Awaken Chapter 146

Hua Xinyun’s figure appeared at the entrance of the academy.

Rather, it made Xu Qingnian a little curious.

Shaking his head, Xu Qingnian ran the internal qi in his body to force out some of the alcoholic energy, and then slowly walked to the

The entrance to the academy.

Hua Xinyun had a copy in his hand and was waiting for something.

Noticing Xu Qingyun’s appearance, for a moment, Hua Xinyun immediately walked up.

“My subordinate Hua Xinyun, pay my respects to Lord Xu.”

Hua Xinyun spoke respectfully and bowed towards Xu Qingnian.

“Brother Hua has spoken highly of you, may I ask what Brother Hua wants from Xu?”

Xu Qingnian opened his mouth and asked, this Lord in front of him was the Wen Qu Xing of the Great Wei three years ago, how could such an existence suddenly become so courteous and easy-going all of a sudden in three years?

How could such a being suddenly become so refined and easy-going in three years? And even willingly give himself a hand? Xu Qingnian could not understand, since he could not understand, Xu Qingnian had to be on guard.

This guy has traveled around the world, and he knows what kind of people he has met.

“The first thing you need to do is to get a good idea of what you are doing.

Hua Xingyun took out his own strategy.

He handed it to Xu Qingnian to read.

“Oh? A strategy?”

Xu Qingnian took the strategy and did not take it lightly, instead he read it with great care.

Hua Xinyun’s strategy was a few thousand words long, but the content was clear to Xu Qingnian at a glance.

The water tanker project raw materials were stuck in the hands of the three merchants, and Hua Xinyun’s plan was simple and not simple.

Provoke the three merchants relationship, pull in two merchants, and then suppress another merchant, thus making the other party afraid and choose to join himself, and then use him to suppress the other two merchants, so that they will create internal strife.

A little bit of two peaches to kill three merchants inside flavour, but there is a huge loophole.

That is, in the process of pulling a chamber of commerce together, will he collude with the other two major chambers of commerce?

When you are counting him out, will he count you out in turn?

Now that the three chambers of commerce have a common interest in raising the price together, it’s hard for you to try to sow discord.

People are not stupid.

One can only say that this plan looks quite okay, but it is really difficult to put into practice, ignoring human nature.

But it had to be said that Hua Xinyun was a smart man to come up with this scheme, he was definitely not stupid, he just underestimated human nature.

Rolling the ploy up, Xu Qingnian nodded his head and said.

“This is a good plan.”

Xu Qingnian nodded as he praised it.

Because this scheme was indeed good, but it just couldn’t be used, there was just no need to make it so clear, it was good that people were willing to contribute something to the Ministry of Household, and one couldn’t discourage such motivation.

And after Hua Xinyun heard this again, he could not help but reveal a joyful look and said.

“Since Lord Xu agrees, is my plan ready to be implemented?”

Hua Xingyun asked excitedly.

“No, Shang Shu Gu has already thought of a better way.”

“Brother Hua, your plan is indeed good, but it is still slightly inferior to Minister Gu’s, but this is normal, after all, as Minister Gu is the Minister of Household, he is naturally a little more sophisticated than us, and it is only natural.”

Xu Qingnian opened his mouth, he definitely would not agree with what Hua Xinyun had ah.

But it was not good enough to reject it outright, so just find a random reason and put it off like that.

“Has Minister Gu thought of a better method?”

“Dare I ask Lord Xu, what is the method?”

Hua Xinyun opened his mouth, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Only Xu Qingnian couldn’t help but look at him.

When the latter felt Xu Qingnian’s gaze, he immediately understood why Xu Qingnian was looking at him like this, and immediately lowered his head and said.

“My subordinate understands, in such matters, my subordinate, a mere roll official, indeed has no right to interfere.”

Hua Xinyun understood why Xu Qingnian was looking at him like that, so he bowed his hand in apology.

“No, it’s just that Brother Hua has just returned to Kyoto and has just joined the Ministry of Household Affairs, so since he has chosen to be a roll official, let’s get the job done first.”

Xu Qingnian did not want to say too much, lest he would still say that he was suppressing Hua Xinyun.

It is just that, Hua Xinyun is only a roll official now, some things are best not to get involved, with or without Hua Xinyun, it does not mean much.

And there is one more thing, the matter of government and business, I think everyone already knows, Hua Xinyun somehow gives Xu Qingnian a feeling of knowingly asking questions, and the scheme in his hands.

To be honest Xu Qingnian does not think that Hua Xinyun has not considered human nature, but he still wants to give this strategy to himself, why is this?

Was he deliberately trying to make himself look down on him?

There was this possibility, but one could not be completely sure, there was no need to wrong a random person, it was just a situation that was not very familiar at the moment, it was best to be on guard.

