From the Red Mansion, you can travel through the world of martial arts

Chapter 366: The Imperial Household Department

Jia Wei received the emperor's oral order and thought to himself that the emperor was more enthusiastic than anyone else when he heard that he could make money...

Even though he had always been able to report directly to the emperor, the speed of this summons was inevitably too fast.

It could only be that the emperor read the memorial as soon as it was delivered to the palace. In addition, he and Ying'er had been playing in the grove for so long, so the time was about the same...

Then Jia Wei asked Baochai to serve him, changed into a dragon robe and jade belt, and followed the eunuch into the palace.

All the way to the Yangxin Palace, the emperor and his subjects met each other, Xuanwu offered him a seat, and Jia Wei briefly explained the matter of opening an ice room.

Xuanwu silently calculated the profits, and although he was excited, he still remained reserved.

"Qing Jia has a good idea about the ice house. Although this business is very profitable and can help solve the urgent need for military pay in the nine border areas, how can the royal family compete with the people for profits?"

Jia Wei followed the script and continued, "Your Majesty, the heat is unbearable now, and ice is so expensive. Not to mention ordinary people, even many barons and marquises can't afford ice."

"And using the ancient method to make ice, lowering the price of ice, so that ordinary people can use ice to cool down, for the people, this is a great merit, why talk about competing for profit?"

"I suggest that this ice room supply ice for summer use to the palace, just like the supply of textiles, silks and other goods."

Emperor Xuanwu understood Jia Wei's meaning and turned the ice room into an imperial commercial industry, just like the silk weaving factories in various places.

He immediately thought of the Xue family, who had a close relationship with Jia Wei, and asked tentatively: "What if we let the Xue family in Jinling run the ice house and put it under the Ministry of Revenue?"

Jia Wei shook his head and said hesitantly: "I'm afraid no one in the Xue family is capable of being of great use..."

Seeking cooperation with the emperor is to gain greater benefits, while seeking cooperation with the Xue family is purely for poverty alleviation.

Jia Wei didn't have this idea.

Seeing that the groundwork was in place, Jia Wei continued, "Your Majesty, the treasury is now empty and there are many places where money needs to be spent, such as the military pay for the nine frontiers in the capital, disaster relief funds for various places, and the renovation of the palace..."

"Let's not talk about the ice house business for now. I have another plan. It is to unify the management of the royal family's private property and increase revenue and reduce expenditure. If this method works, it should be able to greatly alleviate the current financial difficulties."

"Oh? What plan does Jia Qing have? Tell us quickly!" After hearing Jia Wei's words, Emperor Xuanwu immediately became interested.

Jia Wei is his best at making money. In addition to the proceeds from the rebellion and property confiscations, he also made money from the salt administration reform. The reason why the imperial treasury’s finances have not collapsed is entirely because Jia Wei makes money quickly.

Therefore, if Jia Wei had an idea, Emperor Xuanwu would definitely take it seriously.

Jia Wei said: "Your Majesty, now all the imperial merchants in various places are managed by the Ministry of Revenue. Not only is the structure bloated, but it is also constrained by the cabinet."

"I suggest that the imperial merchants such as weaving factories and trading companies in various places be separated from the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Internal Affairs be established to unify the management of the imperial private properties such as the imperial farms and royal gardens."

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs reports directly to His Majesty, and the Cabinet has no right to interfere. We will streamline the management system, prevent corruption among officials at all levels, and achieve the goal of saving money."

"This ice house industry can also be affiliated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which means it can increase revenue. If it is run this way, the annual revenue can increase by at least tens of millions of taels."

Emperor Xuanwu was a little surprised when he heard this, obviously he was fooled by Jia Wei's promise.

"Tens of millions of taels?"

"If we can unify the royal assets and find a capable person to manage them, it will certainly not be difficult to make tens of millions of taels of silver." Jia Wei vowed.

After listening to this, Xuanwu was silent for a while and began to think.

