Li Hongbi came to Qianqing Palace honestly.
When he walked into the hall, he saw someone sitting on a brocade stool.
Seeing that Zhu Di ignored him, Li Hongbi could only kneel on the ground aggrievedly.
Unsurprisingly, that person was Xia Yuanji, the new Minister of Household Affairs, the chief agricultural officer of the Yongle Dynasty.
It's just that the new Minister of Household Affairs has some bad luck. He seems to have been beaten up and has a panda eye.
Xia Yuanji was a little confused at this moment. He didn't understand why His Majesty the Emperor summoned a young man, and he was so young!
As soon as Xia Yuanji saw Zhu Di, he reported the flood situation again, asked Zhu Di again to make an early decision, and immediately issued an order allowing him to allocate funds for disaster relief.
But Zhu Di did not let go. Instead, he asked Xia Yuanji to wait until someone came to discuss it.
Xia Yuanji waited and waited, but finally Li Hongbi came.
Although he didn't know Li Hongbi, he couldn't stand how young he was!
He looks like he is only 16 or 17 years old, and he has no hair on his lips and is weak at work. What kind of knowledge can such a young man have?
"Your Majesty, this is..." Xia Yuanji suppressed his inner discomfort and asked.
Zhu Di glanced at Li Hongbi and spoke calmly.
"This is the only son of Cao Guogong, Li Hongbi."
"I have called you two here today to discuss the empty treasury."
As soon as these words came out, Xia Yuanji's face instantly darkened.
As the Minister of Household Affairs, he is an important minister in charge of the Household Department.
From the time when he was the head of the Ministry of Household Affairs in the Hongwu Dynasty, Xia Yuanji began to assist in the management of the Ming Empire, a huge financial entity. He was personally praised by Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang as "Cao Wu was victorious and handled everything in an orderly manner."
In addition, Xia Yuanji himself has outstanding abilities and quickly became familiar with the financial operation model of the Ming Dynasty, so he undoubtedly has the most say in the current mess of the treasury.
Such imperial elite bureaucrats undoubtedly have rich financial management and practical experience.
But why is this Li Hongbi?
A dandy, a noble queen!
And he’s the son of that idiot Li Jinglong!
He doesn’t even have an official position, and he’s not familiar with government affairs!
Why could he, Li Hongbi, sit with him to discuss important financial matters of the imperial court?
This is not because Xia Yuanji judges people by their appearance, but because he has no time to waste!
The disaster in the two provinces is very serious, and a large number of people will lose their lives every day. How can he, the Minister of Household Affairs, have the time and mood to play house with a playboy like Li Hongbi here?
"Your Majesty, the disaster in the two provinces cannot be delayed. I ask your Majesty to issue an order for disaster relief immediately!"
Zhu Di frowned when he heard this, but he didn't say much, but looked at Li Hongbi.
Although he did not speak, Li Hongbi understood the meaning of this look.
Boy, give you a chance to make up for your mistakes.
Does Li Hongbi need this opportunity?
Of course it is needed!
After all, the trump card is the trump card, once you use it, it is gone.
Besides, his cheap uncle will go to Kaiping soon and die in vain!
Li Hongbi straightened up immediately and said seriously: "May I ask Mr. Xia, how much money and food does the treasury have now?"
Xia Yuanji looked at Li Hongbi impatiently and explained patiently: "Now there is only the last batch of money and grain left in the treasury that can be mobilized. This should be the salary distributed to the clan and officials!"
"But human life is at stake. There was a sudden flood in Shandong and Hebei and the Yellow River burst its banks. The disaster is urgent. Therefore, I have intercepted this batch of money and food and prepared to use it to relieve the victims first!"
The Yellow River bursts its banks!
So that’s what happened!
Li Hongbi felt confident.
But before he could speak, Zhu Di suddenly told him some bad news.
"In addition to the floods in the two provinces, the imperial court now also needs to raise money and food to solve the problem of food, grass and supplies for the soldiers guarding the border in northern Xinjiang."
"After all, autumn is coming soon, and the weather is freezing. They are guarding the border for the Ming Dynasty and preventing barbarians from plundering south. They cannot be left without enough food and clothing."
Well, Party A’s dad added another request.
As soon as these words came out, Xia Yuanji was about to say something, but Zhu Di raised his hand to stop him.
What Xia Yuanji wanted to say was nothing more than the same thing, putting the people first.
Zhu Di also wants to put the people first, but he can't do that now!
He, the Yongle Emperor, has not yet settled down, and he needs the loyalty and support of the soldiers of the three armies. He will never sacrifice the interests of the soldiers and chill the hearts of the soldiers of the three armies!
Li Hongbi frowned after hearing this. This means that the current food gap is a bit big!
One is the disaster food for the people in the two provinces, and the other is the rations for the soldiers in northern Xinjiang. Both of them are life-saving food, and neither side will work!