“Alright, Brother Hua, you can go back first.”

Xu Qingnian spoke up, he had other matters to attend to and intended to go back to rest and relax.

“En, Lord Xu take your time, my subordinates will take their leave.”

Hua Xinyun bent down and after respectfully seeing Xu Qingnian off, he didn’t think much of it and walked straight towards the Great Wei Palace of Literature.

There was indeed no hint of complaint or anger, appearing incomparably bland.

And with Xu Qingnian back in the room.

Gu Yan was still happily doing the math, the smile on his face thickening with each additional silver tael.

Upon seeing Xu Qingnian return, Gu Yan said as if inviting credit.

“Shouren, do you know how much silver has been added during the time you were gone?”

Gu Yan said excitedly.

“How much?”

Xu Qingnian was a little curious, but his brain was still a little drunk.

“Eighty million taels! A full eighty million taels! Hahahahaha, it’s about to break the 800,000,000 taels mark, before you said a million and a half taels, old me was a little unconvinced.”

“But now, I believe it, I believe it completely.”

Gu Yan said with unbridled excitement.

Xu Qingnian had been out for about two hours on this trip, and in just these two hours of clearing, another eighty million taels of silver had come in, so how could he not be excited? How could he not be happy?

How could he not be thrilled? For a moment, he thought about the fact that the annual revenue of the treasury was only 10,000,000 taels, and when the harvest was good, it was only 15,000,000 taels, but now in just two hours, 80 million taels of silver had been added.

This is simply robbing money.

Oh no, robbing money wasn’t even this fast, was it?

“En, it’s not bad.”

Xu Qingnian nodded, then lay down directly on the bed, he was a little drunk and wanted to rest and rest, not sleeping for a continuous period of time was a small matter, this wine was a little hard to drink.

It was good, it was good, but it wasn’t the soft and smooth liquor of white wine, it was the extremely stimulating, strong liquor that was like a fire, it was a bit hard to top.

“Shouren, why are you so drunk, who dragged you to drink? That bunch of old things from the martial arts generals?”

“Those old things, they just know how to pour wine, Shouren, you should be less close to those guys from now on, a bunch of pikers.”

Gu Yan scolded somewhat unkindly, but he wasn’t scolding Xu Qingnian, he was scolding those bunch of pikers for bringing Xu Qingnian down.

Xu Qingnian was lying on her bed, not feeling anything about such words from Gu Yan.

It was a relatively normal thing for the civil and military to oppose each other.

What Xu Qingnian needed to think about right now were a few things.

One, the matter of the foreign arts.

Xu Qingnian inexplicably had an intuition that it was coming soon, an inexplicable intuition.

Secondly, the matter of martial arts.

Even if he escaped the censorship, he had to quickly improve his martial dao realm and get rid of the pagan arts sooner, otherwise, sooner or later, something would happen.

Third, the sword of the people’s hearts.

One has to forge this sword of people’s hearts as soon as possible, in that case, one can also effectively prevent some people from secretly calculating oneself.

Fourth, the development of the Great Wei.

If this money is received, the waterwheel project can be operated directly, and not only the fifty counties, directly cover half of the Great Wei, as for the rest is not no money.

It’s not that we don’t have money for the rest, but we can’t work for free for the va*sal kings, so we have to develop our own territory first.

And a lot of places need to spend silver, do not look at one million million taels of silver feel a lot, really spend up really not enough to spend, with food production next step is certainly to build bridges and roads, improve economic capacity.

The next step is to build bridges and roads to improve the economy. Everyone understands this, and there are also special institutions that have to be set up to allocate funds for research and development to improve food production and farming, such as searching for potatoes.

Each of these things was a large sum of silver, and cumulatively they were astronomical.

These four things made Xu Qingnian inexplicably a little tired.

But if these four things were solved, he would be able to lie flat, really lie flat, eat, drink and play, and have fun.

Go to the peach blossom nunnery every day to chat with the girls, and go to some poetry meetings if you have nothing to do.

To be honest, since she came to the capital of Wei, Xu Qingnian had not taken the initiative to meet some powerful people, nor had she attended any small banquets.

If she continues like this, she is afraid that she will end up alone.

And just as Xu Qingnian was thinking, Gu Yan’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Shouren ah, old man asked you something.”

“There are only six positions for the first rank, one for you, and one that you have decided internally, these remaining four positions are all up for grabs by the eight major chambers of commerce.”

“Why don’t we talk to His Majesty and add four extra positions, otherwise one less is 10,000,000 taels.”

Gu Yan mentioned a key issue, there were only six positions for the first cla*s, one for Xu Qingnian, one for Zhang Ruhui, the remaining four were sold for 40,000,000 taels, but the eight major chambers of commerce were fighting to get in.

