When Wang Zhen heard that the Queen Mother was looking for him, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
Since the last time he was beaten by Zhu Qizhen, he has deliberately avoided contact with Sun.
I never thought that I wanted to hide, but others wouldn't let me.
Wang Zhen received many favors from Sun, and he also reciprocated openly and covertly. The interests of both parties were tied for a long time.
"Father-in-law, my wife is still waiting."
"Oh, let's go over there right away." Wang Zhen knew he couldn't hide. Although the harem was large, it was still easy for the Empress Dowager to find him.
He took out a piece of silver from his pocket and asked with a smile: "Little sister, were you very angry when the Queen Mother ordered you to come to our house?"
"I don't dare to accept it." The little girl waved her hands repeatedly and added: "I don't dare to say it."
Wang Zhen was furious, put away his money and cursed: "I will be a palace maid for the rest of my life!"
The girl didn't think there was anything wrong and just smiled politely.
~
Kunning Palace, side hall.
Wang Zhen paid homage as soon as he arrived, with a very low profile and a flattering look on his face, "What do you want the Queen Mother to do for your servants?"
"Your Majesty, you are so majestic now. How can I touch you?" Sun said in a strange tone.
"Whatever you say, our family is just a slave. Your Majesty's words are really embarrassing to us." Wang Zhen said sarcastically.
Mrs. Sun hummed softly and said: "Assuming you are wise, I won't argue with you about today's matter, but if there is a next time, hey, I will treat you as a eunuch very easily."
"Don't dare." Wang Zhen apologized, but secretly complained in his heart: What is this!
Sun said calmly: "As the days go on, the princes and lords should know in their hearts who will be the master of the harem."
After a pause, "I can help you up, and I can also drag you down. Just listen to what children say, but don't take it seriously!"
Wang Zhen was shocked and his expression changed slightly.
Sun continued: "The late emperor left an edict: All important affairs of the country must be reported to the Queen Mother. My dear, what is this palace?"
"Mother, Queen Mother."
"It's good to know." Mrs. Sun smiled, "Okay, please step aside. The emperor's current situation needs to be reported to me from time to time. He is still a child."
"...Yes." Wang Zhen said yes with his hands raised.
There was a smile on Mrs. Sun's face again, "Follow me and I will ensure that you are well-off and prosperous."
As he said this, he handed over a brocade box and said, "This is for you."
"Thank you for the reward, empress." Wang Zhenxuan said with a smile.
When he opened the brocade box, he saw a piece of exquisite mutton-fat jade, worth no less than a hundred taels, but for Wang Zhen now, it was not enough to make him excited.
Although Empress Dowager Sun is the empress dowager, she still cannot compare with foreign ministers in terms of financial resources.
However, with her identity on display here, Wang Zhen could only succumb to her.
Although mother and son don't get along, the Empress Dowager Sun is the biological mother of the emperor after all. No matter how bad the relationship is, Wang Zhen cannot afford to offend her.
Wang Zhen was very good at sizing up the situation and immediately resumed his forward-looking attitude, "I only hope that the Queen Mother will follow her lead."
"Well, very good." Empress Dowager Sun was finally satisfied and her tone softened, "Just step back. By the way, pay more attention to Li Qing. What he said to the emperor must be reported to me as soon as possible.
.”
"Yes, I will leave this slave."
"Go." Mrs. Sun nodded. As Wang Zhen left, the smile on her face also faded: "My son is unreliable. I have to take the initiative to fight for him, starting with the harem."
~
Wang Zhen walked out of the side hall, the flattery on his face disappeared in an instant, and turned into a bitter look, muttering: "You asked me to listen to you, and he asked me to listen to him, you really know how to embarrass others."
While he was complaining, he suddenly saw the little girl not far away. He was startled and took two steps forward: "Did you hear that just now?"
"What did you hear?" the little girl looked confused.
"Listen...it's nothing." Seeing that this little girl was only ten years old, Wang Zhen felt relieved and turned to leave.
The little girl squatted on the ground and became sentimental.
The palace was so complicated, just living was very tiring, and she didn't want to get into trouble.
She entered the palace at the age of four. Although she was young, she also understood that if she wanted to live a stable life, she had to be deaf or blind.
Alas...it's difficult!
…
"Oh, it's so difficult!" Li Qing was lying on the bed, analyzing the current situation, and the more he thought about it, the more he got a headache.
After all, Zhu Qizhen was still too small and could not control hundreds of officials. Unlike Zhu Zhanji, he had two emperors to pave the way and took control of the military before he took office.
Moreover, now that the civil service group has gained momentum, the previous methods of coaxing, deceiving, and intimidating are difficult to work, so we can only plan slowly.
