nashuaworldcup Chapter 153 Compromise
Chapter 153 Compromise
Qi Yan'an looked at the ministers below who were righteously asking him to fill his harem, and laughed in anger.
"When will it be your turn to interfere in the affairs of my harem?"
The ministers were intimidated by his aura and fell silent for a moment.
Qi Yan'an's eyes became cold as he glanced at the ministers below.
"Today's morning court was solely to discuss the money needed for disaster relief. The treasury is currently depleted, yet instead of seeking a solution, you are worrying about my harem. What is your intention?"
After Qin Wan mentioned that she met Su Yuning, Qi Yan'an guessed that this group of people would bring up the old matter at the morning court today.
Looking at the silent person below, he said, "Why are you done talking? Keep talking."
Looking at the obviously angry Majesty, the ministers standing below looked at each other in confusion.
It was naturally their agreement to launch an attack together today.
Yesterday, as soon as Su Yuning came back from the Queen Mother, she angrily went to her father and told him about her encounter with Shang Wan.
The Minister of Rites, who knew about this at the time, was silent for a moment, and then immediately invited the ministers who wanted to send their daughters to the harem to discuss countermeasures.
They had been fighting before just to make their daughter the queen, but now Shang Wan has appeared, and she can't let it get away with it.
Now I don’t care who will be the heir, I must send my daughter in.
You have to ask them why they are so obsessed with sending their daughters to the palace.
First, becoming a royal relative can consolidate the family's status.
Secondly, once a daughter is favored, the benefits will continue to flow.
Of course, the most important thing is that if his grandson becomes the next emperor, it will be much more than everything he has now.
Facing the gazes of the ministers behind him and the angry glare of His Majesty above him, the Minister of Rites stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. We are also concerned about the country and the people. The snowstorm is raging and the people are suffering. If Your Majesty can expand your harem, you may be able to gain more help to alleviate the urgent disaster relief efforts. This is a win-win situation, isn't it?"
How could Qi Yan'an not know what the Minister of Rites meant?
If they asked him to agree to expand his harem and take their daughter in, they would be willing to pay money.
Since ancient times, when a concubine married an emperor, her family would prepare a generous dowry.
This can also be considered a kind of alliance and exchange of interests.
Qi Yan'an's eyes grew colder. "Why, when I asked all the ministers to raise funds for disaster relief, they all cried poor to me, but now I can give my daughter money as a dowry? Lord Su?"
The Minister of Rites quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I have absolutely no such intention."
For a moment, the entire court was deadlocked.
Now that there was no point in continuing this morning court session, Qi Yan'an stood up, waved his sleeves and left.
He just didn't believe he couldn't solve it.
Seeing His Majesty leaving in anger, the eunuch shouted "Dismiss the court" and immediately chased after him.
After Qi Yan'an left, the Minister of Rites stood up from the ground.
After exchanging a subtle glance with several ministers, they all walked out of the palace.
If they fail today, they will naturally not give up.
In the evening, at the home of the Minister of Rites.
"We can't let this go like this. After this, it will be difficult to get His Majesty to agree to expand the harem."
"Yes, we must not give up now. The severe snowstorm is exactly when we need money. Let's see who can outlast the other."
"So what should we do next? We can't just keep on being stuck in this stalemate. If His Majesty really finds a way, we'll be in a bad situation."
A minister looked at the Minister of Rites who had remained silent, and said, "Lord Su, in your opinion, what should we do?"
The Minister of Rites pondered for a moment. "Tomorrow morning, we will continue to make recommendations and encourage other ministers to put pressure on us. We will also send someone to contact the Queen Mother and ask her to intervene in this matter."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The Minister of Rites looked at everyone present and said, "We have all made our stance clear to His Majesty at this morning's court session. I do not wish for any of you to defect. Consider for a moment whether immediate wealth and glory are more important, or the long-term honor of your family."
"Don't worry, Master Su, we will definitely work together."
After the ministers left, Lord Su paced alone in his study, deep in thought, his brow furrowed.
He called out in a low voice, "Someone come here."
After a while, a dark shadow quietly appeared in front of him.
"Send people to the disaster-stricken areas to create chaos."
Lord Su said softly, a fierce look flashing in his eyes.
It's not his fault, Qi Yan'an forced him to do this.
