Chapter 463: Intimidation
Xie Wanruo observed everyone's reactions while speaking.
The garden was silent, and everyone understood that the main topic had come.
Xie Wanruo pursed her lips and continued: "A few days ago, we received the latest battle report from the border. The war situation is severe. The generals and soldiers who went to the border from Shangjing this time may not be many after the war. They can only stay to guard the border and cannot return to Shangjing. And our safety cannot be left without the protection of the generals and soldiers, so we can only recruit new soldiers."
"Everyone knows in their hearts that Dazhao suffered many disasters last year and the treasury is empty. Now is a time of crisis, and we need everyone to lend a hand and overcome this difficulty together."
"I wonder what we can do?" Princess Rong asked.
"If there is anything we can do, please tell us. We will do our best and it is our duty." Old Madam Zhuang said righteously.
Ever since the father and son of the Zhuang family died in battle, Old Madam Zhuang has been secluded and no one has seen her for many years.
She actually came to the palace banquet today.
And Madam Zhou, like Old Madam Zhuang, has not shown up for many years. It is rare for both of them to attend today.
Xie Wanruo looked at everyone and said solemnly, "It takes a lot of money to recruit new soldiers. His Highness wrote to me and asked me to take out the private treasury of the East Palace, but it is just a drop in the bucket and far from enough. I hope everyone can donate generously and help the court."
This is asking them to pay!
After hearing this, everyone was shocked and panicked.
Although they are the mistresses of the house, they still have to get their husbands' consent for large sums of money, so they can't make decisions on their own.
Seeing everyone's thoughts, Xie Wanruo said meaningfully: "Last year, the border soldiers were in urgent need of food and winter clothes, and the merchants in Beijing donated selflessly. Everyone here is a high-ranking official, and I believe that the righteousness in your heart is no less than that of the merchants."
"Of course, the court will not confiscate everyone's private property for no reason. The amount of money each household has contributed will be recorded in the successful list, and will be returned one by one when the treasury is full in the future." "
And this list will also be posted publicly for all people to praise together."
This is not a commendation, it is clearly a demerit!
It is recorded in a book and posted publicly. If they pay less, they will be scolded and poked on the forehead. How can they face people in the future?
Xie Wanruo's trick is really vicious! Those who
originally wanted to find excuses to refuse or take a symbolic amount have all given up the idea.
But such a big matter is not something that a woman like them can decide.
Everyone looked around, looking embarrassed.
Someone said: "We didn't know what happened before we entered the palace, and we didn't bring any money..."
As soon as this was said, others immediately echoed it, as if they had found a legitimate reason.
Xie Wanruo smiled gently and said sympathetically, "I know this matter is important and cannot be decided by the ladies alone, so I didn't tell you in advance."
"It doesn't matter. After you go back today, the ladies will discuss it with their families. Just send the money to the palace gate in the next two days, and someone will collect and record it."
It seems to leave some room for maneuver, but in fact it forces them even harder, leaving them with no way out.
After letting them go home to discuss, they can only try to pay more money, otherwise it will be stingy and ungrateful, which will not only damage their reputation, but also affect their career prospects.
In this way, who dares to take less?
Xie Wanruo seems gentle and kind, but in fact she is deep-minded and cruel. Today's actions opened everyone's eyes.
The cold wind was whistling, freezing people. The cold wind was wrapped with raindrops, hitting people's faces and penetrating into their bones. People shuddered with cold.
It was raining.
Mrs. Zhou looked at Yu Lan's belly and was worried that she would get cold and catch a cold in the rain.
Thinking of ending the banquet as soon as possible, Mrs. Zhou said loudly: "We are protected by the generals, so we can enjoy the glory. Now that the country is in need, we should do our best to repay. The Zhou family is willing to give 10,000 taels of silver."
"Mrs. Zhou is very courageous. The Xie family is also willing to give 10,000 taels of silver." Mrs. Xie Xiang said immediately.
