Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Qian Zhengde scrambled out of the imperial study.

He exuded a fishy smell, typical of raw eggs.

He mentally cursed the emperor's ancestors for eighteen generations.

Of course, the main purpose was to greet the Empress Dowager.

Stumbling out of the palace gate, he immediately saw the two top officials standing with their hands behind their backs.

"Minister Qian, what's going on?"

Qian Zhengde was Han Cao's trusted confidant and a staunch supporter. He was ashamed that his subordinate had acted this way.

Smelling the fishy smell and seeing the sticky substance on Qian Zhengde's face.

Han Cao was startled for no apparent reason.

"Has His Majesty become so perverted?"

He couldn't imagine that scene.

"No! Prime Minister Han, it's not what you think. This is all egg liquid, egg yolk liquid."

"oh."

With a mournful face, Qian Zhengde recounted in detail what had just happened in the Imperial Study.

Yuwen Huagu was dumbfounded, while Han Cao's expression grew increasingly strange as he listened.

The two men exchanged a glance: Is this an emperor or a bandit?

How could the royal family have such descendants...?

"Alas, this is truly a misfortune for the nation. Let's give him a taste of the good things first."

......

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study had completely changed.

Chen Shao sat with his legs crossed, while Eunuch Wei stood to the side, holding an account book and reading it aloud with a smile.

"Alright, alright."

Chen Shao waved his hand, "Just give me the total."

"Your Majesty, all of it adds up to...one million taels of silver."

One million taels? That's incredibly rich!

No, this is just something I gave myself out of coercion.

Those bastards are loaded.

Chen Shao had read some history books in his previous life.

The most classic example is the Chongzhen era, when they were so poor that even the dragon robe had to be patched. They held a fundraising event, but only raised 1.3 taels of silver.

However, after Li Zicheng captured the city, he found 7000 million taels of silver.

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

This shows that even when the country was on the verge of collapse, they only cared about their own interests.

The only consolation is that the number of side quests on the system panel has also increased.

400 million is still needed...

"Eunuch Wei, keep this account book safe for me. Record clearly who sent it and how much was given."

"In the future, these will all be boomerangs."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

A young eunuch trotted in, knelt down, and presented a folded tablet:

"Your Majesty, the Empress sent this over."

Chen Shao took the folding book and gestured for the little eunuch to get lost.

But after just one glance, the smile on his face froze.

[A total of seventeen residences belonging to Wang Zheng and his cronies were searched and confiscated, along with gold, silver, land, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings, totaling over 537,000 taels of silver, of which 500,000 taels were deposited into the national treasury.]

"Five hundred thousand taels?"

Chen Shao was so angry he almost laughed.

Who was Wang Zheng?

He was the most powerful eunuch under the Emperor Emeritus, wielding immense influence in the court for decades.

His students and old friends were scattered throughout the court and the countryside, and local officials would prepare a generous gift for him during festivals.

Such a wealthy eunuch, whose wealth rivaled that of a nation, only had 500,000 taels of silver confiscated?

"His Majesty."

Eunuch Wei said in a low voice:

"Wang Zheng's assets could not possibly be this much; this old servant knows roughly what it is."

"This 500,000 taels is probably less than one-tenth of the total."

Chen Shao sneered, "So, confiscating property is just a relocation. The confiscation was overseen by Han Cao; it was simply moving Wang Zheng's assets to his house!"

"Wang Zheng is a key figure; I need to see him. Old Wei, do you have any ideas?"

"Your Majesty, Wang Zheng is being held in the Imperial Prison of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If you wish to see him, you will likely have to leave the palace, and the Empress Dowager will not allow it..."

Damn, this emperor did it!

Even leaving the palace requires watching the old women's expressions.

Chen Shao slammed his fist on the table: "Then let's show him today that the royal family isn't ruled by a mere woman!"

"?" Eunuch Wei's face darkened.

"Prepare the carriage, I am going to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

"Join us!"

"back!"

"anti!"

"Hold!"

......

The Empress Dowager controlled the inner court, held the imperial seal, and could issue imperial edicts. Her elder brother, Yuwen Huagu, even controlled the Beijing Garrison.

Her power was unmatched by any previous empress dowager or empress.

In just one or two days, almost the entire inner court was replaced with her trusted confidants.

......

Kunning Palace.

Empress Dowager Yuwen Xingye was leaning against the phoenix couch.

Beneath her bright red dress, two straight legs were exposed.

A sea of ​​white.

What's even more astonishing is that in this era where people are starving, freezing, and have low-level B-rank cultivation, she is actually an E-rank powerhouse.

This is a very touching thing.

At least Chen Shao was moved.

He bowed respectfully to the Empress Dowager.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager glanced at him, then put down the Buddhist scriptures in her hand and sat up with the help of a palace maid.

Two long legs crossed together.

He was holding prayer beads in his hands.

Every gesture she makes exudes the charm unique to a mature woman of her age.

"You child, you are quite filial, knowing to come and pay your respects to me."

Chen Shao finally understood that if he wanted to survive a few more episodes, he had to start with this woman.

We must first unite with her to counterbalance Han Cao.

The empress dowager's power was at most limited to dreaming of becoming an empress herself and indulging in that fantasy.

But Han Cao and his group of civil officials were truly parasites on the country!

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? My father is imprisoned, and I can only take good care of you in his stead."

"Seeing that the Empress Dowager is as energetic as a young girl, I am relieved."

The Empress Dowager smiled at his words.

To be fair, putting aside the fact that this kid is a pawn, his sweet talk is truly honeyed and he knows how to coax people.

In particular, he also has that skill...

This inexplicably increased his goodwill towards Chen Shao.

"By the way, that soup was quite good. After drinking it, I felt completely refreshed, and I even slept much more soundly last night."

Ugh—Eunuch Wei, who was serving nearby, almost vomited.

Your Majesty... you have no idea what that bitter gall bladder went through...

Chen Shao remained unfazed:

"That uses the finest gallbladder, combined with cassia seeds and goji berries, which is excellent for nourishing yin and beautifying the complexion."

"Nourishing Yin and beautifying the complexion?"

The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up.

No woman can resist the allure of beauty enhancement, not even an empress dowager.

"You're so thoughtful. Alas, I'm getting old, and no matter how much I take care of myself, I won't look as good anymore."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shao immediately became serious and said:

"What are you saying, Your Majesty!"

"You're not old at all. With your complexion and appearance, if you stood next to me, outsiders would definitely think you were my older sister."

"If I didn't know you were the Empress Dowager, I would have wanted to take you as my concubine."

The Empress Dowager was of noble status and had lived in the deep palace for a long time. Who would dare to speak to her like that?

But it is precisely because of this disregard for rules that one is most sincere and that one truly touches the heart.

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile and gave him a reproachful look.

"You're talking nonsense, child."

Sighing inwardly, she thought, "What a pity. Such a good child, yet he has to accept the fate of being a puppet."

Once the situation stabilizes, we should compensate him more.

The Empress Dowager then changed the subject:

"You're a good child in every way, except for one thing: you have no manners at all."