Chapter 099: The Unchanged Second Prince, The Methodical Emperor Jian
Fortunately, some remained clear-headed. Prime Minister Li promptly voiced his dissent, “Throughout the Jian’an Dynasty, the number of officials is innumerable. Just three months ago, we passed the policy to add supervisory officials in various regions, further increasing their numbers significantly. If we raise salaries, the amount of silver involved would be enormous—the Ministry of Revenue likely cannot afford it! I believe this method is unfeasible!”
Upon hearing this, the ministers secretly rolled their eyes in unison.
As the Prime Minister with a high monthly salary, you might not care about a slight increase, but they certainly did!
“That’s not entirely accurate,” Xie Chengze immediately retorted. “Didn’t we just confiscate the properties of those corrupt officials in the Ministry of Revenue and are currently tallying the silver? How could there be no funds?”
“Your Highness, as you mentioned, the tallying is still ongoing, and we don’t know the exact amount yet. Moreover, we must prepare for potential disasters next year, must we not?” Prime Minister Li reminded him.
“Ah, my foolish mind!” Xie Chengze immediately knocked on his own head, wearing a troubled expression.
Seeing this, the ministers could not help but feel deeply disappointed, all casting bitter glances at Xie Chengze.
Who wouldn’t be disheartened to lose a salary increase that was within reach?
Second Prince, couldn’t you try a little harder? They felt there was still room for negotiation rather than outright rejection.
“In that case, why not first raise the salaries of the civil and military officials?” Xie Chengze suddenly clapped his hands, as if struck by inspiration. “Local officials suffer, but haven’t we court officials suffered as well? Take our Chen Yushi, for example. Half a year ago, to make a donation for Yi Province, he must have tightened his belt considerably, right? I’ve noticed he’s grown even thinner!”
The ministers turned to look at Chen Yushi. Indeed, the old man’s back was more hunched, and his frame appeared even gaunter.
“I… made the donation willingly,” Chen Yushi said, clasping his hands together, his lips trembling slightly as if he wanted to say more but hesitated out of pride.
No one would refuse a pay raise.
“Chen Yushi may be willing in matters of state, but his monthly salary is truly insufficient to support his family,” Xie Chengze raised a hand and spoke eloquently. “Chen Yushi is advanced in years and not as nimble on his feet. To attend court on time, he had to purchase property in Jingcheng, but the housing and living costs in the capital are exorbitantly high. Three generations of his family are crammed into a small, remote hut in a corner of Jingcheng. I’ve calculated carefully—his salary barely covers basic sustenance. Whenever his old leg ailment flares up, he endures the pain, unwilling to spend money on medicine.”
Hearing this, some ministers’ eyes reddened, and one spoke up, “Indeed, Chen Yushi has had it far too hard.”
“Chen Yushi is proud and stubborn, unwilling to accept aid. Since the Second Prince has brought it up, I would like to plead on his behalf!”
“Old Xu, Old Yang…” Chen Yushi looked at his friends speaking up for him, sighed heavily, feeling both touched and helpless. “I will abide by the court’s arrangements. Even if times are hard, I am willing…”
“Your Majesty, the current monthly salary is indeed meager, often leaving us in dire straits. I haven’t been able to buy my wife a fashionable dress from Jingcheng in so long…”
“Indeed, I also believe the Second Prince is right. We must not let the officials lose heart…”
Once again, the ministers fixed their hopeful gazes on Emperor Jian.
Emperor Jian: …
Emperor Jian couldn’t figure out what Xie Chengze was truly scheming. Could it really be just out of pity for upright officials like Chen Yushi that he proposed increasing their salaries?
As he pondered, he heard Xie Chengze say, “Father, when you raise the salaries, don’t forget to include me! Oh, and also the Crown Prince and Fourth Brother. The Crown Prince was previously penalized with six months’ salary deduction for failing to make donations, so he must be tight on funds now. Since the six-month period has passed, it’s time to increase his monthly salary so he can afford some better meals.”
Civil and military officials: …?
So you proposed raising salaries for your own benefit! You even used the Crown Prince as a shield!
It seems they were moved for nothing earlier!
The Second Prince remained the same—using the Crown Prince as a pawn to secure his own gains!
