The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

This is Cai Yan's idea.

So after Qiao Yelan started, he went all out, completely negating Lord Chen's original opposition, and even went so far as to say that it was a childish frame-up.

It's a way to sell well, protect oneself, and even get a taste of what Minister Chen's mother ate.

But the problem is——

Chen Fan thought so too.

He had already fooled the emperor, who clearly favored his plan—but after Qiao Yelan entered, Chen Fan dared not continue according to the original plan.

Because Qiao Yelan could really see the flaws in his plan and explain them to the emperor.

So after listening to Qiao Yelan's plan, he further intensified the radicalness of his own plan, even deliberately revealing the fatal flaws that he had previously concealed, so obvious that Qiao Yelan could see them at a glance, and that if he pointed them out, the plan could completely fail because of them.

Therefore, after Cai Yan added the sinister charge of deceiving the emperor, Chen Fan immediately knelt down and told the emperor that he had not done it—this was just a verbal battle. All three of them knew that the charge of "deceiving the emperor" was nonsense, and whether or not to pursue it was simply a matter of the emperor's word.

So the key point is actually only the last sentence—【Please let Your Majesty decide】.

This was originally a goal scored by the two of them in unison after they had fought in the ring – a direct kick to the Emperor.

What could the emperor possibly think?

Qiao Yelan could see the major flaws in his radical plan, Cai Yan could see them, and the Great Yan's finances were indeed in serious trouble—wouldn't the emperor be more inclined to Qiao Yelan's conservative plan?

Although Lord Chen didn't know who Xun Ge'er was, he still knew how to open a window in a room.

Although my plan is unlikely to be implemented, Your Majesty can see a broad prospect, and it also proves that I, Chen Fan, am wholeheartedly devoted to the country, and that my relationship with Cai Yan is already irreconcilable.

It's a way to sell well, protect yourself, and even win the favor of the young emperor.

Okay, okay, that’s how we play it, right?

Qiao Yelan flashed an incredibly sunny smile.

"Your subject will certainly work closely with both of you."

—Damn it, all of you get over here and work overtime!

Chapter 100 The Electricity Meter Reverses

When the emperor summoned the three men again, he was startled by their mental state.

Qiao Yelan looked only slightly tired, but the dark circles under his eyes proved that he had been lacking sleep recently.

Cai Yan, on the other hand, looked visibly haggard. The prime minister, who used to hold his own against the emperor, now had a blank stare and seemed unsteady on his feet.

As for Chen Fan...

"Cough cough."

Cai Yan coughed softly, and Chen Fan, who was beside him, was suddenly awakened from his doze. He then knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

"...This old minister deserves to die."

"Alright, alright, get up, everyone get up."

The emperor watched the three men's performance with great interest. Clearly, these two old foxes had been forced to work overtime by Qiao Yelan, to the point that even their fox-like disguises had disappeared.

Qiao Yelan really did find a good way to deal with these two.

Make them work overtime like crazy and exhaust them.

"Well, judging from the expressions of my three ministers, this time you have presented a complete plan."

"Fortunately, I did not disgrace my life."

Cai Yan bowed and presented a thick memorial to the emperor.

Eunuch Zheng walked over, took the memorial, and presented it to the Emperor.

"Someone, please bring seats to my three ministers and serve tea."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Cai Yan and Chen Fan breathed a sigh of relief. Qiao Yelan was young and had a wheelchair, but the two old men really couldn't hold on any longer—Chen Fan almost fell asleep again in just a short while.

The emperor read the memorial very carefully and attentively, as it concerned his future income.

By the time the emperor finished reading, the city lights were already on, and Chen Fan and Cai Yan had woken up from a nap in their chairs.

Watching the two stretch their stiff and aching old arms and legs, Qiao Yelan mentally gave them a thumbs-up.

Political struggles and partisan conflicts are all pointless—after finishing overtime, nothing else matters.

"I have read it. It is well written, and the measures and actions are all practical and feasible."

The emperor set the tone as soon as he arrived, and it was clear that he was very satisfied with this easy-to-understand manual for the issuance of Longmen coins.

"However, this is a matter of great importance. My three ministers, have you thought about how to formally begin this matter?"

