Chapter 251 requires his cooperation.

Jiang Jiamu's health had improved considerably, but the passing of the old Duke of Chu caused him great grief, and his health deteriorated again.

When Wu Zhengyan returned to the courtyard, Jiang Jiamu was sitting by the fire pit reading a book, his face very pale.

"Didn't I say I'd wait until I felt better before reading? It's too taxing on my mind," Wu Zhengyan said, taking the book from her hand.

Jiang Jiamu smiled slightly at her, "What does Mother want with you?"

“My younger sister was busy in the study in the front yard all night last night,” Wu Zhengyan said, squeezing Jiang Jiamu’s hand, feeling its warmth, then letting go.

"My younger sister went to work in the front yard again as soon as she got up this morning. Mother felt that it was too tiring for her to run around like this, so she asked her to move to Grandpa's yard in the front yard. Mother entrusted this matter to me and said that she would also entrust me with all the negotiations between the front and back yards from now on."

After listening to her words, Jiang Jiamu thought for a moment and said, "The negotiations between the front and back courtyards seem simple, just passing on a message. However, the affairs of the court are complicated, and the interactions between the ladies in the inner quarters also require a great deal of knowledge."

Wu Zhengyan looked a little nervous after hearing his words. Jiang Jiamu gave her a reassuring look and said, "But don't be afraid. Listen, watch and learn more in the future. If you don't understand something, ask your mother, ask me, or you can ask your younger sister."

Wu Zhengyan nodded, her eyes gradually hardening. A mother's love makes her strong. Her son was the crown prince, but he was too young. She couldn't help with other things, but she had to learn how to manage the household. She couldn't rely on her mother-in-law forever.

"Take it slow, don't overwork yourself," Jiang Jiamu said, taking her hand.

“I know.” Wu Zhengyan squeezed his hand back. “Our eldest sister has had the hardest time in our family.”

Jiang Jiamu was well aware of Jiang Yu's hardships, but there was nothing he could do to help. All he could do was focus on recovering and avoid causing any trouble.

Jiang Yu was indeed very busy, spending the entire day in her study. The restructuring of Jufeng Money Exchange and the trading company needed to be completed, and the team assisting Prince Rui in his firearms research also needed to be assembled as soon as possible. Economic and military matters were equally important.

After a busy day, she went to the Secretariat on time the next day. But as soon as she sat down behind her desk, a palace eunuch came to deliver an imperial edict, saying that the emperor wanted to see her.

Jiang Yu got up and followed the eunuch to the imperial study. After bowing to the emperor, she heard him say, "The deceased is gone, my dear minister, do not be too sad."

Jiang Yu bowed to the emperor again, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I understand."

The emperor nodded, took out the reform regulations for Jufeng Money Shop and Merchant Guild written by Jiang Yu, and said, "Your regulations are very well written, but I'm afraid they will not be easy to implement."

Even a ruler cannot do whatever he wants. Unless he is a tyrant, he must consider the overall situation, the balance of power, and other factors when making decisions; otherwise, he can only wait for the country to perish.

Didn't the Qin family seize their empire from others?

“I have also thought of this problem,” Jiang Yu said, looking at the emperor. “But if we want to move forward, we can’t keep following the rules; we have to change.”

The emperor frowned and remained silent for a long time after hearing her words. "To move forward, change is necessary, isn't it?" He wasn't sure if that statement was right or wrong.

After a while, he asked, "What do you intend to do, my dear minister?"

"Make an example of someone!"

Jiang Yu's words silenced the emperor once more. He knew Jiang Yu was capable; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to solve two major cases in a row. But he hadn't expected Jiang Yu to be so ruthless this time.

However, this is indeed a very good method.

After a while, the emperor asked, "Which chicken should we kill?"

Jiang Yu: "Lingnan!"

Silence fell over the room once more. The emperor stared intently at Jiang Yu, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. Undoubtedly, Jiang Yu's suggestion struck a chord with him. Lingnan was a thorn in his side.

However, now is not the time to take action against Lingnan.

But he still asked Jiang Yu, "What do you want to do?"

Jiang Yu knew that the emperor would be interested in her suggestion to move Lingnan. She explained the plan to the emperor, who then looked at her and asked, "My dear minister, what do you think the chances of success are?"

Jiang Yu did not answer his question directly, but said, "It all depends on Lingnan's loyalty to the court."

"Ha!" The emperor scoffed sarcastically, revealing his opinion of Lingnan. Then he added, "That man is very suspicious; what if he doesn't fall for it?"

Jiang Yu: "If you were in his shoes, what would you do?"

The emperor narrowed his eyes but did not speak. Jiang Yu answered for him, "If it damages my interests, I will naturally not be willing to let it go through. I will not let this happen under any circumstances."

The Emperor said, "Yes, that's a real loss of gold and silver."

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Jiang Yu wanted to roll her eyes. How could the emperor of a country only think about money all day long? Didn't he feel ashamed?

Thinking this to herself, Jiang Yu naturally wouldn't say it aloud. Instead, she said in a serious tone, "Yes, that's all real gold and silver."

"Very well, let's do it this way," the emperor said.

“Yes,” Jiang Yu replied respectfully, then added, “Just in case, we must expedite the research and production of firearms.”

The emperor looked intently at Jiang Yu, his hand involuntarily clenching into a fist, and then said, "Yes, just in case."

"I suggest that the ministers recommend talented individuals, and then conduct assessments. In addition, we should hold separate examinations for engineering to select talents in this field," Jiang Yu added.

"Alright, approved." The emperor said, "You will handle this matter as well, and I will send some more people to your side."

Jiang Yu: "Yes."

The emperor hummed in agreement. He looked at Jiang Yu and once again felt how right it had been to have her enter the court as an official. If he could eliminate the Prince of Lingnan in his lifetime, he could die in peace.

Once Jiang Yu finished speaking, the emperor dismissed her. Upon returning to the Secretariat, Jiang Yu summoned Xie Ning'an to her study and arranged for guards to stand watch outside, preventing anyone from approaching.

Sitting at the tea table with Xie Ning'an, Jiang Yu handed Xie Ning'an the restructuring regulations for Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company. Xie Ning'an took them and looked at them carefully, while Jiang Yu quietly prepared tea.

After he finished reading the charter, Jiang Yu placed a steaming cup of tea in front of him. "His Majesty has agreed. Now let's discuss how to proceed."

Xie Ning'an lowered his eyes to look at the pale brown tea, remaining silent. Given his current status, he should be able to do whatever Jiang Yu says; he didn't feel he had any right to speak on the matter of reform.

Seeing his silence, Jiang Yu understood what he was thinking. Under normal circumstances, Xie Ning'an was not qualified to offer advice on how to reform the system, but the plan to "make an example of someone" required his cooperation.

P.S.: I've had some family matters to attend to these past few days, so I only managed to write a little today. However, I'll resume regular updates tomorrow. As for the previous posts, I'll catch up as soon as possible.