The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 317 The ministers should think of His Majesty

The north wind is howling, and the winter solstice is just around the corner. The weather is getting colder every day.

Shen Ye took a sip of hot porridge, glanced outside again, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Your Highness, please take this hand warmer." Shi Jingrong handed a hand warmer to Shen Ye and said softly.

Shen Ye didn't stand on ceremony and took it without hesitation.

On such a cold day, having a hand warmer tucked into your arms is simply a treat.

Even so, he only wanted to stay in the Yuqing Palace, the room with the underground heating, and didn't want to go out even once.

Unfortunately, today was the day for the emperor to hold court, so he had no choice but to go out.

"You rest well, I'll be right back." Shen Ye waved to Shi Jingrong and said, "It probably won't take long."

It's so cold outside. If Emperor Qianxi were to turn a short meeting into a long one, then he would truly admire his father's ability to withstand the cold!
In just a few minutes, Shen Ye arrived outside the Qianqing Gate.

Although the Qianqing Palace blocks the wind, this place still gives people a chilling feeling.

Almost all the princes and ministers who were able to attend the imperial audience were present.

As soon as Shen Ye arrived, the eldest prince and the others hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Don't be so polite, brother," Shen Ye replied casually as he walked to his seat.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the eldest prince, Emperor Qianxi walked over, surrounded by Liang Jiugong and others.

Emperor Qianxi's expression was not good.

Although it has a seat, it also has a 360-degree panoramic sunroof, allowing drafts from all sides. When you sit down, the north wind blows right at you.

However, Emperor Qianxi did not pay any attention to it.

He glanced at the crowd and asked in a deep voice, "Ministry of Revenue, the winter solstice is approaching, why haven't the salaries been paid out yet?"

Emperor Qianxi's voice was somber and oppressive, making listeners feel uneasy.

A tall, thin official in his fifties quickly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, we have not yet raised the silver needed to pay salaries. Please forgive us."

Upon seeing the person who came out, Emperor Qianxi's expression changed.

Although he just said the Ministry of Revenue, he was actually asking about Ma Qi.

He was waiting for Ma Qi's reply, but the person who came out was Zhang Fengpan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Although Zhang Fengpan was also a high-ranking official of the second rank, in Emperor Qianxi's eyes, the gap between him and Ma Qi was not small.

Now I'm even more upset!
He asked, dissatisfied, "Where's Ma Qi?"

"Your Majesty, Lord Ma caught a cold last night and has a persistent high fever today. As soon as the court gates opened, his family submitted a memorial requesting leave," said Chen Tingjing, the Left Censor-in-Chief, as he hurriedly stepped forward.

Although Chen Tingjing felt that Ma Qi's illness was really untimely, there was nothing he could do.

When Emperor Qianxi asked, even as the Left Censor-in-Chief, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer.

Is Ma Qi sick?

Emperor Qianxi frowned.

In his memory, Lord Maqi had always been in good health. It was too coincidental that he fell ill.

Have you caught a cold?

Is this guy deliberately trying to escape?
Although he thought this in his heart, he said calmly, "Since he's sick, let him rest well."

"Liang Jiugong, take Physician Chen to Ma Qi's residence later to have a look."

"If you need any medicine, you can get it from the Imperial Pharmacy!"

Emperor Qianxi's arrangement, though seemingly out of concern, was actually a ploy to send Liang Jiugong to investigate whether Ma Qi was genuinely ill or faking it.

Having served the Emperor for many years, Liang Jiugong had honed his ability to read people's expressions to perfection. He immediately understood the Emperor's intention and quickly agreed.

Emperor Qianxi then turned his gaze to Zhang Fengpan: "Lord Zhang, how much silver is still short of the Ministry of Revenue?"

"Your Majesty, we are still short over 700,000 taels of silver." Zhang Fengpan's lips twitched slightly as he mentioned this number.

Although this number may not seem like much, all the funds in the Ministry of Revenue have been allocated.

Not a single penny can be spared elsewhere.

If he could have moved, Maqi wouldn't have coincidentally fallen ill!

Thinking of Ma Qi's illness, he felt a burning hatred.

If Ma Qi were present, he would have been the one to bear the brunt of Emperor Qianxi's anger.

But now that Ma Qi is sick, he, as the Left Vice Minister, can only become a target!
When something good happens, Ma Qi doesn't allow anyone to step forward.

When the risk came, he darted away faster than a rabbit!
Hmph, you've gotten sick at just the right time.

Upon hearing that 700,000 taels were still short, Emperor Qianxi's expression darkened even further.

He coldly said to Zhang Fengpan, "Zhang Fengpan, the Ministry of Revenue, a prestigious institution, can't even raise 700,000 taels of silver?"

Zhang Fengpan decided to go all out: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has already allocated the funds. Recently, Jin Fu allocated two million taels of silver for the reconstruction of the Yellow River dike."

"In addition, His Majesty's pacification of the grasslands also came from the Ministry of Revenue's savings."

"Therefore, the Ministry of Revenue is currently completely out of money!"

"But the Imperial Household Department is completely stingy in this matter."

"We are willing, but we are powerless to help!"

Zhang Fengpan knew that he was going to get a scolding anyway, so rather than waiting to be reprimanded, he might as well lay out the facts.

