The early sun shines over the imperial city, the Meridian Gate slowly opens, and a group of eunuchs are sweeping the dust on the corridor.
From the inner court, five eunuchs in red robes came out. The first one looked old and said: "His hair is tied back, his face is kind and his body is not old; he smiles when he meets each other, and kills people without using a knife. He is in charge of thousands of things in the inner court, and he lives up to his expectations." The ancestral name is Gao."
This person is Gao He, the chief internal officer of the imperial city, the chief eunuch of the Bureau of Ceremonies, and known as the "internal minister".
Behind him are Zhang Mo, Zhao Yu, Chen Gui, and Wang Jin, who are also eunuchs Bingbi, the Superintendent of Ceremonies.
The five people were walking on the corridor, and the young eunuchs on both sides hurriedly leaned over to say hello: "Old ancestor!"
Gao He smiled and nodded. No matter when, Gao He always treated others with humility, which made people feel like spring breeze.
Arriving in front of Yuxi Palace, Gao He and other five people pushed open the door and entered. This is where the cabinet meets today.
…
Outside the imperial city, Ye Ling and Wang Wenjin entered through the Meridian Gate and followed the bluestone road to Yuxi Palace. Ye Ling held a pile of case files in his hands, all of which were bills sorted out by the Ministry of Accounts.
Along the way, Ye Ling looked around, but couldn't see anything, it was just an ordinary palace.
Climb up the stairs and walk into Yuxi Palace.
Ye Ling raised his eyes to look, but all he saw was: "The main hall was silent, with eight carved wooden dragons. There was a throne high on the platform, with incense burners and red lights on both sides. There were rows of desks under the seats, covered with red cloth. It was a cabinet meeting. The government is gathered here."
As soon as Wang Wenjin entered the door, Gao He cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Master Wang is here early!"
Wang Wenjin returned the courtesy and said: "Eunuch Gao was earlier!"
"Master Wang has a lot of things to do all day long, and he seems a bit haggard these days." Gao He looked at Ye Ling: "I wonder who this is?"
Wang Wenjin introduced: "This is Ye Ling, the new head of our household department. The accounts are in chaos this time, thanks to him helping me sort out the calculations."
Ye Ling raised his eyebrows, then raised his hand and saluted: "I have met Eunuch Gao!"
Gao He smiled and nodded: "You are young and promising, and you will become a great person in the future. The country is full of talented people. It is really a blessing for the court and a great blessing!"
After a few words of conversation, Wang Wenjin pulled Ye Ling to stand on the right side and waited quietly.
Not long after, an old man walked in from outside the door. He was wearing a bright red official uniform and an official hat. His beard and hair were all white. He was exactly the same: "He is full of awe and righteousness, and he has a lot of thoughts in his heart. He is old and has no doubts. I only serve the king and assist the government, regardless of hardships."
Gao He and other eunuchs and Wang Wenjin quickly bowed their hands and saluted: "Prime Minister Wang!"
Ye Ling heard Baili Hanran say last night that this person was the right prime minister of the Daqian Dynasty, Wang Yuanzhong. That is Wang Wenjin’s father.
Wang Yuanzhong nodded slightly, stood behind the table, closed his eyes and said nothing.
Then, two more old men came together. Of these two, the one on the left said: "The beard and hair are neat and tidy, as white as frost in the cold sun. They have a strange and ancient appearance. They always smile when they meet everyone. He is a peacemaker." , It’s a pity that the official residence is in the court.”
The one on the right: "A wisp of green beard is flying, and the heroic spirit is compelling between the eyebrows; like the green pine trees on the cliff, taking root in the gaps; even if the rain and wind blow, I am pure and clean."
Ye Ling had heard from Baili Hanran that the person on the left was Ya Xiang Zuo Fengyuan, known as "the Prime Minister who has both sides and all sides". The one on the right is the Assistant Prime Minister He Lanyi. As his name suggests, he is in a league of his own in the court and stands tall.
Not long after, there were several old men again, one in front of them: "He was dressed in a python robe like snow, with a jade belt hanging in the air around his waist. His face was gentle and kind, and he spoke with ease."
The person on the left: "Taking tiger steps, like a dragon walking. Dressed in scarlet and purple, the ghost has firm features."
Behind them are two more people, one holding a cane, with white beard and hair; the other looks middle-aged, looking like a hawk, with a gloomy look on his eyebrows.
