had military merits, so the Yan soldiers had to submit to him.

From this point of view, Chen Xiu is indeed the most suitable candidate.

"The conditions in the northwest are difficult. Are you sure you want to go?" Chen Qingyun asked.

Compared to Jiangzuo, Chen Xiu is indeed more suitable, but he is also the one the empress trusts the most. The situation in the northwest is unpredictable, and I am afraid that Chen Xiu alone cannot handle it.

Chen Xiu said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will definitely handle the situation in the northwest."

Chen Qingyun nodded slightly: "Okay then."

Chen Qingyun also felt reassured about Chen Xiu.

The Ninth Prince is still young, perhaps these things can hone him better.

"So, are we sending out troops this time to wipe out the Uighur Kingdom in one fell swoop?" Chen Xiu asked again.

"I have the same idea. Now that the north and the south are unified, the court has much more money to spend. The national treasury is almost empty and can no longer support a new war." Chen Qingyun said.

"I will find a way to increase taxes for the court."

Jiang Zuo leaned forward and said.

"I heard that Jiang Zuo, you made a lot of money when you were in the South Country, right?"

Chen Qingyun suddenly spoke in a low voice.

Hearing this, Jiang Zuo suddenly became energetic.

Starting to take private money so soon?!

Jiang Zuo was shocked. A man who loved money like his life, he was unwilling to tell the truth even to his lover.

If he gave all the money to the court, then all his work these days would be in vain.

"Your Majesty, where did you hear the news? I didn't make any money. I even spent a lot of money to appease the forces of the State of Chen. If the emperor doesn't believe it, you can ask Master Jiu."

Jiang Zuo kept making excuses.

Chen Xiu couldn't help but look at Jiang Zuo and almost told the truth.

Big money? Jiang Zuo had clearly earned several million taels in Jiangzhou City, which made Chen Xiu quite envious.

Now look what happened. You actually deceived the emperor in person.

Chen Xiu avoided his gaze, but it was not easy to expose Jiang Zuo directly, so he said: "Your Majesty, I will withdraw first, go back and make preparations, and set out to the northwest in two days."

"Be careful with everything."

Chen Qingyun instructed.

"Master Jiu, take care."

Jiangzuo also said.

Chen Xiu bowed and glanced at Jiang Zuo again. After calming down his inner surprise, he slowly turned around and left.

At this moment, only Chen Qingyun and Jiang Zuo were left in the Imperial Garden.

"Let's continue our conversation in the imperial study."

Chen Qingyun said calmly that she was worried that Jiang Zuo would start to behave improperly again and it would be bad if the other servants saw it.

Jiang Zuo followed Chen Qingyun closely and came to the imperial study.

After the door was closed, Jiang Zuo walked to Chen Qingyun and gently rubbed the empress's head.

Chen Qingyun closed his eyes and continued, "I heard that during the time you went south, you made nearly 10 million taels. So, you, Jiang Zuo, should be the richest person in Yan State, even richer than the imperial court."

"Rumors, these are all rumors. Your Majesty, please do not believe them. If I were really so rich, I would have enjoyed my life long ago." Jiang Zuo defended again.

"Haven't you always wanted to go to the South and become a rich man?"

Chen Qingyun smiled calmly.

Of course, in order to keep Jiang Zuo, Chen Qingyun tried every possible means, for fear that Jiang Zuo would really escape.

Jiang Zuo couldn't hold it back any longer, and smiled slightly, saying, "For Siyue, how could I bear to leave?"

"Then for me, can you spare some of your wealth to help the court overcome the difficulties?"

Chen Qingyun continued speaking.

It seems that it will be difficult for Jiang Zuo to avoid bleeding today.

"A few months ago in Anding County, didn't the imperial court forcefully take one million taels from me? That's enough, right?" Jiang Zuo still refused to give in.

"One million taels is not enough. Don't worry, just think of it as a loan from the court. We will return it to you sooner or later." Chen Qingyun said.

"As long as it's lent to Siyue, it's okay if you don't return it." Jiang Zuo joked.

Chen Qingyun said: "Just speak casually, and tell the truth in every word."

"How about this, I want to open a few stores in the capital recently, sell the goods there and earn some money. If Your Majesty is willing to invest, how about we split the money we earn 70% to 30%?"

Jiang Zuo came up with this brilliant idea, which not only saved him money from his own pocket but also allowed him to attract the emperor's investment.

"That's fine." Chen Qingyun nodded.

Previously in Anding County, she had already seen the good things in Jiang Zuo's hands. She knew that these things were very popular and the profits were quite considerable. If she could continue to do this for a long time, it would indeed bring a lot of income to the court.

In Chen Qingyun's opinion, Jiang Zuo must be no longer short of money now, so it would not be a bad idea to take out some of the money to fill the vacancies in the court.

"It's just a 70% split, so the court only gets 70%?"

Chen Qingyun said.

"Your Majesty, 70% is mine!"

Jiang Zuo said excitedly.

"Fifty-fifty split is fine, right?"

Facing this empress, Jiang Zuo really had no way out.

"Fifty-fifty split. How much can your store earn in a month?" Chen Qingyun began to calculate.

Jiang Zuo thought for a moment and said, "It depends on the situation. When I was in Chen State, I could earn hundreds of thousands of taels a month."

"Hundreds of thousands?"

Chen Qingyun suddenly opened his eyes.

This sum of money is very important to the imperial court.

You know, before meeting Jiangzuo, the court's monthly tax revenue might not even reach this figure.

If Jiang Zuo could really use this method to earn money for the imperial treasury, Chen Qingyun really wouldn't mind Jiang Zuo making more money...