I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

The following morning, all the officials went to court.

However, a sense of oppression permeated the Fengtian Hall today.

Grand Secretary Chen Yan was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, in recent years, military expenditures have been enormous, and the national treasury is nearly depleted. I fear it will be difficult to support a large-scale military expedition."

Zhu Youjian looked at Ni Yuanlu, the Minister of Revenue, and asked, "How much silver is left in the national treasury?"

Ni Yuanlu replied, "I have just counted them, and there are only 190,000 taels left."

Zhu Youjian didn't know whether to be angry or amused. The mighty Ming Dynasty's national treasury only had 190,000 taels of silver.

"I recall that last year's tax revenue was four million taels. Where is my money?"

Ni Yuanlu said, "Your Majesty, the annual military expenditure for Liaodong is 4.8 million taels, but the court has only allocated 3 million taels, leaving a balance of 1.8 million taels..."

Zhu Youjian couldn't help but ask, "Do I still owe someone 1.8 million?"

"The 1.8 million is only the owed military pay in Liaodong. There are also the Beijing garrison and other guard posts, as well as disaster relief funds. The national treasury is already overburdened."

After Ni Yuanlu finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence, with only the sound of breathing rising and falling.

Zhu Youjian sighed deeply and said, "I know the nation is in peril, and all my ministers must work together to overcome this difficult time. I wish to call upon all my ministers to donate money and provisions to alleviate the urgent needs of the army. Regardless of rank, everyone must do their utmost to help the nation in this crisis!"

Upon hearing this, the hall suddenly erupted in uproar.

The ministers looked at each other, some with troubled expressions, others with their heads bowed in deep thought.

Everyone was calculating how to protect their money.

Zhu Youjian looked around and his gaze settled on one person.

"Father-in-law, why don't we start with you?"

This man was none other than Zhou Kui, the father-in-law of the current emperor, who served as the commander of the Left Army Commandery.

When Zhou Kui heard his name called, he had no choice but to slowly step forward and bow.

Judging from the situation, there's no way to avoid it today, but I'm reluctant to donate money.

"Your Majesty is wise, and I am willing to share the burden of the country. However, my family's resources are limited, and I am willing to do my part by donating five hundred taels of silver to show my loyalty."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian was so angry he wanted to hit someone.

Five hundred taels? How dare you ask for that?

In February of the third year of the Chongzhen reign, the eldest son of the emperor, Zhu Cilang, was made crown prince. Zhou Kui was also granted the title of Earl of Jiading, the title of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, an annual salary of 1,000 shi of grain, 700 hectares of land for support, and 30 soldiers to accompany him.

His son, Zhou Jian, who was also his brother-in-law, served as the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a third-rank official.

The Zhou family father and son have already reached the pinnacle of their positions, yet now that the country is in peril, they are still clinging tightly to their money.

Zhu Youjian was furious, but due to Zhou Kui's status, he could only try to persuade him again.

"I am very pleased that the Imperial Father-in-law has such a kind intention, but five hundred taels... isn't that a bit too little?"

Zhou Kui, with a mournful face, said, "My family really doesn't have much money. Five hundred taels is all our savings."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian's anger gradually disappeared, and he regained his composure.

Because he had already figured out that his father-in-law was the type who would rather have money than his life!

Little did they know that if the Ming Dynasty were to fall, all the officials in the court could surrender, but not the Zhou family.

Because you are a relative of the emperor, when Li Zicheng enters Beijing, you will be the first person he kills!

At that moment, Zhu Youjian ignored them and looked at the others.

With Zhou Kui's lead, the court officials breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The emperor's father-in-law only donated five hundred taels, so we can't donate too much.

Otherwise, wouldn't that be slapping someone in the face in public?

Slapping the Emperor's father-in-law is tantamount to slapping His Majesty's face.

This is a crime I absolutely cannot bear!

As a result, people expressed their opinions one after another, some giving several hundred taels and others over a thousand taels.

In the end, all the civil and military officials in the court donated a total of 25,000 taels of silver.

