After wearing a book, I became a group favorite

Chapter 21

Duo Fu said: "According to the rules, Her Royal Highness can get 10 taels of gold and 300 taels of silver every year."

Li Xuandu's eyes lit up, this is quite a fortune.During his stay in the imperial city, he had learned that one tael of silver here was worth about 2000 RMB, and the 300 tael of silver was equivalent to 60 RMB when converted into RMB. 1 tael of gold is worth 10 taels of silver, so the conversion of 10 taels of gold into RMB is 20 yuan. Add 60 to 20, then he will have an income of 80 a year, which is really cool!

Li Xuandu's eyes sparkled: "What about the silver?"

"The monthly money of the empress and the servants is the month before the second month," Duofu said, "but whether the monthly money of His Highness and the servants can be paid, and how much can be paid, the slaves don't know. "

Li Xuandu was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

Duofu looked around, and then said in a low voice: "Your Highness, worthy servant, please don't say what the servant said next, and don't say it."

Li Xuandu and Yang Huaixu agreed, and Duofu dared to continue: "There is not much money in the treasury now, and even the people in the harem haven't paid monthly money for several years."

Li Xuandu was very surprised: "How could this happen?"

"Emperor Tai/Zu was a good emperor. After he conquered the country, our Daqing has been prosperous for a few years," Duofu said in a low voice, "but Emperor Tai/Zu passed away within a few years, and the throne passed to the former emperor. On. To be disrespectful, the first emperor did not have the demeanor of the Tai/Zu emperor at all. He only knew how to eat, drink and play all day long, indulged in drinking and sex, and ignored the government affairs. Those ministers did what they liked and gave gifts to the first emperor. Beauties. Gradually, many treacherous people gained power, and the whole Daqing was stirred up by them. The late emperor liked beauties the most, and those ministers collected beauties from all over the place to present to the late emperor. Your Highness, do you guess how many beauties there were in the harem at the time? ?”

Li Xuandu thought for a moment: "More than 4 people?" He remembered that in theory, the person with the most concubines in history was Sima Yan, Emperor Wu of the Western Jin Dynasty, with tens of thousands.Tang Minghuang Li Longji also had a lot of harem, as many as 4 people, but these people were not all concubines, many of them were court ladies and female officials.

"More than 5 people." Duofu said.

Li Xuandu was surprised that there were so many.

Yang Huaixu grew up in the imperial city, so he naturally knew about it, not as surprised as Li Xuandu.

Li Xuandu suddenly remembered that Duofu had said before that all the concubines were buried.He suddenly shivered out of thin air, and he was a little more afraid of the tyrant.

"So many people died collectively..." Li Xuandu said tremblingly.

"How can it be?" Duofu said, "There are so many people, some of them have never even seen the late emperor. After His Majesty ascended the throne, almost all of them were released, leaving only a few dozen people who died collectively."

Li Xuandu breathed a sigh of relief, so this tyrant is not bad, not too stupid.

"According to the rules, there are many concubines to live in a palace," Duofu said, "but there are too many people, so the harem has been expanded again and again. Now that there are no people, the remaining palace is enough for each servant. "

Speaking of this, Li Xuandu asked something that has been puzzling for a long time: "Didn't it mean that there has never been a precedent for a man to be a queen and concubine since ancient times? Then, Your Majesty...does he like men?"

"This servant doesn't know." Duofu shook his head.

"By the way, why does Your Majesty always wear a mask? Is it a custom in the palace?" Li Xuandu's mind has already flashed that cold silver mask, and that mask, like the red-clothed boy back then, brought to his heart Not a small impact.

"It's not a custom in the palace. Tai/zu emperors and former emperors don't wear masks, only His Majesty does." Duofu said, "I have never seen Your Majesty since I entered the palace. Only Eunuch Xi is the one with the face, after His Majesty ascended the throne, everyone who has seen his face..."

Li Xuandu was even more certain that this tyrant must be extremely ugly, or disfigured.

Li Xuandu nodded: "Go down first, I don't need to serve you here."

Duofu bowed and left.

Li Xuandu was sitting on the chair thinking about something, Yang Huaixu suddenly walked a few steps closer, and pressed his shoulder: "Does it still hurt here?"

Li Xuandu also pressed it: "It's getting better recently, Mu Shang's acupuncture and massage are very effective."

"Then I'll press it for you." Due to his weak body, Yang Huaixu's hands are not very strong, so it's comfortable to press.

Li Xuandu said: "You are a patient who gave me a massage."

"As long as His Highness is comfortable, so am I." Yang Huaixu smiled faintly.

Li Xuandu felt that this was a little strange, but he didn't think too much about it. He was still thinking about the tyrant: "He even wore a mask on the wedding day, it's really..."

"On the day of the wedding, Your Majesty..." Yang Huaixu couldn't help but feel that his hand was getting stronger.

