Chapter 91
But Li Qingge, the emperor's daughter, put the interests of the people first. She ordered factories to install air conditioners in people's homes first, followed by businesses. Therefore, even though there are many restaurants, only a few can enjoy the treatment of air conditioning, which has undoubtedly become a highlight of this restaurant.
Master Qianlong was sitting on the sofa, feeling the coolness brought by the air conditioner, and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion in his heart. He thought of the scorching heat in the Forbidden City in the summer, the unbearable sweltering heat that seemed to scorch people. Although there are many ways to escape the heat in the palace, whether it is using ice cubes to cool down, or running to the Old Summer Palace or the Summer Resort, none can compare with the convenience and coolness of air conditioning. He pressed the remote control lightly, and the cool breeze blew over him. The feeling of comfort made him laugh out loud and exclaimed: "This is simply the life of a god!"
Li Qingge stood aside, looking at Lord Qianlong's satisfied look, and felt a little relieved in his heart. She was originally worried that Lord Qianlong would be too restless and would be bored if locked in a hotel, but she didn't expect that he would actually enjoy it. She really regretted not thinking of this trick earlier. On this hot day, who wouldn't want to stay at home with the air conditioner blowing and drinking cold drinks? As an ancient emperor, Emperor Qianlong had never enjoyed this kind of treatment before, so he was placed in a hotel instead of being kept in solitary confinement. It was just to give him welfare.
As night fell and the lanterns came on, Lord Qianlong stood by the window, looking out at the city. The lights were dim and flickering, as beautiful as a picture scroll. He secretly admired Li Qingge for his ability in governing the country. In just a few years, he had managed the south to such a prosperous level. He thought that if the country of the Qing Dynasty was also handed over to Li Qingge to take care of, then the north and the south would be unified, and the whole of China would definitely become more prosperous and powerful.
Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. Lord Qianlong came to his senses, walked over and opened the door, but was stunned. Standing outside the door was a woman wearing a black and gold cheongsam. She had a graceful figure, a refined and refined temperament, and a bit of enchantment, as charming as a flower blooming at midnight. Her eyes are deep, as if she can see into people's hearts, and there is a faint smile hanging on the corner of her mouth, which makes people feel close to her.
Emperor Qianlong asked in surprise: "How do you know I'm here?" Li Qingge smiled and replied: "When you arrive in Dayan's territory, can you still hide it from me?" Her voice was clear and sweet. , like a clear spring in the mountains. Lord Qianlong also smiled: "I have known for a long time that you have great magical powers. You knew it as soon as you entered the country."
Li Qingge asked again: "Since you know that you can't hide it from me, how dare you come in so easily? I'm not afraid." Is there any danger?" Lord Qianlong replied boldly: "I'm not afraid!" His eyes were firm, revealing a fearless spirit. Li Qingge curiously asked the reason, but Emperor Qianlong smiled and said nothing: "As long as you know it in your heart, why bother asking more."
As he said that, Li Qingge walked in lightly with a tea bag in his hand. inside the house. The black and gold cheongsam she wore shone charmingly under the light, seeming to blend in with the surrounding splendor. She began to boil water and make tea, her movements smooth and elegant, like flowing water, as if she was entertaining distinguished guests. After a while, the aroma of tea filled the whole room. The aroma was fresh and elegant, making people feel relaxed and happy.
She poured herself a cup of tea and pushed another cup to Emperor Qianlong: "Come and taste my tea." Her voice was gentle and kind, as if it could soothe the irritability in people's hearts. Emperor Qianlong took the tea cup and took a sip. He suddenly felt a refreshing fragrance that penetrated his heart and spleen, and he couldn't help but exclaimed: "Good tea!"
The two of them just sat on the sofa, sipping tea and chatting. The lights outside the window were still flickering, as if adding a bit of warmth and romance to their gathering. In this splendid restaurant, two people from different worlds met because of a wonderful fate and spent an unforgettable night together.
