Chapter 409: Grace of the Queen

Chapter 409

After Rongyue entered the hall alone, Zhao Hua led the others to finish the rest of the grand ceremony procedures.

When the rituals were over, Zhao Hua ordered Yun Shan to hand an account book to the head silkworm breeder.

After looking through the account book, the silkworm breeder's face revealed surprise,

"This...this is the income details of all mulberry growers in the capital last year, recorded very thoroughly."

Zhao Hua gently said, "This concubine has seen the account book. The total income of the capital's mulberry growers last year was about 30,000 taels of silver. Since the silkworm plague this year has caused damage to the mulberry growers, this concubine would like to ask, have you privately calculated how much income you can have this year?"

The silkworm breeder said bitterly, "It is estimated to be less than 30 percent of last year..." Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

After hearing this, Zhao Hua casually said,

"Then this concubine will take out ten years of the queen's salary to subsidize you."

At this remark, everyone was stunned, and the buzz of discussion rose one after another.

"The queen's ten years of salary is enough to have 20,000 taels of silver! Privately counting, although we have suffered a disaster, but our income has still increased!"

"That's right! No one can predict such a natural disaster, but the Queen is willing to take out ten years of her salary for us! I remember that during the previous famine, only the Emperor opened the national treasury for disaster relief, but the former Queen did not show any intention at all..."

"Speak softly, do you want to die! But it is true, the Emperor cares about the world, and now the Queen also has the heart of a Bodhisattva who cares about the common people. Our days ahead will be blessed!"

"..."

These comments were all admiration and praise, but Zhao Hua did not listen to any of them, only busy finishing her words,

"However, there is no free lunch in this world. I subsidized you, but if you don't work, the farmers will see you get money for nothing, and it will inevitably cause some complaints. So I will provide this silver, but you can't be idle."

She took the map of mountains and rivers handed over by Xiao Fuzi and unfolded it.

"You'd better mind your own business. The Queen is seeking the well-being of the people of the world. The Queen's benevolence is the Emperor's benevolence. This move stabilizes the people's hearts and also gives the Emperor face. Besides, what does ten years of salary count for? The Emperor dotes on the Queen so much, how could he bear to let her live in such difficulties?"

Consort Yin saw through this matter clearly.

Zhao Hua's move was to win face for Xiao Jingheng, and also to win a reputation for herself as virtuous and wise.

What Xiao Jingheng cared most about was the face of the imperial clan and the people's evaluation of him as the emperor.

If he knew about Zhao Hua's move, he would probably rush to thank her, how could he let her pay out of her own pocket?

Yun Fei realized it now, and said reluctantly,

"She really knows how to handle things. Look at those commoners, they are so excited that they can't wait to build a shrine for her on the spot. I see that in the future, the silkworm worship ceremony will no longer worship any Silkworm Ancestor, just worship her directly!"

While she was mocking Zhao Hua maliciously behind her back,

suddenly she caught sight of the bustle in the crowd, as if Jiang Deshun was rushing over limping,

"Jiang Deshun? Why did he come at this time?"

Jiang Deshun squeezed through the crowded people and came to Zhao Hua.

Seeing his livid face, Zhao Hua frowned and asked,

"What's the matter?"

But Jiang Deshun didn't even care about proper manners,

he moved close to Zhao Hua's side, and said in a low, solemn voice,

"Queen, please return to the palace quickly. Something big has happened in the palace!"