The big bandit in the Red Mansion robbed Lin Daiyu at the beginning

As soon as these words were spoken, it seemed as if a chain reaction had been triggered.

'thump! ’

'thump! ’

"I am also willing to offer this year's salary!"

"I am willing to do the same!"

"..."

All the ministers in the court knelt like dumplings in a pile of dumplings, and in the blink of an eye, the hall was filled with them.

Seeing these ministers acting like this, Emperor Xinglong was so angry that he almost gritted his teeth.

The jade ruyi in his hand behind his back was actually broken by him.

However, when his eyes fell on the King of Chu who had been standing there,

With a hint of admiration in his eyes, he asked in a cold voice,

"King of Chu, the Crown Prince has already donated his salary for this year and next. Why don't you express your opinion?"

The King of Chu bowed to Emperor Xinglong.

"Your Majesty, even if all the officials in the capital, regardless of rank, were to receive their combined salaries, it would only amount to five hundred thousand taels a year."

"Compared to the lion's mouth full of dead pig skin, this amount of silver is just a drop in the bucket. I still need the monthly salary to keep the servants in the mansion obedient, so I won't show my loyalty."

Emperor Xinglong's expression suddenly darkened.

The King of Chu then spoke again,

"But I have a plan that may help the court solve its urgent problem!"

All the ministers looked at the King of Chu curiously, as did the Crown Prince.

Everyone was curious about what solution the King of Chu could come up with at this moment. Could he even turn stone into gold?

"Oh? King Chu, please tell us quickly!"

Emperor Xinglong immediately became interested when he heard this.

"Yes, Father!"

The King of Chu clasped his fists and bowed, his expression solemn.

Then he spoke,

"Father, I believe that the fact that the rebels were able to extort millions of taels of the people's blood and sweat from Yangzhou also means that the people of Daqian will be prosperous."

"And our Daqian is rich with over a thousand prefectures and counties throughout the world. If we can work together to serve the court, great things can be accomplished!"

"I don't need to use all the people in the world. I only need to issue an imperial decree, ordering the gentry and nobles of Daqian to donate half of their property. I will definitely be able to raise the ten million taels of silver for peace talks. At the same time, it will also fill my Daqian treasury again!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xinglong raised the corner of his mouth with a meaningful arc.

But before he could express his opinion,

Immediately, countless officials stood up and attacked the King of Chu.

"Your Highness, the King of Chu, how can you say such words that are disrespectful to your king, father, and country?"

"Your Highness, Prince Chu, Daqian has over a thousand prefectures, and every one of them is inhabited by our people. Your Majesty is their father and ruler. How can you seize the wealth of the people just to negotiate peace with the Tartars?"

"That's right, that's right. This is competing with the people for profit!"

"Your Majesty, the King of Chu's words are utterly insane and must not be used!"

"..."

The entire hall exploded in an instant.

Emperor Xinglong glanced at Dai Quan beside him indifferently.

Dai Quan immediately stood before the emperor and flicked his whisk.

"quiet!"

After all the court officials had quieted down, Emperor Xinglong turned to the Crown Prince standing in the front and asked,

"Prince, what do you think of the King of Chu's words?"

Although the prince had previously stood on their side in order to win over the forces in the court.

But he also heard the deeper meaning in his father's words.

Although he did not have extraordinary wisdom, his many years as crown prince had made his political skills mature a lot.

After hearing Emperor Xinglong's question, he thought for a moment and then knelt down and kowtowed to Emperor Xinglong.

"Father, this is a matter of national importance, a matter of life and death for our country!"

"Although I am the Crown Prince, I am still young. I am at a loss at the moment. I will obey my father's orders in everything!"

Emperor Xinglong looked at the prince quietly without saying a word.

Just when the prince was feeling uncomfortable being looked at by Emperor Xinglong,

Emperor Xinglong closed his eyes slightly, shook his head, and sighed.

Many officials were curious and puzzled, secretly looking up at Emperor Xinglong, wondering what would happen next.

Emperor Xinglong sat back on the dragon throne and waved to Dai Quan.

Dai Quan bowed, took out a memorial from his sleeve, unfolded it and read it aloud to the civil and military officials in the hall.

"Your Majesty, I, Wang Ziteng, the General of Jinling, bow three times to the north and pray for His Majesty's well-being..."

"...Now the enemy has mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops from Yangzhou and is marching south..."

"...I weep and shed blood..."

Soon, everyone understood Wang Ziteng's report.

It's very simple, it's an urgent memorial asking for help.

Anyone who heard the form of this memorial knew that Nanjing was in imminent danger. If measures were not taken as soon as possible, the offensive of Qingfeng Village would be curbed.

Jinling will soon be captured by Qingfeng Village.

It is only a matter of time before half of Daqian's territory south of the Yangtze River is lost.

After listening to Wang Ziteng's memorial,

Several cabinet ministers also understood Emperor Xinglong's intention.

Although Emperor Xinglong's flurry of punches left the entire court confused at first,

But as soon as Wang Ziteng's memorial came out, these cabinet ministers, who were all old foxes, knew what the emperor meant. How could they not understand?