On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

Lin Yi had guessed that the old emperor was restless, but he didn't expect him to send someone to find him.

What are you doing? Are you trying to make me bow down to those ministers who are pretending to be sick at home?

That's too naive.

"Hehehe." Lin Yi chuckled.

These scholars really think that without them, the Great Zhou Dynasty would fall apart.

"Who goes there?" Lin Yi asked casually.

Lin An replied, "It's Sun Fu."

"Heh, I knew it. No one else but him would have thought of asking me this." Lin Yi patted Mi Mi's cheek. "Let him come over."

"Yes."

Lin An left, and soon after, Sun Fu, dressed in a purple and gold python robe, walked over accompanied by two eunuchs.

With his usual fake smile on his face, he said, "This old servant greets Your Highness."

"No need for formalities," Lin Yi said, chewing on an apple. "What a rare guest! Isn't Chief Eunuch Sun serving His Majesty in the palace? What brings you here to my humble abode?"

Sun Fu straightened up and glanced at Mimi, who was massaging Lin Yi's legs.

I thought to myself, "The world is going to the dogs."

While the palace was nearly starving, Lin Yi was enjoying food and drink at home, with concubines serving him.

We still need to seize power; otherwise, everything is just empty talk.

"Your Highness is too kind. This old servant has come today on His Majesty's orders."

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow but didn't reply, waiting for him to continue.

Sun Fu understood and said, "Your Highness, the Golden Palace was almost empty this morning. Less than a third of the civil and military officials were present. Prime Minister Liu and the others claimed to be ill and stayed home. His Majesty is very displeased."

Lin Yi spat the fruit pit into Mi Mi's palm, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "What does His Majesty's displeasure have to do with me?"

"Your Highness, as you know, Prime Minister Liu and his associates are all important officials in the court, with their protégés and former subordinates all over the country. Their strike has brought the court's affairs to a standstill. The circulation of funds and the enforcement of laws all depend on them. If this continues, I'm afraid the Great Zhou Dynasty will be in chaos."

"Let it be chaotic," Lin Yi said calmly. "I can take advantage of the chaos. What does Steward Sun think?"

Sun Fu's expression didn't change much.

A person who has reached his position can already keep their emotions hidden.

But deep down, I was still somewhat shocked by Lin Yi's recklessness.

Sun Fu knew that Lin Yi was ruthless and ambitious, but he never expected Lin Yi to say it so directly.

This shows a complete disregard for the emperor and the imperial court.

"Your Highness, this is no joke. The nation and its people are the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty. If they are shaken, the consequences will be unimaginable. The world will descend into chaos, and countless lives will be lost. Your Highness, you do not wish to see such a situation, do you?"

Lin Yi laughed: "Hehehe, Chief Steward Sun is mistaken. The people of the world only desire a peaceful and prosperous world, a life where they can have enough to eat. But what about now? Who is causing them to go hungry? Who is causing their families to be torn apart? It's those so-called loyal ministers and generals, those officials who hold positions without doing their jobs!"

As soon as Lin Yi put his legs down, Mi Mi understood and immediately helped him to his feet: "Officials like this dare to go on strike? Hehehe, very well, I was just thinking of replacing them all!"

Sun Fu's breath hitched.

Lin Yi is now intent on killing.

"Your Highness, what you're saying..." Sun Fu wanted to refute, but didn't know where to begin.

Because what Lin Yi said was true.

Those civil officials were indeed insatiably greedy and oppressed the people.

But no matter what, they were officials appointed by the imperial court and the cornerstone of maintaining the rule of the Great Zhou.

If they were gone, the people would be happy, but what would happen to the imperial court?

When the people live well, the court suffers; this has been the rule of governance for thousands of years.

"Your Highness, you are right, but Liu Wentao and the others are, after all, officials appointed by the imperial court. Where can we find replacements in such a short time? Furthermore, how can you guarantee that the people you promoted won't do the things you've described?"

"Old Sun, you're a smart man. You should know that the Great Zhou Dynasty will still be the Great Zhou Dynasty even without them. Besides, aren't there any people from humble backgrounds among those who can become officials in the capital, besides their protégés and former subordinates?"

Sun Fu felt bitter.

"Your Highness, the operation of this court is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Although those officials from humble backgrounds are talented, they lack experience and are probably not up to the task. Moreover, the strike by Prime Minister Liu and the others is not because they really want to paralyze the court. They just... just want Your Majesty and Your Highness to understand their difficulties and give them a way out."

Lin Yi laughed heartily.

"Hahaha, you've finally hit the nail on the head, haven't you?"

"Uh...yes, yes, yes..." Sun Fu wiped away his cold sweat, nodding and smiling apologetically.

Lin Yi's expression hardened: "A way out, my foot! Who do they think they are, daring to ask me for one? Chief Steward Sun, go back and tell His Majesty, and also those old scoundrels like Liu Wentao. This Great Zhou court isn't a place they can come and go as they please. If they want to strike, fine. I'll grant their wish!"

"Huh?" Sun Fu thought Lin Yi would take the opportunity to back down, or at least make a symbolic gesture.

But to everyone's surprise, Lin Yi's attitude toward this matter was so tough, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"Your Highness, you..." Sun Fu opened his mouth, but couldn't persuade him any further.

Lin Yi's attitude has already said it all.

He didn't care about the lives or deaths of those civil officials at all, and was even happy to see them replaced.

Lin Yi looked at Sun Fu's shocked and somewhat helpless face and sneered inwardly.

I am a man who holds the world in his hands. How dare you, a mere eunuch, try to persuade me?

"Chief Steward Sun, you may return." Lin Yi waved his hand. "Relay my words to His Majesty and Liu Wentao without missing a single one. Tell them that I do not mind replacing the people in charge of this Great Zhou."

"Is this His Highness's final stance acceptable to this old servant?"

"Very well!" Lin Yi sat down again. "My attitude will not change because of anything that happens."

Sun Fu nodded: "Alright, in that case, this old servant will return."

He stood up and knelt again, saying, "This old servant takes his leave."

"Hmm." Lin Yi responded, and before he left, he said to Lin An, "Go and find me a few minor officials who can write and calculate but have no connections. I want them to know that officials in the Great Zhou are not just for those scions of noble families."

"Yes."

Hearing this, Sun Fu felt even more distressed.

No, we absolutely cannot give Lin Yi the opportunity to change the political landscape.

Otherwise, not only will the Great Zhou Dynasty be gone, but I will be gone too!

......

The atmosphere inside the Prime Minister's residence was very harmonious.

Liu Wentao felt he had never felt so relaxed in his life.

You don't have to think about anything or do anything. You can just relax comfortably on the daybed, drink sake, watch your concubine sing, and eat the fruit and snacks that your maidservant brings you.

This is the life of a talented person.

I used to be so busy that I forgot to enjoy life.

"Heaven never seals off all paths, and Earth cherishes life." The concubine was charming and gentle, her voice soft and melodious.

Upon hearing the brilliant part, Liu Wentao couldn't help but clap his hands and exclaim, "Excellent! What a wonderful saying! There's always a way out! Hahaha, come here, let your husband smell you!"

The eighteen-year-old concubine covered her mouth, waved a long pink ribbon, and came into his arms: "My lord~~ It's been a long time since I've seen you so happy."

"Hehehe, it's all because of Lin Yi's troubles. But you sang really well today, you deserve a reward!"

"What would you like to reward me with, sir?"

"Tell me! As long as it's not excessive, I'll agree to anything you ask for today!"

The concubine's hand traced across Liu Wentao's chest, her breath sweet as orchids: "This concubine desires, sir..."

"Hehehe, I love how sensible you are!"