"A way out?"
Chang En was shocked and confused. There was no way out of this kind of thing that would cut off someone's financial resources and offend a large group of powerful families and make them hate him.
Today is a carnival day for goldfish.
Gu Jiu had already spilled half of the fish food in the food box.
She said to Chang En, "Tell those mine owners whose mines have been seized that there are mines overseas, not only iron mines, but also gold mines. There are mines in the northwest, and there are also a lot of ranches. Whoever has the ability to run a ranch thousands of miles away, I will give it to him."
Chang En was dumbfounded.
Gu Jiu smiled and asked him, "Is this retreat satisfactory to Eunuch Chang?"
Chang En was speechless, "Has His Majesty agreed?"
"Such a major matter, of course, requires His Majesty's approval."
Chang En rubbed his brows and said, "I need to think about it."
Gu Jiu chuckled, "Do you think I'm just daydreaming? There are mines overseas; that's the truth, not a lie. There are mines and pastures in the northwest; that's also the truth. Beirong was driven out of the prairie. If Da Zhou doesn't occupy that vast prairie, sooner or later a second Beirong will grow there. When they run out of food, they'll go south to plunder, becoming a real threat to Da Zhou."
Therefore, the imperial court couldn't just leave the prairie unattended. It would be a shame to waste such a vast expanse of land. However, the imperial court was far away, with limited personnel and financial resources. What could it do? It could only use greedy individuals to seize the prairie on its behalf.
Those who dare to exploit mines privately are arguably the most greedy people in the world. For the sake of money, they risk their lives, daring to do what others wouldn't. The vast prairie lands of the Northwest, with their own pastures and countless minerals waiting to be mined, are incredibly tempting. With just Eunuch Chang's eloquence and some persuasion, he's sure to convince a group of people to take the risk and head to the prairie.
Chang En was under great pressure. "What's the point of being overseas?"
Gu Jiu said, "Overseas, there are mountains of gold and silver, vast lands, fertile fields that can harvest three crops a year, vast forests that block out the sun, giant trees that are hundreds or even thousands of years old, and all kinds of rare things. The only problem is that the local natives refuse to listen to education and are as barbaric as savages.
This palace promises that anyone who possesses a mineral deposit will be allowed to mine it for a hundred years. Anyone who possesses a piece of land will own it, and the court will provide proof of ownership. This private property can be passed down through generations.
I can even promise to appoint them as officials stationed overseas by the imperial court, starting at the sixth rank, and they will appoint their own subordinates. Those heading to the northwestern prairie will receive the same treatment: they will be appointed as officials stationed in the prairie by the imperial court, starting at the sixth rank, and the Ministry of Personnel will give them official documents.”
This is a big deal.
This was equivalent to occupying those enclaves, disregarding the dignity of the imperial court and even abandoning the imperial power, directly mobilizing civilian forces and using civilians to seize territory. Later, when the overall situation was settled, the imperial court would then enter these enclaves.
Chang En questioned, "Have you ever considered that once these greedy people occupy overseas and the prairie, they will definitely not give up the interests and rights they have obtained?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I don't need them to give up their rights and interests. I just need to take a rope and tie everyone to a chain of interests. After all, individual strength cannot match the power of the court. Therefore, while they are growing stronger overseas in the prairie, the court must also be proactive, cultivate itself, and strengthen its power."
Chang En asked carefully, "Have you ever thought about the reaction of the court officials?"
Gu Jiu said, "The officials in the court have gradually become clear. One group is proactive and willing to accept new things and new ideas. The other group is stubbornly conservative, clinging to the ancestral family rules and refusing to compromise. All the disputes in the court now, in the final analysis, are a struggle of ideologies. Should we be proactive or conservative?
Your Majesty has no intention of disrupting this current situation, as the court needs diverse voices, yet cannot condone the expansion of the conservative faction's sphere of influence. Therefore, I have anticipated the courtiers' reactions and have measures in place to counter them. The prerequisite is that you complete the tasks assigned to you without compromise and avoid unnecessary complications."
Chang En felt more and more stressed because of the heavy responsibility he had. "I am afraid that I will fail the Majesty's trust."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I believe you have this ability, and I have high hopes for you. Whether the Great Zhou can once again achieve prosperity and embark on a different path requires the efforts of each of us. I believe that if Emperor Chengzong Wende were still alive, he would agree with my decision."
Chang En's lips opened and closed. "Is the Northwest Army leaving?"
"Eunuch Chang is indeed perceptive. The imperial court will soon receive news that Xiliang has invaded again, and the Northwest Army has been ordered to counterattack."
Chang En was stunned at first, then suddenly realized, "I see! No wonder the Queen wants to conduct a mineral inventory and drive the greedy mine owners to the northwest grasslands."
"Just keep it to yourself, don't tell anyone." Gu Jiu reminded him.
Chang En bowed and accepted the order, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I won't reveal a single word."
"Empress, the Queen Mother and Princess Duan are here." Ma Xiaoliu stepped forward and reminded in a low voice.
Xu Yousi was sent out to do something, so Gu Jiu called Ma Xiaoliu back to serve him.
When Chang En heard this, he quickly said goodbye.
Gu Jiu waved his hand. "Go and get busy. The old Imperial College building has been vacated and staff have moved in, waiting for you, the chief steward, to take up your post. Regarding the mineral inventory, please consult with the Minister of the Household. Once you have reached a conclusion, remember to submit the plan to me."
