Emperor Xiao picked up a snack and put it into his mouth, chewing it slowly. He held a memorial in his hand and read it while eating. There were three plates of snacks on the table, but his hands only subconsciously
He only took food from one plate. He was fascinated by the memorial and frowned from time to time.
The plate closest to him was almost empty, but the other plates were not touched at all. The eunuch Xiaoliuzi felt sorry for the emperor, knelt down and crawled over gently, stopped by the table, and stretched out his hand to put Emperor Xiao into his hands.
The snacks he usually loved changed places with the empty plate in front of Emperor Xiao.
Emperor Xiao was so focused on the memorial that he never noticed that the plate in front of him had been changed. When he picked up a piece of snack and put it into his mouth, he didn't even notice the change in taste.
Xiao Liuzi looked at the new white hair on Emperor Xiao's temples, and couldn't help but sigh softly. As the emperor's personal servant, he knew Emperor Xiao's diligence and hard work best. Since he ascended the throne, Emperor Xiao has been praying every night.
I never slept for more than two hours.
Xiao Liuzi sighed in his heart, Emperor Emperor, this is the Emperor, the supreme existence in the world.
He was just a little eunuch with little status before. From the time he entered the palace until Emperor Xiao ascended the throne, he saw the emperor for the first time. Before, the scope of activities of a little eunuch like him was limited to that small courtyard.
Before, he always thought that the emperor was the happiest person in the world. He was so high that he had clothes to put on, hands to eat, and mouth to open. There were countless people waiting on him all day long, and he was in charge of the entire country. Everyone had to kneel down and salute when they saw the emperor.
And the emperor only had to wave his hand.
Living in a splendid house, accompanied by a charming concubine every night. Those days must be like those lived by gods, free and carefree.
However, after becoming Emperor Xiao's chamberlain, Xiao Liuzi realized that he was wrong, a big mistake.
Every day, he watched Emperor Xiao fall asleep very late. After the shift, he went to rest, and the emperor should go to court early. Xiao Liuzi saw the emperor working so hard and tired day by day, and he felt really bad. Only now did he know
, it turns out that being an emperor is so tiring.
Xiao Liuzi was crawling and just about to retreat when Emperor Xiao Liu Zhuo finished reading the memorial in his hand. Only then did he realize that the taste of the food in his mouth had changed. He glanced at the snacks on the table and saw Xiao Liuzi bowing.
Stepping back, I couldn't help but smile. This little eunuch was very clever.
Suddenly remembering something, Emperor Xiao said to Xiao Liuzi: "Xiao Liuzi, I don't have to prepare so many snacks for breakfast in the future. One plate every day is enough. From now on, lunch and dinner should not be the same as before.
A bowl of rice and two plates of side dishes are enough."
Xiao Liuzi was shocked. Although he didn't understand why the emperor did this, he knew that the emperor's appetite was not good to begin with. If he continued to cut back on food, what would happen to the emperor's health?
Just as he was about to speak, Emperor Xiao waved his hand and said, "Go and see if Prince Zhong is here. If he is, let him come in directly."
Xiao Liuzi had no choice but to retreat. After taking two steps, he was suddenly stopped by Emperor Xiao again.
"Xiao Liuzi, come here."
Emperor Xiao sat on the chair and waved to him.
Xiao Liuzi quickly climbed up and knelt in front of Emperor Xiao, lowered his head and said, "Please give me your Majesty's instructions."
Emperor Xiao smiled lightly and pointed to the snacks on the table and said, "You have worked hard these days. This snack tastes good. I give it to you."
A warm current suddenly arose in Xiao Liuzi's heart, and the tears of this lonely eunuch since he was a child immediately flowed down. He lay on the ground, his body was trembling and he said with a cry: "Your Majesty, Xiao Liuzi, please, I can't eat three meals a day."
It can’t be reduced anymore. I see your majesty working hard every day, and I can’t eat much to begin with. It really can’t be less.”
Breakfast was just three plates of small snacks, each of which was only five yuan for a small snack. Xiao Liuzi knew that if it were him, he would not be full if he ate all three plates of snacks in one go.
But Emperor Xiao only ate five or six pieces, and even a five- or six-year-old child would eat more than this.
Looking at the little eunuch kneeling in front of him, Emperor Xiao smiled softly. He bent down and patted Xiao Liuzi on the shoulder and said, "I'm full. Don't worry. This big man needs me, and I won't let myself."
Hungry."
Xiao Liuzi wanted to say something more, but Emperor Xiao waved his hand and said, "Go and see if Prince Zhong is here. Take this snack. You didn't eat anything this morning."
With tears in his eyes, Xiao Liuzi walked out with the tray. Emperor Xiao couldn't help but smile when he saw Xiao Liuzi's figure going out. The anger in his heart during the morning session also calmed down a bit. Although what happened in the morning session was all between him and Liu Ling.
Lu Sen had discussed it in advance, but when Lu Sen really said those words, he still couldn't suppress his surging anger.
While he was lost in thought, a clear voice sounded outside the door.
"Liu Ling, a humble minister, comes to greet your Majesty. Long live your Majesty. Long live your Majesty."
Emperor Xiao burst out laughing, and then shouted softly: "Get in here."
Liu Ling opened the curtain and walked in, and then said with a chuckle: "Your Majesty makes atonement for your sins. I have resisted the decree, so I might as well walk in."
When Emperor Xiao saw Liu Ling, he felt less depressed in his heart. In the Northern Han Dynasty, the only one he could trust was his ninth brother.
