Chapter 216 She was more clear-headed than anyone else.
The emperor frowned upon hearing Jiang Yu's words, pondering the word "economy." Jiang Yu continued, "Only when agriculture, sericulture, commerce, and freight transport are stable and prosperous will the court have more tax revenue."
Upon hearing the words "more taxes," the emperor's eyes lit up, and he gestured for Jiang Yu to continue.
"Let's return to Jufeng Trading Company and Money Shop," Jiang Yu continued, "I believe that Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company should be reformed to make them easier for the court to control and to facilitate the development of people's livelihood and economy."
Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned even more deeply. At this moment, Pei Chengkun said, "The Xie family has been running Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company for many years. If they rashly carry out reforms, I'm afraid it will cause trouble."
Jiang Yu glanced at him, then turned back to the Emperor and said, "With Xie Ning'an here, what is there to be afraid of?"
The imperial study was quiet for a while, then the emperor laughed heartily, "That's right, with Xie Ning'an here, what's there to be afraid of?"
The reason for sparing Xie Ning'an's life was to better control Jufeng Money Exchange and the trading company. As long as Xie Ning'an, the head of the Xie family, agreed, his subordinates would naturally cooperate. As for whether Xie Ning'an would actually cooperate with the reforms?
He had no reason to refuse, nor could he refuse.
Pei Chengkun smiled as he heard the Emperor's praise of Jiang Yu's opinion, but his hands, hidden under his sleeves, clenched tightly together.
However, the emperor still said, "This matter needs to be discussed again. Minister Jiang, you need to come up with a detailed plan."
"Yes," Jiang Yu replied immediately.
At this moment, two palace maids came in to change the tea. After they left, the emperor asked them, "My two ministers, what are your opinions on the selection of the crown prince?"
Jiang Yu turned to look at Pei Chengkun, but the old fox picked up his cup and drank tea, clearly not wanting to speak first this time. Jiang Yu cursed the old fox in his heart, then said, "I have only recently returned to the capital and have not been in the court for long, so I am not familiar with the princes."
In other words, I don't want to get involved in this.
The emperor hummed in agreement, his gaze falling on Prime Minister Pei Chengkun. Pei Chengkun could no longer feign drinking tea, and of course, Jiang Yu's words were inappropriate for him.
He said, "I believe that the Third Prince is the eldest son, and according to the law, he should be the Crown Prince."
The Emperor pondered his words, while Jiang Yu lowered his eyes and remained silent. In truth, the current Crown Prince was merely a target; the Emperor was in good health and could easily live for another decade or more.
For over a decade, this crown prince faced the emperor's suspicion and was framed and suppressed by his brothers. If he possessed exceptional abilities, he might have survived. But what if his abilities were average?
As far as Jiang Yu knew, this third prince was only of average ability. So, what did Pei Chengkun mean by this?
The emperor's gaze turned somewhat deep as he looked at Pei Chengkun, but Pei Chengkun's expression remained unchanged. He continued, "However, the selection of the crown prince ultimately depends on Your Majesty's decision."
The emperor hummed in agreement. “I think Xiao Ba is quite good. This child is filial and well-mannered. Although he is still young, I am in good health and can teach him for a few more years.”
The imperial study was quiet. Jiang Yu glanced at Pei Chengkun out of the corner of her eye and saw that his expression was calm, as if he was unmoved by the emperor's words. However, Jiang Yu noticed that his back had straightened and his body was somewhat tense.
Jiang Yu concluded that Pei Chengkun was colluding with Consort Su and the Qingshan Marquis's Mansion.
But what did the Emperor mean? Was he trying to use the Eighth Prince to test Pei Chengkun? Or was he using the Eighth Prince as a scapegoat? Or did he genuinely want the Eighth Prince to become the Crown Prince?
Jiang Yu had many thoughts running through her mind, but at this moment the emperor was competing with Pei Chengkun, and neither of them would pay much attention to her.
"In my opinion, the Eighth Prince is too young, and there are several princes above him. According to ancestral rites and laws, it would be against the rules to make the Eighth Prince the Crown Prince," Pei Chengkun said.
The emperor's face showed some anger. He said, "My dear minister, you just mentioned the matter of establishing a crown prince. Ultimately, it depends on my opinion."
Pei Chengkun quickly got up and knelt down, "Your Majesty, I am terrified. It is only right that Your Majesty decides who should be the Crown Prince. I am speaking of ancestral rites and laws."
The emperor narrowed his eyes. "Rise. The matter of establishing a crown prince is of great importance. Let's discuss it again."
Pei Chengkun stood up, and the emperor looked at Jiang Yu again and said, "You should pay attention to the matter of organizing some people to study weapons with Prince Rui, as mentioned before, and quickly organize the personnel."
"Yes," Jiang Yu quickly stood up and said.
"And what you said about setting up a department to manage...the economy, right?" The emperor was not familiar with the word "economy," but he thought it was a good word.
Jiang Yu nodded, "Yes, it's about the economy."
The emperor nodded, "Quickly draft the regulations, as well as the reform regulations for Jufeng Money Shop and other businesses."
Jiang Yu immediately replied, "Yes."
The Emperor said, "That's enough. You may all leave now."
Jiang Yu and Pei Chengkun bowed to the emperor, then left the imperial study and walked together out of the palace. Jiang Yu remained one step behind Pei Chengkun.
After walking for a while, Pei Chengkun stopped, turned to look at Jiang Yu, and asked, "Who does the Duke of Chu think is suitable to be the crown prince?"
Jiang Yu: "This matter is not in my jurisdiction. I know nothing about the court or the princes, so I cannot speak rashly."
Pei Chengkun looked at her and smiled, "I misunderstood."
He had indeed misjudged the situation. He thought that no matter how intelligent or composed Jiang Yu was, he was still just a young man in his early twenties. Having repeatedly rendered great service and become a favorite of the emperor, he was riding high on his success, and it was inevitable that he would become somewhat impulsive and act rashly.
But now it seems she is more clear-headed than anyone else.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager both favor the old Duke of Chu, and Jiang Yu is now appreciated by the Emperor. As long as the Duke of Chu's family remains loyal to the Emperor, they can continue to prosper as long as the Emperor is still in power.
Jiang Yu understood this matter very well.
He gave Jiang Yu a deep look, then turned and strode forward. Jiang Yu slowed her pace, putting some distance between them. Given the current situation, it was impossible for her to get along peacefully with Pei Chengkun. Moreover, he suspected Pei Chengkun of colluding with the Prince of Lingnan.
After leaving the palace, Pei Chengkun had already gone far away in his sedan chair, and Jiang Yu got into her own sedan chair to go home. Upon entering the mansion, Li Zhong came to report: "The Lady of Changping has arrived and is in the madam's courtyard. She says she insists on seeing you no matter what."
Jiang Yu frowned slightly. She had many things to do and didn't want to waste time on such trivial matters, so she wanted to refuse. Just then, she heard Li Zhong say again, "This Lady of Changping is a distant relative of Madam."
Jiang Yu gestured for him to speak, and then Li Zhong said, "This Lady Changping is the daughter of your maternal grandmother, Lady Anyuan, who is also your cousin."
Jiang Yu's face showed a hint of helplessness. This was just how things were in the world. Even if a relative came to her door after going through several roundabout ways, she still had to go see them.
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