Chapter 475: Seizing the Weakness
Capital city.
Duan Mansion, study.
There were many people waiting outside the door, two of whom were from the cabinet, and two were students of Prime Minister Duan.
These four people are all civil officials who can handle important tasks with ease in the court.
Today they were called by Prime Minister Duan to discuss water control and canal construction in Yizhou.
They looked at the plan and took advantage of the fact that Prime Minister Duan locked himself in his study for half a day to think about it and had already made up their minds.
Suddenly, the door opened, and the person who opened the door was a middle-aged man with elegant temperament and extraordinary bearing. It was Prime Minister Duan.
Prime Minister Duan was about forty years old. He wore a white robe, had his hair tied up, and had a beard. He had a strong scholarly air and was quite elegant. His eyes were as deep and penetrating as the water in a deep pool.
After Prime Minister Duan opened the door, the four of them bowed to him with great respect.
"Come in," said Prime Minister Duan.
The four of them entered the study.
"Everyone, please sit down." said Prime Minister Duan.
The four of them sat down.
The servant brought four cups of tea, then left and closed the door.
"Have you all looked at the plan for building the canal?" asked Prime Minister Duan.
The four nodded.
"What do you think?" asked Prime Minister Duan.
"Teacher, I don't think it's feasible. Building a canal is a huge project. It would be too costly and would arouse public outrage."
"Yes, the treasury is empty now. If we want to build a canal, we will have to increase taxes, and the people will definitely complain."
"The completion of this canal will indeed be a great contribution to future generations, but I think the time is not right yet. We need to wait and see."
"I think building a canal is feasible. The current flood control strategy only temporarily alleviates the flood disaster. How long can it protect Yizhou? Ten years, fifteen years, or twenty years? In ten, fifteen, or twenty years, Yizhou will be trapped by floods again, and the people will suffer. It is better to build a canal in one go to completely solve this problem!"
"Brother Ziyue, we all understand what you're saying. Building a canal is indeed a great thing, but it requires money and manpower."
"Yes, this project is too large. If it's not handled properly, it could lead to disaster! The previous dynasty built temples at great expense to the people, causing widespread resentment and ultimately leading to war and national destruction."
"Brother Chen, I beg to differ. How can a temple be compared with a canal?"
"The flood in Yizhou has been resolved. I think it's all right now."
"I think it's not possible. We should take this opportunity to completely resolve this issue. Who will be able to oversee the construction of the canal in 20 years?"
"What about Chang Yu? He solved the flood problem in Yizhou, but building the canal is even more difficult than the flood problem itself. Can he do it?"
"If he can't do it, who else can?"
The four people did not agree, but three of them opposed the construction and one agreed, so it was obvious that the opposition voice was louder.
The four of them argued until their faces turned red, and they really couldn't come to an answer, so they had to wait for Prime Minister Duan to give a conclusion.
"Master Duan, what do you think?"
Prime Minister Duan pondered for half a day and had already made up his mind.
"Yes, I will push for this matter." Prime Minister Duan said decisively.
Others were very surprised.
"Teacher, the students don't think it's okay!"
"Yes, you need to think twice..."
Prime Minister Duan stretched out his hand, pressed it, and signaled everyone to be quiet.
Only then did everyone quiet down.
Prime Minister Duan took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and said slowly:
"A few years ago, I went to Yizhou, Liangzhou, and Qingzhou."
"From Yizhou, passing Liangzhou, and then to Qingzhou, I saw that Yizhou was suffering from floods. Good farmland was submerged, and the people suffered from cold and hunger. The people were living in dire straits. When we arrived in Qingzhou, we saw that the land was dry and cracked. It was impossible to grow food. There was a lot of wasteland. The people were pale and thin, and they couldn't eat enough every day."
"In Yizhou, the people had worked hard for half a year, and just as the harvest was about to begin, a huge flood came and swallowed everything up."
"In Qingzhou, when the drought was severe, people even exchanged their own children for food. The devastation was so severe that it's hard to describe in words."
"At that time, I thought to myself, the people are suffering so much. How can I solve the problem of feeding the people in the two places? But for several years, I have been thinking hard and still can't find the answer."
"Today, when I saw the plan for building the canal, I was deeply shocked and delighted."
"This is the best solution. It can solve both the flooding in Yizhou and the drought in Qingzhou! If the canal can be built, it will solve the water problem, and the people in both places won't have to suffer so much!"
"Of course, I also understand the difficulty involved. It would be a waste of money and labor to complete. If it still fails after all that labor and labor, it will surely sow the seeds of disaster and bring eternal infamy."
"But for the sake of the people of Yizhou and Qingzhou, I am willing to give it a try. If I fail, I will bear the eternal infamy!"
Prime Minister Duan’s words were powerful.
The four people present were deeply touched by what he said!
They had never been to those two places, so they didn't know the sufferings of the people, but now they suddenly understood!
Even though they originally held different opinions, once Prime Minister Duan said this, they knew what to do.
They are also willing to give it a try. If it fails, they will bear the eternal infamy together!
"We will definitely strongly advise His Majesty on this matter!"
…
The next day.
The emperor had received a memorial proposing the construction of a canal, so he brought up the matter in the court and asked for the opinions of his ministers.
