After seeing off the Queen Mother, Emperor Mingwen came back to his senses, put a hand on his lower back, and walked over like a leisurely stroll.
"Why don't you let Prince Xiao go quickly?" Emperor Mingwen said in a gentle tone.
This gesture was a little different from what Chu Yunning had imagined. Wasn't Emperor Mingwen furious?
King Xiao was stabbed twice by the Queen of the Palace, and his body is still dripping with blood. At the instruction of Emperor Mingwen,
, and soon an imperial doctor came forward to bandage Prince Xiao.
The atmosphere was solidified, and the silence was a bit eerie.
Everyone present did not dare to breathe. Chu Yunning glanced at the Prime Minister, and a thin stream of sweat continued to leak out from his forehead. It fell to the ground and broke into several pieces.
But the Prime Minister didn't even dare to wipe it and held his breath.
"The Prime Minister just shouted that he had something important to report. Please tell me why you are so anxious." Emperor Mingwen said calmly.
"Your Majesty..." the Prime Minister stuttered, his mind spinning rapidly. He had already thought of his words when he came, so he said: "Meishan has been raining heavily for more than a month. The floods destroyed the houses and caused the death of many people.
Displaced, Weichen implores the emperor to think of ways to help the people of Liming out of their misery as soon as possible."
This was indeed an urgent matter, and she could guarantee that the Prime Minister had already known about it, otherwise Prince Xiao would have brought it up long ago.
The old fox, Prime Minister Gong, has kept silent about this matter, maybe he has some agenda.
The smile on Emperor Mingwen's face gradually faded, and he thought for a moment.
Emperor Mingwen was always very cautious when it came to the common people, so he said, "What good suggestions does the Prime Minister have?"
"Wei Chen... Wei Chen thought that we could open a warehouse for relief, prepare enough food and grass, and send people to appease the people. We must not let the victims flood into Kyoto City. This is also to prevent those who are interested in taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble in the city."
After being the prime minister for more than ten years, the palace prime minister regained his composure and was very good at dealing with Emperor Mingwen.
"But now that the treasury is empty and we can't come up with more money for the time being, what should we do?" Emperor Mingwen asked helplessly.
The Prime Minister of the Palace suggested: "Wei Chen suggested that we can collect donations and let all civil and military officials donate, as well as those traders."
When it came to vendors, the Prime Minister looked at Chu Yunning specifically, which made her very unhappy.
"Chu Shang Palace has such property outside the palace, and it is not an exaggeration to make money every day. If it were not for the emperor's blessing, how could Chu Shang Palace be what it is today? Due to emotions and reasons, Chu Shang Palace should do everything for the wealthy businessmen in the city.
Set an example." Prime Minister Gong pointed directly at Chu Yunning.
Chu Yunning's eyelids twitched and she looked at Emperor Mingwen anxiously. She had earned all the money through hard work and she absolutely did not want to donate it.
Her pension!
Emperor Mingwen who was opposite suddenly looked over and looked at her with a half-smile. Chu Yunning swallowed nervously. This feeling frightened her more than just now when the Queen pointed a sword at her.
"Chu Shanggong, what do you think?" Emperor Mingwen asked with a smile.
Chu Yunning took a deep breath and said that for the sake of this, if he didn't show it, wouldn't Emperor Mingwen be very shameless?
"I am willing to donate one million taels." Chu Yunning waved her hand in pain.
Emperor Mingwen looked at her with softer eyes, "Chu Shanggong is so courageous. I thank Chu Shanggong for the donation on behalf of the victims."
"Your Majesty, as a member of your family, these are all things I should do. How can I be the leader of merchants in the capital?" After Chu Yun Ning's physical pain was over, it was the turn of the Prime Minister's family to bleed.
The Prime Minister's eyelids twitched, and he caught Chu Yunning's eyes, and immediately said to Emperor Mingwen in an understanding manner: "Your Majesty, I am willing to do my best to donate five..."
"How can I help the Emperor with my meager efforts? Prime Minister, you are the leader of all officials. You also made this proposal. Even a little girl like me has donated one million taels. No matter what you do, you will not be inferior to me.
Bar?"
Chu Yunning pretended to be surprised: "Look at me, I must be judging a gentleman with a villain's heart. If I heard it right, did the Prime Minister just say five million taels?"
The Prime Minister's expression suddenly changed.
"Prime Minister, it turns out that I misunderstood you." Emperor Mingwen immediately answered: "I didn't expect that the Prime Minister loves the people so much. He came to the palace to report the victims under the scorching sun. I am really pleased."
This statement contains an implicit threat, as if to say that if the five million taels are not taken out, the matter of the Prime Minister breaking into the palace today will be dealt with separately!
