Chapter 308 Decision-making (Part 2)
At this moment, Wen Tingkuan stepped forward and raised his tablet to express his agreement.
"Your Majesty is wise! I second this motion! Su Shaoyin does have his strengths, but they are often overlooked. Your Majesty has a keen eye for talent and employs people in a flexible manner. I believe this is a good strategy to break the impasse in the southwest."
Chief Censor Cui Chongli, who was the first to oppose, and Left Vice Minister Luo Fuyang of the Ministry of Justice looked at each other in confusion.
The two opened their mouths, but ultimately said nothing.
Yan Shixu took it all in, and his gaze finally fell back on Su Muyang, with unprecedented solemnity and expectation:
"Su Shaoyin, this trip to the southwest is no joke. I'm giving you this opportunity because I trust your agility to handle the situation, your understanding to keep the people safe, and your ingenuity to break the deadlock. Put all your thoughts and ideas to good use! I want to see that you, Su Muyang, can shoulder the responsibility of protecting the lives of the people and maintaining peace on the border!"
Under the watchful eyes of Yan Shixu and all the civil and military officials, Su Muyang reflected deeply on himself.
Maybe, probably, or perhaps he was really too careless in the past?
He took a deep breath, straightened his chest, lifted the front of his official robe, and knelt down facing the dragon throne.
"Your Majesty, I, Su Muyang, accept your command and express my gratitude! This time, as I journey to the southwest, I will tirelessly work alongside General Luo! I will live up to your majesty's trust! I will live up to our country! I will live up to the people of the southwest!"
Yan Shixu nodded deeply.
"I am waiting for your victory report!"
"Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel."
"I'm here." Wen Tingkuan and Yue Pengfei stepped out again.
"The medicinal materials and mountain fodder supplies needed for epidemic prevention in the southwest are ranked first, second only to those in the north, and must be fully guaranteed. The Ministry of Personnel will immediately send an urgent letter, 800 miles away, to all officials in the southwestern prefectures, urging them to fully cooperate with General Luo and Su Shaoyin. Anyone who shirks responsibility, neglects their duties, or delays military operations will be executed first and reported later."
"I obey your command." The two men responded in unison.
Yan Shixu's gaze finally fell on Yan Shilin and Yan Shicheng.
"King Lin, King of the City."
"Your humble servants are here!" The two princes stepped out solemnly.
"I appoint you two as Imperial Commissioners, responsible for suppressing banditry, combating corruption, and carrying out reconstruction efforts along the Kanto coast. Hold the Imperial Sword and conduct an inspection tour on behalf of the Emperor. Set out immediately."
"First, strictly investigate officials and salt merchants who collaborate with the enemy. No matter who their backers are, or how deep their connections are, we will thoroughly investigate and eradicate them. Any confiscated property will be used primarily to provide relief to the wounded and injured soldiers and civilians, rebuild the destroyed salt fields, and supplement the navy's military expenses."
"Second, supervise the Jinghai Navy and eliminate the Japanese pirates. We must demonstrate the power of the Dayan Navy."
"Third, instruct the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue to activate the shipyards in Quanzhou and Guangzhou, requisition suitable large ships from the civilian population, and spare no expense to rapidly construct new-style 'Fujian ships' and 'Guangzhou ships'. Purchase high-quality Portuguese cannons and muskets. The Ministry of Revenue will establish a separate 'Coastal Defense Special Account' for the necessary funds, which will be allocated directly by the two of you!"
"If there are wealthy merchants in the Kanto region who are not involved in the case and are willing to help the country by donating money to support military expenses and ships, they can be granted corresponding salt permits and other special licenses based on their contributions. You two will verify and submit your application as appropriate."
"I obey your command! I will do my utmost to eliminate the treacherous and corrupt officials, and revive the coastal defenses in return for your Majesty's help."
…
Because of the emperor's decrees, today's court seemed particularly solemn and dignified.
After everything was arranged, Yan Shixu's gaze once again swept across all the civil and military officials in the room.
"This is a national war, a matter of life and death for the nation. My dear ministers, each must fulfill his duties, diligently perform his duties, stabilize the court, and appease the people. All ministries and provincial governments must work together and put aside factionalism. Anyone who shirks responsibility, delays military operations, undermines military morale, withholds funds, or enriches himself, whether he is a royal relative or a high-ranking official, will be severely punished according to the law and executed without mercy! I will show no mercy!"
"Your Majesty is wise and wise!"
All the ministers knelt on the ground in unison, and the thunderous cheers made the beams of the hall vibrate.
"Go, everyone! Act now! I'm here, waiting for your victory!"
The civil and military ministers responded and filed out in a hurry.
The heavy palace doors opened and closed one after another behind them, taking away the tense and heated debate but leaving behind an even more solemn atmosphere.
In the huge Golden Throne Hall, only Yan Shixu was left at this moment, and above the dragon throne was the coiled dragon caisson, which symbolized supreme power but also carried a heavy burden.
Yan Shixu slowly sat back on the dragon chair, pressing his throbbing solar plexus with his fingers.
During his three years on the throne, he did not dare to slack off for even a single day.
Reduce taxes, improve water conservancy, rectify official administration, strengthen the military, and eliminate corruption...
After three years of hard work, the harvest finally paid off. Granaries gradually became fuller, the people felt more at ease, and the border became less turbulent.
However, the strong vitality gained from this hard work was like a cold blade suddenly drawn from its sheath, piercing the delicate balance that had existed for a long time in the surrounding countries.
What the foreign nations saw was not a benevolent and wise ruler, but a huge threat that was rising rapidly and showing its edge.
Fear can unite people more than any greed.
Therefore, Beidi and Nanzhao were so anxious to join forces with the Japanese pirates to invade the border of Dayan.
The light in Yan Shixu's eyes suddenly turned cold.
He took a deep breath and straightened his back again.
"Someone come!"
"The servant is here."
Yongtai, who had been standing in the shadow of the palace gate, immediately stepped forward and stood respectfully with his hands hanging down.
"Pass on my oral instructions." Yan Shixu's voice was as steady as usual.
"Order the Privy Council and the Ministry of War to deliver all reports regarding the southwest battle, the progress of coastal bandit suppression, and the movements of the Di people in the north directly to the Imperial Study, day and night. Regarding all military supply dispatches, the Minister of Revenue is to personally report to the palace before 3:00 PM daily on the progress. Any delay will result in military action!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yongtai immediately went out to convey the order.
When he came in again, Yan Shixu asked, "When will the Imperial Concubine and the children return to the palace?"
Yongtai hurriedly reported, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort's carriage has entered the palace gates and should have returned to Bixi Palace by now. The three young princes have also returned. I heard that Your Majesty met an expedited messenger outside the palace, and I was worried about Your Majesty, so I immediately rushed back."
Upon hearing this, the corners of Yan Shixu's tightly clenched mouth finally relaxed slightly, almost imperceptibly.
He hummed softly, a hint of warmth flashing across his eyes.
"Go to the Bixi Palace." Yan Shixu stood up and walked out.
Yongtai accident.
The situation is urgent. Your Majesty, instead of consulting with your ministers to discuss better countermeasures against the enemy, you still have the mind to go to the Bixi Palace?
But when I think about how His Majesty feels completely relaxed every time he is in the Bixi Palace.
He immediately followed happily.
…
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