Both Xiao Jiang and Tang Ling heard this, and the Princess Consort was simply too thoughtful. The two rose together, about to bow again!
"Madame Marquis, there's no need for this. Brother Xiao is a friend I can entrust my life to. Arranging these matters is only right. Furthermore, it truly shocked me that Brother Xiao and the Marquis could bring their entire family. It is I who should thank the Marquis, so that our brotherhood can continue!"
When Xiao Ce departed, both husband and wife had speculated that the chances of seeing Xiao Ce again in this lifetime would not be many. They never expected that Xiao Ce would bring his entire family. Naturally, they were overjoyed!
Fan Zehao not only gained an elder brother but also a formidable general in the army. This was indeed a double blessing!
The Xiao family was so highly regarded by the Prince, which sufficiently proved that the Prince valued their son. This was a good thing, and it was not in vain that their family had given up their hereditary Marquis title!
Xiao Jiang cupped his fists towards Fan Zehao and sighed slightly, "Your Highness, this is the inner city. From now on, our family is no longer a hereditary Marquis. We are now commoners. Your Highness and Princess Consort need not address us as Marquis; it truly makes this old man ashamed!"
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi exchanged smiles. If they wanted to be Marquises, that was not difficult to say, but the couple did not intend to bestow any more titles of Marquis, Duke, or similar positions!
They needed talented and capable individuals to manage the inner city. Empty titles were mere ostentation, impractical, and could even inflate their children's vanity, always yearning for the position of heir. For such positions, the inner courtyards had never ceased their conflicts!
How many lives had been lost for this position!
Fan Zehao twirled the thumb ring on his finger. Xiao Jiang had served as an official in the capital for decades. Although there were no particularly outstanding achievements, his service was commendable!
He pondered for a moment. The inner city had six prefectures. The area was neither large nor small. He and his wife were not from official backgrounds and did not understand the system here.
Since the inner city housed hidden talents, they should be utilized!
Thus, he immediately decided to find a steward and a manager for the six prefectures of the inner city!
"Song Xin is a veteran official of the Yun Kingdom. From now on, all affairs of the inner city will be managed by him. I hope Uncle Xiao will assist him from the sidelines and familiarize yourself with the inner city's affairs as quickly as possible. I know this is rather sudden, so Uncle Xiao need not reply to me immediately. You may reply after you have thought it through!"
Xiao Jiang's eyes lit up. What was this? Losing the Marquis title and gaining the position of Prime Minister?
He truly wanted to accept immediately, not wanting to be an idle person at fifty years old. However, it seemed inappropriate to agree so eagerly!
"Alright, please allow me to consider it. However, I am very willing to cooperate with Old Song!"
This was, in an indirect way, giving Fan Zehao an answer!
"Very well, then please rest. We will hold a welcoming banquet for you tonight so everyone can get acquainted!"
After Fan Zehao finished speaking, Wangcai entered the front hall and led their party to the guest rooms!
As for the spirit tablets they held, Zhao Jiaqi did not even inquire, nor did she say a word, nor did she show any displeasure on her face. This inadvertently gave them another reassuring comfort!
On the way to the inn, Xiao Jiang instructed his eldest son, "The Prince and Princess Consort are kind-hearted. You must perform your duties diligently and not fail to repay the Prince's grace towards us!"
Xiao Ce chuckled and hastily agreed, "Son understands. Tonight, I will find an opportunity to ask the Prince and Princess Consort if I can find some work for my younger brothers and sisters. In the inner city, the literary atmosphere is open. Not all women are confined at home waiting to be married. Those with talent can display it. Our place here most needs capable individuals!"
These words ignited everyone's hope. Even the youngest sister nodded along, her eyes filled with joy!
After they left, Fan Zehao, holding his wife's hand, smiled sheepishly, "Let's go, we'll invite Old Song. As the saying goes, without rules, nothing can be accomplished. We truly need someone to guide us properly!"
"That's certainly true. Previously, the inner city belonged to the Yun Kingdom. Now that it's separated, the laws can be used, but some matters still need to be perfected. We are both novices in these matters, so naturally, we need someone like Old Song to manage them!"
The couple walked towards the mansion gate, chatting. She recalled the rumors she had heard on the way to the shop and told him about it!
"Husband, why do you think Huangfu Xi would want to change such a good policy?"
Zhao Jiaqi thought for a long time. If she wanted to oppose her husband, she didn't need to use such a popular policy to resist Fan Zehao, right?
But now, with so many rumors, this matter should be true. Wasn't Huangfu Xi afraid of losing popular support?
Soon, Fan Zehao gave her an answer: "When we were emperor, half of the silver in the national treasury came from the 'Miracle Workshop' in the inner city. A smaller portion came from grain taxes, and another portion from miscellaneous taxes. This included taxes from gambling houses and brothels. You see, it's been many years since we stopped being emperor, and the money collected by the workshop has never been put back into the national treasury. Do you think the national treasury has much silver now?"
Zhao Jiaqi pondered carefully. It seemed to be true!
Before she could say anything, Fan Zehao pointed out another crucial point: "Do you know how many adult men enlist in the army in the Yun Kingdom each year? These soldiers need military pay, clothing, and food. Do not underestimate this portion of the money; it adds up to quite a sum!"
"Also, children attending private schools. Originally, the state covered half, and even that half required money to support!"
He smiled slightly, "A fine of one hundred thousand taels for taking a concubine. Since then, have you seen anyone pay this fine? Huangfu Xi changed my policies in those areas, but he specifically did not change the collection of taxes from brothels and gambling houses. This sufficiently shows how desperate they are for money!"
Alright, Zhao Jiaqi admitted, she hadn't thought about it in that way!
Mainly because the household income each month was substantial, with various miscellaneous incomes, and when silver came, it was deposited into the bank.
The bank?
This was bad. She had completely forgotten about the bank!
She stopped, her face draining of color, "Husband, I forgot about the bank. All our family's silver is in the bank!"
Fan Zehao smiled faintly and pinched her cheek, "Wife, since when did you become so timid!"
The moment the silver was about to be lost, her face immediately changed color!
"Nonsense, that silver was earned through my hard work and the hard work of my subordinates. Losing it wouldn't be a little bit; it would be a huge amount!"
She was agitated, his wife was actually agitated!
He stopped teasing her and said, "With me here, how could I let the silver you worked hard to earn be lost? The moment I submitted the imperial decree, I had already notified the manager of the bank to transfer all of our family's silver to our own bank in the inner city through the escort agency. As for the banks outside my fief, they are no longer my concern!"