Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 140 The treacherous minister has jumped out on his own!

Wang Tao: Preparation is the key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure.

Jiang Zhao: Why doesn't the Ministry of Revenue reserve extra funds to deal with emergencies?

Wang Tao: The policy of reserving funds has existed since ancient times. As the head of the six ministries, the Ministry of Revenue naturally had a policy of reserving funds.

Jiang Zhao: If that's the case, why can't it be used for disaster relief?
Wang Tao: The funds must be reserved for emergency use during the Di sacrifice.
A few words exchanged, subtly clashing, neither gaining the upper hand.

Of course, this is what Wang Tao considers a struggle!
As a native of Fujian Road, he studied diligently from the lowest level of the imperial examinations, becoming a scholar, a licentiate, and a provincial graduate, eventually achieving the rank of Jinshi and becoming a compiler in the Hanlin Academy and an official in a certain region.

At the age of twenty-eight, he had even gained the attention of some important figures, and he was full of vigor and ambition.

Now, he has finally achieved some success and entered the capital to serve as an official.

Upon entering the government, he encountered political affairs concerning the interests of his hometown.

For Wang Tao, this was naturally a source of excitement, and he took the initiative to protect his hometown from the wind and rain!
The young Grand Secretary intended to seize resources from Fujian Road, so he used the budget as an excuse, saying, "If you plan ahead, you will succeed; if you don't, you will fail."

Since the Ministry of Works' expenses have already been determined, they should not be changed lightly even if they have not yet been implemented.

Therefore, even if the Ministry of Works does not allocate funds for disaster relief, the policy support for water conservancy construction in Fujian Road must still be implemented.

Facing the young Grand Secretary head-on, he exchanged blows with ease, without any pressure.

The young Grand Secretary even changed the subject, bringing up the issue of reserving funds for the Ministry of Revenue's budget.

He responded calmly to this move, using the Di sacrifice as an excuse to use imperial power to intimidate others.

He's even retaliating against the young Grand Secretary!
Since the feud between Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, the two branches of the imperial family have been constantly embroiled in conflict.

The Diji sacrifice, held every five years, was intended to demonstrate the legitimacy of imperial power and appease the imperial clan of the founding emperor.

How can such a sacrificial ceremony be questioned?
Is there a problem with reserving some funds for the Di and Jia sacrifices?
Does the young Grand Secretary dare to utter a single word of "wrong"?

Unfortunately, this approach is somewhat naive.

Cai Xiang, the Minister of Revenue, immediately noticed the problem.

However, once the words were spoken, there was no time to stop them.

[According to the Ministry of Revenue, are they really going to exhaust our Great Zhou Dynasty to the point of collapse just for the sake of the Di and Jia sacrifices?]

When did the Di and Xia sacrifices become an excuse for you treacherous and incompetent people?

Could it be—

Lord Cai, Lord Du, and Lord Wang have long harbored resentment?
Is the deliberate obstruction and refusal to provide disaster relief simply a way of implying to the officials that the Di sacrifice was too costly?

A sharp shout, with overwhelming force.

"Wang had no such intention."

Wang Tao felt a chill run through his hands and feet, and broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly tried to explain himself.

The Di sacrifice led to the downfall of the state!
In order to worship our ancestors, we will not provide relief for natural disasters!
This hat is really too heavy.

Even Emperor Zhao Zhen probably wouldn't dare to bear it.

Otherwise, the conclusion that it was a waste of resources and manpower and a disregard for human life would likely be recorded in history books.

If any of them dared to answer "yes," they would immediately be accused of tampering with the official's reputation.

This kind of debate, which involves labeling the emperor, is quite dangerous.

This is why Wang Tao dared to use the Di sacrifice to oppress others, but was not afraid that Jiang Zhao would oppress him in return.

Who would have thought that Jiang Zhao would actually dare!
Moreover, the way the hat was put on was extremely clever.

When did the Di and Xia sacrifices become an excuse for you treacherous and incompetent people?

This single sentence effortlessly brought out the officials.

Regardless of whether there are problems with disaster relief or finances, the problem lies with treacherous officials.

The Di and Cha sacrifices were merely an excuse used by treacherous officials!
The hat was incredibly heavy, but it revealed the emperor.

As a result, the ones who had to bear the burden of the hats were naturally a few of them.

Deliberately making excuses and preventing disaster relief, this label is not easy to bear!

Wang Tao was greatly alarmed and hurriedly retorted.

"Preparation is the key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure. What Mr. Wang is saying is that adhering to the Ministry of Revenue's budget is of paramount importance. The Ministry of Works is responsible for the budget, and so are the Di and Jia sacrifices."

"The Ministry of Works' budget is the Ministry of Works' budget!"

