People at that time couldn't think of these things, not because they were stupid or lacked intelligence, but because their information was limited, their thinking was rigid, and they had looked down on merchants for thousands of years.
If Sun Miaoqing were a native of the Qing Dynasty, she would have tried just as hard to win the emperor's favor after entering the palace. She would have worked hard to conceive while simultaneously trying to prevent others from having children.
How could I possibly have the energy to focus on such things? I might even have a fleeting idea, only to immediately dismiss it as something like a hen crowing at dawn.
"It's not difficult for His Majesty to accomplish the greatest things with the least amount of money."
“Since the national treasury has a limited amount of money, and you don’t want to contribute from your private treasury, then let those who are not short of money take on this task.”
The chubby orange cat shifted its body and sat up a little straighter.
“Even for those who are not short of money, one million taels is not a small sum. Unless there is a greater benefit, even I cannot force them to pay.”
Sun Miaoqing laughed and said, "The profits from maritime trade are enormous. This time it was the imperial fleet that went. Next time, why not allow private merchant ships to follow?"
"There are so many wealthy merchants in the world, but the port is only so big. Who will stop at the port and who won't?"
"Let them invest in expansion, and then we'll allocate a piece of land for them to use for free for three to five years. Those Zhejiang merchants, Anhui merchants, Shanxi merchants, and the like will definitely flock to it."
"From now on, all ports can be built this way. If this continues, we can save tens of millions of taels of silver in the long run."
The chubby orange cat said with satisfaction, "Not bad, but we can't let those wealthy merchants take all the benefits."
"As the saying goes, 'to settle down and establish a career,' your nephew Huaijin is already married and it's time for him to gain experience. Let Yang Wengan handle this matter, and Huaijin can learn from him. After he has learned, I will give him an important position."
Sun Miaoqing said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of Huaijin. However, he is still young and impulsive. I am worried that he may cause trouble for Lord Yang."
Big Fat Orange said, "At his age, he's already quite mature. Yang Wengan is capable; it won't be so easy to cause him trouble."
Patting Sun Miaoqing's bottom, the chubby orange cat said, "Continue reading other things. Put those greeting memorials aside for now, and come back to them last."
Sun Miaoqing nodded, resignedly picked up another book, and continued reading it word by word.
She now spends several hours a day reciting scriptures in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and her legs have become thick from standing. But the benefits are also great; she has a clear view of everything happening in the court.
She read until it was dark outside, then Sun Miaoqing closed the memorial in her hand and prepared to return to Chuxiu Palace to rest.
Su Peisheng rushed in in a panic, "Your Majesty, someone from Shou Kang Palace has come to report that the Empress Dowager is critically ill. You must go and see her quickly."
Upon hearing this, the chubby orange cat stood up abruptly and exclaimed in surprise, "What happened? I just went to see him yesterday, and he said he was getting better!"
Su Peisheng said, "The imperial physician said it was probably a final burst of energy before death."
Perhaps because he stood up too quickly, Big Fat Orange felt dizzy again, but he recovered after a short while.
"Let's go to Shou Kang Palace!"
Big Fat Orange lifted its foot and hurriedly walked out, with Sun Miaoqing following closely behind.
The Empress Dowager's body has been lingering on for so long, and the time she has been in a coma has been getting longer and longer over the past six months. When she was awake a few days ago, it was for less than an hour.
I felt a little better yesterday and even chatted with my chubby orange cat, but I couldn't hold on any longer today.
The group hurriedly arrived at Shou Kang Palace, where many concubines were already kneeling outside the sleeping quarters, each holding a handkerchief and wiping away tears.
Once inside, the Empress remained composed, kneeling calmly before the Empress Dowager's bedside.
Consort Hua, Consort Jing, Consort Qi, and Shen Meizhuang also knelt behind them.
Although everyone was wiping away tears, Sun Miaoqing could tell at a glance. Except for Shen Meizhuang, who was genuinely heartbroken, the others were gloating while wiping away their tears.
You betrayed me...
"You said you'd come and marry me after the talent show..."
The crying below suddenly intensified, with everyone crying more and more loudly than the last.
The Empress Dowager's murmurs were not loud, but everyone present clearly heard them.
Sun Miaoqing looked at the chubby orange with pity. The chubby orange clearly understood what was going on, its face so gloomy it looked like it was about to freeze.
Although the Empress did not want to cover for the Empress Dowager, she still spoke up, "I suppose the Emperor and the Empress Dowager still have things to say. Your Majesty, we will go out first. If the Empress Dowager wishes to see anyone, she will send someone to summon them."
After saying this, she led the concubines in kowtowing and silently knelt outside. Sun Miaoqing naturally followed, thinking that in the drama, the Empress Dowager lived a few more years.
The concubines lowered their heads, exchanging glances and engaging in a lively exchange of witty banter.
Inside, the most noble mother and son in the world were also having a lively time.
After feeding the Empress Dowager the last bowl of medicine, Zhu Xi left with tears in her eyes.
Not long after, the Empress Dowager slowly awoke and saw the Emperor guarding her bedside. Without being told, she knew her time was up. She turned her head sharply for a quick look, but there was no one else in the room.
"Where is the fourteenth prince? I haven't seen him."
“Your Majesty, you are confused. The Fourteenth Prince has committed a serious crime and is confined to the Shouhuang Palace. I grew up by Empress Xiaoyiren's side and have little time to spend with you. At times like this, let me keep you company.”
Big Orange was extremely disappointed. The Empress Dowager's heart always belonged only to her beloved youngest son. Even if he, the eldest son, sat in front of her, he had no status whatsoever.
The Empress Dowager's tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped onto the pillow, wetting the phoenix and peony pattern on it.
"You still won't let your brother go. Your mother is about to die, and you still want to watch your brothers kill each other. Do you want your mother to die with her eyes open in disgrace?"
"Over the years, for her own sake and for your throne, your mother has done many things out of necessity, and now retribution has come..."
"Your Majesty, I beg you one last time: spare your brother! The late Emperor is watching from heaven!"
The chubby orange cat said coldly, "Since Empress Dowager thinks I am killing my own flesh and blood, why didn't you spare my children back then?"
“They are also your grandsons, but in the heart of the Empress Dowager, they are not as important as your surname.”
Big Fat Orange felt an indescribable sense of pleasure as he looked at the Empress Dowager's shocked and fearful eyes.
"Does Your Majesty truly know nothing of Yixiu's actions? I have already shown the utmost filial piety by preserving Yixiu's position as Empress!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
