"Then there's only one way." Bai Tuantuan thought for a moment and said a few words in a low voice.
The Emperor's eyes lit up, and he nodded to Eunuch Cai: "Go and do it!"
Bai Tuantuan was overjoyed: "Your Majesty, I'll have someone secretly send you the gold and silver jewels you bestowed upon me last time. Fight the war first, then reward me!"
The Emperor looked at Bai Tuantuan with satisfaction, taking back the gifts he had given away. Throughout history, there has only ever been an emperor like him.
However, the emperor did not refuse after all, because he was short of money, very short of money!
After leaving the palace, Bai Tuantuan whispered a few words to Chen Xiaoran about the national treasury deficit, and Chen Xiaoran told Bai Tuantuan not to worry about it.
The sun is setting.
The Emperor looked at the jewels that Bai Tuantuan had brought and was about to have Eunuch Cai take them into the national treasury when he realized something was wrong: "Something's not right! These things don't belong to the palace."
The emperor quickly peeled away the top layer of jewels, looked at the porcelain inside, took out a bottle, turned it upside down and shook it a few times, and a lot of silver notes flew out of it!
"emperor!"
Grandpa Cai was stunned!
The Emperor hurriedly ordered Eunuch Cai to take out the contents of the other porcelain pieces as well—they contained gold bars!
"Your Majesty!" Eunuch Cai exclaimed excitedly.
"Stop shouting, I saw it."
It would be a lie to say he wasn't excited, but after all, he was the emperor, having seen too much of the world. He was only momentarily stunned when he saw these gold bars before ordering, "Take these things into the national treasury."
"Your Majesty, there is another letter."
Eunuch Cai took out the letter from the bottom of the box and handed it to the Emperor.
The emperor opened it and looked at it with a somewhat surprised expression, then laughed.
"Your Majesty, what's going on?" Eunuch Cai, knowing that the Emperor was in a good mood, couldn't help but join in the fun.
"The Chen family is truly different."
The Emperor handed the letter in his hand to Eunuch Cai.
Grandpa Cai was stunned when he saw the contents of the document.
"The Chen family actually wrote down their entire fortune, and even said that this money was a loan to the Emperor?" Eunuch Cai opened his mouth, "This old servant thought the Chen family didn't ask for anything in return!"
"Old Cai!" the Emperor smiled, "Do you believe I ask for nothing in return?"
Before Eunuch Cai could answer, the Emperor said, "I don't believe it. When they say they don't seek any reward, they only mean they don't seek any reward in this matter. The reward they want is far greater than the benefits this matter brings."
“But the Chen family is different. They have a clear price list... As for whether their wealth is real or not, what does it matter? They dare to tell me these things, which means they don’t want to hide them from me.”
"You keep a good record of these accounts; I have to pay these debts."
Eunuch Cai readily agreed. Just as he finished packing his things, a young eunuch ran over and whispered a few words in his ear. Eunuch Cai then hurriedly entered the Imperial Study: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Bai requests an audience."
Bai Han entered quickly, almost as soon as the Emperor finished speaking to him: "Your Majesty, the national treasury is in deficit?"
The first sentence startled Eunuch Cai, who quickly closed the door and ordered his men to guard it.
The Emperor was taken aback. Bai Han frowned deeply: "Why don't you mention the treasury deficit? If you can't tell others, why don't you tell me either?"
"Prime Minister..." Before the Emperor could finish speaking, Bai Han interrupted him, "If Tuan Tuan hadn't told me, I would have thought... Never mind, I should have realized that with all the disasters and wars these past years, how could the national treasury be full?"
Seeing Bai Han's worried expression, the Emperor was moved: "It's not the Grand Tutor's fault; it was my overconfidence."
Bai Han waved his hand: "Back then, the Emperor bestowed upon me dozens of shops. Under the management of Han Ri and Yuan Zhi, we have made a considerable profit. I will have Hao Tian deliver this silver tonight."
The emperor was taken aback.
"You don't need to be so polite with me. To put it bluntly, I watched you grow up. We're more like father and son than anything else!"
The Emperor was filled with mixed emotions: "I have no way to repay the Grand Tutor's kindness."
"What are you reporting? Just focus on governing the country properly." Bai Han glared and puffed out his beard, which made the emperor laugh.
Then Bai Han took out the chili peppers and tomatoes: "Here, let's find a way to promote this."
"Food."
After saying that, Bai Han turned to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I must go back now. My eldest daughter-in-law made quite a few delicious dishes with these things today."
The Emperor wanted to pull Bai Han aside and ask him a few more questions, but Bai Han had already run far away.
"Old Cai!" the Emperor called out quickly, "Let's go, on a clandestine visit!"
The Emperor knew that Bai Han wouldn't say such things without a reason; these two items would definitely bring benefits to the Yuan Dynasty!
Inside the Bai family carriage outside the palace, Bai Han said irritably, "Your Majesty, can't you hurry up? It's been so long, by the time we get back, there'll probably only be soup left."
The Emperor sighed, "The Grand Tutor should have told me sooner, so I could have made some preparations."
"You can make your own preparations and go to the Bai family yourself. Why make me wait? I know Your Majesty's intentions perfectly well!"
With that, Bai Han snorted and turned her head away haughtily.
The Emperor couldn't help but laugh, and then coaxed Bai Han, finally managing to appease the proud old man.
Meanwhile, Bai Tuantuan watched as bowls of food were carried out of the kitchen, her mouth practically watering: "Auntie, Second Auntie, Mom, isn't that enough...?"
“Not enough,” Nan Nian said with a smile. “My godfather went to the palace and took tomatoes and peppers with him.”
"What's the connection between these two?" Bai Tuantuan was a little confused.
Rong Manli looked at Nan Nian with a puzzled expression: "I don't understand."
Chen Zhixiu also shook her head.
Nan Nian explained, "The Emperor will come to the Bai family to try dishes made with these two ingredients, which will determine whether to promote them and whether we can make money."
"Why is that?" Chen Zhixiu was even more puzzled.
"Because the national treasury is in deficit." Nan Nian looked at Bai Tuantuan, "Fortunately, Tuantuan brought back this news, which will allow our chili peppers and tomatoes to recover their costs quickly."
Bai Tuantuan's mind raced, and she could vaguely grasp the underlying message: "If it weren't for the national treasury being depleted, the Emperor might not care about these two ingredients, and we would have to put in a lot of effort to promote them, right?"
"Tuantuan is so smart!"
Nan Nian laughed.
"By the way, is Xiao Guangyuan here?" Nan Nian looked at Chen Zhixiu. "Didn't you two go to offer incense together?"
“Well, just as we arrived at the manor gate, Zheng Fangyu summoned him away. I’ve been dealing with him all day, so I need to rest.” Chen Zhixiu winked at Nan Nian. “I’ll continue my antics tonight.”
Upon hearing this, everyone laughed.
As for Bai Tuantuan, she's already eating it.
As expected, after all the dishes were served, Bai Han led the Emperor through the door.
"Eat something delicious! Eat something delicious!" A loud local voice came from the doorway. The emperor was startled and saw a familiar figure rush to the table. "Hello, ladies! Hello, uncles and aunts! I'm here to freeload again!"
"Huh? Where's Grandpa?"
Bai Han was shocked and grabbed the Emperor: "Quickly! Control your son! Otherwise, we'll really be left with nothing but soup today!"
The emperor was stunned. Was this his taciturn and dull-witted second son?
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