The emperor coughed, and Huang Wang immediately understood, stopping his melon-eating. "Your Majesty..."
"Sigh, what should I say?" Huang Wang suddenly stammered, but his mind worked quickly and he soon found something to say. "Winter is coming soon. Although we have prepared some winter boots and cotton-padded clothes for the soldiers, it would be better to prepare more if we are going to go to war."
Hearing them start discussing, Chuan Wencai continued to watch the drama unfold, saying, "My goodness, even the daughter of Prince Rong has given a son to Old Master Zhang! This daughter is only seventeen or eighteen, not even married yet, where did she get a son from?"
The emperor was taken aback. Prince Rong? Wasn't that his youngest brother? Although they weren't born of the same mother, that brother was just a child when the brothers were vying for the throne. By the time he grew up, the emperor's throne was already secure, posing no threat. So, he'd been granted the title of prince so he could enjoy a life of luxury. He'd kept a low profile all these years, almost always staying home, yet he couldn't even raise a child properly, and now he'd gotten one pregnant out of wedlock!
The ministers dared not laugh anymore, for this involved members of the royal family, and even if they had a few extra lives, they wouldn't dare.
However, the Crown Prince no longer hesitated to speak out; he had already gotten involved with the gossip about Prince Rong's uncle's family, and he would have to go and check it out sometime.
This news is too big to discuss today, so they can't continue their political discussions. The emperor, with a dark face, told everyone to go home. Chuanwen was secretly thrilled and thought to himself, "Oh yeah, time to sleep!"
After leaving Ganlu Palace, the Crown Prince nudged Xu Yunfei's arm and said, "Remember to bring him medicine, warm his stomach, and touch his heart."
Zhang Hui, who was walking angrily at the front, froze, then quickened his pace. Anyone who dared to deliver medicine to his residence would be beaten to death with sticks!
Xu Yunfei's dark face turned bright red, and he wanted to explain, but the Crown Prince held him down, saying, "General Xu, there's no need to say more, I understand, I understand..."
Then he laughed and left. Watching his retreating figure, Xu Yunfei was both confused and embarrassed. "Your Highness, what do you know? It's not what you think!"
The black night and the cold wind were like Xu Yunfei's heart falling into an abyss, chilling him to the bone. He stamped his feet in regret, thinking, "Why did you have to look at that sketchbook all this time!"
After returning, Xu Yunfei, deeply saddened by his defeat, decided to thoroughly study the terrain of the Western Regions. He was determined to fight this battle brilliantly and wash away his shame!
Before dawn the next day, Xu Yunfei left the palace while people were still dreaming. He led his men out of the city quietly. However, a man was hiding in the darkness at a street corner. He saw everything and then quietly disappeared into the darkness.
Some went to the frontier with high spirits, while others went to court with a heavy heart.
In the main hall, Chuanwen looked at the officials below and was a little disappointed not to see Zhang Hui. It seemed that he would not be able to see Zhang Qing confronting Master Zhang again today.
The Water Resources Department official stepped out of the queue and loudly suggested repairing irrigation canals to prevent further damage from a drought. The officials from the Ministry of Revenue all looked at Zhao Dajia, who was in charge of money expenditures and had always strongly opposed any suggestion to spend money.
However, Zhao Dajia seemed a bit distracted today, standing there expressionless and showing no reaction to the water department doctor's suggestion.
This is really something!
Yu Heng, the Minister of Revenue, was seething with anger and had nowhere to vent it, so he jumped out and firmly opposed the idea, giving very good reasons.
"Now that the national treasury has finally become a little full, it will naturally be used for the war in the Western Regions. If you want to build an irrigation canal, and when the fighting gets intense and we run out of money, you'll have to come up with the funds!"
Upon hearing this, the Water Department Physician's eyes widened. He had only made a suggestion, but who was he trying to devour with such a ferocious display?
However, since the other person held a higher position, he could only stare helplessly and dared not say anything.
The Minister of Works was furious. What was wrong with him? Did they think he didn't exist? They were bullying his subordinates right in front of him.
So he stepped forward, looking down at the Minister of Revenue opposite him, and said, "Now the merchants in the capital alone have filled more than half of the national treasury. When the various prefectures hand over their share, it will be a huge sum. We won't be able to spend it all even after several wars in the Western Regions. If we don't repair the irrigation canals, are we just going to leave them there to rot? Or does Lord Yu have some other ideas?"
Lord Yu was astonished!
"What did you say! You mean I'm going to embezzle all that money!"
The Minister of Works wiped the spittle off his face with a look of disgust, and chuckled, "I didn't say that. Lord Yu, are you so agitated because you've been exposed and are now angry and embarrassed?"
"you--!"
Lord Yu was utterly defeated in the verbal battle, so angry that he was blowing his beard and glaring. The Water Department Physician's lips curled into a crazy smile. Hahaha, serves him right! Who in the entire court doesn't know that their boss is the most protective of his own, and also the most eloquent? He'll make you furious!
Chuan Wen had originally wanted to take a nap, but this bunch of guys made all his sleepiness disappear, so he joined in the fun. [Let's fight! Let's fight! Lord Yu, wake up! That guy's old, he's no match for you. Don't worry about being extorted, so many of us are watching, we'll definitely testify for you!]
emperor:"......"
The Crown Prince was equally excited: Yes, yes, it's no big deal to be extorted. If you don't have the money, I, the Crown Prince, will pay for it!
The officials: "..." Um, if a real fight breaks out, whose side will they help?
His gaze lingered for a while on the burly Minister of Revenue and the hunched-over Minister of Works, his heart filled with conflicting emotions.
The people in the Ministry of Revenue secretly decided that they still had to help their boss. Although the Minister of Works was getting old, there were still several young and strong men in the Ministry of Works who looked like they were not to be trifled with. They would definitely help the Minister of Works, so they could not let their boss fight alone.
Several of them were already choosing their opponents. Huang Wang thought to himself, since he couldn't fight Chen, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, he would fight the one next to him. He looked thin and weak and easy to deal with. If his small body couldn't handle him, Chen could take care of him.
Just as everyone was choosing their opponents, their eyes sparking with excitement, Chuanwen's inner thoughts were heard.
[To be honest, Minister of Works, you're already so old, you should give way to Lord Yu. After all, his youngest son was given away by his wife to Master Zhang. He's going to steal in the middle of the night, and he even stole the wrong one—how pitiful!]
Just as Minister of Revenue Yu was about to spit on Minister of Works, he heard Chuanwen's heartfelt words and slipped, falling flat on his face right at Minister of Works' feet.
He spat at someone, but ended up wishing them an early Happy New Year!
The Minister of Works was delighted and kept helping him up, even pretending to reach for his red envelopes. "Oh dear, look, I didn't bring any New Year's money with me. I'm just making a fool of Lord Yu for nothing, hahaha, Lord Yu, please get up quickly."
Lord Yu was filled with hatred and shame!
Chuanwen shook off the Minister of Works' hand and sighed, "That Lord Yu is something else. If he hadn't stolen the wrong son, he would have had a reason to blame his wife. Now look what's happened! He can't even recognize his own son, and his wife has turned the tables on him. Last night, she threw him out, blanket and all, hahaha."
Oh... wasn't this supposed to be a tone of pity and sympathy? How did it turn into mockery?
The emperor showed no sympathy, but instead gloated. Yu Heng, who can escape the wrath of Heaven? You were so unwilling to build me a palace!
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