Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 269 The Emperor Without Money Is the Wise Ruler
……

In the future, when she becomes a concubine, Caiyun and Xia will be her maids.

Why was Ping'er so confident that she would become a concubine? Because Jia Rong had given her peace of mind last night, and she didn't believe that Jia Rong would deceive her.

Besides, she now knew many secrets of Nanyang. No matter what the reason was, she could not leave Jia Rong, and Jia Rong would not allow her to leave.

Of course, this also includes the two sisters Caiyun and Xia, who are aware of the interests of Nanyang. Even if they die, they can only die in Ningguo Mansion and there is no possibility for them to go out.

The benefits of Nanyang are truly staggering.

Ping'er even felt that in a few years Jia Rong himself would be rich enough to rival a country.

I can’t imagine what will happen then.

Of course, it was not her turn as a girl to worry about this.

There is also the Ningguo Mansion's stabilizing force, Lord Jia. As for her, she just needs to do her own job well.

"I heard from Xiaoxiao that you have been busy lately and have to rest very late?" Jia Rong asked casually after Caiyun and Xia left.

Ping Erh said, "It's not that late."

Jia Rong said, "Don't work too hard. If you are really too busy, find two more reliable people to help you. You can start with small things outside and slowly develop your ability."

Ping'er knew that Jia Rong was concerned about her, so she nodded obediently. In her heart, she had already started thinking about which of her close friends would be more suitable to be brought over to serve her.

……

The next day, March 2, was sunny and cloudy with light rain.

Today happened to be the grand court meeting at the beginning of the month. All officials above the fifth rank in Kyoto who held noble titles had to go to the Huangji Hall at five o'clock in the morning to attend the court. Emperor Anping even got up at half past four o'clock to wash and dress.

Xia Shouzhong, who was serving him, said with emotion: "Your Majesty, you are truly the most virtuous monarch throughout history."

No wonder he had such emotion. Emperor Anping was truly a rare diligent monarch in history. He spent nearly ten hours out of the twelve hours a day reviewing memorials, and it was common for him to read a book while eating.

He alone was even worth the entire Silijian, so much so that the eunuch who held the seal of the Silijian became a tea server, and the eunuch who held the pen was directly laid off and returned to his hometown.

Emperor Anping often said: Only those who personally handle affairs can be considered as wise rulers.

If an emperor only indulges in pleasure, is unaware of what is happening in the world, and relies solely on reports from his ministers, what is the difference between him and a puppet?
Just to manage all the states by himself and to compete with the ministers below in wits and courage is something that even a strong man cannot endure, not to mention that Emperor Anping was already overworked. So when he went to court today, he suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous.

But he didn't care.

I just thought it was because I didn't get enough sleep last night.

Emperor Anping had an imperial physician by his side who took his pulse from time to time, and the conclusions they reached were always that he was in good health and full of energy.

"My dear friends."

Emperor Anping looked at his ministers below and said with a serious expression: "Since the New Year's Day, there has been no rain in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Shandong provinces. The rain in Northern Zhili is also very rare. There is also a rebellion by the chieftains of Yunnan and the Nanyue is ready to make a move. I am very worried!"

The ministers below immediately shouted: "Your Majesty works hard for the country and the people day and night. It is a blessing for the world and the people."

Although he said this, he felt a little bit dissatisfied in his heart.

There are two capitals and thirteen provinces in the country. Every day something will happen. This year these two provinces report drought, and next year those two provinces report flood. This is completely normal.

If the disaster is not reported, how can the court allocate funds? How can it benefit from public benefits... ahem, be selfless?
As for rebellion, let alone.

Apart from Kyoto, which province didn't have a few bandits? The White Lotus Sect claimed to have 100,000 followers, but that was just the number. Once the imperial army arrived, they were immediately wiped out.

As long as the money is in place, it’s not a problem.

