The Legend of Zhen Huan: Entering the Palace to Become the Queen Mother

Chapter 246: Selling Official Positions and Giving Away Gold Melon Seeds

But why did the emperor mention Fu Cha Guard? Could it be that the emperor plans to send Fu Cha Guard to the Ministry of Revenue in the future?

Fu Cha Ma Qi was really lucky. He had two daughters, one who became a princess, and the other who was sent to the palace to become Concubine Xuan, and also gave birth to the sixth prince.

Now this guard Fu Cha has also caught the emperor's eye. It seems that the emperor is putting a lot of effort into training this guard Fu Cha. The Fu Cha family still has a long way to go in its prominence.

He is now somewhat interested in Jing'an mentioned by the emperor. He has a little granddaughter at home who is almost getting married. If Fu Cha and Fu De are outstanding talents, it will not hinder the two families from making a good marriage.

"The New Year is coming in a few days. Have the New Year's rewards come yet?"

Seeing that there had been no movement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs for two days, Concubine Hua couldn't help but look at Songzhi and ask.

"Reporting to Her Majesty, the New Year's rewards have been delivered."

"However, the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs said that because the emperor ordered to save money today, the reward money will be only half of that in previous years."

Songzhi looked at Concubine Hua's expression carefully and began to explain.

"How come half of it is missing? What are the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs up to?"

Hua Fei asked with a cold face.

"My lady, I think the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs should not deceive you, and I heard that this idea was proposed by Concubine Wan."

Songzhi pursed her lips, looked at Concubine Hua and spoke hesitantly.

"Mr. Wan?"

"Why is she here again? Isn't she uncomfortable if she doesn't make trouble every day?"

"Every year at this time, I will lavishly reward the servants of Yikun Palace. The amount in the past was not enough, and I have to pay part of it myself."

"Now, it's even better, and it has to be halved. Isn't that even less than enough?"

Concubine Hua became upset whenever she mentioned Zhen Huan. Thinking that more of her money would flow out because of Concubine Wan, she hated Concubine Wan to the core.

"Yes, my dear."

"This year is different from the past. It's rare for the general to spend the New Year in Beijing. We have to reward more people this year than in previous years."

Songzhi also spoke indignantly.

"If you want to manage these servants in this palace, having enough prestige is one thing, but will they obey you just by having prestige?"

"The most important thing is to give the money to the people. If they get real benefits, they will naturally not be stingy in helping you."

Hua Fei couldn't help but sigh and said.

"In fact, you can ask the general for some silver, and that will solve the problem."

Seeing that the queen was in distress, Songzhi made a suggestion.

"My brother has given me a lot of money over the past two years, either openly or secretly. Otherwise, I would have been unable to survive with this little monthly salary."

"But a daughter who is married off is like water spilled on the ground. I am now married to the Emperor. If I continue to ask for money from my parents' family, even if my brother doesn't mind, do my sisters-in-law not mind at all?"

"Sister-in-law is a good person. She has gone through a lot with my brother. I don't want to make my brother and sister-in-law unhappy during this important festival."

In fact, Hua Fei naturally understood that since her brother was supporting her in this way and sending so much money to the palace, it was impossible for her sister-in-law to have no thoughts at all.

Now that the festival is approaching, my brother's house needs money to entertain guests. If I ask him for money now, I'm afraid I won't be able to sit still.

"I still have to think of some other way to get some money. It's not a long-term solution to rely solely on my mother's family."

Hua Fei sighed slightly and spoke.

"It's not a big deal for your majesty to make some money. Now that the general has returned to the capital, the threshold of the Nian Mansion will be trampled down by people seeking to see him."

"Everyone wants to meet the general and ask for an official position, but unfortunately the general is too busy to meet them. Now they are worried that they can't find someone to introduce them to someone."

"I will not hide this from you, Your Majesty. Actually, my family has received gifts from these people. They hope that I can say a few good words for them in front of Your Majesty, and let Your Majesty speak for them in front of the general."

“In a word, that’s the number.”

As she spoke, Songzhi made a five gesture to Concubine Hua.

"You mean five hundred taels?"

Hua Fei asked somewhat uncertainly.

"Your Majesty, five hundred taels is just a deposit. If this matter is successful, the remaining four thousand five hundred taels will also be sent to you."

Songzhi nodded seriously and said.

"Is it that simple?"

Concubine Hua had zero political sensitivity. She had no idea how risky this matter was. Her mind was completely overwhelmed by the five thousand taels of silver.

"It's that simple. Your Majesty only needs to say a few words for them to get the five hundred taels. The five hundred taels will belong to Your Majesty regardless of whether it succeeds or not."

Seeing that Concubine Hua was somewhat moved, Songzhi stepped up her efforts to persuade her.

After all, if this thing succeeds, it will be of great benefit to her.

"These people simply have no way to serve the emperor, so they can only use this method to pave the way."

"If Your Majesty can use this opportunity to recommend some talents to the Emperor, the Emperor will certainly be happy, and this will also be a great thing for Your Majesty."

Songzhi touched the one hundred taels of silver floating in her sleeve and spoke even more excitedly.

"But the emperor does not allow the harem to talk nonsense about state affairs. However, this matter does not involve state affairs. I am just passing on a message. It is up to you whether to use it or not."

Hua Fei also thought about it and found that this was indeed a good way to make money. She couldn't help but curl up a smug smile at the corner of her mouth.

She had no idea that this behavior was called selling official positions and titles, a serious crime punishable by beheading.

On this side, Fu Cha Zhixi looked at the small brocade box sent by Su Peisheng with some curiosity. When he opened it, he found that it was filled with a bunch of golden melon seeds.

"Your Majesty, this was specially sent here by the Emperor."

"The Emperor said that in order to save money for the harem, he deliberately cut the annual festival allowance for the harem. The Emperor was worried that it would be inconvenient for the Empress to reward me, so he ordered me to bring this to the Empress."

Su Peisheng looked at Fu Cha Zhixi with an attentive smile and said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Fu Cha Zhixi never expected that the emperor would be so thoughtful and considerate to think of such a small detail for her. Not many women could escape the tenderness and thoughtfulness from the emperor.

No wonder Zhen Huan was so fascinated by the emperor's fat orange face.

"Yuhu, go and get the pajamas that I made earlier."

Fu Cha Zhixi thought about it and decided to give a return gift of her own. If one just accepts gifts without giving anything in return, it will only consume the other person's feelings, which is a big taboo in relationships.