Emperor Qianlong was stunned for a moment. At that moment, it seemed as if time had frozen in his daze. Immediately, he sat down slowly, with a self-evident dignity and calmness in his posture. He picked up the tea cup in front of him, which was made of delicate blue and white porcelain. The walls of the cup were painted with elegant landscape patterns, which complemented the quiet atmosphere of Hu Gong Temple. He took a sip of tea. The color of the tea was emerald green, like young spring leaves. After one sip, his eyes suddenly lit up, and a satisfied smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "This Longjing tea from Hu Gong Temple is indeed the best." Waiting for good tea!”
His words revealed his deep love for tea, which also brought back his memories from more than ten years ago. At that time, he was still young, traveling around the south of the Yangtze River, full of curiosity and enthusiasm for everything. He deliberately went to the foot of Shifeng Mountain in Hangzhou, where the clouds and mist shrouded it like a fairyland. He witnessed with his own eyes the tea farmers picking Longjing tea. The farmers were skilled in their skills and the tea leaves they picked were tender green and full of vitality. When he got interested, he went to the fields himself and imitated the tea farmers and picked a few handfuls of tea leaves. The tea in his hands seemed to be a gift from nature, with an indescribable freshness and vitality.
However, the good times did not last long. The personal attendant hurried over and said that the Queen Mother was ill and urgently needed him to return to the palace. Although Qianlong was modest and not a wise king, his filial piety towards his mother was extremely deep. When he heard that his mother was ill, he quickly put the freshly picked tea leaves into his sleeves. The tea leaves were covered with morning dew, as if they also carried his filial piety and worry. He hurried back to the capital, the journey was dusty, just to see his mother as soon as possible and confirm her safety.
The Queen Mother's illness was actually caused by excessive internal fire caused by eating too much delicacies from the mountains and seas, resulting in red, swollen and painful eyes. Fortunately, it's nothing serious, I just need to rest. When Qianlong rushed back to the palace, the Queen Mother smelled a strange fragrance on his body. The fragrance was fresh and elegant, making people feel relaxed and happy. She curiously asked him what good things he had brought back. Qianlong himself was puzzled. He opened his sleeves and saw that they were handfuls of Longjing tea. After several days of bumps and sun exposure, the tea leaves have dried naturally, and the aroma has become more intense. He quickly ordered someone to cook it and present it to the Queen Mother for tasting.
As soon as the Queen Mother drank it, she suddenly felt the fragrance filling the room. The fragrance of tea seemed to penetrate into people's hearts, making them feel relaxed and happy. Her anger was completely gone, and even the discomfort in her eyes was mostly gone. She praised the tea as more effective than the elixir, and her smile was full of satisfaction and relief. Seeing that the Empress Dowager liked it so much, Qianlong ordered the eighteen top tea trees in front of Hu Gong Temple at the foot of Shifeng Mountain to be named Imperial Tea. The tea leaves picked every year were exclusively for the royal family.
West Lake Longjing tea is the best tea, and is known as the "King of Green Tea". The products produced in Shifeng are the best among the best, and the eighteen tea trees in front of Hu Gong Temple are simply the best among the best. Among the teas that Qianlong paid tribute from various places, he only preferred Mingqian tea from Shifeng Mountain. The tea is emerald green in color, has a noble aroma, and has a refreshing taste, which seems to be able to wash away the dust in people's hearts. But since Nandi was handed over to Li Qingge to govern, he has never tasted this taste again. Now that he tasted it again, he felt it was even more delicious than in memory. The aroma of the tea seemed to evoke endless reveries in his heart.
Li Qingge looked at Qianlong, her eyes were clear and deep, as if she could see into people's hearts. She smiled faintly, and her smile revealed a kind of transcendent freeness and indifference: "I have tasted many famous teas before, and even good teas like West Lake Longjing may not be able to catch my eye. But after losing, you can gain again. , Only then can I truly appreciate its beauty." There is a kind of philosophy and insight in her words that makes people think deeply.
