Before they knew it, it was the next morning court session. The emperor got up feeling refreshed, having already devised a plan the day before.
First, all the officials paid homage, requesting to speak if they had something to report, and waiting patiently if they had nothing to report.
The Emperor glanced around and, seeing no one had anything to report, cleared his throat and said in a relaxed tone, "Since there are no state affairs today, let's talk about family matters."
The civil and military officials were completely bewildered by the emperor's words, wondering what he was up to, but seeing that the emperor was in a good mood, they didn't think much of it.
"I wonder how all of you ministers are doing? Is your salary enough to cover your household expenses?" His Majesty asked, his eyes gleaming.
Those below were all delighted to hear this, and some even said, "Enough! His Majesty is kind and compassionate. We are all deeply grateful for His Majesty's grace."
"Yes, it's all thanks to His Majesty's excellent governance." Soon, the people below began to echo this sentiment, and some even went so far as to flatter the emperor.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was overjoyed: "Really?"
“Of course it’s true,” an old minister below chimed in, “It is thanks to His Majesty’s leadership that we are able to live a peaceful and prosperous life.”
"Very well, since all of you ministers are living well now, why not pay back the money you owe the national treasury?" the Emperor said, his tone shifting slightly.
The ministers who had been overjoyed just moments before were now dumbfounded. Had they been tricked by the Emperor?
Although they now know that this was the Emperor's doing, there is nothing they can do. They have already said all the nice things, so now they can only swallow their pride and bear it.
Everyone looked ashen-faced, as if they had swallowed a dead fly, but they had no choice but to comply. Those who owed less said on the spot, "I'll go to the Ministry of Revenue to pay back the money right now."
Xu Mingzhi has only just entered the court and hasn't figured out the ins and outs of the palace yet, but he knows that he hasn't borrowed any money from the Ministry of Revenue.
He understood the current situation very well. It was simply that the Emperor was unhappy that they hadn't repaid their loans, and since he hadn't lent money to anyone, he could use this opportunity to gain favor with the Emperor.
Thinking of this, Xu Mingzhi stepped forward and began to make sarcastic remarks. He cleared his throat and said, "His Majesty is so benevolent, yet you all keep owing money to the national treasury. It's outrageous!"
"Do they really treat the national treasury like their own home, doing whatever they want with it?" He became more and more smug as he spoke, as if he were reprimanding the court officials on behalf of the emperor.
The Emperor, watching from above, didn't say much. He felt that these courtiers were being somewhat unreasonable and needed to be reprimanded. He also genuinely admired Xu Mingzhi, after all, he seemed so young yet dared to speak so boldly. However, he thought that Xu Mingzhi's future path might become increasingly narrow.
Seeing that the emperor hadn't said anything, the civil and military officials also kept quiet, which made Xu Mingzhi even more smug.
Although no one said it, everyone hated Xu Mingzhi to the core and hoped for a chance to make him die a horrible death.
In particular, the Marquis of Ningyuan looked at him with extreme disgust. He knew that Xu Mingzhi was a hopeless case, but he did not expect that this person could be so stupid. Wasn't he just making a lot of enemies for no reason?
Seeing that his goal had been achieved, the Emperor naturally left the court with a smile on his face.
"The court session is over!" a eunuch shouted from the side.
Although many of the civil and military officials below were displeased, they could not show it and had to respectfully bow and say, "Respectfully seeing off His Majesty."
The emperor left happily, but the remaining civil and military officials were unwilling, since they were the ones who had to pay out money. How could they be willing to do that?
Marquis Ningyuan, in particular, was glaring with displeasure and was about to leave, having taken the largest share. If he were to return it, it would be a huge loss.
Seeing this, Xu Mingzhi quickly ran over to flatter him: "My lord, what's wrong?"
"Who has upset you again?" He fawned over everyone, acting like a complete sycophant.
However, Marquis Ningyuan completely ignored him and could only snort coldly before leaving, which only strengthened Xu Mingzhi's resolve to curry favor with him.
"My lord, tell me and I'll think of a solution for you." Xu Mingzhi boldly began to boast.
Marquis Ningyuan was annoyed by his appearance. How could someone be so stupid? He decided to explain it to him clearly.
"Hmph, most of the silver in the national treasury was borrowed by my Ningyuan Marquis's mansion," the Ningyuan Marquis sneered. "According to what you just said, what about someone like me?"
"Oh, my lord, I really don't know how you could have borrowed so much money?" Xu Mingzhi immediately slapped his own mouth. This was truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple, and the family not recognizing each other anymore. But now, Marquis Ningyuan was eager to sever ties with him. Who was still family with him?
He looked extremely nervous, as if he, Xu Mingzhi, were the one who had borrowed the money. He asked tremblingly, "My lord, what do you plan to do? His Majesty is in dire need of it."
Upon hearing this, Marquis Ningyuan couldn't help but sigh and rub his forehead. Why did His Majesty have to bring up the national treasury's silver? Where was he supposed to raise such a huge amount of silver? But the floods in the northwest couldn't be ignored, and silver was definitely needed. He had truly been driven into a dead end.
He suddenly turned around and looked at Xu Mingzhi, and a good idea immediately came to him. He couldn't help but think of another person with the surname Xu.
Xu Mingzhi still looked worried, so Marquis Ningyuan put his arm around his shoulder and said, "But you are loyal and still know how to worry about me."
"Of course, of course." Xu Mingzhi immediately flattered him upon hearing this, after all, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, and even if Marquis Ningyuan was penniless, he was still richer than him.
"I will never forget your kindness, Lord Marquis." He said with a smile, seemingly trying to please Marquis Ningyuan, but in reality, he just didn't want to offend this valuable asset.
“Alright,” Marquis Ningyuan laughed heartily, then stroked his beard and said, “Mingzhi, I naturally trust you. Could you go and borrow some silver from Xu Yuehuai so I can have some cash flow? After all, His Majesty is pressing me hard.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Mingzhi immediately refused. He took a step back and said, "Your Highness, aren't you making things difficult for me? You know my relationship with Xu Yuehuai; we're practically sworn enemies. If I could borrow money from her, it would be like the sun rising in the west."
Xu Mingzhi spoke with a troubled expression, and Marquis Ningyuan naturally knew he would say such a thing. He rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "I knew it. Your loyalty is just lip service."
These words were harmless and insignificant, so Xu Mingzhi naturally didn't care and let them go in one ear and out the other.
Marquis Ningyuan glanced at him and continued to mock, "Even though Xu Yuehuai is incredibly wealthy, and you, despite being an official, are still as lowly as a beggar in her eyes, she still looks down on you, doesn't she?"
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