A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"We will certainly do our utmost to help!"

Everyone said in unison.

They came together because of their shared aspirations, uniting around Li Bai with the intention of restoring the nation and supporting the Tang Dynasty.

We're simply on the right track now.

"Brothers, I'm afraid we'll have to be a little more aggressive in our actions."

"Brother Gao, Brother Cen, the current turmoil on the border is the perfect opportunity for you to make your mark."

"However, going to the front lines of the border battlefield is extremely dangerous. If you are unwilling, I will not force you."

Li Bai looked at Gao Shi and Cen Shen and said with a sincere expression.

Gao Shi and Cen Shen exchanged a glance, both able to see the determination and clarity in each other's eyes.

"Brother Taibai, do you perhaps look down on us? How could we be people who cling to life and fear death!"

"We are willing to go to the front lines, make contributions, and serve the imperial court!"

Li Bai raised his wine cup and walked toward Gao Shi and Cen Shen, saying, "It was my fault, I will punish myself with a cup."

Li Bai also realized that his words were somewhat inappropriate, as he had actually questioned the inner convictions and character of Gao Shi and Cen Shen.

After apologizing to Gao Shi and Cen Shen, Li Bai looked at Yuan Jie.

"A flood has occurred in the Jiangnan region, and the imperial court is preparing to find people to provide disaster relief. If you, Brother Yuan, are interested, you may recommend yourself to go."

"Historically, when the imperial court provides disaster relief, it is the day when officials at all levels line their pockets. Even if Brother Taibai hadn't said anything, I would have been prepared to participate."

"The people in the disaster-stricken areas have already suffered so much from the natural disaster, with their families torn apart and lives lost. How can they bear to embezzle the life-saving money and food meant for these disaster victims?!"

"During my trip south, I will ensure that not a single penny of the imperial court's disaster relief funds reaches the hands of the victims!"

If it were just him, he would not be able to shake up this corrupt officialdom where everyone is lining their own pockets.

But now he has Li Bai behind him, and behind Li Bai stands the Prince of Yan, so he has enough confidence to fight against the entire interest group that is sucking blood from the disaster victims.

"This time, when you go south to provide disaster relief, you can do your best without worrying about anyone or any power. Bai is in the court and will never let you suffer any injustice or grievance."

Li Bai assured Yuan Jie.

Upon hearing Li Bai's assurance, Yuan Jie felt reassured, his eyes burning with a fierce blaze, as if he wanted to incinerate all the darkness.

"Brother Mojie, the imperial examinations administered by the Ministry of Rites are the only way out for those from poor families across the land. We absolutely cannot allow any mishaps. I beg you."

Li Bai then looked at Wang Wei and said solemnly.

"Brother Taibai, rest assured. The imperial examinations now use a system of anonymous grading and transcription. I will definitely supervise these two systems to ensure that the path to advancement for scholars from poor families is not corrupted."

Wang Wei said solemnly.

……

The following day, at the imperial court assembly, someone immediately brought up the matter of the floods in the Jiangnan and Huainan regions.

This is a highly coveted position, and many people in the court are eyeing it. Whether it's fame or fortune, once you sit in this position, everything will come rolling in.

Many high-ranking officials in the court recommended their own faction's sons to serve as disaster relief angels, and launched attacks against the recommendations of their rivals, turning the court into a marketplace.

Li Longji sat on the dragon throne, coldly observing the quarrels among his ministers.

Suddenly, he saw Li Bai standing there unmoved, and a thought struck him. He gave Gao Lishi beside him a wink.

Gao Lishi understood the meaning in Li Longji's eyes, stepped forward, and coughed lightly.

The argument among the ministers in the court abruptly stopped, and they all looked at Li Longji.

Li Longji smiled gently and looked at Li Bai.

"Does the Grand Counselor have any suggestions for the imperial envoy sent to provide disaster relief?"

A large group of people cast envious glances at Li Bai once again, their envy, jealousy, and hatred almost solidifying into reality.

