readsfreenovel Chapter 438 Fundraising
Chapter 438 Fundraising
The next morning, Zhou Chang was forcibly awakened by the skinny monkey in a daze.
The palace issued an order for Prince Yi to enter the palace.
There was never any good news from this kind of imperial edict. Zhou Chang had originally thought that the matter of Liu E had come to an end and he could at least take a two-day break, but in the end he had to get up very early.
However, this time was different from the past. The emperor summoned him not in the imperial study but in the imperial garden.
Thinking that the Emperor still owed him a reward for "saving him", Zhou Chang climbed up from the bed in the study.
Breakfast is skipped for now. I’d better go and take a look at Aunt Jing before going out.
Perhaps it was selfish to say that yesterday, but Zhou Chang had no choice.
Just realizing that Aunt Jing was going to die, Prince Yi and she couldn't control their emotions and didn't dare to think any further.
Once Aunt Jing woke up, she could no longer get over the pain and began to feel burning pain day and night. She needed to constantly change the bandages and wash herself. She was in hell of suffering.
Despite this, when Zhou Chang saw Aunt Jing again this morning, her eyes had regained some of their spirit compared to yesterday. She was no longer seeking death, but at the same time she had also become more aware of many realities.
For example, if the right half of your face is burned, even if it recovers well in the future, it will definitely leave a scar.
For example, although the bones on the right arm are not seriously damaged, the burned flesh is difficult to recover to its original state, and it may not be able to be lifted up in the future, and it will not be possible to move freely as before.
Another example is that he stayed in the fire scene for too long and the long-term suffocation also damaged his lungs. He may not be able to recover to the normal level in the future. He can no longer talk much or work hard. He may have to carefully recuperate for several years.
No matter which of these things, she found it difficult to accept, but she had to accept them.
But Aunt Jing has never been a person who is entangled. She didn’t think too much when she entered the sea of fire. Now if she were asked to choose again, she would not change her mind.
As for now, since she has been persuaded by Zhou Chang and decided not to seek death, then as long as she faces the remaining problems, they will be no difficulty to overcome.
Zhou Chang deeply admired Aunt Jing's tenacity, and secretly thought that she might not be able to do it if it were her.
After leaving Aunt Jing's place, Zhou Chang went to Uncle Qiu's yard again.
Uncle Qiu still refused to take medicine or drink alcohol.
Zhou Chang still had to go to the palace and had no time to delay any longer, so he could only assign a task to Uncle Qiu, asking him to get well soon so that he could go and accompany Aunt Jing, otherwise Aunt Jing's illness would also be delayed.
Although Uncle Qiu agreed verbally, he was obviously still feeling uncomfortable.
Zhou Chang was in a hurry to leave. Gao Yuan's yard was right next to Uncle Qiu, so she had to go and give him some instructions.
Liu E was just rescued yesterday. These two days are a sensitive period, so Gao Yuan should not show up. It would be better for him to stay in the palace to interrogate Xiao Jiangzi.
Of course, Peng Liang’s movements cannot be ignored, and we must send people to keep a close eye on him to prevent him from playing any tricks.
After walking around for a long time and explaining everything to everyone, Zhou Chang finally brought the skinny monkey into the palace.
Emperor Lin held a simple tea party in the imperial garden and specially invited royal relatives to come and taste tea, appreciate flowers and cool off.
After Zhou Chang paid his respects, he sat below Prince Rong, while Prince Xian sat opposite Prince Rong, below and to the left of Emperor Lin, which had previously been the seat of Prince Duan.
Further down the list were old ministers such as Duke of Xu Gu Yan, Marquis of Wu'an Jiang Rui, and Shangshu Ling Ding Mao.
As soon as I sat down, the "ding, ding, ding..." reminder sound of the viewpoint system's order placement kept ringing in my mind.
It has been a long time since Zhou Chang last did live streaming to sell goods for his customers, and he almost forgot his most "main" job.
The Emperor's tea party was held in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden. The space in the pavilion was limited and it was impossible to separate the tables, so everyone sat around a large table that was spliced together.
Since they were sitting at the same table with the emperor, the utensils used were naturally exquisite.
Royal items are truly never out of date, and the plane's customers have always maintained a strong purchasing power. Zhou Chang secretly reminded himself that he must not miss it this time and must take them all away when he leaves.
Emperor Lin was sitting at the top, looking unwell, but now he looked much better. After Zhou Chang sat down, he spoke first: "I returned too early from the hunting palace this year, and it happened to be cool today, so I wanted to invite you all. There is nothing else to do, just to chat."
The emperor invites people to chat?
Zhou Chang simply didn't believe it.
"Speaking of the reason for returning early, you all know it. Southern mobs, Southern mobs..." When the Emperor mentioned these four words, his heart became heavy. "I also want to provide relief. If the treasury was not short of money, and the people and goods were not supplied in time, why would it be like this?"
Zhou Chang remembered the "city gate head tax" that was added when entering the city yesterday.
No wonder, this is what it means to “cry poor”…
Zhou Chang was very familiar with the situation and couldn't help but become more alert.
The Emperor was still mumbling: "I have thought about it, and there is no other way. Someone suggested that we raise funds and call on the court. Of course, the court has a limited number of people, and the most important thing is the general public..."
Zhou Chang sneered in his heart.
The war with the neighboring country lasted for three years, and then there was an epidemic and a flood. The treasury was empty, so taxes were increased, but the people already had no money and were not to be skinned.
In this situation, how can you still have the nerve to think about the people?
The Emperor could not hear Zhou Chang's inner voice, and continued with his opening remarks: "Of course, I think the people of Jindu will never refuse. As for the royal family, princes and ministers, they are all role models. Everyone present here today is my right-hand man and important minister of the country, so naturally you have to take the lead..."
Take the lead?
Why look for Prince Yi?
Isn’t Prince Yi’s reputation of “the wind leaves traces, the wild geese pluck feathers” loud enough?
Zhou Chang tried hard not to jump up in anger.
Everyone present looked at each other, and no one said anything.
After a while, Prince Rong smiled elegantly and was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, this is a good idea. It can not only enrich the national treasury but also give everyone an opportunity to do good deeds. However, who should be responsible for this matter? You can't let your Majesty do it yourself, and the person who collects the funds needs to be highly respected and capable of doing many things at the same time, so that the good will be twice as effective with half the effort."
Emperor Lin nodded in agreement: "That's right, I am worried about this."
"As for the candidate, it would be the prince who is most suitable to represent His Majesty." Duke Gu Yan of Xu followed.
There has been no progress in Prince Duan's leg injury, but Duke Gu Yan of Xi looks normal, so no one knows the exact severity of his injury.
"Prince..." Emperor Lin glanced at Prince Rong and the other two.
"In my opinion, His Royal Highness Prince Xian is just the right person." Duke Gu Yan of Xu added.
Before Prince Xian expressed his opinion, Shangshu Ling Ding Mao said, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Xian is indeed as His Royal Highness Prince Rong said, he is highly trusted and capable of doing a lot. But because of this, His Royal Highness Prince Duan is seriously injured, and the finishing work of the Ministry of Works and the Imperial Mausoleum has been delayed. His Royal Highness Prince Xian has been working at the Ministry of Works these days."
"Hmm..." Emperor Lin nodded to show that he knew about this.
Prince Rong also shook his head: "Alas, what a pity! If the envoys from Nanqing and Cheni had not arrived in the past few days, I could have come forward to raise funds."
"Hmm..." Emperor Lin nodded again.
As a result, everyone's eyes turned to Zhou Chang.