The most arrogant in history

Chapter 864 The extravagance of the Qin Mansion.

Qiao Nu smiled and said, "Industries controlled by the imperial court are not included in this selection. Otherwise, the Grand Canal would definitely be ranked first. All the taxes in the country, added together, are not as high as the Grand Canal."

Ye Kun did a simple calculation and found that the national commercial tax revenue, added up for the whole year, would be at least tens of millions of taels of silver.

Add to that the Grand Canal, wouldn’t it be a huge source of wealth?

But with so much money, there is not much left by the end of the year.

Health care, road construction, education, immigration, military spending...

The expenditure for each item is astronomical.

Fortunately, over the years, a huge amount of overseas wealth has been seized through foreign wars and trade.

Otherwise, Ye Kun would have defeated him long ago!

Qiao Nu was very happy and whispered, "Your Majesty, the total surplus here is nearly 20 million taels of silver. Some jewelry and jades are not included."

Ye Kun chuckled: "That's great, I won't have to worry about running out of money when I go out to sea next year. As for the jewelry and jade, I don't know."

Over the past decade or so, jewelry and jade have entered China in large quantities from overseas, and they are really as cheap as dirt.

Hetian jade from the Western Regions, jadeite from Yunnan and Myanmar, rubies from Hanhuangdao, rhinoceros horns and ivory from India, all available.

Common people, no matter how poor their families are, have a few small jade ornaments.

On the contrary, silk, with its high price, became a sought-after hard currency.

Qiao Nu rolled her eyes: "I worked so hard to earn the money, Your Majesty should be frugal. It's not easy to make money when you're old."

"puff……"

Ye Kun couldn't help but spit out the tea he had just drunk and said with a smile: "How are you old? I think you are younger and prettier than Zhuo Wenjun, the wine seller."

"Zhuo Wenjun, I don't know him, but I know money."

Qiao Nu smiled and said, "I can't go with the emperor when he goes to sea next year. I need to take care of the business. When the emperor comes back this time, we will find a prince and hand over the business to him. Then, I will retire and travel around the world with the emperor to broaden my horizons."

"No problem, I'll wait."

Ye Kun nodded, and suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Qiaonu, your father has retired and plans to return to Pingye County to retire. Do you know about this?"

Qin Chou was originally a small farmer in Caomiao Village. He was very nostalgic for his hometown and insisted on returning to Pingye County to retire.

Ye Kun advised that Pingye County has inconvenient transportation and poor medical conditions. If you get sick, it will be difficult to treat.

However, Qin Chou insisted that life and death are determined by fate and wealth and honor are in the hands of God, so he must return to his hometown to guard his parents' tomb and show his filial piety.

Qin Chou even wanted Ye Kun to transfer Qin Erwu back as well, so that he could retire and return home together.

Ye Kun didn't agree.

Because Qin Erwu and his two sons were still leading troops in the former territory of the Parthian Empire, continuing to wipe out the remnants of the Parthian Empire.

Qiao Nu heard this and shook her head, "I know about this, but my father is stubborn and no one can persuade him."

"How about we go over there for lunch at noon and try to persuade your father?"

"Your Majesty, are you going to my mother's house for dinner?" Qiao Nu was very happy and said with a smile, "I'll ask my assistant to inform them and cook a few more dishes tonight."

"No need to bother." Ye Kun waved his hand and said with a smile:

"The Qin family is now one of the top families in Zhuo County. They have mansions all over the place and countless servants. They also ring bells and set up tripods for meals. How could they lack wine and food to entertain us?"

Ye Kun knew a little about the Qin family's life.

Qin Chou's wife Huaihua has been spending money like water since she moved to Zhuo County.

Speaking of salary, Qin Chou was a first-rank official and his salary and benefits were top-notch.

Qiao Nu and Qin Erwu even secretly gave money to Huaihua as a gift.

Especially Qin Erwu, who had saved up a lot of private money from the Kushan Empire that swept across India a few years ago. Every time he gave Huaihua, the money started at ten thousand taels of gold.

Huaihua was also smart. Taking advantage of the convenience of his daughter's company, he sent his confidant to become a first-level wholesaler. His business spread across the five major capitals and major county towns, and he made a lot of money.

There are more than a hundred servants in the Qin Mansion now.

Qin Chou was low-key and repeatedly advised his wife Huaihua, otherwise, Huaihua would have a bigger show.

Qiao Nu smiled and said, "Since the emperor has said so, then we won't notify them and just launch a surprise attack."

Ye Kun nodded, and set off with Qiao Nu to the Qin Mansion.

There are still twenty days until the Spring Festival.

However, the Qin Mansion was already decorated in a festive atmosphere.

Big red lanterns and red carpets were all arranged.

The pair of stone lions in front of the door also wore big red flowers around their necks.

The eight guards in front of the door, each carrying a sword and a gun, looked energetic.

Qiao Nu and Ye Kun rode in a rickshaw to the gate of Qin's mansion and helped each other get off the rickshaw.

"Empress Qiao is back. Oh, the Emperor is here too!"

The guard at the front door hurried forward to greet them and saluted together.

Ye Kun nodded: "Open the door, I'm here to visit Master Qin."

The guards hurriedly opened the door and trotted away to inform Qin Chou.

Ye Kun walked into the courtyard and met Qin Chou and Huaihua.

"Your Majesty, what a rare guest!"

Huaihua's hair was already white, but she was in good spirits. She smiled and asked, "What wind brought the emperor here today?"

"It was the smell of wine, food and rice in your house that attracted Qiaonu and me here."

Ye Kun smiled and said, "I haven't been here for a long time, and I also want to come and have a look and taste the delicious food of the Qin Mansion."

"Your Majesty, we only have simple meals at home, so there is no such thing as delicious food."

Huaihua cried poor again and said with a smile: "Qiaonu, why didn't you notify us in advance? We are not prepared at all, wouldn't that be a disrespect to the emperor?"

Qin Chou smiled innocently and told his servants to notify the kitchen to prepare the food quickly.

Sitting down in the living room, Ye Kun looked around the magnificent Qin Mansion and nodded slightly.

There is electricity and electric lights here.

There are fixed-installed electric fans, both ceiling fans and floor fans.

The floor is white tile and the windows are clear glass.

Behind the screen is the telephone room.

There is also a coffee table and a sofa.

In the past, people would kneel when meeting guests.

Ye Kun was not used to it, so he directly brought out the sofa. It is very popular nowadays and has completely replaced the kneeling mats of the past in the upper class society.

In addition, a heating wall made of brass pipes is designed in the living room.

Although it was winter, the Qin Mansion was as warm as spring.

Qin Chou was a little embarrassed, worried that Ye Kun would blame him for being too extravagant, so he rubbed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Qiaonu's mother has rheumatism and cannot stand the cold, so..."

"You're not in good health, so you should be more careful. After all, you're getting old."

Ye Kun nodded and said with a smile: "The houses here are so nice, but you want to go back to Pingye County. I'm afraid that the conditions in Pingye County can't compare with those in Zhuo County."

Qiao Nu also persuaded her father: "Yes, father, wouldn't it be better for you to stay in Zhuo County? If you really go to your hometown in Pingye County, it will not be easy for me to see you. You are so old now, if you have a headache or fever, I will worry about you in Zhuo County."

Qin Chou smiled awkwardly, "When people get old, they always want to return to their roots. I have followed the emperor all my life, served as a high official, and traveled all over the country. Now I am retiring and returning to my hometown to guard my parents' graves. This can be considered a complete journey."