Bachelor

Chapter 436 Yao Zhe, towering like a mountain

Great Hall of Yuxi Palace.
Chen Hong's face was full of joy: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, Congratulations, Your Majesty, Concubine Zhang is born, and she is a prince."

He took the tray from a young eunuch beside him, and held it above his head.There is a white jade Zhang in the tray.

Rainwater kept falling on Chen Hong's body, and his body was wet.

All the eunuchs also knelt down: "Long Live Lord is overjoyed."

Yang Tinghe and all the cabinet members also knelt down: "Congratulations, Your Majesty." The cabinet ministers were also happy in their hearts. Emperor Jiajing practiced all day long, but he didn't pay much attention to female sex.Therefore, the royal heirs are not luxuriant, but now only Chen Housheng has a son.

In ancient times, medical conditions were poor, and the infant mortality rate was extremely high.For ordinary people, if the child does not grow up to six years old, it is not considered a survival.Although the conditions of the royal family are good, who can explain clearly such things as God's will?
Today, Concubine Zhang Gui gave birth to another son, which is also a good thing for the country.The cabinet is really happy for Jiajing.

In fact, Huang Jin was the happiest at the moment.Concubine Zhang should have given birth two years ago.Later, after Lu Fang's incident happened, Concubine Zhang was physically damaged, and she will be raised for a year before she recovers.Now, she finally gave birth to a prince, which is of great benefit to stabilizing her position.

Today's Huang Jin and Concubine Zhang can be said to be prosperous and both prosperous, and both are damaged.In the palace, no prince was born, and he had no confidence in speaking or doing anything.Well now, Concubine Zhang finally has a child.In the future, as long as he operates carefully, he may not be able to push this prince to the throne of the crown prince, and Huang Jin's glory and wealth will be guaranteed.

It's strange to say that Jiajing's expression is indifferent, unlike the joy on everyone's face, neither joy nor sorrow can be seen, just standing quietly in front of the door, as if the matter of giving birth to a child is nothing to him. It is generally to complete a thing that should be done: "pen and ink."

"Here we come." Huang Jin knew that Jiajing was going to name the newborn, so he happily presented a pen.Sun Dan happened to be there when Chen Hou gave birth to Zhu Zaicheng last time. Jiajing didn't think about what name to name the child for a while, so he asked Sun Dan for his opinion and asked Sun Monkey to do it for him.

Now, Sun Dan is not here, but the emperor suddenly wants to name the child himself.It can be seen that Concubine Zhang and such a child have a higher status in the emperor's mind than Empress Chen.

Now, everyone inside and outside the palace can clearly see that Zhu Zaidu, the son of Empress Chen, is very stupid and not liked by the emperor.Jiajing was quite disappointed with Zhu Zaidu.

Now the child born to Concubine Zhang Gui is smart, and the possibility of being established as the heir apparent in the future is very high.

Emperor Jiajing stretched out his right hand, and his wide sleeve retracted with a "Hoo!", revealing a white and slender arm.He picked up a pen and wrote a big "Yao" character on Yuzhang: "Yao, who is as tall as a mountain, let's call this child Zhu Zaiyao."

Hearing this sentence, Huang Jin felt even more joyful.Yao is the meaning of high mountain, tall and majestic.Ordinary people dare not use this word, and it is used in the emperor's name.Hearing the emperor take this word, Huang Jin's heart was shocked. Does His Majesty intend to make this child the heir apparent?
He secretly glanced at the emperor, but he couldn't see the slightest clue from Jiajing's numb face.

Jiajing put down his pen and flicked his sleeves: "Everyone get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Then everyone stood up.

Jiajing: "Huang Jin, immediately send twenty court ladies and eunuchs to serve the Marquis, and there must be no less than one of the festive treasures that should be rewarded to Concubine Zhang. After I finish my work here, I will go to see her."

"Yes." Huang Jin hastily responded and stepped back, and then told Chen Hong: "I'll go to Concubine Zhang, your Majesty's here you wait on first."

Jiajing: "Let's go, Yuanfu, stay here for a while."

When everyone retreated, only Yang Tinghe and Jiajing were left in the hall.

Jiajing returned to the futon and sat down cross-legged, while Chen Hong had already changed into a dry palace attire and stood behind him.

Jiajing looked indifferent, and murmured: "Should I prepare for disaster relief? Where can I find the money? Or God bless, this rain will not cause floods?" He seemed to be asking Yang Tinghe, It seems to be asking myself.

Yang Tinghe has obviously aged in the past two years, and his voice is not as loud as before, with a slight phlegm in his throat: "Your Majesty, governing the country is not gambling. Even if you go to a casino, there is a trick for making money: Specializes in beating bad villages. It means that a person's luck is not going well, and he refuses to admit defeat and give up, but wants to gamble again. Unfortunately, the more he wants to fight, the more ghosts will come out, and God will not help him. Govern a country , You can't rely on fighting, good luck will not always follow one person. After such a long drought, it should be flooded. Plan ahead, and you should also think about disaster relief. Even if there is no flood in the future, it is good to make some preparations in advance. "

"But where did the money come from?" Jiajing said, "In the summer and autumn of last year, the tax and silver of the two capitals and the thirteen provinces amounted to more than 3000 million taels, and various expenses amounted to more than 4000 million taels, with a deficit of 1000 million taels. This was after the land was cleared. And some provinces have tried a whip method. If there is no measure that the tax in kind is converted into a cash tax, I am afraid that this hole will be even bigger. It is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice, and I cannot imagine it now. Yang Yiqing was anxious with me just now, Don't I understand what he's saying?"

