"Does Uncle Wang understand how to govern a country better than any god?"
Xiao Che's probing question was like an invisible thunderclap, echoing repeatedly in the deathly silent Golden Palace, making everyone's eardrums buzz.
Regent Xiao Yuan stood rooted to the spot, his face ashen, his lips pressed tightly into a line. His eyes, which always held endless scheming and calculation, were now fixed on Xiao Che, churning with a storm of anger, humiliation, and a hint of fear that even he himself was unaware of.
He lost.
In this battle between "reason" and "faith," he was utterly defeated and rendered speechless by Xiao Che in the most unreasonable yet most lawful way of the time.
He knew that if he dared to utter another word, Xiao Che would have ample reason to arrest him on the spot for "great disrespect." At that time, even if he held a large army, he would lose all popular support under the sacred banner of "defying the will of Heaven" and become a traitor condemned by the world.
He could only watch helplessly as his nephew, whom he had always regarded as a puppet, used the knife he had personally handed him to turn the tables and corner him.
All eyes in the entire Golden Palace were focused on this uncle and nephew, who were at the very pinnacle of imperial power. The atmosphere was tense, as if a fuse was about to be lit.
Just when everyone thought that Xiao Che would verbally overpower the Regent and then back down on the matter, the young emperor showed them with his actions—
This is just the beginning of the real show!
Xiao Che did not dwell on Xiao Yuan's silence. He simply gave him a deep look with his sharp dragon eyes, then slowly turned around, walked back up the steps, and faced the assembled civil and military officials.
At this moment, his aura reached an unprecedented peak!
"Since all of you have no further objections to the will of Heaven and the divine decree," his voice was loud and majestic, carrying an absolute confidence that he was in accordance with Heaven's will and the will of the people, "then it proves that the ruler and his ministers of Great Liang are of one mind and united as one, and will surely receive divine protection to overcome this calamity!"
With a wave of his hand, he pressed his advantage and immediately executed the revolutionary plan!
"In accordance with the will of Heaven, and to quickly raise funds and provisions to save the people from their suffering, I hereby declare—"
"Daliang disaster relief bonds will be issued immediately, starting today!"
These words caused another uproar among the officials!
Before they could fully recover from the shock of the "goddess appearing in their dream," the emperor was about to lend them money on the spot by "writing an IOU"? This... this was too swift and decisive!
However, before they could even come to a conclusion, Xiao Che's next move completely stunned everyone.
He did not demand anything of his ministers, but instead set an example for them.
"The goddess appeared to me in a dream, which is a divine grace. As the Son of Heaven, I should be the first to respond to the divine decree and do everything in my power for the sake of all people!" He looked at the crowd below and solemnly declared in a tone full of selflessness and great love, "I have decided to donate 100,000 taels of silver from my private treasury to subscribe to the first batch of disaster relief bonds!"
One hundred thousand taels of silver!
From the emperor's private treasury!
This number struck everyone like a boulder crashing into their hearts! Just yesterday, the Minister of Revenue had lamented that the entire national treasury had only 130,000 taels left!
His Majesty actually used up most of the national treasury's private assets to provide disaster relief!
What courage! What compassion!
In an instant, Xiao Che's image was elevated to an unprecedented level in the hearts of those centrist officials who were still wavering! Looking at the young emperor on the dragon throne with a resolute face who was willing to give up his private wealth for the sake of his people, they couldn't help but reveal a trace of sincere admiration and emotion in their eyes.
Behind the screen, Lin Wanwan couldn't help but smile when she heard the number.
She knew this was certainly not Xiao Che's entire fortune, but the figure was just right. It demonstrated the emperor's determination and magnanimity without seeming exaggerated or fake.
More importantly, she knew that Xiao Che's "bait and switch" was ultimately aimed at whom?
As expected.
After accomplishing his heroic act of "sacrificing his family for the sake of the nation," Xiao Che's gaze slowly, with an undeniable "expectation," turned to the Regent, whose face had turned extremely grim.
