Chapter 1 The Beginning

Qianqing Palace, yellow tiles and vermilion eaves.

Inside the enormous hall, stone pillars carved with twin dragons in white marble stood tall and majestic.

Above the main hall, a golden chair carved with dragon and phoenix patterns stood in the center, radiating brilliance even without direct light.

This was the symbol of the supreme power of the Wei Kingdom!

Inside the hall, civil and military officials stood in their respective positions.

Those nearby were whispering about important news and their respective duties.

As the first ray of morning sun shone upon the Qianqing Palace, a long and resounding voice echoed through the hall.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Instantly, the civil and military officials fell silent.

Jiang Chen, adorned in a dragon robe, calmly stepped into the hall!

"Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, ten thousand years!"

"Rise, my beloved subjects!"

With a flick of his robe, Jiang Chen sat upon the orange-yellow dragon chair.

Then, his eyes lowered slightly, looking down at the steps where everyone was prostrating before him.

Their expressions were filled with reverence and solemnity!

No man could resist such a scene!

Money, power, the world, women—everything was under his control.

At that moment, Jiang Chen felt a surge of heat in his heart!

The eunuch behind him stepped forward at the opportune moment, raising his voice in a shrill tone:

"If there are matters to report, speak up! If not, dismiss the court!"

As soon as the words fell, an elderly civil official stepped forward and bowed to Jiang Chen.

Almost instantly, memories of this person appeared in Jiang Chen's mind.

This person was none other than the father of the favored concubine Mei, who held sway over the six palaces—

Mei Wenshi, the Minister of Revenue.

Remembering how he had previously used imperial authority to gain personal benefits, Jiang Chen's expression darkened slightly, and he asked with displeasure:

"What matter does esteemed minister have to report?"

Never having seen the emperor with such an unpleasant expression, Mei Wenshi paused, his active mind spinning rapidly.

What's wrong with His Majesty today?

Could it be that his daughter has displeased His Majesty?

Amidst his doubts, Mei Wenshi felt the emperor's gaze upon him growing colder. Realizing that this was not the time to ponder, he suppressed his doubts, stepped forward, and respectfully and meticulously performed a grand salute to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, the Lishan Palace is now half-completed. Its walls can encircle the mountain, and the scenery is magnificent and imposing. However, there is a shortage of funds, and therefore it cannot be completed."

Jiang Chen nodded absentmindedly, looking at Mei Wenshi, but asked another question:

"Minister Mei, how much silver has been spent on this Lishan Palace in total?"

Mei Wenshi's expression faltered, momentarily unsure of Jiang Chen's intentions. "Your Majesty, the Lishan Palace, due to its grand scale, has already cost over sixty million taels of silver!"

Jiang Chen gasped, his brow instantly furrowing.

"Sixty million taels?!"

In his previous life, he had never seen so much money!

Now, just building a palace for entertainment costs sixty million taels of silver?!

Absurd!

Having made up his mind, Jiang Chen looked at Mei Wenshi and said without room for doubt, "The Lishan Palace shall end here, and no further construction is allowed!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Mei Wenshi's face stiffened.

In the imperial court, the other civil and military officials also showed shocked expressions!

What?

The Lishan Palace, which had taken two years to build, was to be stopped just like that?

What about the silver invested in these two years? What about the manpower and resources spent? This was simply absurd!

Just as the court officials were in an uproar,

A civil official with a long beard suddenly stepped forward, seemingly with a different opinion.

He was somewhat old, but his body was still sturdy. He bowed to Jiang Chen on the dragon throne and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

This person was Yuan Taifu (Grand Tutor Yuan), a rare incorruptible minister in this mixed-up court.

Seeing him, Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. "Oh? Grand Tutor Yuan has something to say? Quickly rise and speak!"

Rising from the ground, Yuan Taifu looked at Jiang Chen sincerely.

"Your Majesty, I report! A sudden flood has occurred in the Wei River area, and the people are suffering! I beg Your Majesty to immediately allocate funds for disaster relief!"

After these words were spoken, the court was silent.

Everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between Jiang Chen and Yuan Taifu, simultaneously speculating in their hearts.

His Majesty today seems a little off…

Previously, the person who gave His Majesty the most headaches in this court was this Yuan Taifu. Whenever he stepped forward to advise, His Majesty would always rebuke him coldly.

What's going on today…?

After listening to Yuan Taifu's words, Jiang Chen stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Grand Tutor Yuan is absolutely right."

"As the saying goes, the people are the foundation of the nation, and only when the foundation is strong can the nation be secure."

"I am the ruler and father, supported by the people, and I should naturally prioritize the people."

"The matter of opening the granaries for disaster relief is approved!"

Jiang Chen's voice was not loud, but it sounded like thunder in the ears of everyone in the hall, causing their hearts to tremble.

His Majesty's actions were truly beyond their expectations!

Just as the officials in the hall were lost in thought, Minister of Revenue Mei Wenshi stared at Jiang Chen at the head of the hall, a trace of deep thought flashing in his eyes.

Just now, he had deliberately mentioned the Lishan Palace, but Jiang Chen had no reaction.

It should be known that this Lishan Palace was promised by the foolish ruler to his daughter, built to please her.

But now, not only had this foolish ruler stopped the construction of the Lishan Palace, he even seemed to look at Yuan Taifu's party in a different light.

What exactly was going on?

Mei Wenshi turned slightly, glancing back with an uncertain expression.

Immediately, a military officer stepped forward from among the ranks, bowed to Jiang Chen, and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty! I have something to report!"

Hearing this movement, Jiang Chen knew who it was.

It was Wang Zijin, who was on good terms with Mei Wenshi!

This person had some reputation in the army, and as long as he made more military achievements, he could be promoted to the rank of general.

"Oh? What matter does esteemed minister have to report?"

Jiang Chen turned his head to look at Wang Zijin, his expression calm.

"I believe that going to the Wei River for disaster relief is a major event. Therefore, a reliable person must be sent to carry out the relief efforts!"

Wang Zijin was burly and had a resolute face.

If Jiang Chen hadn't known his true nature long ago, he might have thought he was a loyal and upright minister!

A sneer tugged at the corner of Jiang Chen's mouth as he looked down at the person below. "Oh? Does esteemed minister have someone in mind?"

As soon as the words fell, Wang Zijin immediately replied:

"I believe that Mei Kang, the Vice Minister of Revenue, can take on this important task!"

"Although Vice Minister Mei is young, he has been in the court for two years and has made remarkable achievements, making significant contributions to the Ministry of Revenue!"

"Such a clever and capable talent will surely clear away worries for Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of murderous intent flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

What a Mei family, not content with controlling the harem, they were now reaching into the military!

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, his icy gaze piercing Wang Zijin.

Such a treacherous minister should be executed!!

His large hand on the golden chair caressed the ferocious dragon head on the armrest.

The cold touch gradually calmed Jiang Chen's mind.

Now was not the time to turn hostile.

Then, his dark eyes swept across the faces of the ministers in the hall, finally settling on a tall figure at the end of the military ranks.

This person had a proper face and a detached expression. Although he was a military officer, his demeanor was refined, making him unforgettable.

"Xu Changqing, if I send you for disaster relief, what will you do?"