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

"The Ministry of Works is in charge of water conservancy projects and transportation construction throughout the country, and all fourteen circuits in the two capitals must take it into consideration."

Du Xi slowly said, "The flood in Huainan East Road is indeed a natural disaster. However, now that the food problem has been solved, the people can farm with peace of mind. As for water conservancy, we can recruit skilled craftsmen, gather the people, and dredge the waterways."

Compared to constructing water conservancy projects, simply dredging waterways undoubtedly requires very little expense.

It might not even be a fraction of the cost of water conservancy projects.

The downside is that the previous heavy rain washed away most of the protective measures, so simply dredging the river won't be enough to protect the riverbed.

If heavy rain comes, it might cause even more trouble.

"Damn it! Vice Minister Jiang has already said that opening the granaries, reducing taxes, and building water conservancy projects are the three things that can bring peace to the people. Can't the dignified Vice Minister of Works understand human language?" Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Lü Zhen cursed.

He truly rose through the ranks by combining farming and scholarship, and suffered a great deal of hardship from a young age.

If there's an opportunity to secure a way out for his subordinates, he'll definitely do his best to seize it.

Moreover, opportunities to undertake large-scale water conservancy projects are rare.

A fiscal expenditure of one million strings of cash is already a fraction of the Great Zhou's tax revenue.

It is unlikely that approval will be obtained for the purpose of simply using it for water conservancy projects in a certain area.

Now that there's a flood, we should take this opportunity to make some repairs.

The last major water conservancy project in Huainan East Road was probably undertaken during the founding of the nation.

It’s his mother’s fault!

Du Xi was stunned.

"This is an insult to civility!"

What kind of manners are these?

"This is an insult to the imperial court!" Du Xi rebuked angrily.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Emperor Zhao Zhen slowly opened his eyes.

Having argued to this point, the general outcome has already been reached.

Even if a monarch is willing to provide disaster relief, he still has to consider the Ministry of Revenue's financial situation.

After all, millions of strings of cash are no small sum.

Furthermore, he couldn't possibly personally negotiate with the Ministry of Revenue.

When the ruler and his ministers contend for profit, it is extremely detrimental to the establishment of the ruler's authority.

Now that the dispute has escalated and the Ministry of Revenue has compromised and offered support, he can now make a definitive judgment.

As for the Ministry of Works?

As Zhou Mengyang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, said, since it does not involve cross-departmental fund allocation, it is an internal matter of the Ministry of Works.

Apart from the 500,000 strings of cash allocated to Huainan East Circuit for disaster relief, the remaining 1.5 million strings of cash have been earmarked for use in the Ministry of Works.

As a monarch, he could also make a decision on this matter.

The official opened his eyes, and the officials who had been about to argue fell silent.

"Since the matter involved millions of people, the Ministry of Revenue changed the budget and allocated 1.5 million strings of cash to buy grain for disaster relief."

"The people of Huainan East Road are exempt from taxes for one year."

"In addition, the Ministry of Works allocated a separate million strings of cash for water conservancy projects."

These two sentences made Cai Xiang, Du Xi, and Wang Tao look extremely embarrassed.

The Ministry of Revenue's allocation of grain was not the main point; the main point was that the Ministry of Works allocated a million taels of silver to build the Huainan East Road.

How can they face the elders of Fujian Road?

On the dragon throne, Zhao Zhen glanced indifferently at the group.

From a demand perspective, disaster relief in Huainan East Road is imperative, as it concerns next year's tax revenue; he had already shown some inclination towards it.

Ultimately, no one on Fujian Road suffered any damage.

Now, after a quarrel and some compromise, he can easily go with the flow.

From the perspective of his subjects, Jiang Zhao's creation of the secret method for establishing an heir apparent and his expansion of territory naturally garnered Jiang Zhao's favor.

As for the feelings of Cai Xiang, Du Xi, and Wang Tao?

How can an emperor govern the country if he has to consider the feelings of a few unimportant ministers?

In the main hall, Jiang Zhao stepped forward and bowed deeply:

"On behalf of the twelve million people of Huaidong, your humble servant expresses his gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor!"

More than fifty officials from Huainan East Circuit bowed in unison:

On behalf of the twelve million people of Huaidong, we, your humble servants, express our deepest gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness!

On behalf of the twelve million people of Huaidong, we, your humble servants, express our deepest gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness!

On behalf of the twelve million people of Huaidong, we, your humble servants, express our deepest gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness!

"Be flat!"

……

Chapter 142 The eldest daughter-in-law is seriously ill!

Civil and military officials were arranged in an orderly manner.

Throughout history, in the power struggles of officialdom, the losers are left to languish in obscurity.

Although Cai Xiang, Du Xi, and Wang Tao were unwilling, they could only bow respectfully and return to their ranks.

After this fight, all three of them were destined to suffer.

In particular, Cai Xiang and Du Xi.