"The budget for the Diqi sacrifice is the budget for the Diqi sacrifice; how can they be confused?"

Jiang Zhao shouted angrily, his arrogance overwhelming, and pointed at Cai Xiang, Du Xi, and Wang Tao one by one.

"you!"

"You!" "You!"

Pointing his finger at the group, Jiang Zhao said sternly, "I knew it! You'd end up scheming against the founding emperor, the Taizong emperor, the Zhenzong emperor, and even the emperor himself!"

"The Ministry of Works undertakes water conservancy projects every year. How dare you compare them to the Di and Jia sacrifices?"

His righteous spirit was awe-inspiring, and his stern rebuke echoed throughout the hall!

On the steps of the imperial palace, the emperor stood with his hands at his sides and his eyes gently closed.

All the civil and military officials looked toward Cai Xiang, Du Xi, and Wang Tao.

His intense gaze made me inexplicably uneasy.

Wang Tao's face flushed red, and sweat beaded on his cheeks. He quickly retorted:
"I was referring to the Ministry of Revenue's budget, not the Di and Jia sacrifices. Don't make baseless accusations, Junior Grand Secretary! If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext."

"Wang Tao!"

“This is a court meeting; no one has falsely accused you! If you have any objections, just state them clearly.” Minister of Revenue Cai Xiang’s expression changed slightly, and he quickly stopped them.

Who can falsely accuse a subject?
君！
Since this involves fabricated charges, doesn't it mean that the emperor above is incompetent and foolish?
“If it’s a budget, it can be changed.”

Jiang Zhao waved his sleeve and said, "The Ministry of Works' policy on livelihood projects has not yet been communicated. With the two or three million strings of cash spared, we can relieve the suffering of a million people."

"Is there a problem with this?" Jiang Zhao questioned.

"One yard owned by a yard."

Minister of Revenue Cai Xiang seized the opportunity to speak up: "With the Ministry of Revenue's finances, relief can only last for thirty to fifty days. If some funds were drawn from the Three Departments and Six Ministries, it would be enough for a hundred days' worth of expenses. What do you think?"

In order to gain fame, the policy for Fujian Road was issued long ago.

If they suddenly withdraw the policy, won't they have any shame?
Crucially, this also severely damages their prestige.

Destroying hope is easy; cultivating hope is difficult.

Not everyone can become famous like the young Grand Secretary by respecting his teachers.

He was the top scholar in the imperial examinations, challenged the Grand Secretary, secretly established the heir apparent, and expanded the territory.
These are all things that are hard to come by and can only be obtained by chance.

The vast majority of people still rely on getting older to maintain their status.

Having gained considerable prestige, Cai Xiang would not possibly destroy it himself.

"The Three Offices and Six Ministries?"

Jiang Zhao's face darkened slightly, and he shouted, "Why should the three ministries and six departments share the burden equally? What I have always argued with you about is the Ministry of Works' finances!"

With just one sentence, Cai Xiang wanted to drag the Three Departments and Six Ministries into the fray and stir up trouble.

is it possible?
Du Xi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, hesitated for a moment, about to speak up and try to smooth things over.

"The treacherous minister has already revealed himself!"

"Du Xi is one!"

Jiang Zhao pointed, then suddenly changed direction: "And Cai Xiang!"

"The Ministry of Revenue, a dignified body, is so slow and inefficient. If the million disaster victims in Huaidong were to rebel, you two would be held responsible!"

His voice was powerful and deafening.

Cai Xiang's expression changed slightly: "Young Grand Secretary, I have already provided the disaster relief plan, but you are using the disaster as an excuse to delay and prevent the decrees from being implemented immediately. If a rebellion really breaks out, you will also be held responsible!"

During court discussions, they directly denounced the "treacherous officials," which was extremely upsetting.

For a time, Cai Xiang had no good way to respond.

"Stop rambling!"

"We're all doing this for the court, yet you're dragging your feet and throwing mud at us. I truly don't understand why the one who does the most work suffers the most injustice!"

Jiang Zhao was filled with rage, his aura righteous and awe-inspiring.

"The rebellion in Guangnan West Road has not yet been quelled by 10,000 Imperial Guards."

"A natural disaster has struck Huainan West Circuit. I have been doing my best to secure disaster relief measures. The Ministry of Works' water conservancy is of little importance, yet you have been so stubborn and unwilling to slow down."

"Go ahead and stir it up, just keep stirring it up!"

"It caused constant rebellions in Huainan East Road, caused General Gu great anxiety and left him overwhelmed, and caused widespread suffering to the people."

"I'm willing to risk my life for you!"

Having said that, he waved his sleeve and glanced at her with disdain.

His impassioned speech was truly inspiring and thought-provoking!
The main hall was completely silent!
……

(End of this chapter)