Chapter 349: Is the Ministry of Revenue crazy?
The prince was in front, and the others followed behind, entering one after another.
All those who can make decisions on disaster relief have arrived.
When the prince saw Fu Qingyin sitting aside drinking tea, he felt extremely displeased.
Why is he everywhere?
After everyone had paid their respects to the emperor, Fu Qingyin put down his teacup and stood up to greet the prince.
"Your Highness."
The prince smiled and said, "The commander is here too. Isn't Zhenqiao Tower busy today?"
"By the way, I heard that Mr. Su is still in Zhenqiao Tower. I wonder if you have checked it out?"
“Not yet.”
The prince chuckled: "The speed of the Zhenqiao Tower seems to have slowed down. What crime could a scholar have committed? Why hasn't it been investigated yet?"
Fu Qingyin thought for a moment and said, "If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is willing to guarantee him, I will go back and handle the formalities, and he will be released in the next two days."
The prince was stunned. He didn't expect him to be so straightforward.
Will there be any trap?
Before he could think clearly, Fu Qingyin asked, "Your Highness, will you protect me?"
Prince: “…”
At this time, it is not right to protect it, nor is it right not to protect it.
The emperor said, "Zhenqiaolou has its own rules and laws for doing things, and others don't need to say too much."
The prince's expression froze slightly. The emperor seemed to have helped him out of the predicament, but his words did not sound good.
The emperor said calmly, "You all know why I came here this time, right?"
Everyone should agree.
"Since you know, I won't repeat it. If you have anything to say, please tell me how to provide disaster relief."
Prime Minister Lu spoke first: "Your Majesty, I think the disaster is like a fire or a flood and we cannot neglect it."
"What Prime Minister Lu said is absolutely right."
"Your Majesty, I also think disaster relief should be provided, but if disaster relief is provided, we need to work with the Ministry of Revenue to draft a charter."
Lu Jinming stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I will never shirk my duties as the Minister of Revenue."
Lu was very satisfied with Lu Jinming's performance this time. Usually, asking the Ministry of Revenue to pay money was like asking Lu Jinming for his life. It would be impossible to do it without making excuses five or six times.
Soon after I went there today, I expressed my willingness to support.
If he hadn't agreed, they wouldn't have been able to make up their minds so smoothly and so quickly.
The emperor nodded: "What does the prince say?"
The prince bowed and said, "Father, I think Yunzhou is a rich place. Although the disaster is urgent, we must be careful not to exaggerate it."
The emperor looked at him and said, "So what do you think we should do?"
The prince thought about what his staff had said and said, "Father, I think we can send someone to travel light and investigate secretly to find out the extent of the disaster."
"I have a fast-footed man in my house who specializes in gathering information. I can send him there."
The prince glanced at Lu Jinming and said, "The treasury is tight, I think..."
Fu Qingyin was slightly surprised: "Is the national treasury tight? This morning, Minister Lu said..."
Lu Jinming knew that this was a call for him.
He quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. If it is about building palaces, landscape gardens, burning incense and ceremonies, then I will cry poor. But if it is about disaster relief for the people, I will never refuse."
Prime Minister Lu glanced at him from the corner of his eye - did he take the wrong medicine? If he had said this twenty years ago when he was in high spirits and entered the government, it would not be surprising.
However, this is a good thing, and his original intention is to make this matter proceed smoothly.
The prince was stunned after hearing this. What does that mean? The incense burning ceremony, does that include his affairs?
This old guy had said before that he would make the pilgrimage for him grand and lively, but in just such a short while, he changed his tone?
Suppressing his doubts and anger, the prince said in a deep voice: "Father, it is a good thing that the national treasury can take out money. I only hope that the national treasury will be full and inexhaustible."
"But it will take some time, my son..."
Fu Qingyin said slowly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince cares about the people, which is admirable. I heard that the harvest at your estate is good. Are you planning to donate grain?"
"I think that transporting grain is a long journey, takes a long time, and requires a lot of manpower and material resources. It would be better to take the silver notes to the state capital near Yunzhou and buy grain there."
"Your Highness, you only need to donate some silver. I believe that Your Highness is sincere and will not play tricks like selling things bestowed by the Emperor or awarded by the Empress."
Prince: “…”
The prince was so angry, damn it, he said everything he wanted to say!
That group of aides were useless. Their ideas were not original at all and were guessed by Fu Qingyin immediately.
He could only bite the bullet and say, "Father, this is exactly what I want to say. I am willing to pay 10,000 silver notes, and also sell the grain in the manor, and then..."
"It takes time to sell the grain," Fu Qingyin looked at Lu Jinming.
Lu Jinming lowered his head and said, "I can take the grain and convert it into silver notes for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Lu Xiang looked at Lu Jinming again--when did the Ministry of Revenue start the business of reselling grain? However, this is a good idea.
When Lu Xiangsi heard this, he immediately said, "This old minister is also willing to donate 5,000 silver."
Other officials also said they had donated some amount.
The prince looked at Fu Qingyin and said, "Won't the commander donate some?"
Fu Qingyin took a deep breath and said, "It is time to donate some. I admire and feel excited about your generosity just now."
"However, I have no estate or crops to my name. I only have a house, which was given to me by Your Majesty."
"I can't sell the house, so why not donate half a year's salary?"
Prince: “…”
The emperor looked at them with satisfaction and said: "I am very pleased that you all are concerned about me and have done your best for the disaster-stricken areas."
"Mr. Lu, you should start preparing. Prime Minister Lu, the disaster situation is important, and verification is equally important. If it is for the victims, I don't care even if I don't build a palace or celebrate my birthday. But if someone uses the disaster situation as an excuse to embezzle the country's silver and grain, I will never forgive them!"
"Yes, I understand."
The emperor waved his hand: "Okay, everyone leave."
Everyone left, and the emperor said, "Prince, you stay."
The prince stayed for a while. A sneer flashed across Fu Qingyin's lowered eyes, and he walked out of the Shangshu room without stopping.
He knew what the emperor wanted to ask the prince without having to listen.
I hadn't finished talking to him yet when the prince arrived.
The emperor asked, "I heard that these days, people are talking about auspicious things everywhere. Do you know about it?"
The prince's heart skipped a beat. How could this matter reach the palace so quickly?
Or did someone tell the emperor on purpose? Fu Qingyin?
The prince gritted his teeth secretly, but could not help but answer: "Father, I have indeed heard about this matter, and I have sent people to investigate. It is true that someone deliberately spread it, and it is not true at all."
The emperor sipped his tea slowly: "Oh? How is it untrue?"
"Father, there was indeed an auspicious bird in the palace above my son's house. It was because the heavens saw that I sincerely admitted my mistakes and prayed for you, so they specially blessed me with good fortune."
"How dare I take credit for this? Someone is taking advantage of this and deliberately spreading it. It's obvious that they want to slander me and make father think that I have other intentions."
"Please enlighten me, Father."
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