Chapter 109 - The Ruthless Emperor

Chapter 109: Chapter 107: The Ruthless EmperorAfter Xiao Fu returned home, he rested quietly for a few days and then became active again in the upper circles of the capital officials. Everyone almost unanimously regarded him as the next Minister of Revenue, treating him with great respect.

Eight days later, another grand court assembly was held, and the atmosphere in the Xiao Family was different. Dressed impeccably, Xiao Bairen and Xiao Fu walked out of the Xiao Family’s main gate with a swagger, and along the way, officials congratulated them. Although they humbly replied, their faces revealed a pride that seemed to take the position of Minister of Revenue as already theirs.

"The Emperor has arrived."

"We, your humble subjects, greet Your Majesty with wishes for your eternal life, long live, long live, forever! "

"My beloved courtiers, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Does any among you have matters to report?"

"Your subject has a memorial to present." The Minister of War stepped into the center of Taihe Palace and presented a memorial, saying, "Due to the prolonged war in the Northern lands, General Li has requested ten thousand sets of winter clothing, ten thousand pieces of weaponry, and five hundred thousand catties of grain and fodder. This minister earnestly requests Your Majesty’s approval."

"I oppose," Xiao Bairen stepped forward, speaking ardently, "Three months ago, General Li had already requisitioned three hundred thousand catties of grain and fodder from Lu and Shan lands. Furthermore, the war has now subsided, and there is simply no need for additional supplies. I truly doubt General Li’s intentions; why does he not return to the court rather than request such a substantial amount of military provisions?"

"Prime Minister, with the Xiongnu army looming at the border, how can General Li return to the court?" The Minister of War spoke sharply. He had anticipated that today’s presentation would not be easy, but he never expected Prime Minister Xiao to so openly slander General Li’s loyalty under broad daylight. However, His Majesty’s reappointment of Prime Minister Xiao was not a matter of a day or two, so he was really uncertain about what decision His Majesty would make.

"General Li has demanded a lot of military supplies, but the Xiongnu forces have not been defeated. Who knows what his true intentions are?" Prime Minister Xiao said coldly, "Your Majesty, I suggest you immediately summon General Li back to the capital."

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!" The Minister of War fell to his knees with a thud, panicked.

"Enough, this is Taihe Palace, not a marketplace," Ye Qiu suddenly shouted when he saw that Xiao Bairen had more to say. All the courtiers knelt down and together pleaded, "We ask Your Majesty to calm your anger."

The moment Xiao Bairen knelt down, a victorious smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, while the Minister of War’s body wavered as if he had been struck a blow.

"Grant Minister Zhun Yan’s memorial."

Xiao Bairen suddenly raised his head, hardly believing it! How could the Emperor tolerate Li Xiu remaining at the Northern Border after he had said all that? And even approve his memorial?

The Minister of War, on the other hand, was overjoyed, bowing his head repeatedly, quickly saying, "This minister is thankful on behalf of General Li for His Majesty’s gracious favor."

The other courtiers in the court looked at each other, none daring to speak up at this moment.

"Is there anyone else with a memorial?"

After waiting for a moment and seeing that no one spoke up, Ye Qiu again said, "Xiao Shun, read the decree."

Everyone’s expressions became serious, knowing that the highlight of the day had arrived. Xiao Bairen’s countenance was no longer difficult to look at but contained a hint of joy instead. Standing slightly behind, Xiao Fu covertly nodded at his father, standing even straighter. Nobody noticed that Xiao Qi, standing near the outside of the hall, had a flicker of darkness in his eyes.

"Jiangxi Governor Xiao Fu, heed the imperial decree."

"Your subject heeds the decree."

"By the Mandate of Heaven and under the Emperor’s order: We govern the world with culture and suppress chaos with military might. Since Xiao Fu has served as the Jiangxi Governor, he has encouraged virtuous customs and dedicates himself to utmost loyalty, proving to be the keystone of the court and the cornerstone of the state. Therefore, he is hereby appointed Cabinet Scholar. This we decree."

