After listening to the emperor, Yan Huisheng grasped his intention.
His benevolent father, the Emperor, had been supporting his two elder brothers over the years, and the silver in the Ministry of Revenue had been nearly depleted. He previously did not know about Su Rong and had no intention of going to war with Dawei, thus he freely expended money. The royal treasury kept bleeding funds either to the Marquis Nanping Residence or to the Pingxi General’s Residence.
Now, knowing about Su Rong, and with the imperial edict brought by Ye Guixue from the Nanchu King, Daliang must prepare for war. This will require substantial military expenditures from the national treasury, catching him by surprise.
Unable to provide the silver, his benevolent father summoned him.
Yan Huisheng looked at the emperor, "Father, what do you wish to speak with your son about?"
The emperor gazed back, "I’ve already spoken with Feng Chang. The silver stored in the Ministry of Revenue can’t support a war. But judging from the attitude attached to the decree delivered by Ye Guixue, the Nanchu King is firm in his intent to restore Su Rong’s rights and privileges. So, I want to hear your thoughts. What do you think we should do?"
Yan Huisheng turned to the Minister of Revenue. "Minister Feng, how much silver is left in our national treasury?"
Feng Chang tremblingly held up one finger, "Answering Your Highness the Crown Prince, there’s less than ten million taels remaining."
The colossal national treasury of Daliang, with less than ten million taels of stored silver, was a colossal joke. An average wealthy merchant might even be able to produce a million taels of silver.
Yan Huisheng continued staring at Feng Chang, his glance making Feng Chang wish he could bury his head in the ground. Yan Huisheng silently turned back around, wordlessly turning his gaze to the emperor.
After much effort, the emperor managed a semblance of composure, but under Yan Huisheng’s silent stare, he also struggled to maintain a semblance of dignity. As the emperor, he had to maintain his dignity and composure in front of his son.
However, Yan Huisheng remained quiet. After stealing another glance at the emperor, he turned away and said, "Lord Feng, would you mind looking into where the treasury’s silver has gone in these past few years, apart from disaster relief?"
Feng Chang was acutely aware of where the silver had gone. His Majesty was also aware and he believed the Crown Prince was as well. However, since they stated it outright, the Crown Prince must have had an ulterior motive. He struggles to answer, "Even if we find out where it went, we can’t take it back."
Yan Huisheng replied, "Whoever used a large amount of treasury silver should contribute the equivalent or correspondingly to the treasury. Furthermore, if the state has a need and they have sufficient resources, they should be the first to step forward."
Feng Chang praised silently. The Crown Prince was informing the emperor that the elder princes and their related parties had taken the silver and needed to pull their weight. They shouldn’t only look to him to solve problems when things go wrong; they should bring out those who benefitted from the emperor’s support and make them contribute as well.
He covertly glanced at the emperor.
Naturally, the emperor was not a fool. He understood Yan Huisheng’s meaning and nodded gravely. "You are correct, Crown Prince. Feng, investigate this matter, then report back to us."
Feng Chang agreed.
The emperor turned to Yan Huisheng again. "Even if we do this, I fear it can only resolve this immediate dire crisis. But it’s not a permanent solution."
Yan Huisheng, of course, knew this. He offered another piece of advice. "Father, it is time to purge the court."
The emperor knitted his brows. "How exactly should we go about this purge?"
Yan Huisheng suggested, "Once the Rui’an King’s large cases have been thoroughly investigated, I hope that father will not show any mercy. Those with the financial ability to breed rebellion in the city by maintaining a force of dead soldiers should have their properties confiscated. I fear that doing so would fully replenish our national treasury."
The emperor abruptly sat upright.
Yan Huisheng looked at the emperor. "Father, during his late years, the previous emperor’s reign was ruined due to his compassionate and lenient nature, letting corruption run rampant and damaging the state apparatus. You are still in your prime. It’s not too late for Daliang’s political structure to be saved. I hope that father won’t repeat the previous emperor’s grave mistake, regretting it when it’s too late."
Hearing him say that he’s in his prime, the emperor felt a chill. His greatest fear was growing old while his son grew stronger with each passing day, preparing to take his place. The thought wasn’t a pleasant one and it was the main reason why he detested Yan Huisheng in recent years. But now, standing before him, telling him he’s still in his prime, was he insinuating that he had no need to guard against his own son being an enemy?
The emperor scrutinized Yan Huisheng.
