I am Yuan Niaoniao

"My dear ministers, the current situation on the front line is urgent. I believe you all know that we have invested a lot of manpower, financial resources and material resources when we ended the war with Wu State, but now we have to go to war with Zhao State again, and the national financial pressure is huge! I called you here today in the hope that we can work together to discuss an effective way to solve the problem of supplying food and military pay to the front line." Han Junwu usually does not smile, but at this moment he rarely shows such a gentle expression. After hearing this, all the ministers looked at each other, and no one dared to speak easily for a while.

Prime Minister Jin was the first to step forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can impose more taxes on the people."

Han Junwu shook his head. "The endless wars have made the people panic. The Queen opened the national treasury to provide free medical treatment and porridge a few days ago. This move was to appease the people. If we impose more taxes at this time, wouldn't it make their lives even more difficult?"

Fu Guoduo stood up and suggested: "Your Majesty, why don't we cut the salaries of officials to save money."

"This won't work. The salaries of officials are not high to begin with. Besides, a drop in the bucket can't solve the urgent problem." Han Junwu denied it again.

At this time, the Minister of War spoke up: "Your Majesty, I have a plan, but I don't know whether I should tell you or not."

"Just say it." Han Junwu said.

"Your Majesty, we can encourage merchants to donate supplies and at the same time give them certain preferential policies, such as tax cuts, granting titles, etc." said the Minister of War.

Han Junwu's eyes lit up after hearing this, "This is a great plan! Let's encourage everyone across the country to donate supplies. Why don't you take the lead and set an example? Come, draft an edict and implement it immediately." In fact, he was waiting for this moment. He already knew what to do. The fastest way was to start with his loyal ministers, as they have a lot of benefits!

"I have another suggestion," Prime Minister Jin said, "Donating supplies is always a drop in the bucket. Why not borrow some grain?"

"Borrow grain?" Han Junwu was stunned. Yes, why didn't he think of this? "Then who does Prime Minister Jin think he can ask for the loan?"

"Our ally, the State of Yan, has Prince Yan Xun married into our marriage alliance. It shouldn't be difficult to borrow grain from him this time!" said Prime Minister Jin.

"Yan State," Han Junwu frowned. After all, when he asked for the princess' hand in marriage, he had perfunctorily given him the daughter of a minister. This might be a bit embarrassing.

Han Junwu was silent for a moment, then said, "I will consider Prime Minister Jin's suggestion. However, before borrowing grain, we still have to try our best to raise some supplies through donations. When you go back, my dear ministers, you must actively publicize this matter, let the merchants know about the country's difficulties, and strive to gain their support."

"Okay, in that case, I will set an example and donate 100 dan of grain and 500 taels of gold!" Prime Minister Jin said righteously. He knew that as the head of the ministers, he should take the lead, especially since the person who bravely killed the enemy on the front line was his beloved son-in-law! So he stood up without hesitation and expressed his willingness to do his best to support the country.

Seeing this, Fu Guoduo secretly complained in his heart, but he was too embarrassed to refuse. After all, Prime Minister Jin was so generous. If he was too stingy, wouldn't he be laughed at? Helplessly, he had to grit his teeth and said, "I am willing to donate 100 dan of grain and 100 taels of silver... Although I am not as rich as Prime Minister Jin, it is a token of my appreciation."

At this time, another minister stood up and said softly: "My ability is limited. I can only donate a mere 100 taels of silver. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me." After saying that, he lowered his head, seeming a little embarrassed. However, the people present did not despise him, but nodded in understanding - after all, everyone's family background is different, and it is not easy to do this.

"I will donate one hundred dan of grain and grass......"

Donations came one after another, and Han Junwu nodded with satisfaction.

