Chapter 19 Your Majesty is Mighty!
Lin Yan slumped in the chair, feeling as if his arms no longer belonged to him, like two pieces of seaweed that had been repeatedly twisted and spun dry, hanging limply at his sides.
After gulping down two large bowls of warm tea, the burning sensation in my throat was finally suppressed.
Xiao Che finally stopped, seemingly very satisfied with today's "Miracle Xiao Lin" costume show, a smile playing on his lips: "Since I've given you these clothes, you're supposed to wear them, so there's no need to be reluctant."
Lin Yan responded weakly, "Yes."
[Wear it! Definitely wear it! Change three outfits a day, inside and out! Try to wear it all out as soon as possible, only then will it be worthy of all the trouble Your Majesty has gone through!]
Xiao Che's smile deepened.
Lin Yan caught his breath, and the strange feeling that had been temporarily suppressed by the magnificent clothes and the emperor's favor resurfaced.
He turned to look out the window. The sky was overcast, and the leaves in the courtyard were rustling in the wind. The chill seemed to seep in through the window.
That's not right.
Lin Yan frowned and subconsciously pulled his brand-new brocade robe, which was trimmed with a thick mink fur collar, tighter around himself.
It's only the beginning of September; even if it's autumnal, it shouldn't be this bone-chillingly cold.
This cold is eerily cold; it's as if we skipped late autumn and went straight into winter.
He couldn't help but turn to Xiao Che, his face showing genuine confusion: "Your Majesty, I vaguely remember that today is only the seventh day of the ninth month? It shouldn't be this cold yet. Could it be that the weather is unusual this year?"
Xiao Che was holding a freshly brewed cup of hot tea when he heard this, and his action of blowing on the tea froth paused almost imperceptibly.
He looked up, a faint hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes as he gazed at Lin Yan.
Hmm, they're quick-witted, much better than those officials who only know how to sing praises or bury themselves in their own little plot of land.
Thinking of Lin Yan's intelligence, he remained outwardly calm, still displaying that unfathomable imperial demeanor. He merely nodded slightly and said in a flat tone, "What Lin Qing said is correct. This year's cold air has indeed arrived earlier and is more biting than in previous years."
This weather is really unusual!
Lin Yan's heart sank.
The fatigue and complaints I felt from trying on clothes were instantly replaced by an even greater anxiety.
This is ancient times!
There is no central heating, no down jackets, and no cold-resistant, high-yield crops.
Lin Yan could almost imagine what the fields and thatched huts would look like.
"Your Majesty," Lin Yan's voice unconsciously carried a hint of urgency, "Although the autumn harvest is nearing its end, this sudden cold may damage the crops and affect the sowing and germination of winter wheat. Moreover, the people may not have enough warm clothing, especially the poor, whose huts are dilapidated, whose clothes are inadequate, and whose charcoal and firewood are expensive... If this cold wave is not handled properly, there is a risk of starvation and freezing!"
The more he spoke, the more his brows furrowed, and the story of "The Charcoal Seller" that he had once memorized kept flashing through his mind.
Xiao Che's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Lin Yan's genuinely worried expression.
"It's good that you've considered this." His voice remained steady, but seemed more somber than before. "I am aware of this matter and have already begun to deal with it."
Lin Yan's eyes were filled with astonishment: "Your Majesty has already made preparations?"
He clearly remembered that Xiao Che had recently focused his main efforts on purging the Ministry of Rites, investigating Wu Haimin and that damned cult remnant.
Occasionally, when you go to the Imperial Study, you can hear Xiao Che cursing without using any vulgar language. He's so busy, like a spinning top. When has he ever had time to prepare for disaster?
Are all emperors this awesome?
Is a day divided into 24 two-hour periods?
An indescribable sense of admiration, mixed with shock, welled up within me.
Xiao Che took in the undisguised shock and admiration on his face, feeling pleased, but his tone remained calm, as if he had only dealt with a trivial matter: "When the northern border towns sent urgent reports of the cold air moving south, I ordered the Ministry of Revenue to work with local governments to check the grain stored in the granaries in preparation for any eventuality. In addition, my imperial treasury has also allocated special funds to purchase winter supplies and distribute them to poor households in the capital region and counties affected by the cold."
Lin Yan's eyes widened in astonishment.
The imperial treasury! The emperor's private coffers! Just emptied out like that?
"Charcoal, firewood, and other such items," Xiao Che continued. "I have already issued an edict to the local pacification bureaus to closely monitor market prices. If any unscrupulous merchants dare to take advantage of the favorable weather to hoard goods and drive up prices..."
