Chapter 57

"J-just how much silver?"

Inside the Yangxin Hall, when Zhao Junchen reported the income from the auction of the soap supply to Emperor Deqing, the emperor was shocked, stammering to confirm.

In fact, not only Emperor Deqing, but also the eunuchs serving around him were equally shocked by the number Zhao Junchen mentioned, all showing stunned expressions.

"A total of 1,446,000 taels, Your Majesty."

Seeing Emperor Deqing's incredulous face, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but find it amusing, but naturally didn't dare to laugh. He maintained a serious expression and slowly replied.

After being confirmed again, Emperor Deqing was stunned for a long time before finally believing the fact, muttering to himself, "1,466,000 taels, there really are that many..."

Hearing the subtle change in the number from Emperor Deqing's mouth, Zhao Junchen's lips twitched slightly. But he still nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, a total of 1,466,000 taels... If we exclude labor costs, the profit from soap for the inner treasury this year will be no less than 800,000 taels. And this is just the first year. If the soap production of the inner treasury can be further increased in the future, and the people gradually get used to using soap, the profit from soap can be further increased. According to my estimation, in five years, it might reach around 1,500,000 taels."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing fell silent again, seemingly calm, but his right hand, which held the brush on the imperial desk, was trembling slightly.

Emperor Deqing always paid great attention to his image, always maintaining the dignified and honorable demeanor of an emperor, even when facing his favorite minister Zhao Junchen, he only slightly softened his expression.

But after hearing the number from Zhao Junchen, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but lose his composure.

It was clear that Emperor Deqing was trying hard to maintain his dignified image, but this number was so unimaginably large that it was impossible for the emperor, who had always been short of money, to remain calm.

A profit of 800,000 taels might seem ordinary, but compared to the nearly 10 million taels of tax revenue the Ming Dynasty collected each year, it was just a small number. However, income is one thing, and the nearly 10 million taels of silver had various uses. The total surplus silver in the national treasury and the inner treasury combined was only 200,000 to 300,000 taels each year.

This was the result of Zhao Junchen's financial management in recent years, controlling the Ministry of Revenue and the inner treasury. Before Zhao Junchen took power, both the Ministry of Revenue and the inner treasury were always in deficit.

This profit of 800,000 taels meant that from this year onward, the amount of surplus silver available to Emperor Deqing would more than triple!

And according to Zhao Junchen's words, this was only the first year. In a few years, the profit from soap could even reach 1,500,000 taels!

For Emperor Deqing, who was accustomed to being short of money, this was absolutely a huge surprise!!

Seeing Emperor Deqing still expressionless and silent, but with his eyes constantly flickering, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but secretly sigh for this "silver-naive" emperor: "I've already said before that this soap would definitely earn a huge amount of silver. Does Emperor Deqing think that 'a huge amount of silver' is just 300,000 to 500,000 taels?"

With this thought in mind, Zhao Junchen didn't delay. He picked up a thick folder with both hands—though not thick, it contained a thick stack of silver bills—and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the report on today's auction of the soap supply and the silver bills from the auction. Please review and check them."

Seeing the folder in Zhao Junchen's hands, Emperor Deqing finally came to his senses and nodded to the eunuch Zhang De beside him.

Zhang De, not daring to be negligent, quickly descended the imperial steps, took the folder from Zhao Junchen, and prepared to hand it over to Emperor Deqing.

Although Zhang De was Emperor Deqing's personal eunuch, he had never handled so much silver before. When he took the folder, he couldn't help but be somewhat excited by the thick stack of silver bills inside.

At this moment, Zhao Junchen suddenly whispered, "There are 300,000 taels more in silver bills. Please remind His Majesty, Lord Zhang."

Zhang De was slightly stunned, then nodded lightly without saying more, and returned to Emperor Deqing's side with the folder and silver bills, presenting them to the emperor.

After receiving the folder, Emperor Deqing resisted the urge to immediately count the silver bills, opened the folder, and "casually" placed the silver bills to one side, then "carefully" reviewed the folder.

However, although Emperor Deqing's expression while reviewing the folder seemed serious, his frequent glances at the silver bills beside him revealed his true thoughts.

These silver bills, after setting aside the 200,000 taels to be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, were all Emperor Deqing's own silver!!

After Emperor Deqing finally finished reviewing the folder, he was about to say something when Zhang De, who was serving beside him, suddenly stepped closer and whispered to the emperor, "Your Majesty, this old servant noticed that the number of silver bills seems incorrect. This thick stack seems to be more than 1,466,000 taels."

