Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

......

In the Imperial Study, Chen Shao toyed with the cup in his hand. Han Cao had just given him a detailed report on everything.

Who said what, how they planned to act, and who were involved? Every detail was meticulously recorded.

There was no embellishment or attempt to excuse himself.

Chen Shao was very satisfied with his attitude.

That's how he has value.

He pondered for a while, then suddenly slammed his hand on the imperial desk.

"Old Bai! I want to eat fish!"

Bai Bingbing, who had been standing respectfully to the side, was taken aback for a moment, then rolled her eyes.

"I'm only twenty, Your Majesty, could you please address me differently?"

"Oh, I'm used to it."

Bai Bingbing is a rather boring person, yet quite composed. Chen Shao increasingly feels that Lao Bai is more suitable for her.

Of course, more importantly, we can't afford A.

"What kind of fish would Your Majesty like to eat? This humble servant will go and tell the Imperial Kitchen."

...I'm just making a joke, Chen Shaochao waved to her.

"I'm going to kill someone!"

"Uproot all these restless and unruly people, leaving not a single one alive."

Bai Bingbing was shocked:

"Are you crazy? You may seem all-powerful now, but this is just a tiny piece of land. Your throne is far from secure. Taking too big a step now will only lead to disaster!"

"Of course it won't be too big, but killing a few people is still possible. Go and make something for me; I need it in three days."

......

Three days later, the morning court session began.

Chen Shao had not attended court for several days, and everyone knew why.

There have been many events, both big and small, happening in the capital these past few days.

Rice prices increased tenfold in three days.

In teahouses and taverns, people were talking about His Majesty's persecution of loyal officials and his favoritism towards treacherous ministers.

He was a complete tyrant.

Chen Shao sat on the dragon throne, flipping through the grain price brochure that the Ministry of Revenue had just handed over.

"My esteemed ministers, we have recently encountered some problems. The people cannot afford to buy grain, and there is widespread discontent."

"Of course, there are also many voices criticizing me."

"I'll accept it if people insult me. Let them insult me, it won't hurt me anyway."

"I'll take it as a compliment to my decisiveness, but the price of rice must be kept stable."

"The people need to eat, and I cannot let them go hungry."

The officials secretly exchanged glances, and some of them smiled slightly.

When people have no food, they'll find something to do.

If the army runs out of food, there might be a mutiny.

You, Chen Shaoping, should just sit back and see who has the bigger resources.

Chen Shao stood up and slowly walked to the center of the main hall.

"I've been so worried that I haven't slept for three days and three nights, but I've finally come up with a good solution."

"Today, I have decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign so that everyone can work together to stabilize grain prices."

He waved towards the outside of the hall.

Two eunuchs carried a rosewood donation box, about half a person's height, into the hall. Four large characters were engraved on the front of the box:

To share the nation's burdens.

"My esteemed ministers, this box will be placed here."

"Whether you donate a lot or a little, it's all up to your heart."

"Donating is a favor, not donating is one's right, and I will never force you to."

The hall was quiet for a moment before the newly appointed scholars stepped forward.

Most of these people came from humble backgrounds, and the money they donated was just a small amount of silver.

Chen Shaochao and the others nodded, then turned their gaze to the others.

No one moved.

Han Cao kept his head down. He had already received instructions from Chen Shao to stay out of it.

Whenever Chen Shao saw someone, that person would immediately look down and focus on their own thoughts.

Donating money is such a difficult thing to do.

If you donate too much, people will accuse you of embezzlement.

If you donate too little, people will say you're stingy.

In short, it won't do anyone any good, so it's better not to donate at all.

Chen Shao waited for a while, then gave a wry smile:

"It seems that none of you ministers are having a good time."

"Since fundraising isn't working, let's try another method. In any case, the price of rice must be kept stable."

"How about the lottery?"

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

A whole bunch of them knelt down in a flash.

The memory of Chen Shao drawing lots to kill the censor is still fresh in my mind.

"His Majesty..."

Chen Shao waved his hand to interrupt, and laughed:

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. Drawing lots is something that only needs to be done once. We can't do it every day. You don't all think I'm the tyrant that's rumored, do you?"

The ministers all breathed a sigh of relief.

Several old ministers, who had almost wet themselves in fear, wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads with their sleeves, and said with forced smiles that His Majesty was wise.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly relaxed, and some people even began to whisper and laugh, feeling that their reaction just now had been too inappropriate.

"So I changed to a fairer way to play."

Chen Shao and the others' laughter gradually subsided.

He added slowly and deliberately, then gestured with his chin toward Bai Bingbing, "Commander Bai, bring the things up."

a moment—

Four Imperial Guards carried in a huge wooden turntable.

The plate is divided into more than a dozen fan-shaped sections with vermilion lacquer, and each section contains a name.

"Let's try something new today. I'll throw darts, and whoever's name is hit will donate money. Is that fair?"

Everyone initially thought it was alright, but after seeing the name...

Those with ulterior motives almost jumped up.

"Your Majesty! This is not fair! Why are only our names listed?"

"With so many ministers in the court, shouldn't everyone receive some preferential treatment?"

Chen Shao looked at the turntable carefully and then slapped his forehead.

"Oh dear! I made a mistake, but since that's the case, it must be fate. Let it be."

"Of course, if you have any recommendations, you can say so, and I will fill the vacancy right now."

All those behind the riots were represented by one person from each household, totaling more than a dozen people.

"Since no one recommends it, then I will begin."

Chen Shao took the dart from Bai Bingbing and weighed it in his hand.

He squinted one eye and glanced at the turntable.

All the officials and civil servants in the hall followed the dart as it swayed back and forth.

Especially those names written on the turntable.

His lips trembled, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead one after another.

Chen Shao stared at it for a while, then suddenly shoved the dart into Bai Bingbing's hand.

"This thing is too light, it has no feel in the hand. Are there any others?"

Bai Bingbing expressionlessly took out a palm-sized black lacquered wooden box from her bosom.

The box is square, with fine holes all over the front.

"Your Majesty, this is a closely guarded secret of the Tang Clan in the martial arts world. Once triggered, it will unleash a devastating storm of pear blossoms."

"Its name is 'Rain of Pear Blossom Needles'!"