Chapter 468 Short of Money
As Jiang Huan and He Ling chatted, they became increasingly excited, and their blueprint for using the basic technology tree to drive change became clearer in their minds.
Getting excited, Jiang Huan clapped her hands and said, "It's not enough to just teach boys to read and write. We need to mobilize the power of women as well. So I'm thinking of setting up a girls' school in the capital as a pilot project. We won't teach those empty poems and songs, but practical things!"
Jiang Huan's eyes sparkled. "You teach them to identify crops and improve their cultivation. Also, invite a few female doctors who are knowledgeable in medicine to teach them some basic gynecology and pediatrics. We also need to hire an accountant to teach them how to use an abacus and keep accounts. What do you think?"
He Ling was thrilled and excitedly grabbed Jiang Huan's hand: "That's wonderful, Your Majesty! This is a brilliant idea. Mingzhu is also very popular. We can ask her to help organize things and contact some daughters of officials and wives of wealthy merchants. This will not only make a good impression but also set a good example!"
The two chatted until late at night, discussing the initial ideas for the girls' school until they parted ways, still feeling that the conversation was not over.
After seeing He Ling off, Jiang Huan suddenly remembered that she seemed to owe someone a late-night snack.
She hurried to the small kitchen, personally oversaw the stewing of a pot of rock sugar, fritillaria, and snow pear, packed it in a food box, and carried it to the Imperial Study.
"Don't rush, come on, have something sweet to soothe your throat." She sat down next to him, her voice light and cheerful.
Huo Lin pulled her into his arms, nuzzled his chin against the top of her head, took a deep breath, and relaxed his tense nerves.
[Finally here. I thought she'd forgotten about me and the midnight snack.]
[Hmm, she still smells sweet like pears; it's so comfortable to hold her.]
Hearing his straightforward words, Jiang Huan felt a sweet warmth in her heart. She scooped up some warm pear soup and brought it to his lips.
"Try it. I added some fritillaria cirrhosa, which I heard is good for the throat."
Huo Lin took a sip from her hand; it was sweet and refreshing, and he felt much better.
He looked down at her, his eyes warm: "Why are you being so attentive today? You cooked for me personally and even fed me by hand. Is there something you need from me?"
Jiang Huan blinked, put down her bowl, turned to face him, put her hands on his shoulders, and smiled like a cunning little fox.
"Oh dear, you noticed? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Oh? Tell me about it." Huo Lin looked at her leisurely.
Jiang Huan then recounted the matters she had discussed with He Ling.
Huo Lin pondered, his fingertips unconsciously stroking her sleeve as he quickly weighed his options.
[A girls' school? That's a bold and novel idea. If it could truly cultivate women who understand farming, medicine, and business, it would certainly benefit the people's livelihood.]
However, this move will inevitably draw criticism from those old-fashioned people; they'll certainly say things like it's immoral.
However, since it's what she wants to do, I must support her no matter what.
He looked down at the expectant eyes of the person in his arms, his heart softened, and he nodded.
"Whatever you need, I will have the Imperial Household Department allocate it to you."
Jiang Huan was overjoyed, not expecting him to agree so readily, and immediately started counting on her fingers.
"I was thinking that I should have a spacious courtyard, furnished with tables, chairs, and books, and a few reliable female officials to help with the daily affairs..."
She became more and more enthusiastic as she spoke, her eyes shining with an astonishing light.
Huo Lin listened with a smile, finding her earnest planning particularly vivid and endearing.
The courtyard, the female official, the money... these are all minor matters.
"Granted." Huo Lin waved his hand readily. "Tomorrow I will issue an edict to the Imperial Household Department to allocate that quiet villa near the Imperial Estate in the suburbs of Beijing to you. I will also transfer four capable female officials from the Shanggong Bureau to serve you. As for all the necessary items and funds, you make a list, and I will have the Ministry of Revenue..."
When Huo Lin, the Minister of Revenue, spoke, he paused subtly.
[Wait, Ministry of Revenue… I remember reading the report a few days ago. This year's tax revenue is huge, with a large sum going towards flood relief in the south, another huge sum for military pay in the north, and border trade construction also requiring funds. The national treasury seems… not very well-off.]
Oh no, I agreed too quickly and forgot about that.
[This school is excellent, but the initial investment will likely be substantial. That stingy Minister of Revenue will probably be crying poverty to me.]
Jiang Huan was feeling happy when she suddenly heard his heartfelt words, and her heart skipped a beat.
No way? You're out of money at a crucial moment?
Her eyes held a questioning look: "Your Majesty, is there...some difficulty with the Ministry of Revenue?"
Huo Lin coughed lightly to cover up his momentary embarrassment, patted her back, and remained calm in his tone.
"It's nothing serious. It's just that the national treasury has been spending a lot in recent years. I need to consider where it would be most appropriate to allocate these funds. Don't worry, I will definitely do what I promised you."
[Tsk, I almost embarrassed myself in front of my wife, making it seem like I, the emperor, am very poor.]
[Money? You can always squeeze some out. If all else fails, there's my private treasury... uh, I think a lot was taken from it last time.]
Sigh, being in charge is tough. Even emperors are short of money. This dragon throne is too hot to sit on!
Jiang Huan listened to his inner lament; it turned out that even the emperor had times when he worried about money.
"If the imperial court is short of funds, there's no need to rush. I can use my own allowance to cover some of the expenses, or try to solicit donations from a few familiar ladies?"
Upon hearing this, Huo Lin hugged her tighter: "It's not time for you to use your own private funds yet. I have my own plans."
How could I let my wife use her own money? I couldn't bear the humiliation.
It seems we need to find a few fat sheep to slaughter. Those powerful families are all rolling in money, indulging in extravagance every day. It's time to make them bleed a little.
The next day at court, everything proceeded as usual. However, just as the meeting was drawing to a close, an imperial censor, holding a memorial to the throne, strode out of the ranks.
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to report: Wang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Li, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, have allowed their sons to ride horses recklessly in the suburbs of the capital, destroying dozens of acres of farmland and injuring farmers who tried to stop them. Their arrogance is outrageous and has had a very bad influence!"
Huo Lin took the memorial and slowly flipped through it. His face was expressionless, but those who knew him well felt an invisible pressure gathering in the hall.
Suddenly, he slammed the memorial shut with a sharp, jarring sound that pierced the silent hall.
He raised his eyes, slowly scanning the assembled officials below, finally fixing his gaze on Minister Wang and Lord Li, a chilling smile curving his lips.
Just when he was worried about not having enough money to open a girls' school, someone was eager to make a mistake and handed him a money bag.
It seems he needs to settle accounts with these "loyal ministers" who failed to properly educate their children, as well as the deeply entrenched families behind them.
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