Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Xiao Wang is hereby appointed as the Heavenly King of Fusang, to guard Fusang, and to take charge of the affairs of the Fusang Protectorate."

After the court assembly, at a small meeting in the Southern Study, Jia Lian made this announcement.

Upon hearing this, the ministers all smiled knowingly.

They had just demoted that damned Emperor to the King of Tokyo, and then immediately bestowed the title of King of Fusang upon Prince Xiao, effectively placing a retired emperor on the Emperor's head.

Everyone is happy to see this happen.

A mere barbarian chieftain dares to call himself Emperor!

"Your Majesty, now that Japan has surrendered and submitted, can we stop the recruitment of soldiers and the large-scale steel production?"

In recent years, the imperial court has spent too much money and resources on training troops and building ships. It is time to allow the people to recuperate and start anew.

Upon hearing the Minister of Revenue say this, Ding Yu, the newly appointed Minister of War, objected.

"What does Minister Lu mean by this? Although Japan has nominally submitted, the imperial army has only actually conquered the central island."

On the other islands at the northern and southern ends, there are still many remaining forces fighting against the imperial army.

Now is the time to press on and completely annihilate Japan; how can we stop now?

Ding Yu cursed Lu Zhongxiang in his heart.

When this old fellow first heard that there was a large silver mine in Japan, he was the first to jump out and call for an attack on Japan to punish its people and punish its crimes.

Later, the imperial army successfully occupied Iwami Province and smoothly started the mining business. This old fellow then advised His Majesty every day that war was dangerous and that the country should not engage in excessive military campaigns.

In short, he just wants the money and doesn't want to bleed!

Fortunately, His Majesty is wise and determined to destroy Japan.

Now that the situation has finally been stabilized, and it is the perfect time to seize the opportunity and make a final push for victory, he has actually started urging His Majesty to stop the war.

To put it nicely, it's about starting anew with the people; in reality, it's about not wanting the Ministry of War to take up too much of the annual budget anymore!

Upon hearing their words, the other ministers also offered their opinions.

The supporters for both sides are evenly split.

Jia Lian tapped the imperial desk lightly and looked at Lu Zhongxiang, saying, "Training troops and building ships is very expensive. Does the Ministry of Revenue have no money?"

"this……"

Lu Zhongxiang really wanted to agree immediately, but he hesitated when faced with Jia Lian's scrutinizing gaze.

In recent years, Jia Lian has instructed the Water Prince to develop national banks in major provinces across the country, and to establish departments of commerce and customs, etc.

By the way, they should now be called the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs.

With the opening of the seas, merchants and powerful families from all over the world went overseas to make profits, resulting in the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs alone adding a huge amount of revenue to the imperial court.

Last year was the most outrageous; the year-end summary showed that the revenue was nearly double that of the highest period during Emperor Ningkang's reign!

In addition, the national bank also has a huge amount of privately held silver deposits.

The imperial army also continuously transported silver back from Japan...

Even the Grand Secretary joked that he was lucky to have such good times, saying that when he was the Minister of Revenue, he had never lived such a wealthy life.

But then again...

Although the imperial court's annual revenue increased, its expenditures also skyrocketed year after year.

The government massively expanded its new army, engaged in large-scale steel production, shipbuilding, and cannon manufacturing, established the Royal Military Academy and the College of Science, and increased financial support for local governments…

Each and every one of these projects requires a massive amount of money to support them.

He also wanted to recreate the prosperous reign of Emperors Wen and Jing recorded in history books, when the grain in the Taicang granary was enough to last for ten years, so that he could be remembered in history.

However, Jia Lian seemed to have no intention of accumulating wealth at all. He couldn't wait to spend whatever he earned, which made Jia Lian seem very wasteful.

"Since it's not that we don't have money, why do you ask me to start anew with the people?"

Has the life of the people of the realm become worse since I ascended the throne?

