Wang Ziru's lips twitched, and he was about to argue, but Qin Yu didn't even look at him, waving his hand and ordering, "Tan Wu! You're in charge of the Ministry of Revenue! Go and handle this matter, make sure the national debts are redeemed on schedule!"
As soon as he finished speaking, no one responded. Qin Yu put on a surprised look, as if he had just realized that Tan Wu had not come to court today.
"Where is Tan Wu? Why didn't he come to court today? He didn't even ask for leave from me. He's utterly lawless!"
Upon hearing this, Sima Lie immediately stood up and hurriedly made up a story: "Your Majesty, please calm down... It's because... it's because Minister Tan is unwell and has been recuperating at home for the past few days. He has already asked for leave from me, but I have been busy with official duties and haven't had time to report to Your Majesty yet."
He certainly couldn't reveal that Tan Wu had fainted from grief over his father's death! He could only make up a reason to fool him.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu seemed to suddenly realize something and immediately frowned, saying, "Hmm? Minister Tan is ill?"
"If the disaster relief funds are stolen and the national debt becomes unpayable, Minister Tan cannot be allowed to fall! Quickly! Issue my imperial edict to have the imperial physician go and take a look at him, and prepare some tonics to send to Minister Tan's residence so that he can be properly examined."
As he spoke, Qin Yu yawned repeatedly and waved his hand impatiently: "The matter of national debt is settled! Court adjourned!"
Upon hearing this, everyone respectfully bowed and took their leave.
After the court session ended, Wang Ziru gathered with a group of ministers.
Their faces were all filled with sorrow.
"This tyrannical ruler has broken his promise and is refusing to repay the national debt. What are we to do?"
"Yes, all that money used to buy government bonds was earned through corruption over most of our lives, and now it's all been exchanged for useless pieces of paper!"
"Well... let's just ask Prime Minister Sima to intervene and seek justice for us. This foolish emperor always listens to the prime minister without question..."
A group of officials sighed and looked worried, as if it were the end of the world.
Hearing the words of the crowd, Wang Ziru was filled with rage.
After gritting his teeth and frowning in thought for a long time, he suddenly raised his head and said resentfully, "What's the use of finding the Prime Minister? I think this matter is also related to Prime Minister Sima."
"Youzhou is currently defending against the Xiongnu invasion, and Prime Minister Sima urgently needs money! Once the military expenditure starts burning, it will amount to an astronomical figure!"
At this point, he looked around and said in a deep voice, "Moreover, Zhang Tang is Prime Minister Sima's number one enemy!"
"I see!"
"Prime Minister Sima is indeed treacherous!"
Many ministers suddenly realized what was happening, and at the same time, a surge of anger rose in their hearts.
Sima Lie has gone too far this time!
The national debt is an astronomical sum of wealth, which is also the result of a group of officials' lifetime of corruption and "labor".
In order to seize power from Zhang Tang, Sima Lie betrayed them, robbing them of everything and taking it all for himself!
Anyone in that situation would be furious.
Moreover, Tan Wu claimed illness and refused to attend court immediately after the bandit attack, which seems too coincidental.
Through Wang Ziru's analysis, the officials understood the truth.
Immediately, the room was abuzz with discussion. The officials were filled with righteous indignation, so excited that they wanted nothing more than to confront Sima Lie and demand their money back!
However, despite their loud pronouncements, not a single one of them dared to take any action after all the cursing!
Just kidding, who is that?
Sima Lie!
The entire Great Xia Dynasty was firmly above the emperor. Just thinking about his immense power was enough to make one's legs tremble with fear!
They wanted to dismember Sima Lie, but they were afraid that they would be torn apart before they even reached him!
The assembled officials were extremely frustrated, wanting to get their money back but to no avail.
Are we just going to let all this hard-earned money go down the drain?
Observing their troubled expressions, Wang Ziru seized the opportunity to offer a solution.
"Fellow colleagues, Prime Minister Sima is not easy to reach, but we can still go to that tyrannical emperor to ask for money!"
"Didn't he say the Ministry of Revenue should repay it? Who cares if the Ministry of Revenue has money or not? The emperor's word is law. Let's use that foolish emperor's golden words to ask for the money!"
Everyone's eyes lit up; they immediately realized this was a good idea.
They dared not provoke Prime Minister Sima and his ilk, but they dared to mess with Tan Wu!
Meanwhile, on the other side...
After being comforted from the inside out by several beautiful concubines, Tan Wu, who had lost his father, gradually awoke from his grief.
However, a somber atmosphere still permeated the Tan family mansion from top to bottom. Upon seeing this, Tan Wu immediately began to reprimand the servants.
"I'm still alive and well, aren't I? Why are you all wearing such long faces! Go do what you're supposed to be doing!"
"Where's the kitchen? I'm starving! Prepare the best food and drinks and bring it on!"
Soon, plates of luxurious food were placed on the table. Tan Wu picked up his chopsticks and began to wolf down his food!
The servants who knew the inside story looked at each other in bewilderment.
Goodness, there's not a trace of grief over the death of her father. She's got a really big heart; she can actually eat this!
Little did they know that Tan Wu had gone through a mental struggle and his mindset had already changed.
Staring at the delicious food in front of him, he looked at it as if it were a hateful enemy.
Now that my father is dead, there's no point in being sad anymore.
Instead of turning this grief and anger into strength, let's make a big profit!
This can be considered a way to comfort my father's spirit in heaven!
Just as they were busy making a quick buck, the steward rushed in to report.
"My lord! Imperial Physicians Liu and Zhang have come to examine you!"
"The two of them? To treat me?" Tan Wu frowned, his old face full of doubt as he asked.
The steward hurriedly explained, "You didn't go to court today because Prime Minister Sima said in court that you were unwell and had requested to leave. His Majesty, out of compassion for you, specially sent an imperial physician to see you!"
"What? Quick! Go and stall them for a bit!"
Tan Wu was greatly alarmed upon hearing this.
He doesn't have any illness at all; this absolutely cannot be discovered.
The crime of deceiving the emperor would truly displease that tyrannical ruler, and might even lead to the discovery of more serious crimes, including the death of his own father!
He hurriedly wiped the grease from his mouth, then ordered the servants to clean up the food. After taking off his clothes, he lay down on the sickbed.
"Ouch……"
A piercing scream echoed throughout the mansion. The two imperial physicians were startled as soon as they entered, exchanged glances, and bowed respectfully.
"We have been entrusted by His Majesty to come and treat Minister Tan's illness."
Tan Wu pretended to be weak, half-closing his eyes, and continued to groan.
"Then let's go!"
The medicine box was placed aside, and the two imperial physicians worked together to roll up his sleeves. Seeing how serious his condition was, they carefully examined his pulse and diagnosed his illness!
Tan Wu's acting in bed was quite good; if the servants hadn't known, they probably would have been fooled too.
But he was extremely panicked. How could he not know if he was sick or not?
Sure enough, after diagnosing for a long time, the two imperial physicians looked at each other in bewilderment.
"There's nothing wrong with that."
"Yes! Minister Tan's health is fine except for a normal arrhythmia."
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