Thief Emperor

Chapter 1115 General

"Father."

The following morning, His Highness the Crown Prince arrived at the Emperor's bedchamber. He bowed slightly to the Emperor, who had just woken up, and asked, "Father, are you feeling better?"

Li Yun looked up at his son and said with a smile, "He wasn't feeling well at first, but after having a drink with your two uncles, he's much better now."

As he spoke, he glanced at the Crown Prince and said with a smile, "Why have you come here so early in the morning? Don't you have duties at the Hall of State Affairs today?"

"Your subject will be there in a moment."

The Crown Prince smiled and said, "I came here early this morning mainly to tell you two things."

The emperor gestured for him to sit down, then asked, "Have you had breakfast? If not, have some with your father."

The crown prince didn't stand on ceremony. After nodding, he smiled and said, "I'm actually quite hungry."

The emperor looked up at Gu Chang, who immediately understood and went to prepare breakfast.

After Gu Chang left, the Crown Prince spoke up: "The first thing is that I don't know if Father Emperor knows about it. Last night, Minister Guo came to see Father Emperor to report on the situation in the Western Regions. At that time, Father Emperor was drunk, so I took it upon myself to listen to Minister Guo's report."

"Master Guo said that General Chen has already pacified the kingdoms of the Western Regions and opened up the Western Regions."

The emperor smiled and looked at the crown prince: "My son, do you think your father knows?"

The Crown Prince thought for a moment and smiled, “Father has nine departments, and the transmission of messages from these departments must be faster than the official post stations. Father probably already knows this.”

Li Yun hummed in agreement and said quietly, "The news I have is a day or two earlier than that from the Political Affairs Hall, especially for more distant sources."

He looked at the Crown Prince and said, "Does the Eastern Palace need someone from the Nine Departments to be stationed there? If so, I will have Meng Hai arrange for someone to go there later. The Nine Departments will also inform the Eastern Palace of such an important matter."

As he spoke, Emperor Li said calmly, "Don't be fooled by knowing only a day or two in advance. Sometimes, even knowing only an hour or two in advance can be crucial."

The crown prince looked up at his father and said with a smile, "Father, you can arrange it as you see fit. I will accept whatever you decide."

The emperor and the crown prince exchanged a smile, then the emperor asked with a smile, "And the second thing?"

The Crown Prince took a deep breath: "Father probably doesn't know about this second thing."

“After I returned last night, the Crown Princess told me that she was feeling unwell. I had the imperial physician come to see her early this morning. Just before he came, the imperial physician told me…”

"It's Ximai."

Upon hearing this, the emperor smiled and clapped his hands, saying, "Good news, good news! My daughter-in-law has been married to you for four or five years and has given birth to two daughters. Now she is finally pregnant again."

He clapped his hands and sighed, "I hope this is a legitimate son, so that the Tang Dynasty will have a successor in the future."

As they were talking, breakfast was served. The father and son each had a low table and ate their own meals.

It was the end of the fourteenth year of Zhangwu.

At this time, the Tang Dynasty had pacified Liaodong in the north and the Western Regions in the west.

It borders the Baiyue region to the south and reaches the sea to the east.

The world is at peace, and the court is filled with righteous people.

A father is kind, a son is filial, brothers, friends, and brothers are respectful.

…………

In the blink of an eye, more than two months have passed, and spring has arrived in the fifteenth year of Zhangwu.

At this time, the court's holiday had just ended, and the new prime minister, Xu Kun, officially went to the Hall of State Affairs to report for duty and took office as the Grand Chancellor.

Inside the Hall of State Affairs, Zhuo Guangrui, the Minister of Revenue, sat calmly in a chair, looking at the five ministers opposite him.

"My lords, I have said this many times already. This year, taxes and grains will be exempted for the whole country. The Ministry of Revenue has no problem with this. The Ministry of Revenue's funds and grains over the past few years are sufficient for the entire year's expenses."

Minister Zhuo paused for a moment, then said, "When His Majesty summoned me for questioning, this was the same answer I gave."

The five prime ministers, including the newly appointed Prime Minister Guo and Prime Minister Xu, all pretended not to have heard anything.

Xu Xiangong was already looking down at the documents from the Censorate.

The two gentlemen, Du and Yao, exchanged a glance. Du gave Yao a look, and Yao sighed and said helplessly, "Brother Anping."

“We’re not asking you to tell His Majesty that the Ministry of Revenue’s funds and provisions are insufficient for this year’s expenses.”

"Instead, we want you to co-sign a petition to His Majesty, requesting that this year's taxes and levies be reduced by half for the time being."

Looking at Zhuo Guangrui, Yao Xiangong said with a wry smile, "Brother Anping, you have also been a prime minister, so you should know the difficulties of the Secretariat. If you are prepared, you will succeed; if you are not prepared, you will fail. It is only the beginning of the year, and the Secretariat must make some preparations for the whole year. We cannot leave no money or savings."

"In case any natural disasters occur in various places this year."

Master Yao shook his head and said, "At that time, these will all be difficult problems."

