Year 3 of the Taiqi Era, July 3rd.
At the morning court, Qin Zhao was tormented by the scorching weather, and the ancient clothing felt stifling and heavy.
It was like wearing a solar panel, specifically designed to collect heat!
After a year of effort, more than half of the women in the court were now present.
This alleviated her restless mood slightly.
Qin Zhao said, "Present your matters, withdraw if there is nothing."
Zhao Xuan, the newly appointed Minister of Rites, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, it has been three years since your ascension, and you have yet to establish a royal consort. This is extremely unfavorable for the continuation of the imperial lineage.
I implore Your Majesty to consider the state's foundation and promptly select a royal consort."
Impatiently, Qin Zhao responded, "I am only twenty-three years old, I can live for another thirty years without any problem. Why are you in such a hurry?
Furthermore, there is Huo Chengjin in the harem.
Are you dissatisfied with Huo Guijun?"
Huo Jun, upon hearing the name Huo Chengjin, almost didn't recognize who it was.
Since he was selected by His Majesty three years ago and bestowed the title of Guijun, he had never appeared in public again.
People in the family had already forgotten about him.
This was the treatment for men who married into the deep palace.
Zhao Xuan took a while to recall the person Huo Chengjin.
Once a victorious general and Asura King, he unfortunately had a stroke of bad luck and entered the palace.
She sighed in her heart.
On the surface, she said, "Huo Guijun is excellent, but for Your Majesty, he alone appears too thin, not enough to fill the harem."
Qin Zhao lightly tapped the dragon throne with her finger, her eyes turning as she spoke, "In that case, the Ministry of Rites will be responsible for selecting some outstanding young men from noble families and preparing a list.
Present it to me, and I will carefully select a few good ones.
Strive to fill the Four Virtuous and Talented Consorts."
Upon hearing these words, the ministers in the court who had unmarried sons turned pale!
If chosen by the Emperor, they would have no chance of official career in this lifetime, only wasting their years in the harem.
It was possible that they would even have to contend with others and meet an early demise!
Qin Zhao was satisfied when she saw their worried expressions.
In her heart, she thought, "After all, I am an Emperor. I won't be subjected to such frustrations, unlike them.
They all have to marry someone else."
Zhao Xuan said, "I will do it as soon as possible and organize the list of candidates."
"Very well, is there anything else?"
Liu Yu took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of constructing twenty thousand women's academies, it is already more than half completed.
However, the budget of five million taels of silver is tight, and it may not be possible to complete it smoothly.
I humbly request Your Majesty to allocate an additional three million taels."
Chen Min, the Minister of Revenue, gave Liu Yu a disdainful look.
Liu Yu: "..."
Chen Min took over the conversation and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has to allocate disaster relief funds for the southern floods, northern sandstorms, droughts, and locust plagues every year.
In addition to constructing some basic infrastructure, the annual expenditure is already over eight million taels of silver.
It is truly impossible to bear any further expenses.
Mr. Liu is asking for too much!"
Qin Zhao asked, "How much silver is left in the treasury?"
Chen Min replied, "Three million seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand, fifty taels."
"With just this amount, can we make it through this year?"
Chen Min hesitated and said, "By economizing, we should barely make it through, but the budgets of all departments will have to be reduced."
Qin Zhao furrowed her brow and asked, "Minister Chen, do you have any solutions?"
Chen Min hesitated, "Perhaps... impose additional taxes to alleviate the pressing situation."
Qin Zhao immediately denied, "No, the people are already having a hard time, and imposing heavier taxes would only make things worse.
I don't want to do something unethical."
Moreover, her reputation among the common people, after three years of effort, had just started to improve and couldn't withstand any disturbances.
Chen Min said, "Your Majesty's concern for the people is their blessing, but the issue of depleted treasury reserves also needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
Please give me a few days, and I will discuss feasible solutions with the Ministry of Revenue and report back to Your Majesty."
Qin Zhao, supporting her chin, pondered for a while and said, "I have an idea.
We can consolidate the Ministry of Revenue's account statements into national bonds.
The common people may not have money, but the wealthy merchants do.
The national bonds will be issued nationwide with an annual interest rate of three qian per liang."
