"Ma'am, the prince is checking the accounts."
Deng Cunli walked into the small study, bowed and said.
Gu Jiu was surprised, "Why did your lord suddenly think of checking the accounts? Isn't the matter of losing the package and money already a source of trouble, is your lord all right?"
Deng Cunli said: "I heard that the princess said that there is no money in the accounting room, and the prince was dubious, so he decided to check the accounts."
Gu Jiu's heart skipped a beat, "It seems that the princess has already made up her mind to cut the cost of the house."
Qingmei was a little confused, and asked puzzledly: "Is there any relationship between the prince's audit and the princess's cutting expenses?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said: "Of course it has something to do with it. If the princess wants to cut the expenses of the mansion, she must obtain the support of the prince before this matter can go ahead.
Even if you are a princess, you can't do whatever you want. But once you have the support of the prince, it will be different.
The prince ordered, and no one in the mansion dared to object. In this way, the princess can smoothly cut the expenses of the mansion. "
Deng Cunli said: "Ma'am is right, the princess's move is clearly to cut the cost of the mansion and create momentum. Once this is done, the power of the princess in the mansion will be even stronger than before.
In the past, concubine Shen and the others could do some small tricks in private to add to the embarrassment of the princess. Once the concubine is established, concubine Shen and the others have to tighten their tails and behave as human beings. "
Gu Jiu nodded repeatedly, Deng Cunli was right.
Cutting costs is not as simple as just cutting costs. This matter is also related to the reshuffle of the royal family's rights.
There are so many people in the palace, and the concubine makes big moves to affect everyone's interests. Can concubine Shen and the others be reconciled
Only by moving King Ning out can everyone be deterred.
Gu Jiu told Deng Cunli to pay more attention to the movement of Bixi Pavilion.
I don't know if King Ning will cooperate with Pei's cutting the cost of the mansion.
Deng Cunli took the order and left.
Qing Mei waited beside Gu Jiu, and asked, "Madam, aren't you worried?"
Gu Jiu held the book in his hands, "There is nothing to worry about. If the concubine really cuts the money, I will pay for your share with my own pocket."
Qingmei shook her head, "I don't mean that. I mean..."
"I know what you're worried about."
Gu Jiu put down the book and continued: "The life in the palace is indeed too extravagant. Think about what kind of life we live in Gu's mansion, and what kind of life we live in the palace? From the standpoint of the princess, the cutting cost is overwhelming. It must be done. I will not object."
Qingmei was stunned for a moment, she didn't expect that Gu Jiu would not object to the cutting fee.
But if you compare them, you will know the difference.
Back then, when they were in Gu's mansion, they were big maids, and their monthly bill was only 800 yuan.
Even for the most respectable nuns and women in charge, the monthly bill ranges from one or two to one or two or five dollars.
However, when they arrived at the palace, she and Xiaocui were counted as first-class maids, with a monthly rule of three taels, and the maids in charge ranged from five taels to eight taels. The monthly rate of work in the outer courtyard is even higher.
The maids have such a high monthly rate, so the masters can only have more and no less.
Like the East Courtyard, the monthly expenses will never be less than one thousand taels. This is still the month of no extra expenses.
If it's time to catch up with the changing seasons, you need to make seasonal clothes, jewelry, and human relations. I'm afraid two thousand taels will not be enough.
However, this is just the basic overhead.
Young Master Zhao is doing things outside, and all the expenses are recorded separately.
Qing Mei asked: "Is Madam really not opposed to cutting costs?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "In the past, the palace had a small population, only the prince, concubine, and two side concubines. Therefore, the palace was not short of money, and the foundation was raised as much as possible, just to look good.
Later, the prince had a child and took in new beauties, and the population of the palace grew year by year.
The original base was too high, and as the population increased, the cost would skyrocket.
As the court situation changed, the prince's expenses outside also increased accordingly.
Expenses have been rising year by year, but income has not risen for many years. If this continues, how many years can the palace last? "
Qingmei said: "I'm afraid it won't last for three to five years, and I will have to live without food."
