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

"But... there's no precedent for this. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for us to make this decision on our own?" Liang Bingyi said, forcing a smile.

"How about I write a memorial for you, sir, and have it approved by the higher authorities and His Majesty? That way, you won't have any worries about what to do next."

Chen Huai'an wasn't angry after hearing this. He slowly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Do you know why, in the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, you, Chang Gui, and Ouyang Shu are all vice ministers, but I pay more attention to the other two?"

For a moment, Liang Bingyi felt a sense of horror.

In officialdom, when a superior says such things, it's practically the same as saying that one's career path has come to an end.

Why did Chen Huai'an, who was also a vice minister, pay more attention to Chang Gui and Ouyang Shu? Wasn't he clearly telling him that he didn't value them?

Liang Bingyi swallowed hard, cold sweat pouring down his back.

He's not young anymore, in his forties, almost fifty. He's had a rich life experience and is quite knowledgeable.

But at this moment, facing this young minister, he felt unprecedented pressure.

"Your Excellency, I... do not know," Liang Bingyi could only reply.

Chen Huai'an could see his fear and roughly guessed what he was thinking.

To be honest, he hasn't been in a high position for very long, and he has developed some authority, but it's impossible for him to intimidate people like this.

The so-called imposing presence and pressure are nothing more than the other party knowing your identity and understanding that a single word from you can determine their life or death.

If you send Li Shimin on an incognito visit now, people will at most think that Li Shimin is not an ordinary person, but that he has an unusual aura.

If he knew that Li Shimin was the emperor, the pressure would instantly increase.

Chen Huai'an didn't care about these things and said indifferently, "I don't know, that's why you're not valued."

"You're a good subordinate, you do a good job, at least I can't find fault with you, but you're too rule-abiding, always talking about precedents, precedents."

"Does the lack of precedent mean it can't be done?"

"What time is it now? These thousand households have their crops eaten by locusts and their houses smashed by hail, and you're still talking about writing memorials and waiting for approval."

"Are you really the Vice Minister of Revenue?"

"A fourth-rank official, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is considered to be in a high position and wield great power, right? Outside, countless people would find it difficult to even get an audience with you."

"Even His Majesty cannot ignore an official like you. You possess enough power to disregard most rules, yet you act so timidly and hesitantly."

"Tell me, how should I value you?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Bingyi remained silent, neither daring to utter a word of rebuttal nor able to do so.

The other party is right. As a fourth-rank official and the Vice Minister of Revenue, he wields immense power.

But he was always trapped in the rules when he did things, never daring to overstep them, afraid of making mistakes.

Hesitant and timid in doing things, and prone to following rules and regulations.

In contrast, although Chang Gui wasn't as quick-witted, he dared to break the rules and take responsibility.

"Alright," Chen Huai'an said casually. "I will suggest to His Majesty that two vice ministers be appointed in the Ministry of Revenue to help me handle daily affairs."

"From now on, the Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue will be divided into Left and Right Offices!"

"You will serve as the Left Vice Minister, in charge of the nation's population, land, tribute, rent, labor service, and taxes, and oversee revenue and civil administration in your region."

"The Right Cao is in charge of the expenses and expenditures of the Tang Dynasty, including the budget, treasury revenue and expenditure, and other related matters, and manages expenditures and finances."

"...I understand." Liang Bingyi felt a little bitter, but mostly relieved.

The fact that Chen Huai'an was willing to say these things to him means that the other party was not completely disappointed in him and still regarded him as one of his own. Otherwise, why would he say these things to him?

In addition, the Ministry of Revenue is indeed too busy, and he is almost overwhelmed. Adding a vice minister would be good.

"Go ahead, do as I say, and get it done as soon as possible." Chen Huai'an glanced at him, sighed inwardly, feeling a bit disappointed in him.

Liang Bingyi is competent in his work, but he is too afraid of making mistakes and taking responsibility. My impression of him is okay.

But Chen Huai'an couldn't stop, nor did he have that much time to slowly cultivate him, so he could only place him in a suitable position.

"Your humble servant understands!" Liang Bingyi bowed deeply.

"..."

Chen Huai'an sat for a while, handled some matters, and then went straight to Ganlu Hall.

Because he had been busy lately, Li Shimin was still handling government affairs in the Ganlu Hall at this time.

Knowing that he had arrived, Li Shimin roughly guessed the other party's purpose and, feeling somewhat weary, asked Zhang Anan to summon him in.

"Your Majesty," Chen Huai'an bowed.

Li Shimin put down the memorial in his hand and rubbed his temples: "The Ministry of Revenue's disaster report is out?"

"It's definitely out." Chen Huai'an handed over the disaster report.

Li Shimin stared at the disaster report on the table, his gaze complex.

Just as Xiao Yu and Wei Zheng said, putting aside the disasters caused by the hail, it was a huge blow to their reputation.

He had just said he would take full responsibility for killing locusts, and then this huge hailstorm hit.

He was in a state of utter distress.

Upon opening the disaster report, Li Shimin expected to see how severe the disaster was and how much damage it had caused.

However, the contents surprised him greatly. Li Shimin looked up and asked, "That's all?"

"Besides the damaged crops, were the houses of more than a thousand households also damaged?"

"Your Majesty, more than a thousand households is not a small number," Chen Huai'an said with a smile. "The effects of our work-for-relief program have already become apparent. The people have money in their hands, and they have the ability to withstand risks. Therefore, the fact that only a little over a thousand households have been greatly affected is already quite a lot."

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows slightly: "Is that so?"

"Does Your Majesty desire a greater impact?"

Li Shimin: "..."

"I didn't mean that." He twitched the corner of his mouth, glanced at the disaster report, and finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

What he feared most was that people's houses would be destroyed, crops would be damaged, and his reputation would be damaged.

The locust infestation is getting worse and worse. It doesn't matter whether there's hail or not, so what more can we ask for?

"Your Majesty, it is like this," Chen Huai'an still mentioned, "I plan to prioritize arranging for these people to repair the Yellow River, and at the same time allow them to receive an advance of half a month's wages to settle their families. This matter has already been arranged."

"Good." Li Shimin said with satisfaction, "You have done a good job, but half a month is a bit short. Let's make it a month. Just draft the contract."

"We must make sure these people are settled properly and not suffer any more."

"Your subject understands." A smile appeared on Chen Huai'an's face.

Li Shimin's reaction was not unexpected. Any wise emperor would not refuse such a proposal when the national treasury is full.

As for your concern that people might take the money but not do the work?

Stop joking, do you really think they're saints?

"..."