Looking at Yue Yang in front of him, Zhu Youzhen pretended not to care and asked, "Yue Aiqing, I heard that you already have a wife and several concubines, is that so?" ”

"Well, what does the emperor mean by that?" Yue Yang muttered in his heart and replied: "Back to the emperor, Weichen already has a wife and five concubines at home, and three children. ”

"What? There are so many? Chongzhen couldn't help but be startled when he heard it, "Last year, you reported to the Ministry of Rites that there was only one wife and two concubines, why are there three more now?" ”

It's strange to say, Yue Yang has always had little respect for Chongzhen, but when he mentioned this issue, he didn't know what was going on, and he actually had a feeling of weakness, and Nuo Nuo said: "That...... What's that...... Chen went to Jinling last year...... So...... Three more. ”

Hearing this, Queen Zhou, who originally had a good impression of Yueyang, also raised her good-looking eyebrows slightly, thinking that this Yueyang person is not bad, but how can he be so lustful, he is not very old but has a wife and five concubines, can he be happy if he marries him?

Empress Zhou is still like this, and Zhu Youzhen, the old man, is even more thoughtful. This kid is so attentive can he have a good life after marrying, so he looked at Yue Yang with an even more strange gaze.

Looking at the somewhat "unkind" eyes of these two male mothers, Yue Yang was really a little inexplicable in his heart, buddy marrying a daughter-in-law is hindering you what, and you haven't slept with your daughter, why are you looking at me with such bitter and hateful eyes.

Coughing lightly twice, Yue Yang arched his hand again: "Your Majesty...... Empress...... Do you two have any other orders? The implication of his words is that if it's okay, I'm going to flash people, today's meal is inexplicable, and these two people are still chattering, which makes people can't understand it.

Seeing that Yue Yang had the intention of saying goodbye again, the two mothers were also a little anxious. Chongzhen's heart turned lightning countless times, in the end, it was a man's hard heart, thinking that in the end, it was Jiangshan Sheji who had the upper hand, and glanced at Queen Zhou on the side. Empress Zhou had no choice but to ask Yue Yang, "Marquis Zhongyong." I heard that your wife is Mongolian, is that true? ”

"Damn! What the hell are these two in-laws doing? Yue Yang really couldn't figure out what these two wanted to do, why they were always interested in their daughter-in-law, but since they asked, he could only answer honestly: "Exactly, Weichen's wife is the daughter of the leader of the Horqin tribe in Mongolia, two years older than Weichen, and she gave birth to a son for Weichen the year before last." ”

"Oh, that's right."

Queen Zhou's eyes blinked, and she pondered the tone of her speech again before saying: "In this way, it's just that the loyal and brave Hou Gui is my marquis who is the marquis of the Ming Dynasty and the country." But he married a Mongolian woman as the main room, which is always not good to pass on, I don't know if the Marquis of Zhongyong thinks this is the reason? ”

"Hmm...... What do you mean? Is this the rhythm that doesn't please my daughter-in-law? Yue Yang was a little unhappy in his heart, my buddy's wife didn't seem to offend you, why did she pick her nose and eyes, and she was not happy at all when she spoke.

Just when Yue Yang's eyebrows were raised to speak, he heard Queen Zhou say: "Marquis Zhongyong, don't be careful, this palace knows that you and that Mongolian woman are very affectionate." Saying this is not to separate you from your wife, but this palace thinks that you are my Ming noble, but you married a Fanbang woman as the main room, but it is easy to provoke people to gossip, for the sake of safety, it is still ...... Or ......" said here. Queen Zhou felt that her face was hot and she couldn't go on, after all, in any case, it was not the mother of a country to say bad things about the young couple.

Hearing this, Yue Yang understood a little, could it be that the two people in front of him were planning to be matchmakers for themselves?

Seeing that the queen couldn't go on. Zhu Youzhen, who was on the side, was anxious, and touched the toes of Queen Zhou with the sole of his shoe to signal him to hurry up and say, Queen Zhou had no choice but to continue: "Marquis Zhongyong." This palace wants to protect a matchmaker for you and marry a daughter to you, what do you think? ”

Speaking of this, Queen Zhou only felt that a layer of fine sweat seemed to appear on her forehead, and she was always calm and unhurried in her words and deeds, but she actually felt a little speechless.