The theory of starvation marketing Gu Yan understands, but the problem is that this is one less, that is one million taels of silver less, he can not afford to give up ah.

“Don’t worry, Lord Gu, I’ve already thought about it.”

“The first rank position is definitely not allowed to be added, only the inspection officer is still vacant, one 10,000,000 taels, you think they won’t want it?”

Xu Qingnian said so.

When this was said, Gu Yan came to his senses.

“Patrol?”

Gu Yan was a little curious.

“En, the three merchants, Jin, Hui and Gan, and then the top one, all of them will be recorded into the first rank.”

“We still need their materials now, we can talk properly, we have already made an appointment, see you the night after tomorrow.”

“The four of them are definitely recorded in the first rank, as for the other four chambers, let them have the position of inspecting the chambers, the genus of supervision and seizure, in this way, it can form a check and balance.”

“I have asked someone to investigate, the Jin merchants and their volume is not at all comparable to the remaining four merchants, but if they are given the responsibility of inspecting the chambers, there is no need for us to do so, our own people know our own people better.”

“Once the checks and balances are formed, the Ministry of Household can sit back and watch the tiger fight.”

Xu Qingnian spoke out his own ploy.

Why set up six of the first rank? Is it purely to match the six ministries?

Definitely not, one first grade was ten thousand million taels, not to mention Gu Yan couldn’t let go of it, Xu Qingnian couldn’t either.

But doesn’t it seem a bit cheap to create ten First Cla*ses? More to the point, this setting up of ten positions is also considered a division of power.

So why not have an inspection, let the four chambers below be the inspection, to control the big with the small, these chambers do not have collusion on a regular basis? Wouldn’t the eighth-ranked chamber want to take out the chambers in front of it?

Surely they want to.

Then Xu Qingnian gave them a stage to fight each other on their own.

When the fight is almost over, Xu Qingnian will step in, shuffle the cards and re-install his own cronies, so he can reap the benefits.

Don’t think Xu Qingnian played dirty, it was also this group of businessmen who got dirty first.

Xu Qingnian was completely forced.

And after Gu Yan heard Xu Qingnian say this, he had to give a sigh of praise ah.

“Shouren, this mind of yours is really meticulous and terrifying, dropping one word and looking at the whole situation, this is something that old me is not even as good as you ah.”

Gu Yan couldn’t help but speak, and these words were spoken from the heart.

He did not mean to brag about it at all.

“Lord Gu has exaggerated, I came up with this plan, so it’s normal to be more meticulous.

“But Lord Gu, don’t just praise it, pick at it when you have nothing to do, find out what doesn’t make sense, and make it perfect.”

Xu Qingnian did not accept the praise, instead he wanted Gu Yan to pick at the thorns so that nothing would go wrong.

“En, Shouren, you have this idea, I really want to a*sist you to become the Minister of Household this time.”

“I do feel that there is one area that is not right, and that is the priority of admission to the major academies.”

“I am afraid that this method of admission will lead to public discontent.”

“Although these merchants do have the money to hire Confucian scholars to teach them, it is really not good to give them priority.”

Gu Yan spoke up and said this.

And Xu Qingnian nodded, and then said.

“In this way, Lord Gu, change it slightly, limit the number of places, divide the academies, the better the academy, the fewer the places, for example, the four major academies, open ten extra priority admission places a year.”

“Select ten of the best from the descendants of merchants to lower the people’s grievances a little, but if the people really make a scene, I have another solution.”

Xu Qingnian spoke out.

A slight modification, after all, one was not a god, how could one think that everything would be perfect, Gu Yan was right.

This priority admission was very unfair to the people and would stir up public resentment.

Modify the quota to reduce the impact a bit, at the same time Xu Qingnian had a big killing move that he hadn’t used.

“What’s the solution?”

Gu Yan was curious, he had actually been thinking about this matter, after all, once the people’s grievances were aroused was not a trivial matter, the court was fine, those old pigs, just give a few million taels and you can get rid of it.

But the people are different, you can’t give them money, can you? If you were to hand out money, a million million taels would not be enough.

“Nine years of compulsory education.”

Xu Qingnian spoke slowly.

Saying his big kill shot.

“Ha? Nine years of compulsory education?”

Gu Yan was a little confused this time.

Xu Qingnian got up, looked at Gu Yan, and then explained.

“All descendants of the children of Great Wei, who have reached the age of six, can enjoy nine years of free private education.”

Xu Qingnian spoke, her words calm, but in Gu Yan’s ears, it was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

Nine years of compulsory education?

Nine years of free education?

How was this possible?