Gu Jiu thinks so, "The Huyang Princess is a lesson learned from the past. Why did Chen Concubine take the risk to privately mint coins and rob the tomb? It's not all because of money. The money is not enough, so he has to take the risk. Not only did he risk his life, Even the entire Chen family lost their lives."
Nanny Fang opened the cage, took out the cloth, and was going to ask Qing Zhu and the others to make new clothes for Gu Jiu.
When she heard Gu Jiu talk about the cutting cost, she asked: "Since madam does not object to the cutting cost, what should the East Court do when the day comes? Reduce the monthly rate? Or lay off people?"
Gu Jiu was very straightforward, "It is necessary to reduce monthly bills and lay off staff."
Qingmei's heart trembled, a little uneasy.
Gu Jiu smiled softly, and said soothingly: "You don't have to worry, even if you are laid off, it won't fall on you. There are a little more people around you, Young Master, and when the day comes, I have to take the opportunity to lay off a few people."
"Aren't Madam worried that Young Master will be angry?" Qing Mei asked cautiously.
Gu Jiu said: "Before the layoff, I will go to see him and tell him the details of the matter."
With Liu Zhao's temperament, Gu Jiu guessed that he would not object to layoffs.
Mother Fang said: "The only thing I am worried about is that the people around the young master will make trouble."
"If they dare to make trouble, my wife will send someone to suppress it."
Gu Jiu's expression was very cold. These days, she has been silent, but it doesn't mean she doesn't know anything.
She observed everyone in the east courtyard calmly, and basically understood everyone's temperament.
She knows who is diligent, who is sneaky, who is obsessed with climbing high branches all day long, and who runs out every day without permission.
When it's time to lay off people, she promises to catch one.
Mother Fang asked: "If the princess asks Madam to assist in cutting costs, will Madam agree?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "How can I give up such power, naturally I have to hold it firmly in my hands."
If she doesn't seize power now, it doesn't mean she will give up when the opportunity comes.
Not only will she not give up, but she will hold on firmly.
People say that a man should not be powerless for a day.
Gu Jiu said, a little girl can't live without money for a day.
In this era, if you want money, you have to have power.
So that sentence can be changed to, a big man and a little girl must not be powerless for a day.
Regardless of whether this right is the right of the court or the inner house, as long as it is a right, it cannot be handed over.
Qingmei was worried, "It's just cutting expenses, but it's an errand that offends people."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Which thing should not offend others? In charge of the kitchen shopping, can't you offend others? The women in the kitchen have scolded the kitchen shopping countless times in private. Even if it is the fourth lady who is in charge of the needle and thread shopping, it's the same It will offend people. What do people in the sewing room say about her?"
Nanny Fang laughed, "People in the sewing room said that the fourth lady is an iron rooster who doesn't pull out a hair. They also say that she is too plucked and refuses to give any benefits to the people below. The people in the sewing room are full of complaints, but they dare not." Just complain."
Gu Jiu sneered, "They have no right to file a complaint. The Wangfu sends them monthly bills on time every month, and they have to work after taking the money. It's only right and proper. They also want to plunder the Wangfu's wool, why don't they go to heaven. As for the fourth wife, my wife temporarily I can't control her. But in the future..."
She didn't say the rest of the words.
The time is not enough, we will talk about it in the future.
Mother Fang said again: "It's the second lady who does things beautifully, and all the servants say she's good."
Gu Jiu smiled, "It's convenient for others to be convenient for myself. The second lady knows very well that she only needs to distribute a little bit of benefits to the people below, and she will naturally gain people's hearts."
To be honest, she had a very good impression of Ouyang Fu at the beginning, she did things quickly and simply, and the housekeeper was also a good hand.
It's a pity that the butt determines the head, and everyone's positions are inconsistent, so that gradually there are some differences.
But she still didn't want to tear herself apart with Ouyang Fu.
