Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 70. Donate silver (request for further reading)

"This..."

Emperor Chongming frowned. "How could there be so little silver in the National Treasury?"

It was laughable that the National Treasury, which was supposed to be grand and magnificent, had only about 300,000 taels of silver left.

He intuitively felt that this group of civil and military officials had embezzled the funds.

"The Imperial Court is in great difficulty."

"But bandits must be eradicated."

"I will donate 100,000 taels of silver from my private treasury, another 100,000 taels from the National Treasury, and then the remaining civil and military officials can raise some more money..."

Emperor Chongming sighed and announced his decree.

The officials were silent once again.

The private treasury was the Emperor’s personal stash, while the National Treasury belonged to the Imperial Court.

"Retainer Ouyang, as the Zaifu..."

"Let’s start with your donation."

Emperor Chongming stared at Ouyang Zai intently and spoke.

"Your minister..."

"I will donate 500 taels."

Ouyang Zai clenched his teeth, determined to donate all he had.

He had already entered the cabinet and become a Grand Scholar when the previous emperor was still alive. After many long years, he finally became the chief assistant in the cabinet, the Prime Minister position.

During the previous emperor’s reign, the Court was not too chaotic.

Thus, although he had accepted bribes, it was not much.

"500 taels?"

Emperor Chongming squinted his eyes.

Although a Zaifu was rich, it was not easy to save 500 taels based solely on their salary. He had already heard secret reports from the Night Patrol Department that Ouyang Zai lived a luxurious life. Indeed, a minister who could casually donate 500 taels must be a corrupt official in the Court.

"Your minister is willing to donate 100 taels..."

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites, making a show of a difficult decision, begrudgingly said.

These ministers are all Corrupt Officials.

Emperor Chongming noted in his heart the officials who had donated a large amount of money.

Finally, it was Han Taipu’s turn.

"Taipu has always been upright and honest..."

"Just do your best."

Seeing Han Taipu’s difficult expression, Emperor Chongming sighed quietly.

He carefully looked at Han Sui’s official robe, which was washed and worn, and the cloud-walking shoes on his feet were old as well, obviously having been worn for a long time.

Consort Han in the Palace was the same, having opened a weaving workshop and sewing her own clothes.

Sometimes when she had extra silkworm silk, she would sell the satin to the public to earn some daily expenses.

Both father and daughter were loyal and devoted to their country.

He couldn’t let his officials be disheartened.

"Your minister..."

"I will donate 50 taels."

Han Taipu showed a pained expression on his face.

"50 taels?"

Emperor Chongming nodded slightly.

Considering Han Taipu’s financial situation, donating 50 taels was already quite a lot.

One by one, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers finished their donations.

Ouyang Zai’s 500 taels were the highest amount, so other officials ranked below him could not donate more than he did.

There were over a hundred civil and military officials in the Court.

In the end, Emperor Chongming received 5,000 taels of silver from this fundraising event.

"Your minister... recently, I often dream of returning to my hometown, and it seems that I have reached the twilight of my life."

"I request permission to resign, and may Your Majesty grant it."

Ouyang Zai took a deep breath, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in salute.

With his wisdom, he had already guessed Emperor Chongming’s thoughts at this time. His donation of 500 taels of silver was indeed too much. It was so much that the Emperor had become wary of him. But he couldn’t donate less money either. If he had donated less, the other officials would follow suit, making the donation situation even more embarrassing for the Imperial Court and Emperor Chongming. If it were any other emperor, he, as the Zaifu, could still continue his position. However...facing Emperor Chongming, he knew this was his last chance. He had to request resignation now, or he would end up like Chen Hou.

"Granted!"

Emperor Chongming nodded slightly in agreement.

"Your minister..."

"I also wish to request resignation."

"My father has recently passed away, and I wish to return home to mourn for him."

Several officials, sensing that the atmosphere in the Court was amiss, also tendered their resignations one by one.

"Granted!"

Emperor Chongming saw this as a good opportunity to get rid of the Corrupt Officials in the Court and would not refuse.

He nodded one by one, granting their requests.

Once these Corrupt Officials are removed... the Court will be filled with righteous officials.

He glanced at the officials in the hall and thought to himself.

The court session ended.

Emperor Chongming invited Han Sui and a few other high-ranking officials to the Side Hall to discuss important matters.

Important matters were discussed in small meetings, minor ones in large assemblies; it had always been this way.

The decision regarding Mount Siming could not be made easily in a court meeting.

"As for the rebels’ demands..."

"I think Your Majesty ought to agree."

Han Sui saw through the malicious intentions of Xu Xing’s request for reward.

If Emperor Chongming were a wise ruler, of course, Han Sui would speak his mind bluntly, but he happened to be an obstinate and incompetent ruler. Han Sui had just seen Chen Hou’s fate and dared not speak recklessly.

"Please elaborate, Retainer Han."

Emperor Chongming passed the buck to Han Sui once more.

He was inclined to approve Xu Xing’s request for rewards. Once the request for rewards was granted, Guanxi Road wouldn’t be considered lost territory. His face could be saved. If he didn’t agree, the loss of an entire territory would cause a stir throughout the land, and he would lose face then. After agreeing to the reward, he could then send a large army to eradicate these bandits... The cover-up would be in place.

However, even though he thought this way, he could not say it out loud. Once he said it, he would appear shameless and lose face.

"Your Majesty, this..."

"This humble minister is dull-witted."

Han Sui was also an extremely astute person.

He dared not bear the responsibility for this decision.

In case the official soldiers were defeated, he would have no choice but to die to atone for his mistake in order to silence public criticism.

The words he had spoken earlier were, to some extent, an expression of his loyalty, with the intention of making Emperor Chongming shoulder the responsibility. After all, neither he nor anyone else could bear this burden.

Emperor Chongming’s credibility... truly inspired no confidence.

If Emperor Chongming could bear this responsibility, there might still be some hope for the Imperial Court. The court officials would be able to see a glimmer of hope.

"Your Majesty..."

"Consort Han has prepared a savory egg custard for the Prince in the Palace. She just sent word, asking that you, the Prince, go to her Xuanhua Palace once court is adjourned..."

At this, Eunuch Li Enlu who has the imperial seal came to Han Sui’s rescue.

Hearing the name Consort Han, Emperor Chongming’s expression softened a bit. He turned to Commander Liu and said, "Ride swiftly and stop Retainer Ouyang before he leaves. Make him submit his policy advice to the Court."

The Imperial Court is in difficult times... After he dies, grant him the posthumous title of ’Wen Zhong’.

Since Ouyang Zai has enjoyed the benefits of his position for so many years, it is time for him to make a sacrifice in return.

Upon seeing this, though Han Sui and others breathed a sigh of relief, they secretly despised Emperor Chongming in their hearts.

「Outside Shenjing, at the Station Post.」

The Station Post was located to the south of Shenjing, about twenty kilometers away.

It was the first stop for those traveling to Jiangnan.

Ouyang Zai was riding an old cow, followed by an old servant.

Behind them was a horse carriage. The carriage’s decoration was neither simple nor luxurious.

"Father, why are we leaving the Capital?"

"Why did you suddenly resign your position?"

A delicate hand lifted the reed curtain of the horse carriage, and a sixteen-year-old girl with a traditional hairstyle looked out. "I often heard Father saying that he should strive to turn the tide in this troubled time and be worthy of the previous emperor’s kindness. That in such perilous times, one must step forward. But now... has Father encountered some injustice?"

Her appearance was only average and not exceptionally beautiful.

However, she had cultivated a scholarly air, which made her quite pleasant to look at.