The imperial decree was announced, and the entire court froze in shock. Ye Qiu and Xiao Fu were even unable to snap back to reality, while Eunuch Shun, with eyes lowered, continued to declare loudly: "Mr. Xiao, please receive the decree."

Whispers began to spread among those present. Xiao Fu had lost face completely. It was clear to any discerning eye that it was a promotion in name but a demotion in substance. Though the position of the Jiangxi Governor was second-rank, it was indeed head of an entire province with real power, while the role of Cabinet Scholar, also of second-rank, involved only the tasks of revising documents and lecturing. Although it provided the chance for promotion to Prime Minister, it meant that his father would have to step down. No matter how one looked at it, it was not advantageous for the Xiao Family.

Moreover, just a few days ago, the Xiao Family was seen meeting people with great joy, for everyone knew that he had his eye on the position of Minister of Revenue. Now, his dream turned into a mere delusion, how could it not be awkward? However, at this moment, he couldn’t show his dissatisfaction and had to kneel to thank for the imperial grace.

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for the profound grace!"

After Xiao Fu stepped down, Eunuch Shun took out another imperial decree. The courtiers were all guessing to whom the Emperor had given the position of Minister of Revenue, to have surpassed his favor towards the Xiao Family.

"Vice Minister Zhang Ping of the Ministry of Revenue, receive the decree."

Amidst the pressure from the crowd, Zhang Ping knelt down calmly to receive the decree: "This subject receives the decree."

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees... hereby specially appoint you as the Minister of Revenue. Heed this command."

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for the profound grace."

Ye Qiu nearly couldn’t contain his anger. Ever since he became Prime Minister, he had never lost face like this, especially to someone whom he never cared to notice before, a minor Vice Minister.

After the morning court session ended, some were joyful while others were worried. Those who usually hovered around the Xiao Family now wished they could distance themselves from their gaze, fearing the wrath would burn them too, whereas Xiao Qi, with a sly smile, thought to himself – his always shrewd elder brother has finally taken a fall. At this moment, he was immersed in the joy of Xiao Fu’s frustration, not considering what Xiao Fu’s disappointment might herald.

In the harem, Ye Qiu had not yet reached Yangxin Hall when he was stopped by Noble Princess Consort Xiao in the imperial garden.

"I pay my respects to the Emperor." Dressed in white and wearing only two petite pink palace flowers in her hair, Xiao Rou appeared frail before Ye Qiu. In reality, her beauty did not suit such attire and expression; it was only because she came to plead today that she had switched into this unusual combination.

"Beloved concubine, rise." Ye Qiu saw her distressed and anxious appearance, sneered inwardly while maintaining a calm face, "Does my beloved concubine have something to say?"

"This concubine has heard that today the Emperor has appointed my father as a Cabinet Scholar..."

As Ye Qiu saw her hesitate, he asked in line with her train of thought, "What is it?"

Xiao Rou had never been good-tempered. Pampered by her parents at home and then doted on by the Empress Dowager and Emperor in the palace, she had long developed a spoiled and capricious nature. Having received her grandfather’s command to wield pillow talk, after much planning and wandering in the imperial garden for a long time, she could not hold it back any longer.

"Cousin, I do not like that Zhang Ping, can you kill him and let father be Minister of Revenue, please?" Xiao Rou insisted petulantly, not understanding why her grandfather had told her to be cautious and probe. Her cousin doted on her so much, he would surely agree with what she says.

Ye Qiu had not expected Xiao Rou to be so foolish, his brow furrowed and he said sternly, "How dare you."

Xiao Rou, still not understanding, asked bewildered: "Cousin, what’s wrong?"

"Noble Consort Xiao is confined to Ganquan Palace for interfering with court affairs, effective immediately. Without my command, you shall not leave the palace."

"Cousin? What are you talking about? You want to confine me? Don’t expect me to forgive you!" Xiao Rou shrieked.

Eunuch Shun was speechless. Has the noble concubine not grasped the situation even at this point? Just yesterday the Xiao Family had lost face in the court, and today the noble consort was confined. In his view, the future looked bleak for Xiao Ke.