Faced with Jia Lian's second question, Lu Zhongxiang was speechless.

Although Jia Lian used many methods to raise money for the court, he never targeted ordinary people.

Even when he was still the crown prince, he strongly advocated for tax reduction.

Later, when the imperial court became wealthy, he claimed that the heavy taxes levied on the people were the reason why the taxes reduced by the court ended up in the pockets of corrupt officials.

With a wave of his hand, he abolished several miscellaneous taxes that he considered unreasonable, announced them to the whole country, and ordered the Ministry of Personnel and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to strictly investigate those who violated them.

In order to compensate local officials and tax collectors, the imperial treasury provided targeted subsidies.

According to some observant people, the taxes that ordinary people have to pay to the imperial court and government for growing one shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain are now half of what they used to be.

With such benevolent governance, how could the people not be won over?

Therefore, he himself would feel guilty to say that the lives of ordinary people are worse than before.

Then, with a quick thought, Lu Zhongxiang brought up the old topic again: "Your Majesty is benevolent, wise, and martial, and loves the people like your own children. Naturally, the people are living better lives than before."

My suggestion is simply to prevent Your Majesty from placing too much emphasis on military affairs, lest you repeat the mistake of Emperor Shizong of Han, who pursued endless wars.

In addition, I also want to save the court some money...

It's time to begin construction on His Majesty's mausoleum.

"If this continues, it will be against propriety..."

After each emperor ascended the throne, he would begin constructing his own mausoleum.

Although it doesn't require immediate and major action, it must begin.

This was also to prevent the emperor from suddenly passing away before there was time to initiate a new project.

Just like the tomb of the retired emperor, which took decades to build and cost countless sums.

When Lu Zhongxiang brought this up, even Ding Yu shut up.

This was a major matter concerning ancestral temple rituals, and no one dared to oppose it.

Jia Lian coldly replied, "I have already said that this matter can be discussed later."

If you are so worried about my lifespan and about being branded as disloyal and unfilial, I can issue an edict immediately.

After my death, my remains shall not be placed in the imperial mausoleum, but shall be burned to ashes and scattered across the rivers and seas, to guard the foundation of China for generations to come.

"Now, can you all rest assured?"

"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words!"

Upon hearing this, the assembled officials in the hall were so shocked that they all knelt down.

Although Jia Lian's words were shocking, they also deeply resonated with the court officials.

They truly admired an emperor who didn't care about his own legacy and who valued the world more than himself.

Throughout history, from the First Emperor to the retired emperors, who didn't wish to build their imperial mausoleum to be the first mausoleum in history?

Kong Si, the Minister of Rites, was unusually less stubborn. After thinking carefully, he looked up and said, "Since Your Majesty does not wish to spend too much money on the mausoleum..."

Even an old minister has a compromise.

It would be better to have the Ministry of Works complete the main hall of the mausoleum first, and then suspend construction on the remaining palaces.

This way, it neither violates the great rites nor consumes too much money, grain, or labor.

We hope Your Majesty will understand our loyalty and filial piety.

The order to burn Jia Lian's body to ashes and scatter them into the rivers and seas was issued by Jia Lian himself; even later generations might not dare to do so.

Jia Lian frowned, understanding the importance these people placed on their affairs after death.

He finally nodded: "Okay."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the officials had taken their leave, Cao Zhong approached with a sly grin.

"Your Majesty, the three Japanese princesses have arrived outside the palace. Would Your Majesty like to summon them?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian immediately recalled the letter Wei Ling had written to him.

That kid's dream since childhood was to become a great general, but unfortunately, he was suppressed by Emperor Ningkang for many years.

Just when Emperor Ningkang was finally gone, the imperial court launched a military campaign against Japan.

This really worried him.

Since the ninth year of Ningkang's reign, he had been requesting that Ningkang lead troops into battle.

At first, he wanted to be a Grand Marshal, but later he lowered his requirements and only asked to be an ordinary general...

