Smelling of alcohol, he didn't take off his robes or even his boots, and just stayed slumped on the imperial couch. The loyal servant Yantuo wanted to serve Emperor Liu and let them lie down more comfortably, but was kicked away by Emperor Liu.
I fell down and squatted down, leaving some marks on my chest. I didn't have any temper at all. I was just a little helpless and a little afraid. Of course, what I was more concerned about was that the official didn't cover himself with a quilt. What if he caught a cold.
Fortunately, Yan Tuo was not troubled for too long. The queen came and he breathed a big sigh of relief. Da Fu still looked majestic. He looked at Emperor Liu who was lying on the couch a little slovenly. His eyebrows were slightly arched. He ordered: "All of you, please step aside and prepare some hot water!"
"Yes!" Yantuo hurriedly responded, bowed and tiptoed back, and gestured to the palace attendants.
The dormitory suddenly became quiet, with only a few night breezes coming in through the gaps in the windows, causing the lights to sway. Looking at Emperor Liu who was lying like a corpse, Da Fu sighed softly and quietly stepped forward. He reached out and opened the veil covering Emperor Liu's face and looked at him.
At this time, Emperor Liu's face was obviously ruddy with drunkenness, but he was still peaceful, and even snored faintly. Next, Empress Fu personally served him, taking off his boots and robe, and letting him go. He lay down, covered him with a quilt, and wiped his face carefully and considerately. After all the hard work, he felt a little tired.
Obviously it was because of the change of person, Emperor Liu seemed very cooperative and obedient, and allowed the Queen to care for him.
The face that had been carefully wiped felt waves of coolness. Surprised by this, Emperor Liu seemed to gradually wake up. He opened his eyes and saw a slightly hazy, bright light and dim palace. He calmed down. After a while, the graceful appearance of Da Fu gradually became clearer.
"woke up?"
"Um."
"You didn't drink much wine, so why are you so drunk?" Da Fu asked.
"It seems that I am really old, my energy is running low, and I can't even resist the urge to drink!" Emperor Liu said with a bitter smile.
"You are only forty years old, why do you say you are old?" After hearing what he said, Dafu said: "Your drinking capacity is not high. In my opinion, you have something on your mind! Why are you so depressed at the beginning of the new year?"
"Did you see it?" Emperor Liu asked with a grin. Only in front of Fu Hou could he reveal his truest side.
Facing Emperor Liu's gaze, Da Fu sighed: "Don't talk about me anymore. I'm afraid the ministers attending the banquet can't see it. They, Mr. Zhao and Mr. Li, may be worried. Why is Your Majesty like this? , did they make any omissions..."
Hearing this, Emperor Liu shook his head and said: "Yes, a minister like Zhao Pu has such a clever mind, such a keen sense of smell, how many people in the court can compare with him."
"Are you really dissatisfied with Zhao Pu?" Da Fu couldn't help but be surprised. Although she never interfered in the affairs of the court, she was also very knowledgeable about the people in the court. She also knew how much Emperor Liu valued Zhao Pu.
"That's not the case!" Emperor Liu immediately denied, saying: "Zhao Pu, the prime minister, has done a very good job. With him, everything in the court can be kept in order, and I don't need to worry too much.
It can be said that among all the prime ministers since he ascended the throne, I am most satisfied with Zhao Pu. Even compared to Duke Yu (Wei Renpu), he did a better job in the position of prime minister.
I have always treated Duke Yu as a teacher, and there is no doubt about his talent. He has the function of a prime minister, and he is tolerant, but lacks political skills. He is a gentleman, but Zhao Pu is not like that. He is not burdened by good reputation and specializes in professionalism.
Practical and resourceful, he can display his outstanding talents in any position.
If such a person presides over the government affairs in a harmonious manner, the emperor can save most of his energy and not be burdened with complicated affairs..."
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Da Fu nodded and said: "Xiang Zhao is indeed very capable in administering government affairs!"
"If that's the case, why are you so frustrated?" Dafu asked.
After hearing the question, Emperor Liu pondered for a while and said, "Do you know how much food the imperial court consumed during this Northern Expedition?"