"Uncle Wang."
He spoke, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze, but the content of his words was sharper than an ice blade in the dead of winter.
"Uncle Wang has always been kind and benevolent. Yesterday, he volunteered to serve the country and even donated his family property. Such noble character is evident to all of us, including the civil and military officials, and we are deeply impressed."
He first flattered Xiao Yuan, firmly placing a compliment on him and blocking all possible avenues for refusal.
Then, he revealed his true intentions.
"Now that the divine decree has been issued, I have expressed my sentiments. I'm sure Uncle Wang will also be willing to offer his own sentiments for the gods and for the people suffering in this world?"
These words were spoken with such sincerity and earnestness!
However, to Xiao Yuan, it sounded like a blatant act of "moral blackmail" in front of the entire court!
Xiao Yuan clenched his fists tightly, feeling a surge of blood rushing to his throat!
He felt more disgusted than if he had swallowed a hundred flies!
He proposed donating money yesterday in order to seize power and drive Xiao Che into a corner! But he never expected that the knife he used to kill would be snatched away by the other party and held to his own neck in the blink of an eye!
To agree or not to agree?
If he doesn't agree, the "benevolent and virtuous king" image he just established yesterday will collapse instantly! What kind of country and people does a prince who has been "invited" by gods and emperors, yet still refuses to give a single penny, have to talk about? He is clearly a hypocrite!
But if I agree...
He looked at Xiao Che's "kind" smiling face, but his heart was ice-cold.
He knew that these so-called "disaster relief bonds" were a bottomless pit! It was a scheme by that brat Xiao Che to openly and legitimately take money out of his pocket! Once the money was purchased, when it could be repaid, and whether it could be repaid at all, was entirely up to the emperor.
This is practically...open robbery!
Under the dual pressure of the "divine oracle" and the emperor, and under the expectant and scrutinizing gazes of the court officials, Regent Xiao Yuan, this powerful and arrogant prince, tasted for the first time the bitterness of being shot in the foot by someone who had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot!
He felt a burning pain on his face.
He knew that he had to bleed today, whether he wanted to or not!
He squeezed out the words that made his heart bleed, one by one, through gritted teeth.
“Your Majesty… is wise. To share the burdens of the gods and the people is… my duty.” With each word he spoke, his heart clenched. “Your Majesty… is willing to subscribe to… 500,000 taels of… disaster relief bonds.”
Five hundred thousand taels!
As soon as this number was announced, a collective gasp of astonishment erupted within the Golden Palace!
Everyone was stunned by the Regent's amazing "money"!
However, only Xiao Yuan himself knew that his heart was bleeding at this moment! This 500,000 taels was almost 30% of his manor's working capital! It was the foundation he used to support his retainers, bribe officials, and consolidate his power!
Upon hearing the number, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Xiao Che's eyes, but his smile became even more "gratified."
"Your Excellency is truly virtuous! On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people in Jiangnan, I thank you, Your Excellency!"
To Xiao Yuan, this expression of gratitude was a profound irony!
With the Regent, the richest man in the world, setting a "generous example," things naturally fell into place.
"Your subject, the Minister of Personnel, is willing to purchase 50,000 taels!"
"Your subject, the Vice Minister of War, is willing to purchase 30,000 taels!"
"minister……"
What was originally a power grab that was going to drive the emperor to the brink of despair turned inexplicably into a grand "royal fundraising event"!
The officials of the regent's faction were all incredibly frustrated, yet they had no choice but to grit their teeth and "bleed" along with their masters. Meanwhile, the royalists and centrists were genuinely eager to buy in.
For a moment, a "harmonious" scene unfolded in the Golden Palace, where the emperor and his ministers were of one mind and faced the national crisis together.
Behind the screen, Lin Wanwan looked at the group of ministers who were making generous donations, especially at Regent Xiao Yuan's face, which was almost dripping with tears of heartache and anger. She could no longer help but laugh silently.
She knew they had won the battle.
They won cleanly and decisively.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com