Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 142 Receiving Gifts by Imperial Decree
Wang Xi accepted the gifts from the Japanese envoy without any attempt to hide it. Not only that, he also had the matter spread, so all the other envoys also gave their gifts openly and generously.

Such blatant bribery is truly rare since the beginning of the Kaiyuan era.

Moreover, it's important to understand that this involves diplomatic matters and is not simply a matter of embezzlement and bribery.

Therefore, when this matter came to light, many ministers were furious. Bribery and accepting bribes were not new, but the problem was that Wang Xi was so young, yet he dared to be so arrogant and domineering, relying on the emperor's favor. What would he do in the future?

Wu Xin was extremely excited when he learned of this.

Such a good thing can happen.

But on second thought, doesn't this fit Wang Xi's character even better?

It's actually quite normal for a spoiled brat to do something like this!
Wu Xin knew that the charity banquet was arranged by Li Linfu, so he quickly went to find Li Linfu to find out the details and prepare to launch an attack on the Wang family.

Little did they know that this task would fall to Li Linfu.

Moreover, there are other reasons behind this.

However, Li Linfu did not want to break ties with the Wang and Wu families at this time, otherwise he would be caught in the middle.

Without the Wang family, the Wu family wouldn't offer him much support either.

Fortunately, Li Linfu was no ordinary good-for-nothing. He quickly saw an opportunity, a chance for him to make a name for himself.

Zhang Mansion.

"The Wang family is truly hopeless. They had just started to show some promise, but they've already gone astray. I, Zhang Shuo, have been bewitched to think that Wang Shouyi could be used to counterbalance Yuwen Rong. I'm afraid Wang Shouyi will go even further than Yuwen Rong."

Zhang paced back and forth in the mansion, cursing angrily.

Zhang Jiuling shook his head. Although he had a good impression of the nameless man, he could not tolerate such a thing. So he said, "Your Excellency, this matter must not be tolerated. If those foreign envoys see our Tang officials being so greedy, they will surely be tempted to take chances. We must report this to His Majesty immediately."

Zhang stopped in his tracks, sighed deeply, and said with great resentment, "Truly, he is beyond redemption."

This move directly disrupted his plans.

But there's nothing we can do. You've gone so far. If we just ignore it, what will become of us? Is there no law anymore?

He then said to Zhang Jiuling, "When I see His Majesty tomorrow, I will definitely impeach the Wang family."

Just then, Zhang Shuo's son-in-law, Zheng Yi, suddenly arrived at the door. "Your son-in-law greets father-in-law, Mr. Qujiang."

Zhang asked, "What is it?"

Zheng Yi said, "Just now, Li Linfu, the Assistant Minister of Rites, sent over an invitation letter."

Zhang asked, "What invitation?"

Zheng Yi said, "It's an invitation to a charity banquet."

Zhang waved his hand and said, "Take it and burn it. This letter will soon be useless."

"Wait a minute!"

Zhang Jiuling suddenly called out to Zheng Yi, and then asked Zhang Jiuling, "Does Your Excellency also need an invitation to attend that charity gala?"

Zhang was taken aback.

Yes!

Do I need an invitation?

At this moment, Zheng Yi suddenly said, "Father-in-law, this invitation also states how much money is required to participate."

"what?"

Zhang was taken aback and reached out, saying, "Give it to me."

Zheng Yi quickly handed over the invitation.

Zhang took a look and, sure enough, it not only specified the time and place, but also divided the seats into ten levels, and specified how much money was required for each level.

The implication is that whatever amount of money you pay determines what kind of seat you get.

"How unreasonable! How unreasonable!"

Zhang Shuo was furious.

Zhang Jiuling, standing to the side, was completely baffled. "Your Excellency, what exactly do you mean?"

Zhang Shuo handed the invitation to Zhang Jiuling.

Zhang Jiuling took a look and was also dumbfounded.

I've seen people accept bribes before, but I've never seen anyone so blatantly domineering.

Outrageous!
Wang family.

"Shouyi, how exactly do you discipline your son?"

Zhang Jiazhen said excitedly, "Do you know that Que'er openly accepted bribes from envoys? Now this matter is known to everyone."

Wang Shouyi said, "I...I know about this."

Zhang Jiazhen exclaimed in astonishment, "You know that, yet you still don't care."

Wang Shouyi said in a low voice, "Of course I care, but that kid said it was all approved by His Majesty, so what can I do?"

"His Majesty agreed?" Zhang Jiazhen frowned.

Wang Shou nodded and said, "Absolutely true."

Zhang Jiazhen asked in confusion, "Then what exactly is going on?"

Wang Shouyi said, "I'm not entirely sure either, but there must be some mystery behind this."

Just then, Wang Facai suddenly arrived at the door and said, "Reporting to my lord, Li Linfu, the Assistant Minister of Rites, has sent someone with an invitation."

Wang Shouyi asked in surprise, "What invitation?"

Wang Facai said, "It's about a charity banquet."

"Oh."

Wang Shouyi said, "Give it to me."

Wang Facai entered the house and handed the invitation to Wang Shouyi.

Wang Shouyi took it and opened it.

"Let me see." Zhang Jiazhen snatched the invitation from Wang Shouyi's hand without any hesitation, because he knew that Wang Shouyi was illiterate.

Wang Shouyi was very displeased. Who did they think they were? I, Wang Shouyi, am no longer the same person I used to be. I can see through a mere invitation letter.

