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

The selection of concubines was a huge project. Any Manchu woman in the banner could not marry privately without participating in the selection.

Otherwise, both parties to the marriage will be considered to have committed a crime and will be punished.

Therefore, during the period of mourning for the Fourth Master, marriages among the Bannermen came to a halt.

Although he had previously issued an order stating that women who had reached marriageable age could discuss marriage first.

But he had just come to power, and the harem was so empty, so there were many people eyeing these positions.

Besides, participating in a talent show and being selected can also improve one's own value, and most people are unwilling to get married on their own.

The Minister of Revenue was also justified in bringing up this matter at the Grand Court. After all, the selection of concubines was not only the emperor's private matter, but also related to the marriages and newborns of the Eight Banners.

This is a major event in the world.

Seeing him speak so passionately, the Fourth Master suddenly remembered that when Cha Cha gave birth to triplets, he specially went to the Ministry of Revenue, but the other party didn't get to the point at all.

Tsk~

At that time, I thought this minister was a little stupid. I didn't expect that after so many years, he is still so stupid.

What does this have to do with your Ministry of Accounts?

You just stepped forward to take the lead, didn't you see that the Minister of Revenue next to you was frowning?

This means that the matter was raised privately by the Minister of Revenue himself and he had not mentioned it to his superiors.

But this matter had to be brought up sooner or later, so the Fourth Master raised his eyebrows and said, "My dear ministers, if you have any thoughts on this, please speak up~"

What do I think? Of course I support the draft.

Aren’t those who have children at home all looking forward to this year’s draft?

Everyone agreed, and some even put themselves in his shoes, thinking that the Fourth Master was also eager to participate in the draft.

After all, it was not convenient to ask for a draft while observing mourning for three years, but now that the ban has been lifted, of course there are no worries.

Besides, he dotes on the queen now, but the queen is old, and who doesn’t like a young and fresh girl?

If seven or eight women can become a queen, what about seventeen or eighteen, or seventy or eighty?

The Fourth Master listened calmly, then nodded to Ma Qi with a smile, "Lord Fucha, what do you think?"

Ma Qi broke out in a cold sweat. He glanced at the Fourth Master's expression but saw nothing.

But years of experience made him feel that the Emperor would definitely not call his name for no reason.

He must have even held an opposing opinion. After all, if he really agreed, he would have just agreed the first time the person said it, without any discussion at all.

After all, talent shows have always been held every three years, so there is no need to discuss anything.

Thinking about it this way, His Majesty is probably very opposed to the draft.

What is the reason behind this?

Oh, he was chosen as the Minister of Revenue. Does that mean His Majesty is worried about the money spent on the selection?

Of course, an elective course that involves the entire country would cost a lot of money. He had often felt distressed in the past but had not dared to reveal a word.

Could it be that the Fourth Master no longer wants to participate in talent shows?!

As soon as this thought came to his mind, beads of sweat appeared on Ma Qi's forehead, and he didn't dare to wipe them off.

Seeing his troubled expression, the Fourth Master said gently, "Lord Fucha, what's the difficulty?"

Ma Qi knelt down and cried, "Your Majesty, I'm not exaggerating, the national treasury is really not well-off~"

"You have been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue before. You know how much silver is in the treasury better than I do."

"With the continuous wars against Japan in recent years, the Ministry of Revenue is struggling to keep going."

"Now we have to draft, what a shame..."

He cried with genuine emotion and hiccuped from time to time.

He looked so ashamed again that anyone could feel that he felt embarrassed and guilty about the lack of money in the national treasury.

But only he himself knew that there was actually much more money in the national treasury than during the Kangxi period.

Although there was still a war going on, His Majesty did not go to the south of the Yangtze River, nor did he go to the frontier to escape the summer heat, nor did he have the hobby of lending money to his ministers.

The national treasury is now very rich!

But there is nothing wrong with what he said, as he stated objective facts.

Besides, whether the national treasury is rich or not is different in everyone's eyes.

Some people think that having several million taels is considered a fortune, while others think that having more than 10 million taels is already a lot.

But in the eyes of Ma Qi, the Minister of Revenue, ten million taels was the symbol of a rich national treasury.

If someone really wants to argue with him about this, no one can tell him he is wrong even if he says it!

Seeing how understanding he was, the Fourth Master nodded secretly and said hesitantly, "This talent show is really a waste of money and effort..."

The Minister of Revenue was stunned, for he knew exactly how much money was in the national treasury.

How dare this old fox Ma Qi lie so openly?

And His Majesty obviously knows the general situation, so why is he still asking this question?

Then he thought, maybe His Majesty himself didn't want to participate in the selection, and was deliberately following Ma Qi's lead...

If he listened to others' instigation and took the lead, wouldn't he have offended the Emperor again? ! ! !

Hiss~~~~

His back felt cold!

But before he could think clearly, someone spoke up: "The selection of talents is a tradition of the Qing Dynasty. We can't just stop it for a little money, right?"

"After all, this is also related to the inheritance of our Manchu people..."

Before he could finish his words, Ma Qi retorted: "What do you mean by a mere sum of money, you old fellow?"

"Since you don't value money and treat it like dirt, why don't you donate all your belongings to fund this talent show?!!"

Pooh!

Is it easy for him to manage the Ministry of Revenue?

The money that was saved bit by bit was spent so lavishly, and it was just a small fortune? ! !

I really wanted to jump out and give him a slap in the face, making him spin three times in place.

See if you can still say such words?!

"This... Lord Fucha, you are being unreasonable!" The man's face turned red with anger.

His family's money is his own. Isn't it crazy to donate it to help the emperor find a concubine?

Ma Qi immediately put his hands on his hips and said, "Who? Who's being unreasonable? It's not your money and you don't feel bad about it, but it's your money and you're so stingy?!"

"you......"

"Alright!" The Fourth Master was pleased to hear this and took sides, "Minister Fucha is serious about his duties and responsibilities, and he works diligently for the sake of the Qing Dynasty."

The implication is that Ma Qi is a good official, while others do not do their work all day and just mess around.

No one present was stupid. After hearing this meaning, they all shut up.

The Fourth Master said, "When the Manchus first came to rule the Central Plains, they established regular selections to preserve their heritage."

"Of course, the purpose is not only to fill the harem, but also to make our marriages smoother."

"But that was before. Now the world is stable. I am watching the draft... It doesn't matter if I don't want it~"