After the court was dismissed, Han Junwu returned to the imperial study, thinking about whether to send an envoy to the State of Yan to borrow grain. He knew that this was not only related to the survival of the country, but also to the stability of his throne. If he went to borrow grain in a big way, Yan would inevitably raise the price, but if he sent someone to negotiate secretly, he would appear inferior. After thinking it over again and again, he decided to test Yan's attitude first. He then called the envoy, wrote a letter to borrow grain, and gave it to the envoy to set off immediately: "You must borrow the grain and grass back." Han Junwu almost gave a death order.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The envoy took the letter and felt tremendous pressure in his heart, but he could do nothing about it.

That night, Han Junwu ordered the Minister of Revenue to collect all the supplies and send them to the front line first, so as not to let the soldiers lose confidence. This way, he could buy some time to think of a solution.

Zhen Luoyi also knew that the national treasury was in deficit, so Han Junwu wanted to raise funds from the ministers to collect grain. When she thought that her free porridge and free medical treatment were the fuse of this incident, she became restless, fearing that Han Junwu would blame her. She also thought that if Yier was at the front line, the support from behind would not be able to keep up because of her, she would be even more anxious and would not be able to eat or sleep well. After thinking it over, she called Nanny Gui.

"What do you want me to do, Your Majesty?" Nanny Gui said respectfully while standing aside.

"Go and take out all the gold and silver notes in my storehouse." For Yier, she was willing to do anything.

"Yes." Although Gui Mama was a little surprised, she still followed the order and went to get the things. The small box was filled with silver bills, and the two boxes on the ground were filled with gold. These were all her belongings and her dowry. She had to pay for her own sins. She ordered someone to take these things and go to the imperial study with her.

"Your Majesty, the Empress is here." Wei Sheng reported in a low voice. At this moment, Han Junwu was in a rage, probably because of the Empress. He was a little nervous even when he was asked to report.

"Let her in." Han Junwu didn't want to see her. He felt annoyed when he thought that this bad thing was caused by Zhen Luoyi. But then he remembered that the Zhen family also had a lot of property, so he let her in.

"Yes." Wei Sheng breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Han Junwu was fine.

"Your Majesty, please punish me." Zhen Luoyi knelt on the ground as soon as she came in.

Han Junwu saw this and did not leave his seat at all. If it were in the past, he would have stepped forward to help Zhen Luoyi up, but now he just asked coldly without any emotion, "What does the queen mean? Get up quickly."

Zhen Luoyi insisted on kneeling and refused to stand up. "I am ashamed. I opened the warehouse to distribute grain and provided free medical treatment, which led to the current shortage of funds for the court. It also implicated His Royal Highness Prince Yi and many soldiers who were fighting for the country on the front line. Therefore, after thinking about it, I am willing to take out all my money to help the emperor. "Pointing to the two boxes of gold and one box of silver notes behind her, "These are my dowry. I am glad that I can help the emperor. I don't care."

Han Junwu glanced at the boxes on the ground. This was what he was waiting for Zhen Luoyi to say. Although the two boxes of gold were only enough for more than a month's military expenses, he pretended to be very touched and said, "The queen is thoughtful, but this money is just a drop in the bucket for the court." He knew that the dowry given by the Zhen family included a lot of precious jewelry and calligraphy and paintings, and those were truly valuable things.

Zhen Luoyi raised her head and looked at Han Junwu sincerely, "I know that this money is far from enough, but I will find a way."

Han Junwu nodded slightly to show his approval, "That's very good. However, the Queen doesn't have to worry too much, the court will find a way to solve it. You go back first, I still have some memorials to review." After that, he let Zhen Luoyi leave.

Zhen Luoyi had no choice but to leave first. Staying would not solve any problems: "I will take my leave first."

After Zhen Luoyi walked away, Han Junwu ordered his men to put these boxes of things into the national treasury.

At this time, a young eunuch shouted that something was wrong, and hurriedly walked to Wei Sheng's side, whispered a few words, and then hurried away, leaving Wei Sheng with a changed face, hesitating whether to report what he had just heard at this moment. After thinking about it, he decided to report it first, as Han Junwu would know it sooner or later. Then he entered the imperial study again.

