Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan couldn't believe her ears! She pinched her thigh hard, and the intense pain made her despair - this was not a dream! She really heard Qingfeng's words!

She fell down with a cry and covered her head with the quilt.

Social death, absolute social death! With so many concubines, so many court officials, and the Yan State envoys all here, his reputation is completely ruined!

Qingfeng touched his nose, walked forward and gently pulled the quilt: "Your Majesty, maybe after a few days, everyone will forget about it. I have already asked for leave for you in Fengyi Palace, so you can stay in our palace with peace of mind."

Tao Yanyan regrets it so much now. He shouldn't have drunk that glass of wine just to save his face. Now he has lost all his face!

In the Qinzheng Hall, He Linzhang attended court as usual today. The court officials who attended the palace banquet last night couldn't help but look at his face, the more they looked, the funnier they found it.

Who could believe that their majestic and inviolable Majesty was hugged tightly by Concubine Tao last night and called "young master", "little brother", "flower thief". His Majesty did not even throw her away, but was kissed several times by Concubine Tao in front of everyone.

Concubine Tao is so majestic! I didn't expect that such a soft and cute concubine could make His Majesty obey. Well, after all, she is young, and these nicknames are all very well-known. Well, you young people are good at playing.

He Linzhang felt the gazes of the court officials, remembered the bitten wound on his lip, and the kitten that whined and bit people. He pretended to be calm on his face, but sighed in his heart.

"My dear ministers, do you have anything else to discuss?" Everyone was very silent today. If there was nothing else to discuss, he would adjourn the court and go to Changle Palace to see the beauty.

The Minister of War stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report. This time our army went to the Kingdom of Yan and spent a lot of money. The pensions for the dead and wounded soldiers totaled more than 46,000 taels. We still need the Ministry of Revenue to raise funds and pay them out as soon as possible."

Thinking of the soldiers who died in the war, He Linzhang felt very uncomfortable and looked at the Minister of Revenue.

The Minister of Revenue frowned and stepped out: "Your Majesty, the amount of the pension has been checked with the Ministry of War. The amount is correct, but... there is not enough silver in the account of the Ministry of Revenue at present. If it is paid out all at once, I am afraid that if there are further places that need silver, it will be... stretched. I am really in a dilemma, please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

He Linzhang said unhappily, "The Ministry of Revenue is short of silver every year, but they cry poor when they need silver." After saying that, he was silent for a moment. He remembered what the concubine said, that there were still 120,000 taels of silver in the imperial estate account, so he wanted to borrow it first to pay the soldiers' pensions.

"I will find a way to get the silver. Let's start with my private treasury. Fortunately, the imperial income has increased a lot this year, otherwise, I, as an emperor, would have to be an emperor in debt." He Linzhang glanced at Tao Qian. Since Tao Qian was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Revenue has also increased a lot of revenue. These two father and daughter, one helping him manage the national treasury, and the other helping him manage the imperial property, have really put in a lot of effort.

Thinking that the Minister of Works was already old and had submitted a letter to retire, He Linzhang thought that Tao Qian could also be promoted to the Ministry of Works to try his luck.

However, this matter is not urgent. The most urgent task right now is to raise money and distribute the pensions to the soldiers first.

The Minister of War was relieved to see that the money had been secured, and he replied, "Your Majesty, although winter clothes were issued last year, some of them were purchased 70% to 80% new. After wearing them for a season, they have become old clothes this year. I hope the Ministry of Revenue can prepare this year's winter clothes as soon as possible, so as to avoid the same rush as last year."

The Minister of Revenue did not frown this time. He even stepped out excitedly and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is already being prepared. The Ministry of Revenue will continue to use the same method as last year to purchase 70% new winter clothes from merchants and the public. In addition, the clothing workshops in the imperial farm are already rushing to make winter clothes. The first batch is expected to be 20,000 pieces. The contract has been signed and the goods will be delivered by the end of October."

He Linzhang was very pleased. Several new workshops were built this year thanks to Yan Yan's suggestion. The concubine was as anxious as he was and had thought of all these things in advance.

His heart softened and he looked at Tao Qian with even more favor.

Later, they discussed other matters one after another. He Linzhang finally said, "At the palace banquet last night, the Yan State delegation expressed their gratitude to the Great Zhou for sending troops to help. I also proposed that they could give gold and silver as a thank you. We need to send someone to follow up on this matter. Who among you is willing to negotiate with the Yan State to make this happen?"

He Linzhang looked at the court officials and saw that as soon as he finished speaking, they all shrank their heads like quails.

He narrowed his eyes and said, "What? Is there no one to share my worries? Ministry of Rites?"

When the emperor called his name, the Minister of Rites immediately stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I have many things to do as the reception officer. As for matters involving money, I think... the Ministry of War is more suitable."

The Minister of War hastily declined, saying, "Your Majesty, I have a hot temper. If we get into a fight, it will really damage the reputation of the Great Zhou. As for the matter of silver, I think the Ministry of Revenue has more experience."

The Minister of Revenue was so angry when he heard the two old men digging a hole for him that he stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue is really busy all year round. There are taxes, revenue increases, and official assessments. We also have to help the Ministry of War raise money and prepare winter clothes. We are really too busy. Moreover, I am not a good negotiator. I hope Your Majesty will choose someone more capable."

No one was willing to take on this responsibility, and He Linzhang was furious. At this time, Ningyuan Hou stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, since Yan State is willing to express gratitude and has agreed to express gratitude in gold and silver, this matter has actually been mostly settled. The remaining matter is nothing more than confirming the quantity and handover through negotiation. I am willing to go on your behalf and make this happen with Yan State as soon as possible."

Everyone thought they were hallucinating. Ning Yuanhou was actually willing to go? Ning Yuanhou probably didn't know that the most difficult thing in negotiations between two countries has always been this kind of money debt. If it's too much, it will hurt the relationship, and if it's too little, it will be unacceptable. If the other party is more generous, it will be fine. If the other party is also the kind of person who cares about every little thing, I'm afraid they will be so angry that their lungs will explode, and both sides will suffer in the end.

This is a thankless job, and everyone is waiting to see Ning Yuanhou make a fool of himself.

He Linzhang said happily: "Okay, then let Marquis Gu handle this matter. If you have any questions, you can come to me directly to discuss it."

Ningyuan Hou agreed. He was certainly not crazy to take on this hot potato. The main reason was that the Yan State delegation had set their sights on the emperor last night, which made him very unhappy.

Thinking of his dear niece who helped His Majesty to pacify the Demon Sect, and did not ask for His Majesty's reward, why should Yan State, which accepted the help of the Great Zhou, ask His Majesty to depose the queen and marry their second-married queen? Ningyuan Hou must make them recover their losses and make up for the losses of the Great Zhou's troops!