The prince is more stable

Chapter 929 A Rare Opportunity
Zhen Qing stood inside the Funing Palace, meeting Zhao Xiaoqian's sinister gaze, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

The head of the Imperial City Guard was unlucky; a lot had happened in Bianjing recently, one after another, but the Imperial City Guard was not good at solving problems.

Zhen Qing was arranging an investigation into the land owned by the Empress Dowager and her maternal relatives. Before the investigation could yield any results, Shi Zhongxian, the Vice Minister of Revenue, inexplicably committed suicide by running into a brick wall, causing the Emperor to be condemned by the court officials and severely damaging his reputation.

Although this matter is not directly related to the Imperial City Guard, Zhen Qing feels that he also bears a great deal of responsibility for the Imperial City Guard's failure to nip problems in the bud, which led to the current consequences.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was my dereliction of duty that led to this serious incident, which has damaged Your Majesty's reputation." Zhen Qing suddenly knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed in agreement and said, "I am not that unreasonable. This matter cannot be blamed on the Imperial City Guard."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your magnanimity."

"Now that it has happened, let's deal with it. Shi Zhongxian's death is definitely not simple. The Imperial City Guard should investigate who he has been in contact with recently, whether there are any letters as evidence, including the land and property under his and his family's names, his previous official career, etc., find out everything."

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "I want to know who instigated this, how many people are involved, and what their purpose is."

"The minister obeys the order."

Zhen Qingcheng took his leave in a state of trepidation. Zhao Xiaoqian squinted at his departing figure, lost in thought.

He had a feeling that the Imperial City Guard might not find anything useful.

No matter what means the other party used to force Shi Zhongxian to commit suicide at the palace gate, they must have erased all suspicious traces before doing so. It would not be easy for the Imperial City Guard to find any clues, whether it be witnesses or physical evidence.

The other party's purpose is actually quite obvious.

They wanted to use this extreme method to force Zhao Xiaoqian to compromise and abandon the implementation of the Fangtian Equal Tax Law, in order to protect their own interests and those of the powerful landlords across the land.

Only now does Zhao Xiaoqian realize how difficult it was for Wang Anshi to implement his reforms.

If even the mighty Emperor of the Song Dynasty could be plotted against like this, one can only imagine how fiercely Wang Anshi was targeted during his reforms.

Regardless of whether the reforms were good or bad—that was a matter of method—Wang Anshi's spirit of persisting in the reforms was undoubtedly very valuable.

Zhao Xiaoqian also insisted on reforming the law because he was the emperor, and an emperor determined to create a golden age for the Song Dynasty in his lifetime.

If we want to create a prosperous era, the first thing we must do is to fill the pockets of the people.

A prosperous era is one where everyone has money and food. Otherwise, what makes it possible? Just because the emperor and his ministers shout a few words in court, does that mean a prosperous era has arrived?
To create a prosperous era, the land issue must be resolved. This was the core problem of the Song Dynasty. Without solving this problem, the so-called "prosperous era" would be nothing but a joke.

After Zhen Qing left, Di Ying, who was resting in the side hall of Funing Palace, got up with the help of a palace maid and gracefully walked to Zhao Xiaoqian's side.

"My lord, I've heard that public opinion in the court is very unfavorable to you. How are you feeling now?" Di Ying asked cautiously.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "I'm in a good mood. How is my wife?"

Di Ying pouted and said, "I was in a good mood, but so many people in the court were cursing you, so I'm not in a good mood."

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly said, "That won't do. My lady is pregnant, and her bad mood shouldn't affect him. My lady doesn't need to worry about things outside; I have my own arrangements."

"I feel sorry for you, my lord. You are working so hard for the sake of the people, yet you are being criticized. I even heard that some people are demanding that you issue an edict of self-reproach. That's outrageous! I feel so sorry for you..."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily, pointed to his face, and said, "Madam, look carefully, what is this?"

Di Ying was completely bewildered and said, "It's the official's face."

"Come on, have a feel for it, how does it feel?"

Di Ying reached out and gently pinched his face, saying in confusion, "This... is your face."

"Does Madam think it's too thick?"

Di Ying then understood what he was going to say, and immediately rolled her eyes at him, saying, "At a time like this, my lord still has the mood to joke."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "As long as my skin is thick enough, no matter how harsh the insults others hurl at me, they won't affect me. Besides..."

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile gradually turned cold, and he slowly said, "This is just the beginning. It's still uncertain who will have the last laugh."

As the couple were chatting, Zheng Chunhe suddenly entered the palace and announced, "Your Majesty, Minister of Revenue Cai Jing requests an audience outside the palace gate."

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback: "Cai Jing? What's he doing here?"

After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Xiaoqian ordered Cai Jing to be summoned.

Not long after, Cai Jing arrived at the Funing Hall to pay his respects.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked him over and smiled warmly: "Minister Cai, we are old acquaintances, but since I ascended the throne, we have rarely met alone. Minister Cai is a rare guest today."

Without saying a word, Cai Jing lifted the hem of his official robe and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die ten thousand times. I did not know that such a scoundrel had emerged from the Ministry of Revenue. It is my dereliction of duty. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, but then he realized what was going on and immediately smiled and said, "Shi Zhongxian's matter has nothing to do with Minister Cai. You don't need to take the responsibility upon yourself."

