The household department earns an extra 300,000 yuan a month, which puts Emperor Wende in a good mood.
At noon, I simply went to Weiyang Palace to have dinner with Empress Pei.
Liu Yi and his wife were there.
"No errands to do?" Emperor Wende asked Liu Yi with a straight face, pretending to be a strict father.
Liu Yi bowed and said, "I would like to report to my father, my son and minister are busy with their errands before entering the palace to greet the queen mother."
"The fourth child has always kept a clear line between public and private affairs, and never delays in making mistakes." Empress Pei said beside her.
Emperor Wende hummed, "Since you have invited Ann, let's get out of here."
Liu Yi was very upset.
Empress Pei hurriedly said: "It's already noon, why don't you stay and have dinner together."
"casual."
Emperor Wende was not unreasonable.
Empress Pei hurriedly ordered someone to arrange a meal.
No words were spoken when eating, no words were spoken when sleeping, during the meal, only a little sound from the collision of bowls and chopsticks was heard, and there was no other movement.
After lunch, Emperor Wende planned to rest for a while, and because he was in a good mood, he asked Liu Yi to talk to him.
"You've heard about the business tax."
Liu Yi beamed with joy, "Congratulations to my father, congratulations to my father, the addition of another tax source to the household department has solved a big problem."
Emperor Wende was in a good mood, smiled heartily, and said: "Well, it is a great joy to increase the tax source. What makes me most happy is that the tourist tax is not heavy for small merchants and hawkers, and will not become a big burden for hawkers.
Not only can it be convenient for hawkers, but they don’t have to worry about becoming a burden on them, and it can also increase part of the income of the household department. This is such a good thing, haha... The account department can’t figure it out. Gai Minger, I want to ask, who came up with this tourist tax. "
Liu Yi hurriedly said: "Regarding this matter, my son knows a little bit about it."
"Oh?" Emperor Wende looked at Liu Yi, "Let's hear it."
Liu Yi thought it over and said: "Recently, the two adults of the household department and the young mansion have been in frequent contact with my sister-in-law. My son heard that the household department has a travel business tax plan, which was written by my sister-in-law. The travel business tax is not unexpected. , it is likely that my sister-in-law figured it out."
Emperor Wende raised his head and looked at Chang En: "Do you know about this?"
Chang En bowed and said, "This old slave has heard about it, but I haven't had time to verify it."
Emperor Wende waved his hand, "Tell the Minister of the Household Department to wait in Xingqing Palace, I have something to ask him."
Chang En bowed to accept the order.
Liu Yi looked hesitant to speak, "Father, my son has heard some bad rumors."
"What rumor?"
Liu Yi opened his mouth, looking very embarrassed, "It stands to reason that I shouldn't talk about people's right and wrong, especially about my eldest brother and sister-in-law. It's just that it's about court affairs, and I dare not hide it."
"Say it!"
Liu Yi said respectfully: "Yes! That's how it is. Nowadays, many people know that the Ministry of Households has suddenly introduced a tourist tax, and it's all because of the instigation of my sister-in-law.
Therefore, it is extremely unpleasant for someone to speak, and the dignified household is actually controlled by a woman. A woman who meddles in the government affairs of the household department today, will she be meddling in military and state affairs tomorrow? Others said that sister-in-law's actions were all instigated by elder brother. Said big brother..."
"What are you talking about? Just say it." Emperor Wende's face had turned gloomy.
Liu Yi looked nervous, "Some people say that the eldest brother became impatient when he became a prince, and intervened in the affairs of the six ministries behind his father's back. When he is in power one day, will he do such a rebellious thing.
This son-in-law couldn't believe it, the eldest brother was definitely not that kind of person. The son-in-law didn't dare to hide from his father. The son begged the emperor to send Jinwu guards to investigate the matter strictly, and to restore the innocence of the eldest brother and sister-in-law. Those who spread rumors behind the scenes must be arrested and severely punished. "
Emperor Wende's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, "Someone really said that?"
Liu Yi trembled, "Some people in the yamen are already talking about it, saying that the eldest brother is ambitious, and even sending his sister-in-law to fight for power is probably a conspiracy.
