While Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were discussing Buddhism, Old Man Pi suddenly appeared.
The two of them were caught off guard. Zhang Xiaobao sighed helplessly, "Grandpa Bi, where is the Emperor going?"
"Jinyang, the Emperor is traveling. He spends a lot of money. Can we not let him go?" Old Man Pi started to oppose the Emperor again. No one knew which side he was on.
"Grandpa Bi, how much can it cost? Can I pay for it? It's not far from Chang 'an, right? It's fine if he goes. Does the Emperor have to stay in the capital and can't go anywhere else for the rest of his life? "
Zhang Xiaobao was worried sick. It was not a big deal. Jinyang was Taiyuan, Shanxi, and was not far from the capital. If he wanted to go, he would go. Why did he have to stop him? He could just go for a stroll.
Other leaders would take a plane and go for a stroll when they had nothing to do. They would look at the scenery of other places. Only when they talked about something would they not talk about. The main thing was that when they met, they could not be as tough as when they did not meet.
Couldn't Li Longji go for a stroll in his own country? How could he be the Emperor? Wouldn't it be sullen to live?
Wang Juan also had the same idea. If Li Longji was bored in the capital, then he should go out to play and relax. He could continue to do things next time. Why did they have to restrict him? Wasn't it just spending some money? It was not a lot. After going for a stroll, not only would they be in a good mood, but the local people would also be happy. They would be valued.
Therefore, Wang Juan also agreed, "Grandpa Bi, I also agree. We will pay for it. In the future, if the Emperor wants to go out and have a look, we will also pay for it."
Old Man Pi didn't expect that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, who always cared about the people, would suddenly support the Emperor going on an inspection tour. He was stunned and said, "It's not a matter of money. For example, when Yang Guang went out, not only did he spend a lot of money, but he also made life difficult for the people by building canals."
"Grandpa Bi, we seem to be using the canal as well. We can also repair it. The problem of the people is not a problem of money. He always eats the hearts of the people when he goes to a place, right? We just need to give them enough money. Besides, Grandpa Bi, you only see the bad side and not the good side.
Take the Pilgrimage Ceremony for example. Is that a bad thing? Isn't it just spending money? It can be a deterrent to the surrounding countries. Many times, many things can't be bought with money. There is a saying that one can subdue the enemy without fighting. When a country's Emperor goes out and has nothing to do, it can also show the country's ability.
Grandpa Bi, this matter is settled. After we take a stroll around, the Emperor will go to Mount Tai to perform a pilgrimage. We will pay for the expenses along the way. Just like Empress Wang and Concubine Hui, who says that they don't earn money? Grandpa Bi, tonight I will tell you about the relationship between consumption and production. "
Zhang Xiaobao strongly supported Li Longji going out to play and see his own country. That way, he could love his own people and land more. Money was not spent in other countries. No matter how it was spent, it would stay in the country in the end. Of course, if it was counted as GDP, there would be an increase.
If it was someone else who said this, Old Man Pi would definitely not be convinced. However, the people who said this were Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. There was no doubt about their ability. They had never been at a disadvantage.
Since they were all in favor, it seemed a little thoughtless for him to say that he was against it.
After thinking for a while, Old Man Pi asked Zhang Xiaobao, "Can we really make money? Can we immediately earn back the money that the Emperor spent? "
"No, Grandpa Bi, we can't do that kind of thing. If we really want to earn back the money in one go, it's still possible. However, I can't come up with such an idea. Cuckoo will also not agree. That would be the real harm. This is our country, not someone else's."
Zhang Xiaobao rejected Old Man Pi's suggestion. No, definitely not. If they could earn back the money spent in one go, it would be simple. He could easily do it, but could he do it?
Wang Juan also understood Zhang Xiaobao's meaning. If they changed the long-term return to the short-term, it would definitely increase the flow of funds. Sometimes, too fast a flow of funds was not a good thing, so she followed and said,
"Grandpa Bi, when investing, it is actually divided into short-term and long-term returns. Xiao Bao and I chose the long-term. The short-term is used on other countries. The accumulation of money is not the circulation of money for us, but the increase of productivity.
If we really want to increase the circulation of money, Xiao Bao can use the method of cash flow. Fast, really fast. Xiao Bao can turn one copper coin into ten copper coins to circulate, but the ones who are really hurt are the people of the Tang Empire. Therefore, no matter what Xiao Bao says, he won't use it. It's not that he doesn't know how to. "
"So, I'm wrong. Fine, I'll listen to you. How can that Empress Wang and Wu Huifei help you earn money? Is this the way you earn money to increase productivity? "
When Old Man Pi saw Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's unwilling expression, he knew that he still could not follow their train of thought. However, he knew that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had always done things in a way that did not hurt the people of the Tang Empire. As for where they hurt, there was no need to ask. Of course, it was Tubo and Japan.