"I don't know, but it must be a very huge amount!" Da Fu shook his head lightly.
"Yes!" Emperor Liu said: "From the west to the east, there are more than 600,000 soldiers, soldiers and civilians serving directly on the front line. Supporting such a huge army is an extremely heavy burden for the Han Dynasty.
In less than a year, the national treasury spent more than 85 million yuan, and transferred more than 4.5 million shi of military rations. This is only a rough estimate, and it is only the most important part of the loss. The actual consumption is also
beyond.
Nearly 90 million yuan of money and silk, even with the current annual tax revenue of the court, will take nearly three years. Do you know what this means? Since the Kaibao Year, the court's savings in the past seven years have been basically consumed.
Zhao Pu has already reported to me, and now the national treasury is in serious deficit, and Song Qi has already cried to me on behalf of the Financial Secretary! Next, we will need a large amount of money to station troops to guard the border, continue the Northern Expedition, aid the border to recover, reward meritorious generals, and provide compensation to the soldiers and the people.
expenditure.
Song Qi told me that in the coming year, I am afraid that the government will have difficulties even in distributing official salaries, ministers and ministers! And the income from the two taxes will definitely drop sharply in the coming year. Within three to five years, it will be difficult to return to the level of seven years after opening the treasure.
level......"
"Is the imperial court already in such dire straits?" Da Fu Yurong couldn't help but reveal a hint of surprise.
She was a very smart woman. She noticed the tiredness gradually showing on Emperor Liu's face and suddenly said, "Do you think the several ceremonies held in the past few days are too extravagant?"
She is really smart and can reveal everything at once. Of course, she is too familiar with Emperor Liu and can easily spy on his thoughts.
Emperor Liu raised his hand, wiped his bun with a few strands of white, and said leisurely: "The celebration was held under my order to boost the morale of the officials and the people. I have no regrets. It is acceptable to be extravagant. It is magnificent and grand."
To show his power.
It's just that the mere celebration cost three million, which is really extravagant! What worries me the most is that the civil and military officials of the dynasty were unaware of it, enjoying it and enjoying this luxury wantonly.
I am committed to creating a prosperous age. However, it has only been eight years since I opened the treasure. The ministers of the Han Dynasty seem to have thought that the prosperous age has arrived. It seems that such singing and dancing means that the prosperous age will be healthy and the world will be at peace. It's like, do it for me.
Same!
What makes me even more chilling is that I myself seem to be enjoying it a little..."
After listening to Emperor Liu's words, Dafu remained silent and gently touched Emperor Liu's cheek with her hand, as if she wanted to use the warmth of her hand to soothe the discomfort and anxiety in Emperor Liu's heart.
"You've been too tired lately!" Dafu said.
After a pause, he continued in a soothing tone and said: "I still remember that before the founding of the Han Dynasty, the Khitan invaded and the Central Plains collapsed, the world was in chaos, the people were in dire straits, and thieves were on the rise. Even though I was a girl in my boudoir, I still had a rough idea of that.
People's suffering.
In the early years of Qianyou's reign, the country was still unstable, suffering from internal and external troubles, the court was in dire straits, and the people were suffering. Although the past years were difficult and worth remembering, they had finally survived.
You have worked hard to govern, enrich the country and strengthen the army, and what you are striving for is peace and happiness today. Over the years, although I have been in a deep palace, I have often heard that the people are becoming more prosperous and the people's lives are better.
This is true for the common people, but how about the noble officials? If it were not restricted by conditions, who would be willing to live in hardship and poverty? Everyone is happy to be well-being, and you can no longer be as demanding both internally and externally and insist on simplicity as in the past.
In a short period of time, they are afraid of your power and prestige, and may hide and restrain themselves, but over time, they will definitely complain about you. Human nature always has a side that loves ease and hates hard work, and you must understand these appropriately.
However, since the country is in a difficult situation right now, we should exercise restraint. It is true that luxury and extravagance should not be promoted, but you should not be too depressed about it..."
"Da Fu, Debi's eldest grandson, it's you I'm talking about!" Emperor Liu smiled after hearing Da Fu's words of relief.
Hearing this, Da Fu smiled gently and responded: "I am just your Queen Fu!"