This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

Hearing that Zhang Ping'an had the disaster victims in his eyes, the Empress looked very pleased.

"Young Master Zhang, I heard that Her Majesty the Empress was furious in the court. The national treasury is empty. Her Majesty wanted the ministers to donate some silver to solve the problem of the disaster victims, but in the end, only tens of thousands of taels of silver were raised."

"These ministers, every single one of them is rolling in money, but now that the country is in crisis, they've all become cowards."

The Empress was so angry when she talked about this that she forgot all about the important matter.

Zhang Ping'an was not surprised by this result. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Li Zicheng plundered tens of millions of taels of silver from the homes of court officials.

When Emperor Chongzhen wanted to raise three million taels of silver for military expenses, these people loudly cried poverty.

"People are selfish. His Majesty is asking them to donate their own money. Who would be willing to do that?"

Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

The Empress was somewhat displeased: "So, it's His Majesty's fault? But if the national treasury weren't empty, His Majesty wouldn't have asked them for money."

Zhang Ping'an shook his head: "His Majesty is right. Moreover, His Majesty cherishes the people, which is why he tried to raise money. This is the demeanor of a benevolent ruler."

The Empress smiled. She was used to flattery, but for some reason, the flattery sounded especially good coming from Zhang Ping'an's mouth.

He said I have the demeanor of a benevolent ruler… The Empress was getting a little carried away.

"However, Your Majesty's mistake was that you shouldn't have asked them to donate. To put it bluntly, that was asking the impossible."

The Empress frowned: "But this has always been the case! If we don't let them donate, are we going to confiscate their property?"

"Even if you're going to confiscate their property, shouldn't you at least come up with a suitable charge?"

Zhang Ping'an rolled his eyes at him: "Brother Chu, you're supposed to be a prince's son, someone who'll be a prince someday. Can't you use your brain before you speak and act?"

Zhang Ping'an pointed to his own head and lectured him.

"How dare you! How dare you reprimand my young master!" Mo Yu glared angrily at Zhang Ping'an and shouted.

"It's light rain, it's alright!" The Empress gestured for her to step back.

Zhang Ping'an made a face at Mo Yu: "Brother Chu, you're really protective of your little page. How about I borrow it for a couple of days?"

"You, you're being insolent!" Mo Yu blushed deeply.

I've only ever heard of borrowing things, never borrowing someone's toys!

That lecherous scoundrel!

The Empress was amused: "Young Master Zhang always seems to come up with some fresh words from time to time."

"If you want servants, I can find you a few another day. Xiaoyu has been with me for a long time, so I won't lend her out for now."

"Young Master!" Mo Yu rolled her eyes at the Empress. It was one thing for Zhang Ping'an to say such things, but how could her own Majesty say such things?

Zhang Ping'an didn't really want to use Mo Yu to have fun; he was just talking nonsense.

Just kidding, haha!

"What I mean is, we need to get them to willingly hand over their money."

Mo Yu immediately sneered coldly, "I thought you had some good ideas, but it turns out you're just bragging."

"Even His Majesty can't do anything about them, so how do you expect them to willingly part with their money?"

"Besides, you yourself said these are all selfish people. Do you expect them to have a change of heart and be willing to take the initiative to help the disaster victims?"

The Empress also glanced at Zhang Ping'an sideways, clearly sharing the same doubts.

Snapped!

Zhang Ping'an clapped his hands: "Good question."

"The key to this problem is how to get them to willingly part with their money."

"I have a solution that can solve the problem of food and clothing for the disaster victims, and also make the wealthy families in the capital willingly spend their money."

"Oh? I hope Young Master Zhang will be so kind as to offer his guidance!" The Empress said excitedly.

Zhang Ping'an shook his head: "Brother Chu, I'm sorry, I can only tell the Empress this method in person. Once it's leaked, it won't work."

"Hmph, in my opinion, you have no way at all, do you? This is just your excuse. You think my young master can't let you see Her Majesty the Empress, right?" Mo Yu sneered.

