Fan Zehao narrowed his hawk-like eyes. "This is the first order I've issued as emperor. If you two don't support it, you can take the throne!"
When the emperor spoke, the two princes immediately cupped their foreheads. The person was the same, and his way of speaking never involved explanations; he always went straight for the kill.
They stopped looking at the emperor and shifted their attention. "Sister-in-law, shouldn't you manage Big Brother's overbearing ways? He's taking back the iron mines without giving any reason. It's fine among family, but there are outsiders present."
Outsiders?
Huangfu Xu exploded upon hearing this and immediately retorted, "Aren't you married to the emperor's cousin, and a concubine at that? Do you really consider yourself family? You have quite the nerve, really flattering yourself!"
Seeing them start to quarrel, Zhao Jiaqi quickly interrupted them.
"Both of you, stop arguing. The iron mines belonging to the state was my proposal, it has nothing to do with the emperor!"
These few words completely deflated the arrogance of both princes.
If it were a whim of the emperor, they might have had a chance to salvage the situation. But if it was the order of the "mother yaksha," then they had no hope of continuing to control those silver mines.
Prince Xian couldn't understand and asked, "Sister-in-law, why?"
"The reason is very simple. The raw materials for the soldiers' weapons all come from iron. If we cut off the source of iron, then those who wish to rebel will have no iron in their hands and thus cannot forge weapons. It's like asking a clever woman to cook without rice. Are you satisfied with this explanation?"
The two princes exchanged glances. With the empress saying this much, if they still didn't understand the logic, they would truly be fools.
"Although you are losing a few iron mines and some income, these contributions are worthwhile for the future stable development of Yun Country. However, we will not let you lose these things in vain; we will compensate you elsewhere!"
Losing several million taels a year was a significant loss. When she made this decision, she had already figured out how to compensate them.
Since the Empress had spoken, the two princes naturally had no objections.
Prince Xiaoyao looked at the steaming dishes on the table, emanating tempting aromas. He immediately felt his stomach singing the Song of Empty City. "Your Majesty, Empress, please eat. This humble subject is hungry."
He spoke as if he were the host.
Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao exchanged glances and smiled helplessly. As they ate the delicacies on the table, before they could even taste anything, they heard Prince Xiaoyao ask, "Your Majesty, do you have any more cousins? I'll marry one back to my manor as my main consort, then I'll be your dear brother-in-law, even closer than Huangfu Xian!"
Fan Zehao's face darkened, his entire expression twitching. "I think you're not hungry. Get out, now!"
Meanwhile, Huangfu Xian watched the lively scene and inwardly cursed Huangfu Xu, thinking he deserved it. How could he demand marriage without understanding the emperor's family matters? He was practically asking to be scolded!
However, it also served as a reminder for Zhao Jiaqi. Her husband had mentioned establishing their own clan, a matter that had been repeatedly postponed. Once Yun Country stabilized, they should put it on the agenda.
On the other hand, Fan Zehao remembered that these two princes still had no main consorts. No main consorts meant no children.
If there were no grandsons of the Huangfu family, how could he pass on the throne?
Therefore, while he still had the final say, he didn't mind playing matchmaker for them.
In private, Fan Zehao mentioned this to his wife. Zhao Jiaqi smiled mischievously. This plan could work, saving these two from being idle and bored.
In Yun Country, the implementation of new agricultural practices had required considerable effort from the Ministry of Revenue and other ministers, but the results were not ideal.
Almost everyone adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Some commoners didn't want to bother, feeling their current lives were good enough and there was no need to plant unfamiliar crops.
Secondly, difficult-to-recover assets like iron mines had been reclaimed. Although it was troublesome, the emperor had issued the order, and these merchants dared not disobey. Yun Country had also provided some subsidies to these merchants.
As for the construction of academies and the establishment of private schools, these were completed earliest.
Farmers in the countryside had never dreamed that one day their children could attend private school for free. In the past, educating a child required a considerable amount of money.
The greatest wish of rural people was for their children to pass the imperial examinations and bring honor to their ancestors. Now, the court had given them hope.
For this reason, in the eyes of the general populace of Yun Country, the emperor and empress were benevolent rulers who loved their people, and they praised them highly.
As for brothels and gambling dens, even though they were unwilling to pay taxes, they had no choice but to do so. Being shut down was no laughing matter.
There was a gambling den that, relying on its connection to a marquis's manor, refused to pay taxes. It didn't last beyond the next day and was sealed off that afternoon.
It reopened shortly after, but with a new owner.
The rules of the gambling den were revised. Adults under eighteen were not allowed to enter. In addition to the existing offerings, new games were added.
One of these was called "lottery," where for two wen, one could win two million taels of silver. This became very popular in the capital.
In December, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
The wintersweet in the Plum Garden slowly bloomed, clusters of red and yellow, a beautiful sight.
Such days were most suitable for arranging marriages.
In the afternoon, she summoned Zhou Qiangwei to the palace. If she remembered correctly, Zhou Qiangwei had a legitimate daughter who was already eighteen and hadn't found a suitable match.
Guanju Palace.
As Zhou Qiangwei entered the hall, a faint, sweet incense scent wafted into her nostrils, pleasant and somewhat calming.
It gradually soothed her tense mood. She entered the warm chamber and, upon seeing the person on the phoenix chair, quickly paid her respects, only to be helped up by Qiu Fen.
Zhao Jiaqi descended from the phoenix chair and smiled at her guest. "Sister, it's been a few months, and I find you looking much better than before!"
This topic brought great joy to Zhou Qiangwei, her lips coloring even more, giving her a unique charm.
"To be honest, Your Majesty, my life nowadays is very comfortable. I play chess with my husband, go for walks, and without those troublesome matters, I eat well and sleep soundly. Naturally, my complexion has improved!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled knowingly. Now, the only thing left was the marriage of Song Fei and Song Lan.
"Sister Zhou, the position of Prime Minister is still kept open for Song Xin in the court. I wonder if my brother-in-law is still willing to serve the court?"
Song Xin, the former Prime Minister, was a responsible official. Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao had not appointed anyone else to the position of Prime Minister, actually hoping Song Xin would take it.
Upon hearing the Empress's words, Zhou Qiangwei hesitated. "Your Majesty, this commoner needs to return and ask his opinion. I cannot guarantee anything, but if Your Majesty and Empress need Song Xin's services, he will certainly be willing to serve!"