"It's time to investigate!" Emperor Liu said with some determination in his tone: "In the past, I often expressed my stance to be frugal and frugal, but now it seems that it is still superficial and just a formality. This time What happened is not without its benefits, at least it made me more alert, and I should seek changes and corrections more resolutely and thoroughly!"
"I have always been dissatisfied with the extravagance and luxury of nobles and ministers, but I often neglect myself and think I am restrained, but it is contrary to the fact.
If you spend so much money inside the palace, how can you convince people outside the palace to restrain yourself? If I don't make corrections, why should I demand so much from my subordinates? "
Emperor Liu said, and expressed his thoughts to Empress Fu: "Next, I plan to make clear reductions in various expenditures in the palace. I need to draw up a complete set of expenditure regulations. The food of each palace is The amount of wear and monthly expenses should be fixed and can be reduced but not increased.
Starting from you and me, all the concubines, officials, and palace servants will have their monthly salaries reduced at the same time. Everyone's accounts must be strictly recorded for audit and traceability, and a management system must be re-established with supervisors. ....”
"In short, all the methods of governing the country must be transplanted into the palace. The management of palace affairs cannot be relaxed. Otherwise, the family will be ruined. How can we ask the court for clarification?"
After listening to Emperor Liu's strong declaration, Empress Fu nodded gently and said firmly: "No matter what decision you make, I support it!"
"This matter in the palace needs your help!" Emperor Liu said with a satisfied smile.
"One more thing!" Emperor Liu thought for a while and said.
"What's the matter?" Seeing that Emperor Liu seemed a little embarrassed to speak, Empress Fu asked proactively.
After letting out a sigh of relief, Emperor Liu said: "I heard that the total number of eunuchs and palace servants in the inner court is four to five thousand, which is too many. The palace also needs so many people to serve, and I don't need it!
I decided to release all the palace residents except for a certain number of people who were left to serve. Well, each will be given a certain amount of salary compensation based on age, rank, and resume!
With fewer people in the palace, expenses will naturally drop, and there will be less trouble! "
Empress Fu was inevitably surprised by Emperor Liu's decision. After all, since ancient times, how many emperors would dislike having too many beauties in their harem?
Even if there are those who are released, most of them are over-age palace maids and palace wives, and those beauties of young age are generally difficult to leave the palace. According to Emperor Liu's wishes, a large-scale evacuation of the palace personnel was to be carried out.
Empress Fu still agreed with this. After thinking about it, she asked, "How many people do the officials plan to keep?"
"There are 700 people in the inner palace, can you provide Zhou Zhi?" Emperor Liu asked after thinking about it for a moment.
From Emperor Liu's willingness, we can know that there is also some impatience in his temperament. In the past, he may have hidden it well. Those calm and quiet things like ten thousand years of ice were just forced to do so.
And with the continuous accumulation of success and glory, and the relief and release of various pressures, many of his performances have become more real, and many of his unintentional behaviors have also revealed themselves.
This urgency has become more and more obvious in recent years. This kind of situation, at a small scale, is just a matter of eagerness for success, but if it is magnified a little, it is a case of being greedy for great achievements and greedy for perfection.
Hearing that Emperor Liu was about to cut off 70% to 80% of the "staff" in the Han Palace, Empress Fu frowned subconsciously, also considered her words, and said: "So, are you too eager to cut it rashly?" With so many people, I’m afraid it will cause chaos in the palace!”
"How can it be chaotic? Moreover, in the early days of the country, there were only more than 200 people serving in the palace. Life was different at that time, and I didn't feel that there were fewer people to serve. Even if the palace guards were added, it would only be enough. There are more than three thousand people, and in my opinion, seven hundred palace attendants are more than enough!" Emperor Liu said with a relaxed look.
Seeing his serious expression, Empress Fu couldn't help but sigh in her heart. The stubbornness in Emperor Liu's character became more and more obvious. When he is calm, he is extremely calm, and when he reflects, he is sincere enough. But every time he makes a decision, he is also arbitrary and cannot be refuted, and he is sure to do it in one step.
In Emperor Liu's current understanding, such a matter may be really just a trivial matter that can be settled casually. There is no need for him to do specific things anyway, but such a simple decision affects the palace. The future of thousands of palace people.
"After all, it's not the beginning of the country now, and the situation in the palace is no better than it was twenty-five years ago." Empress Fu's voice was still soft and soothing, and she said calmly: "I am not opposed to reducing the number of people in the palace, and I even fully support it. , However, with such a reduction method, perhaps there will be no shortage of people around us to serve, but it is difficult to fill this huge Ziwei City, and even the normal operation and maintenance of various palace buildings and supervisory agencies will be short of people... .”
"Really?" Emperor Liu obviously listened to what Empress Fu said. He stroked his thick beard and thought for a moment, then seemed to mock him and said: "It seems that the palace is too big, which is not a good thing. The magnificence is It’s so magnificent, I feel the burden of maintenance!”
