"Hailstorms opened the year, and after the summer, there was no rain. Judging by various astronomical phenomena, this autumn's harvest is unlikely to be optimistic. I intend to implement reforms, and I have come to consult the Queen Mother and the two concubines."
Before Zhu Bifeng came to the Cining Palace, he had discussed with the four ministers of the Ministry of Revenue. None of them put forward any substantive suggestions. It was not because they were incompetent, but because they were under pressure from the ministers of national defense. Even if the four ministers had opinions, they did not dare to raise them.
Zhu Beifeng thought hard but still couldn't come up with a perfect plan, so he ran to the Cining Palace to ask Empress Dowager Hengle for advice.
The atmosphere in the Cining Palace was solemn. Concubine Xian was listening attentively, while Concubine Zhen seemed to be lost in thought.
Empress Dowager Hengle held an account book in her hand and kept flipping through it.
"Success comes from thriftiness, and failure comes from extravagance. The extravagance of the harem has a long history, and it may not be easy to eradicate it."
Zhu Bifeng was also worried about what Gu Yinwei was worried about.
"Your Majesty is right. A few days ago, I dined with Consort Jiang. A fresh sea bass dish was served in the imperial kitchen. I wasn't hungry at the time, so I didn't touch my chopsticks. Consort Jiang didn't touch her chopsticks either. As soon as I left the table, I heard Consort Jiang order the palace maid to take the fish out and throw it away. I was heartbroken after hearing that."
"I don't know how many people are starving outside the palace. I am supported by the people and should be compassionate to them. I want to reform, but I don't have a good plan."
"The Emperor is willing to implement new policies. I will spare no effort to help him. Concubine Xian and Concubine Zhen, do you two have any good ideas?"
Concubine Zhen stood up and said, "The reason why the Emperor is in such a dilemma is because the current deficit in the national treasury is quite large. Ultimately, there are only two ways to fill the treasury: the first is to increase revenue, and the second is to reduce expenditure."
Zhu Bifeng became interested, "Please tell me in detail, Concubine Zhen."
Concubine Zhen decided to break it down, crush it, and talk to Zhu Bifeng in detail.
Zhu Beifeng was humble and eager to learn. He was willing to humble himself and ask questions seriously about any knowledge that was useful to him.
There is no shame in acquiring knowledge no matter where it comes from.
"The current deficit in the national treasury is still huge, and there's no way to increase revenue and cut expenditure."
"I have money, use my money to make up for the shortfall first."
Gu Yinwei's words were full of passion. Zhu Bifeng looked at her half-worn clothes and remembered that every time he came to pay his respects to the empress dowager, her meals were dried radish with pickles.
I couldn't help but ask, "Mother, where did you get the money?"
"Of course it was..." taken from the silver mine left to me by the late emperor.
Before Gu Yinwei could finish her words, Fugui replied, "Of course it was earned by the Queen Mother from selling chili peppers."
Fugui answered very eagerly, fearing that Gu Yinwei would let the cat out of the bag.
When the late emperor was alive, he had instructed not to reveal the location of the silver mine easily, for fear that Gu Yinwei would suffer. In fact, Gu Yinwei didn't care whether the location of the silver mine would be exposed. Even if Zhu Bifeng knew the location of the silver mine, he couldn't get in. There were many formations set up under the mine, and no one could get in without her permission.
Concubine Zhen proposed the idea of increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, and then it was Concubine Xian's turn to speak.
"I think there may be new business opportunities by trading with Beimo."
"If the ancient road to the Western Region, which was once abandoned, is reopened, it can also provide benefits."
"Of course, we can't rush these things. More haste, less speed."
After listening to this, Zhu Bifeng felt very enlightened and left with satisfaction.
The next day, Shuangxi came to Gu Yinwei to collect the money, holding the bill settled by the Minister of Revenue.
Gu Yinwei kept her promise and opened the private vault, allowing the eunuchs to move the boxes out.
The box was filled with heavy silver and it took a whole morning to move it all. Concubine Zhen's expression was beyond words. Shock was the only word she could use to describe it.
Gu Yinwei sat at the dining table and had her meal, a small bowl of porridge and a small dish of pickles. The pickles were dried radishes made from radishes grown in the backyard.
"Guarding a mountain of silver, and only having porridge for lunch?"
Gu Yinwei took out a pair of clean chopsticks and handed them to Concubine Zhen: "Try it."
Concubine Zhen picked up the chopsticks and picked up some pickles to eat. At this time, Bian Tao brought a plate of pickled cabbage, and Chu Chu brought a pot of radish and pork ribs soup.
The more Concubine Zhen ate, the more she couldn't stop. Was there something wrong with her taste buds, or were the vegetables grown in Gu Yinwei's backyard too amazing? She felt that the radishes and vegetables made in Gu Yinwei's small kitchen were much more delicious than the big fish and meat in the imperial study.
Xiaoyu looked at the scene in disbelief. Her own concubine would feel uncomfortable for three days if she didn't eat meat for one meal, but today she was eating vegetarian food so happily, as if she was possessed by someone else.
It was strange, really strange. She wanted to remember this scene clearly.
After finishing her meal in the Cining Palace, Concubine Zhen returned to the side hall to rest. In the past, she was used to taking a nap after lunch, but today she was full of energy and not sleepy at all.
Concubine Zhen took a comb and combed her hair in front of the mirror. She combed out three white hairs with one comb. As soon as the white hair fell off, new hair immediately grew on her scalp. The new hair was black and thick. The more Concubine Zhen combed her hair, the more addicted she became.
"Xiaoyu, quickly get some hot water. The powder on my face seems to have fallen off."
Concubine Zhen washed her face, and all the spots on her skin disappeared. Concubine Zhen's face was tense, and she was a little scared, so she ran to Gu Yinwei to ask the reason.
Halfway through her run, she suddenly turned back. Gu Yinwei and Gu Yinxia had never grown gray hair, perhaps because of the food. She decided to go to the main hall for every meal in the future.
The vegetable garden in the backyard is full of spiritual energy, and the vegetables and fruits grown here have the effect of cleansing the bones and marrow. When mortals eat them, they can prolong their lifespan, improve their hearing and eyesight, and delay aging.
Concubine Zhen was a night-blind person, and her vision was almost as good as a blind person at night. One night, when Xiaoyu was making her bed, she accidentally dropped a handkerchief.
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