A concubine enters the mansion? Reborn, three matchmakers and six engagements to marry the Prime Min

Shen Zhixiu's words caused an uproar among the people in the hall.

today?

Can he solve the disaster relief issue today?

How is this possible?

The court officials thought the same as Song Zan: could they produce silver and disaster relief supplies in just one night?

This disaster relief was different from the past. In the past, as long as you raised enough silver, you could buy something. But this time, what was needed was something practical to keep out the cold.

Just like charcoal and cotton, you can't get them just by having silver.

As for the jackets and skirts sold at Huajin Pavilion and the silver bone charcoal sold at Lin's Trading Company, no one took them seriously. They just thought they were lucky to have these goods this winter.

Emperor Xuande was the same, looking at Shen Zhixiu in surprise.

"What do you mean by that, Shen Qing? Have you come up with a solution?"

Shen Zhixiu nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed thought of a way to solve the problem of disaster relief without spending a single ounce of silver from the court."

Emperor Xuande's eyes lit up, "Shen Qing, tell me, what's your idea?"

Shen Zhixiu said loudly: "I asked around with merchants in Beijing yesterday, and Huajin Pavilion can provide more than 300,000 ready-made cotton clothes, which can basically cover all the disaster victims in Northern Zhili."

"Lin's Company can provide sufficient charcoal. As for how many disaster victims it can take care of, we still need to carefully calculate it."

The capital was rich, and most families could survive the winter on their own. On the contrary, the prefectures and counties to the north of Northern Zhili, as well as the northwest and Liaodong regions, were even more lacking in these cold-resistant items.

Shen Zhixiu added: "I suggest that in addition to Huajin Pavilion and Lin's Company, the wealthy families in Beijing should also give out as much warm clothing as possible."

For wealthy families, taking out some old cotton clothes is not a big deal. Just like the Shen family, the servants have to make new cotton clothes every year, and taking out the old ones from the bottom of the box can also solve the big problem of the victims.

This was when Feicui and a few others were chatting yesterday and talking about winter cotton clothes. Feicui said that she still had her cotton clothes from previous years, but they were old and she didn't wear them anymore. Su Qingyu came up with this idea, which at least could solve the problem of keeping the victims warm.

As for charcoal fire, Shen Zhixiu suggested that after the heavy snow, the prefectures and cities should organize the yamen runners and the local garrison soldiers to go up the mountain to cut wood for heating.

Ordinary people cannot go up the mountain, but it is not difficult for soldiers.

Emperor Xuande nodded repeatedly with an expression of approval on his face.

Seeing that Shen Zhixiu had almost finished speaking, Li Jing said, "What Lord Shen said makes sense, but the premise is that we have to survive this heavy snow."

"You said that Huajin Pavilion and Lin's Company can provide cotton and charcoal. I believe that. But can they give it to the court for free? Not even a tael of silver?"

Li Jing knew the relationship between the Lin family and Shen Zhixiu, and also heard that Huajin Pavilion seemed to be the business of Mrs. Shen's sister.

But let alone relatives, even if it was Shen Zhixiu's own business, he didn't believe that he could give it to the court for free.

This is real gold and silver, there can be no fakeness at all.

Now, whoever has cotton and charcoal is equivalent to earning a lot of silver.

Even if he is your biological father, he won’t give it to you for free.

Shen Zhixiu said, "These things were all bought with silver. They agreed to give them to the court, but the court couldn't let them give them away for free. So I thought of a way to neither let them suffer a loss nor put a strain on the treasury."

Li Jing felt inexplicably panicked, and then he realized that he seemed to have been tricked by Shen Zhixiu.

"This is a matter of great importance, Lord Shen, please stop keeping us in suspense."

Shen Zhixiu ignored Li Jing's sarcasm. After all, he was about to give away all his wealth, so he just let him say whatever he wanted.

"This is what I think. We will not give them silver for the disaster relief this time."

"But the supply of cotton and charcoal to the harem will be handed over to these two families."

"After all, they lost money this time, but we have to let them make some money in the future. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Xuande immediately made a decision, "Shen Qing's idea is good. It not only solves the court's current predicament, but also prevents them from working in vain."

"That's it."

After saying that, he turned to look at the eunuch general manager Hu Lu, "Remember this matter. When the disaster relief is over, let these two families contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

As for who was supplying these before and whose way of making money was blocked, it was not within Emperor Xuande's consideration at all.

The prince standing aside lowered his head, his eyes tightened.

The merchants who previously supplied cotton and charcoal to the palace were all my mother's people. If they were replaced by Shen Zhixiu, they would have to pay less tribute every year.

But he couldn't interrupt at this time and could only take it slowly and step by step.

The prince cursed Li Chaoyun in his heart because she came up with this bad idea. Not only did it fail to move Shen Zhixiu, but their way of getting money was also blocked.

Shen Zhixiu bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I have another matter to report. Shouldn't the merchants who supply medicinal materials to the inner palace also contribute some medicinal materials for disaster relief? They have earned money from the royal family, so they should also contribute a little at this time."

Emperor Xuande nodded and said, "Mr. Shen is right." He then asked Hu Lu, "Who provides the medicinal herbs in the palace now?"

Hu Lu bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it is He's Herbal Medicine Store."

He Guangfu, the head of He's medicinal materials store, is from a branch of the He family and a distant cousin of He Guangju, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple.

He Guangju, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, is Su Xiangling's biological uncle.

Those who knew the inside story knew that the actual person in charge of He's Herbal Medicine Store was He Guangju. Because He Guangju held an official position, it was not easy for him to do business directly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so he pushed He Guangfu out.

The He family was the first to leave, and it was also the connection of the current Leng Cairen that won the palace's medicinal materials business. Later, they introduced the third daughter He Jiaojiao to the Xianfei, allowing He Jiaojiao to enter the East Palace smoothly.

The prince, who was standing silently on the side, breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Shen Zhixiu did not suggest finding a new medicine shop, otherwise the loss would be even greater. It was a pity that the two companies that supplied cotton and charcoal to the palace had run out of stock, otherwise there would be no need to do so.

Afterwards, Emperor Xuande issued an order that if the He family was willing to provide disaster relief, that would be the best; if not, the imperial merchant would be replaced.

Shen Zhixiu straightened up with satisfaction, glanced at Li Jing, and said.

"Your Majesty, who do you think should be sent to recover the money from Li Yushi's family?"

"How about asking Commander Fu Yi of the Dragon Guard to go there in person?"

Shen Zhixiu's words directly cut off Li Yushi's retreat.

When Emperor Xuande agreed to Shen Zhixiu's proposal, Li Yushi decided to hide the silver after returning home, and finally take out 100,000 or 200,000 taels to deal with the matter. Although it was painful, it would not hurt the vitality of the Li family.

However, he didn't expect that Shen Zhixiu didn't give him any chance at all and made it clear that he wanted to take the cash from the Li family immediately.

Li Jing suddenly felt a chill down his spine. If the silver in his family was carried to Qianyang Palace...

He dared not think.

Whenever I think of that scene, I feel dizzy.

Emperor Xuande looked at Li Jing and asked, "What does Censor Li say? Do you want to admit defeat?"