Chapter 77 - 78: Unable to Suppress

Chapter 77: Chapter 78: Unable to Suppress

Watching Jin Qianqian scamper away with her bowl, Li Cuicui couldn’t help but sigh.

"Honestly, woman, our son and daughter-in-law are being so good to you, and you’re still not happy?" Gu Dashishi let out a content burp. "Now this is the life. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten so well."

Li Cuicui said, "I just don’t know if marrying a wife like her is a good thing for Seventh."

"What’s not to like? She’s a great cook and she’s so dutiful."

Li Cuicui replied, "Dutiful, sure, but she’s too extravagant. This was all made with fine grain. Even a terrible cook could make this taste incredible.

She’s just too docile, agreeing to everything Seventh wants. I’m afraid she won’t be able to keep him in line in the future.

Seventh is so clever, I’m really afraid he’ll get himself into some kind of big trouble."

Gu Dashishi silently rolled his eyes. ’I’ve been kept under this woman’s thumb my entire life. You’d have to live it to know what it’s like.’

’Seventh is so lucky, not like his poor old man. With a shrew watching my every move, I can’t do anything right.’

Li Cuicui, oblivious to her husband’s thoughts, decided she would have to give Jin Qianqian a little reminder later: ’You can’t just go along with everything a man says.’

Jin Qianqian had no idea two flatbreads could stir up so many thoughts. Noticing someone nearby stewing meat broth, she secretly smuggled out two bowls of the spicy boiled meat soup she had packed earlier from her space.

"It’s pure bliss having a wife to feed me," Ancient Wen Heng said, letting out a satisfied burp. "I feel like I’m actually gaining weight. Look at my hand—doesn’t it have a bit of its healthy glow back?"

Jin Qianqian glanced disdainfully at her own palm. It didn’t seem to have changed much at all.

"Look how thin your little hand is!" Ancient Wen Heng grabbed it, turning it over and over to inspect it. "When it gets dark, go back inside that place. Eat more, and get your nutrients."

Jin Qianqian replied, "Maybe this body just doesn’t put on weight. I’ve been eating plenty, and I’m drinking milk like it’s water every day."

Ancient Wen Heng’s expression suddenly turned serious. "In that case, we need to find a doctor. It might be that your body was severely depleted before. This is no joking matter."

"It’s probably not that serious," Jin Qianqian said with a laugh. "If there were really a problem with this body, I’m sure I would have noticed by now."

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t argue. ’Maybe I should take her into the city again via the mountain path in a few days,’ he was already thinking.

"You’ve been deliberating for ages. Have you come up with a solution for Us or not?" Hua Shunming’s voice was filled with impatience as he listened to the bickering in the Southern Study Room. "You all sit here, wanting for nothing, but have you given any thought to the common folk waiting outside?"

’This bunch of ministers I support,’ he thought, ’is completely useless. All they do is fight for power and profit; not a single one of them does any actual work.’

"Holy Emperor, I recall we still have several hundred thousand rations of grain in storage. Perhaps...?" Kuang Yijun was cut off before he could finish.

"Absolutely not! Those are the final provisions for the border garrisons. No one is to touch them!" Xiao Liwei, who had been silently standing by like a piece of the scenery, could no longer remain seated.

"But this is to save the countless common folk from disaster..."

Xiao Liwei retorted, "You talk about saving the people from disaster, but is grain the only thing they’re lacking? They’re lacking rain from the heavens, the life-saving water to irrigate their lands! What good will giving them a bit of grain do in the long run?"

Besides, a report came in today. Those villagers who had been desperately holding out in their hometowns are now flocking toward Shangjing, and their numbers are growing by the day.

If these people aren’t settled properly and soon, it will lead to endless trouble.

"Your Majesty, this is a once-in-a-century drought. Perhaps we should erect an altar and pray to the heavens, asking the gods to send down blessed rain and save the people," said Xu Zhiwen of the Astronomical Bureau. He had just finished re-examining the historical records, his face grim. He didn’t know if he dared to suggest the Holy Emperor issue an edict of self-blame.

’According to precedent, the reigning Emperor would use this method to resolve such crises. But the one who proposed it rarely met a good end, and he didn’t dare risk it.’

"Pray?" the Emperor scoffed. "You think praying will make it rain? What exactly does your Astronomical Bureau do for a living? How have you been recording the weather all this time? If you can’t even foresee a problem like this, what use are any of you?"

Right now, Hua Shunming couldn’t stand the sight of anyone from the Astronomical Bureau. He was afraid they would be the ones to jump up and pin all the blame on him.

Liu Donglai silently knelt. "Holy Emperor, this old subject is advanced in years. I fear I may commit a breach of etiquette and disturb Your Majesty. This old subject requests to be excused."

’I’m a retired old Prime Minister,’ he thought. ’It’s best if I don’t get involved with them here.’

Hua Shunming hurried over and personally helped the man to his feet. "Old Prime Minister, we truly need you here as our pillar of stability. If you are unwell, We shall summon the Imperial Physician at once."

With that, he glanced at Le San, who immediately pushed open the door to summon the Imperial Physician.

All the officials were speechless. ’It seems we’re not leaving this hall today until a solution is found.’

But Hua Shunming was not about to let them stay silent. He turned to Kuang Yijun. "We have given you all this time to redeem yourself. What answer do you have for Us?"

Kuang Yijun saw the other officials avoid his gaze. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Holy Emperor, the National Treasury is currently empty, and this subject cannot make bricks without straw. However, my ancestors left a small fortune. I am willing to donate twenty thousand taels of silver and twenty thousand bushels of grain to do my part."

’With that,’ he thought, ’I’ve just offended every single one of my colleagues. They’re probably all cursing my name right now.’

Hua Shunming shot him a look of dissatisfaction. ’This old fox has a massive fortune, yet he’s trying to fob me off with this paltry sum. It’s really too much.’

Still, it was a good start. He clapped his hands together. "Since Lord Kuang is so righteous, We, as the ruler of this nation, cannot possibly ignore Our people. We will contribute one hundred thousand taels of civil silver and ten thousand taels of gold."

"The Holy Emperor is wise!"

"His Majesty is wise!"

"..."

Old Prime Minister Liu Donglai also spoke up, his voice trembling, "This old subject is also willing to contribute. I will offer ten thousand taels of silver and ten thousand bushels of grain."

"I am willing to offer..."

"I am willing to offer..."

"I will offer..."

As Hua Shunming listened to the pledges, which dwindled from large to small, he grew increasingly displeased. ’Every one of these aristocratic families is filthy rich,’ he fumed internally.

’They enjoy all the privileges of their station but selfishly ignore whether the common people live or die.’

’Making them bleed a little now will serve as a lesson.’

He didn’t forget to pat Kuang Yijun’s shoulder in praise. "We were not mistaken about you. It seems your position as Prime Minister is well-deserved. We are putting you in charge of what comes next. You must ensure all this grain and silver is secured and delivered swiftly to the refugee shelters."

Without even turning around, Kuang Yijun could feel the daggers being stared into his back. ’This time,’ he thought, ’I’m being forced to be the Holy Emperor’s blade whether I like it or not.’

"And what of settling the refugees?" By now, Liu Donglai could clearly see the Emperor’s little scheme, and he secretly regretted having offered such a large sum.