The ministers all jumped out and said, "This is absolutely not possible. There has never been a precedent of a woman standing in the court."
"Master Li is sick and confused. You should go home and have a good rest. There are some things you cannot say carelessly."
"Why are you so confused? She is a woman, how can she enter the Ministry of Revenue?"
In fact, the Minister of Rites was also struggling as to whether he should say this.
However, he witnessed too many tragedies along the way. The land was devastated, and people were struggling on the brink of life and death, suffering in dire straits, with countless deaths and injuries. They desperately needed the court to step up and save them.
Even if he had a heart of stone, he couldn't help but feel pity when he saw those painful and desperate eyes and the corpses that starved to death on the roadside.
"I have personally witnessed that the ability of Princess Qingping to amass wealth is unparalleled in the world. There is no one in the entire court who can compare to her. If we can restore the economy and people's livelihood as soon as possible, why should we be so rigid in our adherence to old rules?"
The prosperity she created in Xiliang was like the Jiangnan region outside the Great Wall, which was dazzling to the eyes.
But how long had Mu Wanqing been gone? Only three years at most.
It would be a pity to leave such a great talent unused, and he should not just stay in Xiliang.
Right now, in order to restore the economy and reassure the people after the war, we desperately need talents like her.
His immediate superior, the Minister of Rites, was a well-known old-fashioned man. "How much money did she give you? Bribery is a serious crime, Lord Li. How can you ruin your future for money?"
He casually accused his subordinate of a crime, and the Minister of Rites looked extremely ugly.
The Minister of Revenue also stepped forward and said, "I didn't expect you to be such a man without integrity. I am ashamed to be associated with you. I am severing ties with you today."
The Minister of Revenue was naturally not happy to work with a woman and was criticized by others. "Sir Li, I misjudged you. It's so disappointing. Your Majesty, please punish him."
These two departments had clear attitudes, while the other four departments just stood by and watched.
The Minister of Rites knelt down before the emperor with a plop. "Your Majesty, I guarantee my innocence with my life. Princess Qingping is proud and arrogant. She holds power in her hands. Her words are law in Xiliang and she is deeply loved by the people. She disdains to give gifts."
The Princess of Qingping County prepared local specialties for each person, including four pieces of cotton cloth and four exquisite small round mirrors. This was a proper gift and everyone had a share, so it could not be considered as corruption or bribery.
He said righteously, "My Lords, the treasury is empty and nothing can be done. We can wait, but the people cannot."
Many officials are full of vigor and enthusiasm when they first take office, and they embrace the ideal of speaking for the people.
But as time went by, the officialdom fell into decline and gradually forgot its original intention, thinking only of fighting for power and profit.
His immediate superior shouted, "Nonsense! You are pinning your hopes on a little girl..."
Du Shaoxuan, who had been silent, suddenly became angry, "Who are you calling a little girl? Who do you think you are?"
"Where were you when she worked so hard to make money just to raise food and fodder? Where were you when she turned cotton into an industry that benefited all the people in Xiliang? Where were you when she personally went to the front and led the army to attack Fufeng City?"
He didn't want Mu Qingwan to leave Xiliang and out of his sight, so he remained silent.
But, humiliating Mu Wanqing is absolutely not allowed.
"You guys are inferior to her in everything except jealousy."
The faces of the ministers turned red, and they were all furious. "General Du, you are going too far. This is a great humiliation to the important officials of the court. Please, Your Majesty, make the decision for us."
The emperor said lightly, "He is young and speaks his mind. You are old, why do you have to argue with him? Just be more tolerant."
He is too biased and is clearly protecting Du Shaoxuan.
This made the ministers furious. The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue said loudly, "Your Majesty, General Du is arrogant because of his military achievements. He looks down on others and humiliates important ministers in every way. If we indulge him blindly, he will only become too rampant. Will he still have respect for Your Majesty in the future? By then, the disaster of destroying the country will be right in front of us...ah."
