What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 337 Su Mo discovers that the Empress is actually so insidious!
Hearing Empress Dowager Zhang speak in such a cold and harsh tone, it was as if she was saying that she was cold-blooded and disregarded family ties.

Leng Liuxi looked on without any anger, and only asked calmly, "Does Your Majesty know the extent of the disaster suffered by the people in Tiannan Dao after the dragon's reversal?"

Empress Dowager Zhang was stunned upon hearing this.

After Leng Liuxi killed her brother, forcing Emperor Wu Taizong to abdicate.

She stayed in Xingqing Palace, devoted herself to Buddhism, and rarely paid attention to external affairs, let alone court politics.

Although she knew about the recent upheaval in Tiannan Dao, she did not know the specifics of the situation.

She doted on her younger brother Zhang Shouning, but as the mother of the nation, she knew the importance of national affairs. After a slight hesitation, she finally asked, "How is the situation?"

Leng Liuxi was silent for a moment before saying, "This earthquake has affected most of Tiannan Road, causing countless houses to collapse and affecting more than a million people!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhang's expression changed drastically, and she exclaimed, "Is it really that serious?"

"Can the imperial court send people to provide disaster relief?"

Leng Liuxi nodded, her expression turning serious: "This is only the number reported by the military governor of Tiannan Circuit."

"Your Majesty, after discussing this matter with the six ministers of the Grand Secretariat and receiving reports from the local Imperial Guards, we have determined that the situation is even more serious than what the military governor reported!"

She paused slightly: "Even according to the reports from officials at all levels in Tiannan Circuit, the imperial court would need at least a million taels of silver and a million dan of rice to provide relief to the disaster victims!"

Empress Dowager Zhang fell silent.

Leng Liuxi continued, "The Empress Dowager should be aware of the court's financial situation!"

“In recent years, Heaven has not blessed Dawu, natural disasters have been frequent, and the imperial court has not been able to pay enough taxes.”

"Even if I were to take out all the funds from the imperial treasury and add the silver from the Ministry of Revenue's reserves, I could only squeeze out 500,000 taels of silver for disaster relief!"

Empress Dowager Zhang asked in surprise, "How come there's only this little bit of silver?"

Leng Liuxi sighed, "Indeed, this is all the silver we can offer. We still need to transfer rice and grain from the granaries of the surrounding prefectures."

"Even this small amount of silver was obtained thanks to the fact that the lawless Embroidered Uniform Guard, as the Empress Dowager mentioned, replenished the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Treasury with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver!"

Empress Dowager Zhang frowned in surprise and said, "Those Embroidered Uniform Guards can actually bring hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to the court?"

Leng Liuxi nodded gently and explained, "Although this person is a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he is very talented and I value him highly. He should not be regarded as an ordinary member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Empress Dowager Zhang didn't mention the Embroidered Uniform Guard again, but her tone softened: "What does this have to do with your uncle? Why do we need to confiscate his shop and kill everyone in his household?"

Leng Liuxi explained, "The disaster victims must be helped, but the imperial court has no money!"

"Your subject once visited Qinghefang and personally witnessed the extravagant lifestyles of wealthy merchants and aristocratic scholars, who squandered money like water. It truly astonished your subject!"

"Those gambling houses on those ships can rake in hundreds of taels of gold a day!"

"But does Your Majesty know how much commercial tax the merchants and shops in Qinghefang pay each year?"

Empress Dowager Zhang frowned and asked, "How many?"

Leng Liuxi's tone suddenly turned cold as she said, "Not even a thousand taels of silver!"

Empress Dowager Zhang was slightly taken aback: "Why is there so little?"

She knew, of course, that the tax on merchants in Dawu was one-thirtieth of the total tax.

According to Leng Liuxi, the commercial tax must amount to several thousand, tens of thousands, or even more!
Leng Liuxi's face grew increasingly gloomy, and she said coldly, "Merchants are greedy and have no regard for the laws of the court. How could they be willing to pay commercial taxes!"

