…
The issue of trading with overseas countries was easily exposed by Honglin.
Although he understands that doing so may affect his life of spending money in the future, Honglin cares more about absolute control of power than material enjoyment.
Regarding trade, he actually despises it from the bottom of his heart. On the one hand, it is because merchants value profits and affects agricultural production. Another important aspect is that once those foreigners who travel all over the country come into contact with ordinary people and learn about the fresh anecdotes overseas, they will Change people's minds.
It is best for the people to remain ignorant all the time, so that they can be easily controlled. As long as they are running around for three meals a day, how can they think about anything else?
Comparing the two, Honglin would rather "suffer himself" and would never allow foreign businessmen to change the current political structure of Daikin.
In addition, the visit of the Han Dynasty also made Honglin realize that the current world situation has undergone qualitative changes.
Of course, he did not think that the Han Dynasty would be the opponent of the Jin Kingdom, but the style of Ban Dingyuan's mission touched the nerve called fear.
Honglin was not a foolish king. On the contrary, he analyzed the situation very thoroughly. Just from Ban Dingyuan's performance, he knew that Dongyi, who was thousands of miles away, was definitely not comparable to any country in Southeast Asia.
Once Dongyi's influence spreads to the Nan'ao continent, it is very likely to affect their own imperial power.
Therefore, after expelling Ban Dingyuan and his party, he ordered the coastal navy to take precautions to prevent Dongyi from coming back.
Of course, what he did was just prevention. He did not add a single warship needed by the navy. He only hung three cross-sea iron chains on the reefs on both sides of Gui'ao Hong Kong to prevent foreign enemies from invading, and nothing else. action.
After the trade deal came to an end, Honglin began to arrange the marriage of the seventeenth princess. For him, nothing was more important than his daughter's marriage at the moment.
"Li Shen, just before you entered the palace, I was discussing the marriage of the seventeenth princess with the ministers. Bala said that everything should be kept simple and arranged according to the specifications of a third-class duke.
After thinking about it, I think it makes sense, but you also know that the Seventeenth Princess is my heart and I don’t want to wrong her.
On their wedding day, I want to buy a garden for them in the capital. You are in charge of the treasury. Tell me, how much money can you provide? "
Li Shen was stunned and suddenly felt a headache. This man was really difficult to take care of. He actually wanted to build a new garden? This is not something that can be done with a million taels!
But after thinking about it, Li Shen still replied respectfully: "This garden construction is a big deal. From the homestead to the scenery to the materials consumed, I have to make a careful calculation."
Seeing this, Honglin couldn't help but smile: "Are you feeling sorry for Yinzi again? Haha..."
Then he said: "You don't have to worry about the money for this house. There is a piece of land twenty miles west of the imperial city. I ordered people to take it over a year ago.
It looks very good, and the feng shui is also good. It can be used to repair the garden. You don't need to worry about the money. Just think about how to repair the garden before the seventeenth princess gets married. "
When Li Shen heard this, he didn't show much joy. Even if the homestead did not cost the treasury, based on his understanding of Honglin, the garden would definitely be magnificent.
Li Shen knew that the open space in the west of the city covers an area of more than 300 acres, which is more than enough to build a garden.
But the larger the place, the greater the expense. How to solve the money problem? Don't you have to figure it out on your own?
Seeing that Li Shen didn't reply, Honglin smiled and reminded again: "Why don't you say anything? Why don't you just build a garden? I'm going to embarrass you. If it doesn't work, move some of the materials you need from my harem. It's just a matter of time." It’s almost enough once you get it together.”
Just listen to this. The meaning of Honglin's words is very obvious: I have given you steps like this, you will not really move my palace supplies, right?
As for this piece together? Can we really get it together? Is it really enough for a royal wedding to be just like a small family? It's best not to embarrass me. What I hate the most in my life is the petty arrogance!
Of course, Li Shen understood the meaning of Honglin's words and immediately replied: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking about how to make the princess's wedding a beautiful one. Please rest assured, I will do my best to do this job well." .”
Honglin was overjoyed when he heard this: "That's right, Li Shen, go ahead and do it, I support you."
"Wait!"
Just when Li Shen was about to thank him, Zhang Gui came out and spoke: "Your Majesty, I think that the princess's marriage should be arranged according to the standards of a third-class duke. It is not wise to spend so much time on it! It is better to postpone the garden repairs first." Just wait!"
When Honglin heard this, his face suddenly darkened: "Zhang Gui, what do you want to say?"
Zhang Gui said: "Your Majesty, the national treasury is now unable to make ends meet. Last year, various places in Dajin suffered from frequent natural disasters, and the government is in urgent need of disaster relief.
The slave thought that instead of spending the money on the princess's wedding, it would be better to use all the money to help the people. Only in this way can the emperor show his kindness and love for the people! "
Honglin said nothing and looked at Zhang Gui quietly.
Li Shen clearly felt the anger in Hong Lin's eyes, and immediately said to Zhang Gui: "Master Zhang, this is the emperor's family matter, how can it be confused with state affairs?"
Zhang Guiyi said righteously: "What the Prime Minister said is wrong! Dajin is the Emperor's Dajin, and the people of Dajin are also the Emperor's people. Now that the people are suffering from disaster, the Emperor, as a king and father, can't stand by and watch!"
This statement was extremely treasonous. Li Shen was shocked and said, "Master Zhang! Be careful what you say!"
"Let him say it!"
Honglin stopped Li Shen, looked at Zhang Gui and said, "I'm listening, keep talking!"
Zhang Gui immediately said: "Your Majesty, does he know how much money there is in the treasury now? As the right minister of the dynasty, I naturally know that the treasury is currently in dire straits.
So far, the national treasury only has 17 million taels. This money will soon be used to pay military salaries and purchase weapons for military camps in various places.
In addition, victims in various places also need disaster relief and resettlement. Calculated in one lump sum, it may not be enough at all. Therefore, Your Majesty,
Instead of making a big show of buying outfits for the princess, it would be better to spend the money on people who really need it.
After all, the money spent to build a garden can save countless suffering victims! "
Such heartfelt words moved many people's hearts.
Fukang even came out directly: "Your Majesty, what Mr. Zhang said is absolutely true. The people are the most important thing. It is enough for me to be so appreciated by the Emperor. It is better to leave the money for garden repairs to help the victims!"
Honglin snorted coldly and ignored Fukang, but said this to Zhang Gui: "Natural disasters happen every year, but my children only get married a few times!
How could I be unkind and disregard the local people in arranging the marriage for my own children?
Don’t you know how many local grain taxes I have exempted since I came to the throne?
I don’t feel I have failed the people, let alone the country.
But in your words, it seems that I have become an unkind and unkind king by making my marriage more glamorous?
Zhang Gui, do you know what you are talking about? "
Zhang Gui was scolded by Hong Lin and immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, this is not what I mean. I just want to..."
"That's enough!" Hong Lin sternly stopped Zhang Gui's next words, "I don't want to say anything more to you. It's such a good thing, but you have to cause trouble for me and withdraw from the court!"
After finishing speaking, Honglin stood up and left the Jinluan Palace directly, leaving the ministers alone in the palace shivering.
