Chapter 284 The Reborn Minister's Famous Scene of Exposing His True Colors (Part 1)
The system's font flickered silently, then burst into bloom like fireworks in the next second.
[Hundreds of tons of millet][Thousands of kilograms of silk and hemp][Thousands of jars of liniment for bruises and sprains][Five hundred iron hoes][Thousands of kilograms of lamp oil]...
Qi Chengming paused, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Everything is good.
Perhaps because these rewards all came from infrastructure projects in Yanshi County, these supplies could be used to help the people of Yanshi County. For the county, which was facing a severe shortage of resources, this batch of supplies was like a much-needed rain after a long drought. However, the drilling rig that Qi Chengming had been longing for was not among them…
"That's enough." Qi Chengming adjusted his mindset. He had almost turned the infrastructure system into a wish-granting machine, so what more could he want?
They've been detached from ordinary people for too long, and they've become arrogant!
Qi Chengming immediately opened the infrastructure map and calmed down for a while in front of the large red area.
One hour later.
The Vice Minister of Revenue, carrying a thick stack of new appointments, greeted Grand Secretary Mu and left dejectedly in front of the Zichen Palace.
How did Your Majesty know that there was another famine in Ji Province?
'They even knew that an epidemic was spreading in Nanjing, so they sent an imperial envoy there.'
'One in the south, one in the north... so sudden.'
The Vice Minister of Revenue pondered for a long time, growing increasingly terrified. This new emperor was truly cunning; his secret guards were infiltrated everywhere. Ji Province bordered the Central Plains, and in previous years, famine there would only become known after it had spread to the Central Plains. Now, His Majesty knew even earlier than they did… From now on, anyone serving under him would have to work with extreme caution.
The Vice Minister of Revenue dared not be negligent and returned to read out the imperial edicts and distribute the decrees one by one.
Zhang Ting and his clerks were extremely busy, urgently verifying a batch of coarse salt to be transported for disaster relief, and he was filled with admiration.
...It has to be Brother Qi, no, His Majesty, who is truly amazing.
Ever since he became an official, he had been trying to record the events of various disasters in his memory and subtly reveal them to others. But since his rebirth, many things have changed, and Zhang Ting's memories are no longer accurate at all.
Who knew that His Majesty, who was clearly not reborn, possessed so many miraculous abilities...
He's much more reliable than him.
Zhang Ting went out to get a new stack of accounting papers. As he passed the government office across the street, he heard a familiar voice inside, speaking sternly and urgently: "What were you thinking? The news about the disaster should be written into the newspaper after the disaster relief is done. What if it causes chaos by being sent out now? Can you suppress those unscrupulous merchants who are making money?!"
Zhang Ting smiled with satisfaction and hurriedly went back to continue working.
...
Inside the Imperial Clan Court.
Before a dilapidated gate, Song Gu spoke slowly and deliberately. Sitting in the center of the courtyard listening was a boy of about ten years old. He had thin cheeks and high cheekbones, and wore a somewhat dirty hemp garment. He listened quietly to everything, his eyes dark and unfocused.
These are the seven commoners who committed a grave crime against the new emperor, were stripped of their princely status, and imprisoned for life.
"I am willing to serve my elder brother!" He seemed to have lost all his pride, and immediately expressed his willingness without thinking after Song Gu conveyed the new emperor's decree.
Song Gu's gaze lingered on the boy for a moment without leaving a trace, and he reminded him: "Seventh commoner, you must address Your Majesty."
The last time I saw him, even though he had been convicted and imprisoned by the emperor of a country, the seventh prince quickly rallied, as if nothing could truly defeat him.
In just a few months, he had become incredibly thin and looked extremely haggard. Even if the Imperial Clan Court had made things difficult for the Seventh Commoner, surely they wouldn't have left him without clothes or clothing? Let alone tormented him to this state. So... what's going on?
