The Prodigal Son

"What Minister Gao said is very true."

"Yes, this is the only way to solve the problem once and for all!"

"Those old and weak people have little value to begin with."

"Forcibly diverting grain to fill this bottomless pit will only drag the court down..."

Gao Yi's words immediately gained the support of most of the ministers.

The imperial court has always been concerned with weighing the pros and cons!

The food shortage in Yan is so great that even the fastest summer harvest will not be available for another six months.

For such a long period of time, the imperial court couldn't possibly keep feeding the eight or nine million people of Yan with grain, could it?

Disaster relief is one thing, but if it drags the imperial court down with it, then it's a losing proposition.

The Yan Kingdom has been destroyed, but the Northern Qi Kingdom is still eyeing it covetously!

Not only do the troops in Yan need provisions, but the armies in Wuzhou and Zhenzhou also need provisions.

Where would the imperial court find so much grain to provide unlimited relief to the starving people in Yan?

Zhao Luan paused for a moment, then asked Gao Yi, "How much grain can be mobilized within a month?"

After thinking for a moment, Gao Yi replied, "No more than 400,000 shi."

"One million koku!"

Zhao Luan immediately doubled the order: "Within one month, transfer one million shi of grain to Yanzhou! As for how to transfer it, I don't care! What I need is one million shi of grain remaining after it's delivered to Yanzhou!"

"His Majesty!"

Gao Yi immediately panicked, "This old minister truly lacks the ability!"

There is still one million shi of grain to be delivered to Yanzhou. If it is transported by land, considering the food for the people and horses along the way, at least two to three million shi of grain will be needed!

Where is he supposed to get so much food?

Let's just kill him with one blow!

Zhao Luan stared intently at Gao Yi. "Prime Minister Gao, this concerns the future generations! I hope you can come up with a good solution!"

"This old minister truly cannot think of a solution."

Gao Yi, his face full of bitterness, bowed and said, "This old minister is incompetent and wishes to resign as prime minister. I beg Your Majesty to choose another virtuous and capable person!"

"Prime Minister Gao..."

Zhao Luan's face immediately fell. "If there's no way, we can find a way. You keep threatening to resign as prime minister; are you trying to spite me?"

Seeing this, the courtiers also began to persuade Gao Yi to resign.

"Prime Minister Gao, let's talk this out. Don't just resign at the drop of a hat."

"Yes, there are many affairs of state to attend to these days, and we need Prime Minister Gao to share the burden for His Majesty."

"Everything can be discussed!"

"This matter is indeed somewhat difficult for Minister Gao, but can't a solution be found by thinking of it?"

"Prime Minister Gao, please don't get angry over such a small matter..."

Even Lü Chunqiu, who had just been criticizing Gao Yi, started to persuade Gao Yi.

Gao Yi can't leave!

If Gao Yi really resigns as prime minister, all the mess he has to deal with will fall on the shoulders of these people.

Even if Gao Yi wants to resign as prime minister, he should at least wait until things are stable in Yan!

Gao Yi is indeed throwing a tantrum.

Zhao Luan was clearly trying to make things difficult for him by throwing this impossible task at him.

If he doesn't make a scene, Zhao Luan will think he's a beast of burden that she can boss around at will!

I have a temper too!

Now, seeing so many people trying to persuade him, Gao Yi suddenly got a little carried away.

After a moment of preparation, Gao Yi looked up at everyone and said, "I am not throwing a tantrum, but I do have limited energy. From now on, I ask you gentlemen to share His Majesty's burdens and help our Great Ning prosper."

As he spoke, Gao Yi bowed to Zhao Luan again, "This old minister is old and truly unable to shoulder this heavy responsibility any longer. I humbly request Your Majesty to consider the meager contributions I have made as prime minister and grant me permission to retire and return to my hometown."

"Okay!"

Zhao Luan looked at Gao Yi helplessly, "I didn't ask you to take so much grain from the Prime Minister's residence. I ordered you to find a way to mobilize it! All departments and officials at all levels of the court will cooperate with you!"

