Chapter 188 Initiative
Even though Imperial Censor Liu had put it so clearly, Xiao Qing hesitated.
Originally, she wanted to ask Fu Mingyi what he thought about this matter again in court.
After all, she did not rule in person, and it was reasonable for her to rely on the advice of the regents even if she did not offer any opinions in court.
But a voice inside her was telling her: once she asked Fu Mingyi for his opinion, no matter what he said, these people would try to pin their grievances on him.
They made thorough preparations; dealing with just Zhao Ziyuan would not be enough for them.
Fu Mingyi suffered a lot while taking her out.
Even though he didn't say it, she knew from their meeting yesterday that he didn't have enough time to recover from his injuries.
Looking at his unusually silent demeanor today...
If he really doesn't want to get involved in this mess...
Xiao Qing felt inexplicably reluctant, yet also felt a dull ache in her heart, as if she had a vague premonition that something would one day lose control and become unruly.
Wang Xiang remained calm and collected, simply waiting for their emperor to ask Fu Mingyi for his opinion.
This is standard procedure.
However, after a period of silence, their emperor took an unconventional path.
"Hmm, I understand this matter. Zhao Ziyuan reported to me that he had not registered his military service with the Ministry of War because I had other plans, so I could not announce it to the public in time."
Not only Imperial Censor Liu, but Wang Xiang was also shocked.
This time, it was Wang Xiang and the others who couldn't sit still.
"Your Majesty..." Imperial Censor Liu had not anticipated this situation and could not think of a suitable word for a moment.
However, some people reacted quickly.
"Your Majesty, since Governor Zhao reported this matter to Your Majesty, why did you have to embezzle the Yingzhou state tax?"
Imperial Censor Liu quickly added, “Your Majesty, this matter is already an open secret in Yingzhou. The people only know that Zhao Ziyuan privately raised elite troops, and they know nothing else. This matter is of great importance. If this precedent is set, and military generals throughout the land rush to follow suit, wouldn't the Great Xiao be in utter chaos…”
Wang Xiangqing coughed. At that moment, Imperial Censor Liu was speaking out indignantly. Hearing this, his heart skipped a beat, and he stopped talking.
“Your Majesty, since the Great Xiao established its capital in Nanhua, Your Majesty has been kind and benevolent, treating military generals well. All the military generals in the world are grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and wish they could repay you with their lives. Zhao Ziyuan should indeed be grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence and correct his own behavior.”
Imperial Censor Liu paused for a moment, then spoke again: "I have heard that a country has laws and regulations, which are followed without being ordered. Your Majesty is the ruler of the people, and every word and deed is an example for them. Although Your Majesty is benevolent, a thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant. I earnestly hope that Your Majesty will not listen to the words of treacherous officials, lest you destroy your own Great Wall and regret it too late!"
Xiao Qing realized she had made a mistake.
She wanted to help Zhao Ziyuan get away with something, but she exposed herself too early. She considered herself a person, but she also had an identity that prevented her from acting recklessly: the emperor.
These scholars have always valued propriety and rules. Her statement is illegitimate and illogical, and these astute people will inevitably suspect that she is deliberately protecting Zhao Ziyuan.
This is troublesome.
She is no longer the clueless child she was three years ago; she can no longer solve problems by throwing tantrums, acting spoiled, or being unreasonable.
She restrained herself from looking at Fu Mingyi.
Do not ask him for help.
calm.
Wang Xiang then said, “Your Majesty, although Imperial Censor Liu’s words were somewhat agitated, his refusal to eat was honest advice, though unpleasant to hear, and he was sincerely concerned for the country. Your Majesty possesses the entire world, and the people of the world will surely regard Your Majesty as the supreme and righteous ruler. Your Majesty must consider this.”
He thought to himself: If Fu Mingyi isn't going to talk, then he shouldn't either.
Once a word is spoken, there's no going back on it.
After weighing the options in her mind, Xiao Qing felt that it was worthwhile to make a small mistake to prevent a bigger one.
Xiao Qing quickly composed herself and sighed softly.
"What you all say is absolutely right. I did indeed fail to consider this matter properly."
Wang Xiang and the others were overjoyed.
"Over the years, I have trusted and relied on you ministers, but I have not studied the laws of the country enough, which is why such a mistake has occurred. I am very ashamed."
Imperial Censor Liu and others felt that Xiao Qing had compromised.
But Fu Mingyi and Zhao Youchen, who were familiar with Xiao Qing, were thinking: What kind of trick is His Majesty up to now?
"I shouldn't have so readily agreed to do such a thing for Zhao Ziyuan. Even if I did, I shouldn't be so stingy as to withhold military funds. Zhao Ziyuan is far too shy; he doesn't even ask for money. My private army should naturally be funded by my own treasury. If he saves money for me here, the training results will be poor in the future. Where does that leave my safety?"
Xiao Qing became increasingly angry as she spoke.
"Isn't this just asking for trouble for me? He truly deserves to be punished!"
The ministers were stunned.
Imperial Censor Liu stared wide-eyed, at a loss for words.
Zhao Youchen kept a straight face. Although his back was to the main hall, he could already imagine how ashamed, regretful, and angry Xiao Qing's expression was.
In recent years, Fu Mingyi has kept too close a rein on His Majesty, and he has almost forgotten how His Majesty behaved whenever ministers made things difficult for him when Fu Mingyi went to the north.
Now, His Majesty has returned.
Someone in the hall couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Xiao Qing, with her sharp eyes, became even angrier.
"why are you laughing?"
"By the way, that Minister of War just now, yes, that was you. I sincerely need to ask you for advice. My private soldiers will be following me in the future, but they are different from the Imperial Guards. Do they need to be registered in the Ministry of War?"
Not to mention the Minister of War, even Wang Xiang was astonished.
Throughout history, emperors have always had a group of people around them who are different from the imperial guards. They hide in the shadows and rarely show themselves.
Everyone knows this is a secret, but it's never discussed openly.
Your Majesty said it so bluntly, this is...
"This..." The Minister of War was speechless for a moment.
After Yu Zaiting was transferred to Jiangzhou by Wang Xiang, he promoted one of his confidants to the position of Minister of War.
This Minister of War usually follows the lead of Wang Xiang, and today he has once again joined forces with Imperial Censor Liu to take the lead.
Xiao Qing remembered that Zhao Ziyuan had said that he had submitted memorials to the Ministry of War and the Privy Council requesting imperial approval, but they all seemed to disappear without a trace and were ultimately denied.
Xiao Qing once asked the Ministry of War whether the distribution of military supplies was timely and sufficient.
Zhao Ziyuan calmly stated, "Three out of ten is already the majority. The situation is basically the same in all prefectures."
If this matter cannot be resolved, the Great Xiao army will be in grave danger when Fu Mingyi decides to launch a northern expedition.
There is always a difference between ideals and reality.
If Xiao Qing hadn't gone out this time, she wouldn't have known what kind of lives the people south of the Xiao River were living, how Fu Mingyi's conscription policy was implemented in the local areas, how the state armies operated, and she certainly wouldn't have felt it so vividly...
The Great Xiao still has many imperfections. These imperfections are not only what Fu Mingyi wants to improve in her ideals, but also Xiao Qing's responsibility.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