"What's wrong?" Han Junwu asked without raising his head, his red pen still writing on the memorial. Hearing the footsteps approaching, he knew it was Wei Sheng, but he didn't stop what he was doing.

"Your Majesty..." Wei Sheng stood in front of the table, his voice trembling slightly, "Concubine Li...is missing."

Han Junwu raised his head suddenly, his eyes full of shock and disbelief. He stared at Wei Sheng and asked, "What did you say? Concubine Li is missing? How is this possible! Isn't she praying in Linghua Temple?"

Wei Sheng lowered his head, not daring to look Han Junwu in the face. A thin layer of sweat had already appeared on his forehead. He swallowed his saliva and said with difficulty: "Yes, Your Majesty. That's right, but when the accompanying palace servants didn't see Concubine Li for a few days, they reported it to the authorities! Officers and soldiers are already looking for Concubine Li!" It was the first time that Wei Sheng felt that it was so difficult to work for the emperor. He didn't dare to breathe.

"Pass the order down, dig three feet deep in the ground to find Concubine Li for me." It's been annoying enough recently, why do so many things happen, one after another.

"Yes." Wei Sheng left quickly, fearing that if he was a second late, Han Junwu would be the first to make fun of him.

......................

Compared with the chaos in the palace, there was laughter throughout Prince Chen's mansion. Chen Shaoyi did not have to go to court, and stayed in the mansion every day to accompany Yuan Niao Niao.

"When do you think he would ask us for help?" Yuan Niaoniao suddenly thought, "Han Junwu has already issued orders and mobilized ministers to donate supplies. He will come to us sooner or later."

"Then let him not have time to look for us, and make more trouble for him." Chen Shaoyi smiled and said, "I have sent people to the palace to spread the news. Soon Han Junwu will suspect that it was Zhen Luoyi who did it to Qi Zhiying. He also knows that Zhen Luoyi has always disliked Qi Zhiying."

"That's going to be a good show. The weather is getting a little cooler. How about we go out for a walk? I don't know why I feel like eating Nafuyuan's osmanthus cake." Yuan Niaoniao felt inexplicably greedy when she thought of the osmanthus cake that melted in her mouth.

"Okay, let's go." Chen Shaoyi immediately stood up and held Yuan Niao Niao's hand, "Ming Xiao, prepare the carriage."

"Well, there's no need for a carriage. Let's just walk around. The weather is so nice, it would be a waste to sit in a carriage." Yuan Niaoniao thought that it was a good opportunity to exercise her muscles.

"Okay, I'll listen to Niao Niao." Chen Shaoyi gently took Niao Niao's hand and took Ming Xiao and Dong Xue out.

Dongxue held an exquisite paper umbrella and followed Yuan Niao Niao carefully.

She said softly, "Princess, if you feel a little stuffy and uncomfortable, you must tell me."

Yuan Niao Niao smiled slightly and responded in a relaxed tone: "Don't worry, Dongxue. The weather today is cool and pleasant, and there is no feeling of dryness and heat. And the sun is not scorching, so there is no need to use an umbrella to block the sun. Your princess will not be exposed to the sun."

Yuan Niaoniao couldn't help but make a few teasing remarks, which made Dongxue laugh out loud.

Dongxue looked up at the sky. It was indeed as the princess said. The weather was sunny and cloudy, and the sunlight was soft and not glaring. So she folded the paper umbrella in her hand with confidence and nodded in agreement: "Okay, princess."

The group chatted and laughed along the way, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. However, at this moment, a loud noise broke the silence. They looked in the direction of the sound and saw three or five figures gathered together not far away, seemingly arguing about something.

When he got closer, he saw a ragged beggar lying on the ground, surrounded by several fierce men. One of the men angrily cursed at the beggar: "You damn beggar, how dare you dirty my clothes! I will never let you go easily!" Before he finished speaking, he kicked the beggar on the ground, followed by several more kicks. After venting his anger, the man felt that he was still not satisfied, so he spit at the beggar fiercely, and then stopped.