The daughter of a general is reborn to save the whole family of the marquis

Before Chu Zhen entered the palace, Dongfang Shuo had already entered the palace.

And just as Chu Heyi guessed, Dongfang Shuo entered the palace with Concubine Zheng with Chu Runxue's plan.

At first, Concubine Zheng was very dissatisfied with his actions. She wanted to take advantage of the time when mother and son were alone together to scold and guide him. However, in the end, Concubine Zheng was persuaded by Dongfang Shuo.

Dongfang Shuo let the imperial concubine know Chu Runxue's talents and strategies, which made the imperial concubine look at Chu Runxue with new eyes, and took the initiative to say:

"I see. No wonder you want to marry her. This woman is definitely extraordinary and worthy of being a princess. She can help you in the future. From this point of view, Chu Heyi cannot be compared with her. I will go with you to see your father and persuade him to let Chu Runxue be your princess."

Dongfang Shuo was overjoyed: "Thank you, mother!"

The events at Madam Zheng's birthday banquet had not yet reached the palace, so the emperor summoned the imperial concubine and her son when they asked for a meeting.

Upon learning that they came to break off the engagement, the emperor was furious and scolded the concubine and her son on the spot.

"Don't forget, Concubine. If it weren't for Chu Ning, you would have died in the fire more than ten years ago. At that time, I arranged a marriage for the two children, and you were the first one to agree, and you were grateful.

"Besides, the Chu family has guarded the northern border for nearly a hundred years, and many of their descendants have died for Daqi. If I agree to cancel the engagement today, how can I face the Chu family and the people of the world?"

Dongfang Shuo knelt in the hall and said with great emotion: "I dare not disobey my father's teachings. But I have believed since I was a child that the person I will marry in the future is Runxue. I have been childhood sweethearts with Runxue and we have been deeply in love with each other. If we cannot marry her, it would be worse than death for both me and Runxue.

"What's more, today at my grandmother's birthday party, I couldn't help myself from falling in love with Runxue and I have already consummated my marriage with Runxue... Although it is wrong for me and Chu to cancel the engagement, it is understandable. I hope that Father will understand."

They've already consummated their marriage?

The emperor's face turned pale!

Dongfang Shuo was the son of the imperial concubine and a prince whom he had always valued. Now that he had military merit, he was still hoping that his son would have a greater future. But he ended up doing such a foolish thing for a woman!

The emperor was furious: "I can understand, but I won't agree!"

The emperor believed that he would not do such a stupid thing as offending the Chu family, who had guarded the border for nearly a hundred years, for the sake of his children's personal affairs.

Dongfang Shuo's heart sank. Although he felt that his father's wrath was terrible, he was mentally prepared.

"Father, Chu Ning suffered a lot to save my mother. Therefore, I treated Runxue very well when I was young, hoping to get her to compensate Chu Ning for her efforts for my mother. Now that I have given my love, I know that she is not of the Chu family bloodline. I am very distressed.

“But I cannot marry Chu Heyi when I know that I love Runxue so much. This would be a shame to both Runxue and Chu Heyi. She should have a husband who truly loves her and live a truly happy life. This would not only be a shame to her mother’s bravery and kindness, but also be worthy of the hardships she has endured in the past fifteen years.

"Therefore, I beg you to allow me to break off the engagement with Chu Heyi and marry Runxue. I swear that I will help Chu Heyi find a husband who truly loves her and give her enough compensation."

The emperor sat on the high platform and looked at him coldly as if he was farting.

The Imperial Concubine also advised, "Shuo'er and Runxue grew up together, and they have a deep affection for each other. If they are really separated, it would be like breaking up a perfect couple, and I really can't bear it... Please, Your Majesty, help them to be together."

The emperor still refused to give in. "If I help them, who will help the Zhenbei Marquisate? Who will help Chu Heyi?"

Who will enhance his reputation as an emperor?

The imperial concubine said: "I am willing to pay five thousand taels of silver to compensate He Yi, and find a suitable husband for her."

Dongfang Shuo also said: "Father, the Cheng Palace is willing to give her five thousand taels of silver as compensation."

The total amount is 10,000 taels of silver, enough to buy Chu Heyi a decent dowry.

Although the Chu family has been guarding the northern border for nearly a hundred years, too many people in their family have died, and now only Chu Bian can be of great use.

The Chu family was losing its talents, and once Chu Bian got into trouble, the Chu family would collapse. Chu Runxue had already set a trap to take Chu Bian's life, and at that time the Chu family's military power would be transferred to Dongfang Shuo. Therefore, Dongfang Shuo and the imperial concubine felt that giving Chu Heyi 10,000 taels of silver as compensation was enough.

Enough to ensure she has a secure life for the rest of her life.

Of course, they also knew that just saying this was not enough to make the emperor change his decision.

Because the benefits were only given to Chu Heyi and the emperor did not get any benefits, if the emperor agreed to cancel the engagement, not only would the Chu family be disappointed with him, he would also be cursed by the world.

Dongfang Shuo then took a deep breath and said, "Father, the Chu family has made countless military achievements and received many rewards over the years. This ten thousand taels of silver may not be worth mentioning to the Chu family. But the soldiers who fight need armor and food."

"Oh?" The emperor frowned. Why did he mention armor and food?

Dongfang Shuo said: "Runxue told me that the border of Daqi has been harassed for many years. There have been many wars for many years. Some wealthy businessmen have made a lot of money from the war, but most people are always hungry. It is really 'the rich are feasting and drinking, while the poor are freezing to death on the road'!

"Even the imperial court was always worried about the military pay. Without enough food and encouragement, the soldiers lacked motivation to fight. Without motivation, they were always beaten and had difficulty winning... She saw all these situations and felt pain in her heart, so she read books day and night and finally came up with a way to raise funds for the imperial court!"

The emperor's eyes lit up and he blurted out, "What method?"

Dongfang Shuo immediately presented the solution.

After reading it, the emperor sighed in his heart: There is actually such a capable woman in the world who could come up with such a tricky yet simple and feasible method!

He always thought that some families in Daqi were extremely wealthy, but they could not use their wealth to strengthen his country, which was really hateful!

How to get money out of the pockets of these wealthy people has always been a big problem.

As a result, Chu Runxue's method solved his problem.

The method is good, but... the emperor frowned. Chu Runxue's move is to become the princess.

If he gave her the position of Princess Cheng, it would definitely chill the Chu family and ruin his reputation as the emperor.

But if I don’t give it to her, this idea is really good!

"Father, Runxue said that this method is just the most insignificant one among her many methods. If it succeeds, she has more and better methods to fill the national treasury."

There are actually more and better ways!

The emperor was very excited!

As long as the treasury is full, you can recruit more soldiers, take the initiative to start wars, sweep neighboring countries, and expand Qi's territory!

Over the past few decades, neighboring countries have grown stronger and stronger, launching wars at every turn, harassing the border, and seizing Daqi cities. The people have been slaughtered like rivers, and Daqi has to send princesses to marry from time to time. It is really frustrating!

For the sake of the country and the people, the Chu family, as a family of loyal ministers and capable generals... should be willing to endure this injustice, right?