"Don't mention it, I'm going to be scared to death." The fear brought by the day I entered the palace did not dissipate with the passage of time. In the bridal chamber, there were only me and Your Majesty left, and I was even more frightened to death. I thought, if His Majesty was really offended, there would be no one to persuade him. Fortunately, it was a false alarm, and His Majesty left after a short stay."

"Leaving?" Yang Huaixu gradually relaxed his movements.

"Yeah, he left without saying anything. I didn't know at first, but when I heard the door being pushed, I thought he was going out for something. Later, Duofu came in to serve me, and that's when I knew that His Majesty had left." Recalling the scene at that time, Li Xuandu still had lingering fears in his heart, "Huai Xu, what do you think Your Majesty thinks? You are all so outstanding, but why did you kidnap me to be the queen?"

Yang Huaixu meant something: "Because you are the most special."

"What's the difference?" Li Xuandu thought for a while, "Is it because of my identity? He wants to find a commoner queen? This will prevent foreign relatives from interfering in politics?"

Yang Huaixu said, "Maybe."

"It's only been three years since Your Majesty ascended the throne, and almost the entire court has been washed with blood. Now these courtiers are all raised by His Majesty, such as my father." Yang Huaixu saw that Li Xuandu was very interested in this, so he decided to He explained, "Although His Majesty is brutal and bloodthirsty, since he took the throne, he has promulgated many policies that benefit the people, giving Daqing a glimmer of life in its original decay."

Li Xuandu seemed to understand why the ministers objected when Long Yan established a male concubine, but finally agreed, and this was not just suppressed by force alone.These courtiers were all single-handedly picked up by him, so they naturally have the grace of knowing him.What's more, this era emphasizes loyalty to the emperor and serving the country. No matter how absurd the emperor is, those who are unfaithful are inhumane and unrighteous.What's more, although Long Yan is brutal, he is also a capable monarch. To the common people, he is considered a good emperor.It's just that he still can't figure out why he wants to make a man his concubine.

"So that's how it is," Li Xuandu sighed, "Then do you know his age? How old is it?" He thought Long Yan must be quite old.

"I don't know, but I think I shouldn't be too old," Yang Huaixu said, "When the first emperor passed away, it was not too long ago."

So the emperor is only in his 20s?Very young.

"Huai Xu, how do you know so many things, it's amazing." Li Xuandu always thought that Yang Huai Xu lived in the mansion to recuperate, so he must know nothing.

Yang Huaixu smiled: "It's boring to recuperate at home, so it's nice to listen to various things to pass the time."

"Okay, don't press it anymore, your hands are tired after such a long time." Li Xuandu moved his shoulders and stood up from the chair, "It's getting late, let's go back and rest first."

"En." Yang Huaixu agreed, said goodbye and left Li Xuandu's room.

Li Xuandu didn't go to bed right away, he was still worrying about the apprentice ceremony.

How about making a table of delicious food for Yang Zhi, he really can't do anything else.

There are still many things to do tomorrow, Li Xuandu thought about it in his heart, and fell asleep unknowingly.

In the early morning of the next day, the servants came to pay their respects as usual.

After paying his respects, Li Xuandu left Yang Zhi behind.

Except for greeting the queen for the first time, they wore palace clothes, and later they all wore casual clothes.Yang Zhi stood there dressed in white, aloof and desolate, like a snow lotus on a high mountain.

"I have something to tell you," Li Xuandu thought about his choice of words, "I want to learn to read and write, and I want you to be my wife."

"Why?" Yang Zhi's voice was cold, just like him.I don’t know why this sentence refers to why Li Xuandu wants to learn to read and write, or why he wants to worship him as a teacher.

"I can't even read all the characters, and I have no strength to manage the harem well," Li Xuandu scratched his head, "Your father is the Imperial Academy, so you must be very experienced in teaching, so I came to you."

"it is good."

Yang Zhi agreed so happily that Li Xuandu didn't realize it.It took a while to realize what Yang Zhi said, and she almost cried with joy: "So you agreed?"

"Hmm." It was still a short word.

"Then, then I'll go to Hua Chao and ask him to show me an auspicious day suitable for apprenticeship." Li Xuandu was very happy and ran out happily.

The servants in the harem are good, all of them are capable. Hua Chao is the son of Qin Tianjian, so it is suitable for him to do this.

Li Xuandu ran to Hua Chao in a hurry and said, Hua Chao immediately chose a day - tomorrow is an auspicious time, suitable for apprenticeship.

Li Xuandu was very happy, he prepared everything in time and was not in a hurry.

On the way back, he had already thought about what to do for Yang Zhi.

As soon as he entered the gate of Zhengyang Palace, he saw Yang Huaixu head-on.

"Your Highness." Yang Huai said preface.

Li Xuandu tightened the cloak for him: "It's cold today, why don't you stay in the room?"

"I'm waiting for you." Yang Huaixu said.

"Wait for me?" Li Xuandu walked into the room with him while talking, "Just wait until I send someone out to find me, why do you have to stand at the door? You are weak, what if you get sick again? .”

Yang Huaixu smiled lightly: "I will pay attention."