"In addition, if you plan to release the palace people, I'm afraid you also have a heart of mercy. But with so many people in the palace, not all of them are trapped in the palace and are willing to be freed. For them, leaving the palace may not be what they want. , it may not be a good thing." Empress Fu said again, with a hint of pity for those palace people in her words.
Compared with Emperor Liu, Empress Fu obviously had a better understanding of the situation in the palace and the psychology of those in the palace. Although the palace is a place with strict rules and restraints, and under the glamor, there are also hidden plots and tricks, crimes and dangers, but there is no doubt that this is the most noble place in the world, enough to attract most people in the world to flock to it.
In this world, there are not so many people who yearn for freedom, and there is not much soil for "freedom" ideas to take root in the world. For most palace people, this is also a place full of opportunities. As long as they are lucky enough to win over the nobles in the palace With a smile, there is a chance of wealth and glory.
Even if you are in the palace again, at least you will have enough food and clothing, but outside the palace it will not be the case. If you don't have support, you will be like all other living beings, working hard and busy for a living.
Especially for those palace ladies, the tall tiles on the palace walls of Ziwei City may be a restraint or a prison, but will they be free after leaving the palace? Even if the current atmosphere of the Han Dynasty is relatively friendly to women, it does not affect the fact that this is the ultimate male-dominated world. They are also serving people. There are differences between those inside and outside the palace. It is conceivable how they will choose.
"What do you think?" After such reminders, Emperor Liu decided to listen to the queen's ideas.
Empress Fu said: "I believe that there is no need to rush for results when reducing the number of people in the palace. It can be done gradually, releasing batches in batches, and in a smooth manner. The situations of the people in the palace are also different, and it can be determined by the situation.
Those who are willing to leave the palace can be released first, and then the older ones can be selected. In addition, those who have homes or places to go can also be given travel expenses and directions. As for others, they can also be properly placed according to specific circumstances! "
After hearing what Empress Fu said, Emperor Liu nodded repeatedly, with a smile on his face, stroking his back and praising: "You are still thoughtful, my idea was too hasty!"
Now, only in front of the queen could Emperor Liu admit his mistake so frankly.
Fuhou's words still reminded Emperor Liu. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly called out: "Is Aries here?"
Soon, a healthy and handsome young guard entered the palace. Through the bead curtain, he said respectfully: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Liu had a smile on his face: "I ask you, do you think the young maids in the palace are beautiful?"
Aries, who was about to accept the mission given by the emperor, was stunned for a moment, a little confused and hemming and hawing, not knowing how to answer. Under Emperor Liu's questioning, Cai Cai blushed and replied in a low voice: "Beautiful!"
"You haven't gotten married yet!" Emperor Liu said again.
"Never!" Aries nodded, a little embarrassed: "The family is already busy!"
He had been a border soldier since he joined the army. Later, he accompanied Yang Ye on the Northern Expedition. After experiencing life and death dangers, he came back to report the military situation. Fortunately, he was discovered by Emperor Liu and promoted to a guard.
Although he came from a humble background, he could be regarded as a young talent, not to mention that he was a guard beside the emperor. There were many matchmakers for him, but he never had the chance to handle it.
"When a man gets married, what's there to be embarrassed about!" Probably because he thought Aries's reaction was interesting, Emperor Liu said cheerfully: "There's no need to bother, I'll find a wife for you, just pick one from Gong'e. What you think is the most beautiful!”
Hearing this, Aries couldn't help but widen his eyes and said in astonishment: "Your Majesty, this... that... is not good, how dare the general get involved?"
"What are you talking about? Do you think Gong'e is not worthy of you? You have been on duty with me for three years, and you have never been promoted or rewarded. Take this as my blessing! This matter is settled, If you tremble at me again, you are disobeying me!" Emperor Liu's words were a bit harsh, but his expression was as warm as the spring breeze.
Seeing this, Aries immediately knelt down and said with tears of gratitude: "I will thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
"Okay, get out!"
After the Aries incident, Emperor Liu's mood improved a lot, and his thinking became clearer. He looked at Fuhou and said: "I will order the Ministry of War to draw up a list of unmarried sergeants in the Imperial Army in Beijing. If the women in the palace have no family to live with, Yes, you can choose a man of suitable age from the guards and imperial army to match him! What do you think?"
"That's fine!" Empress Fu had no objection. This kind of romantic match might not always be a good match, but at least it was a destination.
Compared with most men in the world, those who were born in the Suwei and the Forbidden Army can be regarded as good matches. Their treatment can support a family of five without any problems.
Obviously, Emperor Liu could also use this to win over another wave of military morale, especially the young Qiu Ba, who was also easy to bribe, killing two birds with one stone.
