The Crybaby Prince is Reborn, Where is the Prince Going?

Chapter 136 Fundraising

"The Emperor has arrived~" Qingxi's iconic voice suddenly rang out in the Golden Palace.

The ministers who were still chatting in groups immediately returned to their seats.

Then Emperor Xuan, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, strode towards the throne.

After he sat down, all officials bowed to him.

"Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

"Excuse me, my dear ministers, please stand. Do you have anything important to report?"

How could Emperor Xuan not know if there were any important matters? However, important matters would be submitted three days in advance. After he approved them, he would let the ministers discuss (argue) at the morning court before making a decision.

No one has submitted any memorials in the past few days, which means there is no important matter to discuss today.

Just have a casual discussion and go through the motions before leaving the court.

He can then go back and hug the beauty and be affectionate with her again.

At least that's what Emperor Xuan thought at this moment.

As soon as he finished speaking, two people walked out of the queue one after another. They looked at each other and realized that they were old rivals. They immediately frowned and refused to give in to each other.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to do!"

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Emperor Xuan was startled. Although he was confused, he quickly calmed down and glanced at the two of them. "What's the matter?"

It does not specify which of the two people should speak first, so it is assumed that whoever has a higher rank will speak first.

Xu Jinlun raised his head slightly and looked at the officials behind him, like a victorious rooster.

This caused the man to snort coldly and retreat back to the queue unwillingly.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report."

"explain."

"Your Majesty, the Mid-Autumn Festival has just passed, and I didn't expect it to snow in October. The weather is getting colder and colder. I often sigh that if it weren't for this body, I would definitely be shivering in the cold.

This is out of gratitude for God's grace, because Your Majesty has chosen to place the capital in the middle of the Central Plains. I don't know what would happen if it was in the north, close to the northern tribes..."

After a lengthy speech, Xu Jinlun said, "I am the Minister of Revenue, and everything I do is for the people. Thinking of the possibility of a frost disaster this year, my heart aches. But now the national treasury is empty, and I am willing but unable to help!"

The implicit meaning of his words was that he wanted to save the people but had no money, and he was also satirizing Emperor Xuan for increasing taxes in order to fill the national treasury.

Emperor Xuan also heard his sarcasm and looked at him dangerously with narrowed eyes, saying in a bad tone: "Oh? My dear minister, are you blaming me for the chaotic tax collection?"

Xu Jinlun quickly knelt down: "I dare not! Your Majesty, I simply cannot bear to see the suffering of the people."

Emperor Xuan was silent for a while.

Xu Jinlun lay on the ground, not daring to move. Why didn't the prince speak up for him? He really didn't want to bear the emperor's wrath alone!

"You can't bear to see the suffering of the people, but how can I bear it too? You blame me for levying an extra 10% in taxes, but how can the soldiers at the border feed themselves without the increase in taxes?"

"Your Majesty, you are mistaken." A man stepped out from behind Xu Jinlun and said, "Lord Xu cares deeply about the people. He must be mindful of the hardships faced by the soldiers at the border and not wanting to discriminate. He must have a foolproof plan in place. Otherwise, how could he dare to contradict Your Majesty?"

The man started to talk nonsense for a while, and then someone from the same faction jumped out to talk nonsense to Xu Jinlun.

The words were all like "You are so capable, why don't you pay for it yourself?"

Xu Jinlun was stunned. For the first time, he felt that there were good people in his family.

He hadn't even mentioned the topic yet, but the result had already been brought up.

That’s great, it saves time and effort and prevents him from wasting his breath.

He then continued the last person's words and said, "I know I am overestimating my own abilities, but I cannot be heartless. The operation of the country depends on the people. I am willing to donate one thousand taels of silver on behalf of the emperor!"

"???" The people who had just finished criticizing Xu Jinlun were stunned. He was just teasing you? How could he donate so easily?

Emperor Xuan did not expect that there would be such a selfless court official, especially since this person was from the Ministry of Revenue.

Everyone knows that the people in the Ministry of Revenue guard the national treasury and cry poor every day.

Even when he wanted to withdraw some money from the national treasury, he had to hear the word "poor" so many times that his ears became callused.

Why did the people in the Ministry of Revenue suddenly change their nature?

At that moment, all the civil and military officials in the court were shocked except for those who had "voluntarily donated" that day.

The sun doesn’t rise from the west?

What will confuse them even more is yet to come.

As soon as Xu Jinlun finished speaking, several people echoed him. They first praised Xu Jinlun, then complained about their grievances and expressed their true feelings, and finally donated several hundred taels of silver each with a wave of their hands.

“???” Are you crazy!

Of course, they didn't know that this was all discussed in advance, and the donated money was stolen silver.

But if there are one and two, there will be three and four. If everyone else pays money, they have no choice but to pay.

This is an important opportunity to gain the emperor's favor!

Then all the civil and military officials in the court followed suit and donated silver. It was as if they had come to an auction. Ministers came out one by one to report the amount, and the least they donated was three hundred taels.

Cui Guangdao then stepped forward and proposed: "Your Majesty, since all of my colleagues want to share your worries and alleviate the current empty treasury, I suggest that we launch a fundraising campaign?" No one can escape.

Cui Guangdao changed the concept and described the fundraising based on preventing frost disasters and disaster relief as if it was to fill the empty national treasury.

Emperor Xuan was very happy. Why wouldn't he agree to something that could kill two birds with one stone?

He doesn't have to spend any money and can still gain a good reputation for loving the people like his own children. How could he not be happy?

Seeing Emperor Xuan's delight, the old fox Mu Qian also hurriedly expressed his position and took the opportunity to test which prince the emperor favored.

"I am willing to share your worries, Your Majesty, but Your Majesty..." Mu Qian looked at Emperor Xuan with embarrassment, "Which prince does Your Majesty intend to let take charge of this matter?"

Emperor Xuan was indeed in a dilemma. Fundraising involved not only officials in the capital, but also wealthy families and businessmen. It was a lucrative job.

He wanted to train his sons, but he was really afraid that his sons would collude with officials to usurp his throne.

I was in a dilemma for a moment.

"father..."

"Father."

Xiao Mingli was about to bow and hand in the job when he was interrupted by Xiao Mingcheng.

"Your son is willing to share your father's worries."

Emperor Xuan was stunned, and everyone else was also stunned.

The eldest prince actually took the initiative to discuss politics???

The emperor actually took the initiative to talk to me???

Big Brother is actually starting to covet the throne???

Everyone was surprised by Xiao Mingcheng's actions, and then began to analyze his purpose.

What's more, even old hands like Mu Qian are already considering the possibility of Xiao Mingcheng inheriting the throne.

However, Xiao Mingcheng didn't know what everyone was thinking. He said, "Although I am the eldest, I haven't helped my younger brothers in the past few years. I feel guilty towards my father and brothers, so I also want to take on the responsibilities that I should have."

It's reasonable and justifiable. I just want to do it out of guilt, not out of any ulterior motive.

Emperor Xuan felt quite relieved that his eldest son had finally forgiven him. Look, he even started to take the initiative to help him solve his problems!

He was ecstatic in his heart, but did not show it on his face.

He thought for a while, as if worried, before saying, "I'm relieved to leave this matter to you."

"Yes, I obey your orders."

Xiao Mingli was disdainful because he didn't get the job.

Big brother has no desires and won't steal your throne, so how can this old man not be at ease?