She took a deep breath: "According to my investigation, the Duke of Anguo owns two businesses in the neighborhood: a pleasure boat and a brothel, with a monthly income of over five thousand taels of silver. However, there are no tax payment records for these two businesses in the tax office's accounts!"

Empress Dowager Zhang frowned: "Has the Emperor been misled by his subordinates?"

“Your uncle just told me that these two shops earn less than a hundred taels a month, which is not even enough to cover the expenses of the Imperial Uncle’s mansion. How could they possibly earn five thousand taels a month!”

"And those weren't fancy ships or brothels, just ordinary shops!"

Leng Liuxi hesitated for a moment: "Did the Duke of Anguo really say that to Mother?"

Empress Dowager Zhang's expression turned slightly cold: "Does Your Majesty think I would deceive Your Majesty?"

Leng Liuxi frowned deeply: "That's not what I meant!"

"I fear that I have been deceived by my subordinates and have wrongly accused the Duke of Anguo!"

Her tone turned serious: "But please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will thoroughly investigate this matter!"

"but……"

Leng Liuxi paused, a look of hesitation appearing on her face.

Empress Dowager Zhang said with displeasure, "But what? Why are you hesitating?"

Leng Liuxi said softly, "I believe that not all merchants are like Duke Anguo. If we do not suppress them with thunderous anger, we will certainly not be able to make them willingly pay commercial taxes!"

"As my maternal uncle, Duke Ningguo will surely understand my predicament. So please, Duke Anguo, do me the favor and confiscate those two shops."

Empress Dowager Zhang's expression changed again, but the Empress immediately said, "Your subject will allocate an additional two hundred taels of silver per month for expenses at the Duke of Anguo's residence. I will certainly not let my uncle suffer any hardship."

Empress Dowager Zhang frowned and began to ponder.

Emperor Wu Taizu was diligent and frugal, and so was Emperor Wu Taizong.

She was the same way.

He thought to himself that an extra two hundred taels of silver per month should be enough to cover the expenses of the Imperial Brother-in-law's residence.

After all, the expenses of the entire harem in the past only amounted to about three thousand taels of silver per month.

The Emperor's brother's residence could never compare to the imperial harem with its thousands of members.

Although Leng Liuxi still wanted to target her own uncle to deter unscrupulous merchants, Empress Dowager Zhang was somewhat dissatisfied.

However, it is also known that national affairs are of paramount importance and disaster relief cannot be delayed, otherwise it could easily trigger a popular uprising.

Finally, Empress Dowager Zhang nodded and said calmly, "In that case, I will personally explain things to your uncle."

"However, the two hundred taels of silver for the expenses of the Imperial Brother-in-law's residence must be disbursed promptly and without delay."

"Otherwise, if the Imperial Brother-in-law's residence has no money for expenses, it will become a laughing stock, and it will not only be the Zhang family that loses face, but also the court!"

Leng Liuxi solemnly replied, "Your subject would never dare to deceive Your Majesty!"

"The Duke of Anguo is my maternal uncle. No matter how poor I am, I cannot let the Duke of Anguo suffer!"

Su Mo, who had been hiding in the hot spring room, not daring to move, was now dumbfounded.

How could I have never imagined that Empress Leng Liuxi was so cunning!
That's so cunning and treacherous!

I don't know who he learned it from!
Zhang Shouning's two shops bring in at least 60,000 taels of silver a year.

She said a few words casually, and that was it?

After that, there will only be 2,400 taels of silver left?

Given Zhang Shouning's greedy nature, this is worse than killing him.
Thinking of the interesting expression Zhang Shouning would have when Empress Dowager Zhang went back and told Zhang Shouning about this, Su Mo finally couldn't help but laugh out loud!
Empress Dowager Zhang was about to leave when she suddenly frowned and looked towards the screen: "Is someone in the bathhouse?"

Leng Liuxi nodded gently: "She is a palace maid who helps me change clothes."

Empress Dowager Zhang looked suspicious. Her lips moved, but she didn't say anything in the end. She simply said, "I'm going back to Xingqing Palace."