To know that ordinary people wanted their children to go to school, there were some poor places where students were not charged tuition fees, but most private schools charged a fee of around five taels of silver a year.

This also depends on the place, and in certain prosperous places, it might cost ten taels of silver.

On average, it was around seven taels a year.

And how many young children are there in Great Wei? One hundred thousand thousand is not too much at all, right?

Seven hundred thousand million taels of silver a year.

That’s six million three hundred thousand taels of silver in nine years.

Even in the heyday of Wei, the maximum revenue was 300,000 taels of silver a year.

It would not be possible for you to do that.

This is impossible!

It was absolutely impossible.

At this moment, Gu Yan felt that Xu Qingnian was terrifying, this was simply a madman, that he had such an idea?

But what he knew was that if Xu Qingnian had really done it.

Xu Qingnian!

Can be sealed as a saint!

Who will be canonised if not the saint?

To make the people of the world able to read and have books for everyone, it may seem like a simple five-letter word, but even if you want to do it, you can’t do it even if you exhaust the power of the Great Wei.

Unless you ask these teachers to work for free, maybe for a month or two, but what about a year or two? This is absolutely impossible.

“Shouren! You have a good idea, but you can’t do it, you definitely can’t do it, you must not talk nonsense, if this is said out loud, I’m afraid it will only make the people of the world rejoice.”

Gu Yan opened his mouth, he informed Xu Qingnian that the idea was very good, but still urged Xu Qingnian a hundred times not to say it out, must not say it out.

If you say it, the people will rejoice, but if you can’t do it, your life will be ruined.

“Lord Gu don’t worry.”

“I definitely won’t make a fool of myself, and even if I really want to promote it, it’s not now.”

“There will also be stages in this, first three years free, then six, then nine, it can’t just be nine years free straight away.”

“Of course, it’s not just about Great Wei’s finances, the bigger reason isn’t that.”

“Forget it, forget it, let’s not talk about it, it’s just an idea.”

Xu Qingnian waved his hand.

The biggest problem wasn’t silver or money.

Rather, it was manpower.

If they really wanted nine years of compulsory education, the only way was for the Shouren Academy to flourish and be able to rival the Great Wei Palace of Literature.

Three thousand disciples? No, Xu Qingnian wanted 30,000 disciples, 300,000, 3 million, 30 million.

The disciples will be allowed to teach for three years, and a department will be set up to give the disciples of the School of the Heart a certain amount of silver, equivalent to the salary paid by the court.

It would not be less but definitely not more. In this way, it would be possible to achieve nine years of compulsory education.

But it was too early to make this happen.

It is even too early to say.

If it is really said, it will indeed be like what Gu Yan said, pulling up the sense of expectation, but disappointing the people immensely, and all the hearts of the people will be lost.

It is not enough to forge a sword for the people’s hearts, but it will be ruined.

So this is just talk, really do it? If you give Xu Qingnian a thousand guts, he wouldn’t dare to say it.

Seeing that Xu Qingnian did not mention this matter, Gu Yan could not help but feel relieved.

At the same time, the topic was torn away.

“The rest of the Shang Shu, you have notified them all? Did they agree?”

Gu Yan asked.

“En, they all agreed.”

Xu Qingnian replied.

“All agreed? How much silver was given?”

Gu Yan asked.

“Ten thousand million taels from the Ministry of Officials, twenty thousand million taels from the Ministry of War, twenty million taels from the Ministry of Penalties, twenty-five million taels from the Ministry of Works, and our own money from the Ministry of the Household, so let’s not give it, at most at the end of the year, we’ll give the Ministry of the Household some more color.”

Xu Qingnian said so.

But when this was said, Gu Yan’s face darkened.

“What? 10,000,000 taels for the Ministry of Officials? 20,000,000 taels for the Ministry of War?”

“That’s fine, I can accept the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of War.”

“This Ministry of Penalty and Ministry of Works both give so much?”

“Confused! You’re confused!”

“Aiya, these two old things, giving ten million taels will get rid of them.”

Gu Yan’s face darkened, Xu Qingnian was too generous with his money, wasn’t he? Just like this, how could the position of Minister of Household be given to Xu Qingnian?

The Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Soldiers, he had nothing to say, the world’s officials are indeed waiting for food, give out some silver.

The Ministry of Military Affairs can also give some, the Northern Expedition is not up, you always have to reward the three armies and boost morale, right? This can be accepted by the teeth.

But the problem is, why should the Ministry of Penalty and the Ministry of Works get so much? This is simply a waste.

Gu Yan was really hard pressed, so much so that he ignored the Ministry of Rites.

“Lord Gu, don’t be so stingy, they are all working for Great Wei, give a little, in a word, in the future, Great Wei will not be poor.”

