Nangong Ling was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, the Wind and Rain Pavilion has industries all over the country, bringing me an income of two million taels of silver every year.
There are nine million taels of savings stored in the treasury. I will send people to transfer it all into the national treasury."
Qin Zhao's delight overflowed and he laughed: "With you, Nangong Ling, I am destined not to be impoverished!
Thank you for this."
Nangong Ling: "It is my duty to share Your Majesty's worries."
Immediately after was Mo Qianqiu speaking: "I don't have any savings, but my craftsmanship is pretty good.
If I take out the woodworks I've made to sell, I can probably also earn some money.
All the income I earn will be handed over to Your Majesty."
Qin Zhao nodded, "You have the intention, but pay attention to your health and don't overwork yourself.
Money can't buy Mo Qianqiu."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wei Chen stepped forward and said, "I used to fortune tell for some people for free. If I start charging money for it, the income would probably still be considerable."
Qin Zhao: "Then trouble the Minister of Justice with this."
Liu Yu bowed with his hands clasped, "Your Majesty, I have some minor fame for my calligraphy, painting and poetry. I estimate my calligraphy and painting to be valued at 300 taels per piece, and 500 taels per poem.
I will strive to write more pieces and compose more poems every month."
Qin Zhao clapped his hands, "Good! I also want to see your literary talent. Send a few pieces over to the palace when you have time."
She didn't really want to look at Liu Yu's works. She only said this to raise Liu Yu's worth.
With the Emperor collecting Liu Yu’s calligraphy and poems, the prices must at least quintuple!
Liu Yu apparently also understood her underlying meaning and seemed slightly excited as he responded, "I obey the decree!"
Xiao Ang Ming lightly coughed, seemingly trying to conceal some emotion.
After a while, he spoke: "In response to Your Majesty, over these years I have received quite a lot of bribes, about 700,000 taels, all of which will be handed over to the national treasury."
Qin Zhao: "......"
These words were difficult to respond to.
But then Xiao Ang Ming added: "That money was all given by corrupt officials. By taking their money, they were also punished. It can be said to be a double joy."
"Pfft!"
The other six people couldn't help but laugh out loud, but considering they were still in the formal Yun Guang Hall, they tried their best to restrain their amusement.
"Hahahahaha!"
Everyone looked up in surprise to see Qin Zhao the Emperor laughing even harder!
They were instantly at a loss whether to hold in their laugh or let it out, painfully holding it in and injuring themselves!
After Qin Zhao finished laughing, she appraised: "Not bad for you, I have gained new understanding of the multifaceted nature of a powerful minister.
Interesting, truly interesting!"
Although Xiao Ang Ming didn't understand some of the vocabulary, he was still praised in the end and proudly held his head high with squared shoulders.
Everyone: The ruler and minister are both rogues. Is there still hope for this country?
After the hall quieted down again, Yin Xuan said: "I have decent martial arts. I'll open a martial arts school to teach adults and children, which should earn quite a bit of money.
I will give it all to Your Majesty when the time comes."
Qin Zhao was very comforted that even Yin Xuan the cold-faced beauty would go all out for her one day.
She said: "Many thanks. I'll leave the task of strengthening the bodies of our citizens to you."
As the last one to speak, Huo Jun said: "Your Majesty, I'm now the new head of the Huo family, and my family's financial power is still considerable.
I have decided to contribute half of the money and assets to Your Majesty."
Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!
Qin Zhao clapped and said: "Good for you Huo Jun, the newest wasteful girl in the capital, no one is more suitable than you!
I will have Liu Yu write you a plaque for 'Number One Capital Girl in Squandering Money'."
Huo Jun smiled and responded: "Thank you for Your Majesty's reward."
After each of the seven stars finished speaking, the problem of the depleted national treasury was initially alleviated.
Qin Zhao rubbed her eyebrows and said, "I still have other things to attend to. You are dismissed for now."
"Yes."
They had just stepped out when Zhou Yuan entered the hall.
He kneeled and reported: "Your Majesty, I have detained the Sixth Prince and his relatives and confiscated their property.
Most of them are locked up in Tian Prison. Please decide their punishment, Your Majesty."
Qin Zhao said: "Sentence them all to death."
Zhou Yuan: "Your Majesty, among them there are still five infants who have just reached one month old. Should they be killed as well?"
"What is the gender of those five infants?"
"Three girls, two boys."
After thinking for a bit, Qin Zhao said: "Send the baby girls to the imperial palace for the palace's midwives to raise.
Give the baby boys to peasant families without children to bring up."
Zhou Yuan gained new understanding of Qin Zhao's decisiveness in killing.
He felt that she was colder than most men.
As a result, he unknowingly developed some fear towards her.
He responded: "I will go carry it out immediately."
Qin Zhao had finished today's matters by the time it was almost dusk.
Dragging her exhausted body, she returned to Jingyang Palace.
Ling Long had prepared imperial dishes for her, and Qi Yan Su Luo was also waiting for her to eat.
Seeing this, Qin Zhao felt not as tired.
Sitting next to Qi Yan Su Luo, Qin Zhao picked up a piece of beef and put it in her mouth to chew, glancing at Qi Yan Su Luo from time to time.
She was caught in the act by Qi Yan Su Luo several times, but she openly smiled at her.
Finally, Qin Zhao couldn't resist asking the question on her mind: "Luo Luo, why do I feel you look even more beautiful today?
Did you dress up specially for me?"
Qi Yan Su Luo said: "I'm always very beautiful to begin with. And every time I see you, I make a special effort to dress up.
You haven't observed carefully enough."
"Hahaha......
Qin Zhao picked up her wine cup. "Sorry, I will drink three cups to punish myself.
Previously there were too many vexing things occupying my mind, causing me to overlook many details.
From now on I will carefully appreciate every one of your dress ups."
Qi Yan Su Luo's chopsticks paused for a moment before quickly resuming. She lowered her eyes and said: "Thank you."
Qin Zhao waved her hand. "When it's just the two of us, there's no need to call me 'Your Majesty'.
I'm your girlfriend. No matter who I become, this won't change. You and I are equal."
Qi Yan Su Luo moved closer to Qin Zhao and kissed her on the cheek, saying: "As you wish."
Qin Zhao reached out and wiped her face, crying out: "Ah! You left oil all over my face from that kiss!"
She had just finished speaking when Qi Yan Su Luo kissed her on the mouth again. Back and forth it went like this, kissing Qin Zhao's face oily all over!
Qin Zhao helplessly thought that she was probably the oiliest emperor in history...
On August 15th of the 18th year of Yuangjia, it was the day for the ascension ceremony.
Qin Zhao removed the complicated parts of sacrificing to Heaven, Earth and her Ancestors, and changed it to a parade.
At the very least, let the citizens know what their Emperor looks like.
Qin Zhao wore the female dragon robe that the palace's embroiderers rushed to make for an entire month. She sat in the eight-wheeled open carriage that she redesigned herself.
Surrounding her was the all-female Forbidden Guard trained by Huo Jun.
The carriage started from the city gate of the capital and drove all the way towards the imperial palace.
The citizens lined up on both sides of the streets to observe their Emperor.
It should have been a lively scene, but the streets were somewhat quiet.
Only the sounds of horse hooves, carriage wheels grinding against the roads, and the Forbidden Guard's synchronized footsteps could be heard.
Apart from that, the people's gazes towards Qin Zhao seemed to also lack any emotion.
It was calm to the point of arousing suspicion.
Qin Zhao didn't understand why it was like this?!