Among them, there were many opponents, and the most vocal opposition came from Zhao Shu's faction.
They believe that this move is a waste of time and money and is totally unacceptable!
The civil service group headed by Prime Minister Duan strongly supported this matter.
The two sides had a fierce debate in the court, arguing until their faces were red.
After failing to reach an agreement on the first day, they went to court the next day to continue arguing about the matter.
In the end, Prime Minister Duan had the upper hand.
The emperor agreed with Prime Minister Duan's opinion and agreed to build the canal!
When the court was dismissed, Zhao Shu looked gentle. However, when he returned to Prince Rui's mansion, entered the study and closed the door, his expression suddenly changed.
With a sweep, he swept all the books and letters on the desk to the ground.
He still felt unsatisfied and threw the cup to the ground.
His chest heaved violently, and his eyes were full of hostility and anger!
At the beginning, he deliberately pushed such a big problem as the flood in Yizhou to the man surnamed Wu, because he wanted him to either die in the flood, or even if he didn't die, he would be severely punished if he failed to control the flood!
Who knew that the result would be like this!
The man surnamed Wu actually controlled the flood in Yizhou. He will definitely be rewarded for his merits when he comes back. Lu Shen was originally his man, but now he has been dismissed from his position as county governor!
Two months ago, he would never have imagined that his plan would have the result it has today, causing him to lose both his wife and his army!
Now, that person proposed to build a canal again, and Prime Minister Duan actually stood on his side, and his father actually agreed!
He lost another game.
Zhao Shu kicked the desk hard.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Your Highness, it's me." A gentle voice sounded.
Zhao Shu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened his eyes again, the surging emotions had subsided a little.
Zhao Shu pushed open the door and looked at the beautiful woman standing outside. He smiled slightly and asked, "Why is the princess here?"
The woman outside the door was called Jinse. She was the eldest daughter of the Duke and also the most beloved daughter of the Princess. They got married half a month ago, and Jinse was now the Princess of Rui.
"I saw that Your Highness was working hard, so I made chicken soup for him," said Jinse.
Zhao Shu took the chicken soup from her hand and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Princess."
Jinse looked towards the chaotic study room. "Is there something on your mind, Your Highness?"
Zhao Shu's eyes flashed, as if he had thought of something, and he revealed some real emotions in front of her.
"I feel depressed."
"Your Highness, let me help you clean up your study," Jinse said.
"Just let the servants clean it up."
"Your Majesty, I have married you. Husband and wife are one. I will definitely share your worries."
Zhao Shu's eyes flashed slightly, and he took two steps back to let her in.
Jinse bent down, picked up the books that fell on the ground, and cleaned up the broken pieces of teacup, very carefully.
Zhao Shu looked at her back with a thoughtful expression.
Zhao Shu married Jinse because she was the eldest princess's favorite adopted daughter. By marrying her, he would gain the princess's support, overpowering the sixth brother. Jinse was also a disciple of the palace's sage doctor, whom the emperor trusted greatly...
Marrying her would mean gaining two great helpers.
If she marries me, she will have to rely on me, and we will prosper and suffer together.
His princess is very smart and sees things very clearly.
Jinse packed up her things, and Zhao Shu had already finished drinking the chicken soup.
"Your Highness, can you massage your shoulders for me?" Jinse asked.
Zhao Shu nodded.
Jinse rubbed him with great technique, and Zhao Shu felt much more comfortable.
"What is your Highness worried about?" Jinse asked softly.
Zhao Shu told what happened today.
After Zhao Shu finished speaking, Jinse laughed softly.
"Why is the princess laughing at me?"
"Your Highness is a descendant of the royal family. Minister Wu is just a small figure and is not worth Your Highness's trouble. Your Highness is actually exalting him by doing this." Jinse said.
These words made Zhao Shu feel very comfortable, and the annoyance in his heart was reduced a lot.
Yes, what about that guy with the surname Wu?
It's not worth his concern at all.
He wanted the supreme position, so why would he bother with the little people?!
"But even if it's small grasshoppers or mosquitoes flying in front of people all day long, it's very annoying," said Zhao Shu.
"Then beat him to death." Jinse said softly, her expression gentle, but her words were cruel.
"How to shoot?" Zhao Shu asked.
"The journey from Yizhou to the capital is long, and there are bound to be bandits or robbers along the way..." Jinse said.
Send someone to assassinate?
This strategy is direct and most effective.
"What if this plan doesn't work?" Zhao Shu continued to ask.
"Hit the snake at its most vulnerable part." Jinse said.
Zhao Shu's eyes were filled with growing interest. "Princess, where do you think this snake's weak spot is?"
"His four children are still young..."
"Young people are easy to bully." Zhao Shu finished for her.
If a child is young and easy to bully, then you can make a big fuss about it.
Jinse smiled without saying anything.
The more Zhao Shu listened, the happier he became, and the dark clouds in his heart completely dissipated.
He had also reached a dead end. He regarded the man surnamed Wu as a great enemy, but that man was not worthy at all!
That person has a weakness, just seize it.
This princess really pleases him.
Zhao Shu grabbed Jinse's hand, held her in his arms, held her slender waist, and kissed her.
There was a misty light in Jinse's eyes, and she was soft and mellow in his arms.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com