The next day at the morning court, outside the Hall of State Affairs, a crowd of ministers looked listless, heads drooping or yawning.
Even the usually energetic and valiant military officials were the same.
Chu Chen arrived and saw the ministers in such a state, he asked curiously, "Your Excellencies, why are you all yawning so much today?"
"Uh~"
The civil and military officials exchanged glances, not knowing how to answer, and secretly cursed Chu Chen for being unkind.
Who caused their current state? Wasn't it the perfume, lingerie, and sheer fabrics that Chancellor Chu had created?
Last night, they had worked hard and fought all night, how could they not be tired and sleepy? How could they still have energy?
It was already difficult to get up and come to court today.
Seeing their embarrassed expressions, Chu Chen seemed to understand, a knowing smile appearing on his face.
He chuckled, "Oh, I see. I forgot about the Royal Merchant Guild's sales yesterday. I assume all of you were pestered by your wives, demanding money to shop, and were exhausted by the annoyance."
"Exactly, exactly."
The civil and military officials awkwardly nodded in agreement, afraid that this hateful fellow Chu Chen would dwell on it.
Chu Chen smiled, said no more, and waited quietly.
Soon, the morning court began, and the civil and military officials entered in an orderly fashion.
After the Empress ascended the throne and was saluted with ten thousand years, the court began.
The Empress frowned, listening to the matters reported by the ministers below, her gaze restlessly scanning the civil and military officials.
"These fellows, the military officials are understandable, but the civil officials are weak. Yesterday they were still so indulgent, leading to their listlessness today!"
"Your Majesty, this minister has finished speaking."
The minister who had stepped forward below, having finished his report, did not see any reaction from His Majesty and could not help but speak.
"Hmm, I understand. This matter will be handled by the Ministry of Revenue allocating funds. If the Ministry of Revenue cannot produce the money, come to me again."
The Empress waved her hand and said.
The Minister of Revenue beside her breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the Ministry of Revenue wasn't being forced to pay. The Ministry of Revenue had no money.
Except for the brief period last year when the Yunyue plow and waterwheel were first promoted, and the Ministry of Revenue received some funds, there had been no other revenue-generating projects. It was truly a case of insufficient income to cover expenses.
Seeing their state, the Empress knew that the court would be difficult to conduct. She then said, "I observe that all my beloved ministers are not in good spirits today. I presume you were worrying about the nation and its people late into the night. If there is no matter of great importance today, it shall be postponed to next time."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials immediately perked up and flattered in unison.
"This time, I have realized that many of my beloved ministers are advanced in age. Even past fifty, they still worry about the nation and its people, serving the country. Now, the time for holding court seems unsuitable."
The Empress paused here, then continued after a moment of thought, "Since this is the case, the court time will be changed from Mao Shi to Si Shi, and court will not be held daily. Starting from the first day of each month, court will be held every three days."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The civil and military officials were overjoyed and flattered sincerely.
Chu Chen also agreed wholeheartedly and was happy.
Why? Because in Chu Chen's previous life, Mao Shi was from 5 to 7 AM, Chen Shi from 7 to 9 AM, and Si Shi from 9 to 11 AM.
In the past, court was always held at Mao Shi. At this time, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and they had to get up for court as soon as the sun rose.
Moreover, court was held daily, and they had to arrive in advance. Even though Chu Chen lived close to the imperial city in the Prime Minister's mansion, he felt miserable. Not to mention the other ministers.
With the delay of four hours, the burden on ministers over fifty was greatly reduced.
Not to mention not having to attend court daily, which meant they could even sleep in on days without court, perhaps waking up after noon.
The Empress nodded and waved her hand, saying, "Since that is the case, you may be dismissed."
With that, she turned and left, appearing somewhat displeased.
But the ministers did not care at this moment. They were more eager to go back and catch up on sleep, having been truly exhausted last night.
After the court, Chu Chen did not leave but went directly to the imperial study.
"Your Majesty, this minister has come to report to Your Majesty regarding the Royal Merchant Guild."
"Come in."
After the Empress agreed, Chu Chen entered.
"Speak, how was yesterday's revenue?" the Empress asked indifferently.
Chu Chen took out the small booklet from his sleeve, flipped through it, and read out yesterday's revenue.
Upon hearing the report, the Empress was shocked.
"Perfume sold for sixteen hundred taels? Gauze garments for twelve hundred taels, and underwear also sold for thirteen hundred taels? This means an income of four thousand one hundred taels in a single day?"
"This commercial path is so profitable! I almost regret promising to let these merchants have exclusive rights to sell them!"
The Empress never imagined that these items, priced as high as soap, could be so profitable.
She did some mental calculations. If it were like this every day, just this one location and one shop could earn two million taels annually, equivalent to the Ministry of Revenue's annual income!
"Your Majesty, underwear and gauze garments are long-lasting items, and Shuangyue City is the capital with many wealthy individuals. Other regions do not have as many people who can afford them."
"Therefore, the actual annual revenue is not as substantial as Your Majesty might imagine."
Chu Chen explained with a smile, feeling a little worried that the Empress might become greedy for money and go back on her word, making it difficult to reclaim the land later.
These clothes, at least, were bought with a bit more care and could be worn for two to three months. They would only be repurchased when the season changed.
As for the perfume, if used sparingly, one bottle could last eight or nine days.
After hearing this, the Empress calmed down and nodded, saying, "You speak reason. Even if the profits are considerable, the land system is the fundamental matter, and I am clear about that."
After speaking, the Empress remembered that mirrors were not mentioned in the report and asked, "Were the mirrors not sold?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, the price of the floor-length glass mirror is ten thousand taels. The noble ladies and daughters who came to shop might not be able to decide to part with such a sum. Even if they wanted to buy, they would have to discuss it at home, so none were sold."
Chu Chen continued, fearing that the Empress might think the price was too high to sell. "However, I am confident that at least several floor-length glass mirrors will be sold today."
"Moreover, Your Majesty, although the floor-length glass mirrors were not sold yesterday, the small mirrors sold very well. Almost every noble lady and daughter who came bought one."
"Small mirrors?" the Empress asked with some confusion.
"They are about the size of the hand-held bronze mirrors used for grooming. Compared to the floor-length glass mirror, they are not expensive, selling for only one hundred taels each."
"Hiss!"
The Empress was once again shocked.
She knew that at least two hundred noble ladies and daughters had come to shop yesterday. At one hundred taels each, that would be twenty thousand taels in revenue?
This speed of making money was even faster than robbing houses!
Then the Empress thought, if they sold a few floor-length glass mirrors, wouldn't the revenue for this month reach tens of thousands of taels?
With thirteen prefectures and seventy-eight counties in Yunyue Kingdom, if there was one such shop in each place, wouldn't that be millions of taels in revenue?