My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Chapter 298 Chongzhen: Since you are all advising me, then I will reluctantly celebrate my birthday!

He had thought that Zhu Cilang would refuse or offer some other opinion, but to his surprise, Zhu Cilang actually agreed.

Thinking of this, Chongzhen couldn't help but speak:
"Wait, you're just agreeing to this like that? Don't you have any other opinions?"

Empress Zhou, who was standing to the side, was speechless upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you? Before Lang'er came, you were worried he wouldn't agree, but after he agreed, you felt he agreed too readily. What's going on here?"

At the same time, Zhu Cilang was also somewhat speechless.

But he continued, "..."
"Your subject trusts the judgment of Father and Mother, so let Father and Mother handle this matter. Your subject has no objection."

Of course, that's what they say, but at the last minute, Zhu Cilang would definitely have to personally oversee the process.

After all, this matter concerns his life's most important event, and he wouldn't so easily hand it over to someone else to decide.

However, he was not worried that Empress Zhou would choose an ugly woman as his crown princess. After all, looking at the empresses of the Ming Dynasty, except for a few, they were basically all virtuous and kind people, and their appearances were not too bad.

Seeing that things were going so smoothly, Emperor Chongzhen was completely bewildered.

However, Chongzhen quickly realized what was happening and was speechless.

It seems he really has overcomplicated some things.

Just then, Zhu Cilang suddenly spoke up:

"By the way, Father, I just heard from Eunuch Wang that your birthday is in three months. He also said that the Ministry of Rites had petitioned to hold a birthday banquet for you, but you refused. Why is that?"

This question was somewhat of a rhetorical one, since Zhu Cilang already knew why Chongzhen had refused, but that was not important.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen sighed and said:

"Actually, there's no other reason. It's just that I feel the birthday banquet is too expensive. With that money, it would be better to increase the military budget. Besides, I haven't had any plans or habit of celebrating my birthday for many years. It's fine to celebrate it together with the New Year."

Although that's what he said, Zhu Cilang could tell that Chongzhen's words were somewhat insincere.

After all, it makes sense. As an emperor who cared a lot about his image, how could Chongzhen not want to host a grand and solemn birthday banquet?

It wouldn't make sense for him to agree to something like this, since the country has only just started to improve!
If the people think he is extravagant and doesn't care about the country's suffering, wouldn't he be asking for trouble?
The next second, Zhu Cilang shook his head and said:

“Father, I think we should hold a grand birthday banquet for you this time. Although it costs some money, it is nothing to the court now.”

"The key is that this birthday banquet can let the people of the Ming Dynasty and those foreign vassals know that the Ming Dynasty is now prosperous and powerful, so that they will not dare to act recklessly."

"In addition, we can invite envoys from Korea, Mongolia, Jurchens, and even some distant foreign countries to come and show them what the Ming Dynasty is like now, so that they will no longer dare to underestimate the Ming Dynasty and will show the might of the Ming Dynasty!"

As he finished speaking, Zhu Cilang's voice rose a few decibels.

When Emperor Chongzhen heard these words, his eyes lit up.

Because all of this was exactly what he had hoped for. He had always hoped to restore the Ming Dynasty to its former glory and make those foreign subjects hold the Ming Dynasty in high esteem.

So in an instant, he was smitten!

However, he then said somewhat awkwardly:
"Is this really a good idea? Won't the officials and common people think this is inappropriate? Will they think I'm indulging in excessive indulgence and lust?"

His eyes held a hint of hesitation and worry, yet also a hint of expectation.

Simply put, Chongzhen's current state is a classic example of "wanting both ways".

He wanted to hold a grand birthday banquet to demonstrate the power of the Ming Dynasty, but he was also worried that others would say he was extravagant and concerned with saving face.

But Zhu Cilang didn't care about Chongzhen's little schemes, and said directly:

"Father, rest assured, the Ming Dynasty is not like it used to be. Not to mention the distant past, the people in the capital are living quite well. Grain prices are stable, and the supply of honeycomb briquettes and coal is also very abundant."

"In addition, the imperial court has implemented a series of relief measures, so even those who are destitute now have food to eat and a place to live."

"Moreover, we have won several battles against foreign powers and even expanded our territory. Under such circumstances, I think it is appropriate to hold a birthday banquet for Father Emperor."

