"The affairs of the Song family were thoroughly investigated during the reign of the previous emperor. The previous emperor also pardoned me for harboring the descendants of the Song family. How could he have ordered the emperor to kill your mother?"
Jiang Ling didn't believe it. He was a great king! How could he do such a thing?
"Dad, did you find out anything back then? Did the Dali Temple find out anything? I've been in the Dali Temple for so long, and I haven't found any clues at all. Don't you find it strange?
And why did Murong Zhi insist on having me accompany him to the palace that day? Wasn't it just to get us out of the way? Afterwards, the Emperor acted very concerned and wanted to investigate, but he didn't do anything.
Jiang Zhuo didn't blindly believe Chen Qing.
He had secretly looked through Song Siyao's files many times in the Dali Temple over the years, and it could be said that he had found absolutely nothing back then.
He also thought it was a killer, but how could a killer kill people in broad daylight, blatantly at someone's doorstep? Even if it was a killer, there would always be some traces.
But it is very clean.
Now that I think about it, it was clearly only done by the secret guards around the emperor.
"This is a serious matter. I, I have to think about it." Jiang Ling sat at the table, his eyes a little empty. "You, you go back first."
Jiang Zhuo nodded, walked out, and considerately closed the door.
Jiang Ling sat quietly alone in the room for a long time, the air inside seeming to be condensed with his contemplation and worry. His eyes wandered, not knowing where to focus, and his whole body seemed shrouded in a layer of haze.
After a long moment, he slowly stood up and walked towards the ancestral hall with slightly heavy steps. The winding path seemed to become particularly long under his feet.
When Jiang Ling entered the ancestral hall and saw Song Siyao's tablet, he felt a little uncomfortable.
"Ayao, I'm here to see you. My son told me that it was the emperor who killed you. Is that true?"
There was a moment of silence in the ancestral hall.
"I have always believed that it was because of the late emperor's deeds that the emperor felt guilty towards the Song family. That is why he promoted our son after your death and granted him the marriage he wished for."
"But now, I've learned that the Emperor has always cared about the reputation of his Murong family. Even when he knew it was a misjudgment, he still wanted to get rid of you. The relationship between the monarch and his subjects is nothing more than this!"
Jiang Ling knew that it was probably true that the emperor had killed Song Siyao.
The Song family had been loyal and righteous for generations, so how could the late emperor not know about this? He now began to wonder if the things that happened to the Song family back then were also instigated by the late emperor?
"Ayao, is this the fate of all loyal ministers? This is true for the Song family, and it's also true for the Shen family..."
Jiang Ling shed a tear as she looked at Song Siyao's tablet.
"Ayao, plotting to usurp the throne is a great act of disloyalty. Tell me, should I support Jiang Zhuo?"
Jiang Ling felt helpless at the moment. His loyal nature would not allow him to do something rebellious like seeking power and usurping the throne.
But he couldn't bear to see the Shen family become the next Song family, and he didn't want his son to become the next him.
Jiang Ling stayed in the ancestral hall for another night, and the next day, he went to court as usual.
"Why didn't the general come?" Jiang Zhuo asked the official next to him casually.
"I heard that the general is ill and won't be able to attend the morning court these days."
"I heard that too. Maybe he was busy with the princess's wedding and was overworked?"
"Master Xiao Jiang, don't you know?"
Jiang Zhuo raised an eyebrow. "I just returned from Yunzhou yesterday and haven't heard that the general is ill yet."
"Oh, how about we go and see the general together after the court session?"
"I heard that the general went to the manor to relax and recuperate. The princess is the only one in the general's mansion now, so I won't be able to see her even if I go there."
"Everyone, you have heard it. Who did you hear it from?" Jiang Zhuo asked.
Several officials looked at each other in confusion. They had also heard about it from others, and they didn't know where the source was.
At this time, the emperor helped Qiu Fu sit on the dragon throne.
"Long live His Majesty."
"My dear ministers, please stand up." The emperor seemed to be in a good mood.
After standing up, Jiang Zhuo signaled one of the officials with his eyes, and the man stood up first after receiving the signal.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that the Jinyang Kingdom has been repeatedly invading our borders recently, causing great suffering to the people in the border towns. Your Majesty needs to send troops to suppress them as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, all the officials in the court began to discuss the matter.
"The Jinyang Kingdom is invading? Why haven't I heard about it?"
"I haven't received any news either! The general is sick, what should we do?"
"This, this needs to be resolved quickly by sending troops!"
…
The emperor glanced at the official sharply.
"I have also received the news and have sent people to investigate. If the situation is true, I will definitely send troops."
"Your Majesty is wise."
"Your Majesty, the position of Crown Prince is now vacant. Your Majesty is overwhelmed with affairs of state and is extremely exhausted. I implore Your Majesty to appoint a new Crown Prince as soon as possible."
"The position of Crown Prince is still undecided, which is a big deal after all."
Murong Yu secretly observed the emperor's reaction and found that he did not seem to have any intention of appointing a crown prince immediately.
"I have my own plans regarding the Crown Prince, and we'll discuss this later."
"Your Majesty, the northwest region is backed by snow-capped mountains. Large-scale avalanches have occurred in recent days, causing damage to houses. Funding is urgently needed for reconstruction."
"Then ask the Ministry of Revenue for funding." The emperor rubbed his swollen head.
"Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty now, and it is difficult to take out spare money for circulation." The Minister of Revenue said in embarrassment.
The emperor was a little angry. "Raising taxes, do I need to tell you this?"
"No, Your Majesty! The people are already complaining bitterly about the current taxes. If the taxes go up further, I'm afraid they will be dissatisfied."
Jiang Zhuo looked at the endless problems in the court and the emperor's headache, and laughed in his heart.
"Jiang Zhuo, what do you think?"
"I believe that the best strategy for the time being is to start with the court," Jiang Zhuo said solemnly, bowing his hands and saying, "By cutting back on spending and reducing the salaries of officials at all levels, we can replenish the national treasury.
However, it must be implemented first at the top level to set an example for everyone. This way, it can demonstrate the court's determination to rectify its finances while avoiding excessive resistance from lower-level officials and the public.
Starting from the top and then gradually working our way down, we will create a culture of austerity from top to bottom. I believe this will certainly alleviate the plight of the depleted treasury to a certain extent."
"Okay, just do it." The emperor nodded in agreement.
"Your Majesty, bandits are rampant in Beishan recently. Please send troops to suppress them."
"Your Majesty, I heard that bandits have recently entered the capital, and refugees outside the capital have also requested to enter the capital."
"His Majesty……"
The emperor felt overwhelmed as he listened to the repeated calls of "Your Majesty". Why were there so many questions today?
"Do you think I have to help you solve everything? Do you think I want you to come here just to eat dry food?"
The officials lowered their heads and kept their mouths shut.
"As bandits enter the capital, dispatch additional patrols. Refugees are not allowed to enter the capital. If they bring plague, the consequences will be disastrous," the emperor ordered. "As for the bandit problem, I will consider sending troops to suppress them."
"Your Majesty is wise."
After the court session, the emperor called Jiang Zhuo over alone.
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