"See father, mother and concubine."
The person who came out from behind the bushes was King Ning, Mrs. Pei.
Surprisingly, they were also in the garden, and happened to overhear Gu Jiu and the three of them talking.
It turned out that Pei took out the charter and finally persuaded King Ning to agree to the cutting fee.
It's just that Mrs. Pei was worried that things would not go well, so she asked King Ning to go to Chunhe Hall.
Then everyone was called together, and King Ning announced the cost of cutting.
With King Ning in charge, I believe no one would dare to object.
King Ning stared at Gu Jiu, "It's hard for you to think about the overall situation. Others are worried when they hear about the cutting costs."
Gu Jiu took the opportunity to say: "The daughter-in-law also wants to share the worries of the father and the mother."
King Ning nodded approvingly, "You have a heart."
After a pause, he continued: "During this difficult time, extravagance and waste are strictly prohibited in the palace. Both of you should learn from Dalang's wife, don't just think about your own one-third of an acre of land all day long, just think about cutting it for use." How much you have lost yourself. Think more about the Wangfu. The Ministry of Households is cleaning up the debts accumulated over the years, and the Wangfu is still extravagant and wasteful. Is it plausible?"
Both Ouyang Fu and Xiao Qin'er are cowardly and dare not speak.
King Ning is so majestic, who dares to refute what he said
Pei's heart was happy, this time the prince finally stood by her side. In this way, the cost of cutting is imperative, and no one can stop it.
King Ning snorted again, "All follow me to Chunhe Hall to discuss matters."
"As ordered."
King Ning walked in front.
Mrs. Pei followed, not forgetting to remind Xiao Qin'er, "Keep your mouth shut, don't talk nonsense."
Xiao Qin'er nodded aggrievedly, "My daughter-in-law listens to my concubine mother."
Pei looked at Gu Jiu again with complicated eyes.
Unexpectedly, the oldest daughter-in-law who came from the lowest family background was the most knowledgeable among the three daughter-in-laws.
After thinking about it, she still said to Gu Jiu, "You also follow."
Gu Jiu nodded and accepted the order.
Ouyang Fu sighed softly, and said in a low voice, "It seems that the matter of cutting costs is already imperative and irreversible."
The owner of Huyang County is also a person who can't accomplish anything. It is obviously not possible to let her be a shit stick, and let her influence the thoughts of the prince and princess.
Gu Jiu said: "Since it's irreversible, why don't you think about it and what to do next."
Ouyang Fu smiled softly, "My sister-in-law is farsighted. We only know how to complain, not as much as my sister-in-law."
Xiao Qin'er was not happy to hear these words.
"Second sister-in-law is too self-deprecating. According to you, we are all stupid people, but sister-in-law is the only one who is sober?"
Ouyang Fu blamed herself, "Look at me, I said something wrong again. The fourth sibling must not be as knowledgeable as I am."
Xiao Qin'er snorted, and said to Gu Jiu, "Sister-in-law is just lucky."
Gu Jiu smiled slightly, "The fourth sibling is right, I am indeed luckier than ordinary people. However, luck is also a part of strength."
Xiao Qin'er's complexion changed again and again.
Gu Jiu ignored her and led the people straight to Chunhe Hall.
Everyone in the whole government was notified and came to Chunhe Hall. The hall is full.
Even the third son and third wife who seldom show up at ordinary times came out unexpectedly.
The third wife, Mrs. Cai, is in poor health and has been recuperating.
She was pale and looked very weak.
It will soon be March, and the weather has warmed up. She is still wearing a thick winter coat, and her lips are bruised and purple, without any color.
Looking at the third son Liu Yan again, he also has a pale face like a ghost, with a sickness that has not seen the sun for a long time.
The husband and wife, sitting on a large chair, feel like a child sitting on a big stool and can't fill it up.
Gu Jiu went there and had almost no contact with the third son and third wife.
They didn't even show up when she offered tea the next day after she entered.
Looking at it from a close distance now, the bodies of these two people are a bit unhealthy.
"Now that everyone is here, I will talk about the next arrangement."
Everyone in the room held their breath and looked at King Ning.
