The emperor was calculating in his mind. Xiao Qing hadn't said anything yet. His eyes fell on the ministers in the court. He thought of the merchants in the capital. The Xu family donated money well and on point. When the army returned to the city, he saw all the ministers looking at him. "It is indeed a reward. The Xu family made contributions last year, and this year they donated money to the court to solve the shortage of silver in the national treasury. Pass the decree to allow the Xu family's grandchildren to participate in the imperial examination."
All the ministers in the court were silent. Ah, there was a precedent. Now the person is in the Hanlin Academy. This is a blessing for the Xu family, a merchant family.
Zhou Shuren knew it would be this reward, gold and silver. The Xu family had already taken 500,000 taels, so they really couldn't refuse the gold and silver. As for the reward of calligraphy written by the prince, the emperor would definitely not be willing to write it. The emperor's calligraphy sometimes has a great influence, so it can only be an opportunity to change the family.
This did not cause any loss to the emperor, and he even got 500,000 taels for free. No, it was not just 500,000 taels. Too many people, including scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, wanted to change their status. Well, his secret operation was good. The Ministry of Revenue now had money, so he was no longer afraid of a major flood in the south of the Yangtze River.
Xiao Qing, "Your Majesty is wise."
Then they all shouted, "The emperor is wise and holy."
Xiao Qing took another step forward and said, "Although I realized it a little late, I am willing to donate silver. I will donate one thousand taels to do my part for the court."
The ministers in the court, "..."
Therefore, we must not let the Minister of Revenue speak first, because once he speaks, it will be a big deal.
The first-rank ministers were silent, but the second-rank ministers of the Ministry of Revenue would have to take more than one thousand taels.
The other five ministers of the six ministries all looked unhappy. One thousand taels was not a small sum. Even though they usually bought antiques and ancient books without hesitation as if they had no shortage of money, it turned out that they got nothing in return and were cheated out of the money they donated. Not only did they feel uncomfortable, they also wanted to eat Xiao Qing.
Zhou Shuren calculated his own rank, from the third rank, no, it should be considered the third rank, after all he was temporarily holding a third rank official position. He was silent, there was not much money left at home!
Several princes were really vomiting blood. They had just been cheated by the Ministry of Revenue, and now they were cheated again. Princes, although they have not been made kings yet, they also have news that their father intends to make them kings. Otherwise, they would not have tried so hard to show their filial piety. This money is not easy to get!
The second prince stared at the crown prince and then stole a glance at his father. His father's smile was the same as usual, but he could feel that his father was really happy. If he were the father, he would be happy today too.
But the problem is, he is not the father, he is the second prince, and there is a crown prince above him. Looking back at the third brother, well, with the third brother as a comparison, he felt a little more comfortable.
Zhang Jingshi glared at his second brother, saying "Don't look at me". He knew he was the most miserable. He had spent two hundred thousand and lost his collection. He tried to find joy in suffering and show his filial piety to his father. His father could also see how careful he was.
But the prince's actions today, okay, the limelight was stolen by the prince.
The fourth prince Zhang Jingxi remained silent. While they were jumping up and down, the crown prince was the winner.
The emperor took in everyone's expressions before speaking, "I am very touched that you have the heart to contribute to the court, but not all officials have family backgrounds. I won't say anything to those who have, but for those who don't, just donate money. Everyone should do what they can. Xiao, you must check carefully."
Xiao Qing said seriously: "This old minister must have checked it carefully."
Zhou Shuren raised his head and felt emotional. He didn't expect the emperor to consider so much. He thought he would make a one-size-fits-all decision. He agreed with the emperor even more.
The emperor continued, "The emperor and his subjects are of one mind. I will also donate 100,000 taels of silver, which will be sent to the Ministry of Revenue later."
He had already prepared this 100,000 taels, which was to guarantee the Ministry of Revenue. Although the Ministry of Revenue was no longer short of silver, it now had a better reason to send the silver, which would win people's hearts rather than sending it secretly!
At this time, there was no need for Xiao Qing to take the lead, as they all shouted "Long live the emperor!"
After the court session, Zhou Shuren left with Lord Xiao. Those who had surrounded Lord Xiao to ask for money yesterday would now snort when they passed by him.
Xiao Qing blew his beard, "Look at their attitude, they still have the nerve to humbly complain to me, I haven't even asked them for money, and I'm still humbly complaining, when I go back I'll be in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, no one can ask for money."
Zhou Shuren, "Sir, let's go back quickly. The money that was delivered to your house should be here soon."
Xiao Qing smiled again, "Yes, let's go back."
Unfortunately, Zhou Shuren couldn't go back. A young eunuch stopped him and said, "Sir Zhou, the Crown Prince wants to see you."
Zhou Shuren was full of questions, "Prince?"
"Yes, the prince is in the pavilion in front, please come this way, sir."
Zhou Shuren didn't recognize the young eunuch, but Xiao Qing did, "Go!"
Zhou Shuren was relieved. With Lord Xiao checking everything, there shouldn't be any problem. "Sir, I'm going to see the prince. You can go back first!"
Xiao Qing smiled, "Okay."
As for why the prince was looking for Zhou Shuren, he was not curious. For them, the old ministers who were the emperor's confidants, as long as the prince continued to keep calm and not commit suicide, the next emperor would definitely be the prince.
Zhou Shuren arrived at the pavilion, and the prince was indeed there, "Your Highness."
Zhang Jingchen stood by the pavilion, looking at the lake. "Master Zhou, the mistress of the Xu family went to the Zhou residence yesterday. I heard that she got two good paintings. I also like paintings. Do you have a chance to appreciate them?"
Zhou Shuren knew what was going on. The prince was suspicious of his actions behind his back. If the prince wasn't suspicious, that would be a problem. Anyway, he couldn't admit it even if he was beaten to death. He smiled and said, "The prince should have seen these paintings. One was given by the Ning Mansion, and the other was bought from the Painting Tower. This was bought by Lord Ning with Chang Lian and Rong Chuan at the Painting Tower. The Hanlin Academy was on holiday, so his wife went to the Painting Tower but didn't buy any paintings. His son gave the paintings in the room to his wife as a filial gift."
The painting was indeed taken from the third room, and this time it could not be exchanged. When he returned, he would give Chang Lian a copy of the ancient books from his collection.
The prince listened and found that this was consistent with the information he had obtained. Lord Zhou's wife did go to the painting building but did not buy any paintings. It seemed that the family did not have enough money. At the beginning of the year, the Zhou family invested a large sum of money in the Northeast.
The prince didn't believe it completely, but Zhou Shuren was really a man of many twists and turns, and he was also very capable. He had just arrived at the Ministry of Revenue for a short time, but the Ministry of Revenue had already received the money. "Is that so? The wind is blowing, it's going to rain, so I'm going back."
Zhou Shuren lowered his head and said, "Farewell, Prince."
Zhang Jingchen took two steps and stopped, "Master Zhou, please take good care of yourself."
After saying that, he left quickly.
Zhou Shuren raised his head after the footsteps faded away. A light breeze blew by, and he felt cold all over. He had always felt that the prince seemed to be thinking about him, and this time his feeling was right. He must take good care of his body and continue to work hard for the royal family. No, no, he would retire after his son got up. Bah, he didn't want to waste his energy.