Du Shaoxuan could no longer bear it and threw a punch, "I have tolerated you old guys for a long time. You can't share the worries of the king, and you can't speak for the people. You only know how to be jealous of others' talents. What use is there for you? I let you sow discord and throw dirty water on me."
"This punch is for the people of the world. This bastard is a disaster for the people and only knows how to plunder the people's blood and sweat."
"This punch was delivered on behalf of the Qingping County Lord. Who do you think you are to humiliate her? You are just an old loser. Your jealous face is really ugly."
"This punch was thrown for me. I led my soldiers to fight bloody battles to defend our country. I risked my life to protect you bastards. Yet you are repaying me with ingratitude. You should be torn into pieces by the rebels."
He was furious. What a bunch of old people who were just occupying their positions and doing nothing.
He grabbed the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and punched him again and again, enjoying the beating very much.
The civil and military officials around didn't dare to step forward to stop the fight, there was murderous intent!
After all, he was a man who had just come back from the battlefield, and his aura was particularly terrifying.
The left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue felt severe pain all over his body and felt that he was going to be beaten to death by Du Shaoxuan. He screamed in fear, "Your Majesty, help me."
The emperor then spoke slowly, "Okay, calm down, we are all colleagues in the same court, we should get along well and stop fighting."
This is neither painful nor itchy. It turns a one-sided beating into a two-way fight, and the implication of favoritism is obvious.
Du Shaoxuan then withdrew his hand and threw the muddy Zuo Shilang away. "Your Majesty, I listen to you. If you say no, then no."
But I am still acting like a good kid, so shameless.
Both of you cousins are shameless.
The emperor stood up and said, "Alright, let's all go. Du Shaoxuan, come with me."
Just like that, everyone stared blankly at Du Shaoxuan, the one who beat someone, walking in with the emperor in a swagger, while the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue lay motionless as if he were dead.
As soon as he entered the imperial study, the emperor glared at Du Shaoxuan fiercely. Before he could say anything, Du Shaoxuan spoke first, "Your Majesty, I was impulsive. Please punish me."
The emperor was furious. "You have such a bad temper. Do you know how many people you have offended just now?"
This kid only knows how to offend people, and he doesn't even have time to clean up his mess.
Du Shaoxuan asked confidently, "So what? They teamed up to bully the Princess of Qingping County."
The emperor had mixed feelings. "Is she so important?"
"Yes, it's half of my life." Du Shaoxuan blushed a little embarrassedly after he finished speaking, and glanced at him cautiously, "Of course, the emperor is the most important, don't be jealous."
The emperor was neither angry nor annoyed. He picked up the teacup on the table and threw it at him, "Get lost."
Du Shaoxuan did not dodge, but easily caught the teacup and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, how about you just follow the wishes of the court officials and not transfer Princess Qingping to the capital? She has made great achievements in Xiliang and benefited the soldiers and civilians at the border. No one dares to make her angry, and she is living a happy life."
The emperor knew his thoughts too well and sighed softly, "Shaoxuan, I know you don't want Princess Qingping to be too far away from you. But, the overall situation is more important. The court needs her very much, and the common people need her even more."
Du Shaoxuan was furious when he thought of the civil and military officials in the court. "Among so many officials, there is no one more suitable than Mu Wanqing? That's impossible."
He couldn't bear to see Mu Wanqing suffer any injustice. These officials were not easy to deal with.
The emperor tried to make adjustments for a long time, but those who were capable had no impartiality, while those who were impartial were pedantic and incompetent.
It was really difficult for him. "She made tens of millions of taels of silver a year, and donated two million without hesitation. She also paid for the military expenses without hesitation in times of crisis. She was the only one in the world who had a sense of justice in her heart and was loyal to the people and the country."
It's so rare to find someone who is capable, clear-headed, and passionate.
He counted all the civil and military officials in the court, and none of them was more outstanding than her.
What made him pay more attention was that she laid the foundation for Xiliang for the next few decades in just two years. Cotton alone was enough to allow the military and civilians of Xiliang to live a good life.
How could such a brilliant person be buried?
He suddenly remembered something, "How much do you know about corn?"