King Ning's gaze swept over everyone's face one by one. His pair of deep eyes seemed to have the ability to read people's hearts.
Many people lowered their heads subconsciously after King Ning glanced at them.
King Ning was expressionless, not angry and pretentious, "The Ministry of Households clears up the debts, you all know about this. Outside, the palace owes a huge sum of money to the Ministry of Households. Inside, the palace is unable to make ends meet.
If there is no way to contain it, the Wangfu will follow in the footsteps of the Huyang County Lord's Mansion and live without food.
You don't need to tell me what is going on in Huyang County Lord's Mansion, you all know it.
This king also believes that no one hopes that the palace will be reduced to the level of the princess's palace.
Princess Huyang is in trouble, so she still has this king as her support. If the king is in trouble, who can be the king's support
At that time, what will happen if there is no skin left? Therefore, the king and the princess have discussed and decided that from now on, the palace will be cut. "
coming!
finally come!
It's just that Pei didn't expect that Mrs. Pei could really persuade the prince to endorse this matter.
No one spoke, but everyone was not at peace.
Many people secretly exchanged glances and shook their heads slightly.
Who would dare to disobey the prince's words
Pei coughed lightly, and drew everyone's attention to herself, "As for the cost of cutting, we should start from two aspects. One is cutting people. At least 10% of the people in each courtyard should be cut."
Lay off 10% of the people
There was a lot of discussion.
"Is it too much?"
"Are you really going to lay off people?"
"I also ask the princess to take back her life."
"The manpower of the concubine's body courtyard is not enough, and 10% of the manpower needs to be cut, isn't it a mess?"
"Shut up!" Mrs. Pei glared angrily, "This matter is up to the prince to decide, who dares to refuse?"
Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay.
Chen Liangyuan looked at King Ning, "Your Majesty, do you really want to abolish the manpower? There are only a dozen or so people serving in the concubine's courtyard, and each of them performs their own duties. There is no one who steals, rapes or plays tricks. There is really no way to do this. what!"
King Ning snorted twice, and said without any room for negotiation: "Do things according to Wang Hao's orders."
Chen Liangyuan turned pale with shock.
The prince dotes on her the most, and always responds to her requests. Why this time, the prince ignored her request.
Pei's heart is extremely happy, do these bitches really think that they can do whatever they want just because of the prince's favor
snort!
Before the royal family gains great profits, everyone must be a man with their tails tucked between their legs.
Seeing Chen Liangyuan's humiliation, the few people who were about to speak all retreated.
"In addition to laying off the manpower, I don't know what other methods the concubine has prepared. I will listen attentively."
Concubine Shen asked softly.
Pei said with a straight face, "The second aspect is to cut the monthly records of all the people in the mansion, and the cost of cutting each courtyard is 30%."
Cutting 30% of the cost at once, is this going to force everyone to drink northwest wind
For example, the East Courtyard where Gu Jiu and Liu Zhao lived had a fixed monthly expenditure of 2,000 taels, and if 30% was cut, it would be 600 taels.
Six hundred and two taels a month suddenly fell, and many things seemed stretched.
It is difficult to move an inch without money, and the same applies to the palace.
Without money, the servants will ignore you.
"It costs 30% to cut, this, is this too much? Everyone is not rich, and there is not much spare money in their hands. Cutting so much suddenly, everyone's life is really difficult!"
Concubine Shen looked at King Ning anxiously.
King Ning didn't make a sound, obviously acquiescing to Pei's decision.
Concubine Shen frowned slightly, what kind of ecstasy soup did the Pei family pour into the prince, so that the prince completely stood on Pei's side.
She didn't know that King Ning was also very helpless.
Without money, the hero is short of breath.
Before he thought of a new open source method, King Ning didn't dare to show off, saying that everything was business as usual. We can only follow Pei's words.
Anyway, Pei's starting point is good, after a year, at least it can save the palace five or sixty thousand taels of silver.
Therefore, King Ning has no reason not to support Pei's decision.
Concubine Luo asked: "I have a question, I don't know if I should say it or not."
King Ning nodded, "Let's talk. Everyone speaks freely today, and I will never pursue it."
