Harem Daily Life

Isn't it said that father and son are connected by heart?

After the news of the Zhou army's defeat of the Yan army spread, Ningyuan Hou, who hid his identity and disguised himself as a medicinal material buyer, immediately wrote two letters. One was to his son Gu Yi, asking him to reorganize the army and be ready to capture the Yan city at any time.

Another letter was written to the emperor, telling him about his discovery of a gold mine in Yanyun Mountain, and suggesting that the Great Zhou army take advantage of the situation to continue northward, capture Wuya City, and incorporate Yanyun Mountain into the territory of the Great Zhou.

Gu Yi and Ning Yuanhou both sent the letter to the capital on the same day.

The roads were covered with thick snow and the biting cold wind was unbearable. However, the messengers did not flinch. They rode their horses and galloped through the wind and snow.

Two horses galloped on the snow, and the snowflakes raised by their hooves danced in the air, as if they had merged into this cold world.

In the imperial study, He Linzhang had just finished reviewing all the memorials when he heard Zhang Fuhai report that the Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue wanted to see him.

The only thing that could have brought the two of them together was the war with Yan State.

"Your Majesty, General Gu has sent a victory report. The Great Zhou has won. More than 60,000 Yan troops have been annihilated and more than 30,000 have been captured. General Gu requests permission to continue advancing north and directly attack the Yan State's Wuya City." The Minister of War reported, his face full of excitement.

He Linzhang took a look at the military newspaper, and a feeling of joy surged from the bottom of his heart, and he could not hide his excitement.

"Great, great! General Gu and General Duan are really great!" After saying that, he looked at the Minister of Revenue and asked, "What does the Ministry of Revenue think about continuing the attack?"

What else could we think of? We just had to gather food and silver and fight.

However, it was the New Year holiday, and expenses were aplenty. The Minister of Revenue considered the matter for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, we've lost countless silver and money over the past six months, and our food and fodder expenditures have already reached over 50,000 taels. If we continue to fight the State of Yan, I'm afraid all the newly harvested grain will have to be given away... I think it would be better to negotiate a peace with the State of Yan and have them pay a ransom to make up for the losses from the war. Regarding the attack on Wuya City..."

The Minister of Revenue looked at the emperor's displeased expression and dared not say anything more.

In fact, he had said almost everything he meant. If he advocated peace talks, he would not fight.

The Minister of War snorted lightly and said, "Why should the Yan State fight whenever it wants and negotiate peace whenever it wants after losing? I actually think that since our army's morale is high, we should attack Wuya City directly and teach the Yan State a lesson."

The Minister of Revenue said in embarrassment: "But the military pay and food... Lord Li, you want to fight, but you also have to consider where the money will come from and where the food will come from!"

The Minister of War frowned and was speechless for a moment.

He Linzhang thought for a moment and said, "Neither you nor I know the situation on the border, but since General Gu and General Duan are confident that they can continue the fight, I think we should listen to them."

In fact, there was another reason, that is, He Linzhang received a letter from Ningyuan Hou and learned about the gold mine hidden in Yanyun Mountain.

That’s a gold mine, a treasure trove even more valuable than hidden treasure!

He Linzhang is determined to take over Yanyun Mountain!

As for the silver, He Linzhang said, "Other expenses can be a little more frugal, and as much food as possible should be sent. Convey my order and have General Gu and General Duan fight swiftly and capture Wuya City as soon as possible."

The emperor had made the final decision, and the Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue only had to carry it out.

The previous dynasty learned that Great Zhou was planning to continue fighting the Yan State. Although there were some voices of opposition, nothing could be done to change it. The Ministry of Works temporarily suspended some projects that could be postponed to save money.

Upon hearing the news, Xianfei of the harem looked at the list of expenses for the New Year and crossed out a few items. However, these expenses had been necessary in previous years, and if she rashly crossed them out, she was worried about causing unnecessary speculation. Undecided, Xianfei packed up and went to Changle Palace.

Tao Yanyan was about to give birth at any time, and she had been feeling a little tired these past few days. When she saw Concubine Xian coming to ask for instructions, she looked at the list and calculated that even if she reduced the amount further, it would only be 10,000 taels of silver.

Tao Yanyan also knew that the Great Zhou was going to send more troops. She thought for a moment and said, "Our army has won a great victory. We should celebrate. There's no need to reduce these items. Let everyone have a happy new year."

Xian Fei said, "How about organizing a donation to show your appreciation?"

If we do nothing and just enjoy the offerings from the people, it seems a bit too much.

Tao Yanyan thought about it and decided that since she was letting Concubine Xian manage the harem, she should give some support to her good suggestions. So she smiled and said, "Okay, then let's organize a donation. You will be the one to raise the funds, and I will donate 20,000 taels."

After saying that, he motioned Qingfeng to get the banknotes.

Xian Fei hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is truly generous. Under your leadership, the harem will surely be able to raise tens of thousands of taels of silver for Your Majesty."

After receiving the banknotes, Xian Fei happily left. Ming Yue looked at the Queen reclining on the couch and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you take this matter over? If Xian Fei does it, all the good reputation will belong to her."

Tao Yanyan touched her big belly and said, "Nothing is more important now than the safe birth of this baby in my belly. I won't worry about it anymore. Let her do it. She was the one who came up with the idea and did the work. It doesn't hurt to give her a good reputation."

Mingyue could only sigh slightly. Who made her own queen such a non-competitive person?

In the end, the harem raised a total of 70,000 taels of silver, of which the Queen took 20,000 taels alone, and Concubine Xian sent all the banknotes to the Imperial Study.

He Linzhang was deeply moved and rewarded Concubine Xian with an antique vase and a painting by a famous calligrapher, praising her highly.

At night, He Linzhang returned to Changle Palace very late, but Tao Yanyan had not fallen asleep yet because her back and waist ached no matter how she lay down because the baby was too old.

He Linzhang saw how uncomfortable she was and rubbed her waist distressedly: "After this baby is born, we will never have another one. I don't want you to go through the pain of pregnancy again."

Tao Yanyan is still very young, only twenty-three years old. If she were in modern times, she wouldn't even have a boyfriend, let alone get married and have children.

She smiled and touched the little feet that were bulging out of her belly. The little feet seemed to feel it and gently retracted.

"Let nature take its course. I am still young, and Your Majesty is in his prime. There is no need to interfere." Ancient contraceptive drugs also had side effects, and there was no IUD or ligation. Tao Yanyan did not want to take the bitter contraceptive drug and harm her body.

He Linzhang didn't say anything, but just hugged her tighter.

"By the way, Your Majesty, I have already sent General Manager Li to collect grain from other places. The grain collected can be directly transported to the border. Is it enough to prepare two more months of food? Once we start farming in the spring, we can gradually distribute the stored grain."

Tao Yanyan always prepares for any eventuality. The imperial granary always has three months' worth of reserve grain stored in it, and she won't use it unless new grain arrives.

He Linzhang was very pleased that she had been supporting him all along. He kissed her forehead and said, "You are very thoughtful. Two months should be enough. Besides, the Ministry of Revenue is also preparing. Don't worry about these things. Just focus on preparing for the birth."

The two of them slept in each other's arms. In the middle of the night, Tao Yanyan felt a warm current flowing out from under her body, which woke her up immediately. Realizing that her amniotic fluid had broken, Tao Yanyan hurriedly asked He Linzhang to get up.

He Linzhang was woken up from his drowsy sleep. When he heard her say that she was about to give birth, he woke up instantly: "Come here, come here quickly, call the imperial physician, call the midwife!"

In the middle of the night, Changle Palace was suddenly brightly lit.