Unfortunately, Jia Lian never gave his permission.

She worried about him every day, to the point that she became emaciated and turned into a resentful woman.

After he came of age, the Empress Dowager would choose a princess for him.

This gave him hope, and he used it to threaten that if he wasn't allowed to lead troops, he would remain a bachelor for life!

Even if the princess were sent to his residence, he would absolutely not touch her.

Perhaps it was his persistence that moved Princess Zhaoyang, who shared the same ideals.

Princess Zhaoyang changed her attitude and begged Jia Lian to let her try so that she could fulfill her lifelong wish.

If she's worried he might do something reckless, she can accompany him so she can keep an eye on him.

Jia Lian realized that Princess Zhaoyang had been influenced by him, and thought that the war had been going on for two years and the imperial army had also established a firm foothold in Japan.

With Princess Zhaoyang's intelligence, there shouldn't be any major problems.

Finally, I agreed.

However, given the unreliability of the Fourth Prince, he also instructed Shi Ding and other generals in charge of the troops to make their own decisions regarding matters of great importance in the war.

After a year, they successfully destroyed the Toyotomi clan, captured Kyoto, and stabilized the overall situation.

Feeling unsatisfied, the fourth prince couldn't help but complain repeatedly.

He felt it was all his elder sister's fault for controlling and restricting him in every way, causing him to miss many exciting battles.

So after the fall of Kyoto, Jia Lian officially appointed him as the "supreme commander." He had a sudden inspiration and sent the Emperor's three most favored daughters back to the Great Wei as spoils of war.

Her only purpose was to see her elder sister jealous, and also to thank Jia Lian for his generosity.

This is the origin of those three Japanese princesses, or rather, county princesses.

Thinking of the smug attitude of the Fourth Prince in the letter, Jia Lian couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

"Keep one, and send the other two to Prince Xiao's residence."

……

After finishing his duties at court, Jia Lian left the Daming Palace with only a few close attendants and strolled towards the inner palace.

As his birthday approached, the entire palace was bustling with activity, and the atmosphere was vibrant and prosperous.

In order not to disturb the eunuchs and palace maids who were working, Jia Lian ended his walk early and turned to enter the Yanxi Palace next door.

It is quieter inside Yanxi Palace than outside.

He stopped several palace maids from paying their respects to him and walked alone into the main bedroom.

Passing through two screens, I heard the laughter of girls playing dice.

I turned around and took a look.

Dressed in a palace gown, the graceful and beautiful Second Sister You reclined on a soft couch.

Her belly was slightly protruding as she watched with a smile the three young maids playing dice on the ground, while she enjoyed two palace maids massaging her legs and serving her fruit.

How blessed and content!

Sure enough, this young girl, despite her young age, already possesses some of the charm of Grandmother Jia.

Startled by his sudden appearance, Sister You Er was about to get up.

Jia Lian walked over and waved his hand, indicating, "People with twins don't need to be so polite."

Sister You was a little embarrassed: "It's only been three or four months, it's nothing to worry about."

Her face was flushed, making her skin appear even more rosy and delicate.

And perhaps because of her pregnancy, she seemed to radiate a maternal glow than usual.

Jia Lian stared at her for a while, thinking that this girl was probably the legendary fertile type.

Over the years, despite having so many beautiful women around him, most of them haven't gotten pregnant.

This Second Sister You is something else, she's already the third one!

He assured her that he had not given her any excessive care.

It's simply because the land is fertile; you can harvest anything you plant.

"Why is Your Majesty looking at me like that?"

Under Jia Lian's gaze, You Erjie lowered her head in embarrassment.

Since all the palace maids had left the palace, Jia Lian didn't need to stand on ceremony. He embraced his beloved concubine and kissed her.

Sister You cooperated as much as possible, and when she was almost out of breath, her face turned red after she relaxed.

"Consort Shu has arrived."