Concubine Luo bowed slightly, "The concubine has the courage to ask, can the tailoring cost include the prince, the princess, and the princess of Huyang?"
Yes!
Don't just focus on cutting everyone's expenses, as a prince or concubine, shouldn't you also set an example.
Concubine Luo smiled sheepishly, "My lord, my concubine please forgive me. The concubine is really curious, so I asked this question. If there is something inappropriate, the concubine Quan didn't say anything."
Pei's face was stern, "My concubine is about to tell you that not only the Chunhe Hall, but even the Prince's Bixi Pavilion will cut down the manpower and cut the cost according to the requirements. Who has any opinions?"
Concubine Luo asked cautiously: "Is Princess Huyang the same as everyone else?"
"Ahem..."
King Ning coughed twice.
He really regretted it.
He accidentally fell into Huyang's trap.
Two days ago, he personally promised Huyang that he would never cut the expenses of the three of them, mother and son, how could he go back on his word now.
He said loudly: "Huyang is a guest, she is not in this list."
Everyone exchanged glances with each other, feeling dissatisfied in their hearts.
Mrs. Pei was also dissatisfied, that shit stirrer in Huyang was an idiot and made trouble for her all day long. He had to think of a way to drive Huyang back to the princess mansion.
Isn't it true that he has no place to live and stays in the palace all day long
King Ning said directly: "This matter is decided here and cannot be changed. Everyone must cooperate with the princess. Whoever dares to obey the law will be severely punished by the king."
As soon as these words came out, no matter how many opinions there were, they could only hold back.
"that… "
Suddenly someone made a faint sound.
Everyone followed the sound and found that it was the third lady who had no sense of existence.
The third wife, Mrs. Cai, coughed several times and kept covering her heart, her lips became more and more bruised.
Gu Jiu looked, did the third lady have a heart disease
After Cai finished coughing, he said softly, "I have reported to my father, mother, concubine, daughter-in-law and son-in-law to take medicine all year round, will the money also be abolished?"
Pei frowned slightly.
King Ning was very straightforward, "In the third courtyard, only the manpower will be abolished, and the monthly rate will be reduced, but the expenses will not be axed. The medicine will remain as usual."
Cai Shi felt relieved, "Thank you, father, for your mercy."
Concubine Luo suddenly asked: "My lord, will the fees of the three girls also be abolished?"
King Ning did not hesitate, "Abolish as requested."
"But… "
"No but. The fifth and sixth are no exceptions."
Both the fifth and sixth sons were not married yet, nor did they receive errands. Live by monthly routine.
Once the cost is cut by 30%, their life is indeed more difficult.
In the past, you could spend a lot of money to go out and show off, but in the future you can only live by tightening your belt.
For a moment, everyone in the hall was gloomy.
Everyone in the world likes promotion and salary increase, but hates demotion and salary reduction.
However, there is no permanent wealth, you have to plan ahead.
After finishing the matter, King Ning was ready to leave.
He said to Mrs. Pei: "For the rest, I will work hard on the princess."
Mrs. Pei bowed and said, "Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely get this done."
"The king believes in the ability of the princess."
King Ning got up and left, taking a bunch of people with him.
Everyone is unsure, is the palace really so poor that it can't be solved
"Ahem..."
Pei Shi coughed loudly to remind everyone, and also to show her existence.
Seeing that everyone's attention was on her, Pei said: "Within three days, everyone will hand in the list of people to be abolished in their respective courtyards. At that time, my concubine will arrange for someone to take care of it."
Concubine Shen asked: "Will three days be too short?"
Pei's face was stern, "Which people around you can stay and who need to be dismissed, Concubine Shen, don't you have any idea? If you can't make up your mind, this princess will make the decision for you. Anyway, the list is in the accounting room, follow the list How about direct circle of people?"
Concubine Shen smiled awkwardly, "Don't dare to bother your mother, I will handle this matter on time."
Pei nodded, "It's a good day."
Concubine Wen asked again: "May I ask the princess, how should the staff be abolished in the kitchen, sewing and other places? Who should be in charge?"
Both Xiao Qin'er and Ouyang Fu pricked up their ears, and this was exactly what they were concerned about.