Chen Min, somewhat puzzled, asked, "If the wealthy merchants buy the national bonds and the Ministry of Revenue uses the money for the people's livelihood, wouldn't we still be left with no money when it's time to repay?"
"Not at all. You will only use a portion of the money obtained from selling the national bonds.
The other part will be used in partnership with royal merchants to operate industries that generate profits.
This way, there will be a continuous flow of silver pouring into the national treasury."
Chen Min suddenly understood and said, "Your Majesty's wisdom enlightens me.
I will start handling this matter as soon as possible!"
After Chen Min finished reporting, no one else made any further reports, and Linglong announced the end of the court session.
Qin Zhao returned to Jingyang Palace and intended to rest for a while, but suddenly remembered that she hadn't seen Huo Chengjin in three years and decided to visit him.
In Bingquan Palace, Huo Chengjin was in the study, practicing writing with his left hand.
However, no matter how many sheets he wrote, they were all unsightly.
In a fit of anger, he swept all the items on the table onto the floor.
The eunuch attending to him discreetly rolled his eyes.
He thought to himself, "This is already the 209th time that Huo Guijun has thrown a tantrum over writing materials. What a waste."
Huo Chengjin stormed out of the study and slammed the door shut!
At the palace gate, a eunuch suddenly shouted, "Your Majesty is here!"
Huo Chengjin didn't expect Qin Zhao to come and see him!
He quickly checked his less-than-tidy clothes and immediately rushed into the bedroom to change into a set of palace garments.
Then he hurriedly went out to greet the arrival.
Qin Zhao saw Huo Chengjin rushing out in such a flustered manner, almost tripping, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
Huo Chengjin knelt on the ground and said, "I respectfully welcome Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."
Qin Zhao looked down at him from above and said, "Rise."
Huo Chengjin followed her command and stood up.
Qin Zhao's gaze swept up and down and noticed that Huo Chengjin's complexion was pale, and he had become so thin that he no longer resembled the former Grand General.
This brought satisfaction to Qin Zhao.
But then she thought about the ending of the original book's Princess Yang, and felt that simply confining Huo Chengjin to Bingquan Palace was not enough.
She needed to think of other ways to torment him.
"Huo Guijun, how is life in Bingquan Palace treating you?"
Huo Chengjin, hearing Qin Zhao speak so gently, perhaps genuinely cared about him.
He truthfully replied, "I would like to have more meat for each meal, preferably with a few jugs of good wine.
The palace life is dull, so I earnestly request Your Majesty to allow me occasional outings."
Qin Zhao flatly refused, "No."
After saying that, she turned and walked away.
Leaving Huo Chengjin looking utterly bewildered.
Huo Chengjin watched Qin Zhao's figure fade into the distance, his vision gradually becoming blurred.
Qin Zhao, who hadn't gone far, heard a desperate wail and a faint smile formed at the corner of his mouth.
Just as he left Bingquan Palace, a eunuch came to report, "Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor's condition is critical!"
Qin Zhao said, "Prepare the carriage to Shi Wei Palace."
Arriving at Shi Wei Palace with utmost haste, Qin Zhao walked up to Qin Zheng's bedside and asked Zhou Quande, "What happened to him?"
Zhou Quande's face was weary as he replied, "He was fine before going to bed last night, but this morning, the Retired Emperor started speaking incoherently. He lost consciousness several times, but the imperial physician managed to revive him each time.
However, the Retired Emperor seems to resist the presence of the physician and has already driven away three of them.
Fortunately, Imperial Physician Yu is still here. That's why the Retired Emperor is still holding on.
But..."
"Enough, I understand," Qin Zhao interrupted.
Qin Zhao called Qin Zheng's name a few times, and Qin Zheng slowly opened his eyes.
Seeing Qin Zhao standing before him, Qin Zheng's gray eyes immediately filled with boundless resentment. With weak hands, he struggled to lift them and pointed at Qin Zhao, saying, "Get out! Zhou Quande, quickly drive her away!"
Zhou Quande remained expressionless, unmoving.
Qin Zheng let out a despairing sigh, lowering his hand and said haltingly, "How can you let me go? I don't want to live anymore. Let me die!"
