System, help me be an empress

Chapter 126 What Makes Money

Before this group of envoys went to Dagan, they had already heard many legends about the young empress.Some folks said that she was destined by the heavens and was favored by the gods of heaven and earth. There was a rebel who held the empress hostage, and was struck by lightning in the end.

Others said that Emperor Tianyou was born from the star Ziwei, and was destined to be the emperor; there were also rumors that the empress was originally a fairy in the sky, and this time was just a tribulation in the world, and she had to return to the fairy class after a hundred years...

The envoys were dubious about these legends, but their curiosity about the Emperor Dagan continued to grow day by day.

Now I am fortunate enough to see the Emperor Dagan with my own eyes, and I am even a little flattered.Although the empress is young, she is imposing, but people dare not underestimate her.

"It's rare for envoys to visit me, Dagan, so naturally Dagan has to do his best to show his friendship as a landlord. I wonder if you have any arrangements for the envoys in the near future?" Xu Youxi smiled and said generously.

"Not yet."

……

The envoys looked at each other and shook their heads. They used to go back and forth to do a lot of work, and they only stayed for a day or two at most.At this moment, Emperor Dagan suddenly opened his mouth to keep people, which made everyone immediately vigilant.

"He Shangshu has a lot of work recently. I specially arranged Rong Shilang from the Ministry of Rites to be in charge of the arrangements for the next few days. If the officials have something to do, they can go back to China first. I believe that there will be other opportunities in the future to experience the customs and customs of my great work. .”

Xu Youxi cast a glance at Zhou Yuxue who was behind him, and Eunuch Zhou understood immediately, and arranged for the servants to put a pen and paper in front of each of the envoys.

"All envoys can check the items you are interested in on the paper. Please enjoy the banquet tonight. Tomorrow morning, Rong Shilang will go to you with the itinerary."

After Xu Youxi finished giving instructions, she found an excuse and left the banquet first.

However, Rong Yingran, who was sitting and waiting for dinner, was completely at a loss when faced with the sudden roll call.

He just knew that His Majesty's food is definitely not that easy! ! !

At this moment, a young eunuch came to Rong Yingran with a wine glass, bent down and said in a low voice, "Master Rong, Your Majesty is here to invite you."

Rong Yingran guessed this would happen, sighed and put down his chopsticks, he will continue to eat when he comes back, anyway, he just served a few appetizing cold dishes: "Okay, let's go."

Xu Youxi found a room with a heater, sat down and began to pour hot water for health preservation, looked up and saw Rong Yingran knocking on the door and entering: "Master Rong has to work hard again."

Rong Yingran saluted briefly, and Xu Youxi let him go.

"Your Majesty, the fact of receiving envoys is very important. I am afraid that I will be embarrassed by the lack of talent and learning." Rong Yingran said excitedly, "The Ministry of Rites does not need to hold large-scale ceremonies or examinations in the near future. He Shangshu still has time, so it is natural to receive envoys." A well-deserved candidate for minister."

"Besides, I have several jobs. In addition to the affairs of the Ministry of Rites, I also have to be in charge of public schools and newspapers. It's really exhausting." Rong Yingran began to sell miserably again.

"Actually, I can't help it." Xu Youxi said while drinking hot water, "In the past two years, there have been many disasters and epidemics among the people, and there is basically not much harvest at the end of the year. The taxes collected from the people have to be used to pay the salaries of civil and military officials. Once it’s done, there’s basically nothing left.”

"If Daqian is weak, the surrounding small countries will immediately look at it, so the expenditure on military expenditure must not be reduced. If the military strength of Dagan is strong, then we must pay attention to the development of Shenji Battalion. The firearms of Shenji Battalion are all expensive. stuff."

Xu Youxi carefully analyzed the situation for Rong Yingran: "In addition to the Shenji Camp, the imperial court also has to support the Shengong Bureau, right? The craftsmen, materials, and talents needed by the Shengong Bureau should not cost a lot of money? After all, it is now open 'Odd goods store', but its foundation is unstable, and the money it earns can barely support the daily expenses of the Shengong Bureau."

"There is also the newly established New Medical Pavilion. The medicines researched in it are all life-saving, and the money must be spent."

"Anyway, the national treasury is really out of money. The public school wants to continue running. I can't change this money." Xu Youxi said frankly.

"How can there be no money? Your Majesty invited envoys to a banquet, dances, and fireworks. If the expenses can be saved, it would be great to do something beneficial to the people!"

"Okay, Lord Rong, how do you know that I didn't think about what you said? No matter what you say, Dagan is a big country, and you must be decent in front of foreign envoys."

Xu Youxi said helplessly.

"That……"

Rong Yingran wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Xu Youxi.

"Why do you think I specially set up a banquet on the city wall? Isn't it just to save some charcoal fire in the palace? This city wall doesn't feel much during the day, but now it's dark and the cold wind blows. Do you think this group of people can continue to stay?" Waiting for good wine and good food? You just had an appetizer, which is just the beginning, but it should be over, anyway, we must face it."

Xu Youxi was confident: "The 'Mirror Dance' was rehearsed by Eunuch Zhou personally organized by the servants in the palace; the fireworks were obtained from merchants in Jin Dynasty; even the drinks they drank later were extracted by Xinyige."

Rong Yingran's expression was complicated, and it took a long time before he said with difficulty: "Your Majesty is indeed far-sighted."

"You have seen my current economic situation with your own eyes. The treasury has no money to support the public school."

"But the public school has only been established for half a year, how could His Majesty give up at this time!" Rong Yingran frowned, unwilling to let go, "If you do this, it is tantamount to breaking the trust of the people!"

Xu Youxi sighed helplessly: "Then what else can I do? Give up the Shenji Camp? Or give up the Shengong Bureau?"

Rong Yingran stopped talking.

Now that the surrounding small countries are eyeing it covetously, Daqian is a piece of fat, and there are definitely not a few people who care about it.

The Shengong Bureau can't give up even more, it can be regarded as another important source of income for the national treasury.

"Your Majesty, is there really no other way? Can't the treasury get a penny out?"

Rong Yingran continued to ask without giving up.

"Even if we can maintain the status quo, so what? How far can public schools go without financial support? Your Excellency Rong, I am just a mortal. When you are short of money, you still have to rely on yourself." Xu Youxi sighed.

Rong Yingran seemed to have sensed that Xu Youxi did not intend to stop aiding the public school, and asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, do you need me to do anything?"

"Master Rong thinks, what is the fastest way to get money?"

Rong Yingran said without thinking, "Inherit the inheritance."

"I'm talking about business."

"Is this the answer that I can know?"

"...Do you see that the envoys who have worked hard in the past two days are all rich?" Xu Youxi almost said it bluntly.

"No matter how rich the envoys are, I can't kidnap them for ransom. Even if they are really kidnapped, I'm afraid I still have to ask you for ransom."

"What I mean is that on behalf of the court, you used to do business with the countries represented by the various envoys. After deducting the cost, the money you earn can be used to continue supporting the public school."

"What kind of business? Selling steam cars?"

"You can be bolder."

(End of this chapter)