Pei's eyes swept over everyone's faces.
I only heard her say: "This princess has already planned this matter. The fourth daughter-in-law is in charge of the sewing room, the second daughter-in-law is in charge of the courtyard, Concubine Shen, you are in charge of cleaning the gatehouse, Concubine Luo, you are in charge of the warehouse. The outer courtyard and the atrium are your own home. Put your lord in charge. As for the kitchen..."
The kitchen is the most important and the most difficult place to deal with.
Everyone was very curious, could it be that the princess planned to deal with those people in the kitchen herself
Pei's eyes swept over everyone, and finally landed on Gu Jiu's face.
"Daughter-in-law, I'll leave the kitchen to you, can you handle it well?"
Gu Jiu nodded and accepted the order, "Daughter-in-law should do her best and dare not disappoint mother and concubine's expectations."
Mrs. Pei nodded, "That's very good. This princess will hand over the kitchen to you, and you will be in charge of the kitchen. In addition, this princess will send people to check everywhere. If anyone is found to be cheating for personal gain, avenging private revenge, and taking the opportunity to make trouble, There must be severe punishment.”
"Obey!"
Everyone bowed and took orders.
Mrs. Pei waved her hand, "All retreat, and hand in the lists of their respective courtyards in three days."
Everyone got up and left.
Everyone was in a bad mood and had no intention of talking, so they left in a hurry after leaving Chunhetang.
Ouyang Fu left in no hurry.
She stayed and waited for Gu Jiu.
"Is there anything embarrassing for sister-in-law?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "My young master isn't here, just laying off the manpower will cause a lot of trouble. Not to mention the kitchen, I'm not familiar with it at all. Can the second sibling teach me?"
Ouyang Fu looked puzzled, "I also want to help my sister-in-law, but I'm not familiar with the kitchen. About this matter, my sister-in-law should ask Mother Qin who is next to the mother and concubine. She is an old man in the mansion, and there is nothing she doesn't know about in the mansion."
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your advice."
Ouyang Fu left in a hurry on the pretext that she was still busy.
Qingmei asked in a low voice: "Madam, do you really want to ask Nanny Qin for advice?"
"Of course there is no need to ask Mother Qin for advice."
There are ready-made people in the east courtyard who don't need it, so they go far away to ask Nanny Qin for advice, Gu Jiu is not so confused.
"Second Madam suggested Madam Qin to ask Nanny Qin for advice. I don't know what's on her mind."
Nanny Fang snorted coldly, very dissatisfied with Ouyang Fu.
Gu Jiu waved his hand, "You don't have to be angry, Mammy. It's still early today, get ready, let's go to Zongzheng Temple to meet Young Master."
To abolish the people in the East Court, Gu Jiu had to discuss it with Liu Zhao first.
Some people look useless on the surface, maybe Liu Zhao specially raised them and prepared to keep them for great use in the future.
Therefore, she can't dismiss the people in the East Court rashly, she must communicate with Liu Zhao first.
Go back to the East Court.
Qingmei and the others were busy preparing clothes, books, and food, and they were going to take them to Zongzheng Temple.
The servant reported that it was Mrs. Sun who asked to see her.
Aunt Sun is Liu Zhao's nanny, so Gu Jiu has to show her some face.
She ordered her servants, "Please bring Aunt Sun in."
After a while, Aunt Sun was invited to the side hall.
Gu Jiu smiled, "Ma'am, please sit down. Why are you free to come to Mrs. Ben's place today?"
Aunt Sun was a little uneasy, "I heard that the mansion is going to be laid off, is this settled?"
Gu Jiu nodded slightly, "It's settled."
Aunt Sun seemed to have nails growing under her buttocks, shaking from side to side. She asked nervously, "Madam, do you have any plans to abolish anyone?"
Gu Jiu shook her head, "I haven't thought it through yet. Do you have any opinions, Madam?"
Aunt Sun leaned forward, "If Madam can trust your servants, I have a list here. They are all the ones who like to play tricks, steal and play tricks, and don't follow the rules."
"Oh? Madam is so loyal, she prepared the list so early."
Gu Jiu was always smiling, making it hard for people to see through her thoughts.