To avoid suffering losses himself. "Lord Maqi has been losing sleep over this matter!"

"I believe that the reason he suddenly fell ill was simply because he was too worried."

Upon hearing the words "too worried," Shen Ye almost burst out laughing.

This Vice Minister of Revenue was quite a character; although he was criticizing Ma Qi, he didn't use a single vulgar word throughout the entire piece.

It sounds like they're still defending Ma Qi.

Having such an assistant is probably not a pleasant thing for Ma Qi.

Emperor Qianxi naturally understood the meaning behind Zhang Fengpan's words.

However, he couldn't say this outright.

"Yarjianga!" Emperor Qianxi's gaze fell on Yarjianga, who was standing in the front row, and said, "Wasn't this salary supposed to be handled by your Imperial Household Department in cooperation with the Ministry of Revenue?"

Why didn't the Imperial Household Department contribute any money?

Yarjianga is more mature than before.

He bowed to Emperor Qianxi, looking troubled, and said, "Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue."

"But the Imperial Household Department doesn't have much money either."

"The Imperial Household Department only has a little over 100,000 taels of silver in its reserves, and it still has to maintain the palace's winter solstice rewards."

“If this money is misappropriated, then there will be no money to reward the palace for the winter solstice.”

At this point, Yarjana respectfully added, "It is your subject's incompetence!"

Yarjan A admitted his mistake very sincerely, but upon closer examination, it became clear that it wasn't his fault.

He, Yarjiang Adang, has only been the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for half a month. Where do you expect him to find money?
Emperor Qianxi's expression grew increasingly grim.

His gaze swept across everyone's faces, finally landing on Tong Guowei: "Tong Guowei, you are the chief Grand Secretary, tell me, where will this money come from?"

Tong Guowei really didn't want to be the first to speak up, but since Emperor Qianxi had specifically asked him a question, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward: "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs every day, and you still have to worry about our salaries. We, your subjects, are truly grateful to the point of tears."

"The ruler's sorrow is the subject's shame!"

“When Your Majesty is worried, it is our duty to share your burdens.”

"The winter solstice is approaching, but I believe that Your Majesty's ministers will understand your good intentions."

"As for this salary, why not postpone it until the end of the year and distribute it all at once? The officials will surely understand the court's difficulties."

His words immediately brought a secret sigh of relief to all the officials present.

They didn't lack the few dozen taels of silver in salary.

The only headache was that Emperor Qianxi named names, forcing them to find ways to make money.

Now that the Grand Secretary has spoken up, Emperor Qianxi has a way out, and these people no longer need to worry about their salaries.

This is a win-win situation!
Although Shen Ye felt a bit sarcastic about Tong Guowei's move, he couldn't help but admire this Lord Tong's skill in smoothing things over; it was truly masterful.

What a skilled hand!

He didn't offend any of the officials present, and he also gave face to Emperor Qianxi.

It's not that His Majesty doesn't want to give money to his subordinates, it's that you don't want it!
However, although he disdained Tong Guowei's approach, he would not object to it.

He's not the emperor, why should he worry about these things?

"Your Majesty, what Minister Tong Guowei said is exactly what we think." Minister of Justice Fu Lun stepped forward and said respectfully, "No one is more wise than Your Majesty. You understand the difficulties we ministers face."

"But how can we, as your subjects, not share Your Majesty's burdens?"

"Although the salaries cannot be paid out for the time being, I believe that when the ministers learn of Your Majesty's efforts to share their burdens, they will be moved to tears of gratitude."

Floren's flattery was spot on, but a cold smile appeared on Emperor Qianxi's face.

Having been emperor for so many years, what hasn't he seen? What hasn't he seen clearly?
He knew very well that these people who claimed to want to share his burdens were not short of money.

Officials who are truly short of money never come to his side.

As a series of thoughts flashed through his mind, Emperor Qianxi looked at his sons.

He first looked at the Crown Prince, then turned to the First Prince and said, "Yunshi, do you think what Prime Minister Tong said makes sense?"

Although the eldest prince and Tong Guowei did not get along, he also knew that making money was difficult.

If I express any dissenting opinions, I'm sure I'll upset my father.

Therefore, he solemnly said, "Father, I believe that what Lord Tong Guowei said are the heartfelt words of all the ministers."

"It is the duty of all ministers to share His Majesty's burdens."

Emperor Qianxi waved his hand and then said to the Third Prince, "Yunzhi, what do you say?"

The Third Prince clasped his hands and said, "Father, I think we should convey your concern about the salaries of the officials to them."

"Only in this way can the ministers understand Your Majesty's good intentions."

Emperor Qianxi gave the Third Prince a deep look, then turned to the Fourth Prince and said, "Yunzhen, what do you say?"

The fourth prince's expression shifted, but he finally said, "Father, my opinion is the same as my elder brother's."

Although the fourth prince felt that making such a statement was inappropriate, he did not object because he saw so many people supporting it.

After all, following the crowd avoids getting beaten up. Why bother offering a different opinion?
Emperor Qianxi snorted with some dissatisfaction and looked at Shen Ye: "Crown Prince, tell me, shouldn't this salary be paid before the winter solstice?"

　The second update for today is here! Please support me, everyone!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)