He also said that Mr. Zhao, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, must have received bribes from his sister-in-law, so he insisted on levying a tax on tourists. He also said that the elder sister-in-law used the money from the Shaofu Bank to seek personal gain for the elder brother.
All in all, it's really unbearable to say anything. If it is not contained, I am afraid that the imperial censor will move soon to impeach the eldest brother and sister-in-law. "
Emperor Wende snorted coldly, "I didn't know that the yamen in the capital are so lively in private, just like the three aunts and six women in the market, gossiping all day long."
"What the father said is true. The atmosphere in the yamen is indeed a bit loose."
Emperor Wende seemed to have no intention of resting, "Okay, you go back and work hard. I have to go back and continue to be busy."
After all, Emperor Wende got up and left Weiyang Palace with his people.
Empress Pei sent Emperor Wende out of the palace gate, turned her head and glared at Liu Yi.
Liu Yi looked innocent.
Empress Pei sternly asked, "Are those rumors true?"
Liu Yi said calmly, "There are indeed people talking about this."
"Then you shouldn't pick this time to bring it up."
"Mother, it's rare for the son to see his father. It's about the reputation of the eldest brother and sister-in-law, can the son conceal it? Is it rare to report it when there are constant criticisms in the court?"
Liu Yi was quite aggrieved.
Empress Pei frowned and said, "Even if you think about your elder brother, you shouldn't be the one to take the lead in this matter."
"My son couldn't help but speak out because he was worried about his elder brother and sister-in-law."
Empress Pei stared at Liu Yi suspiciously.
Liu Yi had a frank face and a selfless heart.
Empress Pei frowned, she was indeed doubting Liu Yi's intentions.
She was worried that Liu Yi was suing on purpose to cause trouble for His Majesty, and by the way, Liu Zhao was slandered.
But Liu Yi was so frank, she suppressed her doubts again, "Forget it, you go out of the palace to do some errands first. In the future, if something like this happens, ask others to tell His Majesty, don't stand out by yourself. Don't forget your father reminded you In your case, your royal father doesn't want to see your brothers killing each other."
"The queen mother misunderstood. The son is wholeheartedly thinking about his elder brother and sister-in-law, and he will never kill each other. But now that I think about it, my son is indeed reckless. I am afraid that my elder brother and sister-in-law will misunderstand my intentions. Sigh, it is difficult to have both, I hope my elder brother can be more magnanimous." , Don’t worry about my lack of consideration.”
"At your elder brother's place, if he is dissatisfied with you, I will explain it to you."
"Thank you, Queen Mother."
"Okay, do things more safely in the future, don't act impulsively like a brat all day long."
"The son always remembers the mother's teachings."
Liu Yi took Xiao Qin'er to say goodbye and left.
Empress Pei had a worried look on her face.
Eunuch Wen Zhongwen, the young supervisor of Weiyang Palace, served by Empress Pei's side.
"Your Majesty, are you worried?"
Empress Pei nodded, "Both the elder brother and the fourth child are children of this palace. I don't want them two brothers to fight each other and end up taking advantage of others."
Wen Zhong pondered for a while, "How about inviting both His Royal Highnesses to Weiyang Palace some other day, and the empress will be straight to the point, and talk to the two about the pros and cons of this. If the two Highnesses help each other, I don't think other princes will have it." Chance."
Empress Pei asked another question: "Do you think the fourth child will be convinced by the boss? Will he be willing to run for the boss?"
"This?"
Wen Zhong also looked hesitant.
When he was in Prince Ning's Mansion in the past, he served Pei's side. Therefore, he has an understanding of the tempers of several young masters in the mansion.
The young masters suddenly changed their minds and became princes. Naturally, their tempers remained the same as before. It is impossible to change their tempers just because they became princes.
With Fourth Highness Liu Yi's temperament, I'm afraid he won't be willing to live behind His Highness Liu Zhao, let alone make a wedding dress for His Highness.
He thought for a while, and said: "Although it is not easy, we still have to try. If the two Highnesses fight, it will be good for the relatives and the enemies, and it will benefit others."
"That's exactly the reason. But we still have to wait for this matter. After a while, I will summon the two brothers again."
Empress Pei looked worried, she was really afraid that the two sons would fight and make others cheaper.
…
Emperor Wende summoned the Minister of the Household Department, and then the Minister of the Shaofu Family Order.
