Chapter 122 Safe House
Gao Huan tactfully stated that the national treasury was empty, the finances were tight, there was a shortage of manpower, and the country was struggling to make ends meet.
Actually, they weren't that poor.
Perhaps it was truly the will of Heaven, or perhaps it was because there was no war. This autumn brought a bumper harvest, and there were very few reports of disasters in various places. Whenever a disaster occurred, the imperial court promptly sent grain to provide relief, and there was no sign of widespread public discontent.
The imperial court is so wealthy, thanks to the grain supplies provided by several major grain-producing provinces.
Yong'an City dutifully delivered the provisions, then less honestly met with Zhi Fang. He was both cowardly and ambitious. However, his stated reason was to meet with the various families' sons, which was a plausible excuse.
Jie Qianchou, on the other hand, was as excited as if he had been injected with chicken blood. Since becoming the governor of Yanyang City, all the ambitions he had been unable to realize before had now been put into practice. To express his gratitude to the wise ruler, he urged his horses to hurry, and the first batch of grain was harvested and immediately sent to the capital. There were also other exquisite items that filled Guan Zhiwei's private treasury.
It's supposed to be a bountiful harvest season, yet they keep saying they have no money; that's hard to believe.
But Gao Huan felt it was really unnecessary to spend money on Zhi Junyuan. The country was in dire need of development, and all regions needed revitalization. It would be a waste to spend money on Zhi Junyuan.
Guan Zhiwei glanced at him sideways: "You can wrong Zhi Junyuan, but if you dare to wrong me—"
Gao Huan immediately realized that he had made a small mistake. After all, this was His Majesty's first marriage since ascending the throne. Marriage is a matter between two people. Zhi Junyuan may not be dignified, but His Majesty cannot be dignified.
He immediately corrected the mistake, saying, "His Majesty's wedding ceremony will surely be a grand and glorious affair."
"Where did the money come from?" Guan Zhiwei asked, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him.
You just said how empty the national treasury is.
Choose between deceiving the emperor and defying the emperor.
Let's see what reason it was that cost you your head today.
Gao Huansheng smiled helplessly, still unwilling to shed his tail like a gecko to survive, and tried to struggle: "I am penniless and really can't afford to eat. I am so poor that I can only tighten my belt to get by."
Guan Zhiwei nodded: "I will issue an order right now to confiscate your property. If you find any money..."
Gao Huan interrupted him righteously: "Although I have no money, I am willing to devote all my wealth to arranging Your Majesty's wedding ceremony."
Guan Zhiwei was satisfied: "Xiao Gao, you can embezzle, but you have to split it 50/50 with me."
Many people believe they are honest, upright, and righteous, completely different from corrupt officials. In reality, there's little difference; once they reach that position, they all wear the same mask.
If someone gets promoted, they won't promote their own relatives; if someone gets promoted, they won't want to take a small bribe.
You comfort yourself by saying that I only take a small portion, but your perspective has already been broadened. Your small portion is already an astronomical price in the eyes of most people.
But you'll still feel wronged, thinking, "I've worked so hard for so many years, is this all I'm after?"
So don't trust the opposition; they're all the same once they're in power.
Gao Huan thought to himself, "This isn't embezzlement; this is the humiliation money I worked so hard to earn."
Of course, in the Imperial Study, you can call him Xiao Gao.
Go out this door.
He would look up at the emperor's gate and count the officials on his fingers.
A gust of wind swept by, the autumn breeze ruffling his robes, and flocks of wild geese swept across the sky with a rustling sound. He gazed into the distance, his spirits high for only three seconds before his dejection set in.
What's wrong with me paying for their wedding?
He covered his mouth and nose, coughed violently, and the sprayed blood splattered all over his palms. He quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it off.
Half of the handkerchief was wet.
The wind howled, and the air seemed to be filled with knives, tearing my lungs apart with every breath.
He felt a chill on the back of his head, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.
Less than a minute later, the person got up and continued walking forward as if nothing had happened.
The heavens and earth are clear and serene, a sight to behold; I, your ailing self, ascend this high platform for you.
Gao Huan felt that everyone should contribute something, so he shook his empty sleeves and began going from house to house to beg for money from the nobles.
When they found the Grand Astrologer's house, he directly told them that it was not advisable to move any money recently, otherwise their star readings would be inaccurate.
His job was to interpret celestial phenomena, predict good and bad fortune, and select an auspicious day for the emperor's wedding.
Nothing is more important than His Majesty's marriage right now, so Gao Huan had no choice but to grit his teeth and avoid the topic. But he made a mental note of the Grand Historian's actions.
He doesn't like looking at the stars.
The autumn harvest and winter storage are for the coming year, and the auspicious day is set for the beginning of spring, when the weather is warm and the flowers are in bloom.
Guan Zhiwei issued an edict, announcing to the world that Zhijun Yuan would be made empress.
The imperial edict emphasized that the person was virtuous, chaste, gentle, and obedient, and was destined by Heaven.
Chen Wen personally carried the Empress's jade seal to the Zhi family.
This was the first time Zhifang had ever seen such a solemn ceremony.
Chen Wen was dressed in formal attire, his face serious and extremely respectful.
When Zhi Junyuan accepted the imperial seal, it signified that he had been recognized by the country and granted supreme power.
"My son..." Could it be that someone is really so lucky to be favored by power?
Even Zhi Fang couldn't help but wonder a little in his heart: is luck better than hard work?
If Chen Jia Dalang's father were here, he would definitely have a lot to talk about.
Knowing that the emperor was dressed in a dark robe adorned with colorful pheasant patterns, wearing a dragon and phoenix crown, and riding in a heavy chariot, surrounded by a grand procession, he entered through the main gate of the palace.
Guan Zhiwei held a grand ceremony in the front hall of the Liangyi Hall to receive the congratulations of all the officials.
With tears streaming down his face, Zhi Junyuan bowed to Guan Zhiwei in gratitude, thanking His Majesty for choosing him.
Guan Zhiwei took his hand and announced a general amnesty, bestowing titles or food and drink upon princes, officials, and even common people to show that the whole world was celebrating.
The nobles and high officials surrounded Zhi Fang, congratulating him and addressing him as "Your Highness."
Zhi Fang felt a little smug; the feeling of being respected was even better than drinking alcohol.
But the happiest people at this ceremony were not actually the people.
[Not bad! They married first and fell in love later. At first, they were very respectful to each other, but then they had to fulfill their marital obligations, hehe, so they were very polite and got everything done.]
"Are you happy?" Guan Zhiwei's lips curled into a strange smile.
[Of course, you're finally going to be in a relationship! It's so sweet!]
Guan Zhi smiled, but her gaze was icy: "Where is it sweet?"
[Then things get sweet! First, there's a physical relationship, then they're attracted to each other, possessiveness erupts, and they become fiercely entangled. Act fast! If you're interested, my online store will open up to you.]
"I'm really looking forward to it too, and I promise I won't let you down."
[Getting married first is best. It's like building a "safe house" in the relationship. No matter how many misunderstandings, conflicts, or cold wars you have later, you can't easily escape. When you have to be together, every struggle becomes a perfect stage performance.] The system suddenly became eerie.
"A safe house, huh?" Guan Zhiwei mused.
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