"Aren't the clothes she made beautiful? I just like them! Father, the time we agreed to meet is almost up. I won't talk to you anymore. I'll take my leave."
Han Ruyi smiled and bowed to Han Cheng, then hurried out the door.
"Stop!" Han Cheng's face darkened.
Han Ruyi was stunned. Her father had always loved her the most and had almost never spoken to her so harshly.
She immediately felt aggrieved and pouted, "Father, what's wrong with you? My daughter just wants to go out and look at some clothes, how can that be wrong?"
Han Cheng still had a gloomy face.
There was something unusual about what had happened recently. Although he couldn't yet connect the dots, he had the alertness of a hunter and instinctively felt a sense of unease.
It seems that something is happening quietly.
"You are not a child anymore, but you don't learn needlework or manage the household business properly. All you do all day is dress yourself and put on makeup. Do you look like a lady from a noble family?" Han Cheng scolded.
Han Ruyi couldn't believe it. Was her father talking about her? Before she could even say anything back, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Father, what's wrong with you today? Did your daughter do something wrong?"
"From now on, you should avoid associating with Xie Wanyun. Who is she? Not only is she good at business, but her martial arts skills are unmatched even among the Imperial Guards! You grew up in seclusion, untouched by the trials and tribulations of life, and you don't understand the treacherous nature of human nature. If she wants to deal with you, even ten of you wouldn't be able to defeat her."
Han Cheng finished speaking in one breath. Seeing tears welling up in his daughter's eyes, he couldn't help but feel distressed. He softened his tone and said, "Listen to your father. He will never harm you. If you like her clothes, I will send someone to buy them for you."
How could the person who buys for me know what kind of fabric and style I like? Besides, why would Xie Wanyun pick on me? I'm not trying to steal her business.
Han Ruyi really wanted to scream, but she didn't dare. She didn't know why her father suddenly became so strict, so it would be better for her to be obedient.
I had no choice but to lower my head and agree, but I still couldn't help feeling aggrieved.
At the morning court meeting, the court was filled with civil and military officials.
There was a hint of fatigue and helplessness in Emperor Dezong's voice.
"Everyone is right. Whether it's war or peace, there are pros and cons. While it's good to enhance our national prestige, don't forget, war costs money. Ministry of Revenue, is the treasury still full?"
Minister of Revenue Wu Anzong stepped out and replied in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, the national treasury is barely balancing revenue and expenditure. It is truly difficult to support a war."
General Liu Sheng angrily said, "Isn't your Ministry of Revenue responsible for this? There's no money for anything. Where do you get all the taxes collected every year?"
Wu Anzong sneered, "General, you really don't know how expensive firewood and rice are until you're in charge of the household! Military affairs, family matters, official salaries, which one doesn't cost money? Military expenses take up the lion's share. With so many troops, the cost of food, drink, and toilet paper adds up to a massive sum. Then there are the salaries of officials at all levels, both central and local, road repairs, river dredging, disaster relief... there's so much more to it. Without money, nothing can be done. If you don't believe me, you can go to the Ministry of Revenue and check the accounts. If I, Wu Anzong, embezzled even a penny, I would immediately remove this official hat from my head."
Liu Sheng was tall and strong, his voice resonating like a bell. "You civil servants, all of you are eloquent and adept at making excuses. You don't understand why you're bullying us, the roughnecks who lead the troops in battle, right? But if it weren't for us roughnecks, would you still be standing here talking nonsense without a trace of your hair?"
Wu Anzong refused to give in and sarcastically said, "Of course the general likes to fight, otherwise how could he have been promoted to a noble title through military merit?"
Liu Sheng was so angry that his beard stood up! If he hadn't been in the court and the emperor was still there, he would have raised his fist to beat him up!
Seeing this, the other generals were so angry that they joined the verbal fight one after another.
The civil officials naturally refused to be outdone and retorted. After all, the emperor was here, so no matter how fierce these people were, they wouldn't dare to hit anyone, right?
Everyone spoke passionately, eloquently and incessantly.
The military commanders relied solely on their loud voices, and when it came to eloquence, they were no match for the eloquent civil officials. Some began to grow angry and were ready to fight.
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