Seeing the group of people moved to tears, Qin Yu almost thought he had become a wise and benevolent ruler of a prosperous era, enjoying a harmonious relationship with his officials.
However, Qin Yu was still self-aware.
These people aren't crying because he's alive, but because he's still useful to them.
Otherwise, without him faking his death, these civil and military officials would have found a way to kill him.
Qin Yu did not immediately respond to the officials, but turned to look at An Fu.
Anfu immediately understood and slid to the edge of the dragon bed, pushing aside Sima Lie and Sima Jing.
"Your Majesty, you've finally woken up! You scared this old servant half to death!"
Anfu, weeping bitterly, said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the officials who came have all received the medicinal herbs and gifts they brought. Even those servants who didn't bring anything have been paid silver. The total amount is approximately this."
Anfu raised his hand and made a three-point gesture.
Qin Yu's eyes widened immediately.
With so many court officials, it's impossible that they only sent a mere 300,000 taels of silver.
In other words, he earned three million taels of silver by faking his death today!
It's been sent!
Qin Yu was immediately excited.
Suddenly, his gaze towards the Sima Party officials in front of him became more friendly.
"I have heard the whole story from Eunuch An. I never expected that you ministers would care about me so much. I am truly gratified!"
When it comes to acting skills, Qin Yu is second to none.
In an instant, his eyes turned red and he began to wipe away tears.
Seeing his appearance, all the officials present secretly sneered in their hearts.
They just thought the tyrannical emperor was still useful; otherwise, who would care whether he lived or died?
But this foolish emperor seems genuinely moved.
However, what they didn't know was that while they were sneering inwardly, Qin Yu was also laughing wildly inside.
He made three million taels of silver for free. Even if he were genuinely moved, he wouldn't lose out, let alone pretend to be moved.
"My beloved ministers are so loyal to me, how could I not reward them? Anfu, bring me the imperial edict and record my rewards for you all!"
Qin Yu waved his hand and immediately spoke with great pride.
Upon hearing this, everyone present became excited.
Many of them have brought out their most treasured possessions today. If the tyrannical emperor doesn't reward them handsomely, wouldn't they suffer a huge loss?
After Anfu prepared paper and pen and waited respectfully by his side, Qin Yu began to speak about the rewards.
"Today, all civil and military officials present will be granted yellow riding jackets, a packet of Chinese liquor, a pot of Maotai liquor, and an additional 10,000 national bonds. Their monthly salaries will be increased by one-tenth of their current salaries, and the increase will be paid in the form of national bonds."
After Qin Yu finished speaking, the group of officials who had just been full of anticipation almost stumbled and fell to the ground.
No way! This tyrant accepted so many tonics and gifts, and this is all he gave them in return?!
In the era of the late emperor, this yellow jacket might have been considered a generous reward.
But now that Qin Yu is incompetent and foolish, even if this yellow jacket costs ten taels of silver, no one will necessarily want it.
Many people do like Hua Zi (a type of cigarette), but the question is, how much is a pack of Hua Zi worth?
And what is that Maotai?
As for government bonds, a group of civil and military officials had long regarded them as a monstrous threat.
Whether this thing can be redeemed is unknown. They receive the reward, but they still have to spend money to register the principal, so in the end they are the ones who lose money.
A group of people immediately wanted to refuse Qin Yu's reward.
Before they could speak, Qin Yu said with a sincere expression.
"This is a token of my heartfelt appreciation; my beloved ministers, please do not refuse it!"
These words immediately silenced the assembled officials.
Even if the emperor is just a figurehead, he has already said this, so if they still refuse, then they would be disobeying the imperial decree.
At this moment, Sima Lie turned around and gave a signal to everyone with his eyes.
The courtiers then realized what was happening.
The prime minister is about to seize absolute power, and their current minor losses are insignificant in the face of major events.
The group immediately knelt down to express their gratitude.
"Your Majesty, we thank you for your great kindness!"
Seeing their forced smiles, Qin Yu was secretly overjoyed.
"Very well, my esteemed ministers, please rise."
Qin Yu raised his hand.
Only then did the ministers raise their heads.
"Your Majesty, what is this Maotai you are referring to?"
Just then, Sun Jiachen, standing among the ministers, spoke up and asked a question.
The courtiers also became curious.
Qin Yu immediately looked at An Fu.
"Anfu, go and fetch a jar of Maotai tea, so that I may share a drink with you all."
Anfu quickly retreated.
When everyone heard that Maotai was a type of liquor, they couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Even wine presented as tribute to the imperial palace was nothing special in their eyes.
After all, the Prime Minister's residence has plenty of wines that taste far better than those offered as tribute to the imperial palace.
Before long, everyone saw Anfu carefully carrying a moon-white jar as he walked in.
On the jar, the words "Maotai" were written in large black characters on a red background.
"Gentlemen, this jar contains Maotai wine, which I recently acquired. It is extremely rare, so please enjoy it with me today."
After Qin Yu finished speaking, he instructed An Fu to open the wine jar.
The moment the wine jar was opened, the ministers, who had just been full of disdain, instantly changed their expressions, their eyes fixed on the wine jar before them.
"This...this is the aroma of the wine in this jar?!"
"No, is this still wine? How can wine smell so good?!"
A group of people swallowed hard, their eyes wide open.
They had tasted countless wines, but they had never smelled such an enticing aroma.
Even Sima Lie's eyes widened.
At this moment, a eunuch brought over a wine cup.
Anfu first poured a cup and handed it to Qin Yu, and then poured a cup for Zhao Yan, Sima Jing and the other concubines in the harem.
It wasn't until a group of civil and military officials were almost unable to hold back their excitement that Anfu slowly poured them wine.
Because the quantity of wine in a jar was limited, apart from Sima Lie, other officials could only receive half a cup.
This left a group of people both envious and helpless.
Smelling the enticing aroma emanating from their cups, everyone was itching to pick them up and take a sip.
But Qin Yu and Prime Minister Sima hadn't made a move, so how could they dare to sample it first?
"My beloved ministers, I will drink first!"
After Anfu finished pouring the wine, Qin Yu raised his glass and said.
The officials, who had been waiting impatiently, all raised their wine cups.
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
Only after Qin Yu drank the wine did the assembled officials eagerly raise their cups and take a sip.
Upon tasting this, everyone's faces immediately showed surprise.
"Such fine wine exists in this world!"
"This wine should only exist in heaven."
"A divine brew, a divine brew from the mortal realm!"
"..."
The group of people marveled at the sight, feeling as if they were floating on air.
After finishing their drinks, many people lingered, holding their glasses and inhaling the lingering aroma.
Seeing this, Qin Yu smiled.
The reason he used Maotai as a reward was to promote his products.
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