Ye Ling frowned. The person in front of him was Liang Jingyi, the Grand Master and the chief minister of the cabinet. The person on the left is Zhou Qing, the Prime Minister of the Left. The two people at the back are the old man Jia Chengdao, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, and the middle-aged man is Zhao Chengxiang, the minister of the Ministry of industry.
These people also have a name, they are the backers of the second prince Baili Qingfeng.
As soon as Liang Jing arrived, Gao He smiled and went up to help him: "Mr. Ge, please be slower."
Mr. Liang Ge said with a smile: "I am old and no longer useful. It is time to report to the Holy Father and return home to take care of myself!"
"What did Mr. Ge say?" Gao He also said with a smile: "Both the Holy Emperor and the imperial court need Mr. Ge's help. This is a time of crisis, and it is even more important for me and others to work together!"
"This heart and this strength cannot be used in one place." Zhou Qing looked at the hall and suddenly spoke.
Neither Gao He nor Liang Jingyi answered. Fortunately, Zuo Fengyuan came over to greet them and took over the conversation.
After some time, the prince Baili Changkong arrived. Several young eunuchs lit the incense burners, walked out in small steps, closed the door, and the cabinet meeting officially began.
Everyone bowed to the empty throne, and a strange light flashed from the throne, indicating that the emperor was aware that the court meeting had begun.
Gao He led the eunuchs in charge of rites to stand behind the table on the left. Right Prime Minister Wang Yuanzhong led left Prime Minister Zhou Qing, Asian Prime Minister Zuo Fengyuan, Assistant Prime Minister He Lanyi, the Minister of Personnel, Jia Chengdao, the Minister of Hubu, Wang Wenjin, and the Minister of Industry. Zhao Chengxiang stands on the right.
Under the jade steps, there are two chairs. Baili Changkong and Liang Jing sit on the left and right.
Assistant Prime Minister He Lanyi was the first to speak: "Chen Shangshu is ill at home. He will not be able to come over for this court meeting."
Baili Changkong nodded, then stood up and said: "Everyone should understand that now is the time when my life is at stake. The Imperial Palace just received the battle report yesterday. Due to the lack of food and grass, the Dazhu Kingdom was defeated by Zhuge Ce for a while. Retreat to the east side of the Wei River. If we can no longer raise food and grass to send, I'm afraid the entire eastern front will be defeated!"
As soon as these words came out, the court was very quiet, no one spoke.
Baili Changkong glanced at it, and then said to Wang Wenjin: "Wang Xianzhi, please tell all the adults about the bill from the Ministry of Revenue first!"
"yes!"
Wang Wenjin stretched out his hand, and Ye Ling quickly handed over the fold. Wang Wenjin said: "Now there is almost no food available in the Ministry of Revenue and the various granaries. If all the money in the warehouse of the Ministry of Revenue is used to buy grain, it will probably only be enough for the army for a month! There is also the disaster relief in Luzhou, Liang The state's recruitment of troops will not be able to meet the needs of various places even if I sell the treasury that I have greatly contributed to!"
As soon as he said this, Liang Jingyi said: "The front line is not easy, and we cannot let the soldiers fight hungry. There are also disaster relief in Luzhou and recruitment of troops in Liangzhou. These three are urgent matters and cannot be delayed."
Zhao Chengxiang, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, said leisurely: "I remember that a few months ago, the military rations on the front line were all allocated, but why is there no food now?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone's faces changed. Everyone knows that the military rations on the front line were distributed to the victims by Qu Yi, the Minister of Household Affairs, but Zhao Chengxiang deliberately mentioned it at this moment, but it gave others a talking point.
Zhou Qing, the Prime Minister of the Left, said: "Qu Yi secretly released military rations and put me in such a dangerous situation. It is really a heinous crime. Why has the case not been finalized until today? Is it possible that there are still people among them who can't sponsor it?"
As he spoke, Zhou Qing turned to look at Wang Yuanzhong.
Qu Yi was Wang Yuanzhong's disciple. When he went out to Beijing to escort grain and grass to the front line, it was Wang Yuanzhong who recommended him.
Wang Yuanzhong had nothing to say, so Baili Changkong hurriedly spoke: "Today's court discussion is about how to raise food and grass, not the matter of Quyi. Lord Zhou, please don't talk about other things."
