The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"Not valid? How is it not valid?"

Chen Huai'an said coldly, "The drought is not over yet, not a drop of rain has fallen, and the number of disaster victims is increasing day by day. The pressure on the national treasury caused by the work-for-relief program will also increase as the number of disaster victims increases."

"Right now, the national treasury does have a surplus, but who knows what will happen later?"

"I still maintain that preparation is key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure!"

"Luo Yi and Prince Li Youliang of Chang Le have both rebelled, internal troubles have not been quelled, and natural disasters continue. You're telling me to send troops?"

In fact, Chen Huai'an remembered this incident. Historically, in the first year of the Zhenguan era, there was indeed a large-scale gathering of officials advising Li Shimin to send troops.

But that was back in July.

His arrival filled the national treasury, prompting many to consider this possibility.

People including Du Ruhui thought it was feasible, and Chen Huai'an understood.

That's because they didn't know how severe the natural disasters that followed would be.

No matter how much grain the Ministry of Revenue has now, under the pressure of three years of disaster, it can only spend it frugally, and now it has to find ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure.

Are you going to tell him to send troops now?

Chen Huai'an couldn't kill him with his words.

Moreover, the person who said this was the biggest obstacle to Feng Deyi's new policies, so he was even less supportive.

Xiao Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Your subject believes that Minister Chen's words are reasonable. Preparation is the key to success, while lack of preparation leads to failure."

"Regardless of whether the national treasury is full or not, it is indeed not suitable to send troops this year, when internal troubles are not yet resolved and natural disasters continue!"

Feng Deyi's face turned ashen: "You're talking nonsense. With the revenue from ironware and refined salt, and with the implementation of the system of government production, approval, and sales, the government won't need to sell them itself, and the national treasury's revenue will inevitably increase significantly. Plus, there's the papermaking technology. Why can't we send troops?"

"Furthermore, I don't understand why Minister Chen said that everyone in the court can ask you 'why,' but I can't? And why did he say that I, Feng Deyi, should be scolded to death?"

"May I ask, Minister Chen, what have I, Feng Deyi, done to offend you?"

Upon hearing this, the officials in the court looked on with anticipation, even setting aside the matter of sending troops.

A prime minister asked his subordinates, "May I ask..."

This is so interesting!

Chen Huai'an said disdainfully, "You still have the nerve to ask me why? Don't you know why? At least Pei Ji is greedy for money, and even though he is, he lives a life of luxury without any pretense!"

"You, Feng Deyi, are not only greedy, but you also pretend. You dress simply and live in a humble dwelling, putting on an act of integrity and prudence. What are you pretending for?"

"More importantly, I, Chen Huai'an, despise fickle and unreliable people like you. So what?"

These words immediately caused a huge uproar, and the entire court was in an uproar.

Chen Huai'an's words were a blatant statement that Feng Deyi appeared honest on the surface, but was in reality a corrupt official, even worse than Pei Ji.

As for the fickle and capricious villains... they still don't know what's going on.

But no worries, things are probably about to get interesting.

The generals suppressed their resentment and became very interested.

"You...you're spouting nonsense!" Feng Deyi's fingers trembled, his chest heaving violently, clearly enraged. "I, Feng Deyi, have lived a life of integrity, receiving His Majesty's rewards and the highest salary from the court. Why would I be greedy, and what reason do I have to be greedy?"

"Words are meaningless; how dare you slander me like this?"

"Oh." Chen Huai'an's tone was full of sarcasm and irony. "So I really misunderstood Feng Pu She?"

"But who was it that started from the Sui Dynasty, using the power of selecting officials to sell official positions? When you were attached to Yu Shiji at the end of the Sui Dynasty, you participated in controlling the power of selecting officials and made a fortune by determining the rank of officials based on the amount of gifts given."

"During the Wude era, he served concurrently as the Acting Minister of Personnel for a long period of time, wielding great power over the selection, evaluation, promotion, and demotion of officials both inside and outside the capital. Officials from all over the country seeking promotion or transfer to lucrative positions would secretly bribe him."

"You think you've covered your tracks perfectly? You don't think that by not spending any money and acting like a pushover, no one will find out, do you?"

Wow, this is huge news! A truly massive piece of gossip!

The eyes of all the civil and military officials lit up, staring intently at the two men.

Feng Deyi panicked.

This shouldn't be happening, this shouldn't be happening.

How did Chen Huai'an know about these things?

How could he have known?

However, Feng Deyi remained remarkably calm and said, "Say whatever you want. I have a clear conscience. I have never embezzled by taking advantage of my position, nor am I the fickle and treacherous person you describe."

"If you have evidence, then produce it; if you don't..."

"I will fight you to the death!"

"Heh..." Chen Huai'an chuckled, "You want evidence, right? Fine, the former Minister of Revenue left me quite a few things before he died. I can show them to you."

"After all, the former Minister of Revenue was one of the five most powerful figures at the end of the Sui Dynasty!"

Feng Deyi was starting to lose his composure.

Pei Ju, the newly appointed Minister of Revenue, was a figure no one who lived through that era could afford to ignore.

The so-called Five Nobles were truly powerful and influential figures.

No kidding, anyone could come out and control everything.

As for Pei Ju, he was the most unique among the Five Nobles.

Pei Ju lived through several dynasties, witnessing the establishment and fall of the Sui Dynasty, and also experiencing the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the rise of the Tang Dynasty.

The most terrifying thing is that if you think about Pei Ju's experience carefully, you will find that this person has lived through so many dynasties and has held a high position in every one of them.

He made numerous bets throughout his life, and almost every time he was right.

Putting everything else aside, just during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Pei Ju boldly took a gamble and made a great contribution.

Otherwise, even if someone was needed to fill the position of Minister of Revenue, it wouldn't be Pei Ju, who is almost eighty years old.

People like that are terrifying.

Feng Deyi, who was originally full of confidence, no longer dared to make any complete guarantees.

But he couldn't just sit and wait to die, so he had to bite the bullet and pretend to be calm, saying, "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext."

"The moment I mentioned sending troops, you immediately and firmly opposed it. The national treasury clearly has enough money and supplies. I really don't understand why you insist on refusing."

"If we're talking about embezzlement, then I should be more suspicious of you!"

"Is it because... the national treasury doesn't have as much money and grain as the accounts show? Apart from the work-for-relief program, there's no money and grain left for the troops. Is that why you, Minister Chen, are so strongly opposed to sending troops?"

"What a clever way of turning the tables!" Chen Huai'an chuckled. "Isn't this simple? Just open the national treasury and take inventory, won't you?"

"There are quite a few officials in the imperial court with vacant positions; how much time would it take to make an inventory?"

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to reason with you, and you're not worthy to listen."

Chen Huai'an chuckled twice. "Have you forgotten who I used to follow?"

"Master Feng, I used to serve under Li Jiancheng. As the Vice Director of the Crown Prince's Chamberlain's Office, my official rank wasn't high, but this position... allowed me to submit confidential information!"

In short, Feng Deyi was completely panicked.

A chilling thought suddenly surfaced in his mind!

"......"