Including the 190,000 taels in the national treasury, the total was 215,000 taels, which was the entire wealth of the Ming Dynasty.

When Zhu Youjian heard the result, he was completely disappointed.

"You are all my good subjects!"

Zhou Kui quickly interjected, "We, your subjects, have received the nation's favor for generations; we should share the nation's burdens!"

"What a fine example of sharing the nation's burdens!"

Zhu Youjian chuckled lightly, then looked at Grand Secretary Chen Yan.

"Minister Chen, what do you think?"

Chen Yan's face was grim: "With the army setting off, my preliminary estimate is that at least 500,000 taels of silver will be needed for military expenses."

Zhu Youjian said, "I will first allocate 200,000 to you as funds for the army's march."

Chen Yan immediately panicked; even 200,000 yuan wasn't enough.

Besides, even if we get the 200,000, when will we get the remaining 300,000?

"But, Your Majesty..."

Zhu Youjian raised his hand to interrupt, and said, "Don't worry, I will pay for the rest from the imperial treasury, but you'll have to wait a while."

Chen Yan's face turned pale and then red. He should have stepped down now that he had said all that.

However, he knew very well that the emperor's private treasury was completely empty!

This 300,000 yuan is most likely just a piece of paper, and it will take forever to come to fruition.

Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The army's march is extremely costly, and the two hundred thousand taels of silver probably won't last long..."

"I've already said the remaining 300,000 will have to wait. Are you worried I'll go back on my word?"

Zhu Youjian's face was gloomy, and his eyes faintly revealed murderous intent.

Helpless, Chen Yan could only reply, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Looking at the people in the hall, Zhu Youjian lost all interest and immediately turned to leave.

Back at the Qianqing Palace, Wang Chengen caught up: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! With the money and provisions donated by the officials, the soldiers will surely be able to advance with renewed vigor..."

Are you deaf or blind?

Zhu Youjian was immediately enraged and said, "I called upon all officials to donate, and all they gave me was 25,000 taels of silver. Is this how you appease beggars?"

Wang Chengen hurriedly knelt down and begged for mercy: "This servant deserves to die ten thousand times!"

"Get up, this is none of your business!"

Zhu Youjian knew that Wang Chengen was just saying nice things out of good intentions.

This guy is undeniably loyal, but he's not very capable and is destined for mediocrity.

Wang Chengen slowly stood up, but dared not speak again.

Zhu Youjian instructed, "Send someone to the Zhou residence now and tell my father-in-law that when the nest is broken, no egg remains intact. The Ming Dynasty is at a critical juncture. Let him decide what to do!"

"I'll go myself!"

"That's fine then, go!"

Wang Chengen bowed and withdrew, preparing to leave the palace.

On the way, they were suddenly stopped by a young eunuch.

"Eunuch Wang, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence!"

Wang Chengen was stunned and asked, "What does Her Majesty the Empress want with us?"

The young eunuch shook his head: "I don't know."

Wang Chengen thought for a moment and said, "I am leaving the palace by imperial decree. We'll talk about it when I get back!"

"Wait a moment, Eunuch Wang!"

The young eunuch quickly stopped him, saying, "This matter is urgent. You should go, otherwise..."

"presumptuous!"

Wang Chengen's face suddenly darkened. He thought to himself, "Who do you think you are, daring to point fingers at me like that?"

My master is the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the number one eunuch in the inner palace. Are you kidding me?

Realizing his slip of the tongue, the young eunuch quickly knelt down: "Please forgive me, Eunuch Wang. These words were Her Majesty the Empress's intention. I was rude..."

Seeing this, Wang Chengen's expression softened, and he asked, "What exactly is it? Can't we wait until we get back to talk about it?"

"I don't know, but I speculate... it's probably related to the Emperor's father-in-law."

"Alright then, lead the way!"

Wang Chengen was already planning to go to the Zhou residence, and since the Empress had given instructions, he thought it best to listen.

Upon arriving at Kunning Palace, Empress Zhou had been waiting for a long time.