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"Your Majesty, this is my first time in the palace since I was ten years old. It is impossible for me to order people around. You can check this thoroughly."

After hearing this, the emperor's eyes flashed with a complex expression, with both inquiry and a hint of doubt. He slowly stood up, walked in front of Gu Zhiyi, smiled slightly, and said, "Madam Gu, you are indeed a smart person. In this case, I am relieved. I will personally inquire about today's matter."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, but a trace of barely perceptible worry flashed in her eyes. She knew what the emperor meant by this. She took a deep breath and tried to make herself look more calm: "Your Majesty, since you have understood, I am relieved. However, I still have one more thing to ask of you."

The emperor nodded slightly, indicating that she should continue.

"I have heard that the palace has been spending a lot in recent years and people's lives have become increasingly difficult. I would like to ask Your Majesty to increase revenue and reduce expenditure to ease the burden on the people." Gu Zhiyi said slowly, with a firm look in her eyes.

The emperor was silent for a moment, with a hint of admiration in his eyes. He had not expected that Gu Zhiyi would care about state affairs and dare to speak out. He looked at Gu Zhiyi and smiled softly: "Madam Gu, you are really surprising. Since you have made this suggestion, I will listen to your opinion."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I think there are two ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. One is to cut redundant staff and reduce unnecessary expenses; the other is to increase revenue, such as expanding territory and increasing treasury revenue."

After hearing this, the emperor's eyes flashed with thought. He looked at Gu Zhiyi and said, "Madam, I agree with both of your points. But how do you think we can achieve these two points?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, regarding the reduction of redundant staff, I think we can start from the following aspects: first, strictly investigate the performance of officials and dismiss those who are incompetent; second, reduce the salaries of officials and reduce expenses; third, simplify the official system and reduce the number of officials."

After hearing this, the emperor nodded slightly and said, "Madam, what you said makes a lot of sense. What do you think about open source?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, we can start from the following aspects to increase revenue: first, strengthen border defense, prevent foreign invasion, and ensure national security; second, develop agriculture, increase food production, and stabilize the domestic economy; third, encourage merchants to trade and increase tax revenue."

After hearing this, the emperor's eyes flashed with appreciation. He looked at Gu Zhiyi and said, "Madam, I fully agree with all the suggestions you made. It seems that you are not only a smart person, but also a visionary person."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

At this time, the emperor suddenly changed the subject and said, "Madam, you just mentioned developing agriculture and increasing grain production. I think this is a good suggestion. But you know, our country has fertile land, but there are still many places with low production. How do you think we can increase the production in these places?"

Gu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think that to increase grain production, we can start from the following aspects: first, improve agricultural technology and increase farming efficiency; second, promote improved varieties and increase crop yields; third, strengthen water conservancy construction and ensure agricultural water use."

After hearing this, the emperor's eyes flashed with joy. He looked at Gu Zhiyi and said, "Madam, I think the suggestions you put forward are very feasible. It seems that our country's agriculture is expected to achieve greater development under your suggestions."

At this time, the eunuch from the palace hurried in and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother invites you to come over."

The emperor nodded gently and said to Gu Zhiyi: "Madam, I have benefited a lot from talking with you today. You go back and rest first. I will summon you to the palace to discuss state affairs in a few days."

Gu Zhiyi bowed slightly and said, "I obey your command and wish your majesty good health."

The emperor nodded slightly and turned to leave.

……

The emperor frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and then he regained his calm.

The emperor said in a deep voice: "Madam, you are too kind. I naturally believe that you will not do such a thing. It's just that the palace has strict rules. Madam, this is your first time entering the palace today, so you may not be used to it."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a hint of sarcasm in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I am used to following the rules, but today's matter is beyond my control. Since Your Majesty is so concerned about this matter, I will tell you from the beginning."

The emperor nodded slightly, signaling her to continue. Gu Zhiyi gently adjusted her clothes and slowly said:

"Your Majesty, when I received the imperial edict that day and learned that I was to enter the palace to pay my respects, I was filled with joy. However, after entering the palace, I found that everything was not as wonderful as I had imagined. Although there were many people in the palace, they all treated me coldly, as if I were an alien. I know very well that all this is because I am from the Xie Mansion, and the Xie Mansion has always had a grudge against Your Majesty."

The emperor's expression changed slightly, and a complicated look flashed in his eyes, but he soon regained his composure: "Madam, you misunderstood. I have no ill will towards the Xie family, but there are some old things that I can't forget."

Gu Zhiyi sighed softly and said, "Your Majesty, I understand that the past is like smoke, and Your Majesty cannot easily forget it. But I came to the palace today not for the past, but to clarify the misunderstanding."

The emperor nodded slightly, indicating that she should continue.

Gu Zhiyi said: "Your Majesty, after entering the palace, I found that the people in the palace treated me very badly. Not only was the food rough, but even the accommodation was very simple. I was confused and asked the palace maids, but they told me that it was an imperial decree."

The emperor's expression became serious, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "Madam, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If anyone dares to falsely convey the imperial edict, I will not let him off easily."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a trace of gratitude in her eyes: "Your Majesty is wise. I did encounter many unfair things when I entered the palace today. But I am not afraid, because I know that Your Majesty will definitely make the decision for me."

The emperor's eyes were soft and gentle. He looked at Gu Zhiyi and couldn't help thinking of the Xie Mansion back then. He said softly, "Madam, you are a smart woman. I believe you can handle these things. However, the affairs in the palace are complicated. You need to be careful."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely keep it in mind."

The emperor asked, "Madam, do you know why I summoned you to the palace?"

Gu Zhiyi shook her head gently: "I don't know, but I am willing to listen to your majesty's arrangements."

The emperor smiled slightly, with a hint of appreciation in his eyes: "The reason why I summoned you to the palace is because I am impressed by your talent. I hope that you can become my assistant and help me deal with some difficult matters."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with surprise, but she quickly regained her composure: "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you."

The emperor patted Gu Zhiyi's shoulder gently, his eyes full of expectation: "Okay, I look forward to your performance."