Qianlong was silent when he heard the words, just savoring the fragrance of tea. The fragrance of tea seemed to carry Li Qingge's words, making him secretly understand what she meant. People, only when they lose can they know how to cherish. He looked at Li Qingge, his eyes revealing a mixture of emotions, including appreciation, admiration, and a hint of unnoticeable regret.
Father and daughter sat opposite each other, their eyes meeting from time to time. Li Qingge's expression was calm and composed, and her face was delicate and refined, as if it was not stained by a trace of dust. She was wearing dark clothes, but those clothes seemed to be just a foil for her temperament, making her look even more intelligent, pure and flawless. Qianlong looked at her carefully, and when they met again after a long absence, he found that Li Qingge's style was even more outstanding than before. Her beauty lies not only in appearance, but also in the temperament and charm that emanates from the inside out.
Qianlong thought to himself that although there were many beauties in his harem, this was the first time he saw a woman as stunning as Li Qingge. If he wasn't a close relative of flesh and blood and wasn't tied down by his status as an emperor, he would pursue her at all costs. But the reality is so cruel. Their identities and statuses seem to be an insurmountable gap.
Li Qingge sat quietly and let Qianlong look at him. Her eyes were calm and deep, as if she could see everything. If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes and experienced it yourself, how could you believe that such an extraordinary woman had such shocking power and ability? Her beauty is like the ancient Concubine Yu, and her gentle and tenacious temperament is unforgettable; her courage is comparable to that of the overlord Xiang Yu, and her spirit of not fearing power and daring to challenge is admirable. Beauty and hero, these two completely different qualities are perfectly integrated in her, forming a unique charm.
The more Qianlong thought about it, the more incredible he felt. He looked at Li Qingge, his eyes revealing an indescribable complex emotion. He sighed at Li Qingge's talent and ability, but also regretted the difference in identity and status between them. But no matter what, he could not deny Li Qingge's excellence.
“You look at me so straight, do you think I have a peach blossom on my face?” Qianlong looked at Li Qingge, who was a little displeased. She frowned slightly, and her eyebrows seemed to be a beautiful line. The arc adds a bit of charm to her face. Her voice was cold and sweet, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.
"No, no matter how many and beautiful the flowers are in the world, they can't compare to your appearance." Qianlong replied with a smile, with a kind of sincerity and sincerity in his smile. Although his words were simple, they revealed his deep praise and appreciation for Li Qingge. He understood that regardless of his identity and status, Li Qingge was an irreplaceable presence in his heart.
Qianlong's words were sincere, his eyes were clear, and there was no trace of evil thoughts. It seemed that at this moment, he was really just a father who longed for his daughter's forgiveness, rather than the aloof Qing emperor. There was an indescribable sadness and expectation in his eyes, as if he was telling the endless thoughts and regrets over the years.
Li Qingge smiled, but there was endless ridicule and indifference hidden in that smile. The corners of her mouth curved, and her voice was as cold as a knife: "You have already been caught by me, and you can still talk to me with a smile like this. Are you really not afraid of death at all?" Her eyes were sharp, as if she could Insight into the deepest secrets of the human heart.
Qianlong's face remained calm, and his voice was calm and firm: "What am I afraid of? No matter how much you hate me, the blood relationship between us cannot be broken." There was something in his words. An inexplicable sense of confidence, as if this blood relationship is his last trump card.
Li Qingge pretended to be surprised and said: "You...you already know about our relationship?" A trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, but was soon replaced by indifference.
Qianlong nodded slightly, showing a hint of pride, but that pride was mixed with a bit of bitterness: "Yes, I knew it a long time ago, so I dared to step into Dayan's territory." In his heart, actually Not so proud, but more regretful about the past and worried about the future.
Li Qingge snorted coldly, with endless ridicule and disdain in his voice: "So what if I know? It's hard to let go of the past. It's better to be confused for the rest of your life than to remember it clearly and only increase the pain." The look in her eyes There is a kind of determination in it, as if he has made up his mind to cut off this blood relationship.
