Chapter 574 Paying Debts
At the end of the year, all ministries are busy with affairs.
Wen Zhan, the newly appointed right minister of household affairs, was even more busy and had little time to think about King Rong's proposal until the New Year passed.
On the second day of the new year, when he met Chu Xuanyi who was on duty in the palace, he finally spoke about the matter: "I have carefully considered it for a few days, and I still feel that it is not appropriate to get married for the time being."
Chu Xuanyi was silent for a moment: "Why?"
Wen Zhan sighed: "I may be a selfish person. I don't want to take on more responsibilities. I have no plans to get married and have children. Even if I marry a wife, it may only be a delay."
And this world is very unfair to women. Once two people are not in harmony, even if they reconcile, it will have no impact, but it will damage the woman's reputation.
Chu Xuanyi thought for a while and did not force him: "Since you don't want to, Prince Rong's Mansion will not force anyone to do anything, but if possible, I hope you can go see Yun Yao and explain the matter clearly in person."
After a pause, "My daughter's family is prone to random thoughts. If you don't want to get married, it may be just an excuse for her. She can't help but wonder if she is not good enough."
Wen Zhan nodded: "When the right opportunity comes, I will make it clear to her."
Chu Xuanyi nodded and said nothing more.
Wen Zhan couldn't help but start thinking, what should he say when he saw the princess in front of her to show that he didn't dislike her?
In fact, he did not dislike her.
According to the standards of a wife, both the identity of the princess of Prince Rong's Mansion and the temperament of the princess are enough to be regarded as the most perfect wife candidate in a man's mind.
But...
Wen Zhan frowned in distress and decided to see the little princess again in a few days.
The few days of New Year holidays passed quickly, and all civil and military officials began to go to court on the sixth day of the first lunar month.
The morning of the first day after the New Year is destined to be uneventful.
Ministers who were still lamenting that the treasury was abundant and life was much better a few years ago heard the "bad news" announced by Her Majesty the Queen on the first day of court.
"In the past two years or so, I have worked hard to raise troops and horses, promote agriculture and commerce, and develop people's livelihood. Now Xiqi's treasury is abundant, its territory is vast, the people's lives are relatively prosperous, and the world is settled." After Chu Qinghuang's opening remarks, he quickly Let’s get to the point, “Is it time to return the 10 million taels of silver we owe Tangling?”
After the words fell, the ministers' expressions froze, and then they looked at each other and exchanged glances with each other.
Pay back the money?
Their life is just a little better, why do they have to pay back the money?
No, no, absolutely no.
"Your Majesty the Queen, I believe that the situation in Xiqi has just improved, and it is not the best time to repay the money yet." Mr. Yang, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was the first to come out, "We can use the abundant treasury to do something we thought before Once the 10 million taels are allocated, the national treasury will be tight, and many things will not be done. Besides, Dongling is rich and does not care about the 10 million taels. I thought I could pay it back two years later. Not too late."
"I agree with what Mr. Yang said." The Minister of the Ministry of Industry came out and bowed to report back, "There are several palaces in the palace that need to be repaired, and there are several adults' mansions outside the palace that also need to be renovated. There was a backlog of reports from various places last year. The river embankment is damaged and needs to be repaired. I am planning to take it to the court early in the new year to ask your Majesty to make a decision. I hope your Majesty will think twice."
"Your Majesty," the Minister of War continued, "After the fall of Northern Xinjiang, the soldiers and horses stationed at the border must be adequately paid."
The Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel reported: "Next autumn the triennial scientific examination will come again. Your Majesty, there are too many places that need to spend money at the moment. I hope your Majesty will think twice."
Other ministers agreed: "Your Majesty, please think again!"
Chu Qinghuang sat on the dragon chair and listened to the words of the ministers below without saying a word, with an unpredictable expression.
It wasn't until everyone quieted down that she spoke calmly: "This also requires money, and that also requires money. I wonder if you adults need money to raise a concubine?"
Bang bang bang!
The sound of knees hitting the ground rang out: "I'll be damned!"
Master Yang said in a sincere and respectful tone: "Your Majesty, in the past two years, I have been focusing on court affairs and really have no time to think about the love between my children. I hope your Majesty will understand."
"The same goes for me." The Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs followed up and expressed his loyalty, "I have kept a clean mind. I have not set foot in the brothel for two consecutive years, and I have not added any concubines to my house. I will definitely focus all my energy on court affairs in the future. , I will never betray His Majesty’s trust and trust.”
The left minister of the Ministry of War was not to be outdone: "I have reduced my family expenses, and I only hope to contribute to the imperial army. Although it is a drop in the bucket, it is also my heart. I hope your majesty will learn from it."
Others agreed one after another.
Chu Qinghuang looked at the crowd of loyal ministers below quietly and asked calmly: "So the money that Xiqi owes Dongling does not need to be repaid?"
"I don't mean that, I just hope it can be slowed down."
"There has been more money in the national treasury in the past two years. I hope to repay the money tightly, but you adults obviously have different ideas from me." Chu Qinghuang looked at Wen Zhan and said, "Wen Aiqing, what do you mean? ?”
Mr. Yang, the left minister of the household department, frowned slightly when he heard this.
Wen Zhan has been promoted too quickly in the past two years. Being His Majesty's former servant is indeed beneficial.
Thinking back when Master Hong, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, had his family confiscated and exterminated because of corruption, he thought that he could sit on the position of Minister.
However, when the eldest princess directly promoted Wen Zhan's father to the position of minister just because she loved Wen Zhan, Lord Yang's hopes were dashed.
Last year, Wen Shangshu was demoted and transferred to the Ministry of Industry. He thought that he had hope again and could be promoted to Shangshu of course. However, there was still no news. On the contrary, Wen Zhan was promoted one after another, until he was promoted to the position of Right Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
He could even guess that, not long after, Her Majesty the Queen would take the opportunity to let Wen Zhan make a contribution, and he would be naturally promoted to the position of minister.
No wonder all the major families in the imperial city want to send their sons to the palace.
Mr. Yang felt a little unsatisfied. He had worked hard over the years and put most of his energy into the Ministry of Revenue. There was no reason to stay where he was.
"What I mean is that there is indeed a lot of money needed this year. After the war, in addition to military pay, there will also be pensions for the people in the newly recovered city. Various losses in the war also need money to repair." Wen Zhan said respectfully, " But repaying debts is a matter of course. I propose that you can repay half of it this year. Ministers should tighten their expenditures a little and slow down unnecessary expenditures. For example, the repairs of the palaces and pavilions in the palace can be slowed down. The emperor is alone, and many palaces are empty and uninhabited, so it is okay not to repair them for the time being. "
The Minister of Industry was immediately dissatisfied upon hearing this. Is Wen Zhan directly deducting money from the Ministry of Industry?