Chapter 21: Killing the Donkey After Grinding the Millstone
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Xiao Anzi nervously looked at Ning Chen, knowing that Ning Chen must be suspecting that he had long been aware of the problem with the soup but failed to warn him in advance.
“Your Majesty, I truly did not know. The Empress Dowager instructed me to report the situation. After I reported as you ordered, she had someone prepare the soup!”
“The reason I became suspicious was because this soup was clearly not made by the Empress Dowager herself, yet she claimed it was…”
As he spoke, Ning Chen suddenly reached out and patted Xiao Anzi on the shoulder.
“Enough, no need to explain. You are my trusted aide; I naturally believe you.”
“What I want to address is your attempt to lay hands on the Empress Dowager just now.”
“Do you realize what the consequences would have been if she had noticed?”
Hearing this, Xiao Anzi froze in place.
Though the young emperor before him was only nine years old and had already expressed his trust, for some reason, Xiao Anzi was still intimidated by the emperor’s indescribable aura.
“Your Majesty, I acknowledge my mistake. Had you not stopped me in time, I would have surely exposed myself, and all your efforts and plans would have been in vain…”
Ning Chen smiled slightly and said, “It’s good that you recognize your mistake. Remember, without my command, you must never reveal any hint, especially in front of the Empress Dowager!”
Xiao Anzi breathed a long sigh of relief. “Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember!”
But soon he asked with great concern, “But Your Majesty, since you also suspect something is wrong with the soup, why did you drink it all in one go...?”
Ning Chen sighed, then gave a bitter laugh.
“Because I am not strong enough yet.”
“At the banquet, she openly declared she would never depose the emperor!”
“And just now, in front of me, she said she would let me start handling state affairs, so she would never kill me immediately!”
“If I’m not mistaken, the soup contains a slow-acting poison. She intends for me to waste away gradually.”
“And during the time I am poisoned and dying, she will put on the facade of a virtuous empress, wholeheartedly assisting me to be a good emperor…”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Anzi panicked.
“But, but what should we do about the poison...?”
Just then, Ning Chen rose from his seat and walked to the table, speaking casually as he moved.
“Don’t be so nervous. This is actually good news for us!”
“Good news? Why is that...?” Xiao Anzi frowned in confusion.
Ning Chen reached over, cut off the sleeve he had used to wipe his mouth after drinking the soup, and returned to Xiao Anzi with a smile.
“She needs time to maintain the virtuous empress act, which means we have gained a sufficient amount of time!”
He handed the sleeve to Xiao Anzi and continued.
“There are traces of the soup left on this sleeve. Think of a way to identify what poison the Empress Dowager used, and hopefully find an antidote…”
Looking at the small sleeve, Xiao Anzi raised his eyes to the relaxed expression on Ning Chen’s face, his gaze instantly filled with reverence.
In his heart, he thought: Facing death to seize life, Your Majesty is betting with your very life!
Since His Majesty is so resolute, I must be willing to risk my life alongside him and never let him lose…
Ning Chen knew very well that without soldiers or power, to successfully deceive the Empress Dowager and force her to openly declare at his birthday feast that he would never be deposed was already a rare feat.
Given the current situation, if he wanted to completely turn the tide, he must quietly seize military power while continuing to deceive the Empress Dowager.
Only by gaining command of the military could he thoroughly free himself from the Empress Dowager’s threat and control.
His next target was Pan Yu—or rather, the position Pan Yu held: Commander of the Imperial Guards.
He didn’t know how long it would take for the poison the Empress Dowager administered to take effect, nor how much time he had left.
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Therefore, he had to act quickly to gain military power within an unknown timeframe.
Thinking this, he sighed and looked up toward the window, murmuring, “Old Master, I hope you can hurry…”
The next morning at dawn.
Ning Chen once again obediently sat on the Dragon Throne, listening to the ministers discuss state affairs.
With one petition after another concerning national affairs and military matters, his heart grew increasingly vexed.
The northwest front demanded funds; disaster-stricken areas required aid; irrigation projects needed money; officials’ salaries had to be paid…
Yet, despite the populace being heavily taxed as if by a fierce tiger, the treasury only grew emptier.
Where exactly did the money go?
Ridiculously, not a single official raised this question.
And faced with the lack of funds, most only argued over how to create grandiose excuses to increase taxes.
Ning Chen was helpless. The Great Ning Dynasty was truly rotten to the core!
