spend time

Chen Sheren was ordered to go to Jingyang Palace to deliver the message.

Empress Dowager Zheng had been ill on and off for several months and had been recovering. Her health had improved significantly in recent days, and she was looking through the account books sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When she heard that the emperor wanted to visit her, she snorted and said to Eunuch Zhao, "The emperor is here to take advantage of me."

The Yellow River flooded, and six counties were affected by the flood. The court was so busy with disaster relief these days that Jiang Shaohua had no time to come to the harem. How could there be no reason behind her suddenly taking the initiative to come to Jingyang Palace to "visit the sick"?

It has to be said that Empress Dowager Zheng knew Jiang Shaohua well.

Eunuch Zhao smiled, but secretly complained in his heart. The entire palace belongs to the emperor, and the Imperial Household Department also belongs to the emperor. The emperor was busy with state affairs and did not compete with the Empress Dowager who was holding the Imperial Household Department.

If we really think about it, the emperor can take as much money as he wants from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Who can stop him? Who has the right to stop him?

Empress Dowager Zheng was not so self-aware and treated the Imperial Household Department as her private property. After all, she had been in charge of the harem for decades, and the Imperial Household Department had always been her money bag. From top to bottom, it was basically all her people. Empress Dowager Li did not dare to make any big moves in the few months she took over, and only placed two or three people.

If one wanted to take money from the Imperial Household Department, he had to get approval from the Empress Dowager.

Jiang Shaohua had to promise some benefits before she would nod.

Empress Dowager Zheng thought about it in her mind and ordered slowly: "Go to the imperial kitchen and serve more of the emperor's favorite dishes."

Eunuch Zhao left as ordered.

About an hour later, the emperor arrived.

Empress Dowager Zheng was an elder, so there was no need for her to come out to greet her. Eunuch Zhao led a group of eunuchs and palace servants to greet her respectfully.

On Jiang Shaohua's sides were Commander Song and Sheren Chen, and behind him were a group of tall and strong guards, making a mighty force.

Most of the personal guards stayed outside Jingyang Palace, and about twenty personal guards followed the emperor into Jingyang Palace.

"Grandma," Jiang Shaohua called out affectionately, showing respect as a junior.

Empress Dowager Zheng responded with a smile, then sighed distressedly: "I know that state affairs are important, and the emperor must take care of his health. Look at you, there are dark spots under your eyes, you must have not slept well these days."

Jiang Shaohua also sighed: "The south has suffered a flood. When I think of the tens of thousands of people who have no food or clothing, how can I eat or sleep well?"

Empress Dowager Zheng scolded, "This is a natural disaster, which cannot be resisted by human power. Disaster relief and resettlement of the people are not something that can be completed in a day or two. No matter how urgent it is, you must eat well and sleep well."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "My grandmother loves me the most."

Empress Dowager Zheng raised her lips with a loving look: "You are the emperor of Daliang. The court affairs depend on you. All the old and young in the harem also rely on you. How can I not feel sorry for you?"

Although he felt sad, he never mentioned the money.

Jiang Shaohua was not in a hurry. He chatted with Queen Mother Zheng and waited for Prince Ping to arrive before going to have dinner together.

In the past six months, King Ping has grown taller and fatter, with a fair and tender face, and is a handsome fat man. He is carefree and happy all day long.

King Ping was very close to Jiang Shaohua and insisted on sitting next to him. Jiang Shaohua smiled and picked up food for him and wiped the corners of his mouth for him. She did it very smoothly. It was obvious that she took good care of King Ping.

Empress Dowager Zheng was cheerful, showing the kindness of her grandmother and filial piety of her grandchildren.

After dinner, King Ping was taken away, and the grandfather and grandson each held a cup of tea. This was the critical moment.

Jiang Shaohua did not beat around the bush and quickly stated his purpose: "Grandmother, relying solely on the Ministry of Revenue to raise money and grain for disaster relief is far from enough. I have already written a letter to the Nanyang Palace, asking Feng Changshi to take out all the money and grain that can be used."

Empress Dowager Zheng pretended not to understand and kept praising the emperor's righteousness. Jiang Shaohua said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs should also contribute money and manpower."

Empress Dowager Zheng was immediately shocked and said, "No! The Imperial Household Department is the private treasury of the royal family. How can you use the money of the Imperial Household Department? I don't agree."

Jiang Shaohua looked over and said, "The national treasury is my national treasury, the Nanyang Palace is my Nanyang Palace, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs is also my Ministry of Internal Affairs. If I want to use the deposits of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who can stop me?"

Empress Dowager Zheng: “…”

Empress Dowager Zheng was choked and couldn't breathe.

The expected pleading, soft words, compromise and concessions were all gone, and the calculated benefits were naturally in vain. Because Jiang Shaohua did not intend to use benefits to exchange for her nod.

Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly stood up and pointed her finger at Jiang Shaohua's nose angrily: "Jiang Shaohua! Who are you talking to?"

Jiang Shaohua's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly, "Who is the Empress Dowager talking to again?"

His attitude was very tough and he refused to give in.

The flesh on Empress Dowager Zheng's face trembled a few times and her expression changed again and again. It was obvious that she was extremely angry and was on the verge of completely turning against her.

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Jiang Shaohua looked at Empress Dowager Zheng coldly and said slowly: "It has been almost a year since I ascended the throne."

"Three of the six ministers have been replaced. The court officials are quite respectful of me. Government affairs are running smoothly."

"In the military, I have paid them enough and I respect all the generals. It is only a matter of time before I can completely subdue them. I have sent my personal guards to garrison in various states, and after more than half a year, there have been some results."

"In Nanyang County, we have the elite Nanyang Army and the loyal guards. If I give an order, they will obey my command and dare to brave mountains of swords and seas of fire."

"I am the emperor of Daliang, and everything I do is justified."

The Empress Dowager Zheng's face trembled more and more, and her old eyes, which were usually slightly cloudy, stared at Jiang Shaohua, as if she was a poisonous snake about to show its fangs.

Jiang Shaohua remained unmoved and continued, "I have always respected the Grand Empress Dowager because I inherited my cousin's throne and should take care of my grandmother on his behalf. As the Son of Heaven, I should also set an example of filial piety for the people of the world. It's not that I'm afraid of anyone."

"The Empress Dowager might as well think carefully about the reasoning behind this."

There was a dead silence.

Eunuch Zhao had already lowered his head to hide the shock in his eyes.

He also didn't expect that the emperor would be so tough, and even had the intention to take the initiative to break off relations.

If Empress Dowager Zheng cannot swallow this anger and leaves today unhappily, what will happen next? A palace coup has turned the palace upside down. Is there going to be another turmoil in the palace?

The more I think about it, the more horrified I become.

The silent confrontation probably lasted only a short moment, or perhaps it lasted a long time.

Finally, the voice of Empress Dowager Zheng rang in Eunuch Zhao's ears: "I need to think about it for a few days." Then, she sneered: "Your Majesty can't even wait a few days!"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "I have always been very patient. I have waited from the time I ascended the throne until today, and it doesn't matter if I wait a few more days." (End of this chapter)