"I am your father, how can you deny me?" Qianlong's voice was a little excited, and he tried to impress Li Qingge with family affection.
However, Li Qingge said resolutely: "I deny it!" Her voice was decisive, without any hesitation, "The former fifth princess is dead, and now the only one alive is Li Qingge, the daughter of the Jin family. "Her eyes revealed a kind of determination and pride, as if she had completely gotten rid of her past identity and constraints.
Qianlong whispered: "It is a great unfilial act for the Lord of Heaven and Earth to deny his biological father." He tried to use traditional moral concepts to restrain Li Qingge.
However, Li Qingge spat disdainfully: "Bah! Talking about being the king of heaven and earth, being a master, being a master, is all hypocrisy. Don't use these feudal remnants to suppress me, I won't accept this." Her The voice was full of disgust and contempt for feudal ethics.
"Are only blood relationships considered relatives? Whoever treats me well is my relative." Li Qingge continued, her eyes showing a kind of indifference and alienation, as if she was completely disappointed with this blood relationship.
She sneered again and again, her voice full of sarcasm: "How could I not know about your past? Since you regarded me as ominous at first, why come to me now? The belated concern is as light as a feather. "It's meaningless to human relations and family ties." Her tone revealed a kind of determination and indifference, as if she had completely lost confidence in this family relationship.
Qianlong was speechless for a moment. He knew that he was in the wrong and could not refute Li Qingge's words. I think back then, because of listening to slander, the fifth princess lived among the people. After going through hardships, she finally became the current Lord of Great Yan, Li Qingge. His heart was filled with regret and self-blame, but he could not change the facts of the past.
Considering the power of the Great Yan and its military prowess, Qianlong knew that if Li Qingge's heart was not bound by family affection, once the war broke out and the army pressed on the territory, the Qing Dynasty would face annihilation, and the royal family would also be destroyed. Hard to escape. As an emperor and the head of the Aixinjueluo family, he had to think about the fate of the entire family. Although he felt sorry for Li Qingge, he could only bite the bullet and play the family card.
Qianlong gritted his teeth and said: "I am indeed sorry for what happened in the past, and I am willing to make up for it in any way. But the Aixinjueluo family is innocent, and I hope you can remember this." His voice There was a kind of pleading and helplessness in it, as if begging Li Qingge for forgiveness.
However, Li Qingge responded coldly: "How many innocent people are there in the world? Those who have been executed because of the literary prison of three generations of your ancestors and grandchildren are all unjust souls. Since I have inherited the destiny, I must follow the trend of the times and wipe out all feudalism. Dregs." Her voice was filled with hatred and determination for the feudal system.
She paused for a moment, as if to collect her thoughts, and then continued: "But I promised my mother that I would not hurt your life. As for other people..." At this point, her His tone suddenly became cold and ruthless, and his eyes flashed with cold light.
Qianlong's heart was in his throat. He was well aware of Li Qingge's determination and cruelty, and was afraid that she would be cruel to the Aixinjueluo family. He looked at Li Qingge in horror, as if looking at a god of death who was about to pronounce the fate of his family.
Li Qingge's tone was as cold as a knife, as if it could cut through everything: "The fate of the Zhao royal family after the Jingkang Incident is the future of your Aixinjueluo family." Her voice was full of nostalgia for the past. Resentment and determination for the future.
"No! You can't do this, they are all your relatives, blood is thicker than water!" Qianlong shouted in horror. He tried to impress Li Qingge with family affection, but found that his voice was So pale and powerless.
He was well aware of the shame and tragedy of the Jingkang Incident, which was even more heartbreaking than the Tumubao Incident of the Ming Dynasty. He couldn't imagine how miserable and miserable it would be if the Aixinjueluo family suffered the same fate. He looked at Li Qingge, his eyes full of pleading and despair, as if he was begging her to show mercy.