Du Shaoxuan licked his lips subconsciously, "It's delicious, I ate a lot. Ah, it's not that I don't want to offer it to you, it's just that the road is too inconvenient, and I'm afraid that this sacred item will fall into the hands of others. Wanqing said that if there is anything good, I will leave a portion for you."
"Of course, my Wanqing thinks of me first when she has something good. I am always the first one to eat good things."
Emperor: ...You only know how to eat! Where's your brain?
This show of affection is so disgusting, it's unbearable to watch.
Du Shaoxuan rolled his eyes, "Your Majesty, why don't you reconsider it? All the civil and military officials disagree."
"Do I still need to see their expressions?" The emperor glared at him. "Go and greet the Queen Mother. She hasn't slept well these days and is worried about you every night. Let her see you with her own eyes and let her feel at ease."
"Okay."
Watching him run out, the emperor's mouth twitched, "This brat, ah, I still have to find a way to clean up after him, he hasn't made any progress in these years."
He was used to cleaning up his cousin's mess, and it became a habit. He said this with a smile in his eyes.
He was very happy that his cousin was still close to him and still as lively and free as ever.
The eunuch chief said jokingly, "It's because you have always spoiled him that Master Xuan can be so willful. It's his blessing to have a brother like you."
The emperor smiled slightly, "This is also my blessing. I just hope he will never change."
In the Cining Palace, the Queen Mother kept looking towards the door, waiting anxiously.
After an unknown amount of time, a voice came, "Empress Dowager, Young Master Xuan is here."
The Queen Mother was overjoyed and said, "Let him in quickly."
Du Shaoxuan walked in with a smile and bowed, "Hello, aunt."
The Queen Mother grabbed him and looked at him carefully, "Let me take a look, how is your face injured? Does it hurt? Are there any other injuries on your body?"
She was heartbroken and touched her nephew's injured right cheek with red eyes. It was an arrow wound.
Du Shaoxuan hugged her tightly and said in a shameless manner, "It's inevitable to get hurt when leading soldiers into battle. They are just minor injuries, don't worry."
The Queen Mother has always loved this nephew the most. "I heard that you have offended all the civil and military officials? Why can't you control your temper?"
Du Shaoxuan lowered his eyes slightly, hiding the expression in his eyes, and the whole person was very nonchalant, "With you and the emperor protecting me, what should I be afraid of? If you beat me, you can still punish me, right?"
He has already made great contributions and has a good relationship with court officials. How could the emperor not be suspicious?
He decided to be a lone minister, loyal only to the emperor, and not to form cliques or engage in personal gain.
The emperor can also rest assured that their Du army will be able to stand firm in Xiliang.
Never trust creatures like emperors. They may have feelings, but imperial power is the most important.
This is the real reason why Du Jun has been able to survive for a hundred years.
Only Mu Wanqing...is the one he can't give up.
The Queen Mother did not notice her nephew's abnormality. She stuffed food and drinks into his hands with a distressed look on her face. "Yes, with me here, who dares to touch you?"
Civil and military officials suffered a great loss and submitted memorials to impeach Du Shaoxuan, and the impeachment memorials piled up like a small mountain.
As for the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he was really injured and was lying on the bed crying. He was so angry that he instructed several imperial censors to impeach Du Shaoxuan and attack him in every possible way.
He joined forces with several important officials to put pressure on him, and pretended to submit a letter begging for his life, which was essentially resigning from office.
He originally wanted to retreat in order to advance, and wanted the emperor to punish Du Shaoxuan so that he could vent his anger.
If this matter is let go, who will take it seriously?
Unexpectedly, the emperor actually agreed!
He also issued an imperial decree, allowing Qingping County Princess Mu Wanqing to take over the position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
Mu Wanqing was originally the deputy commander, a third-rank official, and the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue was also a third-rank official. Although they seemed to be of the same rank, it was a promotion from the local level to the imperial court.
The former Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue failed to steal the chicken and ended up losing the rice, and was so angry that he vomited blood.
The world was in uproar.
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