These two places were still in Zhang Xiaobao's calculations. In the end, they probably would not get better. It would depend on Zhang Xiaobao's mood. If he was in a good mood, he might let go a little. If he was in a bad mood, the two countries could just wait to be unlucky. It was a good opportunity for him to see the ruthlessness of this method.
Hearing Old Man Pi mention productivity, Zhang Xiaobao thought for a while and said, "Actually, it's also a kind of method. The money we earn through the Empress and the concubines is not from the ordinary people, but from the rich and even foreigners. Grandpa Bi, you will know when the time comes."
Wang Juan also said, "Actually, not much of our family's money is saved up. Until now, we only have 300,000 strings of cash in reserve. Most of it is in circulation. 300,000 strings of cash is a lot for others. Even if a thousand families add up their lifetime savings, they can't compare to it.
But to us, it is already very little. The money we spend does not have a direct impact on the financial system. To be honest, Grandpa Bi, the return on this kind of investment is really too low for us. A lot of the money is spent on infrastructure.
If this was another country, we definitely wouldn't be like this. Wouldn't it be stupid to not earn money when there is money to be earned? After we finish the things in the day, we will talk to the three grandpas about this relationship at night. We will tell the three grandpas what will happen to Tufan this year and what will happen to Japan. "
"Let's go. Don't talk about it anymore. Since Xiao Bao and Cuckoo support it, then let them do it. When we return, we will write a memorial to the imperial court saying that Xiao Bao and Cuckoo will pay for the Emperor's trip." Old Man Yao saw that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were not willing to compromise on this matter, so he pulled Old Man Pi and walked back.
"Yes, we will pay for this. I don't believe that 300,000 strings of coins won't be enough for the Emperor to go around the country." Zhang Xiaobao agreed.
After the three old men left, Wang Juan sighed. "I originally thought that we would be able to relax by going to a smaller place, but in the end, we are still so busy. Xiao Bao, why do you think?"
"Because we are not willing to live an ordinary life like this. We want to achieve more. You have to be responsible for the height you are standing at. We have always been outside of the Great Tang. To be more precise, we are outside of the Great Tang's imperial power. We are willing to exchange benefits with Li Longji.
In the past, it was because we were not strong enough. Now, it is because we like this kind of game. Actually, it means that we have never thought of ourselves as part of a feudal society. In our hearts, we think of the entire Chinese nation. Our good impression of the Great Tang is only because of its tough attitude towards the surrounding countries. "
Zhang Xiaobao analyzed the thoughts of Wang Juan and Wang Juan.
"Yes, that's right. Because you and I have never thought much of Li Longji, they have always treated this kind of thing as a game. However, in our hearts, we definitely do not think of the entire Chinese nation as a game. This time, we really have to pay for it."
Wang Juan also agreed with Zhang Xiaobao's words. This was the truth.
"Of course, why not? This is actually a money-making business. Just like the plan I wrote, Empress Wang and Wu Huifei can't just enjoy it. They have to pay the price. Of course, this price won't hurt the two of them at all."
Zhang Xiaobao replied.
*****
Just as Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were discussing their thoughts, in Huayuan County's Deyi Hospital, Wu Huifei was working hard to improve her image to the outside world.
This time, she knew that she had lost to Empress Wang. She shouldn't have taken the Four Seasons Workshop in the first place. She made others think that she was an ungrateful concubine.
This matter was actually both simple and difficult. It depended on whether there were others who wanted to make use of it. If everyone didn't care, then she could get through it. If there were people who wanted to spread the news behind her back, then she probably wouldn't get anything good out of it even if she returned to the capital.
If that was the case, it was fine for her to gain other benefits. The problem was that she didn't gain anything at all.
Then, what she had to do now was to think of a way to improve the local people's attitude towards her. She didn't mean to improve, but to strengthen the good side of her in the hearts of the people.
Therefore, when it was almost night time, she had to accompany the children who were still playing happily there to skate.
She heard from others that Empress Wang's skating skills were very good. She could actually spin on the ice and even jump up to spin twice.
In this aspect, she really couldn't compare to her. Who asked her to have a different background? Empress Wang could go on the battlefield and kill the enemy. She couldn't compare to her in this aspect.
