My Lady Always Lacks Ambition-Chapter 1032 - 1005: Temple Master, Please Advise Me on How to Make Money

In the twelfth lunar month, a snowstorm lasted for half a month, and the area heading north suffered a snow disaster. The houses of the people were overwhelmed by heavy snow, causing countless deaths and injuries. Many people had to leave their homes and head south or to the capital to survive. However, the weather was extremely cold, and some people died halfway because they could not withstand hunger and cold.

The number of casualties from the snow disaster continued to rise. At the same time, prices for grain, cloth, and other heating materials like firewood were also increasing daily. Bad news kept coming to the capital, with a discordant voice emerging among the people, claiming that the Emperor was unmerciful, believed in Demon Path, which led to the Heavenly Punishment, hence the Emperor should now issue an apology.

This news reached the Emperor’s ears, instantly infuriating him to smash a lamb-fat white jade paperweight, continuously exerting pressure on the Ministry of Revenue and others to provide disaster relief to restore respect.

The Ministry of Revenue did not want to neglect the disaster relief, but the national treasury was depleted. Previously, the Emperor borrowed a lot of silver to build some Immortal Palace, and the accounts were not yet settled. Where would silver come from?

Such are the circumstances; usually, in disaster relief efforts that could earn a reputation, the Princes competing for the throne would fight for it fiercely. But this year, they acted like quails, avoiding the spotlight if possible. Those uninterested in competing directly feigned ’frost disease,’ fearing that the Emperor, their father, might push them to succeed.

After all, without silver, how could the relief be effectively managed? Especially now, disaster victims resent the Emperor and the Imperial Family, believing the Emperor listened to Demon Path, which led to the Heavenly Punishment. This discontent could lead to an unstoppable disaster if not handled well.

Furthermore, it is excessively cold this year, why venture out into the cold without necessity?

So, it is wise to do less of the thankless tasks.

Therefore, on how to provide relief and whom to appoint as imperial envoy, there was endless squabbling in court.

However, before the imperial envoy for disaster relief was selected, bad news came again. At the border, due to extreme cold, countless cattle, sheep, and even people outside the border died. To survive, they grouped and invaded within the border, robbing grain, winter clothes, and quilts.

A battle at the border was won, but the loss was heavy, killing a thousand enemies while sacrificing eight hundred of our own. Why? Because it was too cold, the soldiers were too weak to fight. Investigation revealed that military pay and supplies did not keep up, being embezzled, which almost triggered a mutiny after the victory.

Now the military camp at the border demanded the embezzled silver back, otherwise, if a mutiny erupts, it would surely be a disaster.

Everyone everywhere reached out for silver, causing the officials at the Ministry of Revenue to suffer baldness, nearly begging the State Preceptor to practice turning stone into gold; alas, poverty truly drives one mad!

This year’s Lunar New Year is destined to be miserable!

Currently, to organize good silver, the palace practiced frugality, with the Empress leading the harem concubines to donate some private funds. Officials in court had to donate some silver taels too, yet it was merely a drop in the ocean. Some people made plans to target wealthy merchants.

After all, when it comes to wealth, business is the most lucrative.

However, merchants are profit-driven; without benefits, how could they willingly offer silver? Old foxes floating and sinking in the sea of commerce, their calculations could be heard overseas; believe it?

The court continued squabbling over who to choose for disaster relief, while the Ministry of Revenue pushed all efforts to gather silver. The new Vice Minister, Cui Shixue, couldn’t resist seeking Qin Liuxi.

He wholeheartedly served the people and aimed to achieve results. Newly appointed, he wished to heat this fire and stabilize his position, requiring capabilities matching the role. Therefore, this disaster relief achievement cannot be missed.

As for why to approach Qin Liuxi, naturally, because he sought guidance from her to make the direction simple and clear.

In others’ eyes, it might seem like seeking shortcuts through unorthodox means, unacceptable, but since there is a shortcut, why waste time wandering? With that time, many practical tasks could be accomplished.

Regarding whether this reputation was pleasant or not, Cui Shixue didn’t care; he only needed to see results. If it brought political achievements and aided people, that was a good name.

Furthermore, he came merely to seek guidance from a young friend, qualifying as a minor deviation of the path?

Qin Liuxi watched Cui Shixue approaching, with a somewhat mysterious smile, as if ’caught you.’

Seeing this, Cui Shixue felt uneasy, unintentionally glancing at the door; should he not have come today?

Many years later, recalling this day, he deeply appreciated entering that door, the most correct choice, regardless of the thorny path inside.

Exchanging courtesy, they sat down. Cui Shixue directly asked, "Did the temple master’s smile predict my arrival?"