Haha, host, this is a good idea.
Guagua, absolutely! The valiant soldiers of Great Yan are always ready!
The entire court of officials nodded in agreement.
That's true.
By the way, Guagua, how many orphans of fallen soldiers are there in the north? The grand seven-courtyard mansion that Mother prepared can accommodate quite a few people. If possible, we can try to bring those remaining orphans to Shengjing.
Once they come to Shengjing, we can take better care of them, at least protect them as they grow up.
Host, Wang Wei has already discussed this with your beautiful mother. He has sent a letter to the North, and it is estimated that a group of orphans of soldiers from the North will arrive in Shengjing before the end of the year.
Oh, that's good.
Su Qingshan: It seems I also need to send a letter by carrier pigeon to my eldest son, Su Huaijin, in the Northwest.
He really went to great lengths for the Su family.
Next, Shen Mingzhu asked some questions about the details of the coal and iron mines in Panxian County, Huizhou, and then carefully wrote them down. After the court session, she told the Crown Prince about them.
Soon, Prince An stepped forward and and talked about the abbot of Huguo Temple, Wu Can, and vehemently cursed the temple for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, which filled the entire court with righteous indignation.
The entire court: When did His Highness Prince An become so eloquent?
Prince An: The Huguo Temple is simply too wealthy!!!
Shen Changyuan: it is indeed quite wealthy. He was busy until the early hours of last night.
They are incredibly wealthy, practically richer than a country.
A large Buddha statue made of gold.
Can you believe it?
I've really learned something new.
Last night, the entire Ministry of Revenue and the guards who were transporting the goods were all shocked!
Today, gold and silver from other temples continue to flow into the national treasury, which is managed by the Ministry of Revenue.
It must be said that, looking at all that gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare books and other treasures, since Shen Changyuan took charge of the Ministry of Revenue, he had never seen the Ministry of Revenue so wealthy.
Sure enough, if you want money, you still have to look at his sweet "little cotton-padded jacket" (a term of endearment for a beloved daughter).
Guagua, seeing the deep hatred on Prince An's face immediately reminded me of how he bit the Buddha statue yesterday!
Haha, host, I'll never forget the stunned look on Prince An's face when he discovered the Buddha statue was pure gold.
Prince An: Are you guys funny?
The entire court: ...
No wonder!
Prince An: Cough cough cough~~~
That was an accident!
Even I was shocked!
I never expected that old bald monk Liao Wu to be so cunning!
The devil may be one foot tall, but the righteous are ten feet tall; in the end, his secret was discovered.
At this moment, in the prison, he lay lifeless and limp.
He's finished!
How can he possibly turn things around?
He felt like he had no will to live, and his life was completely over!
As more and more monks entered from outside, Liao Wu and the others stared wide-eyed.
What is Emperor Jingyuan trying to do?
It wasn't enough that they trampled Huguo Temple; they even did so to the surrounding Qingyang Temple, Puji Temple, and Baima Temple!
"Master Liaowu, Master Liaowu..."
"Master Liaowu, Master Liaowu..."
"Amitabha Buddha, Master Liaowu, you're here too?"
"What exactly happened? Is it still possible for us to get out?"
"Master Liaowu, Master Liaowu..."
Nothingness:...
"Amitabha Buddha, the sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore!!!"
His heart yearned for the Western Paradise!
At this very moment, in the Golden Palace, the wealthy ministers of the Ministry of Revenue had already submitted a memorial requesting funds.
"Your Majesty, the military supplies and provisions in the Northwest still require increased investment..."
"Your Majesty, the dikes in Jiangnan need to be rebuilt..."
"Your Majesty, the mining in Panxian County, Huizhou requires manpower and resources, and gold and silver are indispensable..."
"Your Majesty, the northern lands have secured a large shipment of dried meat, cheese, and other long-stored foods for trade, but funds are tight..."
"Your Majesty, the soldiers' winter clothing is simply no match for the winter cold..."
"His Majesty has purchased a large quantity of dried seafood in the southwest; please allocate funds..."
"Your Majesty, there is a batch of wool blankets and some dried meat in the northwest that require financial support..."
"Your Majesty..."
"Your Majesty..."
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Jingyuan felt that all the officials in the court were asking him for money!
The Ministry of Revenue had just received its revenue, and all the ministers were watching closely.
They just received the goods last night, and they're already asking for money today.
Shen Changyuan: ...Isn't everyone like this?
Why...
The Ministry of Revenue would covet any money it had, and it always felt like it was going from one hand to the other, only to be gone in the end!
The Ministry of Revenue was just a place to store money, and the money would be withdrawn very quickly.
All the officials and civil and military officials said: The main problem is that various regions now need financial support.
They couldn't do anything about it.
