But soon, his eyes turned cold.
"What's all the fuss about? I heard it all. So what if there's a major disaster? Every year, how many people don't starve, freeze, or die from heatstroke? Let me provide disaster relief. My money is for enjoying myself, not for those lowly commoners!"
Qin Yu impatiently flicked his sleeve and said unhappily, "Besides, great disasters always pass eventually. Why don't you just let the refugees endure it?"
Liu Guocheng was dumbfounded.
How come this is different from what the young lady said?
Why didn't the foolish ruler cooperate?
And more importantly, how did he manage to say something so outrageous?
In contrast to his stunned expression, Sima Lie almost couldn't help but burst into laughter on the spot.
The pent-up frustration in her heart had completely disappeared, and she looked at Qin Yu with a more pleasing gaze.
Qin Yu seemed nonchalant about their reactions, but with a few absent-minded glances, he had already taken it all in.
He was naturally very satisfied with his masterpiece, which would further reduce Sima Lie's vigilance.
At least it won't make him suspect him.
Admittedly, he had promised Zhao Lan that he would do disaster relief and that they would act together.
But how could he possibly be so obedient?
If he were to agree so readily, it would be strange if that old fox Sima Lie didn't become suspicious.
After putting on this act for so long, I can't let it slip now.
That's why Qin Yu refused repeatedly.
How this play should be performed and how it should proceed must be in the hands of the protagonist!
Liu Guocheng is really anxious now.
If we don't hurry up with disaster relief, what will happen if the disaster victims rush to Longxi?
He has now witnessed firsthand what those starving and freezing disaster victims are really like.
When they fled the famine, they ate as they went, and they ate everything they could find.
If they were to cause trouble, wouldn't the entire Longxi region suffer as a result?
Thinking of this, Liu Guocheng's face turned as red as a monkey's bottom. He didn't care whether he would anger the prime minister or any ministers, and said urgently!
"Your Majesty, we cannot wait! Without disaster relief, people will go hungry, and the victims have already rioted and rebelled!"
"rebel?"
Qin Yu feigned surprise and asked in astonishment!
"Tell us what exactly happened, and stop beating around the bush and wasting everyone's time!"
Liu Guocheng dared not hide it and quickly said.
"The rebellion is indeed true. Huang Chuang, the most powerful rebel leader, has already recruited two or three hundred thousand bandits. If we don't provide disaster relief soon, they might march on the capital."
"What?"
Qin Yu widened his eyes, feigning extreme shock.
He remained silent for a moment, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table, stood up, pointed angrily at Liu Guocheng, and said in a trembling voice!
"You're talking nonsense! How could I have never heard of such a major event?"
Sima Lie's heart sank, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, don't be fooled by this treacherous minister who talks nonsense. I think he's just exaggerating and trying to scare Your Majesty."
Liu Guocheng said urgently, "Your Majesty, this matter is absolutely true. Your Majesty would never dare to lie about it. Moreover, such an important matter can be easily verified by Your Majesty simply by sending someone out to inquire. How could I dare to joke about such a serious matter?"
His speech quickened, even becoming pleading, "Your Majesty, the disaster is severe. I urge you to make a decision soon, lest you regret it when disaster strikes!"
Qin Yu's expression was unpredictable.
Completely bewildered, he plopped back down on the dragon throne.
"Good heavens, if this continues, won't I be unable to even enjoy my peaceful days?"
His tone grew louder and his expression became more agitated. "Minister Liu, tell me what I should do? This time I will follow your advice. Tell me quickly, what should we do?"
Liu Guocheng breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
The emperor was eventually frightened.
Once you're afraid, things will be much easier.
Having figured this out, Liu Guocheng became even bolder.
He knelt down and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the only solution now is to issue an edict for disaster relief."
"Disaster relief? Yes... I must expedite disaster relief, otherwise, if those refugees manage to storm the capital, how will I live a good life?"
Qin Yu quickly chimed in, "Yes, we should immediately issue an imperial decree for disaster relief! Someone, quickly draft the decree!"
He put on an air of eagerness to immediately issue the imperial edict for disaster relief to the whole country, and Sima Lie's face immediately darkened.
He tried to defend himself on all sides, but things still ended up like this.
Now it's too late to say anything.
The tyrannical ruler seemed genuinely frightened, and he had no reason to continue stopping him.
Since we can't stop it, we have to think of other ways.
At the very least, the funds for disaster relief should not be provided by the Ministry of Revenue.
The Ministry of Revenue is now essentially his private treasury. He has a great use for the money and grain in the Ministry of Revenue, so how could he let it go to those displaced people?
Thinking of this, Sima Lie frantically winked at Tan Wu, the Minister of Revenue.
Tan Wu was constantly observing people's expressions and demeanor.
Seeing Sima Lie's signal, he quickly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, disaster relief is possible, but the Ministry of Revenue simply cannot provide the necessary funds and grain."
"How is that possible?"
Qin Yu didn't believe it: "There's still a lot of money left from donating official positions, how could there be a shortage?"
The Minister of Revenue said with a bitter face, "This... we can't raise that much, unless His Majesty can open his own private treasury and allocate a batch of silver from it."
"No, no, absolutely not! My money is all mine, not a single penny can be touched."
He refused decisively.
"What should we do then?"
Tan Wu looked distressed: "Your Majesty, why don't you take some out first, and we'll make up for it later?"
"No! I absolutely disagree!"
Qin Yu jumped to his feet, glared, and began to curse loudly:
"Tan Wu! You scoundrel! What are you up to? I sent you to provide disaster relief, and all you do is keep asking me to spend money. What use are you to me?"
"My money is meant for building luxurious restaurants and gathering beautiful women from all over the world, not for spending on commoners!"
"this……"
When Qin Yu got angry, Tan Wu was terrified. He didn't dare to talk back and quickly retreated.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I know I was wrong!"
He lowered his head, not daring to look at Qin Yu, but in reality, he also put on a powerless posture, as if the matter of disaster relief was out of the question if Qin Yu didn't contribute money.
The officials didn't think there was anything wrong with him; on the contrary, they thought Qin Yu was being a bit too outrageous.
Having amassed so much wealth, yet only caring about his own pleasure and completely disregarding the fate of the nation, who would be willing to serve such an emperor?
Even a fool would probably be better than him!
Qin Yu, however, seemed completely oblivious, continuing his incessant cursing until Tan Wu was utterly humiliated and unable to lift his head.
"Hmph! You bunch of useless people in the Ministry of Revenue have no understanding of my difficulties at all. Do you think my money grows on trees? My money is all hard-earned!"
Yes, it was indeed earned through hard work.
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