67. Something's not right.

"Thank you, my dear minister," Wei Xiuming suddenly asked, "I have been reading the 'Discourses on Salt and Iron' recently and have some doubts. In your opinion, are Sang Hongyang's policies on balancing prices and transport still applicable today?"

The hall fell silent immediately.

All the ministers put down their chopsticks. This question, which seemed to be a casual remark from His Majesty, actually contained a hidden meaning—some time ago, there was trouble with the canal transport in Jiangnan, and the court had been discussing it for several days without reaching a conclusion.

Is His Majesty's sudden questioning of a newcomer to the court an assessment or a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for him?

That's hard to say.

Xie Wenling tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, pondered for a moment, and said, "I believe that Sang Hongyang's strategy focused on the word 'connectivity.' Now that trade routes are open, further price stabilization would be superfluous."

He looked up at Wei Xiuming: "Why not follow Liu Yan's example and reform the grain transport system, raising prices for surpluses during bumper harvests and lowering prices for those during lean years, and establishing a transport commissioner in Yangzhou to coordinate this..."

Upon hearing this, everyone whispered among themselves, secretly glancing at the emperor's expression.

Wei Xiuming still smiled warmly: "I see! My dear minister, you are indeed well-read and talented, quoting classics so eloquently!"

He began to praise it, and everyone below followed suit.

"Brilliant! This proposal perfectly solves the problem of blocked grain transport! Thank you for your insightful opinion, Your Excellency! It is truly a wise strategy for governing the country!"

"You've hit the nail on the head! No wonder you're a top-tier rising star! Such insight is truly rare!"

"Lord Xie, you are so insightful at such a young age, truly a promising young man!"

"If this strategy is implemented, it will surely resolve the predicament in Jiangnan! It is truly ingenious! Thank you for your insightful observation, sir!"

Wei Xiuming listened quietly to their praises for a while, then suddenly asked, "Then, my dear minister, what do you think should be done with those grain merchants who hoard and speculate on grain?"

The praise stopped abruptly.

Doubts arose in the eyes of the officials.

Something's not right.

Logically speaking, Wei Xiuming's performance just now should have indicated his intention to promote and give important responsibilities to Xie Wenling. According to common sense, after guiding them to praise Xie Wenling, he should have rewarded him accordingly.

Why are you asking questions all of a sudden?

They also asked a very tricky question.

It's important to understand that grain merchants who dare to engage in monopolies are usually backed by powerful forces. Otherwise, those unscrupulous merchants would have been hanged by the people long ago.

But now, His Majesty actually wants Xie Wenling to come up with ideas to deal with those grain merchants?

If Xie Wenling were to offer advice, he would offend a large number of important figures.

If one dares not speak out or cannot come up with a solution, it is tantamount to publicly admitting one's cowardice and incompetence, thus ruining one's future career.

Wei Xiuming's move... can be described as treacherous!

Something's not right.

Something is absolutely wrong!

Qu Zijin was also somewhat taken aback.

He also thought that Wei Xiuming wanted to promote Xie Wenling.

But unexpectedly, things didn't go quite as planned.

And as the protagonist of the incident—

"His Majesty."

Xie Wenling paused for a moment, then looked up, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The beauty's smile is captivating.

His face showed no fear: "I have heard that a new tavern run by foreign merchants has opened in the capital city, where a cup of grape wine costs ten strings of cash. But less than half a month later, another one opened across the street, with the price reduced by 30%. So... some things are better left unchecked than prevented."

He finished speaking, but the banquet remained silent for a long time, except for the music.

Everyone looked nervously at the emperor on the throne.

The emperor's expression remained unchanged as he stared intently at him, and then—

"Good! Well said!" Wei Xiuming clapped his hands and laughed. "Someone, bring this new tribute wine from the Western Regions to Minister Xie!"

He pointed to the wine jug on his table—a fine wine that should have been enjoyed by the emperor alone.

The palace servant immediately picked up the wine pot and walked towards Xie Wenling.

Xie Wenling accepted it calmly.

"Come, drink this cup to the brim!" Wei Xiuming filled the cup with the wine that everyone at the banquet was drinking, and raised it with great interest. "With such talent as Xie Qing, I should reward him handsomely."

Okay, now the meaning is quite clear.

Qu Zijin's brows relaxed slightly—this metaphor is indeed exquisite.

Moreover, His Majesty's actions clearly indicate his approval of Xie Wenling.

So, they misunderstood?

Or was His Majesty deliberately testing him, and he only gained His Majesty's approval after passing the test?

Qu Zijin couldn't understand it; he had never been good at political maneuvering.

However, once the emperor made his stance clear, praises erupted throughout the banquet—

"A brilliant metaphor! A brilliant metaphor! Profound yet simple! To the point! Lord Xie is truly insightful!"

"This metaphor is truly brilliant! Hearing your words is worth more than reading for ten years! You are indeed a wise and capable ruler!"

"Thank you for your great talent, Lord Xie! Such insight is truly..."

Xie Wenling listened to the praise, but he knew perfectly well that Wei Xiuming was putting him in a very difficult position.

Those words I just said will spread throughout the Six Ministries tomorrow, and I don't know how many people's livelihoods I'll offend.

Flowers adorn the landscape, and oil is poured into a raging fire.

Amidst the praise of the assembled guests, Wei Xiuming raised his wine cup to Xie Wenling from afar.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." Xie Wenling showed no fear and drank it all in one gulp.

The cool liquor slid down my throat, igniting a burning sensation.

"Good!" Wei Xiuming clapped his hands. "Let's do it again!"

Everyone rushed to toast him.

Xie Wenling didn't care whether they were genuinely congratulating him, intentionally trying to curry favor, or hiding daggers behind their smiles... he drank them all.

After three rounds, Xie Wenling's fair face was flushed.

He doesn't drink much.

I feel a little dizzy.

This liquor seems unusually strong.

"Xie Aiqing, you can't hold your liquor," Wei Xiuming said, squinting at him. "Or is it... that this wine from the Western Regions is too potent?"

Qu Zijin, who passed out after just a few drinks, was one of the few people present who did not offer Xie Wenling a toast.

Seeing his face flushed, he advised him instead, "It seems this wine has a strong aftereffect; you shouldn't drink too much."

“Liquor tastes better when it’s strong,” Wei Xiuming disagreed. He had also drunk quite a bit, but he wasn’t drunk at all, which showed that he had a very high alcohol tolerance, unlike the other two. “Thank you, my dear minister, have another cup.”

Xie Wenling lowered his eyes to look at the amber liquid swirling in the glass, then tilted his head back and drank it all without hesitation.

"That's great!" Wei Xiuming said with satisfaction.

He was beginning to admire the young man.

Xie Wenling, however, felt somewhat unwell. He suppressed his dizziness and cupped his hands, saying, "Your subject is not a strong drinker and is afraid of being impolite..."

"Haha, my dear minister, you really aren't very good at drinking. Go on, go on," Wei Xiuming waved his hand without trying to keep you, "Thank you for going to sober up."

Qu Zijin stood up. He disliked this hypocritical banquet and wanted to take the opportunity to leave: "Your Majesty..."

"Minister Qu, please stay." Wei Xiuming interrupted him. "I have something to say to you."

Qu Zijin, having failed to escape, sighed and stepped forward.