The three monarchs and ministers closed the door and talked for a long time.
On the second day, Emperor Wende quietly left the palace. Where he went, no one else knew except his confidant and the two adults.
After returning to the palace, Emperor Wende always had a smile on his face, as if he had met a happy event.
As Liu Yi said, soon there will be a censor in the court to impeach Liu Zhao and Gu Jiu.
It is unreasonable to say that Liu Zhao is ambitious, and that Gu Jiu, a woman, stretched her hand too far, even reaching the household department.
Of course, Shangshu Hubu was not spared.
Half of the impeachment memorials are impeachment household ministers. Said that he took bribes from Gu Jiu.
The old god of Hubu Shangshu is here, so he is not in a hurry.
As a senior official in the Ministry, who has never been impeached.
Senior officials who have not been impeached are not considered qualified senior officials.
No biography is complete.
Mr. Zhao, Minister of the Household Department, is so calm.
If you impeach you, the old man is as steady as a green pine.
Emperor Wende kept all the impeachment memorials.
They had accumulated too much, so they simply asked Chang En to carry them out basket by basket and burn them.
What a waste of paper.
Emperor Wende snorted coldly.
"Is it easy for the household department to save some money? Don't you need money for these memorials? It's all wasted."
The corners of Chang En's mouth twitched, he was used to Emperor Wende's temper. But it can still be irritating sometimes.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Households has increased the travel merchant tax, which is more generous than in the past."
Emperor Wende was dissatisfied, "How much more can I afford? When the Ministry of Households can increase the tax revenue by three million taels a month, let me tell you about the abundance."
After a pause, Emperor Wende said again: "The first emperor had to ask the eldest daughter-in-law to find a way to repair the three main halls. In order to increase income, why can't the household department find a way to find the eldest daughter-in-law? It is simply absurd!"
Chang En said with a smile: "Your Majesty, calm down. Naturally, those censors have no guts to oppose Emperor Mangxian's decision, but they have the guts to impeach the Ministry of Household Affairs. But they are softened by persimmons."
Emperor Wende nodded again and again, "These censors are all bullying and fearing the hard. They never relent when they ask for money. The Ministry of Households managed to add hundreds of thousands of taels of income, and it was used up in just a few days. Those Money, I didn't even have time to look at it."
"Next month, the tax for traveling merchants will come up. Why don't your majesty go to the warehouse of the household department to have a look?"
"What are you looking at? Are you seeing mice running around in an empty warehouse?"
Emperor Wende looked unhappy.
The national treasury has no money, and the dignified emperor has to take money from the Shaofu for everything, which is really frustrating.
The Shaofu is equivalent to the emperor's private treasury, who would be willing to use the private treasury if they can use the public money.
But the treasury is empty.
Every time he opened the Shaofu private treasury to get money, the stingy Emperor Wende was bleeding from his heart.
He has only been emperor for two or three months. But he has already deeply felt the mood of the first emperor holding on to the money bag.
No money, no hard words.
Even if you are the emperor and seem to be rich all over the world, but you don't have money in your hands, you still don't speak hard.
If you want to do something, the courtier will give you back if you don't have money.
It's so annoying!
"Thanks to the late emperor's taxation of salt and iron in the Shaofu. Otherwise, I would be a pauper emperor, and I would be manipulated by the courtiers in everything. It is difficult to do anything."
Chang En said: "The Shaofu Bank is well managed, and the income is higher than the previous year. I heard that the Shaofu will open 20 new banks in various state capitals this year."
Emperor Wende became happy, "This is a good thing. Shaofu Banks are opened all over the world, which can not only benefit the people, but also increase the income of Shaofu. It's not bad. Shaofu's family orders are average, but they are very capable in financial management."
The Shaofu family order, who was praised by the emperor, will have joys and sorrows.
Happily, Gu Jiu kept his promise, and when the one-year period came, he took the bank note and repaid the first one million taels borrowed last year with interest.
What is worrying is that Yu Shi's impeachment is raging, and I don't know if it will affect Gu Jiu's project outside the South City Gate.
The Shaofu family order only hoped that the project would not be suspended, and the house should be repaired and sold quickly, and all subsequent arrears should be paid off.
Gu Jiu held the teacup and smiled softly, "I'm not panicking, why is my ancestor panicking?"