The Empress pondered for a moment: "Young Master Zhang, what do you think of this? Why don't you go to the Imperial Study and discuss it with His Majesty yourself later?"

"Young Master!" Mo Yu exclaimed in surprise. Wouldn't this give them away?

The Empress shook her head, indicating that she needed not worry.

Zhang Ping'an was shocked once again.

It seems that Brother Chu is not only the heir apparent of a prince, but also has a very good relationship with Her Majesty the current Empress.

Otherwise, how could he dare to guarantee that he would go to the Imperial Study to see the Empress in a short while?

Is he sure the Empress would meet with a lowly Night's Watchman like me?

The Empress had no idea what Zhang Ping'an was thinking. She assumed he was unwilling to go to the Imperial Study to offer his advice and wanted her to come to him personally for guidance.

"Is it inconvenient for you, Young Master Zhang? Otherwise, I would like to have His Majesty come to consult with you personally?"

"No, no, no, it's convenient for me, very convenient." Zhang Ping'an quickly shook his head in refusal.

"Are you kidding me? How could he dare to have the Empress come to him for advice in person?"

The Empress immediately stood up, cupped her hands, and said, "Young Master Zhang, I will go to the palace to see the Emperor immediately. Someone should come to deliver the imperial decree shortly; you can then enter the palace with that person."

Zhang Ping'an suddenly asked somewhat nervously, "Brother Chu, will you come with me when we meet His Majesty?"

"To be honest, Brother Chu, this is my first time meeting Her Majesty the Empress, and I'm a little scared!"

puff!

The empress burst out laughing, which startled Zhang Ping'an.

My brother Chu's smile is just too handsome!

"It's truly unbelievable that Young Master Zhang, who usually seems fearless, would be afraid to meet Her Majesty the Empress!"

The Empress found it amusing, but she still wanted to reassure Zhang Ping'an first, lest he back down halfway through.

"If His Majesty had not summoned me, I would be afraid I could not have gone with you. But Young Master Zhang need not worry. You yourself said that His Majesty is a benevolent ruler, and you are going there to offer advice. His Majesty will certainly treat you as an honored guest."

Chu Tian and the Empress definitely cannot appear at the same time.

"Alright, then I'll wait at the yamen."

Zhang Ping'an cupped his hands in greeting.

After the three parted ways, the Empress immediately returned to the palace.

Zhang Ping'an then returned to the yamen (government office).

Inside the carriage, Mo Yu asked with some concern, "Young Master, if you meet with Zhang Ping'an, won't you be exposed?"

The Empress smiled: "Who said we were going to meet? It's just a chat."

Then he instructed, "Xiaoyu, in a moment you will do this and that..."

Mo Yu's eyes lit up: "I understand."

In the evening, Zhang Ping'an prepared to end his shift.

At that moment, a carriage stopped in front of the Night Watch's office.

A eunuch in red got off the carriage and shouted in a shrill voice.

"His Majesty commands: Zhang Ping'an, a member of the Night Watch and an Iron Guard of the Green Mountain Hall, is summoned to the palace for an audience!"

Wang Qisheng, who had just stepped out of the yamen, suddenly felt a jolt of fear and hurriedly turned back, shouting as he ran, "Ping An! His Majesty has issued an edict for you! Come out and receive the decree..."

Zhao Qianshan, who was drinking water, suddenly spat out a mouthful of water.

"His Majesty's decree? In search of Zhang Ping'an?"

"Could it be a reward for the Sun Xing case?"

"That's definitely right."

Zhao Qianshan's eyes lit up immediately, and he ran out right away.

Zhang Ping'an had already arrived at the entrance of the yamen, ready to receive the imperial decree.

However, when the old eunuch delivering the decree saw that Zhang Ping'an was standing to receive the decree, his face immediately darkened.

"Kneel down!"

"How dare a mere clerk disrespect His Majesty!"

The old eunuch, with his delicate fingers, angrily rebuked Zhang Ping'an.