Chapter 2

Although General He disliked the current emperor's actions, he earnestly replied to Ouyang Zhenyu for the sake of the common people of Haoyue.

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to persuade the King of War to lead the troops into battle once again."

As for the War King...

Upon hearing the implication in General He's words, Ouyang Zhenyu slapped the armrest of the dragon throne and said, "General He, for the sake of Haoyue and the common people, you must bring Ouyang Yuqing to me."

Judging from Ouyang Zhenyu's words, General He could not say anything more.

He bowed his head, clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost."

Upon hearing General He's reply, Ouyang Zhenyu waved his hand.

General He stepped back and stood aside upon seeing the gesture.

Seeing the way the prince and his ministers were avoiding him like the plague, Ouyang Zhenyu wanted to kill them all one by one.

But if he were to be killed, he would have no one left to use.

With a headache, he said to the officials below him, "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned."

Shen Yingying's biological father, the former Left Prime Minister, has been dismissed from his post by Ouyang Zhenyu because he is mentally challenged.

A new Left Chancellor has just been promoted.

Perhaps because he had only recently taken office, this Left Chancellor was very responsible.

He stepped forward, bowed, clasped his hands in greeting to Ouyang Zhenyu, and said, "Your subject reports!"

Looking at the newly promoted Left Prime Minister, Ouyang Zhenyu felt a little relieved.

He asked the Left Chancellor, "Minister Zhang, you may dispense with the formalities. What is it that you wish to report? Please tell me."

When the Left Chancellor heard Ouyang Zhenyu ask about it, he raised his head, withdrew his hand, and said to the Emperor with a worried expression, "Your Majesty, the tax revenue of Haoyue Kingdom has increased by 20%, and the people are suffering terribly."

Even so, the national treasury is still severely depleted.

The war is so fierce that the army's food supplies are running low. I wonder what Your Majesty's plans are?

When the Left Chancellor spoke of the national treasury, Ouyang Zhenyu felt his heart bleed.

He obtained the silver and the supplies, but hasn't caught a single clue along the way.

The vast capital city was almost entirely robbed by these thieves.

How did these thieves manage to transport the palace's supplies out of the capital?

It's as if these supplies vanished into thin air, without a single clue.

How do I check this?

Upon hearing the Left Prime Minister's report, Ouyang Zhenyu covered his forehead with his hand again.

He closed his eyes, lost in thought.

When the ministers saw Ouyang Zhenyu on the dragon throne, they were all dumbfounded.

They were all thinking: Will the Emperor do something strange this time?

The emperor has already used various excuses to embezzle a considerable amount of the ministers' money.

If this continues, how can those of us in power possibly get by?

After thinking for a while, Ouyang Zhenyu opened his eyes and saw the group whispering among themselves below.

He said irritably to the assembled officials below him, "What brilliant ideas do you, my esteemed ministers, have to help me relieve my worries?"

When the ministers heard Ouyang Zhenyu speak like that, they all shook their heads like rattles.

Ouyang Zhenyu saw that the officials below him were all shrugging their necks, like turtles.

He was furious and slammed his hand on the dragon throne.

Ouyang Zhenyu angrily pointed at the officials below him and cursed, "You bunch of idiots, I'm asking you a question!"

You all receive your salaries from the court, yet you avoid me like the plague.

From this day forward, your salaries will be halved.

From this day forward, whoever can solve my problems will be promoted and given a higher rank.

If anyone doesn't know what's good for them, then you might as well retire and go back to your hometown.

"Hmph...a bunch of idiots."

The officials, reprimanded by Ouyang Zhenyu, were all thinking to themselves: "Damn it, with salaries being cut again and again, we might as well go home and grow sweet potatoes."

The Emperor is now trying to extort more money from his officials.