No wonder there was a conflict in the court this morning. To put it bluntly, it was still a partisan dispute.
Qiu Fu and other military generals naturally wanted this batch of food, and they first paid attention to the food and clothing of the soldiers in northern Xinjiang.
For them, it is better to starve the refugees to death than to starve to death their soldiers, right?
But this account cannot be settled like this!
You know, the Dog Emperor has just sat on the dragon throne!
If he watches the disaster in northern Xinjiang but does not allocate funds for disaster relief, then he will lose the support of the people!
This is undoubtedly an extremely fatal blow to the prestige of a new emperor!
No wonder the Dog Emperor got angry and found himself here!
Li Hongbi cursed in his heart for a while, then looked up at Zhu Di.
"Your Majesty, this matter is actually not difficult."
"I just don't know if Your Majesty wants to go fast or slow?"
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Di's eyes suddenly lit up, and even Xia Yuanji was a little surprised.
They, the monarch and his ministers, were so anxious to raise money and food that they almost got angry, but they couldn't come up with any good ideas. But Li Hongbi opened his mouth with two plans!
"Hongbi, what's the quickest way?"
Zhu Di immediately asked.
The disaster is urgent, so we must do it quickly.
Li Hongbi didn't talk nonsense and spoke murderously.
"Ask the Jin Yiwei to search out a group of corrupt officials. Will the money and food come soon?"
Zhu Di was stunned when he heard this, then smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"no!"
"Why not? What's the point..." Li Hongbi was puzzled.
Zhu Di coughed twice and said in a low voice: "Ahem, I just used this method. It's not good for me to kill again!"
He did use it. After entering Jinling, he slaughtered hundreds of officials and courtiers. After confiscating their homes, all the gold, silver and jewelry were rewarded to the meritorious soldiers in Jingnan.
Li Hongbi: "..."
Awesome!
As expected of you, Dog Emperor!
"Then we can only use the slow method."
"Just say it!"
"The national treasury is empty, and the court can recover taxes and grain arrears from local and state governments."
Zhu Di was slightly disappointed when he heard this.
He thought Li Hongbi really had some clever tricks up his sleeve, but in the end he came up with this solution.
"Far water cannot quench near thirst!"
"It will take months at least to recover local grain arrears."
"Besides, if these local and state capitals really had food, they wouldn't be in arrears with the imperial court's tax payments!"
hehe.
Li Hongbi could only say "haha".
Are they really unable to produce food?
You still underestimated the despicable nature of those local gentry!
"The local area is short of food, and there are many reasons for it. As far as I know, those local gentry are well-dressed and well-fed all day long!"
Li Hongbi said with a smile.
Zhu Di looked at him deeply when he heard this, but still shook his head.
"Or not!"
"Now is not the time to touch them!"
Hearing this, Li Hongbi was stunned for a moment and then reacted.
The Dog Emperor has just sat on the dragon throne, so he is really not suitable to fall out with these gentry and wealthy people!
He has said so, so this method will not work.
Then there is only one last option left.
Li Hongbi raised his head carefully and observed Zhu Di's face.
"Ahem, there is a shameless way to solve the current problem!"
"There are just some... that, Your Majesty, do you want to lose face?"
Zhu Di: "???"
Want face?
What do you mean, you bastard?
Xia Yuanji: "???"
Damn it?
Are you so brave?
Ask the emperor if he wants to be ashamed?
You are really the number one person in the Ming Dynasty!
Xia Yuanji didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and looked at Li Hongbi with an incredulous look.
"This... Master Li, don't you know what to do?"
Xia Yuanji didn't know how to call Li Hongbi.
I want an official position but not an official position, I want a title but not a title, so it’s really hard to call him.
Li Hongbi looked troubled and seemed a little hesitant.
"Master Xia, I know you are really anxious, but please don't be anxious first."
"This plan is very feasible and can definitely raise money and food, but it's just a bit shameless!"
"That's why I dare to speak out only after receiving permission from His Majesty the Emperor, and Your Majesty must ensure that this matter has nothing to do with me!"
As soon as Zhu Di heard this, his expression suddenly became strange.
Could it be that this kid really has some good ideas?
"Ahem, Hongbi, just say it's okay, I won't blame you!"
"You can say that, but your Majesty must guarantee that this matter has nothing to do with me, it is all the credit of Mr. Xia!"
Li Hongbi didn't blush, and began to shirk responsibility without a beating heart.
Xia Yuanji's face turned green. Are you really okay with saying this in front of me?
Zhu Di felt a little uneasy in his heart, but he still opened the mouth.
"Okay, just do as you say!"
"Tell me quickly, what are the regulations?"
Xia Yuanji was dumbfounded.
"That Emperor, your Majesty..."
"you shut up!"
"(／_＼)Big grudge!"