“Hmm…” Emperor Jian pondered slightly. “This matter was indeed my oversight. I hadn’t realized my ministers were living so frugally. In that case, why not entrust this task to you, Ze’er?”
Xie Chengze: ?
Xie Chengze hurriedly waved his hands in panic. “No, no! I am incompetent. It would be better to let…”
He scanned the officials, finally settling on old Chen Yushi. “Chen Yushi has always been frugal, so he must be well-acquainted with market prices in Jingcheng. Moreover, with three generations living under one roof in the Chen family, he surely has experience managing finances for a five-member household. He is the most suitable to calculate the new salary amounts. However…”
He paused and glanced at Shen Yuan. “However, Chen Yushi is perhaps too frugal and might calculate the bare minimum. If someone falls ill or there are celebrations or funerals, there might not be enough funds, which would contradict my original intention. Why not have Lord Shen make appropriate adjustments to the increases, with the Ministry of Revenue cooperating to complete the task together?”
After speaking, he deliberately smiled at Shen Yuan, fully displaying his intention to “offer this coveted task to Shen Yuan and thus win him over.”
The officials: Oh ho ho.
So the Second Prince is trying to win over Lord Shen!
No wonder he suddenly brought up the salary increase—it’s a move that kills multiple birds with one stone!
Nearby, Xie Jinyu’s expression darkened slightly, his gaze shifting repeatedly between Xie Chengze and Shen Yuan as if displeased about something.
Below the main hall, one person narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the scene with a curled lip.
It seemed the Second Prince had indeed been persuaded and was attempting to recruit Shen Yuan.
He looked forward to the Crown Prince and the Second Prince fighting like the snipe and the clam.
“Since that’s the case, let it be done this way,” Emperor Jian raised his hand to signal. “Ministers Chen and Shen, I give you half a month to submit the new salary roster to the Ministry of Revenue. Is that feasible?”
“This old minister obeys.”
“Your servant obeys.”
Seeing this, Xie Chengze immediately exclaimed, flattering, “Father treats his officials like his own children! We will surely devote ourselves even more diligently, striving to the death!”
The other ministers also bowed and exclaimed in unison, overjoyed, “We will not fail Your Majesty’s great favor, working tirelessly day and night with renewed diligence!”
——
After the court session, as if afraid Emperor Jian would detain him to review memorials, Xie Chengze patted his backside and swiftly rolled out of the Golden Luan Hall.
Emperor Jian: …
Do you think just because I can’t drag you to the Imperial Study, I can’t go to Cheng Huan Palace to find you myself?
So Emperor Jian tossed all the memorials to the Crown Prince and hurried to Cheng Huan Palace to wait for his prey.
By noon, however, Xie Chengze still hadn’t appeared. Emperor Jian sent someone to inquire and learned that Xie Chengze had gone to the Directorate of Celestial Observation.
Emperor Jian rushed to the Directorate, but by the time he arrived, Xie Chengze had already left. No one knew where he had gone.
Emperor Jian: …
You little rascal, quite the dodger!
“Very well, it’s merely a matter of increasing salaries. With winter upon us and prices rising in the capital, veteran ministers like Chen Yushi would indeed struggle to support their large families without a raise.” Emperor Jian shook his head resignedly. “Consider it returning the silver previously donated to Yi Province.”
Eunuch Zhao nodded approvingly. “Your Majesty is most compassionate.”
“But what is that boy really scheming? Could it truly be just for the benefit of veteran ministers like Chen Yushi?” The emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully. “We suspect it’s not that simple.”
Eunuch Zhao smiled. “Though the Second Prince appears mischievous, he never acts without purpose. Your Majesty will likely understand soon enough.”
As Eunuch Zhao predicted, Emperor Jian soon discovered why Xie Chengze had suddenly proposed raising officials’ salaries.
On this particular day, the emperor was conducting court as usual, routinely questioning Chengze, and routinely receiving the response: “Don’t know, ask so-and-so.”
Suddenly, from beyond the main hall, a deep and distant bell tolled like heavenly thunder, piercing through layers of palace walls to strike directly at the Hall of Golden Chimes. One resonant ring followed another, each strike hammering at the heart, shaking everyone to their core!
All ministers in the hall visibly paled.
This was—the Directorate of Celestial Observation’s warning before issuing a Heavenly Decree!