Minister Zhuo glanced at the five prime ministers, his expression remaining calm. He smiled and said, "This humble official naturally understands that you gentlemen need to consider the overall situation and prioritize stability."

He paused, a smile spreading across his face: "But I am no longer in the Secretariat; I now lead the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Revenue..."

"I do not participate in politics." He said with a smile, "Your Majesty, or any of you ministers, if you ask me about the state treasury, I will answer how much money is left in the treasury. As for how to make decisions..."

"The Ministry of Revenue does not participate in decision-making."

Minister Zhuo lowered his head slightly and said, "I can only guarantee that even if the national treasury does not receive a single grain of rice this year, it will still be enough for this year's expenses."

"If that's not enough, this humble official..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "His Majesty said a few days ago that he will soon be transferring officials to the Ministry of Personnel, and if there aren't enough people available then."

Minister Zhuo said with a smile, "Gentlemen, just go find Minister Xue, who is succeeding you. He has been in the Ministry of Revenue these past few days, handing over the affairs of the Ministry to me."

The prime ministers looked at each other, all with helpless expressions.

There was nothing they could do. Although Zhuo Guangrui was nominally a "subordinate" of the Political Affairs Hall, his seniority was undeniable, and no one could force him with their power. Besides, this veteran was already addressing him as "subordinate" repeatedly.

No one can find fault with it.

Several prime ministers took turns trying to persuade the emperor to change his mind, hoping that Minister Zhuo could help. However, the Minister of Revenue refused to budge, and the prime ministers had no choice but to send him out of the Secretariat.

After Minister Zhuo left, Prime Minister Yao sat at the long table in the Hall of State Affairs, looking at Du Qian with some helplessness: "From the seventh year of Zhangwu until this year, it has taken seven or eight years to finally save up some money. Finally, the court can spend money without being restricted, but Your Majesty is doing just that."

"They're just going to give away this money without even a reason."

At this point, Minister Yao sighed, "If this year were His Majesty's fiftieth birthday, and such a general exemption of taxes and provisions were granted, we, as his subjects, would remain silent. But His Majesty is only forty-five this year..."

"Prime Minister Du, what exactly did His Majesty say when you went to see him yesterday?"

Du Xiangong shook his head slightly, also somewhat helpless.

"His Majesty said that no reason is needed for tax exemption..."

Du Qian's tone was also full of helplessness: "His Majesty also said that the court's money is enough to live on, and there is no use in saving too much."

"His Majesty also said..."

At this point, Prime Minister Du also expressed some doubt. He said, "His Majesty also said that the court's savings are completely useless. If it weren't for the use of copper coins, the court should even take out appropriate debts."

Du Xiangong shook his head: "I don't understand these words at all."

Mr. Yao said helplessly, "Well, well, starting this year, I'm afraid we'll have to be very frugal for the next few years."

"Zhuo Anping, that person."

Minister Yao shook his head and said, "We're still going too far in pleasing His Majesty."

Du Xiangong said calmly, “He will be going to the Ministry of Personnel to take up his post this month. His son is now in charge of repairing the official roads throughout the country.”

"The Zhuo family stumbled in the ninth year of Zhangwu, but now they have not only stood up, but compared to before, apart from losing a title, they have actually gained tremendous benefits. Of course, they must obey His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Yao Xiangong seemed to be deep in thought. He quickly came to his senses, looked at Du Qian, and asked, "Has Prime Minister Du read the latest issue of the official gazette?"

Upon hearing this, Du Qian shook his head: "How can I not look?"

Yao Xiangong said in a low voice, "His pen is truly sharp as a knife."

"Ah."

Du Qian said quietly, "Without mentioning Tao Wenyuan at all, they have thoroughly exposed the Tao family, revealing all the reputation that Mr. Tao has painstakingly built up over decades."

"I'm afraid they'll all be ruined by their children and grandchildren."

Yao Zhong looked at Du Qian.

"Wasn't it ruined by the official newspaper?"

Du Xiangong got up and left, saying with his hands behind his back, "A person with an upright character has nothing to fear."

…………

Meanwhile, inside the Ganlu Palace.

Weary from his journey, Chen Da knelt in the Ganlu Hall, tears welling in his eyes: "Your subject Chen Da pays his respects to Your Majesty."

His Majesty the Emperor quickly stood up, helped Chen Da up, patted him on the shoulder, and looked Chen Da over. At this moment, even His Majesty the Emperor couldn't help but feel a little sad.

"It's only been a few years, how come you've aged so much?"

Chen Da wiped away his tears and lowered his head, saying, "The wind and sand in the Western Regions are harsh, so it's not surprising that the skin is rough."

The emperor patted him on the shoulder and sighed, "You've really had a tough time these past few years. Don't worry."

The emperor said solemnly, "As your elder brother, I will not let you down."

The pacification of the Western Regions, the opening of the Western Regions, and the near-reconstruction of the Longyou Road—all these achievements, though Chen Da had expended enormous resources in the Northwest over the past few years, were enough to secure the Li Tang Dynasty's future…

We've welcomed our fifth general!
(End of this chapter)