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Whether Jiang Shaohua likes King Ping or not is actually not important.

What was important was her attitude. She was willing to take care of the young King Ping until he grew up.

Empress Dowager Zheng saw this and felt relieved.

Jiang Shaohua had seized the throne from King Ping, and no one was more angry than her. However, she would not let her anger get the better of her and do something out of control.

Compared with the Prince of Huaiyang and the Prince of Wu'an, Jiang Shaohua's ascension to the throne was at least acceptable. Originally, in her plan, Jiang Shaohua was to assist Prince Ping wholeheartedly. Now the plan has changed slightly. Jiang Shaohua is unwilling to make wedding clothes for Prince Ping and wants to sit on the throne herself. Then let Jiang Shaohua take care of the government first. When Prince Ping grows up safely, marries a wife and has children, then slowly plan to "return the throne".

This is not something that can be done overnight. She needs to take good care of her health and live another 20, 30 or even longer years.

Therefore, the harmony between her and Jiang Shaohua was necessary. This was done for everyone in and outside the palace to see, and it was also a warning to those who were ready to make a move against the Zheng family. As the Empress Dowager, she was still as stable as a mountain, and no one could make a move against the Zheng family.

"Cousin Shaohua, you eat too." The naughty King Ping grabbed a piece of pork ribs and stuffed it into Jiang Shaohua's hand.

This is King Ping's way of expressing his affection for the people around him.

Jiang Shaohua showed no disdain, and smiled as he put the ribs into King Ping's mouth: "If you like them, I'll keep them for you."

King Ping ate the food with great satisfaction.

After the grand opera of harmony between grandparents and grandchildren was over, Jiang Shaohua returned to the Showa Hall.

At this time, there was still a pile of memorials in the Showa Hall waiting for her review.

Both Chen Changshi and Chen Jinyu, grandfather and grandson, were present, and the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Wang Jin, was also there to serve with writing materials.

"I have also heard about the death of Lu Junma." Wang Jin didn't know the truth and thought Jiang Shaohua was trying to suppress her grief: "The deceased is gone, please accept my condolences, my lady."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "What Wang Zhongshu Ling said is that state affairs come first. We can only endure the grief and deal with state affairs first."

Wang Jin: “…”

It feels a little weird.

How can a daughter whose father just died be so calm and rational?

Wang Jin suppressed the strange feeling in his heart.

There was a pile of memorials on the imperial desk. Chen Changshi and Wang Jin were responsible for half each. The less important ones were put aside for the time being, and the important ones were presented to Jiang Shaohua first.

Chen Jinyu was unfamiliar with government affairs and could not do the job of screening memorials, so he just stood by and served with pens, ink and tea.

Jiang Shaohua read the memorial from the Ministry of War, thoughtful.

Chen Changshi is good at handling trivial government affairs, but he is not as familiar with the affairs of the six ministries as Wang Jin.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Wang Jin and said, "Minister Wang of the Ministry of War has submitted a memorial requesting military expenses for the garrisons in various places. What do you think of this memorial?"

Wang Jin thought for a moment and replied, "The garrison has been reducing its military expenditures every year. Last year, the military expenditures were only 50%. After being deducted at every level, only 20% to 30% of it can be distributed to the soldiers. The soldiers are complaining a lot. Last year, there were several cases of soldiers defecting and mutinying in the barracks. Fortunately, they were suppressed in time. Minister Wang may have some insignificant selfish motives when he submitted this memorial. But judging from this matter alone, he was not wrong."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and looked at Chen Changshi: "What do you think, Chen Changshi?"

Chen Changshi stroked his beard and said, "The princess will ascend the throne in two days and become the emperor of Daliang. When a new emperor ascends the throne, there should be a brand new atmosphere. Not only should the military expenses of the garrison be paid, but they should also be paid in full to the soldiers."

Wang Jin frowned and said, "I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue can't raise so much money at once." It was the right decision for the new emperor to win over the army first after he ascended the throne. But the treasury was empty and there was no way out. When Emperor Taihe was alive, didn't he want to pay the soldiers enough? It was because he couldn't come up with the money. The military expenses of the border troops and the garrison in the capital could not be saved, so he had to deduct the money from the garrison.

Now, this problem is again before Jiang Shaohua. What should he do with the huge military expenditure of millions of taels every year?
Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "This year's military expenditure has been fully paid out, and the treasury tax revenue is insufficient, so we can find a solution elsewhere. As long as we are determined, we can always find a solution."

Wang Jin reminded in a low voice: "I know that Nanyang County is rich, but those are the private property of the county lord. We can't use them all to fill the deficit of the court."

Chen Jinyu on the side couldn't help but agree: "What Wang Zhongshu Ling said makes sense. The princess can't set this precedent. Even if the princess is willing to use the savings of the palace to pay for the military expenses, it is not a long-term solution. Daliang has nearly 400,000 soldiers, and the annual military expenses are a huge expense. How can the Nanyang Palace afford it?"

With the financial resources of the Nanyang Palace, it can now support more than 10,000 elite soldiers, which is already very amazing. To support an army of hundreds of thousands, the only way is to use the financial resources of the whole country.

Jiang Shaohua said slowly: "This is indeed a difficult problem. However, it must be solved eventually."

"This memorial will be kept for the time being. We will discuss it again at the grand court meeting in a few days."

He was so busy that he did not finish reading all the memorials until midnight.

Wang Jin used to have a residence in Zhaohe Palace, so it was naturally inconvenient for him to stay now, so he took his leave with Chen Changshi.

At this moment, Qin Hu came to report: "My Lady, Earl Changning has returned from the Imperial Manor."

Jiang Shaohua relaxed his brows.

It was enough for the princess to have the Earl of Changning accompany her. Chen Jinyu simply took his leave and left the palace, returning to the palace with Chen Changshi.

……

Cui Du heard the news of Lu Xuan's death and hurried back. He thought he would comfort the sad princess, but he didn't expect that the princess didn't show any sadness on her face.

Cui Du was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice: "Did he do anything to let you down?"

Jiang Shaohua's eyes flashed with sarcasm: "In his eyes, everything he did was natural and logical. Since his daughter is married, it is his duty as a father to manage the family business for her."

Cui Du immediately understood: "In his previous life, he took over the royal family business?"

"Not only that, he also planned to pass it all to Lu Ying." Jiang Shaohua sneered: "In fact, he did it. I stayed in the capital and never returned to Nanyang County until my death. The Nanyang Palace became his territory. He took in many beautiful concubines and had many children. He lived a very happy life."

If she hadn't been reborn, she would have taken this anger to hell.

Cui Du immediately felt a sense of solidarity: "No wonder you have always been cold and distant to him. You never gave him any opportunity to get involved in government affairs."

"It seems that his early departure is a good thing."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Cui Du.

Cui Du's heart moved, and a horrifying idea suddenly flashed through his mind.

and many more!

Lu Xuan's death was such a coincidence, could it be...

However, even if they are as close as husband and wife, they cannot ask such questions.

Cui Du did not ask further questions, but whispered softly: "The dead cannot be resurrected. We are mourning for him, which is also our filial duty." (End of this chapter)