In addition to daily food and clothing, the biggest expenses for palace purchases are jade, jewelry, rouge, powder and other items.
Zhu Jianshen was young and had no concubines in the harem, but several of the Emperor's concubines still stayed in the palace. In order to prevent them from missing the Emperor, their share only increased every year.
After Zhu Qizhen's wedding, the palace expenses began to rise. From the more than 300,000 taels when Empress Dowager Zhang supervised the harem, there was a surplus every year, and it jumped to 600,000 taels, and it was in deficit every year.
After Zhu Qizhen was kidnapped, the expenses in his palace began to decrease on a small scale. Because the emperor was young, he would not reward his concubines and queens with property. However, the queens and concubines left by Zhu Qizhen in the palace were just Monthly rules were added, but there were no rewards.
The government silver allocated by the Ministry of Household Affairs began to be significantly reduced. From the peak of 600,000 taels of silver in the 13th year of Zhenghua to the lowest peak of 260,000 taels of silver in the second year of Chenghua, it dropped by half, but the palace The medium usage is still enough.
In the fourth year of Chenghua, Zhu Jianshen began to like porcelain. Some of it was given by his courtiers, and some of it was purchased from the palace. That is to say, starting from the fourth year of Chenghua, the palace expenses increased to 320,000 taels of silver. .
However, at the beginning of the sixth year of Chenghua, the palace expenses allocated by the Ministry of Revenue were based on the peak of 310,000 taels of silver during the Chenghua period.
After having the idea of cutting down expenses, Zhu Jianshen went to the palace of the Empress Dowager Sun. When he learned that his grandson wanted to cut down the expenses in the palace and use them for state purposes, the Empress Dowager Sun readily agreed. She already lacked everything. After his son was no longer around, he valued his eldest grandson even more.
She never said a word when he was doing things, not to mention it was a good thing...
But when Zhu Jianshen went to his biological mother, the Empress Dowager, to inform her of these things, although her mother did not refuse, she still looked unhappy. She thought that it must be the ministers of the previous dynasty who were advocating frugality in front of His Majesty, so they allowed her son to come. Looking for myself, I stopped shopping in the palace.
But after Zhu Jianshen left, Concubine Zhou also said a few sarcastic words. The final result reached the ears of Empress Dowager Sun, who was called over and received a scolding.
Within a moment, Zhang Bao told Zhu Jianshen about this incident.
Zhu Jianshen felt helpless.
The Imperial Grandma was often reprimanded when the Empress Dowager Zhang was alive. Now that her daughter-in-law has finally become a mother-in-law, she does not save any face for her own daughter-in-law.
The Empress Dowager Yi'an shed tears every day and had little contact with the outside world. The Empress Dowager Sun felt distressed and would not reprimand her, so Zhu Jianshen's mother became a living target.
I wonder if my mother will pass on this fine tradition...
This matter is a deep palace matter and only needs the consent of Empress Dowager Sun.
Zhang Bao began to pass on the decree, twenty-four prisons, concubines from each palace...
From now on, the monthly routine will be cancelled, and all purchases other than food will be stopped in the palace until the end of the year...
This order was issued suddenly. Although the eunuch who purchased the order had a lot less money and did not dare to say anything, the concubines left by the Supreme Emperor in the palace were not afraid. If the Supreme Emperor was not around, the young emperor would no longer respect his elders.
This word reached Zhu Jianshen's biological mother, the Queen Mother.
You people dare to slander my son, so you immediately started fighting mode and punished all these gossiping concubines.
Zhu Jianshen couldn't do anything to the concubine left by the Supreme Emperor, but her mother could.
Suddenly, the concubines in the palace also knew that the sky had changed in the deep palace, and they no longer had the pillow wind to blow.
In fact, these concubines all knew that they stayed in this deep palace for only one purpose, which was to bury the Supreme Emperor after his death.
Now no one cares about their life or death at all, and everyone has become honest now.
Regarding what his mother had done, Zhu Jianshen also learned from Zhang Bao's mouth that he was moved at the moment.
One day later, Zhang Bao sent another message.
Because of this incident, Zhu Jianshen's mother was called over by Empress Dowager Sun again, but this time she was not scolded, but praised.
According to Zhang Bao's description, the Empress Dowager was very happy and extremely excited to return to the palace.
Zhu Jianshen didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he heard this.
The news that His Majesty Shen Gong had stopped purchasing was reported to the previous court, but this was a royal matter and they could not inquire too much.
On this day, in Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Jianshen was practicing calligraphy when Zhang Bao walked in in a panic.
"Your Majesty, the censor of Xudu is back."
Zhu Jianshen was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and then looked at Zhang Bao: "Are you back? Then, let him come see me quickly."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you will not be able to see Xu Du Yushi today."
After listening to Zhang Bao's words, Zhu Jianshen stood up suddenly, with some disbelief in his eyes.
"Dead. Dead?"
After Zhu Jianshen finished speaking, Zhang Bao was also stunned. He raised his head and said breathlessly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you..."
"How did he die? Was he killed by Lord Shouyang?" Zhu Jianshen said quickly, with a sad look on his face.
