The Prodigal Son

Faced with Zhao Luan's question, Shi Yi felt a bitter taste in his mouth!

This question seems to have two answers, but in fact there is only one answer!

Zhao Luan had already tried to appease him by arranging a marriage between the Lü and Shi families, so he would definitely send someone else to reorganize the salt affairs, and the Shi family would have to fully cooperate in the reorganization!

If he still insists on conducting a self-investigation at this point, it completely proves that he has something to hide and doesn't dare let others investigate.

Therefore, Zhao Luan would definitely distrust him even less.

When the time comes, even if Gao Yi and his group jump up and stir things up again, they will still send other people to investigate!

The problem now is that if he says he wants the court to send an imperial envoy to investigate, and this gets back to the salt merchants, it will be interpreted as him actively asking the court to send an imperial envoy to regulate the salt industry!

Therefore, those salt merchants would surely blame him.

This is an attempt to undermine their alliance from within!

No matter which option you choose, there's a problem!

That's a brilliant tactic!

Dig a hole for yourself, so you have no choice but to jump in!

After a moment of contemplation, Shi Yi said resolutely, "Although I am willing to atone for my sins, the Shi family are also salt merchants! To avoid suspicion, I beg Your Majesty to appoint an imperial envoy to investigate the salt affairs, rectify the salt administration, and purge the salt officials!"

For now, this is the only thing we can do!

As for what happens next, we'll talk about that later!

The frost on Zhao Luan's face softened slightly. "I believe in Lord Shi! Since you have the will to atone for your sins, I will give you a chance! You have one month to thoroughly investigate the salt administration issues in Haizhou, Yuanzhou, and the Liangjiang region! If you fail to do so, I will appoint an imperial envoy to investigate!"

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Gao Yi immediately objected, "A month is enough time for those salt merchants and officials to destroy evidence! They'll just end up investigating nothing!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Yu agreed, "The salt administration problems in our dynasty are alarming; we must act swiftly to eradicate this deep-seated ailment!"

Zhao Luan pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "None of the four emperors of our dynasty have ever mistreated the Shi family. I believe that Lord Shi would not collude with those unscrupulous salt merchants!"

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, Shi Yi felt not warmth in his heart, but rather a chill in his heart.

Zhao Luan is really putting him and the Shi family in a very difficult position!

How could you possibly uncover all those salt-related problems in just one month?

If the matter is not resolved by then, or if she secretly sends someone to find out that she is protecting the salt merchants, the Shi family will be in big trouble!

But now, she has given herself a chance to examine herself!

If I insist that the imperial court send an imperial envoy to investigate, the situation will be different for those salt merchants!

This is tantamount to the imperial court giving salt merchants a chance to survive, while he personally cut off their chance!

In this way, the salt merchants no longer blamed him, but hated him!

What a Zhao Luan!

She made it clear that she wanted to force herself to choose between the historians and the salt merchants.

Should we protect the historians, or should we protect those salt merchants?

She not only wanted to dismantle their alliance, but also to force him to stand against the salt merchants and make him their enemy!

Good trick!

Enough!

"Your Majesty's trust in me is so profound, I am deeply grateful!"

Shi Yi kowtowed again: "However, I do not wish to be suspected by the officials of the court of colluding with salt merchants, nor do I wish to put Your Majesty in a difficult position. I once again implore Your Majesty to appoint an imperial envoy!"

Why would you do this?

After a brief silence, Zhao Luan said, "Very well! Since Lord Shi wishes to avoid suspicion, then I will appoint an imperial envoy to handle this matter!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Shi Yi kowtowed.

Get up!

Zhao Luan's expression softened again, and he raised his eyes to survey the assembled officials: "Since we are to reorganize the salt administration, who do you, my esteemed ministers, think should be entrusted with this task?"

Swish, swish, swish!

As soon as Zhao Luan finished speaking, the eyes of more than half of the ministers in the court fell on Qin Yu.

Under the gaze of everyone, even though Qin Yu had already accepted the task in advance, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

What a bunch of despicable bastards!

They're not even going to act anymore!

"This old minister recommends Physician Qin!"

"I also recommend Doctor Qin!"

