novelaction Chapter 438 Prince Yi is really going too far!
Chapter 438 Prince Yi is really going too far!
Prince Yi pointed at the two men and shouted to all the ministers, "Come on, listen! What bullshit are these two talking about! What do you mean by 'a little' contribution? Does anyone know how many people in Daxia die of starvation every year due to lack of food? How many soldiers guarding the borders are unable to fight because of lack of food? How many beggars, refugees and displaced people are stranded in other places?
The food donated by Miss Gu can feed the people of Daxia! Isn't this contribution big enough? Duke Liang! What is your contribution to Daxia? Is it having many wives and concubines, sending a daughter to the palace to be a concubine so that you can fight for power and profit, or is it putting on airs in the court all day and giving orders to others? ! "
"Prince Yi! Please watch your words! This duke assists the emperor, and all the work he does is related to national affairs!" Duke Liang was so angry that his veins were bulging.
Prince Yi sneered: "Oh! You are so awesome, why can't you solve the problem of the people of Daxia having enough food?"
Duke Liang was so choked that he was speechless. He originally wanted to say that this was a problem of the Ministry of Revenue, but the Minister of Revenue, Xiao Zhiyuan, was the Third Prince's man and in the same camp as him. He couldn't put his own people in danger.
"And you! Xiao Zhiyuan!" Prince Yi pointed at Xiao Zhiyuan's nose arrogantly and shouted, "As the Minister of Revenue, you have the responsibility to ensure that the people of Daxia have enough food to eat! But what have you done for Daxia over the years? Gu Qinghuai, a little country woman, went through untold hardships to experiment and cultivate sweet potatoes, and then presented them to the court! But you only know how to flatter and say nice things in front of my brother all day long, and you don't solve any practical problems that benefit the country and the people. Anyone can replace a waste like you! Even you can be the Minister of Revenue in my Daxia court, but Gu Qinghuai, who solves the problem of feeding the people of Daxia, is not worthy of being named a princess?!"
"I... I have assisted the emperor for many years! I have participated in national affairs, and the Ministry of Revenue is managed in an orderly manner!" Xiao Zhiyuan was so angry that he almost vomited blood.
Prince Yi snorted coldly, "National affairs, assisting the emperor? Such a big, empty, and false excuse! What is well-organized? It's just covering up various problems! If you really want to assist my brother, you should find a way to fill the national treasury, let the people of Daxia have enough food and warm clothes, and make sure there are no refugees, displaced people, and beggars in all corners of the country! This is the Ministry of Revenue that has made real contributions!"
When other officials saw Prince Yi mercilessly tearing off the faces of Duke Liang and Minister Xiao, throwing them to the ground and stomping on them repeatedly, they were so frightened that they dared not breathe, for fear of bringing disaster upon themselves.
Xiao Zhiyuan was so frightened that his body began to tremble.
Prince Yi meant that he was just sitting there doing nothing and accomplishing nothing, not helping the court solve any problems, and was therefore not worthy of being the Minister of Revenue?
But filling the national treasury and ensuring that the people have enough food and warm clothes, can he accomplish such a big thing alone?
Prince Yi is really going too far!
Xiao Zhiyuan suppressed the hatred in his heart and secretly glanced at the emperor.
The emperor's face looked gloomy, and there seemed to be anger hidden between his brows.
The emperor has always been very indulgent to this younger brother, so is the emperor angry with him and Duke Liang?
Xiao Zhiyuan guessed correctly, the emperor was indeed angry with them.
The emperor felt that what his younger brother said was right. It was because of these useless ministers that various problems appeared in the court. If everyone was like Gu Qinghuai, who could cultivate high-yield crops and delve into various industries and make contributions, he, as the emperor, would not have to worry and work so hard every day.
It would be nice to let Yier scold these ministers occasionally to wake them up and tighten their belts.
Otherwise, they all thought they were capable ministers and pushed the problems of Daxia onto him, the emperor.
At this moment, looking at the ministers' frustrated expressions, he felt inexplicably happy.
Seeing that the emperor had no intention of speaking for them, Xiao Hubu shut up in disappointment.
He shut up, but Prince Yi was still talking.
"Also, you just said there are princesses everywhere. May I ask, in eight years, ten years, several decades, or even a hundred years, how many people can cultivate high-yield crops like Gu Qinghuai? And solve people's livelihood problems? Come on, count them one by one, how many are there?"
All the ministers lowered their heads and remained silent.
Only Xiao Yuan secretly gave Prince Yi a thumbs up in his heart, and secretly decided in his heart that if anyone bullied him again in the future, he would raise the banner and use the name of Prince Yi to scare people.
Prince Yi put his hands on his waist and said coldly, "It takes hundreds of years for someone as virtuous as Gu Qinghuai to appear! What's wrong with making her a princess?! If the court treats meritorious officials like Gu Qinghuai casually, who will report good things that benefit the country and the people in the future? Duke Liang, Minister Xiao, you two are blocking the way for the subjects to contribute to the court! What is your intention!"
Duke Liang glared: I really want to chop him to pieces with a knife!
Xiao Hubu gritted his teeth: I really want to tear his mouth apart!
After Prince Yi finished speaking, several upright officials stepped forward and said that Prince Yi was right and that Gu Qinghuai should indeed be rewarded handsomely, otherwise the people's path to making meritorious deeds would be blocked and Daxia would suffer huge losses.
Duke Liang and Xiao Zhiyuan gave those officials several cold glances.
The emperor thought for a moment and said, "Every word Yi'er said makes sense. In order to encourage more people like Gu Qinghuai to stand up and contribute to Daxia, Gu Qinghuai should indeed be rewarded. Eunuch Tian, pass down the order to confer Gu Qinghuai the title of Qinghe County Lady, a second-rank title, and a fief of 1,000 households! Xiao Yuan has made meritorious contributions in advising and submitting memorials, and he will be promoted to the Right Minister of the Dali Temple, a fourth-rank title!"
Xiao Yuan was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude, "Thank you, my Lord! Long live the Emperor!"
Dali Temple Minister Yan Siyuan and Dali Temple Left Minister Li Hong looked at each other.
Both of them couldn't believe that the seventh-rank minor official who used to be so humble in front of them had actually jumped to the fourth rank.
This level jump is too big!
Li Hong, in particular, felt very upset. He had scolded Xiao Pingshi many times in the past, but now this man was on an equal footing with him. Wasn't this a slap in his face?
Unexpectedly, Duke Liang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the yield of 3,000 to 5,000 catties per mu is just a verbal promise by Madam Gu and Xiao Pingshi, and there is no actual evidence. Should we wait until the harvest is good before giving the reward?"
"Everything I said is true. Gu Qinghuai has grown it herself, so she is absolutely telling the truth!" Xiao Yuan immediately kowtowed respectfully.
Prince Yi sneered, "Duke Liang, why do I feel that you are always interfering, fearing that Gu Qinghuai will get any benefit? How did a woman from a remote mountain village provoke you? What, do you think my brother is a decoration? Do you think my Great Xia court is a decoration? How dare Gu Qinghuai talk nonsense in front of my brother? What's more, even if the yield per mu is not that high, Gu Qinghuai has discovered a new grain variety. Just for this reason, he should be rewarded!"