While speaking, he had already arrived in the room, and the heat was blowing in his face. Li Xuandu helped Yang Huaixu take off the cloak.

"What do you find me for?"

"Yes." Yang Huaixu took out a scroll from somewhere and gave it to Li Xuandu.

Li Xuandu took it suspiciously and slowly opened it. Inside was a landscape painting. He only thought it was pretty good, and he didn't appreciate the rest.

"This is a painting by the master of Qingtai, which is hard to buy," Yang Huaixu explained, "The master of Qingtai is a master of calligraphy and painting, and his works are rarely handed down to the world, so it is very difficult to find. His Highness gave him to Yang Huai. It is especially suitable as a teacher apprentice ceremony."

"This, I can't take this." Li Xuandu suddenly felt that the painting in his hand was heavy and heavy, so he hurriedly put away the painting and handed it to Yang Huaixu.

Yang Huaixu came over again: "Your Highness, take it. Although this painting is precious, it is just a painting to me. Yang Zhi is a scholar, so he will definitely like this. Things can only be in the right hands. in order to maximize its value.”

"Then if you want to give it, you can give it yourself," Li Xuandu said, "I don't want it." It was too precious, and he couldn't pay it back because he was so poor.

"Take it, Your Highness," Yang Huaixu pushed the painting into his hand again, "Why do we have to be so alien to each other."

"It's too expensive, I really can't take it." Li Xuandu refused to take it no matter what, "I've already thought about what gift to prepare for Yang Zhi, I accept your wish, but I really can't take it."

Seeing that he insisted not to accept it, Yang Huaixu had no choice but to give up: "In that case, I will put it away first."

"Yeah." Li Xuandu nodded repeatedly, "I want to visit Yingshi's place."

When the two arrived in Liu Yingshi's room, Liu Yingshi raised her feet high and was still looking at the account book. She didn't lift her eyelids when she saw them coming in.

"How is it? Does your foot still hurt?" Li Xuandu asked.

"It doesn't hurt much anymore." Liu Yingshi had already turned a page of the ledger when she spoke.

Li Xuandu looked at the tall stack next to him, and opened his mouth wide: "Have you finished reading it all? It's too soon."

"Well, what's the matter." Liu Yingshi's eyes were still on the ledger.

"It's amazing, amazing," Li Xuandu raised his thumb, "Actually, there's no rush, just take your time, don't be in a hurry, don't be too anxious, and don't tire your eyes."

Liu Yingshi hummed: "Don't bother me, I'll tell you after I finish this book."

Li Xuandu and Yang Huaixu each found a place to sit down, they didn't dare to speak, they just sat there blankly, fortunately after a while, Liu Yingshi finally closed the ledger.

"The problem here is too big, and they are quite courageous," Liu Yingshi said with a serious expression, "The records in these ledgers are chaotic, some dates are not recorded at all, and some purchases are not recorded at all."

This is also expected by Li Xuandu, the previous emperor was licentious and innocent, and the current emperor does not manage the harem after he ascended the throne, wouldn't these servants be turned upside down?

"Look, it costs one or two taels of silver to buy a cabbage," Liu Ying said, pointing to Shang Shanjian's account book, "Although I don't know how much a cabbage costs, I also know that it won't cost a tael of silver."

Li Xuandu took a deep breath: "A cabbage is only a few pennies, they are really brave."

"Also," Liu Yingshi continued to flip through the ledger, "one tael for a radish, and two taels for a catty of pork."

Li Xuandu clenched his fists, he really didn't know if he didn't look at it, he was startled when he saw it, this greed was too outrageous, it was simply unscrupulous.

"Can you see who is greedy for money?" Li Xuandu was most concerned about this matter.

"Every one of the 24 Yamen is corrupt," Liu Ying said while looking at Li Xuandu, "Your Highness, are you going to kill them all? Just pointing to the ledger is not enough evidence."

Yang Huaixu said: "Your Highness, don't be too hasty, let them spit out all the money they have been greedy for, I'm afraid they have been greedy for so many years."

Li Xuandu asked Yang Huaixu: "Then what should we do?"

"Stand still, His Highness's recent actions, I believe they will counterattack, let's see how they counterattack for now, let's make plans." Yang Huaixu said.

Li Xuandu nodded: "Just do as you say."

Liu Yingshi saw that the discussion had been made, so she rushed out: "Go quickly, don't delay me from looking at the account book."

Li Xuandu grinned: "I'll come back later."

Liu Yingshi asked suspiciously, "What else are you here for?"

Li Xuandu said: "I will bring you food, I will do it."

Liu Yingshi flatly refused: "I won't eat."

Li Xuandu smiled and said: "When I deliver it, you will definitely want to eat it after eating it."

Liu Yingshi snorted lightly: "Don't eat."

Li Xuandu stood up from the chair: "Just wait, I'll get ready."

After he went out, he found Duofu: "Is everything ready?"

Duofu took out a newly made small slingshot: "Your Highness, it's ready."