Yangxin Hall, inside Dongnuan Pavilion.
Compared with before, Emperor Chongzhen was much more relaxed at this time.
Ever since his cousin appeared, it seemed like a savior came from heaven. The originally dilapidated Ming Dynasty was now somewhat prosperous.
The most important point is that although this year is the year of great famine, he is not worried. Judging from the news brought back by Wei Zhongxian yesterday, his cousin has already had a countermeasure.
Therefore, it was rare for him to have someone prepare some food and wine to drink with Queen Zhou at the same table.
"Queen, there is something I still want to ask you."
Chongzhen took a mouthful of food and chewed it carefully, "Nowadays, there are so many royal families in the Ming Dynasty. What do you think about reducing their expenses?"
This matter was mentioned when my cousin was drunk that day.
He had the same idea now, but if he put it into action, he was still a little worried.
This is an ancestral system that has been passed down for thousands of years, I'm afraid those guys won't agree.
The most important point is, how to reduce it? Where should we reduce it?
Those larger vassal kings, such as King Fu, King Tang, and King Qin.
These people had almost no worries about food and clothing, and owned tens of thousands of acres of land. The court still sent them money and food every year.
But those small vassal kings and small royal families, such as low-level royal families such as Fengtian Xiaowei, do not have much every year. If they are reduced further, they will be dissatisfied.
However, there are many of these people.
Not to mention anything else, during the Jiajing period, the number of these small clans had reached a terrifying number of more than one million!
This amount is nothing special. Even if the court has more money, what can it do?
The most important point is that Taoist Master Jiajing, who was busy practicing Taoism, had already thought about reducing the royal family's expenses, but in the end he did not take any action.
You know, compared to Chongzhen, Jiajing's IQ is at least as good as ten Zhu Youjian.
"Your Majesty, it depends on what you said."
Queen Zhou wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and couldn't help but laugh, "The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. This is the ancestral teaching. How can I discuss this?"
Having said this, she picked up the flask and poured a glass of wine for the emperor. "In my opinion, if nothing else, my father has too many gifts. It would be better to give him less in the future! Take this money Wouldn't it be better to come out and help the people?"
"I understand what you mean."
Chongzhen was still very happy, and he also heard what the queen meant.
"His Majesty!"
At this moment, Qin Wuyi walked in quickly from the outer hall and said with a smile, "Eunuch Sun is here. It is said that he has something important to do."
Qin Wuyi's status has risen rapidly since he learned the great secret of Ming Dynasty last time.
Now that Wei Zhongxian and Wang Chengen are no longer around, he is basically serving the emperor.
"Let him in."
Chongzhen didn't care about anything else and just waved his hand.
"His Majesty!"
After a while, Sun Yunhe quickly entered the Dongnuan Pavilion and said with a serious face, "I have received a lot of information about Mr. Hu."
"Just pick up the important ones and tell them."
Chongzhen nodded, and then spoke with a normal expression.
"Is such that."
Sun Yunhe then recounted what Jin Yiwei had reported to him, and added at the end, "This Fan family's caravan is really too showy."
"It's simply your own fault."
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he looked unconcerned.
They dared to offend their cousin, but this just confirmed the propaganda cousin's point of view, Shanxi merchants are restless guys.
The best way to catch them is to find a way to catch them all.
"By the way, Your Majesty, there is one more thing."
Sun Yunhe seemed to have thought of something again and continued, "This matter has been spread among the officials, and they are quite critical of it."
"Hundred officials? Are they the officials from Jinzhong?"
Chongzhen raised his eyebrows, as if he had expected it, and said nonchalantly, "What do they think?"
"They all think that Mr. Hu is relying on the emperor's favor to act recklessly! If this continues for a long time, it may affect His Majesty's sage... They also say that Mr. Hu is obviously arrogant because of his favor..."
Sun Yunhe frowned when he saw this, and said again.
He was naturally surprised at such treacherous words.
After all, this is touching the tiger's butt, and those people really have no brains to offend the emperor at this time.
"Hmph, let's see what they mean. Do you still want to get discounts?"
Hu Yunqing didn't care, put down his chopsticks, picked up the wine glass and took a sip.
"Yes, the envoys from the Metropolitan Procuratorate are already formulating a plan. After all, Mr. Hu is now a member of the Ministry of Revenue and can be impeached."
When Sun Yunhe heard this, he immediately nodded and replied.
"How brave."
Chongzhen gritted his teeth, stood up immediately, and said coldly, "Don't they have any brains? Are they not aware of the things my cousin did?"
"After all, if they also open a porridge factory to help the refugees, I will approve their discount!"
Only now did he understand why his cousin disliked these civil servants so much!
"In this case, you go tell those officials now."
Emperor Chongzhen was so angry that he couldn't help but say, "If anyone suffers from this matter, just get out! Let them go home and farm!"
"Your Majesty, this is too arbitrary."
Empress Zhou couldn't help but persuaded, "If we directly exempt them, it will definitely cause shock in the court! It's better to tell them clearly about Hu Yunqing and let them know that this is a good intention. Maybe it will be over. ,what do you think?"
"Empress, you certainly have a Bodhisattva heart, but those officials may not."
Sun Yunhe was not polite and said bluntly, "Which of the refugees at the gate of the city doesn't regard Mr. Hu as a Bodhisattva? Even if these envoys can't see it, why don't they confirm it with their own eyes? You have to listen to these hearsays. Seeing is believing. Don’t you understand?”
"Listen, these people who are well-read in poetry are not as sensible as a eunuch!"
The more Chongzhen thought about it, the angrier he became, and he couldn't help but say, "Just do as I say!"
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
At this moment, I suddenly saw a young eunuch running in, "Big news, Jin Yiwei Zhu Si has something big to report!"
"What's up?"
Chongzhen raised his eyebrows and immediately asked with a cold face.
"They caught a slave-building spy in the Fan family's caravan! It is said that the man's status is not low!"
The little eunuch replied with a smile, "He is outside now! Do you want to let him in?"
"Okay! There is such a big thing!"
Chongzhen was immediately ecstatic and couldn't help pacing back and forth, "Quick, let him in! I want to hear him tell how he was caught!"
