Still dizzy? That means the benefits aren't enough.
The chubby orange continued, "Your brother has just settled in Tongzhou, so it's not appropriate for me to move him to another place immediately."
"Once he has achieved some success, I will naturally make appropriate arrangements. For now, I will grant him a thousand acres of fertile land, plus the honorary title of Grand Master of the Imperial Academy. What does Consort Cheng think?"
(The title "Lantai Temple Official" is a fictional official position based on the novel *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and it did not exist in the Ming and Qing dynasties.)
Sun Miaoqing's eyes lit up. Although it was a nominal position, it was still a second-rank official position, something many people strive for their entire lives but never achieve.
With this on him, he wouldn't need to bow his head when meeting the Governor-General of Zhejiang. However, the current Governor-General of Zhejiang is Li Wei, and Sun Zhuhe is probably no match for him, so it's best to be more discreet.
Sun Miaoqing said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am much better now."
"Although my head is no longer dizzy, I suddenly feel a bit weak again, which I guess is because I overworked myself a few days ago."
The chubby orange said, "Consort Cheng's health is not very good. Regarding the matter of the sea ban that you mentioned last time, I already have some ideas in mind."
"If you can't handle this much exhaustion, how will you manage to keep up with everything else?"
Sun Miaoqing exclaimed with delight, "His Majesty is preparing to lift the sea ban! When? In Guangzhou or somewhere else?"
Big Fat Orange said, "I've just made this plan in my mind. Just keep it to yourself and don't tell anyone."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I understand the principle that if the ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if the ministers are not discreet, they will lose their lives; and if secrets are not kept, they will cause harm."
"I definitely won't mention it to anyone!"
The fat orange man was deeply suspicious of this, but he was determined to do it. As early as the beginning of his reign, he had arranged for his trusted confidants to work there, and they had already gotten a good grasp of many things.
While everyone's attention was focused on smallpox vaccination, hundreds of people had already lost their lives in Guangdong and Zhejiang, as a kind of sacrifice before setting sail.
The news will soon reach the capital, and it will surely cause a great stir in the imperial court.
If we can take advantage of this storm and imprison the Tenth Prince in the Imperial Clan Court, and clean up those traitors again, then his imperial power will be truly secure and as stable as Mount Tai!
The chubby orange cat said, "If I didn't trust you, why would I tell you?"
"Once the maritime ban is lifted, there will inevitably be a lot of trade with overseas countries. This time, I do not intend to allow private merchants to participate; the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Merchants will be in charge."
"I also have a stake in those businesses under your name, so they can be considered royal properties."
"I can arrange for your people to be included as well, and they will be exempt from taxes for ten years, and only need to pay half for the next twenty years. Consort Cheng, do you still feel tired after that?"
Sun Miaoqing looked at the big, fat orange cat as if it were a lucky cat; she had never found it so pleasing to the eye.
"Your Majesty is truly a reincarnation of Hua Tuo, with superb medical skills. You have made me feel light and healthy with ease. I am in awe."
Big Fatty Orange burst out laughing. It wasn't that his medical skills were superior; it was clearly because he had received enough benefits.
However, these things meant nothing to him; the titles of two light cavalry captains only amounted to a few taels of silver a year.
A second-rank honorary position is only good-looking on the surface. A thousand acres of fertile land is nothing compared to the dividends and the smallpox vaccination.
It's not even worth a tiny fraction of what's to come.
As for the tax exemption after the lifting of the maritime ban, although it is known that it will likely be a considerable source of income, the taxes go into the national treasury, and he receives a share of the profits from those businesses.
Others may make a fortune, but he will never lose!
The chubby orange said, "Has Consort Cheng remembered the matter of Mongolia now?"
"If it's a good idea, I certainly won't be stingy."
Sun Miaoqing said, "I've remembered, it's a really good idea, then..."
The chubby orange cat asked, "So you don't want any of the things that were given to you as a reward?"
[The fat orange-haired man isn't much to look at, but he certainly has a bright future. There's no reason to expect someone to vomit up the benefits they've already ingested.]
[Could it be that I've always been too good to him, so he really thinks I'm like the other concubines, obeying his every word?]
Sun Miaoqing said, "His Majesty's word is law, how can you go back on your word! Even if you want to break your promise, I dare not let you bear that reputation!"
"What I mean is that if my suggestion cannot relieve Your Majesty's worries, I will punish myself by confining myself to my quarters for three days. I beg Your Majesty not to be angry."
The chubby orange-haired woman looked helpless. "Consort Cheng, you truly consider my needs in everything you do!"
Sun Miaoqing said shyly, "I am your Noble Consort. If I don't consider you, who else can I consider?"
The fact that he's still alive and hasn't died of anger after bringing such a wretched thing into the palace is all thanks to his ancestors' blessings!
The fat orange cat said weakly, "Alright, tell me quickly what the method is. The Mongol army is strong and powerful, and the whole nation is a soldier. They are not so easy to deal with."
Sun Miaoqing glanced disdainfully at the chubby orange, "The Emperor just likes to judge people through a crack in the door. Whether it's easy or not depends on who's in charge."
"As long as you use the right method, there is nothing in this world that is difficult to handle."
"You are well-read and like to learn from history, so why can't you think of applying it in practice?"
Big Fatty frowned. Sun Miaoqing's disdainful expression and mocking words made him feel very uncomfortable.
Whether they were concubines or court officials, everyone spoke to him with great care and respect.
Even if it's that good-for-nothing Lao Shi, at least he can get by on the surface.
Sun Miaoqing was different. She not only cursed him in her heart, but also spoke sarcastically to his face, making him feel uncomfortable.
But being able to hear the truth occasionally isn't so bad...
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