Emperor Chongming frowned, "How come the treasury is so short of silver?"
There is less than 300,000 taels of silver left in the state treasury, which makes people feel ridiculous even if they say it.
His intuition was that these civil and military officials were corrupt.
"It's so difficult for the imperial court."
"But the bandits must be suppressed."
"I donated 100,000 taels of silver from internal funds, and the national treasury will provide another 100,000 taels of silver. The remaining civil and military officials will also raise some money..."
Emperor Chongming sighed and announced the decree.
The ministers were silent again.
Internal funds are the emperor's private treasury.
The treasury belongs to the imperial court.
"Ouyang Aiqing, as the Prime Minister..."
"Pay the money first."
Emperor Chongming stared at Ouyang Zaizhi with burning eyes and said.
"minister……"
"I donate five hundred taels."
Ouyang Zaizhi gritted his teeth and planned to donate the coffin.
When the late emperor was still there, he had already joined the cabinet and became a bachelor. After many years, he finally became the chief minister of the cabinet, that is, the position of prime minister.
At the time of the late emperor, the court was not too chaotic.
So although he had accepted bribes, they were not many.
"Five hundred taels?"
Emperor Chongming narrowed his eyes.
Although the prime minister is expensive, it is not easy to save five hundred taels from his salary. He has long heard the secret report from the night watchman that Prime Minister Ouyang lives a luxurious life. Also, a minister who can easily take out five hundred taels must be
Corrupt officials in the DPRK.
"I am willing to pay one hundred taels..."
The Minister of Rites made a difficult decision and said with pain.
"These Qing family members are all corrupt officials."
Emperor Chongming remembered the officials who had made large donations one by one.
Finally, after going around and around, he came to Taipu Han.
He took a closer look at Han Sui's official robe, which was washed and worn. The climbing shoes on his feet were also a pair of old shoes. He didn't know how long he had worn them.
Concubine Han in the palace did the same. She opened a weaving shop and sewed her own clothes.
Occasionally, when the silkworms spun too much silk, Concubine Han would sell the satin weaved to the public to earn some daily expenses.
Both father and daughter are loyal to the country.
He cannot chill the hearts of his officials.
"minister……"
"I donate fifty taels."
Mrs. Han's face was filled with pain and sadness.
"Fifty taels?"
Emperor Chongming nodded slightly.
Considering Taipu Han's net worth, donating fifty taels is already too much.
The Three Gongs and the Nine Qings all donated one by one.
Ouyang Zaizhi's five hundred taels was the upper limit for donations. No one with a lower official position than him could donate more than Ouyang Zaizhi.
There were more than a hundred people standing around, including civil and military officials from all over the dynasty.
After this fundraising, Emperor Chongming received five thousand taels of silver.
"My lord..., I often dream of returning to my hometown recently. It must be the year of the wind and candle."
"I would like to beg for the bones, but I hope your majesty will grant me permission."
Ouyang Zaizhi took a deep breath, stood up, and said with cupped hands.
With his wisdom, he had guessed what Emperor Chongming was thinking at this time. He donated five hundred taels of silver, which was too much. It was so much that the emperor was afraid.
But he also had to spend more money.
Once he produces less.
Hundreds of officials were following him, and the donation of silver would probably embarrass the court and Emperor Chongming even more.
If it were any other emperor, he could still continue to be the prime minister.
But..., facing Emperor Chongming, he knew this was his last chance.
If I don't beg for bones, I'm afraid I will end up like Chen Hou.
"Can!"
Emperor Chongming nodded slightly and agreed.
"minister……"
"I am also willing to beg for the bones."
"My father recently lost his life, and I would like to return to my hometown to honor him."
Several ministers who noticed that the atmosphere in the court was not right also resigned one by one.
"Can!"
When Emperor Chongming saw that this was a good opportunity to rid the court of moths, he would not agree.
He nodded and agreed.
"We will eliminate these corrupt officials later..."
"The court will be filled with people and people will be in full compliance with the law."
He glanced at the officials in the palace and thought.
…
Have a meeting in the morning.
Emperor Chongming invited Han Sui and several other senior officials to the side hall to discuss important matters.
Hold small meetings for big things.
Hold a meeting on trivial matters.
This has always been the case.
Regarding the decision on Siming Mountain, it is impossible to make a decision easily at the court meeting.
"The demands of the rebels..."
"I think His Majesty still has to agree."
Han Sui saw Xu Xing's sinister intentions in asking for a reward.
If Emperor Chongming was a wise king, he would certainly speak out. However, Emperor Chongming was a man of great ambition and talent, and was headstrong. He had also seen what happened to Chen Hou just now, and he did not dare to speak nonsense.
"Please Han Aiqing elaborate."
Emperor Chongming threw the pot to Han Sui again.
He wanted to agree to Xu Xing's request for a memorial.
Once he agrees to ask for a memorial, Kansai Road... will not lose his land. His face will be preserved. If he disagrees and loses a land, the whole world will be furious, and his face will be tarnished.
After the reward is agreed, a large army will be sent to exterminate these thieves...
Even if the lid is closed.
But even though he thought so, he couldn't say such words...
Once he said it, he seemed shameless and his face was not glorious.
"Your Majesty, this..."
"The humble minister is stupid."
Han Sui was also an extremely shrewd person.
He didn't dare to take the blame.
If the officers and soldiers were defeated, in order to block Yuyou's mouth, he would have no choice but to die to apologize.
He also had a trace of loyalty in his heart for what he said just now, intending to make Emperor Chongming take responsibility. After all, neither he nor others could bear the blame.
The credibility of Emperor Chongming... is something that no one dares to expect.
If Emperor Chongming can shoulder this responsibility, the court still has some hope.
It can allow courtiers to see a glimmer of hope.
"His Majesty……"
"Concubine Han has cooked egg custard for the emperor in the palace. She just sent a letter asking the emperor to go to her Xuanhua Palace as soon as she comes to court..."
Seeing this, the eunuch Li Enlu came to Han Sui's rescue.
After hearing the words "Han Guifei", Emperor Chongming's expression softened a little. He looked at Commander Liu and said, "Hurry up and stop Ouyang Aiqing before he goes out, and let Ouyang Aiqing submit a national policy statement."
"The court is in difficulty..."
"After his death, he will be given the posthumous title of Wenzhong."
Since Ouyang Zaizhi has enjoyed national wealth for so many years, it is time and his turn to contribute.
See this.
Although Han Sui and others were relieved, they secretly despised Emperor Ming in their hearts.
…
Outside Shenjing, Zhaoma Station.
Zhaomayi is located in the south of Shenjing, about 20 kilometers away from Shenjing.
It is the first stop on the way to Jiangnan.
Ouyang Zaizhi rode an old cow, followed by an old servant.
Behind it is a carriage. The carriage is not shabby in decoration, but it is not luxurious either.
"Dad, why do we have to leave Beijing?"
"Why did you resign suddenly?"
The reed curtain of the carriage was opened by a white bare hand, and a sixteen-year-old girl with a bun in a bun poked her head out, "My daughter often hears her father say that she must turn the tide and live up to the kindness of the late emperor. Only when the world is in danger should she stand up.
And Chu, why..., daddy encountered something unfair?"
Her appearance is only average and not beautiful.
It's just that he has developed a bookish attitude, which is quite eye-catching.
…
…
PS: There is one more update, which should be before one o'clock in the morning.