No, I was just a concubine, how did I become the queen?

The whole day was spent arguing and nothing was done.

He would rather go to the farm and grow sweet potatoes!

If someone comes to him again, the Fourth Master will not show up.

Anyway, when he has a cold face, he is still quite intimidating and no one dares to make trouble for him.

But it’s not a big deal to just stay here and read books every day.

That day, someone came to report that envoys from Goryeo (the name had been changed at this time, but the term Goryeo was still used) had come to pay tribute.

"Tribute?" The Fourth Master frowned.

The Qing Dynasty's prestige spread far and wide, and many vassal states vied to pay tribute.

In order to demonstrate the majesty of the Celestial Empire, the Qing Dynasty not only served the envoys from the vassal states that came to pay tribute well, but also implemented the policy of "giving more and receiving less".

Just like how rich people treat their poor relatives, they often come with two bags of local specialties and take back a lot of famous cigarettes and liquors.

In this way, wouldn’t the enthusiasm of the vassal states to come and pay tribute increase?

This back and forth can not only show their loyalty but also prevent the suzerain country from attacking them.

You can also make a lot of money, enriching the national treasury and your own coffers.

Isn't this just a matter of sending a few people over to kneel down and say some nice words?

Only a fool would not do this!

So these vassal states saw it as profitable and came to pay homage more and more frequently, sometimes four or five times a year.

Sometimes, while one group of envoys was still on their way back, the next group of envoys set off.

No matter how rich the Qing Dynasty was, it couldn't do this. In the end, it decided to limit the time when they came to pay tribute.

Moreover, depending on the closeness of the relationship, the time intervals between vassal states' tribute payments were also different.

For example, Goryeo was the closest to the suzerain state and was allowed to pay tribute once a year.

Other countries have it every two years, every four years, or even every ten years.

Anyway, the meaning is, it’s okay to ask for money, but don’t go too far!

Goryeo's tribute was usually winter tribute, which means they would come around the New Year and send some ginseng, pearls, etc.

If we bring back a few more carts of rewards, we can have a good New Year, right?

"It's only June now, what kind of tribute is this?" The Fourth Master sneered.

Oh, the money scammers are here.

It's disgusting to look at!

The Minister of Rites said, "I heard it was a sign from heaven that someone had unearthed a ginseng that looked exactly like a human."

"The King of Goryeo dared not keep it secret, so he sent someone to deliver it to His Majesty."

Oh.

That makes sense.

On the fiftieth birthday of His Majesty, the auspicious signs from heaven that befell that small vassal state were sent to guide them, weren’t they?

Of course, the Fourth Master knew that these were all excuses, but with this excuse, it was difficult for him to disagree.

At least the memorial must have been delivered to the emperor, and only after obtaining permission did they set out to pay tribute.

Now, I am afraid that he is almost here, so I have notified the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the reception.

"Heh~" The Fourth Master sneered, "Come if you want."

They are suffering from a disaster, and Goryeo still wants to cheat them out of money. Do the people of the Qing Dynasty deserve to suffer?

He stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth, thinking about how he could get away with it.

When the time comes, the gifts we give will not only preserve the dignity of the Celestial Empire, but also prevent them from taking advantage of us!

The Goryeo delegation will arrive in the capital in a few days, so naturally someone from the Ministry of Rites will be in charge of the reception.

The Fourth Master racked his brains to try to save some money for the already limited national treasury.

Lin Mingyan found it a bit strange that he hadn't gone out for the past two days and was staying alone in the small study.

I'm afraid this gentleman is holding something in his heart, and he might end up hurting himself.

She sighed, went to the small kitchen to make some taro balls, and brought them to the study.

"Master, are you tired?" Lin Mingyan approached cautiously, "Would you like some taro balls?"

After the Fourth Master stopped liking meat, he started to love desserts even more.

Ok.

This was something she observed, but she didn't dare say it out loud, for fear that he would stop eating sweets after she told him.

After all, this person loves to eat fried steamed bread slices sprinkled with granulated sugar, and he looks so happy every time he eats it.

Don't say anything, just feed it~

"Hmm?" The Fourth Master came back to his senses, smelling the sweet smell and feeling hungry. "I'm just hungry."

Lin Mingyan couldn't help but eat with him.

While eating, he asked, "Master, are you not going to be on duty?"

"Well, the Korean delegation is coming, and I'm trying to find a way," the Fourth Master replied subconsciously while eating taro balls.

He was completely lost in thought, but he still had to spend a lot of money.

There are disasters happening everywhere now, and the Ministry of Revenue is too late to provide relief.

If you ask for money at this time, especially money for Goryeo, he will definitely not agree!

Lin Mingyan opened her eyes wide in surprise: "Gao Li is coming? What for?"

hehehe~

One of the countries I hated most in my previous life.

No one had told her before about the vassal state's tribute, so she didn't know what was going on.

This is the first time I have heard the Fourth Master talk about news about Goryeo.

"What are you here for? Are you here to extort money?" The Fourth Master's tone was not very good.

Take a broken ginseng and exchange it for several carts of gold, silver and treasures.

If someone is willing to exchange with him, he will go there every year!

Lin Mingyan hissed and said, "It's still possible!"

"That's right, every year..." The Fourth Master complained to her about the tribute.

When Lin Mingyan heard that Gao Li was trying to take advantage of them, she wanted to curse Emperor Kangxi as well.

Isn't this just trying to save face and end up suffering a huge loss?

Why!

Why should we let them take advantage!

Lin Mingyan muttered, "What can I do if I don't give it to you?"

"You have to give it to me," the Fourth Master sighed and put down the bowl.

If he doesn't give it, it would be a slap in the face of the emperor, and it would be difficult for him.

"Then give me less?"

"No way." The Fourth Master shook his head.

After all, it is in the name of the 50th birthday of the emperor, and they have sent auspicious signs. It would be ok if it is not more than usual, but it must not be less.

Lin Mingyan, filled with righteous indignation, also stayed in the study to help think.

The two of them got together and started eliminating them one by one.

Porcelain, silk and other things are also very valuable, and I would not be willing to give them to them for free.

Rice, flour, grain, and oil are even more precious now that we have suffered a disaster, so of course we can't give them to you.

As for cattle, sheep and other livestock, that is certainly not allowed, and it is not decent either.

Of course, I don’t want to give you gold, silver, and jewelry.

Lin Mingyan suddenly had an idea: "Why not give it to Liuli? There are mostly defective products in the warehouse anyway!"

The Fourth Master's Yu Li developed very quickly indeed. It became popular not only in the capital but also across the country, and made him a lot of money.

It can be said that one third of his current wealth was earned by Yu Li.

But glass is naturally precious because it is rare.

The more it is produced, the less valuable it becomes.

And it’s not just Si Ye’s company that produces it. Although their technology is not as good as his, they are still competitors.

Of course, this market is getting worse and worse.

Now, Yuli can still make some money by relying on the boutique route.

Therefore, if the quality of the products is not the best, they will be discarded and a lot of ordinary ones will be piled up in the warehouse.

The Fourth Master clapped his hands: Great!