Is he going to give up everything, only to end up with nothing? In the end, it will benefit the woman Shang Wan and her son will become emperor.
Absolutely not.
"As ordered!"
The shadow responded, then disappeared without a trace.
At the same time, Qi Yan'an was discussing countermeasures with his confidants in the palace.
He sat at the desk with a serious expression, looking at several confidants below.
"Since we can't get enough money from the officials, we should find a way to gain support from the merchants."
The confidants nodded in agreement, but some expressed hesitation. "Your Majesty, most of those merchants are selfish. It will probably be difficult to get them to willingly hand over the silver."
Qi Yan'an pondered for a moment. "That's fine. We can use some means to induce them, such as offering certain preferential policies. As long as we can impress them and let them know that there is money to be made, I believe they will be willing to donate."
After hearing this, everyone thought it was feasible and began to discuss the specific implementation plan.
When the specific plan was halfway through, a piece of news caught Qi Yanan off guard.
At this time, when Qi Yan'an was reviewing memorials in the imperial study, a eunuch hurried in with a letter.
"Your Majesty, eight hundred miles is urgent."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yan'an's expression changed and he quickly stood up and took the letter from the eunuch.
I saw it written above.
Due to hunger and cold, serious riots broke out in Fengzhou, and the people suffered heavy casualties. The situation is out of control. I hope Your Majesty will make a decision quickly.
After reading the letter, Qi Yan'an clenched the letter paper tightly in his hands, and his knuckles turned white.
It had only been five or six days since we received the news of the disaster, and some relief food had been delivered. It was impossible for a riot to break out so soon.
So there is only one possibility, that is man-made.
"Pass on my order to immediately investigate the Fengzhou riot. I want to find out who is behind this!"
Just when Qi Yan'an was angry about this, Qin Wan just walked out of the Queen Mother's palace.
The Queen Mother naturally knew about Qin Wan's existence, but since she couldn't stop her, she just turned a blind eye and pretended not to know.
But now she can no longer pretend to be ignorant, as the Liao Kingdom will be in turmoil because of her.
Qin Wan clenched her hands excitedly as she left the Queen Mother's palace.
The Empress Dowager summoned her this time so that she could persuade Qi Yan'an to establish a queen and choose concubines as soon as possible.
"Baizhi, let's go find His Majesty."
In the imperial study, Qi Yan'an suppressed his anger and continued to handle official business.
"Your Majesty, Miss Qin requests an audience." The eunuch came in to report.
Upon hearing this, Qi Yan'an put down the memorial in his hand. This was the first time Shang Wan had approached him since returning. "Hurry and let her in."
Qin Wan walked into the imperial study, and Qi Yan'an immediately went to greet her.
"Wanwan, why are you here?"
Qin Wan looked at him, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Qi Yan'an noticed something was wrong with her, "Wanwan, what happened?"
Qin Wan pursed her lips and looked up at him, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother just summoned me over. I know everything that has happened recently. I think the Queen Mother is right. It's time for you to establish a queen and choose a concubine."
Qi Yan'an frowned and took her hand, "Wanwan, don't pay attention to what mother said. You are the only one in my heart."
"Your Majesty, the situation is so difficult right now. Perhaps... perhaps we can take it easy for a while. Otherwise, you should..."
"Wanwan, what do you mean? You want me to marry another woman."
"Yan An, I don't want you to be in such a predicament because of me. After all, this method can solve the current problem the fastest, right? Besides, it's just a temporary solution."
When Qi Yan'an heard about the expedient plan, an idea suddenly came to his mind.
It would be better to just do as these ministers wish first, and then find a way to settle the accounts one by one after this snow disaster is over.
As for the women sent into the palace, whether they died suddenly in the palace or made mistakes and were imprisoned in the cold palace, it was not the place for people outside the palace to interfere.
As for this group of old foxes, let them be proud for a while, and when there are people who can be used, find a crime to replace them.
He held Qin Wan's hand tightly, looking at the tears in her eyes, and said firmly and calmly, "Wan Wan, give me some more time. In the end, the position of Queen will only be yours, and the position of Crown Prince will only be our child."
"I won't touch them. Wait for me, okay."
Qin Wan nodded and walked forward to hug him, "Okay, I believe you."