The three exchanged glances, but since they had already discussed this before, Cai Yan stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be rushed. The design, material selection, anti-counterfeiting methods, molds, and machines for the Lungmen coin have not yet been finalized. Therefore, we should begin to prepare for both possibilities."

"On the one hand, the Ministry of Revenue should start promoting the Lungmen coin now, while the Ministry of Rites should start preparing to visit Western countries for secret negotiations; on the other hand, the Ministry of Works should also start preparing all the basic elements for printing the Lungmen coin, and at the same time, print a portion in advance for exchange before its issuance, and the Ministry of Justice should also draft a new law on the Lungmen coin."

The emperor pondered for a while.

"Since the plan is so well thought out, then tomorrow I will announce it at the court assembly—at that time, which aspect will each of you, my three ministers, be responsible for?"

Qiao Yelan stepped forward first this time.

“Your Majesty, I have never been familiar with the affairs between the Six Ministries in the capital, nor do I have any connections or influence there. Therefore, I am unable to share Your Majesty’s burdens while I am in the capital. However, my business has always maintained exchanges with Western merchants. Therefore, I hope to join the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonies to travel to various countries on Your Majesty’s behalf.”

"As for my current work in the Imperial Household Department, Eunuch Wang has become quite adept at it these past few days. It would be most appropriate for him to take over the position of Director of the Imperial Household Department."

The emperor's expression shifted slightly; he had already discerned the unspoken meaning behind Qiao Yelan's words—the Imperial Household Department's intelligence network was now on track, and it was time to hand it over to the palace staff.

However, going to the Court of State Ceremonial at this time...

Didn't you see that Qiao Yelan's actions left Cai Yan and Chen Fan somewhat stunned?

You should know that in the plan they submitted, the most lucrative positions were first the Ministry of Revenue, and second the Ministry of Finance. As for the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Rites, they were just responsible for doing the work, so there was no room for them to make money.

The Honglu Temple's visit to the foreign country seems like a good job, but the problem is that this time, the Great Yan Dynasty is trying to force others to accept the Lungmen currency as a fig leaf. How can such negotiations be so easy?

Therefore, visiting various countries not only brings no benefits, but if one fails to accomplish anything, it is a great sin—it can be said that going to the Court of State Ceremonial is the most thankless and arduous task.

The emperor was genuinely satisfied. Qiao Yelan's behavior clearly showed that he only did the hardest and most tiring work, without taking any of the benefits.

This is truly a minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor.

This was the first time he felt that his father, the emperor, had favored him over Wei Yanwu.

"Since Minister Qiao is willing to share the burden of the country, I will naturally not stop him. Tomorrow I will issue an edict appointing him as Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies."

However, the emperor would not mistreat Qiao Yelan.

"However, the Director of the Imperial Household Department is a third-rank official position, while the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies is a third-rank official position. In the imperial court, rewards and punishments must always be clearly distinguished, otherwise wouldn't I become a foolish emperor?"

"Qiao Yelan has made many outstanding contributions during his tenure as the Director of the Imperial Household Department, so he has been promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and appointed as the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies. Tomorrow, I will read out the decree in the court."

Although both the Director of the Imperial Household Department and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites were of the third rank, one was in charge of the emperor's inner palace and the other was involved in the actual management of the Six Ministries, so it was naturally considered a promotion.

Before Chen Fan could even process what was said, Cai Yan's face was already twitching.

This amazing feat... could it be me?

However, the old man still had some self-control and managed to keep it in check.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Qiao Yelan bowed again in greeting.

In this way, the last matter in the capital was settled.

----------------------------------------------------------

"Qiao Yelan, the newly appointed Vice Minister of Rites, greets the Grand Tutor."

Qiao Yelan, dressed in the new official robes, was graciously ushered into the Si Sui Terrace.

The Grand Tutor was taken aback when he saw his robes.

He only missed two court assemblies, didn't he?

Who shoved this thing into the Ministry of Rites?

"Are you now the Vice Minister of Rites?"

“Acting as the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, that is the main responsibility—the emperor said that it is a third-rank official position, and I have not made any mistakes, so it is not appropriate to demote me, and therefore I am being transferred to a lateral position.”

The Grand Tutor's expression was subtle.

"The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial?"

"Yes?"

"Did Ursus offend you again?"

The old man asked, as if possessed,

"What do you mean?"

Qiao Yelan glared at him.