novelhk Chapter 211 Shifting the blame
Chapter 211 Shifting the blame
Prince Duan sneered and said, "I have only heard of gentry and gentry, but never heard of this kind of title. Prince Yi must have dreamed it up. Isn't this embarrassing for my father?"
Zhou Chang ignored her. What she wanted was a practical reputation guarantee: "Then it doesn't matter if it's a title of squire, scholar, or merchant. As long as it's issued by the court, it won't mention 'crime silver' anymore."
Emperor Fengxun still stood by and watched.
Prince Duan jumped up and down, his chin flicked: "Yuan Yu was originally a criminal who survived by chance, but now he is being given a title. How can this be justified in the world?"
Zhou Chang's full hope was not on Prince Duan, but on Emperor Lin: "Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, and your word is final. Whoever your Majesty says is innocent is innocent. According to the bet, Yuan Yu has been released. This is known to the world, and if you go back on your word, it may be suspected of breaking your promise. If Yuan Yu takes the initiative to build the tower, it will not only satisfy your Majesty, but also be regarded as his redemption of his past sins, so it is reasonable for the court to express its opinion."
"You are confusing right and wrong." Prince Duan's chin was so irritated that he wanted to poke Zhou Chang in the face. He was so angry that he forgot what he had just said. "Does it mean that you are the only one who can handle the epidemic? Is there no one else?"
"Yes, what Prince Duan said hits the point," Zhou Chang clapped his hands, his eyes curved, "With Prince Duan here, I should personally go into battle."
"You, you, this king, this king can't spare the time..." Prince Duan was shooting himself in the foot, "The construction of the imperial mausoleum has not yet been completed, and there are still too many things to discuss with the Ministry of Works."
"Building the imperial mausoleum is the work of the Ministry of Works. Brother Duan, the Prince, has only been talking." Zhou Chang was used to seeing such talkative people in his previous career. He sneered, "It's a pity that our father only has one talented prince like Brother Duan. He should be a role model for the court. No matter how busy he is, he should share his father's worries and take an hour or so to go deep into the epidemic area to understand the people's sentiments, right?"
Prince Duan was unable to answer and decided to ignore it: "Father, I recommend Qin Shou, the director of the Imperial Hospital. Epidemic prevention and control has always been the responsibility of the Pestilence Institute under the Imperial Hospital. Qin Shou has experience and it should be enough for him to be in charge."
"How can that be enough? According to what Brother Duan Wang said just now, a prince must come forward to show the court's attention, right?" Now it was Zhou Chang's turn to hold on tight.
Prince Duan was placed on a high pedestal, and he had to express his opinion. He gritted his teeth and said, "Although I am also busy with official duties, I am willing to take on the task of managing the epidemic."
"Your Majesty, I think that His Royal Highness Prince Duan is willing to take time off to supervise the epidemic in Xicheng. Although this move is out of concern for the people, the construction of the imperial mausoleum is nearing completion, and I still have many important matters to discuss with His Royal Highness Prince Duan. I am afraid there will be some delays and miss the auspicious time for completion." The Minister of Works Jia Rui stood up and spoke.
"Your Majesty, I am the Minister of Revenue Song Ming." A stranger stood up.
The Emperor looked in the direction of the voice and said, "Mr. Song, there is no need to be so polite. This is the Imperial Study. You can speak freely if you have anything to say."
The new Minister of Revenue Song Ming?
Is the position of Minister of Revenue already filled?
Zhou Chang couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
Song Ming has a round face, and the distance between his eyebrows is slightly wider than that of ordinary people, so his eyes are also set apart, but they are small and curved. He is about 40 years old, and at first glance gives people the feeling of a smiling Buddha.
Song Ming bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I took office a few days ago, and when I was checking the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue over the years, I found that the construction of the imperial mausoleum is almost finished, but there are many unclear points in the accounts. I still need the assistance of His Royal Highness Prince Duan and the Minister of Works."
"Prince Duan is obviously not suitable." Emperor Lin waved his hand and seemed to have no such plan.
Prince Rong sighed heavily: "Alas, if it weren't for the fact that the compilation of Lin Guo Ji has reached a critical moment, this prince could take on this position. Even if the compilation is about to be completed, perhaps it can be postponed..."
“Your Highness Prince Rong, this cannot be done. Although the people are the foundation, the compilation of the National Chronicle also involves thousands of years and future generations.” Chief Censor He Tao hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.
Zhou Chang felt uncomfortable watching from the sidelines. He Tao was Prince Rong's father-in-law, so it was understandable that he stood up to defend Prince Rong at this time.
Prince Duan has his own party, Prince Rong has his own faction, and only Prince Yi stands alone in the crowded imperial study.
Prince Duan successfully landed on the shore, and he couldn't let Zhou Chang go: "Father, whether it's building a tower or providing disaster relief, a lot of silver is needed. Yuan Yu has committed a crime and should be punished. If it weren't for Prince Yi's dedicated protection..."
"Father," Zhou Chang interrupted Prince Duan, "It would take more than one million taels of silver to build a tower?"
This statement hit the point directly. Emperor Lin's eyes moved. It has always been his goal to spend less money and get more things done.
"If one million taels is not enough, we can have two million. If not, three million. Is there an upper limit to the 'silver for negotiating crimes'? Does the Yuan family dare to complain?" Prince Duan has not yet become the emperor, but he speaks in a more arrogant tone than the emperor.
"Yuan Yu dare not complain." Zhou Chang said sternly, "But if this kind of thing is made public, it is hard to say what people in the world will think."
Emperor Lin began to feel torn again, and his eyes unconsciously turned to Fang She who was standing beside him.
Zhou Chang flattered him: "Father, it's just a title of 'Antai Merchant' in exchange for several million taels of silver."
When Fang She heard the words “millions of taels” of silver, his goldfish eyes lit up like light bulbs.
Emperor Lin made up his mind without asking any more questions: "Okay, I'll follow Prince Yi's instructions."
"Thank you, father." Zhou Chang finally lived up to his original intention and helped Yuan Qi rescue his father.
Emperor Lin already looked exhausted, and finally said: "Now that the tower construction issue has been resolved, Prince Yi will also take on the West City epidemic issue."
"Uh..." Is this a forced apportionment?
It would be a bad idea for Zhou Chang to force it, but the biggest problem was there: "Father, it's not that I don't want to accept it. If you can add another 100,000 taels of silver, things will be much easier..."
"The money for building the tower is not a problem. As for the medicinal materials, they are just details. We can just discuss with the Imperial Hospital and the Imperial Pharmacy. The imperial court also has its difficulties, and Prince Yi also has to share my worries..." Emperor Lin was generous to others without blushing.
"These are two completely different things, Father..." Zhou Chang was about to say something.
Share worries?
Bah, doesn't that mean she has to take on the dirty work and not get paid?
Could it be possible that she could ask the Yuan family for money to deal with the epidemic?
Emperor Lin had already stood up and waved his hand: "It is settled. The Central Government shall immediately draft an order. This is a matter of great importance. Prince Yi must not delay."
"Your Majesty..." Zhou Chang said nothing more.
The Emperor glided away amid the greetings of "Farewell, Your Majesty."
Did she lose or gain?
Was this a forced assignment?
Bah, it’s a “matter of great importance”. The King of Hell doesn’t care about hungry ghosts, but this old emperor only gave 30,000 taels of silver. What can be done?
This means saving the Yuan family but sacrificing yourself?
When everyone stood up again, they all became spectators, while Zhou Chang stood there stupidly, becoming the focus of ridicule, sympathy and mockery.