If I had known that this trip to North Korea would be so dangerous, I would have never let Xu Youzhen go. For the sake of a small North Korea, I have lost a loyal minister and good general. I think that Xu Youzhen is working for me in the court, not for the Ming Dynasty. What a scene it was when you were working hard, working hard, and now you are dying in the little North Korea.
I lost Xu Qing, just like the Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty lost Zhang Liang, just like the Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty lost Wei Zheng...
My Xu Qing family, why did you die like this? I remember you were just over forty, at least you could still work for me for another twenty years.
Why are you leaving now...
How dare little North Korea kill the angels of the Ming Dynasty.
"Invite Yu Qian, summon Li Xian, summon Zhu Shou, and Chen Ying to enter the palace."
Zhu Jianshen was very angry. After Xu Youzhen died, it would be difficult for him to find another such helper.
Zhang Bao was even more panicked.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, listen to this slave..."
"Needless to say, North Korea dares to offend the power of Ming Dynasty. I will send troops to North Korea to destroy their national unity, avenge the censor of Xudu, and avenge the envoys of Ming Dynasty."
Even if you see through Xu Youzhen's trick of seizing the door in North Korea, you can't kill him. You can just send him back honestly.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, listen to what I have to say." Zhang Bao's voice became louder.
Zhu Jianshen looked at Zhang Bao coldly.
"Your Majesty, the censor of Xudu is not dead. He is back, but according to etiquette, he must wash his body with water and fast for three days before he can enter the court to see your majesty."
After listening to Zhang Bao's words, Zhu Jianshen's face paused.
"You said Xu Youzhen is not dead?"
"He's not dead, Your Majesty."
"Then why don't you finish your sentence in one breath."
"Your Majesty, I want to say something, but Your Majesty won't let me say it."
Zhu Jianshen waved his hand, unwilling to say anything more to Zhang Bao on this topic: "These words of mine, when you see the censor of Xudu, you can take a break and tell him."
Zhang Bao is a good person. He immediately nodded in agreement and then patted his chest. His Majesty really scared me just now.
Then Zhu Jianshen sat down again and exhaled softly.
Xu Youzhen is not dead.
My Wei Zheng and Zhang Liang are back again.
Alas, the sage did not lie to me.
You will regret it only after losing it.
No, it’s the lucky people who have their own destiny.
But in the Xu Mansion, a silent war broke out.
Xu Youzhen sat on a chair, and standing next to her was Park Ningmei, who was brought back from North Korea.
However, Park Ningmei kept her head lowered at this time, which made me feel pity for her.
Xu Youzhen's wife, Wang, was sitting opposite Xu Youzhen, looking at Xu Youzhen coldly, and then glanced at Pu Ningmei.
This little girl looks so beautiful...
The silence was finally broken by Wang.
"Husband, this business trip is really not in vain. I can get such a delicate little lady to take a concubine for you. You said that you are weak, and you have to pay attention to your official reputation and not smear His Majesty. You see Look at what you are doing now, aren't you trying to discredit His Majesty? Now that you are healthy, you will no longer be in the official position."
Xu Youzhen was a poor scholar. Her wife, Wang, was the only daughter of a butcher's family and had a huge fortune. When she first married Xu Youzhen, Xu Youzhen had not even passed the provincial examination. If the Wang family had not continued to support her, Xu Youzhen would not be where she is today. .
Therefore, Xu Youzhen respected and feared her wife.
"Madam, when you say this to your husband, it really hurts my heart."
"My husband accepts her because he has to do something for His Majesty. I have no choice but to accept her. What's more, she is also a miserable person. My husband cannot just sit idly by and ignore her."
"Xu Youzhen, if you can just use your nonsense outside, you can use it at home as well."
Xu Youzhen stood up immediately.
"Madam, all I have done is to serve His Majesty. If you don't believe it, you can ask our colleagues. You definitely don't believe it, the eunuch Cao Jixiang. Then Zhan Yang, the minister of rites, you must believe it, right? Also, my current position is very awkward. I have been away for such a long time, and I don’t know if His Majesty will reuse my husband. I have been thinking hard these past few days, and I really don’t have the energy to take care of these family matters anymore. If Madam wants to If you want to blame me, just wait until His Majesty has summoned you and then come to question me."
After Xu Youzhen finished speaking, he sighed again and again.
This situation frightened Ms. Wang, and she stood up: "Husband, husband, don't be sad. You are going out to do something for His Majesty. How could His Majesty not use you? Don't be worried. How can you heal your body if you are worried?" "
Xu Youzhen looked at Mrs. Wang and said affectionately: "If you get a wife like this, what else can you ask for?"
I feel confident that I have passed the test.
Then Mrs. Wang glanced at Park Ningmei and said softly: "You can stay in the mansion. I am not a bitter person and will treat you well. However, I am no younger than I am. You should pay more attention here..."
Pu Ningmei nodded quickly: "I know."
Wang felt relieved now. What she feared most was that if Xu Youzhen found such a beautiful woman, she would indulge too much and die early...
"Wash all the food I cooked myself, and then come over and eat together."
After saying that, Wang walked out.
She was sure of him, so why couldn't he be sure of her?
"Let's go wash together..." Xu Youzhen looked at Park Ningmei and whispered.
"Ah, but Madam just finished telling me to pay attention."
"Just this time, let's go. The water will get cold later. Come quickly..."
Biquge