"This old minister's resignation as prime minister is not solely due to this matter."

Gao Yi shook his head and said, "Previously, in order to ensure the food supplies for the army at the front, this old minister often worked until he was dizzy and his eyes were blurry, and often lamented that he was truly getting old!"

"Now that our dynasty has won the battle against Yan, this old minister has finally fulfilled a long-cherished wish!"

"This old minister is truly old and wishes to return to his homeland to spend his remaining years in peace. I beg Your Majesty's permission."

Gao's last words were sincere.

It seems he genuinely intends to resign.

"Okay, okay!"

Zhao Luan reluctantly conceded, "If Prime Minister Gao is truly unwilling to handle this matter, I will assign someone else to do it!"

"To be honest, Your Majesty, I have long intended to resign as prime minister, but because the war against Yan has not yet ended, I do not want to give up halfway, so I have been gritting my teeth and persevering."

Gao Yi, his body hunched over, said, "This old minister is truly old and incapable of shouldering heavy responsibilities! I beg Your Majesty's grace to allow this old minister to resign as prime minister! This old minister kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty for your divine favor!"

As he spoke, Gao Yi slowly knelt down and respectfully kowtowed.

"father!"

Seeing Gao Yi's outburst, Gao Dan quickly tried to dissuade him, "Your Majesty..."

"Shut up!"

Gao Yi glared at his son, then kowtowed to Zhao Luan again: "Please grant me permission, Your Majesty!"

What does Gao Dan know!

If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all out!

We can't let Zhao Luan catch him doing something wrong.

Looking at Gao Yi kneeling on the ground, a hint of a smile flashed in Zhao Luan's eyes.

After feigning distress, Zhao Luan sighed and stepped forward to personally help Gao Yi up.

"That's enough!"

Zhao Luan stared at Gao Yi's full head of white hair, her heart aching, and said, "Prime Minister Gao has indeed had a tough time these past few days!"

"Since Prime Minister Gao insists on resigning, I will not force him to do so, nor will I cause him further trouble!"

"Prime Minister Gao shouldn't retire to his hometown; he should stay in the capital and enjoy his remaining years in peace!"

"If I encounter any difficulties, I will visit Prime Minister Gao and ask him for advice..."

Zhao Luan was still speaking sincerely.

However, Gao Yi was dumbfounded.

They've gone too far!

Zhao Luan actually agreed to resign as prime minister?

How could this happen?

trap!

Gao Yi suddenly realized that this was a trap that Zhao Luan had prepared for him!

If he doesn't resign from his post as prime minister, then the problem of one million shi of grain will be conveniently left to him!

She readily agreed when he resigned as prime minister!

Now, he has proposed resigning as prime minister himself.

She pretended to try to persuade him to stay, but when she couldn't, she finally agreed to resign.

He couldn't very well continue to shamelessly say that he had no intention of resigning as prime minister, could he?

Finished!

We've fallen for their trap!

Gao Yi inwardly groaned, but forced a smile: "This old minister thanks Your Majesty!"

Gao Dan's face twitched, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

I even helped him save face!

He just won't budge!

That's great!

His Majesty has truly agreed to his resignation as prime minister!

Is he satisfied?

"well……"

Zhao Luan sighed helplessly, then looked at Shangguan Youyi and said, "Draft an edict: Minister Gao holds a high position in the Censorate, has served through many reigns, and has been diligent and respectful day and night, with outstanding achievements. He has repeatedly petitioned to retire due to his advanced age, and his words are earnest. I cannot bear to force him to stay..."

He bestowed upon Gao Yi three thousand acres of fertile land, one thousand taels of gold, and brocade...

Hearing Zhao Luan's words, Gao Yi felt his head buzzing.

She had considered that Zhao Luan might betray her after using her, but she hadn't expected him to do so so quickly.

No sooner had the war against Yan ended than he hastily demoted himself from his position as prime minister.

OK!

She's so cunning!

He ousted himself from his post and left himself speechless!

Next, they'll probably target Yu Jing, right?

This woman is truly treacherous, cunning, and venomous!