"I obey your command!"
Chang En left in a hurry, avoiding Empress Dowager Pei and Princess Duan Xiao Qin'er.
Gu Jiu went up to greet her, "Greetings, Mother. How is your health lately? Are the palace maids taking good care of you?"
Empress Dowager Pei said cheerfully, "Thank you for your concern, Queen. I'm doing fine. It's not hot today, so I went out for a walk. It's a relief that Qin'er came into the palace to accompany me."
"Greetings to the Queen!" Xiao Qin'er bowed.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "You're welcome, sister-in-law. I'll accompany mother to visit the Imperial Garden."
"You're thoughtful." Empress Dowager Pei smiled. "Everything is fine now, except that this palace is too lonely. There are only a few of us living in such a large harem. It's a good thing that Qin'er brings the children to the palace every few days to pay her respects."
Xiao Qin'er lowered her head and said, "It's my duty."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "My Queen Mother thinks the harem is deserted. How about I issue an imperial decree and ask the ladies of the imperial court to take turns to come to the palace to talk to her?"
"No, no, no, that's not necessary." Queen Mother Pei waved her hands repeatedly, "If you find a wife for Yu Ge'er sooner, the palace will be a little more lively."
It's not that Empress Dowager Pei hadn't thought about selecting a concubine for Liu Zhao, but after last year's confinement to Weiyang Palace, she no longer had the courage to interfere in the affairs of Liu Zhao and Gu Jiu.
And after she tested him many times, Gu Jiu became the queen, and she was as tough and uncompromising as ever.
Select concubines for Liu Zhao and set up a harem?
hehe!
She was afraid that Gu Jiu would kill her as soon as she opened her mouth.
Throughout the dynasties, it is rare to find a queen as tough as Gu Jiu.
But Liu Zhao continued to indulge him as always.
If an emperor is so henpecked, he won’t be afraid of being ridiculed a hundred years later.
Sometimes, Empress Dowager Pei became angrier the more she thought about it.
I wish I could go back to twenty years ago and stop Liu Zhao from marrying Gu Jiu at all costs.
The empress was not tolerant and generous, so the emperor didn't even dare to sleep with a palace maid, let alone open a harem.
Empress Dowager Pei really wanted to laugh at Liu Zhao, saying that he lived such a miserable life.
But she endured it.
She doesn't count on Liu Zhao, so now she counts on Liu Yu.
"Brother Yu is already grown up. As his mother, shouldn't you also make some plans for him?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Thank you, mother, for your concern for Yu Ge'er. But his marriage is not urgent for the time being."
"Why not? People around his age already have children." Empress Dowager Pei was really anxious.
Gu Jiu said, "He is a prince, and he has his own responsibilities. Your Majesty and I have our own plans for his marriage."
Empress Dowager Pei speculated, "Could it be that there are no suitable candidates? There isn't a single girl from a noble family that you like?"
Gu Jiu said, "It's only the second year of Jingming. The court is in a state of flux and the situation is unpredictable. Let's wait a few more years for Yu Ge'er's marriage."
Empress Dowager Pei frowned.
Xiao Qin'er quickly stepped in to change the subject, "I met with my third brother's wife yesterday, and there was trouble at their house again. I felt tired for her."
"What happened at the Third Master's house?" Empress Dowager Pei was indeed attracted by Xiao Qin'er's topic.
When you get older, you like to be lively and you like to watch others having fun.
The third child, Liu Yan, was born out of wedlock, and when trouble broke out in the third child's house, she had no sympathy at all. Instead, she watched the excitement with great interest.
Xiao Qin'er pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "My third sister-in-law owns a herbal medicine shop. Some time ago, an accident happened and someone died after eating the herbs in the shop."
"How come I haven't heard of such a big thing?" Empress Dowager Pei was extremely surprised.
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and waited for the next words.
Xiao Qin'er said, "My daughter-in-law only heard about this a couple of days ago. If someone died from taking medicinal herbs, there must be an investigation. After much investigation, they finally found the cause, which led to Cai's involvement."
Cai, Liu Yan's first wife.
Her dowry nanny poisoned her and Liu Yan, but the truth was revealed and the Cai family was implicated.
Later, the Cai family was confiscated and exiled. Emperor Chengzong Wende demoted Cai to Baolin and married Cui to Liu Yan.
"After so many years, Cai is still alive?" Empress Dowager Pei asked, surprised that Cai was still alive.
Xiao Qin'er said: "He has been alive and well, not dead."
Empress Dowager Pei questioned, "How did the investigation lead to Cai? She's a woman from the inner chambers. Could she possibly have swapped herbs from the herbal medicine shop?"
Xiao Qin'er said, "She doesn't need to replace the herbs in the herbal medicine shop. She just needs to buy a life, buy someone who is willing to die for money, and frame the herbal medicine shop of my third brother and sister-in-law."
Empress Dowager Pei nodded in understanding. "What good would it be for her to do this?"
Xiao Qin'er said solemnly, "Because she's sick, the herbs came from my third sister-in-law's herbal medicine shop. She's been yelling that my third sister-in-law is trying to harm her and that the herbs are poisonous. If it weren't for the Jingzhao Yin's keen observation, her evil scheme might have succeeded. My third sister-in-law came to me yesterday and cried, saying that when the incident first happened, the third brother didn't trust her and even believed what Cai said. She felt very wronged and came to me and cried for a long time."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
Crackdown in progress
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