Jia Wei was not anxious when he saw that the emperor didn't say anything. He had painted this pie according to the emperor's psychology, and he was not afraid that he would not take the bait.

Emperor Xuanwu pondered for a while. This matter involved a lot of things and it would definitely take a lot of effort to reform it.

But not only the extra money that Jia Wei said could be earned every year, but also the proposal to bypass the cabinet and let the emperor directly manage the Imperial Household Department made him extremely excited. If this move could be successful, it would greatly enhance the imperial power, and the temptation for the emperor was self-evident.

After about half a minute, Xuanwu slowly spoke: "Mr. Jia's method has great potential..."

After all, it was so beneficial to the emperor that it was not difficult for Xuanwu to make the decision.

"As for the candidates for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, does Mr. Jia have any recommendations?"

Jia Wei also pretended to ponder for a while before slowly saying, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs also manages the imperial merchants, so it would be most appropriate for the chief officer to be a member of the royal family."

"Royal family?" Emperor Xuanwu frowned upon hearing this.

Most of the powerful people in the royal family were won over by Prince Zhongshun. There were few people who could be trusted by Emperor Xuanwu and who could lead the Imperial Household Department.

Emperor Xuanwu shook his head and said, "The royal family is mostly spoiled and dissolute, and cannot be used for important tasks."

Jia Wei said with some embarrassment: "But in addition to commanding the imperial merchants, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also manages the imperial farms, residences and other royal assets, and can report directly to His Majesty. If it is not someone close to His Majesty, I am afraid it will be inconvenient to act."

Xuanwu smiled and said, "Why not let Jia Qing take on this responsibility? It will also be easier for me to share my worries."

"I am already in charge of the Imperial Guards. If I interfere in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I am afraid I will be criticized..." Jia Wei suddenly said, "I think it would be better to let Princess Jianning lead the Ministry of Internal Affairs to relieve your majesty's worries."

"Jianning?"

Emperor Xuanwu only remembered his sister after being reminded by Jia Wei. He had always loved this sister very much and of course trusted her very much.

"No, no, Jianning is just a woman, how can she take on such an important task?"

Jia Wei quickly advised: "Princess Jianning is a royal descendant, of course she is not an ordinary woman. As a daughter of the royal family, she also has the duty to assist Your Majesty. Most importantly, Princess Jianning is innocent and pure, and she would never embezzle a single ounce of silver from the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

After Jia Wei's persuasion, Xuanwu was somewhat tempted, but he still had some doubts: "But Jianning likes to play a lot, I'm afraid she will ruin things."

Jia Wei smiled and said, "Although Princess Jianning is in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the specific officials will of course be selected and appointed by His Majesty himself."

Emperor Xuanwu groaned for a while, then nodded slowly: "What Jia Qing said makes some sense..."

He turned his head and looked at Dai Quan who was standing nearby: "Ask Jianning to come over."

When Jia Wei heard that Jianning was coming, he was afraid of being entangled, so he hurriedly said goodbye: "Your Majesty, then I will take my leave first."

Since the princess was coming, Jia Wei had to avoid her, which was in accordance with etiquette, and the emperor would certainly not be suspicious.

Afterwards, Jia Wei and Dai Quan left the Yangxin Palace together, "For matters concerning the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we still need the help of the Minister of Internal Affairs."

"Of course. But the Marquis's proposal is highly valued by His Majesty, so there is no need for my interference." Dai Quan also said with a smile.

Afterwards, Jia Wei left the palace and went back to the palace for some time. By then, it was already dark.

Jia Wei rode out of the imperial city on horseback, thinking for a while.

Of course, before recommending Princess Jianning, he had already secretly informed Jianning. He only needed to wait for Princess Jianning to act coquettishly to her brother again, and this matter would surely be accomplished.

Jia Wei promised that as long as the emperor rewarded Jianning with a princess's mansion and she moved out of the palace, he would come to the princess's mansion more often to meet with Jianning in private.

Jianning was of course very excited after hearing this...

(End of this chapter)