Ah Chun is very good-looking, well-behaved and sweet-mouthed on weekdays, and is very likable.

Not to mention that the Empress Dowager Gu Wanning Min loves him to the bone, he is a child who is a few years older in the palace, and he likes him on weekdays and gives him a lot.

Ah Chun's cry made everyone confused.

"Good grandson, such a good thing, why are you crying?" Empress Dowager Min hugged Ah Chun into her arms in distress.

Gu Wanning also asked softly, "Ah Chun, why are you crying?"

Ah Chun sniffed aggrievedly, tears continued to fall, and cried: "If there are younger brothers and sisters in the future, the most painful thing for my mother is not Ah Chun." ”

Gu Guanning: "......"

Gillian Yi: "......"

Mother's most painful thing has always been me!

Gillian Ah Chun thought silently in her heart, and each opened her mouth to comfort Ah Chun: "How can this be." Ah Chun is so well-behaved and obedient, my mother's favorite must be Ah Chun!"

Gillian is right. No one can take your place. ”

Ah Chun raised his head with a blink, and bean-sized tears rolled in his eyes: "Mother, is what my sister and brother said true?"

is an iron heart, and under such eyes, it will also turn into a soft finger.

Gu Wanning's eyes were full of pity, and he responded softly: "Yes, my mother likes Ah Chun the most, and if she gives birth to younger brothers and sisters in the future, she can't take away Ah Chun's favor." ”

Ah Chun burst into tears and laughed.

……

The good news of pregnancy in the middle palace spread throughout the palace within that day. Two days later, it was reported outside the palace.

There is still a war at the border pass, the hearts of the officials are fluctuating, and the people are even more panicked. This good news slightly diluted the dark clouds brought about by the unfavorable war.

Gu Guanning handed over the palace affairs to the Empress Dowager Min and raised the fetus with peace of mind.

However, although she doesn't care about palace affairs, the big and small things that happen inside and outside the palace can't hide from her ears and eyes.

For example, Ping Xibo and his son led 50,000 divine guards to the border pass for reinforcements. On the day of the army's march, the people spontaneously sent farewell to each other.

For example, fighting a war consumes the most gold, silver, rice, and grain. Zhou Shangshu of the household department almost turned white in order to raise the grain and grass needed for the army. The prince of Wei, who is in charge of the affairs of the household department, has also been red-eyed recently, and has not returned to the Wei Wangfu for many days.

In a war, countless soldiers and civilians were killed and wounded, and the silver taels consumed in the war also greatly damaged the vitality of the national treasury.

Xiao Xu has been on the throne for more than three years, and the treasury has not been abundant. In the past two years, the war has just eased up, but the war has started again. And I don't know how long it will take. The household department must be prepared for a long-term war.

It's no wonder that Zhou Shangshu and the prince of Wei had a headache.

During the small court meeting, Zhou Shangshu played with a bitter face: "Your Majesty, the last year of the field has been returned to the treasury, and the military salaries and materials prepared for the border army have been accounted for by 20%. The Divine Guard Army opened and took away half a year's money and food, and went to Yicheng again. The garrison that went to the border pass for reinforcements also consumed a lot of gold and silver. ”

"There is still a war going on at the border gates, and the soldiers who have died in battle have not yet been counted, and the cost of pension and resettlement is also a terrifying figure. ”

"On top of that, there are a lot of essential expenses that you can't do without. Weichen and Shizi led the officials of the household department to calculate for two days, and if this continues, the silver taels in the treasury can only last for a year. ”

However, no one knows how long this war will last.

If the war can be quelled within a year, it will be fine. A few years later, the empty treasury can be alleviated. If this war drags on for two or three years or more, it will not be good.

Xiao Xu's expression was calm, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

The prince of Wei took a step forward and arched his hand: "Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that he must be prepared for a long-term war. Prepare in advance to stay in danger. ”

"The son of the world has a point. The elder of the Shoufu Wang Pavilion looked solemn and echoed in a deep voice: "The minister seconded the proposal." ”

Cui Ge Lao also said: "The minister seconded the proposal. ”

……

All the ministers seconded the proposal, and the next step was naturally to discuss how to raise military salaries.

Zhou Shangshu took the lead in saying: "The household department really can't squeeze out a tael of silver." All kinds of expenses have been reduced to a minimum. Unless, if all the officials of Great Qin are halved, they can also save a sum of silver. ”

The last sentence is purely self-deprecating.

Clinker, Cui Ge Lao actually looked at it approvingly: "Zhou Shangshu's proposal is very good. As an official in the court, there are not a few people who have rich family assets. Even if you don't get half of your money, you won't go hungry. ”

Gu Hai also said: "Weichen also thinks this is a good idea. ”

The Son of Heaven nodded in agreement: "Quasi-Zhou Shangshu!"

Zhou Shangshu: "......"

Don't take such a trick!

As soon as this matter gets out, he, the head of the household, will definitely be scolded by the officials!

Zhou Shangshu originally had a bitter face, but now he is even more miserable.

The prince of Wei and Zhou Shangshu were grasshoppers on the same rope, and they looked at them sympathetically and helplessly. This black pot is back. You can't let the Son of Heaven have a mean reputation!

Of course not.

Zhou Shangshu silently swallowed the bitter water.

The prince of Han Wang was very happy at this time. Fortunately, he leads the criminal department, so he doesn't have to suffer like the prince of Wei now. There is no need to rack your brains to find a way to raise military salaries.

The prince of Wei took a step forward, cleared his throat and said: "The border war is related to the society of the country and the stability of the people. As a courtier, it is within his duty to share worries for the king. Everyone works together and can always figure out how to deal with it. ”

Come on!

As soon as the ministers heard the voice, they understood what was going on.

Those who can participate in the small court meeting are all important ministers of the court. Most of them are from noble families. is Luo Shangshu, who is an honest official, and his family assets are also quite rich. It is not unusual for the prince of Wei to hit the idea on everyone's heads.

Stretch out your head and cut your head. It's better to be more cheerful and proactive, and you can also have a good reputation of being loyal to the monarch and loving the people.

Elder Wang Ge and Elder Cui Ge obviously had the same idea, and took two steps forward together: "The minister has something to do." ”

Then, look at each other.

Elder Wang Ge was very modest: "Elder Cui Ge, please start first." ”

"As the first assistant, Wang Ge should be the first to play. Cui Ge Lao is even more humble.

The ministers were stunned in their hearts, and their faces were silent.

Xiao Xu on the dragon chair took in the subtle changes in everyone's eyes. Slowly opened his mouth and said: "Wang Ge is an old man, and he is the first assistant, so let's talk first!"

Wang Ge Lao glanced at Cui Ge Lao apologetically, and then arched his hand and played: "What the prince of Wei said made the old minister's mouth open. The old minister Bo has family assets and is willing to donate 50,000 taels of silver as military salary. ”

Fifty thousand taels of silver is not too big a number. It's just that, as a pavilion elder, it is not advisable to donate too much. Otherwise, it will fall into the tongue.

Xiao Xu was suddenly moved, and praised the old Wang Ge who was high-spirited.

Wang Ge Lao accepted it calmly and stood back in place under the admiring gaze of everyone.

Cui Ge Lao then arched his hand and said: "The minister is willing to donate 40,000 taels of silver." ”