Chuanwen looked down and saw Zhang Hui's old face deep in thought, seemingly ignoring the officials' argument. No, it wasn't ignoring them; it was more like a disdain on a completely different level, a utter disregard as he pondered his own affairs.
call--
So that's what's strange. The ministers secretly exhaled again, thinking that it's normal for a man to be daydreaming or spacing out occasionally as he gets older. So they all quietly looked at Prime Minister Zhang.
"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."
Zhang Hui stepped forward, first giving Chuanwen a disapproving glance that left Chuanwen bewildered, before leisurely offering his suggestion.
Zhang Hui thought of also getting merchants from the Great Jin Dynasty to donate money. Of course, it wasn't mandatory, nor was it free. Regardless of how much or how little they donated, the court would grant them a quota for officialdom, with each quota worth one thousand taels of silver.
In the present-day Great Jin Dynasty, merchants are considered to be of low social status and are ineligible to participate in the imperial examinations for official positions. However, Old Man Zhang's thinking is not limited by the times. He believes that anyone, regardless of social status, can become a talent sought after by the Great Jin court if they possess talent and pass the examinations. This not only benefits the merchants but also greatly benefits the court itself.
Look, no wonder he's qualified to be prime minister. While others were still debating whether or not to fight, he was already thinking about where the army's funds would come from and even came up with feasible solutions. He truly deserves to be the emperor's trusted advisor.
The emperor was quite proud. "The prime minister is indeed worthy of being prime minister. He can really relieve my worries." Then he swept his disdainful gaze over the other ministers, especially those who were the most vocal in their arguments. His eyes seemed to say, "What use are you to me?"
The officials who were hit by the gunfire all turned bright red with shame, wishing they could disappear into the ground. "Prime Minister, please, please spare our lives!"
Zhang Hui continued, "If you donate 10,000 taels, in addition to a place in the civil service, you will also receive a gold medal for outstanding merchants issued by the court. If you donate 100,000 taels, you will receive an honorary merchant plaque personally written by His Majesty."
Zhang Hui smiled and said, "We have to thank Lord Qiu for this. If official positions can be sold, why can't the emperor's calligraphy be sold?"
To obtain the emperor's calligraphy, merchants would have to rack their brains to bribe the court.
The emperor and his ministers were stunned. If we're talking about who's the best, Prime Minister, you're really something. You even managed to outsmart the emperor.
However, the emperor was still very happy. It was just a matter of writing a few pieces of calligraphy. As long as the national treasury could be filled, he would write as many pieces as needed.
Just as she was feeling happy, she accidentally glanced at the Crown Prince and noticed that Yi'er's expression was so serious. Could there be some oversight in this matter?
"Yi'er, do you have some ideas?"
The emperor inquired, eager to hear the crown prince's insights. His son, Yi'er, had been intelligent since childhood, often offering unique perspectives and thinking of things that others could not.
The crown prince didn't hear him; he was still frowning and deep in thought, as if pondering something very heavy.
The emperor coughed to cover his embarrassment and then raised his voice: "Yi'er, speak up if you have any ideas, and we can all discuss them together."
This time, all the ministers looked at the crown prince, but Zhao Dajia shrank back, as if trying to make himself invisible.
The Crown Prince finally heard the Emperor's question, and, regaining his composure, stammered, "I...I...I didn't have any thoughts..."
The emperor frowned, feeling that the crown prince didn't seem to be without any ideas.
Just as everyone was wondering, a burst of laughter, like a whistle hitting their ears, rang out:
Hahahahahahahahaha
No wonder the Crown Prince always had a sour face... hahahahaha
? ? ?
The emperor and his ministers were all puzzled, but the crown prince's eyes lit up. He had been planning to ask Chuanwen about it after court, and now was the perfect time to listen carefully.
[People painstakingly dig pits, burn ash, and pour manure into composting, only to have it all stolen overnight. Who wouldn't be furious in that situation?]
Composting, composting, composting?!
The emperor's eyes widened in shock, while the ministers all wore expressions of disbelief.
Ever since the Crown Prince confessed to the Emperor and Empress that he didn't want to be Emperor and only wanted to farm, he has let himself go. Before, he farmed secretly, but now he does it openly. He even opened a door in the wall of the Crown Prince's residence and cleared a wasteland behind it.
Because they only cultivated some land and raised some chickens, ducks and geese, and the goods weren't very valuable, the Crown Prince didn't assign many people to guard them, which gave the thieves an opportunity to take advantage of the situation!
The crown prince felt a surge of resentment whenever he thought about it. He had worked so hard, and yet someone was so shameless as to steal even manure. He was determined to find the culprit and teach them a lesson!
The emperor's face was stiff. So, just now, his Yi'er, who was intelligent and insightful from a young age and thought of things that others could not, was thinking about the fact that his compost had been stolen.
[Let me see... Oh, it's Brother Dajia... Brother Dajia, you have no sportsmanship, how could you even steal someone else's manure?]
Zhao Dajia!
The prince's eyes gleamed. "Heh heh, you dung thief! I've found you!"
Fang Daren glanced at Zhao Dajia not far away. No wonder he always smelled a strange, faint scent when he spoke to Zhao Dajia before going to court!
Zhao Dajia had practically shrunk his neck, his heart pounding with anxiety. He couldn't see me, couldn't see me, couldn't see me...
"Father, I have something to report!"
The crown prince immediately stepped forward, his voice resounding.
The emperor remained silent. "My palace is not for you to fight over dung!"
The princelings were covering their ears: "Your Highness, Your Highness, please don't say it! We won't listen! Our prince is the heir apparent, the beacon of hope, a refined gentleman who should be sitting in the court handling state affairs, not a rough farmer digging holes, carrying manure, planting vegetables, and raising geese!"
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