Chapter 18 — In front of the Great Hall, I suddenly changed the person chosen to be my son-in-law

He paused for a moment and then told a truth that made my heart ache.

"If calculated according to current consumption levels."

"General Jiang's army is the largest..."

"Can only hold out for a month."

"One month later, if there is still no food and provisions, the army will disintegrate without fighting."

My fingertips are cold. I have considered every possible way to purge traitors and stabilize the court situation. However, it did not take into account that this seemingly powerful dynasty had been hollowed out by insects to such an extent. No money. No salary. Giang Ham Diep on the front line... How will he fight? The lives of hundreds of thousands of generals. Dai Ninh's national destiny. Everything is weighing heavily on our shoulders. I feel unprecedented pressure. A few days later, I couldn't eat well and couldn't sleep well. Locking myself in the study room, facing those notebooks, calculating over and over again. But... No matter how you calculate it, the result is still the same. Absolutely not enough. Hundreds of officials in the court were also extremely sad because of this, but everyone was helpless. Tax increase? The common people already live extremely miserable lives. If they continue to raise taxes, it will be like forcing them to rebel. The comments are also crazy impatient. 【What to do, what to do! If you don't have money, how can you fight?】 【Princess, quickly think of a way! We can't let our General go to the battlefield hungry!】 【Or... let the Princess launch a donation?】 Seeing those comments, my eyes lit up slightly. But right after that I shook my head again. How much can be earned based on donations alone? Moreover, those rich families and royal merchants, all of whom have not yet seen the benefits, absolutely refuse to give up the bait. Wanting to make them willingly take out the money... It's harder than going to heaven. I looked at a list placed on the table. On it is clearly written a list of all the wealthy families leading the capital. Most of them, during the Wei family's rule, used to rely on the Wei family to earn a living. Their wealth... is so rich that it can rival an entire country. A bold plan... Or perhaps crazy... Gradually took shape in my mind. I put down my pen and slowly stood up. A confident smile appeared on my face once again.

"Nhuoc Lan."

"Command my command."

"Three days later, hold a banquet in the palace. Invite everyone on this list to the palace to attend the banquet."

Nhuoc Lan is somewhat difficult to understand.

"Princess, the treasury is currently empty, why do you still want to hold such a grand party?"

I looked at her, smiling softly and meaningfully.

"Who said..."

"This is a banquet?"

"This is an auction..."

"I specially prepared it for them."

"Auction?" Nhuoc Lan is even more confused.

"That's right."

In my eyes, there was a sharp light shining like a hunter.

"An auction..."

"Named 'Patriot'."

"I will make them..."

"You must spit out twice as much as you have swallowed."

Three days later, a banquet was held in the palace. The location is not the usual banquet hall, but Thai Hoa Palace. It was Thai Hoa Palace that not long ago witnessed the fall of the Wei family, blood splattered everywhere. All the wealthy merchants and famous clans Everyone in the capital city was present, no one was absent. Everyone sat upright, with humble smiles on their faces, but inside they were restless. No one could guess what this Princess An Ninh, famous for her lightning tricks, was planning to do. The banquet begins. There is no singing or dancing. There are no great flavors. Just green tea and the simplest pastries. The atmosphere was so heavy that it was almost impossible to breathe. I wore a simple white palace outfit and slowly walked up to the high platform of Thai Hoa Palace. I didn't sit down, I just stood there quietly, my eyes slowly scanning the tense faces below. I spoke, my cold but clear voice reaching everyone's ears.

"Everyone must be very curious, why did this palace invite you here today?"

Below, no one dared to speak up. I smiled slightly.

"This palace does not like to beat around the bush with you."

"Today I invited you here for just one thing."

"Borrow money."

Those two words rang out as firmly as nails. The faces of everyone below immediately changed. Indeed, it is Hong Mon banquet.