Chapter 195: But from indifference to prosperity (5)

I stood up and bowed to Shen Xi: "The emperor, the concubine thought, two texts and one fight are enough to show the profound righteousness of several merchants, but the battlefields and disaster areas require a lot of food and grass, and the money is very expensive. After the disaster. There must be a plague, I have to prepare something just in case. The concubine and the harem sisters discussed, from today to the end of the plague, the war, the harem's case will be reduced by one third, and then the jewels in the collection will be counted. Women in mere districts can contribute to the modest power of the country."
I took off the red coral golden step on my head and shook my head high, and kowtowed: "Please also the emperor to agree."
Shen Xiyao helped me to get up, "Please get up, the queen." His voice was clear and clear: "I thank the queen on behalf of the people."
My face is full of respect: "This is what the concubines should do. After all," I looked up at the people below: "The country is in trouble, and everyone is responsible."
The eldest brother stood up and said: "The minister is willing to give three years of salary."
The third brother also stood up and raised the wine glass in his hand: "The country is in trouble, everyone is responsible." He respected Shen Xiyao and me from afar, and said three times: "Xiaomin is willing to give all the food in the family to relieve Daxi's urgent need. "
Brother Shen Xiyao said: "Hongjian is worthy of being a pillar of the country!" He said to the third brother: "Wang Shu's kindness is my heart. But I said I borrowed it from you, and I will repay it as much as the disaster passes."
The third brother smiled, greeted Shen Xiyao's gaze like a bright clear sky, and said: "Don't hide from the emperor, Xiaomin is also selfish in doing this. If the country will not be the country, or the people's livelihood will be withered, it will be difficult for us businessmen to do business. Nowadays. To be able to contribute to the country is actually to contribute to ourselves. Only with Guotai Min'an, our business can smoothly expand to the north and south, and make money." He leaned down on his knees: "So I asked the emperor to give permission to the people. Mind."
"Master Ling has other wishes. If I can achieve it, I will definitely achieve it for you." Shen Xiyao smiled.
The third brother was silent for a moment, and slowly said: "Xiaomin does have an unsympathetic request." There was an eager smile on his face: "Since ancient times, the status of merchants has not been high. Although they have rich wealth, they are discriminated against. Relegated to first-class. Don’t wear scorpions, her sons can’t be officials, and her daughters are not allowed to marry into high gates. Walking in the prefectures requires official approval and the procedures are cumbersome. Freedom is not as good as ordinary people. Although the emperor had chosen the businessmen’s daughters by the emperor last year. Entering the palace, but our status has not improved. Therefore," he looked straight and respectfully bowed to Shen Xiyao: "I also hope that the emperor will improve the merchant’s slightly for the sake of serving the country this time. status."
Shen Xiyao pondered for a while and said: "Then I will do what Qing wants, from now on merchants can wear lingluo, and can marry Gaomen, and the procedures for entering and leaving the state and capital are simplified." His smile was kind, like a blooming sunflower: "I will give the Qing the title of'Daxi No.1 Shang' again, and his descendants can participate in the imperial examination. If they pass the examination, there will be a real scholar with real talents, regardless of their background, and be an official of one of the parents and benefit the people."
Since the third brother decided to go into business, he had to sever ties with the Ling family, and could not enjoy the various preferential treatments of being an official's son. In the future, his children will only be descendants of merchants who cannot get the Ling's family.
Back then, I didn't understand why the third brother gave up his birth and champion status to be the lowest-class businessman. I also pulled his sleeve and asked him why. The third brother only said that if you are an official, you will have an elder brother and a second brother, but for the country to prosper, the status of the merchant must be enhanced. He is willing to wait for the opportunity to complete such a major event.
Now, he really waited for the opportunity.
This is the supreme glory, giving the merchant's house a avenue to improve its status. The few people below exchanged glances and bowed down one after another, willing to donate the hoarded food in exchange for such a privilege.
Shen Xiyao agreed, but he firmly said: "I don't want you to feel that I am exchanging the status of merchants, so today I still borrow money from you and return it in the future." His bright yellow dragon robe is under a hundred candles. Shining dazzling light, set off his imperial breath. At this moment, the big stone in his heart fell, and the whole person exuded a dazzling brilliance. However, the smile on his face faded.
I looked at Shen Xiyao in front of me. He was a bright and dazzling young man, but he was a deep and introverted lonely man. He is an emperor, and there are some things he can't say, which will hurt the dignity he has cultivated since childhood. So only me, and only me, came to do it for him.
