Han Shizu

Chapter 1363 The Queen's Relief

Reeking of alcohol, he didn't take off his robes or even his boots, just slumped on the imperial couch. The loyal servant Yantuo wanted to serve Emperor Liu and make them lie down more comfortably, but was kicked away by Emperor Liu.

He fell down and squatted, leaving some marks on his chest, and he didn't have a temper at all, but he was a little helpless and a little scared. Of course, he was more concerned about what to do if the official didn't cover him with a quilt.

Fortunately, Yan Tuo didn't struggle for too long. The queen came, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.The big talisman was still majestic and majestic. He looked at Emperor Liu who was lying on the couch in a slovenly manner, with slightly arched brows, and ordered: "You all step back, and prepare some hot water!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo hurriedly obeyed, bowed and stepped back, and gestured to several palace attendants.

The sleeping hall suddenly became quiet, only a little night breeze came in through the cracks in the casement, blowing the lights to shake.Looking at Emperor Liu who was lying like a corpse, Dafu sighed softly, stepped forward quietly, stretched out his hand to keep the veil covering Emperor Liu's face, and looked at him.

At this time, Emperor Liu's face was quite serene except for the obvious drunken rosiness on his face, and even snored faintly.Next, Empress Fu personally served him, took off his boots, took off his coat, let him lie down, covered him with a quilt, wiped his face, and was careful and considerate.

But it was obviously because of the change of person. Emperor Liu seemed to be very cooperative and obedient, allowing the empress to care for him.

The face that had been wiped thoughtfully felt a burst of coolness. Surprised by this, Emperor Liu seemed to be gradually waking up.Open your eyes, what you see is a little hazy, bright lights, dim palace.After a while, the grace of the big talisman gradually became clear.

"woke up?"

"Ah."

"I didn't drink much, how did I get so drunk?" Da Fu asked.

"It seems that I am really old, my energy is low, and I can't even resist drinking!" Emperor Liu smiled wryly.

"You are only 40 years old, why do you say you are old?" Hearing his words, Da Fu said: "You don't drink much at all. From my point of view, you have something on your mind! Why are you so depressed when the new year is celebrated?"

"Did you see it?" Emperor Liu grinned and asked, and only in front of the talisman could he show his truest side.

Facing Emperor Liu's gaze, Dafu sighed: "Don't talk about me anymore. I'm afraid there are no ministers who can't see it? They, Zhao Xianggong and Li Xianggong, may be feeling uneasy. Why is Your Majesty doing this? , is there something they have overlooked?"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu shook his head and said, "That's right. A minister like Zhao Pu has such a clever mind and a keen sense of smell. How many people in the court can compare with him?"

"Are you really dissatisfied with Zhao Pu?" Da Fu couldn't help being surprised. Although she never interfered in the government affairs, she was also aware of the affairs of the court. She also knew how much Emperor Liu valued Zhao Pu.

"That's not possible!" Emperor Liu immediately denied, saying: "Zhao Pu, the prime minister, has done a very good job. With him around, the whole court can be run in an orderly manner, so I don't need to worry too much.

It can be said that among the successive prime ministers since ascension to the throne, I am most satisfied with Zhao Pu.Even compared to Yu Guogong (Wei Renpu), he has done a better job in the position of prime minister.

Mr. Yu has always treated each other with etiquette as a teacher. His talent cannot be doubted. He has the function of a prime minister and the capacity to tolerate others, but he lacks power. He is a gentleman, but Zhao Pu is not. Practical and resourceful, no matter what position he is in, he can display his outstanding talents.

If such a person presides over the government, if the monarch and his ministers are suitable, he can save most of the emperor's energy and not have to be burdened with complicated affairs."

Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Da Fu nodded and said: "Mr. Zhao is a righteous and capable government official!"

"If that's the case, why are you so depressed?" Big Talisman asked.

Wen asked, pondered for a while, and Emperor Liu said: "Do you know how much food the court consumed during the Northern Expedition?"

