In the Kunming Hall, Concubine Fu Hui, whose pregnant belly was swollen, and Queen Da Fu were sitting and talking about each other.
"You are pregnant for the first time, so you should give birth and take good care of your fetus. Autumn is getting stronger and the weather is getting colder. You should pay attention to your diet and don't catch cold!" Dafu, as usual, took the trouble to remind his sister.
"Yes!" Concubine Fu Hui responded softly, and then murmured softly: "Even if she is pregnant, she will still go out of the palace to run around, work hard, and earn a lot of fame regardless of the royal blood in her belly!"
After hearing what his sister said, Da Fu certainly knew what Xiao Fu was talking about, and sighed: "You are listening to those gossips again!"
Xiao Fu pursed her lips and said, "During this period, people inside and outside the palace are spreading the news that Concubine Gao is filial. The Queen Mother also praises her, and the officials also love her, but they just think she is artificial!"
When Da Fu heard this, he couldn't help but look at his sister a few more times. Since her pregnancy, Concubine Fu Hui's temperament has changed very obviously. She has become much more sensitive and sentimental. Of course, this is partly because of the emperor's neglect, especially in comparison with Concubine Zhe Xian and Concubine Gao Gui.
The queen probably understood her sister's mood, and was not angry. She just caressed her hand and said comfortingly: "You! King Linqing has passed away. After all, Mrs. Gao has lost her father, so it is understandable that the officials feel pity for her. But you can't, Then in the palace, behind the scenes, meddling in the right and wrong, staying in peace in the palace, raising children for the official family, and spreading branches and leaves for the royal family, that is the most important thing!"
Little Fu frowned lightly and said to Da Fu: "I just can't hear those people saying that although my sister is a queen, the longest serving official in the palace is the imperial concubine, and the official's favorite is also the imperial concubine... .”
"During this period of time, officials rarely come to my sister's side!"
Seeing this, Da Fu couldn't help but shook his head and nodded on Xiao Fu's forehead: "Don't think about these things in your head. There are a lot of right and wrong in the palace, so don't worry about it. The official family is busy with state affairs, and it is important for the harem to I don’t care much about it, I know you are lonely too, so come and sit with me more often when you have time. I will also tell him about the official’s side and ask him to take time to go to Chunlan Palace to accompany you.”
"Sister, that's not what I meant..." Xiao Fu was also smart and couldn't help but say.
He raised his hand to stop her. With her graceful appearance, she looked like a lady, and said in an admonishing tone: "The officials are ambitious, have the world in mind, and are diligent in state affairs. It is already hard work. You and I, sisters, are honored to serve as my attendants. You should be more considerate and serve with all your heart. Don't bother the official with this jealousy! If your words today reach the official's ears, he will be unhappy!"
Seeing Da Fu say this, Xiao Fu didn't dare to talk back and responded obediently: "Yes!"
The two sisters talked about some happy topics, such as the emperor summoning his father, King Wei, and Tianxiong Army Jiedushi Fu Yanqing to Beijing...
Xiao Fu looked tired until he took the initiative to have someone carefully serve him back to the palace. After Xiao Fu left, Empress Fu couldn't help but sigh. Her sister, who was well-behaved and quiet at first, was now competing for favor.
However, Fu Hou's beautiful face couldn't help but feel a little unhappiness. The words her sister said had some impact on her heart, and it was impossible not to have any grudges at all. Concubine Gao and her were fighting for more than a day or two.
Taking a deep breath, Empress Fu summoned her attendants, showing her majesty between her phoenix eyebrows, and ordered: "Pass my words to all the supervisors in the palace, and ask the people in charge to strictly restrain the subordinates. If there are any more troubles or troubles, Those who live peacefully in the palace will be severely punished and will never be merciful!"
...
In the Han Palace, Liu Chengyou was inspecting the Sansi Yamen when he suddenly resented his daughter. The Third Division is in charge of the world's finances. Xiang, the most important place in the imperial court, checked the details of the imperial income and expenditure since this year.
It can be said that money is spent like water, and the expense of conquering Huaihe and Yu Shu alone accounts for most of it, not counting the subsequent rewards and compensation. For the large-scale restructuring of Hedong, relying solely on the local treasury was far from enough. Tokyo also provided financial support. The rest of the consumption of raising soldiers, official salaries, and military equipment is also a big part.
In the past few years, the money and food accumulated by the imperial court have been almost exhausted due to successive big actions. However, today's Han Dynasty is no longer what it was in the early years. It has a lot of income. The most important thing is that the share of local finance and taxation sent to Tokyo has increased significantly.
"Your Majesty, these are the officials who have been transferred from the Third Division to be sent to local areas to clean up the finances!" Xue Juzheng, the envoy of the Third Division, presented a list.
"Oh, let me take a look!" Liu Chengyou took over the imperial reading. There were many people, more than twenty people: "How are they arranged?"
"Your Majesty, ten of them will be sent to Guanzhong, and the rest will be sent to Hebei. These people have all served as officials in Si Yamen for many years. They are familiar with taxation and government affairs, have experience in financial management, and are all capable of doing things!" Xue Juzheng reported.
"Who is the best?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"Zhang Mei is responsible for planning affairs. This person is smart and capable, good at writing and planning. He started as a small official and was selected by the prince. During the Huainan War, he planned the grain, grass and military supplies. He responded to the affairs in an orderly manner with few mistakes!" Xue Juzheng replied, The words were full of appreciation: "If you are sent to Guanzhong this time, you can share the hard work with Yan Zhuan!"
Liu Chengyou suddenly became interested, raised his finger and said, "I want to meet this person!"
After a while, a middle-aged official wearing a scarlet robe and a calm demeanor came inside to pay homage: "I, Zhang Mei, who is responsible for the affairs of the branch, pay homage to your majesty!"