"Uh...... This ......"

Yue Yang was stunned, the news was so sudden that he felt caught off guard. He was stunned for a while before he cautiously asked, "I don't know who Niangniang wants to marry to Weichen, and how old is his age?" ”

Hearing this, Zhu Youzhen, who was on the side, interjected on the side and said, "This person is my beloved daughter, this year...... This year's ...... Twelve years old. ”

"What?" Rao is Yueyang has experienced a lot of ups and downs over the years, and he was also frightened by Comrade Xiao Zhu's words and almost couldn't sit still. Concubine...... Zhu Yujiao, if he heard correctly, the person Comrade Zhu Youzhen wanted to marry to him should be the famous Princess Changping in history. Well, to be honest, Yue Yang is not very disgusted with such a challenging thing as being a colt, but the problem is that this Princess Changping is ...... That's 12 years old...... No, people in these years are used to saying that she is a false age, and she should only be eleven years old. This matter has to be put on hold in modern times to let the police uncle know, and it is light to directly pull himself out to shoot the target for five minutes.

Looking at Yue Yang's mouth, which was so big that it could almost fit into an egg, Zhu Youzhen seemed to be a little embarrassed to add, "Of course, the princess is still a little younger now, but I think you can settle the family affairs first, and it is not too late for the princess to marry when she is thirteen years old." ”

Well, according to the law of Da Ming, a woman can indeed get married at the age of thirteen...... But I don't want to be married to an elementary school student.

Looking at Zhu Youzhen and his wife with serious faces, Yue Yang almost cried, what kind of trouble are these two mothers and mothers messing with. My age is about the same as Comrade Xiao Zhu, even if there is a gap, it is only one or two years old, you let me marry a primary school student, is this to make me the principal?

Looking at Yue Yang's crying and laughing face, Zhu Youzhen and Queen Zhou deserved to be husband and wife, their nails were nervously pinched into their palms at the same time, and at this time, in the hall, in addition to Xiao Zhu and his wife, there were also two figures peeking in outside a pillar in the side hall.

The leader is a naturally beautiful girl, I saw her pink delicate, delicate and lovely, wearing a light green butterfly embroidered gauze skirt, the cuffs are inlaid with white background full-color embroidered peony wide edge, the whole person is picturesque and cute. Behind this girl is secretly standing a pretty little palace maid wearing a blue palace robe, the two are secretly looking at Yue Yang who is sitting next to Zhu Youzhen, the girl led by is the famous Princess Changping in later generations, but now she is not called Changping, and now she is called Princess Zhu Yujiao of Kunxing.

Looking at Yue Yang, who was sitting next to Zhu Youzhen and his wife, Zhu Yujiao's little face was very red with shame, she turned her head and whispered to the palace maid beside her: "Ziying, you said that we secretly ran over to the father and queen mother would be angry if they knew." ”

How dare the little palace maid behind her say anything. Nuo Nuo could only stand there silently, and said in a low voice: "Princess, look at the slave, this future colt is also quite good-looking, besides, I heard that he is still a prince who has made great contributions to the country, and he will not insult you, now let's go back quickly while no one sees it." ”

Zhu Yujiao ignored the words of the little palace maid behind her, and puffed up her mouth a little depressedly: "But people are not young yet, why do the father and queen mother want to marry people out, and people are reluctant to let the father and queen mother out." ”

Seeing that the princess is still preparing to peek. The little palace maid Ziying hurriedly pulled the somewhat reluctant Zhu Yujiao out of the side hall, and the two slowly walked towards their residence.

At this time, Yue Yang looked at Zhu Youzhen's two mothers-in-law and was very depressed, he was not stupid, Zhu Youzhen also guessed what he meant, Xiao Zhu was going to tie him to the chariot of Daming through a marriage, if he refused, it would mean that he had officially broken with the Ming royal family, which was undoubtedly very unfavorable to himself, but should he accept it? If he really became Zhu Youzhen's son-in-law, where would the chariot of Daming go? Thinking of this, Yue Yang felt that his heart was messy.