His voice was slightly cold: "Execute him immediately without pardon."
Lin Yan subconsciously touched his neck and felt a chill on the back of his neck.
Your Majesty is mighty!
"As for the Northern Rong..." Xiao Che's gaze deepened, a cold glint flashing across his eyes. "They live by following the water and grass, and are most afraid of severe cold and disasters. This year, the cold wave has arrived early, and the water and grass in their territory will inevitably wither ahead of time. It is expected that a large number of livestock will freeze or starve to death. In order to survive, their desire to plunder southward is probably even stronger than in previous years. The border generals have received my secret order to take strict precautions, and the beacon towers and scouts dare not slacken for a moment."
This series of arrangements, from people's livelihood to the economy and military affairs, is comprehensive and meticulous, leaving almost no room for error.
Lin Yan was completely stunned, his mouth slightly open, unable to close it for a long time.
He glanced at Xiao Che, then thought back to his own shallow worries, realizing that he had been spending too much time with his lazy colleagues and had forgotten that the person in front of him was the emperor.
Lin Yan's admiration was like a surging river, flowing endlessly.
[Your Majesty is awesome!]
[That reaction speed! That execution! That level of foresight!]
The gap between me and His Majesty is roughly equivalent to a hundred Wu Haimins!
The first leader Lin Yan ever found pleasing to the eye was Xiao Che. This leader was generous and his work was well-organized. Following such a leader would definitely not be a bad thing.
As Xiao Che listened to the undisguised praise in his mind, even as an emperor, his fingertips almost imperceptibly rubbed the warm cup, suppressing the smile that was about to break through his composed facade.
Today's praise, though the words are a bit blunt and rough, is made up of genuine emotion and full of feeling, and it sounds... exceptionally pleasant.
"It's a good thing to be able to think about the well-being of the people and care about the common folk." Xiao Che's gaze fell on Lin Yan's mouth, which was not yet fully closed, and his tone was unreadable. "However, as an official of the court, worrying is useless; one must put it into practice."
Lin Yan snapped out of his daze, immediately snapping back to reality from the shock of "Your Majesty is awesome," and instinctively straightened his back: "Your Majesty's teachings are correct, I have learned from them."
[Yes, yes, the leader is right! Just shouting "666" isn't enough; we need to get things done!]
"So, Your Majesty, what do you think I'd be best suited for? Should I help count silver in the Ministry of Revenue? Should I monitor coal prices at the Equalization Bureau? Or perhaps go north to deliver supplies to the soldiers guarding the frontier? Just one word from you, and I'll... uh, I'm currently a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Rites, so I guess I can't go anywhere else?"
Thinking about the tedious official duties of the Ministry of Rites, Lin Yan always felt that one day in the future, he would grow an extra brain.
Xiao Che heard the subtle fluctuations in his heart clearly and almost couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
That's interesting, so interesting!
"You are now in charge of the Ministry of Rites. All sacrificial ceremonies are related to the stability of the people's hearts, especially at this time. There can be no mistakes." Xiao Che calmly put the reins on Lin Yan's heart that was trying to fly free. "Handling your duties properly is the most important thing."
Okay.
Yan inwardly groaned, but outwardly remained extremely respectful: "Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly perform his duties diligently, managing the affairs of the Ministry of Rites thoroughly, and living up to Your Majesty's trust."
Xiao Che hummed in satisfaction, his efforts to send the cat and clothes hadn't been in vain.
His gaze swept across the increasingly gloomy sky outside the window, and he casually remarked, "It's getting late, let's call it a day, Li Lianshun—"
After Lin Yan finished her dress-up game, Li Lianshun, who had been standing in the shadows like a background character, immediately stepped forward silently: "This servant is here."
"Go and fetch that basket of top-grade white ginseng that Goryeo presented as tribute a few days ago, and have Lin Qing take it back." Xiao Che instructed casually, "The weather has suddenly turned cold, and people are prone to catching colds. Take it to your parents to nourish their bodies."
Lin Yan: "!!!"
Tribute!
His Majesty just gave it away like that? And a whole basketful at that?!
The overwhelming surprise left Lin Yan dizzy.
[Your Majesty is so magnanimous! Your Majesty, you are truly my own Majesty!]
Xiao Che waved his hand, his tone softening slightly: "Alright, get up. Go home early so your parents won't worry."
Lin Yan then realized that he could leave the palace!
During his stay in the palace, he ate, drank, dressed, and lived well. He even had the imperial cat to pet, was promoted, and received various rewards.
Could this be considered a triumphant return home in another sense?
Long live Your Majesty!
A note from the author:
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