Emperor Deqing was slightly stunned, glanced at the silver bills in his hand, but didn't want to count them in front of Zhao Junchen. He simply handed the silver bills to Zhang De and said, "You... count them and see how many there are."

Zhang De respectfully agreed, then carefully counted the silver bills. After a moment, he said to Emperor Deqing, "Your Majesty, this old servant has counted, and the total is 1,746,000 taels."

Emperor Deqing was slightly stunned, turned to look at Zhao Junchen, his eyes showing surprise and joy, and asked in a deep voice, "Zhao Aiqing, what's going on? Why are there nearly 300,000 taels more in silver bills?"

Zhao Junchen had been waiting for this question. When Emperor Deqing asked, he immediately knelt and bowed, his face showing fear, and said, "Your Majesty, your servant has sinned..."

Emperor Deqing's brows furrowed, and he slowly said, "Oh? There are nearly 300,000 taels more in silver bills, how can you have sinned? Explain clearly to the emperor."

Zhao Junchen slightly raised his head and asked, "Does Your Majesty still remember the southern tour plan I mentioned when I first returned to the capital?"

Emperor Deqing nodded lightly, his eyes flashing with insight, and said, "Yes, using the emperor's visit to private gardens in the south as a qualification to have the garden owners donate some silver... You mean these 300,000 taels?"

"Your Majesty is wise, your servant's every move cannot escape your keen eyes." Zhao Junchen bowed his head again and said in a deep voice, "Although this plan was blocked by the Crown Prince, he doesn't understand the current financial situation of our dynasty. He only thinks that such actions would damage the court's dignity, not realizing that with this silver, many problems could be solved for our dynasty. Your servant, trusted by Your Majesty to manage the national and inner treasuries, often sees Your Majesty troubled by financial matters and feels unable to help, causing me great guilt and shame. After the court session that day, I thought about it and felt that it was too much of a waste to let this plan be shelved. So, I secretly spread the word about Your Majesty's southern tour and the desire to visit southern gardens. The agents of the garden owners in the capital understood and, in total, donated nearly 300,000 taels for Your Majesty's southern tour."

After a pause, Zhao Junchen's voice became more determined as he continued, "Of course, the Crown Prince's words that day, suggesting that such actions would be seen as extortion from the wealthy and damage the court's dignity, were not without reason. However, your servant has made up his mind. As long as it can help Your Majesty, your servant will bear all the negative consequences and accusations. If this matter comes to light in the future, please claim that you were unaware, and let all the blame fall on your servant. Your servant will not shirk responsibility!!"

As Zhao Junchen's words fell, Emperor Deqing hadn't said anything yet, but Zhang De beside him sighed softly, "No wonder Lord Zhao didn't explicitly mention the extra 300,000 taels in silver bills. It turns out he had such intentions. Truly, he is deeply thoughtful..."

Although Zhang De's voice was light, it was just right for Emperor Deqing to hear.

Emperor Deqing quietly observed Zhao Junchen for a long time, then suddenly sighed and slowly said, "Junchen, you are very good."

Emperor Deqing usually called Zhao Junchen "Aiqing," but if he called him "Junchen," it meant he was particularly satisfied with Zhao Junchen and in a good mood.

For Emperor Deqing, these 300,000 taels of silver bills, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

"Stand up. We are a harmonious ruler and minister, don't kneel so easily. You did nothing wrong in this matter." Emperor Deqing slowly said. After Zhao Junchen stood up, he continued, "The Crown Prince lacks experience in governance and doesn't understand the difficulties of the court. His actions and words are often unconsidered. My visit to private gardens is a great honor for the garden owners. Their donations are appropriate and would not damage the court's dignity."

Hearing Emperor Deqing's words, Zhao Junchen was visibly moved.

But privately, Zhao Junchen was secretly frowning.

Zhao Junchen's actions, besides flattering Emperor Deqing, were also a test to see how Emperor Deqing viewed him.

The result was that Emperor Deqing did not reject the idea that if this matter came to light in the future, Zhao Junchen would take the blame, and Emperor Deqing would claim ignorance.

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ps: On the Qixi Festival yesterday, I finally finished my work. In the coming period, I will focus on writing and enter a burst period. Also, when my work came to a temporary end yesterday, I was dragged by my colleagues to drink and celebrate, and ended up getting drunk, which delayed the update. I apologize for that. I will update three times today and five times tomorrow. Please bear with me.

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