At last. Yue Yang raised his head as if he had made up his mind and said to Zhu Youzhen and Empress Zhou: "Thanks to the emperor and Niangniang for not giving up on marrying the princess to Weichen, Weichen is grateful and honored, but now there is still a little." Weichen has already married a wife, but he can't divorce his original wife and climb another high branch, otherwise he will be ridiculed by the world. ”

Speaking of this, Empress Zhou interrupted him and said, "This palace has also been thought about. If you want, you can marry the Mongolian wife and be your main room, and the two of them are generally your wives regardless of size, what do you think? ”

Yue Yang knew. When Queen Zhou said this, she was almost already putting her posture to the lowest, and the princesses of all countries are willing to sit on an equal footing with your original daughter-in-law, if you don't want to, then you can only turn your face.

Hearing this, Yue Yang gritted his teeth and stood up, walked to Zhu Youzhen and Empress Zhou, knelt down on one knee and said respectfully: "The emperor and Niangniang are so gracious, and the ministers dare to disobey their orders!" ”

Although Yue Yang's voice was not loud, it was like a big stone falling to the ground in the ears of Zhu Youzhen and Queen Zhou, and this kid who had a headache finally bowed his head to himself. Among them, Zhu Youzhen, who is the happiest, has been constantly challenging his nerves since he saw him today, and now he finally doesn't dare to blow up again. Thinking of this, Zhu Youzhen also swept away the gloomy face just now, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and the beautiful big eyes of Queen Zhou next to him also narrowed into a slit.

No wonder it is said that marriage is the best way to shorten the distance since ancient times, after Yue Yang agreed to the marriage, the two parties immediately felt that the distance between each other had been shortened a lot, and they felt a lot more cordial when they looked at each other, and Queen Zhou looked at Yue Yang with a taste of mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law.

Zhu Youzhen waved his hand happily and shouted: "Come on, bring wine, I want to have a few drinks with Yue Aiqing!" ”

Soon, the two eunuchs each walked up to the two of them with a small jar, and each helped the three of them fill the wine glasses in front of them.

Zhu Youjian raised his wine glass and smiled at Yue Yang: "I haven't drunk wine for a long time, and today Aiqing will drink several times with me." ”

And Queen Zhou on the side said coquettishly: "Your Majesty, you are really, now it is a family banquet, you still love Qing and Aiqing non-stop, can't you change the name?" ”

"Haha...... Zitong is right, it's me, Masahiro...... Let's raise a glass together! ”

Seeing that Chongzhen even called his own words, Yue Yang could only raise his wine glass with a wry smile, and said modestly: "Your Majesty, it should be to respect you." ”

As soon as the relationship between the two sides is so certain, Chongzhen's gaze on Yue Yang is naturally different, he was wary of Yue Yang before, for fear that this guy will go crazy and end his own nest, but now it is different when he becomes his son-in-law, and he immediately changed from a hostile relationship to his own son-in-law, and he is already a trustworthy object, so he drank this wine very happily. Halfway through the drink, Chongzhen asked Yue Yang slightly drunk: "Zhenghong, now that there are many rogues in the Guan, and the imperial court taxes are almost exhausted, it is almost unsustainable, I don't know what good plan you have?" ”

"This ......"

Yue Yang hesitated. Queen Zhou on the side said with a smile: "Zhenghong don't worry, now we are a family, and today is also a family banquet, if you have something to say, the emperor will not blame you." ”

"Well, if you have something to say today, you just have to say it!" Chongzhen on the side also helped.

"Well, the minister will speak out!" Yue Yang put down the wine glass and smashed his mouth, and after organizing the language, he said: "Actually, the problem of our Daming is actually very simple, that is, no one pays taxes. During the Hongwu period, the tax of my Ming Dynasty was the heaviest. At that time, the annual land endowment was about 32 million stones, and in the Chengzu period, it was a little lower, but it was about 27 million stones per year, but then it decreased every year, and now it is only about 4 million per year.

