novelburst
Chapter 1042 - 1039: An Audience
Chapter 1042 - 1039: An Audience
Chapter 1042: Chapter 1039: An Audience
“Minister Chen Aiqing, you will go to Nanchang County to transport the grain seeds back, and set up experimental fields outside the capital. By next year, there must be enough grain seeds to distribute throughout the country.”
The Minister of Revenue’s legs trembled. “Emperor, this… will likely require a considerable number of people.”
“What, do you think my demands are too high?” Emperor Xuanming asked very displeasedly.
Naturally, Chen Tianmin, the Minister of Revenue, thought the Emperor’s demands were too high. If he failed to cultivate the seeds, wouldn’t he risk losing his head? Besides, transporting the grain from Nanchang County—should any issues arise on the way, his responsibility would be enormous. Furthermore, he didn’t even know how much rice seed was available this year; how could he undertake this task?
“Emperor, your servant dares not object, it’s just that according to the memorandum, the quantity of rice seeds seems not to be substantial. I fear that even with good fields, there may not be enough seeds.”
Emperor Xuanming was already in a bad mood. He maintained these officials to get things done, not to make constant excuses. According to the Fourth Child, his goals were definitely achievable.
But Chen Tianmin was too moderate, utterly lacking in fighting spirit. He also made various excuses each time he was asked for silver.
“If that’s so, then let the Fourth Prince take charge of this matter.”
Chen Tianmin had originally thought that with the Emperor’s approachable disposition, by being more honest, the other party would surely agree. After all, the Emperor favored officials who got things done. If he could persuade the Emperor to reduce the targets a bit, the task wouldn’t just be a non-issue for him, it would actually be beneficial.
Not until he heard Emperor Xuanming’s words did he realize… was he being excluded from this matter entirely?
Chen Tianmin hurriedly knelt down. “Emperor, your servant speaks the truth. Even if the Fourth Prince undertakes this matter, it will not be achievable.”
“Do you have objections to my decree?” Emperor Xuanming seemed amiable, but when toughness was called for, he never showed leniency, especially with countless secret guards in the Imperial Family monitoring the officials.
Yearly, any official caught in misconduct could be immediately relieved of their duties, as there were many officials who had entered the official circle through the imperial examination system at Emperor Xuanming’s disposal.
Because of this, officials from the capital dared not form factions or engage in corruption. Any sign of it, and they’d either be put under house arrest or demoted.
This policy inadvertently brought forth many capable and practical officials. Moreover, a number of officials were very much individualists, loathing any flattery, and paradoxically, Emperor Xuanming often hailed these officials, encouraging them to maintain their independence and unique characters. Hence, no one dared to ostracize those solitary, proud officials.
Upon hearing Emperor Xuanming’s words, Chen Tianmin realized that the Fourth Prince might have some method for success, and his protest not only failed to appear reasonable to the Emperor but instead highlighted his own dereliction of duty.
Chen Tianmin felt sick to his stomach and could only kneel down to plead for mercy. “Emperor, your servant dares not.”
“Very well, but since the Fourth Prince is still young, you, Minister Chen Aiqing, will assist him from the side, ensuring that the grain seeds are safely preserved without fail.”
Chen Tianmin hadn’t expected that not only had he missed out on a good opportunity, but he’d also have to exhaust himself helping the Fourth Prince as a bodyguard. If the rice seeds indeed encountered problems, he feared that when the time came, both he and the Fourth Prince would be in deep trouble.
“Minister Chen Aiqing, these rice seeds are extremely precious. They are related to the people’s livelihood and the future finances of the Ministry of Revenue. There must not be the slightest error,” Emperor Xuanming said with utmost seriousness.
It had been a long time since Chen Tianmin had seen the Emperor this serious, and upon reflection, he wasn’t surprised. After all, food and the common people were foundational to the imperial court. The Ministry of Revenue’s finances also largely originated from the common people. He too wished for the Ministry’s coffers to be abundant and naturally hoped for the success of this endeavor.