Chapter 110 - The Ruthless Emperor

Chapter 110: Chapter 108: The Ruthless EmperorNoble Princess Consort Xiao was confined to Ganquan Palace, and this news spread throughout the entire harem by the afternoon. There were those who worried, and those who reveled in her misfortune. Ye Qiu was sought out by Empress Dowager Xiao as soon as the news broke.

"Empress Mother, why have you come?" Ye Qiu ignored the unpleasant expression on Empress Dowager Xiao’s face and respectfully saluted her.

"Why have I come? Isn’t it because of you?" Empress Dowager Xiao fumed, "Rourou is not only your Noble Consort but also your cousin, and moreover, she is my niece. What grave mistake has she committed that you must treat her this way? Where should I, her aunt, put my face?"

"Were she not your niece, based on her crimes, she would have been enough to be sent to the Cold Palace," Ye Qiu said coldly.

"What mistake could she possibly make?" Seeing the stern look on Ye Qiu’s face, Empress Dowager Xiao’s anger somewhat diminished.

Ye Qiu looked straight at Empress Dowager Xiao and said word by word, "As a concubine of the harem, she openly criticized my decisions, unreasonably demanded the execution of a Minister, and requested changes in officials’ positions. Does she not deserve to be sent to the Cold Palace? I only took a step back because of your sake, Empress Mother."

"She was just worried about her father, it wasn’t intentional," Empress Dowager Xiao defended in a low voice, not knowing when she had started to lose her assertiveness in front of her own son.

Ye Qiu sneered, "My uncle is doing very well right now; I really don’t know what she is worried about."

"It’s about his official position..." Empress Dowager Xiao suddenly realized, unable to finish her sentence.

After all, this time Xiao Fu’s promotion from being the Jiangxi Governor to a Cabinet Scholar, from a Secondary Second-rank local official to a Second-Rank capital official, was indeed a promotion. Then what reason does Xiao Rou have to make a fuss? Or is it that the Xiao Family is dissatisfied with my decision, resisting the decree?

Empress Dowager Xiao broke into a cold sweat in an instant. She did not know what exactly Xiao Rou had said today, but recalling Xiao Rou’s temperament, she guessed that what Ye Qiu said was most likely close to the truth, or even more outrageous. Although the Xiao Family held a high and powerful position, there were equally many who resented them. Previously, they acted recklessly under the Emperor’s favor, but what if one day the Emperor’s favor ceases? Just with her, a Empress Dowager who can’t interfere in politics?

Moreover, it seems today that the Noble Consort and the Xiao Family have thoroughly infuriated the Emperor’s bottom line. What will happen in the future is yet to be seen, especially since it’s impossible to keep harem matters secret. Starting tomorrow, those Imperial Censors will be accusing the Xiao Family one after another.

The usually oblivious Empress Dowager Xiao managed to be smart today, but the more anxious she became, the more disordered her thoughts were. Ye Qiu looked at her and ultimately sighed, "Empress Mother, you need not worry about these matters; Huai Zhang still needs your care!"

Although the Empress Dowager has always protected the Xiao Family, after the capital fell, she never abandoned her son and moved with the Xiao Family; she was just somewhat muddled and easily used by the Xiao Family. Ye Qiu always couldn’t bear to hurt her.

Right, and she didn’t know how her lovely grandson was doing now; she must not be influenced by his Queen Mother.

Having finally sent off the Empress Dowager, here came Xiao Bairen bringing Xiao Fu to the palace to admit their faults. Now that the official positions are settled and the Noble Princess Consort has been confined to Ganquan Palace, he really did not want to see those cunning father and son at this time, preferring out of sight, out of mind.

Speaking of which, nowadays, half of the court is Old Thief Xiao’s men—it was also due to her misconduct that Noble Princess Consort was confined. After all, his power is still limited. To completely undermine the Xiao Family’s influence will have to be done gradually.

However, the most crucial concern at present is still the warfare at the border. In his previous life, he heeded Old Thief Xiao’s advice and recalled the Li Family Army to the capital, which led to the border’s collapse and the Xiongnu’s relentless advance. In this life, though the Li Family Army still guards the border, the Xiongnu’s schemes against the Hong Dynasty are nothing new, and the conflict will not be prolonged as it was before. What he needs to do now is fully support the border defense.

Once war commences, what’s most needed are provisions and weapons. Currently, the National Treasury is depleted, so he must find a way to raise money.

"Xiao Shunzi, summon Prince Qing and Minister Zhang to the palace."

"Chirp!"

Earning money is already too late, the best method is to have the ministers repay their debts.

Since the founding of the dynasty by Taizong, it has been customary for courtiers to borrow money from the National Treasury; through nine emperors, some aristocratic families even owe millions, with their collective debts surpassing even the peak wealth of the National Treasury. Thus, debt collection is a necessity.

And the person to collect these debts cannot be of low status, leading Ye Qiu to think of Prince Qing.

It is unknown whether it is due to the heavy killings by his ancestors, but since the founding of the Hong Dynasty, the lineage has been sparse. In Ye Qiu’s generation, besides him, there are only two Princesses. Although he himself has three Princes, his lineage can be considered prosperous. Prince Qing, being his grandfather’s brother, should be addressed by Ye Qiu as ’Great Uncle’ due to seniority.

Although Prince Qing holds a nominal position, his high seniority and status make him the only Prince in the capital suitable for this detached position. Thus, tasking him with debt collection could not be more appropriate.

After hearing Ye Qiu’s request, Prince Qing was stunned, unable to understand why his dear grandnephew had assigned him such an offending task! Yet, apart from him, there truly was no better candidate.

He was initially reluctant, but seeing his grandnephew’s pitiful appearance and thinking about his rare willingness to act decisively, who else could support him if not his grand uncle?

Well, well, the grandnephew didn’t say he needed to recover all debts. If he could recover half, that would be fulfilling the sacred decree.

Compared to Prince Qing’s bitter face, Minister Zhang was visibly delighted. With the National Treasury depleted, his position as Chief of Staff was precarious, especially after he usurped Xiao Fu’s role. Prime Minister Xiao was eagerly ready to pick on him! With money needed for war today and disaster relief tomorrow, where was he supposed to find it? Now, at least, he wouldn’t have to worry about the lack of funds.

Not only that, but the next day, Ye Qiu arranged a good assistant for Prince Qing - Xiao Qi. With Xiao Fu now at a disadvantage, Xiao Qi was determined to advance. Having him around would mean outsiders saw Old Thief Xiao supporting him. Besides, striving for merit, he would likely urge his own family to be the first to settle debts!

Ye Qiu guessed right. Indeed, Xiao Qi was planning to make his own family the first target. Others might call him foolish, but he had his cunning calculations. Paying debts from the family’s public accounts, as the legitimate eldest son, his elder brother would inherit the entire Xiao Family’s holdings - what did it have to do with him? In light of this, it was better to use his brother’s money to advance his own career.

Looking at Xiao Bairen’s grim face, Xiao Qi confidently said: "Father, don’t be stubborn. Since His Majesty has assigned Prince Qing to collect debts, we definitely cannot shirk it. It’s better to pay it off early. Not only will it reflect well in front of your son, but it might also offset the unfavorable impression His Majesty has of our family recently!"