Entering the capital to serve as an official has always been a noble and respected position.

The prominent families and officials of Fujian Road were all watching their every move.

At that time, in order to cultivate their reputation, the two secretly spread some policies, which were praised by prominent families and officials in Fujian.

Political struggles, in the final analysis, are all about resources.

Now, the duck that was about to be in their hands has been snatched away by someone else.

The disappointment felt by the prominent families and officials of Fujian must have been indescribable.

In particular, some impatient prominent families and officials may have already begun to undertake water conservancy projects.

Without policy support, they suffered in silence.

The whispers of curses, barely audible yet deafening, echoed through the air.

It was almost predictable that their prestige would decline significantly.

In the middle of the left column, Sheng Hong, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, held a tablet and stared at his son-in-law, his heart filled with great shock.

Since arriving in Beijing, the son-in-law was soon sent to a post outside the capital to expand territory and stabilize the borders.

Therefore, he had never actually witnessed his son-in-law's political struggles.

This time, I saw it!

How cruel!

Its momentum was so strong that it was almost suffocating.

Wang Tao's single slip of the tongue was seized upon by his son-in-law, whose reprimands echoed throughout the palace.

If you fall behind even by one word, you're doomed.

Wang Tao is the flaw, no need to elaborate.

Cai Xiang and Du Xi were both high-ranking officials in purple robes.

In particular, Cai Xiang, who was the Minister of Revenue, a second-rank official, had already reached the very edge of the pinnacle of civil service.

Such a character only went through a few rounds.

Is this the young Grand Secretary?

……

The disaster relief plan for Huainan East Circuit was finalized, and the court discussions continued.

However, apart from suppressing rebellions, providing disaster relief, and holding sacrificial rites, there has been really nothing major happening lately.

The vast majority of matters discussed in court were trivial and mundane.

Of course, the so-called trivial matters are relative to those of the third rank and above. For officials of the fourth and fifth ranks, they still carry considerable weight.

Some minor discussions, once implemented across the two capitals and fourteen circuits, become policy for the people and cannot be ignored.

About half an hour.

Emperor Zhao Zhen pressed his hand against his stomach, occasionally frowning, and his breathing gradually became heavy.

The civil and military officials exchanged glances, and tacitly refrained from submitting any further reports on state affairs.

Lately, the Emperor's health has been deteriorating.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Zhen waved his hand.

"The court session is over—"

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies let out a sharp, long cry, and all the officials retreated in unison.

Dozens of officials from Huaidong gathered together unintentionally.

"Thank goodness for Minister Jiang during the disaster relief efforts in Huaidong!"

Han Yi, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, cupped his hands and sighed sincerely.

Disaster relief in Huaidong often involved millions of strings of cash.

Originally, according to the plan of dozens of officials in Huaidong, it would take at least ten days of political infighting before they could possibly seize some resources from Fujian Road.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhao actually managed to defeat Cai Xiang and Du Xi.

It has to be said that standing on the same side as someone like Jiang Zhao is indeed much easier.

"Minister Han, you flatter me. I was merely speaking out for the people of Huaidong." Jiang Zhao nodded gently and cupped his hands in greeting.

"For disaster relief in Huaidong, grain should be transported from the Grand Canal and delivered within twenty days if possible. I, Wang, will keep an eye on this matter," interjected Wang Fuzhi, the Minister of Agriculture.

Political infighting is only the beginning of disaster relief efforts.

From now on, whether it's water conservancy projects or specific disaster relief procedures, someone will have to keep a close eye on things to prevent Cai Xiang and Du Xi from doing anything underhanded.

As the Minister of Agriculture, his duties were to jointly manage the grain and grain prices of the entire country with the Director of Revenue.

The Ministry of Revenue's allocation of funds to purchase grain, along with the corresponding purchase ledgers, would certainly have to pass through his hands.

“I, Zhou, will also be keeping an eye on the water conservancy projects being built in Huaidong,” said Zhou Mengyang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.

"The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate have issued decrees to strictly investigate corruption, which should also curb the greed of their subordinates," said Qiao Zhizhong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Having finally secured a grant of two or three million strings of cash, it's impossible for us to just stand by and watch some petty scoundrels embezzle it.

"If Vice Minister Jiang ever needs anyone in the future, please let me know," said Lü Zhen, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief.

More than fifty officials nodded in approval.

Since fellow villagers exist, they must have a reason to exist.

After this incident, if Jiang Zhao intends to compete for a cabinet position, the more than fifty officials of Huaidong will certainly do their utmost to support him.

"Thank you for your trouble." Jiang Zhao politely cupped his hands in greeting.

As they spoke, the dozens of people walked in unison toward the tavern outside Donghua Gate.

It's rare for fellow villagers to be so united, so we'll definitely drink until we drop and expand our social circle.

As dusk settles, the alleyways are bathed in the glow of lanterns.

Jiang Mansion.