"His Majesty is unwell, so there is no need for us to see him off."

Watching Empress Zhang's departing figure, the Empress finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He immediately began to grit his teeth.

That bastard, he's really infuriating me!
I told him not to talk, but he still laughed!
snort!
The Empress grew increasingly furious!

If the Empress Dowager discovers that a man is hiding in the bathhouse of the Ziwei Palace, how will I explain myself?
She turned and went back to the hot spring room with a dark expression!

Let's settle the score with Su Mo!

When Su Mo saw the Empress appear with gritted teeth, he immediately sensed something was wrong.

He dared not give the Empress time to make a move, and immediately addressed her with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and your strategies are unparalleled!"

"My admiration for Your Majesty is like a surging river, never-ending! And like the overflowing Luo River, unstoppable!"

Leng Liuxi was stunned, caught off guard by Su Mo's sudden attack.

Su Mo followed with admiration and respect: "Your Majesty's move of retreating to advance was truly a stroke of genius!"

"This will surely leave Zhang Shouning speechless with bitterness!"

Leng Liuxi...

In the end, all he could do was let out a heavy snort: "Hmph!"

"I truly never imagined that Su Lang would be so glib!" "No wonder even Commander Lin Moyin was completely fooled by Su Lang!"

Su Mo's expression grew increasingly serious: "Your Majesty is mistaken!"

“These words come from the bottom of my heart, and I have absolutely no intention of flattery!”

He paused, then became curious again: "How could Your Majesty have come up with such a brilliant plan?"

"In this way, the Empress Dowager will certainly not blame His Majesty anymore, and Zhang Shouning will be helpless even if he goes to the Empress Dowager to complain again!"

Su Mo took a deep breath, a sour expression of jealousy appearing on his face: "Could it be that there is another great Confucian scholar who is assisting His Majesty?"

Seeing Su Mo's jealous expression, the Empress didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

And there was a faint sweetness to it.

Finally, puffing up her cheeks, she glared at Su Mo, unaware that she was speaking in a coquettish tone, "Besides you, you greedy... and cunning Imperial Guard, who else would teach me these despicable schemes!"

"Hmph, once Mother realizes what's happening, she'll definitely blame me!"

She snorted lightly, "It's all the trouble you've caused me!"

"You must explain this clearly to the Empress Dowager on my behalf, or I will not forgive you!"

Su Mo was dumbfounded!

She just said she would take responsibility if anything happened, and now she expects me to explain to Empress Dowager Zhang?

You are the Great Wu Emperor, your words are law!

Is it really okay to go back on your word like this?

Besides, such a vicious scheme, didn't you come up with it yourself?

What's it to me?
But the Empress held a high position, and Su Mo had no choice!

Seeing Su Mo's astonished expression, the Empress couldn't help but laugh: "Never mind!"

"You should go back right away..."

As he was speaking, he suddenly saw through the gap in Su Mo's robe that his trousers were soaked.

The harrowing scene she had witnessed earlier suddenly flashed through her mind, and her pretty face flushed red. She turned her head slightly away, unable to meet Su Mo's gaze, and quickly changed her words, saying, "Never mind..."

"Please wait here for a moment, my lord. I will have a palace maid bring you a change of clothes from the eunuch's robes."

Su Mo said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I thank you!"

Leng Liuxi gave a cold snort to hide her panic, and quickly turned to leave.

She walked to the screen, then turned back, seemingly annoyed, and said, "Next time you come to soak in the medicinal soup, remember to bring... remember to bring a change of clothes!"

"Humph!"

"I am poor, I don't have enough money to buy you clothes to change into every day!"

Su Mo was dumbfounded.

What does it mean to not have enough money to buy clothes to replace yourself every day?

I don't come to the Ziwei Palace to bathe every day!
Could it be that the Empress is hinting to me to bring more clothes to the Ziwei Palace so that I won't have to bother finding clothes to change into in the future?
Su Mo was immediately conflicted!

Does that seem a bit inappropriate?

