Royal Gold Magistrate

The next day, in the imperial court.

As the court bell rang, the officials took their positions.

The Emperor sat high on the dragon throne, while Li Yuanzhao was obediently placed to the side.

After hearing the Crown Prince’s insights yesterday, Emperor Jing had the idea to bring the Crown Prince to court more often for training and learning.

It was about time…

After the officials finished their bows, Emperor Jing said “Rise” and, as usual, took a sip of tea.

Then, the court fell into a deathly silence.

Emperor Jing also realized today’s unusual atmosphere and quietly waited for a minister to speak.

Li Yansong glanced around the hall, sighed, and slowly stepped forward. “Today’s court discussion, this old minister…”

“Your Majesty, your minister has a memorial to present!” Before Li Yansong could finish, Minister of War Feng Jie stepped out first.

“What matter do you present?”

Feng Jie said solemnly, “Your Majesty! Last night, your minister received an urgent report from Jianjiang Prefecture! Due to the unresolved and worsening flood in Jianjiang, a rebellious force has emerged among the people.”

“They call themselves the Water God Sect! The Jianjiang Governor has sent people to investigate. The members of this sect are remnants of the Qian Dynasty!”

“Reportedly, under the guidance of their holy maiden, the Water God Sect has gathered thousands of disaster victims and is spreading rumors and causing trouble among the people in various counties and cities of Jianjiang. The troops in Jianjiang Prefecture are already short-handed in maintaining order and specifically request the court to send an additional ten thousand soldiers to suppress the Water God Sect!”

At these words, the ministers immediately erupted into discussion.

“It has already reached this point. The remnants of the Qian Dynasty haven’t been eliminated after two years?”

“Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to quickly send relief funds to Jianjiang Prefecture to quell the people’s grievances. Otherwise, I’m afraid the Water God Sect’s influence will grow!”

“In military matters, speed is of the essence! We should seize the opportunity while the Water God Sect is still weak and strangle them in the cradle!”

“In that case…”

“Silence! Silence!” Emperor Jing showed a hint of anger and forcefully slapped the dragon throne. The ministers instantly quieted down.

“The remnants of the mere Qian Dynasty have now fallen to become an evil cult. Your reactions are a bit excessive, beloved ministers!”

“However, the Jianjiang flood disaster must be resolved, but the state treasury lacks silver. I am willing to allocate another ten thousand taels from my personal funds.”

“As for the rest… You esteemed ministers are all pillars of the state. Now that the country is in difficulty, I hope you can all eagerly donate…”

At these words, many people’s gazes began to dart away.

Like students in class afraid of being called upon.

After a few moments, still no one took the initiative to speak. Li Yansong swept his gaze across the hall and sighed.

As the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, he had to take the lead.

What His Majesty said was all true. The state treasury was empty now. What else could be done? But taking silver from the other ministers’ hands was no different than cutting flesh from people’s bodies.

They all claimed to act for the people, but only if it did not harm their own interests!

Li Yansong stepped forward and said loudly, “This old minister is willing to donate five thousand taels of fine silver!”

With Li Yansong taking the lead, the other Cabinet elders began to step forward one after another.

Minister Zhang Dongxiang said, “Your minister is willing to donate four thousand taels…”

Zheng Qiao said, “Your minister also donates four thousand taels.”

Seeing the Cabinet elders taking the lead, the other ministers couldn’t help but grit their teeth.

The Cabinet elders had been in the Cabinet for a long time and held multiple positions. As the Emperor’s trusted advisors, they were also highly respected.

In their respective hometowns, they were all prominent landowners.

But it was different for the lower-ranked fourth-rank and below minor officials! Taking out a few thousand taels all at once wasn’t impossible.

But it really hurt… Donating to disaster victims? Wouldn’t it be better to buy a few more catties of Celestial Immortal Tea?

Emperor Jing nodded with satisfaction.

In the end, it was still these old ministers in the Cabinet who had a sense of the bigger picture…

Then, the remaining officials began to report their donation amounts one by one according to their rank.

It fell from over a thousand taels down to a few hundred taels, and finally, some only donated a few dozen taels.

Adding it all up, they had only managed to gather thirty-four thousand taels in total.

Seeing the numbers reported by the young eunuch, Emperor Jing’s expression gradually turned ugly.

Including the ten thousand taels he contributed, the dozens of ministers below had only donated twenty-four thousand taels in total, while he could raise over twenty thousand taels in just two or three days by selling tea.

Emperor Jing really wanted to mention the tea leaf matter to shame this group of ministers, but thinking that it might affect the future income of his personal treasury, he decisively suppressed this idea. Then he spoke with sarcasm:

“The officials of my Great Jing Dynasty are all so incorruptible… So many people can only barely scrape together less than forty thousand taels of silver!”

Below, there was silence. Everyone began to glance at each other.

His Majesty’s appetite was a bit too big. How much was considered a lot?

Minister of Revenue Zhang Shi spoke up, “Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to quickly support Jianjiang. Let’s send however much we have!”

“Yes! Please, Your Majesty, dispatch troops to Jianjiang as soon as possible!”

Emperor Jing said slowly, “Feng Jie! Immediately dispatch fifteen thousand soldiers to swiftly go to Jianjiang and eliminate the Water God Sect!”

“Also, bring twenty thousand taels of fine silver to assist the Jianjiang government in disaster relief!”

The ministers erupted in an uproar. “Your Majesty! Twenty thousand taels is really too little. We now have one hundred and thirty thousand taels. Why are you only sending twenty thousand?”

“Dispatching only one-tenth of the two hundred thousand taels is really too little!”

Many people showed anxious expressions, most of them officials from the southern regions, afraid that the flood would continue to spread and wreak havoc in their hometowns.

Emperor Jing said indifferently, “How much longer will the flood last? Which one of you ministers can give me an answer?”

“If the flood doesn’t recede in a month, do you expect me to continue allocating two hundred thousand taels of silver?”

“This is a bottomless pit. There are many common people in the world who need saving, but the state treasury only has so much money. In this matter… let’s take it one step at a time and hold off for now…”

“Feng Jie, after the troops arrive in Jianjiang, order someone to report back to the capital every day. The information must not be delayed for a moment!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Seeing the Emperor’s resolute attitude, the people below couldn’t persist any further, but they each secretly calculated their own schemes.

Zhang Dongxiang whispered to Li Yansong, “Minister Li, what’s going on with His Majesty… He seems a bit abnormal to me.”

Li Yansong said in a low voice, “I don’t know. His Majesty has his own decisions… Let’s take it one step at a time…”