Xu Qingnian said here, directly covered up the quilt, also do not bother to pay attention to Gu Yan here sighing.

There is nothing to say to a miser, if you have silver and don’t spend it, why keep it?

The actual fact is that there is a lot of money to be given to the ministry of punishment and the ministry of work, but if there is no money to be given, it is not a good idea.

Xu Qingnian was not willing to do so.

The first thing you need to do is to take out a sheet of heaven’s decree and write two words on it with a spring pen [to go to court], then put it under your pillow and burn it after Gu Yan leaves.

And looking at Xu Qingnian, who was sleeping with her head covered, Gu Yan couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, he wanted to say something, right?

But he didn’t know what to say.

In the end, he could only continue to start clearing up, while saying viciously in his heart.

“Zhang Jing ah Zhang Jing, Li Yan Long ah Li Yan Long, see if I don’t eat you poor in the future.”

Gu Yan clutched his pen, his eyes filled with anger.

And at the same time.

The Ministry of Rites.

Wang Xinzhi had already finished writing his third memorial.

He read it carefully, back and forth several times to make sure there were no problems, and then smiled in satisfaction.

It was at this moment that someone reported in an outgoing voice.

“Minister Wang, Sun Ru requests an audience.”

As the voice rang out, Wang Xinzhi immediately got up and said.

“Please come in quickly.”

The next moment, the sound of pushing the door rang out and Sun Jing’an’s figure appeared in Wang Xinzhi’s eyes.

“Greetings, Sun Ru.”

Wang Xinzhi spoke towards Sun Jing’an and then bowed.

“Wang Ru is polite.”

Sun Jing’an returned the salute, followed by not being polite to the point where he directly fell down and sat down.

“Wang Ru, what is this writing?”

As soon as he sat down, Sun Jing’an saw the folding of a memorial on the table and asked curiously.

“Oh, the zhengzhi to be presented to His Majesty tomorrow.”

Wang Xinzhi answered directly, not hiding anything.

“Oh? Will His Majesty have an early morning court tomorrow?”

Sun Jing’an asked with some curiosity.

“Whether His Majesty attends or not, I still have to write the old man’s zhengzi.”

“I only hope that His Majesty will listen to the old man’s advice.”

“By the way, Sun Ru, take a look at the zhengzhi I have written.”

Wang Xinzhi said so, and at the same time, he handed the zhengzhi to Sun Jing’an, hoping that the other party would appreciate it.

Sun Jing’an took the folding paper, and after scanning it, he nodded his head and praised it, “The writing is sharp and the words are appropriate, with the intention of discouraging but not contradicting, very good, very good.”

As Sun Jing’an praised him, Wang Xinzhi could not help but smile.

Just as quickly, Sun Jing’an’s voice rang out.

“But this matter, I always feel …… It is somewhat difficult to handle, and I am afraid that this matter is related to Xu Qingnian.”

“His Majesty now extremely valued this person, listen to the slanderous rumors, just afraid that his majesty dead or alive will not agree ah.”

Sun Jing’an said slightly helplessly.

However, Wang Xinzhi shook his head and said.

“No, no, no!”

“Sun Ru is thinking too much.”

“When we left the capital today, I had a deal with Shang Shu Chen, Shang Shu Zhang, Shang Shu Gu, Shang Shu Li, and Shang Shu Zhou.”

“We, the six monarchs, will definitely stand on the same front and make common cause, and will definitely not allow His Majesty to agree to the ways of government and commerce.”

“Unless Your Majesty removes us, the six Shang Shu, from office, then we, the six of us, will advance and retreat together.”

Wang Xinzhi said categorically.

This was not really him pretending to be bleeped, because before we left, we had all agreed to go to court tomorrow and resist His Majesty together, resolutely not allowing this to happen.

Resolute!

Not allowed!

“Even the martial arts lineage thought the same thing and would never agree.”

“So this matter is nothing more than thunder but rain.”

Wang Xinzhi was very confident.

This kind of confidence made Sun Jing’an put his heart down.

“En, in that case, then I’ll trouble Wang Ru and the others, I won’t be at the morning court tomorrow, I have some matters lately and I might not even be at the court.”

Sun Jing’an nodded his head.

“Oh? What does Sun Ru have to do?”

Wang Xinzhi became somewhat curious.

“A big matter, I can’t say much about what exactly it is.”

“But when this matter comes out, the world will be afraid to be shocked.”

Sun Jing’an was also incomparably confident, while selling the story.

This made Wang Xinzhi even more curious, but Sun Jingan was dead set on not saying anything, making it somewhat difficult for him.

A quarter of an hour later.

Wang Xinzhi sent Sun Jing’an away, while starting to write his fourth zhengzhi.