However, Li Qingge just looked at him coldly, as if looking at a stranger. There was no trace of family affection or compassion in her heart, only hatred for the feudal system and determination for the future. She knew that her decision would change the fate of many people, but she embarked on this path without hesitation. Because in her opinion, only by eradicating all feudal dross can the world become more beautiful and just.
Among the thirty-six strategies, attacking the heart is the most important. This statement is true. Li Qingge is well versed in this. She knows that if she wants to realize her great ambition, she must first set her bottom line extremely low, as low as the depths of the dust. Just like the experienced businessman who bargains in the market, she must give an order at the beginning. The ultra-low price was jaw-dropping. After the other party was shocked, they slowly negotiated and finally settled at a price acceptable to both parties. On the contrary, if you offer a normal price from the beginning, the seller will know that you are determined to get it and will ask for a high price. This will make things difficult to achieve.
Li Qingge's words were as sharp as a knife, and each sentence seemed to directly poke Qianlong's heart, leaving him speechless for a moment. If someone else had contradicted him like this, Qianlong would have been furious and ordered severe punishment. However, the woman opposite was also an emperor, holding great power and strong military power. Even though Qianlong was dissatisfied with everything in his heart, he could do nothing with her.
Li Qingge looked at Qianlong's deflated appearance and felt secretly proud. She thought of those women who came from time-travel, no matter how powerful and scheming they were, they still had to succumb to the authority of the emperor and princes and live a miserable life. Even if you become a big winner in the end and become a queen, you still have to abide by a bunch of complicated rules. Li Qingge didn't want to do this. She planned to rebel directly, overthrow the old order, and create a new era. She wondered in her heart, those time travelers all had extraordinary abilities, some could cultivate immortality and Taoism, and some mastered miraculous magic and medicine. Why didn't they want to subvert everything and reshape the world? With such ability, why are you willing to be someone else's concubine and compete with a group of women for favor? Do they all have masochistic tendencies? It’s not like women can’t live without men and love. Even if she wants to find a man, she can easily establish a new dynasty and become the founding empress. Then she will not be able to choose from all the beautiful men in the world, which is much better than waiting for a man to come.
Li Qingge's momentum was so strong that Qianlong retreated steadily under her questioning. In the end, he could only sit slumped on the sofa and look at her helplessly. His eyes were full of pleading, as if he was about to plead in the next moment: "You...what do you want to do before you let go of the Aixinjueluo family? They are all your relatives!"
< br>Although Li Qingge’s face was stern, his tone was quite calm: “Your Majesty’s words are serious. I am not a murderous person. The queen is my mother and Yongxun is my brother. I will naturally protect them. When Yongxun gets married and starts a family in the future, the Aixinjueluo bloodline will naturally continue. What do you have to worry about? What? "
When Qianlong heard this, he felt even more unsure. She only said that she wanted to protect the queen and Yong Cang, but she didn't mention it to anyone else. Wasn't it clear that she wanted to kill them all? He was extremely anxious, but he was helpless.
After a conversation, the two seemed to be back to where they started. Qianlong originally wanted to use the country to seduce Li Qingge and negotiate peace with her, but now he really couldn't help it. He gritted his teeth and said: "If you are willing to give up and save the Aixinjueluo family, I am willing to give up the throne to you and make you the master of this thousands of miles of land."
Li Qingge couldn't help but sneer after hearing this. speak out, The voice was clear and sweet, as sweet as a mountain stream: "What do these mountains and rivers mean to me?" There was a look of disdain in her eyes, as if these thousands of miles of mountains and rivers were just nothing in her eyes. A speck of dust.
When Qianlong heard this, he was shocked. He looked at Li Qingge in disbelief, as if looking at a monster: "This is the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. How many princes dream of the supreme position. I think that when the Holy Patriarch was in power, for this The nine sons fought to death and killed each other."
Li Qingge smiled like a flower. As bright as her eyes, her voice was gentle but firm: "How the princes fight, that's their business. I'm not interested in that broken chair. With my strength, the territory in the north is not a problem, so why covet it? Where is this mere country?" There was a kind of confidence and determination in her eyes, as if she had seen the new era she had created.