"Besides, Father has never held a proper birthday banquet since he ascended the throne. Shouldn't we hold a grand birthday banquet?"

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhou, who was standing nearby, said with satisfaction:

"Your Majesty, since Lang'er has such thoughts and filial piety, you should agree to it. In any case, a birthday banquet won't cost much money."

Her voice was soft and gentle, as if offering Chongzhen a way out.

Seeing that Zhu Cilang and Empress Zhou were both trying to persuade him, Chongzhen stopped putting on airs.

He slightly raised his head, a smile appearing on his face, and then said with a beaming smile:
"Since you have all said so, then I agree."

At this moment, Emperor Chongzhen was in an unprecedentedly pleasant mood.

After all, he, the emperor, could finally have a proper birthday celebration!
And so, the details of the birthday banquet were finally settled.

The atmosphere inside the palace became relaxed, as if the anxiety and worry from just moments before had vanished with this decision.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Cilang suddenly recalled the matter concerning national debt.

After some internal hesitation, he ultimately decided that he should first inform Emperor Chongzhen about this matter, since Chongzhen's help was also needed.

Then Zhu Cilang spoke again:
"Father, besides what I just mentioned, I have another important matter to report to you."

At this moment, Emperor Chongzhen's mood was as warm as the spring sun. Upon hearing Zhu Cilang's words, he immediately said cheerfully:

"Speak your mind, I'm listening."

However, Zhu Cilang did not speak immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to Empress Zhou, who was standing to the side, and said with a slightly solemn expression:
"Your Majesty, this is a matter of national importance. I hope Your Majesty will excuse yourself for the time being."

Empress Zhou did not show the slightest displeasure upon hearing this.

After all, one of them is her precious son, and the other is her husband who has gone through thick and thin with her. How could she get angry over such a small matter?

Moreover, matters of state are not something a woman in the harem can arbitrarily interfere with.

Empress Zhou then gracefully stood up, a gentle smile on her face, and softly said:
"Alright, alright, you two can settle down and talk about business. Your mother is going to go for a stroll elsewhere."

After speaking, Empress Zhou left with light steps.

At the same time, all the palace servants and eunuchs in the room withdrew at Wang Chengen's signal.

After all, this concerns matters of national importance, and such things are not something they can eavesdrop on at will.

When only Emperor Chongzhen and his son Zhu Cilang remained in the palace, Chongzhen asked with curiosity:
"What exactly is the matter?" Zhu Cilang stopped being polite and asked directly:
"It's about building a cement road."

Cement road?
Upon hearing these three words, Emperor Chongzhen was slightly taken aback at first, then a smile appeared on his face, and he said with considerable approval:
"Oh, so that's what it was about. Speaking of which, I should praise you a few more times!"

"After this cement road was completed, the entire capital city has taken on a completely new look. I went to see it myself before, and it is indeed very good."

When he said this, Chongzhen's eyes were full of pride and satisfaction.

When the cement road was first being built, Emperor Chongzhen actually had some doubts.

He felt that the road construction was somewhat wasteful of manpower and resources.

After all, although the roads in the capital were not particularly wide and flat, they were still passable. Why go to such great lengths to repair them?
Moreover, the road construction was quite a big undertaking, causing widespread anxiety in the capital.

However, after the cement road was completed, Emperor Chongzhen went to inspect it in person and was immediately shocked.

The cement road was so smooth and hard that even a horse-drawn carriage wouldn't leave a single mark on it.

Even on rainy days, the roads don't become muddy, making the entire capital city look clean, orderly, and brand new.

More importantly, this cement road looks magnificent and grand. The incredibly wide road is so much better looking than the old bluestone slab road, brick road, and muddy dirt road.

As the supreme ruler of the capital, Chongzhen was naturally overjoyed to see the brand-new cement road.

However, at this moment, Zhu Cilang suddenly asked:
"Does Father Emperor know how much silver was spent to build this cement road in the capital?"

Emperor Chongzhen was slightly taken aback, and after a moment of thought, he said:
"The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works seem to have sent a memorial about cement roads, but I didn't go to see it because I thought you would be back soon. Tell me, how much did it cost?"

Zhu Cilang said calmly:

"Eighteen million taels."

How many?