"Flat body!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Mei straightened up, bowed slightly, and lowered her hands for questioning.
Liu Chengyou sat down, waved his hand, and looked at this person. He was calm, steady, neither humble nor overbearing. His first impression was very good.
Scanning the list, Liu Chengyou asked, "Do you know the responsibilities of the imperial court in sending you to Guanzhong?"
"Go back to your majesty and assist Yan Gong, the southwest transshipment envoy, to clean up the finance and taxation in Guanzhong!" Zhang Mei said.
"Do you know what the court's purpose is?" Liu Chengyou stared at him.
Faced with the emperor's fierce gaze, Zhang Mei showed no timidity and responded in a deep voice: "For many years, local finance and taxation have been different, each specializing in its own affairs. The purpose of this cleanup is to inherit the imperial tax law, eliminate corruption, and unify Guanzhong's finances. , increase revenue for the imperial court, and supply military supplies to the southwest!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was noncommittal, raised his eyelids, and said, "It's too humiliating for you to be the transfer envoy to Pizhou. In this way, since you did a good job in planning the military conquest of Huaihe River, I will give you another chance to show off. Given the opportunity, he was promoted to the Southwest Grain Envoy, specializing in the military supply of the Southwest!"
Zhang Mei was stunned, and Xue Juzheng hurriedly reminded: "Don't thank me yet!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"The southwest frontier army was prepared by me for the expedition against Shu. It is related to the general strategy of the military and state. It has an important responsibility for you. You should do it well and supply it as needed without any shortage. I hope that you will continue to work hard and give full play to your ability, so that you will be worthy of me. Entrustment and expectation!" Liu Chengyou said.
Zhang Mei was not excited and seemed restrained. She just responded solemnly: "I will definitely remember your Majesty's teachings, fulfill my duties conscientiously, and live up to my mission!"
Different from hiding and making secret preparations before the expedition to Huaihe, Liu Chengyou's plan to conquer Shu was made with great fanfare and everyone in the city knew about it. On Fengxiang's side, Xiang Xun organized his troops and adjusted his defenses, and there was a lot of noise.
When the news reached the Shu Kingdom, the Chengdu court was obviously shocked. Just as Liu Chengyou expected, Meng Chang, the Lord of Shu, had sent more troops to Qin Feng from home, hoarding grain, grass and weapons to strengthen the imperial defense. When Li Tinggui was defeated in Donghe Village, Meng Chang not only did not punish him, but also issued an edict to appease him and kept him in Fengzhou to command the army for defense.
"Xue Qing has scattered all the capable officials of the Third Division!" Liu Chengyou looked at Xue Juzheng.
Xue Juzheng replied: "It is the right time for the local government to employ people. The three divisions train and train them for this purpose. I only hope that they can be diligent in the king's affairs and live up to their trust!"
"What's going on over there in Hebei?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"The transfer office has completed preparations!" Xue Juzheng responded quickly: "Li Gong has been in office for many years and is quite famous. He has rich experience in political affairs. With Li Gong here, there is nothing to worry about!"
Not long ago, Liu Chengyou issued an edict to set up a transportation department in Hebei. Li Gu, the former magistrate of Hengzhou, the judge of Chengde Army, and the transportation envoy of Hebei, was fully responsible for the financial transportation of the states in Hebei and the supply of the army in the north.
"I naturally believe in Li Gu's ability. He has been working hard for the country in Hengzhou these years, but it has not been easy!" Liu Chengyou said: "Now I am praising him!"
"Your Majesty is considerate of your Majesty, how can I not spare no effort to repay you!"
"How are the soldiers doing, Southwest Transportation Department?" Liu Chengyou asked again.
"Reorganize the troops and horses to the capital supervisor. We have cut off 1,500 soldiers and sent them to the transportation department for use!"
Liu Chengyou nodded and said: "Financial reform is bound to benefit people. Money and silk move people's hearts. Without soldiers, it would not be easy for officials to carry out official duties. In this way, I will replenish the soldiers of the Guanzhong Transport Department. two thousand!"
"yes!"
"There is something else I need to ask your Majesty for instructions!" Xue Juzheng said after thinking for a while.
"Say!" Liu Chengyou asked.
"When the late prince was in office, he tried to implement methods such as 'saving consumption', 'saving roads', 'removing', and 'raising estimates' to increase revenue and alleviate the financial constraints of the court. At that time, the financial plan was difficult, and in order to alleviate the national crisis, Therefore, it has become a bad government and has been complained by scholars, farmers, industry and merchants. The ministers and others suggested that it should be abolished immediately to show the virtue of the king!" Xue Juzheng suggested.
As mentioned before, when Wang Zhang was in power, he formulated many methods to make money for the Han court's dismal finances. For example, "saving consumption", under the old system, the rent of seedlings in autumn and summer was one dendrobium for the people's tax, and two liters were lost, which was called "sparrow consumption". Wang Zhang made a custom order. If you lose one bush of dendrobium, don't lose two bushels of it. This is called "saving consumption".
Since Liu Chengyou succeeded to the throne, although he has repeatedly issued decrees to reduce taxes, he has ignored this "consumption saving" system. Others, such as those in the province, have changed their jurisdiction and increased taxes to generate income. At the beginning of the country, it indeed relieved a lot of pressure for the operation of the imperial court, and Wang Zhang also suffered a lot of infamy as the emperor of the Han Dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said directly: "But it was my negligence. The people have been suffering for a long time. Please avoid all such bad policies!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Xue Juzheng was not surprised at all by the emperor's decision and said: "The people will be happy when they hear this to express their gratitude to your majesty for your kindness!"
"If they don't scold me in their hearts, I will be satisfied!"
Before he knew it, Liu Chengyou was paying more and more attention to his reputation.
