Chapter 222 is the Neighbor
Although Lu Youming explained the reduction in taxes paid last year, there is still a possibility that he was deceived.
With this in mind, everyone immediately agreed with Yun Yichen's words.
"My dear minister, have you already chosen someone?"
The emperor knew that Yun Yichen wouldn't speak easily, and that if he did speak, it must mean he already had a plan, so he couldn't help but ask.
Upon hearing this, Yun Yichen nodded and continued, "Although the Inspector is in charge of inspections, it is also a good opportunity to investigate the people's conditions. Therefore, I recommend His Highness the Crown Prince to serve as the Inspector, with the newly appointed top scholar Gu Renjie assisting him."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor gave Yun Yichen a meaningful look. He understood that sending the Crown Prince to investigate the people's conditions was a good idea, but was it too hasty to appoint Gu Renjie as the Deputy Inspector?
Yun Yichen naturally knew that the emperor would have some suspicions about his recommendation of Gu Renjie, but he was not in a hurry at all.
"The Grand Secretary is right. As the heir apparent, it is the Crown Prince's duty to understand the people's conditions. Therefore, let the Crown Prince serve as the Inspector!"
After the emperor finished speaking, he did not mention the matter of the deputy inspector, but fortunately, no one present was tactless enough to do so.
After the court session ended, Yun Yichen was unsurprisingly summoned to the Hall of Diligent Governance by the emperor.
"Are you acquainted with the eldest son of the Gu family, my dear minister?"
The emperor's expression showed no sign of unease, as if it were merely casual conversation.
"We're not exactly acquainted; it just so happens that my residence is next to the Marquis of Yi'an's."
Yun Yichen remained calm and made no explanation whatsoever for recommending Gu Renjie.
"Oh? So you are neighbors with Marquis Yi'an? I knew you had a residence, but I didn't expect it to be next to Marquis Yi'an's."
The emperor was astonished as if he were hearing this for the first time. But as the emperor, how could he not know where the chief minister lived, given his importance as a minister?
“Your Majesty, my previous courtyard was really too small. I’m not afraid to admit it, but I’m not young anymore.”
Yun Yichen's implication was that he was of age to get married and have children. In addition, the half of his face that was exposed was suspiciously tinged with a blush, which made the emperor feel a bit curious.
It seems this kid is just a mortal after all! Seeing how stubborn he was, the emperor thought he'd never want to get married!
The emperor had initially wondered if Marquis Yi'an and Yun Yichen had reached some kind of agreement in private, but now it seemed that he had been overthinking it.
Given Yun Yichen's personality, he wouldn't even give him face, so why would he speak up for someone else just because of a marquis's mansion?
“Your thoughts are quite right. You do deserve a decent place to live. You can’t have a wife living with you in a small courtyard after you’ve already married her.”
As the emperor spoke, a smile appeared on his face, and his gaze toward Yun Yichen softened. "Go to the Imperial Household Department later to collect three hundred taels of silver, as a token of my congratulations on your housewarming."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Yun Yichen bowed to the emperor to express his gratitude before following the eunuch out of the Hall of Diligent Governance.
That afternoon, the emperor finally listened to Yun Yichen's advice and issued an edict appointing Gu Renjie as deputy inspector, specifically responsible for assisting the crown prince in all matters in Ganzhou.
When Gu Renjie received the imperial edict, he was still completely bewildered. He couldn't understand how a lowly official who had just entered the Hanlin Academy could be given such an important position by His Majesty.
But when he learned that it was Yun Yichen who recommended him, Gu Renjie almost bit off all his teeth.
Yun Yichen wasn't helping him at all; he was clearly using this opportunity to get rid of him.
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