Facing Li Wei's instructions, Li Xing seemed a little absent-minded. After they had dinner together and walked around the yard, Li Xing finally couldn't help but asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, is there anything big going to happen recently?"
"No." Li Wei rejected it.
Chongqing Palace has sent more guards, and they are very careful about eating, drinking, sitting and lying down. Coupled with the resignation of the second uncle, something must have happened. It's cloudy today, with thick clouds accumulating, and it's not certain when it will rain. The wind was blowing in waves, making the window paper rustle. He looked like a storm was about to come.
But he said that Zhao Qian was going to the Ministry of Household Affairs to do some work that day, and met Zhao Fushou on the way. Zhao Fushou got off his horse and came to salute Zhao Qian.
Zhao Qian opened the curtain and asked with a smile: "Lao San, where are you going?"
Fu Shou immediately replied: "Uncle, my nephew has been waiting for you."
Zhao Qian raised his eyebrows and asked, "Third brother, what's the matter?"
"It's not convenient to say it now, so let's go to my nephew's house and wait for him. Come over when you are free."
Meeting at his home? That's fine, Zhao Qian wants to get in touch with this restless nephew.
The uncle and nephew said goodbye, and Zhao Qian left for the Ministry of Revenue. The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue respectfully saluted Zhao Qian. Zhao Qian said he wanted to see the account book, and the Minister quickly sent someone to get it.
Zhao Qian then sat down to check the accounts. Something happened in the Ministry of Accounts before, but before he could handle it, he went to that dynasty. Now he had to stop the loss in time.
"This national treasury deficit is not a matter of one or two years." Zhao Qian discovered the problem after only taking a few glances.
The minister said, "Your Highness, the harvests have been poor in recent years, there have been many wars, and the internal friction has been too great, so there is a deficit."
"The treasury has no money, so nothing can be done. As the minister, can't you think of a solution?"
Shangshu said: "The only way is to raise taxes. I'm afraid the people will not..."
"Excessive taxes and miscellaneous taxes can kill people. The root of the problem is not here. Let's do this, Mr. Tong. Starting tomorrow, I will send eight accountants to check all the income and expenditures from the fifteenth year of Xi Kang to the present. Take a look at this How much money is left in the treasury, how much is lost, and how much tax should be collected.”
This was about to completely rectify the household department. Tong Shangshu's feet were a little weak. Fortunately, he held the table next to him in time so that nothing strange happened. Originally, the regent was just going through the motions, but unexpectedly he took it seriously. I'm afraid it won't be a good time next.
Zhao Qian put down his account books and didn't even bother to drink tea. He had to go home. There was a bigger trouble waiting for him at home. Tong Shangshu put Zhao Qian into the carriage with a pinch of sweat, always smiling and respectfully saying: "Your Majesty, please go well."
Zhao Qian then ordered the driver to drive faster. Seeing Zhao Qian's carriage go away, Shangshu Tong turned around and walked back. He fell to the ground within a few steps.
Zhao Qian returned home, and Zhao Fushou had been waiting at the palace for a long time. Zhao Qian went directly to the study before he had time to change into court clothes.
At this time, Zhao Fushou was studying a "Horse Picture" hanging in Zhao Qian's study. When he saw the emperor's uncle coming back, he turned around and said with a smile: "Uncle Huang's horse painting has both form and spirit. It is a rare treasure. ”
"If it wasn't a treasure, I wouldn't bother collecting it."
Zhao Qian ordered the kitchen to cook a table of food and brought it in.
The uncle and nephew were eating and talking.
"I have long heard that the land of abundance is rich in products. Didn't you remember to bring some good things to the emperor when you came back this time?"
Zhao Fushou hurriedly presented a piece of paper. Zhao Qian glanced at it and saw that it was a gift list with dozens of goodies written on it, including five pieces of Sichuan brocade, ten Sichuan fans, three cans of tea, and so on.
"This is..." Zhao Qian looked puzzled.
Zhao Fushou said with a smile: "This is my nephew's way of showing filial piety to the emperor's uncle. It's not respectful, so I hope the emperor's uncle will accept it."
Zhao Qian threw the gift list on the table again and said with a smile: "Your uncle was joking with you. You really prepared something."
"It's not a good idea to come to visit the emperor empty-handed. There aren't many things, and I don't know if the emperor will be interested in them."
A lot of things failed to move Zhao Qian's heart. He glanced at his nephew and asked, "If there is anything the King of Shu wants me to do, just tell me."
This is too direct. Zhao Fushou said: "Uncle, don't worry too much. These things are just to honor you. My nephew has everything now and I don't dare to ask you for help."
"Oh, it's hard for you to be so filial." Zhao Qian accepted the gift sheet and then said: "I seem to have heard someone say that Concubine Qi's illness has been cured. The concubine's illness has recovered. My nephew When do you plan to return to Shu?"
As soon as Zhao Qian finished speaking, Zhao Fushou knelt down and begged: "Uncle, my mother's body has not recovered yet, and my nephew has to take care of me for the time being, so please be merciful and allow my nephew to stay here again." Stay for a while.”
"Third brother, it is against etiquette for the vassal king to stay in the capital for a long time without returning to his fiefdom. Although the uncle has nothing to say, what will the courtiers think..."
"The emperor's uncle is now the regent. Are you still worried about what others will say? As long as the emperor's uncle nods and agrees, the nephew will have a reason, and others will not dare to do anything. Besides, this is the private matter of our Zhao family, why should others care about it."
"It's rare for a nephew to be so filial. Why don't I discuss it with the Queen Mother and think of your filial piety? Why don't you ask the Queen Mother to be kind and ask Concubine Qi to go to the fiefdom with you, so that you can support the concubine for the rest of her life?" ,how?"
Fu Shou's expression changed slightly, the emperor's uncle was determined to send him away immediately.
"Why, my nephew thinks this method is not good? Is there any treasure in the capital that you are so attached to? Or are there any rare treasures in the Wen family and the Gu family that you can't bear to part with?"
Fu Shou's eyes flashed slightly, and he did not dare to look directly at the emperor's uncle. His heart was already in turmoil. Does the emperor know about his interactions with the Wen family and the Gu family
"Third brother, you are still young and ignorant. I will teach you what the rules are and what the ancestral laws cannot be broken. It is a taboo for a vassal king to make friends with officials in the capital. You should think about it yourself."
"Uncle Emperor, I have had some friendship with the Young Master of the Wen family many years ago. It is not what you think. Please be aware of it."
"Oh? It doesn't matter. I just want to remind you what is allowed and what is absolutely not allowed. Don't blame the emperor for being unkind."
Zhao Fushou had prepared a lot of words before and wanted to persuade the emperor's uncle to help him, but the emperor's uncle pointed out to his face that he was friends with Beijing officials and repeatedly advised him to leave Beijing quickly. He knew that the emperor's uncle would not stand in the same camp as him. Inside. And the current actions are all under the control of the emperor's uncle. It is really difficult to make any big moves.
(End of chapter)