Chapter 807 The Difficulties at the Grand Court Assembly
Li Sanniang, who was standing obediently with Physician Sun in the Imperial Medical Bureau area, straightened up and stared at the back of Physician Sun's head.
However, Li Sanniang's ears were perked up as she listened to what seemed to be a senior official from the Ministry of Revenue reporting to Emperor Wu on the expenses of this naval campaign.
The Imperial Medical Bureau was not located at the very front, nor at the very back; it was somewhere in the middle, slightly towards the back.
Therefore, Li Sanniang, whose five senses were already very sharp, naturally heard every word spoken by the official in front of her very clearly.
Thus, Li Sanniang couldn't help but sigh in her heart: "To be an official, one not only needs to have a good appearance, but also good eyesight and good hearing."
Otherwise, you wouldn't even be able to hear what people are saying during court sessions.
Another of Li San Niang's sighs was: "War is really expensive! Listen to this, he just asked for tens of thousands of taels of silver. No wonder this official in the Ministry of Revenue has such a bad tone."
The official from the Ministry of Revenue finally stopped talking, while Emperor Wu, sitting on the dragon throne at the head of the table, remained silent.
Li San Niang didn't dare to look up to see what Emperor Wu was dressed like. After all, she already knew that Emperor Wu was a martial artist. Even if it was just an unconscious glance, someone who had practiced martial arts for many years would be able to sense it very keenly.
If Li Sanniang were to peek, Emperor Wu, sitting at the head of the table, might discover that it was Li Sanniang who was spying.
This was Li San Niang's first time attending the grand court assembly, and she felt that there was no need for her to stand out like this; she should just honestly get by.
Therefore, Li San Niang kept her eyes fixed on the back of Physician Sun's head, who was standing about half an arm's length away.
A few breaths later, a voice rang out again in the hall. Judging from the tone, it was a deep, resonant male voice that said loudly, "Minister Yu's words are really unreasonable."
Where in war can you go without spending money?
This is still a naval battle. Although the ships are sailing along the coastline and heading south, it is still at sea, which is not as safe as being on land.
Besides, Minister Yu, the money spent on the war is considerable, but if we win, we can earn several times or even dozens of times that amount.
Didn't His Majesty say at the last grand court assembly that the climate in the south is warm, and it's possible to grow two or even three crops a year? From now on, that area will be the granary of our Great Tang.
Shouldn't we spend more upfront?
Why would Minister Yu say at this time that we have spent too much money on the war?
Could it be that Minister Yu felt there was something wrong with what the sage said?
The official from the Ministry of War stood up and refuted the official from the Ministry of Revenue, who naturally wouldn't sit idly by.
Therefore, Li Sanniang, who was standing at the back, was not sleepy at all. She found it very interesting to listen to the high-ranking officials arguing in the palace.
The debate over whether or not to approve the expenses for this naval expedition lasted for about half an hour. In the end, it was decided that the Ministry of Revenue could approve a portion of the funds, but only after the Ministry of War had won a battle and the Ministry of Revenue had seen a return on its investment. Only then would the Ministry of Revenue approve the remaining funds.
These words were spoken by Emperor Wu from above. This was the first time Li San Niang had heard Emperor Wu's voice so clearly up close. The middle-aged woman's dignified and solemn tone made people straighten their backs and stand obediently.
Before Li San Niang could think any further, Emperor Wu was indeed worthy of being the supreme ruler; even his voice sounded majestic. The high-ranking officials in front had already moved on to the next topic.
Thus, from the initiation of the imperial examinations to the relocation of people from border towns, one policy after another concerning the Tang Dynasty was decided in the voices of the officials and Emperor Wu.
Li San Niang had been standing firmly in the same position for about two hours. Now she felt a little numb in her heels, so she gently rotated her ankles a couple of times to relieve the numbness and pain.
Just as Li San Niang was about to gently turn her other foot, she suddenly heard her name called!
"...In that case, why not take this opportunity to ask Li Mingfang, the medical supervisor, so that our Ministry of Revenue can know whether this salary is worthwhile."
Although the grand court assembly lasted longer and longer, Li Sanniang, who had initially listened with great interest, later became thirsty and hungry, and her legs and feet were numb from standing.
So, half an hour ago, Li Sanniang only kept one ear open to listen to the officials' discussion at the front, while the rest of her mind was preoccupied with when this grand court assembly would end.
Therefore, Li Sanniang wasn't particularly confused when she suddenly heard her name mentioned. She had also taken some of what the official from the Ministry of Revenue had said to heart.
This person started by asking whether there were too many redundant officials in the court and that some should be dismissed. Then he mentioned that two female officials had been added to today's grand court assembly.
When Bi Qionglan of Sinong Temple is mentioned, she is said to be a master of agriculture, and her achievements in increasing wheat production alone are remarkable.
Then they said that another female official was from the Imperial Medical Bureau, but they didn't know what her skills were or what her role was.
That means that Bi Qionglan, the female official, is indeed capable. She knows how to farm, and she can farm well. Increased wheat production means more people can be fed, which is a great thing for the country and its people.
You're a female doctor, what gives you the right to be granted an official position?
What great skill do you have that can compare to feeding people?
At this moment, Li Sanniang, who had straightened up, was thinking: "They're here, they really are here!"
They've specifically named her; if she doesn't step forward and respond, wouldn't she lose face at this first grand court assembly? Even if she achieves something in the future, the other officials will probably still laugh at her.
So, Li San Niang turned sideways and walked out, leaving the ranks of the Imperial Medical Bureau and standing in the wide aisle between the civil and military officials.
"Li Mingfang from the Imperial Medical Academy is here. Please ask the Ministry of Revenue official as you see fit."
Li San Niang looked at the Ministry of Revenue official in scarlet robes standing in front of her with neither servility nor arrogance, and said this, and then immediately bowed.
Emperor Wu, who was sitting high at the head of the table, immediately turned his gaze to Li Sanniang, who had stepped forward below. In that instant, Emperor Wu felt a slight heat in his chest and his heart was beating much faster than usual.
Li San Niang, on the other hand, was not unusual at all. Not only was she not uncomfortable, she also had the time to watch the official from the Ministry of Revenue with great interest. She really wanted to know who this person was and why he had to cause her trouble.
"Hehe, I was prepared! I was just waiting for you to ask me!"
Emperor Wu, seated at the head of the table, gave Wang Da Dang a wink. As expected of the eunuch who had served Emperor Wu the longest, Wang Da Dang immediately understood and turned around, his high-pitched voice ringing out: "Li Mingfang of the Imperial Medical Bureau, step forward and report."
Li San Niang wasn't afraid at all. She stepped forward as soon as she was told to, taking a step as big as a normal man. As she passed by the civil officials and old scholars, she heard someone whisper, "So rude, where is the gentleness of a woman!"
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