Chapter 107 - The Unemotional Emperor

Chapter 107: Chapter 105: The Unemotional EmperorYe Qiu saw that Prime Minister Xiao was constantly slandering General Li and maintained a stern face without speaking. Prime Minister Xiao even thought his words had taken effect, as a gleam of shrewdness flashed in his old eyes.

"Is there anything else?"

"Your Majesty?" Prime Minister Xiao couldn’t believe it. After hearing his words, the Emperor actually did not reprimand the Li Family Army?

Since ancient times, civil servants have had conflicts with military generals, and the Li family, being the Crown Prince’s maternal family, naturally faces resentment from the Xiao Family, the maternal family of the Third Prince who harbors improper thoughts toward the position of the Crown Prince. The Xiao Family would never miss a chance to suppress the Li family. Usually, his bamouthings of the Li family would trigger dissatisfaction in the Emperor. Yet today, knowing that the Li Family Army had initiated a battle without imperial orders, the Emperor did not erupt in anger?

Prime Minister Xiao thought his words had not been articulated clearly enough and continued to defame: "Your Majesty, this Li Family arrogantly waged war holding military power, showing no regard for Your Majesty! Such a treacherous rebel deserves severe punishment from Your Majesty." Saying so, he knelt down heavily again.

Ye Qiu saw his trembling form and sneered ironically, not bothering to tell him to stand up: "I see nothing wrong with this memorial. The Xiongnu have already come to our doorstep, how can we not strike back? As for the subsequent battles, pursuing victory is only logical. Should we wait for my orders? Travelling the long distance, any loss incurred by then would be truly regrettable. Prime Minister, having served two generations, how do you not understand this rationale?"

Ye Qiu’s tone was not at all polite; his inherent majesty even more formidable than when he was angry on other days; Prime Minister Xiao knelt below, anger flashing through his heart along with a wisp of fear.

Seeing his shaking form, Ye Qiu said in a softer voice: "Little Shunzi, help your grandfather to sit down. I have forgotten that Grandfather is getting on in years and is not as robust as in the past."

"Chirp!"

Hearing Ye Qiu calling him grandfather, and being assisted by the intimate eunuch, Prime Minister Xiao’s complexion improved slightly, but he was still dissatisfied with the treatment of the Li family. However, he now dared not contradict his grandson.

"Your Majesty, the denunciation of the Li family has grown more intense in the court, what do you think should be done about it?" He did not speak up, but naturally, others would.

"You are the Prime Minister; if you understand this logic, how could they not?" Ye Qiu looked at Prime Minister Xiao with full trust, "In the past, I was most satisfied with how Grandfather managed affairs. You just go back and explain the rationale to the ministers, and I believe they will all listen to you."

Prime Minister Xiao stiffened upon hearing this, not expecting the Emperor to fob him off with such words, or was the Emperor hinting that his power was too extensive? The more Prime Minister Xiao pondered, the more he felt there was a deeper meaning to Ye Qiu’s words.

Upon this thought, Prime Minister Xiao knelt down tremulously again: "This old servant fears greatly; with the courtiers having varied intentions, how could I possibly persuade each one?"

"Ah! What’s the matter again?" Ye Qiu turned to Eunuch Shun, who immediately helped Prime Minister Xiao to his seat, and continued: "Grandfather is too modest. I trust you the most. It’s not a serious issue, after all. If Grandfather also finds this matter difficult, I really have to wonder if Grandfather is thinking of retiring."

While Ye Qiu spoke with a smile, Prime Minister Xiao broke into a cold sweat. He quickly recalled recent events, wondering if something had happened without his knowledge.

But now, he dared not decline Ye Qiu’s request anymore: "This old servant will not fail Your Majesty’s expectations. Before the grand court session tomorrow, I will clarify the situation to the courtiers who co-signed the petition."

Ye Qiu laughed heartily: "I knew Grandfather knows my heart best."

Watching the Prime Minister’s retreating figure, Ye Qiu sneered coldly. He really felt fortunate about his timely return; it had only been a year since he ascended the throne, and the Xiao Family had not yet gained overwhelming dominance over the court.

If Prime Minister Xiao knows to retire gracefully, that would be for the best. If not, even with the Empress Dowager and the Third Prince on his side, they won’t be able to protect them.

Once out of the palace gate, Xiao Bairen immediately sent for his second son to return and discuss urgent matters. Xiao Qi, covered in dust and dirt, didn’t even change his official robes.

"Father, is there something important?"

"Have your wife enter the palace to pay respects to Empress Dowager and the noble concubine, and inquire if anything has happened in the harem recently."

"Didn’t you meet with the Holy Emperor today, Father? What happened?" Xiao Qi asked anxiously.

Xiao Bairen squinted, his eyes sharp, his voice deep: "Today, I had intended to use the Li Family’s unauthorized warfare as an excuse to suppress them. However, the Emperor protected the Li Family for the first time, and he also asked me to placate the other courtiers who submitted memorials along with me. How can I not overthink this? Moreover, today the Emperor actually made me kneel three times."

Yet Xiao Qi was somewhat skeptical: "Father, might you be overthinking it? The Xiongnu invasion—Isn’t the Li Family’s battle against them the norm? As for the kneeling incident, perhaps His Majesty was simply careless. His Majesty has always favored our Xiao Family. What exactly are you worried about?"

Listening to his second son’s words, Xiao Bairen felt a bit vexed, angry at his son’s lack of intellect. If his eldest son was by his side, would he have to ponder so much? Thinking of his eldest son, recently there’s been news that the Minister of Revenue intends to retire and return to his hometown, and it might be time to recall the eldest son back to the capital.

Xiao Bairen turned his head, feeling he had a moment of folly. What madness possessed him to summon his second son to discuss these matters?

"Enough. You go back to your own affairs, and just make sure your wife remembers to pay a visit to the palace," Xiao Bairen said impatiently. Xiao Qi, looking bewildered, turned around and headed back to the Ministry of Rites.

The next day, during the grand court assembly, Prime Minister Xiao indeed handled matters with efficiency. Not a single person brought up the Li Family’s unauthorized warfare again, but the Ministry of Revenue Chief’s petition to retire posed a serious concern to Ye Qiu.

In the past life, it was at this time that these events unfolded. The Minister of Revenue retired, and heeding the suggestion of the Prime Minister, Xiao Fu, who was in exile, was recalled to the capital to fill the Ministry’s vacancy, which cemented the Xiao Family’s authority in the court even further.

The Minister of Revenue indeed was growing old and often lacked energy, but Xiao Fu must by no means succeed to this position.

"Chief of Staff, please wait. His Majesty has summoned you to the Imperial Study Room," Eunuch Shun halted the Minister of Revenue leaving the palace. Prime Minister Xiao didn’t take it seriously. Although His Majesty had just dismissed the minister’s petition to retire on the court assembly, this was routine, a gesture of respect to an old official. Summoning him now was simply the usual consolation.

What he didn’t realize was that Ye Qiu’s questions were precisely about the position that most concerned the Prime Minister, the Minister of Revenue.

"Please summon Minister Liu as well, and already ask him if there’s any candidate in mind for his position after his retirement," said Ye Qiu.

Minister Liu thought Ye Qiu had someone in mind, but since Ye Qiu was asking, he responded with his own preference.

"There’s an old saying, ’Promote the virtuous without avoiding relatives.’ I do indeed have a candidate in mind, but this person is somewhat related to me."

"Oh? Who is it?" Ye Qiu’s tone revealed no sign of anger, prompting Minister Liu to speak frankly, "This person is my student, Vice Minister Zhang."