"Your Majesty, according to the prediction of Mr. Li from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, drought will continue in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Shandong provinces this year. I think we should make disaster relief preparations early." Fu Tao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward and said worriedly.

"Oh? Is that true?"

Emperor Anping frowned even deeper.

Li Wensong, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, immediately stepped out of his post and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we observed the celestial phenomena at night and found that this is indeed the case."

The three provinces are so large that it's normal for some places to be experiencing drought, right?
"What do you think, Prime Minister Ye?"

Emperor Anping looked at Ye Gao and asked.

Ye Gao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the taxes of the three provinces should be reduced or exempted, and relief grain should be allocated according to the disaster situation to solve the urgent problem."

"I second the motion." "I second the motion."

"minister……"

A bunch of people followed Ye Xiang's suggestion.

"That's right."

Emperor Anping said calmly, "The chieftains in Yunnan are rebelling and the South Vietnam is trying to take advantage of the situation. Do you have any good ideas?"

Ye Xiang looked at Jia Jing and saw that he didn't seem to be interested, so he immediately said, "It's just a chieftain, just hand it over to Mu Feng, the eldest brother of the Nan'an County Prince's family. Your Majesty doesn't need to worry."

How could Emperor Anping not be worried?

The eldest son of the Nan'an Prince's family is the governor of Yunnan and has been guarding the border for nearly ten years. He has made great military achievements and can easily defeat a few chieftains. The reason he wrote a letter to go to Beijing was probably to ask for military pay.

Last year, the war in the northwest cost more than three million in military pay and almost brought down the already poor imperial court.

The year has only just begun, and already there are droughts in three provinces and a rebellion in one border area.

Is it still possible?!
Is it easy for him to save some money?
"Ministry of Revenue, how much silver is left?" Emperor Anping asked in a deep voice.

Liu Yan, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward and said with a bitter face, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue is out of money. We had an overspending last year, and this year's taxes have not been collected yet..."

Emperor Anping had heard enough of this, so he interrupted with a wave of his hand, saying, "Then let's do this. My treasury will pay 500,000 yuan for the military pay to suppress the rebellion, the Ministry of Revenue will pay 1 million yuan for disaster relief, and the cabinet will come up with a set of rules."

The ministers shouted: "Your Majesty is wise."

An emperor with clean pockets is a wise ruler
……

After returning to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, Emperor Anping smashed a tea bowl hard.

You are a bunch of ungrateful people who only know how to steal my money!
Wait till I have my own team, get out of here!

"Announce the Minister of Rites, Li Minzhi."

"Yes."

Xia Shouzhong hurried downstairs to look for someone.

Not long after, Li Minzhi entered the Yangxin Palace and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

"Your Highness, please excuse me." Emperor Anping said with a smile, "I appoint you as the chief examiner, with full authority over this palace examination. You decide on the other examiners."

Li Minzhi was overjoyed and said respectfully, "I obey your order."

There are no examiners in the palace examination, only readers.

All successful Jinshi had only one teacher, and that was the emperor.

Theoretically speaking, ministers serving in the same dynasty were all students of the emperor and were brothers from the same school.

After arranging the most important palace examination, Emperor Anping summoned Jia Jing.

There’s nothing I can do. I’m out of money again.

"Lord Jia, how is the tax reform going?" Emperor Anping looked at Jia Jing and said with a gentle smile.

Jia Jing bowed and said, "Your Majesty, everything has been prepared. I will ask for your permission to go to Jinling Province next month to reform the taxes on silk, tea, porcelain, etc."

Emperor Anping was slightly disappointed.

These are just minor incidents.

When to reform taxes will be a big deal.

But he knew that he couldn't act too hastily, otherwise if Jia Jing gave up, he wouldn't be able to find another person who dared to reform.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Jia."

"I will grant you the Imperial Sword, just go ahead and do it!"

Jia Jing bowed: "I thank the emperor for his great grace!"

……

(End of this chapter)