"If you resist the decree and disrespect it, come here, take Prince Zhong out and punish him severely."
It was rare for Emperor Xiao to make a joke, which shows that Liu Ling had a great influence on him.
Liu Ling smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you have no words to joke about."
Emperor Xiao pointed to the chair in front of him and said, "Don't be such a talker. Tell me what you plan to do next."
Liu Ling did not sit down, but stood respectfully beside Emperor Xiao and said: "Your Majesty, during the morning court, although the civil and military officials of the whole court were willing to donate money and food, I guess that these guys may not have any idea what they have in mind.
Therefore, this matter cannot be delayed, and the sooner it is done, the better."
Emperor Xiao said: "Just tell me what you think."
Liu Ling said: "Starting from the afternoon, His Majesty has sent imperial envoys out to the homes of the adults to collect them door to door."
Emperor Xiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said: "If you do this, I, the emperor, will lose all face."
Liu Ling said: "Your Majesty, let Liu Ling do this evil thing. Your Majesty gave me a decree and handed over the donation to me."
"Also, there is one more thing."
Liu Ling glanced at Emperor Xiao and saw that the latter was waiting for his next words.
Liu Ling said: "These adults are all hard-core roosters. Even if they are willing to donate, the amount of donation is estimated to be very small. Your Majesty, do you think this is okay? The imperial court will come out to borrow money from wealthy businessmen, and then set a
During the repayment period, more interest will be calculated and given to them. For those who donate more, the court can issue a reward."
"It seems disrespectful for the imperial court to borrow money from the people."
Emperor Xiao frowned and said.
Liu Lingxin said this was not disgraceful. In later generations, it was very common to issue national bonds. Besides, since the ministers had already asked for money, it would not be too shameful to raise money and food from the people. Anyway, the royal family
There is no need to hold on to that dignity now.
It’s just that you can’t say it like that. Liu Ling thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, that’s not the case. Think about it in another direction. Those rich households have surplus money and food. They can’t spend or eat all these things. Now
It is a good thing for the country and the wealthy households that the country borrows from them and returns the money to them with an increase in the future."
"Besides, the imperial court will not borrow their money in vain. For those who donate more, the imperial court can give verbal rewards or even assign them a false position. This is just a temporary measure. It will be fine if the imperial court calms down in a few years.
Already."
Emperor Xiao thought for a moment and said, "The method is good, but I always feel uncomfortable."
Liu Ling said: "Your Majesty, actually there is another benefit to this. We can tell the Liao State about the court borrowing money and food from officials and the people. The Liao State only wants money and food. They have no plans to go south for the time being. As long as they can spend the New Year
We don’t care about collecting tribute and other matters, but by doing this we can make the Liao Kingdom feel more at ease."
Emperor Xiao's eyes lit up and he murmured two words.
"Showing weakness?"
Liu Ling said: "Exactly, now my Han Dynasty is far less powerful than the Liao Kingdom in terms of military, economy, and people's livelihood. Showing weakness can also make the Liao Kingdom relax its vigilance against us."
Emperor Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "But if this happens, the imperial court's face will really be lost."
He waved his hand and said: "Forget it, let me carry the reputation of the Liu family's unfilial descendants."
He said to Liu Ling: "In this case, you should start doing it now. It can't be too fast, and it can't be too slow. Do you understand?"
Liu Ling nodded and said: "Wei Chen understands that if it goes too fast, the Liao Kingdom will think that our Han Dynasty still has room to squeeze, and may even increase the annual tribute. If it goes too slowly, the Liao Kingdom will probably exert pressure.
"
Emperor Xiao sighed: "It's like walking on thin ice."
Liu Ling said: "Your Majesty, this is only temporary. I believe that with your majesty's talent and strategy, it won't be long before our country will become stronger. By then, whether it is the Liao Kingdom or the Zhou Dynasty, they will only be crawling at your majesty's feet.
servant."
Emperor Xiao laughed out loud at his flattery. He pointed at Liu Ling's nose and said, "Old Jiu, why do you do this now?"
Liu Ling said: "Your Majesty, this is not a compliment to you, but I really believe it!"
Emperor Xiao's expression changed, he waved his hand and said: "Let's not talk about this for now, I have something to ask you." He glanced at Liu Ling and asked: "Old Jiu, I heard that someone sneaked into your house last night.
The palace?"
Liu Ling's expression was as usual, and he bowed and said: "Yes, a few thieves sneaked into the palace last night. Fortunately, there are imperial guards sent by His Majesty and elite soldiers from the Gyeonggi camp in the palace. Those thieves saw that they could not succeed.
I can only run away."
Emperor Xiao said: "Now that there are countless victims in Taiyuan City, it is inevitable that some will not respect the law. The Eight Gate Inspection Department has already started to register the victims. Once the court appeases these people, the public security should improve. In this way
Well, the manpower in the palace is also limited. I will transfer another 500 elites from the Gyeonggi Camp to you to protect the palace."
Liu Ling lifted his robe and knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, the bodyguards in the palace are enough. As your Majesty said, there are good and bad victims among the victims. After the court resettles the victims, the situation will be greatly improved. A few petty thieves
That’s all, there’s no need to mobilize troops and mobilize people like this.”
Emperor Xiao glanced at Liu Ling lightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything. Seeing Emperor Xiao's eyes like this, Liu Ling's heart suddenly sank. (To be continued)