As the officials bickered, Minister of Revenue Zhao Siwen stood and said, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty Dowager, I have a proposal that can alleviate the treasury’s emptiness, at least to cover the front line’s needs!”
The Empress Dowager frowned. “What is this method? Speak quickly!”
Zhao Siwen said, “Selling official positions.”
“Selling official positions? What does that mean?” the Empress Dowager asked in confusion.
Ning Chen’s heart skipped a beat. Damn, could this ‘selling official positions’ really be that infamous practice?
Zhao Siwen explained solemnly, “Nowadays, the common people of Great Ning can barely pay taxes. Even if we increase tariffs, it’s unlikely to fill the treasury soon.”
“If the people have no money, then let the wealthy in society pay.”
“And selling official positions means allowing civilians to purchase government posts through donations.”
“Starting from seventh-rank officials, higher ranks require more money. Naturally, these positions are only minor, honorary ones.”
“This will surely encourage many to donate without affecting important government roles.”
Many expressed amazement at this novel idea.
Zhao Siwen grew more confident, “Your Majesty, this idea was inspired by Your Majesty’s charitable acts on your birthday.”
“In addition to selling offices, we can also accept fines for crimes. Officials or civilians who commit offenses, except the gravest, can pay bail to reduce or avoid punishment.”
“With these measures, I guarantee the treasury will soon be replenished!”
At these words, the court erupted into loud debate.
Ning Chen frowned, looking at Zhao Siwen’s proud expression, wishing he could tear him apart!
Damn it!
No matter the dynasty, there’s always a reincarnation of He Shen!
This isn’t filling the treasury; it’s accelerating the downfall of Great Ning!
The Empress Dowager seemed hesitant, glancing at the expressionless Chancellor Song Guozhong, who was half-squinting, and asked, “Chancellor, what do you think?”
Song Guozhong stepped forward and bowed, “I think this method is feasible.”
Hearing this, many ministers stood and voiced agreement.
Ning Chen was utterly speechless. What kind of officials were these?
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Can’t you foresee how rampant corruption will become once these policies are implemented?
Suddenly, the Empress Dowager turned to Ning Chen with a satisfied smile, “Your Majesty, what do you think of this plan?”
Ning Chen was taken aback, about to speak, when Fan Dayou suddenly stood and said, “I oppose it!”
“Your Majesty Dowager, Minister Zhao’s proposal might provide short-term relief for the treasury, but in time, it will foster rampant corruption!”
“Soon, anyone who can pay will become an official, anyone can buy their way out of punishment. If this continues, our Great Ning’s governance will be ruined!”
Ning Chen furrowed his brows again. Fan Dayou, as expected!
No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Siwen retorted sternly, “Minister Fan, your words are alarmist and exaggerated.”
“I have said, the positions sold are minor and idle posts; the pardons are not for the most heinous crimes. How could this lead to rampant corruption and ruin Great Ning?”
“Fine, if Minister Fan has a better solution to fill the treasury, let him present it here before Your Majesty Dowager and all officials!”
Fan Dayou froze in place, stammering, “I, I…”
Seeing this, many officials began to criticize Fan Dayou.
He quickly became the target of collective scorn.
There was no helping it; no one had a better solution to the treasury crisis.
“I have yet to come up with a solution, but no matter what, I firmly oppose Minister Zhao’s plan!”
Ning Chen quietly observed the Empress Dowager. Her face was already darkened with anger, and her gaze toward Fan Dayou had turned sinister.
Suddenly, Ning Chen stood up, pointing at Fan Dayou, and angrily said, “Fan Dayou, you openly disrespected Her Majesty Dowager at the banquet, showing great insolence!”
“Now you oppose Minister Zhao’s plan for governing the country. This is unforgivable!”
At these words, the court instantly fell silent.
Everyone was stunned by the young emperor’s sudden outburst.
What was going on?
Fan Dayou had risked everything to speak up for the emperor at the banquet. Why did the emperor now treat him like this?
Fan Dayou was shocked, looking at Ning Chen in disbelief.
The Empress Dowager frowned deeply, puzzled as she looked at Ning Chen.
Ning Chen then bowed to the Empress Dowager.
“Your Majesty Dowager, Fan Dayou has repeatedly disrespected you. I ask your permission to dismiss and exile him!”
Dismiss and exile?
At once, the court erupted into noisy debate.
What was happening?
This useless young emperor was actually going to dismiss and exile Fan Dayou?
Wasn’t this just betraying someone who had helped him?
A foolish ruler, truly a hopeless fool…