You have truly caused me great suffering!

In mid-May, a rumor suddenly spread throughout the imperial court.

Everyone's salary is about to triple.

The clerks received even more explosive news: their salaries would be increased fivefold.

At first, no one believed it, but some quick-witted people did some calculations.

Now that more than half of the officials have been dismissed, even if they are paid three or five times the rumored salary, the actual expenditure is not much higher than that of the previous dynasty.

The number of officials in the Song Dynasty increased with each change of emperor.

In the fifth year of the Tianxi reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song (1021), there were 9785 officials in Bianliang (Kaifeng), the capital city.

There were only 2620 central government officials during the Tang Dynasty.
During the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song (1049–1054), the population increased to 17300, more than doubling during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong.

By the time of Emperor Huizong's Xuanhe reign (1119–1125), this number had increased to over 48000, nearly three times the number during Emperor Renzong's reign.

In the Han Dynasty, one official was supported for every 2000 households; in the Tang Dynasty, one official was supported for every 1000 households; but in the Song Dynasty, the number of officials supported for every 300 households became one.

The people of the Song Dynasty were truly blessed.

Moreover, His Majesty is always generous to his officials, so the news might be true!

After this news spread, the most excited people were not the officials, but the clerks.

Many minor officials are actually kept by the officials themselves, and they do private work for the officials.

Their income was meager, and their social status was low.

However, now they are regularly supported by the imperial court, not only do they have a more respectable status, but their salary has also increased fivefold.

If it's true, then all the officials and clerks in the Great Jing Dynasty would have to be worshipped by His Majesty.

Then, after waiting for three days, the matter was openly discussed during the morning assembly.

In other words, this is not just a rumor, it's the truth.

It's ready to be implemented.

The officials were extremely enthusiastic about discussing this grand event and had even prepared their praises.

Then I was dumbfounded.

Salaries have indeed increased, even tripled, and there are extra rewards during festivals and major events.

However, the severity of the punishments was a hundred times harsher than in the previous dynasty.

One thousand taels would get you beheaded
For a moment, the court fell silent.

Of course, there were also some honest officials who applauded.

Many corrupt officials are also worried that their past misdeeds will be brought up again.

But the discussion must continue.

Chen Shao watched them argue during the court assembly with great interest, carefully observing each person's reaction.

Upon returning to the Funing Palace, he recorded everything in his diary, leaving his observations and insights about the officials to his descendants.

At noon, Chen Shao made a special trip to the Kunning Palace.

Upon arrival, they discovered that Zhe Ningxiang was also there; beside her was her own son, Crown Prince Chen Wang, who was reciting poetry with his sister, Chen Xing'er.

Chen Xing'er had just learned it and couldn't wait to show it off to others.

Seeing that others weren't very supportive, she dragged her younger brother, Prince Chen Wanglai, to learn from her.

Upon seeing Chen Shao enter, Chen Xing'er opened her arms, called out "Father!" and ran over.

Chen Wang ran after him, almost falling halfway. He got up and called out in a childish voice, "Father."

Chen Shao chuckled and pulled the two of them onto his lap.

Zhe brought a cup of tea with both hands and offered it to Chen Shao's lips.

With one child in each arm, Chen Shao could only open his mouth and take a small sip. Madam Zhe chuckled softly, "This is my cup."

Chen Shao glared at her, annoyed.

Ever since Chen Shaozhen made the mirror she imagined, Zhe Shi has become even more obsessed with him and is extremely satisfied with him.

Where is Huanhuan?

"I went to play cards with them."

Chen Shao chuckled, "Have you had lunch yet?"

"Not yet, want to come together?"

Chen Shao nodded, and Lady Zhe happily went to instruct the palace maids.

When Zhe Ningxiang and Zhong Lingxi were in the Zhong family mansion, they were quite bored because the mansion was sparsely populated and many of its inhabitants had died on the battlefield.

This fostered their love of liveliness and their aversion to loneliness. Zhong Lingxi often gathered a group of concubines together to play football, cards, watch plays, or go out for leisure.
She was the empress, and the concubines were happy to be close to her. The key was that the empress was not easily jealous, which made things much easier for them.

Chen Shao looked down at Chen Xing'er, who was very cute with her rosy cheeks, and couldn't help but pinch her little face.

Looking at Crown Prince Chen Wang again, she saw a resemblance to herself in his features, which pleased her even more.

People say that having many children brings many blessings, and if conditions allow, having children is truly a joyful thing.

Nowadays, their other children are still babbling or toddling, while only the two of them and Li Shishi's daughter, Haohao, are a little older.

What Chen Shao was most satisfied with about the Empress was that she made the harem very harmonious and loving. Princes and princesses who grew up in such an environment were unlikely to develop extreme personalities.

Why was Li Longji able to seize his daughter-in-law, kill three sons in a single day, and become so incompetent in his later years that he exhausted the wealth of the entire nation to provide for his own enjoyment?

Because he grew up during the reign of the wicked Wu Zetian, who killed her own children and grandchildren for her lovers as easily as killing dogs. Moreover, Wu Zetian was exceptionally extravagant, wishing she could use all the nation's wealth for her own enjoyment.

The construction of the Mingtang Hall has driven the Khitans to desperation. The foreign tribes, who had originally chosen to be loyal to the Tang Dynasty because of Emperor Taizong's personal charisma and methods, have been driven to rebellion by her.

This family, spanning three generations, is quite typical. From Li Zhi to Wu Zetian, and then to their sons and grandsons, each one is a heavyweight.

