Chapter 1042: Chapter 878: Sima Zhao’s Motives Are Clear to All!

Just as all the officials in the hall were puzzled, Xia Qing continued, "I humbly request that Your Majesty pardon Minister Shen for his diligent service to the court. Secondly, regarding the matter of disaster relief funds, I have some humble opinions, though I am unsure if I should voice them."

At this point, Xia Qing couldn’t help but be mysterious.

The Emperor, upon hearing this, was intrigued. "Oh? What brilliant strategy do you have, Xia Aiqing? Quickly, tell us."

All the officials in the hall perked up their ears, eager to hear what solution Xia Qing might offer. The Emperor had been irritable these past days, making them all anxious.

Could it be the same as two years ago, where Xia Qing plans to make his clan suffer a huge financial loss? Some officials maliciously speculated.

That time, they handed over one million Silver Taels! If Xia Qing were to contribute Silver again, it would surely be a significant sacrifice.

"Your Majesty! Back then, Gu Shaoqing proposed the tea tax and salt tax reforms, which greatly benefited the court. I believe Gu Shaoqing has considerable insights in this area. Since Your Majesty finds the disaster relief funds so troubling, why not entrust this matter to Gu Shaoqing? Perhaps Gu Shaoqing can handle it perfectly without any worry from Your Majesty, bringing happiness to all involved?"

Xia Qing’s words were truly shameless, although Gu Chengyu was appointed as the imperial envoy by the Emperor, specifically for disaster relief.

But just now, Shen Shikang said, "Even a clever woman cannot cook without rice." Without Silver, what would Gu Chengyu use for disaster relief?

Yin Kun was thoroughly enraged after hearing this. Xia Qing wasn’t proposing a good idea; he was digging a pit for his junior brother!

"May it please Your Majesty, I have objections. I cannot agree with the Prime Minister’s opinion. Gu Shaoqing is far away in Jiangnan, how can he gather so much disaster relief Silver in such a short time? No dynasty has ever heard that the court’s disaster relief funds need to be solved by the envoy themselves. This isn’t a few Taels of Silver; it’s tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of Taels. Who can afford to produce that much Silver?"

Yin Kun stepped forward, filled with righteous indignation.

He and Gu Chengyu were fellow disciples, connected like branches of the same tree. In this court, they should support each other, and now they’re jointly resisting external threats.

Gu Chengyu was still engaged in disaster relief in Jiangnan, and there were already people in the court digging pitfalls for him. How could Yin Kun tolerate this?

The other officials in the hall looked at Xia Qing with peculiar expressions. This Chief Minister Xia was truly brazen! So much Silver, and he wanted Gu Chengyu to solve it all by himself?

"Imperial Censor Yin, as you can see, His Majesty is fretting over this matter, unable to sleep at night. If this continues, how can His Majesty’s health withstand it? Gu Shaoqing previously came up with the tea tax, surely he can also find ways to gather the disaster relief Silver."

Xia Qing glanced at Yin Kun with a faint smile, the coldness in his eyes made Xia Qing’s heart sink.

Knowing that his junior brother had provoked Xia Qing’s apprehension, Xia Qing wouldn’t spare Shen Shikang to drag Jinyu into the water, this was not a good situation!

Jinyu had been promoted by five ranks within three years, already causing jealousy among courtiers and Xia Qing. This disaster relief matter was an opportunity; if Jinyu did not handle the task well this time, even if His Majesty wanted to protect Jinyu, would those courtiers spare Jinyu?

Yin Kun looked up and glanced at the Emperor, realizing with panic that the Emperor was indeed contemplating Xia Qing’s suggestion.

"Your Majesty! The disbursement of disaster relief funds is originally the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue, what does it have to do with Gu Shaoqing?"

Jiang Mingyuan naturally couldn’t stand idly by and watch someone plot against Gu Chengyu, throughout the entire court, all matters were unexpectedly being pressed onto Gu Chengyu alone.

If everything had to be managed by Gu Chengyu, then what was the purpose of all these officials? Could the entire martial and civil bureaucracy not measure up to a single Gu Chengyu?

"Your Majesty! In such a short time, where would Gu Shaoqing gather disaster relief Silver? If the opportunity is missed, resulting in a riot among the affected people, the consequences would be disastrous."

Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War Zhu Kui stepped forward, believing that relying on a single person makes it very difficult to gather such a vast amount of Silver, it’s simply a fantasy.

Xia Qing’s move could be said to be as clear as Sima Zhao’s intentions, known to everyone!

Gu Chengyu and Zhu Kui’s third son were close friends, politically and morally, Zhu Kui had to speak a few words in favor of Gu Chengyu.

The Emperor slightly closed his eyes, carefully considering the possibility of this matter in his heart. Though he understood Xia Qing’s selfish motives, it must be said, it was also a method.

Gu Chengyu had the capability; raising part of the disaster relief Silver shouldn’t be an issue. Unfortunately, time was extremely tight, he was just worried Gu Chengyu might not make it in time.

"Your Majesty! I believe the disaster relief funds can be delayed, the Ministry of Revenue could first gather a portion to appease the affected people. Furthermore, the major Prefectures near the Tianya River could open their granaries, each taking some portion to help weather the storm for the time being," Yin Kun proposed.

This was, so far, the best solution he could think of.

"Hmph! Imperial Censor Yin, I cannot agree with your point of view. Do you know that the food in those Prefectures is carefully accounted for? If their grain is diverted to those affected people, where will they find food when they need it in the future?"

The breach of the Tianya River embankment made other Prefectures equally unsafe. The granaries of each government office were meant to save lives, who would be so generous to hand over their strictly guarded grain?

"Prime Minister, what I said just now was for each state to allocate a part, not to give it all, I believe they should be willing. Moreover, the situation is special now, if His Majesty issues an imperial decree, would they dare think of resisting? It’s not the time to focus only on one’s own house, everyone must unite in a concerted effort to overcome the current crisis,"

The Emperor nodded to himself upon hearing this, Yin Kun’s reasoning was not without merit.

"Yin Aiqing has a point, let the other Prefectures first provide part of their grain, deal with the immediate crisis first," the Emperor considered it the simplest and quickest method currently.

De’an was listening to several ministers discuss solutions for disaster relief when he noticed Xiao Quanzi peering around at the back. De’an immediately frowned, eyes glaring.

It was a court meeting now, how could Xiao Quanzi be so lacking in discretion?

Xiao Quanzi, seeing De’an coming over, surprisingly didn’t seem afraid, and instead winked at De’an energetically.

De’an couldn’t help but become angry, unless Xiao Quanzi had an extremely urgent matter, he was determined to scold Xiao Quanzi.

Glancing at the Emperor, De’an quietly retreated to the back of the great hall, and as soon as he reached Xiao Quanzi, Xiao Quanzi took out a red urgent letter.

Seeing this, De’an dared not say more, he took the letter and walked towards the hall.

"Your Majesty!" De’an handed the letter to the Emperor.

The Emperor was somewhat surprised, Gu Chengyu had just sent a message via carrier pigeon, and here was an urgent letter.

Considering that he previously appointed Hu Maoshen as an imperial envoy, perhaps this letter was from Hu Maoshen himself.