In the forbidden city of God, in Kunning Palace.
Empress Yang Qingyin held a magnifying glass and carefully looked at the potted plants in front of her. On her left and right stood two women in palace attire.
"Sixth daughter-in-law, it takes a lot of effort to mess with these things, right?"
Princess Rui Chen Zhi immediately replied: "The Queen Mother clearly knows that it is difficult for daylily to survive in the hot weather. My daughter-in-law took care of it carefully day and night to cultivate it..."
When it finally came time to show off his merits, how could Chen Zhi hide it?
"Now that I can present it to my mother, I am really lucky for my daughter-in-law, and also a blessing for this pot of day lilies!"
Although Queen Yang Qingyin was not involved in government affairs, she was a figure that could not be ignored in the Ming Dynasty.
Just because she has incomparable weight in the emperor's heart and can have an influence on many things, such as deposing the crown prince.
If Zhu Jingyuan wants to bring down the crown prince, the first thing he has to pass is the queen's test. If his mother doesn't support him, there will be great resistance.
If he can please the Queen, as long as she does not interfere in this matter, it will be a great progress for Zhu Jingyuan.
That's why Zhu Jingyuan and his wife tried their best to please the queen.
Yes, this really requires a lot of effort. After all, Yang Qingyin gets whatever she wants. It is really difficult to make her happy.
"I hope my mother will be in good health and flourish!"
Looking at the flowers carefully, Yang Qingyin said with a smile: "Not bad, not bad...you are interested!"
Chen Zhi laughed, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law started laughing again, which made Jia Yuanchun on the side feel very lonely.
Logically speaking, it was the Crown Princess who should take charge of the morning and evening affairs. It was really embarrassing for her to come as a concubine.
As the eldest daughter of the Jia family, she was once a flower cared for by her parents and elders, but now she is like a leaf falling in the wind, feeling lonely, helpless and lifeless.
Although she has excellent talents, first-class appearance, and a prominent family, these are not worth mentioning to the royal family.
Moreover, because of the incident at Donghua Gate that year, which brought her a marriage due to compromise, she, a noble daughter of the public family, was never trusted.
So now, she has no relationship with the prince, her relationship with the queen is average, and her status in the palace is far lower than that of Chen Zhi.
This Chen Zhi, why are you talking so much today? Wouldn't you like to go back early?
"Okay, that's it for today. You should go back early. The children are waiting for you..."
"Then my wife said goodbye..."
"Concubine, take your leave!" Jia Yuanchun also spoke.
At this time, Yang Qingyin said: "Stay here, I have something to tell you!"
Jia Yuanchun was a little surprised. She had never been left alone before.
Chen Zhi was equally surprised, but she concealed it well, saluted Yang Qingyin and left.
"How are the kids?"
"Reply to my mother, everything is fine!"
"The Fourth Brother is not here, so you should be more concerned about the matters in the East Palace!"
"I understand!"
"The fourth child has had a hard time these years. You are a careful child. Take good care of the fourth child, and it will benefit you in the future!"
"yes!"
The conversation between the two was very dry, and Yuanchun knew that this was not the point, so she waited for the main business later.
After some pleasantries, Yang Qingyin picked up the tea cup and said, "Have you had any contact with your mother's family recently?"
Not understanding the meaning of the queen's words, Yuanchun answered truthfully: "Five days ago, Rongguo Mansion sent some fruits!"
Yang Qingyin then asked: "How long was it last when I gave you something?"
"It's been...about a few months, I can't remember clearly!"
Looking at Jia Yuanchun, Yang Qingyin asked slowly: "They didn't tell you anything?"
"No...no!"
After staring at Jia Yuanchun for a while and confirming that he was not lying, Yang Qingyin continued: "Your parents are very considerate, and you should return the favor and thank them!"
"By the way, I would like to remind the elders in the family to take more care of themselves, not to overwork themselves, let alone think about messy things!"
"Only in this way can you be happy, otherwise you will only be looking for trouble and even disaster!"
"do you understand?"
To be honest, Jia Yuanchun didn't understand, but she had heard that the situation was serious.
Otherwise the Queen would not have kept her, she said this in a serious and solemn manner.
"I understand, let's go back!" Yang Qingyin put down the teacup.
"Thank you, Queen Mother, for your advice. I will take my leave!"