As Xie Wanruo's family, they must support her.
Yu Lan stroked her belly and said, "Since the prince consort is not in the capital, I will make the decision on my own and pay 30,000 taels of silver."
Old Madam Zhuang also said, "There is no one in my family to discuss this with, so I will take the initiative to pay 5,000 taels of silver."
For Old Madam Zhuang, money is just a thing outside of one's body. You can't bring it with you when you are born or when you die. She paid it willingly.
However, the Zhuang Mansion had no income for many years, and Yu Lan had added makeup when she got married. There was not much left in the Zhuang Mansion, so Old Madam Zhuang only paid 5,000 taels of silver according to her ability.
This move also paved the way for others to pay less as appropriate, and they didn't have to be scared by 10,000 taels of silver.
After someone took the lead, Princess Rong and others also expressed their opinions. Some people paid 5,000, some paid 3,000...but the lowest was only 3,000.
The cold rain hit their bodies, making everyone panic.
According to this standard, every family would be in great trouble.
Although Xie Wanruo promised to return it when the treasury is full in the future, who dares to take it? Even if the emperor really gives it back in the future, they have to kowtow to express their gratitude...
However, things have developed to this point, and they can't decide whether they are willing or not.
Or from the moment Xie Wanruo thought of them, they had no choice.
When Xie Wanruo was in the palace, everyone had only seen her gentle and beautiful side. Later, she entered the palace. Because of her status as a concubine, she rarely appeared, and coupled with Cao Muxue's suppression, she seemed to have disappeared in Shangjing.
Today's banquet not only allowed everyone to see Xie Wanruo again, but also to get to know her again.
The daughter of the prime minister's family, born with a destiny, how could she not have some wisdom and skills.
Knowing that everyone was uneasy and undecided, Xie Wanruo said kindly: "The cold spring rain hurts the body, everyone should go home early."
"Yes, I will take my leave." Everyone got up and left the palace in a hurry as if they had been pardoned.
As soon as the banquet was over, Concubine Yu immediately ordered: "Muchun, bring the umbrella quickly, Pandong, help the princess go back to change clothes."
Madam Zhou repeatedly reminded: "The princess has been caught in the rain, and she must carefully fumigate her hair after returning, and drink some hot soup to drive away the cold..."
If it weren't in the palace and it was a big deal, Madam Zhou would have asked Yu Lan to leave early.
The child in Yu Lan's belly must not have any mishaps.
Concubine Yu Gui felt very distressed and blamed herself, fearing that Yu Lan would get sick.
Muchun held an umbrella, and Yingdong helped Yulan to get up. Seeing that Madam Zhou and Concubine Yu Guifei looked worried, Yulan comforted them, "I'm fine, it's just a little rain that wet the surface. I'm wearing thick clothes inside, so I'm not cold at all."
Knowing that it would be cold today, she made sufficient preparations in advance. As
Yulan spoke, she reached out and shook Madam Zhou's hand.
Feeling that Yulan's hands were indeed warm and not cold, Madam Zhou was slightly relieved and urged her to go back to Zhongling Palace as soon as possible.
"Let's go to Zhongling Palace together." Concubine Yu Guifei invited Madam Zhou.
Madam Zhou was very worried about Yulan after not seeing her for a long time. After hearing what Concubine Yu Guifei said, she hesitated for a moment and agreed.
As the birth was approaching, she had many things to tell Yu Lan, and she also wanted to ask about Yu Lan's recent situation to comfort her.
Not far away, Mrs. Zhuang saw Yu Lan being surrounded by people. She wanted to say a few words of concern, but she thought better of it and took a step to follow the crowd out of the palace.
Concubine Yu noticed it, hesitated for a moment and said, "Madam Zhuang, do you have time to go to Zhongling Palace? Send a message to Yan'er."
When Zhuang Yan was in school, he lived in the Zhuang Mansion. It has been six or seven days since he last saw him, and Yu Lan was a little worried.