What kind of behavior is this? If the palace maids knew, wouldn't they be mortified?

Hmm... how many robes should I bring next time? And how many pairs of boxer shorts would be suitable?

I absolutely can't not wear it!

Su Mo doesn't like to drive in neutral!
Just as Su Mo was in a state of great distress, a timid female voice soon rang out from behind the screen: "Is Lord Su here?"

"This servant is here on His Majesty's orders to deliver a change of clothes to Lord Su."

Su Mo composed herself and quickly walked out of the hot spring room.

A pretty young palace maid, who looked only eighteen or nineteen years old, was holding a set of purple robes in her hands, staring at the outside with some fear.

Su Mo sighed inwardly.

It was indeed a eunuch's robe.

I don't even know how many times I've dressed up as a little eunuch.

Next time I really need to bring more changes of clothes.

He nodded to the young palace maid, took the robe, and habitually said, "Thank you for your trouble!"

The young palace maid trembled violently, her face filled with even greater terror.

Su Mo didn't say much. He went back to the bathhouse, changed into eunuch clothes, and although he was a little uncomfortable, there was nothing he could do.

Who told the harem to be devoid of normal men?

When I stepped out of the bathhouse again, I saw the little palace maid still waiting outside, trembling with fear.

Su Mo smiled and asked, "Where is His Majesty?"

The palace maid hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Lord Su, His Majesty is currently in the Imperial Study."

"His Majesty has instructed me that Lord Su may leave after changing his robes."

Su Mo ignored the little palace maid and walked straight towards the imperial study.

Sure enough, the Empress was in the Imperial Study, solemnly reviewing the memorials.

Upon seeing Su Mo enter, the Empress frowned slightly and rubbed her temples, asking, "Why are you here, Su Lang?"

"Didn't the palace maid tell the young master that he could leave on his own?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "I must come and thank Your Majesty."

"If it weren't for Your Majesty's decision to have the Imperial Medical Academy prepare the Nine Spirits Return to One Soup, how could I have condensed the elixir and dispelled the calamity of the Yellow Springs?"

The Empress snorted lightly: "Su Lang, just hurry up and collect the disaster relief funds for me!"

She paused, then couldn't help but rub her forehead again: "The more I read the memorials, the more I feel the severity of the disaster. I'm afraid even a million taels of silver for disaster relief won't be enough!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has not yet sent back more detailed information about the disaster, but the more detailed the information, the more severe the disaster must be!"

Su Mo naturally understood the Empress's meaning.

Clearly, the extent of the disaster and the scope of its impact meant that even with the methods and capabilities of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it would be difficult to obtain accurate information about the disaster in a short period of time!
He nodded solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to share Your Majesty's burdens!"

He paused slightly, then suddenly changed the subject and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, what is the name of the palace maid who brought me the robe?"

The Empress was slightly taken aback: "Why does Su Lang ask such a question?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "It's nothing."

"It's just that the little palace maid looked very similar to a familiar woman from my hometown in my dream, so she asked out of curiosity."

The Empress casually replied, "A palace maid who has only recently entered the palace. As for her name, I don't quite remember it."

The previous incident involving the old official in charge of remonstrance had alerted the Empress.

The censor was punished, and Zhao Hanxiang was appointed as the new censor.

During this period, many new palace maids were summoned to the palace, especially the palace maids in the Ziwei Palace.

Su Mo said no more and bowed to the Empress, "Your subject will take his leave!"

The Empress nodded gently: "My lord, go ahead. I still need to review the memorials submitted by the officials of Tiannan Circuit."

After Su Mo left.

The Empress frowned and said calmly, "Bring that palace maid to the Ziwei Palace!"

"Tell her to stop talking nonsense, or I won't let her off!"

A voice suddenly came from the shadows: "Your subject knows!"

"Your Majesty, I will go and inform Eunuch An of this matter immediately!"

The Empress frowned and said, "Go quickly!"

He then focused intently on the memorial, a bitter look appearing between his brows.

(End of this chapter)