Smelling of alcohol, he didn't take off his robes or even his boots, and just stayed slumped on the imperial couch. The loyal servant Yan Tuo wanted to serve Emperor Liu and let them lie down more comfortably, but was kicked away by Emperor Liu.
I fell down and squatted down, leaving some marks on my chest. I didn't have any temper at all. I was just a little helpless and a little afraid. Of course, I was more concerned about the fact that the official didn't cover me with a quilt. What if I caught a cold.
Fortunately, Yantuo didn't struggle for too long. The queen came, letting him breathe a big sigh of relief. Da Fu still looked majestic and majestic. He looked at Emperor Liu who was lying on the couch a little slovenly. His eyebrows were slightly curved and he ordered: "You all should step aside and prepare some hot water!"
"Yes!" Yantuo hurriedly responded, bowed and tiptoed back, and gestured to the palace attendants.
The dormitory suddenly became quiet, and only a few night winds came in through the gaps in the windows, making the lights sway. Looking at Emperor Liu lying like a corpse, Da Fu sighed softly, stepped forward quietly, reached out and opened the gauze covering Emperor Liu's face, and looked at him.
At this time, Emperor Liu's face was quite peaceful except for the obvious rosiness of drunkenness, and he even snored faintly. Next, Queen Fu personally served him, taking off his boots and robe, letting him lie down, covering him with a quilt, and wiping his face. She was careful and considerate. After all the tossing, Fu was a little tired.
Obviously, it was because of the change of person. Emperor Liu seemed very cooperative and obedient, allowing the queen to care for him.
The face that had been carefully wiped felt a chill. Surprised by this, Emperor Liu seemed to gradually wake up. Opening his eyes, what he saw was slightly hazy, with bright lights and a dim palace. After a while, the graceful appearance of Da Fu gradually became clearer.
"woke up?"
"Um."
"You didn't drink much wine, so why are you so drunk?" Da Fu asked.
"It seems that I am really old, my energy is running low, and I can't even resist the urge to drink!" Emperor Liu said with a bitter smile.
"You are only forty years old, why do you say you are old?" After hearing what he said, Dafu said: "Your drinking capacity is not high. In my opinion, you have something on your mind! Why are you so depressed at the beginning of the new year?"
"Did you see it?" Emperor Liu asked with a grin. Only in front of Fuhou could he reveal his truest side.
Facing Emperor Liu's gaze, Dafu sighed: "Don't talk about me anymore. I'm afraid the ministers attending the banquet can't see it. They, Mr. Zhao and Mr. Li, may be worried. Why is Your Majesty like this?" , did they make any omissions..."
Hearing this, Emperor Liu shook his head and said: "Yes, a minister like Zhao Pu has such a clever mind, such a keen sense of smell, how many people in the court can compare with him, how many people in the court can compare with him?"
"Are you really dissatisfied with Zhao Pu?" Da Fu couldn't help but be surprised. Although she never interfered in the affairs of the court, she was also very knowledgeable about the people in the court. She also knew how much Emperor Liu valued Zhao Pu.
"That's not the case!" Emperor Liu denied immediately and said: "Zhao Pu, the prime minister, has done a very good job. With him, everything in the court can be kept in order without me having to worry too much.
It can be said that among all the prime ministers since he ascended the throne, the one I am most satisfied with is Zhao Pu. Even compared to Duke Yu, he did a better job as prime minister.
I have always treated Mr. Yu as a teacher, and there is no doubt about his talent. He has the function of a prime minister, and is tolerant, but lacks political skills. He is a gentleman, but Zhao Pu is not like that. He is not burdened by good reputation and specializes in professionalism. Practical and resourceful, he can display his outstanding talents no matter what position he holds.
If such a person presides over the government affairs in a suitable manner, the emperor can save most of his energy and not be burdened with complicated affairs..."
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Da Fu nodded and said: "Xiang Zhao is indeed very capable in administering government affairs!"
"If that's the case, why are you so depressed?" Dafu asked.
After hearing the question, Emperor Liu pondered for a while and said, "Do you know how much food the imperial court consumed during this Northern Expedition?"