Song Gu was somewhat concerned, but he didn't show it, intending to investigate privately. He instructed a minor official to come over: "This is Supervisor Jiang. He will be delivering writing materials regularly during this period, and he will also be in charge of all the documents. The Seventh Clerk can hand them over to him after finishing each task."
"Yes, thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." The seventh servant quickly changed his words and replied, looking extremely docile.
He watched as the head eunuch beside his second brother finally left with some doubt. Once the sandalwood gate was slammed shut again, the courtyard fell into a deathly silence. The minor official busied himself preparing a table for him. Every sound was exceptionally real, brimming with the vitality of living people.
The seventh commoner suddenly gasped for breath, his chest heaving violently with excitement, then burst into uncontrollable laughter, tears welling in his eyes: "...Hoo! Hahahaha..."
My second brother finally, finally remembered him!
At first, the Seventh Prince still harbored an indomitable ambition. Even after being publicly sentenced to permanent imprisonment, he was constantly thinking about how to consolidate his power and accumulate strength like the Third Prince.
But the Imperial Clan Court is truly not a place for humans!
The Third Prince's family members were at least kept together, but he was all alone. Even his personal eunuch had been executed, leaving him completely isolated in the small courtyard. He had to wash and dress his own clothes every day, do his own chores, and empty his own slop buckets... His meals were delivered from outside every day.
That's fine, I'll get used to it eventually. But—there's nobody here!
The Seventh Prince had been feeling uneasy for the past few days. On the fourth day, he started knocking on the door out of boredom, asking for some books to pass the time. The people from the Imperial Clan Court were easy to talk to and sent him some books, but all he had to do every day was read. Even the people who brought him food had cold faces and didn't say more than a few words to him.
Over the months, the Seventh Prince's desire grew uncontrollably. He couldn't help but frequently peek through the gate, disregarding decorum, to listen to the sounds coming from the corridor outside. Sometimes, officials from the Imperial Clan Court would pass by and chat for a bit, and just hearing their laughter and gossip was enough to fuel the Seventh Prince's intense longing.
He also felt that there was something wrong with his head.
What is this? I'm probably going crazy right now!
He was only twelve years old, and the thought of spending his whole life in this situation filled the Seventh Prince with despair.
He even felt that he couldn't last a year, let alone a lifetime.
Thank you, Second Brother… Thank you, Your Majesty… Thank goodness, you finally remembered him! Since my brother wants to use him, he's been working with all his might. We absolutely cannot let Supervisor Jiang be transferred away!
Jiang, a minor official in the Imperial Clan Court, forced a smile and looked at the seventh commoner who was laughing loudly: "..."
Something seems off about this seventh commoner.
From now on, it will just be the two of them spending every day together.
...Steward Song also instructed him to keep a close eye on the commoners, but the problem was, he was a little afraid!
...
The mighty river surged and crashed against the green mountains and steep cliffs on both banks. The merchant ships, weighed down by the water, billowed their sails, and sailed onward against the howling wind.
Many passengers were bored, so they went up to the deck to look at the scenery and occasionally composed poems.
The official at the post station also boarded the boat. He gazed in the direction of the capital, a hint of melancholy on his face, showing no interest in any excitement. In his cabin was a heavy, waterproof wooden chest filled with his travel clothes, with a secret letter tucked among them.
He was usually only responsible for the section of the journey on the water. After sorting and handing over the secret message at the next relay station, he would turn back. The next messenger would then sort the message again and deliver it as quickly as possible, and so on.
But this time was different. Lord Xie of Yangzhou had a secret letter that went straight to the Emperor's ears, which he needed to deliver urgently. This meant he had to personally deliver it to the capital at top speed.
For a powerful minister like Xie, once this channel is activated, the postal relay messengers must treat it as a matter of utmost confidentiality. He had encountered numerous assassination attempts and hardships on his journey, and now, finally approaching the capital safely, he couldn't help but wonder what Lord Xie intended to report to His Majesty…
The messenger was also from Yangzhou. Recently, the price of salt has been getting lower and lower, and salt merchants of all sizes have suffered heavy losses. Several counterattacks have failed, and they will only become more vicious in the future... Perhaps this is a letter asking for help? Otherwise, he would not have encountered so many open and covert attacks.