Yan Huisheng’s gaze remained indifferent as he met the emperor’s.
An unspoken tension flowed between father and son.
After a long silence, the emperor relaxed his drawn face, turning to Yan Huisheng, "You are correct."
Before the former Emperor passed away, he issued an Edict of Self-Reproach and called him to the deathbed, advising him not to follow suit. Yet, after so many years, he had conveniently forgotten about the former Emperor’s dying admonition, and the critical moment when Daliang trembled on the verge of disaster.
The Emperor’s breathing became heavier. He stood up slowly, patting Yan Huisheng on the shoulder, "I will urge Rui’an King to conclude the case as soon as possible. From today, you will be co-managing the Ministry of Revenue! Make sure to replenish the coffers as soon as possible."
Yan Huisheng nodded, "Your servant obeys the decree."
These past years, the Emperor held the Ministry of Revenue tightly, rejecting any requests from the Eastern Palace and the Duke Residence. He was overly generous to others. Yet now, with an impoverished treasury, he had finally ceded control over the Ministry of Revenue.
After leaving Mingde Hall, Yan Huisheng didn’t feel quite relieved but rather somewhat weighed down instead.
Feng Chang caught up with Yan Huisheng, asking tentatively, "Crown Prince, are there any other methods to replenish the Ministry of Revenue?"
Yan Huisheng glanced at him, "Isn’t that something Minister Feng should think about?"
Feng Chang was choked.
Yan Huisheng continued walking at a leisurely pace.
Feng Chang followed at a similar pace, believing that the Crown Prince was his lifeline now. Since the Emperor wouldn’t let him retire, he feared he would be struggling with finances for a long period.
On reaching the palace gate and about to board the carriage, Yan Huisheng finally turned around, leaving Feng Chang with these words, "Minister Feng, you should visit my eldest and second brothers more often. It’s useless to follow me."
Leaving behind these words, Yan Huisheng boarded his carriage.
Feng Chang felt despondent. As he watched Yan Huisheng’s carriage depart, he racked his brains. True, it was easy to demand silver from the treasury, but if he was forced to draw from his own pockets, he would never agree. How could he afford it?
But another thought, if he couldn’t afford it, the emperor still could, and this thought relaxed him.
The Emperor’s activities of today certainly couldn’t have escaped notice. He met with Ye Guixue and the former Duke in the morning, then summoned Minister of Revenue Feng Chang, and afterwards called Yan Huisheng into the palace.
The Crown Prince Yan Li and the second prince Yan Lin were quite restless. Simultaneously, they sent out people to find out what the Emperor had discussed with these individuals. After a long investigation, they found that aside from a eunuch called Yu An serving at the time in Mingde Hall, everyone else had been dismissed, thus nothing could be learned.
And nobody could possibly get anything out of Yu An.
Yan Lin found Yan Li, "Big brother, we can’t just be kept in the dark."
Yan Li glanced at Yan Lin, "Any ideas how to find out? Are you going to pry open Yu An’s mouth?"
If Yan Lin could pry open Yu An’s mouth, he wouldn’t be standing here scratching his head. He looked at Yan Li, "Big brother, why did you stop Ye Guixue today?"
Mentioning Ye Guixue turned Yan Li’s face pale, "He doesn’t appreciate help. I asked him to join us to fight against Zhou Gu and the Eastern Palace, but he refused."
Yan Lin suddenly realized, "He didn’t want to offend Su Rong, of course he wouldn’t agree. Big brother, you were too obvious. You should’ve approached him privately, perhaps he would have agreed."
Yan Li’s face hardened as he thought of Ye Guixue’s expression, shaking his head, "He still might not agree. Nanchu has more than just him to collaborate with. Isn’t the Nangong Family available as well? I don’t believe that the Nangong Family would rejoice to see Ye Guixue safely returning to Nanchu with Su Rong."
Yan Lin promptly proposed, "You’re right, big brother. You should contact the Nangong Family soon."
Yan Li scoffed, eyeing him, "And what about you? You want me to take the lead in everything. Second brother, you sure know how to strategize."
Yan Lin immediately disagreed, "What are you saying, big brother? I will, of course, share every venture with you."
Yan Li stared back at him, "These are your words. Till the Crown Prince is deposed, you and I are on the same side. Remember that."
Yan Lin nodded, "Even without you saying it, I understand. The Crown Prince is a common enemy. Don’t worry, big brother!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
