Chapter 1087: Chapter 923: Have You No Shame?

Gu Chengyu is in the Capital, and Xia Qing finds it somewhat troublesome to deal with him. If only he could be transferred to Yingnan Mansion, away from the Emperor’s watchful eyes, it would be much easier to handle him.

The Crown Prince laughed upon hearing this, "Gu Shaoqing? Prime Minister, you must be joking, right? Father has just promoted Gu Shaoqing to Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and you are asking me to laterally transfer him to become the Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate. How would you have me face my father with this? Isn’t this openly contradicting him?"

The Crown Prince’s eyes widened like a tiger’s, his face as stern as water, glaring angrily at Xia Qing.

Xia Qing was somewhat surprised. The Crown Prince usually had a good temperament, but who would have thought he would be so furious today?

The usually amiable and genuine Crown Prince now wore a stern expression, with tightly pressed lips, his chest heaving violently.

Everyone present could see that the Crown Prince was very angry, and they couldn’t help but look at each other in dismay, casting glances at Xia Qing.

They were also shocked by what Xia Qing proposed today. The Emperor had just promoted Gu Chengyu to Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and you want the Crown Prince to undermine the Emperor. Doesn’t this imply that neither the Crown Prince nor the Emperor is being respected?

Could it be that Chief Minister Xia, relying on the Emperor’s decree to assist the Crown Prince in overseeing state affairs, has grown so arrogant that he no longer regards the Crown Prince highly? How presumptuous!

Could Prime Minister Xia’s actions be an attempt to drive a wedge between the Crown Prince and the Emperor?

But ultimately, the Crown Prince is the heir, the future ruler of the nation. If the Crown Prince agreed to this, he would undoubtedly hold a grudge against Prime Minister Xia later on.

"Your Highness, this is no jest. Please do not be angry and listen to my detailed explanation."

Disregarding the curious glances within the hall, Chief Minister Xia continued, "Jiangnan is much more prosperous than the Northern region. I believe there’s no dispute about this, right? Take the grain production for instance; can Jiangnan be compared to the North?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Everyone present nodded. The wealth of Jiangnan is beyond doubt.

"Yet the National Treasury is empty. Why can’t Jiangnan contribute more? It’s because our court fails to utilize the geographical advantages of Jiangnan and cannot collect taxes properly. From my perspective, Gu Shaoqing is very skilled at generating Silver! If he stays in Jiangnan for several years, he will undoubtedly turn Jiangnan into our court’s money bag."

These words from Xia Qing somewhat eased the Crown Prince’s expression, for he was well aware of Gu Chengyu’s abilities.

Jiangnan’s specialties are plentiful—silk, porcelain, grain, tea—these are all major sources of Silver.

Even though Jiangnan pays more taxes each year than other states, the court has not benefited much.

The crux of the problem lies in the merchants’ taxes being too low. And Gu Chengyu can creatively levy taxes, making the merchants willing to comply.

The Crown Prince actually began to seriously consider, even putting aside other matters, based on the issues of the tea permits and merchants’ associations, showing that Gu Chengyu indeed has expertise in these areas.

"I am not suggesting that the Crown Prince makes a direct decision. You can report this matter to the Emperor, and perhaps the Emperor will also find my suggestion reasonable?"

Yin Kun nearly gasped in anger. Does Xia Qing have no sense of decency left? Is he planning to send the junior brother far away, to keep him away from the court?

Going to Jiangnan would mean a term of three years. Before the term expires, unless specifically summoned by the Emperor, returning to the Capital is nearly impossible.

But how likely is it that the Emperor will constantly remember you? Once you are out of sight, you will soon be out of mind for the Emperor.

Besides, even if transferred to a local position, it cannot be a lateral transfer, correct? Appointing a local official with a lateral transfer is a demotion disguised as a promotion!

For the junior brother, who contributed both Silver and effort for disaster relief in Jiangnan, this outcome is too disheartening.

Seeing that the Crown Prince was genuinely considering Xia Qing’s suggestion, Yin Kun became anxious.

He quickly spoke up, "Prime Minister’s words, forgive me for not agreeing. Gu Shaoqing indeed has exceptional abilities, and if he were to go to Jiangnan, he would govern it excellently. But is Gu Shaoqing the only person available in the entire court?"

Yin Kun’s expression was grim, and his words were quite sharp.

"The lack of Treasury funds is essentially the Ministry of Revenue’s issue. Gu Shaoqing, as an official of the Ministry of Justice, went to Jiangnan for disaster relief only because it was the Emperor’s decree. According to the Prime Minister’s view, Gu Shaoqing is also proficient in compiling historical records with the Hanlin Academy, so why would Hanlin Academy let him leave? In the last Hejian Prefecture case, Gu Shaoqing wiped out the corrupt officials in one go; likewise, the Ministry of Justice needs him. And regarding the tea tax issue, isn’t the Ministry of Revenue more in need of Gu Shaoqing?"

Yin Kun couldn’t care less about offending other government offices at this critical moment; who knows what the Emperor is thinking?

If the Emperor decides firmly and wants to suppress the junior brother’s prominence, would the junior brother really end up going to Jiangnan as a magistrate?

It’s a bitter pill for anyone to swallow, being a fourth-rank Capital Official sent to Jiangnan as a magistrate.

His intent in speaking so was to have the Crown Prince consider the junior brother’s talents. Regardless of which government office he is in, the junior brother always remains a figure of admiration among the courtiers.

Xia Qing turned pale upon hearing this, realizing that Yin Kun and Gu Chengyu were birds of a feather. If Gu Chengyu is to be removed, Yin Kun must not be spared either.

To weed out troubles without uprooting completely is to court future troubles.

The Crown Prince was taken aback by Yin Kun’s words. Indeed! Gu Chengyu is highly capable; wouldn’t it be better for him to remain in the Capital?

Even if Gu Chengyu is not in Jiangnan, he could still make good proposals.

Yin Kun sighed internally seeing the Crown Prince’s hesitancy. The Crown Prince’s indecision is truly a flaw, especially as the nation’s heir.

Xia Qing cast a sidelong glance at Yin Kun before speaking slowly, "Vice Imperial Censor Yin, your personal bias is quite significant. Gu Shaoqing’s journey to Jiangnan is for the court; how can one prioritize personal desires over national safety? I know, Vice Imperial Censor Yin is reluctant to have the junior brother go to Jiangnan. But Gu Shaoqing, though young, is a court official, and it’s better to let him handle matters independently sooner."

Everyone present cringed at Xia Qing’s words. How shameless can one be?

Isn’t that like saying Gu Chengyu is still a suckling baby, unable to be apart from his senior brother?

That’s too much. Gu Chengyu’s achievements over the past two years are witnessed by everyone; how many have been beyond the imagination of the court’s ministers?

Prime Minister Xia’s words are truly shameless lies, just as his usual style.

"Prime Minister, your words are incorrect! The tax reforms proposed by Gu Shaoqing, including tea and salt, are things I couldn’t even conceive. Such talent, where would it need my instruction? If this isn’t considered capable and perceptive, then Prime Minister’s family nephews must be much more insightful than Gu Shaoqing. Given the emptiness of our National Treasury, could we not leave it to Prime Minister’s family nephews to devise solutions? I’m sure they’ll be far more competent than the incompetent Gu Shaoqing."

The two traded barbs, yet the Crown Prince did not intervene, his deep pupils showing no emotion.