The only thing he could do was to put on a sincere smile and watch the little ones play by themselves while encouraging them. He had to push a chair and run around on the ice, or else he would fall.
"Your Highness Imperial Concubine Wu, it's already late. Should we let them leave first and find them tomorrow?" The palace maid beside her went outside to ask about the time and came back to ask Wu Huifei.
Wu Huifei actually didn't want to play anymore. Seeing that others didn't have to push a chair while she had to, anyone would feel uncomfortable. She planned to practice properly while no one was around. When she returned to the palace, she would make a place like this in the palace. When the time came, she would play with the Emperor. It would be much better than playing with the children now.
She was inside the house and couldn't see the situation outside. Candles were lit in the house, so she couldn't feel the passage of time. Hearing the words of the person beside her, Wu Huifei asked in return, "It's already dark?"
"In reply to Your Highness, it's not dark yet. But you can't always be on the ice. What if you catch a cold?" The palace maid said worriedly.
"If it's not dark, then don't talk about it. What are you afraid of catching a cold? Where is this place? This is Deyi Hospital. Not far from here is the medical school. Don't you see the children playing happily? How can I suddenly make them unhappy? "
Wu Huifei's voice was very loud when she said this, so the children playing there also heard it. The children were very simple and didn't know about the struggle in the palace.
They had seen a total of two important figures from the palace. One was the Empress, the other was an imperial concubine. What they didn't expect was that no matter which one, they were very good to them. They were full of yearning for the palace and thought that living there was the happiest thing.
Seeing the children looking at her according to her plan, Wu Huifei said to them, "Don't worry and play. Even if it's for the whole night, I'll follow you. When I learn, I'll also play hide and seek with you. There will be food at night."
The palace maid following Wu Huifei was not an ordinary person. When she heard Wu Huifei's words and saw her meaning, she immediately knew what to do. She said loudly, "Your Highness, your body is not good. You can't catch a cold. The doctor said that if this happens, you will feel very uncomfortable."
"No need to say anymore. I don't feel uncomfortable at all." Wu Huifei was very happy. Her palace maid was very sensible. When she was talking, she fell to the ground with a plop. She got up with difficulty and said to the children who were looking at her with concern, "It's nothing.
It's just an accident. I can't compare to you. You are all very powerful. Aiya, it's nothing. My leg doesn't hurt. "
"Your Highness, Your Highness." Wu Huifei said that her leg didn't hurt, but she couldn't stand up. The palace maids immediately lifted her up and walked out. The palace maid who had just spoken shouted twice with concern. Then, she smiled and said to the children who had stopped, "Continue playing.
Your Highness is slightly unwell. She will be fine in a while. There will be delicious food for you in the evening. Come, take them to play. "
The children really didn't know what to do now. Wu Huifei was sick. If they continued playing, it would be too unreasonable. But if they didn't play, that person had already said that they should wait for dinner before leaving. What should they do?
Just as they were hesitating whether to stay or leave, Wu Huifei struggled to stand up and said to them, "You must stay here for dinner before leaving. I will come back at that time. I have never played before. Let's see who is better."
With his words, the children were relieved and continued to play here. Of course, they didn't need to spend money and there were people to take care of them.
Each of them remembered Wu Huifei in their hearts. When they went back, they naturally had to tell the adults at home that the Empress was good and Wu Huifei was good.
Once she was carried out of the indoor skating rink, Wu Huifei didn't feel uncomfortable anymore. She indicated for someone to put her down and said to a person beside her, "At this time tomorrow, you will spread the news. You must spread it to the capital. Do you understand?"
"Understood. This servant promises to do as Your Highness says." How could the palace maid who had been instructed by Wu Huifei not know what Wu Huifei meant? She quickly agreed.
The next day, without waiting until this time in the afternoon, the news of Wu Huifei taking a sick person to play with the local children had already spread. Moreover, it quickly spread all the way to the capital.
Wu Huifei was very happy and properly rewarded her subordinates. Only then did she ask the most loyal palace maid who had been following her the whole time: "Have the other things been arranged?"
"Replying to Your Highness, the arrangements have been made. Everything has been arranged. Your Highness, don't worry. The people who cause trouble for Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan will definitely not expose Your Highness. However, we can't use pigeons to send the news. I estimate that we will have to wait for a while before we can. This is the information that was sent over a few days ago."
The palace maid immediately knew how to answer and handed a letter to Wu Huifei.