"I don't know, but it must be a huge amount!" Da Fu shook his head lightly.

"That's right!" Emperor Liu said, "From the west to the east, there are more than [-] soldiers and civilians directly serving the front lines. It is an extremely heavy burden for a big man to support such a huge army.

In less than a year, the national treasury spent more than 450 million yuan and transferred more than [-] million shi of military rations. This is only a rough estimate, and it is only the most important part of the loss. The actual consumption is still somewhat exceeded.

Nearly 90 million money and silk, even with the current annual tax income of the imperial court, it would take nearly three years.Any idea what this means?Since the opening of the treasure year, the imperial court's reserves for the past seven years have basically been consumed.

Zhao Pu has already reported to me that the national treasury is in serious shortfall, and Song Qi has already cried to me on behalf of the Financial Secretary that she is poor!Next, stationing troops to guard the border, continuing the Northern Expedition, aiding the recovery of the border, rewarding the generals, and giving compensation to the soldiers and the people will all require a large amount of expenditure.

Song Qi told me that in the coming year, I am afraid that it will be difficult even to distribute official salaries, dukes and nobles, and the court!And the income from the two taxes will inevitably drop sharply in the coming year, and within three to five years, it will be difficult to return to the level of the seven years since Kaibao."

"Is the imperial court in such a difficult situation?" Dafu Yurong couldn't help showing a touch of surprise.

She is a very smart woman, noticing the exhausted look on Emperor Liu's face, she suddenly said: "Do you think the few grand ceremonies these days are too extravagant?"

She is really smart, and she can see through it. Of course, she is too familiar with Emperor Liu, and it is easy to pry into his mind.

Emperor Liu raised his hand, wiped his hair with a few strands of white in it, and said leisurely: "The celebration is held by my order, and it is to boost the morale of the officials and the people. I don't regret it. Extravagance is also acceptable, grand and grand. To show off its prestige.

However, the mere celebration cost 3 million, which is really extravagant!What worries me the most is that the court was full of civil and military affairs, but they were unaware of it, enjoying it and wantonly enjoying this luxury.

I am committed to creating a prosperous age. However, it has only been eight years since the treasure was opened, and the officials and ministers of the Han Dynasty seem to think that the prosperous age has come.Like, do it for me!
What makes me even more chilling is that I myself seem to enjoy it a little."

Hearing Emperor Liu's words, the big talisman was silent, and gently touched Emperor Liu's cheek with his hand, as if he wanted to use the warmth of her hands to soothe the discomfort and anxiety in Emperor Liu's heart.

"You've been too tired recently!" Da Fu said.

After a pause, he continued to speak in a relieved tone, "I still remember that before the founding of the Han Dynasty, the Khitan invaded the South, the Central Plains fell into chaos, the world was in chaos, the people were in dire straits, and thieves rose up. Civil suffering.

In the early years of Qianyou, the country was still unstable, with internal and external troubles, the court was struggling, and the people were in distress.The past years, although difficult and worth remembering, have survived after all.

You work hard to govern, make the country rich and the army strong, and what you strive for is not today's peace and health?Over the years, although I have lived in a deep palace, I have often heard that the folks are getting more and more prosperous, and the people's lives are getting better.

The common people are all like this, how much more noble officials?If it is not limited by conditions, who would be willing to be willing to be hard and poor, everyone is happy to be healthy, and you can no longer be as demanding as in the past, insisting on simplicity.

In a short period of time, they are afraid of your power and prestige, and may hide and restrain themselves, but over time, they will definitely complain to you.Human nature always has a side that likes comfort and hates toil, and you should understand these properly.

However, since the country is difficult right now, there should be restraint, extravagance and extravagance should not be advocated, but you should not be too depressed about it."

"Dafu, the eldest grandson of Derby, it's you!" Hearing Dafu's relief, Emperor Liu smiled.

Hearing this, Da Fu smiled gently, and replied: "I'm just your Empress Fu!"

(End of this chapter)