Chapter 63
Then he would wait for Sang Lingwu to regret it, to see if she regretted meeting him, or if she would be as confident as he was in thinking that she regretted tormenting him.
On the winter solstice, Lu Chengfeng's three-month confinement was also lifted.
The palace servants swept the courtyard, shoveling away the accumulated snow, but the snowflakes continued to fall in a flurry.
Ling Wu stood by the window and suddenly frowned.
The saying "If it snows on the winter solstice, the river will be full of water by the summer solstice" is not just an empty saying.
Because by June of next year, heavy rains will fall, causing severe flooding, disaster for the people, displacement of people, and widespread suffering.
To become a wise ruler...
It seems she needs to prepare in advance.
Lingwu lowered her head and pondered for a moment.
In the middle of the night, Fengyi Palace secretly summoned Xi Jiuqin and Sang Yu.
next day
When the court session began, Ling Wu spoke in a deep voice: "This year's winter solstice saw heavy snow, and there is a fear of flooding next year. I intend to build a sea dike stretching from Xingjiang Estuary in the east to the north of Sizhou in the west. What do you all think?"
Sang Yu excitedly stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and said, "I think it's excellent, I second that!" After saying that, he winked at Ling Wu.
The other court officials echoed this sentiment, but one person remained silent for a long time.
Lingwu turned her gaze to that person.
"What are your thoughts, Minister Xi?"
“Your Majesty, I believe…” Xi Jiuqin hesitated.
"What do you think?" Ling Wu asked in a low voice, but she did not show any displeasure.
"Your Majesty believes that building a seawall is a good thing, but the distance from Xingjiangkou to Sizhou is four hundred li, and the cost of this is..." Xi Jiuqin did not finish his sentence, but only raised his head and sighed softly.
The implication is obvious.
Ling Wu gave her an approving look, then glanced at the people below, "I also want to ask for your opinions, my beloved ministers."
As soon as Ling Wu finished speaking, the court officials below all wore thoughtful expressions.
Whether they were truly pondering or merely pretending, when the appointed time arrived, Lingwu tapped the phoenix chair and asked in a deep voice:
"Have you all made up your minds?"
The court officials remained hesitant, after all, they couldn't object to the Emperor's decision.
At this moment, the Minister of Personnel stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that while building the seawall is indeed a waste of resources and manpower, it will benefit the people and bring immeasurable merit." She pondered for a moment and then said, "How about we conscript women from the populace, providing them with three meals a day and a monthly stipend from... the national treasury?"
As soon as she finished speaking, someone stood up to second her.
Ling Wu didn't speak, but only glanced at Xi Jiuqin.
Xi Jiuqin then stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, as an official of the court, it is my duty to contribute my share at this time. Therefore, I am willing to donate a year’s salary and another 10,000 taels of silver to show my determination!”
Ling Wu scanned the expressions of the court officials below with great interest. "The Left Prime Minister is of great righteousness, and I cannot fail to live up to his determination. In that case, the Left Prime Minister will... please put in more effort in this matter."
The meaning of "take extra care" is clear to everyone.
These words elicited mixed reactions from the crowd.
Although it would take many years to accumulate ten thousand taels of silver, building a seawall is a very lucrative job!
And they don't live off their salaries...
Upon receiving Ling Wu's gaze, Sang Yu suppressed a smile and said, "Your Excellency, the Left Prime Minister, is truly righteous! In that case, I, your humble sister, would also like to follow suit and donate ten thousand taels of silver and three years' salary to the people!"
Lingwu nodded, her eyes filled with satisfaction. "Granted. Then Ayu will work with the Left Prime Minister to put in more effort in this matter."
After saying this, Ling Wu frowned, looking quite troubled. "But there are other official positions overseeing the construction of the seawall, which is really troubling for me... I wonder if there are any other ministers who would like to contribute their share?"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to donate three, no, five years' worth of my salary, plus ten thousand taels of silver!"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to donate three years' salary..."
"Your Majesty, this humble subject..."
Sang Yu and Zuo Xiang exchanged a glance, and then both winked at Ling Wu.
The court officials, who originally did not want to get involved in this matter, were afraid that if they did not contribute, they would displease Ling Wu. Therefore, they gritted their teeth and reluctantly sent up all the savings they had accumulated over the years.
Phoenix Palace
Lingwu stared at the list that was presented to her, and then put it down.
Those who were already honest and upright all got the job regardless of how much or how little they donated, and their official positions were promoted one rank.
She wouldn't be stingy with the profits from this; although a wise ruler is rare, a generous one is more popular.
As for those who dare to embezzle and break the law, she not only makes them return everything, but also forces them to give up their savings.
As for promotion?
There weren't many positions in the imperial court to begin with; they were just unlucky.
After returning home, the court officials not only dared not complain about her, but also had to be careful in their actions, fearing that one day they might lose their official positions and their lives!
When Lingwu, who was feeling carefree, heard Jingchun report that Zisang was requesting an audience outside Fengyi Palace, she rubbed her temples with a hint of helplessness.
"allow."
Once Zi Sang entered the Phoenix Palace, his mouth never stopped talking:
"Your Majesty, I admire you very much. Would you please accompany me for a horse ride today?"
"My servant is an exceptionally skilled horseman; he can even do somersaults on horseback! Would you like to go and take a look?"
"If you come, I'll do three somersaults on horseback for you! If three isn't enough... five will do!"
"..."
“Your Majesty, why aren’t you speaking? Is my voice too soft? Then I can speak louder, Your Majesty…”
Outside the Phoenix Palace, Jingchun pressed her ears, which were bothering her from the noise.
Inside the hall, Lingwu smiled gently. When she saw Zisang's ears turn red and she suddenly fall silent, she realized that peace and quiet were truly hard-won.
Zisang Qi has long since changed out of his Hu clothing and is now wearing a snow-blue robe with a pattern of cranes and deer in spring, his black hair tied up with a dark green hair crown.
Her deep-set features and dark blue eyes possess a striking beauty.
He seemed to be completely powerless against Ling Wu's smile.
So much so that whenever Lingwu openly professed her love and kept shouting, all she had to do was look at him with a gentle smile, and he would blush and turn his ears red, and his voice would involuntarily become softer.
"Your Majesty, is it alright?" Zi Sangqi's eyes revealed undisguised affection.
He had never seen such a gentle and kind woman in Quanrong, let alone a woman with such a stunning face who, despite being on the throne, still did not look down on men.
Lingwu nodded. She only hoped that Zisangqi wouldn't fall down when he did somersaults.
Unfortunately, what you fear most is what happens.
Zi Sang abandoned his horse and galloped away, the young man's black hair cutting through the sky, leaving a trail, his flamboyant face carrying a cautious adoration.
He held the reins with one hand and reached out onto the horse with the other, turning his head to look at Lingwu.
The woman in the gaze had her long hair tied up with a gilded and kingfisher feather phoenix crown, and a ruby forehead ornament. With every graceful movement, she exuded unparalleled beauty.
Her innate nobility and elegance captivated everyone's attention, and even the biting cold wind seemed to treat her with utmost gentleness.
Her slender figure was set off by the distant white snow, making him feel as if she were floating on clouds, ethereal as mist, and untouchable by anyone.
But this emperor, who was like a god among men,
But it was... his wife!
But the next moment, he saw his wife's brows suddenly furrowed.
The feeling of weightlessness brought him back to his senses, but the oppressive force of the shadows on his body rendered him unable to move.
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