"I don't know, but it must be a very huge amount!" Da Fu shook his head lightly.
"Yes!" Emperor Liu said: "From the west to the east, there are more than 600,000 soldiers, soldiers and civilians serving directly on the front line. Supporting such a huge army is an extremely heavy burden for the Han Dynasty.
In less than a year, the national treasury spent more than 85 million yuan, and transferred more than 4.5 million shi of military rations. This is only a rough estimate, and it is only the most important part of the loss. The actual consumption is also beyond.
Nearly 90 million yuan of money and silk, even with the current imperial court's annual tax revenue, will take nearly three years. Any idea what this means? Since the Kaibao Year, the imperial court's reserves in the past seven years have been basically exhausted.
Zhao Pu has already reported it to me. Now the national treasury is in serious deficit, and Song Qi has already complained to me on behalf of the Financial Secretary! Next, stationing troops to guard the border, continuing the Northern Expedition, aiding the border to recover, rewarding meritorious generals, and subsidizing the soldiers and the people will all require large expenditures.
Song Qi told me that in the coming year, I am afraid that even the government will have difficulties in distributing official salaries, ministers, and titles! And the revenue from the two taxes will inevitably drop sharply in the coming year, and it will be difficult to return to the level of Kaibao's seven years within three to five years..."
"Is the imperial court already in such dire straits?" Da Fu Yurong couldn't help but reveal a hint of surprise.
She was a very smart woman. She noticed the tiredness gradually showing on Emperor Liu's face and suddenly said, "Do you think that the several ceremonies held in the past few days are too extravagant?"
She is really smart and can reveal everything at once. Of course, she is too familiar with Emperor Liu and can easily spy on his thoughts.
Emperor Liu raised his hand, wiped his bun with a few strands of white, and said leisurely: "The celebration was held on my order to boost the morale of the officials and the people. I have no regrets. Extravagance is acceptable, it is magnificent and grand. To show his power.
However, a mere celebration cost three million, which was really extravagant! What worries me the most is that the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty were unaware of it, enjoying themselves and enjoying this luxury wantonly.
I am committed to creating a prosperous age. However, only eight years after the opening of the treasure, the ministers of the Han Dynasty seemed to think that the prosperous age had arrived, as if such singing and dancing meant that the prosperous age was healthy and the world was at peace. Just like, do it for me!
What makes me even more chilling is that I myself seem to be enjoying it a little..."
Hearing Emperor Liu's words, Da Fu was silent, reaching out and gently caressing Emperor Liu's cheek, as if she wanted to use the warmth of her hand to soothe the discomfort and anxiety in Emperor Liu's heart.
"You've been too tired lately!" Dafu said.
After a pause, he continued in a soothing tone: "I still remember that before the founding of the Han Dynasty, the Khitan invaded, the Central Plains were sinking, the world was in chaos, the people were in dire straits, and thieves were on the rise. Even though I was a girl in my boudoir, I still had a rough idea of that. People suffer.
In the early years of Qianyou's reign, the country was still unstable, suffering from internal and external troubles, the imperial court was in dire straits, and the people were in hardship. The past years were difficult and worth remembering, but we have survived in the end.
You have worked hard to govern, enrich the country and strengthen the army, and what you are striving for is today's peace and health, isn't it? Over the years, although I have been in a deep palace, I have often heard that the people are becoming more prosperous and the people's lives are improving.
This is true for common people, but what about aristocratic officials? If conditions were not limited, who would be willing to live in hardship and poverty? Everyone is happy to be healthy. You can no longer be as demanding as you were in the past, insisting on simplicity, both internally and externally.
In the short term, they may be afraid of your power and prestige and may hide it, but over time, they will definitely resent you. Human nature always has a fondness for ease and aversion to hard work, and you should understand these appropriately.
However, since the country is in a difficult situation right now, we should exercise restraint, and luxury and extravagance should indeed not be promoted, but you should not be too depressed about it..."
"Da Fu, Debi's eldest grandson, I am talking about you!" Emperor Liu smiled after hearing Da Fu's words of relief.
Hearing this, Da Fu smiled gently and responded: "I am just your Queen Fu!"