After Yuanchun left, Yang Qingyin couldn't help but sigh.
Even she noticed the little secret actions of the Jia family. How could the emperor not know about it?
If the second son of the Jia family is allowed to continue, the emperor will be furious and take action, and he is afraid that the emperor will not be able to protect them.
Yang Qingyin only mentioned these things for the sake of her son's face. She hoped that Jia Yuanchun really understood.
After leaving the palace, Jia Yuanchun got on the sedan chair, still thinking about the queen's words in his heart.
"It seems that someone in the family did something they shouldn't have done..."
"My family was the confidant of the Supreme Emperor back then, but he hesitated to decide on the Donghua Gate Incident. Therefore, he hated the current Emperor, and his status has plummeted in recent years..."
"At this time of year, it's time to keep a low profile and not show off your edge..."
Analyzing secretly in his mind, Jia Yuanchun gradually came up with an idea.
After she returns, she will order someone to go back and send a message to her family members not to act rashly.
On the other side, in the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Xianming was reading the memorial.
There are a lot of things going on recently, mainly the reinforcement of troops to the northwest, and the allocation of grain and grass is already in progress.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel has drawn up a list of officials, including the commander-in-chief of Annan, the chief envoy of Taiwan, and the governor of Yunnan..."
"The cabinet vote is intended to be passed and submitted to His Majesty for the Holy Judgment..."
The old eunuch with gray hair on his temples handed a memorial to Zhu Xianming.
Although the old eunuch has a warm expression and a kind-hearted look, he looks just like the old man next door.
In fact, this man was a very ruthless man. He took charge of Dongchang after the Donghuamen Incident and eliminated many of Zhu Xianming's personal troubles.
Now he has been promoted to the position of Chief of Ceremony, and has become the internal minister known to the world, a very confidential figure who corresponds to the chief minister of the cabinet.
While Zhu Xianming was reading the memorial, Lu Tong was at the side introducing him and giving detailed information about the proposed officials.
"That's right!"
"yes!"
Immediately afterwards, Lu Tong handed over another memorial and said: "Your Majesty, the troops in the northwest have been increased recently, and the 100,000 shi of grain transferred directly from Jiangbei to Jinling have now been allocated to the north..."
"For the vacant grain, the Ministry of Household Affairs requested that Jinling be used to deal with it..."
Before Lu Tong could finish speaking, Zhu Xianming said coldly: "Solve it in Jinling? How to solve it? Add additional taxes to the people?"
When Lu Tong didn't answer, Zhu Xianming asked: "Is there no other way?"
War consumes the most money and food. Although Jinling is rich, it has paid taxes to the court. Although some extra is retained, it is really difficult to maintain the tens of thousands of troops for conquest.
The people were already suffering so much that Zhu Xianming couldn't bear to impose another tax, so he knew that this problem was difficult to solve.
In fact, there are solutions, and they can easily solve the problem.
For example, His Majesty the Emperor has 12 million taels of silver in his internal funds. A small amount of it will be enough.
But if the emperor didn't take the initiative to mention it, how could he, Lu Tong, dare to speak without authorization.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Tong replied: "Your Majesty, the people have no food to collect, but the merchants have money to collect!"
"What's the meaning?"
"Why don't we call on... the wealthy people in Jinling to donate money and food to fight the Japanese!"
"The rich man in Jinling?"
“Have you forgotten, Your Majesty, the Jinling Salt Inspector’s Office oversees many salt merchants?”
After Zhu Xianming thought about it, he said slowly: "Ask the salt merchants to donate money? I'm afraid they won't be willing!"
"You can let the Xue family of Jinling take the lead in donating, and then let the Salt Patrol Censor's Yamen put pressure, and these people will obey..."
"This... is a solution!"
After thinking deeply, Zhu Xianming nodded and said: "In that case, the Chief of Ceremonies will send an urgent delivery to the Xue family of Jinling!"
"Yes!" Lu Tong put away the memorial.
"Speaking of which, it's been seven years since Xue Zhen passed away, right?"
Lu Tong replied: "Your Majesty, Xue Zhenzheng passed away three years ago, and it has been seven years now!"
Thank you "Jingsheng" for the reward, thank you all for your subscription support, and thank you all for your monthly ticket support!
(End of chapter)