We should still stockpile more food.
This winter is cold, so the soldiers' winter clothing needs to be thicker!
Guagua, it seems like everyone needs funding from the Ministry of Revenue!
Yes, host! Great Yan is currently beset by internal and external troubles, and there are many holes within it. Don't just look at Shengjing; the capital city is naturally the most prosperous.
Guagua, that's not what I meant! I just wonder if the gold and silver that were just deposited into the national treasury yesterday are enough?
Host, don't worry, it's enough! Plus, Emperor Jingyuan and Empress Lin practice frugality in the palace, and everyone follows suit, so we can save a considerable amount of silver each month!
Oh, so the concubines in the harem have no objections?
Host, who dares to object? Look at Consort Li. Even her daughter Princess Chang Le's princess title has been stripped. Emperor Jingyuan's temperament has changed quite a bit lately; they're still observing him.
Moreover, those concubines all had their own private funds, so their lives were quite comfortable.
That's good.
Emperor Jingyuan nodded in approval after hearing this.
He was quite at ease now that Empress Lin was in charge of the inner palace!
By the way, Guagua, how's the Empress Dowager? Wasn't she said to have fainted?
Host, don't worry. As the previous champion of palace intrigues, the Empress Dowager is doing very well! She enjoys herself more than anyone else in the palace.
Oh, that's true! As Emperor Jingyuan's birth mother and his only empress dowager, it's natural that she's in a good mood and happy.
That's right, we have to show our attitude no matter what!
Haha, yes!
By the way, Guagua, how are Liaowu and the others doing in jail?
Host, you know what, that incompetent monk who became the abbot of Huguo Temple is indeed quite capable. Even though he's imprisoned, the monks there still follow him.
Guagua, if this were modern times, he'd be a perfect candidate for a pyramid scheme! He'd definitely be a pyramid scheme leader and make a fortune!
Host, they've made a fortune now! Look, your old father worked all night to put all that money into the vault, and since this morning, money has been continuously being deposited into the vault without stopping!
What happened?
Host, it's all because Emperor Jingyuan saw the Buddhist temple's wealth and then simply poured it into the national treasury!
Haha, Emperor Jingyuan is amazing!
Emperor Jingyuan coughed lightly a few times.
It was all for the people, for the Great Yan.
Just then, a young eunuch rushed into the hall.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The monks of Huguo Temple have somehow incited a group of people to cause trouble outside the palace gates, demanding the release of Master Wu!"
Guagua, weren't all the monks from Huguo Temple and the surrounding temples arrested? How can someone be inciting the people?
Host, some monks from Huguo Temple have returned from begging for alms or engaging in ascetic practices. Imagine if you went out for a while, and when you came home, your mansion was gone, and your wealth, which was more than enough to rival that of a nation, was gone too. Wouldn't you be anxious?
The entire court of officials nodded repeatedly.
Everyone would be anxious!
I never expected that in such a short time, I could incite the people to cause trouble.
Damn it!!!
It's absolutely despicable!!!
Shen Mingzhu frowned, stepped forward, and stood in the centre of the hall.
"Your Majesty, this matter must be handled with caution. Those people may have been misled by the monks."
Emperor Jingyuan's face was grim.
"Issue my decree: first, send people to appease the people and investigate whether someone is behind this."
"Then arrest all the monks who were out begging for alms and practising asceticism, and send them all to prison~~~"
Guagua, Emperor Jingyuan has sent them to reunite with Liaowu.
Host, everyone in a temple should be kept in perfect order!
Minister of Rites Su Qingshan stepped forward and said.
"Your Majesty, this old minister is willing to go to the palace gates to investigate."
Emperor Jingyuan nodded in agreement.
Su Qingshan accepted the order and left.
This time, he was determined to do his job well.
The Su family has been having a really bad run of bad luck lately, so this is a good opportunity to rebuild their prestige.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, they saw a group of people making a fuss.
He shouted.
"Fellow countrymen, the matter of Huguo Temple is for the sake of the country and the people. I hope you will not be taken advantage of."
However, the people were too agitated to listen to reason.
Some even started verbally abusing Su Qingshan, appearing to be very agitated.
These people were all pilgrims of Huguo Temple, and even more so, loyal followers of Abbot Liaowu.
Now that Master Liaowu has been imprisoned in a daze, how can they just stand by and do nothing?
The Master Liaowu of today is them of tomorrow!
They won't allow it!
Prison is no place for a human being.
How could their master Liaowu live in such an environment?
"Release them!!!"
"Release Master Liaowu!!!"
"Release Master Liaowu!!!"
"Release Master Liaowu!!!"