Throughout history, as long as emperors have thoroughly studied and understood their families and learned from their mistakes, they have been able to avoid making any major errors.

At worst, it's a stable and mediocre life.

Because they've basically stepped into every possible pitfall.

The Tang Dynasty, which Emperor Taizong left behind, was completely ruined by them, which shows their power.

If any prince or princess in the Great Jing's harem were to die suddenly, Chen Shao would have to overturn the entire harem to find out the answer.

When Huanhuan and the others arrived at Kunning Palace, still feeling quite excited, they found that Chen Shao had already arrived and was playing with the children.

Chen Shao glanced at the group; Chun Tao was always there, along with Jin Lao Er, Jin Lao San, Zhang Yinghan, and Liu Caiwei.

Zhong Lingxi invited everyone to the adjacent flower hall, set up tables and chairs, and ordered someone to fetch tea leaves, brew the tea, and serve it. The tea would take some time, but the snacks were served first.

After the meal, it was lunchtime. The group was especially happy because of Chen Shao's arrival.

While the political arena outside was turbulent, his palace remained peaceful and serene.

This is the source of confidence for the founding emperors who conquered the country.

After lunch, Chen Shao decided not to go to the Funing Palace and stayed in the Kunning Palace until evening.

Chen Shao listened to the opera with them for a while, and then played Cuju (an ancient Chinese football game) together. Surrounded by the women, he played even more enthusiastically and enjoyed himself immensely.

Gradually, other concubines who had heard the news arrived and joined in.

After dusk, everyone had dinner together in the Kunning Palace, a lively affair reminiscent of New Year's Eve.

After Chen Shao gave the order, the concubines left one after another, except for Lady Zhe who stayed behind.

On the warm and soft bed, a peerless beauty, whose beauty could topple kingdoms, lay with a snow-white face and a delicate features on her left hand, more beautiful than any flower, and a soft, fragrant body with skin as smooth as jade on her right, as if she were in a legendary paradise of gentle pleasures.
-
The next morning, Chen Shao woke up early and already felt a bit hot.

Recalling the leisurely days he spent recuperating at the Tangshan Imperial Palace in winter, Chen Shao had an idea: he needed to find himself a summer palace before the height of summer arrived.

After all, he never forgot that his biggest task was to live a few more years.

The more the better.

Thinking of this, Chen Shao summoned Wang Yin and Yang Cheng to enter the palace together.

The two arrived at the palace one after the other, and Chen Shao met them in the Imperial Garden.

"The seasons are out of order now, and who knows how hot it will be in June. You two should take the trouble to find a good place for me to build a summer palace."

The two exchanged a glance, then accepted the order and left together.

Yang Cheng looked at Wang Yin and said, "His Majesty rarely builds gardens; we must not neglect this task."

“That’s right,” Wang Yin said. “I’ll leave this matter to the Duke. Just tell me how many people you need.”

Yang Cheng nodded slightly, and began to make plans in his mind.

Three days later, Yang Cheng met with the emperor, and Chen Shao met him in the Funing Hall.

"Your Majesty, I have found a good place."

"So fast?"

Yang Cheng laughed and said, "Where is the coolest place near Jinling Prefecture? I just asked a few playboys from Jiangning Prefecture and they all knew."

Chen Shao chuckled. These people have nothing better to do than travel and enjoy themselves. It's true that we should ask them questions.

"Of all the mountains, the southeastern slope of Zhongshan is the most suitable."

"The place is high above the clouds, and the summer heat does not affect it. According to the observation by the Institute of Geology, the average temperature in summer is three to five degrees lower than that in the city. The night dew is cool and the morning breeze is refreshing."

All around, the forest is dense, with pines and bamboos casting deep shadows, and maples and camphor trees blocking out the sun. Even under the blazing sun, walking among them feels like entering a verdant canopy.

Furthermore, there are clear streams in Linggu and flowing water in Pipa, which can be channeled into the garden and ponds dug to store the clear water, both for daily use and to enhance the beauty of the garden.

As for the wonders of feng shui," Yang Cheng stepped forward, unfolded a map, and pointed with his finger, saying, "Your Majesty, please look, this place is backed by the main peak of Zhongshan Mountain, like the emperor holding the throne; it faces the Qinhuai River, like all nations paying tribute; to the left, Qingxi River meanders, which is the Azure Dragon; to the right, Yanque Chenghu Lake encircles it, which is the White Tiger."

This is truly a site naturally suited for a detached palace!

If a summer palace were built here, not only would His Majesty be able to recuperate, but it would also demonstrate that our great Jingzhou is in harmony with Heaven and responds to the needs of the people.

Although Yang Cheng only spent three days, he put in a lot of effort, and specially found a hundred or so envoys to run errands and inquire about things for him.

After speaking, Yang Cheng looked at Chen Shao expectantly, knowing that if His Majesty disagreed, he had other options.

However, in his opinion, this is indeed the best place.

"Let's build it here then. Are there any existing buildings on it?"

"Yes, it exists, but it will take time to repair and rebuild."

Chen Shao nodded and told him to contact the Ministry of Works Construction Bureau and ask them to complete the project as soon as possible.

Yang Cheng rolled up the blueprints and left the capital city excitedly; working for His Majesty gave him a real sense of motivation.

Whenever Chen Shaoshan was recuperating, his closest and most trusted ministers were the happiest.

After all, Chen Shao was their biggest backer.

Even if the crown prince ascends the throne, he will not favor them as much as he does now.

After all, we all followed His Majesty and fought our way up from the Northwest. (End of Chapter)