Xu Jiaojiao also gradually calmed down.

"Okay, I just think it's a little too sudden."

Now that Qingxi Xujiu has just become a little famous, this kind of thing has happened.

"It's not sudden, the emperor was selling his title to raise money to prepare for the border battle, but General Fang lost so easily, which made people not expect."

"Then the court has no money, how can this battle be fought? It's going to be boring again. ”

"Daughter-in-law, let's talk lightly, this matter is not for us to think, look at the situation, we still have to pay attention to the wine shop recently, the situation has changed, even if there is a queen mother, it is possible to be involved in the incident."

"Okay."

Xu Jiaojiao thought of sending a letter to her hometown in the countryside, asking them not to send wine for the time being, once the war starts, I don't know if it will affect the countryside, in short, we must make more preparations, let Xu Zhang's family stock up on more grain in the cellar, and there are also many kinds of grain in the gourd mountain before, and dry food is also good.

In the future, you can use it yourself, or if you don't use it, you can use it to make sake anyway.

……

The news of the loss of Jingcheng Pass spread throughout the capital the next day.

The streets and alleys are full of talking about war, there are old men and old ladies who like to hoard food, and on the streets, there are people rushing to buy rice, grain and oil. There are also many people who come to buy wine from Xu Jiaojiao's wine shop, they are all scrambling to buy it, and the purchase is limited.

Of course, the affordable ordinary liquor in the liquor shop does not accept reservations, only high-end liquor accepts reservations, and high-end liquor is not affordable for ordinary citizens, and it is not solved by queuing.

Fortunately, the capital is still relatively far away from Jingchengguan, and the people at the feet of the Son of Heaven are well-informed, but they have not caused too much panic.

It's just that the prices of various materials on the market have begun to rise quietly.

……

On the morning of the third day.

The emperor sat high on the dragon chair, "Ji Aiqing, how are you preparing for the expedition?" Three days are coming, are you all together? ”

Prime Minister Ji came out of the crowd, "Emperor Qiqi, the soldiers have been ordered, and the army has been prepared, but this grain and grass have not yet been prepared, and it is impossible to go out for the time being." ”

Before the soldiers and horses moved, the grain and grass went first, everyone understands this truth. Tens of thousands of troops, people eat horses and chew, and it costs a lot every day, if there is no food on the way, then do you still have the strength to hurry? Not to mention any war, it is good that the army does not mutiny.

Therefore, there is a saying that the emperor is not a hungry soldier, and no matter how confused the emperor is, he will not do such a thing.

The emperor's gaze turned to another person: "Wan Aiqing? ”

A middle-aged man in his forties came out of the ranks, this person is the Shangshu of the Daxiang Military Department, Wan Zhiqi, tall and majestic, but his face is sad at this time.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has been trying its best to raise grain and grass, but there is too much shortage of silver, and the price has risen slightly, so it is difficult to prepare it for a while."

"How much worse?"

"It is about 100,000 taels of silver, and now it is 60,000 taels owed."

That's more than half of that!

The emperor looked at Du Zhengyan again.

Du Zhengyan didn't wait for the emperor to speak, and took the initiative to say: "Your Majesty, the treasury has long been empty, and now there are only arrears, no silver. The minister knew that this expedition was very important, and he was already trying his best to raise silver taels, but the results were not great, and the progress was slow, so he ......"

Daxiang's current treasury, rats can run long distances in it, and the emperor also knows in his heart that it is not easy to raise 40,000 taels now.

But no matter how difficult it is, things have to be done, and Jingcheng Pass must be recaptured.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what is the best way?"

The emperor rubbed his forehead, he was also distressed, he also understood the difficulty of raising, in the past three days, he was sad every day, and his hair was about to be wiped out. He had already ordered the harem to reduce expenses, but this was only a drop in the bucket and could not solve the problem.

"I said before that you can donate silver to be knighted, but no one is willing to donate?"

All the officials lowered their eyelids, looked at their noses, looked at their noses and hearts, and did not say a word.

Those who are willing to donate have already donated before.

But now, the situation is not good, who is willing to donate? The border pass has been lost, and if the enemy drives it straight in, the situation will only become more chaotic, and at that time, what is the use of a high title? Buying a knighthood is for enjoyment, and if the country is in turmoil, you can still enjoy a P?

There are also a few wait-and-see people who may still be willing to donate, but now, the gap is too big, and it is useless to donate, so let's wait and see......

The emperor sat on it, anxious, looking at everyone like a clay statue of a Bodhisattva, and couldn't help but say in a deep voice:

"Don't speak? Then, in my name, I will temporarily borrow a sum of silver taels from you and return it after the autumn harvest, what do you think? ”

He is also a little angry, these old guys at the bottom, especially those who have been officials for generations, have a rich family, but now that the country is in trouble, they refuse to lend a hand, which is very hateful.

There was a commotion among the ministers, and Yu Shilang came out of the crowd and said, "Your Majesty, the ministers have a plan, which can solve the urgent need." ”

"Speak!"

"Your Majesty, I have been auspicious for many years, and there have been no major wars, although the treasury is not abundant, but the market is quite prosperous, and many silver taels have flowed into the pockets of rich businessmen and magnates. For example, the newly opened Qingxi Xu Liquor in the capital is not a big store, but it is making money every day, which should not be underestimated. The minister thought that he could levy silver taels from these people. Without the stability of the country, where will the market prosper, and whose money will they earn? When the country is in urgent need, these businessmen should donate silver taels to contribute to the country and share the emperor's worries! Therefore, the ministers thought that as long as the emperor decreed, they should respond positively, and the matter of grain and grass would naturally be solved. ”

The emperor nodded slowly.

These people's interests are entangled, intertwined, especially some have formed a huge interest group, one is prosperous, the other is prosperous, the other is prosperous, and it is really urgent to force them, and it is not impossible to cause national turmoil, and it will even affect the rule of the imperial court.

Therefore, there is no perfect solution, and these people are easily unable to move.

The status of the businessman is low, but it can be considered, and if it is really possible, it is a good way.

It's just that 60,000 taels of silver, and time is tight, can it be solved by relying on merchants?

The Qingxi Xu wine in Yu Shilang's mouth, he also knows, it is Xu Jiaojiao's opening.

It's just that, "The Qingxi Xu wine you said was opened by Miss Xu, right?" It doesn't seem to have been open for long, so there shouldn't be much silver. ”

Yu Shilang hurriedly said: "The minister is just an analogy. ”

He also knows that Xu Jiaojiao's current momentum can't be said to be too clear in front of the emperor, which will only leave the emperor with the impression that he is narrow-minded and will be retribution.

The emperor thought for a long time, and felt that the matter was very important, but he still couldn't pin all his hopes on Shangjia.