Qianlong looked at Li Qingge's firm eyes and couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness in his heart. He knew that no matter what he said, he could not change Li Qingge's determination. He could only sit there silently, looking at Li Qingge helplessly, as if looking at a demon that was about to overturn his world.
However, Li Qingge did not continue to force Qianlong. She knew that pushing too hard would make Qianlong resentful. So, she slowly stood up, walked to Qianlong, and said softly: "Your Majesty, you don't have to be so nervous. I'm not here to take away your kingdom. I just want to make this world a better place. Don't worry, As long as you don't take the initiative to provoke me, I won't do anything to you."
Qianlong felt a little relieved when he heard this. He looked up at Li Qingge and found that there was no malice in her eyes. So, he nodded slowly and agreed.
When Li Qingge saw this, he smiled slightly and turned to leave. She knew that although this negotiation did not reach any substantive agreement, it at least made Qianlong aware of her determination and strength. No matter what happens in the future, she will have the confidence to deal with it.
With Li Qingge’s departure, the atmosphere in the room gradually returned to calm. Qianlong sat on the sofa and looked at her back silently, with mixed feelings in his heart. He didn't know what would happen in the future, but he knew that the world had changed because of Li Qingge's appearance. And he, as the ruler of this world, was powerless to prevent this from happening.
However, what Qianlong didn't know was that on the way out, Li Qingge was silently planning his future plans in his heart. She knew that there was a lot more that needed to be done to realize her ambitions. But she also believes that as long as she persists, one day she will create a new era and make the world a better place.
Qianlong was stunned. He originally thought that he held great power, like the high-altitude eagle, able to overlook everything. He originally thought that this negotiation with Li Qingge would be an evenly matched contest. However, after being ridiculed by the other party, he seemed to have fallen from the clouds, and suddenly realized that in Li Qingge's eyes, his chips were just like toys in the hands of children, not worth mentioning at all.
Li Qingge, the empress of Great Yan, is unrivaled in martial arts. Her figure is as tall and straight as a green pine in the mountains, tough and unyielding. Her eyes are sharp, as if she can see into people's hearts, and she manages the army well. The Great Yan army under her command is even more powerful, like flames in the wind, unstoppable. Qianlong secretly marveled in his heart, if she really wanted to destroy the Qing Dynasty and create another prosperous age, it would be really easy.
Qianlong's face was livid, and his aura was obviously weakened. He reluctantly asked: "It's okay if you just say it. How can we let the Aixinjueluo family go?" His voice was low, with a hint of helplessness and begging.
Hearing this, Li Qingge smiled slightly. There was a hint of cunning in her smile, as if she had read through Qianlong's thoughts. She thought for a while, carefully choosing her words and said, "You have just arrived in Dayan, and you don't know the details here yet. Why don't you stay a little longer and visit around, and then we can talk about this?" Her voice was soft, but with an intolerance. Doubtful determination.
Qianlong understood what Li Qingge meant as soon as he heard it. He knew that Dayan's strength gave him the confidence, and his bargaining chips were getting less and less. This kind of delaying tactic can be easily seen by anyone with a discerning eye. He sighed inwardly, Li Qingge was indeed a powerful character, and he might not be able to escape unscathed this time.
Qianlong sighed, waved his hand and said: "No need, I have seen the prosperity of Dayan in the past few days. Although I have always looked down on women, I have to admire your ability to govern the country. If you can "Leave the Qing Dynasty to you, even if the dynasty changes, I will still live up to the expectations of my ancestors." There was a hint of exhaustion and helplessness in his voice.
Seeing that Qianlong was not fooled, Li Qingge looked at him a few more times and said with a smile: "You have only seen the tip of the iceberg. The power of Dayan is far more than that. You have to go to a big city to truly appreciate it." There was a hint of pride and show-off in her voice.
