This made Chongzhen very angry. Each one of you was making ridiculous claims, but when the critical moment came, no one stood up.
In fact, according to Chongzhen's idea, if he wanted to raise money nearby, it would be most convenient to find wealthy merchants and gentry near the capital. However, after being the emperor for more than a year, he was no longer the Wu Xia Amen.
Previously, an official document was issued in the capital to draw out money for disaster relief, but the result was little effect. Officials and gentry were asked to donate money, and everyone was poor.
I remember that a few months ago, Qian Qianyi donated one hundred taels of silver and looked like he had given away all his belongings.
Most of the shops and fields near the capital are related to the officials of the capital. You can imagine how difficult it is to raise silver near the capital.
A court meeting ended unhappy. Back at the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Youjian had no intention of getting angry with the ministers. All he could think about was military pay.
Looking for Shanxi merchants to raise money is a good way, but who to send is a big problem. After thinking about it, I can't think of a suitable candidate.
Zhu Youjian also knew in his heart that it was very difficult to find money from Shanxi merchants, and it was no easier than raising donations in the capital. Those Shanxi merchants must have been resentful because they had severely suppressed Shanxi merchants before.
Who should be sent? This person must be of high status, show respect for Shanxi merchants, and be reliable at the same time.
Just when Chongzhen was at his wits' end, someone pushed open the door of Wenhua Hall.
The visitor was dressed in beige palace clothes, with a tall figure, a face like a hibiscus, and beautiful eyes like water. She was like a blooming peony, adding a bit of color to this empty Wenhua Palace.
Seeing the person coming, Zhu Youjian quickly stood up and saluted the woman, "I've seen the emperor's sister-in-law, why are you here at this hour?"
The woman was none other than Emperor Tianqi's first wife, Queen Yi'an Zhang Yan.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to be polite. I have heard that you have been worried about military pay these past two days. It just so happens that I still have some useless things here, which should be able to be used as a lot of money!"
As soon as Zhang Yan finished speaking, two eunuchs entered the room carrying two trays filled with various gold and silver jewelry.
Zhu Youjian was deeply moved and quickly waved his hands and said: "Sister-in-law, how can this happen? Most of these things were given to you by me and my brother."
"Hey, these things are not for eating or drinking. Since they are needed urgently, just use them. When the money is better in the future, will your Majesty still be able to lose money to the emperor's wife?"
Zhu Youjian sighed and had no choice but to accept Zhang Yan's kindness, "Thank you very much, Mrs. Huang."
Asking Queen Zhang to sit aside, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but vomit bitterness.
Empress Zhang has always been insightful and considerate. When Zhu Youjian was still King Xin, she often took care of Zhang Yan. Later, when he ascended the throne and succeeded to the throne, Zhang Yan also contributed a lot.
Zhu Youjian has a good relationship with Queen Zhang, so he likes to talk to her about whatever worries him.
Listening to Zhu Youjian's complaints, Queen Zhang frowned and was thinking about something, "Your Majesty, since you can't think of a good candidate, why don't you make a decree and let me go to Shanxi for you."
"Shanxi has suffered a lot in the past two years, and the people have suffered a lot. If the emperor's sister-in-law goes, she can also be considered as representing the royal family, and on behalf of His Majesty, he can appease the people and understand their sentiments. Moreover, the emperor's sister-in-law also wants to go out for a walk and relax.
"
"This..." Zhu Youjian opened his mouth in astonishment. It was a good idea to let the emperor's sister-in-law go, but he really felt bad about letting her be a woman and shouldering such a burden.
"This can't be done. The emperor is not here now, and I can't take good care of you. You have to work hard, how can you be worthy of the emperor's spirit in heaven?"
"What did your Majesty say? We are all one family. The current national situation is difficult, so it would be good if we could share some of it with Your Majesty."
Zhu Youjian pulled away for a long time, then stood up and sighed with a wry smile: "Then I'll bother the emperor's wife, but as soon as the news gets out, those pedantic guys in the court will have something to say again tomorrow."
Zhang Yan smiled and said softly: "It's okay if they have something to say. If someone from them comes forward and goes out, it will save us the trouble."
.....
Sure enough, the next morning in the morning, as soon as Zhu Youjian expressed his idea, he encountered a burst of opposition.
Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there has been no precedent for the queen to go out on errands. According to the rules, the queen should stay in the palace honestly.
Don't look at the excitement of the crowd, and Zhu Youjian is not afraid. If you are not happy, then choose someone to replace Queen Yi'an. Now, the officials are dumb again.
The relationship between Shanxi merchants and the imperial court was very tense. Everyone knew that going to Shanxi to ask for military pay was just for fun. Who would be willing to do such a thankless job?
No one was willing to take this job, and gradually, the reaction of the ministers became less intense. However, everyone snickered inwardly and waited to see the fun.
Qian Qianyi and others did not think that Queen Yi'an would gain much from this trip. Shanxi merchants were eager to see the excitement of the court. It was simply wishful thinking to ask them to spend money to support the court.
So what if the queen comes in person? There is no benefit, and those Shanxi merchants will not buy the court's face. What's more, she is still a has-been Queen Yi'an.
In the eyes of those Shanxi merchants, Queen Yi'an was just a beautiful woman with a noble status.
In this unfavorable situation, Queen Yi'an Zhang Yan left the Forbidden City in a carriage and headed for the unfamiliar Shanxi Province under the protection of more than 200 royal guards.
For Zhang Yan, the scenery along the way was novel. This was the first time she left the capital since marrying into the palace.
...
Zhang Beicheng, Moon Palace.
Queen Yi'an traveled to Shanxi on behalf of His Majesty, and the official documents had already been delivered to Xuan Mansion and Datong Mansion.
After getting the news, Tie Mo summoned all Shanxi merchants from his group.
Nowadays, 70% of Shanxi Shanxi merchants have gone to Tie Mo's side, especially the big Shanxi merchants Chang, Cao, and Qiao, who have invested in Duofu, and the interests of many companies are tightly tied together.
Cao Shengyu held the teacup, shook his head and smiled bitterly, "What is the court thinking? It cut off our arms supply, took back the salt wells, sealed our mines, and now wants us to donate money. Does the court treat us, the descendants of Sanjin, as fools?"
Qiao Liuyun even sneered unceremoniously: "More than just fools, they treat us like brainless pigs."
Everyone expressed their opinions, but their attitudes were surprisingly consistent. When Queen Yi'an comes to Shanxi, we will warmly entertain you and show our kindness as landlords. If you want to get money, I'm sorry, we don't have any money, and we won't give you a penny.
Seeing Tie Mo smiling and saying nothing, Chang Minyue pushed angrily, "Tie Shouwei, from the look on your face, do you have other ideas?"
"Haha, I have some ideas. I think we can take the money!"
"What?" Qiao Liuyun smiled bitterly, "The imperial court has been putting pressure on us Shanxi merchants for the past two years, and we still send money to the imperial court. Are we not fools?"
However, Chang Minyue knew Tie Mo very well and raised her hand and said: "Brother Qiao, don't worry, let's listen to what Tie Shoubei has to say first!"
Everyone fell silent, and Tie Mo slowly spoke out his thoughts.