But he didn't say much.

"what?"

Zhang Jiazhen suddenly let out a surprised sound.

Wang Shouyi asked, "What is it?"

Zhang Jiazhen looked up at Wang Shouyi, "Don't you know?"

Wang Shouyi asked in astonishment, "What do I know?"

Zhang Jiazhen said, "To attend this charity banquet, you have to pay money. If you want to sit in the best seats, you have to donate 50,000 coins."

Wang Shouyi exclaimed in surprise, "What? I have to pay to attend this banquet?"

Zhang Jiazhen nodded.

"That brat is dead meat."

Wang Xi was completely unaware of this, and Li Linfu did not inform him before sending the invitation.

On the other hand, Wang Xi wasn't in the mood to pay attention to this matter at the moment. After his stern lecture last time, Hongxiu had completely let go of her reserve and was fully immersed in the play. After all, she was extremely talented in this area. As long as she opened her heart, with Wang Xi's encouragement, she quickly got into character. Every frown and smile perfectly captured the innocence and naivety of a young girl. When she looked at Wang Xi, her eyes were filled with tender affection.

If outsiders didn't know, they would really think they were lovers.

However, Cui Gu'er and the others didn't find anything wrong with it, because they were all present when Wang Xi lost his temper last time, and they knew it was just acting.

Therefore, they would applaud and cheer after each rehearsal.

The students were focused and dedicated to learning acting, which made Hongxiu more relaxed and at ease, and she was able to immerse herself more fully in the role of Zhu Yingtai.

But it was her first time acting, so she wasn't very professional. She couldn't quite distinguish between the on-screen and off-screen worlds. Even off-screen, the way she looked at Wang Xi was different from before.

Only Huangfu Sengnian knew the truth, and sighed, never expecting that even the most powerful women in Pingkangfang would fall into Wang Xi's trap.

Wang Xi was secretly delighted and often rehearsed until late at night before going home.

Today's rehearsal went later than usual; I didn't get home until almost midnight.

Upon entering the hall, they found Wang Shouyi sitting there imposingly, holding a spiked club that was propped up against the floor.

Wang Xi immediately gasped, "Father, are you going to war?"

Wang Shouyi said coldly, "Yes! Father is going to war, sacrificing family for the greater good."

Wang Xi asked curiously, "What kind of family are you talking about? Do we have relatives in Tibet?"

Wang Shouyi slung the spiked club over his shoulder: "I'll wipe you out, you unfilial son."

"what?"

Wang Xi was so frightened that he tried to run away, but suddenly Princess Xue appeared in front of the door and blocked his way.

What are these two up to?

Catching a turtle in a jar?

"Mother! You've come at the perfect time! Please save your child, Father has gone mad!" Wang Xi hurriedly stepped forward and begged for mercy.

Princess Xue said, "If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I can't save you. You're really becoming more and more outrageous."

"What exactly happened?" Wang Xi asked, completely bewildered.

"Even now, you still won't admit it."

Wang Shouyi picked up the invitation from the table. "Take a look for yourself."

Wang Xi picked it up with great curiosity and was delighted. He thought to himself, "As expected of Li Linfu, he really has some guts." But he cursed aloud, "This Uncle Li is really something, actually taking money from our family."

After saying that, he turned to Wang Shouyi and said, "Father, don't worry, I'll go and tell Uncle Li that our family doesn't need to pay this money."

"Is this about money?" Wang Shouyi asked, his eyes wide with anger.

Wang Xi asked, "What is the problem?"

Even Princess Xue couldn't stand it anymore. "Isn't it a problem that you're so blatantly accepting gifts?"

"No!"

Wang Xi shook his head and said, "What's wrong with clearly marked prices?"

"That's unreasonable!"

Princess Xue said, "You have accepted bribes, how can you not know you are wrong?"

Wang Shouyi also lamented his lack of self-control, saying, "You brat, you accept gifts, but you do it so blatantly! You don't care about your life, but I do!"

Princess Xue said, "My lord, it's not right to accept gifts so secretly."

Wang Shouyi said awkwardly, "What I mean is, this kid is not only ignorant, but also incredibly stupid."

Wang Xi couldn't stand being looked down upon by Wang Shouyi and said, "Father, Mother, what is bribery? It refers to officials accepting improper money. This is perfectly legitimate and aboveboard, and it's consensual. How can it be called bribery?"

Princess Xue asked, "Is there a charge for attending this banquet?"

"Of course I need money."

Wang Xi said, "Why can't we charge money for a banquet of this caliber, which His Majesty and his aunt the Empress will both attend and will allow them to see the latest rehearsals of the play?"

Wang Shouyi said, "I've never heard of a court banquet that charges money."

Wang Xi said, "Father, you are mistaken. This is not a palace banquet, but a charity banquet held by the Ministry of Rites. Even His Majesty was invited to attend, and the purpose is charity."

It's much better to have everyone donate to this banquet than to use the country's money for their own enjoyment. The poor and needy will benefit from that. If people aren't even willing to donate this small amount, it's like hogging the toilet without doing anything; it's better to give it to those who are truly willing.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouyi was momentarily at a loss for words, but something felt off.

Princess Xue said, "But if you do this, I'm afraid you'll offend many people."

Wang Xi said, "Although I think there is no problem with this, I am not aware of this matter. It was all done by Uncle Li."

(End of this chapter)