Qianlong replied: "I also want to see the prosperity of big cities, but national affairs are more important." There was a hint of anxiety in his voice.
Li Qingge smiled disdainfully: "Ha, I didn't expect you to care about the safety of the Qing Dynasty." There was a trace of ridicule in her eyes.
Qianlong said seriously: "This is an inheritance passed down from our ancestors." There was a hint of determination and persistence in his voice.
Li Qingge asked back: "Since it is the inheritance of our ancestors, how can we give it up so easily? If you do this, how will you have the honor to meet your ancestors in the future?" There was a hint of questioning and dissatisfaction in her voice.
Qianlong smiled, like a flower, with a hint of cunning and pride in his smile: "Although you are a woman, we are connected by blood. Passing the throne to you is also a family matter. Even if you don’t recognize your ancestors, the blood relationship cannot be changed.”
Having said this, Qianlong became even more proud, his eyes shining with confidence: "You advocated equality between men and women in Dayan, so that both men and women have the right to inherit. When you take over the Qing Dynasty, you will definitely implement this system in the north. "Both sons and daughters have the right to inherit. What's the difference between passing it on to you and passing it on to other sons?"
Although Qianlong was easily deceived by beauty, his ability to be valued by Yongzheng showed that he was an emperor. The technique is not simple either. Now that he saw that Li Qingge advocated equality between men and women, he followed the trend and wanted to use this reason to vacate the country. He was secretly proud, thinking that he had finally found Li Qingge's weakness this time.
However, when Li Qingge heard this, she was stunned for a moment. She did not expect that Qianlong would use his own strategy to deal with her. There was a flash of surprise in her eyes, but then she regained her composure. She secretly marveled in her heart that Qianlong was indeed an old fox, but he was still far from being able to fight her.
Seeing Li Qingge lose his composure, Qianlong felt happy and felt that he had finally won this confrontation. His smile became even brighter, as if he had seen the dawn of his victory.
However, Li Qingge suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Do you know how much each egg-filled pancake you ate when you went to the night market yesterday?" There was a hint of teasing and ridicule in her voice.
Qianlong was stunned, wondering why Li Qingge suddenly asked this. He shook his head and said, "I don't know." There was a hint of embarrassment and confusion in his voice.
As an emperor, he would not care about these small things. The attendants are responsible for paying. He muttered to himself, why did Li Qingge suddenly ask this question? Does she still want to use this to humiliate me?
However, Li Qingge did not continue this topic, but smiled slightly and said: "It seems that you do not understand the people's livelihood in Dayan. Do you think that Dayan's strength only relies on the army and force? Wrong, Dayan's prosperity depends on the hard work and wisdom of every citizen. Only when you truly understand the people's livelihood in Dayan can you understand why Dayan can be so strong."
Qianlong heard this. A shock. He looked at Li Qingge's firm eyes, as if he saw Dayan's future. He secretly marveled in his heart that this woman was indeed an amazing person. He knew that he would not be able to escape unscathed this time, and could only wait silently for his fate.
Last night, the moonlight shone softly on the busy streets, adding a soft glow to the night. At the corner of the street, a steaming food stall with dim lights looked particularly warm. I strolled here, and my eyes were inadvertently attracted by the crystal clear ice cubes on the stall. I couldn't help but feel a little curious, so I asked about the price. However, everyone around seemed to be accustomed to this, and no one responded. Even the stall owner just smiled and was busy with his work, as if the existence of this ice cube was as natural as the night, and there was no need to say anything.
Then, I stepped into an antique inn. The interior decoration was simple yet elegant, and the wooden furniture revealed the warmth of time. The waiter greeted me warmly, led me to a clean room, and told me that accommodation would cost two taels of silver. This sound was particularly clear in this quiet night, and it gave me a preliminary understanding of consumption in this town.
Just as I was packing my bags, Li Qingge pushed open the door and walked in with a bright smile on his face, like a ray of warm sunshine in spring, instantly lighting up the whole room. "Hey, did you know?" she said briskly, "the egg-filled pancakes we ate at that food stall last night actually only cost four cents each."