What does this mean? Could it be that there is no one to farm the land? No, in fact, the land was taken away by the gentry and merchants, and those merchants were even more proud of tax evasion, so it happened to answer the sentence, the rich businessmen and the poor court. Isn't it strange that those merchants didn't have to pay grain and taxes, and they didn't have to bear any obligation of forced labor, but the imperial court still had to spend money to protect them? The people of the Ming Dynasty are so bitter that they have starved to death. But it is not strange to have to bear the heavy conscription of the imperial court to support those rich gentry? Do you think that in this way, the court can still have silver? ”

There was no sound in the side hall, not only Chongzhen's face was ugly, but even Queen Zhou frowned. After a long time, Chongzhen said in a sullen voice: "Then Zhenghong, what is your good plan?" ”

Yue Yang didn't answer. Instead, he glanced at the eunuchs and palace maids who were waiting around, and Chongzhen immediately said in a deep voice when he saw this: "You all go out, and you can't come in if you are not summoned." Otherwise, you will be beaten to death with a stick! ”

Seeing the eunuch palace maid rushing out, Yue Yang picked up the wine glass and took a sip of the wine in the cup, and then put down the wine glass heavily, the cup and the table made a crisp snapping sound, and then said lightly: "There are two methods, one is to pay grain for the officials and gentry, and the other is to open the sea and ban, so it is difficult for the court not to make money!" ”

"What?"

As soon as Yue Yang's words came out, Chongzhen and Queen Zhou were immediately startled, Chongzhen's eyes immediately became fierce, he stared at Yue Yang and said: "Do you know that Taizu once had an ancestral training that not allowed an inch to go to the sea, and now you actually let me open the sea ban, what are your intentions?" ”

"What's in your heart?"

Hearing Chongzhen's words, Yue Yang couldn't help but smile and shook his head, and said playfully: "Your Majesty, are you really confused or fake, Taizu's ban on the sea is just because the Japanese were too troublesome back then, and Taizu had to do it as a last resort in order to restrict and punish the Japanese invaders." In fact, this sea ban has been in vain as early as the Yongle period, but in the Jiajing period, because of the two tributary missions of the Japanese vassal marquis in Ningbo for the issue of tribute qualifications, the "battle for tribute" broke out, the imperial court then re-began to ban the sea, plus there are officials and gentry from all over the coast of the south of the Yangtze River on the side to add fuel to the fire, which will continue the ban on the sea until now, why do you have to hold on to this ancestral system, not to mention that this sea ban is opened, our court has another rolling source of wealth, you know that in Longqing until Wanli in those years, How much silver poured into our Ming Dynasty from the West? ”

Yue Yang explained the sea ban, Chongzhen and Queen Zhou on the side also listened to it, although Chongzhen is the son of heaven, but for various reasons, the officials of the Ming Dynasty often describe the forbidden sea as demonized, but no one has ever told him about these things. At this time, Queen Zhou couldn't help but ask curiously: "How much silver has flowed into my Daming?" ”

Yue Yang smiled slightly, stretched out three fingers and said softly: "In the decades from Longqing to Wanli, at least 300 million taels of silver have entered my Daming, think about it, how many things can these silver do?" ”

"Hiss ......"

Chongzhen and Empress Zhou gasped together, especially Chongzhen, he couldn't imagine how much 300 million taels of silver was, I am afraid that this would be able to cover the entire city of Beijing.

Looking at Chongzhen, whose face turned pale, Yue Yang asked: "Your Majesty, think about it, if the imperial court can collect taxes on these silvers, even if it is one of ten taxes, it will be thirty million taels of silver, and with thirty million taels of silver, do you still have to worry?" And this silver is not just collected, it is an entry every year, not too much, even if it can collect five million taels of silver every year, how much can the court do? Do you still use this kind of shrinking diet? ”

Chongzhen was indeed frightened, Yue Yang's words seemed to open up a new world for him, he never expected Hai Ban to be so profitable. And Empress Zhou on the side asked a little naïvely: "Zhenghong, since the transaction on the sea is so profitable, why are the ministers of the court still desperately opening the sea ban?" But as soon as her words came out, she immediately realized that she had asked a very stupid question.

Chongzhen and Yue Yang glanced at each other, smiled bitterly, and said word by word: "What else can I do, what I do is nothing more than profit, I was so stupid before." ”

"yes!" Yue Yang also sighed: "Maybe the entire imperial court knows that doing maritime trade is the most profitable, everyone knows this, but the emperor doesn't know." ”

"These selfish traitors!" Hearing this, Chongzhen's face immediately became extremely ugly. (To be continued......)