Zhou Qing smiled when he heard this and said: "Your Highness, you still have to have the ability to recognize people, otherwise even if you gather the food and grass and use a person like Qu Yi, all your efforts will be in vain. !”
Baili Changkong remained silent. Wang Yuanzhong also served as the prince's tutor and was Baili Changkong's mentor. Naturally, the court classified Wang Yuanzhong and people related to Wang Yuanzhong as the prince's party.
Gao He and other five eunuchs watched silently, without any change in their expressions. Ge Laoliang Jingyi was there, as if he was asleep.
Fortunately, Yaxiang Zuo Fengyuan spoke up at the right time: "The Quyi case will be reviewed by the Ministry of Husbandry, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of Personnel. Sooner or later, the truth will come to light. However, this case is of great importance, and it does take time to conduct a thorough investigation. The current situation is Urgent, I need money and food."
After Zuo Fengyuan finished speaking, Baili Changkong's expression softened slightly.
Gao He also said: "What Mr. Zuo Ge said is right. What we want to discuss today is about money and food, not about meaning. Sir, please put the overall situation first!"
As soon as Liang Jing opened his eyes, he pointed at Wang Wenjin and asked, "First of all, can you tell me what measures the Ministry of Finance has to deal with the current predicament?"
Wang Wenjin cupped his hands and said, "Old Qi, I have already ordered people to contact Yunzhou and other state capitals, asking them to transport all the grain harvested this year to the Qishan Camp."
As soon as these words came out, Baili Changkong frowned slightly, then relaxed them.
Ye Ling was even more surprised after Wang Wenjin came to see him there yesterday evening. Wang Wenjin kept saying that he had nothing to do against Baili Changkong, but now he had already thought of a countermeasure.
Liang Jing nodded and asked again: "But those state capitals are too far away, and some of them are beyond our reach!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Ge," Wang Wenjin said: "Xiaoguan received news last night that the grain and grass have been shipped. In ten days, we will arrive at Qishan Military Camp to supply the army with three months' expenses."
When Liang Jing heard this, he smiled at Wang Yuanzhong and said, "Mo Sheng, you have such a smart and capable son. I am happy for you!"
Wang Yuanzhong looked at Baili Changkong's expressionless face, and he probably knew it in his heart, so he cupped his hands and said, "The dog is still far behind!"
Baili Changkong said: "Now that the military rations on the front line have been solved, let's talk about the disaster relief in Luzhou and the recruitment of troops in Liangzhou. Even with the existing money and food, it is difficult to take care of both."
Liang Jing nodded and said as if to himself: "I wonder if I can save some money and food from other places?"
As soon as he said this, Wang Yuanzhong said: "In the account books of the Ministry of Household Affairs, there is a large expenditure from the Ministry of Works. It is said that it is for the expenses of the palace. I wonder what is going to be done?"
Liang Jingyi raised his head slightly, glanced at Wang Yuanzhong, then lowered his head again and did not speak.
Zhao Chengxiang then said: "Reporting to Mr. Wang Ge, this expenditure is for the construction of temples and formations for the Holy Spirit to use for cultivation. This time, we need to hire magic craftsmen from the Mohist and Gongshu families from the Artifact City to do it. Therefore, the expenditure is much higher. However, the craftsmen have not yet arrived, so the money has been kept in the warehouse of the Ministry of Works."
Gao He had no expression on his face and raised his eyebrows as he said, "The purpose of cultivating the Holy Master is to help me establish my country forever, so every expense cannot be reduced by a penny."
Wang Yuanzhong disagreed and retorted: "Now that I am facing internal and external troubles, everything must be prioritized. Your Majesty is a wise emperor, how can you not understand the painstaking efforts of my ministers?"
Zhou Qing smiled when he heard this: "The Holy One naturally loves the people like his son and is a kind king. But how this minister treats the Holy One, I'm afraid it won't sound so nice to say it!"
Wang Yuanzhong turned around, looked at Zhou Qing and said: "Mr. Zhou, if you have anything to say, you might as well say it clearly. There is no need to hide it!"
Zhou Qing laughed loudly: "Are you guilty of being a thief? At this point, what else can you hide? Let's just say it clearly. Qu Yi dared to scatter the general's food privately. Isn't there someone behind the scenes to instigate it?"
