Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 594 - 430: Adviser He Zhongkuan

"Teacher!" Min Feng entered the outer study room, looking at Xia Qing standing by the window, and hurriedly called out to him.

Xia Qing turned to look at Min Feng and nodded, without uttering any words of reprimand, merely gesturing to the others present to greet Gu Chengyu.

After paying respects, Min Feng, at Xia Qing’s indication, sat in a corner of the room.

These individuals were either officials of the court or advisers whom even the teacher valued highly, leaving him no space to interject in their presence.

Xia Qing listened and felt a bit hesitant. Ultimately, they were his clansmen; how could he bear it?

Furthermore, the massive amount of silver taels required for the border allowances, even returning all the seized silver might not suffice.

If he produced too much, the world would certainly be outraged, damaging his reputation.

The Emperor would also punish him to quell public opinion as a show of fairness. Xia Qing furrowed his brows, finding himself in a dilemma.

"This? It’s truly difficult to manage!"

Listening from the side, Min Feng felt even more apprehensive, not knowing that for this matter, the teacher had paid such a great price.

"Sir! Actually, you’ve become concerned about the wrong thing. The Emperor isn’t expecting you to fill all the border allowances. If you can’t muster it, the Emperor won’t truly trouble you. The remainder can be covered by the Ministry of Revenue. After all, that is originally the ministry’s task; how could you alone replenish the National Treasury?"

He Zhongkuan understood Xia Qing’s worries, thus analyzing the situation clearly, so Xia Qing wouldn’t remain indecisive and miss the opportunity concerning his clansmen.

Only after hearing this did Xia Qing become enlightened. Indeed! Isn’t the Ministry of Revenue still there?

This is not a task for him alone; he turned to look at Ji Yan. The calculating look in his eyes caused Ji Yan to feel a chill in his heart.

Li Wei and the others looked at He Zhongkuan with astonished eyes; this person’s strategy was indeed impressive.

No wonder even the Prime Minister valued him so much, treating him with such courtesy.

If they had such resourceful advisers in their mansion, where would be the worry about any political confrontations?

"Even if I want to act righteously at the expense of kin, my clansmen are far away in Yingnan Mansion, beyond my reach!"

Xia Qing thought this was the best solution he could think of currently, but implementing it was no small feat.

The Emperor’s deadline for him was tomorrow, and Yingnan Mansion was far from the Capital; he couldn’t make deployments in time.

"Sir! If you’ve already made up your mind, this matter isn’t difficult to handle," Li Wei quickly said to Xia Qing as he had also thought of a way.

He couldn’t let an adviser steal all the glory, making these officials seem utterly useless.

He Zhongkuan didn’t show displeasure at being interrupted by Li Wei, only raised the tea bowl again to drink.

"Oh? Let’s hear it!" Xia Qing raised an eyebrow, Li Wei’s brain was also quite active; if he said so, then he must have thought of a good plan.

"Sir! Write a letter now and have someone rush it to Yingnan Mansion, traveling day and night. Once your people reach Yingnan Mansion, settle everything, and then hand the person over to the government. The Capital is quite distant from Yingnan Mansion; it will take time for news to travel back. By then, everything will be settled, and you won’t have to worry too much."

Li Wei spoke eloquently, narrating what Xia Qing needed to do, asking for a favor from Xia Qing in the process.

Actually, at this point in the matter’s progress, even if Li Wei hadn’t spoken, Xia Qing could have figured out the rest on his own.

However, Li Wei habitually flattered and seized opportunities, and Xia Qing had already solved the major issue, relaxing his mind. Hearing his words naturally brought him delight.

These words drew a secret large roll of the eyes from You Shaofeng nearby; once again, Li Wei had seized the initiative, making him secretly resentful.

Xia Qing couldn’t help but nod; although the family suffered a loss this time, having to sacrifice a clansman.

However, as long as the Xia Family had him, would there be any lack of benefits in the future?

Now, it was better to resolve the pressing difficulties first; he would compensate later.

Once Xia Qing decided, he cast aside previous reluctance and hesitation, planning to organize the matter that night.

"Sir! I have another suggestion!" Just as Xia Qing was about to dismiss everyone, He Zhongkuan suddenly spoke again.

Li Wei had already stood up to take his leave; the remaining matters were beyond their involvement. Moreover, the night was deep; they needed to return early before the curfew.

"Please, Mr. He!" Xia Qing was also a bit puzzled, gesturing for He Zhongkuan to speak.

"Sir! You mentioned that the Emperor asked you to reply after the morning court assembly; I find this inappropriate."

He Zhongkuan’s eyes shone brightly, showing no inferiority in front of Xia Qing, a first-rank official.

Xia Qing was truly surprised, "What’s inappropriate about it?"

Even Li Wei and the others paused their steps to see what riddle He Zhongkuan was trying to solve.

"Sir! Do you think the more people know about this matter, the better, or the fewer, the better?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Qing’s face was a bit embarrassed. As a dignified first-rank Grand Secretary unable to control his clansmen, going to plead guilty before the Emperor, he certainly couldn’t let others know.

Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a loss of face? Those officials weren’t fools; they would definitely realize he was coerced by the Emperor into handing over the silver he had in hand.

You Shaofeng couldn’t hold back first, "Of course, it shouldn’t be publicized everywhere!"

Such matters are incredibly shameful, and the Prime Minister naturally had to keep it under wraps. Otherwise, wouldn’t it make a joke of him among the civil and military officials?

This time, Xia Qing didn’t rebuke You Shaofeng; obviously, he thought so too.

"Sir! I believe you should make this matter known widely and handle it with great fanfare! It’s best to raise it during the morning court assembly."

Xia Qing’s expression involuntarily darkened; this suggested throwing his reputation on the ground to be trampled!

Of course, he wouldn’t invite humiliation, letting those civil and military officials laugh at him.

Seeing Xia Qing’s face, He Zhongkuan knew Xia Qing was angry. He hurriedly said, "Sir! This time, the Emperor took a big advantage from you, so you must guard against it. Who knows if the Emperor might use this as leverage in the future? It’s better to settle it once and for all!"

Xia Qing thought carefully; indeed! Actually, is there any wall in the world without a crack? Even if he didn’t speak of it at the court, would those people not know? He wouldn’t be so naive.

Moreover, the Emperor asked him to clarify after the court assembly, likely contemplating using this matter to squeeze him for more later.

He might as well follow Mr. He’s advice and resolve the matter thoroughly at the court assembly. While he’s at it, he could lament his financial woes before the Emperor, ensuring no such thing is aimed at him next time.

What’s more, shouldn’t his righteousness and sacrifice towards his kin be known to the world? Otherwise, how could he earn a good reputation?

"Mr. He is truly insightful; I am impressed!"

Xia Qing prided himself on having no lack of mind and means, yet this person was skilled in calculation to this extent, making him genuinely admire.