Chapter 121: Want to steal my money?
When the emperor heard this, his eyes immediately fell on Xiao Changheng.
Xiao Changheng glanced at the prince calmly and said in a deep voice:
"I thought that forming an alliance with the Kingdom of Jing in exchange for grain would save a lot of money. Now that the national treasury has reached the point where it needs the officials to donate money, why do we have to buy grain at three times the market price?"
The emperor looked a little unhappy, and was about to speak when Xiao Changheng said:
"In addition, the Northwest Army is in urgent need of not only food and fodder, but also military pay. As soon as I received the news, I paid 100,000 taels of silver out of my own pocket. The bill has been sent to the Ministry of Revenue. I was afraid that the emperor would worry and hurt his health, so I did not report this matter before."
"I know that the army cannot go without food for a day, so I collected another 50,000 taels and sent people to the towns and people in the northwest to collect food. Although it is a drop in the bucket, it can at least last another half a month and make time for the south to transfer food."
"But in this case, I don't have any extra money in my hand now."
The emperor was stunned, and his expression softened:
"So that's how it is. Changheng has devoted himself to the country for many years. I didn't expect that you have done so much quietly this time. I am so relieved!"
Xiao Zirui had just donated 10,000 taels of silver to Daqi and was very proud of it. He wanted to use this to force the Regent to pay.
Unexpectedly, he was shown off his achievements in front of the emperor. He was so angry that he couldn't show it, and he almost vomited blood.
The Minister of War said:
"Your Majesty, since the Regent has already paid for the military supplies with 15 days' time, I think the prince's plan to go to the southern Jing Kingdom to transfer food must be a sure thing."
"Although the time is tight, it is not completely unfeasible. I support the Regent's plan. Please grant it, Your Majesty!"
As soon as he took the lead, several other ministers agreed:
"I second the motion."
"I second this motion!"
The emperor was in hesitation.
Xiao Zirui's face was as dark as ink, and he said loudly:
"Father! Jingguo is a long and arduous country with too many variables. If we fail, won't the Northwest Army be in a desperate situation?"
"My son's plan to purchase grain is the most foolproof one. Please think twice, father!"
The Queen frowned for a moment and said:
"I just arrived. You said the Regent already had a plan. What's going on here?"
She glanced at Xiao Zirui meaningfully:
"If the Regent's plan is indeed feasible and can save money, there is no need to argue about it."
Xiao Zirui took a deep breath and told Xiao Changheng about his plan. He couldn't help but say with some sarcasm at the end:
"Does the emperor's uncle think that transferring grain from the southern border to the northwest border is a good idea?"
The queen listened quietly and finally understood the whole story.
A gleam of light suddenly flashed in her eyes, and she smiled:
"In fact, let him give it a try."
The emperor, who was already wavering, immediately perked up after hearing her say this:
"Oh? Does the Queen also think the Regent's plan is feasible?"
The Queen smiled:
"I just thought that although this matter sounds outrageous, since the Regent and the Princess think it can be done, as long as they are willing to issue a military order to prove that they are absolutely sure of this matter, then it will be fine."
"This..." The emperor hesitated slightly.
Xiao Changheng's brows furrowed:
"I am willing to issue a military order, but the princess was originally invited by me to help. How can I let a woman like her issue a military order for the affairs of Daliang? If this gets out, how will people view the Daliang royal family? I am solely responsible for this matter!"
"That's great!" The Queen smiled with satisfaction. "Your Majesty, since the Regent has said so himself, I also support the Regent's plan."
Xiao Zirui looked at the Queen in shock and tried to speak several times, but finally shut up sullenly after receiving a warning look from the Queen.
The emperor looked at Xiao Changheng, still somewhat worried:
"Royal brother, your journey is long and I don't know if it will go smoothly. Are you sure you can issue a military order?"
Xiao Changheng glanced at Yun Qingqing and said seriously:
"I am willing to issue a military order. If you cannot transfer the food and grass back to the imperial capital within half a month, you will be beheaded!"
All the ministers gasped, and even the queen was a little surprised.
But the emperor gave him a glare:
"What do you mean you're bringing your head to me? You're my own brother. Can I really take your life for something like this?"
"The military order must be issued, but the punishment for not completing the mission..."
The emperor hesitated for a moment, and the queen quickly spoke:
"Your Majesty, since it is a military order, we naturally cannot play it too much. How about handing over the military order and confining yourself to the palace for half a year?"
The emperor hesitated for a moment and nodded:
"Let's do it this way."
He called someone to bring pen and paper on the spot, and asked Xiao Changheng to sign a military order in front of everyone.
The matter has finally been settled.
All the ministers thought that the matter had come to an end and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the issue of donating silver had finally not been mentioned again.
Xiao Zirui only wanted to leave as soon as possible and privately ask his mother what the matter was and why she supported the Regent.
However, just when the emperor was about to adjourn the meeting, the queen suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, since there can be no mistakes in the matter of military rations, it would be risky to rely solely on the regent."
"I still think that we can buy some grain from the wealthy merchants as a backup. In case the grain from Jingguo cannot be delivered in time, these grains can be used as an emergency."
"We don't need to buy so much grain for now. If everything goes well with the Regent, this grain will be added to the national treasury. There will always be a time when it can be used."
When the emperor heard this, he immediately said:
"What the Queen said is very true. Then let's mobilize all civil and military officials to donate silver at the grand court meeting tomorrow, and let the Crown Prince take care of this matter."
Ministers: ...
Well, in the end you still have to donate money.
However, since the Queen said that it was just for backup and there was no need to buy so much grain, they thought the amount to be distributed to all officials was acceptable, so they didn't say much.
Yun Qingqing thought that the meeting was over and it was time to adjourn.
However, the queen suddenly looked at Yun Qingqing and said with a smile:
"I heard that the Regent Princess's grandfather is the richest man in Jiangbei. On the day of your wedding, your dowry had two rows and stretched out two blocks."
"Now that the country is in trouble, all civil and military officials must donate money. I will also mobilize the concubines in the harem to donate part of the expenses. I believe that since the Regent Princess's family is wealthy, she will not ignore this, right?"
Xiao Changheng's face suddenly turned cold.
But before he could explode, Yun Qingqing suddenly chuckled and spoke first:
"This is easy to do. Isn't it just donating some silver to buy grain? As long as His Royal Highness can successfully buy the grain, I can cover all the money he spends!"
Many people present gasped.
Xiao Changheng grabbed Yun Qingqing's hand and looked at her with wide eyes.
Yun Qingqing understood his meaning clearly.
——Do you know what you are talking about? Is it necessary for a woman like you to rush to the front and take on all the responsibilities? Do you think I am just a decoration?
Yun Qingqing blinked at him:
——Why are you in such a hurry? Since the Queen and the Crown Prince have plotted against me, just let them be happy first.
Xiao Changheng looked at her heartlessly, curled the corners of his lips, narrowed his eyes, withdrew his hand and stopped trying to stop her.
I always feel that every time she smiles like this, someone is going to be in trouble.
It shouldn't be an illusion.
The emperor was very surprised, he didn't quite believe it but also had some expectations:
"Princess Regent, this is no joke. Are you really willing to pay all the money for the grain?"
Yun Qingqing looked at the emperor and smiled slightly:
"Your Majesty, I am a bit like my grandfather. I can be generous, but I will never be taken advantage of."
"I can pay the prince for the grain, but I can't give it to him first. When he places the grain in front of me for inspection, I must pay him in cash without missing a cent."
If he wants to get money from this princess, he has to be able to buy the food back!
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