He was sure that once he had published these four folds, the civil and military officials would definitely be impressed with him.

When he thought of tomorrow’s court meeting, the officials would look at him with great reverence, Wang Xinzhi’s mood was inexplicably happy.

And so it was.

It was late into the night.

As a wisp of white smoke drifted from the Shouren Academy to the Great Wei Palace.

A decree came out from within the palace.

Tomorrow at court.

All officials will enter the hall.

When this news appeared, the happiest people were not the officials of the six ministries, but the great talents of the ten kingdoms.

The ten great talents of the ten kingdoms wept with joy, this D*mned thing was finally going to court, if it dragged on any longer, they really couldn’t take it anymore.

August 27th.

Dawn.

The capital of Great Wei.

On this day, the civil and military officials gathered outside the imperial palace.

The faces of the five ministers, the princes and lords of the state all inexplicably wore a hint of a smile, except for Gu Yan, who was a little uncomfortable when he saw Zhang Jing and Li Yanlong.

Only some of the retainers were unsure of the situation, but they didn’t think much of it.

Wang Xinzhi was the last one to arrive.

He had thought of something better to say early in the morning, so he had written another zhengzi, so he was a little late.

“Greetings to all the Shang Shu.”

Wang Xinzhi rushed in and saluted slightly when he saw the five Ministerial Shang Shu.

“Greetings, Sang-soo Wang.”

Several people returned the salute, while Wang Xinzhi also slowly came to Zhang Jing and said.

“Sang-soo Zhang, is everything going according to plan?”

Wang Xinzhi asked.

Hearing this, Zhang Jing could not help but glance at Wang Xinzhi, and then said in a suppressed voice.

“As usual.”

The simple two-word answer filled Wang Xinzhi with confidence.

Zhang Jing, however, thought that it was Xu Qingnian who had said the thing, so he gave the word grace.

“His Majesty has decreed that all officials be declared to enter the court.”

The next moment, the eunuch’s shrill voice rang out.

All the hundred officials entered the court.

All the way to the outside of the hall.

Wang Xinzhi’s mood inexplicably got a little tense.

“Enter the hall.”

The eunuch’s voice rang out again.

The civil and military officials entered in turn.

Soon, they stepped into the palace again.

Wang Xinzhi held his head high, and the memorials in his sleeves were even squeezed to death.

Inside the main hall.

The empress sat on top of the dragon chair.

She quietly gazed at the civil and military officials, silent.

Zhao Wan’er stood at the side, also looking incomparably calm.

“Long live my emperor, long live my emperor.”

The voices of all the officials rang out, bowing towards the empress.

“All the loving ministers stand at ease.”

The Empress spoke.

This was a very basic opening.

Afterwards, the six ministers began to report on state affairs in turn.

Wang Xinzhi was calm, and when it was his turn, he reported in general terms that some of the foreign envoys from the Banzhou countries were slightly unhappy about the delay in the birthday, but this was fine.

At the same time, the foreign amba*sadors this time the total gift of cattle, sheep and horses, and some special products, such as precious stones and jade, spices and satins, etc. added up to almost 14 million taels of silver, how much to return gifts.

This was a big question.

When the civil and military officials heard this, they could not help but frown.

Historically, foreign amba*sadors from foreign countries had only sent gifts adding up to one or two million taels of silver, so the Great Wei had basically doubled or quintupled them to show off its national strength.

Now they are sending 14 million taels of silver.

How could Great Wei return this gift?

Ten times is impossible, that would be 10,000,000 taels.

Five times is also impossible. 70 million taels, who can afford to give that?

Three times is about right, but it’s still a pain in the neck.

One times would be a bit less.

“In previous years it was one or two million taels, why is it so much this year?”

Gu Yan’s voice rang out as he asked Wang Xinzhi.

“Minister Gu, this year is the first year of the new dynasty and the first year of His Majesty’s ascension to the throne, the year of the First Beginning, so the envoys from all over the world think that thick gifts should be prepared.”

“There is nothing I can do about that.”

Wang Xinzhi said so, he indeed had no choice, and people were also right, the empress had just ascended the throne, it was the first year of the new dynasty, so sending more gifts also showed respect.

But whether this was more gifts to show respect, or whether he was treating the Great Wei as a fat pig to be slaughtered, it was unknown.

“Let’s put this matter aside for now, the birthday will be held on the 30th, just discuss it a day earlier.”

The empress spoke out, let’s leave this matter aside and talk about the important things.

Sure enough, once this was said, the hall instantly quieted down.

The important matters of state had been discussed.

The next step was to talk about business.

The empress did not speak and neither did the hundred officials.

They all seemed a little quiet to each other.

