Tao is average in intelligence, but seldom diligent in government affairs. Shortly after Daoguang ascended the throne, news came from the eunuch in the inner palace that Daoguang Emperor was wearing patched trousers to court. Wu Wen Guan Bai heard them sigh, but they were indifferent. Only Cao Zhenyong, a college student, is good at figuring out the sacred meaning, and immediately reacts and shows off in a patched robe. It is not surprising that a king of a country is wandering around the inner palace in patched trousers, but discussing things in a solemn golden hall is a bit political. Daoguang's performance is intended to advocate frugality, put an end to extravagance and waste, and establish a simple monarch image, while Cao Zhenyong's motivation is not pure, but pure flattery.

In fact, thrift is natural. Emperor Jiaqing once commented that "Yining is simple but not luxurious", which is very pertinent. The frugality of Taoism is unparalleled among the Qing emperors. He stipulated that "the income of the palace should not exceed 200,000 pounds." According to this daily budget, the old rules of luxury in the palace must be corrected.

Imperial meals alone must be greatly simplified. There is a custom in the Ministry of the Interior to eat eight bowls of vegetables for each meal, and the Queen eats sixteen bowls. The emperor's 88 bowls cost at least three or four hundred taels of silver. The palace budget is not enough, and simple meals are not enough. To this end, Daoguang decided that "the palace diet should not exceed four bowls a day." Every luxurious banquet has become a home-cooked dish, which undoubtedly launched a "new life" movement. When Queen Xiao Shuli celebrated her birthday, Daoguang abandoned the old custom of celebrating her birthday and only gave noodles to court officials and eunuchs. This is unique in history of qing dynasty.

Compared with the money spent by the future daughter-in-law Cixi on her 60th birthday, it is a world of difference. Tao's frugality is a bit stingy. He spent 40 taels of silver to mend his trousers. He likes rock candy elbow very much. The kitchen said it costs five taels of silver to make a bowl of rock sugar elbow. Daoguang had to eat something. Of course, the high cost of internal work is questionable, but it is true that Daoguang is not willing to spend money. Some people accused Daoguang of insulting the country by signing treaty of nanking, which cost 265,438+200,000 yuan. How many pairs of pants can he buy and how many candy elbows can he eat? Of course, this is just a joke.

Daoguang "abides by the Constitution" and governs the country according to the established policies of Emperor Jiaqing. Although he worked hard all his life, he was still in the predicament of political shortage. He is considered a disgrace to the country, which is completely different from advocating thrift and putting an end to luxury. What we are thinking now is that the frugality and luxury advocated by Daoguang have not stopped the extravagance and corruption of officialdom and the moral reconstruction.