Chapter 121: Want to steal my money?
When the emperor heard this, his eyes immediately fell on Xiao Changheng.
Xiao Changheng glanced at the prince calmly and said in a deep voice:
"I thought that forming an alliance with the Kingdom of Jing in exchange for grain would save a great deal of money. The national treasury is already at the point where officials are required to donate silver, so why are we insisting on buying grain at three times the market price?"
The emperor looked a little unhappy, and was about to speak when Xiao Changheng said:
"Furthermore, the Northwest Army's urgent need isn't just for food and fodder; their wages are also in arrears. As soon as I received the news, I paid a hundred thousand taels of silver out of my own pocket. The invoice has been sent to the Ministry of Revenue. I didn't report this matter until now, fearing that the Emperor might worry and harm his health."
"I know the army can't go a day without food, so I collected another 50,000 taels and sent people to the towns and people in the northwest to collect food. It's a drop in the bucket, but it can at least last another half a month, giving us time to transfer food south."
"But in this case, I don't have any extra money left."
The emperor was stunned, and his expression softened.
"So that's how it is. Changheng has devoted himself to the country for many years. I didn't expect that you have done so much quietly this time. I am so relieved!"
Xiao Zirui had just donated 10,000 taels to Daqi and was very proud of it. He wanted to use this to force the Regent to pay.
Unexpectedly, he was shown off in front of the emperor for his achievements. He was so angry that he couldn't show it, and he almost vomited blood.
The Minister of War said:
"Your Majesty, since the Regent has already provided the money and bought an extra fifteen days for the military supplies, I think the prince's plan to go to the southern Jing Kingdom to requisition food must be a sure thing."
"Although the timeline is tight, it's not completely unfeasible. I support the Regent's plan. Your Majesty, please grant my approval!"
As soon as he took the lead, several other ministers immediately agreed:
"I second the motion."
"I second this motion!"
The emperor was in hesitation.
Xiao Zirui's face was as dark as ink, and he said loudly:
"Father! Jingguo is a long and arduous country with many uncertainties. If we fail, won't the Northwest Army be in dire straits?"
"My son's plan to purchase grain is the most foolproof one. Please reconsider, Father!"
The Queen frowned for a moment and said:
"I just arrived, and you said the Regent already had a plan. What's going on here?"
She glanced at Xiao Zirui meaningfully:
"If the Regent's plan is indeed feasible and can save money, there's no need to argue about it."
Xiao Zirui took a deep breath and told Xiao Changheng about his plan. He couldn't suppress his sarcasm at the end:
"Does the Emperor think that transferring grain from the southern border to the northwestern border is a good idea?"
The queen listened quietly and finally understood the whole story.
A gleam of light suddenly flashed in her eyes, and she smiled:
"In fact, we can let him try this matter."
The emperor, who was already wavering, immediately became excited after hearing her say this:
"Oh? Does the Queen also think the Regent's plan is feasible?"
The Queen smiled slightly:
"I simply thought that although this matter sounds outrageous, since the Prince Regent and the Princess believe it can be done, as long as they are willing to sign a military order to prove that they are absolutely sure of the matter, wouldn't it be enough?"
"This..." The emperor hesitated slightly.
Xiao Changheng's brows furrowed:
"I am willing to issue a military order, but the princess was originally invited by me to help. How can I let a woman like her issue a military order for the affairs of Daliang? If this gets out, how will people view the Daliang royal family? I will take full responsibility for this matter!"
"That's excellent!" The Queen smiled with satisfaction. "Your Majesty, since the Regent has said so himself, I also support his proposal."
Xiao Zirui looked at the Queen in shock and tried to speak several times, but finally shut up sullenly after receiving the Queen's warning look.
The Emperor looked at Xiao Changheng, still somewhat worried:
"Royal brother, your journey is long, and we don't know if it will be smooth. Are you really sure you can issue a military order?"
Xiao Changheng glanced at Yun Qingqing and said seriously:
"I, your humble servant, hereby declare a military order. If you fail to bring the food and fodder back to the imperial capital within half a month, I will bring my head before you!"
All the ministers gasped, and even the queen was a little surprised.
But the emperor gave him a look of displeasure:
"What do you mean by bringing your head with you? You are my brother. Can I really take your life for something like this?"
"The military order must be issued, but the punishment for not completing the mission is..."
The emperor hesitated for a moment, and the queen quickly spoke:
"Your Majesty, since this is a military order, we naturally cannot treat it too lightly. How about handing over the military order and being confined to the palace for six months?"
The emperor pondered for a moment and nodded:
"Let's do it."
He called someone to bring pen and paper on the spot, and asked Xiao Changheng to sign a military order in front of everyone.
The matter was finally settled.
All the ministers thought that the matter had come to an end and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the issue of donating silver was finally not mentioned again.
Xiao Zirui only wanted to leave as soon as possible and privately ask his mother what she was up to and why she supported the Regent.
However, just when the emperor was about to adjourn the meeting, the queen suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, since the issue of military rations cannot go wrong, relying solely on the Regent is risky."
"I still think that we can buy some grain from the wealthy merchants as a backup. In case the grain from Jingguo cannot be delivered in time, this grain can be used as an emergency."
"We don't need to buy so much grain for now. If everything goes well with the Regent, this grain will be added to the national treasury. There will always be a time when it can be used."
When the emperor heard this, he immediately said:
"The Queen is quite right. Then, we will mobilize all civil and military officials to donate silver at tomorrow's grand court meeting, and let the Crown Prince take charge of this matter."
Ministers: ...
Well, in the end you still have to donate money.
However, since the queen said that it was just a backup and there was no need to buy so much grain, they thought the amount distributed to the officials was acceptable, so they didn't say much.
Yun Qingqing thought that the meeting was over and it was time to adjourn.
However, the Queen suddenly looked at Yun Qingqing and said with a smile:
"I heard that the Regent Princess's grandfather is the richest man in Jiangbei. On your wedding day, your dowry was two columns long and stretched out two blocks."
"Now that the country is in trouble, all civil and military officials must donate. I will also mobilize the concubines in the harem to donate part of the expenses. I believe that since the Regent Princess's family is wealthy, she will not ignore this, right?"
Xiao Changheng's face suddenly turned cold.
But before he could explode, Yun Qingqing chuckled and spoke first:
"That's easy. Isn't it just a matter of donating some silver to buy food? As long as His Royal Highness can successfully buy the food, I can cover whatever it costs!"
Many people present gasped.
Xiao Changheng grabbed Yun Qingqing's hand and stared at her with wide eyes.
Yun Qingqing understood his meaning clearly.
—Do you know what you're talking about? Is it really necessary for a woman like you to rush forward and take on all the responsibilities? Do you think I'm just a decoration?
Yun Qingqing blinked at him:
——Why are you in such a hurry? Since the Queen and the Crown Prince have plotted against me, just let them be happy first.
Xiao Changheng looked at her heartlessly, curled the corners of his lips, narrowed his eyes, withdrew his hand and stopped trying to stop her.
I always feel that every time she laughs like this, someone is going to be in trouble.
It shouldn't be an illusion.
The Emperor was very surprised, not quite believing it but also somewhat expectant:
"Princess Regent, this is no joke. Are you really willing to pay all the money for the grain?"
Yun Qingqing looked at the emperor and smiled slightly:
"Your Majesty, I am a bit like my grandfather. I can be generous, but I will never be taken advantage of."
"I can pay the prince for the grain in full, but I can't give it to him first. When he places the grain before me for inspection and passes it, I must pay him in cash, not a penny less."
If he wants to steal my money, he has to be able to buy food back!
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