EBE Chapter 720 The crime of deceiving the emperor
Chapter 720 The crime of deceiving the emperor
Originally, the mining rights of copper mines, iron mines, and coal mines have always been in the hands of the imperial court. Although it is convenient for centralized management, it is also a monopoly, and the people cannot enjoy any benefits at all.
If the Yuan family could get involved in these monopoly industries, they would naturally be able to make a lot of money.
In the long run, the cost of tens of millions of taels of silver will definitely be recovered. Moreover, once the mining rights fall into the hands of private individuals, the scale can be expanded to provide the people with more opportunities to make money.
Emperor Lin did not have much hesitation on this matter.
The main reason is that in recent years, the imperial court has actually spent a lot of money on mining, so it is fine to outsource it. No matter who he is, as long as the ownership is in their hands, they can take it back at any time, so he nodded in agreement.
Yuanjie stepped out to express his gratitude.
Emperor Lin agreed, and from today on Yuan Qi was one step closer to becoming the richest woman in the world.
Zhou Chang's heart secretly relaxed, and he couldn't help but glance at Yuan Qi.
Yuan Qi stood at the end, not moving at all, and there was no sign of any change in his expression.
Zhou Chang was a little unsure. She wanted to compensate Yuan Qi as much as possible and give her more, but her ability had reached its limit. So what did Yuan Qi want?
Upon learning that Yuan Qi had returned to Jindu, Zhou Chang went to meet her.
Although only the verdicts on Prince Rong and Wen Fei were mentioned at that time, Zhou Chang was dissatisfied with Emperor Lin's lenient verdict, so he didn't know what Yuan Qi would do.
Yuan Qi said at the time that if everyone in the world could accept it, then she could accept it too.
Even when he said that, there was a faint smile on his face.
But Zhou Chang always felt that the occasional hint of fatigue and melancholy in her eyes showed that she was still worried.
Zhou Chang asked directly.
Yuan Qi just said that she is very content now and has no worries.
Zhou Chang just couldn't figure it out.
At this moment, Zhou Chang withdrew his thoughts and thought about asking the Emperor Lin for another favor: "Father, since the Yuan family has obtained the permission of the court, it is also necessary to give the Yuan family a reasonable title to facilitate their work. In the past, when Yuan Yu was alive, he still had the title of 'An Tai Merchant'. Now the Yuan family is managed by his daughter Yuan Qi. This time, she disregarded her personal safety and traveled back and forth to the dangerous and difficult places of the three states in northern Vietnam many times, and spared no effort to support the war and win. Moreover, she is the first woman in Lin State and the whole world to be in charge of such a big business. Shouldn't the court commend her and also give her the title of 'The World's No. 1 Female Merchant'?"
This is which pot is not opened and which pot is lifted.
Emperor Lin had been trying his best to avoid mentioning Yuan Qi, and now his brows were furrowed.
He Tao, the Imperial Censor, immediately jumped out to object: "How can this be? She is just a woman. The reason she can stand in the palace today is because we pity her as a family member of the victim. No matter how meritorious the Yuan family is, they are just merchants. Their motives are all profit. Your Majesty has already awarded them the right to mine and market the mineral vein. Any more would be greedy and insatiable."
He Tao is the father-in-law of Prince Rong. Zhou Chang was quite surprised that he could escape the involvement of Prince Rong and his party.
What I didn't expect was that at this time, he would dare to stand up and find fault.
Before she could open her mouth to refute, the Minister of Rites Shen Si followed up and said, "Your Majesty, everyone in the court knows who this girl from the Yuan family is and what she has done. How can you reward her? Please think twice."
It turns out that Shen Si was also very close to Prince Rong, but he was not directly involved in Prince Rong's treason and kidnapping.
Emperor Lin was also trying hard to suppress the negative impact caused by Prince Rong and his party, so he turned a blind eye to Shen Si and let him go.
"What have you done? The Yuan family has always been doing business in an upright manner, and what they have done is to 'be rich and practice virtue'. Why are you not worthy?" Zhou Chang just wanted to give Yuan Qi a title so that she could be more legitimate when she came out to discuss business.
After all, a woman, no matter if she comes from a family with deep roots, will probably still have a hard time in the business world.
"Your Highness Prince Yi, there is no precedent in our dynasty for conferring the title of 'female merchant'." Yuan Chuan also stood up to object.
People below started discussing the issue, and most of them were shaking their heads and showing disapproval.
Zhou Chang's eyes scanned the entire room and finally fell on Yuan Qi.
Yuan Qi just stood there, ignoring everything, as if he was in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking about.
Is it because of Wen Qingyan’s matter?
When Prince Rong and his party were taken away just now, Zhou Chang clearly saw Yuan Qi's eyes following the direction of Wen Qingyan.
Zhou Chang shook his head, unwilling to think about it anymore, and turned to look at Emperor Lin: "Father, what's wrong with the title of 'the world's number one female merchant'? What's more, what Yuan Qi has done and the amount of money she has donated is more than the sum of thousands of men who already have the title of merchant. Could it be that the gold and silver have different values according to gender?"
Emperor Lin was unwilling in his heart, but the situation was not good enough to reject Prince Yi openly, so he turned back habitually to look for Fang She who was standing beside him.
Fang She, as usual, had his two big goldfish eyes drooping. When he received the questioning gaze from Emperor Lin Feng Xun, he hurried forward and bowed, speaking in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Your Majesty, I don't understand whether it is a title or not, but tens of millions of taels of silver are indeed equal. If you don't have to pay back this money... it's just an empty title..."
There was no need to say more, Emperor Lin just nodded.
Emperor Lin got the answer and said, "In this case, let's do as Prince Yi wishes."
"Thank you..." Zhou Chang was about to express his gratitude when suddenly a eunuch came hurriedly from the side of the Golden Palace.
The eunuch reported directly to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Jin and Princess Yi have come to see you for important matters."
Emperor Lin immediately said angrily: "How dare you! This is a court meeting. How can you bring up matters concerning the harem here?"
The eunuch shrank back, but still spoke out: "The Imperial Concubine said that this matter is of great importance and involves the crime of deceiving the emperor, and she must make it clear in person."
"Is it a crime of deceiving the emperor?" The Emperor had no choice but to ask, "What exactly is it?"
The eunuch could not answer.
Outside the west door below the imperial platform, Yuan Yun's voice suddenly shouted: "Your Majesty, I, the concubine of Prince Yi, Yuan, would like to sue the person in this hall for deceiving and deceiving the emperor."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes turned to Zhou Chang.
Zhou Chang was confused.
Immediately afterwards, without waiting for the emperor's approval, Concubine Jin Ding and Yuan Yun walked straight into the Golden Palace. Behind them were Concubine Jin Ding and three palace maids, each holding something covered with a red cloth.
Imperial Concubine Jin Ding came to the main hall and kowtowed to the Emperor Lin, then said, "Princess Yi Yuan has committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor and wants to expose it to Your Majesty, so I have no choice but to bring her here to see the Emperor."
Ever since King Xian died in northern Vietnam, no one knows what Emperor Lin thought about his "private manufacture of weapons and intention to rebel", but Concubine Jin Ding was conferred the title of noble concubine.