For those aristocratic families, Jiang Chen had no good feelings.

These guys acted like tyrants in their territories, exploiting the common people, yet he, the emperor, had to bear the blame.

Jiang Chen couldn't swallow this breath; he didn't want to let these guys off easily!

"The aristocratic families in Longbei, Jiangnan, Lingxi, and other places, are they trying to send beggars?"

"A few crooked poems and a few rotten books to fob me off, to offset the crime of colluding with rebels?"

Hearing the emperor's displeasure, Prime Minister Pei quickly got up and defended, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The families' sincerity is naturally more than this."

"In addition to poetry and books, they have also collected a large amount of grain, gold, and silver to send to the imperial capital to prove their loyalty to Your Majesty."

"According to scouts, those heavy-laden vehicles carrying money were even repaired several times along the way because they couldn't bear the weight!"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? So, they're really breaking the bank this time?"

Although his expression softened a bit, the dissatisfaction in the emperor's tone had not completely subsided, and he clearly didn't intend to let the matter go.

Seeing this, Prime Minister Pei smiled wryly and advised, "Your Majesty, this old minister knows that you hate the Mei clan for their rebellion, but you can't be hostile to all the aristocratic families because of them!"

"At the beginning of the founding of the country, Emperor Taizu once said that the emperor and the aristocratic families should rule the world together!"

"If you suppress those aristocratic families too much, leading to intensified conflicts, the Great Wei's country will be in turmoil again. Please think twice!"

Hearing this, a fierce look flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Taizu was Taizu, he was him!

Want to take away the power in his hands? Seeking death!

However, now was not the time to fall out with them. The people needed to recuperate. He'd deal with these people later.

Jiang Chen collected his thoughts and said coldly, "I understand, but matters of rebellion must not be easily dismissed, otherwise, where will the court's authority lie?"

His eyes were like knives as he ordered, "Zhang Zifang, immediately draft an edict for me, ordering those aristocratic families who had dealings with the Mei family to offer tribute to the court!"

"Antiques, land, gold, silver, workshops… I will accept them all. Each family must gather property worth five hundred thousand taels and present it!"

Hearing this number, everyone was stunned.

Five hundred thousand taels?!

This was one-fifth of the national treasury.

The new Minister of Revenue broke out in a cold sweat and cautiously said, "Your Majesty, what if these aristocratic families can't come up with so much money? What should we do?"

Jiang Chen said calmly, "They have been passed down for generations and have a profound foundation. How could they not be able to come up with it?"

"Moreover, I have already said that land, antiques, and workshops can all be offered as tribute. If they take out all their savings, five hundred thousand taels will be more than enough."

"Besides, aren't they proud of their nobility? Using five hundred thousand taels to exchange for the lives of hundreds of people in their entire clan is a very good deal."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's expression changed instantly.

They quickly tried to dissuade him, "Your Majesty, even with other things as collateral, the amount is still too huge. Those aristocratic families may not agree!"

"Yes, please think twice, Your Majesty, and don't force them too hard, lest it damage the relationship with the local areas!"

"..."

A pensive look appeared on Jiang Chen's face, and he said lightly, "In this way, I won't force them to take out all the money at once. They can first offer two hundred thousand taels, and the remaining amount can be paid off within five years. I'll charge them two percent interest, how about that?"

Still charging interest?!

The ministers were instantly stunned.

But the emperor's serious expression made them understand that this was not a joke, and they were all speechless.

Jiang Chen sat behind the imperial desk and said plausibly, "Of course, there must be interest on the money owed to me."

"If they don't pay any price, this group of aristocratic families with rebellious thoughts might delay paying off the money for decades."

"I can't let them take advantage of this loophole!"

The ministers were silent again.

After a long while, Prime Minister Pei spoke, "Your Majesty, these aristocratic families intend to offer their嫡chu (di chu) daughters to the palace."

"As long as you nod, they will immediately send the daughters with the highest status and most outstanding appearance in their families..."

Prime Minister Pei bit the bullet and spoke well for the aristocratic families.

But Jiang Chen didn't buy it at all and sneered, "What? They plan to sell their daughters if they can't pay the money?"

"Or are they preparing to send a few more Mei Ruoying into the palace to confuse my country?"

Speaking of this, Jiang Chen thought of Mei Ruoying, who had not been found yet.

He couldn't help but feel angry, and he looked coldly at Su Wen, the Minister of Justice, and others, "You group of good-for-nothings, it's been so long, and you haven't found a single woman! What use are you to me?!"

Su Wen and the others immediately knelt down, complaining endlessly about Prime Minister Pei in their hearts.

This person is really too much. It's fine if you speak for them because you were born into an aristocratic family, but why involve us?

Prime Minister Pei also had his own difficulties, and said helplessly, "Your Majesty, these women have all been carefully raised since childhood, and they will definitely not be as vicious as Mei Ruoying... Moreover, this matter, this matter was authorized by the Imperial Concubine Dowager, and this minister couldn't refuse!"

Imperial Concubine Dowager Lu, Lu Wangshu?!

Jiang Chen frowned. What was this woman planning?

"No need, I don't have the intention of expanding the harem for the time being!"

Jiang Chen's expression was cold as he glanced at everyone and said, "I am preparing to promote Noble Consort Shu to Empress. Don't mention the matter of choosing a consort recently."

"During this period, the inner and outer court must concentrate on handling this matter well!"

Promote her to Empress?

The ministers looked shocked.

This was a major event related to the fate of the country, why didn't His Majesty discuss it with them in advance?

"Why aren't you speaking? Are you dissatisfied with my decision?" Jiang Chen warned.

The ministers hesitated, but finally lowered their heads, acquiescing to the matter.

Now that His Majesty held great power, and the Xu family was also constantly favored, who would dare to be so blind as to provoke their bad luck?

"Well, since everyone has no objections to this matter, let's start preparing."

"Noble Consort Shu is virtuous and kind, and is a model for the women in the harem. Minister Xu also has the merit of saving my life, so she deserves the position of Empress."

Jiang Chen's tone was firm, preparing to finalize the matter in front of all the ministers.

But, at this moment!

A majestic figure stepped into the Hall of Diligent Administration, sternly stopping him, "This matter, I do not allow it!"

The dignified and magnetic voice echoed throughout the hall, rejecting Jiang Chen's order.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and found that the person who came was actually Imperial Concubine Dowager Lu, and they all got up to welcome her.

"I have met Imperial Concubine Dowager."

"This humble minister pays respects to Imperial Concubine Dowager."

Except for Jiang Chen, everyone else knelt down and kowtowed to Imperial Concubine Dowager Lu, who was wearing a crimson dress.

"Well, get up, I came uninvited, and I hope the ministers will not take offense."

Her expression was indifferent, and she raised her slender hand to signal everyone to get up, but her phoenix eyes, which were tilted upwards, were always fixed on Jiang Chen, and she didn't even spare a glance for anyone else.

"Your Majesty, please also forgive my abruptness, but the matter of establishing Noble Consort Shu as Empress is indeed inappropriate. I hope you will think twice!"

Jiang Chen frowned in displeasure, "Oh? Then Imperial Concubine Dowager, please tell me, what is inappropriate about this matter?"