This silence lasted for about a short while, and finally, Wang Xinzhi could not hold back a bit.

You don’t want to say anything, do you?

Then, I, Wang Xinzhi, will speak.

This headline is mine, Wang Mou.

Thinking of this, Wang Xinzhi took the initiative to step forward and took out the zhengfu and said.

“Your Majesty!”

“I, Wang Xinzhi, have a message to present.”

Wang Xinzhi’s voice was loud and clear.

“Play.”

The empress spoke out.

And Wang Xinzhi took out his zhengzhi directly and began to speak.

“Your Majesty, I think that the government and business are ridiculous. Although the treasury of Wei is empty and there is a shortage of silver, we cannot set such a precedent.”

“The ancestors, even in times of hardship, have never done so.

“This time, I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of the thousand years of Wei and for the sake of the ancestors of Wei, to withdraw the holy order and abolish the government business.”

“If Your Majesty is unwilling to do so, I am ashamed of the late Emperor and the people of the world, and I hope Your Majesty will have pity on me.”

“I also hope that Your Majesty will think twice.”

When he said this, Wang Xinzhi even urged for tears, kneeling on the ground and laying the zhengfu in front of him, appearing to swell with emotion, so much for the country and the people.

At this moment.

The empress was silent.

The five ministers were also silent.

The lineage of martial generals was also silent.

Everyone was silent, looking towards Wang Xinzhi.

Silence.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Everything was quiet.

There was only the sound of Wang Xinzhi’s crying.

Inside the main hall, Wang Xinzhi knelt on the floor, he was crying out at first, but as he cried he realised.

Something is not right.

Why don’t you all say anything? I’ve given you all a good head start, but you’re all mute at this time?

Not talking? Pretending to be masters?

Wang Xinzhi slowly raised his head as he looked at the civil and military officials, and then at His Majesty.

Why, so everyone looked at himself with a hint of curiosity ah?

Did Mister Wang say something wrong?

Shang Shu Chen, if you have something to say, just say it, why are you looking at me without saying anything?

What is the meaning of your look of dislike, Minister Gu? Didn’t we agree to present our case today?

And, Minister Zhang, weren’t you the one who said yesterday in a fit of rage that His Majesty was confused? Why don’t you speak up today? Didn’t you just say that everything would remain the same? Why do you turn your back on him?

You’re frowning, where’s your horse? Yesterday, when I was leaving, you even dragged me to say that it was Xu Qingnian who was responsible for this matter and told me not to agree to it and not to let Xu Qingnian do anything wrong.

Now you are looking at me like this?

I’ve been working hard all day on my memo, but I’ll let it go if you don’t say something about your writing. Who are you looking down on? Do you believe I will write a book to scold you?

Also, Duke of State, Marquis.

Didn’t you shout the most yesterday?

Why are you ashamed to be in the company of merchants like us? Why have you all stopped talking?

Hello.

Hello.

Yes?

Can you say something?

Nobody’s talking?

All pretending to be experts?

Wang Xinzhi was confused, extremely confused even.

When we left yesterday, everyone was on the same page, how come now that I’ve started, no one is saying anything?

Could it be that my zhengzhi is too good? You guys are jealous of me, Wang Mou?

Wang Xinzhi couldn’t figure it out.

But at that moment.

Chen Zhengru’s voice rang out.

“Your Majesty! I think that what the Minister of Rites has said is not correct, and I, for one, support the change of law by the government and merchants.”

When Chen Zhengru’s voice appeared.

The voices of the rest of the people followed.

“I, Gu Yan, Minister of the Ministry of Household, agree with the change of law by the government and merchants.”

“I, Zhang Jing, Minister of Penalty, agree to the change of law by the government and the merchants.”

“I, Li Yanlong, Minister of Works, agree to the change of law by the government and the merchants.”

I, Zhou Yan, Minister of War, agree to the change of law by the government and the merchants.”

The five ministers spoke in turn, all of them agreeing to the official and commercial change of law, causing Wang Xinzhi, who was kneeling on the ground, to become even more confused.

Not only that, but what was even more confusing was still to come.

“My old minister, too, thinks that the government and merchant change of law is extremely reasonable, Your Majesty is wise.”

“At an extraordinary time, using extraordinary methods, old minister also thinks it is appropriate.”

“Your Majesty has ascended to the throne, a thousand years of change, a new dynasty and out of it, a new dynasty of laws, old ministers also agree.”

“My subjects, we agree.”

With the first Duke of An standing out, followed by the rest of the several Duke of State standing out, they also expressed their agreement.

At this moment, Wang Xinzhi was completely and utterly dumbfounded.

What a good fellow.

Good guys.

You’ve all joined forces to play me, haven’t you?

