Chapter 1165: Chapter 931 The Truth 10: Capturing the Left and Right Chancellors, Empress Dowager Xiao Reflects on the Past_3
"I, your servant, will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty’s gracious favor! At this turbulent time for the Great Han, to have such a far-sighted, deep-thinking Emperor, the future of the Great Han looks promising!"
"Uncle Yi is overly flattering, please rise."
Prince Yi respectfully kowtowed, then rose to stand aside.
"Your Majesty, what... what about me?"
Prince Yu, seeing that Prince Yi had been settled, hurriedly stepped forward to ask.
"Uncle Yu, I would like to request your assistance with two matters. The first is to persuade the Minister of War on my behalf, to submit a memorial tomorrow arguing that the Imperial Court has excessively recruited soldiers in recent years and should instead support them and cease warfare!
The second task is for you to continue leading your soldiers, but I want you to integrate them into the West Mountain Camp, turning the 5,000 border patrol troops into the Imperial Guard!"
"Your Majesty! I can understand the second task; the West Mountain Camp’s Imperial Guard has almost been neglected into uselessness by Earl Pingnan over the years, and Earl Pingnan himself has become somewhat presumptuous.
By incorporating the border patrol troops into the Imperial Guard, I would effectively be in charge of the Imperial Guard, which provides a safeguard for your imperial power!
But about the first task, ceasing recruitment, isn’t that impossible?
If this news reached neighboring countries, it would turn everything upside down."
"Rest assured, Uncle. It is precisely to guard against neighboring countries that I am instructing you to do this!"
"Your Majesty fears that powerful nations like Xiling, Dongyue, and Nanjiang may take advantage of the young ruler’s accession to invade our Great Han territory, thus setting up this ruse: having me take the Ji Family’s Military Token and my army to Xianyu Pass, addressing our greatest enemy, Xiling!
Once the news of the Imperial Court ceasing recruitment and sending veterans and disabled soldiers home spreads, they will undoubtedly suspect our reasons for such actions!
Coupled with the joke that was made when Your Majesty announced on the Imperial Court about the empty National Treasury, they will likely hesitate to act rashly."
Prince Yi hurriedly expressed his thoughts with an expression full of amazement.
"Your Majesty is truly wise; I am in awe!"
Prince Yi earnestly praised!
"That scared me, I thought our Great Han’s treasury was genuinely empty, even owing thousands or tens of thousands in gold and silver!!"
Prince Yu clutched his chest, visibly relieved; fortunately, the Great Han still had money!
However, before he could remain relieved for long, the young Emperor revealed a harsh truth.
"Uncle Yu, the treasury situation is indeed true!"
"Ah... ah..."
Several royal relatives were left with their mouths agape, looking at the Emperor in disbelief.
"Your Ma... Majesty, you... you’re not joking about the treasury situation?"
"I am not joking!"
The few exchanged glances, finally the Emperor turned his gaze towards several idle princes.
"Dear uncles and elders, the Long Family’s warehouse is empty, the first thing after your nephew ascended to the throne was being unable to pay the officials’ salaries, what should be done?"
The Emperor began to cry, walking to a prince, he would wipe a tear, snot smearing onto the other’s clothes, asking "what should be done"!
As a result, several princes clenched their teeth and all sold off family assets to cover the court’s expenses for half a year!
Every time she recalled these, Empress Dowager Xiao couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
That day the Emperor knelt before her, saying these words, he had just turned fifteen.
Empress Dowager Xiao long knew he wanted to take charge and accomplish great deeds.
So she asked him one question, "For the civil officials, Lin as Chancellor is at the forefront, as for the military generals, I won’t discuss, military power hasn’t fallen out of our Long Family’s hands. If you wish to take charge, get past Lin as Chancellor and I will step back, retiring to the Cining Palace to enjoy my twilight years!"
Empress Dowager Xiao could never forget the joy on the Emperor’s face when she said this to him.
"If mother truly wishes for your son to take charge, please prevent Lin as Chancellor from interfering too much, and accompany your son in performing a play!"
Empress Dowager Xiao agreed, and in the following court sessions, she fully demonstrated her autocratic side, not allowing the Emperor to make decisions or manage political affairs.
This continued for half a year, until Lin Yushu could no longer bear it.
Petitions urging the Emperor to take charge began to appear!
Empress Dowager Xiao performed one last play with the Emperor at the Imperial Court, having those petitioning for the Emperor to take charge receive twenty strikes.
That night, the Emperor secretly visited the Chancellor’s Mansion.
The next day, Chancellor Lin petitioned for the Empress Dowager to retire and enjoy her twilight years!
"Your Majesty’s adoptive father is truly impressive!"
Xiaosuisui nestled in Empress Dowager Xiao’s arms, eyes full of admiration after hearing all this!
"In what way is he impressive? It’s all thanks to your two uncles giving him advice behind the scenes!
He thought I didn’t know; when the three little brats were plotting to take charge, they didn’t even bother to speak quietly, hiding in the bushes without any sense of caution.
It was I who discreetly reminded them, and later they sectioned off a Cold Palace next to the Fengxian Hall, turning it into a forbidden area. Day and night, guards were posted discreetly and openly.
Not long after, they even established the Divine Hunter Platform.
The Divine Hunter Platform, managed by your Seventh Uncle, led him to become renowned as the number one Divine Hunter in the world!"
Xiaosuisui was extremely excited, hurriedly asking, "And what about the Eighth Uncle? What has he been up to all these years?"