"Your Majesty..." The Prime Minister explained anxiously, but Chu Yunning refused to give him a chance: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister will help you solve your problems. The Queen is also thinking about you very much. I believe that the Queen, the Lord of the Sixth Palace, will not be stingy.
, It is a blessing to the disaster victims that the emperor has such a virtuous minister and a virtuous queen, and I feel ashamed."
Who wouldn’t be morally kidnapped?
She is also good at blowing rainbow farts.
Chu Yunning's words directly made the Prime Minister and Queen Gong feel a little embarrassed. The Queen was extremely angry: "Chu Shang Palace, the Gong family has been clean and honest for generations. How could it be possible for you to give out five million taels, and one million taels for you?"
It’s just a drop in the bucket.”
"Empress, isn't it the right thing for you to do your work for you when you eat your salary?" She has never received a salary, so why should she share your worries?
"You!" Queen Gong was gagged by Chu Yunning, and she was angry and angry.
Emperor Mingwen cleared his throat: "In two hours, I will see the prime minister's five million taels and the Chu Shang Palace's two million taels. As for the queen..."
The empress was so frightened that she immediately said, "I am willing to donate half of my dowry."
"Okay, then I'll wait."
Chu Yunning's face darkened. When did she say she would donate two million?
The empress of the palace was exhausted and donated money, and there were many concubines who followed. Counting the numbers, each of them could donate about ten thousand taels.
Concubine Xia gently moved closer to Emperor Mingwen and sniffed: "Your Majesty, I am willing to donate everything you have to help the Emperor solve his problems."
Emperor Mingwen raised his eyebrows, surprised that Concubine Xia said this.
Chu Yunning almost laughed out loud. Concubine Xia and the queen were bitter enemies. The queen just said to donate half, but Concubine Xia graciously donated the whole amount, which made the queen seem a bit stingy.
As expected, the Queen's face looked a little embarrassed.
"It's not easy for you to be alone in the palace. If you accept it from your heart, just donate half of it like the queen." Emperor Mingwen spoke and rewarded Concubine Xia with a box of pink pearls in public.
This move is undoubtedly another slap in the queen's face.
"Concubine, thank you so much, Your Majesty." Concubine Xia thanked her.
When the donation came to an end, Emperor Mingwen's face suddenly darkened, and he looked around, looking at the group of guards with swords.
"Eunuch Mo, take them all down and execute them immediately!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present was stunned. Emperor Mingwen was still smiling just a second ago. How could he change his face so quickly?
"Your Majesty, please spare my life!" The guard knelt down and begged for mercy. He was quickly gagged and dragged down, and his ears were completely clean.
Only the faces of the Prime Minister and the Queen were pale and pale. The Prime Minister couldn't help looking at his daughter with some complaints. He didn't even inquire about the information clearly, so he just said it randomly, which made him jealous of the Emperor.
When he thought of five million taels of silver, Prime Minister Gong could not help but faint. He almost took away half of the Gong family's property.
"Prime Minister, do you have anything else to report?" Emperor Mingwen returned to his gentle demeanor.
The Prime Minister of the Palace knelt down and kowtowed; "The humble minister has nothing to say."
"In that case, go back and prepare the banknotes. I'm waiting for the news." Emperor Mingwen smiled at everyone in a good mood: "I am so happy to have people like you."
"It is my blessing that I can take care of the emperor's worries." The empress stood up slowly, and Emperor Mingwen smiled and gave her a hand: "If the empress is not in good health, please don't wander around, and stay in Fengyi Palace to recuperate.
, I will visit you when I have time."
"Your Majesty?" The Queen was shocked.
"Come here, please send the Queen back to the palace. Let her rest well in the palace. No one is allowed to disturb her. If anyone disturbs the Queen's health, I will never forgive her lightly!"
The Queen was aggrieved and embarrassed, so she could only grit her teeth and endure it: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will definitely take a good rest and stop causing trouble to Your Majesty."
After hearing this, all the concubines dared to get closer to the Queen again. For fear of being implicated accidentally, they kept distanced themselves.
"In that case, let's all disperse." Emperor Mingwen waved his hand, and everyone quickly dispersed.
Chu Yunning also wanted to leave, but Eunuch Mo winked at her, and Chu Yunning sighed helplessly.
After waiting for everyone to leave, Emperor Mingwen squinted at Prince Xiao, who had been silent, and said, "You have worked hard these past two days."
"My brother doesn't feel it's hard, as long as the emperor's brother is fine."
Fortunately, Prince Xiao never had the slightest thought about this position, otherwise Emperor Mingwen might not be able to tolerate him.
"Chu Shanggong, you saved me, what do you want me to ask for?" Emperor Mingwen asked.
Chu Yunning had been waiting eagerly for this moment, and it was not in vain that she had slept on an ice bed for three days, and her whole body was numb.
"I request the emperor to issue an order to let Beibei follow me forever. No one can take Beibei away for any reason."