Yesterday, we agreed not to agree together, but you all colluded privately and deliberately made a fool of me?

You guys! You guys! You guys!

Wang Xinzhi’s body was trembling, not with fear, but with anger.

He was really angry.

Yesterday, we had all agreed to boycott His Majesty together, but today we are boycotting by ourselves?

And why did you all suddenly change your minds?

What the hell is going on here?

Why didn’t you tell me?

Ask yourself, when did I, Wang Xinzhi, ever offend you? Why are you doing this to me?

Wang Xinzhi had mixed feelings inside, he really didn’t know when he had been isolated.

He wanted to cry for some reason.

The court is simple, it’s the people who are complicated.

You and others! Not worthy of being human.

Wang Xinzhi’s hands were shaking.

And there was only one person in the court who could understand how hard it was for Wang Xinzhi.

That person was …… Li Yanlong.

“Wang Shangshu, I will ask you one more question.”

“The government and merchants change the law, is it feasible, or is it not feasible?”

At this moment, the Empress’s voice rang out, and she asked this as her gaze fell on Wang Xinzhi.

When the voice rang out.

Wang Xinzhi’s old face was on the verge of tears.

The five Shang Shu of the six ministries agreed.

The military generals had agreed en ma*se.

Do you still need to ask yourself?

If you say no, do you agree?

Is this not a humiliation to me?

If someone else had asked him, Wang Xinzhi would have jumped up and cursed, but the person who asked the question was the empress.

But the person asking the question was the empress, the current emperor.

Wang Xinzhi could only slowly put away the folders and said with a sobbing face.

“Your Majesty is very wise! It is my servant, who owes the wrong thing.”

Wang Xinzhi said almost in tears.

He really felt so bad.

But when those words were finished, Wang Xinzhi’s gaze, too, looked deadly at Zhang Jing.

This old pipsqueak.

Still business as usual?

I’ll take care of your mother.

Dogs, good dogs, you dogs, making a fool of me in public, I, I, I, I, I’ll F**king remember it all, when you die, I won’t give you a single penny as a gift.

I’m so F**king angry.

Wang Xinzhi is really going to cry, he has been reading poetry for decades, but he has never cursed anyone in his life, but today he has to curse his mother.

The main reason is that it’s too infuriating, aren’t these people F**king bullying honest people?

“Chen Zhengru, I order you to prepare a new decree, stamp it with the seal of the six ministries, and make it known to the world.”

“The official and commercial matters are still the sole responsibility of Xu Qingnian.”

“Retire from the court.”

The simple words were finished.

The empress rose and left the courtroom.

And as she turned her back to the crowd, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Because she really did not expect it.

Xu Qingnian had once again saved the day, and once again made the court full of civil servants change their minds.

But why did she isolate a Wang Xinzhi?

She was a little curious, but it didn’t matter.

As long as the plan could be carried out properly, it didn’t matter.

Soon.

The officials retired from the court.

After they walked out of the hall.

Wang Xinzhi grabbed Zhang Jing, his eyes almost spitting fire as he said.

“Minister Zhang, what do you mean by that?”

Wang Xinzhi roared in anger with a suppressed voice.

What had happened just now was a great shame.

“What what matter, instead I have to ask you what is going on ah?”

“Didn’t Xu Qingnian make it clear to you?”

Zhang Jing waved off Wang Xinzhi, who was after all the Minister of Penalty and still trained in martial arts.

“Xu Qingnian? How is it Xu Qingnian again?”

Wang Xinzhi had a puzzled look on his face.

And the crowd couldn’t help but frown.

At that moment, Li Yanlong came over, he could understand Wang Xinzhi’s feelings, so he briefly told them the story.

When he knew the story, he froze.

Wang Xinzhi froze.

“Paying money?”

“He, Xu Qingnian, didn’t give me any money from the Ministry of Rites.”

“Good man, Xu Qingnian isolated me?”

Wang Xinzhi reacted, and in the next moment, without any hesitation, he walked towards the Shouren Academy in a murderous manner.

This disgrace, he must find a way to say something.

Not for his own reputation.

At the very least, it had to be for the silver.

Twenty-five million taels for the Ministry of Works.

Not a penny for the Ministry of Rites?

Impossible.

This is absolutely impossible.

Looking at Wang Xinzhi, who left in a murderous mood.

The crowd was also a bit curious.

Xu Qingnian!

Why, singularly ignore the Ministry of Rites ah?

It wasn’t necessary to have a grudge, was it?

There’s no need for that.

People were curious, but Zhang Jing was frowning and pondering another matter.

The Ministry of Works had given 25 million taels?

The Ministry of Justice only gave twenty million taels?

It seemed like a bit of a loss.