Shen Zhixiu's words caused an uproar among the people in the hall.
today?
Can he solve the disaster relief issue today?
How is this possible?
The court officials thought the same as Song Zan: could they produce silver and disaster relief supplies in just one night?
This disaster relief was different from previous ones. In the past, as long as you raised enough silver, you could buy something. But this time, what was needed was something practical to keep warm.
Just like charcoal and cotton, you can't get them just by having silver.
As for the jackets and skirts sold at Huajin Pavilion and the silver bone charcoal sold at Lin's Trading Company, no one took them seriously, thinking they were just lucky to have these goods this winter.
Emperor Xuande did the same, looking at Shen Zhixiu in surprise.
"What do you mean by this, Shen Qing? Have you come up with a solution?"
Shen Zhixiu nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed come up with a solution that can solve the problem of disaster relief without spending a single ounce of silver from the court."
Emperor Xuande's eyes lit up, "Shen Qing, tell me, what's your idea?"
Shen Zhixiu said loudly, "I asked around yesterday with merchants in Beijing, and they said Huajin Pavilion can provide over 300,000 cotton-padded clothes, which can basically cover all the disaster victims in Northern Zhili."
"Lin's Trading Company can provide sufficient charcoal. As for how many disaster victims it can take care of, we still need to carefully calculate it."
The capital was wealthy, and most families could survive the winter on their own. Conversely, the prefectures and counties north of Northern Zhili, as well as the northwest and Liaodong regions, were even more short of these cold-weather items.
Shen Zhixiu added, "I suggest that, in addition to Huajin Pavilion and the Lin family, all wealthy families in the capital should also donate as much warm clothing as possible."
For wealthy families, taking out some old cotton clothes was not a big deal. For example, the Shen family made new cotton clothes for their servants every year, and taking out the old clothes from the bottom of the box could also solve a big problem for the victims.
Yesterday, Feicui and the others were chatting about winter cotton clothing. Feicui said she still had her cotton clothing from years past, but it was old-fashioned and she didn't wear it anymore. Su Qingyu came up with this idea, which at least could help keep the disaster victims warm.
As for charcoal fires, Shen Zhixiu suggested that after the heavy snow, the prefectures and cities should organize yamen runners and local garrison soldiers to go up the mountain to cut wood and use it to keep the people warm.
Ordinary people cannot go up the mountain, but it is not difficult for soldiers.
Emperor Xuande nodded frequently with an expression of approval on his face.
Seeing that Shen Zhixiu had almost finished speaking, Li Jing said, "Master Shen's words make sense, but the premise is that we have to survive this heavy snow."
"You said Huajin Pavilion and Lin's Trading Company can provide cotton and charcoal, and I believe you. But can they give it to the court for free? Not even a tael of silver?"
Li Jing knew the relationship between the Lin family and Shen Zhixiu, and he also heard that Huajin Pavilion seemed to be the business of Mrs. Shen San's sister.
But let alone relatives, even if it was Shen Zhixiu's own business, he didn't believe he could give it to the court for free.
This is real money, no fake stuff.
Now, whoever has cotton and charcoal is equivalent to having a lot of silver in his account.
Even if it’s your biological father, he won’t give it to you for free.
Shen Zhixiu said, "These things were all bought with silver. They agreed to give them to the court, but the court couldn't let them give them away for free. So I came up with a solution that would neither make them suffer a loss nor strain the treasury."
Li Jing felt inexplicably panicked, and realized belatedly that he seemed to have been tricked by Shen Zhixiu.
"This is a matter of great importance, Lord Shen, please don't keep us in suspense."
Shen Zhixiu ignored Li Jing's sarcasm. After all, he was about to give away all his wealth, so he just let him say whatever he wanted.
"This is what I think. We will not give them silver for this disaster relief."
"But the supply of cotton and charcoal to the harem will be handed over to these two families."
"After all, they lost money this time, but we should at least let them make some money in the future. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Xuande immediately made a decision, "Shen Qing's idea is good. It not only solves the court's current predicament, but also prevents their efforts from being in vain."
"That's settled."
After saying this, he turned to look at the eunuch general manager Hu Lu, "Please remember this. After the disaster relief is over, let these two families contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
As for who was supplying these before and whose way of making money was blocked, it was not within Emperor Xuande's consideration at all.
The prince standing aside lowered his head, his eyes tightening.
The merchants who previously supplied cotton and charcoal to the palace were all my mother's people. If they were replaced by Shen Zhixiu, they would have to pay much less tribute every year.
But he couldn't interrupt at this time and could only take it slowly and step by step.
The prince cursed Li Chaoyun in his heart because it was because of her bad idea that not only did it fail to move Shen Zhixiu, but also blocked their way to get money.
Shen Zhixiu bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I have another matter to report. Shouldn't the merchants who supply medicinal herbs to the inner palace also contribute some to disaster relief? They earn money from the royal family, so they should also contribute a little at this time."
Emperor Xuande nodded and said, "Mr. Chen is absolutely right." He then asked Hu Lu, "Who provides the medicinal herbs in the palace now?"
Hu Lu bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it's He's Medicinal Herb Shop."
He Guangfu, the head of He's Medicinal Materials Store, was from a branch of the He family and a distant cousin of He Guangju, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple.
He Guangju, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, is Su Xiangling's biological uncle.
Those who knew the inside story knew that the actual person in charge of He's Herbal Medicine Store was He Guangju. Because He Guangju held an official position, it was not easy for him to do business directly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so he pushed He Guangfu out.
The He family was the first to leave, and through the connections of the current Leng Cairen, they took over the palace's medicinal herb business. Later, they brought the third daughter, He Jiaojiao, to the Xianfei, allowing He Jiaojiao to enter the Eastern Palace smoothly.
The Crown Prince, standing silently on the side, breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Shen Zhixiu hadn't suggested finding a new herbal medicine store, otherwise the losses would have been even greater. It was a shame that the two companies that supplied the palace with cotton and charcoal were running low on stock, otherwise this wouldn't have been necessary.
Afterwards, Emperor Xuande ordered that if the He family was willing to provide disaster relief, that would be the best; if not, the imperial merchant would be replaced.
Shen Zhixiu straightened up with satisfaction, glanced at Li Jing, and said.
"Your Majesty, who should be sent to recover the money from Censor Li's family?"
"How about having Commander Fuyi of the Dragon Guard go there in person?"
Shen Zhixiu's words directly cut off Li Yushi's retreat.
When Emperor Xuande agreed to Shen Zhixiu's proposal, Censor Li decided to hide the silver after returning home and finally take out 100,000 or 200,000 taels to deal with the matter. Although he felt bad, he would not hurt the vitality of the Li family.
However, he didn't expect that Shen Zhixiu didn't give him any chance at all, and made it clear that he wanted to take the cash from the Li family immediately.
Li Jing suddenly felt a chill down his spine. If the silver in his family was carried to Ganyang Palace...
He didn't dare to think about it.
Whenever I think of that scene, I feel dizzy.
Emperor Xuande looked at Li Jing and asked, "What does Censor Li say? Do you want to admit defeat?"
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