No matter how he guessed, the messenger remained on edge, not daring to relax even for a moment.
...He will definitely help Lord Xie deliver the letter properly!
Four days later.
Cui, the secret envoy, discreetly entered the Drinking Ice Palace and bumped into Eunuch Cheng, who was hurriedly getting up from his bed.
"His Majesty is still washing up." Xiao Chengzi glanced at the faint light outside and reminded him in a low voice, a strange and solemn feeling in his heart. What happened? Cui Anshi had rushed in to report this early in the morning.
"A letter came from Jiangnan, bypassing the Imperial Guards to be delivered to the Zichen Palace, and requesting that we deliver it directly to His Majesty," Cui the secret envoy replied.
The Grand Secretaries and Minister Qin assisted His Majesty in reviewing memorials daily at the Zichen Hall, handling all matters, large and small, openly. The Emperor couldn't easily hide anything from his ministers. But if one wanted to secretly present a memorial to His Majesty himself… there were ways, and that was the job of Cui the Secret Agent.
Cui the secret envoy remembered that His Majesty and this Lord Xie from Jiangnan had exchanged messages in this way before. However, Lord Xie had encountered something this time, and the message was delivered quickly and urgently. He also encountered several assassination attempts and obstructions on the way.
Cui, the secret envoy, dared not delay and arrived immediately.
"...What letter? Let me see it." Qi Chengming was young and at an age where he was always sleepy. He would wash his face with his eyes closed when he woke up in the morning, and when he heard a noise in his drowsy state, he thought he was dreaming.
Xiao Chengzi glanced at the second-class palace maids serving in the hall and then personally took the copper basin that His Majesty had not yet finished using.
For a moment, only Cui Anshi, Xiao Chengzi, and Qi Chengming remained in the hall.
Qi Chengming opened the letter and recognized it as Xie Zhongyun's reply. He became more sober and, recalling the contents of their last exchange of letters, felt a strange sense of unease.
It seems we're about to get an answer regarding the strange behavior of those officials?
The pages rustled; the secret letter wasn't thick, but it was still several pages longer than the previous thin sheet. The neat and elegant handwriting revealed the writer's character: Xie Zhongyun was a capable and shrewd minister, known for his discretion and composure. He was resourceful yet upright, and Qi Chengming always remembered him as someone who knew how to conduct himself appropriately.
But in this letter...
Regarding Qi Chengming's previous blatant probing, Xie Zhongyun could be described as "clumsy" in admitting everything:
This includes his longing for the new emperor, his frustration at his years of unsuccessful attempts to contact him, and his victory in outwitting the salt merchants by strategizing years in advance using his knowledge. It also includes his intense...jealousy of his colleagues in the capital who could freely help him in the succession struggle and now see the new emperor every day.
And so on.
Xie Zhongyun's writing is subtle and seemingly disjointed, as if Qi Chengming were truly someone he knew intimately, someone who shared the same secrets. Yet, even through a glimpse, the key words revealed between the lines are all spot on.
Qi Chengming was no longer sleepy; he was completely awake from the fright: "…………"
What's the meaning?
What does it mean to know one's situation and, several years in advance, rely on the knowledge bestowed upon one by His Majesty to plan for the salt merchants?
What does it mean that he painstakingly tried to contact the then-unpopular Prince Rui before creating the woodblock print?
What does it mean that all the officials in the capital had this extraordinary encounter, secretly recognized each other's identities, and then helped him seize the throne?
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Author's Note: Xie Zhongyun (with a low-key smile) (then he made a big move): "You guys have been dragging your feet, keeping it a secret until now. I don't know what you're all worried about. I think you should be the ones worrying the most."
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