"Four cents?!" I Hearing this, his eyes widened involuntarily, and his heart was full of surprise. You know, in my opinion, such well-made and egg-filled cakes must be expensive no matter what. I shook my head repeatedly and repeated in disbelief: "Impossible, absolutely impossible. I watched them make it with my own eyes yesterday. The whole egg was stuffed in. Plus all the costs, this cake would have to sell for two. It takes ten taels of silver to get your money back, right?”
Seeing this, Li Qingge's smile became even stronger. She pulled up a chair and sat down, slowly explaining: "During the Qing Dynasty, the place in charge of purchasing these daily necessities for the harem was called the House of Internal Affairs. When they purchased, they increased the amount at every level. , exploit after exploit, finally settle the score In those days, an egg could cost ten taels of silver. Although there was no modern chicken-raising technology at that time, the price of local eggs was high, but it was not so outrageous."
As she spoke, she sighed. tone, a hint of complexity flashed in his eyes Guang Guang: "It is written in history that when Emperor Qianlong ate an egg, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that it cost ten taels of silver. Emperor Qianlong had so many things to do, how could he have time to scrutinize these small things, let alone the intricacies of procurement. ”
As I listened, I couldn't help but feel an inexplicable emotion in my heart. I can't help but feel a little sad when I imagine that the aloof emperor was blinded by these trivial matters. Li Qingge seemed to see through my mind and continued: "Once, a minister came to see Qianlong. Qianlong asked casually: 'What did you eat in the morning?' The minister replied that his family was poor and could only eat three eggs with white porridge. Qianlong was furious when he heard this. He knew that an egg cost ten taels of silver, so wouldn't three eggs in a meal be enough to eat in a year? How much money will it cost? The minister's salary is only a few hundred taels of silver. How can the officials in the capital afford such a luxurious breakfast? Qianlong thought to himself, this minister must be corrupt? Less money."
At this point, Li Qingge stopped, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip, with a hint of amusement in his eyes. I continued to ask: "What happened next?"
She smiled slightly and continued: "When the minister saw that Qianlong was angry, his face changed. He knew that he had said the wrong thing, so he quickly explained: 'Today is the day for children. For my birthday, my family cooked a few extra eggs, all of which were broken. After hearing this, Qianlong's anger subsided a little. But from then on, the idea of "an egg costing ten taels" took root in Qianlong's heart, and he felt that everything was ridiculously expensive. "
When I heard this, I couldn't help but feel an indescribable emotion in my heart. You know, one tael of silver can be exchanged for a thousand cash, and ten taels of silver can be exchanged for ten thousand cash! The egg-filled pancakes only cost four cents each, and ten taels of silver can buy them for 2,500 pieces! How can people not be shocked by such a price gap?
My face could not help but darken, and I had mixed feelings in my heart. Li Qingge saw my look and asked with a smile: "Are you surprised? An egg is actually not that expensive. In the Qing Dynasty, although an egg was not cheap, costing more than ten cents, no matter how expensive it was, it was not as outrageous as ten taels of silver. The Qing Dynasty has been involved in the customs for so many years, and the corruption in the Ministry of Internal Affairs is endless. I am afraid they have made countless profits. ”
When I heard this, I was so angry that my face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. I gritted my teeth and said, "Those are all my money! They are all mine!"
Li Qingge saw my reaction and smiled secretly. , with a hint of cunning and deep meaning in her smile: "They say a thousand miles The embankment was destroyed by ant nests, and the decline of a dynasty often starts from within. Do you know why I was able to conquer the south and establish Great Yan in just over two years? "
Me? Hearing this, his heart moved and he looked up at her, waiting for her answer. She had firm eyes and a confident smile on her lips: "Because I have seen through the corruption and hypocrisy, and I know what the people really need. I gave them a just and equitable world, a world where they can live with peace of mind. Therefore, they are willing to follow me and fight for Dayan’s future.”