At Deyang Palace, Lü Qiang, who had been summoned by Liu Hong, also rushed over in a hurry.
"This old minister pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
"Yes! Lü Qiang, Zhao Zhong brought back a batch of coal stoves and coal from Jizhou. Go to Nangongwai in a bit and have some men receive them!"
"promise!!"
Lu Qiang respectfully agreed, then asked, "Your Majesty, what should be done with these coal stoves and coal?"
Liu Hong raised his eyebrows and thought for a moment, then said, "The Grand Tutor, the Three Dukes, and the Nine Ministers, each should have two coal stoves and a thousand catties of coal sent to their homes, as well as to the Commandant of the Capital Region."
Each room in the barracks of the Imperial Guards, Tiger Guards, Northern Army, and Imperial Guards contained two people and a thousand catties of coal!
The same applies to the Imperial Academy, the doctoral students of the three colleges, and the colleges' dormitories!
Oh...and...there are separate rooms for the palace maids and eunuchs, and five hundred catties of coal!"
As Liu Hong finished speaking, Lü Qiang's face completely fell.
Before he could even figure out how to recoup his losses, the emperor generously gave away a significant portion of his wealth. This time, he was definitely going to suffer a huge loss.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Seeing that Lü Qiang had not responded for a long time, Liu Hong frowned.
"Your Majesty! I believe... it is sufficient to send them to the ministers, soldiers, and doctoral students."
As for the palace maids and eunuchs, let's just leave them out; after all... they can handle it!
After he finished speaking, Lü Qiang raised his head and cautiously looked at Liu Hong.
"When did you learn the ways of the Grand Minister of Agriculture? You've become so calculating!"
After saying that, Liu Hong couldn't help but give Lü Qiang a disgruntled look. Do all people who have been in charge of money for a long time become this stingy?
Lu Qiang was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Uh... I just wanted to..."
"What are you thinking? Palace maids and eunuchs are human too, they get cold too! When people are warm, they are in a better mood, and they have more energy to do things, don't you understand?"
Liu Hong glared at Lü Qiang and then said, "Besides, giving them some warmth and making them think well of you will also benefit you!"
"Your Majesty is right, I understand!"
Seeing that the emperor actually put himself in his shoes and thought of him, Lü Qiang was deeply moved.
Liu Hong nodded and said with a smile, "I understand, then go and do it!"
"promise!"
Watching Lü Qiang's departing figure, Liu Hong couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle softly.
In Chang Le Palace, Dou Miao, Lady Dong, Lady Yuan, Lady Song, and Lady Cao were chatting happily about everyday matters.
Their conversation mostly revolved around Liu Hong's food.
In this regard, Madam Dong was the most qualified to speak, and she recounted in detail all the foods that Liu Hong had loved to eat from childhood to the present, and the other ladies also carefully memorized them.
"Holy Mother, you just said that many of the dishes were prepared by His Majesty?"
Upon hearing the end, Madam Song couldn't help but look at Madam Dong with curiosity.
Madam Dong nodded and said with a smile, "Yes! The emperor has never liked the food made by the cooks in the Marquis's mansion since he was a child, so in his spare time he would go to the kitchen himself and make some new things! Then he would teach them the methods! I have learned quite a bit from him!"
Dou Miao, standing to the side, couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh? So the emperor is quite the gourmand?"
Madam Dong nodded, then lowered her voice and said, "Yes, once when I passed by his study, I heard him say something like: 'The pleasures of life are nothing more than good food and beautiful women!'"
"Oh? How old was he then?"
Dou Miao couldn't help but look at Madam Dong with curiosity.
After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Dong said, "It seems to have been when I was five years old!"
Upon hearing Dong's words, Dou Miao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Hehe~, this child, he already knows about beauties at the age of five??"
The three ladies standing nearby couldn't help but smile slightly; this emperor was indeed extraordinary.
"Sigh... Although children speak without thinking, perhaps that was the emperor's original ideal life! To be a carefree marquis and live a life without worries!"
After laughing, Dou Miao couldn't help but sigh as she thought of Liu Hong, who was busy with court affairs all day long.
"Yes, he also said that he always dreams of the people of the world, where everyone is well-fed and clothed, and he and his beautiful wives and concubines are enjoying a wonderful life!"
As she spoke, Madam Dong's eyes reddened. Although the food and lodging they had at the Marquis's residence were not as good as those in the palace, she could always see a genuine and happy smile on her son's face.
The three ladies standing nearby were at a loss for how to comfort the emperor's two mothers, and for a moment the Chang Le Palace fell silent.
Just then, Xiao Hong hurried in and bowed to Dou Miao and Madam Dong.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Zhao Zhong requests an audience!"
Dou Miao nodded. "Let him in!"
"promise!"
Before long, Zhao Zhong followed Xiao Hong into Chang Le Palace with a respectful expression.
"This servant greets the Empress Dowager! Holy Mother!"
"Why aren't you serving by the emperor's side? What brings you here?"
Looking at Zhao Zhong kneeling on the ground, Dou Miao couldn't help but ask.
Zhao Zhong bowed his head and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it has been cold recently. To prevent you and the Holy Mother from catching a cold, His Majesty has specially ordered me to bring you a coal stove and coal for heating!"
"Hmm! The Emperor is very kind. Bring it in!"
The two didn't think much of it; after all, their son had sent it out of concern for them, and it was a good thing nonetheless.
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