“It’s going to cost something.”
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was stunned. He felt that what Empress Zhang said made sense. Then he nodded and said, "Then let's follow last year's example. Let's not change the rules."
Empress Zhang nodded and said helplessly, "Then I will obey your Majesty."
Zhu Youxiao also remembered something else, that is, he should do something else. He asked, "The prince's hundredth day is coming soon, right?"
Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Empress Zhang nodded and said, "It will be soon indeed."
"Then we should hold a hundred-day banquet." Zhu Youxiao said after thinking for a while.
Hearing this, how could Empress Zhang not know what the Emperor was thinking?
This is a psychological imbalance. Giving rewards to officials without receiving any return money makes one feel unhappy.
Empress Zhang knew her husband, the emperor, very well. He loved money and was very generous with his money, never stingy.
For example, the Academy of Hundred Craftsmen and the New Army were both big spenders, but he poured money into them without hesitation, throwing in millions or even tens of millions of taels without even frowning.
However, he was very stingy when it came to some expenses, such as rewards for his ministers, and he would frown when making clothes together. He felt very distressed when the palace spent a little money.
Empress Zhang knew this was a good thing, after all, the emperor had learned to be frugal. But she couldn't go too far.
It's fine to have four dishes and a soup for each meal, and it's fine to save some money during the Mid-Autumn Festival. But if you want to hold a hundred-day banquet, isn't that clearly asking for money from the ministers?
How is this possible?
This is definitely not something the emperor can do.
Empress Zhang said, "We can just do it in the palace."
Zhu Youxiao was helpless, as he knew that this matter would not succeed.
If I get the word out, I'm sure there will be a lot of support. But I can't do this. I'll be criticized behind my back. Not good, not good.
But it is still possible to do it inside the palace.
Zhu Youxiao said, "Then let's hold it in the palace and invite some of the royal family members to the palace. If we hold it in the palace, we don't need to invite anyone else. I practice frugality and cannot break the rules."
Seeing Zhu Youxiao's distressed look, Empress Zhang almost laughed out loud.
However, Empress Zhang didn't dare to laugh. She glanced at the map behind her and said directly, "I will take care of this matter. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "The imperial kitchen has just received a batch of lambs, and we'll have roasted whole lamb tonight. Invite Concubine Tian and Concubine Yuan to come along and eat with you."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Empress Zhang agreed and said, "I will arrange it when I return."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and watched Empress Zhang leave, his face gradually becoming serious.
Zhu Youxiao looked at Chen Hong and said directly, "Go and find Zhao Bingzhong, Chen Qiyu, and Chen Sihai."
Hearing that the emperor was looking for these three people, Chen Hong's heart trembled. Something bad was going to happen!
In the current Ming Dynasty, there are several officials with great reputations, including Zhao Bingzhong, Chen Qiyu, and Chen Sihai. These three people can be said to be famous.
Zhao Bingzhong and Chen Sihai, their reputations were built up from countless official hats. These two were widely criticized, some even directly described as cruel officials comparable to Lai Junchen, framing and slandering others, using whatever means they could think of. They were not good people at all.
The reputation of both of them is even worse than that of the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang.
As for Chen Qiuyu, everyone kept their distance from him.
When he was an official in Henan, Chen Qiuyu single-handedly overturned the entire officialdom of Henan, and by the way, overthrew Prince Fu. It can be said that he was very famous.
Chen Qiyu, now the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, was at the peak of his powers. He enforced the law strictly in the capital, punishing offenders without mercy. Such a person inspired both fear and hatred.
The combination of these three is a powerful weapon in the Ming officialdom. In such a situation, no one dares to ignore these three.
Now the emperor wants to call all three of them here, something is going to happen.
Chen Hong ran out quickly.
He dared not neglect this matter. If it delayed the emperor's business, he would be doomed.
When Chen Qiuyu and the other two were called over, they were all confused.
What is this for?
Could it be that His Majesty is going to investigate someone again?
Judging from the current situation, it seems that he is someone from the capital?
However, Chen Qiuyu and the other two did not ask each other, as it would not be good to collude privately.
After entering the hall together, Chen Qiyu and the other two hurriedly bowed and saluted, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you."
Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Qiyu and the other two, waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite."
After the three of them stood up, Zhu Youxiao continued, "I called you three here because I have something I want to discuss with you."
Chen Qiuyu and the other two bowed their heads and listened, waiting for Zhu Youxiao to assign them tasks.
"Recently, someone filed a petition impeaching the emperor, saying that a lot of land in the capital was unidentified and had been occupied. The nobles and their relatives were acting lawlessly, occupying land that clearly wasn't theirs. This kind of thing is very common."
"I also think this matter is not advisable, so I called you here to investigate it thoroughly."
Zhu Youxiao walked down the steps, saying, "However, this will offend some people. This task is not easy to handle, and I am not confident in entrusting it to others, so I can only entrust it to you."
As for Chen Qiyu and the other two, Zhu Youxiao could be said to be very protective of them and would not easily send them out unless it was absolutely necessary.
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