Parents are busy farming

The ministers began to whisper to each other, discussing in low voices.

Some people showed embarrassment on their faces, as if they were not optimistic about this proposal; while others frowned slightly, stroked their chins with their hands, and looked as if they were thinking about something.

At this time, an old official with gray hair, wrinkles on his face but vigorous spirit walked out from the crowd. He first bowed respectfully to the emperor, then stood up straight and said righteously: "Your Majesty, I think this move is inappropriate. You know, these children of noble families are usually brought up in pampered conditions. They are like flowers in a greenhouse and have never experienced wind and rain. Now they are suddenly subjected to such high-intensity training. I am afraid they can't bear it at all!"

As soon as the old minister finished speaking, another minister beside him immediately echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty. Let's not talk about whether these students can endure this hardship. If there are any accidents or mistakes during the training, how can we explain to the huge families behind them? This is really a tricky problem!"

However, in the face of the doubts and concerns of these two ministers, Master Hong Er did not back down.

He suddenly took a step forward, held his head high, and retorted loudly: "Humph! How can you two adults help others to be more ambitious and destroy your own prestige? As ministers of our dynasty, you should serve the country and the people. How can you become so timid because of fear of difficulties? If you can't even endure such a small suffering, then what kind of important responsibilities can we expect them to take on in the future?"

For a moment, the atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense and intense. The ministers expressed their opinions one after another, and no one was willing to give in easily. A war of words began in full swing...

The emperor nodded and said:

"That makes sense. Let's do it! If you know what's going on, just send your child to the Tiger Army. If you dare to disobey, just take off your official uniform."

Ye Zifen heard this without changing her expression or heartbeat, and responded calmly: "Your Majesty, think about it, the Tiger Army usually trains soldiers, which one does not cost a lot of money? In my humble opinion, this money should be raised from the homes of the ministers!"

After saying this, her eyes, bright as stars, stared firmly at the almighty emperor, with no intention of retreating.

Ye Zifen took a deep breath and continued to talk: "Your Majesty, the safety of our country now depends on this powerful Tiger Army! However, in order to train this army into an elite army that is invincible and unstoppable, the cost is huge. If the court is asked to bear the full cost, it will only further increase the tax burden on the people and arouse public anger! Besides, the Ministry of Revenue is already under too much pressure. However, the mansions of the ministers are all prosperous and wealthy. If they are asked to donate generously and take out this money, it will not only solve the urgent needs of the Tiger Army, but also will not interfere with the normal lives of the people. In this way, isn’t it a wonderful plan that has the best of both worlds?"

After hearing these words, the emperor couldn't help but frowned slightly and fell into a brief contemplation.

After a while, he slowly said, "Well...Princess Fuxia does have some truth to what she said."

After receiving the emperor's approval, Ye Zifen was delighted, but her face remained respectful and serious.

She quickly struck while the iron was hot and added, "Your Majesty is wise! The reason why I made this suggestion is actually because I hope that you ministers can take this opportunity to contribute more to our country's military strength to show their loyalty to the court! Besides, if they send their children to the Tiger Army to gain experience, if they can establish great military exploits in the future, it will undoubtedly be the supreme honor for the entire family! As an example, the Princess Mansion and the Duke Chongguo Mansion will each take out 20,000 taels of silver as support for the Tiger Army."

Upon hearing this, the emperor nodded slightly, expressing his agreement: "Well, this is a natural thing."

Ye Zifen's words were like a thunder, exploding in the originally quiet place.

For a moment, the eyes of all the officials present were involuntarily focused on her. Everyone's heart was filled with a surge of shock and they could no longer avoid the coming storm.

The expressions of these officials changed instantly. Those faces, which were originally serious or calm, seemed to be distorted by an invisible and powerful pressure.

Some officials began to have dense beads of sweat on their foreheads. The crystal clear beads of sweat slowly slid down their foreheads, which was particularly eye-catching in this solemn and almost suffocating atmosphere.

You know, for dignitaries of such high status and rank as the Duke of Chongguo and the Princess, twenty thousand taels of silver might just be an ordinary and very reasonable amount.

Those with higher ranks than them are powerful princes and royal relatives.

Because of this, the officials present knew very well that the amount of silver they could take out must not exceed 20,000 taels of silver.

However, if the amount given is too small, it would seem too shabby, which is neither reasonable nor justifiable.

This situation is just like the clear rank division among officials, which decreases from top to bottom, and no one dares to break this unwritten rule easily.

As a result, many officials lowered their heads and silently calculated in their hearts how much silver they should take out.

Some people frowned and kept tapping their trouser legs with their fingers; some closed their eyes and fell into deep thought; others raised their heads from time to time to secretly observe the reactions of others around them...

The whole scene was silent, with only the sounds of everyone's intense thoughts interweaving together like a tense and depressing symphony.

Ye Zifen stood straight, her beautiful and determined eyes looking directly at everyone present without flinching.

She was very confident in her heart that within just one day today, she would be able to successfully raise enough food and fodder for the Tiger Army for a whole year!

The reason why she was so confident was actually due to the news Zhang Gaoyi revealed to her a few days ago - the Tiger Army was about to receive military pay again, and by then it would inevitably engage in a fierce "war of words" with those officials from the Ministry of Revenue.