sbdcsierra Chapter 349 Song Pu compromises again!
Chapter 349 Song Pu compromises again!
"I hope Your Majesty will show mercy!"
"Clap!"
Xia Di placed the pen in his hand heavily on the table, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "Song Qing, do you know what you are talking about?"
"The case of the empty seal not only violates the laws of the court and harms the interests of the people, but also embezzles our Great Xia's tax revenue. If it hadn't been discovered early, it might even endanger the safety of our Great Xia!"
"Such corrupt officials...you ask me to show mercy?"
"I asked the Crown Prince to investigate the case, but they ordered assassinations and murder of officials I sent. They even openly raised private soldiers and attacked the Crown Prince's temporary government office. What is this?"
"This is treason!"
"You're asking me to show mercy on you for the crime of treason? Have you become confused after being Prime Minister for over a decade?"
Emperor Xia's face was filled with anger.
Although Song Pu had been prepared for the purpose of coming here today and knew what the outcome would be, his anger was not fake. The aristocratic family was really too bold.
Assassination would be one thing, but they actually openly wanted to kill his son, which was a complete challenge to the authority of the royal family.
Seeing the angry look on Emperor Xia's face, Song Pu cursed in his heart.
Those aristocratic families are so fucking stupid. When they do things, don’t they think about what will happen if they fail?
Now he is in such a passive position, he is not a good son.
Song Pu lowered his head and sighed, "Your Majesty, things have come to this point, but the world cannot do without the support of the noble families. Why not execute those serious criminals, and the rest..."
He glanced at Emperor Xia and said, "Your Majesty, please go around them this time!"
"once?"
"Ah……"
Emperor Xia sneered, "If you still remember, you said the same thing during the land invasion case, right?"
"Your Majesty, the law cannot punish the masses! Moreover, half of the officials in this world... Please think twice!"
No matter what Emperor Xia said, Song Pu only said this.
Emperor Xia was furious: "So, you are threatening me?"
"I don't dare!"
"Don't dare? I think you dare very much!"
Emperor Xia slammed the table, his chest heaving in anger.
Song Pu lowered his head and said nothing more!
For a moment, the imperial study became quiet. After a while, Emperor Xia picked up a memorial and threw it to Song Pu: "Such a serious incident has occurred. It is far from enough to just execute the main culprit. The occurrence of the empty seal case shows that there is a serious problem with the court's tax system!"
"If you agree with the method written here, I can let some people go at my discretion!"
"If you disagree, or if you're causing trouble behind my back, I don't mind killing a few more people! What do you think, Song Qing?"
Song Pu silently read through the memorial, which dealt with the policy on issuing new currency. After reading it, he thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty has commanded me. Is there any other way I can choose?"
"Oh, then why didn't I think Song Qing was so willing to accept good advice?"
"..."
Irony, full of irony!
Song Pu's cheeks twitched: "I have always been loyal to Daxia and to Your Majesty!"
"Alright! No need to say more official stuff!"
Emperor Xia glanced at him calmly and said, "You have assisted me since I was a humble official. Now you have reached the highest position for more than ten years. I think that is enough. Now that you and I are old, let's hand over the court to the young people!"
Song Pu's heart subconsciously twitched.
Then he smiled bitterly, thinking that what is supposed to come will eventually come!
He said silently, "I will go back and ask for my remains. I will not make things difficult for Your Majesty. I only hope Your Majesty will take good care of your health. After I retire, I will pray for Your Majesty every day. I..."
"Song Qing, you are too kind!"
Emperor Xia said calmly, "As the saying goes, there's a beginning and an end. The Empty Seal case occurred during your tenure. You should draw up a summary of it, and then retire and return home. This will complete the friendship between the monarch and his subject!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the memorial in Song Pu's hand.
Song Pu took a look and thought, well, it seems that Emperor Xia will not miss any opportunity to exploit him!
……
In the following days, no one could have imagined that the Empty Seal Case, which had initially seen widespread resistance, would see frequent reports of success. Officials from all over the country submitted memorials to apologize, and even those in the Central Plains, where aristocratic families gathered, seemed to have made an appointment and directly settled all disputes and ran to the Prince's residence to apologize and surrender.
The court has received the memorial sent back by the crown prince, and will return to the court soon!
The ministers in the court were full of suspicion. Except for a few people who knew the inside story, almost all of them were trying to find out the news. Many officials in the court were imprisoned in recent days. Even among the Qingliu faction, several officials were arrested. For a time, people were in panic.
However, none of this could affect Gu Jingzhi.
He was hiding in the Ministry of Works at the moment, with ** accompanying him. Gu Jingzhi was playing with a coin, exclaiming in amazement, "Old Chen, this Ministry of Works really is a gathering place of talented people! Look at the level of refinement on this coin, it's truly astonishing!"
"Yes!"
** nodded and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, this is also the credit of the Marquis. If it weren't for the Marquis's guidance, we would never have been able to figure out this gold and bronze technique!"
"I've lived half my life, and I've never seen a copper coin that looks exactly like gold. If it weren't for the difference in weight, I would have thought it was gold!"
Gu Jingzhi didn't feel proud after hearing this flattery. Instead, he said, "This is all due to the craftsman's dedication. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such efficiency!"
**Nodded silently.
Gu Jingzhi admired other coin samples and even took a look at the silver notes.
After a while, he put down the sample coins with satisfaction and asked, "Are the formula and anti-counterfeiting mark kept secret?"
"Ok!"
** nodded: "According to what the Marquis said, the recipes are kept separately. Those master craftsmen don't know each other's skills, and they don't even know each other!"
"The anti-counterfeiting mark was also completed by the cooperation of several people. Now all the information has been sealed, and the Marquis will be able to take it away soon!"
"Oh! Thank you for your hard work during this period!"
Gu Jingzhi nodded and said, "But now is not the time to reward people for their contributions. Is there any problem with the coinage plan for next year?"
"Don't worry, my Lord. There's no delay!"
** smiled and said, "The several copper mines selected by the Marquis have been verified by the Ministry of Industry. There is absolutely no problem! With the Lin and Gu families helping to build the workshop, I think the new currency can be minted in the spring of next year!"
"That's good!"
Gu Jingzhi smiled and said, "I think the Mint will be established soon, and then the currency will be issued before the Spring Examination. I think the effect will be extraordinary!"
"Yes!"
** sighed, "By then, all the candidates from across the country will gather in the capital. When the new currency of Daxia is issued, it will surely cause a sensation. With these candidates promoting the new currency... Your Majesty truly has a plan that leaves nothing to chance!"
"Okay, stop flattering me!"
Gu Jingzhi laughed dumbly and said, "Book printing is no small feat. Can you catch up?"
"Don't worry, my Lord. The books we've selected are all being printed as planned, and they won't delay next year's plans!"
"Okay! Everything is ready. We are just waiting for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to return..."