The other party is very measured in doing things and has always guarded the boundaries.
Once she showed any dissatisfaction, Ouyang Fu would stop probing in time.
Therefore, for a long time, she has always treated Ouyang Fu politely. As long as there is no position issue involved, hello, hello, hello everyone.
Once it comes to the issue of position, I'm sorry, no amount of friendship is worth fighting for interests.
The reality is so cruel.
A relationship mixed with interests cannot always be maintained for a long time.
Only when the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water can we be friends for life.
Mother Fang said: "Second Madam knows how to protect herself wisely, she may not assist the princess in cutting expenses."
Gu Jiu shook her head, "I don't think so. Once the prince orders the reduction of the palace's expenses, and the second lady finds that she can't stop it, she will decisively turn the wall around and take the initiative to assist the princess."
"If the second lady really helps the princess cut the expenses, I don't know what she will do."
…
Everyone in the palace was staring at the Bixi Pavilion.
Everyone knows that the prince is checking the accounts.
If there is a problem with the account book, will it be implicated in yourself
At this time, everyone hadn't thought that the ulterior motive of the princess was not in drinking, but in forcing King Ning to agree to the cutting fee.
On the contrary, Ouyang Fu was vaguely aware of Princess Pei's intentions.
She went to see Concubine Shen and expressed her worries.
When Concubine Shen heard it, it was really possible.
She told Ouyang Fu, "Don't say anything about it, my side concubine will go to Bixi Pavilion first."
…
Inside the Tourmaline Pavilion.
More than a dozen accountants held their abacus and clattered their accounts.
King Ning was drinking wine and listening to a ditty in the flower hall next door.
Pei was worried, so she stayed in the side hall and stared at the accountant.
The servant reported that it was the side concubine Shen who came to see her.
Mrs. Pei was displeased, "What is she here for? She has nothing to do here, tell her to go back."
"Concubine Shen said that she wanted to see if there was anything she could do to help when she learned that the prince was checking the accounts."
Pei sneered, "Tell her that there is no need for her help here. Tell her to go back to her room and don't run out if nothing happens."
The servants took orders and left.
Mrs. Pei had a memory of Concubine Shen in mind.
Concubine Shen stood at the gate of Bixi Pavilion and slammed the door hard, but she didn't get angry.
At this moment, she can be sure that Ouyang Fu's guess is true.
As expected, Mrs. Pei wanted to use the prince's hand to cut the palace for use.
Concubine Shen gave a cold snort, and led the people away resolutely. At the same time, he secretly ordered people to go to the guest courtyard to see the Princess Huyang.
If you don't sacrifice the shit-stirring stick of Princess Huyang at this time, how long will you have to wait.
Princess Huyang is King Ning's younger sister, and she is stronger than anyone else.
Concubine Shen secretly smiled, but she wanted to see if Pei would go crazy with anger after Huyang Princess destroyed Pei's plan.
It was getting dark, and under the leadership of Jialing, more than a dozen accountants finally figured out all the accounts for the past six months.
The royal family ordered the general ledger to be handed over to King Ning for review.
King Ning waved his hand and told the actor to step back.
He flipped through the accounts page by page, frowning more and more.
"This king bought actors, did you spend seven thousand taels of silver?"
The order of the Wangfu bowed and said: "This is just the actor's net worth, not counting the rest of the expenses."
King Ning snorted, "These opera singers are lowly in status, but they are not cheap. Wait a minute, did this king drink up to five thousand taels of flower wine this month?"
"Don't dare to lie to the prince, there are indeed five thousand taels. This is already considered small, because the prince doesn't go out much this month. Like last year, at the most, the prince can spend three to fifty thousand taels a month drinking flower wine."
Hearing this, Mrs. Pei said with a stern face: "My lord should be more economical. To waste money on those bastards, it's better to pay back the debts from the Ministry of Households."
King Ning was not happy, "What if I drink some flower wine? I am happy."
He continued to scroll down, hey, hey, I don't know if I don't look at it, I was shocked when I saw it.
