Ci Jinzhi

Chapter 364 At the Court

The topic then turned back to how to deal with the snow disaster in Bian Town. The ministers were listless and their hearts had already flown away.

Xin You stood up again: "Your Majesty, I think we can hear more people's thoughts on this matter tomorrow morning."

The ministers looked at her askance.

The emperor just threatened them and there is no point in listening to more people's opinions.

Emperor Xingyuan nodded: "We can indeed brainstorm ideas."

Ministers: "..."

"Tomorrow morning, Xin Daizhao and King Xiu will also come to listen." Emperor Xingyuan said.

"Yes." Xin You and Xiu Wang agreed in unison.

After the discussion, Xin You walked out. Several ministers looked at her from the corner of their eyes, their expressions not very good.

"Ayou." A soft call came from behind.

Xin You turned her head and looked at King Xiu who was walking over.

"Do you have time to drink tea?" Xiu Wang asked, showing a gentle smile, "I want to know more about the new policy you proposed."

"I have just said everything that needs to be said about the New Deal. There is nothing complicated about the New Deal, the key lies in its implementation." Xin You declined Xiu Wang's invitation.

Although Xiu Wang expressed her reaction as a supporter of the New Deal, she could never let go of her guard against the man who forced her to restore her daughter's body.

After being rejected, King Xiu was not embarrassed: "Ayou, are you going back to the Hanlin Academy or -"

"Go back to the Hanlin Academy."

"Then I'll take it to you."

Xin You stretched out his hand and pointed: "It's right in front."

"See you tomorrow then."

Xin You walked into the Hanlin Academy quickly and breathed a sigh of relief.

No matter what happens tomorrow, if that person decides to implement the New Deal in front of important ministers, he will not overthrow it easily.

"Thank you for the imperial edict."

Hearing the shout, Xin You turned around.

It was Xie Chengan, the president of the Hanlin Academy, who was also present during the discussion.

Xin You walked over and said, "Master Zhangyuan."

"If Xin Taizhao is not busy, come and have a cup of tea. I would like to ask you something about the New Deal."

Also asking for tea, Xin You nodded to Xie Zhangyuan's invitation without hesitation.

"The new policy proposed by Xin Daizhao in the palace today has shocked the old man." Xie Zhangyuan expressed his attitude in one sentence.

Xin You was a little surprised.

She knew that even those who were naturally opposed to the New Deal would have supporters of the New Deal. There are always people in this world who are selfless and serve the country and the people.

Although there are few such people, there must be some.

But it was still a bit unexpected to receive the support of Xie Zhangyuan so quickly.

Xie Zhangyuan saw Xin You's surprise and smiled frankly: "The Xie family was considered a wealthy family in the previous dynasty. Later, it went through many ups and downs. It is all thanks to the emperor's grace that we are here today. People's livelihood is miserable and the war is cruel. I have seen it all. At this age, I want to see the long-term prosperity of the country and the peace of the people."

"Thank you for your high righteousness, the commander-in-chief, I admire you."

Xie Zhangyuan shook his head slightly: "I should say this to Xin Taizhao."

The girl in front of her could have been well-off and carefree, but she chose the most difficult path.

"Has Xin Taizhao ever thought about the difficulties in implementing the New Deal?"

“Who are the appropriate people responsible for implementation?”

"How to deal with future public opinion turmoil?"

... Xie Zhangyuan asked many questions seriously. Xin You could explain in detail what he could, and briefly talked about what he couldn't disclose.

At the end of the day, Xie Zhangyuan handed over his hand: "Thank you Xin Daizhao for clarifying my doubts."

Xin You returned the greeting: "Xie Zhangyuan is willing to listen to Xianguan's detailed explanation. It is Xianguan's luck."

When they arrived at the lower office, Xie Zhangyuan went to see Meng Jijiu and discussed the new policy.

There were countless officials and nobles like Mr. Xie who paid close attention to the New Deal. That night, the study rooms of various government offices and some private teahouses and restaurants became lively.

In a quiet teahouse elegant room, several people sitting around looked ugly and the atmosphere was gloomy.

"We must not let the New Deal be implemented. This is the foundation for us!"

"I have spoken out today, and it will be useless to object again."

"Tomorrow morning, if there are many opponents, I may change my mind today."

"Objection?" One person sneered, "Who dares to stand up and oppose casually? Didn't you see that the prison is almost full, and people are being dragged to the West City to behead one after another?"

Xishi was chopping off his head, the machete was about to curl up. Under this kind of threat, who would go against the emperor's wishes without thinking carefully?

"That girl's timing is so good!"

Recently, there are fewer cats and dogs on the street, not to mention the officials. You must know that those who were beheaded were their colleagues, relatives and friends. This kind of shock can be imagined.

After being silent for a while, the Minister of Rites spoke: "Today we have summoned the six ministers and nine officials to make a decision. I'm afraid it will be useless if someone opposes it tomorrow."

"Is this how you admit it?"

"Who said you just recognized him like that?" The Minister of Rites stroked his beard.

He comes from a wealthy family in the south, and his family owns thousands of hectares of fertile land. Once this new policy is implemented, it will be like scraping off a layer of skin.

"What do you mean, Master Shangshu?"

"Throughout the dynasties, many New Deals have been implemented half-way and abandoned. This New Deal is under the guise of serving the people, and it is not certain whether the people will accept it or not."

When the people present heard this, their eyes couldn't help but light up.

That’s a good thing to say.

Those illiterate people don't understand anything. Whether the New Deal is good or not cannot be judged by those who are literate.

The officials, gentry, and wealthy households already regarded the New Deal as a bad one. But when the people also opposed it, who would be able to do this, which would only lead to name-calling and no good at all?

It is much safer to use facts to abandon the New Deal halfway than to go against the current situation at this time.

In the morning of the next morning, Emperor Xingyuan sat on the dragon throne and looked down at the ministers.

According to convention, officials of the fifth rank and above need to get up earlier than the chickens and attend the morning court conscientiously. In addition, there are various subjects for ministers, low-level censors and other low-ranking officials, as well as the emperor's relatives and nobles.

In normal morning court, there are always some absentees asking for leave. Today, Emperor Xingyuan took a quick glance and saw that the number seemed to be exceeded.

Oh, there are quite a few people who care about the New Deal.

After some regular topics, Emperor Xingyuan brought up the snow disaster in Bian Town: "Do you have any good ideas?"

There is a lot of money in the treasury. If more is used here, less will be used there.

The ministers were either silent, or said some nonsense, or mentioned one or two useful things. Duan Shaoqing stood at the back of the team, thinking of his "accidental encounter" with Xin You on the Yamen Road yesterday, and stood up.

"Duan Wensong, the young minister of Taipu Temple, has something to report."

Emperor Xingyuan looked calm and motioned for him to continue.

"Border Town is related to border security and cannot be ignored. I am willing to donate the family wealth left by my niece Kou Qingqing to accumulate blessings for her."

As soon as these words came out, the officials looked at Duan Shaoqing with something wrong.

What does this surname Duan mean? Donate money again?

How can any serious official share the worries of the imperial court like this, paying out of his own pocket at every turn?

Feeling the dissatisfied looks in his colleagues' eyes, Duan Shaoqing complained secretly.

He doesn’t want to either!

By standing up, I not only lost money, but also offended my colleagues. But this huge sum of money cannot be saved, and it is better to offend colleagues than the emperor...

"Oh, how much does Duan Shaoqing want to donate?" Emperor Xingyuan looked like he was trying his best to hide it but showed surprise.

Duan Shaoqing lowered his head slightly: "I donated 400,000 taels of family wealth on behalf of my niece."

(End of this chapter)