After Wu Huifei read the letter, she said helplessly: "It seems that it won't be easy to deal with Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. Who took that Zhui Meng away? Pass down the order to have our people cooperate with Li Linfu. No matter what he wants to do, we have to cooperate well. Even if it's to kill someone, we have to think of a way to make it look like a suicide. "
"Yes, this servant will arrange it now." The palace maid responded and left in a hurry.
After this matter was arranged, Wu Huifei sat there and muttered: "This time, I want to see how the two of you will deal with it. You want to go against me? Hmph! I'll let you know how powerful I am. "
The palace maid next to her clearly heard Wu Huifei's voice, but she had to pretend that she didn't hear it. She didn't know what to do there. Some palace maids believed that Wu Huifei could defeat Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, while others didn't have any expectations. If Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were so easy to deal with, no one would have suffered countless losses from them.
Another morning, Wu Huifei ate the prepared meal and was about to go to the hot spring again. Suddenly, the head of the Zhang family came over and said to Wu Huifei: "Your Highness, there is something that I don't know if you want to go."
"What is it?" In fact, Wu Huifei was not satisfied with the head of the Zhang family, because after she came here, she didn't enjoy the kind of treatment that Empress Wang had described.
The accommodation was not bad, the food was not bad, the games were not bad, and the hot springs were not bad. However, there were many things that were missing. First of all, how was he supposed to train his body? Secondly, he did not see any specially prepared milk for him to soak in.
Not to mention that someone came to teach her something. This was obviously different from the situation where Empress Wang lived here. However, looking at the rules here, she couldn't find any problems.
In other words, the treatment that Empress Wang received was not within the rules, but extra. She didn't know how Empress Wang was now. It was said that the Yaowang Mountain was very good.
"Your Highness, Your Highness." The head of the Zhang family saw Wu Huifei standing there in a daze, so he called her twice.
This time, Wu Huifei reacted and asked the head, "What did you say you wanted me to come over for?"
"In fact, it's not a big deal. There will be a competition here soon, a chef's competition. At that time, many chefs will make new dishes, which must be dishes that others haven't seen before. Then, they will let people with status evaluate them. The person with the highest status will have the most important words. Once the dish can win in the end, the name of the dish won't be given by the chef, but by the person who evaluates it.
For example, Your Highness, if a dish you said is good and really wins, then the dish will be called Huifei's dish. I didn't want to disturb Your Highness with this kind of small matter, but I think it's interesting, so I came over to tell Your Highness. "
The head of the Zhang family said very tactfully, but it always made people feel like they were being ignored. What did he mean by not wanting to disturb? If he really didn't want to disturb her, he shouldn't have come over.
Wu Huifei's first thought was that the head of the Zhang family didn't want her to participate, so he repeatedly emphasized that it was a small matter. Therefore, Wu Huifei asked the head of the Zhang family, "Will Empress Wang participate?"
"Your Highness asked Empress Wang if she will participate. It has been held several times, and Empress Wang has participated three times. It is held once a month."
The head of the Zhang family said to Wu Huifei.
"Oh, so Big Sister is participating as well. Since that's the case, how can I not go and take a look? Count me in. When the time comes, I'll be able to taste the dishes made by the chefs. Is your Aqua Cloud Club participating? I really want to know how the chefs here compare to the imperial chefs in the palace. "
Wu Huifei didn't hesitate anymore. Since Empress Wang had participated, and her name would be added to the dish, then as long as the dish was really good and spread, wouldn't her name be spread as well?
The head of the Zhang family didn't show any other expression. He still had the same smile as before and said to Wu Huifei, "Since Your Highness is participating, the chef's competition can't be taken lightly. Even if no chefs from Between the Clouds and the Water are participating, Your Highness, you should go and have a look. When the time comes, Your Highness, you should taste it carefully."
After that, the head of the Zhang family left in a hurry to register Wu Huifei. Of course, Wu Huifei wasn't participating in the competition, but she felt that she could enter the ranks of the judges.
Seeing the head of the Zhang family leave, Wu Huifei finally understood. It turned out that the head of the Zhang family wanted to use this opportunity to elevate Empress Wang's status. Empress Wang had participated in the competition three times. It seemed that if she didn't seize the opportunity, she might lose the opportunity.
Thinking of this, Wu Huifei ordered the people around her, "Go and check the situation of this chef's competition for me, and where the chefs are from. I don't believe that there isn't someone from Between the Clouds and the Water among them. Humph! It's all for Empress Wang. I guess this is the arrangement. I will make them fail this time. "
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