Li Bai stepped out of the queue with neither arrogance nor servility, and announced in a loud voice: "Your subject recommends Yuan Jie, a newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

"Yuan Jie once served as the governor of Daozhou. At that time, Daozhou was in turmoil due to war, and the population had decreased sharply. However, the local officials falsely claimed to have issued an imperial edict and continued to levy taxes based on the population at its peak, which caused widespread resentment among the people."

"Yuan Jie risked his life many times to petition for tax reductions and exemptions, personally reclaimed wasteland, and provided relief to disaster victims, enabling tens of thousands of people to return to their hometowns."

"Yuan Jie has the people at heart. Faced with their suffering, he is willing to risk losing his official position to speak up for them. I am willing to guarantee with my life that Yuan Jie is a loyal and capable official, worthy of great responsibility. I hope Your Majesty will make a wise decision."

No sooner had Li Bai finished speaking than someone in the ranks of civil and military officials jumped out, pointed at Li Bai, and said, "This humble official has heard that Lord Li and Lord Yuan are good friends. Is this true?"

Li Bai looked in the direction of the voice and found that it was Cui Zongzhi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who came from the Cui family of Qinghe. Just now, Cui Zongzhi had also recommended an official, who should be a former protégé of the Cui family.

"That is indeed true."

In this matter, Li Bai's intentions were upright and honest, so he was naturally not afraid of provocation.

"Was there any personal reason behind Lord Li's recommendation of Lord Yuan?"

Cui Zongzhi pressed on aggressively.

Sensing the hostility emanating from Cui Zongzhi, Li Bai recalled some information about court officials that his teacher had shown him.

If he hadn't entered the court, the person most likely to have served as the Grand Counselor seemed to also be surnamed Cui, and it appears that this person was also from the Cui clan of Qinghe.

Li Bai was right; the name he couldn't remember was Cui Huan, a cousin of Cui Zongzhi.

Without Li Bai, Cui Huan would almost certainly have been appointed as an advisor.

Using the position of Grand Counselor as a stepping stone, one can aspire to the position of Prime Minister.

All of this was ruined by Li Bai.

The enmity of being blocked is irreconcilable; no wonder Cui Zongzhi wanted to make trouble for him.

"no."

"When recommending worthy individuals, one should not avoid relatives. I recommend Yuan Jie because Yuan Jie is certain that he will not embezzle or accept bribes and will be able to use all the disaster relief funds of the court for disaster relief without missing a single penny."

"Everything I have done is for the benefit of the people in the disaster area. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."

Li Longji looked at Li Bai and Cui Zongzhi, who were like oil and water, and his smile became much more genuine.

"The person recommended by the Grand Counselor must be right. Let Yuan Jie, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, be the chief envoy, and Cui Huan, the Remonstrance Official, be the deputy envoy. Let them set off immediately for the disaster area to provide relief."

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

Cui Huan stepped out of the queue and gave Li Bai a provocative smile. If he couldn't deal with Li Bai, surely he could handle a mere Yuan Jie?

I'll just collect some interest from Yuan Jie to vent my anger!

This was meant to teach Li Bai, a disciple of the Prince of Yan from an ivory tower, that not just anyone could navigate the court.

This made Li Bai realize that entering the imperial court was the worst decision he ever made.

"Minister of Revenue, how is the disaster situation in Huainan Circuit? How much money and grain does the court need to allocate for disaster relief?"

Li Longji looked at Li Yuanhong, the Minister of Revenue, and asked.

"Your Majesty, the floods in Huainan Province have affected three prefectures: Yangzhou, Chuzhou, and Chuzhou, impacting more than 200,000 households, of which about 100,000 households have been severely affected."

"According to the imperial court's disaster relief regulations, a total of 130,000 strings of cash, 190,000 shi of grain, and 230,000 bolts of cloth are required."

Minister of Revenue Li Yuanhong replied directly that these figures were already etched into his mind.