The emperor was in a good mood. After walking away with big strides, the emperor waved to the prince and asked him to walk side by side. "Do you know why Minister Zhou spoke so sharply today?"
The prince had his own thoughts, and said carefully: "First, Minister Zhou understood my father's intentions, so he said that the Ministry of Revenue had no money, and he also used data to shut up the tribes. Secondly, Minister Zhou always remembered Sister Linxi's matter."
The emperor put his hands behind his back and said, "Think about it later."
The prince pondered for a moment, but still had no clue, "I can't figure it out."
The emperor slowed down his pace, "There are also grassland tribes that want to form an alliance. Years ago, they hinted that your mother, the granddaughter of the Zhou family, is a good girl. Your grandfather told Minister Zhou about this."
The prince understood, "Minister Zhou's sharp words are meant to express his dislike for the grassland tribes. Don't mention the granddaughter of the Zhou family when choosing a marriage partner."
The emperor hummed, "I only knew about the court meeting today, and didn't tell Zhou Shuren. However, he was able to react quickly and benefit himself in every way. You still have a lot to learn."
The prince was impressed and said, "I will learn a lot from you."
The emperor rubbed his son's head and said, "Okay."
On the way out of the palace, Zhou Shuren had an attitude of "no one can resist me", but he still couldn't stop Li Zhao and others.
Li Zhao, "You are not like you in the past today!"
"What was I like in the past?"
The Minister of Industry continued cheerfully, "In the past, they couldn't move when pushed, but only moved when hit."
Zhou Shuren blew his beard and said, "Don't think I can't hear you scolding me!"
Li Zhao laughed loudly, and the Minister of Works also laughed.
The Minister of Personnel narrowed his eyes and said, "Lord Zhou was indeed very abnormal today."
Zhou Shuren said righteously, "I was truly thinking about the grassland tribes, how could that be considered abnormal? All of you please get out of the way."
Having said that, Zhou Shuren strode away.
The other ministers smiled at each other and then no one spoke.
King Qi said to Rong Chuan, "I thought your father-in-law had cultivated his character, but I was wrong."
Rong Chuan laughed, "My father is worried about money. He needs money at the beginning of the new year. It's difficult for my father too."
The King of Qi lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty is not going to give anything!"
"Second brother knows and asks his younger brother?"
Rongchuan was not surprised that his brothers could guess it. They were all capable people, but unfortunately they were born in the same dynasty.
The King of Qi knew the Emperor well. He was ambitious and restless. "The grassland tribes will not give up and leave easily."
Rong Chuan said faintly: "Isn't that better?"
The silver they brought with them was lost, and they didn't even have to pay for the food they bought secretly!
Rongchuan was the first person to see the emperor after the New Year. He was stunned by the things the emperor gave him. The grassland tribes had traded with several countries in recent years, and more of them were with the caravans from the Central Plains.
The main grain was purchased from three caravans. One caravan was purely foreign, another caravan purchased normal amounts of grain, and the last caravan was the focus, with all kinds of supplies. This caravan actually belonged to the emperor's brother's people. The emperor knew much more about the grassland tribes than he did.
Zhou Shuren's remarks in the court spread quickly, and when the grassland tribes learned about it, those with bad tempers were furious.
Zhou Shuren didn't care. They didn't dare to act arrogantly in the capital, especially when they were preparing for a war and were feeling guilty.
When the war is really over, these princes will definitely be cleared out, and he will care even less.
Each tribe wanted to see the emperor, and the emperor replied that he would meet them in a few days, and then that was it.
In the harem, the queen was looking at the account book when a lady-in-waiting walked in and said, "Princess Nata is gone."
The Queen asked, "Leaving so early?"
The female official replied, "It seems that the negotiation was not successful. Princess Nata looked very unhappy when she left."
The queen arranged: "Send someone to keep an eye on Princess Aruna."
After entering the palace, the princess did not receive much favor. She was at an age when she should be pampered, but she lived up to her retirement age.
The queen knew her husband, and he did not trust the princess. Among the tribes that came to Beijing this time, Princess Nata was Aruna's cousin.
The female officer responded, "Yes."
The queen no longer had the heart to look at the account books. She rubbed her sore eyes, and just as she stood up, she staggered and fainted.
The next day, Zhulan was surprised to hear the news from her daughter, "You said the queen is pregnant?"
This is impossible. Wasn't she injured and unable to get pregnant
Xue Han knew what her mother was surprised about. Not only was her mother surprised, but everyone was also surprised. "The queen has been taking care of herself over the years. It is a blessing to be pregnant. This child is destined to be hers."
Zhulan calculated the queen's age, "This one."
Xue Han understood what her mother hadn't said, so she leaned over to her mother's ear and whispered, "From what I heard from the Queen Mother, this baby won't be easy to give birth to."
Zhulan sighed. Doesn't this mean that she could have a miscarriage at any time? This shows how badly the Queen was injured.
Xue Han continued: "The emperor is very happy."
"The harem will be unhappy."
Xue Han smiled, "Because the queen is pregnant, mother and father will not leave this year and will continue to live in the palace."
This way, she and Rongchuan would feel more at ease when leaving the capital, as Linxi and Ze'er would be watched by their father the emperor and their mother the queen.
Zhulan pointed in the direction of the Wen family, "They are even more arrogant over there."
Xue Han thought for a moment and said, "The Queen and the Emperor really want a legitimate daughter. Right now there is only the princess born to Concubine Ran in the palace. If they have a legitimate daughter, Concubine Ran's daughter will be affected."
Life in the palace is not pleasant. There are comparisons, flattery and bullying. In addition, there is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, and the treatment will be lower in the future. It is not easy to feel balanced.
Zhulan blinked her eyes. "She hasn't even given birth yet, but it seems like she's giving birth to a daughter."
"You're right, it hasn't been born yet!"
Zhu Lan smiled and said, "Ran Yan has always had a good character. Even if the queen gave birth to a daughter, Ran Yan would teach the princess well."
Xue Han actually rarely saw the princess. Every time she entered the palace, she was either visiting her mother or staying in the Queen's Palace. Her daughter was the treasure in her mother's heart. Thinking of this, "Father and mother are very partial to Linxi. If the Queen really gave birth to a daughter, would it cause dissatisfaction?"
"The Emperor will balance it out."
Xue Han smiled and said, "Mom is right, Father and Mother will take care of it."
She just wanted the queen to give birth happily, and she would wish her all the best whether it was a boy or a girl.
A few days later, the emperor took the data from the Ministry of Revenue. Of course, the data he took out were all the data that the grassland spies could estimate. He did not take any data that could not be produced. He summoned the grassland tribes and said with embarrassment, "Alas, I am also embarrassed. If there is no other way, I can only write to the Monk tribe and ask them to lend you some food and grass."
The emperor did not give the princes a chance to interrupt and continued, "In recent years, the Monk tribe has surrendered to our dynasty and has become wealthy. The food is abundant, so you can rest assured."
The princes in the palace, "..."
Bah, Monk is the tribe they planted!
The emperor smiled and asked, "What do you think?"
There was another discussion after the opening court meeting about whether to provide food and fodder assistance. This was the result of the discussion. Well, it was the result of his leadership. The Monk tribe, haha, really thought he knew nothing.