Chapter 492: National Treasury in Crisis
The days passed by in a blink of an eye, and it was Mid-Autumn Festival. The moon was hanging high in the sky, blowing the horn for the reunion of the whole city.
The long street was bustling with people, men, women, old and young, all with happy faces. Some of them went out with their families to watch the lantern festival.
Some of them just came back from other places, carrying large and small packages of holiday gifts, looking forward to returning home for reunion.
The Jiang family was watching the moon at home tonight.
Xiao Nuobao had changed into new clothes long ago. She was wearing a small skirt with orange on the top and yellow on the bottom, with tight cuffs and wavy patterns.
She was walking in the yard, twisting her little butt, hoping that everyone would arrive soon. From time to time, she ran to the door, pouted her head, and pouted when she saw that no one had returned.
Feng looked at her several times and shook her head in amusement.
"Look at that little girl outside. She must be waiting for her daddy and those busy brothers."
Li Qiqiao's hands were turning over flowers.
She was putting moon cakes, crabs, fruits and snacks for Nuobao on a beautiful flower plate.
"Her daddy?" Li Qiqiao raised her head. "So, the imperial master will come tonight?"
Although Feng was guessing, her tone was very sure. "Of course, on this big reunion night, who would be willing to not accompany their little cotton-padded jacket as a father or mother?"
Sure enough, the palace gates were already wide open.
A certain "empty nest dad" was riding in a golden carriage and galloping towards the Jiang family.
In addition to the two of them, Mrs. Xiao was also invited.
Since Xiao Lanyi became an "extra staff member" of the Jiang family, as a mother, she almost moved into the Jiang Mansion in order to see her son.
After meeting, Feng and Mrs. Xiao teased each other.
"We just met yesterday, and today we are watching the moon together again."
"Yes, even if they are in-laws, they may not be as diligent as us."
After these words came out, the two women did not think it was wrong, but scared Xiao Lanyi, who had just entered the mansion, and hurried away.
He was so guilty that he picked up Xiao Nuobao to cover up, "Hehe, let Brother Xiao see, have you gained weight recently?"
Xiao Nuobao was not happy, and his short legs kicked and floundered, and after jumping to the ground, he stepped on his feet. You
can use her as an excuse.
But use her fatness as an excuse? No!
Soon, Fengnian and Fengjing came back one after another, holding the lanterns they bought in their hands, to please their sister. Finally, the big shot finally "appeared".
Little Nuobao threw himself into Mu Yihan's arms, smiling and arching his neck, "Daddy, you are finally here. Nuobao has been waiting for you for so long that the moon is about to pierce my eyes!"
"That's called looking forward to it, not piercing me by the moon!" Fengjing shook his shoulders, feeling a little scared.
Mu Yihan chuckled, picked up Fatty with one hand, and walked into the yard.
"It's okay. Daddy is a good archer. Even if the moon really comes to pierce our Nuobao, Daddy will shoot the moon down!"
In the huge yard, Madam Zheng had already arranged the tables and chairs with people, and put grapes, moon cakes, and plates of big crabs on them.
The full moon in the sky might have heard it, and was so scared that it hid behind the clouds, but it heaved a sigh of relief and showed its face again.
Everyone sat down happily and chatted about family matters.
Mu Yihan seldom spoke, but just listened silently, and by the way, he served as the "crab peeling officer" for the lady.
He used a small spoon to scoop out the crab roe, and gathered it into a small pile bit by bit, and then put it into the lady's mouth in one breath, which made the little fat girl scream with beauty.
"This crab was sent from Panzhou in the north. They say it is the most plump at this time. It is said that it is not inferior to the ones from Yangcheng Lake. Let's all try it." Mrs. Feng called.
Mrs. Xiao peeled one and was amazed. "This crab is really delicious. If there is any left, give me some. I will leave it for Nuobao to make crab meat crisps."
When Nuobao heard about crab meat crisps, his saliva came out, but was blocked by his father's feeding.
Jiang Fengze and Xiao Lanyi had a tacit understanding. They also peeled a small dish of leg meat and put it in front of their sister.
This whole night, the little guy almost didn't need to stretch out his hands. As soon as he opened his little mouth, someone would offer crab meat.
But at the end of the feeding, Mu Yihan was unhappy. Like a big beetle protecting its food, he glanced left and right. She held the little cotton-padded jacket on her lap, retaining the "exclusive feeding" right.
Xiao Lanyi stuck out her tongue and whispered to Jiang Fengze, "The Imperial Master is so stingy. When he's not paying attention, you let Nuobao hold us between us!"
Jiang Fengze was not afraid, but he didn't dare to do it in his heart.
That night, everyone had a great meal and talked about all sorts of things.
Even Dong Ge'er, who was still in his cradle, was taken out by Sun Chunxue, and some mooncake fillings were made for the little baby to taste.
At this time, Feng looked around and suddenly felt disappointed, "It's a pity that Feng Miao is not at home, and with Madam Xiao, otherwise we would have been reunited."
Jiang Fengjing also missed his brother. These days, he couldn't hear the boy's chatter, and he always felt that something was missing.
"Mom, look at the moon in the sky." Feng Jing thought of something and suddenly raised his head.
"The bright moon rises over the sea, and the world is sharing this moment! Although they are not at home, they are enjoying the same moonlight with us now, which is also a kind of reunion."
These words sounded nice, and Feng's eyes were wet. "Okay, mother knows. In the future, no matter whether the moon is full or crescent, mother just needs to look at the moon, which means she is looking at the same scene with Feng Miao, and mother will feel at ease."
"A-choo!"
At this moment, little Feng Miao, who was far away in the border city, sneezed suddenly.
"Who, who is talking about me, my mother is probably scolding me at home," he said, picking up the gold that fell on the ground.
"Master, wait for me! I've sold all the goods in this batch!"
Seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Nuobao yawned and continued to hold his eyelids to stay awake.
Everyone was sleepy and could hardly chat, but Jiang Fengze looked downcast and couldn't help talking about business.
"Master Imperial Master, someone from the Ministry of Revenue came this afternoon and said that the budget for our military factory has not been approved, so we have to raise the money ourselves."
As soon as these words came out, half of the people at the table woke up.
Mu Yihan took a deep breath, "The national treasury is not in such a critical situation yet."
Jiang Fengze said dejectedly, "The Ministry of Revenue said that the money can be taken out, but this time we need to mine asphalt, which will cost too much silver, so the people at the military factory can only wait a little longer... or..."
He didn't want to say it, but he couldn't avoid it. "The Ministry of Revenue means that unless the autumn tax this year is increased by another 10%, the people will have to pay more money to fill the treasury, so that the budget of the military factory can be enough."
On one hand, there are the people's lives, and on the other hand, there is the military factory that concerns the country's foundation. Jiang Fengze felt that the palms and backs of his hands were all flesh.
He couldn't bear it.
Hearing this, Xiao Nuobao's sleepiness disappeared, and her eyes were rounder than the moon.
Want to increase taxes for farmers?
But they have had it hard enough!
Mu Yihan's expression became cold, his eyes moved, and he didn't say anything for a long time.
Xiao Nuobao has already started thinking about how to help her father make more money.
Unexpectedly, Mu Yihan shook his head gently and touched her little head.
"Dad's affairs have caused you enough worries. I can't let you, a little kid, shoulder the burden for him anymore."
After saying this, he looked gloomy and had made up his mind.
"During this autumn harvest, there are countless borers in the capital, and they have squeezed the hard-earned money of the tenants. It seems that it is time to make them bleed a little!"
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