Upon hearing this number, Emperor Chongzhen was so shocked that he jumped up from his seat.

He never imagined that simply repairing a road would cost such a huge sum of money.

It should be noted that this sum of 18 million taels of silver was almost equivalent to the entire annual tax revenue of the imperial court in the past, and that was the income that could only be accumulated by not eating, drinking, or spending a single penny.

In an instant, Chongzhen felt that the cement road, which had previously looked so pleasing to the eye, suddenly became less so.

This isn't a road paved with cement anymore; it's clearly paved with pure silver!

Thinking of this, Chongzhen couldn't help but ask:
"How could so much silver have been spent? Was there any embezzlement or bribery involved? If so, I will not let it go lightly!"

Zhu Cilang shook his head and said calmly:
"Your subject has carefully checked and there is indeed no case of embezzlement or bribery. It is just that the cost of road construction is too high, which is why so much silver has been spent."

Although Emperor Chongzhen felt somewhat resentful upon hearing this, he could not say anything more.

However, Chongzhen then frowned and said:

"Since road construction is so expensive, I think it would be better to stop it for the time being. In my opinion, while road construction is a good thing, it should not be done in such an extravagant way."

"It cost 18 million taels of silver just to repair the roads in the capital. If we wanted to build roads throughout the entire Ming Dynasty, how much more silver would it cost?"

However, Zhu Cilang shook his head and said:
“Father, this will not do. Your son has already discussed with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue that we will build three roads at the same time next spring.”

“One route leads from the capital to Xuanfu, another from the capital to Liaodong, and the third from the capital to Tianjin.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Zhu Cilang with a complex expression and slowly said:
"I know that the imperial treasury and the Ministry of Revenue are not short of money, but they can't spend money so extravagantly, can they? The construction of these three roads will probably cost more than 30 million taels of silver."

Zhu Cilang corrected:

"It's not thirty million taels, it's forty million taels."

"And this is just an initial estimate; the actual cost may be higher."

Emperor Chongzhen was once again shocked. He felt as if his head had been struck by lightning.

Good heavens, it costs 40 million taels of silver to repair a road! This is not just a matter of how much or how little; it's utterly outrageous.

Even so, Chongzhen could no longer continue to oppose it.

He had already seen it in Zhu Cilang's eyes: Zhu Cilang had made up his mind about this matter, and even if he objected, it wouldn't change anything.

Besides, the Ming Dynasty is no longer entirely under his control.

Thinking of this, Chongzhen could only say helplessly:
"Since you've made up your mind, then go ahead and do it. Anyway, I can't control you."

"But I still think this is too extravagant, after all, the road is still usable now."

"Of course, I also know that once these roads are completed, the army can quickly travel between Xuanfu and Liaodong, which will greatly benefit the border security of the Ming Dynasty."

"But don't forget, the Ming Dynasty has more to do than just build roads. The Mongol garrison, disaster relief, defense against the Jurchens, and the Liaodong migration—all of these require money! These are all major issues concerning the fate of the Ming Dynasty!"

Emperor Chongzhen patiently and earnestly advised him, much like a mother hen.

There was no other way; he was truly terrified of being poor.

When he was emperor, the national treasury was empty, and the imperial treasury was also broke. He was so poor that he was practically urinating blood, and he worried about money almost every day.

Now, having suddenly become incredibly wealthy, with 200 million taels of silver in his private treasury, he has naturally become stingy, feeling that every penny must be spent carefully.

Zhu Cilang was naturally aware of this, so he didn't take Chongzhen's words to heart, but instead smiled and said:
"I have already considered the things that Father Emperor is worried about, so I have come up with a solution: to issue Ming Dynasty bonds."

As Zhu Cilang spoke, he briefly explained the matter of the Ming Dynasty's national debt.

He explained in detail the issuance method, repayment period, and interest income of the national bonds so that Chongzhen could understand his plan.

After hearing the explanation, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly opened his eyes wide, his face filled with disbelief.

Because he finally understood that the so-called Ming Dynasty national debt was, in essence, still a loan.

Moreover, this time it's not about borrowing money from any one person or class, but from everyone in the entire Ming Dynasty!

When it came to borrowing money, Emperor Chongzhen was even more afraid.

You should know that during his more than ten years as emperor, he borrowed money quite often.

(End of this chapter)