Cut off my army's food supplies? I'll open a portal between the two worlds and max out my

The Empress Dowager before us is only twenty-eight years old, yet she wields the most powerful authority in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However, this was only the glamorous facade; only Mu Yanran knew the bitterness she endured behind the scenes.

The civil and military officials in the imperial court fought fiercely, even delaying battle opportunities on several occasions.

The local powerful clans under the imperial court were becoming increasingly arrogant and disrespectful, and the imperial court's prestige in the local areas was declining day by day.

Tax revenue alone is decreasing year by year.

This year, it's only one-third of what it was during the reign of the late emperor.

Mu Yanran really wanted to throw this year's tax forms in the face of the Vice Minister of Revenue, but she also knew that making things difficult for a Vice Minister of Revenue would not change the corrupt state of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

What troubled Mu Yanran the most was her son's naiveté; as the Emperor of Great Zhou, he actually took the lead in breaking the late Emperor's promise...

Although the young emperor was not her biological son, Mu Yanran had raised him from a young age.

When he was still the crown prince, she hadn't realized how naive her crown prince son was.

The young emperor, as the late emperor's own son, actually took the lead in raising taxes... You must know that the late emperor promised the people that he would absolutely not raise taxes in the coming years.

Doesn't he know what the consequences of his actions will be? What will become of the royal family's dignity?

Mu Yanran also knew that the young emperor would definitely not be able to push this decree to the cabinet; there must be someone supporting him behind the scenes.

Especially that old fox...

"Ugh."

Mu Yanran sighed, gently rubbing her fair and delicate wrist. She looked up at the beautiful woman in the bronze mirror.

Time has left no trace on her; in private, she doesn't need to put on that dignified expression, which makes her peach blossom eyes appear somewhat serene.

Her voluptuous figure could barely be contained by the golden phoenix robe.

A few years ago, Mu Yanran still harbored ambitions to rule the world, thinking that she must restore the Great Zhou to its prosperous and thriving state.

But when she actually took control of the world, things proved far more difficult than she had imagined.

When the late emperor was still alive, the civil officials and military generals, though at odds, were still relatively restrained.

Since the late emperor's death, the situation in the court has deteriorated day by day.

Mu Yanran was completely unable to stop the infighting between the two sides.

Maintaining the current superficial stability is already the best she can do.

As for the young emperor's decision that went against the ancestors' wishes, Mu Yanran had the ability to stop it, but she didn't.

Because the Great Zhou treasury truly had no money left.

She knew very well that raising taxes was the simplest and most direct way to alleviate the financial pressure on the Great Zhou, but she couldn't start that.

Otherwise, she would be condemned for all eternity.

Her desk was piled high with countless memorials from ministers proposing tax increases, which she had never considered precisely because of this concern.

Now, the breach she had been blocking for who knows how long has been opened by the young emperor himself.

Let this raging flood sweep across the entire world... I'm tired.

After rubbing her forehead, Mu Yanran said softly, "Ying'er."

"Your subject is here."

A young maid emerged from the shadows.

"Have there been any battle reports from the border recently?"

Ying'er replied, "Your Majesty, the border has been peaceful recently, and no battle reports have been received."

The rare good news relieved Mu Yanran.

"Step down."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

-

Inside the capital city.

The streets were bustling with activity.

The people coming and going all had their own things to do.

Wang Zhaoan walked briskly forward with the crowd and arrived at the entrance of a secluded alley.

Just as I was about to go in, two burly men came out from the side:

"This is a place for the young master to enjoy himself; unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter."

The burly man revealed the long sword at his waist, signaling to Wang Zhao'an to be sensible.

Wang Zhaoan did not speak, but instead took out a waist tag with the character "Ding" written on it.

Ordinary people might not recognize this waist tag, but how could the gatekeeper of such a place not recognize Ding Gelao's waist tag?

"My lord! I was unaware of your greatness. Please come in."

Wang Zhaoan ignored them and strode in.

After entering the gate, there is a particularly spacious garden, with the same gambling tables in different rooms.

Here you can see all sorts of noble young men.

They often shook the dice, disheveled and flushed.

Wang Zhaoan arrived at this alley, a place frequented by people of high status.

As soon as Wang Zhao'an stepped inside, he heard someone shout, "Where's the money?! I said give me the money! Don't you understand? Do you know who my father is? My father is the current Prime Minister! Do you think he'd be short of a few tens of thousands of coins?"

Ding Jianqing's voice was extremely arrogant.

The casino manager was apologizing to him: "Young Master Ding, please calm down. Our establishment has rules, and things don't happen more than three times... You've already borrowed money three times, and I really don't have the authority to approve any more loans for you."

Ding Jianqing ignored all of that, only feeling disrespected: "You bunch of bastards just don't want to lend me money! I'm going home and asking my dad..."

Before Ding Jianqing could finish speaking, Wang Zhaoan interrupted him, saying, "Young Master."

Ding Jianqing was overjoyed to see Wang Zhaoan come out: "Wang Qingyi! You've come at the perfect time! Quickly give me some money, I'm going to win back all the money I lost today!"

As Ding Ge Lao's most favored advisor, Wang Zhao'an held an extremely high status. Even other third-rank officials would address him as "Young Master." Only a brainless second-generation rich kid like Ding Jianqing would dare to call Wang Zhao'an "Qingyi" in this way.

"Qingyi" is a derogatory term.

It means those who do no work and just eat the Lord's food.

Wang Zhaoan wasn't angry. Instead, he went to Ding Jianqing and whispered, "Young Master, the Master is looking for you. His men have found a delicacy from the Western Regions, and he wants you to try it."

Ding Jianqing was the only son of Grand Secretary Ding, and he was born late in life.

Therefore, he was spoiled as a child.

However, Ding Ge Lao was very strict with his family and took good care of his son, preventing Ding Jianqing from picking up too many bad habits.

Aside from gambling, the food is delicious.

Hearing that there was good food waiting for him, Ding Jianqing stopped causing trouble for the casino. Instead, he turned around and spat, "Pah! I'm in a good mood today. I'll leave the money I had before with you guys and win it back in a couple of days."

Ding Jianqing happily went home to enjoy a delicious meal.

Starting today, a particular delicacy has been all over Beijing.

"This instant noodles are absolutely delicious! I never knew there was such a delicacy in the Western Regions!"

"It's worth a fortune!!!"

Instant noodles were originally just expensive in the Western Regions, but unexpectedly, as they circulated within the Great Zhou Dynasty, their price actually increased.

"General, Black Stone says that there is a shortage of instant noodles and they want us to send some more over."

Li Wen shook his head and said, "No need. Instant noodles get boring after a while. Once the novelty wears off for those nobles, they're not worth much anymore. Let Blackstone maintain the current production rate and sell them slowly."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tian muttered, "You get tired of eating too much? I eat it every day and I'm never tired of it."

Li Wen rolled her eyes at him: "Do you think everyone has such a large appetite?"

"By the way, has there been any new news from the princess of the White Elephant Kingdom?"