Realizing he had said something he shouldn't have, Xu Jin wanted to slap himself immediately.
Shrinking his neck, he smiled even more obsequiously, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. "If Your Majesty has nothing else to do, this servant has many other tasks to perform and will take his leave now."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Go downstairs. Thank you for leading us this long way, Eunuch. Liuli, see Eunuch Xu out."
"Yes, father-in-law, this way please."
Xu Jin breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Sun Miaoqing's words and happily followed Liuli out.
The fact that his personal maid delivered it meant there was a red envelope to be had. Sure enough, as soon as he stepped out of the bedchamber, Liuli handed him a purse, so his efforts weren't in vain.
After leaving Changchun Immortal Hall, Xu Jin took out his purse and saw two silver peanuts, which were much larger than the usual ones.
It was worth all the effort he put into getting this opportunity; everyone says Consort Cheng is generous, and it's true.
It seems we'll have to move even faster around the Changchun Immortal Pavilion business in the future!
Inside the hall, Linglan saw that Sun Miaoqing was unhappy and advised, "Your Majesty, look at this Shu brocade, it's really different. The thrushes embroidered on it are just like the real ones."
"This is the first time I've ever seen bedding made of Shu brocade. How luxurious!"
Sun Miaoqing said, "It's true wealth. Just these two bolts of cloth are worth more than my annual monthly allowance."
"Aren't you short of silver? Take it and sell it! Sell it to Mongolia, North Korea, Burma, India, and then to England and France. This little bit of small-scale operation has no imperial grandeur whatsoever!"
"What do you mean it lacks the grandeur of an imperial family?"
The voice of the chubby orange cat came from outside the door. Sun Miaoqing frowned. Why hadn't anyone announced their arrival? The palace maids and eunuchs of the Yuanmingyuan were no match for the servants of the Chuxiu Palace.
No wonder they say walls have ears; they've grown ears today!
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Get up."
Sun Miaoqing stood up and saw Liuli following behind her, winking at her. She immediately said aggrievedly, "The Emperor is here. Why didn't you send someone to announce him? Why are you eavesdropping on me?"
Big Fatty's lips twitched. He'd been going to other people's palaces without being informed of his presence countless times. And no one seemed to have any complaints. Only Sun Miaoqing dared to bring it up to his face.
However, it's somewhat embarrassing to have this kind of thing pointed out by the other party.
The chubby orange cat turned its head away and looked awkwardly at the roof, as if flowers were growing on it.
"I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I didn't have anyone remind you. I just happened to overhear what you and Linglan were saying. What, were you saying something I couldn't bear to hear?"
Linglan knelt down in fear, keeping her head down and not daring to look up.
Sun Miaoqing stepped forward and took Da Pangju's arm, leading him to a chair to sit down. She wasn't afraid of others.
"Your Majesty, look how frightened Linglan is! I only have two maids who came with me as part of my dowry. What if they get scared out of their wits? I wouldn't be used to it if it were anyone else."
Big Fat Orange said, "The people around you have picked up some of your personality traits; they're not stupid."
Sun Miaoqing continued, "There is nothing that Your Majesty cannot hear. Even if you do not ask, I will still tell you."
The chubby orange said, "Since that's the case, then speak. I'm all ears."
Sun Miaoqing said, "I really like this Changchun Immortal Pavilion, especially this quilt made of Shu brocade. There are two of the same pattern, Your Majesty is very thoughtful."
Big Fat Orange understood what Sun Miaoqing meant, but pretended not to, "I'm glad you like it. I knew you would like it just by looking at the thrush embroidered on it."
Of course I like them, but I prefer them as clothes to bed sheets! Having been in the palace for so long, I don't believe you don't know that my favorite bed sheets are plain-colored silk without embroidery!
You wicked fat cat, you're always so biased!
It's good enough to have something, why be picky...
Big Orange thought to himself, "If these things were given to Consort Jing and the others, they would be so happy."
Sun Miaoqing continued, "On the way here, I secretly glanced at the street outside. Seeing the patched clothes on the people's bodies and their hair tied up with tattered strips of cloth, I felt truly heartbroken."
"This Shu brocade is quite valuable. If it were converted into silver, it would be enough for many families to live on for decades."
"Such good things are best sent to the palace, and even the less desirable ones are only used by imperial relatives and high-ranking officials."
"Isn't it said that those foreign barbarians love silk and porcelain the most? Why doesn't Your Majesty allow the Shu Textile Bureau to recruit more female workers and sell the Shu brocade produced to those countries?"
"In this way, Your Majesty will no longer have to worry about money! The people will have another way to make a living, and their lives will be better. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
After a moment of contemplation, the fat orange man did indeed intend to open a loophole in the sea ban, as this would benefit both the imperial court and the people.
But this was, after all, an imperial decree issued by the late emperor. If he were to issue a decree suddenly, I'm afraid those ministers would start arguing again.
Turning the prayer beads in his hand, Big Fat Orange felt that this matter was negotiable, but not now.
"I have already considered this matter, but to have not changed one's ways to one's father for three years is indeed filial piety. I have only been on the throne for two years, so let's wait a little longer."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Your Majesty, I don't want you to suffer any injustice. Most of the money in your private treasury is used to subsidize the court. What emperor lives as frugally as you?"
[Fat Orange (a nickname) is all talk and no action. What about filial piety? How can we win in the Northwest without money? How can we implement medical reform? What will we do when local areas encounter difficulties? How will we manage the annual military budget?]
[And how will the Old Summer Palace be repaired? Should the imperial mausoleums also be built frugally? Will birthday celebrations still be held? Should princes' weddings and the establishment of their own residences also be simplified? What will happen to the princesses' dowries?]
Big Fat Orange: !!! !!! !!!
Suddenly, I felt immense pressure. He clearly possessed the world and was incredibly wealthy. Why, when you calculate it this way, was he living worse than his younger brothers?
At least they don't have to spend money to subsidize the country, and their annual salaries and bonuses are exactly the same!
This comparison immediately revealed an imbalance.
The fat orange said, "I'll think about it some more. We should wait until the Northwest is pacified before making a decision."
"I'm going to see Consort Wan. You rest first."
After saying that, the big fat orange cat walked out, and the room became spacious again.
Linglan asked, "Your Majesty, does this mean the Emperor has given his permission?"
Sun Miaoqing said, "He will definitely agree. The reason he said there is no need to change the way of mourning after three years is just because he has only been on the throne for two years and people's hearts are not settled."
"The implementation of the land tax reform was fraught with contradictions. Because of the maritime ban, those who relied on it for smuggling were all powerful and wealthy people. Suddenly issuing an edict to open a loophole would cut off the source of income for countless people. It would be strange if there were no trouble."
"His Majesty wants to find someone to figure out what's going on here, and first find a way to deal with these people so he can make money in peace."
Sun Miaoqing recalled a history exam question she had taken before: it was true that the maritime ban was lifted in the early years of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, allowing trade with Southeast Asia.
By using Guangzhou as a trading port, they made a lot of money and also bribed the local people.
Although the big fat orange wasn't Emperor Yongzheng at heart, it was still wearing his skin.
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