It was a clear and windy day.
On one side of the imperial palace, all the ministers gathered.
There is a large table on top, and three long tables form a rectangle at the other ends.
In the center of the square is a golden copper tube.
A red silk was tied at the bend of the copper pipe, wrapping it tightly.
The atmosphere was relaxed, and all the ministers had smiles on their faces and talked in low voices.
Occasionally someone would eat the snacks on the table.
Fang Zhengyi sat at the first seat at the long table on the left, squinting his eyes and stroking his beard slowly.
The official beside him stood between his chair and the chair of another cabinet member, bowing and reporting in a low voice.
"Sir, the revenue and expenditure of Dongling, Yuntai, and Nanchuan provinces were submitted the night before. I have seen that the ordinary expenses of each government office have not been reduced, but have increased. However, there are many unreasonable items in the list... Should I send a letter immediately to urge them to do so?"
"Alas..." Fang Zhengyi sighed softly, "You said there's no way to deal with this matter now. I haven't even read anything yet... Does the Emperor know about this?"
"Your Majesty also knew about it yesterday, and told you to see it all, so there was no need to look for him. You were not here yesterday, so I just..."
"What about the Ministry of Revenue? Have you gone to talk to them?"
"The Ministry of Revenue also complained and was unwilling to cooperate. In my opinion... it is better to start from a small point. The government offices in various places have built dining halls. Except for the capital, the dining halls in various places should be cut. The court is giving them rice as salary, so there is no need to build a restaurant for them. When it was planned to be built, I felt that this was inappropriate."
"What's wrong with that?" Fang Zhengyi raised his eyelids slightly. "First, it controls the budget. Second, it forces local officials to eat in the cafeteria as part of their assessment. The people can see them and eat in the cafeteria. Even if they hide out of the 365 days of the year, they can still see the people 100 days a year."
"If those useless people below want to do whatever they want and create some injustice that will be remembered for eternity, it will be convenient for the people to stab them to death without having to find them."
"Hey! Sir, you..."
"Xiao Li, I was the one who pushed for this matter. Do you have any problem with me?"
"No, no." The official said helplessly, "How dare I, Lord? If the budget is not strictly enforced, I think it would be best to start from small things."
"We have to start from small things, but don't worry about the food. Many officials still think the canteen is good, after all, it doesn't cost money, and the rich also want to take advantage. If they don't eat well, they will have to make trouble for the people below. The court doesn't lack this money, so let's put this matter aside for now."
"If you have the heart to do so, why don't you go to Yuntai for me? The rainy season is coming soon. Last year's flood was quite serious. I'll write you a note to go and see how the riverbank is being repaired. By the way, you can also inspect the local situation and see what happens in a year or so."
"Ah?" The official shrank his neck and said with a bitter face, "Sir, I really have no objection to you building that canteen. The matter of the river below..."
"I say..." Fang Zheng turned his head impatiently, "What are you thinking about? I just asked you to go and take a look, not to send you there and not let you come back. Do you still want to make progress?"
"I'll go, I'll go!"
"That's all..." Fang Zheng picked up the tea on the table and took a sip slowly.
Li Yuanzhao, who was in the correct position, glanced over and waved his hand towards him.
Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, put on his official robe and walked over.
The eunuch next to Li Yuanzhao immediately brought a chair over.
"Sit down, sit down, Lao Fang, sit down!" Li Yuanzhao said with a smile.
Fang Zheng smiled as he sat down: "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
"No, when will it start? I'm tired of waiting." Li Yuanzhao asked in a low voice.
"Soon, it should be ready soon, Your Majesty, please be patient." Fang Zheng lightly pressed his right hand, "We have waited for a year, so a little more time won't hurt, right?"
"Yes, I have something else to ask you... How much of the palace budget do you plan to give me next year?"
Fang Zhengyi sighed and said, "Why do you want money again? How much does Your Majesty want?"
"At least one million more than last year. You know that my research on the four-wheeled vehicle cost a lot of money, so give me more."
"Your Majesty... Don't you have property? The money from the court is all for the people. Not to mention the old ministries, now there are relief halls, orphanages, medical bureaus... and the newly established Urban Planning Institute. There is money everywhere. It's hard for me to be in charge."
"Am I still an emperor? Do I still enjoy being one? I have to beg you for money to build a car. It's not like I'm using the money to build a Taoist temple or a Buddhist temple, or to raise wild beasts for fighting shows. This is my job!" Li Yuanzhao slammed the table in anger.
"Then I quit. Your Majesty, please find someone else. I'm retiring and returning to my hometown." Fang Zheng put his hands in his sleeves, sat on the chair and started to fuss.
"Hey! Don't worry... You're in a hurry again. If you leave, will there be a lot of trouble for me to deal with?!" Li Yuanzhao stretched out his hand to pull him, "Don't talk about anything else. Just tell me whether you will give me the money or not."
"Give it to... Your Majesty, how can I not give it to you?" Fang Zheng was extremely helpless. "But just this once, and you can't increase it any more. How about I pay one million as a shareholder?"
"Tsk, you should have said no earlier. You're getting more and more procrastinating as you get older, always trying to pinch pennies. You were so generous when you were young! You're nothing now!" Li Yuanzhao said, spreading his hands.
"Times have changed, Your Majesty. We must always follow the law and abide by the law! No one is exempt from this. Otherwise, everyone will be led into trouble if someone makes a mistake and follows suit."
"Humph, only you dare to talk to me like that."
Fang Zhengyi smiled bitterly and shook his head.
At this moment, a eunuch trotted forward and shouted, "Your Majesty, be ready, Lord."
Li Yuanzhao glanced at Fang Zhengyi.
Fang Zhengyi smiled slightly, extended his hand to Li Yuanzhao, and pointed to the copper pipe in the middle of the open space.
Li Yuanzhao stood up, put away his dragon robe, and strode towards the copper pipes with great joy.
When the emperor stood still, all the officials fell silent.
Fang Zhengyi said loudly: "Everyone, His Majesty summoned you all here today. I believe you must have made up your mind about what it is."
"A year ago, Dongjiao University painstakingly designed a complete water supply system, which has been completed today. All water pipes have been laid, and all government offices and houses in the palace have been equipped with water outlets.
"Since ancient times, the palace relied on wells in the inner city and rivers and lakes outside the city for water. However, it was time-consuming and labor-intensive to draw water, and the trips by boat and carriage were very labor-intensive. Now that this new method has been completed, water can be obtained wherever you go, saving labor and time. Such a system will not only benefit the needs of the palace, but can also be promoted to all prefectures and cities across the country, benefiting the people. It is indeed a great event that will be recorded in history."
"Your Majesty, please start the water dragon and leave your achievements for eternity!"
All the ministers congratulated him, and Li Yuanzhao laughed out loud and reached out to tear off the red silk covering the faucet.
Then turn the valve naturally.
Under everyone's nervous gaze, the faucet made a puffing sound after waiting for a few seconds.
After another three or two seconds...a clear stream of water gushed out!
"good!!!!"
The whole audience was filled with joy and cheered.
......
(Two more chapters tomorrow)
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