In just one first month, without doing anything, the palace spent 50,000 taels.
February is coming to an end, and counting the money owed by the household department, the palace has already spent more than 100,000 taels of silver.
No wonder the money is not enough to spend, and the expenses are a bit high.
He didn't bother to look at the expenses, so he turned to the back to look at the surplus.
A large part of the year-end income is grain, and a part is backlogged in goods.
The real cash is actually less than two hundred thousand taels.
In the first month and February alone, hundreds of thousands of taels have already been spent, and when the weather gets hotter in March, it will cost a lot of money.
No wonder Mrs. Pei began to call her poor, saying that she had no money.
King Ning closed the ledger, "This is not going to work. We have to increase revenue and reduce expenditure."
When Mrs. Pei heard this, she was in the middle of her heart.
She hastened to say: "My lord, gaining more money is not something that can be achieved overnight, you have to plan slowly. The only way to do it now is to cut down on expenditure."
King Ning looked at Mrs. Pei, and was about to ask how to save money, when his servants came to report that it was Princess Huyang who asked to see him.
Pei frowned, "What is sister Huyang doing here at this time?"
After Chen Consort passed away, King Ning also felt more sympathy for Princess Huyang.
Huyang is not easy at a young age, with a dead man and a big family.
So he ordered, "Please come in the princess."
Mrs. Pei is not happy, Huyang, this shit stick, what is he doing here at this time
Princess Huyang was invited to the side hall, facing her brother, she was not polite at all.
"Brother Wang, I heard that you are doing accounts. Are the rumors in the mansion true?"
King Ning was a little confused, "What rumor?"
The owner of Huyang County said loudly: "Everyone in the mansion is saying that brother Wang suddenly thought of doing accounts, and it was all at the instigation of his sister-in-law, the purpose is to cut the mansion's expenses."
"Nonsense!"
Pei's heart ached with anger.
The princess of Huyang really lived up to her reputation, she was a good shit-stirring stick.
"Huyang, if you don't know the inside story, don't talk nonsense. Also, who is making up the rumors in the mansion? This princess finds out this person, and she must be killed."
The princess of Huyang burst into tears as soon as she was wronged, "Brother Wang, look at my sister-in-law. I know that the son-in-law is gone, the Chen family is gone, and I owe a lot of money to the household department, and I can't afford it. So Everyone doesn't want to see me, they all treat me as a burden.
It must be because of me that my sister-in-law wants to cut the cost of the house. A few days ago, I asked my sister-in-law for some money to do my son-in-law's work, and my sister-in-law said that there was no money in the house.
I didn't expect that my sister-in-law would cut the cost of the house because of this matter. If my sister-in-law wants to take the opportunity to drive me away, why bother, why not just say it straight. "
Pei fell back in anger, and she angrily scolded Huyang, "Don't put gold on your face. Just you, it's not enough to make this princess angry."
Princess Huyang was crying, and she didn't care what Pei said, she was crying anyway.
While crying, she said: "Wang Xiong, I know I am a burden. I don't want to be like this either. But besides Brother Wang, who else can I rely on now
If Brother Wang doesn't want to see me, and he doesn't want me to eat and live for free, and waste the money and food of the Wang Mansion, then I, I will order someone to sell the Princess Mansion for money. "
"My lord, please be clear. This concubine has absolutely no intention of driving Huyang out of the mansion. Someone must have slandered Huyang's sister in her ears, causing her to misunderstand."
Mrs. Pei looked at King Ning, hoping that King Ning would believe her words and speak a few words of justice for her.
King Ning kept a stern face, not angry, but arrogant, "Huyang, tell me first, who did you listen to those rumors?"
Hu Yang wiped away his tears, "Everyone in the mansion is discussing, don't you know, Brother Wang? It's not a day or two since my sister-in-law wants to cut down the cost of the palace. Sure enough, it’s a good calculation.”
Pooh!
Pei's disdain for Huyang. How dare you put gold on your face.