Raising her hand, a court lady brought red sandalwood plates, each with a purse made of dark blue and golden spikes. The maids stopped in front of the merchants below and presented the tray.
I had the most decent and generous smile on my face, with a clear voice.
"This is the deposit made by the emperor and the palace." I picked up a purse and said, "It's not a valuable thing, it's just a small thing that the concubines disliked. The purse was embroidered by the palace. I hope you all Accept it."
Everyone knelt and thanked Tianen, and the awkward atmosphere a while ago disappeared, and was replaced by harmony. All the problems have been solved.
I looked at Shen Xiyao's stretched brows and his approving glances at me, and I felt a little uneasy for some reason.
After the banquet, Shen Xiyao asked everyone to be at ease and not to be constrained by etiquette. Those merchants were delighted in their identity and could not help but curiously looked at the decorations around them, exclaimed and praised.
I sat next to Shen Xiyao, with the most dignified and gentle smile, playing the role of the perfect queen. Hearing some older businessmen talk about their experiences freely under Shen Xiyao's inquiry, or concentrate on enjoying a wonderful song and dance. Shen Xiyao looked open and in a good mood, so at the end of the banquet, he allowed the eldest brother and the third brother to visit me in the palace four days later.
That night, I went back to Kunning Palace, a place where I left for nearly three years.
Huiju led a group of eunuchs and maids outside the door, and when she saw Feng Yan from a distance, she bowed down and said, "Mianniang Thousand Years Old", and I motioned to them to be flat, but they were all old servants who were crying with joy. Smile.
I stepped down to Fengyan, Huiju stepped forward and firmly supported my arm, leading me slowly into Kunning Palace.
Everything in Kunning Palace has not changed, it is still Qiongdianlin Palace, Fei Pavilion embroidered phoenix, carved phoenix design, golden cauldron burning, incense mist lingering. The Dongnuan Pavilion is still full of red decorations, and even the mandarin duck and gold silk double ribbons tied to the bed curtain are the same as when I left. The bed was flat with hundreds of children and thousands of grandchildren, and there was no long-lasting cold smell in the air, as if the Queen of Daxi lived here every day, never changed.
"It's late at night, does the empress go directly to the sleeping hall to rest, or?" Huiju asked me carefully.
I looked at Lu: "The emperor will come later, let's rest in the west hall first."
Entering the west side hall, I said to the others: "You go down first, just leave the chrysanthemum alone." At the end, I ordered: "Let the small kitchen cook some porridge. I'm afraid the emperor will use some later."
Everyone stepped back, Huiju knelt in front of me and gently beat my leg. My gaze has been on a wooden box on a chest of drawers next to the screen, stroking the gold thread hanging from the edge of the brocade embroidered couch of Tangzhibaoxiang, as if muttering in a low voice: "I asked you to inquire before, Any news?"
Although Huiju didn't know why I was inquiring about Xihe's news, she would never disobey my orders. She beat my leg wholeheartedly, and replied, only I could hear her voice.
"The slave and maid asked. In the past few years, Wang Yu was not in Beijing or the southwest." She subconsciously looked around: "It is said that Wang Yu had a disagreement before, hoarding hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and was also responsible for it. The admiral of Gyeonggi security secretly bought some ministers in order to replace them."
My heart jumped sharply, and my hand stroking Jinsi tightened, but still restrained the fluctuation in my tone: "What about after?"
Hui Ju's expression relaxed: "It is said that the Queen Mother noticed that King Yu had a disagreement, and had been with him for a long time. Later, King Yu realized his fault and knelt outside Cining Palace all night, and then went to Wutai Mountain to think about it. The emperor declared to the public. Wang Yu visited the famous mountains and rivers."
I sighed in my heart. I believe that many people will definitely not believe the explanation of that travel, but they will definitely believe that Xi He has a self-respect and self-respect, after being discovered by the emperor, imprisoned and thought about it.
Xi He was charged with infidelity, which really made me feel guilty. He was originally such a man, as clear as the moon, and gentle as jade, even as a general, he still had the qualities of a scribe. He was the most heartfelt courtier in the world, but because of his love, he destroyed the reputation of the loyal emperor.
However, the words before the Queen Mother reverberated in her ears. She once said that Xihe had thoughts that he shouldn't have...
Xi He also said that since I was born as a queen, what if he is the emperor? ?
Could it be...
I was entangled and sad inside, and if that was the case, I would have harmed him.
Shaking his head, I just want to put those past behind. At this time, I would rather hide them cowardly, but I can't stand the pain of memories anymore.