Imperial power is the best way to suppress officials, but Zhu Qizhen lacked this.
Before he reached adulthood, he was almost ignored.
The civil servants were strong, the military generals were disobedient, and the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager were responsible for making decisions. Zhu Qizhen had been the "mascot" for so many years, and he wanted to carry out drastic reforms. This was undoubtedly a wishful thinking.
We have to take advantage of the situation and let them involuntarily achieve their political views... Li Qing said softly: "It has to be done even if it is difficult. If we keep putting it off like this, it will become more and more difficult to do in the future. After the New Year, we have to start
Abolish the recommendation system.”
Opening the door, Li Qing discovered that it was snowing.
The snow in Beiping was as heavy as ever. The heavy snow was mixed with the early wind. After a while, the ground was covered with white.
Li Qing sat under the eaves, looking at the heavy snow, lost in thought.
After sitting there for a long time, Li Qing wanted to find someone to talk to. It felt so lonely to be alone looking at the snow.
After thinking about it, Yu Qian is the only one who can be called an old friend and is still here.
Li Qing knew where Yu Qian's house was, so he changed his clothes and went to look for him.
…
Yu Qian was reviewing the military supplies drawn up by Zhang Fu. The Ministry of War was not involved in the war, but was in charge of logistics. The army was about to go on an expedition, and he was required to do the military supply planning.
Although he has great trust in Zhang Fu, he has always dealt with business matters and the procedures that should be followed must be followed.
"Is Mr. Yu at home?"
A voice interrupted Yu Qian. Yu Qian recognized the identity of the person and quickly stood up and replied: "Here he is."
When he came to the courtyard, Yu Qian saw that it was Li Qing and said with a smile: "Sir, you came just in time, I was just looking for you."
"Looking for me?"
"Yes." Yu Qian made a gesture of invitation, "Xue Da, come into the study and talk."
The small courtyard is still the same small courtyard, but it has also undergone earth-shaking changes. As a minister, Yu Qian's salary is not low. Coupled with occasional rewards, his living standard has always been good.
There is a stove burning in the study room and a teapot on the stove. It is not a luxury, but it can be seen that the life is very comfortable.
"Sit down, drink a cup of tea first to warm yourself up." Yu Qian poured a cup of hot tea for Li Qing.
"Thank you." Li Qing held the tea and asked, "What's the matter?"
"It's about military supplies." Yu Qian pointed to the list on the table, "Sir, I have experience in this. Let's see if there is any unreasonableness."
Li Qing said with a smile: "You are the minister, do you need me to make decisions?"
You have been supervising the army for so many years, how can I compare to you... Yu Qian said sarcastically: "Sir, I am a member of the Ministry of War, so you have the authority to see this."
"Okay then." Li Qing didn't show any pretense and took a quick look, "As approved, it's military supplies and reasonable."
The years of supervising the army were not in vain. Li Qing only looked at the number of people sent out and the military resources required before making a judgment.
After a pause, he added: "The expedition is more about preparations for the emperor to take charge of the army. The more supplies, the better. Even if the British government reimburses more, you should still approve it. Ming Dynasty will not be short of this little money to win over
The army is what politics needs."
Yu Qian was startled, then suddenly realized, "Sir, you can see clearly. I am the one who caught the eye."
Then he added: "The Ming Dynasty is not short of money, but in recent years, the tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty has shrunk year by year, far less than that of the Xuande period."
Li Qing was mentally prepared for this and asked: "How much is the annual tax?"
"Last year, the total tax revenue was more than 18 million shi from rice and wheat, Xuande potatoes, Yongle beans, and Yongle rice. The total amount was more than 32 million shi. There was almost no problem with food, but the commercial tax rate shrank seriously. In addition,
In addition, gold, silver and copper mines have also been significantly reduced."
Yu Qian sighed: "With the opening of sea trade, the rich are not too concerned about the crops in the fields. They are all involved in trade. Logically speaking, business taxes should be increased, but... sir, you understand."
Li Qing nodded and comforted: "Don't just look at the bad side. At least the people won't be hungry now, right?"
"That's true." Yu Qian was convinced and said with a smile: "Mainly the immigration policy and the high yield of Xuande potatoes and Yongle beans have made a big contribution, especially the latter. The yield of those crops is really high!"
"That's good." Li Qing sighed: "As long as the livelihood of the people is guaranteed, the world will not be in chaos. As for the struggle in the court... it has happened in all dynasties. How can the Ming Dynasty be exempt from this?"
"Sir, that's right." Yu Qian also smiled.
If anyone else had said this, he might not have listened, but Li Qing was different.