Let's just drift through life together in this quick transmigration story.

Chapter 722 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (8)

Censors are all talk and no action, and military generals are incompetent in battle and not good enough in fights.

Civil officials are even more useless; they are only good at plotting and scheming, which is of no use and does not reflect the demeanor of a great power at all.

Censor Li thought he had persuaded Xiong Bufan, and said eloquently, "Increasing taxes in wealthy urban areas and using the money to support disaster-stricken people is called getting through the difficulties together."

At the same time, the public is encouraged to donate money to help with disaster relief, and an annual honor roll will be compiled, with anyone who donates money being listed.

As Xiong Bufan sat in the chair, he suddenly realized how clever the old woman was; it was the first time he had ever made selling one's reputation sound so appealing.

If this were the case, there would be no need to buy or sell official positions; a mere nominal title could bring in a great deal of money.

From a material perspective, it's a classic case of getting something for nothing.

Sure enough, the older a person gets, the wiser they become. Xiong Bufan couldn't help but start to admire Imperial Censor Li.

The court was still in an uproar. Liu Tong had been keeping an eye on the situation between Imperial Censor Li and Xiong Bufan. When he heard that there was a better solution, he quickly stopped the argument, saying, "Stop arguing with me. The Imperial Censor has a solution."

Upon hearing Liu Tong's voice, Imperial Censor Li snorted coldly. This Minister of Revenue was utterly useless, far inferior to his mother.

Feeling guilty, Liu Tong touched the tip of his nose and said loudly, "Your Majesty, shall we do as Lord Li said?"

Xiong Bufan waved his hand, "Go and do it. The extra silver will fill the national treasury, and Imperial Censor Li will become famous and supervise the construction."

Liu Tong & Imperial Censor Li: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Other ministers: "Your Majesty is wise."

Xiong Bufan decided to listen to that old lady, Imperial Censor Li, from now on. The reason was simply that she was too clever.

Fearing being accused of giving others leverage, Imperial Censor Li had already sent his children to other districts to take up positions. He only had one husband and two attendants in the capital. Now, he was acting recklessly and even started asking officials in the court to donate money.

Xiong Bufan naturally had no objections, as long as she didn't ask for money from her secret stash.

Although the ministers were unwilling, Imperial Censor Li had already extended his hand, so they naturally had no reason to refuse.

Many memorials criticizing Imperial Censor Li for his lack of virtue were submitted to the court, but Xiong Bufan ignored them all and simply ordered someone to start a fire.

After the method of raising funds through donations from officials was introduced, Liu Tong stopped the buying and selling of officials. Those women who had initially hesitated and thought that the positions were too low-ranking and didn't require money were now filled with regret, feeling that they had missed the opportunity to become officials in the court.

All the girls she played with had families that bought them minor official positions, or they bought their own positions with their own money, but she had nothing.

Xu Jie was one of them. Upon hearing the news that official positions were no longer being bought and sold, she was silently angry at home. Her mother always hoped that her daughter would become successful, but she was reluctant to spend money at crucial moments. How could she be blamed for not being ambitious?

Xu Jie was unhappy and refused to eat for a day, which worried her mother. Hearing that the imperial court had a policy of accumulating merit through donations, she directly donated a large sum of money in Xu Jie's name, making Xu Jie's name appear at the top of the list.

In Xu Jie's mother's view, donating money is much more worthwhile than buying an official position. She may not understand being an official, but doesn't she understand her own daughter?

Xu Jie was happy when she learned that her donation was the largest in the city.

Xiong Bufan was very happy counting the silver that kept flowing into the palace every day. If all this money were hers, that would be wonderful.

But Xiong Bufan felt that he was a man of principle, because he would not touch a single penny of money that he shouldn't touch.

Kongkong still admires Xiong Bufan for this; Xiong Bufan will always be the kindest and bravest bear.

In less than ten days, the grain had already been sent ahead of schedule, and Vice Minister Zhao and General Su also went to provide disaster relief, but the two still disliked each other.

But I know that if this matter is not handled well, I will lose my head.

Furthermore, the people of the city are also very important; their initial intention in becoming officials was to bring happiness to the people.

Having resolved a major issue, Xiong Bufan felt much more relaxed. Her favorite thing to do now was to visit the national treasury to see the gold and silver she had acquired.

Shangguan Yi didn't understand what Xiong Bufan was thinking. To be precise, she hadn't understood His Majesty since a few days ago.

Before, I could see what His Majesty was thinking, but now I can't see it at all.

"Your Majesty, what are you looking at?"

"I am looking at the wealth of the entire nation, at how the rich can help the poor, at the prosperity of the country, and at the strength of the military..."

Kongkong: Reciting texts is prohibited.

Xiong Bufan's words stunned Shangguan Yihu, but his legs reacted faster than his brain, and he knelt on the ground, "Long live the Emperor!"

"Get up."

Xiong Bufan planned to launch an expedition to seize treasures once the disaster relief efforts were over.

Meanwhile, the heir to the throne doesn't want to be emperor for life. Being emperor is hard and tiring; it's practically inhuman. She should be a bear enjoying a life of luxury.

The previous emperors would visit the harem almost every two days. Although he favored Consort Liu, he still visited the harem.

It's been strange that the emperor hasn't visited the inner palace for the past seven or eight days.

Zhao Yuanxin was thus pushed forward by the concubines to persuade the emperor to visit the inner palace more often.

Zhao Yuanxin originally didn't want to get involved in this matter. Since entering the palace, he had never been favored. If it weren't for the ministers' opposition, His Majesty would have demoted him to a mere attendant long ago, and he was no longer the Empress.

His Majesty's thunderous and rainy favors were, to him, only thunder.

Zhao Yuanxin was a renowned handsome man, otherwise he would not have been chosen as queen. Standing in the palace, he made the magnificent palace pale in comparison.

Sitting in the main seat, Xiong Bufan felt that beauty was useless if it wasn't in her possession.

Zhao Yuanxin: "Your Majesty, I advise you to visit the inner palace more often."

"Don't go."

Zhao Yuanxin: "Your Majesty, the continuation of the imperial line is a matter of great importance, concerning the succession of the dynasty."

"Not alive."

Xiong Bufan is already an emperor, yet he's still being pressured to have children; there's nothing more outrageous than this.

Upon hearing Xiong Bufan's unwavering refusal, Zhao Yuanxin asked, "Your Majesty, shall we begin the selection of candidates?"

It's been a full year since the last draft, but no babies have been born yet. It's time for another draft.

"Kongkong, what is a talent show?"

Kongkong: "It means adding new women to the harem, that is, selecting concubines."

Xiong Bufan never supported or recruited idle people, so he refused without hesitation: "I won't choose you, I don't have any money."

Even if Zhao Yuanxin was very patient, he couldn't hold back any longer. No one can be rejected three times without feeling discouraged.

"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?"

"I want to disband the harem."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanxin's eyelids twitched. It was common knowledge that most of the concubines who were sent away by the emperor did not have a good ending.