Cai Jing stubbornly replied, "As the Minister of Revenue, I neglected to restrain the actions of the Ministry of Revenue officials and failed to foresee Shi Zhongxian's malicious intentions, which ultimately led to today's terrible consequences and tarnished Your Majesty's reputation. I am guilty!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart skipped a beat, and he said with a smile, "Minister Cai, do you not agree with what Shi Zhongxian did?" Cai Jing's tone became intense: "Of course I do not agree. Not only do I not agree, but I think Shi Zhongxian is simply a traitor and a villain who deserves to be executed! It's a shame he died. If he hadn't died, I would have requested an imperial decree to punish him severely, to make him wish he were dead!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile deepened.

Cai Jing was the Minister of Revenue, and Shi Zhongxian was the Vice Minister of Revenue. In fact, Cai Jing was Shi Zhongxian's superior. Shi Zhongxian committed suicide at the palace gate, which had a very bad influence. In theory, Cai Jing should indeed bear some responsibility, but it wouldn't be too serious.

However, Cai Jing took the initiative to enter the palace today and vehemently condemned Shi Zhongxian.

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately realized that Cai Jing had come today to express his stance, but at the same time, his tone in condemning Shi Zhongxian was very strong, perhaps indicating that he had other motives.

Cai Jing, in history, had a bad reputation and was considered a treacherous official.

However, from the emperor's perspective, even treacherous officials can be used; anyone in the court has their place.

If a treacherous official is placed in the right position, he may be able to play a significant role and resolve many problems.

Looking at Cai Jing's upright and incorruptible face, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly had a strange idea.

As it turned out, Prime Minister Zhang Dun was not a very effective tool. Zhao Xiaoqian was determined to change the court and the country and establish a new order, but Zhang Dun could never be of one mind with him. Sometimes, Zhao Xiaoqian even had to spend his time trying to outwit him.

To be honest, Zhao Xiaoqian's patience with Zhang Dun had really run out.

At this stage, what Zhao Xiaoqian needs is a prime minister who can stand by his side wholeheartedly and support him unconditionally, rather than a prime minister who seems upright but is actually pedantic and conservative and unable to keep up with his pace. Such a person will only cause him trouble.

Cai Jing, standing before us, seems to be a good candidate.

There are ways to use treacherous officials. Zhao Xiaoqian always believed that as long as the emperor had enough confidence to control the court, even if he heavily relied on treacherous officials, their role might be greater than that of so-called loyal officials.

Furthermore, what is "loyalty" and what is "treachery"?
Are those prime ministers in the Council of State, who appear righteous and awe-inspiring on the surface but secretly obstruct and oppose with a soft approach, truly loyal ministers?
At that moment, Zhao Xiaoqian's mind raced, and his gaze toward Cai Jing suddenly became meaningful.

He could now vaguely sense Cai Jing's true purpose in coming to see him today.

Zhao Xiaoqian was a smart man, and so was Cai Jing.

With the court in such a state, Cai Jing realized that his opportunity might have arrived. Today's audience was a test of the Emperor's will, a test of the Emperor's attitude towards the Council of State Affairs and Prime Minister Zhang Dun.

The reason given for Shi Zhongxian's suicide to plead guilty was merely a superficial one.

When Zhao Xiaoqian looked up and met Cai Jing's gaze, Cai Jing did not flinch and calmly met Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes.

From Cai Jing's eyes, Zhao Xiaoqian saw his thirst for and greed for power, a burning desire to obtain it at any cost.

Cai Jing is now the Minister of Revenue, a position of great power and influence.

But for Cai Jing, that wasn't enough.

Because he has not yet entered the Council of State Affairs.

In the Song Dynasty court today, those below the Hall of State Affairs are all ants.

The only authority that truly holds power, determines the direction of the country, the promotion and demotion of officials, and the fate of the people, is the Council of State Affairs.

Before Shi Zhongxian committed suicide, Cai Jing had already noticed that the emperor and several prime ministers of the State Council had developed a rift, and that this rift was widening.

It all started with the implementation of the new policies. The disagreement between the emperor and his ministers was not good for the country, but Cai Jing knew very well that it was definitely good for him. His opportunity had come.

Today, he went to the palace to meet the Emperor in order to seize this opportunity.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Shi Zhongxian was instigated by someone, and the person behind him used some unknown means to force him to commit suicide in order to achieve their goals," Cai Jing said with a righteous expression.

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow: "What is their purpose?"

Before entering the palace, Cai Jing had clearly prepared his speech. Upon hearing this, he replied without hesitation: "For their own selfish interests, they forced the emperor to compromise and abandon the implementation of the Fangtian Equal Tax Law. The land in the country cannot be investigated without investigation. If the hidden land in the country is investigated, countless people will lose huge sums of money."

“These people are willing to risk their lives to stop the Emperor, as it concerns the interests of too many people. I even believe that the death of Shi Zhongxian is just the beginning. If the Emperor still does not compromise, then more court officials will commit suicide, the so-called ‘death remonstrance,’ to force the Emperor to compromise.”

Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent for a moment, then slowly asked, "I wonder what Minister Cai thinks? Do you believe the Equal Taxation Law for Land Survey is feasible?"

Cai Jing's spirits lifted, a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes, and he unconsciously sat up straight.

He knew that the emperor had already set the question, and he had to give a perfect answer that would satisfy the emperor in order to have any chance of seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Cai Jing took a deep breath, his mind highly tense and solemn.

He adopted the same serious attitude he had when he took the imperial examinations, even a hundred times more serious than before.

This exam is crucial to my future.

"In my opinion, the Fangtian Equal Tax Law must be implemented, and it is urgent and cannot be delayed for even a moment!" Cai Jing said emphatically.

(End of this chapter)