The Six Palaces of Favorites: The Black-bellied Emperor's Cold Concubine

Chapter 874
Knowing that Yun Lan's words may be right, but that kind of worry can't really be relieved by a few words of relief from others. Qingchen only hates that he is ill at the wrong time, and can't even go to see him.

After a long time, Xiao Xiangzi came back and said: "Young lady, just relax. The emperor is fine, but the skin on his arm is scratched. It has been raining for the past few days, and the racecourse is a bit slippery. The emperor ran more fiercely again. At that time, the horse's leg slipped accidentally, and the emperor fell off, but fortunately, the emperor reacted quickly and jumped down in time and rolled into the grass, so he was not seriously injured."

Qingchen let out a heavy breath, and lay down weakly, as if he didn't even have the strength to move.

She didn't know what Xiao Jun was venting about, and she didn't know how bad his mood was at the racetrack. She just thought it was an accident, as long as he was fine.

No matter what, as a concubine, there are certain etiquettes for newcomers to enter the palace. Even though Qingchen was ill, he still ordered Yun Lan to pick out gifts and send them to the new concubines to express their congratulations.

When she was in better health, she sent someone to invite Xue Tao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, to come over, and told him her thoughts in detail, no matter what problems happened between her and the emperor, state affairs are state affairs after all, and benefit the people She will not play petty temper ignorant of the general situation.

Mu Jingzhi was not allowed to intervene in this matter, but Xue Tao was chosen, firstly because he was in charge of the Ministry of Industry, and secondly because he did not want the emperor to misunderstand that she used the Mu family's relationship to interfere in politics.

Xue Tao came to the imperial study to see the emperor, and saw Xiao Jun looking through the bills drawn up by the Ministry of Industry two days ago. Although the construction of the border trade city is a good thing for the benefit of the people, the cost is indeed a big burden on the court. .

Respectfully performed the ceremony of the monarch and his ministers, seeing the emperor's brows were tightly frowned, Xue Tao glanced at the bill on the small nanmu table and said with a smile: "Is the emperor still worrying about the matter of silver? My minister is also thinking about this day and night these days." After so many days of hard thinking about the matter, I finally came up with a good solution that can be done without spending money, so I came here to report to the emperor, hoping that the emperor can adopt it."

Xiao Jun turned her head and took a deep look at him, and asked: "Master Xue, did you go to see Concubine Chen? Forget it, tell me, I have always been curious about what good idea Concubine Chen can have, can I Let such a large project be built without spending a penny."

Xue Tao laughed awkwardly. The emperor must have known about his going to the harem, so he said bluntly: "Your Majesty is wise, you can't hide anything from your majesty. Concubine Chen has summoned a humble minister, but the slightest The minister also felt that what she said was feasible, so he dared to come to see the emperor."

"She came to you because you are in charge of the Ministry of Industry, and you are a minister. If it is feasible, I will listen to it, otherwise you will all play together and ask me to adopt this suggestion. You have learned to give it to my general." Xiao Jun said There was no annoyance in the tone, but no other emotions could be heard.

On the contrary, Xue Tao said with emotion: "Your Majesty, Rongchen would take the liberty to say that if the concubine Chen is a man, she will definitely be able to make a difference and become the emperor's minister. Such a wise approach, I admire from the bottom of my heart. Such a woman enters the country." It is also a blessing for us to come to the harem to serve the emperor."

Because of Xue Tao's words, Xiao Jun was slightly distracted, and remained silent for a long time with a complex expression, before saying: "Don't just focus on praising her, what's your idea, hurry up and let me hear it."

Xue Tao hurriedly said: "Your Majesty said that if you want the border trade city to operate for a long time, you must make it bigger, because only when it gets bigger can you get the support and support of more people in Daxia. It’s not easy to break the contract.”

Xiao Jun nodded thoughtfully, "What you said is true, but the problem is that the imperial court can't afford the cost even if it is to build a small medium-sized city. What about the money? How to solve the problem of money?"

Seeing the emperor's inquiries, Xue Tao smiled confidently and continued: "The emperor is not in a hurry to build houses and shops. The empress means that the emperor wants to attract business first, that is, to issue a notice to let the people of the whole country know that the imperial court is going to build a border trade city." Then, choose the address first, and plan 2000 shops. If anyone is interested in this, you can first collect their ten-year rent, which is 2000 taels, and then refund [-]% of it every year. All the [-] taels of silver will be refunded, of course, interest is not included. In other words, for the past ten years, the shops will be used for free without their rent. If the merchants in Daxia are willing to participate in this matter, they can also enjoy the same benefits. The same treatment, but after all the shops are completed, if there are still merchants who want to settle in, they will have to charge their rental fees and cannot enjoy the same treatment. Also, after the border trade city is completed and opened, the emperor can set up there A department charges a very small monthly management fee, so that if there is a conflict between shops, you can find someone to mediate the conflict and resolve the dispute, at least you will not go to war again."

While Xue Tao was talking, Xiao Jun unconsciously showed an appreciative smile, "2000 taels is nothing to those wealthy businessmen, maybe it's not enough for them to pay for two concubines, but if With a shop at the border and the protection of the imperial court, the risk is much lower when they do business, and they don’t have to go deep into Daxia to buy, which saves a lot of travel money, which is worth it no matter what. of."

Xue Tao added: "The more important thing is that the interests will make those who have evil intentions afraid to act rashly."

The emperor asked with interest, "How do you say that?"

Xue Tao slowly explained: "Your Majesty, think about it, once the border trade city is completed, the silk tea leaves, ceramics and jade wares that I have been making a lot of will surely be able to sell at a good price there, and many rare medicinal materials in Daxia will be sold at a high price." Good leather goods, and many other things that we can't think of, will inevitably appear in the market. Once the border trade city grows bigger, everyone will rush to come here when they see the wealth and profits. There are rich and powerful businessmen here. Naturally, but the private business of those royal ministers in the Great Xia court is absolutely indispensable. Once they get the support of those people, if there are still people who want to stir up disputes, will they agree? It will harm the interests of those princes and nobles. Could it be that they will not take action? At least impeachment, at worst, they will join forces to kill those who don't know what to do, so this is the key to the long-term stability of Border Trade City."

Xiao Jun nodded slightly, "You're right. Everyone likes money, and only when those in high positions taste the sweetness will they understand how important it is to have a stable border."

(End of this chapter)