"Qin Lang is skilled in both literature and martial arts, possessing both courage and ambition. He has repeatedly rendered outstanding service to the court, and this time he will surely be able to thoroughly rectify the salt administration and purge the salt officials!"

"No one but Doctor Qin can handle this task..."

For a time, the ministers, each with their own thoughts, recommended Qin Yu to Zhao Luan, wishing they could praise Qin Yu to the heavens.

It was as if any problem could be solved simply by Qin Yu's presence.

Those ministers who hadn't originally thought of Qin Yu naturally echoed this sentiment when they heard everyone saying so.

Everyone knows that regulating the salt administration is a thankless and arduous task.

It's done well, that's to be expected!

If things aren't done well and mess things up, whoever did it will have to be pushed out and take the blame!

In the spirit of sacrificing one's friend rather than oneself, it is only natural to recommend Qin Yu!

Qin Yu, his face dark, looked at the assembled officials and said, "My lords, do you hate me so much?"

"What are you saying, Physician Qin!"

Gao Yi chuckled, "The salt administration is a very complex and multifaceted issue, requiring someone with both ability and decisiveness to handle it well! Doctor Qin is exceptionally astute, a general who has fought valiantly on the battlefield, and highly valued by His Majesty! You are the most suitable person to take on this task!"

"It's truly rare to hear such kind words from Prime Minister Gao!"

Qin Yu glanced at Gao Yi indifferently, then bowed to Zhao Luan: "Since all the civil and military officials believe that I am the most suitable person to do this job, then I volunteer to Your Majesty to go and reorganize the salt administration and clean up the salt officials!"

There's no escaping it anyway!

You should be more self-aware!

Let's go through the motions quickly and finalize this mess!

"Since you've volunteered to tackle this tough challenge, then I'll entrust this task to you!"

Zhao Luan gave Qin Yu an approving look, then slowly stood up: "Our dynasty has a prominent problem with salt administration. I hereby appoint Qin Yu, the Attendant Gentleman, as Imperial Commissioner to thoroughly investigate the salt administration issues in the Liangjiang region and the Hai and Yuan prefectures, and to purge the salt officials! To ensure the smooth progress of this matter, I hereby bestow upon Qin Yu the Emperor's Sword. Any official below the third rank who dares to obstruct or sabotage this process may be executed first and reported later..."

Upon hearing Zhao Luan's words, the assembled officials were shocked, and even Gao Yi was somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected Zhao Luan to give Qin Yu such great power.

Officials below the third rank have the power to execute first and report later.

He really trusts Qin Yu!

But that's fine too!

She's given Qin Yu so much power; if he still can't handle this task well, hmph...

"Your humble servant Qin Yu receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Qin Yu loudly accepted the decree, secretly smiling bitterly to himself.

The Emperor's Sword has been bestowed upon me; if I still can't handle this task well, the female demon will probably slice me into pieces!

"Qin Yu, do not disappoint me!"

Zhao Luan gave Qin Yu a meaningful look and then said, "The candidates for reorganizing the salt administration have been decided. Now, who do you gentlemen recommend for opening up the salt route in Min?"

Before anyone could speak, Yu Jing stepped forward: "Since my submission, I have not rendered any service, and I am deeply ashamed! I request permission to open up the salt route in Min County for the court!"

Gao Yi had already guessed the outcome of today's court meeting last night.

Qin Yu went to reorganize the salt administration, while he went to open up the salt route in Min!

They are each the most suitable candidates, and it's impossible to refuse them.

Now that Qin Yu has volunteered, there's no need for him to hesitate any longer!

Looking across the entire court, there was indeed no one more suitable than him to handle this matter!

Moreover, he also needed to do something to gain Zhao Luan's trust!

"Yes, Prince Fengyi is most familiar with the salt affairs of Min County, so entrusting this matter to him is most appropriate!"

"Indeed, having the Prince of Fengyi oversee the opening of the salt route in Min will surely make things go much more smoothly!"

"Yes, this matter can only be handled by Prince Fengyi..."

The courtiers were once again abuzz with discussion.

"very good!"

Zhao Luan nodded. "In that case, the Prince of Fengyi shall be fully responsible for opening up the salt route in Min!"