The harem is too complicated; the empress, a lazy bum, wins by doing nothing.

Chapter 214 Military-Business Collusion
Emperor Yuanwu didn't have much of an opinion on this matter. Since the Empress was considering it and was willing to do it, he naturally had no major objections.

"The Empress is very thoughtful. I'll leave this matter to her. I'm sure she has considered it carefully." Emperor Yuanwu paused, then added, "I'm just curious, when did the Empress start paying attention to these palace maids?"

Shen Qingwan smiled and said, "In the Emperor's eyes, do I know nothing and know nothing except how to cook food every day? I even leave many things in the harem to Consort Shu and the others. After Consort De was stripped of her power to assist in managing the six palaces, I immediately promoted Consort Jin and Consort Zhen."

Emperor Yuanwu did not speak, but what Shen Qingwan said was indeed what Emperor Yuanwu had thought about. Now that Shen Qingwan had said it so bluntly, he was momentarily stunned and relaxed: "I never said that."

Seeing his unnatural expression, Shen Qingwan became even more certain that she had guessed correctly.

However, how could someone as proud and vain as Emperor Yuanwu possibly admit that his thoughts had been guessed by others?

"Actually, managing the harem is the same as the emperor governing the court. Although the harem isn't as complicated as the court, the women in the deep palace are often bored. Those with children might have to take care of them, but the imperial heirs in the harem are cared for by wet nurses, eunuchs, and nannies—so they really do worry. But if you're talking about how much effort it takes, that's probably not so much. Those without children, once they're fed and watered, they'll probably start thinking about other women."

Instead of doing that, it would be better to distribute the power of the harem. In this way, the idle concubines would have something to do and would not be so bored all day. Naturally, they would not focus their attention on things that should not be focused on. As long as I arrange the affairs of the harem to suitable people, I can manage the harem well and not make myself too tired. Why not do it?
Moreover, I think that the concubines in the harem, especially those without children, are still very willing to hold some power in the harem in their own hands. In order to consolidate their position in the harem, they will naturally do their best.

Although I have delegated the affairs of the harem, it doesn't mean I've washed my hands of everything and ignored everything. I still need to investigate everything they do, and point out anything that is not done well or is wrong as soon as possible. If it is still not right after the correction, I will not tolerate it and will naturally hand it over to a competent concubine.

"Your Majesty can rest assured, I will be absolutely fair in rewards and punishments. I will not cover up or condone any concubine's wrongdoing just because she is close to me. Only by treating everyone fairly will they be dedicated."

Emperor Yuanwu looked at Shen Qingwan intently, his eyes even carrying a hint of admiration.

He could hardly believe it; it seemed that every time he interacted with the Empress, he could see something in her that he could not see in any of the other concubines in the harem.

He married her because he obeyed the Empress Dowager's orders, who said she had the destiny of a phoenix. He thought that as long as she behaved herself and was well cared for in the harem, that would be enough. Now, listening to her talk about how she manages the harem, he really felt a bit of respect for her.

Many officials in the court only complain about their hard work day and night, but they don't know how to make good use of their subordinates. No matter how he tries to explain this to them, they can't understand it. But a woman in the inner palace understands it. How can he not admire her?
"I never would have guessed that the Empress understood the ways of officialdom," Emperor Yuanwu said, putting down his chopsticks in a daze.

"Your Majesty flatters me. I don't understand the ways of officialdom. There are too many trivial matters in the palace, so I just try to find ways to be lazy." Shen Qingwan ladled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of Emperor Yuanwu. "Your Majesty, this old duck soup looks like it was cooked properly. Drinking some old duck soup can warm you up when it's cold."

Emperor Yuanwu had no interest in the old duck soup, but since it was served by the Empress and at such a time, he felt that the old duck soup tasted different from what he usually did.

It was an hour later when Emperor Yuanwu came out of Kunning Palace.

He stood at the entrance of Kunning Palace, looking up at the sun overhead, a faint smile curving his lips without him even realizing it.

Wu Jixiang looked up in the direction he was looking and said, "Your Majesty, this servant has not seen Your Majesty in such a good mood in a long time." Upon hearing his words, Emperor Yuanwu showed no displeasure whatsoever; on the contrary, the smile on his lips deepened.

He slowly withdrew his gaze, turned back and glanced in the direction of Kunning Palace. "I am truly gratified. The marriage with the Empress was not what I wanted. However, the Crown Prince position that Father Emperor favored was Prince Rui. At that time, the Shen family intended to marry Shen Qingwan to Prince Rui, which is why Mother had that idea. You have seen everything that happened after the wedding. I thought... but I did not expect that she has changed so much now."

“Your Majesty, the auspicious clouds and winds of that year only meant that the Empress had the destiny of a phoenix. Perhaps what that high monk meant was not that whoever married her would become emperor, but that her phoenix destiny gave her the ability to rule the world. Now the concubines are harmonious, and the concubines in the harem are pregnant one after another. This is much less troublesome than when Consort Xian was managing the harem,” Wu Jixiang said.

Consort Xian.

Upon hearing this person's name, Emperor Yuanwu's expression suddenly darkened.

When he was putting pressure on the Pang family, he was still mindful of the long-standing relationship he had with Consort Xian.

Even if we take a step back and say that she was the birth mother of the Third Prince, even if it was for the sake of the Third Prince, and even if he later harmed her father, he never thought of doing anything to her.

Emperor Yuanwu was not an ungrateful person; the Pang family had made significant contributions to his ascension to the throne.

The original intention was to have him stationed on the frontier, firstly because they feared he might become too powerful and hold too much influence, and secondly because the frontier had always been a major threat to the Yuan Kingdom.

But he not only failed to understand his painstaking arrangements, he also incited the people to rebel on the frontier and wantonly provoked the northern desert, all for the sake of causing continuous war between the two countries and benefiting from it.

After winning battles and receiving rewards, they would then sell the looted goods from the northern deserts to the border people through local merchants, profiting from the spoils.

The people on the frontier were plagued by war and were already living in misery. They could not farm and even eating had become difficult, so where would they find the extra money to buy things from merchants?

He then ordered that girls who had just turned 14 be sold into brothels for the pleasure of merchants and soldiers, while all adult men were conscripted into the army.

The cycle repeats itself: the collusion between the military and businesses always results in the suffering of ordinary people.

Some common people, unable to bear the humiliation, went to the government to report the crime. As soon as they entered the government office, they were arbitrarily convicted and beaten to death with sticks. Even their wives, children, and parents were not spared.

Afterwards, only a small amount of money was spent, and everyone in the know was silenced...

(End of this chapter)