SFS Chapter 721 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (7)
Chapter 721 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (7)
After finishing his meal, Xiong Bufan continued reviewing memorials. Everyone who saw him said that Xiong Bufan was a diligent emperor.
Shangguan Yi, who was grinding ink on the side, tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, may I humbly ask you to enlighten me?"
"what's up?"
Shangguan Yi: "Your Majesty, why did you allow the officials to fight in the court?"
"Don't you think it's funny when they fight? They could settle things with a duel, but they have to argue and make me the judge."
Shangguan Yi had thought it would be a very high-class reason, but she didn't expect it to be this, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.
Xiong Bufan wrote "1" on the memorial again. Seeing that Shangguan Yi did not speak, he ordered, "Go and find out for me who is the richest person in the capital besides the royal family."
Shangguan Yi thought Xiong Bufan was going to confiscate his property, so she tried to dissuade him, saying, "Your Majesty, everyone in the capital is your subject."
The intention was to awaken even a little bit of Xiong Bufan's love for the people through this statement.
Xiong Bufan: "I love the people as much as I love my daughter."
Shangguan Yi: I don't believe it.
Kongkong: A lover who would exchange children to eat them.
Xiong Bufan felt he couldn't reason with these people, so he continued reviewing the memorials.
Wang Shijun was determined to ignore Xiong Bufan today, so she did not order the small kitchen to cook in the afternoon and only ate food from the imperial kitchen.
Seeing his master's displeasure, Congli asked, "My lord, are you still going to see His Majesty today?"
"No, you go and keep watch. If any scoundrel dares to seduce His Majesty while I'm not around, I'll tear him apart."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As expected, our young master still cares about His Majesty the most, which is incomparable to anyone else.
Just as Cong Li was about to leave, Wang Shijun said again, "Remember to avoid people."
"Yes."
After Cong Li left, leaving only Wang Shijun in the palace, a strange voice rang out again, "Why didn't you go and deliver the food?"
You need to make her depend on you first; the best way to win a woman's heart is to make her depend on you first.
Wang Shijun: "Your Majesty, she is different. I have my own plans for these matters."
"Don't you really want to be the emperor, second only to the emperor, so you'll never be manipulated and commanded by a woman again?"
Wang Shijun said gently, "I only hope that the only man behind Your Majesty is me."
"It's worthless."
Wang Shijun shook his head. No one could understand his feelings for His Majesty. Back then, the young His Majesty saved him from drowning and even sought justice for him.
At that time, he made up his mind that he must marry His Majesty.
Even after the romance system accessed his memories, it still couldn't understand what Wang Shijun was thinking.
All I can say is that the thought process of someone obsessed with love is different from that of an ordinary person, just like their idiotic ex-host.
While Xiong Bufan was in the Imperial Study, other young masters brought him food, but Xiong Bufan did not go with them.
Because their cooking wasn't good, and also because Xiong Bufan was already full.
The concubines in the harem were like chefs in the imperial kitchen, constantly sending food throughout the night.
Xiong Bufan can fill his stomach without going anywhere.
Upon hearing this news, Wang Shijun was so angry that she smashed several cups, saying that those despicable men only knew how to seduce His Majesty.
A qualified empress would have one queen, two noblemen, four attendants, and eight talented men.
Not long after Feng Shu'an ascended the throne, he had a queen, a noble prince, two attendants, and three talented men.
The Empress Zhao Yuanxin was a first-rank official, with a monthly stipend of 20,000 taels of silver. The Noble Consort was a second-rank official, with a monthly stipend of 10,000 taels of silver. The Attendant Consort received a monthly stipend of 5,000 taels of silver, and the talented young man received a monthly stipend of 1,000 taels of silver.
The monthly stipends paid to the masters in the palace were a considerable sum of money. Feng Shu'an had already cut their stipends in half, but it was still a significant amount of money needed each month.
Xiong Bufan was clearly unaware of this matter; otherwise, he would have insisted that those servants and talented men return the money, since the queen's position was also reserved for the wealthy.
Xiong Bufan lay quietly on the dragon bed, his mouth never stopping all night.
No wonder the original owner liked harems; she liked harems too.
The next day at court, many officials asked for leave to recuperate at home, leaving Xiong Bufan with some free time.
However, raising enough money for disaster relief was another big problem; they couldn't just make all the people move.
If everyone moves, then settling in will be another problem, and either way, it will cost money.
Xiong Bufan felt that he was a wise ruler who knew how to be mindful of potential dangers, because a foolish ruler would never care about the lives of the people.
Kongkong: "Bufan, do you already have an idea?"
"I knew the Minister of Revenue was unreliable. I'm going to sell official positions, and all I want is silver and grain."
Throughout history, buying and selling official positions has always been the business of corrupt officials, Kongkong couldn't help but question, "Bufan, are you sure?"
Kongkongkong felt it was necessary to prepare for the possibility that Xiong Bufan's mission would fail, which meant preparing for the destruction of the country under Xiong Bufan's leadership. Xiong Bufan's actions all seemed like he was just playing around.
Shangguan Yi also had this doubt, but the emperor is the emperor, and there are many things that they cannot interfere with as they wish. They can only hope that the heavens will bless the Feng Dynasty and that there will be fewer disasters and wars.
The buying and selling of official positions was still planned out. To this end, the Ministry of Revenue added many new official positions based on Xiong Bufan's suggestion. There were even special officials in charge of the toilets in the capital. Some less important official positions even had three or four officials.
Xiong Bufan was the mastermind, while the people from the Ministry of Revenue were the ones doing the work.
Because of the incompetence of the Ministry of Revenue, the emperor advocated for the sale of official positions.
Liu Tong's face burned with embarrassment, feeling utterly humiliated, but since the other party was the emperor, there was nothing she could do.
When the ministers in the court heard that Xiong Bufan was advocating the buying and selling of official positions, they rushed to court even though their injuries had not yet healed, and did not stay at home to recuperate.
Xiong Bufan sat on the dragon throne, watching the officials arguing in the hall, and found it very interesting.
Since the buying and selling of officials was carried out by the Ministry of Revenue, the ministers were the first to criticize the Ministry of Revenue.
Imperial Censor Li was a veteran of three reigns and was known as the emperor's mirror. He had not attended court before because he had fallen ill from anger and was recuperating at home.
Upon hearing that ministers were fighting in the court and that the emperor was buying and selling official positions, he disregarded his injuries and went straight to court.
With his red court robes and silver-white hair, Imperial Censor Li appeared even more spirited.
Imperial Censor Li also had a stick at hand, but she disdained to use it. At this moment, she directly confronted Xiong Bufan face to face and said, "Your Majesty, the appointment of officials in the court is a major matter. How can you encourage the Ministry of Revenue to buy and sell official positions?"
Xiong Bufan did not deny it, "Do you think the national treasury has money?"
What about disaster relief?
Imperial Censor Li was puzzled, but said, "Your Majesty, making money is the Ministry of Revenue's business, and disaster relief is the Ministry of Works' business."
Xiong Bufan: "They don't have any money, what am I supposed to do?"
What will happen to the people receiving disaster relief?
"Your Majesty, we can increase taxes."
Xiong Bufan sneered and remained silent. No wonder the country perished; it had no capable people left.