Yang Tinghe still refused to give up: "Your Majesty, as long as one million taels is enough."

But Jiajing closed his eyes, as if he was completely in trance.

Yang Tinghe felt a little embarrassed, moved his lips, and was about to speak, when Chen Hong waved his hand to signal him to leave.

At this time, a eunuch came in from outside the door and knelt on the ground: "Long live Lord, Lu Bing begs to see you."

Jiajing still didn't move, Chen Hong: "Your Majesty is in the Qing Dynasty, and the foreign ministers are not seen. What's the matter, Mr. Lu?"

The eunuch replied: "Return to Your Majesty, return to Eunuch Chen's words, Mr. Lu said that he came to prepare money for disaster relief."

Jiajing's eyes opened suddenly: "But have you thought of a way?"

"Yes, yes." The eunuch nodded again and again: "Master Lu said that all the money needed for disaster relief this year will be covered by him."

Jiajing mentioned Yu Ruyi beside him and knocked on the jade chime, and Chen Hong immediately shouted: "Bring it to Lu Bing!"

Lu Bing still had that handsome appearance, and walked into the hall in such a pompous manner: "My subject, Lu Bing, pays homage to Your Majesty."

"I have met Mr. Shoufu."

Yang Tinghe was more anxious than the emperor, so he grabbed Lu Bing: "There's no need for so much politeness, let's talk about the disaster relief money. Have you thought of any way to get money?"

Lu Bing said with a smile: "Your Majesty, looking back at Mr. Shou Fu's words, I actually didn't come up with this idea." Then he pointed to the outside of the palace.

Yang Tinghe suddenly understood: "It's Sun Dan's idea."

Lu Bing nodded, and took out a note from his pocket: "This is drawn up by Sun Dan and I. Your Majesty and the Chief Assistant will take a look at it. If it is ok, I will go to work right away. According to Lu Bing, short-term It shouldn’t be a problem to collect 100 million taels.”

Chen Hong hurriedly took it and handed it to Jiajing, Yang Tinghe also moved his head over.

In fact, both the emperor and the members of the cabinet knew that this year's flood could not be avoided.There is no doubt that after a long drought there will be a great flood.It's just that the degree and scope vary.And China has been a disaster-prone place in history. With such a large country, some disasters always occur in some places every year.

The Ministry of Households also reserves a sum of money every year as disaster relief funds. However, Emperor Wuzong used troops every year, and this money was also used for other purposes. This system is also close to abolition.Since Jiajing ascended the throne, the past two years have been smooth, and everyone did not expect to restore this system.

But this year's weather was a bit unusual, and when they realized something was wrong, all the monarchs and ministers thought of making preparations in advance, but there was no money.

Disaster relief cannot be sloppy. Once the situation is out of control and civil unrest is caused, it will be a major event that shakes the foundation of the country.

Just now the cabinet members had a big conflict with the emperor, nothing more than wanting the emperor to pay for it.

Emperor Jiajing was not an idiot, he knew that once the money was taken out, he would never come back.

Simply ignore it, ask for money, you go to the household department, don't bother me.

At this time, Lu Bing brought good news, saying that Sun Dan had figured out a way to change money, which cheered up the emperor and Yang Shoufu at the same time.

The two looked down, and immediately understood the meaning of Sun Dan's statement: the Lu Family Bank issued bonds, and ordinary merchants subscribed for the bonds to be loaned to the bank, and then the bank loaned money to the household department.Ordinary merchants eat the interest of the bank, and the bank eats the interest of the household department.

Yang Tinghe has always admired Sun Dan, but when he saw this regulation, he laughed angrily: "What is this Sun Dan up to? His business has become the head of the court, and state affairs are like a trifle in his hands. If he If you really think about the country, society, and His Majesty's grace, you won't say such absurd words. After reading the books of sages for so many years, this Sun Dan didn't read the awe-inspiring spirit, but read the stink of copper. It's disgusting! "

Yang Shoufu was extremely disappointed with Sun Dan.

However, the emperor snorted: "I see, it's doable!"

"What?" Yang Tinghe was surprised.

In his heart, the emperor greatly appreciated Sun Dan's suggestion. In this way, he could raise a large sum of money for disaster relief without spending a penny from the court.Not only that, because he has shares in the Lu Family Bank, he can also take the opportunity to make a fortune, so why not do it.This Yang Tinghe has a good idea. Judging from what he means, it seems that he wants the Lu family bank to donate a large sum of money for free. Isn't this stealing money from me?

Jiajing said coldly: "Could it be possible that Shoufu can find a way from other places?"

Yang Tinghe was silent.

Jiajing stopped talking, and mentioned Yu Ruyi again and knocked on the jade chime.

Chen Hong said loudly: "Master Chief Assistant, let's do it!"

Yang Tinghe had no choice but to pick up a pen and start drafting an edict, to the effect that the Lu Family Bank raised 200 million taels of disaster relief money to loan to the household department, and the household department was responsible for repaying the loan and interest, with Shandong's annual salt tax as a guarantee.

After reading the edict, Jiajing nodded in satisfaction.He roughly calculated that he could get more than 10 taels of money and interest every year.He was not afraid that the Ministry of Household Affairs would not return the principal, nor did he think about asking them to. Anyway, just eating the interest year after year was a huge source of income.Forgive the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs who dare not refuse to pay interest on the loan.

"Approve red!" Chen Hong announced loudly: "And transfer to the Ministry of Accounts to follow!"

(End of this chapter)