The Shaofu family order waved his hands, "I can't compare with you. If something goes wrong, you can't repair the house and go back to teach your husband and children. If something happens to this old man, you will not only lose your job, but also fear the lives of the whole family." will be filled in."
Gu Jiu said softly: "The old ancestor was overwhelmed. The mere impeachment didn't implicate you. Why are you so nervous. Lord Shangshu didn't panic, so why are you panicking?"
"The old man is worried about the imperial censor's impeachment, which will affect those projects outside the south city gate. The old man still counts on you to pay back the next two payments on time."
Gu Jiu smiled and said: "Don't worry, old ancestor, if you borrow money from your Shaofu bank, you will definitely repay it on time, and it won't make it difficult for you. Some time ago, the business firm under my name brought a few truckloads of goods from the south to the capital. I I have specially selected high-quality dry goods, and sent someone to the ancestor's house. You have a taste, if it is good, I will send it to you next time."
"You have a heart. Now that there are troubles, you are thinking about giving gifts."
Gu Jiu laughed, "This isn't the first time I've been impeached, and it won't be the last time. I've gotten used to it. I helped the Ministry of Households to think of a tax source. It's frank and selfless. I don't have anything to be afraid of. The censor said that my hand was too long, and that my highness was ambitious.
Hmph, if you really want to be ambitious, why should I help the Ministry of Households increase income and reduce expenditure. You can just sit back and watch the household department continue to be poor and owe the salaries of the Beijing officials. When there are more and more debts and there is a lot of trouble, won't my highness try to turn the tide, won't it be better to buy people's hearts
Now, good things have been done, but none of the people's hearts have been bought. Could this kind of loss-making business be the work of a wolfish and ambitious person? Those censors all had pig heads, do you really think Mrs. Ben is as stupid as them? "
The Shaofu family order twitched his eyebrows, "A person who can be a censor is naturally not stupid."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Aren't you stupid? They're just a bunch of shit-stirring sticks. They made the hall stink to the sky."
Hearing this, the Shaofu family order couldn't help laughing, "Don't say this outside, or you will be impeached again."
"I'm not afraid of them."
Gu Jiu doesn't worry about having too many debts, doesn't itch when having too many lice, and is very open-minded.
"Don't be careless, beware of affecting the project outside the South City Gate."
Gu Jiu stared at the Shaofu's house order with sparkling eyes, "Your Majesty has already seen the concrete road, right?"
The Shaofu family order turned his head, "How does this old man know about this?"
Hmph, I want to trick Mrs. Ben again.
Gu Jiu will not be fooled.
"Did His Majesty say anything? Do you agree with me to build the road?"
"Instead of asking the old man about this matter, it is better to let His Royal Highness enter the palace and ask His Majesty directly."
Gu Jiu shook his head, "That won't work. My Highness came to the palace to inquire about this on purpose, that is, there is no distinction between public and private, and it seems too selfish, which will arouse His Majesty's disgust.
The reason why I asked two adults to create momentum for me is that I don't want to involve my highness. I will find a way to solve my affairs, and I can't ask him to intervene. "
King Ning is no longer King Ning, but Emperor Wende.
There is only one word difference between the father and the father, but the proportions are very different.
In the past Liu Zhao could freely fight for Gu Jiu's benefits in front of King Ning, but now Liu Zhao can't continue to fight for her in front of Emperor Wende at will.
Gu Jiu is clear about the proportions here, and Liu Zhao is clear about it.
So the two of them reached an agreement on this matter without much effort.
It's official business for Liu Zhao to be on errand.
Gu Jiu's opening a firm to do business is a private matter.
Public affairs and private affairs must not be confused.
A sense of proportion is important.
How many meritorious ministers were later beheaded and ransacked by the emperor, and many of them were disgusted by the emperor because they lacked the sense of proportion as a courtier, and then clicked, everything returned to ashes.
As the prince, Liu Zhao claimed to be his son-in-law in front of Emperor Wende. He is a minister first, and then a son.
Since you are a minister, you must have the self-consciousness and sense of proportion as a minister.
Gu Jiu smiled at the Shaofu Jialing, but she didn't say a word.
"My wife never dared to gamble on the emperor's conscience."