Soon after, Sister You San arrived, and upon seeing the scene inside, spat out, "My sister is pregnant, and you still won't let her go..."

Jia Lian glanced at her, then leaned back in the recliner in a more relaxed and comfortable posture.

Sister You Er twitched her tongue and explained, "It's not the Emperor's fault, it was my own idea to do it."

Sister You was even more annoyed, feeling utterly disappointed: "Just go along with him."

Sister You smiled and said nothing more.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, she moved to the right, inexplicably making room for herself.

When Sister You saw this, her face turned red.

She glared at her older sister, then turned and sat down on the soft chair, nestled in Jia Lian's lap, and asked with a smile, "What brings His Majesty here today?"

Jia Lian casually put his arm around her slender waist and said without looking up, "I was just wandering around and realized I hadn't seen you sisters for a few days, so I came to check on you."

"Hmph, the Emperor only thinks of us when he's too idle."

Jia Lian patted You Sanjie's bottom as a minor reprimand, then turned to look at her and asked with a smile, "You still have the nerve to say that? Think about it yourself, how many times have I come here and not seen you?"

Sister You seemed a little guilty: "I was just helping you train your troops... Don't worry, the beauties and young ladies you entrusted to me, Sister Aqin and I have all trained them well."

They're already quite impressive. Would Your Majesty like to take a look at the female guards' quarters again when you have some free time?

The Women's Guard Office was originally a few old, out-of-the-way buildings on the east side of the Eastern Six Palaces, adjacent to the Chonghua Palace.

It was the place where Jia Lian settled the female soldiers under You Sanjie's command, as well as that group of Korean beauties.

Later, when the new imperial concubines entered the palace, Jia Lian selected another batch to go there, making a total of 180 people. He then handed them over to You Sanjie and the Aqi sisters to train as female guards.

That's how it got its name.

Of course, this was thanks to the fact that some of the Korean beauties and court ladies were particularly beautiful in color and shape.

Therefore, their identities were not only female guards, but also dancers under Gu Qingyi and others, and occasionally went to the palace music hall for training.

They would also perform during large-scale court celebrations.

It can be said that Jia Lian made the best use of the beautiful woman.

Speaking of Gu Qingyi and her four beauties, they had long been granted the title of concubine, and now they reside in a palace called "Moon Palace".

Although they were concubines, Jia Lian did not restrict their activities, allowing them to still do things they liked.

"Look at them, they're not in a hurry."

Now I'm worried about you...

As Jia Lian spoke, he raised his other hand and placed it on You Sanjie's flat and taut belly, and laughed, "You've been in the palace for several years now, how come your belly still hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy? Look at your sister, she's already on her third."

Aren't you even a little bit anxious, a little bit ashamed?

Upon hearing this, Sister You glanced at her older sister instinctively and said guiltily, "It didn't make a sound, what can I do?"

and……"

Giving birth is so painful.

The last time, she witnessed her own sister in the delivery room, writhing in pain.

So she grabbed Jia Lian's arm and said coquettishly, "It doesn't matter if I can't get pregnant. Anyway, my sisters are so fertile, it won't matter if I'm one less."

Jia Lian was speechless when he saw that this woman didn't want to have children.

This would be considered quite unusual among women in the imperial harem.

"Aren't you afraid of being alone and destitute in your old age?"

"I'm not afraid. I've already talked to my sister. She already has a son and a daughter, so she'll give this third one to me, regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl. She'll raise it and call me Mother Consort from now on."

"Can I...?"

Seeing that Sister You was looking at him with a pleading expression, Jia Lian smiled and looked at her for a long time.

"It's not entirely impossible... but why should I agree?"

Upon hearing that it was feasible, You Sanjie, knowing exactly how to please Jia Lian, rolled her eyes at him and then expertly offered him a sweet kiss.

Finally, she smiled and leaned against Jia Lian, and they began to chat. (End of Chapter)