King Xiao frowned, a life-saving favor in exchange for this?
Shouldn't it be some kind of death-free gold medal?
In fact, Chu Yunning also thought about asking for something else, but she was worried that Emperor Mingwen would be embarrassed and had to give it to her. In the end, she might be the unlucky one.
"Eunuch Mo, please prepare an edict!" Emperor Mingwen said with eloquent words and agreed to Chu Yunning's request.
This request was not too much, so he readily agreed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Yunning thanked him, holding the imperial edict as if he had taken a reassurance. From now on, no one can take Beibei away from him.
Prince Xiao pursed his lips tightly: "Is Beibei that important to you, or is Beibei's father more important to you?"
After finishing his words, Emperor Mingwen looked at Prince Xiao doubtfully.
"For a wild man, you betrayed me, Chu Yunning. From now on, I will never pester you again. You are not worthy!" After King Xiao said this, he covered his shoulders and left.
Chu Yunning didn't take it seriously at all, with an attitude that I have long been accustomed to. Until now, King Xiao still doesn't know where he went wrong and still thinks that Beibei is not his biological bloodline.
She didn't bother to explain.
There was no one around, so Chu Yunning cleared her throat: "Sorry, I made the emperor laugh."
Emperor Mingwen was annoyed and squinted his eyes at Chu Yunning: "You saved me, and I will do what I promised you. In addition, I will give you another three million taels of silver."
Chu Yunning looked at Emperor Mingwen with doubt, not believing that Emperor Mingwen would suddenly find his conscience.
"Your Majesty, a gentleman keeps his promise and you must not go back on your word."
"When did I regret it?" Emperor Mingwen turned around in a good mood and stepped back into the palace with one foot. Eunuch Mo helped Chu Yunning on the side; "Chu Shang Palace, the emperor asked you to go in and talk."
"What else are there to say? Haven't you finished talking?" Chu Yunning was puzzled.
Eunuch Mo smiled awkwardly, and the slap marks on his face trembled with his smile, which looked a little funny.
"Chu Shang Palace, you'd better go in and take a look, in case there is anything else." Eunuch Mo said.
Helpless, Chu Yunning had no choice but to pat the ashes on her knees and enter the inner hall. All the imperial doctors and furnishings had been removed from the inner hall, and the room was also filled with fragrance. The smell was refreshing.
Emperor Mingwen sat aside to read the memorial. There were only a few drops of ink on the inkstone next to him. At Eunuch Mo's suggestion, Chu Yunning bent down and knelt down to help grind it skillfully.
"The disaster relief measures mentioned by the Prime Minister just now can only solve the problem on the surface. There are floods in that place every year, and the court allocates funds for disaster relief every year. Do you have any ideas?"
Emperor Mingwen didn't even raise his head, looking at the memorial with a solemn expression.
Chu Yunning hesitated for a moment: "I have read the story of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in an old book. It can build canals and dig ditches. Although it is a bit troublesome, it can permanently solve the problem of floods."
The amount of money raised will definitely exceed tens of millions of taels, and most of it will go into the pockets of corrupt officials, and very little will actually reach the hands of the people.
"This is time-consuming, labor-intensive and labor-intensive."
"The emperor can let those disaster victims who are capable of working work by themselves. The court will pay a salary every day, and the names of the people will be recorded clearly. Wherever the canals are built, the local officials will be responsible for recording them."
Emperor Mingwen suddenly raised his head and looked deeply at Chu Yunning, as if he didn't recognize her, and what was in her head.
Fortunately, Chu Yunning was a woman. If she had been a man, Emperor Mingwen might not have kept her.
"If the water is clear, there will be no fish. Some things can be turned a blind eye. If it is supervised by the whole people, the effect will be different." Chu Yunning proposed to set up a supervisory post every eight hundred miles, with the emperor's cronies on hand.
By stationing here, the people in need can appeal directly to the emperor, so that no one dares to make false claims.
If anyone dares to have a wrong idea about the supervisory post, he will be severely punished.
Emperor Mingwen asked again: "In your opinion, who should be sent to provide disaster relief?"
"Of course it's the Prime Minister!"
Emperor Mingwen raised his eyebrows, slightly puzzled.
"The emperor can issue an internal edict. If this disaster relief fails, the prime minister will be killed first regardless of the reason!"
The Prime Minister is the head of the officials. If you can take care of the Prime Minister, you can basically take over half of the civil and military officials.
Emperor Mingwen suddenly laughed: "If the Prime Minister knew that this idea came from you, I'm afraid he would hate you to death."
The Dog Emperor is indeed a dog!
Chu Yunning rolled her eyes and said nonchalantly: "The prime minister and the queen have hated me for more than a day or two. If you have too many debts, don't worry. If you have too many enemies, that's all. There is only one death in life."