Just as the situation was spiralling out of control, Su Qingshan shouted,
"Everyone, please be quiet. We will definitely investigate whether Master Liaowu is guilty or not. We hope everyone will remain calm. There is only one truth!"
"Please wait, everyone, we will definitely find out the truth!"
Soon, people in the crowd started talking about the pure gold Buddha statue at Huguo Temple, as well as the gold, silver, and other items that had been found there.
The people were greatly surprised.
I simply can't believe it.
Is Huguo Temple really that rich?
They couldn't believe it!
But that's the truth!!!
The situation was quickly brought under control.
It must be said that Minister of Rites Su Qingshan is quite capable...
Guagua, who else is rich? It seems like any one of them is wealthier than the national treasury.
Host, there are a lot of corrupt officials!
Guagua, do you think there are still corrupt officials?
Host, the corrupt official is gone! But too much purity leaves no room for opportunity; we need to give everyone a chance to survive.
Emperor Jingyuan understood after hearing this.
He sometimes turns a blind eye to certain things.
As long as it's not excessive, it's fine!
Tian Xuezhou: What?
Are there still corrupt officials?
Why not arrest them?
Being an official isn't about embezzlement!
Prince An: Alright, Old Tian, my brother naturally has his own considerations.
Tian Xuezhou was still indignant and was about to speak again when another eunuch came to report from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, news has come from Panxian County in Huizhou that local officials are withholding wages from coal and iron mine workers, which has sparked a riot among the miners."
Emperor Jingyuan frowned. He had just resolved the matter of the temple, and now there was trouble caused by officials' corruption.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen stepped forward and spoke directly.
"Father, this matter can not be tolerated. We should immediately send people to investigate thoroughly and give the miners an explanation."
Emperor Jingyuan nodded.
"Your Highness, I entrust this matter to you. Send people to Huizhou to investigate thoroughly. If there are indeed corrupt officials, punish them severely without leniency!"
Crown Prince Yan Beichen accepted the order, his eyes filled with determination.
"Rest assured, Father, your son will certainly not fail in his mission!"
Prince An patted Tian Xuezhou on the shoulder.
"Old Tian, come to Prince An's Mansion for dinner sometime."
Tian Xuezhou was in a bad mood.
This is serious! What are you talking about?!
Officials from the Crown Prince's faction looked at Yan Beichen, all hoping to get this opportunity.
Look at Lord Lin. He went out for a while, and when he came back, his position as Vice Minister of Works was secure.
If they go to Huizhou and complete their mission well, they'll definitely have a chance for a promotion.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen was also pondering in his heart who would be the most suitable person to send.
Suddenly, he thought of someone.
Sun Yang, the younger brother of Sun Ming, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince's Palace, was a minor official in Shengjing, which presented him with a perfect opportunity.
He's inconspicuous, meticulous, and will definitely get things done.
After the court session, Shen Mingzhu went directly to the Hanlin Academy.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen then summoned Sun Yang to his side, informed him of the events in Pan County, Huizhou, and said,
"I am sending you here on a mission to find out the truth. If there are any corrupt officials involved, they must not be let off lightly."
After saying that, he handed him the token from the Crown Prince's residence.
This was also because his official rank was not high, and if something unexpected happened, having this token in hand would make everything easier.
Sun Yang accepted the order, feeling both nervous and excited.
He was nervous because it was an important task that allowed no room for error; he was excited because it was a rare opportunity for promotion.
Grand Tutor Sun Ming was also very pleased, as this showed the Crown Prince's trust in him and his younger brother.
Following the Crown Prince in this life was the best decision he ever made.
Sun Yang returned home, packed his bags, and prepared to leave immediately.
He knew that this trip carried great responsibility and dared not slack off in the slightest.
His wife, Yaoniang, packed his clothes, her eyes filled with worry.
"The journey to Huizhou is long, so you must take good care of yourself."
Sun Yang comforted her.
"Don't worry, I will definitely handle this matter well and return soon."
"By the way, if you need anything, just go to your older brother. He'll help you, don't worry."
"Um."
Yao Niang responded softly.
The next day, Sun Yang, accompanied by several guards, embarked on his journey to Huizhou.
Along the way, they endured wind and rain, travelling day and night.
Meanwhile, in Panxian County, Huizhou, the miners' riots continued, and local officials were trying to cover up the fact that wages were being withheld, setting the stage for a fierce power struggle.
Fortunately, Sun Yang is a smart man, and with his skilful manoeuvring, the problem was finally resolved satisfactorily.
The group was very happy.
The Imperial Palace, Cining Palace.
What?
The Empress Dowager fainted yesterday from anger caused by that old bald monk, Liao Wu.
Just wait, after court, I'm going to the jail to beat him up and vent my anger!
Emperor Jingyuan: Ling Feng is still the same as before.